Chapter 277

Mu Yi, in the midst of shock, Shen Tu and Yu Lei continued to leak information.

Translation: Mu Yi was in shock, but Shentu and Yulei continued to leak information.

continued to leak information

For both of them, being able to personally participate in capturing such a great deity's incarnation is also a rare story.

Translation: For them, being able to personally participate in capturing such a great deity's incarnation was also a rare story.

We need to keep meaning: "For the two of them, being able to personally participate in capturing such a great deity's incarnation was also a rare story." We'll keep concise.

"Speaking of which, it's ironic that this great deity was betrayed by these evil gods, and in the end, it is precisely these evil gods who are guarding his sole incarnation."

Translation: "Speaking of which, it's ironic that this great deity was betrayed by these evil gods, and in the end, it was these evil gods who were guarding his sole incarnation."

We need to keep quotes.

"Calling it a guard is merely fearing that if the incarnation is killed, the great deity will awaken, everything will reach its end, and all will return to oblivion once again."

Translation: "Calling it guarding is merely fearing that if the incarnation is killed, the great deity will awaken, and everything will fall into conclusion, and all things will return to oblivion again!"

We need to keep exclamation.

「……」

Translation: "……" (ellipsis). Keep as is.

Suddenly, Mu Yi realized he could hear nothing at all, while Shen Tu and Yu Lei opened their mouths but produced no sound.

Translation: Suddenly, Mu Yi found that he could hear nothing, while Shentu and Yulei opened their mouths but made no sound.

"How many years have passed, and you two are still like this..." a voice sighed.

Translation: "How many years have passed, and you two are still like this..." a sighing voice sounded.

A solemn heavenly sovereign in black robes appeared in Mu Yi's field of vision, yet Mu Yi could not make out the person's face nor recall their existence.

Translation: A majestic heavenly son in black robes appeared in Mu Yi's field of vision, but Mu Yi could not clearly see the other's face, unable to recall their existence.

"Pay respects to the Lord of Mount Tai!" Shen Tu and Yu Lei hastily bowed.

Translation: "Greetings, Lord of Mount Tai!" Shentu and Yulei hastily performed their respects.

"I have seen the Lord of Mount Tai!" Mu Yi also bowed.

Translation: "I have seen Lord of Mount Tai!" Mu Yi also followed with a salute.

The Lord of Mount Tai, once one of the administrators of the netherworld, similarly to how Lady Houtu delegated authority, has now delegated his divine office to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak.

Translation: Lord of Mount Tai, one of the former administrators of the Underworld, but just as Hou Tu Niangniang delegated authority, he has now delegated the administrative divine office to Dongyue Dadi.

The greatest characteristic of the Nine Provinces' spirits is that they are not bound by divine office; even after relinquishing their posts, they still possess formidable power.

Translation: The greatest characteristic of Jiuzhou's deities is that they are not bound by divine office; even after leaving their divine posts, they still possess great power.

I never expected that this incident would even alarm him.

Translation: I never expected that this matter would even alarm him.

"I've had you guard the Ghost Gate for years, yet you still don't know how to keep your mouths shut..."

Translation: "I had you two guard the Ghost Gate Pass for many years, yet to this day you still don't know how to keep your mouths shut..."

The Lord of Mount Tai rebuked Shen Tu and Yu Lei with a couple of sentences, and they could only listen with bowed heads and obedient expressions.

Translation: Lord of Mount Tai rebuked Shentu and Yulei with two sentences, and they could only listen with bowed heads and obedient expressions.

If they were replaced by Yama, judges, or the like, they certainly wouldn't be obedient little ones.

Translation: If they were replaced by Yama, judges, or the like, they would certainly not be well-behaved.

They too were once transferred from the netherworld's makeshift crew, belonging to its old guard; Yama, judges, and others came after them, so naturally they receive little respect.

Translation: They also count as having been seconded from the Underworld's makeshift crew era, belonging to the Underworld's elders; Yama and judges came after them, so naturally they receive little respect.

Moreover, honestly speaking, the Ten Courts of Yama truly can't match these two in combat; they were ancient war generals, transferred to the netherworld precisely because of their fighting prowess.

