Just as ancient strategists had envisioned, the time had finally come when Jiang Chen could be defeated, with the passage of many years since his initial sealing.
Following his release and return to the Silver Devil Asura Dominion, Jiang Chen embarked on a relentless pursuit of resources to fortify his soul and blood essence, all in preparation to wield the potent Spectral Blood Soul Splitting Technique.
In truth, Jiang Chen heavily relied on the distinctive rocks he had acquired through a trade with the formidable Giant Race, utilizing them to fortify his soul to the point where he could implant his essence within another individual.n0velusB.c0m
Remarkably, the chosen vessel for Jiang Chen's essence was none other than Theodoros Astraeos, the reigning Emperor of the mighty Bronze Mirage Empire.
Upon Jiang Chen's corporeal form being defeated by the angels, his dormant soul and bloodline essence within Theodoros surged to life, and Jiang Chen assumed control over Theodoros's body.
Despite Theodoros's formidable soul and spirit, they paled in comparison to the immense pressure and prowess exhibited by the soul of an ancient expert—an Immortal Realm master at the peak of their abilities.
Even the Angels remained oblivious to Jiang Chen's contingency plan, meticulously devised in anticipation of a potential interruption to his assault on the Underworld Giant's Immortal Dominion.
In truth, this backup strategy was conceived by Jiang Chen under the assumption that the experts from the Heavenly Court would intervene, yet fate played its cards differently, ushering in the Angels instead.
Ironically, these celestial beings posed an even more challenging adversary for Jiang Chen.
Their alignment with the Holy Attribute presented a substantial hurdle to his formidable abilities.
Although Jiang Chen possessed immense power, he was unable to fully transcend the limitations imposed by the Holy Attribute while operating within the confines of the Saint Realm.
Had he been at the Immortal Realm, he might have been capable of overriding this innate restriction.
Furthermore, once Jiang Chen merged his consciousness with Theodoros's memories, he stumbled upon a revelation of great interest.
Among the sea of recollections, he discovered a pivotal piece of information—Wang Jian, the Emperor of the Everlasting Mystical Empire, had played a central role in communicating with the three Emperors of the Western Desert Empires via the Telephone Artifact.
As if unveiling a carefully woven web of intrigue, Jiang Chen learned that it was Wang Jian who had not only connected with the three Empire Emperors but had also ignited the spark that led to the propagation of rumors and the subsequent alert sent to the Heavenly Court regarding Jiang Chen's presence.
"I never intended to set my sights on you," Jiang Chen muttered with a lethal edge in his voice, his frustration palpable. "Even though you stand as the obstacle to my complete dominion over the devil forces. Yet, if you persist in challenging me and seek your own demise, then I shall gladly oblige."
The revelation of Wang Jian's machinations had ignited a furious fire within Jiang Chen. The realization that Wang Jian might have played a hand in alerting the Angels to his presence in the Western Deserts only added to his ire.
"The first step to dismantling Wang Jian's schemes is to eradicate the remnants of the Blue Moon Eclipse Devil Clan and the Nether Curseweaver Devil Clan still entrenched within the Silver Devil Asura Dominion," Jiang Chen murmured under his breath, his determination unshaken.
But then, in a swift shift of focus, he recalibrated his target—resolute in his decision to launch an assault on the Underworld Giant's Immortal Dominion.
The selection of Theodoros as his contingency vessel following his defeat was a strategic move borne of this intent. A calculated precaution that underscored the gravity of the forthcoming confrontation.
It was because it would allow him to utilize Theodoros's identity to make the entire Bronze Mirage Empire and convince the other two human Empires of this region to mount a formidable attack on the Underworld Giant's Immortal Dominion.
Fortuitously, after vanquishing Jiang Chen and his subordinates, the Angels withdrew from the Western Deserts, returning to their citadel—the Angelic Sky City.
Had the Angels lingered, they would have come to know that the devils they had quelled were but the initial wave of Jiang Chen's forces. Eagerly awaiting their turn were the second contingent, the third, and beyond.
It was from this third contingent that the true powerhouses of the devil clans were poised to emerge.
Hence, despite the apparent setback inflicted by the Angels' assault, Jiang Chen's forces had emerged largely unscathed—prepared, resilient, and ready to challenges ahead.
Jiang Chen's first order of business was to convene a meeting with the leaders of the two neighboring Empires within the Western Deserts.
