Chapter 1981

Ice Crystal Immortal Monarch had thought his defeat ended his plan to ally with the mermen, but Wu Shuai shares his intention. The bet with the court ends with the loser winning and the winner losing. Wu Shuai hears that the monarch has already gathered the grotto-heavens for a meeting, asks to join, and urges a second meeting for the remaining forces. The monarch had planned it for much later, but decides to use Wu Shuai’s reputation to push it forward. He wants variant humans to lead the alliance, and he reasons that its human faction, even if larger, cannot match the influence of Wu Shuai. Wu Shuai’s victory over Heavenly Court as a dragonman gave him huge prestige and reputation. ^{ch. 1981}

The second meeting in Ice Crystal grotto-heaven is bigger. Four variant human rank eights attend for the first time: Golden Fur Immortal Monarch, Blitz Cloud Heavenly Immortal, Great Wisdom Immortal Mother and Green Forest Great Sage. They are, in that order, a hairy man, a featherman, an old female inkman and a miniman. The human rank eights, besides Night Heavenly Wolf Lord and Lady Cold Ash, now include Crossing Heaven Immortal Monarch, Black Locust and Rainbow Rock Immortal Concubine, of light, wood and earth path respectively. There are only five human rank eights against almost ten variant human ones. ^{ch. 1981}

The monarch announces a senior great expert, and Wu Shuai walks out from behind the veil to the main seat. When a variant human rank eight names Wu Shuai without a title, the monarch orders him to say Senior Wu Shuai, and every other immortal must do the same. Wu Shuai says he would rather be called Alliance Leader. He argues that the five regions’ Gu Immortals, held back by the qi tide, will attack the exposed grotto-heavens, and that nobody there matches him, so anyone who disagrees can challenge him. ^{ch. 1981}

Di Zang Sheng’s body blocks out the sun, and a miniature Dragon Palace shines in Wu Shuai’s palm. Some immortals fall silent, furious but not daring to speak, since all know the might of Dragon Palace and the Evil Dragon, although his cultivation is only rank seven. The monarch stands first and greets Alliance Leader, and Wu Shuai names him vice alliance leader. The other immortals then acknowledge Wu Shuai coldly. Wu Shuai says this very rare opportunity is likely their only chance against the five regions. ^{ch. 1981}

Wu Shuai wants a target now. The monarch objects that many forces are not yet gathered, but Wu Shuai says a successful attack will bring them in. Wu Shuai names Heavenly Court, which he calls weak now, and the immortals all refuse, one citing its immense foundations. He then names Divine Emperor City, known as the largest Immortal Gu House and formed from Divine Bean Palace and Emperor City. Taking it would deal Central Continent a huge blow and win a rank eight Immortal Gu House and Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable’s true inheritance. Lady Cold Ash objects that all of Central Continent would resist, and he answers that luring them there lets a second group strike Heavenly Court. ^{ch. 1981}

Wu Shuai rejects further excuses and names Eastern Sea’s Xia clan, a super force, as is the separate Xia clan of Southern Border. This target is his true motive, easier to accept after the first two. He says it has the weakest foundation of all the super forces, that its remote easternmost location suits a base, and that it borders the Merman Imperial Court, now an ally. He declares the target decided, and the immortals, pressed by the Evil Dragon and Dragon Palace, have no choice. They know the five regions will not spare them unless they gain an advantage now. ^{ch. 1981}

After the meeting some immortals hint to the monarch that the alliance leader position should have been his. He answers coldly that the nail that sticks out gets hammered down, that Wu Shuai charges ahead as vanguard, and that the alliance has gained the Evil Dragon and Dragon Palace. If the plan fails, they can blame Wu Shuai and get away. ^{ch. 1981}