Published at 12th of February 2026 7:15 am

Chapter 1757: Hongmen Meeting

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

[AN: Kong’s POV will end in the next Chapter. We can see Wang Wei again. Yeah!]

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Kong opened his eyes and finally exhaled. After so many years, he finally absorbed enough nourishment for his seed and established his foundation. He added the characteristic of [Virtue and Benevolence] to his [Existence], further elevating his [True Self] or existence as a higher being.

Although this particular characteristic does little in battle, it’s an excellent boost to charisma, leadership skill, judging good and evil, and more. As someone dedicated to reviving the Literary Way, Kong was more than happy with their powers.

’After so many years, I’ve finally reached this point,’ Emperor Kong thought. His excitement was beyond words to explain. Even if the expedition were to end right now, he would be more than satisfied. However, he knew this was just the beginning.

"Congratulations, Great Sage Qi, you are the 267th Literary Lord," a small spirit said. "I hope you have a prosperous reign."

Emperor Kong looked at the tower spirit that just appeared before him, and a strange light flashed deep in his eyes. After choosing a Transcendent Foundation, Kong realized something that forced him to change his plan: one of the greatest values of this world was the tower and its spirit; specifically, the knowledge it contained.

’Everything is connected, and fate is subtle in its manipulation,’ Kong calmly thought. ’Why did I enter this world particularly? At first, I thought this was because it was perfect for my ascension to power, but how can things be so simple? As the Destiny Chosen One, my fate is to aid the world’s tribulation and complete its status as the Destiny Central World.

’And what better way to help this world than to bring back countless already created and perfected Transcendent Foundation Methods?’

Emperor Kong still remembered the shock of those 33 techniques. He imagined that each of the Nine Paths had at least dozens of techniques. His first instinct was to bring all of them back to nourish the foundation of the Academy, but his virtue overcame his greed. The tower might be a Saint artifact, or at least contain some of its power. Without the proper aid, Kong was not confident he could control it, so he decided to change his plan.

"Thank you," Great Sage Qi replied with a smile. "It’s an honor to serve the people, especially in this time of need."

"I have a feeling that you will be an excellent lord," the spirit smiled. She then waved his hand to manifest a talisman.

"This is?"

"As a lord, you have control of one-tenth of Heavenly Dao," the spirit explained. With these words, a missing piece of the puzzle finally clicked. Why was Heavenly Dao constantly searching for the Otherworldly Demons when he first landed? He still remembered how the Little Qiankun Sect was destroyed.

"Why is it one-tenth instead of one-ninth?" Kong asked as he received the talisman.

"One-tenth belongs to me."

"I see," Kong nodded. "Well, thank you for the explanation."

"You’re welcome," the lively spirit smiled. "After you refine your piece of the [Authority], the first official Nine Council Meeting of this generation will begin. Do not be late."

"I won’t."

Emperor Kong watched her disappear, and a glint flashed in his eyes. This authority arrived at the perfect time. Although its existence could complicate things, if used correctly, it will also speed up the plan. No longer hesitating, Kong closed his eyes and refined the authority.

...

"Everybody is here. Excellent," the Artisan Lord said, glancing at the new arrival. Although everybody technically had the same cultivation level, there was still a major difference between them. Some people already had a solid foundation, and the quick ascension only allowed them to fulfill their already existing potential. Others had to rely on this opportunity to reach this level, and their aura was slightly unstable.

’As expected, Great Sage Qi is the strongest,’ the Artisan Lord thought.

"Our first order of business is the Martial Lord position," she started after everybody sat at the table. "We need to discuss whether to hold a new election or find the whereabouts of Lin Chi."

"Is he still alive?" the Buddha Lord asked.

"That’s the first thing to ascertain. Destiny Lord: Can you find out?"

"I’ll try my best to find out."

The first order of business was swiftly discussed. Lin Chi was indeed still alive. Whatever method the Primordial Otherworldly Demon used to imitate him required the chosen target to remain alive. Sadly, the Destiny Lord could not find his position. Without much choice, the council decided to allow the new Evil Lord to torture the information and other valuable news out of the captured otherworldly demon.

