Chapter 246

Void Realm, True Realm City.

Here, endless lightning spreads, along with earth, water, wind, and fire, as various chaotic qi currents swirl, wondrous and bizarre.

After Zhang Jian's figure appeared in True Realm City, he immediately sensed its strangeness.

As if countless vital essences were coagulated, filled with destructive power, yet within it lay hidden the profound mysteries of the Dao, making it impossible to grasp.

This is the Fourth Tribulation of the Yin Spirit, the Attainment of the True Realm.

Zhang Jian consulted the Transmission Elder of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, and also asked his master, the Slay Demon True Lord; the answers were largely the same.

This tribulation is unlike any ordinary one.

It is said that one must comprehend the rules of the Heaven and Earth Great Dao, seize a portion of its true intent, and integrate it into one's own primordial spirit, thereby triggering the Heaven and Earth tribulation.

Using the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram as the foundation of his primordial spirit, he aims to evolve this technique's true intent, integrate it, and engrave it deep within the Yin Spirit; when the Yin Spirit directly contacts the Heaven and Earth Great Dao rules, it will trigger the Yin Spirit's transformation, naturally inviting Heaven and Earth's backlash.

From this deduction, Zhang Jian can confirm that the backlash from obtaining the true intent will be terrifying.

Because his foundation, the core of the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram, is the State Altar.

The profound mysteries of the State Altar Dao differ from other Dao true intents.

Moreover, Zhang Jian wishes to perfect the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram; the State Altar Dao's profound mysteries are merely the most basic.

He hopes the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram will ultimately grow into the state of myth and legend, thereby achieving an unprecedentedly powerful primordial spirit.

Therefore, when the time comes to endure the Great Tribulation of the Attained Dao Realm, he may face more than one layer of Heaven and Earth Dao backlash.

"Let's give it a try!"

At this moment, Zhang Jian summoned the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram, and a spiritual light appeared above his head, within which a nine-colored divine diagram emerged; inside the divine diagram, mountains, rivers, and peaks appeared, countless figures coalesced, clouds and mist shifted, sun, moon, and stars emerged, and a vast, majestic weight arose from within.

That is the State Altar Dao Resonance.

But if only possessing the State Altar Dao Resonance, this Mountains and Rivers State Diagram would merely be a brick—useful only for smashing people and suppressing demons and evil, lacking the profound wonder of self-contained domain formation and virtual-real transformation.

Yet now, as the State Altar Dao Resonance manifested, True Realm City suddenly changed; countless chaotic forces split apart, mountains, rivers, and peaks emerged, and likewise a Mountains and Rivers State Diagram appeared, which merged with the spiritual light of Zhang Jian's overhead Mountains and Rivers State Diagram.

As they merged, Zhang Jian suddenly felt a tremendous burden arise upon his Yin Spirit.

Yet at this moment, his substantiated Yin Spirit flowed with clear radiance, and that special 'gravity' gradually dissipated.

"Is this merely the degree of backlash?"

Zhang Jian opened his eyes at this moment; if this were merely such pressure, it would truly amount to nothing.

But immediately afterward, a second transformation arose.

He could sense that the boundless Mountains and Rivers State Diagram evolved from True Realm City exerted a tremendous pull on him, as if his own Mountains and Rivers State Diagram were being dragged down to sink, and a grand Dao resonance seized the opportunity, attempting to draw his Yin Spirit into it.

Zhang Jian's gaze fluctuated; he felt he could suppress this pull at any time, yet he still invested a portion of his Yin Spirit's awareness into it, and moments later felt the vast, ocean-like flow of countless State Altar Dao Resonances streaming from within.

"Is this the profundity of the Attained Dao True Realm?"

As the Yin Spirit's awareness sank into it, a faint thought flashed deep in Zhang Jian's mind.

He clearly felt the ocean-like State Altar Dao Resonances pulling on his Yin Spirit's awareness, yet within them were clearly many false State Altar Dao Resonances.

He was certain of this.

Applying the rune calculation method taught within the sect, he slightly deduced it, and clearly could negate it.

