Chapter 438: Marriage Alliance (4K)

At this moment, the four desolate god-kings joined forces to form an array, and a grand killing array took shape.

This killing array seemed to swallow the boundless heavens and earth, the four individuals' auras merging as one, their auras perfectly harmonious and flawless.

This killing array was called the Primordial Myriad Phenomena Grand Array.

The four individuals' power remained eternally primordial and flawless, complete and without defect, the four as one.

Yet, in the depths of the void, four layers of ocean-like water-element Dao laws merged, resembling countless towering waves trapping a sea demon god.

"Get lost!"

Gazing upon this scene, the sea demon god's countenance darkened; he extended his claws, and his entire body's grand water-attribute demonic qi transformed into surging tidal floods, rushing forth like a waterfall.

This was his divine domain.

He was the sea demon god; though an evil god's incarnation, he likewise held the divine office of the sea realm. At this moment, his divine domain expanded, countless massive waves attempting to directly destroy the Primordial Myriad Phenomena Grand Array.

Yet, he had not expected that the divine authority imbued with the sea god's divine office would sweep in, not only failing to suppress the four gods' water-element divine authority, but instead being continually purified, suppressed, and drained by the flowing water, its power gradually seeping away and absorbed.

A flash of anger flickered in his eyes.

At the same time, there was a hint of astonishment in his gaze—the divine authority wielded by these four special deities was actually not inferior to his own.

According to normal logic, even if he was merely a partial soul manifestation at this moment, carrying his foreign divine office and his application of divine authority should not have degraded; suppressing the opponent should have been effortless.

Clearly, this sea demon god had still underestimated the four desolate god-kings.

At their peak, the four great desolate god-kings were not necessarily weaker than him at his peak.

In anger, this sea demon god no longer prepared to delay; a dense divine light reappeared deep between his brows, his form suddenly transforming into a colossal divine power vortex, resembling a world-ending flood swallowing the heavens, instantly engulfing the Primordial Myriad Phenomena Grand Array.

Streams of water-element Dao laws—even the four divine lights within—were instantly engulfed and swallowed by the massive divine power vortex.

The flood surged forth, rapidly spreading toward the region where Zhang Jian was located.

At this moment, Zhang Jian had already prepared, pouring grand and vast mana into his hand-held third-rank immortal treasure, the Taiyin Ice Soul Immortal Bow, activating three third-rank immortal arts within it.

These three third-rank immortal arts either granted armor-piercing, or speed, or ice sealing.

Ocean-like divine power condensed deep in his palm, instantly forming a brilliant, entirely transparent ice crystal arrow.

In an instant, a Taiyin divine arrow pierced the void, formless radiance bursting forth, instantly striking the massive vortex that had just erupted from the Primordial Myriad Phenomena Grand Array; the Taiyin divine arrow transformed the great vortex into a vast expanse of profound ice stretching hundreds of li.

After one arrow, Zhang Jian also felt his mana and cultivation diminished by more than half.

Such full eruption of a third-rank immortal treasure truly consumed an astonishing amount of mana and cultivation.

At this moment, Zhang Jian drew upon the power of the Rivers and Mountains Societal Map, beginning to rapidly devour the earth, the wandering heavenly and earthly spiritual qi in the void swiftly restoring his cultivation, while he once again raised his hand-held third-rank immortal treasure, the Taiyin Ice Soul Immortal Bow.

This time, he did not continue to fully unleash the treasure's power.

Another full blast, and he might completely lose his ability to resist.

He merely activated his innate cultivation method, the Taiyin Shape-Refining Grand Art, condensing it into an arrow that coalesced and appeared.

The arrow light locked onto the profound ice, and he continuously fired three arrows.

With the immortal and indestructible spiritual light power of the Taiyin Shape-Refining Grand Art sealing ice, Zhang Jian gradually lowered the Taiyin Ice Soul Immortal Bow.

He believed that at this moment, the sea demon god had only one outcome: to fall.

