[Note 2: Because she had control over the remnants of the imperial family, these individuals had intricate connections with the "Alchemists," including the likes of Gao Cheng, son of Gao Huan, which made it extremely convenient to spy inside the secretive world of the Alchemists. Yuann Mingzhen originally planned to operate through controlling the law and fortune to gain recognition from the Alchemists and then slowly plot their downfall, using their power to rebuild Tian Chao, and ultimately destroy them, just as the cuckoo takes over the sparrow's nest... This plan collapsed due to the Yang Sui Uprising, and she was forced to consolidate her power and relinquish the Imperial City.]
[Note 3: After leaving the Imperial City, due to the multitude of spies, she also uncovered a big secret of the Alchemists: the Ancestor Dragon once signed a contract with the Daoist and Buddhist Sects, with one benefit being a large amount of Daoist Transformation, and protection from the Tribulation Immortal gods and buddhas. Due to the Barrier breaking, the gods and buddhas still protect this realm, but have deliberately ignored the Alchemist Organization nestled within the Longevity Heavenly Dynasty. Coupled with the actions of Spirit Treasure True Inheritor Tao Qian, both internal and external troubles have caused this huge entity to shrink and suffer continuous damage, on the verge of extinction.]
[Note 4: In order to save themselves, the Alchemists initiated the Hidden Dragon Mutual Devouring Plan to recreate a second Ancestor Dragon. Aside from offering the Ancestor Dragon Bloodline, they also had to sacrifice the tremendous resources they accumulated over more than two thousand years to help the second Ancestor Dragon rebuild the Ancestor God Forbidden Law and the Longevity Barrier... And as the old monsters become weaker, they are selecting potential Hidden Dragons in advance, currently favoring Si Xixin and Zhang Jinluan. Whoever enters the Imperial City first will become the second Ancestor Dragon.]
[Note 5: Because of this secret, and with Duobao True Monarch visiting later, Yuann Mingzhen concocted another plan. She purposely made contact with Spirit Treasure True Inheritor Tao Qian, with the best strategy being to subdue him, and if not, at least become entangled with him, entwining their fates, to create momentum and pressure the Alchemists to prematurely launch their plan, commit all their amassed resources to rebuild the Longevity Barrier... Not all Ancestor God Treasures will choose to follow the second Ancestor Dragon; Yuann Mingzhen estimated that a small portion would select a local master, some would choose Yu Yanshi from the Primordial Sect in the south, some would choose her and Spirit Treasure True Inheritor Tao Qian, while most would choose the second Ancestor Dragon, eventually forming a unique Barrier with one major and several minor powers.]
[Note 6: If this plan were to succeed, it could save tens of billions from the Human Clan. Although most of the fortune would end up with the so-called second Ancestor Dragon... it would also help Yuann Mingzhen pass the test given by the Ancient Three Saint Emperors.]
[Note 7: Because the Great Book Yuann Mingzhen cultivated is the "Holy Emperor Supreme Dao Scripture," and coupled with her extraordinary talent and unparalleled strategic mind, upon ascending the imperial throne, the Ancient Three Saint Emperors, from the Outer Realm, resonated with her and subjected her to numerous tests through the void. If she could complete them, the Three Saint Emperors would acknowledge her as their inheritor and assist her ascension to the position of Human Emperor.]
[Note 8: The Ancestor Dragon was also an inheritor of the Ancient Three Emperors, and the shattering of the Ancestor God Forbidden Law was linked to the Ancestor Dragon and the Three Emperors as well.]
...
The initial Record and annotations.
They were no different from what Yuann Mingzhen herself had revealed.
Even that "evaluation" was exceptionally high.
Especially the phrase "benevolent love for the people," which even caused Master Tao's hostility to fade, no longer minding her attempt to swindle under false pretenses.
But then those annotations!
Ha, it was fortunate that Master Tao had long cultivated the ability to keep a straight face, no matter how shocking the secrets laid out in the Record; otherwise, his true feelings would be exposed at this moment.
Originally, it was just a tentative verification to see if Yuann Mingzhen was as good as she claimed to be.
Who would have thought that upon checking, Master Tao was thoroughly shocked.
At the bottom of his heart, a thought emerged:
"The prettier the woman, the more deceitful she is."
Yuann Mingzhen had indeed shown Tao Qian almost everything, but the secrets she hid...
Each one was outrageously large.
There were those concerning the Alchemists, which Tao Qian had painstakingly managed to arrange for the spy "Qin Wuxiang" to infiltrate.
Yuann Mingzhen, on the other hand, had gathered a bunch from somewhere, such as that Gao Cheng, who was clearly the biological son of that old beast Gao Huan. Although Gao Cheng was rejected by the Alchemists, he still had that relationship and could easily uncover core secrets. Back in Steamed Buddha City, Gao Yang, that mad True Master, was still obsessed with his brother Gao Cheng.
