Journey to the West: I have Nine Golden Crows Inside Me-Chapter 1681: Saint of Taiqing began to reveal his cards at one thousand and ninety_2

Chapter 1681: Saint of Taiqing began to reveal his cards at one thousand and ninety_2

If it were them instead, they would surely do better than Jiang Chen. But alas, in this world, there is no "if."

"Since you know where the problem lies, then just act, change it. For instance, right now, you all are fully aware that once Jiang Chen gains control of the Netherworld, there will be no one left between Heaven and Earth who can rival him."

"Yet you still choose to stand idly by rather than stop or sabotage him—just as you have done in the past, passively watching as Jiang Chen grows stronger."

The Saint of Taiqing spoke with anger, disappointed in their apathy, truly feeling these so-called Great Divine Transcendents were nothing but useless trash. Had they been of any use, Jiang Chen would not have risen to power unchecked, leaving no one capable of restraining him.

At this moment, even as Jiang Chen approached invincibility, they still remained inactive, hiding in the shadows and watching him continue to grow stronger.

This...

The Saint of Taiqing truly could not comprehend their logic—could it be that an enemy growing stronger was somehow beneficial to them? Otherwise, why would they remain so unmoved, showing no intention to stop him?

This group of useless individuals—what could possibly be accomplished by joining forces with people like them?

No wonder they stood no chance against Jiang Chen; the two sides were on entirely different levels. It was not merely a matter of strength but of perspective, something that could not be corrected.

He regretted being restrained by the Taoist Ancestors, for otherwise, Jiang Chen would have already been suppressed into retreat across the Boundless Starry Sky, not daring to show himself.

"Brother Tao, you are too harsh. It is not that we are unwilling to act, but rather that we are powerless to do so!"

"The Star Lord’s strength is evident to all, far beyond what we can contend with. If we were to step forward at this moment and attempt to stop him from seizing the Netherworld, it would be fine if we succeeded—but if we failed and caused the downfall of many fellow Taoists..."

"What then of the upcoming calamity? The loss of comrades would not only demoralize but also fracture unity. At that time, if hearts do not align, would we not just be picked off one by one by the Star Lord?"

For a few words, people could still endure. But with the Saint of Taiqing harping on endlessly, the patience of the others finally wore thin.

We’re incapable, but you think you’re capable. Speak as though it weren’t you but us whose incarnations were destroyed in the recent conflict. Fifty paces laughing at a hundred—it’s all the same.

Moreover, who didn’t understand the Saint of Taiqing’s intentions? Obviously, he wanted to use them as pawns to jump out and stop Jiang Chen from taking over the Netherworld—easy for him to say.

But obstructing someone’s path to the Tao is akin to killing their parents. If they did so and drove Jiang Chen mad, he might not be able to kill all of them, but taking out one or two was well within his capabilities.

One or two Great Divine Transcendents may not amount to much, but no one wanted to be the one in that one or two—and that was why none of them were willing to act.

In the past, dying was no big issue; they couldn’t attain the Tao anyway, so it didn’t matter either way. But now it was different—the opportunity to attain the Tao was right before them, and there was no way they could fall at this juncture. Everyone else may die, but they themselves definitely could not.

People cannot afford to become overly concerned with self-preservation. Once they do, their actions grow cautious, and certain tasks destined to result in casualties no longer become an option.

So now, the attitude of these Great Divine Transcendents was clear: say what you will, but we’re simply not acting. And don’t try to scare them with talk of Jiang Chen becoming invincible—such tactics are futile.

The Saint of Taiqing thought this group of Great Divine Transcendents was unreliable, but likewise, they thought the Saint of Taiqing was unreliable.

Thus, both sides preferred secrecy over sharing their plans with one another.

For instance, the Saint of Taiqing remained oblivious to the fact that this seemingly unmotivated group of Great Divine Transcendents had not only swiftly approved the plan to resurrect Donghuang Taiyi but had already put it into action, demonstrating exceptional efficiency.

With Donghuang Taiyi as their trump card, this group of Great Divine Transcendents naturally had no fear of Jiang Chen growing too powerful.

But the Saint of Taiqing knew nothing of this, and seeing their continued indifference toward Jiang Chen’s activities, he couldn’t help but think of them as mud that could not be shaped into a wall.

Ultimately, it all came down to a disparity in information.

