Chapter 498 - Star of Calamity
After tens of days, the heads of the many races came together in the ruins of the Frozen ancient Capital. Tens of gods raised an altar of their own and were sitting on top of the altars. Monster rays, godly rays, demonic rays and every other form of light covered the gods, lending them an inexplicably solemn and saintly air.
The monsters, dragons, celestials, and demons had all been summoned by their gods and had now gathered here.
The gods summoned and there was no reason for Jun Sixie to not come. Other than her, those who came forward were the clan masters, high priests and heads of the other clans and races.
It happened way too quickly; the insect invasion had caught everyone off guard, and even the hermit gods decided to step in. One could tell how severe the situation was.
Unlike before, no matter how hard or how serious the situation was, the gods never bothered to appear before. But these past few years, the gods seemed to appear more frequently than ever.
The first time was when Zhong Yue sacrificed the eight demon saint clan masters to Shi Tuo. The demon god had to intervene and try to kill Zhong Yue.
The second time was when Zhong Yue was still in the North Barren, when he saved the Bai Zhe Clan's frozen god from the ice palace.
The third time was when Zhong Yue snuck into the Xiao Mang Celestial Race's supreme temple and stole the moon's core. The emergence of the Xiao Mang grand ancestor after that then triggered chain reaction that prompted all of the gods to make their appearance.
As for the fourth time, Zhong Yue was also the one responsible. He was in the West Barren when he exposed the Gu Diao Celestial Race, causing the Zhu Jian god to appear to erase them from existence.
However, this time, it wasn't Zhong Yue's fault that the gods appeared again, but the insect race's!
"The insect race is the common enemy of all races. The insect planet is also known as the Star of Calamity. It has now reappear, and it is our responsibility as cultivators to deal with this threat. Death shall arrive, either upon us, or the insects!" the gods said.
One of the gods then continued, "For every single day the tunnel remains active, the Ancestral Star will still be in danger for another day longer. In order to seek for the peace we once embraced, we have decided to go to the other end of the tunnel to reach in the insect planet for two reasons. One, to explore the strength and forces of the insect race, at least we will be prepared for it when war is inevitable. Two, if the insect race is way too strong, we will break the tunnel from there and cut off the link between them and ourselves."
After that, a demon god's voice trembled the clouds as he said, "We have reached an agreement on the numbers of experts each race will dispatch for the expedition. You may now return to your respective races to begin preparations."
A golden decree rose from the center of the altars and unfurled itself into a golden board. The number of Qi Practitioners each race would send for the expedition was recorded on it. There were even some Qi Practitioners that were specifically called out to go.
The crowd looked over in perturbation. Some were smiling from ear to ear while others frowned in thought.
Jun Sixie looked at the golden decree and found the list for the Great Wilderness. A hundred Inner Core, twenty Heavenly Dharma, two True Spirit, and one Imminent Deity Qi Practitioner — this was the quota that the human race had to meet for the expedition.
If the human race were to follow the decree, then half of Swords Gate experts would be pulled away to the insect planet!
And although the other races had to send out many experts as well, it wasn't as many as Swords Gate!
What was most important was that there were specific human experts that the gods named to go to the insect planet!
The first in the list was undoubtedly Zhong Yue, following by Fang Jiange, Qiu Jin'er, Zuo Xiangsheng and Tian Yanzhong!
Among the five, there were already two innate spirit bodies, in addition to Zhong Yue, whom many thought possessed the Great Sun Innate Spirit Body. These five human experts could be said to be the backbone of Swords Gate's strength. Pulling them away from humanity for the expedition would leave Swords Gate vulnerable!
Moreover, if the five of them were to die on the insect planet, then Swords Gate would suffer a severe blow to that they wouldn't be able to recover from for at least the next hundreds of years!
Thus, Jun Sixie immediately voiced out her objections, saying, "Seniors, isn't the number of Swords Gate Qi Practitioners a little too much?"
