Chapter 201: Heaven and Earth Grant Blessings, Five Great Oases, Sage's Heart, Imperial Seal, Infinite Merit [Seeking Moon Tickets]

People were dumbfounded.

Everyone was a bit dumbfounded.

This celestial fallen gold became the Da Xia Dynasty's greatest disaster.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jin Nian now controls the Righteous Golden Dragon and goes to seize the fallen gold in the starry sky.

This maneuver truly left countless people dumbfounded.

What is this fallen gold for? Though its value is extraordinary and immortal Dao cultivators can temper it into artifacts, the immortal Dao doesn't need that much fallen gold, right?

The biggest problem is that the forging process is extremely cumbersome; to temper this celestial fallen gold requires a very special flame, which only Sixth Realm cultivators can refine, and Fifth Realm cultivators can as well, but it takes a lot of time.

To forge a flying sword takes at least three to five years for a Fifth Realm cultivator, while a Sixth Realm cultivator needs only one to two months.

So although this celestial fallen gold is indeed valuable, its practicality is limited; just the first piece that fell weighed roughly ten million jin.

At a rate of one jin per set of battle armor, it would equip ten million soldiers.

Even if the Da Xia Dynasty expands its army later, ten million is the ceiling; everyone could wear fallen gold armor, and that would be enough.

And how long would this take?

A strong Fifth Realm immortal can forge two sets of armor per year; assuming a Fifth Realm cultivator lives three hundred years, that's six hundred sets.

It would require twenty to thirty thousand Fifth Realm cultivators to forge.

But here's the problem: does the Divine Continent even have twenty to thirty thousand Fifth Realm cultivators?

Even if it does.

With so many Fifth Realm cultivators, fed and idle, forging armor for you every day? Is it their mind that's flawed or yours? So they truly don't understand what Gu Jin Nian intends.

Immortal Sect cultivators don't get it, Buddhist Sect cultivators don't either, and even the major dynasties are more clueless.

Neither Su Wenjing nor Emperor Yongsheng can quite grasp what Gu Jin Nian means.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

Finally, the Golden Dragon returns, bringing back an enormous amount of fallen gold.

More than the previous piece, but not uniform; some are large, some small.

All of it was piled by Gu Jin Nian into this area, which was a barren land, but the presence of the fallen gold formed a series of small hills.

Yet it wasn't over; the Golden Dragon formed by righteous Qi was again controlled by Gu Jin Nian and flew toward the heavens.

He went once more to seize these fallen gold, but the range wasn't far; he could only acquire the dead stars surrounding this ancient star.

The Golden Dragon returns a third time.

All told, roughly ten million jin of fallen gold were sent down.

People are puzzled; if forced to interpret, these fallen gold could be used to forge battle armor, battle swords, and iron cavalry armor, producing ten million sets.

At ten jin per person, plus other iron and stone mixed in, that's the limit; unless it's for refining weapons, ten million sets would be available.

But the problem is the refining process is truly cumbersome, and how could there be ten million iron cavalry? What would they be used for? One cavalry unit needs ten to twenty men equipped; such elite forces require at least twenty men. If there truly were ten million such cavalry, the Da Xia Dynasty could dominate everything.

Yet that cannot be done, absolutely impossible.

Unless one spends five thousand or ten thousand years, but the losses in time, resources, and finances make it not worth it.

Too bizarre.

In the end, some even suspect Gu Jin Nian thinks this thing is valuable and just wants to stockpile more of it. That's the only way to think.

With any other logic, one cannot figure out what Gu Jin Nian is doing.

If this truly has immeasurable value, the Great Jin Dynasty, the Central Continent Dynasty, the Immortal Sect, and the Buddhist Sect would have already acquired it at any cost.

Though their acquisition speed wouldn't match Gu Jin Nian's, obtaining it isn't extremely difficult.

And within the Da Xia Academy.

The Righteous Golden Dragon gradually dissipates, its power exhausted, unable to obtain more fallen gold.

This disappoints Gu Jin Nian; he wanted to make a few more trips.

This celestial fallen gold's utility is immense.

Moreover, Gu Jin Nian knows many won't understand why he does this.

He indeed intends to forge these fallen gold into battle armor.

