Chapter 165

Without thinking too much, Zhang Jian activated the Chaos Star Technique to control the Dragon Chant Sword.

Naturally, he condensed a strand of righteous fire within the Dragon Chant Sword.

Only to see a strand of starlight flash across the void, and the ten-zhang-tall, mighty iron-backed gold-threaded centipede collapsed with a cry.

Boom—

In an instant, the iron-backed gold-threaded centipede on the ground erupted with intense sword qi from over ten points of its iron armor.

This iron-backed gold-threaded centipede was also completely crippled, its body shattered into over ten pieces.

Seeing this, the Insect God's heart burned with rage.

"My golden centipede incarnation!"

His eyes nearly split as he prepared to turn and charge forward to kill Zhang Jian, while the golden body of the Xuan Du Sect Ancestor in the void watched this scene, his pupils flashing with golden light, yet he saw several strands of gray qi rapidly approaching in the distance, fearing they would arrive within one or two breaths.

He immediately shouted in a deep voice:

"Take the Ming Wang and flee quickly!"

Hearing this, the Insect God felt a secret hatred in his heart, but he also knew he must follow the Xuan Du Sect Ancestor's order to leave this place, otherwise he might not be able to have both.

"Can't escape!"

Seeing this, the Pure Bright Daoist's expression remained unchanged, only a cold, gloomy light flickered in the depths of his eyes, he pinched a seal, and in an instant, over ten prisoners suddenly changed their expressions.

Seeing this, the Xuan Du Sect Ancestor's eyes sank slightly, his gaze sweeping over.

But then he saw the clothing on over ten prisoners suddenly burst forth with streaks of lightning, the surging lightning instantly engulfing over ten prisoners, turning them into charcoal, and simultaneously blasting toward the Insect God at his side.

Over ten prisoners vanished on the spot, the lightning sacrificed with their lives instantly striking the unprepared Insect God.

"What a vicious method!"

Seeing this, the Xuan Du Sect Ancestor's face twitched slightly, and at this moment the Insect God could not help but let out a painful hiss; after the lightning engulfed him, his entire body suddenly transformed into a black river of insects, countless essences seemingly transforming into numerous wandering insects.

Yet a strand of lightning clung like a bone-biting maggot, tightly entwining countless insects and essences, the lightning within filled with countless peculiar azure runes.

Even though the Insect God's true body is hard to kill, encountering such thunder magic caused his entire body to continuously tremble.

Zhang Jian, in the distance, was likewise versed in thunder magic and not unfamiliar with its wonders.

"Paralysis, high temperature, and still able to impact the soul..."

At this moment, countless thoughts flashed through Zhang Jian's mind.

The profundity of thunder magic involves the creation of heaven and earth; living beings themselves possess minute bioelectric currents, even relying on them to drive their muscles, and even to control behavior.

When thunder magic is used well, it can sever this control, destroying the mind's command over the body.

This thunderbolt before him seems to specialize in this aspect, specifically destroying the soul and spiritual sense, which is why this powerful cultivator of the Yin God realm before him cannot free himself.

In fact, this Yin God venerable simply does not understand the principle, and for a time has no way to sever it.

"So even if cultivators have high cultivation, they cannot be illiterate, or they will still suffer losses!"

Zhang Jian's agile spiritual sense at this moment had a sudden inspiration, he sensed several terrifying auras in the void rapidly approaching.

Activating the Nine Heavens Ride Wind Technique, his figure became like a gust of clear wind, vanishing in an instant.

Meanwhile, on the spot, the Insect God could not fathom the principle of that secret thunder magic incantation, but as a Yin God venerable, he still had his own methods.

One force breaks ten thousand methods.

The originally vast insect swarm he had emitted instantly, with him as the center, countless insects flew from the ground and midair straight into his true body, countless insects simultaneously sharing the burden of the cave god's secret thunder magic incantation, spitting out essence to nourish his Insect God true body, allowing him to recover quickly.

And taking advantage of the opportunity, the various Daoists of the Cave God Sect protected Yang Gonghu and the other commanders.

Yang Gonghu at this moment had a face full of anger, he gazed at the scattered soldiers of the anti-bandit great camp, while calling out to the remaining commanders beside him, he seized a fallen commander's flag nearby and roared angrily.

"Dragon flag, slay the evil!"

As he raised the flag high, he saw a majestic dragon shadow emerge from deep within Haojing, instantly diving into the black flag; Yang Gonghu, seeing this, shouted angrily, holding the flag and advancing instead of retreating, transforming into a dense black radiance that fiercely slashed toward the just-recovered Insect God.

Within the black radiance faintly echoed the sound of a black dragon's roaring filial piety, a fervent dragon-tiger qi sweeping in.

"How much dragon-tiger qi can a general without an army possibly borrow?"

"Too far off!"

Amidst the sky-full of black insects, the Insect God looked down on this change with disdain.

Saying this with his mouth, the Insect God yet transformed his form into a streak of black light, fleeing toward outside Haojing City.

