Chapter 684: The Primordial Gods of the Wasteland, the First Divine Being (4K)

Zhang Jian knew that the Innate Creation Azure Lotus and the World-Destroying Black Lotus originated from the same source, both transformed from the innate lotus seeds of the Chaos Azure Lotus.

Perhaps they could devour each other.

Zhang Jian was somewhat cautious.

He did not particularly value the other party's World-Destroying Black Lotus; in fact, if he could fully comprehend the profound mysteries contained within the Innate Creation Azure Lotus, it would already be more than enough for his endless use.

Raising his hand, at this moment deep within his palm lay a third-grade Innate Creation Azure Lotus, tender and dewy, its third-grade lotus leaves emerald and lush, containing incomparably wondrous innate divine patterns, as if every vein were condensed from creation itself.

Zhang Jian recalled again the methods of transformation of the Primordial Spirit Black Lotus.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

In fact, the Innate Creation Azure Lotus could also condense a Primordial Spirit Azure Lotus for bodily protection.

It possessed similar methods.

Its manifestation was the Dao Heart Azure Lotus Mantra derived from the Innate Divine Prohibition Dao Law!

Likewise, it could suppress the Primordial Spirit and extract its essence and energy.

However, Zhang Jian possessed many eternal immortal techniques, along with acquired and innate spiritual treasures, so he rarely used the Dao Heart Azure Lotus Mantra.

With a wave of his hand, he stored the third-grade Innate Creation Azure Lotus deep within his Primordial Spirit to nourish it anew.

After a brief moment of reflection, he then recalled the four island masters of Soul-Hunting Island.

Instantly, the image of the Black Lotus Daoist Lord appeared in his mind, along with his aura.

What he worried about was not the escaped island master of Soul-Hunting Island.

But rather the existence behind the Black Lotus Daoist Lord.

The Black Lotus Daoist Lord's successful escape clearly indicated he had someone backing him.

That person was the one worth guarding against.

Just as that person, like him, remained hidden in the shadows, temporarily unable to discern the other's whereabouts, Zhang Jian pondered for a moment and then let it go completely.

He directed his attention to the Sovereign Earth Golden Scroll.

Using the Sovereign Earth Golden Scroll, he gradually became familiar with the heavenly and earthly great Dao laws of the Terrestrial Spirit Realm.

His own cultivation could now be fully exerted at one hundred percent, even up to two hundred percent.

The Sovereign Earth Dao Venerable's rank and divine power could also be fully exerted.

Next, he needed to find an opportunity to unleash the full might of the Sovereign Earth Golden Scroll, thereby seizing the origin rules of this realm's earth.

One of the most important abilities of the Sovereign Earth Golden Scroll is the ennoblement of the earth's myriad gods—this is one of the key instruments for seizing the earth's origin.

If he could ennoble the earth and the mountain gods, he could actually wield earthly divine power in practice.

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered slightly with contemplation.

The Sovereign Earth Golden Scroll actually conceals a great benefit: a pure purple earth sovereign rank.

However, this pure purple rank is hidden within the unknown heavenly realm from which the Sovereign Earth Golden Scroll originates; this pure purple rank of that extradimensional universe is currently unattainable.

Before entering the Terrestrial Spirit Realm, Zhang Jian had also used the Sovereign Earth Golden Scroll for remote sensing.

The unknown heavenly realm from which the Sovereign Earth Golden Scroll originates is likely extremely distant from the Terrestrial Spirit Realm.

……

Various thoughts arose in succession.

On Purple Bamboo Ridge, Zhang Jian did not directly emerge from seclusion but prepared to continue closed-door cultivation for a period, waiting until he fully understood the situation in the Terrestrial Spirit Realm before taking action.

But not long afterward, the Nine Provinces Ancestral God personally arrived bearing great gifts.

Outside Purple Bamboo Ridge, the Nine Provinces Ancestral God wore a solemn expression, having restrained all manner of omens; he gazed upon the Purple Bamboo Ridge before him, his expression briefly complex, but instantly transformed into eagerness.

Had it not been for this human race's Sovereign Earth Elder intervening, he would truly have been unable to escape calamity.

He then proactively cast a spell, requesting an audience.

Instantly, within Purple Bamboo Ridge, divine light flew forth.