Translation: Moreover, speaking truly, the Ten Courts Yama really can't beat those two; who let them be ancient war generals, being recruited to the Underworld precisely because of their fighting ability.

However, facing the Lord of Mount Tai, they could only obey meekly; aside from the fact that he was their direct superior back then, the sheer power gap alone is enough to make them act like obedient children.

Translation: But facing Lord of Mount Tai, they could only obediently listen; not to mention that their direct superior back then was Lord of Mount Tai, the sheer power gap alone was enough to make them behave.

A single slap from the Lord of Mount Tai could pin both of them to the Ghost Gate so firmly that not even a button could be undone.

Translation: Lord of Mount Tai could slap them straight onto the Ghost Gate Pass, where they couldn't even be pinned down.

Then he turned his head and praised Mu Yi.

Translation: Then he turned his head and praised Mu Yi.

"Mu Yi, you did very well this time!"

Translation: "Mu Yi, you did a great job this time!"

The Lord of Mount Tai looked at Mu Yi with satisfaction; over the years of the Nine Provinces' expansion, opponents of emperor-level rank have been few and far between, and such foes cannot be slain overnight.

Translation: Lord of Mount Tai's gaze toward Mu Yi was very satisfied; over the years of Jiuzhou's expansion, the number of Emperor-level opponents they have slain is pitifully few, and such opponents cannot be killed overnight.

Even the Buddha of Spirit Mountain counts among the top experts of the Nine Provinces, yet so far he hasn't managed to kill the slightly weaker demon Buddha Mara, who occasionally still causes trouble.

Translation: Even the Buddha of Spirit Mountain counts as one of Jiuzhou's top experts, yet so far they haven't managed to kill the slightly weaker demon Buddha Mara, and from time to time they still have to deal with the chaos he stirs up.

This time we almost bloodlessly captured an emperor's incarnation—and it was their sole incarnation—leaving us with tremendous operational leeway.

Translation: This time they almost bloodlessly captured an Emperor's incarnation, and it was the opponent's sole incarnation, leaving plenty of operational leeway.

Immortal-slaying flying daggers, nail-head seven-star arrows, mixed primordial golden cauldrons… a whole host of peculiar magical treasures await.

Translation: Immortal-Slaying Flying Daggers, Nail-Head Seven-Star Arrows, Primordial Golden Cauldrons... a great many strange treasures await.

Using an incarnation to retroactively affect the main body is not considered difficult for the Nine Provinces.

Translation: Using an incarnation to affect the main body is not considered difficult for Jiuzhou.

In a sense, they have not merely captured an emperor's incarnation, but an actual, tangible emperor.

Translation: To some extent, what they captured is not merely an Emperor's incarnation but a genuine Emperor.

They can completely use this incarnation in hand as an anchor, leveraging its connection to the opposing world to launch directly into that world.

Translation: They can completely use this incarnation in hand as an anchor, leveraging its connection to the other world, and then directly set out for that world.

Although judging by the chaotic aura of those ineffable gods suggests that world is likely already thoroughly ravaged, it doesn't matter—if we can't win, we'll just reduce it to chaos, reenacting earth, water, fire, and wind.

Translation: Although judging by the chaotic aura of those ineffable gods suggests that world is also thoroughly messed up, it's fine—if we can't win, we'll fight to chaos, reenacting earth, water, fire, wind.

Anyway, the world's origin remains there; no matter how twisted it gets, after a few reformats it can still be used.

Translation: Anyway, the world's origin is there; no matter how twisted, after a few reformattings it can still be used.

If handled well, they can completely seize numerous great thousand worlds, expanding the Nine Provinces' territory.

Translation: If handled well, they can completely seize countless worlds, expanding Jiuzhou's territory.

Given that Lady Houtu could foresee this scene, even the Lord of Mount Tai cannot help but feel moved; such heavenly calculations far surpass his own.

Translation: As for Hou Tu Niangniang being able to calculate this scene, even Lord of Mount Tai can't help but feel moved; such heavenly deduction, he falls far short.

"Thank you, Lord of Mount Tai, for your praise!"

Translation: "Thank you, Lord of Mount Tai, for the praise!"

Mu Yi still doesn't quite understand what kind of game he has participated in, but receiving the appreciation of a big shot is a good thing for him.

