Chapter 624: Bestowal (4K)

The greatest gain was still being appointed as the Earth Emperor Divine Lord by imperial decree, taking charge of a portion of the authority over the earthly souls of the Four Extremes and Eight Wilds.

As for the other heavenly and earthly divine objects, heavenly and earthly rare treasures.

Zhang Jian discovered that upon their return, they directly transformed into pure primordial essence and qi, merging into the Mountains, Rivers, and State Diagram within.

That ancient era might indeed merely be a projection of a part of the past spacetime of the myriad realms of heaven.

It exists, and it is real.

But it can also be said that they do not exist, having already become the past.

At least, after participating in the Water-Fire Clash, Zhang Jian did not perceive any descent of Xuanhuang merit or fortune.

Only the divine authority obtained within, even the profound mysteries of the Heavenly Earth Great Dao laws, including all kinds of heavenly and earthly transformative mighty powers, were real.

Even the great divine beings within might also be real.

Therefore, Zhang Jian speculated that he might merely have intercepted a spacetime projection formed from past ages.

But with the power of the Chaos Primordial Source Ocean, even if it is an actively formed spacetime projection through creation, it is still a fleeting, real world, merely that with his departure, that world might re-collapse.

Just as fleeting as a spacetime bubble.

Of course, forming such a fleeting spacetime world through the Four Calamities of Formation, Dwelling, Decay, and Emptiness, but it absolutely cannot be concealed from those great divine beings.

Therefore, those great divine beings should have some perception of the changes arising within that spacetime bubble.

Dao Lord-level powerhouses can already achieve "my will is heaven's will, my mind is heaven's mind," let alone similar terrifying existences like the Goddess Nüwa and the Goddess Hou Tu; they must necessarily be extraordinarily clear about the spacetime world born from heavenly creation.

Is this not saying that he truly received the acknowledgment of that primordial true goddess, the Goddess Nüwa?

Zhang Jian harbored such thoughts in his heart, but soon various distracting thoughts were suppressed by him.

King Yu sighed at this moment.

"I never expected your Four Calamities of Formation, Dwelling, Decay, and Emptiness to be this terrifying!"

Beside him, the True Person of the Heavenly River stroked his five-foot-long willow beard, and as Zhang Jian spoke, his hands had already stiffened.

Whether it was the Water-Fire Clash, or the Human Clan Killing Calamity, or even the final Infinite Calamity of the Ancient Era, which calamity does not make one's liver tremble?

Such danger is too terrifying.

The True Person of the Heavenly River already somewhat regrets actively inquiring about this matter, for it will bring shadow to the depths of his Dao heart.

Henceforth, how dare he lightly impact the Great Calamity of Destruction?

King Yu also repeatedly shook his head; Zhang Jian being able to break open such a terrifying calamity number and achieve the Dao Lord form is truly extraordinary!

This is also due to his own fortune, wisdom, and perseverance being outstanding.

Otherwise, if any other immortal or deity were substituted, they might well have fallen in such a dangerous world.

Know that in the Ancient Era, primordial demons and primordial deities were in a period of great outbreak; at that time, the probability of encountering powerful beings was extremely high.

But seeing the group of immortals from the Tongshan Dao Tradition with wide-eyed, stunned expressions and hearts filled with sorrow, he immediately said.

"Such calamities as A-Yu's are merely isolated cases; although the Four Calamities of Formation, Dwelling, Decay, and Emptiness are dangerous, they usually only trace back to the initial birth of one heavenly realm, not directly tracing back to the Middle Ancient or Ancient eras!"

He speculated thus.

"This matter might possibly be related to some karmic factor on A-Yu's person; otherwise, such changes would not arise!"

After a slight pause, he continued.

"But fortunately, danger often accompanies great creation; A-Yu, although you have experienced various risks, yet being able to gain the favor, guidance, and importance of our human race's Holy Mother, the Goddess Nüwa, is also a great opportunity, and that Earth Emperor Divine Lord position is vast and ancient, in no way inferior to the status of a Three-Transmuted Dao Lord, greatly beneficial to your cultivation!"

Speaking to this point, King Yu also felt some envy.

To receive the golden decree and imperial appointment from the Goddess Nüwa—such creation even he cannot envy.