The Nine Provinces Ancestral God received it, his expression slightly uplifted, and immediately stepped inside; he abandoned the method of escaping light and soaring, feeling that only by walking step by step could he express his respect for this Sovereign Earth Elder.

Within Purple Bamboo Ridge, the Nine Provinces Ancestral God soon saw that towering divine shadow clad in purple robes, with a draconic divine seal manifesting deep between the brows.

On the meditation mat, Zhang Jian opened his eyes, glanced at the great gift the Nine Provinces Ancestral God had set down, merely swept his eyes over it, and said with a smile.

"No need for pleasantries; I imagine your previous visit to see this venerable one was not merely to express gratitude?"

The Nine Provinces Ancestral God respectfully replied.

"Had it not been for the Sovereign Earth Elder's intervention this time, this junior would already have fallen to the scheming of the Soul-Hunting Island Four Demon Gods; this life-saving grace I truly do not know how to repay, so I can only prepare some modest gifts to express my sincerity!

Of course, should the Elder have any need, this junior and the Nine Provinces Divine Assembly would scale blades and traverse fire seas, refusing nothing!

"

Zhang Jian glanced at this Nine Provinces Ancestral God, then at the several Cosmos Jade Rings he had placed to one side, and said with a smile.

"My descent into the Terrestrial Spirit Realm was precisely in response to the plea of the Terrestrial Spirit human race; naturally, I would not allow you to fall confused and lost into the hands of those demon gods—you need not be so ceremonious!

It is merely regrettable that one escaped, preventing complete success!"

Upon hearing this, the Nine Provinces Ancestral God gave a bitter smile.

The Soul-Hunting Island Four Demon Gods are long-famous entities in the Terrestrial Spirit Realm, nearly the nightmare demons of many ancient clans and even major powers.

Those they set their sights upon hardly ever escape.

This time, the Soul-Hunting Island Four Demon Gods not only failed despite near success, but were directly slain threefold.

Such a situation is truly unprecedented.

From the meaning of this senior's words, it seems he still harbors some dissatisfaction.

After sighing inwardly, the Nine Provinces Ancestral God could only say.

"That the Senior could annihilate three of the Soul-Hunting Island Four Demon Gods in one strike is already a heaven-toppling feat; the Black Lotus Daoist Lord's escape may be due to his fate not yet exhausted, but as long as he appears again before the Senior, he will surely not escape death!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian gave a light smile, then glanced at those Cosmos Jade Rings and said.

"Take these gifts back, Your Majesty has no use for these things, and what Your Majesty wants is not these!"

Upon hearing this, the Ancestral God of Kyushu felt a stir in his heart and immediately clasped his hands in salute.

"I wonder what the junior can do for the senior?"

Zhang Jian glanced at the Ancestral God of Kyushu, then suddenly smiled and said.

"What Your Majesty wants, you actually already possess—you just don't know whether you're willing to give it."

The Ancestral God of Kyushu immediately rose from the stone bench, his expression solemn as he spoke.

"Whatever the junior possesses, the senior may take and use as he wishes!"

Zhang Jian nodded slightly and said.

"I bear the divine title of Earth Emperor; you must have understood part of my authority by now. I require the earthly authority of your Southern Ming Divine Province—do you dare to relinquish it?"

The Ancestral God of Kyushu was startled upon hearing this.

He is born of primordial earth and heaven; after taking charge of the Kyushu Divine Dynasty, his earthly origin merged into the Southern Ming Divine Province, and he may now be considered the earth god of that realm.

To surrender the earthly authority of the Southern Ming Divine Province is to surrender one's entire Dao foundation.

Even control over life and death would nearly fall into another's hands.

But after only a moment's daze, the Ancestral God of Kyushu spoke in a deep voice.

"The junior is willing!"

The Ancestral God of Kyushu showed not the slightest hesitation.

He knew this Earth Emperor elder sought his life; there was no need to wait until now—he could have simply not saved him earlier.

Moreover, the Ancestral God of Kyushu knew that aligning himself with such a terrifyingly powerful divine being was hardly without opportunity.

Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon the Ancestral God of Kyushu; though he did not unleash his Eternal Will, the divine pressure contained in his eyes still made the Ancestral God of Kyushu secretly tremble with fear.

