Chapter 345: Replace Heaven? Seize Heaven!

The proactive withdrawal of Dong Zhuo's great army was like removing a massive stone that had been pressing on the chest, granting the long‑sieged Guangzong City a rare chance to breathe, and also allowing the exhausted Zhang Jiao to catch a breath.

Inside the Quiet Chamber, Zhang Jiao slowly opened his eyes, a flash of resolve flashing in his gaze.

"The moment… has arrived."

Zhang Jiao whispered, his gaze turning toward the seemingly calm blue sky beyond the window.

He produced a pill the size of a longan, its hue vermilion, and swallowed it without hesitation.

The medicine dissolved, and the pallor of his face quickly gave way to an unusual flush, his wan aura strengthening considerably.

The task ahead was far from ordinary; a body whose qi and blood were not sufficiently robust would be utterly unsuitable, and he had nurtured his body for a long time.

He drew a deep breath, straightened his spine, and strode out the door.

Public General Zhang Liang had long been waiting outside; seeing him emerge, he hurried forward.

"Are all the supplies ready?" Zhang Jiao asked in a low voice.

Zhang Liang nodded heavily, his expression solemn: "Brother, everything is prepared, flawless!" He stepped aside and pointed toward the courtyard.

In the courtyard stood three squads, each about ten men, all clad in pristine yellow robes.

The first squad bore a battle flag of black background embroidered with intricate ochre clouds and star patterns; the flag moved without wind, faintly radiating a subtle aura.

The second squad held smooth, polished jade discs etched with dense incantations, shimmering faintly.

The third squad each carried a bright yellow incense stick about an arm's length long and as thick as a child's arm; its fragrance remained dense and unmoving, calming the mind of anyone who inhaled.

They stood motionless like statues, their gazes collectively fixed on Zhang Jiao, awaiting his command.

Zhang Jiao stepped forward, approaching the three squads, his eyes slowly sweeping over each face.

He suddenly halted, adjusted his attire, and, facing the dozens of men, performed a solemn, deep bow:

"Yellow Heaven Great Undertaking, success or failure rests on this single act! Zhang Jiao, I now entrust this to you all!"

Seeing him thus, everyone trembled with emotion, hot tears filling their eyes, kneeling to the ground, their voices choked yet resolutely replying:

"I am willing to die serving the Heavenly Duke General!"

"For the Great Sage Benevolent Master, I would not shy from ten thousand deaths!"

"We are willing from the bottom of our hearts!"

"Thank you!" Zhang Jiao straightened, a surge of emotion flickering in his eyes; he raised both arms, looking to the heavens and reciting the original creed: "In the year Clamp, the world is blessed!"

"In the year Clamp, the world is blessed!" the crowd echoed in unison, their voices shaking the courtyard.

Zhang Jiao's gaze suddenly sharpened to a piercing edge, his voice rising like a startling thunderclap:

"Yellow Heaven Shall Stand!"

"Yellow Heaven Shall Stand!" the fervent shouts surged straight into the clouds.

"Form the array!" Zhang Jiao said no more, issuing the command decisively.

"Take this!"

The three squads moved at the order, as if they had rehearsed a thousand times, dispersing swiftly and orderly, each bearing their implements like streams merging into a river, racing toward the predetermined positions throughout Guangzong City.

Zhang Jiao turned, his gaze falling upon the towering ritual platform, already erected at the heart of the city, several zhang high.

He stepped toward the platform, ascending the steps.

The top of the platform had already been arranged.

In the center stood a Ritual Altar, upon which were displayed three animal sacrifices, clear water, and five grains.

All around, according to the eight trigrams, larger yellow banners were planted on eight sides, fluttering briskly.

The ground bore a massive, exceedingly intricate formation diagram drawn in cinnabar, its lines interwoven, spiritual light flickering.

On the Ritual Altar, besides the offerings, lay Talisman Scrolls, magical seals, and all other implements.

Zhang Jiao stood at the center of the platform, holding incense flame, his feet planted in a firm stance, muttering incantations.

As he performed, the three squads had already inserted the battle flags into the ground at key points throughout Guangzong City, set the discs in place, and lit the specially crafted incense sticks.

Buzz—!

When the final formation eye was activated, the ground of Guangzong City trembled slightly, and an invisible, massive aura suddenly formed!

With the platform as its core, the entire Guangzong County seemed to become a gigantic, living array!

The city's houses, streets, even every inch of soil appeared to become part of the array, the qi of heaven and earth flowing and gathering within.

