Chapter 582: Breakthrough (4K)

Ten years later, the Heavenly Court dispatched an envoy to reside in the Eternal Ice Fortress, specifically to investigate the collusion of Immortal Lord Wu Chun with extradimensional demons in plotting harm against the Immortal Prison Immortal Gods.

The envoy was a powerful figure from the Heavenly Human Royal Clan.

This powerful figure, Zhang Jian, was not unfamiliar—he was precisely Min Hua Immortal Lord, whom he had once seen at a banquet in Yaochi.

This is a supremely renowned powerful figure of the Heavenly Human Royal Clan.

Although not one of the Ten Immortal Lords who stood out in the Yaochi trials, he has long enjoyed great fame among the Heavenly Humans.

He is also a heavenly realm heir apparent!

Thirty-three heavens, a heavenly realm heir apparent—such a status is of utmost importance!

Upon entering the Eternal Ice Fortress, he was not without purpose in coming here.

However, upon sensing the presence of the Yu King within the fortress, his attitude became humble; after a brief investigation, he directly departed from the Eternal Ice Fortress.

Sixty years later, a major event occurred around the Eternal Ice Fortress.

The two Dao Seeds of the Penglai Dao Palace, who had ventured deep into the ice-sealed abyss, suddenly had their life lamps extinguished, drawing numerous powerful figures from the Penglai Dao Palace to descend.

On that day, the entire ice-sealed abyss seemed to have been overturned.

A terrifying demon god also emerged from within.

Yet this was a demon god guarding the Eternal Forbidden Zone, a primordial wilderness demon god.

This battle shattered half of the Eternal Mountain Range, and the power of several divine lights surged straight between heaven and earth.

Several streams of light tore through spacetime, but at the moment one terrifying demonic aura emerged, it was immediately ensnared by the heavenly net of the Thirty-Three Heavens surrounding it, becoming a bird in a cage.

Above the gate of the Eternal Ice Fortress, Zhang Jian's Lotus King Treasure Mirror manifested like a green full moon before him.

Within the Lotus King Treasure Mirror, various terrifying visions appeared.

Amidst the boundless demonic aura, he saw a blue-flamed blazing sun manifest, shining upon heaven and earth, as if an endless world-burning flame consumed the azure heavens, countless heavenly and earthly great principles burned to ashes by the azure demonic flame.

It wielded strategy and manipulation, effortlessly grasping numerous ancient demon secret arts, extraordinarily domineering.

Yet upon encountering the heavenly net, when the net descended and continuously contracted, it trapped him within layer upon layer of the heavenly net.

At this moment, Zhang Jian's Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi merged into the depths of the Central Heavenly Realm; he grasped a portion of the Central Heavenly Realm's special authority, and he felt his Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi also functioning within the heavenly net to suppress and harmonize numerous earth ancestral qi in a wondrous manner.

"Ancestral Master, the methods employed by this demon god seem to be those of the ancient demon race, using a pure demon god's body to command the great principles of heaven and earth—ultimately, it is rather primitive!"

Zhang Jian glanced, his expression somewhat solemn.

Zhang Jian has not had brief dealings with the demon race.

Today's demon race differs greatly from that of ancient times.

Their pursuit is no longer merely physical strength; the flesh, blood, and vigor—ancient and modern demon races alike now emphasize coordination with magical artifacts, and for the flesh and blood, their harmony.

The Yu King gazed upon this powerful demon god, pondered, and said.

"This demon greatly resembles the close-attendant deity beside the ancient Heavenly Emperor, employing the divine methods of the ancient Sun God lineage, and even bearing the shadow of the Golden Crow Dharma form—possibly also a guardian of the Eternal Immortal Prison in ancient times!"

"Cangnan and Miaoling are truly pitiful, having fallen here!"

The Yu King shook his head slightly.

Zhang Jian's eyes grew somewhat heavy.

He had not expected that Miaoling Immortal Lord, who once stirred great commotion on Yaochi, would fall so easily.

And also that Cangnan Immortal Lord.

His ranking on the Dao Seed List was, in fact, within the top ten.

This is too absurd!

Simultaneously, Zhang Jian's heart could not help but arise with an intense sense of vigilance.

Even high-ranking immortal gods must maintain a heart of reverence.

Even with numerous backers behind him, one must still be cautious and careful.

The Yu King also sighed somewhat.

