Shen Yuan’s right hand casually pressed atop the head of Ziyang True Monarch, the master of the grotto heavens sacred land that had prevailed through the previous Age of Spirit Energy Tide, who then silently turned to ash and dissipated between heaven and earth.
His True Spirit, his Spirit Soul, did not leave the slightest residue behind.
All the Void Refining True Monarchs suddenly shivered, swallowing back the words they had initially wanted to say.
The reason they had struck at Shen Yuan before was that they mistook that they could overpower him.
Now, faced with an absolute disparity in strength, naturally, no one was willing to further provoke that Supreme Taoist.
If he could kill the leader of the current number one sacred land, how could he care about taking one more life?
Retracting his right hand from above the ashes of Ziyang True Monarch, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but frown slightly.
He had wanted to make use of his Unimpeded Netherworld Divine Power to delve into Ziyang True Monarch’s memories, but it was not as smooth as he had imagined, a seal deep within Ziyang True Monarch’s Spirit Soul halted Shen Yuan’s probing.
Shen Yuan knew in his heart that in the entire Primal Chaos Realm, there was only one person capable of leaving such a failsafe—Golden Immortal Bai Yun.
His gaze sweeping over the remaining twenty-five Void Refining True Monarchs, Shen Yuan chose not to kill these True Monarchs but to cripple their cultivation instead, as he did not wish to completely aggravate the conflict.
What he needed was only to help Great Xia quell the unrest, enhance the nation’s fortune, and feed back to the grand trend of humanity fate, not to become a god of slaughter and wipe the entire Cultivation World clean.
Wherever his gaze touched, all the Void Refining True Monarchs bowed their heads, not one daring to meet Shen Yuan’s gaze.
Following that, Shen Yuan spoke with an impassive voice:
"I am merely taking back what rightfully belongs to the Great Xia Dynasty.
This is not a request, but a notice!"
"Should you choose to refuse, I do not mind making a trip into each of your sects.
Apart from Little Clarity Void Grotto Heavens, I wonder how many current life True Immortals can be found within the rest of your sects’ grotto heavens?"
The True Monarchs felt another tremor in their hearts.
Having witnessed his earth-shattering Divine Skills, no one doubted the veracity of Shen Yuan’s words.
In the eyes of the True Monarchs, even if Shen Yuan may not be able to fight a True Immortal, overcoming a Tao Harmony Doyen seemed effortless to him.
Since the Great Schism, three eras of Spirit Energy depletion had already drained the Primal Chaos Realm’s essence dry.
There may still be successors among the Void Refining True Monarchs, but those above Tao Harmony were almost all ancients who had survived for tens of thousands of years.
Countless years had eroded both their Spirit Soul and lifespan, and it was nearly impossible to find any more powerful experts above Tao Harmony even throughout the grotto heavens and blessed land.
These individuals were each a cornerstone of their respective sects, an unquestionable foundation.
Having the means to kill a Tao Harmony Taoist Doyen meant that Shen Yuan could forcefully break into the grotto heavens sacred ground, and obliterate the lineages of most of those present.
Those grotto heavens with an Immortal at their helm might escape such a calamity, but the forces in the present world would certainly be uprooted entirely.
Even if one could slay the Supreme Taoist, that would be a matter for after the Primal Chaos Realm could accommodate the descent of Immortals.
In such a lengthy duration, who knew if the Supreme Taoist would possess the means to confront an Immortal.
Most True Monarchs present had already contemplated retreat after their conflict, wishing to preserve their lives to peacefully live out their remaining years, and Shen Yuan’s threat provided them with an excuse to persuade their sects’ lineage.
As soon as Shen Yuan’s voice fell, a True Monarch immediately said:
"Mount Ziyun is willing to return the two counties under its jurisdiction."
"Yuque Baogui Heavens is willing to return Lake County."
"Taixuan Method Carefree Sect is willing to return three counties and five prefectures."
...
When some conceded, naturally there were others who wanted to refuse.
This faction of Void Refining True Monarchs looked at those who spoke with angry glances, and some even loudly rebuked:
"You are betraying your..."
Before the words could be completed, a streak of sword light burst forth from Shen Yuan’s fingertips, shattering the spirit of the True Monarch speaking, marking the fall of a True Monarch.
"Which power did he come from?"
The superintendent of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau took a step forward and said with respect:
"Venerable Taoist, this True Monarch Zhu Heng comes from one of the 36 Little Grotto Heavens, the Dongling True Sky. His disciples once secretly destroyed the City God Temple and guided the monster tribe to attack Chaofeng County, resulting in the loss of the county and the complete disillusionment of Great Xia’s people with their government."
Thereafter, the disciples of the Dongling True Sky drove out the monster tribe and considered Chaofeng County their personal territory.
