Chapter 613

There is no doubt that it is a true Dao Lord-level status!

At this moment, Zhang Jian felt that the eternal will born from this transformation, combined with his own immortal arts, already allowed him to wield the powerful Dao arts of a Dao Lord.

The Dao Lord status, the transformation of eternal will, can unleash the true divine power of the several first-level eternal Dao arts he has comprehended.

Eternal cultivation, Dao Lord-level Dao heart, eternal will, Dao Lord's body.

Five in one, he has already achieved four.

Next, only the transformation of the Earth Emperor's primordial spirit into an eternal primordial spirit remains; once achieved, it will trigger the transformation of the Earth Emperor's Dao fruit, completing the final advancement.

And when the Dao Lord's primordial spirit takes form, it will be the time to assault the Great Calamity of Annihilation.

In the vast side hall of the Nine Abysses, Zhang Jian did not rush to leave seclusion, but instead spent a period of time carefully comprehending the subtlety of eternal will, rebalancing the power of eternal will with his own Dao heart, Dao fruit, Dao cultivation, immortal body, and primordial spirit.

Behind him, the purple-yellow mixed yin-yang Taiji diagram slowly flowed, eventually transforming into a dragon shape that sank deep into his brow, where a curling dragon-shaped Dao totem appeared in the depths of his brow.

This is the eternal totem he evolved, also representing the authority of Dao Lord-level status.

……

Three hundred years later, the side hall doors boomed open with a loud sound.

Zhang Jian emerged wearing a wide-sleeved imperial robe of mixed dark gray, head crowned with an imperial crown, tall and slender, with a faint smile appearing in the depths of his eyes.

At this moment, he saw Shi You standing like a stone carving on the steps before the hall.

Shi You's expression was calm; his eyes glanced at Zhang Jian for a moment before instantly withdrawing his gaze.

Zhang Jian now bore a unique eternal, enduring power belonging to the Dao Lord level, clearly having completed the sixth step of the Taiyi Perfection cultivation.

Observing the smooth and flawless circulation of his divine energy, it seemed his foundation was solid and his Dao path unobstructed.

He remained silent and did not speak because of this.

Zhang Jian, however, smiled and said.

"These past years, I am indeed grateful to Marshal Shi, for sparing me many troubles!"

"

Shi You's gaze remained calm, and he simply said.

"This is the Emperor's own perseverance, insight, and opportunity; it has little to do with me. Even if any other guard were replaced, they would not fall short of what this deity has accomplished!"

Shi You spoke in a rigid, formal manner, while Zhang Jian found it somewhat hard to adjust to.

But he said nothing more.

Zhang Jian then went to visit the Empress Hou Tu, but was preparing to request leave for a period of time to return to the Central Heavenly Realm.

In the Hall of Peace.

Upon the tall divine throne lay a layer of hazy, earth-yellow divine light.

It bore no domineering or majestic aura, nor any pressure of the divine path; it was merely hazy and vague, concealing all heavenly secrets, time and space, and fate, making it impossible for anyone to clearly see the face of the goddess within.

Upon hearing Zhang Jian's purpose, the goddess immediately granted him leave.

After a slight pause, the goddess spoke again.

"If this seat is not mistaken, your primordial spirit is innately special!"

In the great hall, upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression stirred, and he immediately nodded slightly.

"Your Majesty's gaze is like a torch; since my birth, my primordial spirit has been extraordinarily special!"

Upon the divine throne, Hou Tu smiled faintly.

"Few people can escape my sight; most are peers from the ancient era, even elders. You are the only junior!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's heart trembled.

He did not know why this great deity suddenly brought up this matter.

Could it be because the secret of the sacrifices has already been exposed?

This thought flashed through his mind, but he quickly suppressed it.

Whether exposed or not, this goddess at least currently bears him no ill will.

That alone is enough!

Nevertheless, Hou Tu's words still left him astonished.

