Chapter 367: The Sponsor of Hong Jun: The Shipgirls Are Coming!

"Comrade Hong Jun, your opponent seems quite strong."

"Hehehe, granting deification to ten thousand gods—such boldness shocks even us demonic gods!"

"How about it? Will you still refuse to accept our Great Dao?"

As Xiang Xuanqing had anticipated, the three thousand chaotic demonic gods were not a unified bloc.

Since the Lunhuimoshen sought to cooperate with him, other demonic gods would naturally choose those they favored.

Some demonic gods could not get along with Hong Jun, yet others had placed heavy bets on Hong Jun!

Hong Jun sat cross-legged upon the high dais, calmly expounding the Dao.

Voices echoed in his mind, as if arriving from distant spacetime—ethereal and eerie.

One after another, formless entities—whose very shapes defied description—had their wills seemingly freed from the chains of time and space, awakening within Hong Jun’s consciousness.

They circled him, whispering, luring, attempting to drag him from the throne of "Heavenly Dao" into a deeper, freer, and far more violent abyss of chaos.

A voice tinged with "kindness" arose, as if seeing through Hong Jun’s deep attachment to the sentient beings of Hong Huang: "Comrade, if you truly cannot let go of your obsession with 'civilizing,' we can help you."

"The fallen Life Demon God’s companion supreme treasure, the 'Source Wheel of Life,' still floats somewhere in the chaos. If you obtain this treasure..."

Another voice immediately chimed in, brimming with irresistible temptation: "To wield the 'Source Wheel of Life' is to command the origin of the Dao of Life!"

"One thought, and all things revive; one thought, and all things wither!"

"In this Hong Huang world, and throughout the myriad realms, you can create as many sentient beings as you desire!"

"Indeed!" The earlier "kind" voice spoke again, its tone laced with cunning.

"What does it matter if some are corrupted by chaos, driven mad, or slain? With the power of the 'Source Wheel of Life,' you can recreate billions with a mere wave of your hand."

"Then, you may civilize as many as you wish, selecting only the most 'pure' sentient beings."

"Let them grow entirely according to your will—isn’t that far more delightful than your current laborious efforts, constantly constrained and hindered? Why not embrace it?"

The demonic gods’ seductive words, like the sweetest poison, layered upon one another, attempting to corrode Hong Jun’s steadfast, unmoving heart, anchored in Heavenly Dao.

Yet Hong Jun, the Dao Ancestor, remained unmoved.

He still sat serenely upon the high dais, as if the demonic voices capable of shattering the Dao hearts of Luo Jinxian were merely a gentle breeze brushing the water’s surface—leaving not a single ripple in his inner lake.

His eyes remained closed, his lips even curled in a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

His voice of teaching remained grand and clear, expounding the profound, intricate truths of Heavenly Dao—each word brimming with the power of order and harmony, standing in stark contrast to the whispers of the chaotic demonic gods within his mind.

The formless entities from the depths of chaos, whose wills had crossed the forbidden boundaries of spacetime, seeing Hong Jun impervious, some let out frustrated roars, others emitted knowing chuckles, and gradually faded into silence.

"We believe you will eventually come to us."

"Hong Jun, we await you!"

The ripples of the Deification Ceremony had not yet subsided when a deeper transformation quietly unfolded across Hong Huang.

One hundred thousand enfeoffed deities, wielding celestial edicts and their own understanding of the Divine Dao, began constructing divine realms within their respective domains.

This was not merely a symbol of authority—it was the very core of Divine Dao cultivation: mastering divine authority through the Great Dao’s principles, reversing primordial nature, and strengthening the self.

Instantly, across Hong Huang, divine realms sprang up like mushrooms after rain, scattered like stars, each radiating unique grandeur.

In the Zhou Tian heavens, the Star Lords summoned billions of starlight, using starlight as tiles and divine power as beams to forge floating star palaces deep within the cosmos—where star rivers flowed and light and darkness intertwined, mysterious and unfathomable.

Across Hong Huang’s lands and seas, countless deities, drawing upon Heavenly Dao’s divine authority, elevated their grottoes and blessed lands into stable divine domains.

These divine realms ranged from majestic and towering, drawing upon mountain and dragon veins, to exquisitely graceful, nurturing local waters and earths, protecting billions of sentient beings.

