After Lu Jun killed the Red Cardinals, the news spread rapidly. Netizens all over the world were astonished.
Even the Holy City, the Five Continents Magic Association, and the Hunter's Union could not remain seated. High-ranking figures began inquiring about the matter one after another, and some even dispatched envoys to verify whether it was true.
As for the Parthenon Temple, it was no longer counted among the eight top forces. It remained quiet and silent.
Only the ruling Temple Mother smashed a cup in a hidden chamber somewhere and muttered coldly, "Two pieces of trash!"
Pope had truly been plagued with misfortune. More than half a year ago, the Parthenon's supreme treasure, the Divine Soul, had been snatched away under the watchful eyes of the public. The white-path forces she had arranged had suffered a severe setback. When she tried to mobilize the power of the Black Vatican, three Red Cardinals had died within five years.
Now the rumors circulating within the gray underworld were nothing more than ridicule and mockery. The Black Vatican's status as the supreme force of the dark world was beginning to shake, and its attraction to evil individuals had greatly diminished.
She took a deep breath. The troublesome part was that the capital conduits of three Red Cardinals had died, and their three major branches had been uprooted. Rebuilding them would take a very long time.
In the end, the Temple Mother could only mutter one name:
"Lu Jun!"
Meanwhile, atop the Dubai Tower in Asia.
Su Lu stood before the skylight, overlooking the bustling city. Even the drifting clouds were beneath his feet, making the view especially pleasing.
He enjoyed this feeling of standing high above the nine heavens and looking down upon all living beings, like a human emperor towering above the world.
After a moment, Su Lu thought about the news he had just received, that two Red Cardinals had died in the Nine Provinces. He pondered for a moment, then sneered.
"What a pity."
Regarding the current situation of the Nine Provinces, he felt a trace of schadenfreude. To a certain extent, the Five Continents Magic Association and the major nations directly under its jurisdiction possessed irreconcilable conflicts.
It was similar to the relationship between a central authority and feudal lords.
Su Lu would be delighted if the Nine Provinces suffered severe damage and lost much of their foundation. That way he could extend his influence into this ancient Eastern nation.
"Lu Jun, is it? A seed for Forbidden Curse indeed. You want the Great Earth Core…"
He pondered, considering whether he could intervene to obstruct it.
Lu Jun's age and cultivation truly made him feel a powerful threat. If one was not careful, that young dragon might already transform into a true dragon. It was even said that he could calmly retreat after facing Hades Khufu, which was terrifying.
The scene from that time had formed a mirage above the Nine Provinces, it could not possibly be faked.
Both civilians and mages across the world were discussing it, believing that the most likely candidate to become the world's next newly promoted Archmage was Lu Jun.
Su Lu sneered and muttered, "I'm afraid I'm not the only one. Some old fellows probably can't sit still either."
This battle made him feel that something was wrong. He recalled how he had sent people to Hangzhou, only for them to mysteriously disappear without any news afterward. Even after sending others to investigate several times, there was still no information, as if the place had become an information black hole.
When he later learned that Lu Jun had returned to the Nine Provinces around the same time and that he was actually a native of Hangzhou, he could not help forming suspicions.
Unfortunately, Su Lu had no evidence. Moreover, the matter itself could not see the light of day, so he could only drop it.
While the entire world was discussing Lu Jun heatedly, many of his acquaintances were also paying attention.
For example, Mo Fan clicked his tongue in admiration.
"Lu Jun is incredible. He's chopped down nearly half of the Black Vatican. The title 'Nemesis of Red Cardinals' truly isn't undeserved."
Or the kidnapped Professor Yuan and Feng Zhoulong, who felt extremely gratified. It proved they had followed the right person.
Meanwhile, Lu Jun walked into the core area of the Imperial Capital. The surrounding environment was quiet and elegant. No vehicles were driving around. Soldiers patrolled on guard, and the buildings were spacious siheyuan courtyards separated by generous distances.
Ye Mei stopped in front of one courtyard.
Lu Jun took a deep breath. His mood inexplicably became solemn. After all, this was his first meeting with someone like Hua Zhanhong, a peak powerhouse of humanity. It was also the first time he would meet the benefactor who had quietly supported him all this time.
When Mo Fan met Hua Zhanhong, he had roughly been at the same level of strength as Lu Jun now.
After a moment, Lu Jun pushed open the door and entered. His gaze immediately fixed upon an unmistakable figure standing in the center of the courtyard, a stern man with a dark face and beard.