Zhang Jian slightly nodded.

The other immortals of the Tongshan Dao Tradition also had their eyes slightly brighten.

To be able to meet face-to-face with the primordial true goddess, the Goddess Nüwa—what a great creation this is!

The True Person of the Heavenly River also had his expression slightly eased, and his Dao heart soon recovered.

At this time, he also praised.

"The Earth Emperor Dao Lord truly lives up to being the Purple Gold Beam Bridging the Sea of our Tongshan Dao Tradition; to gain the deep affection of the Goddess Nüwa—what a magnificent fortune!"

The other immortals of the Tongshan Dao Tradition slightly nodded.

The primordial true goddess, the Goddess Nüwa, is renowned throughout the myriad realms of heaven.

The gods have long not seen the footprint of this goddess.

Zhang Jian gaining the favor of this goddess—how could it not make people feel envious?

King Yu at this time had high spirits, and again said.

"A-Yu, you have now successfully attained the Dao Lord position; the Tongshan Dao Tradition merely giving you the title of Supreme Elder is no longer suitable; from today onward, you are the Vice Sect Master of the Tongshan Dao Tradition, your rank equal to mine; if I am absent, you can fully replace me in controlling the Tongshan Dao Tradition and dispatching its immortals!"

Upon hearing this, the immortals of the Tongshan Dao Tradition had expressions slightly startled.

This is almost the treatment of the Sect Master.

However, Zhang Jian is now a Dao Lord of one realm; if the Tongshan Dao Tradition merely gave him the position of Supreme Elder, it would obviously be insufficient.

Facing King Yu and the gaze of the assembly of immortals, Zhang Jian clasped his hands.

"Thank you, Ancestor Master!"

He directly accepted it, without refusal.

With his Dao Lord status, becoming the Vice Sect Master of the Tongshan Dao Tradition is not considered overstepping; rather, it brings glory to the gate of the Tongshan Dao Tradition.

In the distance, the True Lord of Slaying Demons gazed upon the central Hall of Virtue, that figure like the sun at high noon, and could not help but feel emotion in his expression.

From accepting Zhang Jian into the sect, she truly never imagined that her own personal disciple could reach this step.

Simultaneously, her expression also bore a share of honor.

The Vice Sect Master of the Dao Tradition is not merely a single honorary title; it also carries along many authorities and resources.

Many of these authorities, Zhang Jian directly refused.

Although he studied under the Tongshan Dao lineage, which will not change, he has now completed his training and established his own foundation, so naturally he will no longer return to compete with his fellow disciples for this limited authority and resources.

As for some benefits, they can still be retained.

After all, he still has disciples under him, and his children are cultivating within the Tongshan Dao lineage.

For example, Shi Rui, Zhang Yi, Zhang Xian, and others.

However, after proclaiming himself Dao Jun, he will inevitably need to establish a divine realm of his own; his sole disciple remaining in the Tongshan Dao lineage will not stay there long and will soon return to his sect to oversee the affairs of this lineage, representing his interests in various negotiations.

After attaining Dao Jun, whether in cultivation or status among the myriad heavens and worlds, everything will be completely different, and the challenges he faces will also be entirely unlike before.

That night, the Tongshan Dao lineage fell into revelry.

……

Central Heavenly Realm, Heavenly Court.

Fifth Heaven of the Upper Realm of the Heavenly Realm.

Shortly after Zhang Jianzheng attained Dao Jun, a heavenly envoy entered the Ninth Abyss Emperor's mansion in the Fifth Heaven of the Heavenly Realm to proclaim the edict.

The envoy could also be considered an old acquaintance of the Ninth Abyss Emperor's mansion.

Tai Bai Star Lord.

Outside the mansion, the Qi clan led many daughters of the Zhang clan to come out and welcome him.

By his side were also a group of consorts.

All the women bowed in unison to receive the edict.

This is the Heavenly Emperor's grace edict; the preceding remarks are merely flowery official pleasantries, but the implied meaning delighted the women greatly.

That is, the successful promotion of Zhang Jian, the Ninth Abyss Spirit-Ruling Emperor, to Dao Jun.

The title of Earth Emperor Dao Jun has already become renowned throughout heaven and earth.