The Taiyin Shape-Refining Grand Art's immortal and indestructible spiritual light power was quite unique; it possessed an almost indestructible nature—unless one's cultivation was profound enough to a certain level, and one's own mana likewise possessed the same indestructible ability, it could not be dispelled; otherwise, no matter how refined, it would tenaciously ice-seal cultivation, mana, and primordial spirit.

Even among third-rank immortal treasures, he had never discovered such a property.

Within the vast expanse of Taiyin profound ice stretching hundreds of li, the sea demon god at this moment widened his eyes, his gaze filled entirely with anger, though his form was now ice-sealed by a peculiar cold qi, this cold air continually drilling into the depths of his primordial spirit.

The strength of this cold air was such that even his sea god divinity, and even a portion of his ice authority, struggled to resist.

It was not a matter of inferior essence; in truth, the divine authority and divine office contained deep within his primordial spirit at this moment still surpassed third-rank immortal arts in nature, merely the quantity was too little.

The origin, mana, and cultivation contained within this sea demon god's body had only recovered to the level of an earth immortal—how could he withstand a full-powered strike from a third-rank immortal treasure?

The sea demon god had also never expected Zhang Jian to possess a third-rank immortal treasure.

Thereafter, the three Taiyin Shape-Refining Grand Art-formed Taiyin Shape-Refining divine arrows became his death talisman.

An endless stream of Taiyin spiritual light continually flowed into his primordial spirit.

Gradually ice-sealing his purplish-black primordial spirit, which resembled the rising sun, even though various third-rank immortal arts were activated, it was nonetheless slowly consumed, frozen to death, and turned to dust.

Zhang Jian also faintly perceived this scene, his eyes rippling.

He knew this might be the direction of his future cultivation.

Many immortal arts within would henceforth take this as their direction, until possessing immortal and indestructible spiritual power—only then might he truly deserve the title of True Divine Emperor, sovereign over the universe and heavens.

Shortly thereafter, in the depths of the void profound ice, countless purplish-black blood surfaced, gradually turning the azure ice crystals purplish-black; countless demonic qi were likewise refined by the Taiyin Refining Grand Art's peculiar cold power, shattered into the formless, the cold air invading and turning to nothingness.

With a wave of his hand, Zhang Jian reabsorbed that grand cold qi.

The divine-soul forms of the four great desolate gods also emerged from within; their divine-soul forms appeared as if they could be overturned at any moment, they had been backlashed and severely wounded by the sea demon god, their divine souls again ice-sealed, though not specifically targeted, they had suffered injuries.

However, their divine-soul imprints remained deep within the Azure Lotus Pure Soul Mantra, so there was no need to worry—even if their souls flew and spirits scattered, through the divine-soul imprints they could still gradually recover their true forms.

However, they would be of no use for a short time.

At the same time, Zhang Jian noticed purplish-black faceted divine crystals appearing deep in his palm.

The largest was the size of a pigeon's egg, the smallest the size of a grain of rice.

"Divine authority!"

Gazing upon these purplish-black faceted crystals, Zhang Jian glanced at them, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

These faceted divine crystals were likely already branded with the demon god's mark by this extramundane demon god, already contaminated, and could not be absorbed.

Zhang Jian thought it over, then simply activated the Heavenly Realm Divine Fire to completely refine them into nothingness.

This could also be considered repaying heaven and earth.

Zhang Jian's gaze swept once more over the surrounding void; he thought it over, then with a wave of his hand released Bai Liying anew from the Rivers and Mountains Societal Map.

"Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing Zhang Jian's form, Bai Liying's eyes held a concerned expression.

Though within the Rivers and Mountains Societal Map, Bai Liying could clearly see how terrifying that extramundane demon god was.

"Your Highness, don't worry, it's just an extradimensional demon god. I have slain such fiends before!"

Zhang Jian's expression was serene and composed.

Still, deep down, Zhang Jian felt a sense of relief.

