Chapter 436: The Majesty of the Emperor (4K)

Ning Shen Palace

Zhang Jian and Xuan He entered the palace with dignified bearing and grand architecture.

In fact, such a palace is comparable to those of other dragon princes, merely ordinary, which shows that the Fifth Prince Xuan Xiong's status among the dragon princes is likewise only ordinary.

At this moment, before Ning Shen Palace, Xuan Xiong had already stepped forward to greet them.

This Fifth Prince appeared somewhat dull-witted; upon seeing Zhang Jian, he merely made a slight inviting gesture, saying nothing else.

Zhang Jian, seeing this, did not mind in the least.

After entering Ning Shen Palace, Zhang Jian was somewhat astonished, noticing that the interior was unusually simple.

And the most numerous items were bookshelves.

One large bookshelf after another filled most of the palace's area.

Gazing at these bookshelves, Zhang Jian's eyes lit up; he immediately strode into the hall, ignoring Xuan Xiong's gaze, and casually picked up a bundle of bamboo slips forming a book.

Just a glance, and Zhang Jian's eyebrows shot up.

"This is the 'Wood Virtue Theory' by the Wood Virtue King; this treatise contains the Wood Virtue King's contemplations on wood-arcane secrets, said to have been lost in legend—yet I never expected to find it preserved here!"

Xuan Xiong's expression flickered slightly; he spoke softly.

"The Dragon Palace has long collected works from the cultivation world, and even from mortal sages; the 'Wood Virtue Theory' is naturally among them. Besides, there are also texts left by the Solar Holy Emperor, the Lunar Holy Emperor, King Yu the Great, the various Ji-surname kings, and some divine path powerhouses. Unfortunately, these treasures of the Dragon Palace lie hidden, for while many dragons enjoy collecting books, few actually read them, leaving them to gather dust for millions of years—a true pity!"

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered as he glanced at the perpetually calm Xuan Xiong and smiled.

"To have preserved these books until now, the Dragon Palace has already rendered immense service; moreover, it has finally produced a book-loving deity like Daoist Xuan Xiong, who will surely shine forth!"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Xiong sighed.

"These classics are as vast as smoke and sea, their wisdom like the ocean; I am but a grain of sand in the vast sea—what talk of shining forth? The light I emit is but that of a firefly!"

He led Zhang Jian deeper into the palace.

Xuan He followed behind the two; she could tell that the Lord of Dongzhou was likewise a lover of books, and they shared much common ground on this matter.

This somewhat eased the guilt in Xuan He's heart.

Forcing this Fifth Brother to accept such a harsh reality, Xuan He herself felt ill at ease.

But she knew that awakening would benefit both siblings.

Inside, at this moment, they also saw the items Xuan Xiong had brought for trade.

It was not a single dragon-phoenix bone tablet, but a large stack.

Bone after bone of rare and strange beasts piled up like a small mountain.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian was not surprised.

Initially, the Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Seal was indeed made from the bones of various primordial exotic beasts and barbaric remnants.

Only the anomalous abilities contained in some terrifying exotic beast bones could bear the Dao rhythm of this ancient script.

But this quantity...

Zhang Jian was still somewhat astonished.

Such a vast number of Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Seals likely represents half of the Qingping Dragon Palace's hoard preserved since ancient times; if sold...

It seemed he sensed Zhang Jian's expression, for Xuan He smiled charmingly and said:

"Your Majesty, you may find this hard to believe, but these bone tablets were personally written and replicated by the Fifth Brother!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jian stared in astonishment at Xuan Xiong; if Xuan He spoke the truth...

This is nothing short of a treasure-dragon prince!

Such a dragon prince, even if of mediocre talent, relying on such astonishing comprehension, will surely rise to prominence in time.

If this is a talent wasted on trivial pursuits, then the heaven's chosen of the cultivation world are but dregs!

Zhang Jian stepped forward and casually picked up a Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Seal.

After slight examination, Zhang Jian found that the dragon-phoenix seal carved on the bone tablet contained profound Dao laws, still intact and undamaged, without loss or defect.

The strange light in Zhang Jian's eyes deepened; he knew Xuan Xiong could not possibly be merely gifted in comprehension.

After examining several pieces, Zhang Jian nodded and said:

"They are all genuine!"

"These bone tablets, I will take them all!"

Zhang Jian pondered briefly, then looked at Xuan Xiong and said:

"On the market, Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Seals have price but no market; each time a dragon-phoenix bone circulates, the price ranges from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, and not just that—while the Fifth Prince possesses an entire heap of these seals, likely over a hundred pieces, their value could be said to be in the tens of millions!"

"Coincidentally, I have recently obtained a Heavenly Immortal-level Sea God divine office, which should be sufficient to match the value of these Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Seals!"

Zhang Jian's eyes held a hint of a smile.

These Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Seals have price but no market; once they appear, they are swiftly bought by cultivators of major immortal sects and orthodox traditions, or kept as family heirlooms, or used as sectarian inheritances.

Naturally, they are exceedingly precious.

But treasures like divine offices are similarly pricey yet without market.

