The Fengshen Bang (Investiture of the Gods) was a true heavenly tome, a supreme treasure nurtured by the heavens and earth.
It contained the power of the heavenly laws and regulations.
Under the power of the Fengshen Bang, Wang Lingguan's divine body was swiftly reconstructed, and he was summoned to the Lingxiao Hall.
"Your servant greets Your Majesty."
Wang Lingguan bowed respectfully.
At this moment, his celestial power was completely gone. Though his body had been reconstructed, his divine strength had regressed to the Golden Immortal realm.
He had suffered a great loss in power.
"Who is responsible for this in the mortal realm?"
"What is their cultivation level?" Haotian asked coldly.
"Reporting to Your Majesty."
"After descending to the mortal realm, I used my divine sense to investigate. The strongest being in the mortal world was merely at the Golden Immortal realm, accompanied by a few at the Celestial Immortal realm."
"Beyond that, there were only some cultivators who had yet to reach the immortal realm."
"However… the mortal realm does not primarily follow the path of immortal cultivation. Instead, they follow a completely different system of cultivation." Wang Lingguan answered respectfully.
"A different system of cultivation?" Haotian frowned in confusion.
"Your strength should have been unrivaled in the mortal realm. Who killed you?"
"Was it one of these practitioners of this different system?" Haotian continued questioning.
"Yes."
Wang Lingguan bitterly nodded.
Although he had been defeated, he did not harbor hatred toward Zhao Feng.
After all, the Heavenly Court had been the one to invade Qin. They were already mortal enemies.
In battle, life and death were determined by strength.
Since he lost, it only meant that he was not as skilled.
"One hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers, one thousand Celestial Immortal commanders, one hundred Golden Immortal generals, and even you, a Taiyi Golden Immortal."
"How did he annihilate your entire force in such a short time?"
"Could he be a Great Luo Golden Immortal?"
Haotian stared at Wang Lingguan, his voice icy.
"A formation."
"He had an extremely powerful sword formation filled with murderous energy."
"When the sword formation was activated, it completely enveloped our army of a hundred thousand, constantly massacring our forces."
"His celestial power seemed endless as he continuously activated the sword formation to slaughter us."
"Even when I wielded the Demon-Slaying Sword and struck with all my might, I could not break through the formation."
"Furthermore… this formation closely resembles a legendary Saint's sword formation recorded in the archives of the Heavenly Court one that consists of four swords, envelops the void, and exudes murderous intent." Wang Lingguan spoke bitterly.
The moment he was trapped inside that Zhu Xian Sword Formation, it felt like he was in purgatory.
Especially when he watched the four sword energies slashing toward him, yet he was powerless to resist.
He still vividly remembered the agony of having his body and soul annihilated.
If not for his true spirit merging with the Fengshen Bang, receiving the protection of the heavenly laws, and being reconstructed by the tome, his very soul would have been obliterated.
"Four swords? Murderous aura? A sword formation?"
Haotian's eyes widened in shock as a particular figure from ancient times surfaced in his mind.
That lone figure whose sword intent soared to the heavens…
The one who once faced four Saints alone in battle.
The cataclysmic war whose aftermath shattered the Great Desolate World, breaking it into the Four Great Continents.
The Saint Tongtian!
One of the Three Pure Ones.
A former Saint.
The wielder of the Zhu Xian Sword Formation, a formation that rivaled innate treasures the strongest killing formation in existence.
During the War of Investiture, heaven and earth trembled, and all living beings suffered.
The number of souls that perished in that battle exceeded billions.
"Could it be that someone in the mortal realm inherited Tongtian's legacy and obtained the Zhu Xian Sword Formation?"
Haotian suddenly considered this possibility.
Nothing else seemed plausible.
The Zhu Xian Sword Formation was unfathomably powerful.
It might depend on the wielder's strength the stronger the cultivator, the more devastating the formation.
If this formation truly resurfaced, Haotian finally understood why his army of one hundred thousand had perished so quickly.