And there were many such individuals under Yuann Mingzhen's command, perhaps the Alchemists were as infiltrated as a sieve?
"It's no wonder she was able to escape to Qiantang safely after losing the Imperial City and being abandoned by the Xie Family. I thought it was the merit of the [Spring and Autumn Chariot]."
"It seems that she had this foundational strength all along and intentionally sought me out."
"The most incredible thing is, she even received support from the three Ancient Holy Emperors?"
"Isn't she ordained with such a backer?"
At this very moment, Tao Qian still maintained his pose with one finger pointed at Yuann Mingzhen's brow.
With an expressionless face, he watched the Devil Concubine, filled with inward sighs.
When it came to the act of "pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger," he, Tao Da, was also quite skilled.
But compared with Yuann Mingzhen, he was far behind.
The Ancient Three Emperors!
These three, are all at the Tribulation Immortal Realm.
With such a powerful backing brought forth, who wouldn't be astonished?
Amid the surging thoughts, Tao Qian withdrew his finger.
He didn't respond to Yuann Mingzhen immediately, but seriously contemplated.
This time, it was different from before.
Tao Qian, having glimpsed great secrets within Yuann Mingzhen's Heart Soul, leveraged his perspective to detach from his past viewpoint and ascend to another level of strategic contemplation regarding the affairs of the world.
The previously tangled mess abruptly became much clearer.
"After the Yang Sui Uprising, I've been entangled in the Northern Land Provinces—New Moon, Tiannan, Qiantang... If things continue like this, with my indecisive nature unable to overlook the suffering, I fear it will be very difficult to return to the Penglai Sea. The end result could indeed be the same as Uncle Qin Jiao's."
"Now it seems I've been trying too hard, becoming too attached, having fallen into some hero complex, foolishly trying to resolve the chaos of the Northern Land single-handedly."
"Apart from being overconfident, it's also a suicidal move. Not to mention anything else, I simply can't stop the imminent 'Central Plains Great War'. That situation won't allow me to disguise as a Horse and subtly cause destruction. I absolutely can't prevent the birth of the second Ancestor Dragon, the return of the Ancestral Divine Treasures, or the reconstruction of the Forbidden Techniques."
"Only halfway through, I would end up dying, both in body and dao, as pitiful as a mantis trying to stop a chariot."
"Hm?"
"Why try to stop it?"
"Instead, why not follow Yuann Mingzhen's plan, deliberately build momentum, and force the Alchemists to give up the supplies they've hoarded for over two thousand years, as well as their own contributions, to exhaust all resources to rebuild the Forbidden Law Barrier."
"Once successful, the billions of people of the Human Clan at the base will immediately have the chance to breathe and recuperate. No longer will they be treated like two-legged sheep to be bullied, exploited as expendables, suffering beyond words and too appalling to witness."
"Although there will still be a lot of conflicts and killing afterward, these will transfer to the upper echelons."
"Fighting over the authority of the Forbidden Techniques is always better than the current situation, right?"
"Especially since not all the barriers will belong to the second Ancestor Dragon, there will be smaller barriers in various places, some belonging to Yu Yanshi, and I will also gain a share."
"As for high-end power struggles in the future, I might actually have an advantage..."
As Tao Qian thought more and more, the brightness in his eyes grew.
He now felt quite grateful to Yuann Mingzhen for providing an alternative perspective.
Originally set on annihilating the Alchemists, he now realized, he could first make use of them, empty them out, to repair the crumbling Longevity Heavenly Dynasty after the breakdown of the Forbidden Law Barrier.
...
With his thoughts settled, Tao Qian immediately turned to look at Yuann Mingzhen.
With a meaningful smile, he then spoke, "Yuann Daoist, indeed you and I can form an alliance and agree on a contract, however..."
As Tao Qian spoke halfway, Yuann Mingzhen felt a surge of joy, but upon hearing 'however,' she instinctively asked, "However what?"
Knowing the figure before him seemed like an innocent rabbit, but in reality, was a master of strategy with her ambitions as a Human Emperor laid bare, Tao Qian, at this moment, suddenly felt a bit mischievous.
"However, Yuann Daoist, you're currently fallen in the Phoenix Falling Plain, seen as a prize to be fought over by warlords, and even if you take a stand, your rallying power might not be sufficient."
"Instead, let Tao Qian do it."
"Once the great momentum begins, when the Central Plains Great War erupts, the Longevity Barrier is rebuilt."
"Tao Qian will step forward, and Yuann Daoist can also take advantage of the aftermath of the Devil Empress's influence to announce allegiance to me..."
ps: Still in an exploratory phase, less than a third into the outline; some readers please don't jump to conclusions too quickly, thank you. Also, the less serious side story will be released in the group chat tomorrow, those interested can join the group. Lastly, Fat Fish begs for double monthly tickets, really need them, thank you thank you.