"Those few Dao friends of the Penglai Dao Palace—this era is truly unfortunate; having painstakingly cultivated two Dao Seeds, they lost both at once—this era is bound to be bleak!"

"However, these two juniors also had their calamity arrive; encountering an ancient demon god at this time, their protective secret treasures likely proved useless……"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian could not help but ask.

"Ancestral Master, before we attain the Dao Lord realm, will we also face calamities like tribulation?"

The Yu King replied casually.

"Of course there will be; attaining Dao Lord requires breaking through fate's obstruction, passing the Great Calamity of Destruction—in this state, one must not be tainted by any calamitous evil, lest enemies exploit it or invite demonic tribulation, and external calamities may arise; however, most gods clearly understand this, basically purifying their own calamitous evil early on, thus avoiding external calamities!"

Zhang Jian asked again.

"Ancestral Master, then can karma have an influence?"

The Yu King glanced at Zhang Jian and said.

"Karma, as a great principle, is indeed subtle, but its influence is actually much smaller—ask yourself, when passing the Great Calamity of Destruction, would you easily let your great enemy know where you are undergoing tribulation? Even if he knew, he likely would not dare to storm your lair!"

"Of course, unless the object of your karma is extraordinarily powerful, terrifying, far beyond your ability to resist—perhaps during your tribulation, it would affect you!"

"After all, with the divine powers of a Dao Lord, one can indeed use the karma principle to manipulate spellcasting, perform curses, or employ other tricks to interfere with your tribulation!"

After a brief pause, the Yu King laughed and said.

"However, you need not worry—being an official member of the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Association, you may use the Fire Cloud Cavern Heaven to undergo the Great Calamity of Destruction!"

"While within the Fire Cloud Cavern Heaven, who could break its protection and affect you?"

"If unwilling, you may also use the Jade Emperor's Peak of the Central Heavenly Realm to undergo tribulation—the effect is similar!"

Zhang Jian nodded slightly.

The Yu King glanced at Zhang Jian and said.

"Cultivate well; do not worry—given your accumulated great fortune, your luck will surely surpass that of Cangnan and Miaoling!"

He patted Zhang Jian's shoulder.

Zhang Jian was speechless.

……

Following Cangnan and Miaoling, the two Dao seeds of the Penglai Dao Palace fell into the Eternal Forbidden Zone.

The many immortals and gods around the Eternal Forbidden Zone immediately restrained themselves.

The power contained in this Eternal Forbidden Zone is too terrifying.

Dangerous places like the Ice-Sealed Abyss are not just one in the depths of the Eternal Mountains.

Moreover, with the descent of several Dao Zun's true forms, after returning empty-handed, the wave of treasure hunting around the Eternal Ice Fortress gradually dissipated.

Six hundred years later.

Zhang Jian sensed this change and immediately summoned the Bai and Ji women from the Lingyuan Emperor's mansion.

Ji cultivated the Supreme Bliss Demon Realm Immortal Law through the Great Desire of the Red Dust, and likewise needed to draw upon the ice and snow power deep within the Eternal Ice Fortress to refine her state of mind.

Bai, on the other hand, needed to refine the Xuanming Divine Banner and begin merging with the Xuanming Divine Position, to reforge her foundation.

Eternal Heavenly Lord's Mansion

At this moment, Bai gazed upon the Xuanming Divine Banner taken out by Zhang Jian, her expression filled with an incredulous look.

"Your Majesty, I fear I may not be able to subdue the Xuanming Divine Banner smoothly..."

At this moment, gazing upon such a supreme treasure, she felt somewhat apprehensive, even uneasy.

Seeing her expression, Zhang Jian laughed and said.

"I heard you recently participated in the Qingqiu Grand Assembly of the Qingqiu Palace; I suppose Lady Tushan has already guided you!"

Bai Liying nodded slightly.

She had come precisely from the Qingqiu Palace.

Zhang Jian had great confidence in Bai Liying.

"Fourth daughter, you are of the Xuanming Dragon Seed lineage; why belittle yourself? Since you can govern a province in the lower realms, even the wind and rain divine office of a realm, you can naturally command the rain and snow authority of the heavenly voids!"

Bai Liying is a Xuanming True Dragon, a superior dragon seed among the dragon clan.

Moreover, having undergone the Sea King's Sacrifice, her bloodline is exceptionally pure.

