Chapter 357

The clear, resonant cries of dragons and phoenixes echoed through heaven and earth.

First appearing above the Zenith Platform was the Mountain God of Phoenix Spirit Mountain, bearing the ancient phoenix jade and having received the complete inheritance of the phoenix; her phoenix form had already reached perfection and could at any moment undergo rebirth through nirvana.

The vast form of the Dark Phoenix swirled with intense divine radiance and a sacred, pure aura.

On the other side, the colossal form of the White Flood Dragon, spanning tens of zhang, simultaneously manifested.

Besides these, two streaks of flowing light tore through the sky: one was a massive white turtle, its head already sprouting ridges yet bearing a serpent's tail.

The other was a white tiger with wings sprouted.

The Four Spirits revealed their true forms.

"Young Master!"

At this moment, Bai Xianyun's voice rang out from afar, filled with cheers.

At the same time, she also saw numerous cultivators of the Tongshan Dao Tong upon the clouds above.

"True Monarch, Sect Master, and all the Elders!"

Bai Xianyun's voice was joyful; unable to contain herself, she transformed into a streak of flowing light, circling around the Slay-Demon True Monarch.

Seeing this, the Slay-Demon True Monarch slightly shook his head and smiled.

"Your opportunity has arrived—go down, and do not miss this fortune!"

To be ennobled as a State-Protecting Divine Beast is a tremendous blessing; bearing the nation's fortune, one not only gains legitimate status, making it difficult for other high-level cultivators to harm one easily, but can also draw upon the nation's fortune to transform one's divine beast form, attaining a body of longevity and carefree ease.

"Yes! Your Majesty, True Monarch!"

Bai Xianyun quickly nodded, and with a long whistle, transformed into a gale that plunged down from the void.

The Dark Phoenix, White Flood Dragon, White Turtle, and White Tiger each manifested their respective forms as the Four Spirits; to the many accomplished cultivators of Tongshan Mountain, this was nothing remarkable, but to the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians before the plaza, it was clearly an auspicious omen—the descent of dragons and phoenixes.

For a moment, countless figures bowed to the ground, not daring to look up, lest they incur heaven's wrath!

At this moment, Zhang Jian's form hovered in the void; as the Great Xia was established and heaven and earth transformed, he clearly sensed that between heaven and earth, a series of vast, invisible, mighty forces were arising above Haojing City.

That was dragon qi, imperial qi.

The newborn dragon qi and imperial qi surged forth, and furthermore, a crimson dragon coiled and flew up from the south, flowing and converging beneath Haojing City to press down upon the central axis of the state altars.

That was the Zhang family's dragon vein.

Zhang Jian felt the dragon vein's expansion from afar, while continuing to bestow ennoblements.

"Convey my decree: ennoble you as the Four Great State-Protecting Divine Beasts, Guardians of the Four Spirits!"

As the words fell, the vast purple qi condensing behind him split into four streams, each falling upon the Four Spirits; visible to the naked eye, Phoenix Spirit, White Flood Dragon, White Turtle, and Bai Xianyun were now wrapped in a layer of faint purple light—especially Phoenix Spirit and White Flood Dragon, as the purple light merged, countless black-and-white lights flowed through their bodies, and an intangible calamity wove around them, already signifying they were about to step into the Divine Beast realm.

That is, equivalent to the Nascent Soul realm of cultivators.

At the head, the Slay-Demon True Monarch watched this scene, a hint of smile appearing in his eyes.

Protected by the nation's fortune and bolstered by the foundation of one dragon and one phoenix, the Great Xia would not be long before gaining two more State-Protecting Divine Beasts at the Nascent Soul realm.

After ennobling the Four Spirits, Zhang Jian's expression remained unchanged!

Yet above his head, the vast sky teemed with surging dragon qi and purple qi, still rising.

That was the nation's fortune now gathering for the new dynasty.

Behind Zhang Jian, the purple sun rose into the heavens, gradually revealing the majestic apparition of the Purple August Emperor; he was enveloped beneath the purple sun, as if an Emperor who had walked forth from the cosmos to govern the boundless heavens and earth, the Qian and Kun.

