Chapter 1558: Zhou Zhan's Plan!

Chapter 1558: Zhou Zhan's Plan!

Within the Demon God's Palace.

Once a bustling sanctuary, the palace had grown lonely and silent following Nocturne's defeat.

The fall of the tree brings the monkeys to scatter.

This truth, even for deities, holds true.

Yet, as Zhou Zhan and the other generals entered the palace, it stirred once more, alive with activity.

Zhou Zhan ascended the throne, his brow furrowed as he stared at the strange, eerie purple seat before him.

Carved into its surface was a seductive sculpture—crafted by the Demon God Sovereign himself.

With a single wave of his right hand, Zhou Zhan watched as the carving swiftly transformed—within moments, it had taken on the likeness of Nocturne.

"Since the Demon God Sovereign has abandoned 'I'—"

"Then I needn't believe in Him either."

"‘I’ needn't worship a supreme deity or master god."

Zhou Zhan's expression remained cold and detached, then he sat down.

Just as He was about to discuss with Bai Yun and the others the course of action ahead, a female demon-mage entered from outside the temple—her appearance pure and beautiful, yet subtly alluring.

He glanced doubtfully at the generals on either side, Bai Yun among them, before approaching Zhou Zhan and bowing respectfully:

"Li Li Si bows before the Emperor."

Though her tone was respectful, everyone present could sense an undercurrent of seduction in her words.

Yet they were all seasoned observers, knowing this was not a deliberate performance, but rather the innate, passive influence of a demon-mage's natural charm.

And with her angelic face and devilish form, even Bai Yun couldn't help but silently marvel:

This creature is truly born for temptation.

And as Zhou Zhan looked at Liliush, his mind stirred with memories of her identity.

Liliush!

The Prime Minister of the Demon God Nation—the equivalent of Zheng Yuanqi to the Jiaoyang God Nation.

She was not only the childhood companion of Nocturne, but also his most trusted subordinate.

When Nocturne was slain by the crimson mist monsters and transformed into a mist-being, Liliush willingly joined the crimson master’s side, and had the divine beings of the crimson faction reshape him into a crimson being.

He had paid such a great price—only for one simple purpose: to remain with Nocturne.

And indeed, his wish was fulfilled.

Together, they had risen through the ranks, and eventually Nocturne became a top-tier Crimson Lord, while Liliush ascended to the position of First Prime Minister of the Demon God Nation.

One ruling outward, one governing inward—working in perfect harmony.

As a result, the Demon God Nation flourished steadily—until Nocturne decided to wage war against Os.

"This is true love,"

Zhou Zhan thought with a deep sense of emotion.

Then He said:

"Lyris, what is it you have to say?"

Lyris glanced at the soldiers standing around, her face showing hesitation.

Zhou Zhan spoke calmly, "Just say it plainly—these are all subordinates I trust completely. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

Upon hearing this, the hesitation on Lyris's face slightly eased. Though she still didn't want to reveal it in front of so many, knowing that "Noctur" had already spoken so clearly, she could only say:

"Your Majesty."

"Just now, I received word that our elite Mefi Army has suffered a severe wave of desertion."

"After their defeat, the Mefi Army originally remained with only six trillion three hundred billion soldiers, ten thousand spirits, five true gods, and twelve supreme deities."

"To this day, only two hundred billion soldiers, forty thousand immortals, and one thousand true gods remain."

"The main gods have all fled."

Zhou Zhan nodded indifferently.

Lilith, seeing Zhou Zhan's calm and unalarmed demeanor, immediately grew frantic.

"Nocturnal, why are you still acting so indifferent? You must come with me and persuade them all to return!"

"We've just suffered a crushing defeat. As our sovereign, if you do nothing to salvage the situation, we are truly lost!"

Lilith pleaded urgently.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhan stared at her in astonishment.

In his Sun God Realm, no one had ever dared speak to him in such a manner.

Even Li Ya, his closest companion, always spoke to him in a soft, respectful tone.

This little demon has quite the audacity.

But upon considering the connection between the other and Nocturnal, Zhou Zhan didn't find it surprising.

After all, they'd grown up together, inseparable since childhood—under pressure, a rash outburst could be easily understood.

In the memories of his original host, Lilith had always shown respect for him, the Emperor, and never raised her voice in front of others.

This kind of behavior—this was the first time. Lilith was likely truly agitated now.

Zhou Zhan would not blame her.

"Mine will always be mine."

"What doesn't belong to me, I have no interest in holding back."