At this moment, the many Zhang clan juniors behind him were also overjoyed and unable to conceal it.

Had they not feared losing decorum before Tai Bai Star Lord, they would have already shouted aloud.

Nevertheless, they remained beaming with joy.

From then on, the Zhang clan immortal family rose with the tide across the myriad heavens and worlds, and could indeed be called a Dao Jun lineage.

Tai Bai Star Lord took in this scene without surprise, a smile appearing on his face.

This time, the Jade Emperor sent him here, and of course it was not merely to offer congratulations.

There were also substantive good things; otherwise, how could one win over such a newly promoted Dao Jun?

The highest-value reward among them was the elevation of the Ninth Abyss Spirit-Ruling Emperor's rank by one level.

From Sequence Nine of the Upper Three Sequences to Sequence Ten of the Feudal Lords Three Sequences.

This is the treatment that a Dao Jun of the Heavenly Court rightfully deserves.

Besides this, there is also 'real gold and silver'!

The Jade Emperor rarely bestowed precious treasures: a gourd of Nine-Reversion Soul-Returning Pills transmitted from the Tushita Palace, and a gourd of Seven-Reversion Golden Pills.

Although the Seven-Reversion Golden Pill is not as heaven-defying as the Nine-Reversion Golden Pill, it is still capable of shaping a Taiyi-level immortal deity.

Moreover, its side effects are extremely minimal.

One gourd contains twenty pills.

This is equivalent to being able to create at least over ten Taiyi-level immortals; if given to Taiyi-level immortals to consume, it merely offers hope of creating several Taiyi True Number-level immortals.

If given to the subordinates of Taiyi True Number-level immortals, it offers hope of creating one or two Taiyi Heavenly Immortals.

This counts as a great bestowal.

Besides this, the Jade Emperor waved his hand and bestowed a spirit mountain cave dwelling on the Ninth Heaven of the Upper Realm of the Central Heavenly Realm as a heavenly Daoist sanctuary.

This is the main event.

Each spirit mountain blessed land in the Ninth Heaven of the Upper Realm of the Central Heavenly Realm contains concentrated heavenly essence and qi; such Daoist sanctuaries have always been highly sought after.

The heavenly immortals and gods of the Heavenly Court are always in short supply of them.

"Since the Dao Jun has not returned, we, his consorts, offer thanks to the Great Heavenly Venerable for the generous bestowal on his behalf!"

As Zhang Jian's Dao consort, Qi Shi naturally and without hesitation took the Heavenly Emperor's edict on his behalf.

Tai Bai Star Lord smiled, his whisk slightly twitching, and said.

"Madam Qi, congratulations—your lord's mansion has finally produced a Great Luo God Immortal!"

"Furthermore, later there will be the Jade Pool Jade Edict arriving, bestowing the title of Jade Qi Consort upon you, along with many other celestial consorts!"

Qi Shi's beautiful eyes held a faint smile as she clasped her hands and said.

"Thank you, Star Lord; the mansion has already prepared a banquet—why not stay for a cup of light wine?"

Tai Bai Star Lord, however, smiled faintly.

"This old Daoist has other duties, so please do not trouble yourself, Madam Qi!"

He gave a slight smile, vanished in an instant, for he did not wish to encounter that female immortal from the Jade Pool.

Indeed, not long after, the Jade Pool female immortal Yue Tian Dao Jun descended, also bringing the Jade Pool Queen Mother's jade edict; besides congratulating Zhang Jian, it also elevated Qi Shi, along with granting her the honorific title of Celestial Ritual Goddess of the Jade Pool Sequence Nine.

The other consorts also received generous bestowals, each obtaining Jade Pool ennoblement, though clearly not matching Qi Shi; most were ennobled as regional heavenly consorts, receiving Sequence Six.

Sequence Six is merely the peak of the Middle Three Sequences, clearly far distant from the Upper Three Sequences.

But from being ordinary female immortals with no background, they could now rank at the pinnacle of the Middle Three Sequences in the Jade Pool, receive annual immortal stipends, and cultivate within the Jade Pool—this too is a great honor.

All the women beamed with joy, overjoyed beyond measure.