However, he also knows that fully utilizing this fallen gold is basically impossible; the forging cost is huge and unnecessary.

Yet Gu Jin Nian's idea isn't to forge armor, but to use it as a precious currency standard.

Yes.

Precious currency standard.

Or called a monetary standard.

Gold was originally the best monetary standard, but gold is abundant in this world and not scarce.

This fallen gold, however, is valuable, can be used in many ways, and is itself a luxury item.

A dynasty could forge battle armor; tens of millions would be exaggerated, but could the Da Xia Dynasty manage thirty to fifty thousand? Those thirty to fifty thousand iron cavalry, with superior equipment, could completely surpass the Xiongnu iron cavalry.

After a single battle, how could the major dynasties not be envious?

They do have some fallen gold, but how many sets of armor can they forge with what they have?

Should they buy?

The Da Xia Dynasty sells it to you, but with limited quantity. Why sell? To tell the world it's valuable; all dynasties beg for it, even cry to buy it. Why buy? Because it can make an ordinary cavalryman surpass Xiongnu cavalry.

Logically this forms a closed loop: the fallen gold's high value penetrates people's hearts, then it's sold to merchants who craft odd curiosities from it.

Seats made of fallen gold, plates made of fallen gold, chopsticks of fallen gold, or a fallen gold gate—does that work?

When wealthy merchants produce these items, what does it mean? It means the item is truly valuable.

Then at this moment, can we use Falling Gold as a monetary standard? One jin of Falling Gold equals one thousand liang of gold; how much Falling Gold is that? Ten million jin, that is, worth ten million gold.

Valued at ten million million liang of silver, what does that mean? The Da Xia Dynasty can guarantee that as long as you present the corresponding treasure notes, they will exchange you the equivalent Falling Gold.

Even if you go to force an exchange, fine, I'll give you Falling Gold; just follow the regulations.

You can't deny the status of Falling Gold, because it has supply and demand, and supply and demand stabilizes its price.

Then the Da Xia treasure note plan will work.

Earlier the Great Jin Dynasty wanted to promote Dragon Rice treasure notes; Gu Jin Nian had already been pondering this, and absolutely could not agree to the Great Jin Dynasty's request, but the Great Jin Dynasty's Dragon Rice can indeed serve as a monetary standard.

So Gu Jin Nian originally intended to use Da Xia Dragon Rice to counter it.

Now that's unnecessary; just use Falling Gold together with Da Xia Dragon Rice, a two‑pronged approach, and see what the common people will choose.

They can exchange for Dragon Rice or for Falling Gold; doesn't that provide abundant security?

The Da Xia common folk needn't be mentioned; people elsewhere aren't stupid either, they will inevitably choose this.

That's also why Gu Jin Nian obtained so much Falling Gold.

The next move depends on the next three steps.

Of course, these matters must wait for later; for now, don't overthink them. Affairs of great nations, especially those involving the entire Shenzhou Continent, need to be unfolded gradually; one must not chase fleeting gains.

And at this moment.

With the disappearance of the righteous True Dragon of vast vigor.

This great calamity has also come to a complete end.

Heavenly Vault.

A wash as blue as jade.

All the radiance, at this moment, gradually fades, and the shadows of the myriad schools also slowly dissipate.

But above the Heavenly Vault.

Above the Kong Family's Main Residence.

A magnificent figure still towers.

It is the figure of Confucius.

He stands on the Heavenly Vault, his gaze fixed on the distance—to the north.

The people are curious.

The anomaly has ended, yet why hasn't the sage vanished? "Why is this? Why does Confucius's figure linger?"

"Isn't this the will of Confucius? It feels as if Confucius himself has returned."

"Impossible. This is indeed Confucius's will, yet why does it not disperse? Could it be to grant Gu Jin Nian some empowerment?"

"Unlikely. Confucius's will is empowered by the faith of scholars of heaven and earth; it cannot bless others unless Confucius's true spirit descends. Otherwise such a possibility does not exist, yet the lingering phantom of Confucius is indeed odd."

"Indescribable, and not easy to speak of, but it truly is strange."

Some voices sounded; they were curious, not understanding why Confucius's phantom remained standing above the Heavenly Vault—this was rather odd.

"Why does the sage's gaze remain fixed on the north?"

"Could the north be a land of blessings?"

