Chapter 451

The power of fulfilled obsession giving back is immense, and at this moment Zhang Jian even felt he could directly break through the heavenly tribulation and attain a true immortal's body.

But what he sought was not a true immortal, but directly attaining a celestial immortal's body.

Yet this change also greatly aided him.

With the breakthrough of his primordial spirit's Dao heart, his control over the many immortal law structures deep within his primordial spirit's sea of awareness was invisibly elevated to a higher level.

From the depths of his primordial spirit's Dao heart, threads of light like clear moonlight overflowed, the pure radiance flowing.

Beneath this pure radiance, Zhang Jian felt his grasp over many heavenly and earthly laws, invisibly gaining a sense of effortless mastery.

Previously, when he operated many immortal laws, although his unique insight allowed perfect control, during use he dared not entertain the slightest stray thought, lest he suffer backlash from the immortal law or fail in casting.

But now he felt that with a thought, the laws followed, controlling all manner of immortal laws, including the authority of the State and Emperor, becoming more free and at ease.

Zhang Jian's eyes held a smile as they fell upon Zhang Zhao and Shi Lier.

Zhao'er, Crown Princess, since you have already married, it also means you can now establish your own mansion and open your own office, independently govern a region. Zhao'er, in future court affairs you still need to shoulder more responsibility!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhao immediately straightened his body and slightly clasped his hands.

"Yes, Father Emperor!"

Zhang Jian pondered again and then spoke.

"Not long from now, the two hundred great continents of the southeast will also be incorporated into the territory of the Great Xia Dynasty; as for how to accept these two hundred great continents of the southeast, Zhao'er, you still need to work with the cabinet ministers to draft a specific charter!"

Zhang Zhao could not help but raise his head; even with his composure, his heart held some surprise.

He then softly assented.

Zhang Zhao's eyes also held some joy.

It seemed this father emperor of his had made up his mind to re-expand.

However, incorporating the territory of the two hundred southeastern states into the rule of the Great Xia Dynasty would not be easy.

The prefectures of the two hundred southeastern great continents are not individual commanderies; the land of one state is vast, not inferior to the Eastern Continent by much, and some great continents even exceed it in area.

To swallow such vast territory at once into the Great Xia Dynasty's governance, given the dynasty's size, would likely be difficult.

Zhang Jian then waved his hand, gesturing for the young couple to go to the Central Palace and Western Palace to pay respects.

After the two departed, Zhang Jian slightly sensed the depths of his primordial spirit's origin flow, that grand mass of immortal Dao law origin.

At this moment, deep within his sea of awareness, there were still two heavenly and earthly marvels, and a divine office continuously exerting their effect; contemplating these two heavenly and earthly marvels and this divine office, Zhang Jian's condensed immortal Dao law origin became increasingly grand.

Specifically, these three treasures are: the primordial Great Yin Dao law pattern seed, the 'Heart of Dimension,' and the divine office of Death.

The primordial Great Yin Dao law was integrated into the second-rank immortal law, the Great Yin Refining Form Great Law.

The 'Heart of Dimension' was integrated into the third-rank immortal law, the Mountains, Rivers, State and Dao Diagram.

The divine office of Death was integrated into the first-rank immortal law, the Nine Nether Corpse Shedding Proper Law.

By relying on the perfection of these three immortal laws, Zhang Jian also drew parallels, condensing his own immortal Dao law origin.

His immortal Dao law origin will still take the Mountains, Rivers, State Diagram as its main trunk, with the State Great Dao as its core, integrating earth, life and death, creation, yin and yang, five elements, time and space, etc., ultimately forming his own unique immortal Dao law.

This is the unique path he has chosen.

Integrating the paths of the two ancient earth goddesses from mythological legends, embodying the paths of these two earth goddesses, Zhang Jian does not know where his final path will lead, but he will persist on his own path until he sees the final scenery.

……

In the Central Palace and Western Palace, the two empresses had long since learned of the crown prince and crown princess entering the palace and had already made preparations.

But after leaving the Western Palace, Shi Lier's expression became solemn, and she sighed somewhat.