Not because of these ennoblements, but more because their patron, their husband, had smoothly attained the Dao Jun fruition.

"Elder sister, we today ought to properly celebrate!"

Beside her, the usually quiet and reserved Meng Shi now had her eyes filled with glistening autumn waters, her pupils bright to the utmost.

Yun Shi likewise gave a slight nod.

"If the Emperor can smoothly attain the position of Dao Lord, this is the fortune of all within the Nine Nether Emperor's mansion; may the heavens bless our Zhang clan, and may our fortune endure for ten thousand years!"

The Qi clan swept through the mansion's many immortals, seeing everyone excited and unable to suppress their tranquil Dao hearts, and thus spoke.

"Good, then today I, your humble self, will overstep once, opening part of the treasury on behalf of the Emperor, setting aside a grand Zhang clan feast to celebrate the Emperor's attainment of the Dao Lord position!"

Upon hearing this, the many Zhang clan immortals present could no longer restrain their Dao heart fluctuations, and all cheered aloud.

"Earth Emperor Dao Lord!"

Voices rose straight to the clouds, especially distinctive in this tranquil heavenly realm, drawing many heavenly immortals and gods to glance sideways; yet when the immortals and gods heard news from the outside world, they all immediately could not sit still.

Many immortals and gods who prided themselves on pure minds and spirits also found themselves somewhat unable to sit still.

For a time, the gate of the Nine Nether Emperor's mansion in the fifth heaven of the celestial realm was as busy as a market.

……

In the Three Emperors' heavenly realm, Zhang Jian did not leave; he prepared first to consolidate his Dao Lord cultivation here, then return to the Pingxin Hall to resume control of the Nine Heavens Investigation Spirit Emperor position and the Nether Moon Emperor position.

After all, he still holds an immortal office.

With his original Taiyi Great Perfection form holding these two Dao Lord positions, it was somewhat fortunate; now, as a Dao Lord holding these two special divine offices, it is perfectly suitable.

Moreover, he will go to see the Empress of the Earth.

Back then, the Empress of the Earth promised him convenience, and he likewise promised to do a "small matter" for her.

……

In the land of Qingqiu, beneath the Green Spirit Blue Banyan tree, Zhang Jian sat cross-legged, his body suffused with flowing purple-yellow immortal light; deep between his brows, the Dao fruit's auspicious clouds rose and emerged, within which appeared several mu of purple-yellow cloud light, divine power vast and magnificent.

Even as early as ancient times, he had used that era to elevate many fifth-rank immortal laws within the Mountains and Rivers State Diagram to first-rank eternal Dao laws; yet now his feeling is entirely different.

These eternal Dao laws, he now wields with greater flexibility.

The attack of the Bai Ze demon sage opened many new paths for him.

The application of Dao Lord-level Dao laws is indeed miraculous.

With his comprehension, he can fully strive in this direction.

Moreover, in ancient times, his so-called Dao Lord Dao fruit mainly relied on the Dao Lord position for support, and the Dao Lord Dao fruit power was insufficient.

Now, having made up for the deficiency, even if he loses the Dao Lord position, he remains the Dao Lord of all heavens and myriad worlds—this will not change.

And no matter in which time or space, or even in the dimension of time, he will always be the Dao Lord.

Mighty power does not shift; never retreats.

At this moment, the two Dao fruits united, bringing him a great leap in Dao Lord cultivation, Dao Lord primordial spirit, and even eternal will.

Zhang Jian now feels that the great calamity he suffered in the ancient timespace was not in vain.

Whether in cultivation, or in understanding Dao Lord power, or even from the Dao Lord's perspective on heaven and earth, he has gained a clear understanding, which is of immense significance to him.

Not to mention, his cultivation has more than doubled.

If combined with the position of a third-turn Dao Lord Earth Emperor Dao Lord, and two innate spiritual treasures, he can indeed challenge a third-turn Dao Lord across ranks.

This is a kind of astonishing leap.

However, Zhang Jian also knows that he can do no more than this.

The terrifying existence of a Dao Lord, even holding an innate spiritual treasure, cannot eliminate this gap.

One must still flee when necessary!

But such cultivation is also enough to establish a firm foundation in all heavens and myriad worlds.