"Blessings seem impossible; the great calamity is likely, perhaps the north faces a great disaster."

"No, the sage's gaze is not on the north but on the Xiongnu Nation."

Abruptly, someone spoke; everyone speculated what the sage was about, but some discerned that the sage was not looking north but at the Xiongnu Nation. As this was said, many were astonished.

Why does the sage look toward the Xiongnu Nation? "May I ask the Holy Ancestor, is there any decree?"

At this moment, Kong Zheng's voice rang out.

He too was puzzled, not understanding why Confucius's phantom lingered.

Only Confucius gave no answer, continuing to stare at the Xiongnu Nation.

All the common folk within the Xiongnu Nation felt Confucius's gaze; they didn't know why, and though they didn't know what had happened, the only thing they sensed was that the gaze felt ominous.

Xiongnu Royal Court.

The Xiongnu King swallowed a mouthful of saliva, feeling a bit uneasy, yet said nothing. The Kong family Great Scholar dared not even glance at Confucius's gaze; fear filled his heart, for he was their ancestor and the first sage of heaven and earth.

Feeling guilty, how could he dare look straight ahead?

"Sage, is there any decree?"

At this moment, Su Wenjing's voice rang out, asking the sage with full curiosity.

But as soon as this was said, Confucius still ignored it.

Soon, a series of voices asked.

There were Great Scholars and scholars from other nations; after all, conversing with Confucius was an unparalleled honor.

Yet Confucius ignored everyone, still quietly gazing toward the Xiongnu Nation.

People were curious; the holy image did not disperse, indicating a serious problem.

The scene was strange and extremely eerie.

"Jin Nian, why don't you ask?"

In the academy, Su Wenjing, seeing the sage so aloof, looked toward Gu Jin Nian, prompting him to ask.

He heard Su Wenjing's voice.

Gu Jin Nian was also a bit curious about what it meant that Confucius kept looking toward the Xiongnu Nation.

"Student Gu Jin Nian, I pay respects to Confucius."

"May I ask Confucius, is there any decree?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke, bowing toward Confucius, and asked thus.

Upon hearing this, at that moment, the previously motionless Confucius instantly turned, his gaze falling on Gu Jin Nian, yet he said nothing.

Even so, it still upset countless people; each of them was a Great Scholar, not quite on Gu Jin Nian's level, but at least somewhat capable. They called out to Confucius so earnestly, yet Confucius didn't even glance at them.

Gu Jin Nian shouted once, and Confucius turned his gaze toward him; honestly, saying it wasn't uncomfortable is a lie.

At that moment, Confucius looked at Gu Jin Nian.

In the saint's eyes there was doubt; this was merely a phantom, the saintly will condensed from the heavens and earth's faith, not the real Confucius.

"Your body contains my holy aura."

That was the first sentence of the saintly will, and then Confucius's will continued speaking.

"I can sense that the calamity here carries an ancient aura, it is an ancient evil spirit."

"In the north."

"It is brewing a great terror."

Confucius spoke, and his words left countless people astonished.

Ancient evil spirit?

A great terror? These are the saint's words; there is no room for doubt, and no one will question the saint's statements.

"May I ask the saint, is this great terror in the Xiongnu State?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke, asking directly.

The Da Xia Dynasty's calamity is certainly caused by someone behind the scenes, but who remains unknown; now Confucius is focusing on the north, leading him to suspect the Xiongnu State is behind it.

If it truly is the Xiongnu State, then the Da Xia Dynasty's next actions become much clearer.

"Unclear."

"My true form is not in this era."

"You have my holy aura."

"It's just that your realm is too low; you're not even a saint. I have left a seed for you."

"When you achieve sainthood, or receive the heavens' blessing, you may summon my true form to resolve this matter."

Confucius spoke, and as he did, he descended a seal that entered Gu Jin Nian's body.

With the seal's insertion, many forces frowned even more.

Saint's seal?

Gu Jin Nian can summon the saint again? Is this even a game?

Don't look back and stir up trouble again; if everyone swings a blade, then there's truly nothing left to play with.

"Why can't the saint directly cross the Time River?"

Having received the seal, Gu Jin Nian, curious, couldn't help asking Confucius why he couldn't directly cross the Time River, come straight to this era, and solve these problems.