This is defiance and falsehood.

Yet within, there truly is a portion of genuine Dao profundity; if one could integrate it into one's understanding of the State Altar Dao, one would surely condense a strand of State Altar True Intent, enabling the Yin Spirit to transform.

This divine law is wondrous.

Only after the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram is integrated can it be called a divine ability, and no longer merely a technique.

It contains divine power of law.

This is also the essential difference between primordial spirit immortal arts and ordinary techniques.

……

Within the Northern Chu region, in a vast underground palace, countless surging flames spread around it.

Though the underground palace is dark, its surroundings are resplendent with gold and brilliance, arranged in a distinctly feminine manner; at this moment, in the center of the underground palace, another graceful divine shadow appears, her body wrapped in hazy divine light, leading her, and around the underground palace are two rows of more than ten seats.

On the seats at this moment, honored guests fill the hall, many cultivators exchanging messages.

This is a secret collaboration among a small group within the Golden Maiden Sect.

The Golden Maiden Sect, rather than being called a sect, is better described as a union formed by numerous cultivators, each acting independently, usually cooperating, but two cultivators hold exceptionally special statuses.

One is the sect founder, Golden Light Holy Mother; the other is the sect's Holy Maiden.

The sect founder is the initiator of the Golden Maiden Sect, possessing vast divine powers, having protected many cultivators, and within the sect enjoys the support of many senior cultivators.

While the Holy Maiden is usually held by a Yin Spirit Venerable who has the greatest hope of stepping into the Primordial Spirit True Person realm, similarly ensuring the cohesion of the Golden Maiden Sect.

At this moment, after one Yin Spirit Venerable spoke out the news, another Yin Spirit Venerable also spoke out the news in hand.

"Recently, I obtained news that within the Barbaric Lands' Small Arctic Realm, a ten-thousand-year-old profound ice elite has emerged; interested Dao friends, you may go and try!"

Upon hearing the news of the ten-thousand-year-old profound ice elite, many Yin Spirit Venerables stirred, especially the two whose attributes are mainly ice and profound yin, whose expressions stirred.

After a brief exchange, one Yin Spirit Venerable also immediately spoke up.

"Recently, I have no good news, but I inadvertently discovered, through a descendant in the mundane world, an omen appearing in the Northern Chu Imperial City; observing its form, its aura, its radiant light, an ancient treasure may appear, though this treasure is hard to find; if any Dao friend is not far from this place, perhaps you could take a look!"

Ancient treasures usually refer to ancient magical treasures or ancient spiritual treasures.

Which kind it is depends on luck.

Furthermore, whether an ancient treasure is precious or not still depends on its own function; seizing such a treasure is like gambling, and several Yin Spirit Venerables' faces remained unchanged.

Most ancient treasures are ordinary magical treasures; precious spiritual treasures are very rare.

After this Yin Spirit Venerable finished speaking, in the corner another tall Yin Spirit Venerable appeared, leaning slightly on a cane, wearing a mask, and spoke lightly.

"Recently, I have learned that within the Great Qian army, a chief commander has emerged who contains the Greedy Wolf star constellation!"

Upon hearing this, the other few Yin Spirit Venerables glanced sideways.

The three fate patterns of the Slaying Breaker Wolf Three Stars are extremely special.

These three stars specialize in breaking royal decrees.

Used to strangle hidden dragons, it is always effective, but it can also be used to overturn the court and the state, and can best avoid self-backlash.

Only hearing the tall yin god venerable leaning on a crutch say again:

"I originally still wanted to find a way to control it in my hands, for this I sent out two Golden Core realm disciples to seek opportunities, but recently the two disciples' natal oil lamps went out, I fear they have already met with foul play!"

Saying this, there was some angry color in his eyes.

This deal, he has suffered a great loss!

"That is indeed interesting, only unfortunately Haojing City has already become a forbidden zone, we cannot go there!

"

Other yin god venerables shook their heads one after another.