He knew his primordial spirit had possessed unimaginable resilience since birth, with hidden mysteries within.

Yet he never imagined that even an existence like Empress Hou Tu could not see through it.

What kind of existence is Empress Hou Tu?

One of the Six Sovereigns of the Heavenly Court, her cultivation is likely already at an unimaginable level.

Moreover, she is the creator of the Netherworld's Underworld and thus proficient in the Dao of the soul.

"If not for my familiarity with the primordial energy of those few supreme beings, I would almost think you are one of them..."

Hou Tu's words carried a faint, light smile.

Zhang Jian's expression froze, and a hidden suspicion stirred in his heart.

Yet the meaning behind Hou Tu's words still left him utterly astonished.

Could his innate primordial spirit truly possess such a nature?

How could he have not felt it?

He could only feel that his innate primordial spirit was extraordinarily strong, its inner resilience far surpassing that of his physical body.

Aside from that, there were no other particularly 'intentional' abilities.

Merely, his spiritual awareness was somewhat sharper, his comprehension somewhat stronger, and his control over heavenly and earthly forces somewhat more refined—could this not simply be the normal divine talent?

"But it is very strange: at your birth, you were indeed recorded in the Book of Life and Death, and with the power of those few beings I know, the Book of Life and Death cannot record their names, otherwise it would be unable to withstand that power and would be damaged!"

Zhang Jian could only listen quietly.

After a moment, Hou Tu gently withdrew her gaze and finally smiled.

This is your innate talent; you need not worry about it!

However, there is one point I must remind you of!

Your primordial spirit is unusual; perhaps the Great Calamity of Annihilation will come upon you much faster than you imagine—beware of being caught off guard!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression became solemn.

He had, in fact, anticipated this in his heart beforehand.

His primordial spirit is inherently extraordinarily powerful, so the speed of transforming into an eternal primordial spirit will be very fast.

But the advice of the Empress of Earth is naturally sound.

I fear it will be much faster than he imagined.

Does this not mean he could at any moment undergo the Great Calamity of Annihilation?

Yet he still has many preparations incomplete.

After bidding farewell to the Empress of Earth, Zhang Jian still prepared to return to the Central Heavenly Realm as planned.

……

Central Heavenly Realm, fifth layer of the Upper Heavenly Realm, within the mansion of the Nine Abysses Emperor.

Yet before the mansion, it was extraordinarily lively, as Zhang immortals from various heavenly realm branches gathered in great numbers, and a Blue Lotus Banquet was being held within the mansion.

At this time, many disciples of the Zhang clan gathered around the two venerable elders, Qi and Bai Li Ying, beside the Nine Revolutions Chaos Creation Spring, admiring the flowers.

Also present were the three female immortals of the Taiyi level: Ji, Meng, and Ying.

Around these three female immortals were also many immortals gathered.

Though the offspring they bore were not as illustrious as those born of the Qi and Bai clans, they were still quite remarkable.

Especially Ji.

Indeed, the origins of several Zhang clan descendants from various heavenly realm branches trace back to her offspring.

By Qi's side at this time were Zhang Zhao, Zhang Xian, Zhang Chang'an, Zhang Qiao, gathered around, along with a daughter-in-law; the beautiful countenance of Qi bore a faint smile that could not be concealed.

By Bai's side were also Zhang Yi, as well as Zhang Tianrui, Zhang Tianhe, Zhang Tianxiang, and other outstanding juniors under his command.

By Ji's side were also Zhang Nan, Zhang Yujing, and other members of the Zhang clan.

"Snow Qiong, we did not expect that you would have descendants filling the hall, grandchildren surrounding your knees—according to the physiognomy we showed you back then, though you are of extremely noble heavenly destiny, your fate should have been few offspring, sitting alone in the heavenly gates!"

In the depths of the pavilion, deep within Ji's brow, several voices began to argue.

