Chapter 477: Life and Death (4K)

Golden light poured into the incense-gold lamp, rapidly giving birth to one golden circle after another.

In an instant, dozens of incense-golden bodies were absorbed by the incense-gold lamp.

This already surpassed the scale of the previous sacrifice.

Watching it exceed even the largest previous sacrifice—three million one hundred thousand.

The expression of "Qingxia Daoist" at this moment was somewhat petrified.

The scale of this incense sacrifice was astonishingly great.

"It seems the Great Xia Dynasty has made great progress in the lower realm again!"

In the depths of Qingxia Daoist's eyes, a look of helplessness flashed.

But this progress was simply too great.

Fortunately, this time she went to the lower realm and found the little treasury of her true body; otherwise, she would have been caught off guard this time.

But looking at the scale of this sacrifice, the things she found in the little treasury could not possibly provide equivalent compensation!

Qingxia Daoist took a deep breath; she had now also become somewhat resigned to fate.

Treasures are limited anyway; if it really comes to it, they might as well vanish into smoke...

Qingxia Daoist pursed her lips, gazing at the incense-gold lamp in her hand.

In her sight, the incense-golden bodies absorbed by the incense-gold lamp had already surpassed fifty in an instant.

That was over fifty million flawless incense!

Such a quantity was astonishing even in the eyes of a Daoist!

And it had not yet ended.

In the depths of the Two Worlds Pool, surging nine-colored pool water churned, and magnificent flawless incense gushed forth from within, like a vast ocean.

In an instant, it exceeded sixty, then seventy... In Qingxia Daoist's eyes, that torrent of incense seemed boundless and endless, and in a flash, over a hundred incense-golden bodies flew out from within.

When it approached eleven million, the incense-gold light surging in the Two Worlds Pool finally came to a halt.

A full one hundred and ten incense-golden bodies.

This was a tremendous amount of wealth.

If converted into incense-gold bricks, it would amount to a full one thousand one hundred pieces.

The expression appearing in Qingxia Daoist's eyes was a mix of worry and joy.

With such a vast amount of incense-gold bricks, she could soon restore her cultivation to its peak, and even hope to attempt proving the Dao as a Daoist once more.

If she achieved incarnation as a Daoist, it would be equivalent to her true body possessing the strength of two Daoists—whether facing a group attack or dividing her attention, she would now have the capital.

Qingxia Daoist calmed her heart and continued to wait.

The sacrificial ritual had not yet ended.

She touched with her palm; at this moment, she could sense that the Two Worlds Pool was scalding hot, like an ancient "machine" operating with extreme difficulty.

Yet within, the grand Dao heavenly sound gradually emerged, primordial divine light wandering and rotating within.

Boom—

From the depths of the dark void, it seemed as if the sound of heaven and earth rumbling could be heard!

Qingxia Daoist looked up and saw, above the firmament, endless time flowing like a boundless river, wherever it passed, all void accelerated in its flow.

Qingxia Daoist felt the rapid tremor of the Time Dao law.

"Is this an innate spiritual treasure containing the law of the Time Dao?"

This thought flashed through her mind, and a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.

Innate spiritual treasures of the time type are exceedingly rare.

Even in ancient myths, they are few and far between.

The only one I have heard of is that Zhongshan Candle God possesses a time-type supreme treasure in his hand.

Next is the deep heavens of Western Kunlun, where some ancient great power holds a time-space treasure mirror.

Such treasures also play a tremendous role at critical moments.

"With such a supreme treasure born, my true body will surely be delighted, and the hope of 'great vengeance fulfilled' this time is even greater!"

In a moment, she saw, deep within the Dao heavenly sound, a beam of silver-gray divine light fly out, resembling condensed time, seeking to flee along the river of time, yet Qingxia Daoist seized it with a single grasp.

"What powerful spirituality!"

Gazing at the innate spiritual treasure in her hand, wriggling like a loach and constantly trying to escape.