Of course, not all deities placed their divine realms in tangible locations.

They bound themselves with profound subtlety to the cosmic laws corresponding to their authority—hidden within emptiness, manifesting among mortals, or embedded in chaotic spacetime, omnipresent.

Some even applied the method of constructing divine realms to their own bodies.

Their divine bodies became a "divine realm"—vast divine power as "rivers," five viscera and six bowels as "cities," the spiritual terrace as "capital," and the nascent soul as "ruler."

This unorthodox method of divine realm cultivation drew widespread imitation among deities.

Especially among Taiyi deities, who possessed numerous peculiar abilities and arcane techniques, they delighted in doing things differently.

After experiencing the method of making the body a realm, certain geniuses fused alchemical techniques with Divine Dao methods, creating colossal star-sea vessels!

"Starting today, our Heavenly River Navy’s divine realm is our own flagship!"

Tian Peng Zhenjun, who also served as Heavenly River General, declared: "These colossal vessels are both spiritual treasures, divine realms, and our vehicles for conquering the myriad realms!"

"A spiritual treasure is called such because it possesses spirit—so giving our vessels spirit is perfectly reasonable, right?"

"Since the vessel is a divine realm, its spirit is called 'guoling'—the spirit of the divine realm. Simple and clear."

"That sounds pretty good!"

Chen Xing Shangzun, founder of the Heavenly River Navy, chuckled and asked: "Do you need a dual-cultivation technique?"

"Huh?"

Tian Peng Zhenjun and the entire Heavenly River Navy were stunned.

"Dual cultivation? What dual cultivation?"

Chen Xing Shangzun replied as if it were obvious: "Of course, dual cultivation with your vessel spirit—or rather, your guoling!"

Tian Peng was shocked: "How can you dual cultivate with that?"

"Why not?"

Chen Xing Shangzun wore the expression of one who had seen far more than this boy.

Then he pulled out a scroll and handed it to Tian Peng Zhenjun.

Tian Peng took it and saw, clearly written: "The Scroll of Three Thousand Weak Waters, Volume One Hundred and Seven: A Hundred Interpretations of Spiritual Objects."

"The potential of a sentient object depends entirely on your imagination."

Chen Xing Shangzun earnestly advised Tian Peng: "If you can fuse a divine realm with a colossal vessel and awaken its spirit, you can certainly teach the guoling—or vessel spirit—to cultivate!"

"In Divine Dao cultivation, when the divine master grows stronger, the divine realm grows stronger too."

"Conversely, if the spirit of the divine realm (the vessel) cultivates on its own, wouldn’t the divine realm (the vessel) also grow stronger—and in turn, empower the divine master?"

"When deity and realm coexist, saint and spirit dual cultivate, mutually enhancing, progressing together—this is the correct way to practice Divine Dao!"

"So that’s what you meant by dual cultivation!" The Heavenly River Navy finally understood.

"Of course—what else did you think?" Chen Xing Shangzun’s eyes were clear, his expression solemn and meticulous.

As if to say: I am a proper deity!

Chen Xing Shangzun said: "Moreover, since you’ve fused divine realm, vessel, and spiritual treasure, my method enables beneficial interaction between deities and spiritual treasures—perfectly resolving the flaw that spiritual treasures cannot cultivate or level up!"

"Ah, that’s right!" Many Heavenly River Navy members’ eyes lit up.

No wonder our Heavenly River Navy’s leader—he produces top-tier cultivation techniques at a single stroke!

"Alright, I have matters to attend to. Remember to study my scroll when you have time—you’ll gain great benefits."

Chen Xing Shangzun departed with a wave of his sleeve, elegant and carefree.

The Heavenly River Navy marveled: "Our Shangzun actually conceived something so proper—we misjudged him!"

Meanwhile, Chen Xing Shangzun, having hurriedly left, contacted Xiang Xuanqing.

"Tian Di, I’ve just conceived a new strategic game that aids Divine Dao cultivation—especially our Taiwei Yuan’s naval construction!"

"Oh?"

Xiang Xuanqing curiously received Chen Xing Shangzun’s proposal.

"‘Divine Spirits Above, Shipgirls Below’?"

Xiang Xuanqing’s lip twitched.

