"Zhenyuan... Zhenyuan..."
Marshal Silver sat expressionless, murmuring this strange yet familiar name over and over. After a long while, he sighed softly: "So it seems Zhenyuan is far more than just connected to the demon kings. In the past two hundred years, all those demon kings have made breakthroughs in their cultivation—no doubt thanks to his medicinal pills."
With that, he gave a helpless smile.
"Marshal, there is something I wish to say, though I'm unsure if it's appropriate."
"Speak."
General Ward said calmly, "When the main general of the Black Tortoise Division was imprisoned at Cloudrealm Sky Harbor, he revealed that they used Gold Essence to purchase monsters from the Drake King. At the time, we thought he was lying. Why would demon kings want Gold Essence? Now it seems the Gold Essence was likely destined for Zhenyuan. In that case..."
Tianfu did not continue.
Marshal Silver sat motionless, his expression blank, lost in thought as he stared at the red-and-yellow patterns on the carpet before him.
The Heavenly Army used Gold Essence to buy military merits from the demon kings; the demon kings used Gold Essence to buy weapons and pills from Zhenyuan; Zhenyuan used Gold Essence to purchase rare materials for refining pills and magical artifacts from other immortals in the Heavenly Court. In the end, all the Gold Essence flowed back into the Heavenly Court’s treasury, passing through the Jade Emperor’s hands and being bestowed upon the soldiers who earned merit.
With this cycle, the Heavenly Army got the military merits they wanted, the demon kings received the weapons and pills they sought, Zhenyuan obtained his precious materials, and the immortals profited from the transactions.
No one expected things to have developed this far. The web of hidden interests beneath the surface was gradually taking shape—shocking to behold, yet everyone seemed pleased with it.
"Sooner or later, the Heavenly Court will be ruined by these people."
A faint smile tugged at his lips—half mocking, half a silent sigh.
Zhenyuan, the Longevity Immortal, patriarch of the Earth Immortals.
If it’s Zhenyuan, unless Lord Lao himself intervenes, the Heavenly Fleet alone cannot sever this connection.
After a long silence, Tianfu bowed and spoke softly: "Marshal, perhaps we should report this matter and let the Jade Emperor decide? If we want to eradicate it completely, that is the only way."
Marshal Silver snorted coldly and asked with a smile, "Evidence?"
"Well..."
"And what if we do have evidence? Do you know how many immortals in the Heavenly Court are involved? I can already guess a few—Grandmaster White, the Three Star Lords... When enough mouths speak, even gold melts. Step on so many toes at once, and they’ll all rise up in fury. In the end, even if we have evidence, it will be as if we have none. Ever since our army began the Western Isle campaign, there’s been endless criticism of the Heavenly Court. I imagine, right now, countless eyes in Heaven and Earth are watching us. In such circumstances, do you think anyone will stand up to support us?"
Tianfu silently lowered his head.