They had all heard of what happened in Haojing recently; even without the Ancestor of the Cavern Void Sect, with two other manifested State-Protecting True Persons present, this place is a meat grinder,

Overthrowing the Great Qian state and reestablishing support for a hidden dragon undoubtedly brings great benefits, but this is not a game they can participate in.

On the main seat, that hazy shadow's visage fluctuated, with strange colors gleaming in the depths of the eyes.

This saintess, however, has rarely moved her thoughts!

Not long after!

In Haojing City, within a grand manor, inside the women's quarters, a figure with spiritual light flowing all over slowly opened her eyes.

"Greedy Wolf star omen, peaceful as fate!"

This graceful figure's eyes rippled with waves.

Since the person containing the Greedy Wolf star omen is near at hand, she naturally should make good use of it.

In the past, the Great Qian Taizu relied on the power of the three stars converging to break Shu's great fortune, and furthermore successfully reversed the Purple Micro, she today why could she not do the same, an eye for an eye?

This graceful figure's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness.

However she knows, there are no lack of traps around Peaceful as Fate.

The Great Qian court cannot possibly be unaware of Peaceful as Fate's star omen, and has not lacked the idea of setting traps using this.

However she is not in a hurry, she has plenty of time to wait for the opportunity!

Moreover, now the Great Qian court is in turmoil, since the Greedy Wolf star omen has manifested, perhaps the other two great inauspicious stars will also manifest, thus the current plan is to early on find their whereabouts and grasp them in hand.

Only thus can one seize the initiative.

……

In the Zhuangyuan manor's ancestral hall, a faint thunder light flowed from the depths of the void, Zhang Jian opened his eyes.

His eyes rippled with faint light, his expression also showing a hint of slight astonishment.

This time he did not pass the Dao True Realm trial.

He failed the trial.

This is still the first time.

It is not because his comprehension is insufficient, unable to fuse the true intent of the state into the yin god divine awareness from that ocean-like false Dao rhythm, but rather Zhang Jian felt that the Map of Rivers, Mountains, and State is not complete, so he does not wish to take this step.

What he currently faces is not how to smoothly pass the latter two tribulations to achieve the True Person of the Primordial Spirit.

But rather how to rely on the latter two tribulations to round and fuse his own foundation, smoothly condensing the Primordial Spirit of the State Thearch.

Rather than an ordinary Primordial Spirit.

Zhang Jian does not mind, now his comprehension of the State Profound Mystery is about the same, going forward he needs to put in hard work on the heavenly and earthly Dao principles of Qiankun, reality and illusion, the Five Elements, Yin and Yang, stars, etc., to condense Dao true intent as much as possible before passing the fourth yin god great tribulation.

Zhang Jian slowly walked out of the ancestral hall, at this time from afar he heard a burst of cheering.

Yet he saw Zhang Yi like a wild monkey, currently leading Zhang Zhao and Zhang Chang'an in play.

The three siblings were happily playing around that big jujube tree.

At this time noticing Zhang Jian's footsteps appearing, Zhang Yi's laughter abruptly ceased, like a mouse seeing a cat.

Zhang Jian glanced at Zhang Yi and let out a light hum.

Recently this period of time he has been somewhat strict in disciplining Zhang Yi, often taking him to the river canal dock to cultivate, this little brat has been under his control a lot, thus has some fear.

On the contrary, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Chang'an were both bright-eyed, and ran over to Zhang Jian's side, Zhang Chang'an even opened both arms seeking a hug, Zhang Jian also doted on this eldest daughter, and casually picked her up.

"Father!"

After a while, Zhang Yi trudged over.

"Recently have you been swallowing and absorbing cultivation?"

Zhang Jian glanced at him, lightly asking.

Zhang Zhao respectfully said: "Father, I daily inhale and exhale spiritual qi, I dare not be lax!"

Zhang Jian's eyes were extremely sharp, glancing once he instantly knew Zhang Zhao was not lying, a hint of a smile appeared in his expression.

"Very good, today I reward you, later what do you want to eat, go to the small kitchen and say it yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhao's eyes lit up, he is exactly at the growing age, hungry very quickly, Zhang Jian's words are undoubtedly heavenly music to him.