A hint of pleasure appeared in the depths of Qingxia Daoist's eyes.

She brushed a thread of immortal light across her hand, and instantly saw the silver-gray divine light in her hand shatter, as an innate merit-and-virtue spiritual treasure revealed its true form.

It was a beautifully crafted seven-stringed immortal zither, its entire body flowing with silver-gray patterns, like time-flowing water washing over, and Qingxia Daoist, upon a single glance, took a liking to it.

Qingxia Daoist was originally skilled in music, and particularly familiar with the guqin.

Thus, such an innate treasure zither falling into her hands naturally brought her joy wherever she looked.

"What a fine treasure!"

An unusually satisfied expression appeared in her eyes.

She poured divine power into her hand, and also took the opportunity to refine this zither.

After initial refinement, she immediately understood the origin of this zither.

Flowing Light Zither: An innate merit-and-virtue spiritual treasure born from nurturing by the Time Dao, containing three innate divine prohibitions, and encompassing profound mysteries of multiple Time Dao laws!

"Three innate divine prohibitions—take one more step and it would enter the realm of middle-grade innate spiritual treasures!"

Qingxia Daoist's expression stirred, and a hint of regret flashed in her eyes.

Middle-grade innate spiritual treasures are not merely about containing more heavenly-earth Dao qi origin; adding one more innate law prohibition also grants them an extremely important function, allowing them to be called innate Dao artifacts.

However, an innate merit-and-virtue spiritual treasure with three innate divine prohibitions is already sufficiently precious.

Each additional innate divine prohibition greatly enhances the power of an innate spiritual treasure, not merely granting another great Dao-level immortal technique, but also increasing attack intensity.

'Qingxia Daoist' unceremoniously refined the Flowing Light Zither into her body.

She cannot use those two spiritual treasures, but she must find a way to obtain this one.

Turning her thoughts, she glanced once more at the gradually cooling Two Realms Pool.

The scale of this sacrifice far exceeds any previous one, amounting to three or four times that of earlier sacrifices.

And the treasure she intends to offer in return cannot be of low value.

"A treasure more precious than the blood of the azure heavens..."

Qingxia Daoist felt a pang of pain in her heart.

Retrieving the treasure from the treasury, she truly possesses such a grade of treasure.

But to discard such a treasure so readily—even she feels a twinge of pain.

"Well then, unwilling to part with the child, one cannot catch the wolf!"

'Qingxia Daoist' had a thought flash through her mind; a strand of azure divine light condensed in her hand, enveloping an object she held and sending it into the Two Realms Passage.

'Qingxia Daoist' prepared to contact her true body again.

According to a sacrifice of this scale, performing it once more would be beyond her endurance.

It is estimated that not only she, but even her true body has been drained!

……

In Haojing City, the Immortal Palace.

The interior of the Immortal Palace, arranged with cool elegance and luxurious splendor, resembles the celestial pavilion of the ninth heaven; the gardens are filled with various rare orchids and fragrant herbs, their medicinal and floral scents entirely blocked by the barrier, preventing strange odors, instead evoking the secluded orchids of an empty valley, brimming with the ethereal essence of the Dao.

Zhang Jian swept his gaze over the surroundings, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his eyes.

Some of these orchids and rare herbs were brought as dowry from the Ji family, while others came from the imperial treasury.

Regarding location, this place may not rival the Central and Western Palaces, but the Daoist aura here is the most intense.

After entering the Immortal Palace, the Noble Consort Ji dismissed her attendants and personally brewed a cup of fragrant tea for Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian casually took it, sipped a mouthful, and a smile appeared on his expression.

Most of his consorts are skilled in tea art, but the one with the finest skill is still this Noble Consort.

Her skill is nearly Dao-like.

Naturally harmonious, causing one to forget worries!

Zhang Jian also praised the Dao.

"Your skill, Consort, is truly pleasing to the eye and heart!"

