Chapter 431: The Agenda
The Great Scholar’s Manuscript also found the performance boring, so it tore off a page from itself and folded it into a paper boat to play with.
“Does playing with your own body parts feel interesting?” Jiang Li asked curiously, watching the manuscript’s enthusiasm.
“What’s wrong with that? Me tearing paper is no different from humans biting their nails or fiddling with their toes when bored.”
Jiang Li realized his perspective was too narrow—he hadn’t considered the manuscript’s viewpoint.
He needed to reflect.
“Speaking of which, may I ask a favor of the Human Sovereign?” The manuscript stuffed the paper back and straightened its tone.
“Go ahead.”
“Does the Human Sovereign remember when Elder Tianyin enlightened us, Brother Brahma Tower opened spatial passages to send us immortal artifacts to different worlds, and you miraculously retrieved us with your unparalleled spatial mastery?”
“That did happen.” Jiang Li recalled using the System Shop to repurchase the artifacts.
That was the system’s finest hour.
“I heard the Outer Realm Demons seek to destroy various worlds. At the time, unaware of this, I assumed the world I visited was peaceful. But now I wonder—perhaps the demons’ schemes were hidden where I couldn’t see them.”
Jiang Li’s expression turned grave. After retrieving Brahma Tower, subsequent events had made him forget about the four unexplored worlds.
Those worlds couldn’t have escaped the Celestial Court’s plots.
Bai Hongtu and Yu Yin also suddenly remembered the four missing worlds.
The trio exchanged glances, mutual regret in their eyes.
“The Human Sovereign handles myriad duties—forgetting is understandable. But don’t worry. During our artifact gatherings, we discussed our experiences. Those worlds remained peaceful, nothing as dire as Mingzhong World.”
The three fell silent. Their concerns extended beyond these worlds to the countless others trapped in the Celestial Court’s schemes.
Every life saved mattered.
After the performance, Jiang Li summoned all attending representatives.
“In ten days, the Nine Provinces Assembly will convene at the Human Sovereign Hall to discuss matters concerning other worlds. Specifics will follow.”
The representatives stiffened. Another Assembly—this was no trivial matter.
The last one had addressed Celestial-tier Outer Realm Demons’ remnants in the Nine Provinces. Its resolution had ended demon attacks, spawning unprecedented cultivation methods and ideologies.
The Nine Provinces had truly entered a new era.
That Assembly deserved its place in history.
What would this one address?
Suppressing their speculations, they responded in unison:
“Understood.”
Jiang Li then contacted Commander Liu via the Communication Talisman.
“Commander Liu, prepare for the Nine Provinces Assembly in ten days. Notify all factions with Unity Stage cultivators.”
Commander Liu paused. “So suddenly? What’s the agenda?”
“Determining the Nine Provinces’ relationship with the myriad worlds—specifically, how to aid those in slow demise.”
Bai Hongtu and Yu Yin exchanged knowing looks. They’d anticipated this when the manuscript mentioned visiting other worlds.
After finalizing details, Jiang Li stored the talisman.
The manuscript, aware of the Assembly’s significance, hadn’t expected its casual remark to trigger it. “Human Sovereign, is this necessary? We just wanted to check. If we find demon schemes, we can handle them.”
Jiang Li shook his head. “I’ve considered this since Mingzhong World, but lacked the right timing. Recent events made it urgent. Your request was the catalyst.”
“Solving the demons’ multiversal legacy requires more than immortal artifacts. You’re limited to your inherent laws. You’re versatile, but take Other Mountain Stone and Four Seas Dragon Orb—one guarantees attack accuracy, the other peerless defense. Both are combat-focused, useless elsewhere.”
“Worse, as artifacts, you can’t even deploy spiritual sense. How would you detect demon plots?”
“Rest assured, this won’t burden the Nine Provinces. Many factions will volunteer aid.”
The manuscript relaxed.
Unspoken was Jiang Li’s original plan: complete all system tasks, restore the Celestial Ladder, ascend to the Celestial Court, recruit like-minded immortals, and save the multiverse together.
Crossing worlds and void required overwhelming power.
He’d hoped that even a ruthless Celestial Court had exceptions like the righteous Immortal Elder Changcun.
Now he knew better—the demons were the immortals. The Court couldn’t be salvation. Ultimately, the Nine Provinces might confront it.
Better to rely on the Nine Provinces to save the multiverse.
All conditions were ripe.
Jiang Li summoned Little Green Snake and Xia Chao, briefing them about the Assembly.
“This concerns your worlds too. Little Green, as Lingxi World’s ruler, you’ll represent it.”
“Understood.”
“Contacting Luo Ying and Luo Zhu from the zombie world and Yu Feng from Tongu World is easy. Mingzhong’s already trading technology with us.”
“That leaves Huanyu World.”
Jiang Li pondered. Of the visited worlds, only Huanyu’s status was unknown.
The Twelve Heavenly Kings had altered its history. Bu Jing, its martial arts pinnacle, had comprehended the “Shangqing Huangting Outer Scenery Scripture,” reaching the External Scenery realm—equivalent to Divine Transformation.
Jiang Li hoped Bu Jing would focus on martial arts, advancing beyond External Scenery to establish a complete system before encountering the Nine Provinces’ cultivation ways.
Immortal cultivation’s allure—direct longevity—outshone Confucian or Buddhist texts. Given the choice, most would abandon martial arts.
Jiang Li feared Bu Jing might switch paths, wasting his talent.
Cultivation meant inheriting established systems—far easier than pioneering martial frontiers.
“After all these years, I wonder about Huanyu World and Bu Jing’s progress.”
He turned to Bai Hongtu and Yu Yin. “Are you two coming?” They’d visited Huanyu together last time.
“Of course.”