He had not forgotten how, not long ago, this Earth Emperor Ancestral God had borrowed his divine form to effortlessly pluck the lives of the Four Demon Gods of Soul-Hunting Island.

Two of those Four Demon Gods were Second Transformation Dao Lords, the remaining two First Transformation Dao Lords—their cultivation was not inferior to his.

Yet the power comparable to that of a clan's founding ancestor was reduced to flying ashes in an instant.

Zhang Jian pondered for a moment, then nodded and said.

"Excellent, but Your Majesty will not ruin your path—henceforth you shall be a subordinate deity under my command, and in the future, you shall surely attain fortune!"

Upon hearing this, the Ancestral God of Kyushu's eyes brightened.

To become a subordinate deity beside this Earth Emperor elder is naturally a great fortune.

He then performed the rites of a vassal and bowed.

"Kyushu bows to the Emperor!"

Seeing this, Zhang Jian immediately stepped down from the mat and helped the Ancestral God of Kyushu to his feet.

His face bore a faint smile.

From being merely an innate earth spirit, the Ancestral God of Kyushu has risen to the position of a heavenly Dao Lord—clearly, he possesses fortune and destiny; taking him as a subordinate deity will also help him bear some mundane affairs.

Furthermore, as the Tai Ji Celestial Court's Earth Emperor God, ennobled by the Three Sovereigns of the Heavenly Realm, he also has the right to establish his own celestial retinue, which requires divine beings to fill its ranks.

At this moment, the Ancestral God of Kyushu directly surrendered the earthly origin of the Southern Ming Divine Province.

It is a crystallization of authority containing the qi of boundless earth; within it, as if the essence of vast earth evolves into the landscape of the Southern Ming Divine Province.

Upon seeing this root of the divine province's primordial earth qi, Zhang Jian did not take it; with a wave of his hand, he sent it back into the Ancestral God of Kyushu's body, and he smiled faintly.

"Your Majesty does not need it—Your Majesty only needs the true form of the Southern Ming Divine Province's earth!"

Zhang Jian wore a faint smile.

What he requires is not the earthly qi-root of the Southern Ming Divine Province, but only to master its true form.

Mastering the true form of earth allows one to analyze the essence of the Southern Ming Divine Province, then integrate it into his Earth Emperor Dao Fruit, thereby evolving the Earth Emperor Dao Fruit.

Upon hearing this, the Ancestral God of Kyushu felt his heart ease slightly.

Though he had already made up his mind to fully surrender and offer his foundation, who would willingly entrust their life and death so easily to another?

Without further ado, after a brief contemplation, he raised one palm, and from deep within his palm emerged a vast divine province map.

Upon the divine province seemed to dwell billions of living beings; within it, all manner of mountains, rivers, and sacred grotto-heavens were present—complete, as if a vast realm in miniature.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian's Earth Emperor Golden Ledger appeared in his hand, and instantly the true form map of the divine province was merged into it.

Upon swallowing the divine province's true form, the Earth Emperor Golden Ledger immediately emitted rays of golden light, within which appeared the scenes of countless beings thriving and innumerable spirits fading away.

Gazing upon this, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered with a faint smile.

Having contained the vast true form of the divine province, the Earth Emperor Golden Ledger also gained great benefit.

He felt that within the Earth Emperor Golden Ledger's inner earth-origin space, a continuous stream of earthly origin flowed in, filling the space, causing the innate spiritual treasure's power to faintly rise.

At this moment, Zhang Jian again summoned the Ancestral God of Kyushu before him, yet only to impart instruction.

Namely, the transmission of the Earth Emperor's Divine Enthronement Method.

During this time, he had already heard and seen much of the methods used by the Kyushu Divine Dynasty to govern the Southern Ming Divine Province, and in his view, they were extremely backward.

Though they also used the authority of the Southern Ming Divine Province's earthly mandate to ennoble many immortals, aided by a portion of divine secret arts to keep them under control, how could that compare to the Earth Emperor Golden Ledger's method of ennoblement?

Once any mountain, river, or state deity accepts ennoblement, their life and death shall be controlled by the Earth Emperor Golden Ledger.

Of course, most importantly, one can also collect the 'platform tax'!

