Shangguan Siheng replied, "It will make the cultivator increasingly violent, and their temperament will gradually become closer to that of the dragon whose blood was used."
"Patriarch Bai."
Chen Sanshi reassured him, "If the two of us truly coveted the treasure, why didn't we take action just now?"
"Exactly."
Shangguan Siheng echoed, "Even up until now, I still do not know what the treasured heirloom of your clan actually is."
Hearing the two speak this way, Bai Liangbi's emotions gradually calmed. He rubbed his forehead and said, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, my apologies. I lost my composure."
"It's nothing."
Chen Sanshi reminded him again, "But this only further proves that this demonic art cannot continue to be cultivated."
"No, it must continue!"
Bai Liangbi's tone once again grew violent. He clenched his teeth and said word by word, "At this point, there is no other choice!
"Brother Xiao, I have already cultivated this demonic art. Even if there truly is a problem with it, I have long since lost any path of retreat!"
Chen Sanshi could not refute that statement.
At this stage, with the Qingxu Sect unwilling to provide further assistance, the Bai family had already reached a dead end.
Either they gambled on producing a Golden Body Realm martial artist, or their entire clan would be destroyed.
They did not even have the option of fleeing.
"Brother Xiao."
Bai Liangbi spoke firmly, "No matter what, I must refine the Golden Body. If something truly goes wrong when the time comes, then at worst I will perish together with them! As for that thing—let it return to wherever it came from. I will never allow those bastards to benefit from it! Therefore, I ask Brother Xiao to help me!"
Chen Sanshi asked, "Will you continue killing members of your own clan?"
"No."
Bai Liangbi shook his head. "It is already enough. I can begin seclusion at any time."
Chen Sanshi knew that no matter what he said now, it would likely be useless.
In the end, he could only say, "Patriarch Bai, during the period of your seclusion, I can help watch over Dusk Valley for you. But after that, if anything goes wrong because of your cultivation of this demonic art, or if the Bai family encounters any crisis, I will not be able to help."
Over the years he had stayed in Dusk Valley, he had indeed taken quite a lot of their resources.
For retainers and guest cultivators like himself, it was essentially a matter of "taking payment to do a job." By agreeing to help guard the valley, he was already fulfilling his duty. After that, neither side would owe the other anything.
Moreover—
The time for the decisive battle was approaching.
The Demon-Smiting Grand Formation of the Great Marsh main peak was about to be activated. Half a year later, not only would the Bai family face the danger of extermination, but the entire Eastern Divine Continent would also reach a critical moment of life and death.
Up to this point, Chen Sanshi still had little confidence that this crisis could be resolved. Naturally, he did not have the extra energy to concern himself with the Bai family's fate.
"Good!"
Bai Liangbi agreed immediately. "After I leave seclusion, no matter the outcome, Fellow Daoist will no longer need to trouble himself!
"Take this.
"This is the Bai family patriarch's command token. With this token, during my seclusion you may enter the medicine treasury and freely select heavenly materials and earthly treasures for your own use!
"After I emerge from seclusion, there will be further rewards!"
Smack!
Chen Sanshi caught the token and silently indicated his acceptance.
"Time is of the essence. I will go prepare immediately."
Bai Liangbi clasped his fists heavily, then leapt into the air and departed.
In truth—
He could not completely trust anyone.
That included Xiao Feng as well.
But Bai Liangbi had no choice.
Aside from himself, the only remaining person in Dusk Valley with notable strength was his second brother Bai Linxun, whose cultivation was merely at the middle stage of the True Force Realm. He simply could not shoulder such matters.
Among everyone present, Xiao Feng was the only person Bai Liangbi could choose who was relatively trustworthy.
If he had misjudged the man—
Then he would use the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit-Shaking Willow to perish together with everyone. After that, he would reveal the existence of the Living Earth to the public and wait for the Heavenly Water Hongfu Dao sects to come retrieve it. Everyone in Northern Yang Dao would perish together!