Zhou Zhan spoke calmly. "Let them go. There's no need to try to persuade them to return."

They were mere opportunists, few in number and weak in power—Zhou Zhan had no desire to keep them.

Lilith stared at Him, utterly stunned.

Is today's Noktuur truly so different from what it once was?

In the old days, upon hearing such news, Noktuur would have been frantic, rushing to Him to persuade the deserters to return—so as to preserve their strength and continue vying for the coveted reserve rank of Crimson Sovereign.

But this Noktuur—this present Noktuur—does not flinch. Instead, there is a coldness, a disdain.

As if their departure meant nothing at all to Noktuur. As if it were a mere inconsequence, unworthy of concern.

Is this still the Noktuur He knew?

Zhou Zhan also noticed Lilith's startled, bewildered gaze.

Yet He did not care.

For He trusted the power of the Reality Cube, this relic of transcendent will, to shield His identity from exposure.

Indeed.

Lilith, though slightly puzzled by Zhou Zhan's reaction, instinctively did not dwell on it. Gazing at the white Yun figures on both sides, she asked with a hint of uncertainty:

"Very well, but Your Majesty, when I first entered the hall, I had already wanted to ask—how did you send commanders of the Mofa Legion to be stationed within the Sacred Hall itself?"

As she spoke, her expression suddenly snapped into clarity, her face brightening with sudden understanding.

I see now!

It must be that Your Majesty, fearing for your own life and safety, has stationed the most powerful soldiers of your Mofa Legion right beside you—so as to guard against sudden, unexpected attacks.

After all, just recently, Your Majesty endured a crushing defeat. To harbor such caution and a sense of impending danger is entirely natural.

At this thought, Lilith could not help but look at the King with a touch of pity.

After such a devastating loss, Your Majesty still lacks any sense of security. Though your expression now appears calm on the surface, deep within, you must be trembling with fear and dread.

Her gaze softened, becoming gentle and alluring.

"Your Majesty, I will go to you tonight and stay with you."

Zhou Zhan: "???"

What the hell? How did things turn this way? Why did she suddenly act like this?

He immediately delved into the memories of the original body, only to stumble upon scenes too explicit and intimate for minors to know.

His expression turned strange.

It turned out that both Nocturnal and Lilith had already experienced adult matters upon reaching adulthood.

And whenever either of them faced intense stress, they would relieve it by sharing such moments with each other.

That's why Lilith's words just now sounded so smooth and natural.

It was clearly a well-established habit.

"Let's talk about this later,"

Zhou Zhan shook his head, then said:

"Lilith, I require you to do something for me."

"Speak, Your Majesty."

Lilith was startled for a fraction of a second, then immediately bowed in profound reverence.

"I want you to contact Lord Karl of the Death Crimson Divine Kingdom, Lord Bo of the Demon Crimson Divine Kingdom, Lord Cain of the Demon Blood Crimson Divine Kingdom, Lord Ozu of the Bone Crimson Divine Kingdom without delay..."

Zhou Zhan rattled off the names of at least twenty lords of the divine kingdoms in a single breath.

And these lords, without a single exception, were all pinnacle Crimson Lords whose power and status in the past were no weaker than Nocturne's; even those who were slightly lesser did not fall far behind.

After Zhou Zhan finished reciting the names of these supreme Crimson Lords, he spoke again:

"Reach out to them and say that this Emperor invites them to an Imperial Conclave within the Neutral City to deliberate upon a matter of paramount importance."

"Should they inquire as to what this momentous matter entails, you are to tell them that this affair cannot be spoken aloud before the meeting takes place, lest it be overheard by outsiders. However, add that this concerns the future selection for the Crimson Paragon Reserve. The opportunity is fleeting and will not come again; if they choose not to attend, they must not blame this Emperor for failing to warn them when regret inevitably finds them."

"...Understood, Your Majesty."

Lilith was stunned by Zhou Zhan's calm composure.

He looked at Zhou Zhan, and there was not a trace of the fallen emperor who had just endured a crushing defeat.

The masterful control of the situation, the aura of uncontainable power, the regal elegance that radiated like a sovereign's presence—these elements left Lilith dazzled, her vision blurred with awe.

Is this still my emperor?

A thought drifted through his mind, thick with intoxication.

Could it be that, after this great setback, Emperor Zhou had attained a profound enlightenment, transforming entirely?

Otherwise, how could he seem like a different man altogether?

Lilith pondered this deeply.

The more he thought, the more convinced he became.

Otherwise, there was no explanation for the changes now evident upon his own sovereign.

