Chapter 306

The Golden Crow shattered the divine, the sword formula destroyed the body, and the spatial storm ultimately directly caused the Bone Demon Ancestor, a well-known figure of the heretical path, to lose all chance of resurrection.

With one strike resolving the Bone Demon Ancestor, Zhang Jian, with a wave of his hand, gathered the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram into his grasp.

Holding the seal of the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram, Zhang Jian's expression showed slight contemplation.

Although this strike achieved the most ideal results in all aspects, he was still somewhat dissatisfied.

The speed of casting, reaction, and even the time to seal space—he could actually do it more swiftly.

Sometimes a difference of a hair's breadth leads to an error of a thousand miles.

Moreover, the cost of matrix-style casting also somewhat exceeded Zhang Jian's expectations; this matrix-style technique consumed a considerable amount of his mana.

Compared to the single deployment of the Primordial Spirit Immortal Method, matrix-style casting increased consumption by more than double, and besides, it also imposes a burden on the Yang Spirit of the Primordial Spirit True Person.

Although his Yang Spirit has been substantiated and fears no such burden, this burden does indeed exist and cannot be ignored!

Since the Yang Spirit became pure Yang, Zhang Jian has grasped part of the nature of the Primordial Spirit True Person.

The Primordial Spirit True Person relies on the Primordial Spirit for longevity, transcending life and death, but the Primordial Spirit of the Primordial Spirit True Person also has distinctions—from strength, mana, reaction ability, controlled authority, to Dao-heart realm, carrying capacity, etc. —each difference affects the Primordial Spirit True Person's strength.

However, thanks to the substantiated Yang Spirit, Zhang Jian can feel that once he steps into the Primordial Spirit realm, his foundation will necessarily be top-notch; the only difference lies in the formation of the authority he controls.

This point might require other cultivators an extremely long time to make up for, but his exceptional comprehension means he does not need to go through such trouble.

Moreover, he can often extract some benefits from the ancestral shrine, making his progress even faster.

"Now that the dragon veins have collapsed and chaotic times have arrived, we must rush to overcome the Fifth Tribulation of the Yin Spirit and step into the Primordial Spirit realm as soon as possible, only then can we suppress the situation!"

Numerous thoughts flashed through Zhang Jian's mind.

At this moment, his Yang Spirit divine sense swept over the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram in his hand; after the Bone Demon Ancestor's fall, the one or two Primordial Spirit magical treasures left behind, plus a storage bag, he gained another small fortune.

……

Meanwhile, in Zhongjin Prefecture.

After the Bone Demon Ancestor's fall, within the Daoist temple, in a side room, a statue of a woman as beautiful and clear as the bright moon opened her eyes; a trace of doubt flickered in her bewitching pupils.

Just now, she sensed the disappearance of the Bone Demon Ancestor's aura.

The Bone Demon Ancestor, this old demon, had long been planted with her secret restraints; her methods were extremely subtle, ensuring he would not escape her control, but just now, she felt her restraints had failed.

Such a change only occurs under two circumstances.

Either the Bone Demon Ancestor encountered a high-level expert who was unraveled the supreme demonic curse of the Yin Yin Demon Palace.

Or the Bone Demon Ancestor is already dead.

Corpse and bones vanished!

Zhou Qinghan leans toward the latter.

"Fool!"

The Yin Moon Palace Master of the Yin Yin Demon Palace, a hint of sigh appeared in her eyes.

The Yin Yin Demon Palace has six palace masters, each wielding great influence, independently ruling their domains, secretly not interfering with each other, only joining forces when necessary.

The Bone Demon Ancestor was under her Yin Moon Palace's control, the only two heretical Primordial Spirits; one died, leaving many places vacant, truly making her angry.

However, the Bone Demon Ancestor's fall also let her sense a dangerous aura, causing some of her thoughts to gradually shift.

But no matter what, the Bone Demon Ancestor is a Primordial Spirit True Person under her Yin Moon Palace's command and cannot die in vain.

……

Zhang Family Estate, Huangting Blessed Land, inside

In the ancestral shrine, Zhang Jian continued to contemplate the Six Forms State and Nation King Ding.

