At this moment, Lu Jun had no idea that many old acquaintances were making their way to support him in their own ways.
The entirety of the Nine Provinces was operating like a roaring machine. Vast amounts of manpower, resources, and wealth were converging toward the eastern regions. A tense and oppressive atmosphere permeated the land, and war could break out at any moment.
Lu Jun and Ding Yumian stepped through a teleportation gate and appeared directly within the core area of the Oriental Pearl Tower, their arrival almost ghostlike.
More than a dozen Forbidden Curse Mages were currently holding a meeting. When two people suddenly appeared, everyone was startled, their gazes instantly focusing on the newcomers.
Lu Jun remained calm and composed, showing no trace of nervousness. The only reaction was a slight tightening of his grip on Ding Yumian's delicate hand.
He sensed it and smiled, transmitting his thoughts through Psychic Magic.
"From this moment onward, nobody in the magical world can threaten us anymore. Even if all seven Archangels came together, it would make no difference!"
Lu Jun naturally possessed such confidence.
Not to mention Queen of Sacred Lotus of Twin Blossoms, who had truly advanced to the Emperor level, he himself now possessed Emperor-level combat power. Combined with the Sub-Emperor Holy Spirit Ancestor and his official status, no one could easily suppress him.
Furthermore, Lu Jun could still transform into an Undead Emperor.
With his current cultivation foundation, transforming into the Undead Emperor was completely different from how Zhan Kong, merely a High-Tier Mage, had inherited the Ancient King's power. Lu Jun's transformation now vaguely possessed the terrifying combat strength of a Ruler Emperor.
Fighting seven opponents alone would be no problem. As for killing them, it only depended on how great a price he was willing to pay.
Lu Jun was already considering how to take over such a colossal force once the Holy City was dragged down from its lofty position.
Fortunately, the establishment of the Military Strategy Palace had already laid a certain foundation, preventing him from having to take over in a rush.
He understood clearly that overthrowing the Holy City was easy.
The real problem was ensuring a stable transfer of power.
Under no circumstances could there be a power vacuum. Otherwise, all sorts of monsters and opportunists would emerge to seize control.
The reason Mo Fan had compromised in the original timeline was partly because of his naturally lazy disposition. Managing such an enormous organization simply wasn't his style.
As for Lu Jun, he would never be the type to only destroy without cleaning up afterward.
How would that make him any different from Tang San of Douluo... ahem.
He had no intention of being used as someone else's weapon.
During Mo Fan's Dark Judgment, there had been thirteen chess pieces, yet not a single one was black.
That alone demonstrated how badly the major forces of the magical world wanted the Holy City gone.
In truth, Lu Jun had another excellent method of taking over the Holy City.
But that was a matter for the future.
For now, the invasion of the Pacific Empire remained the top priority.
At this moment, after recovering from their initial surprise and recognizing Lu Jun, the Forbidden Curse Mages revealed curious expressions.
Quite a few cast meaningful glances toward Ding Yumian.
Regarding this Calamity Bearer, they vaguely knew some of the circumstances, though none had cared enough to interfere.
Now, however, she had openly stepped into the public eye.
There was no longer any way to pretend not to notice.
After the war, the Holy City would undoubtedly investigate.
Yet...
Chairman Hongwu glanced at Lu Jun and knew deep down that this young man was anything but ordinary. His backing was extraordinarily powerful.
The Nine Provinces would most likely protect him at all costs, even if it meant an open confrontation with the Holy City.
Just as the atmosphere grew somewhat heavy, Principal Xiao was the first to step forward.
"Haha, why is everyone just standing around? Let's get inside and continue the meeting. We need to discuss how we're going to fight this war."
As a Triple-Element Forbidden Curse Mage, Principal Xiao carried immense authority.
Everyone present was willing to give him face.
They smiled and welcomed Lu Jun to take a seat.
Unlike the original timeline, Principal Xiao had completely exposed himself during the bloody battle against the Tyrant Dragon Emperor of the Raging Seas and had officially entered the ranks of the Forbidden Curse Assembly.
None of them looked down on Lu Jun.
Leaving aside all his achievements, the fact that he could merge with a Holy Spirit Emperor alone made him a crucial participant in this war.
An Emperor-level Water Mage's combat strength could very well determine the outcome of the conflict.
At that moment, an elderly monk with kind features sitting in the corner suddenly spoke.
"Benefactress, your spiritual cultivation and attainments in the Psychic Element are extraordinary. They are no less than this old monk's."
He looked at Ding Yumian and sighed with admiration.
