Chapter 492

The immortals guarded the Dharma around Tianxin Prefecture.

Many high-level cultivators also did not want to miss such a grand event.

It is obvious that if this succeeds, the Great Xia Emperor and the other powerful ones who made a move will all become myths.

Although they could not directly participate, merely witnessing it and leaving a few words upon returning would also allow them to share in the glory.

Five years passed unnoticed.

Time flowed slowly.

The number of cultivators guarding the dense forest had decreased somewhat, but most remained.

Among the three second-generation patriarchs of Tongshan, Qingyuan Patriarch returned to the sect, while Chu Patriarch and Zidian Patriarch led many Tongshan Daoist guardian true immortals and the elder council to garrison the surroundings, to prevent anyone from disrupting Tongshan Daoist affairs.

In other directions were the cultivators of Nanhua Sect and Tianyi Sect, as well as several star masters of the Shengwang clan and the Sheji Shendao, with the Divine King leading the gods to guard with their hands.

In the eyes of the immortals, the surging demonic qi at the entrance of the ancient demon spring had already vanished.

Like a gradually dying volcano.

That terrifying demonic qi was disappearing.

The terrifying aura of the demonized sentient beings, poisoning heaven and earth, was dissipating.

Obviously, the five years of demon-refining effort had already borne fruit.

Below, the heavenly sounds were faint and distant; that ethereal qin melody was clear, tranquil, and made people forget their worries.

All the immortals knew that the demon-refining effort was probably close to success.

Seven days later, however, the continuous, unceasing demon-subduing qin sound that had lasted five years finally ceased.

At the moment the sound faded softly, the next moment saw a vast surge of heavenly and earthly spiritual energy rush up from below, like a soaring pillar of light, the thick pillar like a raging torrent charging into the Dipper Mansion.

The spiritual light was magnificent, like the surging of the vast sea.

The magnificent flow of heavenly and earthly spiritual energy was, with this ancient demon spring as the center, rushing outward in all directions toward Xihebu Prefecture.

The spiritual energy field of Tianxin Prefecture was impacted by this surge; the heavenly and earthly spiritual energy floating in the air increased at a visible speed.

Upon reaching a certain point, it instantly transformed into layers of spiritual energy clouds, and with a stimulation of spiritual energy, it turned into pouring spiritual rain drifting toward the desertified Tianxin Prefecture; the spiritual rain nourished the earth, re-moistening this disaster-prone land.

Many signs of life began to regenerate in the earth; some birds flew overhead, and the seeds left in their bellies fell to the ground; these tree species took root and sprouted directly in a short time.

Auspicious seven-colored immortal light stretched across tens of thousands of miles from the heavens above.

Boom—

Moreover, boundless heavenly and earthly Dao sounds appeared; shortly after, it seemed that purple qi permeated from the depths of the firmament, forming a magnificent purple qi rainbow, within which an invisible heavenly and earthly divine light flew down and fell into the depths of the ancient demon spring.

This magnificent, formless divine light, aside from a few ancient immortals in the forest, other immortals could not perceive it.

They only felt the sky clear and the air fresh, purple qi coming from the east, heavenly sounds manifesting—this was the harmony of heaven and earth, a gift of the Great Dao.

Only a few ancient immortals could vaguely sense the descent of this magnificent cosmic fortune.

Moreover, strands of golden light flew down from within, all falling upon a nearly divine and sage-like person, close to the manifestation of law.

This is heavenly-bestowed merit!

"The demon spring has been eliminated, merit has been accomplished!"

Chu Patriarch and Zidian Patriarch both had some joy in the depths of their eyes, and even more envy.

This is already a tangible great fortune descending from heaven.

To obtain such great fortune and merit, Zhang Jian will enjoy it endlessly for the coming thousands of years!

The immortals watching this scene felt their hearts ease, yet could not help but show expressions of sigh.

This is an omen of heaven and earth.

Since ancient times, heaven and earth have never before shown such an obvious omen.

"The malignant tumor on this earth has finally been removed; such a meritous deed will surely flow fragrantly through the ages and be recorded in history!"

