King of Creation Chapter 1728 - 1713: Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long’s Kindness

Should Ye Zhen have the liberty to travel with considerable fanfare on his path to report to Luoyi, without the specter of danger looming, then the return voyage to the North Sea would transform into an undertaking fraught with peril.

During his outward journey, though Ye Zhen’s retinue was modest, his safety was meticulously ensured by the watchful eyes of the Heavenly Patrol Department and the Secret Overseer’s forces, both above and below ground.

However, the return path would be devoid of such protective measures.

Despite Ye Zhen’s successful elimination of the lingering threats from the Shahe City Branch Temple massacre, his acquisition of unspecified benefits, and his triumphant alliance with Princess Changle to secure control over the Barbarian Spirit Hall, a significant backlash was brewing.

From the Heavenly Temple's apex, particularly the two sacred domains of Sun and Moon Heaven and Thunder Prison Peak, pronounced animosity was directed towards Ye Zhen. In contrast, Green Dawn Peak maintained a cordial disposition, largely due to Ye Zhen’s possession of the invaluable Yimu Spiritual Communication Technique.

Concurrently, within the Ancestor God Temple, Ye Zhen had decisively alienated the Seventh Grand Power Sacrifice, Tumen Changyin, and the Second Grand Power Sacrifice, Tongna, both now viewing him as a formidable adversary.

When a seemingly insignificant individual manages to profoundly displease and incite vengeance in a figure of immense power and respect, thereby jeopardizing numerous vested interests, what recourse does such an eminent figure typically pursue?

Is it to engage in a protracted struggle for the preservation of those interests?

Absolutely not!

The most direct and decisive course of action is to obliterate the insignificant troublemaker!

With the small fry eliminated, all discord ceases, the perceived insult is avenged, and the struggle for interests becomes moot, as those interests can be effortlessly reclaimed.

In the present context, Ye Zhen represents that exceedingly troublesome minor player, while the Second and Seventh Grand Power Sacrifices of the Heavenly Temple and the Ancestor God Temple embody the formidable powers.

This was a scenario Ye Zhen had foreseen long ago.

He reasoned that were the circumstances reversed, he would undoubtedly adopt the same pragmatic approach.

Who would engage in complex stratagems and prolonged conflicts with a mere insignificant entity?

A swift, decisive strike to end their existence offers the most satisfying and efficient resolution!

Consequently, the journey back was anticipated to be exceptionally perilous.

Nevertheless, Ye Zhen himself held a substantive position within the Heavenly Patrol Department. Moreover, his trusted subordinates, Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi, had been diligently managing the affairs of the West Patrol Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy for the preceding several years.

It might be more accurate to state that these two commanders were the primary administrators, accumulating substantial experience over time, rather than Ye Zhen himself directly overseeing all operations.

According to the intelligence provided by Spirit Scout Niu Er, their adeptness in the various reconnaissance, counterintelligence, ambush, escort, assassination, and covert movement techniques employed by the Heavenly Patrol Department had reached a level comparable to Niu Er’s own, with the only notable deficiency being a lack of extensive field experience.

Thus, several days prior to Ye Zhen's planned departure for his return journey, Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi meticulously devised three distinct return strategies and accompanying routes for his consideration.

Each of these proposed plans possessed its own unique advantages.

The first strategy offered the highest degree of perceived reliability: Ye Zhen was to purportedly manifest an Illusory Body to overtly accompany a grand procession, including Ling Qianbi, Big Ears, Liu Feng, and Gu Tieqi, reinforced by three hundred Sacrificial Guards from the Barbarian Spirit Hall. This diversionary force would serve to draw the attention of any potential adversaries.

Concurrently, the true Ye Zhen would adopt a disguise and effect a swift, clandestine return to North Sea County.

This particular stratagem boasted an exceptionally high probability of success, nearing one hundred percent safety.

The underlying rationale was that Ye Zhen's mastery of Illusory Body techniques was so profound that even cultivators at the Dao Realm would struggle to perceive the deception. Combined with a substantial military escort acting as a diversion, Ye Zhen's personal security would be virtually absolute.

The sole potential drawback was that in the event of a forceful enemy assault, the accompanying entourage might face unpredictable and potentially severe casualties.

Despite the near-certain safety offered by the first plan, Ye Zhen ultimately chose to forgo it, opting instead for the third strategy presented by Liu Feng and his associates.

The individuals Ye Zhen had chosen to accompany him on this journey – encompassing Liu Feng, Gu Tieqi, Big Ears, and Ling Qianbi – were all individuals of immense importance to him. The loss of even a single one would inflict unbearable sorrow upon Ye Zhen!