"I never expected that within the Western Palace there would actually be hidden such a cultivation blessed land; the name of the Yin Treasure Tree, I have also heard before, and among the many heavenly and earthly spiritual roots in this realm, it is sufficient to rank among the foremost, especially for nourishing the soul and enhancing wisdom, for cultivators primarily practicing Yin-attribute immortal laws, it is even a treasure for attaining the Dao!"

Shi Lier praised the Yin Treasure Tree without end.

Zhang Zhao laughed.

"The Western Palace mistress has already acknowledged you; from now on, as crown princess you may freely go to the Western Palace to cultivate!"

Shi Lier nodded slightly, and there was also joy in her eyes.

Although her cultivation method is not Yin-attribute, but primarily water-attribute cultivation, yet with the aid of the Yin Treasure Tree she can nourish the soul, which is of great help for breaking through the Yin Spirit realm.

At this moment, she also gradually relaxed in her heart.

The foundation of the Zhang clan is deeper than she imagined; it seems that in the Eastern Continent, the speed of cultivation in the future will not fall short of that of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Even because the number of cultivators in the Great Xia imperial clan is somewhat fewer, the cultivation resources they can share, and the use of cultivation blessed lands, may even exceed those of the Great Yu Dynasty.

This is what puts Shi Lier most at ease.

She is an innate Dao-body, a heaven-born true seed; if, due to cultivation method and resource issues, she ultimately falls behind her brothers and sisters in the Great Yu Dynasty, although she had prepared as best as possible, she would still likely feel some loss.

Zhang Zhao noticed the change in the crown princess's mindset, and he too was quite interested.

The crown princess is ultimately his legitimate wife; he hopes that in the future the two can simultaneously become Dao partners, naturally hoping the crown princess can truly integrate into the Great Xia Dynasty.

After thinking, Zhang Zhao again said: "Recently I heard that Father Emperor intends to build a water-attribute cultivation secret realm in the White Water of Fengyang Commandery, with the main construction material being a water-attribute divine office, into which various water-attribute profundities will be implanted, even including a profundity of innate true water; you cultivate the fundamental secret method of the Great Yu Dynasty, the 'Water Virtue True Classic,' so you might try it, perhaps there will be additional gains!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Lier's eyes moved.

Innate true water is the manifestation of the water-attribute great Dao law of heaven and earth, itself being a near-Dao object; she naturally wants to try to see if she can contemplate a part of its profundity.

If she can contemplate a part of the innate true water profundity, it will be beneficial for her spellcasting and even when facing strong enemies.

Afterwards, Zhang Zhao and Shi Lier also went once to the residence of the Grand Emperor and Grand Empress Dowager in the Xuan De Palace, to pay respects.

After that, only then were all the procedures completed.

……

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zhang Xian and Zhang Chang'an were preparing to each depart with their sect's elders.

Their Dao laws were not yet complete, so they could not travel on their own; on the contrary, Zhang Yi had just achieved initial Dao accomplishment, and with the Slaying Demon True Monarch still assisting in coordination and garrisoning within the Great Xia Dynasty, he could accompany the Western Palace Empress Bai Liying, frequently entering the palace to pay respects.

Zhang Jian also took advantage of this opportunity to re-teach Zhang Yi, Zhang Zhao, and Shi Lier, answering questions and resolving doubts.

As a 'worldly experienced' cultivator, Zhang Jian undoubtedly is extremely professional in this regard, his self-created secret laws being countless.

Although most of them are not very effective.

But since ancient times, there has never been a useless secret method—only the wrong angle.

Therefore, among the Zhang siblings, Lady Si Li'er, and a portion of the imperial consorts, after seeking the Dao through literature and martial arts, they were all able to quickly receive Zhang Jian's precise responses.

……

Compared to the joyous atmosphere within the Great Xia Dynasty, some powerful figures of immortal sect lineages found themselves ill at ease.

Especially as the outcome of the "bride抢亲" gradually became known to many immortal sect lineages.

Gan Prefecture, Red Zhang Mountain—this place is one of the famous Three Hundred Spirit Mountain blessed lands among the southeastern continents.

