Chapter 318: Surprising Change (4k)

Zhang Jian's expression was solemn at this moment, and he inwardly thought, what a fine fellow.

This Qianhai True Monarch has become overly swollen with the 'Little Golden Man'.

How difficult it is to kill an emperor of a dynasty in its prime.

He possesses a dragon soul protecting his body.

Under the protection of the nation's dragon soul, even before approaching, an ordinary Primordial Spirit True Person would likely be suppressed; if he were to act, he would be directly backlashed by the boundless dragon aura.

Moreover, the Son of Heaven is the god of the state and land, innately accompanied by a hundred gods.

Even the Jingwu Emperor, whose dragon vein is shattered and fallen, is not easy to kill, let alone an emperor in his prime.

However, Qianhai True Monarch now holds the Junwang Golden Man in his hand, and indeed has the means to assassinate the imperial carriage.

The Junwang Golden Man possesses the divine abilities of a sage king, and is itself nurtured by dragon aura, thus can be maximally immune to dragon aura backlash, and even suppress dragon aura.

As for the hundred gods in attendance, with Qianhai True Monarch's divine powers, he might also forcibly dispel them.

……

The starlight of the Heavenly Emperor Star in the firmament flickered, a killing intent gradually obscured the starlight of the Emperor Star, but in Zhang Jian's sight, the Emperor Star gradually blazed forth, breaking through the killing intent filling the sky, and moreover, a vast dragon aura rose into the heavens, a great golden dragon soared forth, emitting a heaven-shaking, earth-shaking dragon roar.

After a momentary tremor, the nation's dragon soul quickly steadied its stance.

Zhang Jian's highly sensitive, materialized Yang Spirit faintly sensed that in the direction of Guangyuan City, four vast auras appeared, four auras instantly merged into one, suddenly enveloping another vast aura, and moments later, two auras violently vanished into the depths of the void.

Have I fallen into a trap?! Hmm, it seems I've fallen into a trap?

Zhang Jian's gaze shifted slightly.

After waiting a moment, seeing that Qianhai True Monarch's spiritual presence still did not appear, he immediately knew trouble was great.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a whimsical urge.

Merely turning his gaze, he immediately fixed his eyes on Haojing City.

If his earlier sensing was not mistaken, then the unfortunate one to come might be Haojing City.

Compared to having the dragon vein protecting the Northern Chu Son of Heaven.

The Jingwu Emperor does not have that protective condition.

Qianhai True Monarch can be beheaded.

Other cultivators naturally can also carry out beheading.

Moreover, Northern Chu's greatest reliance, Qianhai True Monarch, has encountered an accident, making conditions more mature.

As Zhang Jian focused his thoughts, he sent a message to Jingming Daoist and Tiangang Daoist.

Whether they can help the Jingwu Emperor withstand this calamity still depends on those two.

Of course, mainly relying on the two seeking aid.

Otherwise, Haojing City, relying solely on the three of them, would likely not be able to hold out.

Without Qianhai True Monarch's reinforcement, if a True Monarch-level expert arrives from outside Haojing City, they would certainly have no way to resist.

After Zhang Jian sent out the message, he also pondered his own retreat.

If truly powerful attackers come, if he can beat them, he will naturally help; if he cannot beat them, he is also unable to assist.

Having done this much for the Jingwu Emperor, Zhang Jian feels he has already done his duty toward this Son of Heaven.

If things go awry, he can only save part of the people, then bring them back to Fengyang Commandery.

……

And above Guangyuan City, just as Zhang Jian had anticipated.

At this moment, a vast and ancient great formation revived, slowly turning, countless blood lights permeated, blood-colored radiance flowed, gradually forming a blood-red long river, it had no beginning or end, filled with a vast power.

"Blood Sea Great Formation?"

Gazing at this vast great formation before him, Qianhai True Monarch's face turned grim.

The Blood Sea Great Formation is a famous ancient formation in heaven and earth, this vicious formation renowned throughout heaven and earth, the number of high cultivators who have died within it unknown, Qianhai True Monarch also did not expect that deep in the imperial palace, such an evil formation had been laid.