A fully manifested extradimensional demon god is truly terrifying, far beyond those that have not yet emerged or fully descended.

Had it not been for the use of several treasures on his person, he might not have been able to slay this extradimensional demon god.

Soon after, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Jian's mouth.

Slaying this fully formed extradimensional sea demon god should benefit him in gathering resources from the ancestral shrine.

Calming the sea eye, slaying the Wilderness God Sovereign, and now slaying this extradimensional sea demon god—he should be able to obtain a treasure in the ancestral shrine.

Zhang Jian's heart was already eager to return.

……

But before departing, Zhang Jian glanced once more at the Changlin Prefecture before Bai Liying.

"Your Majesty, I observe this land is primitive and close to the two realm meridians; there may well be hidden blessed lands and spiritual mountains within. Since we have come, let us tour this prefecture—see if we can find a superior blessed land and cavern heaven for the Zhang clan as a future foundation!"

Bai Liying smiled upon hearing this.

"If Your Majesty has decided, I am willing to follow!"

Zhang Jian nodded slightly upon hearing her words.

The two immediately transformed into escape light and headed deep into Changlin Prefecture.

As Zhang Jian had anticipated, this region lies near the two realm meridians, teeming with barbaric and exotic species, mountain spirits, and wild tribes—indeed, it lacks no superior spiritual mountains and blessed lands.

The two successively selected two spiritually abundant mountains as backup options.

After penetrating deep into the Two Realm Mountains' main vein, Zhang Jian and Bai Liying paused before a vast lake surrounded by green mountains and clear waters.

This is a magnificent great lake, rich in spiritual energy, surging with primordial and wild essence.

Bai Liying, being of the Xuanming Dragon Carp lineage, naturally affinity with water.

Zhang Jian's primordial spirit and divine sense are vast and sensitive; he could feel numerous ancient aquatic exotic species dwelling within this great lake.

At this moment, his gaze swept over the surroundings; Bai Liying's eyes brightened slightly, and Zhang Jian likewise felt joy rise in his heart. The couple exchanged a glance, each understanding the other's intent—this place is highly suitable as a future cavern heaven for the Zhang clan.

"This location follows the pattern of two dragons vying for a pearl: abundant water dragon energy, with a substantial water system spiritual vein hidden within. More difficult is that the terrain traps wind and gathers water—internally exquisite, externally clumsy. If properly arranged, it can likewise open up multiple cultivation blessed lands!"

Zhang Jian's eyes shimmered, and Bai Liying also spoke.

"What is even rarer is that this place is not far from the overseas cultivation realm and the Qingli Prefecture cultivation realm. The only drawback is its proximity to the barbaric regions—future dealings with the demon tribes are inevitable!"

Bai Liying was also extremely pleased with this place.

Zhang Jian smiled upon hearing her words.

"No matter—the demon tribes of the barbaric regions will not be a problem for the future Zhang clan; rather, they will be treasure troves!"

Zhang Jian's face remained calm, his eyes holding confidence and a hint of contemplation.

For a clan to grow, it must inevitably face some dangers; the demon tribes and exotic beasts of the barbaric regions are the finest whetstone for the Zhang clan.

What is even more valuable is that these demon tribes each possess considerable wealth.

Hunting these demons not only tempers disciples but also provides them with precious cultivation resources—truly a two-fold benefit.

Orthodox cultivators cannot lack wealth, partners, methods, or land.

Wealth comes first.

After confirming this Two Dragon Mountain as the Zhang clan's overseas retreat, they began actively preparing.

Zhang Jian first laid down the Dream Wander Grand Void Array.

Bai Liying then entered the lake to cleanse and suppress the demon tribes and exotic species within.

As a divine beast born of the carp clan, her innate bloodline is sufficient to suppress many aquatic exotic species and spirit beasts—this poses no difficulty for Bai Liying.

At Two Dragon Mountain, the two made a rough preliminary arrangement.

