At this very moment, within Qian Tian Mountain City. In the sacrificial altar suspended outside the sheer cliff, Kong Rui’s sword-like eyebrows arched slightly as he gazed thoughtfully at a piece of jade in his hand that was on the verge of shattering.
To be precise, it was a formation disc crafted from jade, originating from a secret technique of the Kong family, corresponding to another artifact.
As long as this formation disc remained in his possession and the corresponding artifact was whole, no one, no matter how skilled in the Way of Mystical Calculations, could harm those Kong Rui sought to protect.
“What a fierce evil art—the Yin-Yang Nail-Heart Curse? Is it Zhong Xuan?”
Kong Rui murmured to himself, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
This ancient, wondrous technique, the Yin-Yang Nail-Heart Curse, was a secret only the Grand Preceptor of the Great Shang currently commanded.
Kong Rui had never seen it firsthand, but he had heard tales from his clan elders. A century ago, before Emperor Yuan Chen ascended the throne, Zhong Xuan had used this curse to slay a man, which allowed Yin Yu to successfully ascend the throne against all odds.
At that time, even the combined might of the entire Kong family could not withstand this forbidden art. His grand-uncle, who had served as the Director of the Bureau of Astronomy, coughed blood and died three years later, the consequence of injuries sustained in that battle that he could never fully suppress.
With Yin Yu’s ascension, the blood feud between the Kong clan and Zhong Xuan naturally dissolved, transforming into a need for profound respect and assiduous appeasement.
However, due to Kong Yao, his relationship with Zhong Xuan remained intensely strained. Yet, at this moment, Kong Rui couldn't help but feel a slight pang of emotion.
This person attained the position of Grand Preceptor of Great Shang, earning fame throughout the world, precisely because of this Yin-Yang Nail-Heart Curse. His current defeat, however, stemmed from the very same technique.
“You borrowed the momentum of Great Shang to cultivate, thereby achieving the Saint Tier. Yet, knowing that Great Shang’s national fortune was already waning, instead of withdrawing in time, you plunged deeper, arriving at an inescapable impasse today. Why the suffering?”
The jade formation disc was clearly moments from complete disintegration, beyond any hope of repair.
Kong Rui sighed and ceased to pay it any further heed. In this battle of remote arts, he, Kong Rui, had effectively lost, having failed to hold back the tide even for a single moment.
Though separated by ten thousand miles, and though Zhong Xuan had borrowed the vital essence from three thousand young boys and girls, the gulf between them remained incalculable.
Fortunately, it was of no consequence; this forbidden art could not touch his sovereign lord.
Kong Rui turned his gaze skyward, observing several brilliant stars shining in the void.
The stars of the Heavens were the manifestation of the laws and the Great Dao of this domain; thus, the starry skies across various worlds shared a great similarity.
Yet, there were subtle differences, reflecting the changes within the myriad realms. Those who cultivated the arts of calculation relied on these celestial shifts to discern the grand tides of a realm’s fortune.
Several stars, belonging to unknown entities, still maintained their central position in the heavens, their light and shadow distinct and separate—these must be the rumored candidates for the Divine Emperor.
One star, situated towards the east and enveloped in purple haze, must be Zong Shou’s natal star, which had only just appeared in the firmament today, appearing exceptionally pure, distinct from those few Divine Emperor candidates. The second was Kong Yao’s, Poyun Yaoguang, whose starlight also illuminated the East.
“Does this mean the grand course is set?”
The Holy Monarch descends, like a sword drawn from its sheath. His mystical arts could no longer conceal Zong Shou, nor was there any need to deliberately veil him.
The national fortune of Great Qian was established, its wings fully fledged. Nothing could erase it, and no one could suppress the brilliance of the Saint King any longer.
Shaking his head, Kong Rui rose and walked away from the altar. At that moment, a faint, strange light flickered in his eyes.
“The Dragon Qi is flowing westward, and even the Abi Throne cannot suppress it—why is that?”
