The Saintess Returns Actually, They Plot Against Each Other

The Heavenly Dao Alliance spread across the entire Great Wilderness like a plague.

As soon as the news broke, the world was in an uproar.

Because the term "Hidden Sects" was on a completely different level from ordinary martial arts factions and wealthy noble clans.

No matter how strong the latter were, they were mostly confined to a single region, fighting over territories, businesses, and reputations.

But Hidden Sects were different.

They were true behemoths qualified to dictate the landscape of a region, the ceiling of first-tier factions in the Great Wilderness. They were ancient lineages that usually stood high above the masses, rarely entering the mortal realm, but whose every move could shake the mountains and rivers.

In the past, although these sects interacted with each other, they mostly minded their own business. None were willing to easily hand over their foundations and lifelines to others.

Yet this time, under the terrifying oppression of the Great Zhou Imperial Family and the mediation of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master, Xie Wujiu, fourteen Hidden Sects actually pinched their noses and sat at the same table, establishing an alliance to jointly resist Great Zhou.

What did this mean?

It meant that the past situation of "Great Zhou is strong, but everyone has their own way out" had been shattered.

Now was the time to choose sides.

Either align with the Wang family.

Be treated as a potential enemy by the Wang family.

Or band together for warmth and gamble that the imperial dynasty's destiny was coming to an end.

The entire Great Wilderness instantly took on the atmosphere of a brewing storm.

What was worse, the Crimson Moon Demonic Cult fiercely made their presence known at this time.

Great Zhou's elite raiding group had consecutively annihilated two major Hidden Sects in their first two battles, their momentum fiercely unstoppable. Yet, when they fought the Crimson Moon Demonic Cult in their third battle, they were forcefully pushed back by the opponent relying on a Martial God's corpse.

Once this news was confirmed, the Crimson Moon Demonic Cult's prestige skyrocketed.

Originally, although it was one of the top factions of the demonic path, it was always suppressed by a veteran demonic overlord—the Netherworld Demonic Cult.

But now things were different.

The Crimson Moon Demonic Cult's battle record of "clashing head-on with Great Zhou's top-tier lineup without being destroyed" was simply too intimidating.

For a time, the entire demonic path was discussing: the Crimson Moon Demonic Cult might just step over the Netherworld Demonic Cult to rise to power and become the new number one faction of the demonic path.

Even many righteous path factions had to pinch their noses and admit one thing—

The Crimson Moon Demonic Cult had truly made a name for themselves this time.

Of course, the greater their reputation, the more displeased Wang Hao became.

Because almost every ounce of the Crimson Moon Demonic Cult's prestige was built upon the reputation of Great Zhou.

To put it bluntly, they were stepping on Great Zhou to establish their dominance.

"Heh."

In the Imperial Study, Wang Hao sneered as he looked over the public opinion summary compiled in the latest issue of the Great Zhou Times. "Acting tough by stepping on We, they aren't afraid of throwing their backs out."

The public opinion report in his hand stated it clearly.

A saying was already circulating among the rogue cultivators in the Eastern Wilderness:

"Great Zhou can annihilate sects, Crimson Moon can block Zhou, and the Heavenly Dao Alliance can resist the dynasty."

This sentence was like a steaming pile of crap accurately smeared onto Wang Hao's face.

It wasn't that he was afraid of people talking, but he hated others borrowing his momentum to create trouble for him in return.

"Your Majesty, should we order the Western Depot and Eastern Depot to immediately suppress the related rumors and arrest a batch of people to make an example of them?" Yu Huatian asked in a low voice.

"Arrest?"

Wang Hao looked up at him as if looking at an idiot.

"Arresting people at a time like this will only make We look exasperated."

"Besides, with so many mouths, can you arrest them all? Arrest ten today, and tomorrow it will spread into a hundred versions."

He leaned back in his chair, his fingertips gently tapping the table, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"The best way to deal with rumors is not to block them, but to create bigger news to cover them up."

Wei Zhongxian's spirit was instantly lifted. "Your Majesty is wise! This old servant is best at this!"

Wang Hao glanced at him. "You shut up first. I'm afraid you'll come up with some abnormal stunt again."

Wei Zhongxian immediately looked as aggrieved as an old dog that had just been kicked.

Wang Hao ignored him, continuing to scheme.

The news over the past few days had been as thrilling as a speeding train, leaving people overwhelmed.

The Heavenly Dao Alliance was established, and the Crimson Moon Demonic Cult became famous in one battle. But as Great Zhou united with the eight major hidden noble clans to establish the Avengers Alliance, and with the news of two great holy maidens entering the palace today, the world's situation became confusing and unpredictable once again.

Inside the Imperial Study.

