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Three things, each with deadly side effects—potential, essence blood, spiritual body!

Is the Taoist Sect... seizing destiny?

Pu YunChuan is one of the designers, though a lower-tier one. The Taoist Sect’s blueprints were created by another designer back then, but traces of the Sect’s rules remain in Pu YunChuan’s memory.

The Taoist Sect is a mysterious organization; they utilize Mystic Sect techniques to intercept destiny and supplement their own needs.

However, the Taoist Sect places high importance on karmic causality and refrains from taking by force. To cause harm purely for personal gain is demonic conduct, which would shackle one with malice, amplify their carnal desires, and lead to a fall into endless slaughter and madness.

The Taoist Sect emphasizes purity, seeking only benefits without entangling themselves in causality. Thus, they usually opt to transfer karmic consequences to someone else.

The Emperor is an ideal candidate—the ruler of the Central Plains, bearer of boundless destiny. Ordinary causal burdens won’t kill him. He has the ability to withstand a great deal of karma, making him a seemingly perfect collaborator.

"What does Your Majesty think?" Yun Yue asked with a smile.

"While Emissary’s offerings do have drawbacks, they indeed solve urgent crises..." The Emperor nodded.

By directly addressing the drawbacks, the other party had lowered his guard. He inferred their intent as a clear transaction: to barter stolen destiny for strength, requiring sacrifice in return. This straightforwardness appealed to him even more.

Ultimately, it left him in control of the scope and depth...

It sounded much more reliable.

Elixirs that utilize potential could be given to those with scarce inherent potential—essentially recycling waste, squeezing out their last ounce of potential, and temporarily bolstering combat power. Such contributions would still serve the destiny of the Human Race.

There are many such people in the Capital City. Back when ghost soldiers were being recruited, the cities surrounding the Capital had armies numbering a million waiting in queues—for enlistment or due to lack of eligibility to join the elite ghost soldier brigades.

Now it seems those troops might not need to be wasted.

As for the other two offerings, they’d likely serve the core forces. Whether sacrificing essence blood for puppet control or spiritual body manipulation for runes—both function as critical trump cards capable of momentarily elevating combat prowess to determine victory in pivotal battles.

Very practical items, ready to use if needed...

"I wonder, what price must I pay for these provisions from the Taoist Sect?" the Emperor asked with a smile.

"The price, as I mentioned earlier," Yun Yue replied with a chuckle. "As long as Your Majesty’s troops utilize these provisions, the cost will manifest. And the ones to benefit from this cost will be none other than my Taoist Sect!"

"Emissary is quite candid..." The Emperor chuckled.

"In collaboration, simplicity is preferable. If we can’t know each other entirely, there should at least be a reciprocal display of sincerity, don’t you agree?"

"The Emissary’s words hold truth..." the Emperor replied, turning to Chen Qing. "What does the King of Qin think?"

Chen Qing froze, surprised that the Emperor would solicit his opinion. Nonetheless, given their shared interests, Chen Qing pondered past designs before nodding. "Your Majesty, I’m somewhat familiar with the Taoist Sect’s provisions—they do indeed hold the effects the emissary claims. However..."

"However, what?" the Emperor asked with a smile.

"However, once these provisions are used even a single time, they become addictive. The more they’re used, the harder it is to maintain control."

"Oh?" The Emperor turned his gaze to Yun Yue.

"Naturally, that is the case..." Yun Yue smiled.

"These items were never originally designed for Your Majesty. They were dispersed across heaven and earth for survival seekers among all living beings. Before use, the Taoist Sect always explains their side effects personally. But if everyone abstains from using them, then where would the Sect’s gains lie? "

"Hence, from the onset of their design, the intent was clear: only by allowing beings to lose themselves in external forces could the Taoist Sect’s gains grow exponentially."

"I see..." The Emperor nodded. "It seems a rather logical approach."

"As long as Your Majesty understands." Yun Yue smiled.

The Emperor looked toward Chen Qing. Chen Qing furrowed his brows but eventually nodded.

The side effects were indeed singular. If the level of use could be restrained effectively, these provisions could undoubtedly turn the tide in certain critical battlefields.

The current situation is dire. The Buddha Kingdom has awakened prematurely, capable of soon organizing a well-formed army.

Heaven’s Court has also entered the fray ahead of schedule.

Should they fail to take proactive steps, the outcome would be a passive wait for death.

With the Taoist Sect’s temporary provisions enhancing combat power, there remains a chance for a final struggle. ..

The Emperor smiled. "Very well. How soon can these provisions be ready?"

"Soon..." Yun Yue chuckled. "As long as Your Majesty signs the contract."

Yun Yue pointed toward the heavens, and a colossal talisman paper materialized out of the void, its surface inscribed with ancient text stipulating the terms of cooperation.

The Emperor and Chen Qing immediately grew solemn. This talisman paper... seemed connected to something.

Upon closer examination, it turned out to be linked to the Dragon Vein of the earth.

"What does this mean, Emissary?" The Emperor asked faintly.

"Naturally, certain assurances are necessary." Yun Yue chuckled. "After all, Your Majesty has a history of certain transgressions. While the Taoist Sect has demonstrated its sincerity thoroughly, should Your Majesty not reciprocate the gesture?"

The Emperor gazed at the contents of the talisman paper, falling into deep thought.

The clauses were few, perhaps just two: First, as long as the Taoist Sect does not actively offend imperial forces, the Emperor cannot target any member of the Sect!

Second, after entering collaboration with the Taoist Sect, imperial forces may not ally with any Supreme Heavenly Power faction!

"I can somewhat understand the first clause. But what does the second clause mean?" The Emperor asked with a smile. "What exactly constitutes Supreme Heavenly Power?"

"Supreme Heavenly Power refers to forces controlling portions of the Heavenly Dao.

When the Heavenly Dao sought to expel us back then, it split off Dao Fruits.

Those Dao Fruits, however, were claimed by various players.

.. or what Your Majesty refers to as outsiders.

Those in possession of these Dao Fruits are the Supreme Heavenly Powers! "

"How would you define the scope?" Chen Qing interjected. "Does one Dao Fruit constitute Supreme Heavenly Power, or is it contingent on a certain number?"

"The latter, of course..." Yun Yue smiled.

"King of Qin need not fret—you are not yet within the scope of Supreme Heavenly Power.

Supreme Heavenly Power represents factions holding at least two Innate Dao Fruits, along with ten or more Venerable Ones.

Furthermore, they must possess control over certain fundamental principles of the world—for instance, portions of the Yin Yang Path of Reincarnation or elements such as earth, fire, water, and wind. .."

Chen Qing furrowed his brows upon hearing this. The emissary’s words carried subtle reservations. He currently didn’t wield such power, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t in the future. Could it be that upon reaching this threshold, coexistence with the Emperor would become impossible?

The Emperor also glanced at Chen Qing, faintly furrowing his brow.

If Chen Qing ever reached such heights, their alliance would indeed lose its significance.

Their current collaboration depended entirely on their inability to tackle ancient forces solo.

But should Chen Qing achieve supremacy, it would nullify the need for partnership, leaving them to fend for themselves.

This framing suggested no immediate issue.

Yet somehow, both Chen Qing and the Emperor harbored an unsettling suspicion that signing this seemingly reasonable agreement would lead to significant problems. Catastrophic ones, at that!