In the Southern Continent, Liu Heng stood before his study, gazing at the western sky.

He was not an Immortal, but through many years of cultivation, he could still sense the terrifying aura emanating from that direction.

"It's starting."

Liu Heng thought to himself, after waiting so many years, the war of the deities was finally about to begin.

Yet this war did not only involve the Immortals and Bodhisattvas of the heavens; the Human Clan of the Mortal World could not escape calamity either.

Outside Chang'an City, ominous dark clouds were gathering.

"Your Majesty!"

The General of the Guards, Li Guang, arrived at the study, kneeling on the ground with a grave expression: "The Prince of Huainan has rebelled, Hangu Pass is in jeopardy!"

"The Prince of Huainan?"

Liu Heng's mind flashed with an image of an upright face.

During the reign of Empress Lü, many of the Emperor's sons had died.

He and Prince Liu Chang of Huainan were among the few sons who had survived; Liu Chang lost his mother at a young age and was raised by Empress Lü, thus during her rule, he was fortunate to avoid political disasters.

Liu Heng had a good relationship with Liu Chang.

Liu Heng had not expected that the person who always called him "big brother" would raise the banner of rebellion.

This was the second time.

"Your Majesty, this rebellion by the Prince of Huainan is unlike the last one."

Li Guang bowed to Liu Heng and said, "The civil and military officials have all left Chang'an, heading to welcome Prince Huainan's ascension to the throne. Please make your decision early."

"I understand."

Liu Heng sighed, then turned and walked into his study: "Summon the Feathered Forest Army."

"Yes."

Li Guang immediately went to mobilize the troops.

By the time he led the soldiers back, Liu Heng was already clad in armor.

Liu Heng surveyed the dense ranks of soldiers and then led them away from Chang'an.

Chang'an had already been infiltrated by Lingshan; there was no point in staying any longer.

Riding his military horse, Liu Heng left Chang'an; looking back, he couldn't help feeling melancholic.

The loyalty of those ministers could not withstand the allure of Lingshan.

"Even as an emperor, mortals are ultimately still mortals."

Liu Heng clenched the reins.

He felt the helplessness of mortals and understood more profoundly to whom the Three Realms should be entrusted.

Sun Wukong and Buddha, who could bring happiness to the Human Clan, Liu Heng had the answer in his heart long time ago.

He left Chang'an without any regrets.

Before Hangu Pass, the rebel army swarmed toward the city walls.

The defending army on the walls was fighting desperately when suddenly chanting came from the sky, and Buddha Light descended, binding them in place.

"Amithaba Buddha."

The voice of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva resounded from the heavens.

"The Bodhisattva has manifested!"

Prince Liu Chang of Huainan was overjoyed, and at his command, the rebel army spread like a wildfire up the walls, igniting the entirety of Hangu Pass.

In an instant, Hangu Pass had fallen.

The General defending the city was captured by the rebels, furiously scolding Liu Chang: "Prince of Huainan, you are arrogant and do not abide by the law, your actions are unjust. His Majesty is magnanimous and did not pursue your past transgressions, yet you show no gratitude and even..."

The General could not finish his rebuke before Liu Chang cut him down with a single stroke, silencing him forever.

"All this is a consequence of my own brother's doings."

Liu Chang sheathed his sword, addressing the crowd, "I had no wish to rebel, but he was indecisive and bewitched by that demonic monkey, unsuitable to be king."

The people feared him and dared not utter a sound.

In the sky, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva saw this scene and could not help but sigh to himself.

Once Lingshan's influence began to spread, he had initiated the battle in the Southern Continent.

Prince Liu Chang of Huainan had the strength to lift cauldrons, yet he entirely lacked the aura of a king; Ksitigarbha had not wished to choose him, but only with his status could great responsibilities be entrusted.

"It's a pity for that Human King and Crown Prince."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said, "If they were willing to submit to Lingshan, it would save a lot of trouble."

"Bodhisattva, you must not waver."

Diting, seated beneath him, heard these words and couldn't help but remind him, "Under the Heavenly Dao, we are all but chess pieces. One moment of hesitation, and we might be exploited by Sun Wukong."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's heart tightened, and he cast aside the thought: "Who from the Huaguo Mountain Sect has come to the Southern Continent?"

"Emperor Donghua."

Diting responded, "He has already rushed to the Southern Continent."

Ksitigarbha furrowed his brow immediately.

That is a tough one to deal with.

By the sea, a youth led a group waiting for Emperor Donghua.

Countless rays of light flew from the East Sea, each landing on the ground.

"Haha, it is indeed you, kiddo."

Bear Demon King saw the youth and went over to give him a fierce hug: "I knew you weren't the type to run away, right?"

"I have already been running for two hundred years, Bear Demon King."

The youth said with a smile, then looked towards a young man beside the Bear Demon King.

"You are..."

He felt this young man looked somewhat familiar.

"Sir, it has been a long time."

The young man saluted the youth.

The youth then remembered, the young man was named Jia Yi, a famous strategist from the Southern Continent, who was exceptionally promoted by Liu Heng to Grand Courtier, and later became the Grand Tutor for King Liang Hui.

Many years ago, Jia Yi suffered from melancholia which the youth had cured, and then he vanished without a trace.

The youth recognized Jia Yi and was both shocked and pleased: "Grand Tutor, why have you come from the East Sea?"

"I have been accepted as a disciple by Emperor Donghua and have been cultivating under his guidance in recent years."

Jia Yi answered: "For this battle of the Three Realms, the Emperor has ordered me here to help."

"Where is the Emperor?"

The youth inquired.

"I do not know."

Jia Yi shook his head, then looked at the dense crowd behind the youth.

"These are..."

Jia Yi was somewhat surprised by the power within these people.

"Followers of the Heavenly Taoist Sect."

The youth replied, having brought over only a small part of the followers; the rest were still hidden throughout various places in the Southern Continent.

"Since Bear Demon King and Grand Tutor are here, I will entrust the Heavenly Taoist Sect to you."

The youth took the initiative to delegate authority.

"I don't like this job."

Bear Demon King shook his head and patted Jia Yi's shoulder: "All these strategies and arrangements, I'll leave to you."

"Understood."

Jia Yi nodded and then said to the crowd: "Do you all understand the purpose of our gathering here?"

Everyone nodded their heads.

"Heavenly Emperor is determined to control the Three Realms, and this battle will decide who claims the Southern Continent."

Jia Yi stated: "It is our fortune to be part of this."

The faces of the crowd beamed with smiles.

"Then, let's go."

With Jia Yi's command, he led the crowd westward to join the battlefield.

After they had traveled for some time, Emperor Donghua finally appeared on the shore.

He looked on with a slight frown for a while, then turned and walked in the direction of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha.

The Southern Continent ignited in chaos.

Meanwhile, in Lingshan, Buddhist and Immortal texts still collided and extinguished in the sky, deterring all Immortals and Bodhisattvas from nearing.

Sun Wukong and Buddha sat opposite each other, with a dazzling chessboard floating between them, calm as the sea, reflecting the Four Great Continents within it.

Daji had been watching for a long time and finally couldn't help asking: "What is the Great King doing?"

"Playing chess."

Immortal Zhen Yuan answered.

He could tell that the chessboard between Sun Wukong and Buddha was the transformation of their combined power of the Heavenly Dao.

They turned the Heavenly Dao into a chessboard, using all beings as chess pieces, engaging in a contest.

In the first round of the game, it seemed that Buddha had the upper hand.

But with Sun Wukong in the Southern Continent, he was not without his advantages.

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