He examined it carefully, then silently returned the proposal to Chen Xing Shangzun.

"If you revise the title and remove most of the Weak Water content beyond normal divine realm and vessel cultivation, this plan is still viable."

At least, fusing the divine realm (vessel) with spiritual treasure properties was excellent.

Chen Xing Shangzun smiled.

"I’ll revise it again."

The second draft arrived quickly.

Xiang Xuanqing glanced at it.

"Ship Spirits Above, Divine Spirits Below."

This time, Chen Xing Shangzun had actually listened.

He truly removed most Weak Water content beyond normal divine realm and vessel cultivation.

But now the deity himself had become Weak Water!

"I’ll keep this proposal. I’ll revise it for you," said Xiang Xuanqing.

"Fine!"

Chen Xing Shangzun gladly accepted.

Xiang Xuanqing first changed the game’s title: "Call it 'Ships and the Distant.'"

Following Chen Xing Shangzun’s concept, Xiang Xuanqing added his own insights.

Soon after, this Divine Dao strategic game launched on the Star Network.

"Tian Di, how can you indulge in frivolous games!"

Fu Xi, diligently working, saw Xiang Xuanqing studying a Star Network game and immediately protested.

Xiang Xuanqing’s grand Deification Ceremony not only expanded the Taiwei Yuan’s ruling foundation but elevated Hong Huang’s Divine Dao to an entirely new height.

The refinement of Divine Dao cultivation methods provided countless sentient beings with new paths of advancement, drastically increasing the number of cultivators.

Simultaneously, the establishment of one hundred thousand divine realms allowed Hong Huang’s qi, earth veins, and water veins to be effectively organized and utilized.

Likewise, the affairs requiring Taiwei Yuan’s management had multiplied beyond measure.

Now Fu Xi personally presided over Ziwei Yuan, coordinating resource allocation, jurisdictional disputes among divine realms, and dynamically adjusting divine positions based on merit.

To liberate himself, he also used the [Zhou Tian Xing Dou Da Zhen] to form a new star network, enabling information sharing and energy allocation among one hundred thousand divine realms.

Fu Xi bustled about, only to realize he was the only one working seriously.

Everyone was slacking off, while the mighty Tian Di was developing a strategy game—is this right?

“You’ll understand once you try it.” Xiang Xuanqing gave Fu Xi a server account.

“I’m not part of the Mo Shen’s world-saving plan?”

Fu Xi glanced at it and was instantly drawn in by the opening storyline.

“We set sail from Chaos, crossed the endless abyss, and passed through ancient taboos—do you think we can reach the shore of a new era?”

“Is this ‘Ships and the Far Horizon’?” Fu Xi gave Xiang Xuanqing a strange look.

“What else?”

Xiang Xuanqing smiled: “This is the collective wisdom of the Heavenly River Navy and Chen Xing Shang Zun. I made minor adjustments—retaining its fun while adding the effects of uncovering world secrets and higher-level Dao principles.”

“This first version is still in internal testing. Why don’t you try it out?”

“Fine!” Fu Xi also felt he should relax a bit.

Watching Fu Xi vanish before his eyes, Xiang Xuanqing’s lips curled into a smile.

He found a world within the Ling Jing, then took out the Hun Dun coffin, stepped inside, and lay down.

He was going to invite another group of players.

“The Tian Di wants to invite us to visit Tian Jie?”

In a strange space, the Energy Conservation Mo Shen met Xiang Xuanqing.

“That’s right!”

Xiang Xuanqing said: “Didn’t we sign the Dao Covenant? That makes us allies.”

“The Tai Wei Yuan has just seen new developments, so I’d like to invite a few Dao friends to visit our Tian Jie.”

“I believe this will also strengthen your confidence in your investment.”

“Is that so?” The Energy Conservation Mo Shen looked at Xiang Xuanqing.

Xiang Xuanqing wore an expression of sincere honesty.

The Energy Conservation Mo Shen nodded slightly, then stood still, as if consulting with the Reincarnation Mo Shen.

“Thank you for the Tian Di’s kind invitation.”

The Energy Conservation Mo Shen came back to himself and said: “The timing isn’t right yet. If we directly descend into Hong Huang, we may face rejection from Hong Huang’s heavens and earth.”