Chen Sanshi watched as the Bai patriarch's figure disappeared from sight, then turned to the hall master of the Zhuxian Sect beside him and said, "Fellow Daoist Shangguan, during this period, please bring you and your sect's disciples to wait at Dusk Valley as well. We do not have much time left.
"Additionally, regarding the Blood Refining Grand Art and the Mother-Child Blood Fiend Flood Dragon blood, I must trouble you to investigate further. I always feel that the demonic sect would not expend so much effort without reason—it must also be related to the Bai family's treasure."
"Understood."
Shangguan Siheng agreed.
Holding the patriarch's command token, Chen Sanshi began organizing the internal affairs of Dusk Valley.
On one side, security was tightened even further. On the other, the people from Tianyong City who had been hiding within Heavenly Water Isle were gradually transferred into Dusk Valley.
This both strengthened the valley's defenses and placed them closer to the Great Marsh main peak, allowing them to respond to sudden developments at any moment.
Before entering seclusion, Bai Liangbi had already informed the entire valley of these arrangements. Therefore, regarding Chen Sanshi's orders, none of the Bai family members dared to disobey.
They no longer even cared that large numbers of "strangers" were entering Dusk Valley.
Before this, the Bai family had not dared associate themselves with people from the Zhuxian Sect or Tianyong City because they still hoped to use the Qingxu Sect's influence to wash themselves clean.
But now, they had already decided to smash the pot and break the dishes.
If they wanted to increase their chances of survival, then the only option left was to cooperate with the forces willing to help them.
Chen Sanshi went to the Bai family's medicine treasury and took away several precious materials, preparing to refine another furnace of breakthrough pills to help himself break through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment as quickly as possible.
Over the next several months, Dusk Valley suddenly fell into a strange silence.
In the darkness, shadowy masked figures arrived high in the sky. They gazed at Dusk Valley below, brightly lit and heavily guarded, but did not dare approach rashly.
"What is going on?"
Hall Master — Cao Dongjun of the Seven Kill Sect had a cold gleam in his eyes. "Where did all these people suddenly stationed in Dusk Valley come from lately?"
The Eighth Prince of Great Song, Zhao Xun, said, "They seem to be from the Zhuxian Sect. Oh, and that Xiao Feng appears to be there as well."
"Xiao Feng?!"
City Lord — Jiang Shang of Ronghua City had bloodshot eyes. "He is here too?!"
The hatred of killing his son was irreconcilable!
"Judging by the dates—"
Cao Dongjun said slowly in a heavy voice, "Bai Liangbi should be on the verge of refining the Golden Body soon. Why is it that at this exact moment, someone has to come meddle?"
"According to the information sent by the spy I planted in the Bai family, these people were all invited by Bai Liangbi."
Zhao Xun explained, "He is entering seclusion, but worries that someone will seize the Living Earth, so he hired them to station themselves in Dusk Valley and help protect him."
"What a nuisance."
Jiang Shang suggested, "Eighth Prince, how about we charge in right now and seize the Living Earth?"
"That will not do."
Zhao Xun shook his head. "Leaving aside the trouble posed by Xiao Feng and the Zhuxian Sect, even if we managed to deal with them smoothly, attacking a mountain gate like this would definitely cause an enormous disturbance. If it draws Shouzhongzi over, then the Living Earth will likely never reach our hands."
"Eighth Prince is right."
Cao Dongjun said coldly, "The most important thing for us right now is to watch Bai Liangbi forge his Golden Body. We cannot allow any complications.
"Once the Golden Body is formed, that surnamed Bai will naturally hand the thing over to us quietly and obediently. At that point, whether it is Xiao Feng or the Zhuxian Sect, all of them will be utterly insignificant.
"Then, before Shouzhongzi is on guard, we will use the fastest speed possible to complete the blood sacrifice in Northern Yang Dao and refine a dragon puppet at the middle stage of the Golden Body Realm.
"After that, we can take away the Living Earth, kill Shouzhongzi with ease, and carry the blood sacrifice all the way west, catching the people at the border Great Wall completely off guard.
"If fortune favors us, then perhaps the Eastern Divine Continent—something those people of Heavenly Water Isle have spent so many years trying to obtain—may end up belonging to us instead."
