Chapter 446

Zhang Jian's eyes narrowed with a cold smile.

If they want to snatch the Zhang family's bride, then I might as well go and snatch theirs first.

First, cut off their arms.

……

Gǎn Prefecture, Five Elements Mountain

Five Elements Mountain is likewise an ancient divine mountain; legend says it was formed when primordial yin-yang and the five elements' essence fell to earth and transformed.

The Five Elements Immortal Sect that once occupied this place was once unrivaled in its time.

In the middle ages, it had produced more than one high-ranking immortal, but after encountering calamity, the mighty fell one after another, either perishing or fleeing far away, and the sect once teetered on the brink of collapse.

In the Five Elements Heavenly King Hall, at this moment several towering figures gathered in the main hall.

Seated in the place of honor was a powerful true immortal of the Five Elements Immortal Sect, Déyáng Lǎozǔ.

Beside him were Hòuyáng Lǎozǔ, Qǐyáng Lǎozǔ, and Jiǔyuán Lǎozǔ, three Yuánshén True Lords.

Next was Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn, the sect master.

For an immortal sect's lineage to produce five Yuánshén True Lords shows that the Five Elements Immortal Sect's power far surpasses that of other immortal sect lineages.

However, regarding Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn's decision, the other few Yuánshén True Lords were somewhat worried.

Déyáng Lǎozǔ, on the contrary, was comparatively supportive.

Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn's eyes flashed with a stern look as he said.

"The intentions of the Tóngshān lineage are now clear: they wish to alone rule the Divine Prefecture, which means they seek to cut off our path. We do not know how many years the Tóngshān lineage intends to rule the Divine Prefecture, but once they do, our hope of achieving immortal bodies will be nearly a dream. Do you, my fellow martial brothers, truly wish to live under the Tóngshān lineage's whim, hearts in our throats?"

Hòuyáng Lǎozǔ's eyes flickered with an unusual light.

After attaining the Yuánshén True Lord stage, our lifespans are long, so we can actually wait; the only concern is that, by then, we might be dragged in by the Tóngshān lineage and used as cannon fodder, which would be terrible.

However, deep in his heart, Hòuyáng Lǎozǔ likewise supports Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn.

He only said: "That Jī family is probably not kind either; if we wish to ally with them, they may not be willing!"

In fact, Hòuyáng Lǎozǔ is even more worried that we will ultimately become a pawn of the Jī family.

The Five Elements Immortal Sect wishes to draw the Jī family into the fray as a strong ally, but the other side likely has their own motives.

Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn is of medium build, middle-aged in appearance.

His face is pale with faint whiskers, dressed extremely plainly; observing his face, he is indeed a peerless handsome man, and upon hearing the words, he smiled faintly.

"Actually, it's not just the Jī family—other holy king clans, true immortal families, and even the demon gods of the barbaric regions are unwilling to see the Tóngshān lineage unify the Eastern Suspension Divine Prefecture. Now all major powers are tightening alliances, huddling together for warmth!"

"The Jī family has produced not just one holy king; they are the undisputed giant among the Eight Holy King Clans. If our Five Elements Immortal Sect could gain the Jī family's support, we could to some extent deter the Tóngshān lineage!"

"As for the terms, I have already negotiated with them: the Jī family's Jī Yáo has taken a liking to Bīngyún, and they have offered the condition that as long as Bīngyún joins the Jī family, the Jī family will naturally have reason to protect the Five Elements Immortal Sect!"

"Bīngyún?"

Upon hearing Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn's words, several True Lords in the hall had grim faces, their eyes filled with anger.

Mèng Bīngyún is the most outstanding genius of the Five Elements Immortal Sect in a thousand years, possessing a special innate Dao body; though she has cultivated for less than two hundred years, she has already reached the Yin God Venerable realm.

She is an exceptionally outstanding true seed of the Five Elements Immortal Sect, and most rare of all, her constitution perfectly matches the sect's cultivation methods.

"The Jī family's appetite is not small—using merely a concubine's son, they wish to marry our Five Elements Immortal Sect's immortal seed; this is surely too much!"

The usually silent and taciturn Qǐyáng Lǎozǔ's eyes flashed with thunderous anger.

