Chapter 625: After the Heaven's Mandate, Following the Example of Hou Tu, the Sovereign Earth Deity's Demand (4K)

Three hundred years passed in a flash, and Zhang Jian seized the opportunity to further integrate part of his Dao comprehension into the Mountains, Rivers, and State Diagram.

For example, the Desolate Lands Veins Diagram.

The Desolate Lands Veins Diagram is like the most intuitive manifestation of the laws of the Desolate Lands.

Although this version may be somewhat lagging in the long river of time and space.

But its essence remains extremely sublime.

Zhang Jian integrating it into the Mountains, Rivers, and State Diagram also greatly enhances the power of the Mountains, Rivers, and State Diagram.

Many mountain and river divine intentions have undergone transformation, utterly different!

Time was short, so Zhang Jian could only roughly cultivate, readjusting and harmonizing the power of the Mountains, Rivers, and State Diagram.

Three hundred years later, Zhang Jian emerged from seclusion.

As the protagonist of this Tongshan Dao Tong Dao Jun Banquet, he naturally had to come forward to receive the powerful cultivators from all Dao lineages across the myriad realms.

As a newly promoted Dao Jun, to obtain a matching status and territory, he naturally also had to reveal part of his foundation, so as to integrate into this unique circle of the myriad realms.

And at this Dao Jun Banquet, it is inevitable that he will encounter some provocations.

Now that Zhang Jian has already ascended to the Dao Jun realm, part of the major powers he previously feuded with naturally will not let him easily expand his influence.

The White Emperor Dao Jun of the Heavenly Court and the Prison King Dao Jun also came in person.

The two of them separately had previously fought with Zhang Jian.

Actually, such struggles, Zhang Jian could have outright refused as a newly promoted Dao Jun with an unstable realm, or had the Yu King couple help him deflect, but since he possesses a supreme treasure, he did not refuse and actively accepted the invitation.

This time he did not directly manifest the power of the innate spiritual treasure.

Although the fact that he possesses an innate spiritual treasure has already been exposed, he still used the acquired spiritual treasure Nine Heavens Azure Lotus Diagram to defend against enemies.

Yet he directly defeated the Prison King Dao Jun and fought to a draw with the White Emperor Dao Jun.

Such battle achievements are also dazzling among the gods of the Heavenly Court.

Although the Prison King Dao Jun is only a first-turn Dao Jun, having achieved Dao Jun status in a previous derivation era, his Dao cultivation accumulation far surpasses Zhang Jian's.

The White Emperor Dao Jun's divine might is even greater; he is a second-turn Dao Jun of many years' standing.

He holds the primordial authority of the Heavenly Court's Geng Metal and similar origins, possessing part of the Heavenly Court's War God authority.

This is a formidable Dao Jun who rose from slaughter, yet they fought to a draw.

Many Heavenly Court immortals and gods know that Zhang Jian must possess an innate spiritual treasure on his person.

If he were to use the innate spiritual treasure, wouldn't he have a chance to defeat them in battle!

Of course, the White Emperor Dao Jun also did not use his foundation in this great battle.

But this also clearly shows the sharp vigor of this newly promoted Dao Jun.

"The rise of the Earth Emperor Dao Jun is unstoppable!"

On the upper seat of the Tongshan Divine Hall, a towering figure in golden-yellow robes gazed afar at the platform above, where two towering Dao Jun figures like the rising sun were evenly matched, his expression somewhat subtle.

Beside him, another wore a high cap and wide sash, his entire body entwined with intense earth-attribute Dao principles, a supreme mighty one.

That is a powerful one of the Ji clan.

And also one of the Ji clan's foundations in countless derivation eras.

A Dao Jun-level elder.

Ji Yuan.

This is a peerless genius born in the Ji clan several derivation eras ago.

And also a first-turn Dao Jun with quite profound accumulation.

At this moment, his eyes were somewhat contemplative.

"His Majesty the White Emperor, many derivation eras ago, already made his name resound across the myriad realms through slaughter, and even among Dao Jun, he counts as an extremely powerful presence; who would have thought he could not suppress this newly promoted Earth Emperor Dao Jun!"

"This newly promoted Earth Emperor Dao Jun possesses a special and powerful Dao Jun stature on his person; his Dao Jun stature far exceeds the Dao Jun realm, seeming much stronger than even a second-turn Dao Jun!"