And the inheritance of a Heavenly Immortal-level divine path divine office is likewise a supreme treasure.

Had it not been for my regard for this Fifth Prince Xuan Xiong, I would not have produced such a precious divine office for trade.

"Heavenly Immortal-level Sea God divine office?"

Upon hearing this, not only did Xuan He's heart surge violently, but Xuan Xiong also turned his gaze toward him.

Though he is immersed in the Way of Symbols, he is not without experience.

He clearly understands the value of this object.

Once such a divine office is refined, it means that within a short time, one may give birth to a first-rank deity.

Although refining a divine office to ascend to first-rank deity may at that time leave one with divine power but difficult to fully master the authority of a first-rank deity in the short term, it is still a first-rank deity.

Raising his hand, a dove-egg-sized, ice-blue, faceted crystal appeared deep in his palm.

It emitted a faint blue glow, mysterious and beautiful.

After he slew the remnant soul of the Wilderness God Sovereign, he obtained two divine crystals.

This is one of them.

The other, the size of a goose egg, is of divine-office quality surpassing even Heavenly Immortal; this divine crystal contains the authority of the Death God Dao.

Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon Xuanshen, and he spoke calmly.

"Fifth Prince, what you truly lack is not a divine office, but a spiritual object capable of cleansing marrow and refining hair; you still have the opportunity to choose. If you wish to change your mind, I can likewise allocate tens of millions to purchase an innate spiritual object for the Fifth Prince, aiding you in transforming your foundation!"

Zhang Jian's expression remained calm, his eyes fixed on Xuanshen, with a hint of anticipation in his demeanor.

For Xuanshen to refine divine authority and walk the path of the God Dao would be far too wasteful.

While refining divine authority certainly grants immediate power enhancement and a rapid surge in strength, in the long run it is highly disadvantageous.

Of course, if merely borrowing divine authority temporarily for self-preservation, even excessively, there is no problem.

Many powerful cultivators concurrently hold divine offices.

Xuanshen, however, had long held his own thoughts, and he replied directly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

"I still choose the divine office!"

His gaze was solemn.

Xuanshen also had his own plans; he knew that in this turbulent era, grasping strength first was more important than cleansing marrow and refining hair. Once he possessed matching strength, he could gradually return to the Immortal Dao path.

Seeing Xuanshen had made up his mind, Zhang Jian ceased his persuasion, and with a wave of his hand stored the Sea God authority in a jade box, handing it to Xuanshen.

At the same time, Xuanshen formally handed over this pile of dragon-phoenix bone scrolls to Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian, with a wave of his hand, stored them within the Map of Mountains and Rivers, then exited the Ning Shen Palace together with Xuanshen.

His gaze shifted, glancing at the Ning Shen Palace behind the void; deep in his eyes lay some ripples.

Zhang Jian could affirm that this Fifth Prince certainly still harbored secrets.

A Dragon God of the Yin God realm could not possibly comprehend so many dragon-phoenix treasure seals.

For each dragon-phoenix treasure seal is said to contain the power of the Heaven-Earth Great Dao laws.

Zhang Jian clearly understood that unless, like him, one possessed a treasure such as the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart to enhance comprehension and focus, perhaps one might have a chance to overcome myriad difficulties and comprehend the dragon-phoenix treasure seals.

But since he had decided to form this good affinity with Xuanshen, Zhang Jian saw no need to investigate further.

Even Zhang Jian, within the jade box of the Sea God divine office, left behind a warning.

Zhang Jian's expression fluctuated, then he turned his gaze toward the dragon maiden beside him!

"Daoist Xuanshen, I also remember your matter; at an appropriate time I will lend you my aid!!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Xuanshen's eyes filled with joy.

To rescue her from suffering, for Zhang Jian it might merely be a matter of a single sentence, but for her, it is a question of life and death.

……

Inside the Ning Shen Palace

At this moment, Xuanshen slowly opened the jade box deep in his palm, only to find that besides the Sea God divine office, there was now an additional jade slip.

Xuanshen's expression turned astonished; shortly afterward, he placed the jade slip on his forehead, and after a moment a sentence appeared.

"If the ruler is not discreet, he loses his ministers; if the minister is not discreet, he loses his person; if several matters are not discreet, harm ensues; worldly wisdom refined is literature!"

This statement carried an unmistakable tone of warning.

Xuanshen's eyes flickered; though he had not experienced much of the world, he was undoubtedly a clever person.

In an instant he understood: this time he had taken out too many dragon-phoenix bone scrolls.

How could he reveal that he could replicate dragon-phoenix treasure seals!

The Lord of Dongzhou clearly was prompting him with this.

This caused a layer of cold sweat to appear on his body.

He indeed harbored a great secret; if leaked, it would surely bring heavenly calamity.

……

After obtaining those hundred-odd precious dragon-phoenix treasure seals from Xuanshen's hands, Zhang Jian did not immediately rush to comprehend them.

The treasures were already there; they could not run away for now.

At this moment he was instead gradually fusing that fourth-rank Death God office.