At this moment, a substantial-looking crimson great cauldron formed above his head.

The State and Nation Sovereign Seal as core, countless State and Nation dragon qi circulating, countless substantial runes filling it, evolving into the power of State and Nation.

Actually, if this State and Nation King Ding were to advance to the Primordial Spirit Immortal Method, it would need the power of State and Nation as support, ideally being able to command mountains and rivers, receive the incense of myriad people, and have fate offerings.

The cauldron vessel itself is used to bear incense and fate.

The denser the incense and fate, the more it can take form.

The State and Nation King Ding especially needs the incense of myriad people and the fate of myriad people.

But Zhang Jian took another path, relying on his exceptional comprehension to forcefully comprehend it completely.

Using the divine forms of mountains and rivers evolved into runes to fill this Primordial Spirit Immortal Method.

Actually, the incense of myriad people and the fate of myriad people, Zhang Jian also possesses.

As the Minister of Agriculture of the Great Agriculture Temple, he developed many species, saved countless commoners, earned the name of sages, and himself possesses the incense of myriad people.

Many places have erected living shrines for him.

But Zhang Jian did not directly use them!

The incense of myriad people and the fate of myriad people, he has another wonderful use.

Buzz buzz buzz!

Only see at a certain moment, as the power of the Red Virtue True Master's destiny merged into the State and Nation Sovereign Seal, the crimson State and Nation King Ding suddenly condensed into form, as if a true red dragon's shadow flowed within, the magnificent State and Nation dragon qi burst forth, possessing the power to suppress mountains and rivers.

And at the moment the Six Forms State and Nation King Ding took shape, Zhang Jian felt from the deep void a vast and magnificent resistance attempting to obstruct the complete formation of the Six Forms State and Nation King Ding, to shatter it.

But Zhang Jian's vast Yang Spirit divine sense condensed, directly allowing the Six Forms State and Nation King Ding to break through the heavenly and earthly laws' backlash descending in the void.

Still as easy as lifting a light thing.

"Success!"

At this moment, a hint of joy appeared in Zhang Jian's eyes; this is the sixth Primordial Spirit Immortal Method he has cultivated.

Having not yet stepped into the Primordial Spirit realm, he has already cultivated six Primordial Spirit Immortal Methods; such a foundation, if heard by Primordial Spirit True Persons, would surely shock them.

The formation of the Six Forms State and Nation King Ding is very important to Zhang Jian; as the core of the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram method, it can play a key role in stabilizing the method's structure.

Moreover, this is Zhang Jian's only method capable of utilizing dragon soul power.

Zhang Jian possesses the red dragon; if this wonderful method is displayed at a critical moment, it can suppress Primordial Spirits and break myriad laws.

This is a very pure state immortal art!

The State King Cauldron can suppress all external evils.

Besides, at critical moments it can also draw upon the power of the Tongshan supreme treasure, the State King Cauldron itself.

The true State King Cauldron is a sage king's relic, its might vast; even borrowing a portion of its divine power can turn the tide at critical moments.

This 'borrowing' is without cost, requiring neither becoming the other's 'junior disciple' nor paying special offerings in advance.

Zhang Jian briefly familiarized himself with the six-form State King Cauldron, then began to comprehend the Yin Yin Refining Form Method.

The Yin Yin Refining Form Method is a technique he created himself.

Among Zhang Jian's many techniques, it occupies a uniquely distinctive position.

Zhang Jian used this to enlighten many karmically connected individuals.

Perfecting this method does not merely mean he can reorganize a yin-yang immortal art.

Zhang Jian sensed that this primordial spirit immortal art would bring him many surprises in the future.

……

Zhang Jian resolved the Bone Demon Ancestor, and similarly, great battles erupted in several other places.

Some demonic primordial spirits attempting to enter the city quickly encountered opponents.

Starlight filled the heavens, killing formations erupted at the edges of the residences of several senior ministers, and in the light of slaughter, demonic qi was expelled.