All the Yellow Turban Army within the city, soldiers and civilians alike, felt the overwhelming aura; they simultaneously halted their actions, lifted their heads, and directed their gazes toward the towering platform at the city's center, toward the yellow, deity‑like figure atop the platform.

In each heart swelled awe and anticipation: what would the Great Sage Benevolent Master actually do?

Zhang Jiao looked up at the sky, thoughts churning within.

The old immortal Nan Hua had bestowed upon him The Tai Ping Essential Art, commanding him "Divine Mission of Replacing Heaven, to spread salvation to all beings."

But "Divine Mission of Replacing Heaven" is ultimately not "Heaven"; it remains bound by the old Heavenly Path's rules, shackled by the decaying dynasty's fortunes!

This road he walks is arduous; looking ahead, only a doomed abyss lies ahead, with no hint of hope.

Since "Divine Mission of Replacing Heaven" cannot work, then… it shall be taken over!

A mad, resolute thought erupted completely within him.

Using his own body as a conduit, and the supreme secret of The Tai Ping Essential Art, he would perform the act of defying Heaven to alter fate!

He flung his arms wide; his broad Dao robe flapped wildly in the gale, as if to embrace the whole firmament.

The three specially crafted bright‑yellow incense sticks in his hand ignited without flame, their yellow smoke rising like pillars, soaring straight upward against the wind into the heavens!

"The glorious old Heaven wanes, its twilight approaching!"

"Now I, Zhang Jiao—am willing to burn this frail body as a torch, to illuminate the eternal night!"

"With my flesh and blood I shall forge a new Heaven, with my spine I shall erect Yellow Heaven!"

"Reforge the cauldron of the firmament, reset the cosmos!"

"Establish an era of the Great Public, usher in universal peace!"

He has blood‑red eyes, disheveled hair flailing, his voice tearing the heavens, as if confronting an unseen presence:

The heavens are dead!

Yellow! Heaven! Must! Stand!

The moment the words fell—

Rumble!!!

The world trembles violently! The once clear sky is instantly shrouded by endless black clouds; within the clouds electric serpents dance wildly, thunder roars deafeningly! Gale howls, whipping up dust across the heavens!

An indescribable massive pressure rises from the ritual altar, soaring to the heavens, piercing the nine skies!

In the center of Zhang Jiao's forehead, a point of extremely pure, bright yellow light suddenly flared, like a seed, like an eye slowly opening!

The yellow light detached from his forehead, forming a concentrated pillar of light, boldly charging into the thunder‑filled clouds that represented the old authority!

Immediately after, a splash of vivid yellow, like ink dropped into clear water, centered on where the pillar entered, began rapidly staining and spreading behind the clouds!

The previously dark sky is swiftly being overtaken by a yellow that brims with the sense of rebirth!

That yellow carries a warm, egalitarian yet overwhelmingly domineering aura, as if to completely cover and replace the old firmament!

Zhang Jiao's head droops helplessly, his entire spirit seemingly drained by that yellow light, yet a hint of satisfied smile curls at his mouth, as if he sees a new world beckoning him.

Just as the yellow is about to devour the last fragment of cloud, turning the whole sky into a yellow heavens—

Bold!

A scolding voice full of wrath, as if from the nine heavens above, yet resonating directly in each soul's depths!

The voice is not loud, but it bears supreme authority and the power of law, like a binding spell, causing the rapidly spreading yellow to abruptly halt!

In the next instant, the yellow heavens that were about to materialize flicker like an illusion, beginning violent oscillations, then retracting, contracting, and dissipating faster than they spread!

The clouds in the sky reconvene, thunder becomes even more Frenzy, as if the heavens' fury!

The yellow light that shot from Zhang Jiao's forehead, as if struck by an invisible giant hand, lets out a mournful wail and falls from the sky, re‑entering Zhang Jiao's body!

Puff—!

Zhang Jiao's body convulses violently, spitting out a massive mouthful of fresh blood, which oddly carries a hint of yellow.

He staggers a few steps, barely holding onto the Ritual Altar to avoid falling, looks up at the restored sky thunderous as a mountain, his eyes filled with endless resentment and despair:

Still... failed, huh?!

Just a bit short! Just a bit short!!

How long must this world continue?!

Just as he sinks into utter despondency, an object in his arms slips out from his stumble, lands on the ritual altar, emitting a crisp, light sound.

It is a warm jade Jade Pendant.

Zhang Jiao's gaze falls upon the Jade Pendant, and a final spark of hope suddenly erupts in his dim eyes.

He doesn't know why he feels this will work, but his intuition tells him.

This is the only chance!

Yu Lin!!!