"I never expected that before the end of my life, I would witness the rise of another Psychic Forbidden Curse Mage in the Nine Provinces."
"I had feared there would be no successor."
"Now, even if I perish in this war, I can leave without regrets."
His words caused the Forbidden Curse Mages to be slightly surprised.
Looking at the benevolent old monk, they shook their heads and sighed.
"Great Master, why speak with such pessimism?"
This monk was one of the great powers of Lingyin Temple and the only Psychic Forbidden Curse Mage in the Nine Provinces.
In response to the Forbidden Curse mobilization order, he had left seclusion and come to aid the war effort.
Because of his exceptional character and popularity, his words immediately eased the atmosphere, helping Lu Jun and Ding Yumian integrate into the gathering.
However, most of the Forbidden Curse Mages were secretly shocked by the Great Master's statement.
The next Psychic Forbidden Curse Mage.
That meant Ding Yumian's advancement was practically guaranteed.
Lu Jun was somewhat surprised.
Aside from his teacher, Principal Xiao, he had not expected someone else to openly express goodwill toward them.
Hearing the praise, Ding Yumian replied modestly,
"Great Master, you overpraise me. I am unworthy of being called a Bodhisattva."
"Hahaha." The monk from Lingyin Temple laughed and said, "There is no need to be modest. With your attainments in the Psychic Element, a single thought from you could inspire faith in millions of households, with incense and devotion rising endlessly. How could you not be worthy of being called a Bodhisattva?"
"Furthermore, I can see that your spiritual radiance is pure, rounded, and peaceful. You must possess a kind heart. Otherwise, if a sinister Psychic Mage reached your level, I would worry that no one would be able to restrain them after my death."
Hearing this, Lu Jun finally relaxed.
The monk was absolutely right. Psychic Mages were terrifying beings capable of controlling the hearts and minds of others. Once they reached the Forbidden Curse level, they became even more frightening. In ancient times, many priests and religious leaders had used such abilities to gather countless believers and establish entire religions.
Ding Yumian nodded slightly and expressed her gratitude.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master."
The monk from Lingyin Temple smiled lightly and said no more.
Soon, the Forbidden Curse Mages all took their seats.
Every one of them was a supreme figure standing at the pinnacle of the magical world.
Chairman Hongwu slowly began speaking.
"This is Lu Jun. I won't waste time introducing him further. Through his fusion with a Water Element Emperor, he is an indispensable force in this battle."
"Now, let us return to the main topic."
"What is our bottom line in this war?"
"Are we determined to repel the Sea Demon Empire outright, or are we prepared to retreat?"
"And if we retreat, where is the limit?"
"Do we abandon Pudong?"
"Half of Magic City?"
"Or even Magic City itself?"
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone fell into contemplation.
The atmosphere in the room became heavy and silent.
Lu Jun was stunned.
He had not expected these human Forbidden Curse Mages to be discussing retreat before the battle had even begun.
His brows furrowed immediately.
Principal Xiao seemed to sense his emotions and quietly shook his head at him.
A moment later, the Forbidden Curse Mages began discussing among themselves, formulating different strategies based on the number of Emperor-level demons they expected to appear.
For example, how should they respond if only one Ocean Demon Emperor appeared?
What if two Emperors joined the battle?
And what if the Sea King Skeleton below defeated their Super-Tier alliance?
Should they intervene?
Or should they continue to hold back?
Watching all this unfold, Lu Jun gradually lost interest.
The passion and fighting spirit within him faded, replaced by a growing sense of coldness.
Suddenly, he found the entire situation somewhat ridiculous.
At that moment, he understood certain things.
No wonder in the original timeline, when the Sea King Skeleton lured out three Pinnacle Mages and the Dragon King Ant Queen slapped them to death with a single strike, the Forbidden Curse Council remained completely silent.
Had Mo Fan not chased the Sea King Skeleton across the ocean and personally killed it, barely salvaging humanity's dignity, the matter would likely have been quietly buried and forgotten.
These Forbidden Curse Mages were all afraid of death.
Lu Jun watched coldly from the sidelines.
His gaze landed on Chairman Hongwu.
The chairman's expression remained solemn and unreadable, revealing nothing of his true thoughts.
Beside him, even Ding Yumian frowned slightly.
Her Psychic senses found the atmosphere deeply uncomfortable.
Unable to endure it any longer, she shifted her attention elsewhere.
Time and again, she looked through the observation windows of the Pearl Tower toward the battlefield in the southeast, the battlefield unfolding right before their eyes.
For additional chapters
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