Wang Hao had long since dismissed his attendants; even Wei Zhongxian and Yu Huatian had been chased out the door to catch the cold wind. He was currently leaning against the spacious dragon throne, holding a cup of fine grape wine paid as tribute from the Western Regions, playfully observing the two peerless beauties standing before his desk.

"Two fairies, you must be exhausted from your journey, why aren't you sitting? Arriving at Our Great Zhou Imperial Palace is like arriving at your own home, please do not treat yourselves as outsiders." Wang Hao wore his signature devious smile on his lips, his tone so gentle it gave people goosebumps.

Shen Xue wore a white dress purer than snow, her exquisitely beautiful face as cold as frost. Her beautiful eyes seemed to hide ten thousand years of profound ice as she glared fiercely at Wang Hao, wishing she could poke thousands of transparent holes into this shameless tyrant with her gaze.

Yun Meng wore a fiery red silk skirt. Although she tried her best to conceal it, that natural charm of a Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox was still soul-stirring. However, at this moment, her alluring peach blossom eyes were also filled with gnashing hatred.

"Wang Hao! Stop shedding crocodile tears here!" Yun Meng had a fiery temper and was the first to lash out. Her chest heaved violently, causing a wave of turbulent motion. "We are already here. If you want to negotiate, lay down your terms! But let it be stated beforehand, if you want this lady to be your concubine and be at your mercy, you are dreaming!"

Shen Xue also took a deep breath, suppressing the humiliation in her heart, and spoke coldly: "Emperor of Great Zhou, my Ice and Snow Divine Palace can form an alliance with Great Zhou. But I, Shen Xue, will never be a canary in your harem. I want the status of Great Zhou's 'Special Envoy to the Ice and Snow Divine Palace'! Furthermore, the extreme north is bitterly cold, and this year we face a blizzard rarely seen in a thousand years, while the Crimson Moon Demonic Cult is restless. Since we are allying, Great Zhou must provide the Ice and Snow Divine Palace with two million loads of top-grade charcoal, ten thousand winter-proof cotton garments, and five hundred thousand catties of refined rice every year!"

The conditions Shen Xue proposed could be called a lion opening its mouth. She originally thought Wang Hao would bargain, or even take the opportunity to make things difficult for her, using this to make more excessive physical demands.

Who knew that Wang Hao didn't even think about it, not even blinking an eye, and directly snapped his fingers.

"Approved!" Wang Hao looked at Shen Xue with a beaming smile. "Xue'er, you are just treating me too much like an outsider. Since the Ice and Snow Divine Palace has become Our mother-in-law's home, what does this little bit of stuff count for? We will double it for you! Four million loads of charcoal, twenty thousand winter garments! One million catties of refined rice, and if it's not enough, just ask Us for more!"

Shen Xue was stunned, a trace of disbelief flashing through her eyes. When did this tyrant become so easy to talk to? When things are unusual, there must be a demon at work!

In reality, Wang Hao's heart was blooming with joy at this moment.

Give them supplies? Of course he would! Not only would he give them, but he would also have the Ministry of War carve miniature Mother-Child Tracking Talismans onto every cart of spirit charcoal and every dharma garment, using the Western Depot's most secretive methods.

As long as the Ice and Snow Divine Palace accepted this batch of supplies, it was equivalent to planting Great Zhou's radars all over their entire sect. From then on, what time the higher-ups of the Ice and Snow Divine Palace woke up, what time they went into secluded cultivation, and even what color undergarments they wore, would all be under the control of the West Factory! When you eat someone's food, your mouth softens; when you take someone's goods, your hands are tied. In less than three years, the Ice and Snow Divine Palace would completely degenerate into an economic and material vassal of the Great Zhou, unable to ever leave Wang Hao's provisions! What was this called? This was called economic colonization!

Seeing that Shen Xue had easily reached an agreement, Yun Meng puffed out her chest, unwilling to be outdone. My Illusion Sea Immortal Sect doesn't want your lousy charcoal! Wang Hao, if you want an alliance, fine. But the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets is aggressive, and there are three mid-sized sects around my sect: the Mad Saber Sect, the Mystic Water Pavilion, and the Falling Leaf Valley. They are always flirting with the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets and frequently provoke my sect. I want Great Zhou to deploy troops or send peerless experts to help my Illusion Sea Immortal Sect swallow these three sects and bolster our prestige!

Yun Meng's calculations were very shrewd. She wanted to borrow Great Zhou's knife to kill her enemies, simultaneously expanding the Illusion Sea Immortal Sect's territory while consuming Great Zhou's strength—killing two birds with one stone.

Great idea! Wang Hao slapped his thigh and abruptly stood up. He walked up to Yun Meng, his deep eyes staring straight at her, so close he could even smell the alluring fragrance on her body. Meng'er is truly far-sighted, truly worthy of being the Holy Maiden of the Illusion Sea Immortal Sect. I promise you, not only will I support you in annexing them, but I will also send over the top combat force of the Avengers Alliance, the House-Raiding Squad! I won't take a single penny of the spoils; it will all belong to you!