But one was ensnared by several strands of starlight, an extremely grand Dao diagram emerged, trapping it and dragging it into an unknown spatial tempest; its fate is easy to imagine.

The opening of each great battle uniformly foretold that the ensuing combat would only grow bloodier.

After all, a primordial spirit true person had already fallen.

……

Yet as the wind and rain outside Haojing City grew increasingly fierce, a figure returned from the void into Haojing City.

Before Dongling, Chaomu gazed upon the dragon vein retaining only remnants of dragon qi, his brow tightly furrowed.

He had pursued that drought demon all the way from northern lands into the two-realm region, sensed the enormous celestial changes in the heavens, and hastily returned.

Never expecting that upon his return, such great events would have unfolded both inside and outside Haojing City.

Shortly thereafter, a figure clad in a hemp robe appeared in the distance, his entire body wrapped in dense evil malignance, a black-robed silhouette bearing a plain, unadorned great sword on his back.

This figure appeared, and with each step he gradually arrived before Dongling.

He then slowly said: "The Great Qian has endured four hundred and sixty-odd years of national destiny, twenty-four emperors buried here, suppressing feng shui, alas ultimately unable to contain this Great Qian dragon vein!"

"Old buddy, how did you become like this?"

Chaomu gazed upon the Heavenly Gang True Person Yuan Geng, at this moment a hint of surprise flickering in his pupils.

At this moment, the Heavenly Gang True Person Yuan Geng's entire body was wrapped in abscesses, even his eyes stained with a turbid yellow hue.

This is an anomalous omen of evil malignance backlash.

And it is very severe.

The dragon vein shattered, and many cultivators throughout Great Qian have suffered some evil malignance backlash; he too suffered similarly, but Great Qian's foundation remains, the orthodox is not lost, with Great Qian's foundation as reliance plus his own modest means, temporarily suppressing the backlash, there is still no major problem.

It is not so severe as to reach this point.

"It is not merely for this dragon soul, for you all, this poor Daoist has also risked his old life!"

The Heavenly Gang True Person gave a self-deprecating chuckle, producing the Great Qian dragon banner.

The jet-black Great Qian dragon banner fluttered wildly in his hand.

To prevent the dragon soul from encountering mishap after the dragon vein shattered, he endured the backlash and forcefully seized the dragon soul.

Without first suppressing the dragon vein's evil malignance, directly confronting it with a primordial spirit would inevitably lead to contamination.

Casually taking the Great Qian dragon banner in hand, Chaomu's gaze swept over, a flicker of undulation appearing in his eyes.

The dragon soul remains, so the situation of Great Qian has not yet reached its worst.

The Heavenly Gang True Person indeed has labored greatly and achieved much.

However, the one within the dragon vein is simply too self-absorbed!

Chaomu felt displeasure in his heart, plus a hint of suspicion.

The Heavenly Gang True Person gazed upon the shattered dragon vein and said.

"We must find a way to quickly set up an altar and perform rites to stabilize the dragon soul!"

"The Great Qian dragon banner can only serve as a temporary vessel; after a long time, it will surely no longer be able to suppress this dragon soul!"

Chaomu nodded slightly, he also knew the gravity of the matter.

Stabilizing the dragon soul, Great Qian's court can still mobilize most of the dragon qi, thereby suppressing those heretical demons and external paths.

If the dragon soul flees together with the dragon qi, Great Qian's dragon qi leakage will further deepen, one decreases while the other increases, and Great Qian's future days will only grow more arduous.

Moreover, the dragon soul can also temporarily help Great Qian's cultivators suppress evil malignance, preventing immediate backlash, granting them time to reshape mountains and rivers.

But the problem is the dragon soul requires an entirely new vessel.

Chaomu and the Heavenly Gang Daoist exchanged a glance, the candidate for this vessel already clear in both their hearts.

Great Qian also has no other candidate!

The Heavenly Gang True Person casually put away the Great Qian dragon banner, then asked casually.

"How did that drought demon fare?"

Chaomu glanced at the Heavenly Gang True Person, then said calmly.

"What else could it be? If I didn't return, Great Qian would soon be gone; what else could I still manage regarding the drought demon?"