"That is because your divination is inaccurate; half-baked skill, yet you still dare to show off!"

"Who said that? My Taiyi Divine Numbers are renowned throughout the myriad worlds; if not so, how could you few have survived to this day!"

Those voices came from her fifth-rank immortal treasure, the Extreme Bliss Immortal Spirit Map.

Ji has long grown accustomed to the bickering of those artifact spirits.

After the artifact spirits finished arguing, they turned their gaze toward the myriad heavenly and earthly strange beings in sight.

"However, Snow Qiong, these heavenly spirit medicines are hard-won to maturity; you might not want to waste them—look, that stalk of Rakshasa Fire Lotus, its maturity exceeding a hundred thousand years, the Fire Lotus over a hundred thousand years old, is rarely seen in the myriad worlds; moreover, those medicinal herbs transformed into spirit-beast forms, aged ten thousand years, are truly astonishing—even the Nine Abysses Lingzhi, a treasure rare even in the netherworld's underworld, can actually exceed a hundred thousand years, and yet you have not harvested it—this is the supreme treasure for nourishing the primordial spirit!"

In the Extreme Bliss Immortal Spirit Map, beneath each of those bowl-thick crimson plum treasure trees, at this moment three figures sat facing each other at a table: a woodcutter, an immortal dressed as a hermit practitioner, and another dressed as a heroic knight, with a wine gourd hanging at his waist.

The woodcutter's eyes now gleamed, saliva dripping from his mouth.

Upon hearing this, Ji laughed, her voice echoing within the Extreme Bliss Immortal Spirit Map.

"Do not worry, my three masters; after the Blue Lotus Banquet, I will pluck some petals for you to steep in wine!"

"Good disciple, we have not indulged you in vain!"

Upon hearing this, the woodcutter rejoiced greatly.

The hermit-dressed immortal, upon hearing this, shook his head and said.

"Truly hopeless—just a bit of heavenly earth spirit medicine makes you this excited!"

"In our prime, we wouldn't even mention these; even innate treasures were commonplace!"

A hint of recollection appeared in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Ji's expression merely gave a faint smile.

At this moment, as the flower-viewing ended, the Blue Lotus Banquet had already begun.

Ji was about to step forward when, suddenly, her expression stirred—she saw a familiar figure suddenly appear in the void beside the pavilion.

A familiar voice came through.

"It seems my return is timely indeed—truly, it is wonderfully lively!"

"Emperor!"

Ji was slightly startled; her exquisite face bloomed as if a hundred flowers blossomed, radiant and breathtakingly beautiful.

In the distance, Qi, Bai, and many other immortal consorts also saw Zhang Jian's return from afar, each one's expression revealing undisguised joy they could not conceal.

Moreover, many juniors turned their curious gazes toward him.

Zhang Yi, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Xian, and the other sons all bore smiles.

With Zhang Jian's return, the atmosphere of the Blue Lotus Banquet instantly reached its peak.

At the banquet, Zhang Jian, taking advantage of his joy, also bestowed some small trinkets he had obtained over the years in the Netherworld Underworld upon some favored juniors.

Most of these small trinkets were selected from the treasury of the Nether Moon Ghost Kingdom, or alternatively, were tribute offerings from other netherworld ghosts and deities—all are fine items.

For him, their use is limited.

But for these juniors, their utility is immense.

Among them are not lacking some third-rank and fourth-rank immortal treasures—these correspond to the Taiyi True Numbers, Taiyi Heavenly Immortal-level immortal treasures, or alternatively, auxiliary heavenly earth divine objects, even heavenly earth rare treasures.

Many Zhang clan powerhouses gazed upon this scene, unable to help but feel even more envious.

……

After the banquet, the Zhang clan separately summoned Qi and Bai, the two empresses, as well as the various immortal consorts, and also Zhang Yi, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Xian, Zhang Chang'an, and other children.

Zhang Yi and his wife were also on one side, sitting on the main seat.

