The land of the living:
When Essence Genesis returned from the void, Jiangchen also emerged from the void, returning to Deity Seizing Hall.
From a distance, Jiangchen witnessed Essence Genesis forcing Heaven’s eye to retreat.
“Gu Hai actually went to the Myriad Age Daoist Sect? What a surprise!” Jiangchen exclaimed, his voice tinged with amazement.
“Veritable Lord, you’re back. What about Ji Dihong?” Long Aotian inquired.
“Ji Dihong is dead. Despite Essence Genesis not even using his full power, Ji Dihong had no other recourse and was ultimately defeated.” Jiangchen shook his head.
“Did Essence Genesis capture Ji Dihong’s spiritual souls?” Long Aotian asked curiously.
“No, although Ji Dihong was defeated, he was still a heavenly emperor. Sovereigns have their own ways of dying,” Jiangchen explained.
“A sovereign’s way of dying?” Long Aotian seemed puzzled.
“Captured by Essence Genesis, he would have undoubtedly had his three spiritual souls extracted and tormented day and night. Ji Dihong knew he was thoroughly defeated but retained his last shred of dignity. Instead of begging for mercy, he plunged deep into the endless void, cutting off all contact with the Six Paths Immortal Firmament, burying himself in the void and leaving behind the dignity of a sovereign,” Jiangchen clarified.
“Although he met a tragic end, others should not decide one’s death. What a waste, Ji Dihong. A sovereign’s demise, but he’s still gone,” Long Aotian sighed.
Jiangchen nodded in agreement.
------
In the distance, Gu Hai had already returned from the Myriad Age Daoist Sect. Before Essence Genesis stepped into Essence Genesis Hall, he glanced towards Deity Seizing Hall.
Although he had noticed Jiangchen observing earlier, Essence Genesis said nothing. Instead, he entered Essence Genesis Hall and discovered the destruction caused by Hetu. His angry voice had Hetu’s face sinking in despair.
Rumble…!
------
Above Great Desolation City, eastern Divine Continent:
After Ba extracted the sun’s core flames, she underwent a tremendous baptism while giving off a bright, fiery light. During this period, Ba could not be disturbed, nor was she.
Finally, at this moment, the thorough baptism was completed.
“Hah!” Ba suddenly let out a long roar.
Her roar pierced the ears of all the living creatures below, making everyone’s eardrums ache. People covered their ears in shock and stared at the sky.
In Borderless Heavenly Capital, Ba’s piercing roar also caused countless citizens to cover their ears in pain.
Gu Hai, who had returned to Borderless Heavenly Capital, turned his head suddenly.
He saw that two bright horns had erupted from Ba’s head, making her appear exceptionally ferocious. Between the horns seemed to be a hovering golden eye.
However, soon after, the horns retracted into her body.
Ba reverted to her original appearance, and her fiery aura gradually dissipated, her presence receding.
Standing in midair, Ba suddenly looked westwards, at Jiangchen at the entrance of Deity Seizing Hall.
A faint, cold smile curled at the corners of Ba’s mouth as she asked, “Jiangchen? Are you satisfied now?”
At the entrance of Deity Seizing Hall, Jiangchen was taken aback. To think Ba had directly called him out.
Jiangchen smiled lightly. “Congratulations on reaching the peak of the fire-attributed zombie.”
“Congratulations? Hah! Heroes rise one after another, all according to your wishes. Do you think everyone acts under your control? Back then, why did Jiang Lianshan have such good fortune? Did you have a hand in it?” Ba asked coldly.
“Huh?” Jiangchen narrowed his eyes.
“Hah!, you underestimated Jiang Lianshan. He was clever enough in his schemes. How could he not guess your manipulations? You have great enemies, but that doesn’t mean everyone will act on your behalf. Jiangchen? A general [Jiang] and a subject [Chen]? Rebelling against the ruler as the subject won’t end well for you. You should think twice!” Ba said coldly.
Jiangchen’s eyes hardened. A general and a subject?