Ji's jade-like visage blossomed with a flower-like smile.

"If Your Majesty favors it, this humble consort wishes to remain constantly by your side!"

Zhang Jian gave a slight nod.

After finishing the tea, Zhang Jian directed his gaze toward Ji, awaiting what followed.

Ji Xueqiong's wondrous eyes did not dare to be negligent; as she raised her hand, an invisible radiance emerged from deep within her palm, within which intense treasure-light flowed and circulated.

"Your Majesty, please look!"

At this moment, she raised the treasure-light in her hand, yet within it appeared a seven-colored scroll.

At this moment, the scroll slowly unfurled, revealing within it boundless, magnificent scenery, as if it could absorb the boundless seven emotions and six desires of the mundane world; within it manifested heavenly prisons of all realms, within which countless ages stretched across, most transformed into evil thought demon gods, desire heavenly maidens, devouring the spiritual essence of the myriad beings, manifesting boundless scenes.

The power within is vast and magnificent.

Zhang Jian was slightly astonished; the divine radiance and power manifested by this treasure is vast, even surpassing that of several fifth-rank immortal treasures he has seen.

For example, the 'Thousand Jun' held by the Zhu Yan Yaojun!

This fifth-rank immortal treasure is now in his hand.

It is in no way inferior to the Sea King's secret treasure seen in the Qingping Sea Dragon Palace, nor to the Taixu Li Hun Pearl held by Shi Rui!

"Not a bad fifth-rank immortal treasure; your treasure should be a demonic path treasure, seemingly grown by devouring the thoughts of all beings in the mortal world!"

Merely glancing at it, Zhang Jian perceived its true nature.

Ji Xueqiong nodded slightly and said.

"Your Majesty, it is named the Ultimate Bliss Immortal Spirit Scroll, indeed a fifth-rank immortal treasure; it most delights in the intense obsessions of the mortal world, while paying little heed to ordinary mundane thoughts."

After a brief pause, Ji Xueqiong said.

"Moreover, it is a cultivable immortal treasure; it is already not far from reaching sixth-rank!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes widened in astonishment as he gazed at Ji Xueqiong.

A sixth-rank immortal treasure is equivalent to a Daoist-level treasure.

What kind of terrifying existence is a Daoist?

Zhang Jian's expression became slightly solemn; even the two terrifying treasures of the Tongshan Dao Tong have not been heard of advancing to sixth-rank immortal treasure!

Zhang Jian's straight gaze fell upon Ji Xueqiong, the corner of his mouth twitching with a strange trace.

"Why do you inform me of this? You actually need not reveal your secret to me?"

"Because this humble consort wishes to gain Your Majesty's support; this humble consort has now married into the Eastern Zhou Zhang clan, and with the Eastern Zhou Zhang clan we share honor and disgrace, gain and loss, and our future lies above the Great Xia Dynasty!"

Ji Xueqiong does not conceal her thoughts.

She knows that concealing at this time serves no purpose.

Having received guidance from that great master, she clearly understands how keen the primordial spirit of the Primordial Emperor is.

Concealment would inevitably leave seeds of suspicion.

Better to be frank!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered with a hint of a smile.

She was also very satisfied with her attitude toward Ji Xueqiong.

If Ji Xueqiong were willing to fully support him in achieving the Saint King Dao, he would naturally repay her kindness and offer guidance.

He smiled slightly and said at this moment.

"Well said, what my beloved seeks, I have roughly guessed; since you wish to ask, I shall answer you!"

As he raised his hand, a nine-colored divine light emerged from deep within his palm, the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram glowing and flowing, revealing within it the arising and ceasing of a vast thousand-world universe, the scene of samsara.

In the moment this vast thousand-world universe unfolded, Ji Xueqiong clearly felt her Ultimate Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram stir with an intense longing.

"He actually evolved a vast thousand-world universe dimension?"

Deep within the Ultimate Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram, several figures gazed afar at this scene, their expressions likewise moved.