Still, observing their air of confidence, the Saint of Taiqing began to have doubts—could it be that they held some hidden card unknown to him?

Even as adept as the Saint of Taiqing was in the art of deduction, he could not have imagined that this group of Great Divine Transcendents would be audacious enough to conceal their efforts to resurrect Donghuang Taiyi from him.

Glancing back at Jiang Chen, who had already made his way to Mount Tai, the Saint of Taiqing knew he could no longer hesitate—he had to act.

If Jiang Chen were allowed to grow even stronger, then even when his own true form was unsealed, he might still fail to defeat him.

At this moment, even if it meant revealing some of his cards, as long as it hindered Jiang Chen, it would all be worthwhile.

With this thought in mind, the Saint of Taiqing spoke, "Fellow Taoists are reluctant to act merely due to a lack of someone to lead the charge. If that is the case, allow me, this humble Taoist, to go first."

"Back when the Netherworld first emerged, I placed a hidden pawn within it. This pawn has now achieved the cultivation of the Saint Realm."

"Since none of you wish to lead, let him act first, and you can follow in his stead. This way, there should no longer be any issues, correct?"

In order to make this group of Great Divine Transcendents take action, the Saint of Taiqing truly laid all cards on the table this time, willing to expose the hidden pawn he had nurtured for years within the Netherworld.

If he hadn’t spoken, who would have guessed that within the Netherworld lay a pawn of his, one that had astonishingly reached the Saint level of cultivation?

Then again, laying plans from the moment of the Netherworld’s creation—that was very much the Saint of Taiqing’s style.

"Brother Tao, truly unfathomable and admirable!"

Upon hearing this revelation, the Great Divine Transcendents were first stunned, then sincerely expressed their admiration.

They truly thought highly of Saint Taiqing’s capabilities—placing a hidden pawn in the Netherworld was not difficult, but concealing it from Mother Earth was the real challenge.

For the Saint of Taiqing to successfully plant a pawn under Mother Earth’s watchful gaze was already remarkable.

But to then hide the pawn’s accelerated growth to the Saint Realm from her scrutiny? That was simply unbelievable.

None among them could fathom the methods by which the Saint of Taiqing accomplished this; they were filled with genuine admiration.

"Enough idle talk. With the hidden pawn leading the charge, shall fellow Taoists cooperate? If you agree, my pawn shall act immediately. If you refuse, just pretend I was never here today."

Time was pressing, and the Saint of Taiqing left no room for deliberation, delivering his ultimatum.

"Since Brother Tao has spoken, it would be ungrateful of us to refuse. Rest assured, Brother Tao—if you act, we shall follow suit."

Seeing someone willing to step forward and bear the brunt of the risk, the Great Divine Transcendents no longer hesitated and quickly nodded their agreement.

"Then it’s settled!"

The Saint of Taiqing replied before his Divine Thought dissipated from the scene.

Meanwhile, in the Netherworld, a force transcendent of the River of Time and Space burst forth, its boundless divine might sweeping across the land with a roaring intensity. The entire Heaven and Earth trembled as if it could not bear such overwhelming power and threatened to shatter.

The Saint of Taiqing’s hidden pawn in the Netherworld had made its move, just as he claimed. A force equivalent to the Saint Realm rivaling a Daluo Jinxian of the Primordial—it took no action before, but the moment it did, the entire Heaven and Earth was shaken.

At this moment, Jiang Chen had just arrived at Mount Tai and was prepared to use his Great Divine Ability to break open the underwater passageway connecting the Netherworld to ensure the seamless integration of the two realms.

However, before he could take action, a terrifying surge of energy erupted from within the Netherworld.

"Hmm?"

"The Saint Realm?"

"Who would have thought—within the Netherworld, there exists such an extraordinary expert."

Pausing his movements, Jiang Chen gazed at the Netherworld with a puzzled and uncertain expression. He had never heard of a strong cultivator of this level existing within the Netherworld.

Although the Heavenly Realm and the Netherworld were both once worlds of Vast Universe caliber prior to their fragmentation—with the capability to nurture Daluo Jinxian of the Primordial—

In truth, the two worlds had never produced powerful beings of such caliber. Even Great Divine Transcendents were rare.

True strength lay in the Prehistoric World, as over ninety-nine percent of powerful beings birthed throughout history were birthed by the Prehistoric lands.