Years ago, Kong Rui required the Wen Wang Divination Coins to observe terrestrial Qi fluctuations.
Now, without any specialized method or spell, he could perceive everything clearly.
Standing rooted in contemplation, he gained insight almost instantly. It took but a fleeting moment, yet he let out a self-mocking laugh; that sudden shift had truly sent a tremor of fear through him.
“So that’s it; it is time to move the capital.”
Though Qian Tian Mountain was prosperous, comparable to the Imperial Capital, it was ultimately tucked away in a corner, its scope too narrow. It would serve well enough as a secondary capital in the future.
The ability to relocate the capital to the Central Lands meant the spoils of this battle would surely be richer than he had imagined.
Looking down from the mountain peak at the magnificent Kong family mansion in the city, built less than three years ago, Kong Rui’s face held a wry smile.
It seemed they would have to move again before long.
But this time, would it be to the Central Cloud Continent—
How he missed it!
※ ※ ※ ※
“What are you afraid of? Although Kong Yao’s technique is unknown, any person with an exceptionally resolute destiny is difficult for this forbidden art to affect. Take Xiang Wang or Heavenly King Ran Wu, for instance; their overwhelming killing aura wards off demons. Husband is much the same—”
On the battlefield of the Fallen God Plains, Zong Shou relaxed slightly upon hearing Kong Yao’s words. He recalled that Yuan Jing and Kong Rui had indeed mentioned he possessed the aura of a Saint King, rendering him immune to all evils.
Furthermore, the Qilin auspicious beast was legendary for repelling all wickedness.
At this moment, apart from feeling unnaturally cold and experiencing a dull ache in his chest, he truly felt no other anomaly.
Setting his worries aside, Zong Shou turned his gaze back to the distance. His divine sense spread far, firmly locking onto the Blood Saint Demon Lord and the two figures, the Cloud Terrace True Man and the Snow Abode Hermit.
If nothing unexpected occurred, these three should currently be contemplating how to escape the day’s events.
And only a moment later, Zong Shou let out a cold smile—it was indeed so!
But having arrived here today, how could the three of them expect to leave whenever they pleased?
He abruptly rose, his figure flashing as he stepped out of the carriage. Time was short; this battle was nearing its conclusion, so it was time for him to act!
Before Yin Yu’s imperial carriage, the Cloud Terrace shivered all over, already feeling the killing intent piercing straight to his marrow.
He glanced sideways into the distance and saw that Zong Shou’s true body had vanished from the jade carriage. Only an illusion remained upon the imperial throne. One could vaguely sense this figure, holding a sword, traversing the void and approaching them. His speed seemed unhurried, yet he covered more than ten li within one-thirtieth of a breath.
And one thread of divine sense locked onto him, the Cloud Terrace.
He had to join forces with the Snow Abode Hermit, Liu Shi, to resist, constantly using their intentions to block and seal, just to prevent this person from closing the distance rapidly.
Unfortunately, those within the carriage remained oblivious, still rejoicing over the impending arrival of the three Great Dipper True Martial Sword Formations.
“Just one sword formation is enough to temporarily contain the Blood Cloud Cavalry. Then, the left flank of our army will surely crush the enemy within moments!”
“It won’t take that long; in another hundred breaths, Grand Preceptor Zhong Xuan’s Yin-Yang Nail-Heart Needle will activate—”
“Hm? Are those people opposite the Heavenly Rank Dao Soldiers of Great Qian?”
“Heavenly Rank Dao Soldiers? They are merely a barbarian nation; what kind of Heavenly Rank Dao Soldiers can compare to the Great True Martial Swordsmen of the Dao Sect?”
“Only seventy-two men, half the number of the True Martial Swordsmen. Even if their combat power is equal, they are no cause for concern.”
The ministers were discussing animatedly, and even Yin Yu’s complexion had slightly improved. Then, they saw the Snow Abode Hermit, Liu Li, slightly bowing: “The situation is critical. With the cover of the Dao Sect’s Great True Martial Sword Formation now, I request Your Majesty to quickly leave this place!”