“Let’s wait and see,” Jiangchen finally said indifferently.
“Humph!”
Ba smirked coldly, adjusted her dragon robe, and returned to Great Desolation City.
------
Borderless Heavenly Capital:
Gu Hai furrowed his brow. What does Ba mean? A general and a subject? Is Jiangchen only a subject, just a general? Does he intend to rebel?
Jiangchen’s enemy is Sa!
Is Sa a ruler?
However, Long Wanyu said Sa and Jiangchen did not exist in the same era. When Sa left the Six Paths Immortal Firmament, Jiangchen had not been born yet.
It seemed Jiangchen had some secrets that Ba knew, which Gu Hai did not.
In the distance, Jiangchen smiled lightly and entered Deity Seizing Hall.
Gu Hai remained silent for a while before setting aside the matter.
At this moment, the officials saw Gu Hai had returned, and immediately paid their respects.
In Soaring Palace Hall, Gu Hai began another court assembly. The Han Heavenly Dynasty had successfully advanced, and a general amnesty was declared. Gu Hai ordered for a supplementary exam to be held, welcoming talents from all over.
Gu Hai issued policies for blessing the citizens one after another, benefiting the entire Han Heavenly Dynasty and its two thousand four hundred cities in the land of the living and their citizens. The people celebrated joyfully.
Factions across the land of the living again reviewed Gu Hai’s growth over the past few decades, then sank into silence. What had they achieved in these past few decades?
Compared to decades ago, the factions of the Divine Continent had undergone a profound transformation.
The three heavenly dynasties, the Qian Heavenly Dynasty, the [former] Yan Heavenly Dynasty, and the Huang Heavenly Dynasty.
The three holy lands, the Solar Divine Palace, the Myriad Age Daoist Sect, and the Spirit Mountain Holy Land.
Of the six, only the Myriad Age Daoist Sect was extant.
In the land of the living, imperial dynasties and mid-tier sects could still vie with each other, but when faced with the Myriad Age Daoist Sect and the three emerging factions, they could only sigh in resignation.
The east: the Divine Flame Hall, Ba.
The south: Essence Genesis Hall, Essence Genesis.
The west: Deity Seizing Hall, Jiangchen.
The north: Soaring Palace Hall, Gu Hai.
------
Borderless Heavenly Capital:
Benefiting from the resources of the Han Heavenly Dynasty, Gu Tang quickly restored his cultivation. After cultivating diligently in the Gu’s Immortal Firmament, his cultivation returned to the Lower Heavenly Palace Realm.
Gu Qin, Gu Han, and Gu Ming were eager to help Gu Tang in his recovery, so Gu Hai did not interfere much.
The bond among the brothers was strong, and Gu Hai was content to see them working together.
Instead, Gu Hai chose to visit Cangjie’s residence alone.
“Greetings, Han Heavenly Emperor!” Cangjie said, bowing slightly upon seeing Gu Hai.
Gu Hai smiled and replied, “Mister Cangjie, we’ve been occupied with state affairs these days and haven’t visited. Are you comfortable in this residence?”
Cangjie raised an eyebrow. “You once had Gu Qin guard me. Now you’re granting me a residence and letting me stay alone. Aren’t you afraid I’ll run away?”
“We’ve come to offer our assistance,” Gu Hai said with a smile, extending his hand.
Buzz!
With a touch, all the restrictions on Cangjie vanished.
“Huh?” Cangjie looked at Gu Hai in astonishment.
Previously, his cultivation had been sealed, and he could not escape. Now, Gu Hai had removed the seal completely. Cangjie could leave with a single step.
“We trust Mister Cangjie,” Gu Hai said confidently.
“Trust? We don’t seem to have any friendship with each other, right? Furthermore, you even forced the demise of my previous sovereign,” Cangjie said seriously.
“We didn’t force Ji Dihong; he brought it upon himself. If he hadn’t been so hasty, he wouldn’t have faced this calamity,” Gu Hai explained, shaking his head.
Cangjie fell into thoughtful silence.