When Hua Zhanhong saw Lu Jun, he smiled and said, "So you are Lu Jun. Seeing you today, you truly are a young man of outstanding talent."
Lu Jun stepped forward respectfully.
"Greetings, Archmage Hua."
Inside, he felt somewhat uneasy. There were matters he wanted to discuss with the other party, issues involving high-level strategic concerns. That was the real reason he had personally come to the Imperial Capital.
"No need to be so polite. The future will depend on you young people."
The dark-faced, bearded general extended his hand in invitation.
"Please, sit."
The two faced each other. Just as Lu Jun was about to bring up the matter of the Red Cardinals, Hua Zhanhong waved his hand dismissively. The problem of the Black Vatican was no longer worthy of serious discussion at his level.
Only decisions concerning the survival and fate of the human race could truly capture his attention.
Hua Zhanhong took the initiative to praise him.
"You did well. Before the great war begins, you cleaned out the filth within the Nine Provinces for us. There are no more internal worries. You also lured the Pacific Empire into hastily launching a war, buying the Nine Provinces some opportunities."
"Archmage, you overpraise me. What I wish to discuss is the issue of the sea demons."
Lu Jun's tone turned serious as he revealed certain information regarding the Emperor-level forces of the Pacific Empire.
In truth, it was information from the original story: the Ten Great Emperors, including the ruler Cold Moon-Eyed Demon God, the Demon Ruins White Spider Emperor, the Variegated Emperor, the Salamander Demon Emperor, the Giant Shell Emperor, the Tide Evil Dragon Emperor, the Shark Kingdom Lord, and the Mirage Sea Dragon King Ant Queen.
As well as the yet-to-awaken Empress Skeleton Queen and the Bone Dragon Emperor…
He also described, in a speculative tone, the deployment formations of the Sea Demon Empire.
"The Mirage Sea Dragon King Ant Queen is probably the vanguard along the Bohai Sea route. The Shark Kingdom Lord is the vanguard of the East Sea route, and the Tide Evil Dragon Emperor is the vanguard of the South Sea route. Their tribes have already moved close to these areas."
"Oh, right. There is an underwater current passage in the Bohai Sea, but it is blocked by an undersea silver ore vein. Do not blow it open under any circumstances. That alone can at least relieve some pressure on the Bohai battlefront."
Lu Jun revealed all sorts of secrets in one breath without holding anything back. After all, the most trustworthy and capable authority figure was right in front of him, so there was no need to hide anything.
Originally, Hua Zhanhong's attitude had been one of encouraging the younger generation, and he had even planned to send Lu Jun inland to protect him. But now his expression grew increasingly serious.
The dark-faced, bearded general inhaled sharply. His cultivated composure was broken as he asked with barely concealed excitement,
"Where did you obtain this information? Is it accurate? If the evidence is solid, this would be extremely useful."
The reason the Nine Provinces feared the Pacific Empire was because they could not determine the true depth of its strength. Everything about it was unknown. They only knew it was powerful, but exactly how powerful? No one knew.
Now that the detailed races and intelligence of the Ten Great Emperors had been revealed, although the pressure was still enormous, they could at least begin making plans and perhaps even eliminate one or two Emperors in advance.
For this question, Lu Jun had long prepared an answer. He smiled slightly, summoned the sleeping Mermaid Holy Spirit, and pointed at the bewildered Water Monarch.
"The intelligence was gathered by her people."
"The Elemental Holy Spirit race lives in the Pacific Ocean and is familiar with the various Emperors."
Lu Jun paused before continuing,
"I also know that the Pacific Empire is not truly stable in its rule. It is merely an alliance formed under the absolute authority of the Cold Moon-Eyed Demon God. There is another ruler secretly opposing it, and there are also dissenting forces similar to the Water Elemental Holy Spirit race."
"I do not know the life or death status of that Sub-Emperor, the ancestor of Water Monarch's lineage. But if we could lend assistance and make them a threat within the Pacific Empire's core territory, it would be extremely significant."
Hearing this, Hua Zhanhong's eyes shone brightly. Forming alliances and counter-alliances, this was something the Nine Provinces were extremely familiar with, a skill passed down from their ancestors.
He had truly not expected that Lu Jun would bring so many surprises.
"Excellent. If we can unite these opposing forces, we may attempt to push the battlefront toward the First Island Chain, reducing the destruction to our homeland. Perhaps even achieve 'If the enemy can come, we can go as well.'"
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