It was simply because the enemy wielded the Zhu Xian Sword Formation!
This formation, the deadliest in existence, could wipe out an army of even a million, let alone a mere hundred thousand, as long as the wielder had sufficient energy to sustain it.
Moreover, those who perished within the formation suffered complete annihilation, their souls erased from existence, making reincarnation impossible.
This explained everything.
Why the slain Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals never returned to the cycle of reincarnation it was all because of the Zhu Xian Sword Formation.
"The Zhu Xian Sword Formation… how could the deadliest formation in the world end up in the mortal realm?"
"Back then, after Tongtian's defeat, he was imprisoned in the Outer Heavens before vanishing along with the other Saints."
"Furthermore, wasn't the Zhu Xian Sword Formation dismantled after his defeat, with its swords falling into the hands of the disciples of the Chan Sect? How could it possibly resurface in the mortal realm?"
"Could this mean the Chan Sect is behind this?"
"No, that's impossible."
"With the Saints missing, the Chan Sect has lost its backing. They wouldn't dare to oppose the Heavenly Court."
Haotian's mind raced with thoughts.
The Zhu Xian Sword Formation!
The strongest killing formation in existence just the mere mention of it filled him with dread.
In the mortal realm, the Heavenly Court's forces were severely restricted.
"Your Majesty."
"The wielder of this formation possesses seemingly limitless celestial power."
"This was another key reason for our defeat."
"Normally, activating such a formation would require an immense amount of energy, but he managed to sustain it for over an hour. Even I couldn't do the same." Wang Lingguan added.
"What is his cultivation level?" Haotian asked grimly.
"He does not follow the path of immortal cultivation, so I couldn't discern it. However, his body harbors numerous laws of power, making him incredibly strange." Wang Lingguan responded.
"Your Majesty."
"This situation is far too bizarre."
"I believe that until we thoroughly investigate the mortal realm, we should refrain from dispatching more troops." Li Jing stepped forward to advise.
"I second this."
"Your Majesty, please reconsider."
"The mortal realm is far too mysterious, and we have already lost too many Heavenly Soldiers and Generals."
Many celestial gods and immortals voiced their agreement.
Haotian's expression shifted between gloom and uncertainty.
"The matter of waging war against the mortal realm will be discussed further at a later time," he finally declared. "However, given the severe losses my Heavenly Court has suffered, we must replenish our forces as soon as possible."
He then turned his gaze toward one of the heavenly officials.
"Si Ming Xingjun," Haotian called.
"Your subject is here," Si Ming Xingjun stepped forward.
"The task of gathering souls for new heavenly soldiers will be entrusted to Wang Lingguan," Haotian ordered. "As for the spiritual essence needed to forge their divine bodies, you will personally oversee its acquisition."
"This time, not only must we restore our depleted forces, but we must also expand our army," Haotian commanded in a firm voice.
Upon hearing this, Si Ming Xingjun immediately bowed. "Your subject obeys."
However, many of the celestial deities within the grand hall felt a chill run down their spines.
The words "spiritual essence" carried a deep and ominous meaning.
To the Heavenly Court, it was merely a cultivation resource, but for the living beings across the Four Great Continents, it was nothing short of a nightmare.
Countless mortals who were kept like livestock would now be sacrificed their flesh, their lives, and their very souls extracted to refine spiritual essence.
To forge a single celestial soldier required an immense amount of spiritual essence, and one could only imagine how many human lives would be needed to procure it.
"Perhaps…"
"I truly must make a trip to the Western Paradise."
"There is no way I can take control of the mortal realm on my own."
"First, I will restore my army's numbers, then I shall visit the West and negotiate with Tathagata."
"Only by bringing the mortal realm into the Divine Continent will I be able to deal with that man."
Haotian silently contemplated his next moves.
