Chapter 287: Omen of the Final Generation

"Your sect truly keeps its word!"

The Daoist of the 'Five Dragons' glanced over, giving a cold smile.

He then swept his gaze over Dongling and said calmly.

"I will now investigate part of the dragon vein region, determine the extent of the dragon vein pollution, locate the dragon vein's evil root, and I ask the Daoists within Dongling to temporarily suppress the national fortune dragon soul, lest my spellcasting accidentally injure the dragon soul!"

Upon hearing this, several other Dongzi-generation Daoists exchanged glances, their eyes turning toward the depths of the dragon vein.

This was the condition proposed in advance by the Daoist of the 'Five Dragons'; they had not expected otherwise.

But then, deep within Dongling, a fierce golden sword light suddenly merged with Dongling's dragon aura, faintly audible was the majestic dragon's roar and lament; many Daoists at that moment seemed to see a majestic black dragon suddenly guided by the sword light and plunged into the depths of the dragon vein, the surrounding dragon aura visibly diminished.

"Mirror Moon Spirit Capture!"

Seeing this, the Daoist of the 'Five Dragons' raised his hand, and a vast flow of mana surged forth, like drawing down the bright moon of Taiyin, manifesting a magic mirror that suddenly enveloped part of Dongling's area.

This was the method of mirror illumination he had comprehended from the《Mirror Moon Sutra》.

Such techniques were as if he plucked a bright moon with his gestures, illuminating the dark depths of the dragon vein, revealing every minute detail within.

Even the Daoist of Pure Brightness, as well as the Dongzhen, Dongxuan, and Dongjue Daoists, could see clearly: beneath the Mirror Moon, the depths of the dragon vein were riddled with cracks.

"The dragon vein has actually deteriorated to this extent?"

Upon seeing this, the faces of the three Dongzi-generation Daoists sank, yet a sudden, inexplicable chill rose in their hearts.

Their hands and feet grew icy cold.

The dragon vein deteriorating to this degree usually only occurs at the end of a dynasty.

Thinking of the scene at the end of a dynasty, the three Dongzi-generation Daoists felt an inexplicable fear well up in their hearts.

They had all experienced the war of Shu's destruction.

Shu back then did indeed have a national-teaching sect.

In the end, the great Daoist lineage was besieged by many masters, nearly annihilated, and many sect cultivators died in extremely miserable fates.

Over four hundred years have passed, yet they never imagined that the fortunes of Great Qian would decline to this state.

They are not yet Immortal True Persons; they still have life left.

Once Great Qian collapses, these elders of the Dongshen Guan will be the first to bear the brunt.

Their foundations all come from special fate patterns, each tied to fortune; once the foundation collapses, Daoist arts will first be reduced by fifty percent—how will the remaining fifty percent cope with crisis?

Zhang Jian's heart also felt slight surprise; his vast Yang God consciousness merged into the depths of Dongling, and he saw more.

The dragon vein fissures in Dongling's depths were widespread, with dragon aura leaking—this was one aspect.

Moreover, deep within the dragon vein lay hidden a vast malevolent force, which also restrained much of the dragon vein's aura, causing the dragon vein to grow dim and weak, unable to suppress the backlash of Shu's dragon vein, ultimately allowing Shu's dragon vein aura to fully seep in.

You in me, I in you!

"Troublesome!"

Zhang Jian also felt the difficulty; a flash of secret methods for purifying the dragon vein passed through the depths of his eyes, ripples appearing in his gaze—these secret methods could actually lure out part of Shu's dragon vein resentful evil, even fully refine it.

For example, requiring the Great Qian imperial court to cast the Nine Tripods, using their power to re-refine the dragon vein's resentful qi.

But the Nine Tripods require someone to preside over them.

Otherwise, one could draw upon the spirit of divine beasts to suppress the dragon vein.

Zhang Jian clearly did not wish to bind himself and Great Qian's broken ship of fortune together.

"Senior Five Dragons, how about it?"

The Daoist of Pure Brightness furrowed his brow; through the Mirror Moon Spirit Capture, he saw the dragon vein's deterioration was far worse than he had imagined.