As for future planning—where to set up the Spirit Gathering Grand Array, transplant spiritual herbs, or how to collect blessed lands and cavern heavens, and set up prohibitive laws—these require thorough preparation by each household, and this process will undoubtedly take a long time.

Zhang Jian also left a spatial coordinate at Two Dragon Mountain for easy travel, then swiftly returned with Bai Liying to the fertile lands of Dongzhou.

……

Meanwhile, Qingping Dragon Lord and others still did not know that the extradimensional demon god, the great peril of Qingping Sea, had already been eradicated by Zhang Jian. At this moment, they were accompanying the Daoist Meng of Nanhua Sect in a full-scale search for the demon god's traces.

But after searching for years, seeing no trace of the extradimensional demon god, Qingping Dragon Palace and Nanhua Sect could only abandon the search.

Yet the Qingping Dragon Clan, upper and lower, remained anxious, able only to bind their clansmen, forbidding them from wandering alone.

……

Dongzhou Fertile Lands—after Zhang Jian and Bai Liying returned, they silently entered the Hao Jing City Imperial Palace.

Bai Liying still returned to the depths of the Western Palace to cultivate beneath the Yin Yin Treasure Tree.

This journey to Qingping Sea awakened her Xuanming Dragon Carp bloodline, condensed her divine beast form, and she now needs a period of arduous cultivation to fully master the divine beast inheritance.

One can imagine the coming period will be her time of explosive growth.

Zhang Jian, after integrating his gains, first extracted the Three Light Divine Water from within his body, dripping one drop onto the buried flat peach pit, another onto the tree stump obtained from the Evening Moon Cavern Heaven, attempting to see if these two spiritual objects of heaven and earth could take root and sprout.

The remaining drop of Three Light Divine Water he stored away, keeping it for backup.

Such a precious treasure can be used to save lives at critical moments.

After receiving the Three Light Divine Water's nourishment, the flat peach pit clearly showed signs of taking root and sprouting in a short time, as if the vital energy within the pit had been instantly activated.

Meanwhile, the other tree stump remained unchanged, prompting a doubt: had he mistaken? Had this strange tree stump already lost its vitality, unable to recover?

But Zhang Jian could affirm that the tree stump certainly still possessed vitality.

Yet seeing it still unable to take root and sprout, Zhang Jian could do nothing but passively wait.

As for the final drop of Three Light Divine Water, he would certainly not waste it again.

……

After processing the three drops of Three Radiance Divine Water, Zhang Jian once again held a grand ancestral worship ceremony.

In the Ancestral Temple.

This time, Zhang Jian brought Qi Yuhua, as well as Crown Prince Zhang Zhao, and the young Nanyang Princess for the ancestral worship.

In the temple, the young Nanyang Princess, whose height did not reach Qi Yuhua's waist, tightly held Qi Yuhua's hand, her black-and-white clear eyes gazing curiously at this solemn and reverent temple.

Before the temple, piles of gold and silver ingots had already been stacked up like small hills.

These piles of gold and silver ingots, resembling small hills, could be called the greatest in multiple ancestral worship ceremonies.

They even surpassed the ancestral worship ceremony at the founding of the state.

Yet, one could see the various gold and silver ingots in the great cauldron at the center slowly burning, turning into green smoke.

Zhang Jian gazed as the piles of gold and silver ingots, like small hills, disappeared, and the smile deep in his eyes grew increasingly rich; this time, it looked like he would prosper.

At this moment, amidst the piles of gold and silver ingots like small hills, there was also a spiritual treasure gradually turning into green smoke.

It was a treasure mirror.

It was the Yin Treasure Mirror he had refined based on the Yin Great Dao principles.

He was still performing a ritual offering of a spiritual treasure.

It was also the first time he had refined a spiritual treasure of the Primordial Spirit level.

He had originally worried whether the offering would succeed.

But it seemed he had been worrying needlessly.

After the ritual offering was completed, Zhang Jian then discussed another major matter with Qi Yuhua.

The marriage affair of Zhang Zhao.