"Si Xixin has gone mad," someone said.
At this moment, any warlord or cultivator who considered themselves even slightly wise harbored this thought after the nationwide broadcast.
There had been rumors that Si Xixin was to marry the Devil God Third Princess, Hong Fu.
However, the actions Si Xixin took tonight could not be compared, as the alliance of two major forces only made the other warlords tense, especially with the presence of "Zhang Mazi, Zhang Jinluan," the biggest target, which prevented Si Xixin from becoming the common enemy.
But tonight, everything changed.
Si Xixin, already one of the three major powers, possessing Demon City along with four provinces, greedily launched a surprise attack on the Imperial City, annihilating the formidable armies left by his rivals.
Now holding sway over two cities and four provinces, and allied through marriage with the Devil God Third Princess, plus the support of major forces like the Si Family and Free Temple.
Si Xixin!
This man had suddenly become the largest power among the seventy-two provinces.
While he was incredibly close to the throne of the Human Emperor, he had also made himself the enemy of the world.
Clearly, it wasn't just the largest holder of provinces in the Northern Land, Zhang Jinluan, who would attack him; dozens of other warlords, both large and small from the North, would also unite against him.
And from the South, many forces, particularly Yu Yanshi of the Primordial Sect, would also become his enemies.
"To do this, although it brings control over the Imperial City and the Dharma lineage, isn't really worth the price when measured carefully."
"Even though Si Xixin's alliance with the Devil God Third Princess makes him slightly stronger than Zhang Jinluan, if he is surrounded and attacked, he likely won't last long."
"What exactly is Si Xixin thinking?"
"Could there be some secret unknown to us that has driven Si Xixin to believe he can gain the upper hand by acting this way?"
Tao Qian was not the only one thinking this; anyone who had a little understanding of the situation in the seventy-two provinces shared this thought.
At this moment, the host, Shipi Arhat, sensing the mood of everyone present, slightly altered his expression.
Such shocking news!
The representatives from various provinces aside, none of the major warlords was likely to remain calm.
Indeed, the next moment, they erupted.
The originally harmonious and joyful gathering at the religious feast turned furious after they heard the news.
With fierce glances instinctively targeting two individuals.
Shi Zhongsheng!
You Changqing!
These two, the prominent generals under Si Xixin and Hong Fu.
Their faces showed no change, but their hearts were indeed troubled.
The reason?
They were unaware of Si Xixin's sudden action.
You Changqing might be excused for his lack of knowledge, being primarily under Hong Fu's command and not Si Xixin's.
But even Shi Zhongsheng was unaware, his mind filled with confusion:
"How could this be?"
"The strategies decided by the advisors at Xixin Mansion were clearly not like this. Everyone agreed that the Imperial City, being watched by the seventy-two provinces, was a death trap for anyone daring to seize it."
"Brother Si even said to advance slowly, consolidate power gradually... How could he suddenly attack the Imperial City and declare himself Emperor?"
"And why wasn't I informed?"
Though full of doubts, Shi Zhongsheng showed no trace of this.
He assumed some unforeseeable situation had arisen in Xixin Mansion, but he wouldn't suspect Brother Si of mistrusting him.
Next to him, seeing Shi Zhongsheng's seemingly forewarned calm demeanor, You Changqing couldn't help but feel resentful, thinking, If we are allies meant to be joined through marriage, why hide this?
However, despite his resentment, he still presented himself as standing firmly with Shi Zhongsheng.
The furious warlords within the Little Leiyin Temple were unaware of this complex web of thoughts. Seeing their demeanor only fueled their rage.
Gao Tianci was the first to take action, drawing out his Pus Blood Demon Sword and Ten Thousand Soul Demon Banner, riding a Chaos Beast, and charging directly at them while savagely shouting:
"Si Xixin and Hong Fu, this pair of cunning foxes, used such a clever move to seize the Imperial City."
"But you two, one a cuckold and the other a lackey, are in big trouble today and are likely to lose your lives here."
This warlord, fiercer than a Fierce Ghost, knew his initiative would lead the others in the temple to erupt.
And indeed, it happened.
Dozens of warlords, including "Zhu Xun," the Heavenly Eunuch Warlord who had been humiliated the previous night, all rose up and surrounded the two.
"You two will die."
"Si Xixin, the most shameless of all, will meet disaster. Let us start by using this Worry-free Immortal, Shi Zhongsheng, as a sacrifice."
"Let's slaughter these two bastards and send their heads back to that cunning pair."
"Well said, kill them."
The warlords went berserk, their ferocity mixed with palpable killing intent nearly overturning the entire Little Leiyin Temple.
Just as these warlords were about to tear You Changqing and Shi Zhongsheng limb from limb,
suddenly, a cold snort emerged.
Instantly, everyone was forced to calm down.
In a trance, their minds conjured the image of a towering Buddha Dharma Image.
This image was almost exactly like the legendary "Buddha," except it was covered with wounds. Below the radiating Golden Light were densely packed countless shadowy figures, all lifeforms, each with its mouth wide open like a hungry Walking Corpse Puppet, waiting for pieces of the Buddha's flesh to fall...
With just a glimpse, everyone felt as if they had experienced a lingering death, trembling as they returned to their seats.
In Tao Qian's mind, a Record burst forth:[Observing the Dharma Image of Shipi Arhat...Since only the outer layer was shown, the contamination is not deep...Exemption granted!]