In this situation, he could not help but wonder whether the dragon vein could still be saved.

"Take this seat to see the Son of Heaven!"

Zhang Jian's expression remained unmoved; having probed part of the dragon vein's depths, his heart instead felt a hint of a smile.

The Daoist of Pure Brightness nodded and immediately led Zhang Jian toward the Purple Wealth Palace.

In the Purple Wealth Palace, dragon aura blazed high; at this moment, the Son of Heaven Jingwu had a deathly pale face; behind him, a high bulge rose, his body as if bent into a bow, becoming a hunchback.

This appearance dealt a great blow to the Son of Heaven Jingwu, who claimed to be enlightened and martial.

The malignant sore on his back kept recurring; even if the National Preceptor used wondrous methods to cut it away, it would quickly regrow behind him, drawing his essence and spirit, growing without cease.

Had it not been for the Dongshen Guan using their sect's treasure, the Heavenly Origin Golden Pill, to nourish his essence and spirit, the Son of Heaven would already have been unable to endure.

"Your Majesty!"

Beside him, Empress Qi gazed upon this scene, her heart also feeling as if cut by a knife, a rosy flush appearing in her phoenix eyes.

Seeing Empress Qi's appearance, the Son of Heaven Jingwu became even more irritable, unable to help but shout angrily: "What mourning and wailing? I have not yet passed away!"

His sudden outburst clearly left Empress Qi somewhat flustered, merely standing in place, at a loss.

Beside them, Princess Qingfeng, the Elder Princess, stepped forward and lightly patted the hand of Qi Yuzhu, signaling her to withdraw first; she walked to the Son of Heaven Jingwu's side and spoke softly.

"Your Majesty, you need not worry; the National Preceptor has already invited high persons!"

"Between heaven and earth, there are so many high persons; certainly there will be immortals able to cure Your Majesty!"

This Elder Princess spoke gently; the Son of Heaven Jingwu's face eased slightly, he glanced at his elder sister before him, and after a moment, he softly said.

"Elder sister, I merely feel somewhat unwilling; this karmic force originally was forged by our ancestors—why should it ultimately fall upon me? I will not submit!"

The Son of Heaven Jingwu's face was bitter.

Upon hearing this, the Elder Princess Qingfeng let out a slight sigh; this could only be said as fate's decree.

Just as she was about to comfort him, she saw Liang Shiwu's figure hastily appear at the doorway, his face showing joy.

"Your Majesty, Elder Princess, the National Preceptor has brought the high person!"

"Announce quickly!"

Upon hearing this, the Son of Heaven Jingwu and the Elder Princess Qingfeng both felt a slight joy in their eyes, yet they saw the Daoist of Pure Brightness bringing a high person in plain-clothed Daoist robes and a tall crown from beside the Sleeping Palace into the hall.

The Son of Heaven Jingwu directly said.

"National Preceptor, the other one should be the Five Dragons Immortal. The two of you need not be bound by worldly etiquette; please diagnose and treat His Majesty's condition."

Emperor Jingwu's anxious expression gradually eased at this moment, yet as he gazed upon Zhang Jian, hope still lingered in his eyes.

Zhang Jian's expression remained unchanged as he stepped forward, briefly examining the malignant ulcer on Emperor Jingwu's back.

In his sight, a large black tumor appeared on Emperor Jingwu's back, seeming alive as it continuously trembled upon his spine, incessantly drawing upon his vital essence and growing stronger.

Within it, countless horrifying malevolences seemed visible—omens of intertwined dragon qi resonating with the evil煞 in the dragon veins, as if continually drawing them into Emperor Jingwu's body.

Zhang Jian slightly furrowed his brow.

This was the first time he had ever seen such a massive ulcer.

It could not be simply excised, for it had already become linked to Emperor Jingwu's soul; even if severed, it would regrow.

Repeated removals would exceed Emperor Jingwu's physical endurance.

"Immortal, how?"

Hope flickered in Emperor Jingwu's eyes at this moment.

Zhang Jian smiled upon hearing the words.

"Though this ulcer is malignant, it is not difficult to treat!"