Chapter 1201: The Worst-Case Scenario
At this moment, Snow Fox Mountain no longer possessed its usual misty beauty. The powerful shockwave that erupted when the black hole appeared not only shattered Snow Fox Mountain's protective grand array but also completely dispersed the thick layer of clouds that shrouded it.
Previously, standing at the foot of Snow Fox Mountain, it was impossible to see the summit, let alone the sky above it; only thick clouds were visible. Now, with these thick clouds gone, the summit of Snow Fox Mountain could be clearly seen even from its base.
It was precisely for this reason that Bai Xue and the three others were able to discover the colossal Apotheosis Platform suspended above Snow Fox Mountain's summit. Had it been shrouded by thick clouds as before, they naturally would not have witnessed such a breathtaking spectacle.
"This must be the Apotheosis Platform; I once saw it mentioned in some old records!"
Bai Xue replied, her voice trembling slightly with visible excitement, even though her face remained masked. It was clear from her tone how deeply moved she was.
None of the other three present laughed at Bai Xue's loss of composure, for their own excitement was no less than hers. After all, they had only ever heard legends about the Apotheosis Platform. They had never truly seen it, nor had they even laid eyes on any related ancient texts. Now, witnessing the genuine Apotheosis Platform right before them, how could they not be thrilled?
"So this is what the Apotheosis Platform looks like. Can one truly become a god after stepping onto it?"
Luo Xue asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and disbelief, yet also carrying a hint of yearning and longing.
"It's not that easy. To become a god, merely having the Apotheosis Platform isn't enough. One also needs sufficient Power of Faith as a blessing. Otherwise, even if you step onto the Apotheosis Platform, you won't become a god,"
"Really?"
Faced with Luo Xue's skepticism, Bai Xue found herself momentarily unable to give a definitive answer. Her explanation was entirely based on ancient texts, and she couldn't be certain of its truth, as she had never personally attempted it. Even the Apotheosis Platform itself was something she was seeing for the first time, so she couldn't give Luo Xue a confident reply.
"I can't be sure either, but the texts I've read indeed record it this way. However, now is not the time to dwell on this. Our top priority is to leave this place quickly."
Though Luo Xue was filled with curiosity and longing for the Apotheosis Platform, she knew Bai Xue's words held true. A great war was about to erupt here—a battle unprecedented since the great chaos of the New Beginning Realm. The danger of remaining here was self-evident. For their safety, they had to leave this place, so she had no objection to Bai Xue's statement.
As for Jing Miao, there was even less to say. She belonged to the Iron Blood Demon Hall, not the Flock of Demons Society, and was under Yang Haoran's direct command; even Bai Xue couldn't order her. Since Yang Haoran had already commanded her to return, she naturally wouldn't defy his order. Even if Bai Xue had asked her to stay, she would absolutely not have done as Bai Xue wished and would have immediately rushed back to Jingling Continent.
As for Bai Jiumeng, her reaction at this moment was different from Luo Xue and Jing Miao's. Her brow was tightly furrowed, her expression serious, and her face even showed a hint of hesitation.
"President, you all go back first. I'm a bit worried about my parents and little sister. I want to escort them to a safe area before returning to the Flock of Demons Society."
As soon as Bai Jiumeng spoke, Bai Xue and the other two turned their gaze towards her.
"You just saw it; the White Fox Clan members are all withdrawing in an organized fashion. Your family is protected by experts from your clan, and your White Fox Clan has always remained neutral. Neither the Underworld Office nor the Spirit Masters will make things difficult for your White Fox Clan; they will simply turn a blind eye to your withdrawal, avoid conflict, and certainly won't waste time on your clan. Now that the White Fox Clan has evacuated Snow Fox Mountain, the great battle won't affect them. Therefore, their safety won't be an issue."
As soon as Bai Xue said this, Bai Jiumeng's brows furrowed even tighter, as if she was contemplating something, looking undecided. Seeing this, Bai Xue quickly continued to speak.
"On the contrary, if you go to escort your family away, you might even end up fighting with your own clan members. Being forced to leave their homeland has already made them extremely uncomfortable, and if you appear, they will very likely vent their anger on you. As for why they would be angry with you, I believe you already understand without me needing to say more. At that time, not only will you be unable to protect your family, but you might even harm them, or worse, lose your own life in the process."
At this point, Bai Xue let out a long sigh, her tone shifting to one of intense worry.
"Ah, I actually wanted to stay here too, not because I want to see more of this Apotheosis Platform that allows mortals to become gods, but because I knew Brother Yang, as an Underworld Office Guardian, would definitely be forcibly dispatched here to support and prevent the Spirit Master False God from ascending the Apotheosis Platform. So I wanted to stay and help him, but he didn't give me that chance."