Translation: Mu Yi still doesn't quite understand what kind of game he's participated in, but receiving the big shot's appreciation is a good thing for him.

As the Lord of Mount Tai was about to say something more, his expression suddenly changed and he looked up toward the heavens.

Translation: When Lord of Mount Tai still wanted to say something, his expression suddenly changed and he looked up at the firmament.

"Leave now; these fellows are about to leap over the wall in desperation!"

Translation: "Leave now, these guys are about to jump the wall in desperation!"

The Lord of Mount Tai waved his hand, sending Mu Yi back home along the Nine Provinces' consciousness, and at the same time gathered the crowd on the sea surface into his sleeve.

Translation: Lord of Mount Tai waved his hand, directly sending Mu Yi back home along Jiuzhou's consciousness, and casually scooped up the crowd of figures on the sea surface into his sleeve.

"Hehehe, they actually still want to invade the netherworld in reverse?"

Translation: "Hehehe, they actually still want to invade the Underworld in reverse?"

The Lord of Mount Tai wore a smile, yet his surroundings were deathly silent; Shen Tu and Yu Lei instinctively shrank their necks, knowing full well that their old superior was truly enraged.

Translation: Lord of Mount Tai wore a smile, but his surroundings were deathly silent; Shentu and Yulei couldn't help but shrink their necks, knowing full well that their old superior was truly angry.

Taking a step forward, the Lord of Mount Tai merged with his true form in the depths of the starry sky, gazed upon the swarming ineffable gods opposite, and waved his hand to open the great gate of the Ghost Gate.

Translation: Taking a step forward, Lord of Mount Tai merged with his true self in the depths of the starry sky, gazing at the countless ineffable gods opposite, and waved his hand to open the great gate of the Ghost Gate Pass.

"There really are quite a few of them!" The Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak stepped out from the Ghost Gate and looked somewhat surprised at the opposing side.

Translation: "The numbers are really not few!" Dongyue Dadi stepped out from the Ghost Gate Pass and looked somewhat surprised at the opposite side.

"Wow, their foundations are deeper than we imagined!"

Translation: "Wow, their foundation is deeper than we imagined!"

"Over there are actually three emperor-level ineffable gods; even the two of us fighting them would be quite troublesome."

Translation: Opposite side actually has three Emperor-level ineffable gods; if he and Lord of Mount Tai were to fight them, it would indeed be somewhat troublesome.

"Return Sada·Hegra..."

Translation: "Return Sada Hegla..."

Upon seeing the Eastern Peak Great Emperor appear, the opposing ineffable gods still intended to negotiate; their distortion is merely a manifestation of their power, not a lack of wisdom—it's just that ordinary beings cannot bear their chaotic intellect.

Translation: Seeing Dongyue Dadi appear, the ineffable gods opposite still intended to negotiate; their distortion is merely their power, not representing a lack of wisdom, but merely that ordinary people cannot bear their chaotic wisdom.

The Eastern Peak Great Emperor couldn't be bothered with them; once his forces are assembled, he'll just wipe them out outright—those monsters and demons aren't worth even a glance, as it wastes divine awareness.

Translation: Dongyue Dadi couldn't be bothered with them; once his forces are assembled, he'll just kill them outright—these monsters and demons, even a glance wastes divine awareness.

He glanced at the battlefield and found that only the Five Directional Ghost Emperors of the netherworld were present.

Translation: He glanced at the battlefield and found that only the Underworld's Five Direction Ghost Emperors were present.

"Three against two—you have no chance of winning!"

Translation: "Three against two, you have no chance of victory!"

The ineffable gods were still trying to negotiate with the Lord of Mount Tai and his allies, but it was obvious that neither the Eastern Peak Emperor nor the Lord of Mount Tai had any intention of entertaining them.

Translation: The ineffable gods are still trying to negotiate with Lord of Mount Tai and company, but it's obvious that neither Dongyue Dadi nor Lord of Mount Tai has any intention of entertaining them.

"Where are the heavenly troops? Why are they moving so slowly?"

Translation: "Where are the Heavenly Court's people? Why are they moving so slowly?"

"Eastern Peak, why rush? They've already arrived!"