In the crowd, some cultivators who had attained longevity communicated secretly, their eyes somewhat shaken.

Ji Canglan, head of the Ji clan, stood in the crowd, his gaze sweeping over the immortals, his eyes secretly rippling, while also feeling a sense of shared honor.

This time, the Ji clan also participated; this great merit is inseparable from the Ji clan.

Moreover, the Great Xia Emperor below is still a relative by marriage of the Ji clan!

After a few ancient immortals rejoiced, they immediately turned their gazes toward the depths of the demon spring.

The few ancient immortals were quite strange.

The demonic qi of the Netherworld Demon Spring has already been extinguished, this malignant tumor has been resolved, but why have the five not yet appeared?

Chu Patriarch and Zidian Patriarch exchanged a glance; Chu Patriarch slightly calculated with his fingers, then stepped forward a few paces, transforming into two streams of light that sank into the ancient demon spring.

At this moment, the ancient demon spring had completely become a spiritual spring eye condensed from heavenly and earthly spiritual energy.

Transforming malevolent qi into auspiciousness.

Several other ancient immortals—Yihun Daoist, Qian Guang Daoist, Ji Tianyun, Ao Shen, Jiang Zhen, and others—also felt that there might be some opportunity below, so they similarly stepped forward to enter, to watch the excitement and see if there might be any other opportunity.

Deep within the ancient demon spring.

Zhang Jian's body flowed with magnificent innate divine light, purple qi coiled around him, like an innate sovereign nurtured by the Great Dao.

Circles of gold light involuntarily burst forth from behind his head.

In the depths of his palm, nine-colored divine light flowed; the Map of Mountains, Rivers, and State almost became substance, as if it were a beautiful scroll woven from countless heavenly and earthly great Dao law runes, like something nurtured by the Great Dao.

On the other side, the Slaying Demon True Monarch held in one hand a scroll of Yin and Yang two qi transformed into swimming fish, and in the other hand pinched a jade-green treasure jade bamboo; after glancing at this fifth-rank Buddhist treasure a few times, she casually tossed it to Zhang Jian.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian smiled slightly and then put it away.

Although this fifth-rank Buddhist treasure does not quite match his path, Zhang Jian has his own wonderful use.

Zhang Jian intends to refine it properly afterward, to use it as the clan-protecting supreme treasure of the Eastern Continent Zhang clan.

This treasure will henceforth be left for the true immortals of the Eastern Continent Zhang clan dwelling in the mundane world, and even celestial immortals, to use to deter external enemies.

In the distance, the Ji clan, Changchun True Monarch, and Yuxiu True Monarch also saw this scene, their eyes showing different expressions.

Changchun True Monarch, Yuxiu True Monarch's eyes held a hint of envy.

Although they each possessed a supreme treasure in their hands, these treasures all came from the immortal sect lineage behind them, and must be returned after use.

Where would they get the chance, like the other three, to solely control a fifth-rank immortal treasure?

They dare not even lightly take a fifth-rank immortal treasure into their hands, lest they invite great trouble!

The Ji clan, however, wore a smiling countenance.

For the Zhang clan of Dongzhou to gain another fifth-rank immortal treasure—this is indeed a great joy!

But now, several people have turned their gazes more toward the depths below the eye of the demon spring.

As the boundless demonic slaughter was completely refined by the great formation, the true form also emerged at the center of the demon spring.

A colossal demon god's corpse floated into view before everyone's eyes.

This demon god's body took human form throughout, with white bones already visible within, yet its entire form was entwined with a vast and mighty slaughterous aura, causing those who beheld it to feel dread, as if gazing upon it for a few more moments would pollute their primordial spirit and consciousness, giving rise to demonic obstacles.

At this moment, the other four also employed the power of their supreme treasures to shield their primordial spirits, lest they be infected by the demon god's corpse.

Zhang Jian gazed upon this demon god's corpse.

This demon god's corpse is the source of the ancient demon spring.

