Chapter 449: Chapter 274: Turning Misfortune into Fortune, Confronting the Six Kingdoms, Reclaiming the Celestial Mandate, "World’s Pride" Fate Grid

Ever since Lu Mingyuan and Qi Muxue recognized each other.

The Golden Turtle Shell, which had long been silent, finally showed some activity.

Strings of gilded symbols, like ancient oracle bone script, escaped from his mind and materialized before Lu Mingyuan, forming large characters.

[The allied forces of the Six Kingdoms march on Great Yan. Heed the Celestial Mandate, unite to execute the Demoness. Nip the danger in the bud. Skillfully use the Python and Sparrow Swallowing Dragon, and you shall receive Celestial Protection.]

After reading these words, Lu Mingyuan’s heart stirred. ’It seems the situation I wanted to avoid most has come to pass after all.’

The gaze of the Six Kingdoms had finally fallen upon them.

’Fortunately, there’s still room to remedy the situation.’

He immediately focused his Heart Spirit and looked at the three trigrams that had appeared from the Turtle Shell.

[Upper Trigram of Good Fortune: Before the situation becomes dire, attack the Golden Crow Country during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Great Yan must dominate the world through Celestial Mandate alone to intimidate the other nations. In doing so, you can obtain the Venerable Purple Fate Grid, ’World’s Pride.’ The blessing: the other nations will fall into disunity, your Dragon Fortune will surge, and you will receive Celestial Protection. The curse: you will incur the wrath of the gods and buddhas in the heavens. Greatly auspicious!]

[Middle Trigram of Good Fortune: Employ the strategy of Alliance and Confrontation, planning methodically to divide the other nations. You can obtain the Azure Fate Grid, ’Yin Yang Master.’ The blessing: the threat of war will be delayed, allowing Great Yan to rest and recuperate. The curse: you will be rearing a tiger that will bring disaster later; the Immortal Dynasty will emerge and endanger Great Yan. Moderately auspicious!]

[Lower Trigram of Evil: Meet change by remaining unchanged, resting and recuperating while waiting for the enemy to invade. The allied forces of the Six Kingdoms are certain to arrive within a year, and the Three Religions are watching with covetous eyes. Great Yan is in peril. You will obtain the Mortal White Fate Grid, ’King of a Fallen Nation.’ Greatly inauspicious!]

’Good, good, good!’

Lu Mingyuan repeated the word three times in his mind.

’I never expected that my original plan would only be the second-best option according to the trigrams.’

It wasn’t hard to see the drawbacks of the second option from the trigram’s description.

Great Yan’s standing among the nations would plummet, and its words would carry no weight.

Even if it allowed them to recuperate and temporarily divide the other nations, their ambitions would not diminish. They would still make moves behind the scenes, preventing any true estrangement.

But if they first established deterrence through military might, they could achieve that division without any complex schemes. The other nations would be terrified, thinking, ’How could we possibly be a match for Great Yan with such overwhelming strength?’

’So, a fight is necessary.’

’Not only must we fight, but we must fight beautifully, fight with grandeur. We must let the whole world—not just the Central Plains World, but even the Wilderness World and the Holy Netherworld—know of Great Yan’s might.’

As the saying goes, a weak country has no diplomacy. That was the principle at play here.

Lu Mingyuan glanced at the third Fate Grid, "King of a Fallen Nation." ’If the Champion Marquis hadn’t reminded me, I might have actually chosen that option.’

On the surface, it looked like nothing would happen.

In reality, however, it was the most dangerous choice.

Doing nothing would mean missing the opportune moment for battle.

’The Champion Marquis was right. Only by taking the initiative can we secure even a moment of peace.’

Lu Mingyuan’s thoughts raced, and he didn’t hesitate for long.

He decided to implement the plan according to the first trigram.

The trigram’s description was simple, but in reality, it would surely be fraught with obstacles.

It was just like the "Python and Sparrow Swallowing Dragon" Fate Grid, which required him to unite the power of the Three Religions and feign incompetence in the Eastern Palace to contend with his imperial father.

It sounded simple, but who knew how many dangers had stalked him along the way.

’The final outcome, whether the trigram’s prediction can be achieved—it’s all up to me!’

The trigrams merely provided him with a method for handling the problem.

The plan might be sound, but its success depended on who was carrying it out.

’I thought this Turtle Shell was broken, but it turns out there’s nothing wrong with it. It seems the Great Nether Empress truly holds no malice toward me for now.’

Lu Mingyuan carefully recalled everything about Witch Palace Language.

’Aside from searching for the Celestial Demon Divine Pearl, isn’t she supposed to be devouring my Destiny as sustenance?’

’Why didn’t the Turtle Shell show anything about that?’

’Could there be some hidden catch?’

"How did you recognize me?" Qi Muxue lifted her head, revealing phoenix eyes that burned like torches.

"I’ve traveled for over a thousand *li*, and every Court cultivator who saw me tried to kill me."

Lu Mingyuan smiled faintly. "I can recognize your every frown and smile, your every glance. Let alone after our Divine Souls were swapped."

Hearing this, Qi Muxue’s cheeks flushed slightly.

No matter what kind of woman she was, hearing such words from the man she loved would always make her heart flutter with joy.

That being said, looking at the face of the Great Nether Empress still felt very different to Lu Mingyuan.

After all, the Qi Muxue before him now was speaking to him with the appearance of Witch Palace Language.

The appearance of Witch Palace Language was quite different from how she looked in Celestial Water City.

She had clearly changed her appearance.

She wasn’t showing her Witch Race or Celestial Demon Race features but had adopted a Human Race appearance, because she would be easily recognized in her Demon Race form.

Beneath the cloak was a stunningly beautiful face, aloof and cold. She had a high-bridged nose, delicate features, and sharp eyebrows. Her fiery red lips, thin as a cicada’s wing, were so luscious they made one want to take a bite. It was a look that inspired a desire for conquest.

But now, the eyes in that face were filled with softness and vulnerability.

It was as if an iceberg had melted, leaving nothing but water.

Almost instantly, Lu Mingyuan recognized that this was Qi Muxue.

At the very least, the Great Nether Empress would never have looked at him with such an expression.

"That Demoness... using my body... did she do anything... untoward?"

Qi Muxue asked tentatively.

"No, don’t worry," Lu Mingyuan comforted her.

"Where is she now?"

Lu Mingyuan said, "I pretended not to see through her identity. She’s still in the palace, so there’s no major issue."

He chuckled softly. "Besides, I have some good news for you. I’ve already found a way for you two to switch back."