City Lord Jiang Shang raised no further objections, only saying, "After the matter is done, I want to kill Xiao Feng first and avenge my son."
"A trivial matter."
Cao Dongjun did not take it seriously.
May, 15th year of Tianwu.
Rumble—
The anomalies at the Great Marsh main peak were growing stronger and more frequent.
At a glance, it seemed as if a strand of sword qi piercing through heaven and earth was trying to tear open the sky!
The heaven-and-earth seal shrouding the Eastern Divine Continent had begun to reveal its outline, and shocking cracks had already appeared across its surface.
[Technique: Swallowing Fire Art · Foundation Establishment Early Stage]
[Progress: 489/500]
Disturbed by the thunderous noise, Chen Sanshi opened his eyes and left his cave dwelling to inspect the situation.
"Reporting to Your Majesty!"
Dongfang Jingxing reported, "A letter has arrived from Grand Secretary Xu, stating that the deployment of the Heavenly Assault Army has been completed. He hopes that Your Majesty can personally return to conduct the final inspection."
On the eve of sending out the army, His Majesty the Emperor ought to return to court in order to raise morale.
"That is also my intention."
Chen Sanshi said, "The matters of Dusk Valley will be left to General Wang and Fellow Daoist Shangguan and the others. I will go and return shortly."
"Your servant obeys."
Dongfang Jingxing lowered his head and bowed.
With the [Wind-Splitting Seal] activated, Chen Sanshi mounted his flying sword and soared into the air. He moved so quickly that he became almost like a streak of light, vanishing into the sky in the blink of an eye.
Great Han.
Chang'an.
"Long live our Emperor! Long live! Long live ten thousand years!"
Inside the Taiji Hall, Chen Sanshi held court.
"Your Majesty!"
Xu Wencai, whose white hair had now overtaken the black and whose figure had gradually become somewhat stooped, stepped forward. "4 months ago, the Qing Kingdom formally surrendered to Great Han. The Qing Emperor handed over the imperial seal and bowed his head in submission. At present, all territory of the Qing Kingdom has already been incorporated into the domain of our Great Han.
"From this day onward, across the entire Eastern Divine Continent, our Great Han has unified the realm. This is a magnificent hegemonic achievement that shall endure for ten thousand generations!
"This old minister offers congratulations to Your Majesty!"
"Congratulations to Your Majesty! Felicitations to Your Majesty! May the Immortal Dynasty of Great Han endure for ten thousand generations!"
The civil and military officials all cried out in unison like a mountain-shaking roar.
At the same time, the nation's destiny within the Mystic Pearl in Chen Sanshi's robes suddenly grew fuller, and the power it contained also became much stronger.
"15 years already."
Chen Sanshi sat upright upon the dragon throne, looking down over the gathered officials as he spoke in a voice like thunder, "The fact that our Great Han has finally unified the realm is indeed something worth celebrating.
"But—
"A man without long-term foresight will inevitably face immediate worries!
"To occupy the mortal realm does not mean that from this day forward, the Great Han Dynasty can truly sleep soundly without concern.
"On the contrary, we have in fact been walking along the edge of a cliff all this time!
"The Great Han Dynasty occupies a land of treasure, and the bandit sects of Heavenly Water Isle have always cast covetous eyes upon us. So long as they remain, our Great Han Dynasty will never know peace.
"Therefore, I shall mobilize the troops and personally lead the campaign to attack Northern Yang Dao of Heavenly Water Isle!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial Supervision slowly unfolded a bright yellow imperial scroll before the assembled civil and military officials and read aloud:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Effective immediately, 5,000 elite troops from the former Northern Liang Army, now the Heavenly Assault Army, are to depart for Nanling Town and stand ready at all times to march into Heavenly Water Isle. I shall personally serve as supreme commander. The remaining arrangements are as follows.
"Zhu Quan is hereby additionally granted the rank of second-rank Dragon-Tiger General and appointed Lieutenant General of the Central Army of the Heavenly Assault Army.