Bai Xue's words were indeed true. She really didn't want to leave this place, because she knew that Yang Haoran, as an Underworld Office Guardian, would certainly be forcibly assigned here to provide assistance and stop the Spirit Master False God from ascending the Apotheosis Platform, which is why she wished to stay and help.
However, Yang Haoran's communication talisman had just explicitly stated that she must immediately move away from Snow Fox Mountain and return to the Guardian District. This time, Yang Haoran's tone was exceptionally serious, allowing no room for argument or negotiation. Since she had followed Yang Haoran, he had never spoken to her with such a tone and attitude. So, although she had initially thought of employing her old trick of acting first and reporting later, she could only helplessly abandon the idea and obey Yang Haoran's command to leave Snow Fox Mountain and rush back to the Guardian District.
After careful consideration, Bai Jiumeng felt that Bai Xue's analysis made perfect sense. If she were to catch up with her evacuating clan members now, she might not succeed in protecting her family; instead, she could end up fighting with those clan members who resented her. After all, the number of White Fox Clan members who hated her was no longer small, and she had already been expelled from the White Fox Clan, no longer a member. Those who hated her would have even fewer qualms about attacking her.
Understanding that catching up with the retreating White Fox Clan would be useless and only make matters worse, Bai Jiumeng, after some thought, had no choice but to abandon the idea.
"Alright, we'll return to the Guardian District."
Although Bai Jiumeng hid it well, her voice subtly revealed a hint of helplessness.
Bai Xue naturally caught the resignation in Bai Jiumeng's voice, so she offered a few words of comfort, easing Bai Jiumeng's mind somewhat. Just as the four were about to tear open space and depart, Bai Xue received another communication talisman from Yang Haoran. Not only Bai Xue, but Jing Miao also received a communication talisman from Yang Haoran.
This time, the content of the communication talismans was not merely to rush back to the Jingling Continent Guardian District. Yang Haoran had also made detailed, though differing, arrangements for both of them within the talismans.
Neither Bai Xue nor Jing Miao dared to be negligent regarding the arrangements Yang Haoran had made. So, once they had both received the information from their communication talismans, Bai Xue, without waiting for Jing Miao to prompt her, immediately tore open space and led the four away from Snow Fox Mountain.
Within the Guardian District of Jingling Continent's Ninth District, Yang Haoran continuously sent out numerous communication talismans. Apart from Bai Xue and Jing Miao, every one of his trusted subordinates received a talisman from him, and he had made different, unnegotiable, and mandatory arrangements for each of them.
The reason he used such forceful methods to make this series of arrangements was not for his own sake, Yang Haoran, but for the sake of his subordinates. With the Apotheosis Platform now appearing, the Underworld Office and the Spirit Masters were on the verge of the biggest confrontation since the great chaos of the New Beginning Realm. He didn't know if the Underworld Office could win, but if the true Death God didn't appear, he believed their chances of victory were very slim.
Once the Underworld Office was defeated and the Spirit Master False God successfully ascended the Apotheosis Platform, becoming a true god with a divine position, the Underworld Office would suffer an unprecedented blow, potentially even being annihilated by the Spirit Masters. If things truly came to such a pass, then they, the Underworld Officials, would also face devastating destruction. Not just them, but anyone connected to them would be wiped out by the Spirit Masters.
As one of the forty-five Guardians of the Underworld Office, Yang Haoran could not avoid this great battle. It wasn't that he wanted to participate, but that he had no choice. If he chose to evade the fight and not take part, he would certainly be branded a traitor and hunted down by the Underworld Office from then on.
If the Underworld Office were to lose to the Spirit Masters this time, the Spirit Masters wouldn't spare him. If the Underworld Office won the war, they definitely wouldn't spare him either. Thus, caught in an impossible situation, he could only grit his teeth and push forward.
Of course, even while participating, Yang Haoran still had to prepare an escape route for himself. After all, he only had one life; he wasn't willing to sacrifice it due to the constraints placed upon him by the Underworld Office. He wasn't that noble. If, at the crucial moment, the Death God still didn't appear and the Underworld Office was powerless to resist the Spirit Masters, then he would have no choice but to find a way to save his own life and not clash head-on with the Spirit Masters.
However, this was merely a last resort; he wouldn't act on it until the very last moment. But he certainly had to make the necessary preparations beforehand, otherwise, it would be impossible to scramble when that point truly arrived. At this moment, by conjuring communication talismans one after another and forcibly arranging his trusted subordinates, he was preparing for the worst possible outcome!
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