"Father, I am going to the small kitchen now!"

Zhang Chang'an in Zhang Jian's arms also spoke in a milky voice: "Father, I also want something good to eat!"

She immediately began to squirm in Zhang Jian's arms, Zhang Jian seeing this immediately shook his head, and immediately put her down.

Zhang Zhao also fidgeted beside him, only he is more quiet, watching Zhang Chang'an stumble toward the small kitchen, you look at Zhang Jian!

Zhang Jian laughed: "You also go!"

He finally could not hold back, and also followed past.

Zhang Jian watched this scene, this warm scene let his expression relax slightly.

At noon, Zhang Lu entered the Zhuangyuan manor.

But Zhang Jian summoned him.

After seeing Zhang Lu, Zhang Jian immediately greeted him to sit down and have a simple meal with the family.

At this time, Zhang Lu's aura had obviously changed; previously he was a foolish big man, but now he had a tiger's back and ape's waist, his whole body filled with a trace of invisible killing aura, very fierce.

His arrival obviously made Zhang Zhao and Zhang Chang'an at the table somewhat afraid, they unconsciously shrank into Qi Yuhua's embrace, only Zhang Yitian was fearless, still glancing at Zhang Lu with his eyes.

Zhang Lu smiled at Zhang Yi; at this time he was obviously much more composed, with a light beard on his lips, he merely slightly clasped his hands and sat down naturally, and at the same time said with a smile.

"My lord, my lady, you two also know, I am not a polite person, let's treat this place as our own home!"

Qi Yuhua laughed and said!

"Lu'er, this is your home!"

Zhang Jian's gaze swept over Zhang Lu; at this time, with his spiritual eyes he could see points of starlight flowing in Zhang Lu's life palace, the starlight of the White Tiger Star was gathering, quite remarkable.

Although far inferior to An Ruoming's Greedy Wolf Star destiny, at Zhang Lu's stage it was quite remarkable.

During the meal, Zhang Jian naturally asked.

"Zhang Lu, have you ever come into contact with the military's method of astral condensation?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu was somewhat surprised: "My lord, what you mean by the method of astral condensation refers to......?"

"It seems your rank is too low!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian immediately knew that Zhang Lu probably had not yet entered the eyes of the high ranks of the Great Qian military, likely still under consideration.

He pondered slightly; the method of condensing astral phenomena and the Yin God method have something in common, Zhang Jian felt that if the Great Qian military commanders could truly continue the martial path, they could indeed achieve something.

After all, from ancient times to the present, the wonderful methods to mobilize tiger and dragon qi, even dragon vein dragon qi, are very limited.

The thought flashed, he then smiled and asked: "Your White Tiger Hundred Victories Strength should be about to complete cultivation?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu's posture straightened, he hurriedly said.

"My lord's eyes are like torches, I recently had a fortunate breakthrough to the master realm!"

The five realms of body tempering, the master realm is the last realm, equivalent to the nurturing spirit stage in the cultivation world.

The next stage is grand master.

After that comes the heavenly human martial artist equivalent to the astrological foundation establishment.

Zhang Lu is indeed very suitable for martial arts; after decades of cultivation he could step into the master realm, among many martial artists he also belongs to the exceptionally talented.

Moreover, he himself is also extremely diligent!

After thinking, Zhang Jian again said.

"During this time you come to the manor more often, I will explain the profound mysteries of the body tempering methods of the master stage to you!"

"Um, in a few days I will transmit to you a supreme art, or it could enable you to further stimulate your potential, help you solidify your foundation, and early on step into the heavenly human realm!"

"Thank you, my lord!"

Zhang Lu's face lit up with joy.

Being in the military, he clearly knows the preciousness of this cultivation secret art.

A high-level cultivation secret art can only allow one to go further in the military full of experts.

Not to mention, being able to re-enter the Zhuangyuan manor to listen to Zhang Jian explain the profound methods is more important than any opportunity.

As for stepping into the heavenly human realm, in his view it is actually nothing.

With this lord here, his future stepping into the heavenly human realm is certain.

Even to the extent that land immortals and demons have hope.