Chapter 456

Zhang Jian quickly received an urgent message signed by Zhang Zhao and the Patriarch of the Dongshen Sect.

The letter contained many privileges enjoyed after the Xuantian Sect's submission, as well as the obligations to be fulfilled.

The harshness of the clauses made Zhang Jian feel sorry for the Xuantian Sect just reading them.

As the last of the three great immortal sect lineages to submit to the Xia Dynasty, the Xuantian Sect's treatment was far inferior to that of the previous Shangqing Sword Sect.

Zhang Jian understood the reason clearly!

As negotiations dragged on, the Xia Dynasty gradually integrated over a hundred forty sect forces from other major continents, gradually gaining control of most power in the southeastern provinces, and the spatial pressure on the Xuantian Sect became increasingly severe.

The Xuantian Sect's bargaining chips were dwindling.

Had Zhang Jian not been unwilling to lightly provoke war, and had the Xuantian Sect not continuously sent envoys to the Xia Dynasty to lobby and declare their stance, the Xuantian Sect would likely have been exterminated in a short time.

After carefully reading the many clauses and obligations in the letter, Zhang Jian finally smiled.

He was still very satisfied with the achievements obtained by Zhang Zhao and the Patriarch of the Dongshen Sect.

This time, besides surrendering sovereignty over the last fifty or so major continents out of the two hundred in the southeast, the Xuantian Sect also suppressed the tax rate extracted annually from these fifty or so major provinces to an extremely low level.

Only twenty percent!

Eighty percent goes to the imperial court!

This ratio cannot compare to that of the Shangqing Sword Sect, nor can it be mentioned in the same breath as the Five Elements Immortal Sect.

Moreover, the identity of the Xuantian Sect's northwestern marquis is now mostly an empty title.

Only part of the fiefdom and territorial autonomy rights have been retained.

The suppression of the Xuantian Immortal Sect's authority naturally means that the Xia Dynasty's control over these regions will grow stronger in the future.

The northwestern lands will also have one less towering immortal sect lineage!

……

Zhang Jian was in a good mood and soon announced that a grand Heaven-Sacrificing Ceremony would be held in a few days to celebrate the Xia Dynasty's might extending over the realm and its territorial expansion.

Such rituals as Fengshan and Heaven-Sacrificing are usually proclamations of imperial legitimacy, or otherwise displays of the emperor's unparalleled achievements.

Now that the Xia Dynasty has unified the two hundred major continents of the southeast, such achievements surpass those of emperors throughout the history of the Eastern Continent, and holding a grand Heaven-Sacrificing Ceremony is therefore entirely appropriate.

Zhang Jian calculated that five days later would be an auspicious day on the yellow calendar, and thus ordered his ministers to prepare in advance.

He also announced that, incidentally, he would re-enfeoff some marquises and determine the territories of some Daoist sects during the Heaven-Sacrificing Ceremony.

This is undoubtedly a major event for the many newly submitted immortal sect lineages inside and outside the Xia Dynasty, but to Zhang Jian, it is merely a trifle.

The officials of the Xia Dynasty, both high and low, immediately became busy.

The Eastern Continent's Emperor expanding territory by two hundred major continents contains countless benefits; perhaps for the imperial court it is merely pure wealth accumulation, but for any great clan, or any duke, marquis, or prince, it is a major matter, possibly the beginning of class transcendence.

Even many immortal sect lineages and powerful cultivator clans are eager for this.

According to their knowledge, the two hundred major continents of the southeast, having newly joined the Xia Dynasty, contain many spirit mountains and blessed lands currently ownerless—this is pure benefit.

……

Five days later, upon Zhang Zhao and the Patriarch of the Dongshen Sect's return, the Heaven-Sacrificing Ceremony was held as scheduled.

This grand Heaven-Sacrificing Ceremony took place under the gaze of myriad eyes, with many civil and military ministers of the Xia Dynasty present, as well as many immortal sect lineages and cultivator clans under the Xia Dynasty's rule.

Zhang Jian's expression remained normal; the list of ennoblements and the determined fiefdom ranges had long been prepared, and in fact the main event was the confirmation of territories for part of the Five Elements Immortal Sect, part of the Shangqing Sword Sect, and part of previously neutral sects and clans.