"Feng Yong is hereby additionally granted the rank of second-rank General of Agile Cavalry and appointed Lieutenant General of the Vanguard of the Heavenly Assault Army.
"Wang Li is hereby additionally granted the rank of secondary first-rank Grand Master of Glorious Prosperity and appointed Lieutenant General of the Rear Army of the Heavenly Assault Army.
"Liu Jinkui is hereby additionally granted the rank of second-rank Golden Crow General and appointed Lieutenant General of the Left Army of the Heavenly Assault Army.
"Wu Da is hereby additionally granted the rank of second-rank General of Agile Cavalry and appointed Lieutenant General of the Right Army of the Heavenly Assault Army.
"Depart at once. There must be no delay. Respect this."
"Your servants obey!"
From among the officials, several burly military officers stepped forward before the hall and dropped to one knee. Their booming voices trembled slightly.
These men had originally all been older than Shitou. Now that 15 years had passed since the founding of Great Han, aside from Wang Li's generation, all of them were already nearing 50, the age of knowing heaven's mandate.
Looking across them, their beards and hair had all turned grizzled, yet the killing intent on their bodies had not lessened in the slightest. If anything, it had only grown stronger.
"Heh."
Chen Sanshi swept his gaze over them and asked, "Well then? The enemy you will follow me to fight this time will not be the mortal armies of your youth, but the immortal cultivators of Heavenly Water Isle. Are you afraid or not?"
"Your Majesty, what kind of talk is that? Since when does a man grow more cowardly the longer he lives?"
Feng Yong said, "Forget a bunch of cultivators. Even if Your Majesty wanted to go kill real immortals, Feng Yong would not so much as blink!"
"Your Majesty, may this servant ask when we march?"
Liu Jinkui said excitedly, "This servant has already waited too long. If there is no war to fight soon, the blade hanging at my waist is going to rust!"
"Isn't that the truth!"
Zhu Tong said, "I heard that General Wang Zhi and the others have been following Your Majesty all these years. I've been so envious it's driving me mad!"
"Old Zhu, watch your language!"
Feng Yong reminded him, "You're wearing red official robes now. How are you still talking so crudely?!"
"Bah, it doesn't matter."
Chen Sanshi said, "The few of you—"
"Your Majesty!"
A voice suddenly rang out. Zhao Kang, who was in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, stepped forward. "What about this servant? Why is there no place for me?"
"That's right, Your Majesty, and me too!"
Xiong Qiu'an followed up, "Your Majesty, no matter what, this servant was among the earliest group to follow you. You can't play favorites!"
"And me too, Your Majesty!"
Bai Tingzhi also joined in.
Before long, the entire court had turned into a complete uproar.
Since the founding of Great Han 15 years ago, there had basically been no more large-scale wars. For men like them, who had once fought through countless battles, how could they possibly endure that?
They were practically bored out of their minds!
"Silence—!"
The eunuch shouted sharply, and only then did the court finally quiet down again.
"None of you need to be so anxious."
Chen Sanshi said, "The forces for this campaign into Heavenly Water Isle are limited. There is no need for so many generals at all. As for the few of you, just stay at home and enjoy your comfort."
"Your Majesty!"
Xiong Qiu'an and the others said excitedly, "We don't need to be generals. Even if it's just as common advance troops, that's fine!"
"That's right, Your Majesty! This servant can lead your horse!"
"Your Majesty, it's been 15 years. Do you know how this servant has lived through these 15 years? Let this servant go with you!"
"Your Majesty, this servant's health is poor, and I probably don't have many years left. Why not let me take Feng Yong's place instead!"
"To hell with you, Old Zhao! A few days ago you were still taking in a concubine. Don't think I don't know!"
"Screw your mother—"
How could habits formed over half a lifetime possibly be changed just because they had become high-ranking officials?
The Poyang brothers had started quarreling again.
Looking at the familiar old brothers before him, scene after scene of bloody battles from the past rose up unceasingly in Chen Sanshi's mind. For some reason, a conviction of certain victory welled up from the bottom of his heart.
"Good. I permit all of you to go with me!"