Chapter 473

"The innate divinity's spiritual awareness is actually this sharp?"

Qingyuan Old Ancestor glanced at Zhang Jian in surprise, then shook his head.

"Between heaven and earth, every so often, some calamities arise—this is the natural operation and evolution of heaven and earth. Among the second-generation disciples of our Tongshan Dao lineage who reside beyond the world, there are those proficient in the Great Expansion Divine Calculation, who have already sensed the rise of heavenly and earthly calamitous energy in advance. Hence, the order to transform Tongshan Dao lineage from a hidden lineage into a manifest one!"

"I don't know how severe this great calamity is."

Zhang Jian furrowed his brow.

It's not that he's overly worried, but the Ancient Middle Ages Final Calamity was too devastating, directly causing the rupture of mythology.

Such a sight sends chills down one's spine.

If such a calamity were to strike again, we no longer have as many ancient immortal powerhouses holding the fort as in the Ancient Middle Ages.

Qingyuan Old Ancestor spoke calmly.

"A Yu, you need not worry. You are an Innate Sovereign, born transcendent and detached from worldly things. As long as you proceed with caution, you will hardly face a death calamity!"

Zhang Jian nodded. As an Innate Divinity, he is all too aware of the power of Innate Divinities. As long as he does not leave the Zhou Shan Realm—this place equivalent to a womb—it is basically difficult to kill him.

Unless the Zhou Shan Realm is destroyed, or an unimaginably powerful being descends, only then can an Innate Divinity be slain.

It's just that Qingyuan Old Ancestor's implication is that non-Innate beings will likely have to face the great calamity head-on.

"Senior Uncle Ancestor, could we possibly find a clear cause of the calamity?"

Zhang Jian fixed his gaze upon Qingyuan Old Ancestor.

Qingyuan Old Ancestor nodded.

"We are currently deducing it. Though the calamities born of heaven and earth are minor, the greatest problem still comes from beyond the world. Whenever heaven and earth undergo transformation, it is also the time when myriad extraneous demon gods and demon immortals are most active. If they were to unite inside and outside, great disaster would surely follow!"

Zhang Jian's expression turned solemn.

Since ancient times, external enemies are not fatal; it is the collusion of internal and external forces that brings great disaster.

He wore a thoughtful expression on his face.

Hence, the Tongshan Dao lineage has been pushing for the unification of Dongxuan Divine Prefecture.

But for the Great Xia Dynasty, this is no less than a spring breeze.

Under great calamity, the Great Xia Dynasty can be tempered like gold in fire, uniting the human race to accomplish the Holy King's Dao undertaking.

After pondering, Zhang Jian asked the most core question.

"Senior Uncle Ancestor, could we calculate how many years remain until the great calamity appears?"

"The exact time cannot be deduced, but it is likely between several decades and several hundred years!"

Zhang Jian's eyes twitched.

This time span is not ample for an Innate Sovereign, but he is different.

Being able to 'pluck wool' from the ancestral shrine every so often, a hundred years is enough for him to grow to a realm other cultivators cannot even catch up to.

Qingyuan Old Ancestor also turned his gaze toward Zhang Jian, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

When the great calamity descends, Zhang Jian before us is undoubtedly crucial to the Tongshan Dao lineage.

An Innate Sovereign is like a Divine Needle that Stabilizes the Sea.

Even decades, or even hundreds of years, for us ancient immortals, might merely be a single closed-door cultivation period—growth space is limited.

But for the Innate Sovereign before us, it might be a very good period of growth.

The faster Zhang Jian grows, the safer the Tongshan Dao lineage will be in the great calamity.

Perhaps he might even achieve the Holy King's Dao Fruit thereby.

That would be the fortune of the entire Tongshan Dao lineage.

……

Having received Qingyuan Old Ancestor's clear stance, Zhang Jian felt reassured, and subsequently discussed part of the Great Xia Dynasty's expansion plan with him.

The Great Xia Dynasty's expansion is too rapid; even now, the two hundred continents of the southeast have not been fully digested, many places remain blank zones. Zhang Jian can only rely on the power of the Nine Provinces Boundary to maintain control.