At this moment, the fate of the Purple August Emperor was nearly substantiated.

Moreover, Zhang Jian felt that within his body, the five great Son of Heaven fate-patterns, as the nation's fortune gathered, radiated light like the rising sun.

The Solar Manifestation, the Red Virtue True Lord, the Tripod Stabilizing Qian and Kun, the Purple August Emperor, and the Nine-Five Fate-Pattern.

At this moment, Zhang Jian kept them tightly suppressed within his Niwan Palace; if they were to emanate outward, heaven and earth would likely give rise to even more terrifying omens.

And as he established the Great Xia and the nation's fortune gathered, deep within his fate-palace, countless strands of purple qi stimulated, causing various omens to appear—as if, in the darkness, several other strange fate-patterns began to emerge as shadows, starting to gestate and take form.

These were the other Son of Heaven fate-patterns.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian was not surprised.

As he truly ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, with the nation's fortune gathering, it was inevitable that other Son of Heaven fate-patterns would also be nurtured.

The nurturing of these Son of Heaven fate-patterns is somewhat related to his actions and deeds.

The nation's fortune is profound; Zhang Jian at this moment continued to "forge."

He used his finger as a brush, and countless runes condensed from his hand into shape, forming one imperial edict after another, stamped with the nation's fortune and imperial qi.

"The new dynasty has just been established; we must appoint a National Preceptor, and the state religion shall suppress demons and heretical paths, expel left-handed deviants, and grant the people a blissful land. I now appoint my teacher, the Slay-Demon True Monarch, as the State-Protecting Dharma Master of Great Xia!"

"The Tongshan Dao Tong shall be the state religion; in time, it shall establish Tongshan Dao Palaces and Daoist temples in each commandery, reuniting the teachings of Great Xia, comforting the people, suppressing evil spirits, and distinguishing the mundane from the transcendent!"

"And the True Ones of the Cavern Spirit Observatory shall all be merged into the Observance Platform, taking charge of the Observance Bureau, returning to state use, awaiting deployment!"

"

As these imperial edicts flew forth, they instantly divided the vast, ocean-like purple qi behind him, allocating nearly one-fifth to the Slay-Demon True Monarch, while another stream flew down to strike the Daoist Jue Ming.

This portion of the nation's fortune is not insignificant; it nearly affected the very foundation of Great Xia.

Zhang Jian clearly felt that the several Son of Heaven fate-patterns forming within his Niwan Palace were now slowing in their development.

He slightly furrowed his brow; though he felt a pang of reluctance, he still bore it.

One cannot catch the wolf without risking the child.

Now, he wishes to sit upon the Son of Heaven's throne as a cultivator, to walk the path of the Sage King, and will inevitably invite heaven's envy.

Those heretical sects will not stand idly by; this requires the Tongshan Dao Tong to exert effort.

In truth, he himself could exert effort, for with his cultivation, he would surely not be unable to resolve these external foes.

However, he did not choose to do so, for one reason: he wished to use this opportunity to "send" some benefit to the sect, drawing his fellow disciples closer.

He founded Great Xia and alone obtained fortune; if he gave no benefit, the sect might not speak of it, but the elders would surely harbor some thoughts.

In the future, he will still need the sect's effort in many places.

For example, how to forge the Nine Tripods, how to truly achieve the status of Sage King—these are core secret arts within the sect.

For example, those high-level cultivators outside who are eyeing us like tigers eyeing prey need the sect's senior elders to step forward and 'negotiate'!

Secondly, of course, he has a way to restore these national fortunes, and through this 'investment', he can get double back.

Actually, Zhang Jian knows this clearly in his heart.

Only interests can bind the sect and the newborn Great Xia together.

This thing called affection cannot be consumed without limit; too many times, and it will inevitably become thin.

"As for the lack of national fortune, we can only go and seize it again..."

Zhang Jian muttered darkly in his heart.

There is still a huge chunk of fat meat waiting for him to handle around him!

Above the clouds, Daoist Jue Ming saw at this moment the vast purple qi sweeping in, surging endlessly toward the direction of the Tongshan Dao lineage, and he and the other Daoists all had a hint of a smile appear in their eyes.