At this moment, in the depths of the Blood Sea, a gloomy voice emerged.

"Qianhai old bandit, you are indeed arrogant enough, daring to assassinate the Chu Emperor, but thanks to your arrogance and conceit, otherwise this lord might not have been able to fulfill his wish to avenge his disciple, and incidentally obtain your treasure!"

Upon hearing this, Qianhai True Monarch laughed heartily and said.

"Blood Sea old demon, no need for much big talk, your Blood Sea Great Formation has a great name, but it cannot trouble this seat; all say your blood river is vast and endless, today I will evaporate your blood river, letting you this old demon die of blood drought!"

In the midst of his angry shout, yet seen, beneath his feet the Junwang Golden Man emitted boundless golden light, the golden light permeated yet burned away a large expanse of the blood river, with a wave of his hands, surging waves from the depths of the blood river rolled forth, as if a Taiji yin-yang sharp blade tore the void, a large expanse of the blood river was severed.

The vast blood river, in an instant, seemed to be severed at the waist.

However, the Blood Sea Holy Lord hidden deep in the blood river remained unseen, and before him this blood sea space remained vast and immense.

Qianhai True Monarch gazed at this scene, secretly feeling a headache, he possesses the Junwang Golden Man, indeed very strong, even strong enough to directly slay the Blood Sea Holy Lord in a single encounter.

But the opponent relies on this blood river to avoid direct confrontation, making it also difficult to seize him.

And to depart, also very troublesome.

The most troublesome aspect of this Blood Sea Great Formation is its continuous vastness, it originates from a mysterious subspace within.

Its source is vast and immense, belonging to an endless blood river, no one in heaven and earth knows how vast this blood river is.

Fundamentally, it is not something he can now shake, evaporate.

At this moment, the Blood Sea Holy Lord merely relies on the blood river's own power to continually disturb, disrupt his Yang Spirit perception, this is deliberately trapping him here.

Qianhai True Monarch's Dao heart also could not help but give rise to a hint of anxiety, regretful feeling.

The power of the Junwang Golden Man obscured his Dao heart.

If he were more cautious, relying on the power of the Junwang Golden Man, he might not have fallen into this strange spatial coordinate.

But soon he still suppressed his Dao heart, sought a way to break the situation, striving to leave this place and return to reality.

He cannot stay here long, if he stays too long, Haojing City might undergo an anomaly.

……

This Dry Sea True Monarch has lingered too long in this place, his mind dull—if the Golden King's power were truly invincible, he would not have been defeated by the ancient Yu King Ancestral Master?

In the depths of the void, the Slay Demon True Monarch gazes upon countless blood-red banners fluttering wildly, they stir the void and summon the descent of the Blood River.

Her gaze sweeps over that vast blood river.

The techniques of the Blood Shadow Demon Sect are most peculiar; after achieving mastery, most Primordial Spirit True Persons transform their primordial spirit dharma forms into blood rivers, thereby gaining resonance with this boundless blood river.

The higher the Dao cultivation, the heavier the slaughter, the more they please the blood river, earning the favor of the myriad demon gods and demon lords within it.

At this moment, this Blood Sea Holy Sovereign employs the wondrous method from the《Blood Sea True Classic》, the power of this blood river is continuously summoned, enough to keep the Dry Sea True Monarch busy for a while.

Completely trapping him is impossible.

But at least he must be trapped for several days.

Being trapped for several days might possibly reverse the situation.

The Slay Demon True Monarch fixes her gaze upon the Dry Sea True Monarch, her eyes turn, she temporarily does not act, for now is not the time to seize the Golden King.

Her gaze then shifts downward once more.

Yuan Chi Guan Zhong, at this moment the great battle rages fiercely.

Taking advantage of the Dry Sea True Monarch drawing away some of the Northern Chu offerings and cultivators from Guan Zhong, Mu Mu immediately leads troops to launch a fierce assault on Yuan Chi Guan.

