The fake prince was exposed at the beginning, and I took office as emperor on the spot

Chapter 249 The Collapse of the Great Building (Part Two)

Gu Fangchen was stunned.

He had indeed wondered why he carried such heavy karma. It wasn't that the Grand Preceptor couldn't calculate it at all; her ability to calculate the one from five hundred years ago was enough to prove that the Grand Preceptor's karmic arts were not just empty words.

However, she still had no idea what to do about Gu Fangchen's future and couldn't figure it out at all.

If it is as Sunaga said, it is not that the heavy karma on his body all leads to nothingness, but that this karma permeates the entire world, whether in the past or the future, no matter in any time or space, Gu Fangchen's karma exists.

That would be equivalent to hiding a tree in the forest.

Even with Xu Fu's extraordinary abilities, he was helpless, like trying to find a water molecule in the ocean—naturally, he couldn't find anything...

However, the tides recorded in the [Snail Book] can still be used to extract the necessary information.

Because the information contained in the tides can be accurately directed.

For Sunaga, the scene was terrifying; she had never seen or heard of anything like it.

Who can connect all the karma in their life to the entire world?
Doesn't this mean that his every word, action, and even a single thought can directly influence the entire world, the past, and the future?

If it's just about the future, then it's barely understandable.

This person may be of great importance, a key figure in determining the direction of the entire world.

But the past is also full of cause and effect, which is terrifying.

Whether Gu Fangchen even existed back then is debatable, but now, with a single thought, he can influence the past...

The legendary eternal realm is nothing more than this, isn't it?

Gu Fangchen could sense why she was so frightened, but this was no secret to him.

He has the ability to turn hallucinations about himself into reality, an ability he has personally verified.

In other words, if he can manipulate illusions, he can manipulate everything in this world.

However, Gu Fangchen was wary that once she had this thought, it would be like opening Pandora's box. Abusing this ability would cause the butterfly effect to accumulate infinitely, eventually destroying everything.

This was not the ending he wanted.

Therefore, he has only used it once so far.

Gu Fangchen now probably understands why he was able to easily win all the treasures that the "dentist" brought out by writing "I'm happy" on the note.

That wasn't just "Master Hengchang's underhanded dealings," but also the genuine value of his words...

Gu Fangchen shook her head:
"I understand. Don't worry, that person is on our side for now."

He now finally understood what Emperor Yong'an had been doing all along.

Emperor Yong'an was looking at the world behind him through his words and actions.

And it was indeed he who threw Gu Fangchen into that world made up of steel jungles back then...

However, there were also things that puzzled Gu Fangchen.

For example, he said, "Through thousands of years, generations, and endless evolution, there will be a world completely different from this one, a world that belongs only to you."

It's not as if he placed Gu Fangchen into this world, but rather that this world was born because of Gu Fangchen.

So what kind of existence is Gu Fangchen herself?
Gu Fangchen raised his hand and scratched his head. He should... be a person, right?
But judging from the words of "Master Hengchang", he really doesn't seem like a proper human being. No, just the fact that he is a descendant born from the Daoist discourse of "Master Hengchang" is already quite improper.

If he is not human, then what is he?
He looked at Sunaga and pondered:
"Although there are causes and effects related to me everywhere, shouldn't it still be possible to trace the origins through myself?"

Sunaga hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said:
"Yes, it is possible. I can sense that the cause and effect related to you can be traced back further, but it seems to be very, very far away and hidden very deep."

"The cost of investigating might be quite high..."

As she said this, she coughed twice to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth.

She was still shaken. Just discovering the person who called himself "Shigu" had already severely damaged her health. If she continued to investigate, she feared it would damage her very foundation or even cost her her life.

With her limited bloodline, she was not qualified to imitate the dragon and casually peruse the "Snail Book".

Gu Fangchen could also see her reluctance.

"That's enough for today."

Gu Fangchen handed over a pill and said in a deep voice:

"Let the injury heal first, and then try again in a few days."

Sunaga took a deep breath, tugged at the corners of her mouth, and sighed inwardly.

But then Gu Fangchen said again:

"Let's make the best use of these few days."

Sunaga paused, taken aback.

What does it mean to make the best use of everything?
Then she heard Gu Fangchen continue:
"Hmm... With my guidance, the 'Soul Summoning' formation should be able to be set up in three days by mobilizing all the merfolk."