As soon as he said that, Confucius calmly replied.

"The me at this moment is formed by the will of heaven and earth, not the true me; the true me can only, in the final times, cross the space-time river to the future."

"In other words, the true form you see should be my dying moments; moreover, it is bound by heavenly limits, for it ultimately defies the will of heaven and earth. At most I can act three times, and even three times may be impossible."

The phantom of Confucius spoke, giving Gu Jin Nian a perfect answer.

Past, future, present—this itself is an extremely profound topic; upon close thought, there are far too many inconceivable things.

At the moment of dying, arriving in the future, even if one knows what the future holds, nothing can be changed, for when one returns, one is essentially already dead.

One can even understand that being already dead, then traversing back.

Only in this way does it make sense.

Otherwise, knowing the future and using the present to alter it would cause all logic to collapse.

"Student understands; please, saint, rest assured."

Gu Jin Nian nodded.

However, although the saint did not tell him that the great terror is linked to the Xiongnu State, once the Da Xia Dynasty stabilizes, he will investigate to the end.

If the Xiongnu State is found to be at fault, there will be no leniency.

The phantom of Confucius nodded, then turned his gaze northward, and only then did his figure vanish.

With Confucius's disappearance,

some hidden people finally breathed a sigh of relief.

They were very afraid, fearing the saint would act again and resolve everything.

And in the far north,

within an ice palace,

a middle-aged man in a Daoist robe stood quietly in the palace.

"Your Excellency, the saint has already sensed us; what should we do?"

A voice sounded, asking thus.

"When Heaven's Mandate descends, even the saint becomes useless, unless it is a contemporary Heaven's Mandate saint; otherwise, it cannot threaten us."

The middle-aged man spoke, his tone calm, seemingly unafraid of Confucius.

"Before Heaven's Mandate descends?"

"But just now the saint said, if Gu Jin Nian becomes a saint or again triggers such a phenomenon, the saint will descend; as for Heaven's Mandate, it will probably take at most two years."

The latter spoke, unable to help but ask, since the saint is now involved, no one can guarantee what the future's changes will be.

"In two years, can Gu Jin Nian become a saint?"

"Within two years, even if he were to produce another Heaven's Mandate saint scripture, what would that achieve? The first time represents everything; unless he establishes a new saint doctrine, it would be meaningless."

"Moreover, even if the saint descends, what then?"

"Confucius, after all, came by crossing time; he does not belong to this era, can cut a region's fortune, but that doesn't mean he is omnipotent. If that were truly the case, why didn't Confucius eradicate all the roots of disaster during his first crossing?"

"This is merely to intimidate us; having crossed time, he already bears endless great-force suppression and cannot interfere with us."

He spoke, full of confidence, without a trace of fear in his words, and there was no panic whatsoever.

Upon hearing those words, the other person finally felt somewhat relieved and nodded.

And at the same time.

After Confucius's illusory figure faded away.

Above the firmament of the Da Xia Dynasty, another anomaly occurred.

One after another, merit golden clouds appeared in the Da Xia sky.

Once again, they drew countless onlookers.

"Are they going to bestow blessings?"

Someone exclaimed in amazement, gazing at this brilliant firmament, unable to hold back.

"Having survived a great calamity, blessings must follow; when a dynasty faces such a heavenly disaster and manages to endure it, blessings are inevitable—just unknown what sort of blessings heaven and earth will grant."

"Longxi Commandery suffered an earthquake, Donglin Commandery a mountain fire, Nanyue Commandery a glacier, Jiangzhong Commandery a drought, plus this heavenly fire‑stone disaster—these calamities, if placed in any small state, would have already destroyed it; even in the Great Jin Dynasty or the Central Province Dynasty they would be hard to suppress, so this blessing may well bring boundless benefits."

"After this battle, the Da Xia Dynasty is destined to surpass the Great Jin Dynasty and become the hegemon of the Eastern Wilderness."

"It just remains to see what the Central Province Dynasty thinks; with such a rival arising, the world will no longer be dominated solely by the Central Province Dynasty."

Voices rose one after another. People couldn't help discussing, after all they also wanted to know what blessings heaven and earth would grant.

Everyone was waiting.