It is precisely it that continuously absorbs the killing intent, yin energy, and misfortune from heaven and earth, thus forming the ancient demon spring.

Of course, the core is then a drop of heart's blood from this demon god's corpse.

And the demon god's essence blood has now been completely refined by the State and Ancestors' Cauldron into spiritual mechanism, which nourishes heaven and earth.

In the depths of Zhang Jian's eyes, purple-gold light flowed and shifted; moments later, with a casual wave of his hand, two divine lights were seen drawn forth from within.

Only to see the two divine lights merge, resembling dragons and serpents, appearing deep within his palm.

These were two substantiated remnants of the Great Dao.

At one moment transforming into a Great Dao seal, at another into Great Dao patterns, two kinds of vast and magnificent phenomena flowed forth from within.

"Fourth-rank authority!"

At this moment, a voice transmitted from the void.

Yet, seen within the surging spiritual mechanism, a white and a purple light flowed past, and the forms of the Old Ancestor of Law and the Old Ancestor of Purple Lightning emerged from the spiritual mechanism.

Following this, many ancient immortals appeared, a portion of the immortals.

All the immortals saw the two Great Dao divine lights in Zhang Jian's hands, as well as the terrifying corpse deep within the demon spring.

But after merely glancing at the corpse, the immortals' faces showed astonishment, and they hastily withdrew their gazes.

Zhang Jian, however, slowly collected the two remnants.

These two remnants are transformations of Great Dao authority.

One is Earth, the other is Profound Yin.

The two authorities contain the profound mysteries of the heavenly and earthly Great Dao laws, and are of immense value.

If supplied to a deity for absorption, it would not be difficult to create a deity of Taiyi rank, or a true immortal of the second-rank Star Lord, or even a second-rank Heavenly God.

It can also be merged into one's own cultivated immortal methods, which would likewise greatly enhance the power of one's immortal arts.

Zhang Jian did not particularly value the Profound Yin authority, but he was quite interested in that Earth authority.

"It seems this is where the corpse of the Netherworld Demon God lies!"

The Old Ancestor of Law's eyes at this moment fell upon that enormous corpse.

He had previously mentioned that the Netherworld Demon God held sway over the authorities of Earth and Profound Yin.

The two divine Dao authorities contained within the ancient demon god's corpse before them are precisely Profound Yin and Earth.

Zhang Jian laughed at this moment!

"Ancestral Master, this ancient demon god's corpse is now entrusted to you for handling; our mission is already complete, and we may even consider it an early accomplishment and withdrawal!"

Yet he did not greatly value such an ancient demon god's corpse.

Although such an ancient demon god's corpse possesses some value, utilizing it is extremely difficult, and he has already prepared not to expend such arduous effort on it.

He is now impatiently eager to return to the long-separated Great Xia Dynasty to go to the ancestral temple and reap the benefits!

The Old Ancestor of Law and the Old Ancestor of Purple Lightning, upon hearing this, smiled faintly.

"Go!"

Zhang Jian immediately nodded, then took with him Ji Shi, and the Slaughter Demon True Monarch transformed into a streak of light, sinking into the spiritual mechanism light pillar, and flew out of the ancient demon spring.

In the void above, at this moment, the expressions of the three all showed some relaxation and smiles.

Five years of closed-door cultivation—how could the three not have tensed their minds, exerting all effort to maintain the demon-refining great formation lest any mishap occur?

At this moment, Zhang Jian extended an invitation to the Slaughter Demon True Monarch.

"Master, upon my return I will immediately begin refining this fifth-rank immortal treasure, yet I cannot go to the Tongshan Dao lineage to serve; I do not know if Master would be willing to come to Great Xia, so that I may fully fulfill my filial duty?!"

Upon hearing this, the Slaughter Demon True Monarch let out a light snort.

"Unworthy disciple, you speak as if you were truly filial!"

Her cold and aloof gaze flicked a glance at Zhang Jian; Zhang Jian's expression smiled, yet he took no offense.