This is destined to bring joy to some and sorrow to others.

After the Heaven-Sacrificing Hall ceremony ended, Zhang Jian then held an Ancestral-Sacrificing Ceremony in the Ancestral Temple.

In the Ancestral Temple

After many Zhang clan members had departed, Zhang Jian personally released many gold and silver ingots from his spatial ring.

Zhang Jian casually set up an Imperial Qi space.

In the Imperial Qi space, one after another small mound-like gold and silver ingots were released.

The gold and silver ingots Zhang Jian prepared this time were not fewer than last time.

Last time he had slain an extraterritorial powerhouse in the Qingping Sea's sea eye, exterminated the remnant soul of the Desert God Emperor, prevented the Qingping Sea eye from being destroyed, and thus saved countless beings of the Qingping Sea.

Afterwards he personally slew a fully formed extraterritorial demon god.

But Zhang Jian believed this time's sacrificial scale should not be much smaller than last time's.

Because this time the Xia Dynasty expanded its territory, integrating at once much fertile land from the two hundred major continents of the southeast.

Although most of the two hundred major continents of the southeast merely submitted to the Xia Dynasty in the manner of marquises.

When Zhang Jian considered, this momentum was probably certainly far surpassing that of the Xia Dynasty's founding.

Zhang Jian held great expectations for this.

Before the Ancestral Temple, at this moment one after another gold and silver ingot was thrown by Zhang Jian into the great cauldron at the temple's center, from which thread after thread of green smoke rose, straight into the azure heavens.

One after another small mound of gold and silver ingots vanished.

Gazing at more and more gold and silver ingots being devoured by the flames, Zhang Jian's smile grew increasingly intense.

This time should not disappoint the 'ancestors'' expectations.

Only Zhang Jian noticed that this time's burned gold and silver ingots still could not match last time's.

Short by half a mountain of gold and silver.

But not by much.

After thinking, Zhang Jian then carefully prepared a treasure and sent it in.

It was a golden bow and arrow, its whole body radiating a golden-yellow luster, countless Golden Crow divine flames blazing within me, the bow's sides adorned with exquisite solar divine patterns, inside which Zhang Jian had instilled a Golden Crow Fission Great Law, making it extraordinarily splendid overall; slightly drawing the bow and nocking the arrow, it seemed a Golden Crow's cry sounded from within.

Gazing at this treasure, Zhang Jian's mouth corner revealed a hint of a smile.

Thanks to that 'utilitarian heart' always wanting to shear wool from the ancestral shrine, his progress in the art of artifact refinement was nevertheless considerable.

In his sight, this Golden Crow Sun-Shooting Bow gradually turned into green smoke and dissipated.

Zhang Jian then withdrew his gaze.

After the ancestral worship ceremony was successfully held, he still had many trivial matters to attend to.

For example, how to deal with the remaining strongmen of the You family.

Zhang Jian pondered for a while, but still felt that the advice of the Slaying Demon True Monarch was the words of an elder.

The Holy King clan may decline, but he cannot bear the infamy of extinguishing the Holy King's incense.

Moreover, he now counts as having exterminated the You clan, and the resentment in his heart has been vented.

Additionally, the Tongshan Dao lineage has given him a suggestion, said to come from the mouth of a certain second-generation ancestral master from the upper realm.

That is to take a woman of the You clan as a consort.

Even if Zhang Jian does not exterminate the You clan's incense, he is ultimately the chief culprit behind the decline of the You clan in this realm, and will inevitably attract the attention of the ancient Holy King.

Even if the ancient Holy King, by virtue of his identity, does not take revenge, he will still cause some trouble.

For example, when ascending to the Heavenly Gate in the future, if this ancient Holy King interferes, it will likewise not be pleasant.

But if he takes a woman of the You clan as a consort, the situation would be entirely different.

The bloodline of the You clan merging into the Eastern Zhou Zhang clan, to some extent, also counts as preserving the Holy King's dignity.

Moreover, the remaining part of the You clan's strongmen can naturally be left behind, or perhaps they can be subdued.