Could it be that someone had taken over his body?

He shook his head.

Who would take over a lord already at the end of his path?

To seize a stronger lord would be far more fitting.

"Your Majesty, what do you intend to do?"

Lilith hesitated for a long time, but couldn't resist asking.

"Ask no more. Just do it."

Zhou Zhan said.

Lilith furrowed her brow slightly, yet obediently carried out the task.

As Zhou Zhan watched her retreating figure, his mind was already occupied by his own plan.

Using the selection of the Crimson Sovereign Reserve as leverage, I am certain the top-tier Crimson Lords will not remain absent.

Once they arrive, I shall extend a joint invitation to them, and together with them, launch an assault upon Os’s Chaotic Crimson Goddom.

Of course.

They are not fools.

They understand Os’s formidable strength, and thus—even if I propose a coalition—would not dare to wage war against Os.

But that doesn’t matter.

At the right moment, I can summon Bai Yun. With the presence of these Supreme Deities and Primordial Gods, they will undoubtedly believe I possess the power to overthrow Os’s rule. And once convinced, they will surely join me—uniting to dismantle Os’s Chaotic Crimson Goddom.

As for how Bai Yun and the other Supreme Deities and Primordial Gods came to be?

Simply fabricate a plausible reason.

For instance, during their journey back, they encountered a powerful being who harbored deep enmity toward the precursor of the Chaotic Crimson Goddom and who refused to see its rise.

But as Osiris, the Lord of Crimson, protected by the Sovereign of Crimson, he could not personally intervene to prevent the rise of the Chaotic Crimson Dominion. Instead, he would only act indirectly—through aiding his own cause—to extinguish the remnants of that chaos.

Thinking this through, Zhou Zhan realized that though his plan had a few minor flaws, those could be easily remedied.

Most importantly—

Once the top-tier Crimson Lords arrived, whether they allied or not, they would no longer be able to act independently.

His "Rate Soil, No Subject to the King" was not meant to be a mere provocation.

If he failed to reach an agreement with them, he would simply unleash "Rate Soil, No Subject to the King" upon them, turning them into loyal subordinates under his command.

In that way, the same outcome would be achieved.

As the old saying goes: "A forcibly squeezed watermelon may not be sweet, but at least it quenches your thirst."

Zhou Zhan did not care about the process—only that the result aligned with his intentions.

Meanwhile—

Lilith didn't know what "Nocturus" intended, yet she followed His instructions precisely, sending out the invitation to the top Crimson Lords.

Soon enough.

The foremost Crimson Lords received the summons from Zhou Zhan.

The Death Crimson Godstate.

Within the Divine Capital.

Karl stared thoughtfully at the invitation before him.

"Nocturus... really has the heart to invite us to talk now?"

"Such a being, nearly extinct, nearly wiped out—how vast is his ambition?"

"Yet Nocturus claims the matter at hand involves the Fifth Reserve of the Crimson Sovereign."

"Is that true?"

"Could it be a deception?"

"And why, exactly, would He choose this moment to invite us?"

The more Karl thought, the more questions filled his mind.

After a long silence, He spoke:

"Tut."

"Your Majesty."

A skeletal general materialized before Him, appearing with due respect.

"Prepare to leave. Bring the priest Strt, and journey to the City of the Unclaimed."

Karls said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

General of Bones-Tut didn't ask further questions—he simply went to carry out Karl's orders.

Karl watched Tut's back, his expression shifting between shadow and light.

He still decided to go.

After all, if what "Noktul" has said is true, then one thing concerning the intel on the Crimson Reserve Elite is something he, as a ambitious Crimson Lord, cannot afford to miss.

Moreover, Noktul has fought against Osu before. This time, even if he doesn't gain direct information about the Crimson Reserve Elite, he wants to hear firsthand from Noktul what Osu's current strength is like.

Noktul just suffered a defeat at Osu's hands—he is, among all Crimson Lords, the one who knows Osu's power best.

"Osu."

"Such a difficult opponent."

He murmured to himself.

...

Besides Karl, the other top Crimson Lords who had received the invitation each reacted in their own way.

Yet in the end,

They all decided to visit the City of the Unclaimed.

After all, lords of their caliber are all driven by ambition, each harboring desires for the position of Fifth Reserve of the Crimson Sovereign.

If Noctuul claimed to possess intelligence regarding the Crimson Sovereign's Reserve, whether the information was true or not, they all had to see it for themselves—otherwise, their future cultivation would be haunted by doubt, never able to find peace.