Whether it be the Heavenly Court, or other heavenly realms' established divine palaces and divine courts, this has always been the focus.

Besides this, it can also enhance the 'team's' cohesion—why not do it?

Naturally, as a subordinate deity under his command, the original ruler of the Kyushu Divine Dynasty, Zhang Jian also generously gave him one-tenth of the 'platform tax' as compensation.

At this moment, the Ancestral God of Kyushu slowly comprehended the Earth Emperor's Divine Enthronement Great Law bestowed by Zhang Jian, yet could not help but show a look of sighing emotion.

"Your Majesty, this Earth Emperor Divine Enthronement Great Law is truly profound and unfathomable; this minor deity cultivates the Wilderness God Secret Art, connecting the Kyushu Divine State with numerous temples and divine offices of the divine province, suppressing the earth—yet it is far too superficial!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian smiled faintly, thought for a moment, and a golden light condensed deep in his palm, forming a copy of the Earth Emperor Ledger.

Afterwards, he handed the Deputy Earth Emperor's Register to the other party.

"Take good care of this treasure. With it, you can control the earthly deities invested by the canonization, and at critical moments, you can still communicate with my true form and receive a portion of my power as reinforcement!"

Upon hearing this, the Ancestral God of Kyushu's eyes brightened, and he immediately clasped his hands and said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor!"

Zhang Jian nodded, glanced at the Ancestral God of Kyushu, and then suddenly added.

"I know the purpose of your journey. Since you wish to resurrect that River-Luo Daoist Sovereign, I will, as you wish, personally make the trip in a hundred years!"

The Ancestral God of Kyushu abruptly raised his head, his Dao-heart surging with waves deep within, yet he still drew a deep breath and bowed slightly.

Zhang Jian lightly nodded.

He did not immediately agree, for he still had other thoughts.

There are still some aspects of this realm's heavenly and earthly Dao rules that he needs to personally verify.

Earlier, he had already learned from the Ancestral God of Kyushu that the heavenly and earthly Dao laws of this realm had long been divided among the primordial divine clan ancestors.

The conflicts among the deities mainly manifest in the struggle for authority.

This is a dispute that most Dao-centered worlds cannot avoid.

However, the Spirit Realm is somewhat special in this regard.

……

At the same time, the Four Demon Gods of Soul-Hunting Island appeared outside the Southern Ming Divine Province, but were immediately defeated in one strike by the Ancestral God of Kyushu, and the news of the slaying of three of them gradually spread to the ears of the powerful gods and demons of the ancient clans in the Spirit Realm.

Such news could be said to be like a thunderclap.

The Four Demon Gods of Soul-Hunting Island are by no means nobodies.

Not a few primordial-level powerhouses of the ancient god-demon clans have suffered great losses at their hands.

Yet now, the Four Demon Gods of Soul-Hunting Island have actually been slain by the Ancestral God of Kyushu, which is truly astonishing.

Many powerhouses of the ancient god-demon clans are clear about the Ancestral God of Kyushu's strength—he is merely a First Transformation Daoist Sovereign, relying only on the fortune of the Kyushu Divine Dynasty to occupy a corner and a piece of fertile land.

Yet now he is actually able to slay the Four Great Demon Gods of Soul-Hunting Island; no matter how one looks at it, there are doubts within.

For a time, many gazes turned toward the Southern Ming Divine Province.

But soon, a series of divine-path reforms in the Southern Ming Divine Province also gradually came into the eyes of some ancient wasteland god-demon clans.

Southern Ming Divine Province, as the Ancestral God of Kyushu re-invested the deities of some mountains and rivers within the Kyushu Divine Dynasty with the Earth Emperor's Golden Register, his control over the deities within the Kyushu Divine Dynasty has clearly increased.

And the act of investing deities with the Earth Emperor's Golden Register naturally cannot escape the notice of some deities.

The Ancestral God of Kyushu also noticed these gazes, but he does not care; before he has probed their reality, these cautious deities will not, in the short term, seek trouble with him over this minor interest.

They probably would not dare to easily seek trouble with him.

……

A hundred years later, in the Kyushu Divine State, before the River-Luo Divine Hall, Zhang Jian's true form descended.

But upon entering this place, his expression suddenly became somewhat surprised, for he felt a rather familiar aura.