The chosen strategy involved a calculated separation, the deliberate creation of diversions, and a comprehensive deception aimed at misleading all observers.

Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi would openly depart with the main entourage, while an alternate contingent of three hundred Sacrificial Guards from the Barbarian Spirit Hall would proceed along a separate path. Upon exiting Luoyi and reaching the Ancient Teleportation Formation located on Dragon Swimming Plain, Ye Zhen intended to generate multiple Illusory Bodies and utilize the formation to teleport in various directions simultaneously.

Ye Zhen proceeded to implement this plan, albeit with minor, carefully considered adjustments.

Not long after departing the confines of Luoyi, Ling Qianbi and Big Ears inexplicably vanished from sight.

By the time the group reached the Ancient Teleportation Formation at Dragon Swimming Plain, Ye Zhen had already seamlessly merged with the surrounding throng of people.

The sophisticated transfigurations, expertly executed by Achou utilizing the Mirage Dragon Primordial Spirit and the potent Ancient Mirage Qi, possessed a deceptive quality so advanced that it remained undetectable even by those at the Dao Realm. The act of disappearing within a densely populated area thus became remarkably facile.

Guided by the detailed route mapping provided by Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi, Ye Zhen arrived at the Ancient Teleportation Formation within Marquis Haiyuan Kingdom a mere day and a half later.

However, Ye Zhen did not elect to return to North Sea County City immediately.

The entirety of North Sea County City's matters had been handed over to the capable hands of Liu Feng and Gu Tieqi, alongside Governor Qiao Fu and County Captain Tang Biao, all of whom had pledged their unwavering loyalty to Ye Zhen.

Furthermore, the three hundred priests from the Barbarian Spirit Hall, operating under Ye Zhen's command, would lend their considerable might, ensuring a profound sense of security.

With the crucial five-year deadline looming, the most paramount concern was strength.

It needed to be strength of the highest caliber!

The initial five-year period granted was, in essence, a strategic window provided by Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long for Ye Zhen to mature and develop.

It's quite probable that even Ren Venerate Emperor himself hadn't foreseen Ye Zhen's remarkably audacious actions.

In less than five years, Ye Zhen had not only thoroughly aggravated the Heavenly Temple but had also incurred the displeasure of the Ancestor God Temple's two Grand Power Sacrifices.

Ren Venerate Emperor held a complex sentiment towards an official like Ye Zhen, experiencing both fondness and resentment.

Fondness for his ability to manage and stir the pot, yet resentment for his drain on resources, where a single misstep could precipitate a major crisis.

He was cherished for capable of causing such a significant stir under Xiao Qiangu's West Patrol command.

Originally, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long had merely intended to plant a subtle influence, but now, that seed had the potential to blossom into a formidable entity.

Upon departing Luoyi, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long dispatched Yu Chaoen to inquire if Ye Zhen required an expert to provide him protection.

After considerable deliberation, Ye Zhen ultimately declined the offer.

According to Yu Chaoen's explanation, a Dao Realm Expert could be assigned to Ye Zhen, serving as a crucial pillar of support.

Nevertheless, Ye Zhen found himself burdened by a multitude of reservations.

Dao Realm Experts wield divine skills that are beyond comprehension and possess astonishing capabilities, precisely the kind Ye Zhen desperately needed.

Yet, Ye Zhen harbored a vast repository of secrets that were meant to remain concealed. Should a Dao Realm Expert, affiliated with the Royal Family, remain in his proximity, Ye Zhen's clandestine affairs risked inadvertent exposure.

If any single critical secret were to be unveiled, whether it pertained to the Mirage Dragon Pearl, the War Soul Blood Flag, the Demon Marshal's Avatar, or the True Profound Continent, the revelation of any one of these could instigate unforeseen and cascading consequences.

Ye Zhen surmised that such revelations might even incite covetous intentions within the Royal Family, let alone within a Dao Realm Expert.

Consequently, Ye Zhen chose to forgo Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long's gracious offer to dispatch a Dao Realm Expert.

Ye Zhen's conviction was that his personal strength was the most vital asset.

Therefore, Ye Zhen resolved to capitalize on the remaining period of over half a year to dedicate himself fervently to cultivation, thereby elevating his personal might and combat prowess.

Within the confines of the Mirage Dragon Pearl Space, amplified by the effect of Temporal Power, a duration exceeding half a year would effectively translate to no less than five years of rigorous cultivation.

Five years of dedicated cultivation would be more than sufficient for Ye Zhen to achieve a substantial augmentation of his strength and combat capabilities.

For this reason, Ye Zhen's current intention was to make his way back by entering through Haiyuan City towards North Sea, proceeding directly towards the Xiansheng Water Mansion!