Such a bloodline, even among the Four Seas Dragon Clan, belongs to the superior foundation.

And her resolve in seeking the Dao is extremely firm; Zhang Jian naturally has great confidence in her.

Bai Liying was merely startled by this great fortune suddenly upon her, a momentary apprehension; after composing her mind, she also steadied her heart and directly took over the Xuanming Divine Banner, a bright gleam appearing in the depths of her eyes as she said.

"I shall not disappoint Your Majesty's high expectations!"

Bai Liying bowed deeply, and Zhang Jian laughed heartily, stepped forward to help her up, and laughed.

"We have been Dao partners for tens of thousands of years; why be so distant?"

At this moment, Zhang Jian gave the side hall of the Eternal Ice Crystal Divine Palace to Bai, for her cultivation therein.

……

On the other side, he also arranged for Ji to enter the Eternal Ice Fortress, and Zhang Jian subsequently entered a state of semi-secluded cultivation.

After completing the elevation of the Dao heart, Zhang Jian slightly consolidated a thousand years of time, then began attempting to use the power of the Three Lives Stone to penetrate the timeline, sever fate, gather all his power into one, and unite myriad powers into a single self.

In the main hall of the Eternal Ice Crystal Divine Palace.

At this moment, Zhang Jian's body radiated three-colored divine light; a majestic divine stone appeared above his head, as if connected to the river of time and space in the deep void, the river of fate, linking and penetrating deep into Zhang Jian's life palace.

In the omen of the river of time and space above his head, countless scenes seemed to emerge.

There was the bewilderment when he was born, also the innocence of childhood when he studied alongside hundreds of Zhang clan children, the apprehension and excitement upon first contacting ancestral power from the ancestral hall, and also the joy of passing the prefectural and academy examinations through this.

Among them, the numerous ones were the daily diligent study.

And afterward, there appeared the scene of his name on the golden list, becoming the top scholar, and even condensing a Golden Core, aided by various great fortunes to achieve the Primordial Spirit.

These clear months and years appeared one by one before his eyes, as if just yesterday.

Next, he needed to rely on great divine power to gradually gather these containments of his past, present, and future timelines into one, achieving unity across myriad realms, letting his state remain forever at the peak, eternal and unique, without regression.

……

Five hundred years later.

Eternal Ice Fortress, at the city gate, Ji had already emerged from seclusion; her body was surrounded by a layer of ethereal aura, the dignity and lethal law upon her had completely vanished, returning to simplicity and truth, attaining ease and freedom.

At this moment, she felt her whole body relaxed.

With the aid of the Eternal Solitude Power within the Eternal Ice Prison, she successfully eliminated the hidden dangers on her body.

Her Dao heart could now freely control the Supreme Bliss Immortal Spirit Image nurtured within the Supreme Bliss Demon Realm.

She could calmly contemplate the Taiyi Dao Fruit's divine marvels, without fear of falling into the demonic path.

At this moment, her eyes gazed upon the vast expanse of snow-white.

Heavy snow fell silently; this is a city of eternal ice and snow.

Such a beautiful sight, at first glance, is heart-stirring, but facing such scenery day after day for hundreds, even thousands of years, truly tests the Dao heart of immortals and gods.

"I heard that Daoist Ji comes from the Ji family of the Three Emperors' Heavenly Realm?"

Just then, a clear voice came.

Ji Xueqiong looked over, only to see a divine general appearing on the city wall amidst a host of heavenly soldiers; this divine general had a square face, middle-aged appearance, a bone-structure national-character face with light stubble, and his eyes were full of dignity.

He is the Lingwu Immortal Official Yuan Jiang.

Upon hearing this, Ji smiled and said.

"I am from the Ji family of the Mundane Realm; although I have some connection with the Ji family of the Heavenly Emperor's Heavenly Realm, in reality the difference is still great!"

Yuan Jiang laughed and said.

"Daoist Ji, with such talent, actually not being from the Ji family of the Three Emperors' Heavenly Realm, but rather the opposite, makes people even more astonished!"

Ji's expression remained calm, and she spoke serenely.

"Yuan Tongling, you flatter me. Immortals like us are commonplace in the Heavenly Court—nothing to boast about!"

Yuan Jiang shook his head.