The mountain peaks are beautiful and ancient in simplicity.

Moreover, there are forty-eight scenic spots in the mountains, twenty-four hot springs, seventy-two spirit cliffs, and throughout the four seasons, the mountains remain as if eternally poised at the transition between spring and summer.

At this time, in the Zhengyuan Grand Hall among the mountains, numerous cultivators of the Shangqing Sword Sect gathered in one hall.

More than ten Nascent Soul-level powerful cultivators fixed their gazes on the four leading Daoists.

The four Daoists each bore the immortal grace and Daoist bone.

Zhang Jian had previously seen Qinghe Zhenjun among these four, who held the third position.

Behind him was Yu Hai Zhenjun.

At the center was the ancestral patriarch of the Shangqing Sword Sect, Lishan Zhenjun.

To the left, the first position was held by the sect leader of the Shangqing Sword Sect, Guihong Zhenjun.

The four great Zhenjun are the pillars upholding heaven for the Shangqing Sword Sect, and also the purple-gold梁架海.

Yet facing the wind and rain outside, the four Zhenjun also felt utterly powerless.

"I never expected that this Eastern Continent Emperor's cultivation would have reached this extent—even the Four Symbols True Immortals of the Ji family, when they acted, ended up shattered like chaff!"

Guihong Zhenjun's expression bore much worry.

"This is merely a fourth-generation disciple of the Tongshan Dao lineage—if other third-generation disciples were to act, how could anyone else possibly survive?!"

This "others" naturally includes the Shangqing Sword Sect!

His gaze fell upon Lishan Zhenjun, his eyes sinking with contemplation as he said:

"Uncle Master, according to your opinion, what should we do?"

Among the crowd, Lishan Zhenjun is the eldest in age and highest in cultivation.

His accumulation is already complete, yet he fears the tribulation of ascension and has never dared to break through.

Lishan Zhenjun glanced at Guihong Zhenjun—the Ji family's four great True Immortals all suffered defeat, let alone him.

What can he do now?

At present, he can only say: "The Tongshan Dao lineage's power far surpasses that of ordinary immortal sect lineages; it is absolutely not something ordinary Dao lineage sects can resist, but I have also studied the past of the Tongshan Dao lineage!"

"The Tongshan Dao lineage once governed most regions of the two realms, but it did not leave no room for survival—even if one were to submit to the Tongshan Dao lineage's command, one would merely be a subordinate, only slightly less free!"

Qinghe Zhenjun said.

"Guihong Senior Brother, Lishan Uncle Master, I fear this situation is not the same this time!"

Lishan Zhenjun and Guihong Zhenjun exchanged a glance; they subtly guessed Qinghe Zhenjun's thought, and instantly a hint of helplessness appeared in their eyes.

Guihong Zhenjun sighed.

"Qinghe Junior Brother, if you have something to say, say it directly—good, everyone is here now, and this matter will ultimately require a decision!"

Guihong Zhenjun clearly knows that the fence-sitting faction has never had a good ending since ancient times.

Especially after hearing that the Five Elements Immortal Sect sent their sect's true seeds into the Great Xia Dynasty's rear court as consorts, accepted the Great Xia Dynasty's external envoys, and established a special institution afterward, he felt even more anxious.

Indeed, Qinghe Zhenjun then said.

"Lishan Uncle Master, Sect Leader Senior Brother, Junior Brother, if we were to directly merge into the Tongshan Dao lineage's command, it might not necessarily be the worst outcome; nowadays, we are more likely to accept the Great Xia Dynasty's governance, for the Tongshan Dao lineage clearly intends to let the Great Xia ruler lead the southeastern continents, and may have already reached some consensus with the Great Xia Dynasty!"

"What we should most clarify is the style of the Great Xia Dynasty—if this Great Xia Emperor is a 'tyrant,' then we would probably have to find a way to relocate our mountain gate!"

Upon hearing this, the other Nascent Soul True Persons of the Shangqing Sword Sect in the grand hall immediately began to discuss in earnest.