"Master has wronged the disciple; the disciple's filial heart is renowned throughout the Great Xia Dynasty—who does not know, who is not aware?!"

The Slaughter Demon True Monarch sneered.

"Within and without the Great Xia Dynasty, if it is not your subjects, then it is your officials—who dares to speak ill of you?!"

Immediately, her countenance became solemn, and she spoke with reverence.

"This return, to assist you in refining the demonic slaughter, as your teacher I have also gained much insight into the Slaughter Demon Extermination of Immortals sword intent; the sword intent is now purer, more refined; as your teacher, I fear I must enter closed-door cultivation for a hundred years; if you have any matters ahead, you may freely consult with your Ironheart Martial Uncle, or even your ancestral master!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian could not help but feel joy for the Slaughter Demon True Monarch.

Having reached the cultivation level of the Slaughter Demon True Monarch, each clear advancement brings a leap in strength.

Zhang Jian also hopes this master of his is a fellow traveler on his own Great Dao, rather than ultimately fading into obscurity among the crowd.

After Zhenmo Zhenjun left alone, Zhang Jian and the Ji clan exchanged a glance, and Zhang Jian smiled and said.

"My love, do you have anything to say to your father-in-law? I can wait a few days for you!"

Upon hearing this, the Ji clan smiled charmingly.

"Your Majesty, you still do not understand my father, do you? He has many children and does not lack me. We possess the supreme treasure; it is better to return first to the Great Xia Dynasty to properly refine it!"

Zhang Jian nodded upon hearing this.

……

Great Xia Dynasty, Haojing City.

Five years without seeing, Haojing City inside and out has not changed much, only the population has become somewhat more dense, and the soldiers of the Great Xia Dynasty are leading many artisans in constructing the outer city and the inner city.

In the palace, after Zhang Jian returned, he first went to see the Western Palace Empress Bai.

Afterwards, he summoned several consorts in the Western Palace, as well as the crown prince, crown princess, many princes, and grandsons, and only then prepared the sacrificial offerings and entered the Ancestral Temple.

This time Zhang Jian prepared to sacrifice alone, no longer holding the grand Heaven and Earth Sacrifice.

After the Heaven Sacrifice Grand Ceremony is completed when the Sacred Dao is accomplished, then sacrifice again, it will not be too late.

In the Ancestral Temple, before the many spirit tablets, numerous eternal lamps are lit, burning day and night, the lamp oil in the eternal lamps being tribute from part of the immortal sect lineages of the coastal prefectures, whale oil, refined from the essence of demon beasts, unextinguished for ten thousand years.

And when Zhang Jian entered the Ancestral Temple, pairs of eyes fixed upon him.

The expression of Qingxia Daozun was somewhat tense.

The events that occurred in the Zhou Shan Realm, she already knew through the special channels of the Lantai Palace.

Someone even specially 'reported' this matter to her.

Actually, that was superfluous.

When a great realm appears with such a great matter as heaven-bestowed merit, the Heavenly Realm naturally pays attention.

After all, once such a heaven's proud son appears, they become the focus of contention among all the great Heavenly Realms.

The Heavenly Court naturally will also pay attention.

Qingxia Daozun pays particular attention to Zhang Jian.

Indeed, her guess came true.

After resolving the ancient magic spring, this fellow could not wait to return to the Great Xia Dynasty and rush into the Ancestral Temple.

At this moment, Qingxia Daozun felt all the pressure fall upon herself.

The scale of the previous sacrifice was already so great that she could barely bear the pressure.

And this time, the scale is likely even greater.

At this moment, inside the ancestral temple, the gold, silver, and ingots prepared by Zhang Jian were truly piled up like mountain ranges.

This time he prepared more gold, silver, and ingots than last time, once again refreshing the limit of the sacrifice.

Zhang Jian believed that this time his 'filial piety' would surely satisfy the ancestors.

Then he directly operated the Mustard Seed Sumeru Method, placing this mountain of gold, silver, and ingots directly into the great cauldron, and began the sacrifice.

Firelight bird by bird, blue smoke straight into the azure heavens!