Chaomu's expression was somewhat unpleasant; he had actually discovered the drought demon's traces several times before, originally intending to refine this nascent drought demon, thereby cultivating a primordial spirit-level incarnation, but now he had no choice but to rush back.

Missing such an opportunity, it is truly regrettable.

……

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zhang Jian's rhythm of secluded cultivation had been disrupted.

The arrival of Daoist Jingming shattered this tranquility.

Sitting in the flower hall, Daoist Jingming felt somewhat helpless; if he could, he would not wish to trouble Zhang Jian, but now that the dragon veins of Great Qian were shattered, the Dongshen Observatory had to maintain stability across the regions, and manpower was severely lacking, leaving only the option to ask Zhang Jian to step forward.

Furthermore, this journey involves another major matter.

The True Person of Tian Gang wishes to open an altar and perform rites, guiding the dragon vein and dragon soul into a new 'host,' requiring Zhang Jian's assistance.

Guiding the dragon soul of Great Qian into the body of the Jingwu Emperor—this matter will certainly not escape the notice of those with ill intent among the demons and heretics.

After all, such things have occurred throughout history.

After the dragon veins shattered, the emperor bearing the Son of Heaven's mandate became the ideal vessel.

"Since this concerns state affairs, please ask Mr. Zhang for your understanding!"

Zhang Jian nodded slightly. "National Teacher, rest assured—since this concerns the fate of Great Qian, this official cannot stand idly by!"

Upon hearing this, Daoist Jingming's face lit up with joy, then he continued: "Actually, it's merely a temporary borrowing of Mr. Zhang's Divine Emperor Treasure Mirror's wondrous power—this mirror illuminates the void, and any evil spirits or demons wishing to approach will have nowhere to hide; with this treasure present, the ceremony can surely proceed normally!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered, and he nodded slightly.

This time he did not raise any conditions again, which could also be considered repaying the Jingwu Emperor's favor of recognition.

……

Late at night, the moonlight was dim and obscure.

Within the imperial palace, before the Eastern Mausoleum, at this moment a towering altar stood, surrounded by banners fluttering in the wind, while the Jingwu Emperor sat within it; Daoist Tian Gang's body was swollen, covered in malignant sores, his face terrifying.

His expression solemn, he gazed upon the Jingwu Emperor and warned him.

"Your Majesty, you must think carefully—having the dragon soul enter the body carries enormous side effects. Your Majesty, after all, is a mortal frame; the mortal body is frail and cannot withstand the dragon soul's power. This will shorten Your Majesty's lifespan, and later gradually bring about insomnia and exhaustion as aftereffects!"

On the altar, the Jingwu Emperor faced the disheveled Daoist Tian Gang and smiled.

"Did not the True Person say, if the dragon soul lacks a vessel, the fate of my Great Qian cannot be preserved? Only by re-stabilizing the dragon soul can we awe those cultivators, stabilize order—aside from this, is there no other way?"

The Jingwu Emperor wore his usual attire, yet his eyes gleamed with a bright, radiant light.

Beside him, several figures stood on one side of the towering altar, several zhang high: the Chancellor Li Yan, the Censor-in-Chief Zhuang Ying, the Grand Commander Wang Huan, the Imperial Shepherd, and another Daoist clad in stellar vestments, all standing together in a row; upon hearing this, they silently nodded in agreement.

The Jingwu Emperor's wisdom and fortitude were extraordinary—perhaps he could truly defy fate and reshape Great Qian.

"Your Majesty, then please endure it!"

The True Person of Tian Gang then began his ritual; the black dragon banner in his hand flew up, and in an instant, a magnificent black dragon soared from the banner, its roar piercing the nine heavens. Following the guidance of countless banners on the altar, it suddenly surged toward the Jingwu Emperor's direction.

Meanwhile, in a distant palace, Zhang Jian faced the cold wind beneath the dim moon, gazing upon that magnificent black dragon.

At the moment the black dragon manifested, he felt the Son of Heaven and Earth Sovereign's seal within his body stir slightly—as if, as long as he wished, he could devour this black dragon.