Translation: "Dongyue, what's the rush? They've already arrived!"

With a hearty laugh, a beam of starlight pierced the void, and brilliant constellations streaked across it.

Translation: With a loud laugh, a beam of starlight tore open the void, and brilliant constellations streaked across the emptiness.

A blurry figure descended onto the battlefield, accompanied by heavenly soldiers and generals.

Translation: A blurry figure descended onto the battlefield, accompanied by heavenly soldiers and generals.

The leader bore endless stars on his back, his whole body suffused with the purple aura symbolizing nobility; even before fully revealing himself, he instantly became the focal point of the battlefield.

Translation: The leading figure bore endless constellations on his back, his whole body suffused with the purple aura symbolizing nobility; even before fully revealing his face, he instantly became the focal point of the battlefield.

Upon seeing the endless stars, the side of the ineffable gods immediately erupted in commotion.

Translation: The side of the ineffable gods was thrown into an uproar at the sight of the endless constellations.

"Purple Wei?" The Lord of Mount Tai expressed surprise, not expecting the Purple Wei Great Emperor to come directly here.

Translation: "Ziwei?" Lord of Mount Tai was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Ziwei Dadi to come directly here.

"How so, you don't welcome me?" the Purple Wei Great Emperor smiled while looking at the Lord of Mount Tai.

Translation: "How so, not welcome me?" Ziwei Dadi smiled and looked at Lord of Mount Tai.

"Aren't you supposed to be conquering another great world?"

Translation: "Aren't you busy conquering another great world?"

Lord of Mount Tai was somewhat strange; the notice he received said that this time's helpers were only from the Five Peaks' Emperors, but he didn't expect that Ziwei, the leader of the Four Emperors, would actually appear here.

"Naturally, it's already over!"

Ziwei said calmly, the opponent is strong, but he is stronger.

He also happened to catch up; since he had nothing to do, he simply came along.

"Boom!"

Seeing the Heavenly Court's forces approach, the indescribable god who had been attempting to negotiate immediately struck out; if they don't interrupt now, they'll soon be surrounded.

However, before they could do anything, a deafening roar suddenly came from the void, and the void was ripped in half.

Several towering figures walked out from within.

"Now, tell me whose side has more people?" East Peak showed a mocking smile and stepped forward to appear beside the few.

The arrivals were precisely the other Five Peaks' emperors; they didn't waste words, instantly turning into streams of light that shot toward the four corners of the battlefield.

In just a moment, five illusory great mountains appeared on the battlefield; the auras of the heavenly troops and soldiers and the ghost troops gradually merged with the mountains, as if they were about to envelop the entire void.

The indescribable god immediately flared up in anger—this was clearly aiming to wipe them all out in one sweep!

However, before they could act, the Lord of Mount Tai made the first move.

Death wandered in the void; this originally conceptual thing, in the Lord of Mount Tai's hand, became a tangible entity that shrouded the indescribable god.

The weak indescribable god instantly collapsed; the moment death touched them, it conceptually slew them.

Countless tentacles surged in the void toward the Lord of Mount Tai, corrupting everything they passed—twisting and deforming it, even spawning new indescribable creatures.

However, before those tentacles could reach the Lord of Mount Tai's vicinity, the starlight filling the sky was gathered by an invisible force into a radiant burst that shattered the countless tentacles.

Then the light formed from those stars coalesced into a sword shape, which was swung down at the indescribable god.

After one sword strike sent the largest indescribable god flying,

The starlight in the sky once again condensed into substance, rushing toward the indescribable god.

A war beyond concepts erupted in the void; the Ming world shattered piece by piece, leaving only a barrier enclosing Jiuzhou that wrapped the Ming as it dissipated from the Ghost Gate Pass—long ago, Jiuzhou had already made preparations.

The so-called barrier for exorcising demons was actually a protective shield meant to let the entire Ming Empire survive even as the world shattered.

They would also gain a new world in which to survive and thrive.

Only a handful of people would know what had happened.

"Zongwang Prompt: The campaign has been forcibly ended; comprehensive evaluation is underway, please wait..."

"You have completed the Great Ming Faction's tasks: coastal survey, underwater survey, tracing the source…… Campaign rating greatly increased!"