Many prefectures and provinces, to the Great Xia Dynasty, are still merely enclaves.

In name only do they possess the title of unified sovereignty; in reality, control remains in the hands of local immortal sects and Dao lineages.

Zhang Jian had long anticipated this situation, so he is not worried.

He now has a long lifespan, fully sufficient to gradually bring all the prefectures and provinces under control.

As for the two-border regions, the barbaric regions, and the other continents, Zhang Jian also prepares to emulate this method.

As long as they first acknowledge the Great Xia Dynasty's sovereignty, he can generously bestow upon them the rank of feudal lords. As the Great Xia Dynasty gradually expands, step by step, he will then fully incorporate these prefectures and provinces under his rule.

……

After the discussion ended, Zhang Jian obtained the inheritance of the Nine Heavens Divine Palace Golden Chapter within the Ancestral Hall, as well as four second-rank divine techniques, four third-rank divine techniques, and two fourth-rank divine technique inheritances.

Within the "Nine Heavens Divine Palace Golden Chapter," all kinds of divine Dao techniques and methods are passed down.

However, the Nine Heavens Divine Palace Golden Chapter is also divided into chapters: there is the Metal Chapter, Wood Chapter, Water Chapter, Fire Chapter, Earth Chapter, Thunder Chapter, and Ghost-God Chapter.

Zhang Jian chose the Earth Chapter.

His authority in the State and Divine Dao lies in the earth.

Compared to the traditional meaning of mountain and earth gods, the City God is even more powerful.

Moreover, among the ten kinds of divine Dao techniques and methods, most are primarily earth-attribute, soil-attribute divine techniques.

Next are the Primordial Spirit type and Dao Heart type divine techniques.

For example, the two fourth-rank divine techniques: "Earthly Law Decree" and "King's Way Subjugation"!

"Earthly Law Decree" is purely an earth-attribute matrix-type divine technique, composed of more than ten major and minor immortal methods and divine techniques. With the aid of divine Dao authority, it can completely control the laws of the earth, integrating offense and defense.

It can form an earth fetal membrane, and also produce an attack method similar to the "Central Wu Earth Great Primordial Qi."

"King's Way Subjugation" belongs to the Dao Heart type of techniques. It uses divine Dao to connect with heavenly Dao's power, thereby interfering with others' divine hearts and divine Dao authority, enabling high-level suppression.

As for the other four third-rank techniques, some are enhancement-type divine techniques.

The other three are purely combat-oriented divine arts.

Zhang Jian made a conscious choice.

His Mountains and Rivers State Diagram is both offensive and defensive, lacking nothing in defense.

What he lacks is how to utilize the authority of the earth to multiply his own killing power.

Zhang Jian's mood is still quite good; having obtained the divine Dao arts inheritance from the system, this is beneficial for perfectly mastering the power of the innate deities.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhang Jian exchanged for three third-rank immortal Dao arts once again.

To make up for his own shortcomings.

Having such an opportunity, Zhang Jian certainly would not give it up.

These three third-rank immortal arts belong respectively to life and death, creation, and spacetime.

They are respectively the third-rank immortal arts: *Nine Nether Life-Death Golden Chapter*, *Wood Virtue Creation True Classic*, and *Eight Extremes Spacetime*.

The *Nine Nether Life-Death Golden Chapter* is more profound than the Nine Nether Corpse-Shedding Righteous Law he obtained from the Jun King Golden Man; this is the collection of the ancestral master King Yu the Great, said to have been obtained after listening to the Dao from an ancient mighty one and then trading with an ancient immortal.

The *Wood Virtue Creation True Classic* comes from the ancient sage King Wood Virtue.

Zhang Jian had previously obtained the Sage's True Classic *Wood Virtue True Classic* from King Wood Virtue; he knows this King Wood Virtue is a learned scholar in the way of wood.

The *Eight Extremes Spacetime* was obtained by a certain second-generation ancestral master.