And Emperor Yong Sheng was the most excited; with the great disaster over and heaven and earth now bestowing blessings, as the emperor of the Da Xia Dynasty he imagined his gains would certainly not be few.

The merit golden clouds, covering the heavens and the earth, enveloped the entire Da Xia Dynasty; just this spectacle alone made people envy endlessly.

Everyone was waiting; even Gu Jin Nian couldn't help but wonder what blessings heaven and earth would grant.

Boom.

After a quarter hour.

A dragon pearl fell, a golden dragon pearl, flying straight toward the Da Xia Dynasty.

The National Fortune True Dragon soared at that moment and swallowed the pearl directly.

Upon swallowing the pearl, the three‑thousand‑zhang National Fortune True Dragon instantly swelled to ten thousand zhang in length, finally bursting forth with blazing golden light, brilliant to the extreme, shocking the heart.

Roar.

The dragon's roar was deafening, piercing the ears; such a phenomenon pierced heaven and earth.

In the end, the ten‑thousand‑zhang true dragon kept shrinking until it stopped at five thousand zhang; as the light faded, a golden dragon appeared—a five‑clawed golden dragon.

A five‑thousand‑zhang five‑clawed golden dragon.

The Xiongnu State, the Fuyu Dynasty, the Great Jin Dynasty—these states of the Eastern Wilderness gazed with envy, especially the emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty, whose eyes turned red upon seeing this scene.

The National Fortune transformed into a golden dragon.

That alone would be enough—five thousand zhang, already virtually approaching the Central Province Dynasty.

The benefits of the National Fortune are favorable weather and smooth affairs; many places will become treasure lands, giving rise to outstanding people and auspicious grounds, and the children born thereafter will each be better than the previous generation.

These are boundless benefits.

Moreover, the Da Xia Dynasty's territory is not large; compared to the Central Province Dynasty, it is simply overflowing.

The overflow of the National Fortune brings breakthrough success in various fields through fortunate coincidence—like metallurgical techniques, or like suddenly discovering, out of the blue, oh, there is a spirit crystal mountain here.

It is thus—not overt at first, but as time passes one will discover that good things happen every day.

The Great Jin emperor truly had red eyes; the Da Xia Dynasty has truly surpassed the Great Jin Dynasty now, and the days ahead will certainly not be easy for them.

"Good thing there is the Alliance Association; good thing there is the Alliance Association—if the Dragon Rice Treasure Note succeeds, the Great Jin Dynasty will not lose, will not lose."

The Great Jin emperor muttered to himself; this is now his sole resolve.

Join the Alliance Association, help each other; the Great Jin Dynasty will surely face heavenly disasters in the future, and by relying on the Alliance Association it will not be isolated and helpless like the Da Xia Dynasty, and the Dragon Rice Treasure Note will basically be completed as well.

This is the Great Jin Dynasty's sole goal.

As for the Fuyu Dynasty, they lack the ambition of the Great Jin Dynasty; they have already begun considering whether to join the Alliance Association and whether to establish good relations with the Da Xia Dynasty.

The Shenlu Emperor does not agree, whereas the Fusang Empress already has an idea.

However, there is no rush for now.

After this matter settles, we will then slowly negotiate; after all, this is state policy.

As for the Xiongnu State, we need not say more.

The entire Xiongnu State is utterly demoralized, especially the border soldiers, each hanging their heads in dejection; they had thought they could invade the Da Xia Dynasty and settle all past grudges.

But they never expected that the Da Xia Dynasty would actually withstand this ordeal.

This makes them feel terrible; more importantly, they are stationed here, and the Da Xia Dynasty has already noticed—once the Da Xia Dynasty's affairs are settled, will they find a pretext to cause trouble for them?

Previously the Xiongnu State could still contend with the Da Xia Dynasty, but from now on, for the Xiongnu State to target the Da Xia Dynasty is basically impossible.

The Xiongnu king also wore a face of utter defeat, but he quickly came to his senses, looking at the Confucian scholar beside him and said:

"Master Confucius, quickly have someone submerge the formation; just now the sage observed, it is very likely a matter of the formation, and given Gu Jin Nian's character he will surely notice—if this were truly exposed, the Xiongnu State would surely perish."