He looked at Sunaga, smiled, reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips:

"Your cheap ancestral dragon god has been wasting so many years of incense offerings; it's time for him to put something to use."

"Only you can withstand the possession of a true dragon's soul, but for you, it's too much of a burden, like a small horse pulling a heavy cart."

"However, if the soul of that true dragon were to use you as a medium to peruse this [Snail Book], it would be the best use of its resources, with just the right amount of power."

Sunaga: "..."

Her expression was almost splitting open.

It's bad enough that the Merfolk are being controlled by this guy, but why is he even trying to squeeze the Dragon God dry?

They won't even spare the soul!

But clearly, they have lost the right to refute.

Sunaga could only swallow the pill and nod in humiliation:
"Yes."

Gu Fangchen smiled slightly, then flew away to summon the high-ranking merfolk and begin his plan.

Naturally, the credit for the miracle of "summoning the dragon soul" will ultimately fall on him, the messenger of the "gods".

……

at the same time.

The entire Central Plains has been plunged into chaos and war.

After the Qingman and Fatuma formed an alliance, the original situation where the Great Wei was dominant and the other three kingdoms were wary of and checked each other was completely broken.

While the Qingman launched frequent attacks, they also sent troops via a detour from Fateuma.

The six routes of Shuobei have Xiao Yinghao and Ding Xingfeng, but the route of Fateuma has no large army to guard it.

The defensive line of the four southwestern routes is actually Jian Ge.

The terrain of Jian Ge is easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it a natural defensive line. Moreover, with the Sword Saint in charge, the number one sect in the southwest is exceptionally powerful.

This is also one of the important reasons why the imperial court and Jiange frequently extended goodwill, and why Gu Yuye also wanted to form a marriage alliance with Jiange.

After Xiao Sheng took office, he immediately abandoned his plan to continue feigning cooperation with Jian Ge and treated Jian Ge as one of his hypothetical enemies.

After all, the real mastermind behind the plan to frame Sword Pavilion and drain the water of Donglong Lake to inspect the demon sword was actually Xiao Sheng, who was still the crown prince at the time... Although he was hiding behind Gu Yuye and Gu Yuandao on the surface, Sword Pavilion couldn't possibly be unaware that the "Seven Sects Rebellion" was initially reported to the court by Xiao Sheng, who then sent Gu Yuandao to suppress it.

If Gu Fangchen hadn't interfered, this elaborate scheme would have come true!
And indeed, it was just as he had thought.

When the armies of Fatuma and Qingman detoured to the southwest, Jian Ge directly led the seven sects to close their mountain gates. The entire southwest was like an empty city, with no trace of any major sect cultivators except for some rogue cultivators.

The remaining rogue cultivators naturally dared not make a move and all retreated, leaving the four southwestern regions.

The Qingman army, led by the Vatuma Gu cultivators and poison cultivators, also acted out of character, refraining from burning, killing, and looting. As they passed by, they were heard chanting about the greatness of the "Heavenly God" messenger.

Wherever he went, the people knew that they did not take a single penny, all because of the "heavenly god's" good teachings.

It's amazing that they were able to get these barbarians to abide by military rules and discipline.

It's truly baffling.

……

On the peak of Jian Ge Mountain, Ning Songjun practiced his sword daily.

"Do you see? Our 'divine messenger' is renowned for his great power."

Ning Wuzhen watched the vast army marching past in the distance, stroked his beard, and sighed.

Ning Songjun sat cross-legged, his longsword resting across his knees, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"These barbarians may not be incorrigible, but their grassland habits mean they are born into a dog-eat-dog world. Having lived a life of cannibalism for so long, they naturally forget that they are human."

"That kid isn't some real 'god' descended from heaven, so how come he can make these barbarians so obedient?"

If Ning Songjun hadn't practically watched Gu Fangchen grow up, and if Gu Fangchen hadn't sent a message to them through the Eye of Heaven after going to Qingman to explain the situation, they would have had to wonder if this kid was really a Qingman spy.

Ning Wuzhen glanced at him, sighed deeply, and then shook her head:
"You're just too honest..."

"Chen'er certainly couldn't have really gone to educate them; she was using the rules of the grasslands to suppress them."

He raised his chin:

"Those unruly members of the Qingman army have all been sent to Shuobei by him."

Ning Songjun: "..."

The question of who they were going to attack in Shuobei is self-evident.

Choose between Xiao Yinghao and Ding Xingfeng.

Each one was a true nightmare, a one-way trip!