Besides Chaofeng County, there are two other counties that are also under the control of the Dongling True Sky."
Shen Yuan nodded his head.
"I will make a trip to the Dongling True Sky myself and personally inquire the reason from the sect’s senior ancestors."
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With these words, all the True Monarchs immediately understood that Shen Yuan’s threat was not merely for show; he truly intended to force his way into the grotto heavens. With this realization, even more Void Refining True Monarchs chose to submit voluntarily.
However, there were some Void Refining True Monarchs who were not willing to submit, or perhaps they felt confident because they had a current life True Immortal presiding over their sect, and thus they spoke out:
"We are also willing to return control over the various provinces and counties, but as the world rejuvenates, the monster tribe is rising up and coveting these lands with a hungry eye.
With Great Xia’s current strength, there is no way to protect the lands of these eighteen provinces, and even with the Supreme Taoist’s transcendent cultivation, it would be difficult to care for the whole of Great Xia."
"How about Great Xia’s Imperial Court sends officials to govern while the sect’s cultivators are responsible for defending against the invasions of the monster tribe? What do you think, Venerable Taoist?"
The words of these few True Monarchs were well-founded, and even Xia Yunqiu and the superintendent of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau fell into a moment of hesitation.
Great Xia’s hundred thousand-strong army could easily manage three provinces, but now, faced with the rejuvenated and expanded eighteen provinces, it seemed like a drop in the ocean, with defenses only possible through the construction of grand arrays relying on the support of the people’s will and humanity’s fate.
But this was not a task that could be accomplished overnight unless Shen Yuan possessed the legendary ability to turn beans into soldiers, thus planting countless soldiers across the provinces, or else it would be difficult to stabilize the situation.
Shen Yuan caught the smug expressions in the eyes of those few True Monarchs, and his gaze moved past them, looking towards the land of Yin World beyond this present world.
The damaged status grid of Emperor Fengdu disturbed the world, and the entire Yin World, following Shen Yuan’s thoughts, reentered into the present world, resembling a black and white painting corresponding to reality.
Within this Yin World, there were more than ten mighty ghost deities overlooking Jing Province below.
The overlap of the current world with the Yin World surprised many of the ghost deities, and upon seeing Shen Yuan’s gaze fixed on them, they hesitated for a moment before bowing and saying:
"Your humble god pays respects to the Supreme Taoist!"
Shen Yuan said indifferently, "You have been watching for a long time and should be aware of the matter regarding the sects returning their control.
At the moment, various provinces lack powerful experts to protect and bless the people. I see that you receive the support of Great Xia through offerings, and you should take charge of a province to protect Great Xia’s people from the monster tribe’s harassment."
With these words, the expressions of many ghost deities changed, and the hefty spirit among them directly said:
"Venerable Taoist, this seems inappropriate, doesn’t it?"
"Inappropriate?"
"The offerings I receive are all from the Netherworld, and as a deity of Fengdu, I am only subject to the orders from the higher-ups in the Netherworld.
Taking charge of the provinces is hard and grueling, I respectfully request that the Venerable Taoist seeks someone else for this task."
If it were a time of peace, numerous ghost deities would vie to take charge of a province.
But now, with the monster tribe posing a significant threat, overseeing a province inevitably means struggling against them. Not only would this bring responsibilities, but the offerings received might not even compensate for the losses incurred in battles.
Instead, by cooperating with the major sects in secret, without lifting a finger, they could easily reap the benefits—all the more reason for their reluctance.
Shen Yuan’s brow furrowed even more, and a look of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
"As a ghost deity of the Netherworld, indulging in offerings yet unwilling to protect the common people at dawn, has the Netherworld already forgotten its duties?"
Shen Yuan’s questioning made the ghost deities’ faces darken.
The hefty ghost deity, changing from his previous respect, took a step forward, his large frame overshadowing Shen Yuan as he said in a cold voice:
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"In the Netherworld, among the Mount Luofeng 6 Hell Deities, three are Ghost Immortals; the Zhoujue Yin Heavenly Palace has already reached the Heavenly Immortal Realm, and with Ksitigarbha King Bodhisattva suppressing the 18 Levels of Hell, while Emperor Fengdu presides over Primal Chaos.
The Netherworld is not like those small grotto heavens and blessed lands; how the Netherworld operates is not something for you to comment on!"
"I have addressed you as the Supreme Taoist respect, but perhaps you really think too highly of yourself?"
As soon as these words were spoken, thunder and lightning flashed in the Yin World, and from within distant Fengdu City, it seemed as if an enraged roar, symbolizing the supreme will of the Netherworld, was heard.
A blood-red thunderbolt thundered down, completely erasing the hefty ghost deity who was comparable to a Void Refining Immortal.
In an instant, all was silent.