The next order of business was how to deal with the current chaotic situation: whether it was the invasion, the world isolating array, or the overall expedition, they all needed to discuss a solution. Usually, there is competition among the Nine Paths, but during this unprecedented period, everybody knew what to prioritize.

’It’s time,’ Emperor Kong thought in the middle of the meeting. The room suddenly trembled, and before anyone could react, a magic circle appeared above the room, freezing everybody — including Great Sage Qi. The lords were shocked, but as the pinnacle of this world, they soon realized they were under attack and tried every means to resist.

Sadly, their efforts were useless. The enemy seemed prepared, and the formation used was top-tier. Without much choice, they could only rely on the one advantage they had: Heavenly Dao Authority. They each activated their authority by releasing a small golden light that combined into one golden orb; everybody had hope in their eyes, the hope of using foreign power to break this information. However, to their horror, the golden orb flew into Great Sage Qi’s body, and his demeanor suddenly changed.

"Finally," he uttered as he moved his body.

"Great Sage Qi...Y-You’re an Otherworldly Demon?"

Emperor Kong looked at the Artisan Lord and did not say a word. "What nonsense are you talking about? I am me."

"Then..."

"The Golden Society cannot be created with more than 5 people making all the decisions. This world can only have one voice — me. That’s the only way my disciple’s dreams can be achieved."

"You’re doing all this for your disciple?"

"I don’t expect heartless people like you to understand," Kong calmly replied. Unbeknownst to them, these words suddenly activated a hidden change in his body.

’I was right. Keeping the facade reduces Heavenly Dao’s resistance to being refined,’ Kong thought. Heavenly Dao’s logic is simple: if Great Sage Qi is an otherworldly demon, then the situation involves a foreign invasion of an aggressive species. If he is doing this out of grief and desire, then this is just a matter of an internal problem. By following its logic and continuing to put on a play, Kong reduced its struggle, allowing it to refine all nine-tenths authority with great haste.

Boom!

The room continued to tremble, forcing Emperor Kong to shift his attention. ’I was right to be careful.’ The tower was indeed a semi-Saint artifact. After spending years secretly spreading the Hidden Arrays and creating one of the most powerful formations possible, Kong still failed to wholly seal.

’I need to hurry.’ With a thought, he sealed the seven Lords before focusing on the main task: the tower. His solution to this issue was already laid out: the World Stealing Array. The avatar once promised to fuse the array to the world’s core to act as a deterrent to any upcoming Saint from the Infinite Divine Court. Now, with most of Heavenly Dao’s authority, he easily accomplished it.

Such a step not only fulfilled his promise but granted him absolute power over the entire world. Power that he used to place another seal on the tower by using Maitreya’s power inside his body as a medium. The shaking stopped, and Kong exhaled deeply as the fourth step of his plan was finally accomplished.

’It’s a shame about that last piece of authority, but I can retrieve it after I steal the world,’ Kong thought. The next step was already planned, but Kong took a few minutes to eliminate the final remaining consciousness of Heavenly Dao, ensuring that he had absolute control. Finally, he contacted his former allies, except for Glass Pen, for a meeting.

"I’ve fulfilled my promise, haven’t I? Why are you guys looking at me like that?" Emperor Kong smiled. No one spoke. During the confrontation with the tower and the spirit, the Nine Council’s hidden dimension was revealed. At first, these people did not know what had happened, but when the World Sealing Formation suddenly activated and entered the tower, they began to make guesses.

"How did you infiltrate the Nine Council?" Nine Eyes asked. Even his powerful ocular prowess could not detect the location of the council’s headquarters. Yet this man not only infiltrated it but also successfully accessed the world’s core and fulfilled the promise he had made to them. All of the people who can survive for so long in this mission are elites of the Primordial Timeline — at least, they consider themselves as such. However, they lost so badly to Kong’s method that it made them feel uncomfortable.

"Don’t worry about that," Emperor Kong smiled. "I’ve come to bring you benefits. How would you like to become Lords?"

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