The Quest for Immortality Chapter 2377: Holding the Emperor Hostage (part 3)

How could Brother Mo... strangle me?

He...

Yu Er frowned, instantaneously grasping the situation.

"Oh, Brother Mo is attempting to deceive once more..."

Yu Er blinked; though he himself did not wish to deceive, he also did not want to impede Brother Mo's deception, nor could he possibly expose Brother Mo:

"What course of action should I take?"

At that precise moment, Mo Hua felt his neck being gently clasped by Brother Mo once more, yet Brother Mo’s hand felt soft, warm, and the pressure exerted did not cause pain. Then, Mo Hua perceived:

"Your Divine Lord rests within my grasp..."

"He has recently descended, currently in the process of merging with the flesh fetus, his consciousness akin to that of an infant. It will not be long before he fully integrates and truly manifests in the world. At that auspicious time, the very first individual he will behold will be me, and he shall irrevocably consider me as kin..."

He is a newly birthed Divine Lord.

He has not yet entered the world, his consciousness comparable to an "infant's."

An infant...

"I comprehend."

Yu Er gave a slight nod, after which his gaze became distant, his expression dazed, feigning an awakening from a terrible nightmare, oblivious to all and everyone in existence.

Observing this portrayal, Mo Hua inwardly rejoiced, secretly commending Yu Er's astuteness.

This young one had been in his company for an extensive period; he truly possessed understanding and was remarkably in sync with him.

Close to the darkness, thus more steeped in it.

A darkness residing deep within the heart.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tu’s countenance quivered, entirely unsuspicious.

This was because, in the very instant Yu Er’s eyes fluttered open, he genuinely perceived an internal tremor, a potent urge to fall to his knees in solemn worship.

This reaction signified that, within Yu Er, the Divine Lord had indeed stirred.

Even at this juncture, he could vaguely discern an "Evil God" aura permeating Yu Er.

However, he remained uncertain about the present "state of existence" of the Divine Lord.

The Divine Lord appeared to be simultaneously born and vanishing, his aura flickering intermittently.

But if one considered Mo Hua's explanation—that following the Divine Lord's emergence, he was in the phase of merging with the Divine Fetus—then everything fell into place logically.

Because the merging process inherently involves the dissolution of cause and effect, the aura would naturally be faint.

Once this fusion was complete, the Divine Lord would truly "open his eyes" and perceive this world, replete with the gruesome sacrifices of flesh and blood.

Upon this realization, Mr. Tu felt an uncontrollable surge of excitement.

Subsequently, his expression hardened, and he inwardly resolved:

"We absolutely must prevent the Divine Lord from falling into the clutches of that fierce god from Taixu Gate; otherwise, should the Divine Lord be swayed and mistake foe for kin, it would irrevocably shatter all my painstakingly laid plans over millennia."

His profound devotion to the Great Wilderness God Master caused his very bloodline to pulse with intensity.

Mr. Tu directed his gaze towards Mo Hua, his eyes radiating a chilling, potent killing intent:

"Release the Divine Lord at once. The Divine Lord is a being of utmost nobility, not some outcast deity that unsavory individuals like yourself can lay hands upon."

Mo Hua, with a deliberate pinch on Yu Er’s fair, tender cheek, retorted with a sneer, "And what if I *do* choose to lay hands upon him?"

Mr. Tu felt his lifelong faith being desecrated, a furious rage boiling within him, his seven orifices practically seething with malevolent energy.

Yet, precisely as Mr. Tu was consumed by this incandescent fury, Mo Hua's mind suddenly darted, catching sight of Shangguan Wang in the vicinity. Mo Hua's eyes instantly gleamed with an idea as he pointed:

"Shangguan Wang!"

Shangguan Wang recoiled in surprise.

Being singled out and directly addressed by a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator from a position of height, he ought to have felt indignant. However, the current Mo Hua radiated a mysterious aura, his gaze was unusually profound, and all his actions and pronouncements deviated starkly from his previous demeanor.

It appeared as though a far more formidable "existence" resided within him, one that even Mr. Tu seemed to regard with considerable apprehension.

This compelled Shangguan Wang to refrain from any rash actions or calculating petty schemes.

Mo Hua issued a direct command:

"You, proceed to eliminate Mr. Tu. Once the Divine Lord achieves rebirth and his will fully awakens, I shall bestow upon you recognition and grant you the boon of immortality!"