The Xiongnu king's face was grim, but he still knew he must deal with these matters promptly; the Xiongnu State is now in a dire disadvantage, and if the Da Xia Dynasty sends troops over, for them it would not be utter annihilation, but close enough.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty; I will attend to it immediately."

The latter did not dare to delay, immediately set out to eliminate the future trouble.

And within the Da Xia Dynasty.

The five‑thousand‑zhang National Fortune Golden Dragon also, at this moment, spat out rays of light that blessed the civil and military officials.

With the state's rise, officials naturally receive benefits.

This is the National Fortune; although only a little, when it blesses the officials it makes their vital energy continuous and their bodies strong—like Yang Kai and the others, who are too old, their bodies naturally not as good as before.

But now it is different; with the National Fortune's dragon aura rising, their physiques become like those of young people—strong, invulnerable to all poisons, and they also gain various other benefits.

Of course, if one day they rebel or are demoted, this dragon aura will also be withdrawn, and everything will vanish.

This is the benefit of the National Fortune Golden Dragon; from now on, officials cannot betray, nor can they commit acts that harm the state, for if they do, the dragon qi will be affected.

For example, an official who is already eighty, after dragon qi transformation becomes strong and robust, but if the dragon qi is withdrawn, they age instantly and may die outright.

It is that direct.

Moreover, when dragon qi is lacking, one can directly see whether the official has any issue; if none, why is the dragon qi gone? If there is, then investigate to the end.

For governing a nation, it is simply excellent.

But only the current officials have it; later officials cannot enjoy dragon qi unless the national fortune strengthens again.

Thus the emperor can discern good from evil, and judge loyalty and virtue.

Not only that.

After all officials receive dragon qi, the National Fortune Golden Dragon soars into the sky, reaches the desert, exhales national fortune, turning it into a torrent that instantly transforms the desert into an oasis.

Although the Da Xia Dynasty spans a vast territory, much of it is barren and unsuitable for the people to live in.

Now, an oasis is directly created; moreover, the National Fortune Golden Dragon blasts a deep trench into the ground, then thunder roars and torrential rain pours, flooding it with massive water.

In one breath it carves four rivers, creates hundreds of great lakes, linking the waterways of the two rivers of the Da Xia Dynasty.

Continuous flow is formed, and more importantly, the risk of floods is reduced; diversion can bear some pressure.

This is the benefit of a powerful national fortune.

In one hour, the National Fortune True Dragon spends an hour to transform a region, a region equivalent to a riverine commandery.

But this is far from over.

Roar.

Second.

Third.

Fourth.

Fifth.

It created five oases, each as large as a riverine commandery, with fertile soil and lush trees; these five places, even without Da Xia Dragon Rice, can feed every citizen of the Da Xia Dynasty.

Moreover, even if the population multiplies tenfold in the future, it will still be sufficient to sustain.

Relocate.

Bring all the impoverished people to relocate, build homes, give everyone land—what more could the Da Xia Dynasty worry about? In the Ministry of Revenue, He Yan's smile had already stiffened; in his view, the future grain tax would be an astonishing figure.

All major dynasties and powers watched this with open eyes; the dynasties were envious to the point of tears, eyes reddened with sourness.

As for the major powers, they were shocked by the terror of the National Fortune Golden Dragon.

It is literally a transformation of heaven and earth.

The Five Great Oases appear, and the National Fortune Golden Dragon returns to the Da Xia Dynasty, merging into the imperial palace.

"If the Five Great Oases are used to grow food, the people of the Da Xia Dynasty will truly never lack sustenance."

"Grow food? The grain from two oases would already feed all the people of the Da Xia Dynasty; the remaining three oases could easily be used to build a great city."

"The future Da Xia Dynasty—who knows how terrifying it will become."

"This is only the first blessing."

"Indeed, this is merely the first blessing, and Gu Jin Nian contributed the most; what kind of blessing will he receive? Unimaginable."

People discussed; at first they only mentioned the oases, but after someone reminded that this was merely the first blessing, many fell silent.

When Gu Jin Nian was mentioned, many felt curious.

Most people were hopeful, hoping Gu Jin Nian would receive what blessing, since the first blessing was so extravagant; as the main force, what blessing could Gu Jin Nian obtain? And at that moment—

Above the heavens.