Zhang Jian did not plan to stay long in the Central Heaven Realm; he would soon enter the tribulation site of the Three Sovereigns Heaven Realm to avoid the sudden arrival of the Great Tribulation of Annihilation.

He merely held a proper Dao Lord quota in the Three Sovereigns Heaven Realm.

If he were to undergo tribulation in other heaven realms, or even in the void of the myriad heavens, it would become a great trouble.

In other heaven realms, without a Dao Lord quota, one cannot receive the protection of the heaven realm's great fortune; not only is the Great Tribulation of Annihilation terrifying, but it will also attract the obstruction of extraterritorial heavenly demons.

The obstruction by extraterritorial heavenly demons is exceptionally deadly.

Since the opening of the six great demon realms, the obstruction by extraterritorial heavenly demons has become exceptionally perverse.

Had it not been for the formation of the pattern of the myriad heavens, and the myriad immortals and gods having rediscovered the way to undergo tribulation, very few immortals and gods could have passed through the Great Tribulation of Annihilation.

"I never expected Father Emperor to reach this step so quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhao's expression became solemn.

At this time, he wore the Star God's divine robes, and he had already attained the Star God's body; although not one of the primordial main stars, merely a star newly nurtured in ancient times, yet in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure among the Three Purifications, he also held a unique position.

These years of following the Purple Micro Emperor in cultivation have also made him well-informed and experienced.

Zhang Yi's expression showed some worry.

"A Yu, do you have confidence?"

The honor and disgrace of the Zhang immortal clan rest upon Zhang Jian; he also worries about the might of the Great Tribulation of Annihilation.

Being in the heaven realm, many immortals and gods have heard to some extent of the terror of the Great Tribulation of Annihilation.

From ancient times to the present, there have been countless failed examples before us.

Qi Ruolan's eyes also showed some worry.

The couple were very worried.

Although the other Zhangs were worried, they could still control their state of mind.

Moreover, Zhang Jian's usual display of strength has given them considerable confidence in him.

Zhang Jian gave a slight sigh and then said.

"I plan to first go see the ancestral master, then cultivate a few special immortal arts; by then, undergoing tribulation should pose no problem!"

To speak frankly, the time he has prepared is indeed not much.

It is also somewhat rushed.

But possessing two innate spiritual treasures is the greatest confidence.

Yet the solemn expressions on the faces of many Zhang clan members have not yet disappeared.

They know that the mansion of the Nine Nether Emperor Lord has reached a turning point; passing through it will bring smooth sailing thereafter.

The Zhang immortal clan possesses a Dao Lord-level powerhouse as a backing; the myriad heavens can thus be traversed.

If they fail to pass, then everything is over.

The faces of the maidens all show some complex expression.

Their emotions are largely a mixture of joy and worry.

After Zhang Jian had earlier explained the matters he needed to convey to the crowd and the maidens, he remained in the mansion of the Nine Nether Emperor Lord for several days, then entered the Three Sovereigns Heaven Realm to go see the Ancestral Master Yu Wang.

In the Qingqiu region, Yu Wang had been in seclusion there during this period; upon learning of Zhang Jian's purpose, he and the Qingqiu Empress Tushan Shi joined forces and emerged.

In the great hall, the couple also had solemn expressions, and were still somewhat shaken.

It is obvious they did not expect that, not long after, Zhang Jian would have reached this step.

The Qingqiu Empress Tushan Shi also felt some astonishment.

The True Person of the Heavenly River truly suffered a complete defeat this time.

Yet the couple quickly reacted; Yu Wang immediately went to the Three Sovereigns City to confirm Zhang Jian's Dao Lord quota, while also arranging the tribulation site.

The Qingqiu Empress Tushan Shi then kept Zhang Jian behind, transmitting several immortal arts for tribulation.

Once everything is ready, they will directly enter the tribulation site to begin closed-door seclusion.