Taiyi Dao Fruit

The tide of blood-red locusts receded, leaving behind Plague Qi and a thick blood mist that resembled the red glow of evening, but lingered with an unyielding fishy smell.

Until it covered the territory of eight hundred li in radius, the locust god finally took out a long banner and raised it. Countless blood-colored locusts surged into the long banner like a tidal wave, transforming into tiny rune-like insects.

"Blood plague covers eight hundred li. I shall restart the Plague Array, and within the array, all Life will be extinguished, save for the fourth-rank. Others do not even qualify to enter."

Standing on a high hill, the locust god looked at the swirling blood Qi and spoke indifferently.

Also present were the Master of Rain, Marquis of Wind, and the Immortal of Colossal Spirit. This was all the personnel that had been withdrawn.

As for the others, they had been left in Chanting City, including the reinforcements from before. Screams of battle could still be heard in the distance, belonging to the remnants of the Taiping Sect that had not yet been eradicated.

This battle had indeed resulted in heavy losses.

To prevent the pursuers, the locust god decisively used the Plague Qi to cover eight hundred li, ensuring that the enemy could not lead their soldiers to pursue. Without troops, and having just fought a major battle, the fourth-rank enemies would not pursue aggressively either. This effectively marked a temporary cease-fire in the great battle.

But the cost of doing this was too great.

"This move may have offended the heavens. From today on, our sect would have lost the possibility of sweeping through the Nine Provinces," said the Primordial Lord Rain Master slowly, watching the scene.

Using the disease as defense, wherever it spread, all living beings would perish, including vegetation. The reputation of the Taiping Sect was utterly ruined, and even if they could withstand the Suppressing from the court, they could no longer coax people into joining the sect.

Also, the chance of a successful rebellion had been completely obliterated, though it was unlikely in the first place.

"A man set on great deeds does not dwell on small issues, and unable to get past this obstacle, the Taiping Sect is in no position to plan for the future."

The locust god chuckled lowly, seeming indifferent to the situation. After all, he was not a member of the Taiping Sect. Even if the sect failed, it would only implicate the locust god, while Yue King Ji Wen, one of the kings under the court, would obviously not associate himself with the Taiping Sect.

"Besides, this can also coerce people into joining our sect. The Plague Qi arranged by me in various parts of Liangzhou Province has already erupted. Aside from the Taiping Sect, no one else can cure the plague. Those who do not join will only face death."

Those who joined would have to offer their faith and even be subjected to restrictions; essentially, they were boarding a sinking ship.

"Oh?" Primordial Lord Rain Master seemed surprised and asked, "Even Jiang Li can't do it?"

The ancestor of the Jiang family was the Divine Farmer, and Jiang Li was especially in control of the Ochre Whip; if he took action, he should be able to resolve the plague.

"Jiang Li after all comes from a branch of the Jiang family, and his knowledge of medicine is not as profound as those old fellows in the main Jiang family. He is unable to concoct medicine to expel the plague, but he could indeed use the Ochre Whip to forcibly reverse the Plague Qi, but doing so would..."

The locust god spoke with a trace of apprehension, yet confident in his own Magic Door, "Once the Plague Array starts, the Plague Qi will gather from the entire Liangzhou Province. If he wants to resolve the plague with the Ochre Whip, it would be difficult for him to act."

Hearing this, Primordial Lord Rain Master's gaze shifted slightly, weighing the pros and cons.

In reality, a murderous intent had already surfaced in her heart.

The locust god's move could indeed buy a lot of time for the Taiping Sect. Once they caught their breath, who knew what might happen.

"Whether to start the array, I leave the decision to you, or rather, to your Sect Leader."

The locust god said, his gaze already shifting towards the silent Immortal of Colossal Spirit.

Unbeknownst at what point, this burly big man's eyes began to show Thunder Light, weaving into a Thunder Seal. A majestic Qi Mechanism gradually emitted, causing both the Master of Rain and Marquis of Wind to turn solemn, saying, "Sect Leader."

Sect Leader Zhangs Divine Thought had descended on the Immortal of Colossal Spirit.

Primordial Lord Rain Master decisively suppressed the murderous intent in her heart and looked towards the Immortal of Colossal Spirit, apparently wanting Sect Leader Zhang to decide.

About the future of the Taiping Sect, only Sect Leader Zhang could make a definitive decision.

Sect Leader Zhang's considerations did not take much time, merely a moment, and the eyes of the Immortal of Colossal Spirit flickered with Thunder Light. A calm and majestic voice rose, "The Great Venerate intervening in this battle, the Devil God Sect entering the fray, those demons, ghosts, and monsters may be a motley crew, but they are enough to cause trouble. And our spies placed within the Devil God Sect have been cleared out by the Great Venerate."

Since Black Water Mysterious Snake, the spies the Taiping Sect had placed within the Devil God Sect had suffered losses due to various reasons. During the time when the Great Venerate and Yellow Heaven were trapped in Wushan, the Taiping Sect's spies had been most active, trying to probe the situation in Wushan. But then, they were completely removed by the acting leader of the Great Venerate's clan — who was also a certain Dragon King's Son-in-law.

Now, the movements of those demons, ghosts, and monsters were even harder for the Taiping Sect to grasp.

While the people of the Devil God Sect may be a motley crew, unqualified in achieving success but absolutely masters at causing failures, they truly embody the True Inheritor's essence, each being troublemakers.

With these demon, ghost, and monster disruptors, the Taiping Sect would undoubtedly be hindered at every turn.

Thus, Sect Leader Zhang's intentions could not be more clear.

— Agreed.

"Hehehe," the locust god chuckled lowly, "Sect Leader Zhang has great courage, which I respect. With this, I shall also endeavour to make sure no living being outside of the Taiping Sect remains."

For the locust god, who housed the head of the Plague Department, and who could also be mentioned as Yue King Ji Wen, spreading plagues was his best way to cultivate. Although his Dao Fruit had reached Perfection, he could still enhance his Power by absorbing Plague Qi.

The plague was his Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi.

Since Sect Leader Zhang was willing to make this decision, the locust god could not have been more pleased.