This third-rank immortal art can construct a special Eight Extremes Spacetime, thereby suppressing immortals and deities that fall into the Eight Extremes Spacetime.

This art is extraordinarily mysterious and helps Zhang Jian further comprehend the mysteries of spacetime.

Actually, Zhang Jian really wanted to exchange for knowledge concerning Dao Qi, even extending to the aspect of fate, but these two kinds of knowledge are not abundant in the Tongshan Dao Lineage.

For Dao Qi, primordial Qi, and even knowledge of fate, only a few ancient immortals in the sect have any insight.

These are all extremely private secrets of the Great Dao.

There is no way to exchange for them.

"Otherwise, after some time, should we emulate the ancient immortals of the Great Xia Dynasty and hold a 'Yaochi Grand Assembly'? Or perhaps call it the 'Huolong Grand Assembly'!"

Zhang Jian secretly mused, at this moment he finally understood why influential immortals always like to hold various kinds of assemblies; otherwise, it would clearly show all kinds of 'Longevity Clubs'.

Some secret matters, many immortals usually would not so easily exchange.

Only this kind of private-type 'club' can facilitate immortals and deities exchanging their respective secrets.

"Knowledge comes at a price!"

Zhang Jian secretly mused.

Although he had long known this, at this moment his realization was exceptionally clear.

A bit of 'knowledge' can change fate; a bit of 'inside information' can save mortals, or even cultivators, countless hours of searching, and can also save many costs.

……

Tongshan Dao Lineage, Qiyun Peak

This is one of the main peaks of the Qingyuan Lineage; this spiritual peak is full of heavenly and earthly spiritual mechanisms, and also retains remnants of the Great Dao's rhythm, making it one of the rare cultivation treasured lands between heaven and earth.

At this moment on Qiyun Peak, two figures stand firm, their spiritual pressures surging respectively, extraordinarily astonishing.

One figure is burly, clearly dressed as a brawny, sturdy man; although his stature is tall, his facial features are sharp and distinct, his boldness mixed with a touch of generosity; at this moment he wears vigorous attire, resembling a wandering hero of the martial world.

On his back he bears a huge sword; at this moment his face shows some gloom.

"I don't know what our father was thinking; clearly I am the eldest, yet he made me a fifth-generation disciple, while you, the third son, became a third-generation disciple—is this not disgracing me?"

He is Zhang Yi, and also one of the most outstanding talents of the Tongshan Dao Lineage in these past several decades.

His innate Wind and Lightning Dao Body is renowned among the major immortal sects.

Then there is a youth with a handsome visage.

He and Zhang Zhao have faces that are forty to fifty percent similar, equally handsome without equal, only his handsomeness leans toward a scholarly air, which is somewhat like Zhang Jian.

At this moment he holds a Dao scripture in his hand, and with his other hand he lightly pinches a teacup; at this moment he smiles and says.

"Elder brother, if you want to discuss this matter with the father emperor, I also don't know what the father emperor originally thought, but I do envy you; the Outcloud Martial Nephew's combination of various arts and comprehension of the great Dao of heaven and earth is quite renowned in the cultivation world, and the many disciples he has taught are all top-tier of their level!"

Zhang Yi laughed upon hearing this.

"It's not that I blame the Outcloud Master, it's just that our father emperor is truly irresponsible!"

Zhang Yi is unusually satisfied with the Outcloud Master.

This master of his fulfills his duties conscientiously.

He is able to have this foundation today, this cultivation, because the Outcloud Master has expended great effort.

He is merely casually criticizing Zhang Jian a few sentences.

Zhang Xian's eyes flickered upon hearing this.

"Upon hearing the Headmaster Senior Brother mention it, the Zhang clan is now again to marry into the Ji and Ying clans; elder brother, if not, then you should go back and take the father emperor's place in this marriage alliance?"

Zhang Yi shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this.

"The female cultivators of the Eight Sacred King clans are not to be provoked; I have already provoked a few, and now they shout curses and beatings at me every day; if I provoke them further, I fear my life may not be preserved!"