"You can't put it that way. Every immortal official in the Heavenly Court is either a major realm in the mortal world or a heaven-chosen prodigy from the depths of the heavenly realms—none can be lumped together!"

"As for the Ji clan of the Three Emperors' Heavenly Realm, you, fellow Daoist, are certainly among the exceptionally outstanding!"

Seeing Yuan Tongling's effusive praise, the Ji clan fell somewhat speechless.

Ever since she took charge of part of the internal affairs on Zhang Jian's behalf, she had clearly noticed that many immortals inside and outside the Eternal Ice Fortress now treated her with markedly greater respect.

Even Yuan Jiang, a Taiyi Heavenly Immortal like this.

But ultimately, it is still the divine might of Zhang Jian, this Eternal Heavenly Sovereign.

Without Zhang Jian, even if she truly were of the Ji clan of the Three Emperors' Heavenly Realm, these high-ranking immortals might not necessarily show her any favor.

Seeing the Ji clan unwilling to speak further, Yuan Jiang merely twitched his eyes slightly.

After the chief commander of the Eternal Heavenly Soldiers, Wu Chun, and the deputy fortress master of the Ice Fortress met with misfortune, the position of chief commander of the Eternal Heavenly Army and the deputy fortress master suddenly became vacant.

As the deputy commander of the Eternal Heavenly Army, Yuan Jiang naturally had hopes of being a candidate, so he had been actively campaigning all along.

But at this moment, the most important factor undoubtedly is Zhang Jian's attitude as the Heavenly Sovereign of the Eternal Ice Fortress.

If Zhang Jian does not support him, the Heavenly Court may very well parachute in another chief commander from above.

At this time, Zhang Jian was in seclusion.

Thus, handling this matter falls to the Ji clan, and he naturally must devote some thought to winning her favor.

The Ji clan watched Yuan Jiang's retreating figure, a faint smile appearing in her eyes.

She saw through Yuan Jiang's urgency as clearly as observing a candle flame.

On this matter, she did not intend to make things difficult for him.

Yuan Jiang had already declared his stance—willing to follow the Eternal Heavenly Sovereign wholeheartedly—and she, of course, did not wish for a stranger to be parachuted in as chief commander.

The memorial recommending him had already been drafted by her; it only needed to be submitted to the Heavenly Court.

At this time, her gaze fell upon the city walls beyond, and she noticed that over the past century, the chill of the Eternal Ice Fortress had seemed to grow day by day, the snowfall increasing steadily, occasionally interspersed with rain and snow.

The region of Bei Zhou also showed some anomalies—reports said winter had grown longer than in previous years.

The Ji clan paid no heed to such minor changes.

Bei Zhou borders the Eternal Forbidden Zone; the Eternal Mountains were partially destroyed in battles among several Dao Lords, so Bei Zhou being affected is entirely normal.

"Who knows what level the Sovereign's cultivation has reached!"

At this moment, the Ji clan felt a stir of contemplation in her heart.

Soon she descended from the city walls again and returned to the Heavenly Sovereign's residence.

One thousand two hundred and eighty years later.

In the Eternal Ice Crystal Divine Hall, upon the Heavenly Sovereign's throne, Zhang Jian's body erupted with a magnificent, ineffable power. Above his head, the river of spacetime and fate deepened, and in this moment of radiant brilliance, countless strands of spacetime-self flowed like rivers into the sea, naturally merging into Zhang Jian's very being around the Heavenly Sovereign's throne.

Beneath the three-colored divine light, there was not the slightest hesitation!

The power of the Three Lives Stone penetrated all ages, including traces of some Dao Lords, and was submerged by the three-colored divine light!

Some Dao Lords who had once interacted with Zhang Jian faintly sensed this at that moment, but did not move to obstruct!

Most of these Dao Lords had no conflict with Zhang Jian!

And those who did conflict with him were willing but powerless!

Such as the Nine Phoenixes, the Ultimate Demon Lord, and so on!

Upon the Heavenly Sovereign's throne, the Dao-fruit immortal light at the depths of his brow expanded at a visible speed, swelling more than three to four times in a short time.

Behind him, the river of spacetime gradually contracted, collapsing into a point that entered his Earth Sovereign Dao-fruit deep within; at this moment, his past, present, and future suddenly became an impenetrable chaos.

His entire being was filled with eternity, the sole magnificent Dao rhythm.

The fourth step of Taiyi Perfection had already been achieved.