This 'qi fortune' is not small.

Even for those of us who have achieved cultivation and can roam the star rivers.

Seeing this scene, Zhenjun Zhan Mo couldn't help but feel somewhat unable to bear it, and he coldly snorted.

"Senior martial brothers, senior uncles, my disciple has just ascended the throne and already distributed so much national fortune to the sect. As your seniors, you really shouldn't show no sign of appreciation at all!"

Daoist Jue Ming heard this and laughed heartily, then immediately said.

"Junior martial sister Zhan Mo, don't rush, this junior nephew of ours is a rare immortal talent of our Tongshan Dao lineage—how could we let outsiders harm him in the slightest?"

Zhenjun Zhan Mo pursed her lips: "Yeah, the 'immortal talent' you speak of just gave you a huge benefit fee, and you bunch of guys aren't ashamed at all, always taking advantage of the younger generation!"

Zhenjun Zhan Mo is not used to indulging this group of people; Zhang Jian doesn't feel sorry, but she feels terribly sorry.

In her view, commanding this bunch of old fogeys doesn't require 'this price'!

Daoist Jue Ming laughed heartily and didn't care either.

Another Daoist nearby was unhappy: "Junior martial sister Zhan Mo, look at what you're saying—this is the 'filial piety' our junior nephew gives us elders, and he knows how to behave. You, on the other hand, are always squeezing us senior brothers; for thousands of years, you've never given us a single refreshing benefit!"

Another tall Daoist in azure robes also smiled: "Yeah, junior martial sister, if you had this junior nephew's 'filial heart', you wouldn't need to go through so much hardship 'tempering'!"

Zhenjun Zhan Mo raised her eyebrows: "What's wrong with tempering? If not for such tempering, how could I have achieved my current Dao cultivation?"

"My disciple just has too many schemes and lacks tempering; he really ought to undergo a good round of it!"

Upon hearing this, the cultivator wearing azure Daoist robes shook his head and said.

"Who are you like, you killing star? Cultivators walk the path of comprehending the Dao, emulating nature, sensing the heavenly heart, seeking the great Dao. Once the great Dao is accomplished, infinite divine powers and infinite Dao fruits naturally arise—it's not about walking the Asura demon path!"

To this, Zhenjun Zhan Mo was very disdainful and coldly snorted.

"Nonsense—if the sword in your hand isn't sharp, how can you face countless tribulations of longevity, how can you protect the Dao fruit? Before the great Dao is accomplished, you're likely already reduced to tribulation ashes!"

At his side, Ancestor Zi Dian also had a hint of a smile appear at the corner of his mouth; he waved his hand and laughed.

"Cut the act—outside, a good bunch of people have come preparing to 'pay a visit'. Since juniors need us old immortals to step forward, we'll step forward and have a good 'chat' with them!"

At this moment, in his gaze, deep in the illusory void, another stream of light broke through the void—these figures were either curious or purely ill-intentioned, and they intended to join forces, taking advantage of the time before the national fortune was fully formed, to shatter the Great Xia's national fortune.

Upon hearing this, the streams of light also stopped joking with Zhenjun Zhan Mo and simply said.

"What the senior uncle said is indeed correct!"

Streams of light disappeared one after another into the void.

Zhenjun Zhan Mo watched this scene, still shaking his head. He glanced down at Zhang Jian, who originally hoped to use this good opportunity to let Zhang Jian properly display his Dao cultivation, but instead came up with this move.

"This slippery fellow!"

Zhang Jian also saw this scene, and upon seeing it, he smiled faintly.

This 'benefit fee' given took effect immediately.

The effect of the 'note-ability' is very direct.

Zhang Jian's gaze then fell upon the civil and military officials below; at once he issued another decree, ennobling part of the Long-ascendant Ministers, including the father and son of the old Grand Commandant Wang Huan, both made Dukes of the State, then also Minister of Justice Wang Yan, Marquis Dingyuan Song Shang, Marquis Zhenbei An Ruhou, and further including Zhang Lu, Zhao Qinshan, Song Yingzhen, Kou Huaiheng, and other close ministers.