Mèng Bīngyún is his most proud disciple.

To take Mèng Bīngyún away would be no different from carving out his heart.

"Sect Master, I absolutely disagree with this matter!"

"Senior Brother, this concerns the sect's ten-thousand-year plan; please, Senior Brother, consider the greater good!"

Seeing Qǐyáng Lǎozǔ about to erupt, Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn's face instantly showed a hint of sincere pleading.

"Qǐyáng Senior Brother, I also know that Bīngyún is your heart's treasure, even regarded as your own daughter, whom you personally guide and teach. But now the sect can only rely on the Jī family's strength to stand invincible. Bīngyún is your kin, but also the sect's future. If not truly left with no choice, I would never have entertained such a thought!"

The other two Yuánshén True Lords silently watched this scene.

Qǐyáng Lǎozǔ's face was icy cold; he glanced indifferently at Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn.

"Junior Brother, though Jī Yáo is merely a concubine's son of the Jī family patriarch, even if his maternal side is influential, he is ultimately not a legitimate son, his own resources limited; in the future, he may well not treat Bīngyún kindly, and from my perspective, this move is not without disrespect to our Five Elements Immortal Sect. Should our sect encounter trouble later, they may well not honor their promise!"

Qǐyáng Lǎozǔ stared coldly at the frowning Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn.

"Junior Brother, Bīngyún marrying over is not impossible, but at the very least, she should be matched with a promising young hero, not a useless concubine's son!"

"This..."

A flicker of unusual light passed through Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn's eyes; he could not possibly tell the other party that he had already taken their bribe in advance, and was about to persuade further.

Just then, a distant, lingering voice echoed from the depths of the void.

"What Qǐyáng True Lord said is extremely correct—why waste your geniuses by marrying into the Jī family's cold backside? They may not even value your three melons and two dates. Marrying into our Tóngshān lineage's warm backside would be far better. My Great Xia Dynasty has just been newly built, the inner palace likewise lacks people. In my view, why not enter my Great Xia's rear court?!"

The voice was clear and cold, slightly tinged with mockery.

Upon these words, the five figures in the hall rose as one; Déyáng Lǎozǔ, seated in the place of honor, turned his eyes toward the depths of the void and shouted in a deep voice.

"Bold! Who dares to intrude upon the Five Elements Immortal Sect without permission?"

His eyes faintly glowed with a purple-gold light, clearly having cultivated an exceptionally fierce infantile immortal method, but though his gaze swept across the void, he saw no omen.

The other four Yuánshén True Lords also rose, as if facing a great enemy.

But then, from the depths of the void, a calm voice came.

"What intrusion? You speak so harshly—clearly, it is you who have intruded into my spatial domain. Try it: are you already unable to move, become my captive?"

A cold voice emerged, now approaching from afar, like the vast desert heaven above the azure sky, with countless winds and clouds shifting around.

The Five Elements Heavenly King Hall collapsed, the surroundings seeming to turn into billions of stars; above the star river hung a purple sun, and a supremely majestic Divine Path Emperor emerged, as if walking from the Purple Microcosm. His form was majestic, as if he held heaven and earth, with billions of stars closely following.

Purple eyes gazed upon them, and the majestic divine might seemed to pierce straight into the hearts of the five.

Wàn Yáng Zhēnjūn, Qǐyáng Zhēnjūn, Hòuyáng Zhēnjūn, and Jiǔyuán Lǎozǔ could not withstand it at first; their bodies were already unable to move.

For a moment, the four people's expressions were shocked.

But Deyang Laozu dared not move his whole body; at this moment, countless Taiyin Ice Soul Divine Lights above his head turned into cold currents flowing silently, as if forming an ice river covering the void, his body hair stood on end, and a terrifying shadow of death enveloped his heart.

He felt that if he made the slightest movement, he might turn into ice and wither.

He would surely die!

At this moment, Zhang Jian gradually revealed his true form; divine light around him turned into a magnificent treasure wheel, encircling behind him.

Divine power like the sea.

At this time, he gazed at the five people with a smiling and calm expression.

"Gentlemen, how is my proposal?"

"Emperor of the Great Xia!"