Yun Meng was stunned.

This wasn't right! Did this bastard take the wrong medicine today? He would actually agree to such a disadvantageous deal?

You... you are really willing? Yun Meng took a half-step back in suspicion.

Wang Hao let out a maniacal laugh in his heart.

Support? Of course he would support it! What did the Mad Saber Sect, Mystic Water Pavilion, and Falling Leaf Valley amount to? They were the die-hard lackeys of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets' Justice Alliance on the edge of the Eastern Wasteland! As long as the Illusion Sea Immortal Sect dared to make a move to annex them, it meant they would completely tear off all pretenses with the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, forging a blood feud that would only end in death!

When that time came, aside from clinging desperately to Great Zhou's thick thighs, would the Illusion Sea Immortal Sect have any other way out? Absolutely not! Great Zhou wouldn't have to lose a single soldier to firmly tie the Illusion Sea Immortal Sect to its war chariot as cannon fodder for the first line of defense.

This was a damn proxy war!

Two fairies, official business is concluded. Next, shouldn't we discuss private matters?

Wang Hao suddenly took a step forward. With extreme dominance, he reached out, wrapping one arm around Yun Meng's slender and soft waist, while his other hand unceremoniously lifted Shen Xue's smooth, jade-like chin.

Insolent! Shen Xue turned pale with fright. She tried to erupt her astral qi, only to be shocked to discover that a spirit-restricting grand array had already been set up in this imperial study. At this moment, she was no different from a mortal.

Yun Meng's delicate body also trembled. She tried to break free, but Wang Hao hugged her even tighter. The two were inches apart, and Wang Hao's scorching breath hit her cheek, making her unable to stop recalling that crazy and absurd morning in the capital's inn.

Your mouth says you hate me, but your body is quite honest. Wang Hao chuckled lightly, his tone carrying three parts teasing and seven parts wickedness. I tasted the sweetness of the two fairies' charms that day, and I have been unable to sleep at night ever since. Since you are both already here, how about we relive that old dream tonight? The dragon desk in this imperial study is much more spacious than the bed in the inn.

Shameless! Shen Xue was so angry her eyes turned red, tears swirling within. You promised that as long as we submitted, you would absolutely not force yourself on us!

Tyrant! Lecher! If you dare touch me, I will immediately bite my tongue and kill myself! Yun Meng also struggled violently, closing her eyes in despair.

Looking at their chaste and unyielding appearances, Wang Hao suddenly released his hands and retreated behind the dragon desk.

Hahaha, just a joke, look how scared you are. Wang Hao straightened his collar, restoring his unfathomable imperial majesty. I am a monarch, not a bandit. A forced melon is not sweet. I have plenty of patience to wait for you to willingly climb into my dragon bed.

Men! Take the two special envoys to the Chuxiu Palace in the rear harem to rest. Without my decree, no one is allowed to disturb them.

Watching the backs of Shen Xue and Yun Meng as they fled the imperial study, the smile on Wang Hao's face gradually faded, replaced by extreme coldness.

Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets... Xie Wujiu... He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. My chess pieces have already been placed. Next, let's see how you counter.

At the same time, hundreds of thousands of miles away from Great Zhou in the Western Regions, amidst a sky full of yellow sand, inside an extremely bizarre palace made of white bones.

The Pavilion Master of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, Xie Wujiu, hovered cross-legged in the center of the grand hall. Sitting in front of him were the Sect Master of the Western Regions' largest evil cult, the Blood Shadow Sect, and the High Priest of the Tatar Royal Court from deep within the northeastern ice plains.

Great Zhou's arrogance is rampant. That little thief Wang Hao not only cut off my source of wealth, but he also won over the hidden families and two major sects. Xie Wujiu's voice was as grating as a broken bellows. One year! This Pavilion Master has already deduced the heavenly secrets. In one year, Great Zhou's national destiny will encounter a rare nadir; that will be the perfect opportunity when the star trajectories deviate.

In one year, our three parties will join forces to form the Anti-Zhou Alliance. The Blood Shadow Sect will break through the western borders, the Tatar cavalry will march south from the northeast, and I will lead the Justice Alliance to strike directly at the capital!

Once the deed is done, the three of us will divide Great Zhou's world equally!

The Sect Master of the Blood Shadow Sect licked his scarlet lips, revealing a cruel smile. Excellent! I have long craved those tender-skinned cultivators of Great Zhou! In one year, it will be Wang Hao's time to die!

A terrifying, massive net capable of subverting the Great Wasteland was quietly being woven in the darkness.