Zhang Xian lost his laughter, he advised.

"Elder brother, the father emperor has warned you, you are naturally blessed with peach blossoms, be careful that your peach blossom luck does not turn into peach blossom calamity!"

Zhang Xian glanced at Zhang Yi.

As for the outside situation, he has sensed it through the Wandering Daoist.

The Eastern Province Zhang clan is now in the time of dragon rising.

All major true immortal clans, and even the Sacred King clans, have taken notice of the Eastern Province Zhang clan.

These few Zhang clan direct descendants have all become sought-after delicacies.

Not only other immortal sects and Dao lineages, but even within the Tongshan Dao Lineage, some cultivation clans frequently throw out olive branches to them.

He and Zhang Chang'an excepted, he himself is unwilling to accept the so-called marriage partner through alliance.

Zhang Chang'an also prefers freedom and ease.

But Zhang Yi is a dragon's son, his peach blossom luck is too prosperous, which has become the 'soft spot' of the Dongzhou Zhang clan!

Zhang Yi's expression carries a hint of heroic boldness; he doesn't mind these things too much, yet he won't indulge excessively.

"Then Father Emperor's wedding, Third Brother, will you return for a visit?"

Zhang Yi's gaze falls upon Zhang Xian.

Zhang Xian's expression shows slight contemplation, and after a moment he says.

"The Empress Dowager has sent a message via Aunt Feng Ling, Father Emperor this period doesn't know which major power's lair he has seized again, obtaining a batch of heavenly treasures and earthly riches, as well as divine objects of heaven and earth, I naturally also wish to return to see!"

Zhang Yi smiles faintly.

"The Kitchen God Aunt also brought me a message, this time among the many heavenly and earthly spiritual treasures there is a spiritual root called White Jade Spirit Fruit, which can effectively enhance my dragon bloodline!"

At this moment, his eyes burst forth with strands of intense divine light.

His inner dragon bloodline, nourished by the Tongshan Dao Tong's 'Dragon Transformation Pool', has already become pure to a certain extent; if he can further strengthen his dragon body, his strength will naturally advance another step.

The Golden Core realm will also become more firmly consolidated.

His cultivation speed is extremely fast.

Especially after consuming the Wind-Redux Immortal Apricot, his body still contains a large stock of immortal medicine essence that has not yet dissolved.

These immortal medicine spiritual energies continuously strengthen his innate Wind-Thunder body, transforming it toward a certain state of being.

As if born and nurtured as a Wind-Thunder deity.

However, his progress is not much faster than that of his third brother Zhang Xian.

Zhang Xian possesses the Innate Dao Embryo body, truly a born seed of cultivation; his Dao mind is tranquil, and he is equally extremely suitable for cultivation.

The sect elders' evaluation of him is no less than his.

After the two brothers discussed, they decided to return together to Haojing City.

……

Meanwhile, at the same time, the Tongshan Dao Tong's destruction of the Three Saints Palace spread rapidly through the cultivation world via a part of the Tongshan Dao Tong's tongue.

This is like a single stone stirring up a thousand waves!

The Three Saints Palace has stood since ancient times in the barbaric regions; it is an existence that makes all cultivators change color when mentioned.

It is also a myth in the eyes of countless demon races.

Now this demon race myth has actually been destroyed.

Is this not shocking to countless major powers of heaven and earth?

Many immortal sects and Dao traditions have prepared themselves to watch a 'lively' spectacle.

The Tongshan Dao Tong seeks to unify the Dongxuan Divine Prefecture, inevitably leading to collisions with the Three Saints Palace; many major powers also have great confidence in the Three Saints Palace, believing it can inflict heavy damage on the Tongshan Dao Tong.

Many powers truly did not expect the Three Saints Palace to be destroyed so quickly.

But closely following, the transmission of another piece of news has caused many major powers to take notice.

The Tongshan Dao Tong wishes to entrust the vast secular territories to the Great Xia Dynasty, supporting the Great Xia Dynasty in achieving its great undertaking!