A golden beam of light shone down, aimed at the Yong Sheng Emperor.

Da Xia Imperial Palace.

The Yong Sheng Emperor was bathed in golden light; his lifespan surged rapidly, restoring the hundred years of lost life in an instant.

Moreover, a purple true dragon circled him, representing imperial fortune.

But soon the second, third, fourth, and fifth followed.

A full five purple true dragons appeared, encircling him on all sides.

Each true dragon measured nine zhang.

Finally they merged into a seal that entered his body.

"Nine‑zhang Purple Dragon."

"The number five."

"The supreme nine‑five, this is the Son of Heaven's seal."

Someone shouted in astonishment, pointing at the Yong Sheng Emperor's location.

Hearing this, many looked at the Yong Sheng Emperor, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"Back then, the Da Xia Founder, who pacified the ten‑state turmoil, never received the Son of Heaven's seal; how did the Yong Sheng Emperor obtain it?"

"Good partner, this blessing is indeed terrifying; I knew it would be like this, but I didn't expect the Son of Heaven's seal to appear."

Voices rose one after another, expressing amazement.

"The Son of Heaven's seal is a mark approved by Heaven; an emperor bearing it signifies heavenly endorsement."

"Possessing such a seal grants control over a nation's fortune, endless benefits; even a Seventh Realm master attempting to slay the Yong Sheng Emperor would be blocked by Heaven, and no karmic retribution would affect him."

"Moreover, any court official before him who harbors dissent or trouble will be sensed by him; he discerns good from evil, knows loyalty, and no one dares to betray the ruler."

"Some people will truly suffer; even a feudal prince who wishes to rebel cannot shake an emperor endorsed by Heaven."

A Great Scholar spoke, explaining the effects of the Son of Heaven's seal.

Yes.

The emperor's seal represents Heaven's approval; with such a seal, the Yong Sheng Emperor will never have to worry about any problems in the future.

Inside the Da Xia imperial palace.

Feeling this emperor's seal, the Yong Sheng Emperor's face lit up with an incomparably brilliant smile.

However, as a piece of information appeared in his mind, the Yong Sheng Emperor's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

But he quickly recovered his smile, as if he had gained a great benefit.

Boom.

Another burst of golden light spread out, shining on the Da Xia Academy; but just as everyone thought it was a blessing bestowed upon Gu Jin Nian, they discovered that the golden light shone upon Su Wenjing instead.

He gave up his Half Saint cultivation; this merit also deserved the blessings of heaven and earth.

Bathed in the light of merit, Su Wenjing's cultivation instantly recovered, reaching Half Saint.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

He was bathed in holy light, and his heart sounded like a war drum.

"Sacred Heart."

"He has given birth to a Sacred Heart; will Su Wenjing become a saint?"

"Heaven and earth actually bestowed a Sacred Heart upon Su Wenjing?"

At this moment, countless Confucian Dao scholars could not sit still; this is the Heaven and Earth Sacred Heart, and with it Su Wenjing will surely become a saint.

Stepping into the Seventh Realm.

Although the highest realm is the Eighth Realm, this realm is merely legendary; to everyone, the Seventh Realm already counts as an invincible existence.

Just like the Heavenly Demon Old Man, who is usually a quasi-Seventh Realm cultivator but can reach the Seventh Realm at critical moments, and he alone can suppress countless Immortal Sect experts.

If Su Wenjing reaches the Saint Realm, it would be extraordinary.

Possessing an unfathomable realm and power.

Furthermore, the birth of a saint in the Da Xia Dynasty—how terrifying that would be.

Holy light enveloped.

Su Wenjing was surrounded by boundless righteous qi, and received the Heaven and Earth Sacred Heart.

"Within ten years—no, five years, or perhaps three years—the Da Xia Dynasty will produce a saint, and the Confucian Dao will also produce a saint."

A Great Scholar sighed, gazing at Su Wenjing, and said thus.

"From now on we shall call him Su the Saint, not just a Half Saint."

"If the Confucian Dao produces a saint, no matter what, it is a good thing for us Confucians."

"Yes, if Confucius's words are correct, should a great calamity arise in the future, our Confucian lineage producing a saint would indeed be excellent, and moreover Gu Jin Nian will also become a saint; in a great disaster, having these two is a good thing."