The objective of this assembly was to deliberate upon a comprehensive assault on the Underworld Giant's Immortal Dominion—a strategic move that required a collaborative effort.
Thankfully, garnering the support and consensus of the two rulers was a task that unfolded relatively smoothly. The duo was already aflame with fury and frustration over the unrelenting onslaughts launched by the Giant Race against their respective Empires.
Their shared sentiment was one of vengeance, a desire to reciprocate the suffering and disruption wrought upon their lands.
However, the rulers were no novices in the realm of strategy and warfare. They were acutely aware that a head-on attack on the formidable Underworld Giant's Immortal Dominion was a futile endeavor.
The odds of prevailing were nigh insurmountable.
Amidst this cautious discourse, it was Jiang Chen—who, under the guise of Theodoros and within Theodoros's physical vessel—offered a pivotal suggestion.
His tone carried the gravitas of experience and newfound wisdom as he spoke, "I've brokered a pact with that ancient devil expert. He's agreed to extend his support in our campaign against the Giant Race. Of course, his terms are as audacious as they come. But if we can meet his demands, he shall furnish us with a formidable devil army. This force will effectively divert the artifact spirit's attention while deploying Saint Realm devils to confront the Giant Race's own Saint Realm experts."
Amidst the deliberations, a note of concern surfaced. Xenios Orpheon, the ruler of the Gilded Oasis Dynasty, voiced it hesitantly, his brow creased with uncertainty. "The ease with which he wields command over Saint Realm devils is cause for apprehension. Are we not teetering on the brink of error?"
Jiang Chen, retaining his assumed identity as Theodoros, responded with gravity, his tone underscored by the weight of their predicament. "I comprehend the magnitude of the gamble we're taking by placing our faith in this influential devil. Yet, do we have an alternative? Remaining idle only invites the Giant Race to assail us once more, their strategies adapting to our defenses. Our most prudent course is to inflict substantial damage upon them, proving that we stand unflinching in the face of confrontation."
A note of inquiry wafted from Andreas Lyreus, ruler of the Desert Nomad Ascendancy, his countenance etched with curiosity. "And what exact terms has this devil stipulated? Does it involve additional resources?"
Jiang Chen, his expression a portrait of mirth, responded, unfurling the intriguing proposal. "He demands that we engrave our allegiance upon a Golden Radiance Oath Scroll, sealed with our blood. The covenant is simple: we shall marshal our combined influence and resources to aid him in his crusade against a specific nation. Naturally, he ensures that this targeted nation's power remains on par with our own realms."
The condition provoked contemplation in the minds of the two rulers. It bore a substantial risk, yet an audacious allure that beckoned them to tread cautiously.
If the empire they aimed to confront held akin strength to their own Empires, the alliance of the Western Deserts Empires was poised for victory.
Hence, the rulers concurred with the condition outlined by Jiang Chen.
However, what eluded their notice was a subtle nuance in Jiang Chen's phrasing when introducing the condition.
It stipulated that the three Empires would deploy their influence and resources to assist Jiang Chen in confronting the targeted nation.
This, in effect, granted Jiang Chen complete freedom to exploit any fragment of influence or any reservoir of resources under their dominion.
As long as the pretext bore the semblance of targeting the designated Empire, Jiang Chen could exploit them effortlessly.
With their sights firmly set on the heart of the Underworld Giant's Immortal Dominion, Jiang Chen orchestrated the assembly of a formidable coalition, drawing forces from the three Empires.
Leading this united front, he guided them to a grand Teleportation Formation that he had meticulously readied well in advance.
At this designated location, the human forces converged with the devil contingent, representing the second wave under Jiang Chen's command. Their arrival marked a crucial juncture in the unfolding plan.
Together, the combined forces of humans and devils initiated the activation of the Teleportation Formation, propelling them across thousands of kilometers and beneath the earth's surface.
Here, the abyssal depths greeted them, enveloped in an inky darkness. Swiftly, both humans and devils kindled flames and wielded artifacts radiating lightning—a symphony of light that pierced through the gloom.
Amidst this newfound illumination, their collective gaze fell upon many monumental structures looming ahead and a massive stronghold where tens of thousands of Giants dwelled.
In an atmosphere thick with anticipation, Jiang Chen's fusion of human and devil forces found themselves poised on the precipice of action. The time for waiting had passed. With unity in their hearts and determination in their eyes, they launched their assault upon the rocky dominion that harbored the formidable Giant Race.