One of the gods' face turned gloomy and he said, "Headmaster Jun, the Star of Calamity arrived and we gods stepped in to save the peace in the Ancestral Star. What has your Swords Gate done then?"
Jun Sixie replied, "We Great Wilderness Swords Gate the heart to help but not the strength to do it. We don't a god!"
"Then that is nothing," the god sneered coldly, "If you've done nothing, it's only natural for you to do more in this expedition. Or is that.. Headmaster Jun is doubting the the gods' righteousness?"
Jun Sixie's face underwent a variety of changes before she slightly bowed and pleaded, "Swords Gate is weak and I plead the gods to leave us with some experts for the humans."
"Zuo Xiangsheng can stay," suddenly, the god of the Shen Ya Celestial Race said.
Jun Sixie heaved a breath of relief. Zuo Xiangsheng was the son-in-law to the Shen Ya Celestial Race. He and the saint lady of the Shen Ya Celestial Race were together for long time, and the saint lady had even stolen the fire spark for him. Not to mention that they now had a child already. With the Shen Ya god's word, Zuo Xiangsheng was spared from the expedition.
Bai Zhe god spoke immediately after, "My little friend of the Zhong Shan Clan, Zhong Yue saved my life before, he can stay as well."
Zhu Jian god nodded softly and agreed, "Zhong Yue exposed the Gu Diao Celestial Race as a mother insect god's stronghold. This is a merit to even the whole world, I agree."
"No!" The demon god abruptly stood up and said frigidly, "Anyone else can stay but not Zhong Yue! He has brought disaster upon my demon race's Eight Barrens. Countless have died because of him. Everyone else can stay, but he must go!"
The South Barren Zhong Li Martial Divine Master nodded as well, he agreed, "The insect race is the Star of Calamity, while this Zhong Yue is also an embodiment of disaster. We are the seniors and it's not our style to punish him directly. However… that doesn't mean he can be spared from contributing to the world."
"Fighting calamity with disaster, it might work. Sisisi…" the monster race's serpent god hissed in laughters.
"Monster god is right!" Shi Buyi clapped his hands and praised the monster god.
Jun Sixie began to grind her teeth in anger, These brats! They are taking advantage of us! But how did they know of Junior Martial Brother Zhong's nickname? Disaster Zhong is only used by the Swords Gate disciples. How did it spread to even the gods…
Although the Zhu Jian god and Bai Zhe god were helping Zhong Yue, all of the other gods insisted on Zhong Yue joining the expedition.
Jun Sixie was then only able to concede with a long sigh. She clasped her hands together and bowed, "Gods, since the seniors of Zhu Jian Celestial Race and Bai Zhe Celestial Race are standing alongside the humans, can we Swords Gate change a request?"
Demon god was placid as he answered, "Since the two senior martial brothers are helping you, then you Swords Gate can have two names scrapped from the list. But the Zhong Shan Clan member has to go, you have no say in this."
Jun Sixie sighed again, "Gods, the Swords Gate can have the five named experts join in the expedition. Zhong Yue, Fang Jiange, Qiu Jin'er, Zuo Xiangsheng, and Tian Yanzhong will go, but I plead the gods to spare the rest of the human experts."
The gods exchanged a look and discussed among themselves. The Bai Zhe god couldn't help but ask in confirmation, "Headmaster Jun, you should reconsider your choice! If the five of them die on the insect planet, your Swords Gate will never be able to rise again for the next 500, at the least!"
Jun Sixie gritted her teeth as nodded, "Please, I hope the gods can approve my request!"
The gods finished their discussions and they nodded, "Approved."
The demon god suddenly gave an overly warm smile as he said, "Headmaster Jun, don't you worry. There are many other Qi Practitioners in the expedition, furthermore, the gods like us will follow as well. I promise I will bring your human experts back safely."
Jun Sixie's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't answer.