At this moment, Deyang Laozu had already recognized Zhang Jian; his face was extremely shocked.

He had personally participated in the Ascension Ceremony of the Tongshan Dao Tong, so he had naturally seen Zhang Jian with his own eyes.

Moreover, he had seen Zhang Jian on the same stage as the other three generations of Yuanshen True Lords; such treatment was rare among the fourth-generation true inheritors of Tongshan.

Among the other four Yuanshen True Lords, Houyang Zhenjun had also seen Zhang Jian; at this moment, his face was equally shocked.

When he first saw Zhang Jian, Zhang Jian was still unknown, and had only just stepped into the Yuanshen realm not long ago.

After more than twenty years without seeing each other, the other party's cultivation had actually reached such an exaggerated level.

This is truly the pride of heaven.

Facing Zhang Jian's icy, sword-like gaze, Deyang Laozu spoke in a deep voice.

"Since it is the kind intention of the Emperor of Great Xia, we, the Five Elements Immortal Sect, shall naturally obey; we are willing to send Bingyun into the rear court of the Great Xia Dynasty as a consort!"

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered; he was not actually taken with this immortal seed of the Five Elements Immortal Sect, nor did he have base thoughts just because she was beautiful.

He was merely giving the people of the Five Elements Immortal Sect a better way out.

After all, entering the rear court of the Great Xia is much better than marrying into the Ji family's branch line.

This is leaving a thread of life for the Five Elements Immortal Sect.

After all, the immortal sect is not the Taiyin Demon Palace or the Asura Demon Sect, those demonic sects that extinguish human ethics.

Next, Wanyang Zhenjun opened his mouth; his face was somewhat gloomy. Zhang Jian's gaze shifted and fell upon him, and he greeted him amiably.

"Daoist Wanyang, did you receive favors from the Ji family, making you feel unable to give them an explanation? I have a good idea here that can let you avoid embarrassment!"

At this moment, a glint of dangerous cold light flashed in the depths of Zhang Jian's eyes.

Upon hearing this, the other four Daoists turned their gazes toward Wanyang Zhenjun; seeing his expression change, the four Daoists had various looks in their eyes, and Yangyang Laozu's face turned even darker, his eyes gloomy as he stared at Wanyang Zhenjun.

Wanyang Zhenjun's heart skipped a beat; indeed, he soon saw the expressions of the other four strongmen of the Five Elements Immortal Sect change, and he silently greeted this Emperor of Great Xia in his heart, but on his lips he could not utter a single harsh word.

He forced a smile onto his face.

"Your Majesty jests; the Ji family actually sending a branch son to dismiss us Five Elements Immortal Sect is truly unfilial. The Emperor of Great Xia taking a liking to Bingyun is rescuing Master Meng's niece from suffering; the Great Xia is rich in resources and its people prosperous, and the Emperor is a sage ruler—Bingyun following Your Majesty will surely attain enlightenment and immortality, not become a cauldron and meet a tragic end!"

Zhang Jian knew that Meng Bingyun was a peerless genius rare in thousands of years for the Five Elements Immortal Sect, possessing the innate Xuanpin Dao Body.

This is an extremely special innate Dao Body, pure in essence, containing continuous innate essence; cultivating any immortal method with this Dao Body is effortless.

However, the most precious thing is the Xuanpin Yuanjing she formed; if refined, it greatly aids in breaking through realms and transforming foundations.

Zhang Jian looked at Wanyang Zhenjun with a half-smile and said:

"Will it not be too much of a strain?"

Wanyang Zhenjun hurriedly said: "Bingyun being able to become a consort to Your Majesty is her fortune!"

Zhang Jian nodded, and with a wave of his hand, he casually gave Wanyang Zhenjun a "Pure Soul Qinglian"; the "Pure Soul Qinglian" turned into a spell that entered deep into Wanyang Zhenjun's glabella.

Facing the trembling gazes of the five people, Zhang Jian spoke lightly.

"This is my supreme spell; if you follow my will, it will be fine; if you outwardly comply but inwardly defy, beware that this spell will activate, causing your Yuanshen to collapse and vanish into ashes and smoke!"