The Cloud Terrace True Man also nodded in agreement: “Great Shang has already lost this battle! Time is short; I fear it will be too late! Please, Your Majesty, leave the Fallen God Plains with us quickly—”
Yin Yu was stunned, his mind a complete blank. With the intervention of the three Great Dipper True Martial Sword Formations and the imminent activation of the Yin-Yang Nail-Heart Art, the tide of battle was supposed to have turned, perhaps even leading to a great victory. Why were these two urging him to flee so urgently, showing such a lack of faith in the outcome?
Yin Yu forced himself to remain calm, trying hard to keep his voice from trembling.
“Venerable Cloud Terrace, Sage Master Liu, may I ask why you advise this?”
“Your Majesty will know the reasons in due time.”
The Cloud Terrace sighed faintly. The intervention of these over one hundred Great True Martial Swordsmen was merely to cover the retreat of him and Yin Yu, not to attempt to reverse the defeat.
Revealing the truth now, one didn’t know if the Great Shang Emperor Yuan Chen’s nerves would snap from the shock. The face of the Snow Abode Hermit opposite him also did not look good.
Yin Yu, confused, was about to press further, but then a loud ‘boom’ erupted nearby, followed by sounds of alarm. He looked intently and saw that his anxiously awaited left flank—the entire contingent of forty thousand Heavenly Demon War Riders and fifteen thousand Primordial Demon Spirit Riders—were suddenly turning around, galloping at great speed toward the rear as if fleeing for their lives.
They abandoned the more than one hundred thousand Great Shang cavalry beside them, letting them be crushed and broken by the surging Azure Dragon Warriors and the Wei Yang Sword Cavalry of the Sword Sect.
These cavalry wings on both sides collapsed almost instantly upon contact, unable to withstand the attacking Great Shang cavalry for even a moment.
Everyone present wore expressions of blank confusion. They could not understand why these demonic cultivators were running away.
Could it be they had colluded with Great Qian? Staging this charade to ensure Great Shang’s defeat, letting all their elite forces perish here?
But if one considered the hatred, the Demonic Path held even more animosity for the Dao Sect and the Confucian School than for Great Qian. Xing Xie was suppressed and sealed, with little chance of revival. The Supreme Primordial Demon Lord was said to have been injured because of Zong Shou.
Recently, the Demonic Path cultivators had been fighting with all their might, savagely slaughtering the citizens of Great Qian and even assassinating officials.
Logically, the hatred between the two sides should be irreconcilable.
However, one could not be certain; the thoughts of Demonic Path practitioners were truly difficult for ordinary people to fathom.
“So, Great Shang has lost?”
“These demonic fiends truly cannot be relied upon!”
“Damn it, my Li family contributed a full twenty thousand Feathered Great Swordsmen this time!”
“Pull them back! Otherwise, they will all be buried here!”
“Can they even retreat? Those Wei Yang Sword Cavalry are already flanking the main army’s rear—”
“We are finished this time! Completely finished!”
“Is that Yin-Yang Nail-Heart Art still not ready?”
Zong Yuan’s thirty thousand Blood Riders had already broken through the waist and abdomen of the Great Shang center army, still unstoppable!
And the Sword Sect’s Wei Yang Sword Cavalry were slashing diagonally toward the rear, completely cutting off the retreat path of hundreds of thousands of infantry.
The fifty thousand Azure Dragon Warriors followed closely behind the tens of thousands of demonic riders, chasing relentlessly.
The collapse of the two wings affected the center army; now, it was a rout bordering on total annihilation.
It seemed as if the heavens were collapsing for the Great Shang side, while the Great Qian army opposite them was filled with invigorated morale, their faces etched with disbelief.
They had won today just like that? It had been so easy. They had anticipated a fierce battle, yet victory was achieved effortlessly, without even exerting full strength.
Cloud Terrace witnessed this and sighed once more before speaking, leaving no room for Yin Yu to refuse: “Your Majesty, please forgive this old man’s rudeness!”