Among the named experts, there were a few names that were known to the world such as Gu Hongzi and Lang Qingyun of the monster race as well as other famous experts from the demon, dragon, Xiao Mang, Shan Shen, Zhong Li, and Kun Peng races.
The expedition wasn't a plan that specifically targeted the humans of Swords Gate, it only turned out this was because the humans didn't have a god to speak up for them in the discussions among the gods. Although the negotiation brought the number down to five experts, these five human experts were the ones with the highest potential to ascend to deityhood.
After all, the expedition was the best excuse one could ever hope for to take down the enemy race's eminent experts. Sending them to the insect race and exposing them to a risky environment was a good way to eliminate this threats.
If there was even just a god in the race, they would have more leverage in these negotiations, preventing the best and experts being sent to face squarely with death.
Jun Sixie returned to Swords Gate and summoned all of the hall masters and elders in the golden summit. She told them of the situation and all of the higher-ups were shocked. Any rational person would realize the hidden arrows that were aimed at humanity in this insect race expedition.
Shui Zian frowned and he said, "They are all sent to the insect planet to die. These gods are really malicious."
"What do you mean?" The elders changed their face drastically and they beseeched.
"The insect planet is the home to the insect race, how dangerous do you think it will be? Even the gods need someone to scout out a path for them. After all, there are also the gods in the insect race."
Shui Zian continued saying through gritted teeth, "With the Qi Practitioners around with them, the gods will be able to do anything they want. Qi Practitioners can be sent out to scout the danger, and the gods can be prepared for it beforehand. And if the situation grew threatening enough to them, they can leave the Qi Practitioners to stall the opponents while they leave safely. Headmaster, why did you promise to let Fang Jiange, Zhong Yue and the other three to go? If the five of them die in the insect planet, then Swords Gate will not be able to rise anymore."
"We still can." Jun Sixie let out a protracted sigh, "But we will be delayed for another hundred years of time. But if I accepted the other condition instead, Swords Gate will be crushed in no time!"
The other condition was to send over a hundred experts, that would be half of Swords Gate. Not to mention the Imminent Deity magnate, even the two True Spirit magnates were more than enough for Jun Sixie to decline the condition, as that would also include Jun Sixie herself as well!
However, she said the rise of Swords Gate would be delayed by another 100 years instead of 500. And this was because of Xuan Yuan. As long as little Xuan Yuan could grow safely in the future, 100 years would be more than enough for the humanity to rise!
"This time, I can only let Senior Martial Brother Fang, Junior Martial Sister Qiu and the rest of you take the risk for Swords Gate. I'm sorry, but this is for the greater good of humanity." Jun Sixie looked at Fang Jiange, Qiu Jin'er, and the others as she said.
Fang Jiange said in his trademark calm tone,, "Relax, headmaster. I'm also looking for a chance to refine my sword, this seems like a good opportunity for me."
Jun Sixie sighed and she said, "You can each bring a divine weapon and one of the Ten Malefic Weapons. Also, take one divine herb with you each. Anything... as long as you survive!"
The four experts nodded. The Ten Malefic Weapons were easier to wield and consumed less energy. At some point in time, they could be even more useful than divine weapons. The divine weapons were stronger and also consumed greater arcane energy; they were more suitable as the final blow in the battles.
As for the divine herb, they were necessary as they could save lives in critical moments!
"Where is Junior Martial brother Zhong?" Jun Sixie glanced around and asked.
"We notified him." Shui Zian quickly answered, "He should be arriving anytime now."
Just as Shui Zian finished his words, Zhong Yue returned to Swords Gate. Jun Sixie immediately explained the situation to him again and Zhong Yue's eyes lit up as he smiled and said, "Excellent!"
"Excellent!?" Jun Sixie and the other elders heard him as they all nearly spurted out a mouthful of blood each.
Frustrated laughter escaped through Jun Sixie's gritted teeth as she enunciated every word with anger, "Good news? Those gods are afraid of our potential and are trying to kill us before we even grow into a threat to them! They want the five of you to die! How is this good news!?"