Zhang Jian decided to go to the heavenly prison to see those You clan strongmen.

……

In the celestial realm, within the magnificent immortal domain.

"Qingxia Daoist" is refining the treasure mirror in his hand within the immortal realm.

This is the innate merit and virtue treasure mirror 'Yin-Yang Treasure Mirror' from Zhang Jian's previous sacrifice!

This innate merit and virtue treasure mirror is profoundly mysterious, even containing within it a portion of extremely precious Yin authority, which inevitably gives rise to some thoughts in "Qingxia Daoist".

The Yin authority has always been held by the Yin Immortal Monarch of the Guanghan Immortal Palace lineage in the celestial realm.

The Yin-Yang Treasure Mirror's attraction to this Yin Immortal Monarch is self-evident.

However, she is merely an "incarnation" and lacks the ability to deal with the Yin Immortal Monarch.

Ultimately, deciding how to proceed still requires the main body to take action.

Nevertheless, refining this innate merit and virtue treasure mirror is of great benefit to "Qingxia Daoist".

At this moment, "Qingxia Daoist" suddenly stirred, her form flying up from the cloud bed condensed from immortal light.

Shortly afterward, her form appeared before the Two Worlds Pool.

She wore a long green robe, her figure graceful and alluring, beautiful and captivating!

Her jade-like features were exquisite, but at this moment her dark eyebrows were tightly furrowed!

"No way!"

At this time, her heart fluttered slightly, yet deep within her primordial spirit's Dao heart, there was a surge of intense, sudden emotion.

Her eyes instantly fell upon the Two Worlds Pool, and in her depths appeared a hint of helpless smile.

She knew this time she had truly encountered trouble.

Her heart stirred, "Qingxia Daoist" still stabilized her Dao heart's ripples, and with a raise of her hand, a strand of green mana poured into the Two Worlds Pool.

With her mana's support, the originally trembling Two Worlds Pool immediately stabilized.

Boom—

Yet from the depths of the Two Worlds Pool came a terrifying thunderclap, as if endless surging thunderbolts were rushing forth, shaking heaven and earth.

The nine-colored pool water rippled and surged.

Seeing this omen, "Qingxia Daoist"'s willow eyebrows twitched darkly, not just once.

Shortly afterward, "Qingxia Daoist" could see vast, intense golden light manifesting from within, an oceanic golden torrent gathering, as if seeking to break through the countless magical seals of the Two Worlds Pool, the omen shooting straight into the heavens.

"Qingxia Daoist" wore a solemn countenance, and with a wave of her hand, she activated the formless mana to stir the divine power deep within the magnificent immortal realm, sealing the void around the divine realm to prevent the omen from leaking out and drawing the attention of powerful beings in the celestial realm.

With her other hand, she slightly extended it, and the incense palace lamp manifested.

At the moment the incense palace lamp appeared, within the Two Worlds Pool, strands of golden light shot forth like a torrent.

Within the golden light, indeed stood upon stood incense golden bodies with extraordinarily intense incense divine power.

Around each incense golden body also coiled a flawless, pure, and clear sensation.

Seeing these incense golden bodies, "Qingxia Daoist" raised her hand and stored them into the incense palace lamp.

"Nineteen, twenty, twenty-one..."

In the depths of the Two Worlds Pool, it seemed to contain endless surging incense golden light.

The further on, the more solemn "Qingxia Daoist"'s expression became.

She this time, her troubles have truly grown great.

Such a vast quantity of incense essence will inevitably be accompanied by an innate merit and virtue treasure mirror of considerable weight.

The problem is, in the private treasury left by Qingxia Daoist, there is already nothing that can rival it.

This good thing has turned into a bad thing!

"Qingxia Daoist" pressed her lips together.

In her eyes, the number of incense golden bodies instantly surpassed twenty-six.

"Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine!"

In her eyes, as the twenty-ninth incense golden body flew into the incense golden lamp, finally a small stream of incense golden light merged into the incense golden lamp.

This amounts to two thousand nine hundred flawless incense essences.

Although it cannot compare to the previous thirty-one million flawless incense essences.

But this is also an astonishingly large number.

