Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

Deep in the southern mountains, the headquarters of the White Lotus Sect.

When the Red-Robed Dharma King received the secret order from Wanfo Temple, he was tempering his power by the Blood Pool. After reading the contents of the jade slip, his expression changed several times, eventually turning into a cold laugh.

"Wanfo Temple... they've nurtured us for a hundred years, and now they finally want to use us?"

Three black-robed elders emerged from behind him, each exuding an aura as profound as an abyss—Grandmaster level seven, seven, and eight. A hundred years ago, the White Lotus Sect's headquarters was destroyed by Demon God Lü, and its most elite forces were indeed wiped out. However, in the past century, various major powers had secretly supported them and provided them with resources, allowing them to regenerate strength far exceeding their apparent power.

The Red-Robed Dharma King himself ascended from the fourth level of the Heavenly Realm to the initial stage of the ninth level.

"Your Majesty, Wanfo Temple wants to use us as pawns."

"A black-robed old man said coldly."

"I know."

The red-robed Dharma King crushed the jade slip, and powder fell from between his fingers.

"But so what? Aren't we also trying to use their power to turn things around? A hundred years ago, we joined forces with the Underworld Palace to assassinate the late emperor, but our headquarters was burned down by Demon God Lü. If it weren't for the fact that the major powers needed us to act as their front men to test the dynasty and stir up trouble, we would have been completely wiped out long ago."

He stood up, the blood-red patterns on his white lotus robe swirling like snakes in the firelight:

"But the resources we've provided over the past century have given us the leverage to overturn the table once again. Nobody dares touch the imperial tombs, so let's start from the south—conquer Qingzhou, annex seven prefectures, and once the White Lotus sect's banner is planted all over the south, anyone who tries to seize the imperial tombs will have to get past us."

The three elderly men in black robes exchanged glances, then simultaneously knelt on one knee: "The Dharma King is wise!"

"Pass down the order—raise the banners and start an uprising in three days, taking Qingzhou first." A bloodthirsty glint flashed in the red-robed Dharma King's eyes. "Let the world see that the White Lotus Sect has never been anyone's dog."

When the news reached the Zhenwu Dao Sect, Daoist Yuanzhen was enjoying the snow on Jiuxiao Peak.

The young Taoist priest Guiyuan knelt in the snow and reported the unusual activity at the imperial mausoleum, the secret message from Wanfo Temple to the White Lotus Sect, and the gathering of the Heavenly Demon Sect in the imperial city.

Yuanzhen Daoist remained silent for a long time, then gently waved the whisk in his hand.

"Wanfo Temple has nurtured the White Lotus Sect for a hundred years, and finally, they've decided to release them."

His voice was as aged as an ancient pine tree, "They dared not touch the imperial tombs, so they sent the White Lotus Sect to cause trouble in the south, to test the court's bottom line and to gauge Lü Moshen's reaction. A clever scheme."

Guiyuan looked up: "Master, what about us?"

"We'll watch."

Daoist Yuanzhen turned and walked into the hall. "The more trouble the White Lotus Sect causes in the south, the more troops the imperial court will send south. Only when the imperial mausoleum is poorly guarded will someone dare to make a move—but some will also die a horrible death."

He paused at the palace gate, and without turning his head, added:

"Tell the Four Extremes Sword Sect and the Chu family to take it easy. We learned about Lu Moshen's temper a hundred years ago."

If he really wakes up, the first people he'll deal with are those who jumped around with the White Lotus Sect and the Underworld Palace a hundred years ago.

Guiyuan bowed his head: "Disciple understands."

At the headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Sect, Elder Blood Shadow is gathering his forces.

The vanguard of the Heavenly Demon Sect has already set off three times towards the Imperial Mausoleum, with all of their elite forces at the sixth level of Grandmaster level or above leaving their mark. But Elder Blood Shadow knows in his heart that the real main force is still waiting.

When the White Lotus Rebellion starts causing trouble in the south.

Once the court's attention is diverted.

The moment when the imperial tombs are unguarded.

"Those bald monks at Wanfo Temple, after a hundred years of cultivating the White Lotus sect, have finally come in handy."

The Blood Shadow Elder licked his lips. "The White Lotus Sect attacks Qingzhou, we steal the imperial tombs. Each gets what they want."

The red-robed protector beside him whispered, "Those people from the Four Extremes Sword Sect and the Chu family..."