In this way, those who obeyed would naturally promote the "divine" messenger, while those who disobeyed would have their achievements attributed to Xiao Yinghao and Ding Xingfeng.

Ning Songjun chuckled silently.

He stood up, looked at the "Heavenly Gate" on the horizon, and said:
"I just hope that the world can really get better."

Not long after, someone from below suddenly came to report.

"Princess Xiao Ying has rebelled!"

"Ding Xingfeng followed suit, and the Six Paths of Shuobei supported Xiao Yinghao as the 'Dragon King of Yingtian' and raised the White Dragon King Banner. After the news came, Huangtian City was furious and has already dispatched troops."

The Ning father and son exchanged a glance, not finding it surprising.

Xiao Yinghao claimed to have obtained evidence of collusion between Xiao Province and the Demonic Cult. For many years, she had helped the Demonic Cult hide its whereabouts and used the Demonic Cult to provide her with a large amount of resources to support her subordinates, including the seaport used by the "Extinction" Path for smuggling.

The source of this evidence is naturally the port of the "Extinction" Path, as well as the various strongholds of the "Life" Path and the "Revelation" Path.

Gu Fangchen used her own tracks as bait to attract almost all of the Demonic Sect's main force, so naturally they couldn't let go of such a golden opportunity.

Originally, within the Great Wei territory, there was a delicate balance of power between the Demonic Sect and the Immortal Sect. Many people were involved with the Demonic Sect due to their interests, and were either threatened or willing to hide their traces of the Demonic Sect.

This is also one of the reasons why Xu Fu has been unable to find a starting point for his work for many years.

Now that all the high-ranking members of the Demonic Sect have been lost, the balance has been completely broken.

Xiao Yinghao immediately started processing the green garlic.

With the assistance of the Eye of Heaven Division, all those strongholds were destroyed one by one, and evidence of Xiao Province's cooperation with the Demonic Sect over the years was found and spread.

The immortal sects were in uproar. Their cooperation with the imperial court was already precarious, and now they were about to sever all ties.

It's not that they are truly righteous, but Xiao Sheng was already suspected of illegitimately gaining power. After Gu Fangchen ran away, everyone knew that he had connections with Xiao Yinghao, Ding Xingfeng, and Jian Ge, and they were all watching and waiting.

The two sides were originally evenly matched, but now that the evil cult behind Xiao Province has fallen, the balance of power has tipped.

To the north lies the White Dragon, to the west the Green Barbarians, and Gu Fangchen is missing overseas.

A storm is brewing; the building is about to collapse.

It has become an unstoppable trend...

Under these circumstances, remaining neutral and observing is no longer advisable; it is natural to start taking sides.

……

"Sage, how long until we can capture the last dragon vein?"

Xiao Sheng sat on the dragon throne, his eyes blazing with fury.

He has only been on the throne for a few days, but his appearance can no longer be described as old and decrepit.

His eye sockets were deeply sunken, his hair was almost completely gone, and his skin was loose like a pile of fabric, covered with age spots.

It didn't even look like age spots, but rather like a horrifying bluish-purple lividity...

Xiao Sheng's eyes were almost bulging out, bloodshot, and filled with boundless hatred.

If someone saw his back, they would be even more horrified.

The surface was covered from top to bottom with incredibly thick nails, and these nails were covered with blood vessels, as if they were rusty. But in reality, the blood vessels on these nails were wriggling as if they were breathing.

He no longer looks like a human being.

It's more like a human skin being manipulated by these nails.

After the news of Xiao Yinghao declaring herself queen spread, Xiao Province was thrown into complete panic.

He was ambitious, but his fears ran even deeper.

Now, Xiao Yinghao has brought the news he fears most. It seems that his false rule is about to be overthrown. He hasn't even gotten used to sitting on the dragon throne yet, and it seems that he will have to hand it over.

Xie Qian, who had only recently returned to Huangtian City, looked into the distance and murmured:
"almost……"

Xiao Sheng became anxious and angrily said:

"How long is 'soon'? Xiao Yinghao is about to storm the Purple Extreme Palace!"

"Noisy."

Xie Qian frowned, waved his hand, and Xiao Sheng, who had just excitedly tried to get up, immediately fell back into the dragon throne.

He turned his head and saw a pillar of light shooting into the sky in the distance, and finally relaxed his brow:
"It's done!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: I posted first and revised later, and I think I'm back to my usual style. I'll try writing 6,000 words again tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)