After suffering such a crushing defeat and considering the possibility that the dreaded formation was truly the legendary Immortal Execution Sword Formation, Haotian understood that sending more troops into the mortal realm would be utterly futile.
If he wished to claim it, he would have to ally with the Western Paradise.
…
Dongsheng Divine Continent.
A land of many immortal sects.
In ancient times, Dongsheng Divine Continent had been completely ruled by the Daoist sects. Back when the Saints still walked the world, their lineages had stood independent.
However, with the disappearance of the Saints and the passage of many years, the immortal sects of Dongsheng Divine Continent had fallen entirely under the rule of the Heavenly Court.
Every sect was now subject to the Heavenly Court's authority.
To survive, they had to receive the Court's decree. Every year, they were required to pay tribute in the form of spiritual essence only then could they continue to exist on Dongsheng Divine Continent.
At this moment…
Mount Shu.
Hundreds of immortal sects from across Dongsheng Divine Continent had gathered.
Each leader carried an air of sage-like wisdom and immortal grace, their appearances befitting righteous Daoist cultivators.
The leaders of Shushan, Kunlun, Kongtong, and numerous other sects that traced their lineage back to the Saints had all assembled in the great hall.
Suddenly, a resounding bell rang through the air.
The hundreds of sect masters and grand elders immediately stood up, their expressions filled with reverence.
A beam of golden light descended from the sky.
It landed within the great hall of Mount Shu.
A wave of divine pressure emanated from it.
A celestial melody resonated through the hall.
"The Heavenly Envoy has arrived!"
A voice announced loudly.
"Greetings, Heavenly Envoy!"
All the sect masters within the hall bowed respectfully in unison.
"Today, by decree of the Celestial Emperor,"
"I have come to deliver an imperial edict."
"This year, the tribute of spiritual essence shall be tripled."
Si Ming Xingjun's gaze swept across the assembled immortals as he declared the command.
At these words…
The expressions of the hundreds of sect masters changed instantly.
"Heavenly Envoy,"
"Tripling the spiritual essence tribute means we will have to sacrifice three times as many mortals. This will greatly deplete our resources isn't this demand too excessive?" one sect master cautiously inquired.
However, the moment he finished speaking…
Si Ming Xingjun's brow furrowed. "Are you trying to bargain with the Heavenly Court?"
"Your subject would never dare!"
The sect master who had spoken immediately lowered his head in fear.
"All sects must deliver the spiritual essence as ordered."
"Any delay will be severely punished."
With those parting words, Si Ming Xingjun transformed into a streak of divine light and vanished.
Clearly…
The Heavenly Court had absolute control over the immortal sects of Dongsheng Divine Continent.
Once the envoy had departed…
"Fellow Daoists,"
"A threefold increase in spiritual essence means that each of our vassal states will have to sacrifice at least hundreds of thousands of mortals," the Kunlun sect master said with a bitter smile.
"Three times the spiritual essence… Hundreds of thousands may not even be enough. We may have to extract it from those mortals who possess spiritual roots as well."
"Sigh…"
"The Heavenly Court's demand for spiritual essence grows ever greater."
"We have no choice but to comply."
"At this point, what else can we do but obey?"
...
Many immortal sects sighed in helplessness.
Although they cultivated by absorbing spiritual essence, the Heavenly Court's increasing yearly demands meant less essence was available for their use. Their concern was not out of pity for the mortals being sacrificed but rather frustration at having their resources taken away.
…
Small World – The Land of Cultivation
Compared to before, the area was now filled with numerous buildings, most of which were dedicated to cultivation, alchemy, artifact refinement, and formation studies.
At this moment, one hundred thousand elite soldiers selected from the army had gathered here.
"Today,"
"I bestow upon you all the Spiritual Essence Pills."
"You must do everything in your power to refine the power contained within them. I shall grant you ample time, as well as the support of natural spiritual energy."
"Once you have fully refined these pills, you will become soldiers under my direct command."
"The Xuanjia Army of Great Qin."