After the ennoblement of these persons, the scene before the Abdication Altar finally reached its peak.

Zhang Jian simultaneously issued an edict, announcing a general pardon in the near future, to demonstrate benevolence.

……

In the crowd, at this moment, a small group of people stared blankly at the dispersing commoners; this small group were the surviving members of the Great Qian imperial clan.

In one night, the people went from being heavenly nobility to ordinary commoners, and moreover, they were 'commoners under surveillance'!

Leading them was Wu King Wei Xi of the Ministry of Rites; although Zhang Jian has not yet issued an edict to strip him of his official post, title, and rank, Wei Xi clearly knows that his title as Wu King is probably already at an end.

In the crowd, Daoist Dong Jue watched this scene, his expression a light sigh, but deep down he still felt somewhat relieved.

The Xia Emperor at least still left a way out for the Great Qian clan.

Even without illustrious status, at least life remains, and the Wei lineage can continue its incense—this is much better than the former Shu royal family.

"My magical power is recovering!"

Meanwhile, beside him, Daoist Dong Zhen's joyful voice came over.

Beside him, Daoist Dong Xuan, as well as several other guest elders, also had expressions of joy.

With the Great Xia reaccepting the Daoists of Dongshen Guan, the dragon vein of the Xia dynasty entered Haojing City, occupying the Qian position; people once again received the protection of the new dynasty's dragon vein, and all kinds of evil influences were shielded by the dragon aura, thus having already gained a buffer.

Daoist Dong Jue also sensed that the feeling of being vaguely locked onto in the void was disappearing; she could now again use her yin spirit magical power.

This feeling of magical power recovery is truly wonderful.

Like the thick shackles on her body finally being removed.

This feeling even dispelled the worries in Daoist Dong Jue's heart.

She suddenly felt that the new dynasty's succession wasn't so bad after all.

At least it gave many cultivators of Dongshen Guan a thread of hope.

In place, Daoist Jing Ming slightly closed his eyes; an invisible spiritual pressure flowed around him, magical power filled him, and his yin spirit, like a dust-covered pearl, reborn, regained its dazzling radiance.

"I can already attack the fifth tribulation of the yin spirit!"

At this moment, the Daoist Jingming's eyes flickered with a fierce, strange light.

……

Within the imperial city, in the newly constructed Hall of Heavenly Origin, Zhang Jian sat upon the dragon throne, at this moment his eyes slightly closed, as time passed, the nation's fortune continuously grew, and he clearly felt his own vital energy constantly rising.

The authority of the State and Altars Sovereign's primordial spirit was rapidly being restored.

By merging himself into the fortune of the Great Xia, commanding the mountains, rivers, lands, and the very foundation of the state, he could truly feel the terrifying power of the State and Altars Sovereign's primordial spirit.

If he were to add the power of the Mountains, Rivers, and State Diagram, Zhang Jian felt that even if immortals and demons descended into the world, he would have the ability to completely suppress and seal them.

This had not yet reached the upper limit of the primordial spirit's golden form.

The State and Altars Sovereign primordial spirit he had condensed was even more terrifying than he had imagined.

Next, he needed to find a way to convert all of Great Xia's national fortune potential into actual strength.

This is a unique method practiced by cultivators of the lineage of the ancient sage-kings.

Ordinary heavenly sons can only obtain one or two essences of the 'Son of Heaven's destiny,' thereby gaining minor benefits such as having a hundred gods as attendants or being immune to myriad evils, whereas cultivators of the ancient sage-kings' path can fully unleash its power.

Zhang Jian had not been in seclusion for long; merely adjusting his state slightly, he emerged from retreat.

There are still many things that need to be done now.

For example, bestowing titles upon Qi Yuhua and Bai Liying, then next bestowing titles upon the various princes and the lone princess Zhang Chang'an.

Additionally, there is the matter of how to deal with the imperial clansmen and princes of the Great Qian, as well as Empress Dowager Qi, Grand Empress Dowager Li of the Li clan, and so on.