"It seems the rumors are true; he probably truly received the investiture of the Goddess Nuwa, otherwise where in the myriad realms could one easily seize a Dao Jun stature above the third turn..."

Beside him, Ji Qing's expression was dark, a flash of intense envy passing through his eyes.

Ji Yuan also gave a slight nod.

As a Dao Jun of the Sacred Imperial Clan, he, despite exerting his utmost effort, could only obtain a divine position equivalent to a first-turn Dao Jun stature, yet it was enough to let him benefit greatly.

Many Dao Jun of other major powers are still spotless and smooth all over, possessing only a single Dao Jun stature condensed in the chaotic primordial ocean.

Not to mention Dao Jun stature above the third turn.

That is the cosmic primordial stature between heaven and earth.

Such mighty Dao Jun stature, even in the heavenly void, is rare—mostly completely occupied by those with great divine abilities.

Even if holding a concurrent post, it would not be lightly bestowed upon other immortals and gods.

Because it represents an endless stream of qi fortune.

It also represents a key.

A key to unlock the treasure trove of the heavenly and earthly great Dao.

Even those with great divine abilities cannot abandon such mighty stature.

Perhaps only ancient true gods like the Goddess Nuwa, for whom such great divine ability positions are entirely irrelevant, can casually bestow them.

At this moment, Ji Qing's gaze then swept once more over the surroundings of the platform, where several beautiful female immortals stood waiting eagerly.

Among them, one had an air like ten-thousand-year jade snow—pure and immaculate, yet also like a winter red plum, dazzling and eye-catching, this female immortal especially drawing attention.

Her contrasting and contradictory temperaments blended together on her, making her stand out even more.

Observing her cultivation, she is not far from the Taiyi True Number.

Tens of thousands of years, from an ordinary mortal to the Taiyi True Number, also counts as outstanding talent.

Ji Qing knew that she should be a genius from the Zhou Mountain Realm branch of the Ji family, and also the object whom the Earth Emperor Dao Jun once visited, hoping to help her return to the Tao Earth Ji family.

At this moment, some thoughts suddenly appeared in his mind.

Perhaps the Ascension War of the Donghua Realm back then was indeed not something to blame this Earth Emperor Daoist Sovereign for.

Back then, this Earth Emperor Daoist Sovereign had not yet perfected his cultivation, and with his abilities, how could he possibly have rescued Ji Cheng from under the hands of a Demon Sovereign?

Even Lian Shan Daoist Sovereign failed to save Ji Cheng, so blaming this Earth Emperor Daoist Sovereign is truly unreasonable.

There is no need to bear a deadly grudge against such a promising young Daoist Sovereign.

Ji Qing fell into deep thought; with a shift of his mind, he discussed the matter briefly with Ji Yuan, gained his support, and soon made up his mind.

On the dueling platform, after the draw, both sides simply called it a day.

Whether it was the White Emperor Daoist Sovereign or Zhang Jian, neither wished to easily reveal their trump cards, nor did they intend to fight to the death again, so they simply called it quits.

Yet after these two great battles, Zhang Jian found himself with far fewer troubles.

In the arena, many who harbored curiosity or hostility toward him, Daoist Sovereigns though they were, now had fewer probing immortal arts.

For example, the Fengwu Emperor of the Tenth Heaven of the Celestial Realm.

"Fengwu Dao Brother, it seems this probing can now be spared!"

At this moment, beside him, some other heavenly princes of the Heavenly Human Royal Clan had the corners of their mouths slightly upturned in a faint smile.

That was another Daoist Sovereign of the Heavenly Human Royal Clan.

The Realm Lord of the Nineteenth Heavenly Realm, the Dù'è Emperor.

Beside him stood another renowned peerless genius of the Heavenly Human Royal Clan.

Chonghua Tianjun.

This Realm Lord is also the master of Chonghua Tianjun.

In the Central Celestial Realm, he holds high position and great authority.

This Dù'è Emperor has the bearing of an immortal and the grace of a Daoist, his countenance handsome, yet his hair is all white; at this moment, his white hair is pinned up with a jade hairpin, his demeanor carefree and unbound.

At this moment, he sighed somewhat.

