Chapter 104: The Nine Provinces Council Meeting
From Jiang Li’s perspective, the Outer World Demons’ schemes were incredibly strange. Take the Divine Repository Sect, for example—rather than openly spreading the name of the Divine Repository Sovereign and plunging the Nine Provinces into chaos, the demons had only used indirect means to establish the sect while enforcing strict secrecy.
Beyond that, the Outer World Demons had also attempted various covert manipulations, such as anonymously publishing books like The Cultivation Manual. These books were made to look old and worn, then placed on street stalls to mislead young cultivators with false cultivation knowledge.
For example, one passage claimed that the pure yang energy at high noon was the most suitable time for cultivation. This was misleading because while it was beneficial for early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was harmful to those in the Qi Refining Stage. At first, Qi Refining cultivators who followed this method wouldn’t notice any issues—in fact, they might even absorb spiritual energy more quickly. But over time, this practice would damage their foundation, severely hindering future progress.
Moreover, once a Qi Refining cultivator discovered this supposed “secret” and realized that others were unaware of it, they would be more inclined to practice it in secret, hoping for an advantage. This would lead them further down the path of incorrect cultivation, eventually causing irreversible damage.
However, after Jiang Li became the Human Sovereign, he promoted open knowledge-sharing, advocating for fewer divisions between sects. He publicly distributed fundamental cultivation methods to correct misconceptions, significantly reducing the impact of the Outer World Demons’ Cultivation Manual.
The Outer World Demons also spread rumors claiming that they were actually trying to save the Nine Provinces, and that the reason they had “held back” was to give humans a chance to wake up. According to their propaganda, resistance was futile, and instead of fighting, people should submit—even willingly sacrifice themselves to the demons.
Surprisingly, some people actually believed this nonsense. They reasoned that since the demons were so powerful, and yet the Nine Provinces had resisted for nine thousand years, it must mean that the demons hadn’t been using their full strength. This led to the formation of the Outer World Demon Sect, whose followers claimed that the demons possessed boundless divine power. They preached that after being slain by the demons, one’s soul would be transported to a blissful paradise, where they would enjoy unlimited beauty, fine wine, and feasts.
Of course, the Outer World Demon Sect had long since been eradicated by the Human Sovereign Hall in collaboration with other major factions.
Beyond these schemes, the Outer World Demons had even attempted to rewrite the history of the Nine Provinces and alter the aesthetic preferences of cultivators. Some of these efforts had been neutralized, while others had gone unnoticed and continued to influence society. Now, Jiang Li finally realized that these subtle changes were all part of the demons’ long-term strategy.
Unlike simply massacring people, the demons’ tactics aimed to erode the foundation of the Nine Provinces, slowly wearing it down over time. Their methods were subtle, making them difficult to detect. If it hadn’t been for Bai Xueling using her No Secrets divine ability, it would have been nearly impossible to determine whether these actions were the result of human foolishness or deliberate demonic interference.
Now that he had identified the demons’ schemes, Jiang Li knew he had to act swiftly.
“Kong Hu, notify all factions with Soul Formation cultivators. In ten days, we will convene a Nine Provinces Council Meeting at the Human Sovereign Hall. The sole agenda—resolving the lingering threats left behind by the Outer World Demons.”
The Nine Provinces Council Meeting was a special privilege exclusive to the Human Sovereign. It allowed him to summon all major factions unconditionally to discuss pressing issues. This power was only invoked for grave matters that required a united effort to resolve. Jiang Li had not used this authority in decades.
The problems left behind by the Outer World Demons could not be handled by the Human Sovereign Hall alone. The various factions of the Nine Provinces had to take responsibility as well.
“In ten days, come to the Human Sovereign Hall for the meeting,” Jiang Li said to Bai Xueling. “Or, you can accompany me back to the Hall.”
Bai Xueling shook her head. “I need to get used to my Qilin avatar first and deal with the vassal kings. Otherwise, they might cause more trouble.”
Now that she had become a Pureblood Baize, even if the vassal kings refused to recognize her as the Baize Emperor, national fortune would. With the power of national fortune bolstering her, a Tribulation-Stage Baize Emperor could easily suppress the vassal kings.
Jiang Li nodded. Before leaving, he warned Bai Xueling not to disclose the Divine Repository Sect matter. She was wise enough to understand his concerns and agreed.
Returning to the Human Sovereign Hall, Jiang Li compiled a list of the Outer World Demons’ schemes and assigned tasks to various major factions.
Ten Days Later—The Nine Provinces Council Meeting
Representatives from the Nine Great Dynasties, the Six Major Sects, the Four Seas Dragon Palaces, and all other factions with Soul Formation cultivators gathered at the Human Sovereign Hall.
Although Jiang Li could kill Soul Formation cultivators as easily as swatting ants, in the Nine Provinces, they were still considered immensely powerful beings.
A Soul Formation cultivator was equivalent to a first-rank minister in the imperial court, wielding tremendous influence. In sects where Soul Formation cultivators resided, their opinions could even determine the next emperor.
They lived for two thousand years, forming the pillars of their sects—an unshakable foundation spanning millennia.
The intricate web of relationships among the factions was exceedingly complex. It was not uncommon for two factions to share both marriage alliances and blood feuds simultaneously. Outside of the Human Sovereign Hall, they would fight to the death upon meeting. But here, they had no choice but to sit quietly, adhering to the Hall’s rules. The most they dared to do was snort at one another.
Figures of immense power, who normally looked down on all others, now sat respectfully at their assigned seats. Even when Human Sovereign Hall’s Nascent Soul cultivator guards poured them tea, they hurriedly picked up their cups and even politely thanked them.
In any other place, forget Nascent Soul cultivators serving them tea—even if they were washing their feet, they wouldn’t receive such courtesy.
The Nine Provinces Council Meeting was held in the main hall of the Human Sovereign Hall, where a large round table was set up. Representatives from all factions sat around it.
Jiang Li sat at the seat directly facing the main entrance. The closer a faction’s seat was to him, the stronger their influence. Naturally, those seated nearest to him were the Dao Sect, led by Bai Hongtu, followed by the Five Great Sects, the Nine Great Dynasties, and the Four Seas Dragon Palaces.
Jiang Li wasted no time. He immediately announced that an Outer World Demon had once infiltrated the Nine Provinces, secretly orchestrating numerous schemes. Many of these plots still had lingering effects and required the collective effort of all factions to resolve.
However, Jiang Li deliberately left out the demon’s rank.
The various factions murmured amongst themselves.
They had never heard of Outer World Demons engaging in covert schemes before. To their knowledge, demons were incapable of negotiation or deception—they simply invaded and killed indiscriminately.
Jiang Li maintained order and continued speaking. Identical jade pendants were distributed to each attendee, containing detailed information about the various demonic plots. Jiang Li systematically went over the responsibilities assigned to each faction.
In general, the dynasties would take on the primary tasks, while the sects would provide supporting roles.
For example, the destruction of the demonic Cultivation Manuals was mainly the responsibility of the dynasties, whereas sects needed to ensure that none of their disciples possessed such books.
Even though it was common knowledge that cultivating at high noon was only beneficial to early Foundation Establishment cultivators, naive young cultivators were always looking for shortcuts. Many of them, still in the Qi Refining Stage, believed that using a Foundation Establishment method would give them an edge—thinking they had stumbled upon some secret opportunity.
For these people, Jiang Li had only one stance—
“Save them if you can. If you can’t, at least make sure their stupidity doesn’t spread to others.”
Additionally, remnants of the Outer World Demon Sect still lurked in the Nine Provinces. While their influence was negligible, they were a nuisance that needed to be thoroughly dealt with.