The fourth-rank Death God office contains power comparable to a fourth-rank immortal law; if gradually refined, it will benefit his comprehension of the Death Dao great law.

Zhang Jian prepared to seek an immortal law containing the great law of life and death, to contain it.

This refinement method is no different from his fusion of the Yin Yang Shape Refining Great Law with the innate Yin Yang Dao seed.

It can maximally avoid divine office pollution of his Dao path, lest his foundation become impure.

Yet it can still borrow the power of divine authority.

Although it similarly wastes a portion of the divine Dao law's marvels, it is still worthwhile no matter how viewed.

Zhang Jian at this moment felt some hesitation; he actually still possessed within his body a Dao method containing part of the life and death great law, and moreover it is sufficiently high-level.

That is the second-rank immortal law, the Qinglian Purify Soul Method Incantation.

Having reached this stage, the Qinglian Purify Soul Method Incantation, besides its core redemption immortal law, also contains Yin Yang, reincarnation, and life and death.

Yet Zhang Jian still rejected this idea.

Finally he chose the Nine Nether Corpse Shedding Orthodoxy.

Although the Nine Nether Corpse Shedding Orthodoxy is incomplete, it absolutely possesses enormous potential.

Zhang Jian directly took a page of paper condensed by the Nine Nether Corpse Shedding Orthodoxy and gradually absorbed the death authority into it, slowly fusing it within.

The structure of the Nine Nether Corpse Shedding Righteous Method began to take effect after incorporating the divine radiance of the godly office, and countless godly talismans related to death started to proliferate.

Zhang Jian could sense that, after the Nine Nether Corpse Shedding Righteous Method merged with the godly office of death, his control over a special heavenly and earthly law deep within the void was gradually increasing.

……

While refining the godly office of death, Zhang Jian also prepared to leave the Dragon Palace.

The time he had spent in the Dragon Palace was already long enough.

Most of what he wanted to obtain had been fulfilled as desired.

As for the deal with Xuān Hé, it was also simple—he only needed to greet Bái Shuāng.

Out of respect for Bái Shuāng, this dragon maiden valued by a great power, the Qīng Píng Dragon Lord would also treat Xuān Hé kindly.

Zhang Jian prepared to return and then perform ancestral sacrifices once more.

This time, he had resolved the collapse calamity deep in the sea eye and, in passing, liberated over a hundred remnant souls of wild gods; if he performed ancestral sacrifices, he would surely gain considerable rewards.

Immediately, Zhang Jian greeted Bái Lí Yīng and set out to depart from the Qīng Píng Dragon Palace.

Yet as he was leaving, Zhang Jian cast a glance into the depths of the Sea Eye secret realm, a fleeting strange color flashing in his eyes; a pearl appeared deep between his brows.

It was the Chì Lóng Zhū.

This strange treasure manifested a red dragon before him, which merged into his authority as the Son of Heaven and Earth Sovereign; the Emperor Star blazed brightly, faintly clashing with a mysterious divine light sweeping in from the void, which he shattered.

He let out a light snort, yet a vague sense of ill omen lingered in his eyes.

This is the Dragon Biting Lü Dongbin, who does not know a good heart!

……

In the Sea Eye secret realm

At this moment, the Qīng Píng Dragon Lord's visage was stern; after half a year of wrangling, he had finally borrowed the supreme treasure, the Guan Xin Jing, from the Nán Huá Sect.

Accompanying him was also a powerful cultivator from the Nán Huá Sect, Mèng Dào Rén.

This is a true immortal Daoist.

He is responsible for using the Guan Xin Jing to assist the Qīng Píng Dragon Palace in investigating the changes that once occurred deep in the Sea Eye.

At this moment, various qi phenomena appeared on the Guan Xin Jing, as if time were being reshaped; many qi were drawn from the depths of the river of time.

Yet most of these qi carried a trace of deathly aura, clearly indicating they had already perished.

Additionally, several qi showed that they had all converged upon a single individual.

At this moment, deep in the Sea Eye, as Mèng Dào Rén cast his spell, it seemed as if a vast divine light pierced the void, illuminating heaven and earth; gradually, a dense purple-yellow divine light emerged from within.

This purple-yellow divine light bore an aura of sovereign command over heaven and earth, supreme and exalted.

The vast imperial aura, as if transmitted through the Guan Xin Jing treasure, surged toward the two people before the mirror.

"Divine Dao Imperial Aura!"

Sensing the rising divine dao sun from within, Mèng Dào Rén's expression changed, and he hastily retracted the Guan Xin Jing.

At this moment, his forehead was drenched in cold sweat; he gazed at the somewhat dazed Qīng Píng Dragon Lord and repeatedly waved his hand, saying:

"Your Majesty Dragon Lord, let this matter end here—we cannot continue investigating further, otherwise..."

The Qīng Píng Dragon Lord nodded repeatedly.

Cold sweat also appeared on his back.

An existence bearing the Divine Dao Imperial Aura—such a being is not something they dare to offend.

Let us instead investigate what we can.

For example, the Outer Realm Demon Gods!