Leaving Yang Gonghu's strike to fall empty.

The dragon-tiger qi of the Great Qian court is very strong, but after so many years of research, many cultivators, targeting its massive size, difficult control, weak individuals, and other flaws, have long been able to effectively avoid it.

As long as one does not stubbornly resist head-on on the battlefield.

Merely in local small-scale conflicts, cultivators still occupy an absolute advantage.

Of course, under the suppression of dragon-tiger qi, one cannot cast spells.

Dragon-tiger qi specifically counters spells.

But a strong physical body is not subject to this counter.

At this moment, the Insect God somewhat sneered, but just then his expression suddenly changed, joy turning to sorrow.

"Since the esteemed guest has arrived, why must you rush to leave?"

"Leave your life behind!"

From the depths of the void, a cold voice suddenly echoed, and then a huge net appeared in the void, which upon appearing instantly resembled a heavenly net and earthly trap covering the sky above Haojing City.

The Insect God had just flown out when he instantly resembled a group of poisonous insects hitting a sticky board, unable to move in an instant.

Yet an old Daoist leisurely appeared from midair, extending his hand as a fierce purple lightning bolt, like a flood, struck the Insect God.

Likewise, a Yin God technique!

Under the thunderstorm, the Insect God only had time to let out several cries before his immortal body instantly collapsed, transforming into firelight and vanishing.

"Three Cave God Thunders?"

In the high heavens, that divine demon golden body watched this scene, his expression changing.

The Dongshen Guan is famed for its thunder methods, among which the Three Caverns Divine Thunder is the core transmission, and also a formidable and wondrous art of Yuanshen-level.

That old Daoist must be a hidden cultivator of the Yin-Shen realm within Dongshen Guan.

Moreover, such an old Daoist is not just one.

But a group—three or four Daoists with deeply concealed qi appeared one after another in the Cangqiong, upon the heavenly net formed by the boundless Longhu qi.

At this moment, however, the old Daoist who had been probing and slaying the Gu Shen laughed: "The arrival of the two honored guests finally gives use to the net we have painstakingly sacrificed and refined; today is indeed an auspicious time, perfect for using your two persons' essence and blood to inaugurate the blade, to awe those with treacherous hearts!"

"Arrogant! Xuandu Tianzun is here—what can you half-buried old fogeys do?"

In the void, at this moment the ancestor of Xuandu Sect had already changed color in fury, his eyes spewing intense flames.

The person was not rescued, and instead a Yin-Shen venerable was drawn in.

What angered him most was still being schemed against by a junior.

Under the fury of commanding the Xuandu Golden Body, his golden halberd transformed into a dense golden blade, fiercely slashing toward the heavenly net in the void.

Yet when the golden halberd struck the heavenly net, the net was easily severed—but what shocked the Xuandu ancestor was that, within the severed net, strands of starlight appeared, instantly manifesting multiple layers of starlight nets.

"Starlight—is this net connected to the stars of heaven and earth?"

The Xuandu ancestor's mind stirred, still considering how to break the situation, but he saw the four old Daoists had already prepared not to give him a chance; taking advantage of being overwhelmed, each produced a nine-headed black dragon banner.

This is the banner representing the state and altar of the Great Qian.

The four nine-headed black dragon banners appeared, accompanied by the ill-intentioned smiles of the four old Daoists; from the depths of Cangqiong, four streams of intense Longhu qi shot straight to heaven and earth, and in the next moment, within the heavenly and earthly net, only a palm-sized golden body remained—the Xuandu ancestor's divine thought directly collapsed, and he was slain on the spot.

At this time, Zhang Jian's figure appeared in an inn within the city, but through his spiritual sight he could still see the scene of the four old Daoists entrapping and killing the Xuandu ancestor.

"It seems Dongshen Guan has already begun to deeply develop the marvelous Longhu qi—that net not only possesses some properties of ordinary magical treasures, but can also accommodate and guide Longhu qi into it; only thus can it resist the ability of the terrifying demon god's golden body!"

Zhang Jian sank into thought, feeling that the net was not actually so terrifying, merely containing some heavenly and earthly mysteries he had not yet seen through.

Through these changes, he actually could see that every immortal sect and Dao lineage is progressing, no longer sinking into established cultivation ways as before.

Not limited to mere fighting and killing, but tracing the essence of every method.

False cultivation: you fly your sword, I produce my treasure.

True cultivation: everyone calculates the trajectory, force, range of sword-flight, and the number of spiritual influences that can be drawn in.

And attempts to find the optimal solution through divine thought calculation and rune deduction, imprinting it in the mind beforehand.

Like the Xuandu Sect, which only cultivates the surface of methods without seeking their root—such a heretical Dao lineage, when facing equals, is played with in the palm of the hand in an instant, not even knowing where they lost.

Zhang Jian secretly mused.

With Dongshen teaching present, he knows rebellion is not so easy.

Unless he asks the Tongshan Dao lineage to act, but the Tongshan Dao lineage may not wish to meddle recklessly.