Various voices rose up; they both lamented and acknowledged Su Wenjing, with no dissatisfaction.

Mainly they were the scholars of Da Xia.

Boom.

The golden heavenly canopy appeared again, and this time it still fell upon the Da Xia Academy, shining on these scholars; moreover, it was not just one place that unfolded the canopy, but many places throughout the Da Xia Dynasty unfolded this golden heavenly canopy.

They feared neither life nor death, using all their strength here to save the masses; within the Da Xia realm, all Da Xia scholars, as well as some foreign scholars, who sincerely recited the saints' scriptures for the world's masses, all received the bathing.

Merit's golden light shone upon the Da Xia scholars, enhancing their wisdom and increasing their fortune.

At this moment, all scholars of the Da Xia Dynasty showed delight, and in their hearts they were filled with admiration for Gu Jin Nian.

If it were not for Gu Jin Nian, they would also be unable to block this terrible calamity.

Now, they have also received the blessings of heaven and earth.

All this is thanks to Gu Jin Nian; they understand and know it.

In a moment, many scholars rose to their feet and bowed toward the Da Xia Academy.

It can be said that from this point onward, all scholars of Da Xia have developed an ineffable admiration for Gu Jin Nian, both due to interests and from the heart.

Roar.

At this time.

A ten-thousand-zhang true dragon rose up, in the skies of the Eastern Wilderness.

"This is the fortune of the Confucian Dao!"

In just an instant, a Confucian Dao great ability sensed what it was.

Confucian Dao fortune.

Transformed into a ten-thousand-zhang true dragon; although it did not transform into a golden dragon, it was already beyond imagination.

The Confucian Dao fortune, before being weakened, was roughly like this; later it suffered severe weakening at the hands of a saint and Gu Jin Nian twice, and ultimately it still could not match the national fortune of the Da Xia Dynasty.

But now it is different.

Gu Jin Nian fulfilled his promise, helping the Confucian Dao restore its fortune.

It returned to the beginning.

"Our Confucian Dao fortune has returned to the beginning once more, and moreover, if in the future everyone becomes like a dragon, having thoroughly studied Gu Jin Nian's scripture, they will exclusively claim the top place and become the chosen of Heaven's Mandate."

"The Holy Son is indeed extraordinary."

"The Confucian Dao suffered two weakenings, but now has returned to peak fortune; its foundations and roots are stronger than before by more than tenfold; overall, this is a good thing, a great good thing."

"Holy Son Jin Nian, earlier I spoke somewhat rudely; I ask Holy Son Jin Nian to please forgive me many times."

Countless Confucian Dao scholars spoke up, among whom there was no lack of Great Scholars.

In the end, moreover, a Great Scholar voluntarily spoke up, apologizing to Gu Jin Nian; he had previously felt deep anger over Gu Jin Nian's weakening of the fortune.

Now, Gu Jin Nian has fulfilled his promise, once again letting the Confucian Dao fortune return to its peak, making him feel ashamed and embarrassed.

Facing the apology, Gu Jin Nian shook his head slightly; he didn't care about it.

At this moment.

As the light faded.

In an instant, heaven and earth trembled; an unprecedented aura enveloped everyone's hearts.

Everyone knew that this blessing was about to arrive.

The blessing belonging to Gu Jin Nian.

Boom—

A ten‑thousand‑zhang Golden Dragon emerged.

It unfurled the heavens.

Terrifying beyond compare.

"Just the merit and luck is this terrifying?"

Someone spoke, almost losing their voice, their eyes filled with shock.

The blessing belonging to Gu Jin Nian descended; yet merely the merit and luck already showed such terror—how could it not shock people?

This is truly Gu Jin Nian's first blessing!

There will surely be many more blessings to come.

Is this meant to let Gu Jin Nian become a sage?

But just then, Gu Jin Nian bowed to heaven and earth, and slowly spoke.

"Student Gu Jin Nian."

"May I dispel boundless merit, to empower the soldiers of Da Xia and the bodies of the suffering people."

A faint voice sounded.

In the academy.

Gu Jin Nian's words completely caused countless people to widen their eyes.

Silent to the point of being unable to speak.

Even Su Wenjing was completely dumbfounded.

(End of chapter)