Zhang Jian rarely bestows the "Qinglian Pure Soul Spell," because he feels it unnecessary; most people he directly annihilates from the depths of their Yuanshen.

Or he chooses to trust them completely.

Only for high-level cultivators with problematic character will he use the "Qinglian Pure Soul Spell to control."

On the ground, after receiving a "Qinglian Pure Soul Spell," Wanyang Zhenjun felt a chill in his heart, and deep inside he still felt somewhat wronged.

This Emperor of Great Xia also seems to be bullying others too much.

Clearly there are five people in the hall, plus a true immortal, yet he only gave him a "Pure Soul Qinglian," while the others perfectly avoided it.

However, he dare not speak of this, lest his fellow disciples who already have opinions of him strike him down at that time.

Zhang Jian immediately prepared to take his leave.

But before leaving, he turned around again and spoke lightly.

"By the way, in a few days, my Great Xia Dynasty will send additional envoys to reside in the Five Elements Immortal Sect; please prepare, Five Elements Immortal Sect!"

After a slight pause, Zhang Jian coldly laughed.

"I am very tolerant, but I cannot tolerate anyone deceiving me; I hope many Daoist friends will not disappoint me!"

After thinking, Zhang Jian spoke again.

"Also, you must not forget to personally send my Meng consort to Haojing City!"

After saying this, Zhang Jian withdrew the Mountain River State Diagram that sealed the void in the hall; his figure vanished in a single step.

Yet the five people in the hall were as if they had snatched back a life from the gates of hell, each of their faces undergoing intense changes.

At this moment, upon hearing Zhang Jian's words again, everyone's faces drooped down.

This Emperor of Great Xia clearly regards the Five Elements Immortal Sect as a vassal of Great Xia.

The Five Elements Immortal Sect has been passed down for ten thousand years, yet it has not yet sunk to this point; the five people feel unwilling, but at this moment there is nothing they can do, for their lives are now entirely in the other's hands.

The words spoken by the Emperor of Great Xia before his departure are precisely a warning.

……

In the depths of the void, taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhang Jian seized the Ji family's 'bamboo shoots' in one fell swoop, and did not prepare to take in one breath the Xuanji Sect and the Shangqing Sword School that followed.

After recovering the Five Elements Immortal Sect, which was the most jubilant of the jumping sects, the remaining two major sects were no longer a problem.

The two hundred prefectures of the southeast were basically already in the pocket of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Zhang Jian, in half a year's time, Zhang Zhao's wedding preparations were the most ready.

The Ji family, and those other true immortal clans, the barbaric wilderness demon gods are different from the Five Elements Immortal Sect, and their power is not easy to deal with.

Zhang Jian must escort and protect Zhang Zhao.

……

Half a year later, the auspicious day of mid-spring approaches.

In the city of Haojing, up and down, at this moment it seemed to have turned into a sea of fiery red, all filled with the flavor of celebration.

Throughout the court and among the common folk, everyone knew that the Great Xia Dynasty was about to marry the heavenly pride daughter of the sacred king's clan, the Shi family, although most commoners did not know the background of the Shi family's daughter, but it did not prevent the commoners from rejoicing for the imperial family.

Since the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty, wealth has been stored among the people.

Thanks to the many high-yield crops, many commoners have gradually shaken off hunger and poverty, the vast majority can eat their fill, and over half the populace has escaped poverty and suffering, local politics is clear and upright, although contradictions still exist, but compared to the Great Qian, it has improved tremendously.

For the Great Xia Dynasty, the multitude of commoners naturally approve from the heart.

At this moment, deep in the imperial palace, Zhang Jian, Qi Yuhua, and Bai Li Ying have already prepared all the wedding carriages, personnel, and horses, ready to set out for Guyi Prefecture to fetch the bride.

Before the imperial palace square, however, Zhang Jian slightly waved his hand, and void fire clouds appeared!

Seven scarlet pulse fire dragons were born from the fire, their bodies coiling tens of zhang in length, their scales showing a crimson red, as if a newborn scarlet dragon, even more noble than the true dragon race, and in an instant they entered under the dragon's deterrence.

Amid the sound of ancient bronze bells, the seven scarlet dragons pulled Zhang Zhao's party and instantly flew into the azure void.