The Ultimate Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram can absorb the desires of all beings, but it has its own limit, constrained by the space of the immortal treasure itself; facing such a world-type immortal method, it would burst upon a single encounter.

But if it could absorb the essence of such a world-type immortal method, it would fill its final shortcoming.

Zhang Jian seemed to have heard this murmured voice, his eyes falling upon the Ultimate Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram; Ji Xueqiong's face turned pale, she felt that at this moment she had no secrets left, everything laid bare before this Great Xia Emperor.

The corner of her mouth twitched, wanting to speak but holding back.

At this moment, Zhang Jian slowly withdrew his hand from the nine-colored Dao Diagram.

Zhang Jian, however, did not quarrel with him, and simply said.

"What your fifth-rank immortal treasure lacks should be the fortune of time and space; this is not difficult. In the future, you may often come to the Purple Micro Hall to listen to the Dao, and I shall explain the profound mysteries of the Great Dao of Time and Space!"

Since Ji Xueqiong had made her attitude clear, Zhang Jian would naturally not be stingy in offering guidance.

The expansion of the Great Xia Dynasty is too rapid, and it now needs powerful figures to hold the fort.

Most of his consorts possess outstanding talent and deep fortune; if they mature, they too could hold a region.

If one day he ascends to the heavenly gates, these consorts could also take his place in guarding the Saint King lineage, ensuring its foundation remains firm.

Upon hearing this, Ji Xueqiong's eyes flickered with a hint of joy, and deep in her heart, a sense of belonging also arose.

The Ultimate Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram is her foundation and also contains her innate Dao path; if this treasure could advance, her future would be limitless.

However, recalling another secret hidden within the Ultimate Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram, Ji Xueqiong felt a slight hesitation in her heart.

Yet see, Zhang Jian had already risen; he glanced at the sky and smiled, saying.

"The tea in your palace is quite fine; I shall come again another day. If you have any doubts, you may enter the Hall of Origin or the Purple Micro Hall at any time to listen to lectures!"

Zhang Jian stepped forward and departed.

At this moment, the moon hung above the willow tips; the feedback from the Ancestral Temple should arrive soon, so he no longer wished to linger overnight in the Immortal Gathering Palace.

At this moment, Ji Xueqiong hurriedly rose to follow, bowing and saying.

"I respectfully see off Your Majesty!"

Zhang Jian waved his hand, stepping upon the moonlight as he left the Immortal Gathering Palace.

In the Ancestral Temple.

Zhang Jian entered his form, and with a casual gesture, sealed this place shut.

He did not wait long; in an instant, he saw the divine light of incense flowing around the golden body of his ancestor, a grand two-realm passage opening, a divine light flowing forth, and in a flash, a blue-green treasure light fell into Zhang Jian's hand.

Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon it, his pupils slightly trembling.

Looking closely, this is a blue-gray treasure pearl.

Within it surge two strange strands of Great Dao law origin; Zhang Jian seemed to see within it the terrifying scene of the Great Dao's arising and ceasing.

Both forces are extraordinarily powerful.

At the same time, a message entered his mind.

Heavenly Earth Rare Treasure: Primordial Birth and Destruction Pearl.

When a vast heavenly realm undergoes nirvana, the birth and destruction creation condenses, containing the vital force of that vast heavenly realm's nirvana, the power of destruction; obtaining it allows one to contemplate creation and destruction, the two great Dao laws of heaven and earth.

One can master the authority of birth and destruction!

Secondly, it contains within it a portion of the Five Elements, Yin and Yang, and spacetime origin; its essence is that of a seed of a vast thousand-world universe!

Zhang Jian glanced at it, and instantly his eyes brightened.

This treasure resembles the 'Heart of Dimension' in lineage, merely more precious.

The 'Heart of Dimension' contains only a hint of its essence, but within this Primordial Birth and Destruction Pearl actually lies the creation and destruction of a vast thousand-world universe.