"The rank of a Three-Revolution Daoist Sovereign is already equivalent to the authority of us Celestial Realm Realm Lords!"

The Daoist Sovereign realm only has three revolutions, but the Eternal Dao Law level has five stages, because it corresponds to the Five-Revolution Divine Dao rank.

In ancient times, the Daluo realm actually had five layers.

However, after the present and ancient eras, many great divine powers deemed the latter two layers unnecessary, thus proposed the Three-Revolution theory, which was ultimately adopted by many powerful beings across the myriad realms.

Yet the doctrine of the Five-Stage Eternal Immortal Law and the Five-Revolution Divine Dao rank has continued to be passed down.

This indeed involves a considerable difference.

With each rise in rank, the power, fortune, and even the essence controlled by a Daoist Sovereign's rank differ greatly.

Nevertheless, Fengwu Emperor and Dù'è Emperor mostly envy Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian's Three-Revolution rank differs from their Realm Lord ranks.

Once they leave the Central Celestial Realm, their Three-Revolution Realm Lord rank will plummet rapidly.

The farther they are from the Central Celestial Realm, the more severe their decline.

But Zhang Jian's Three-Revolution rank is akin to a natural-attribute Daoist Sovereign rank; wherever he goes, as long as there is heavenly and earthly power, he can seize dominion over the earth and thus sustain the dignity of his Three-Revolution Daoist Sovereign rank.

The difference between the two is great.

Usually, natural-attribute Daoist Sovereign ranks are rarer than non-natural-attribute ones.

Of course, their potential is also immense.

Just like the Xuanming Divine Position that recently emerged in the world—it is the most primordial divine position between heaven and earth, originally a mighty innate divine position of Dao Venerable level.

But later it fell into exile, yet still possesses power nearly equivalent to that of a Five-Revolution Daoist Sovereign rank.

……

The Earth Emperor Daoist Sovereign's banquet ended in a relatively harmonious atmosphere.

After revealing part of his cultivation, the guests from the myriad realms clearly understood this Earth Emperor Daoist Sovereign's strength, background, and weight, and naturally made corresponding adjustments.

This is the distribution of speaking rights.

This is enough to avoid much trouble.

This is far better than the side of the Six Great Demon Realms.

In the Six Great Demon Realms, the distribution of speaking rights is far more bloody; usually, one must trample on the corpses of comrades to rise to power.

Besides this, the Three Sovereigns Celestial Realm also sent envoys bearing congratulatory gifts.

Besides offering congratulations, they also raised the rank of the Ninth Position in the Three Sovereigns Celestial Realm sequence by one level, making it likewise the Tenth Position.

From originally being an elder of the Haozheng Palace, he became the Right Palace Master of the Haozheng Palace.

At the same time, he was bestowed numerous heavenly treasures and earthly riches, rare fruits without number—also considered a generous grant.

From now on, Zhang Jian, in both the Three Sovereigns Celestial Realm and the Central Celestial Realm, is a Marquis-level powerhouse of the Tenth Sequence.

If he were to be sent forth to any celestial realm, he could serve as its Celestial Emperor, or alternatively, as the Deputy Palace Master of a realm!

However, such opportunities for being sent forth are usually rare.

Whether it is the Yu King and his wife, or Zhang Jian, both are very satisfied with this outcome.

Entering the Tenth Sequence also means Zhang Jian has entered the core of the Three Sovereigns Five Elders Council, belonging to the core powerhouses, possessing the right to participate in and even vote on affairs of the Three Sovereigns Palace.

The speaking rights of the Tongshan Dao Lineage in the Three Sovereigns Palace have also been further enhanced.

Good news came one after another; not long after, the Ji clan ordered people to enter the residence of the Nine Abysses Emperor in the Central Celestial Realm to negotiate matters concerning Ji Xueqiong's return to her ancestral clan and inclusion in the Tao City Ji clan genealogy.

Moreover, the envoy dispatched was the second-generation old ancestor of the Ji clan of Zhou Shan Realm.

Likewise a descendant of the Holy Emperor.

This also counts as giving full face.

……

Central Heaven Realm, the residence of the Nine Abysses Emperor Lord.

Zhang Jian's true form has returned, with the Qi clan beside him and the Ji clan's Ji Xueqiong to his side.