"The first army capable of rivaling the celestial troops and generals of the Heavenly Court."
"On the day the army is fully formed, I shall lead you to wage war upon the Immortal Realm!"
Zhao Feng's voice echoed in the ears of all one hundred thousand elite warriors.
Upon hearing his words…
All one hundred thousand warriors immediately knelt, shouting in unison:
"We swear eternal loyalty to Great Qin! We swear eternal loyalty to Your Highness!"
"We are willing to die for Great Qin! We are willing to die for Your Highness!"
Their voices thundered through the land.
Beyond this elite force, the Land of Cultivation was also home to hundreds of thousands of other soldiers and scholars.
When they heard that Zhao Feng's newly formed army would follow him in a campaign against the Immortal Realm, their eyes burned with envy.
"Damn it! If only my cultivation had reached the seventh level of the Grandmaster Realm, I could have been part of the first wave of the Xuanjia Army!"
"Following His Highness into battle against the Immortal Realm what a grand and magnificent moment!"
"Such a pity that my cultivation isn't high enough…"
Becoming a member of the Xuanjia Army was undoubtedly the highest honor for Great Qin's warriors. They would be the vanguard in the battle against the Immortal Realm.
Even if they fell in battle, it would be a death of unparalleled glory.
"Good," Zhao Feng nodded in satisfaction.
With a wave of his hand…
One hundred thousand Spiritual Essence Pills landed precisely in front of each warrior, glowing with divine radiance.
"As for the commanders who have already reached the Divine Ability Realm and have previously consumed a Spiritual Essence Pill, I shall grant them another."
"Whoever breaks through to the Martial Dao True God Realm first shall receive an even stronger Spiritual Essence Pill," Zhao Feng announced, his words carrying clear encouragement.
The Spiritual Essence Pills came from ten thousand celestial soldiers, ten thousand immortals…
As well as one thousand Heavenly Immortals, one hundred Golden Immortals, and even one Taiyi Golden Immortal.
However, the pill refined from the Taiyi Golden Immortal had already been bestowed upon Guiguzi, ensuring that he, as the guardian of the mortal realm, would gain even greater power.
"We shall not disappoint Your Highness!" the generals roared in unison.
With his orders given…
Zhao Feng mobilized all the spiritual energy within the Land of Cultivation, gathering it into this area. With the aid of supreme-grade spirit veins, the concentration of spiritual energy here became more than ten times greater than that of the Divine Continent.
Once everything was arranged…
Zhao Feng withdrew his divine sense from the Small World.
"At most, fifty years will be enough for every soldier to refine the Spiritual Essence Pills and absorb enough energy to reach the Martial Dao True God Realm."
"Spiritual Essence…"
"No wonder the immortals and Buddhas covet it so much it truly is a treasure for increasing cultivation."
"However, this method is ultimately cruel and unnatural. But if it's used to kill the invading celestial troops, then I have no guilt whatsoever."
"When Great Qin marches into the Immortal Realm, I will rewrite the balance of power!"
"Besides, the Immortal-Mortal Miasma should be erupting soon, shouldn't it?"
"That poison severs the connection between the Immortal and Mortal Realms it is an innate toxin. No matter how powerful those immortals and Buddhas are, they won't be able to dispel it so easily. This will certainly shake up the Earthly Immortal World and cause them great trouble."
A cold smile appeared on Zhao Feng's face as anticipation flickered in his eyes.
The eruption of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma…
It was bound to make the Earthly Immortal World incredibly chaotic.
Zhao Feng had full confidence in Ying Bu's abilities.
The effectiveness of the Immortal-Mortal Miasma would soon be revealed through the reactions of the Heavenly Court and Buddhist Sect.
Regaining his focus…
Zhao Feng connected to the system panel.
"Claim the treasure chests."
"[All attributes of the host have surpassed ten million.]"
"[Thirteen Sixth-Tier Treasure Chests obtained.]"
The system notification sounded.
"Open them all."
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