A tragic siege erupts, countless fierce blood slaughter qi surges straight into the heavens, obscuring sun and moon.

Before the pass, the magical formations have already been broken at this moment, and the cultivators of the Great Qian side are also now engaging with the defeated demon path primordial spirits from the formations, the Northern Chu cultivators in great battle.

In the tragic great battle, blood flows and drifts, even venerable earthly immortal and divine primordial spirit true persons fight desperately for their lives, struggling for a sliver of survival.

Primordial spirit true persons fare somewhat better, while ordinary cultivators are like common soldiers, their minds clouded by blood slaughter qi, their inner mana unable to be unleashed, yet they fight heedlessly like mundane martial artists, many already felled to the ground.

Beneath the dragon banner of the Great Qian side, at this moment streaks of starlight blaze brightly.

In the depths of the firmament, streaks of starlight flow and turn, as if resonating with the fate of the martial commanders upon the earth.

And undoubtedly the most striking is An Ru Ming beneath the dragon banner, her entire body emanating vast slaughter aura, behind her a star sovereign dharma form with wolf head and human body coalesces into form, as the Great Qian dragon banner continually advances, gradually pressing into Yuan Chi Guan, the star sovereign dharma form above her head gradually transforms into a divine human form, the wolf head recedes, merging into the divine human's ceremonial robes.

"Greedy Wolf Star Sovereign!"

Gazing at this flowing light, the Slay Demon True Monarch glances.

The Slay Demon True Monarch notices, in the void there are additionally several vast divine thoughts constantly entwining around An Ru Ming's body, always seeking opportunity.

These are the Northern Chu Grand Tutor Tuoba True Martial, and several demon path primordial spirits.

Yet with their abilities, they cannot possibly face a martial commander descended as the Greedy Wolf Star amidst such blood slaughter qi.

One increases, one decreases—one has his mana and dragon qi fully suppressed by the blood slaughter qi, weakening his primordial spirit; the other has his stellar fate dharma form continually growing within the blood slaughter qi, if he advances, he might possibly be beheaded by the martial commander.

Yet some high-level primordial spirit true persons will not act lightly.

At this moment, the martial commander is connected with the military formation below; though he could risk slaying, it would inevitably involve innocent soldiers, staining him with killing karma.

The higher the Dao cultivation, the more one cherishes one's own feathers.

Unless there is some necessary reason to act.

The Slay Demon True Monarch glances, then turns and departs.

Meanwhile, within the Northern Chu imperial palace below, there are additionally several primordial spirit true persons stationed on guard, prepared against other Great Qian powerhouses launching surprise attacks.

Earlier, the Dry Sea True Monarch disguised himself and infiltrated, nearly succeeding.

Had it not been for the warning of the Hundred Gods, others likely would not have thought, this Dry Sea True Monarch, a primordial spirit true monarch, would actually disregard his identity and launch a sneak attack upon a mundane emperor of heaven.

……

Gao Jing City, the Zhang household lights blaze brightly.

At this moment, Zhang Jian suddenly feels his brow twitch, the vast Yang God divine awareness gazes toward the void.

The next instant, he sees a beam of light manifest in the void, instantly breaking through space to appear before Zhang Jian's eyes.

"Master?"

Before Zhang Jian's eyes, the true form of the Slay Demon True Monarch manifests.

At this moment, the Slay Demon True Monarch looks somewhat surprised at the surroundings of the Zhang household residence.

Though the blessed land dharma realm surrounding the Zhang household residence is deeply hidden, in her eyes it is utterly without concealment.

"The blessed land wondrous method from beyond the realm—you indeed have fine fortune!"

The Slay Demon True Monarch gazes at Zhang Jian, gives a slight light laugh, then asks.

"Are you prepared?"

Zhang Jian's eyes flicker, he knows what the Slay Demon True Monarch asks, he nods and says.

"Master, will you act against His Majesty this time?"

The Slay Demon True Monarch glances at Zhang Jian, her eyes ripple, then suddenly says.