Ji Xueqiong's eyes held a hint of sighing emotion.

"It's unexpected that the Ji clan would also be so pragmatic!"

Zhang Jian smiled faintly and said.

"Great clans are alliances of interest, especially the heads and patriarchs, most of whom are entangled by clan interests; even as a holy imperial heir, one is powerless!"

Zhang Jian was not surprised at all.

An individual can still maintain integrity, not driven by profit.

But being part of a collective, especially as its leader, he understands the hardship all the more.

Thus, the current Zhang clan he mostly lets go, entrusting several descendants to manage it, so as to keep his Dao heart advancing without entanglement.

Seeing Ji clan's expression, Zhang Jian then smiled and said.

"Congratulations, Lady, your long-held wish is finally fulfilled!"

Ji clan smiled charmingly: "Though the Ji clan is good, it still cannot compare to your reliance on a mighty mountain, my lord!"

The Qi clan beside her also chuckled upon hearing this.

However, what the Ji clan said is indeed correct.

At this time, the Ji clan returning to the Tao City genealogy is merely adding flowers to brocade.

The difference between returning and not returning is not great.

Yet the Ji clan still decided to return, not for reliance on a mountain, but this time merely to fulfill a long-held wish and complete her obsession.

Returning in glory to her homeland is also her wish.

Zhang Jian also supports the Ji clan's decision!

……

After returning to the Central Heaven Realm and meeting with the Zhang clan members, Zhang Jian prepared to continue returning to the Netherworld Underworld.

After all, he is still the Netherworld Underworld's Yin-Yue Emperor Lord and the Nine Abysses Ling-Ling Emperor Lord.

After handling some documents in the Pingxin Hall, Zhang Jian entered the Pingxin Main Hall to audience with the Hou Tu Niangniang.

Zhang Jian has never forgotten his transaction with this Hou Tu Niangniang from beginning to end.

In the Pingxin Great Hall, after Zhang Jian made a slight bow, he stated his purpose.

"Niangniang, Zhang Jian comes to fulfill his own promise!"

"That matter, you have already done it, and we are even!"

Within the Pingxin Hall, on the divine throne, the Hou Tu Niangniang's lips curled with a hint of a smile.

"Done?"

Beneath the great hall, Zhang Jian startled, countless thoughts flashed in his mind, and in an instant he suddenly recalled his own bizarrely extraordinary Four Calamities of Establishment, Dwelling, Destruction, and Emptiness.

"Could the Niangniang be referring to……"

A faint guess stirred in his heart?

It is because of this Pingxin Niangniang's intervention that he could directly dream back to ancient times.

On the divine throne, the Pingxin Niangniang merely smiled without speaking, seemingly acknowledging Zhang Jian's thought.

This further confirmed Zhang Jian's suspicion in his heart.

It turns out he has already been tampered with by this Niangniang?

Zhang Jian's thoughts flowed; at this moment he can be certain that his primordial spirit's depths will surely have no abnormality, otherwise, with his formidable and deliberate primordial spirit, he would surely have sensed it.

In an instant, Zhang Jian guessed.

The problem may lie in the Nine Abysses Ling-Ling Emperor Lord's imperial authority, which comes from the Hou Tu Niangniang's hand.

And also the Yin-Yue Emperor Lord's authority.

These two great emperor authorities both originate from the Netherworld Underworld.

With the Hou Tu Niangniang's methods, it is all too easy for the other party to exert some influence within!

So what does this Niangniang wish to accomplish by using his hand to dream back to ancient times?

Zhang Jian's heart secretly startled.

Yet he still bowed and said.

"This humble god can attain the Dao, all thanks to the Niangniang's might; if the Niangniang has any commands in the future, this humble god will surely not refuse!"

Zhang Jian bowed slightly.

Zhang Jian dislikes owing favors, especially those of great divine beings.

This time, in the Primordial Wild World, he broke through that calamity of emptiness, and indeed relied on the Hou Tu Niangniang's divine power to finally escape, thus he directly stated his attitude.

"Hn, you do have intention!"

After a slight pause, the Hou Tu Niangniang in the depths of the Pingxin Hall laughed and said.

"If so, then you help this palace with a small matter! After this, we will be even!"

"Please, Niangniang, give your command!"