The Divine Lord's blessing, eternal life!

Shangguan Wang stood momentarily stunned, his eyes swiftly flushing crimson with an uncharacteristic fervor.

However, the prospect of actually assassinating Mr. Tu gave him pause, causing him to hesitate.

Mo Hua, affording him no time for deliberation, turned his attention towards the representatives of Yin Corpse Valley and Demon Sword Sect, Feather Transformation, remarking:

"Should you succeed in dispatching Mr. Tu, I can also petition the Divine Lord to bestow upon you the gift of everlasting life."

"This singular opportunity is presented but once."

"There can exist only one devoted servant to the Divine Lord."

"Whosoever strikes down Mr. Tu shall be elevated to that unique position, solely enjoying the Divine Lord's benevolent blessings and receiving adoration from countless believers."

The Featherization Old Demons from Yin Corpse Valley and Demon Sword Sect exchanged troubled glances, also exhibiting reluctance to act impulsively.

Being seasoned strategists, having traversed the vast expanse of years, how could Mo Hua's seemingly simple words easily incite them to action?

Mo Hua let out a cold sneer, continuing to exert his influence:

"Do not accuse me of failing to issue a warning; the supreme fortune bestowed by the Divine Lord is a fleeting chance."

"If you heed my directive to 'purge the King's faction and execute the traitors,' regardless of whether your attempt to kill Mr. Tu proves successful or not, I shall hold no blame against you."

"But if you just stand by and watch now, don't blame me later for holding a grudge..."

Mo Hua let out a vicious sneer, his voice like ice and brimstone:

"Soon, once the Divine Lord is fully merged with the Divine Fetus and his consciousness awakens, I will report to him that your loyalty is lacking, your faith wavering, your defiance of his decrees, and your collusion with Mr. Tu for personal gain, thereby betraying the Divine Lord."

"By then, even if you have reached Feather Transformation, the Divine Lord will tear out your Primordial Spirit, inflict a cruel punishment, and you shall be consumed by the myriad malevolent spirits within the Three Thousand Black Mountains, your Primordial Spirit utterly annihilated, dying a most wretched death..."

With his right hand gripping Yu Er's neck, Mo Hua took on the menacing guise of a treacherous subordinate using the emperor to subjugate the nobles.

The Feather Transformation Old Demons from the Yin Corpse Valley and the Demon Sword Sect felt vexed, yet a shiver of apprehension ran through them.

The Great Wilderness Evil God was a being of notorious and terrifying renown.

And when the Evil God descended, these Feather Transformations could palpably feel the dread-inducing aura.

To serve a ruler is to walk a razor’s edge.

How much more so when serving a deity.

Furthermore, the Divine Lord they venerated was none other than an Evil God, infamous for his savage bloodlust.

With a contemptible 'villain' at the Divine Lord’s side, intimately trusted, these Feather Transformations might find themselves in dire straits.

Of course, it was also possible that Mo Hua was merely fabricating his claims.

Nonetheless, this young man, capable of 'holding hostage' the Divine Lord, possessed considerable power and was not to be trifled with.

After a moment's consideration, the Feather Transformation Old Demons of the Demon Sword Sect and Yin Corpse Valley, a flicker of unreadable intent in their eyes, acted. One ruptured a coffin, summoning forth a Golden Corpse, while the other broke the seal on a Sword Box, unleashing the Demon Sword. Together, they launched their assault upon Mr. Tu.

Mr. Tu’s eyes turned bloodshot, a curse brewing in his heart.

Within the grand hall, the three Feather Transformations engaged in a fierce and bitter struggle, their techniques wicked, cruel, and venomous. Corpse Qi, Sword Qi, and Blood Qi mingled in a deadly ballet.

After a period of intense combat, the battle raged on, the situation fraught with tension.

Observing this turn of events, Mo Hua turned his gaze toward Shangguan Wang, his voice dropping to a low, chilling pitch:

"Elder Shangguan… escort me and the Divine Lord to safety, and I shall clear you of all transgressions. I will appoint you as the Divine Lord’s sole ‘attendant’, bestowing upon you the Divine Lord’s favor, guaranteeing your eternal life, and ensuring that even if your mortal form perishes, your Divine Soul shall endure..."