"If I, as your master, say yes, will you act against me?"

Zhang Jian loses his smile, shakes his head and says.

"I will not!"

The Slay Demon True Monarch gazes at Zhang Jian, after a moment of light laughter says: "Why?"

Zhang Jian laughs outright: "Of course because the disciple cannot defeat the master!"

Upon hearing this, the Slay Demon True Monarch smiles faintly, she shakes her head and says.

"For this journey, my master's purpose is solely the Dry Sea; the Martial Heaven Emperor is merely a mortal, not yet worthy to receive my master's Slay Demon Slay Immortal Sword!"

"But if my master does not act, others may yet do so—those old fellows are far more ruthless and cruel than my master!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes twitch slightly, after a moment he sighs lightly.

"Has the Dry Sea True Monarch truly been trapped?"

The Slay Demon True Monarch glances at Zhang Jian, there is something strange in her eyes, Zhang Jian's divine powers exceed her expectations.

To speak frankly, this meeting with Zhang Jian has left her with an exceptionally strong feeling.

The divine sense of a primordial spirit-level being, the primordial spirit immortal arts—ordinary yin spirit venerables simply do not possess such accumulation.

However, the Beheading Demon True Monarch ultimately did not voice the doubts in his heart.

If that were the case, wouldn't it reveal that her master's discernment is rather lacking?

The Beheading Demon True Monarch briefly recounted the ordeal of the Qianhai True Monarch.

"Qianhai True Monarch is trapped within the Blood Sea Grand Formation; when he emerges, there will still be many great techniques awaiting him—he likely has few chances left to turn the tide!"

"But tonight, the greatest danger is not him, but Haojing City, and you all..."

She slowly arrived at the Zhang family pavilion, gazing upward at the vast heavens; after a moment, a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Here they come!"

Zhang Jian's eyes and divine sense also perceived it—several immense auras descended from the heavens, many of them familiar faces.

Earlier, the fleeting appearance of the Five Elements Immortal Sect's Jinchen Elder Ancestor had arrived first, with four other figures behind him.

Zhang Jian did not recognize these four figures, but most of their auras were familiar, for they had clashed with the Qianhai True Monarch and still bore wounds.

Conversely, beside Jinchen Elder Ancestor stood another figure radiating noble aura, resembling a heavenly nobility noble in bearing—quite unfamiliar, yet his entire being circulated a layer of intense, majestic dragon energy.

Upon seeing this figure, the Beheading Demon True Monarch coldly laughed: "A descendant of the illustrious Sacred King Ancient Clan, yet reduced to a vassal of other immortal sect lineages—truly laughable!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian glanced upward at the heavens, at the noble middle-aged man beside Jinchen Elder Ancestor.

This noble middle-aged man also bore dragon energy; his status and identity were clearly extraordinary.

From the Beheading Demon True Monarch's words, he seemed to be a powerhouse of the Sacred King lineage?

At this moment, Jinchen Elder Ancestor calmly said: "Prince Shun, once we break open the killing formation below, please suppress that Jingwu Heavenly Son and strike him down in the aftermath—best to exterminate his entire lineage!"

The one called Prince Shun, the noble middle-aged man, nodded upon hearing this and said with a smile.

"Master Uncle, rest assured—I will handle this matter!"

"Good!"

Jinchen Elder Ancestor nodded, and simultaneously, he and the four other elder ancestors unleashed their auras almost in unison; a heaven-and-earth-spanning spiritual disturbance surged forth, and in his hand appeared a vast, ancient sword.

Upon the sword lay a vast killing intent, hazy and spreading; as his mana flowed, it seemed like countless sword shadows descended upon the imperial city's surroundings.

"Open!"

The vast killing intent condensed; at this moment, the Pure Bright Daoist standing on the Observing Heaven Platform only felt his scalp tingle, while he vaguely sensed several terrifying killing intentions approaching, and furthermore, a strange force seemed to penetrate the void, silently pressing down upon him.