At this moment, facing the great wind and waves, each Nascent Soul powerful cultivator, though still like ordinary mortals in the mundane world, could not help but show worry on their faces.

Guihong Zhenjun's face remained expressionless.

Relocating the sect—how easy could that be?

The sect has taken root in this land, its foundation entirely here, like a great tree—how could it be easily moved?

Move people and they live; move trees and they die!

If the sect were relocated, it would not only require finding a new spirit mountain blessed land, rebuilding various cultivation secret realms, seeking resources, and even resisting unfamiliar enemies on the new territory.

A single misstep would make them appear as fat meat in the eyes of surrounding great powers.

If it were only this, it would be tolerable—but this would also severely affect the interests of the four great Zhenjun.

They desire to ascend to immortality, yet this would likely become extraordinarily slim.

Without a stable financial source, and without the various corresponding heavenly materials and earthly treasures, as well as the qi fortune foundation, they do not know how many years they would need to cultivate to ascend—indeed, a single misstep could injure their foundation in struggle, forever severing them from the Dao of immortality.

Lishan Zhenjun's eyes flickered; he smiled and said.

"This humble Daoist has paid special attention to that Great Xia Emperor recently—although the Great Xia Emperor's time since attaining the Dao is not long, he is nonetheless a 'sage ruler of an age' visible to all the common people of the Eastern Continent!"

Seeing Qinghe Zhenjun about to speak, Lishan Zhenjun waved his hand and continued.

"Of course, you may also believe the Great Xia Emperor is merely concealing his true nature, buying hearts—but there is one thing you may not know: after founding the state, the Great Xia Emperor did not, like the Great Qian Taizu Wei Yuan Yang, slaughter the Great Qian imperial clan; even the posthumous son of the empress, Wei Xian, survived and was ennobled as a marquis—this conduct alone shows he is a sage and enlightened ruler of an age!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of many Nascent Soul True Persons stirred slightly.

Lishan Zhenjun then said.

"However, the only concern is that the Great Xia Dynasty has established strict hierarchies for the sects, clans, and scattered Daoist temples under its rule; many cultivation secret realms within the Great Xia Dynasty, or immortal cities, workshops—if some immortal sect lineages have not reached a certain rank, they are not permitted to access them. This restriction is extremely strict, and furthermore, it mandates that each sect must, at regular intervals, draw a portion of disciples to participate in the inspection of各君!"

Do these numerous strict regulations not necessarily bode well for our immortal sect lineages?"

His expression was solemn, yet merely hearing his words, many Nascent Soul True Persons felt their hearts ease, and a hint of another meaning appeared in the depths of their eyes.

Qinghe Zhenjun wanted to speak but hesitated; he merely glanced at Lishan Zhenjun and Guihong Zhenjun.

These two seem to already lean toward the Great Xia Dynasty in attitude, so he has some reservations about what he says.

At this time, he also does not want to stake his own head as a wager, only to end up becoming a stepping stone for others to claim credit.

……

At this moment, shortly after Wan Yang True Lord left Chizhang Mountain, he lightly stroked the sparse beard at the corner of his mouth, a hint of a smug smile appearing there, believing that after his words, those True Lords of the Shangqing Sword Sect should be able to discern the gravity of the situation.

His gaze then shifted toward the direction of the Xuanti Sect.

His eyes slightly sighed, then immediately turned sharp.

Within the Five Elements Mountain, those sect brothers, even down to the sect's founding ancestor, he has thoroughly offended; now, to establish himself, he must rely solely on that Great Xia Emperor.

This time, his movements throughout the Great Xia Dynasty are also aimed at gaining the trust of that Great Xia Emperor.

As long as he gains the trust of that Great Xia Emperor, he believes that even if other brothers within the Five Elements Immortal Sect, or even Deyang Old Ancestor, harbor hostility and murderous intent toward him, they can only watch helplessly.

In this world, low moral character does not matter much; as long as he has ability, he can still climb above those brothers.

Deyang Old Ancestor and his ilk are ultimately short-sighted, possessing cultivation yet failing to seize opportunity.