"You have earned a total of 13,242 points of Great Ming Military Merit; within one month after the campaign ends, you can redeem them via the limited-time redemption page."

"When you lose your last point of Great Ming Military Merit, or if you manually choose to close it, the limited-time redemption page will close accordingly."

"You have completed the Underworld Faction's hidden task: Hou Tu Niangniang's Trial; campaign rating greatly increased!"

"You have gained a large amount of Underworld prestige! Current Underworld prestige: Respected!"

"You have gained a small amount of Heavenly Court prestige! Current Heavenly Court prestige: Friendly!"

"You have been noticed by the East Peak Great Emperor…… You can go to the East Peak Great Emperor's temple to trigger a hidden quest!"

"You have been noticed by the Lord of Mount Tai…… You can go to the Lord of Mount Tai's temple to trigger a hidden quest!"

"You have earned 100,000 points of Underworld contribution; consuming Underworld contribution can elevate your divine rank to the fifth grade!"

"The Underworld has opened recruitment rights for ghost soldiers; you can now directly recruit Underworld ghost soldiers and officers via the Recommendation Platform."

"You have earned a radiant military merit; within one month after the campaign ends, you can redeem it via the limited-time redemption page."

"Important Zongwang Prompt: You have gained Hou Tu Niangniang's approval; you can obtain a treasure from the Underworld's treasury."

"Based on your overall performance, your campaign performance is Legendary (9)."

Mu Yi blinked upon returning to the main world, then was drowned in a flood of information on his retina.

The screen-filling information took Mu Yi half a day to sort out before he barely grasped the situation.

As a pawn of Hou Tu Niangniang, he brilliantly carried out the plan of 'repairing the plank road openly while secretly crossing through Chen Cang', thereby establishing an unprecedented merit.

Thus, he came into the sight of many emperors.

Although I don't know how difficult these emperors' tasks will be, I can be certain they are all highly rewarding.

In this mission, he was merely positioned as a pawn crossing the river—not even a vanguard—yet this allowed him to rise two ranks in succession, jumping from seventh grade to fifth grade.

A fifth-grade netherworld spirit—this rank is already on par with an Underworld judge.

However, this position is more like a nominal post, lacking real authority and status, far less substantive than an Underworld judge.

Nevertheless, this elevation of divine rank might perhaps allow him to gain something more from the Hundred Schools.

After a moment's thought, Mu Yi opened the Great Ming Military Merit redemption page, intending to go through items one by one, as he always liked to save the best for last.

Great Ming Military Merit Store:

I. Imperial Will Edict

Description: An edict storing the will of the Great Ming Empire, capable of altering reality within its area.

Note: Outside the world belonging to the Great Ming, its effect is reduced to one-tenth.

Redemption Cost: 10,000 Military Merit

II. Great Ming Nobility Title

Description: A title recognized by the will of the Great Ming Empire; upon entering this Great Ming world, one automatically receives the empire's protection.

Redemption Cost: 10,000 Military Merit

III. Great Ming Enfeoffed Divine Position

Description: Within the Great Ming realm, ownerless mountains and rivers can be enfeoffed as divine positions; after enfeoffment, one gains the right to use those mountains and rivers.

Redemption Cost: 5,000 Military Merit

……

Mu Yi looked at the prompt information refreshed on his retina; he had thought he would see a lot of powerful equipment.

Such as the precious talismans used by Daoist immortals before, or the Buddhist relics used by abbots.

To his surprise, only an extremely limited portion of what he could redeem was related to talismans and relics.

Instead, most of the rewards were related to the Great Ming Empire.

Although he was interested in the Imperial Will Edict used by Zheng He, seeing its effect of directly reducing by one-tenth beyond the world's scope made Mu Yi hesitate a bit, but looking further ahead there wasn't anything worthwhile.

Titles and ennobled divine positions essentially bound him to the Great Ming in every way, which is hardly a good thing.

After some thought, Mu Yi could only grit his teeth and accept it, redeeming an edict; at least this thing still has some use outside the world.

Fortunately, this time he mainly completed the Underworld's task; Great Ming Military Merit was just a side matter, so these redeemed rewards are really of little use to him.