In truth, Cangjie understood the situation well. Ji Dihong had not been defeated by others but had rushed into a situation where he faced nearly the entire world.
Gu Hai, Ba, and Essence Genesis?
Ji Dihong could have achieved stability had he acted more prudently. Even if he could not defeat his enemies, defending what he had would have been easy.
Unfortunately…
“Mister Cangjie, do you remember our previous wager?” Gu Hai asked with a smile.
Cangjie remained silent for a moment. He recalled how Gu Hai had known about Ji Dihong’s trap but had entered it anyway, all alone, ultimately turning the tide. He had lost the bet.
“Hah! I’m a former official of the Huang Nation. Are you sure about using me?” Cangjie asked in a serious voice.
“Mister Cangjie, aren’t you still underestimating us too much by saying this?” Gu Hai smiled.
Cangjie fell silent again.
Using a former official of an enemy nation? Gao Xianzhi, Mo Yike, Meng Tai, Sima Changkong, Kong Xuan, the Mosquito Daoist, and Long Shenying—they had all been Gu Hai’s adversaries and enemies in the past. Nevertheless, they now held important positions in the Han Nation.
Gu Hai’s magnanimity was the greatest Cangjie had ever witnessed.
“The wager? Well, you won the bet, but aren’t you worried I’ll stay in the Han Nation and cause trouble or do nothing at all? What’s the point of keeping me if that’s the case?” Cangjie asked in a stern tone.
“Mister Cangjie, your presence in the Han Nation is already a blessing. What more could we ask for?” Gu Hai said with a nod.
Cangjie: “…”
Eventually, Cangjie said, “Then I won’t be doing anything.”
“Alright, I won’t pressure you, Mister Cangjie, as long as you’re willing to stay in the Han Nation. We will use sincerity to win you over. If our sincerity falls short, you can choose not to do anything!” Gu Hai nodded.
Cangjie looked at Gu Hai, took a deep breath, and said, “Very well, it’s just forty years after all. I’ll stay because of the wager. I won’t do anything.”
“Haha! Mister Cangjie, you’re being too modest. Your decision to stay in the Han Nation has already reduced a formidable opponent for us. We have no further demands,” Gu Hai chuckled.
“I intend to go to the Huang Heavenly Dynasty’s territory tomorrow. There are some matters…,” Cangjie said, looking at Gu Hai.
“From today onwards, we appoint you as the Han Heavenly Dynasty’s Ninth Corps commander. As a corps commander, you can raise your own army and have servants. Your stipends will be provided on time, and you will enjoy all the rights of a corps commander. You are free to come and go in the Han Nation as you please, without any official duties or obligations. You don’t need to report to us. If you need anything, you can inform us,” Gu Hai explained.
Cangjie fell into a brief silence, then sighed softly, “Yes, Your Holy Eminence.”
“In that case, we won’t disturb you any further!” Gu Hai said, smiling, as he took his leave.
Cangjie accompanied Gu Hai out of his residence.
Watching Gu Hai leave, Cangjie remained silent for a while.
During his time under Ji Dihong’s rule, Cangjie had received respect, but it was a different kind of respect compared to what he now received under Gu Hai’s leadership.
Ji Dihong’s magnanimity could not match Gu Hai’s. Ji Dihong had once killed Cangjie’s former master, all to secure Cangjie’s unwavering loyalty.
In contrast, Gu Hai’s respect required only capturing Cangjie’s heart. Gu Hai had no intention of meddling in Cangjie’s life or affairs. This respect was not just admiration but also trust.
The next day, as expected, Cangjie left Borderless Heavenly Capital.
Gu Hai did not inquire further and instructed Meng Tai and others not to get involved.
Cangjie’s appointment as the Han Heavenly Dynasty’s Ninth Corps commander was a clear indication of Gu Hai’s high regard for him. The officials did not dare to question this decision.
Cangjie’s departure did not arouse much curiosity among the courtiers. Only the Unborn Man and Gu Ming made discreet inquiries upon learning of Cangjie’s departure.
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