"Let them go too," the Blood Shadow Elder sneered. "The more people, the muddier the waters. Muddy waters are easier to fish in. Whoever dares to approach the imperial tomb entrance should go first and see if Demon God Lü has actually awakened—"

He stepped out of the blood pool, his bare feet landing on the cold rocks:

"Order everyone to remain still. We will only move when the White Lotus Sect's flag is planted atop Qingzhou City."

Seven days later, news of the fall of Qingzhou City in the south spread throughout the land.

On the very day the White Lotus Sect launched its uprising, it breached the defenses of Qingzhou City. The Red-Clad Dharma King, with the strength of a Grandmaster at the early stage of the ninth level, personally killed the Qingzhou garrison commander. Within three days, they captured three prefectures in succession, and five of the seven southern prefectures had already switched sides. The banners of the White Lotus Sect were planted all over half of the southern region.

The imperial court was shaken.

But surprisingly, Emperor Qin Mu issued an incomprehensible decree: the suppression of the rebellion in the south was to be postponed, and the troops of the Three Departments were to remain in place.

Nobody knows why.

But those with keen senses in the capital detected something far deeper—the emperor was waiting.

Or rather, the emperor was also testing the waters. He was testing who was behind the White Lotus Sect, testing how Lu Moshen would react to the turbulent energy of the world, and testing where each piece in this game was headed.

Deep within the imperial tomb, the ancient breathing sound grew clearer and clearer.

On the same day, in Pingyang County.

Dongfang Weiwo sat at his desk, with three secret reports laid out side by side in front of him.

The first report came from the Imperial City: "Strange activity is occurring at the Imperial Mausoleum; the Demon God Lü is about to awaken. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple is secretly instigating an uprising by the White Lotus Sect in the south, while all other forces remain inactive, observing the situation at the Imperial Mausoleum. The Emperor has issued an edict to temporarily suspend the suppression of the rebellion."

The second report came from the south: "The Red-Robed Dharma King of the White Lotus Sect has revealed his Grandmaster-level cultivation at the initial stage of the Ninth Heaven, and has conquered five prefectures in succession. The imperial court has not sent troops, and the south is in dire need of assistance."

The third report came from the East Sea: "The Three Kings of the Underworld, at the invitation of the King of the East Sea, discussed cooperation regarding Penglai Island. The King of the East Sea proposed to join forces to break the restrictions, promising to distribute opportunities according to the number of people. The Three Kings have not yet responded."

After reading the three secret reports, Dongfang Weiwo put down the papers, got up, and walked to the window.

The snow in Pingyang County outside the window has stopped, the night sky is clear, and the stars are scattered like broken diamonds.

He gazed at the eastern horizon, where a faint glow was spreading—not the morning glow, but something more primal emanating from the depths of the spiritual tide.

"The White Lotus Rebellion... was a pawn pushed out by Wanfo Temple."

Everyone at the imperial mausoleum was wary of Demon God Lü, but everyone wanted to wait for someone else to step on their landmine first. He said in a low voice, "A hundred years ago, Demon God Lü avenged the late emperor, smashing down the gates of Wanfo Temple, destroying the headquarters of the Underworld Palace, and suppressing all the heroes of the world. Then he sat in the imperial mausoleum for a hundred years—no one knows if he's still awake, or to what extent."

Footsteps sounded behind him, and Bai Yujing entered the study, holding a letter in his hands.

"Young Dragon Leader, a message has arrived from the Underworld."

Dongfang Weiwo took the letter and unfolded it. It contained only three lines of text, written in Tie Zhongtang's handwriting:

"We believe the cooperation with the King of the East Sea is feasible. However, the Young Dragon Leader must personally oversee the operation before we land on the island. We will be in the open, while the Young Dragon Leader remains in the shadows; only then will everything be foolproof."

Dongfang Weiwo smiled slightly.

"Reply—tell King Taishan, King Wuguan, and King Chujiang that they will meet at the East Sea in three days."

He folded the letter and put it in his pocket, then looked out at the starry sky.

The rosy glow in the east grew brighter and brighter, as if the entire sea was ablaze. And further away, the aura emanating from the direction of the imperial tombs rose and fell with a slow but unstoppable rhythm, like the expansion and contraction of a giant's chest.

The person who suppressed the world a hundred years ago may be about to awaken.

The game of chess has finally reached its most chaotic mid-game.