“No problem—I can have the Tian Dao grant passage.” Xiang Xuanqing said.

The Energy Conservation Mo Shen looked astonished: “Does the Tian Di now control the complete Hong Huang Tian Dao?”

Xiang Xuanqing replied: “Not yet, but I’m close.”

Seeing his calm demeanor, the Energy Conservation Mo Shen had no choice but to believe him.

He hesitated a moment, then said: “It seems the Tian Di gained much from this Divine Enthronement.”

Xiang Xuanqing sighed slightly: “It’s a pity your kind cannot descend directly—otherwise, you’d surely have received rewards at the Divine Enthronement Ceremony.”

“I can’t promise much, but at least with a divine position, you could move freely within Hong Huang.”

The Energy Conservation Mo Shen was moved.

His expression softened: “Tian Di, don’t worry. We’ve waited this long—this one moment isn’t urgent.”

“The final battle is our true moment to enter the stage.”

“But before then, you could go out for a stroll—no need to lock yourselves inside these coffins.” Xiang Xuanqing spoke sincerely, as if truly concerned for the Mo Shen’s welfare.

The Energy Conservation Mo Shen felt a flicker of inner conflict.

Xiang Xuanqing saw it and knew he had a chance.

So he feigned indifference: “Since you have reservations, I won’t press you.”

“But the Tai Wei Yuan will always welcome any ally.”

“Here are two Tian Dao tokens—these will grant direct access to the core of my Tai Wei—the Ling Jing.”

“If you’re interested, you could send a fragment of your spirit out to take a look—it’s not difficult at all.”

With that, Xiang Xuanqing left the two tokens behind and departed without hesitation.

This left the Energy Conservation Mo Shen stunned.

Whoosh~~

The Hun Dun mist churned, and the Reincarnation Mo Shen appeared.

He held the two tokens, puzzled: “Is the Tian Di sincerely inviting us to visit?”

“I think he is.” The Energy Conservation Mo Shen nodded seriously.

“Shall we go take a look?”

The Reincarnation Mo Shen pondered, then shook his head: “Not yet.”

In the following period, Xiang Xuanqing occasionally visited the Mo Shen’s abode.

Today he updated them on the development status of the one hundred thousand divine realms; tomorrow he discussed Tai Wei strategies; the day after, he brought them Hong Huang specialties to taste.

Occasionally, Xiang Xuanqing also shared the pleasures of the star network with them.

“I’ve recently been developing a game, but I’m stuck. Could you offer some advice?”

One day, Xiang Xuanqing mentioned “Ships and the Far Horizon,” and the Mo Shen’s World-Saving chapter left the Reincarnation Mo Shen silent.

“Tian Di, do you think we can reach the shore?” asked the Reincarnation Mo Shen.

Xiang Xuanqing smiled: “Of course we can—why not? Haven’t you already invested in my Tai Wei Yuan?”

“Rest assured—we will succeed!”

“We’ll overthrow Hong Jun in no time!”

The final line made all the Mo Shen laugh heartily.

They sat and discussed Dao, and over time, they grew less distant.

“I never expected the Tian Di to be so approachable. It seems the atmosphere within Tai Wei Yuan must be very harmonious.” The Mo Shen, through Xiang Xuanqing’s repeated actions, glimpsed the true nature of Tai Wei Yuan.

As the saying goes: sincerity begets sincerity.

Xiang Xuanqing’s genuine warmth earned their trust in return.

When “Ships and the Far Horizon” reached its third internal test, when Xiang Xuanqing came to notify them, they voluntarily offered to help him refine the game and enrich its Mo Shen secrets.

“Then I leave it in your hands, Dao friends!”

Xiang Xuanqing smiled.

【Finally hooked them—I went through the trouble of making dozens of dumplings just for a little vinegar!】

What strategy game? What sincerity begets sincerity?

From the moment Chen Xing Shang Zun submitted the proposal, a fishing plan had already formed in Dao Ran Tian Zun’s mind.

The Mo Shen’s World-Saving chapter was designed specifically for these Mo Shen.

Only Mo Shen truly understand Mo Shen.

When they deeply participated in designing and experiencing the game, they inevitably revealed traces.

He wanted to see just how many entities were watching the Hong Huang chessboard.

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(End of Chapter)