"Qingxia Daoist" stared with solemn eyes, at this moment continuing to gaze into the depths of the Two Worlds.

Above the Two Realms Pool, thunderous roars of shocking thunder echoed continuously, but the violent thunderous sound gradually gave way to the pleasant sound of the Great Dao's heavenly tone.

Celestial sounds resonated, and above the Two Realms Pool, a scene gradually emerged of the magnificent cosmic Great Dao laws resonating.

Only seen within the magnificent cosmic Great Dao laws, countless golden streams of light appeared, within which it seemed a magnificent golden light river was born.

Unlike the magnificent incense divine power, it was pure and holy.

This golden light river was supremely yang and pure, filled with a power that suppresses all evil in heaven and earth.

"Pure Yang Great Dao Law!"

'Qingxia Daoist' twitched her eyes.

Yet she saw that the emergence of the Pure Yang was only the beginning; after the golden light river appeared, countless golden-red rays of light emerged from within, within which one could almost hear the terrifying cries of crows.

Boundless rising suns grew from the depths of the golden light river, the golden river seeming to transform into a river of rising suns, filling the heavens, fiercely burning heaven and earth.

Innate divine light flowed within.

Glancing over these omens, she merely glanced at 'Qingxia Daoist' and instantly understood.

This innate merit and virtue spiritual treasure surely was no ordinary weight.

As the innate divine light nurtured, moments later the golden river of rising suns above her head gradually vanished.

A golden light flew out from within, instantly falling into 'Qingxia Daoist's' hand.

It was a golden treasure bow, its entire body golden yellow, as if born from the rising sun, innate divine rhythm flowing, a faint breath leaking out, as if it could pierce heaven and earth, scorching the Great Dao laws!

Besides the treasure bow, there were also two special arrows.

One was golden, the other golden-red.

"Still a set?"

'Qingxia Daoist' had a faint ripple in her eyes, her inner mana flowing into this set of treasures, and she instantly understood its origin.

Golden Crow Shoots Sun Bow: an innate merit and virtue spiritual treasure born from the supreme yang Great Dao power between heaven and earth, containing two innate divine prohibitions, accompanied by two divine arrows, one being the Pure Yang Slays Evil Arrow, supremely rigid and yang, possessing the ability to restrain all kinds of yin demon Dao laws.

The second is the Golden Crow Shoots Sun Arrow, containing a thread of the sun star's origin, accompanied by the great sun fission and fusion, possessing extraordinary destructive power.

Without doubt, this treasure can be called a supreme slaughter treasure!

Even on 'Qingxia Daoist's' helpless face, a hint of a smile could not be suppressed.

Such a level of treasure always makes people forget their worries.

After carefully examining the treasure in her hand, 'Qingxia Daoist' this time did not hesitate.

At this moment, there was no longer any matching treasure in her private treasury.

But this did not mean she had no way.

Coincidentally, the very foundation of this incarnation of hers was a heavenly and earthly rare treasure, not inferior to the previously bestowed 'Heart of Dimensions'!

However, this thing is somewhat special.

It is almost the very foundation of this incarnation of hers.

Discarding this object would be akin to losing more than half of her cultivation.

But now it is the only feedback treasure she can think of.

'Qingxia Daoist's' eyes flickered, and after a moment she made up her mind; she opened her palm, and moments later saw her 'Dao Body' instantly become illusory, a cyan treasure light intensely glowing divine object appearing deep in her palm.

Its entire body was mysterious cyan light, as if formed by the heavenly and earthly Great Dao Great Dao, possessing a magnificent mysterious power.

Gazing at the cyan light deep in her palm, she sighed in her eyes.

"I can only switch to cultivating the Incense Great Dao!"

'Qingxia Daoist' had a somewhat depressed expression.

This time she could be said to have put everything she had on the line.

Fortunately, there is such a 'believer' below offering sacrifices diligently, so she will surely not lack incense in the future.

And it is the highest grade 'Flawless Incense'!

Perhaps relying on such a vast amount of 'Flawless Incense', she could forge a path never before taken.

The celestial realm has never heard of a Daoist who could rely on incense to complete the Daoist path; perhaps she will have hope.

Now she can only comfort herself in this way!