"Still must rely on myself!"

This thought flashed through Zhang Jian's mind.

His way is to read books.

Nowadays, reading more books makes one stronger.

Of course, one must also continue to cling to a strong thigh!

……

Within the Wen Ti Yuan, Zhang Jian, aside from occasionally going to the Qi府 for social engagements, spent most of his time in the南書房 of the Wen Ti Yuan.

And when he had leisure, he would also borrow the symbols and seals of Tiandi Xuangmen to enter the Chuan Gong Hall for remote listening and contemplation of the mysteries of the symbols.

But on another front, the court was in turmoil.

Emperor Jingwu learned that the suppression army entering the city had been attacked in Haojing City, his good mood completely vanished—even though this time he had dealt a heavy blow to the Xuandu Sect, nearly causing its collapse.

"These cultivators truly have heaven-defying courage, arrogant to the extreme!"

At this moment, Emperor Jingwu's face was gloomy, his eyes filled with intense anger.

Chao Mu beside him, seeing this, softly comforted: "Your Majesty, those who achieve great things can endure what others cannot; to accomplish great undertakings, one must be able to hold one's breath!"

Emperor Jingwu's face remained gloomy, cold light flickering in his eyes; after a moment he asked.

"Great Companion, why did the gods of Haojing remain silent this time, allowing the Xuandu ancestor to barge in?"

He still felt some dissatisfaction.

Chao Mu glanced at Emperor Jingwu, secretly sighed in his heart, knowing Emperor Jingwu still harbored resentment toward cultivators—a most dangerous idea.

In fact, the Great Qian court has divine protection; cultivators can influence the situation only to a limited extent.

Even if some harbor ill intentions, they actually cannot move the greater situation.

Because while some cultivators bear hostility toward the court, others are loyal to the court, willing to help stabilize order.

The court, inside and out, has already gathered many extraordinary people—no need to over-obsess over this.

There once were ancient holy kings in myth who, relying on their own abilities, governed heaven and earth, so even cultivators had to submit; but after these ancient holy kings departed, the established court was soon devoured by backlash, fragmented, and still would return to its original state.

Everyone pursuing their own path—this is already quite good.

Moreover, now that the Great Qian court's tripod vessels are unstable, Emperor Jingwu should not give rise to dangerous thoughts that might affect the harmony between the Great Qian imperial house and Dongshen teaching, which would be very detrimental to the Great Qian court.

Now, as long as we follow the plan of the Great Qian's founding ancestor step by step, one day Great Qian may also establish a foundation for longevity.

Upon hearing this, Chao Mu shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, rest assured—this time it is the elders of Dongshen teaching who set the trap, having beforehand notified the gods in Haojing City, so the gods arrived fashionably late!"

"In fact, the trap set by Dongshen Guan this time is still effective!"

"The four great elders of Dongshen teaching—Dongzhen, Dongxuan, Dongxiao, Dongjin—jointly annihilated the second leader of Xuandu teaching, heavily wounded the Xuandu ancestor, enough to awe those restless heretical paths!"

Chao Mu patiently explained, he is not like an ordinary eunuch.

When alone with Emperor Jingwu, he is more like an elder.

In fact, Chao Mu indeed qualifies as an 'elder'.

And not just an ordinary 'elder'.

Under Chao Mu's soothing, Emperor Jingwu finally extinguished the anger in his heart, he returned to tranquility.

Mu Wei paused briefly, then Chao Mu offered his advice again.

"Your Majesty, General Yang Lao and several young officers narrowly escaped death this time—should you issue an edict to comfort them?"

Emperor Jingwu sighed and said: "I originally intended for the Chancellor to go in my place to reward the troops who suppressed the rebellion, but since this unexpected incident has occurred, I shall go myself!"

Chao Mu, upon hearing this, said: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Emperor Jingwu then suddenly said: "I have heard that in ancient times, there were sages who possessed vast righteousness and descended into the world; with a single roar, they could overwhelm immortals and gods. In your view, Scholar Zhang might one day hope to attain such a realm?"

His eyes flickered with hopeful anticipation.

Those who possess vast righteousness and are scholars are extremely rare; only a few great Confucian scholars, by fortunate coincidence, occasionally manage to grasp a thread of it, but most merely use it for self-preservation or to suppress ghosts and spirits, offering little advantage to cultivators.

It is indeed rare for someone as young as Zhang Jian to have comprehended the existence of vast righteousness.

Chao Mu was stunned upon hearing this, then slightly shook his head and said.

"The ancient sages are too distant from us; even the last Confucian sage, Yu Sheng, lived a thousand years ago—no one knows how to reach such a state. This matter is far too illusory!"

Chao Mu secretly shook his head; sages who stabilize the nation's fate enjoy such treatment, and only a few emperors could ever attain it.

However, to avoid disappointing Emperor Jingwu, Chao Mu still said.

"But Scholar Zhang has the advantage of youth, so there is still hope!"