A month later
In front of the Demon Suppression Tower, a grand phenomenon emerged, as an invisible Dao Map materialized around Zhang Jian, with a faint scene of rivers and mountains, sun, moon, and stars surrounding him.
In this Dao Map, countless Heaven and Earth Runes seemed to be buried within, each rune containing a unique profound mystery of heaven and earth. These runes combined in diverse structures, evolving into the wonders of mountains and rivers.
Inside, there was the Five-Formed Sheji King Tripod.
This Daoist Technique model appeared spontaneously, immediately triggering a grand Spiritual Mechanism Frenzy above the Observatory Platform.
But Zhang Jian, witnessing this scene, waved his hand to conceal the various phenomena, continuously pouring his magical power into it while gathering Sheji Qiankun Spiritual Mechanism to aid its formation.
At this moment, Zhang Jian gazed at this Sheji Dao Map, a hint of lament showing in his eyes.
"Too complicated!"
Despite his extraordinary comprehension, he felt somewhat overwhelmed by the complexities when interpreting this Sheji Dao Map.
It was even more complicated than the Chaotic Star Technique.
For the Map of Mountains and Rivers was originally a map of a great realm.
Within it were contained the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers.
What he evolved at this moment was not merely an illusory form but rather a combination of form and spirit, thanks to his prior study of the Ancient Mountains and Rivers Map at the Canal Dragon Palace.
And his understanding of the Heaven and Earth Legal Principle.
Nevertheless, even so, he felt it was but a drop in the ocean.
Yet this did not discourage him; rather, it filled his heart with excitement.
The more complex the Map of Mountains and Rivers, the greater its power, and the greater its potential.
Otherwise, given his current knowledge and comprehension, deciphering an ordinary Daoist Technique would not be challenging.
"Fake Daoism, what Daoist Technique is this?"
At this moment, in the Demon Suppression Tower, many demons also noticed the grand Dao Map emerging behind Zhang Jian.
An astonished voice echoed.
It was the Seven-tailed Demon Fox.
But Zhang Jian paid no heed, his gaze falling upon the Demon Suppression Tower, since having mastered the technique, the next step was naturally to test it.
Any powerful Daoist Technique must be tested in practice.
Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon the Demon Suppression Tower.
Numerous demons within the tower seemed like perfect subjects for testing the technique to Zhang Jian.
"Fake Daoism, I'm asking you a question!"
The Seven-tailed Celestial Fox continued to inquire.
She was quite persistent.
Lately, she had been trying to probe Zhang Jian's details indirectly.
Then Zhang Jian laughed, "Want to know? You'll have your chance!"
The Seven-tailed Celestial Fox's coquettish laughter echoed from within, "Oh? I'm looking forward to it!"
Zhang Jian stepped closer to the Demon Suppression Tower, crossing the boundary of the altar.
As other demons noticed Zhang Jian's movement, they were all invigorated.
Zhang Jian could sense the demons' eagerness within.
He Ying Daoist had warned him about the taboo—no matter what happened, he must not cross this altar's boundary because the altar's surroundings had a Dharma Ban that could prevent the Demon Qi inside the tower from escaping. If he crossed the boundary, he might fail to prevent the demons inside from exerting influence, posing certain dangers.
Nevertheless, at this moment, he reached out and touched the tower wall, his gaze firmly set upon the first layer of the Demon Suppression Tower.
Within the first layer were mostly weaker creatures, the strongest being an Ox Demon.
This was a domestic green ox turned spirit, though this demon, upon becoming a spirit, hadn't slaughtered living beings but instead used magic to enslave a village of people who had previously exploited him, turning them into slaves working for him as cattle and horses, escalating their exploitation, until discovered and collected into the Demon Suppression Tower by the Cave God Sect Ancestor passing by.
Currently, Niu Qing the Ox Demon was lying in the first layer, snoring loudly. Yet as Zhang Jian's palm pulsed with magical power, the Demon Suppression Tower's first layer was quietly enveloped by his magic.
The cold Cyan Shimmer Stone began to transform, instantly becoming a fragrant grassy field, waking Niu Qing the Ox Demon.
It opened its large eyes, somewhat bewildered as it gazed around.
It transformed into a human-like figure, tall, wearing tiger skin with two black ox horns standing proudly.
"I'm free?"
Wide-eyed, it showed a look of intense joy in its eyes.
At the same time, it grabbed a handful of grass and stuffed it into its mouth, eyes brimming with a touch of intoxication.
"This familiar feeling!"
"What a fool!"
Above, several layers up, demons could vaguely see Niu Qing frolicking through the Map of Mountains and Rivers. Some impulsive demons already began shouting reminders, yet no matter what magic they employed, they couldn't interfere with the phenomena within the Map of Mountains and Rivers.
Zhang Jian's expression remained unchanged, allowing these demons to witness it purposefully.
He wanted to test, knowing it was false, whether these demons had any means to break through his Map of Mountains and Rivers.
But soon, the Map of Mountains and Rivers began to change, and fields began to appear in the distance, unconsciously showing Niu Qing familiar scenes, many farmers appearing in the fields.
There were also many cattle and horses working!
Seeing this, Niu Qing was initially stunned, nostrils flaring with harsh breath, before a surging wave of anger brought forth a potent Demon Qi, comparable to that of the Golden Core Realm.
Boundless black wind swept towards the farmhouses.
The black wind uprooted the farmhouses, causing chaos. It laughed loudly, causing black wind to sweep up many farmers, hurling them towards distant peaks, yet within these peaks, it resumed its dream of enslaving many farmers...
The original farmers who enslaved it initially left a psychological shadow, leading it to still remember them fervently today.
Seeing this, Zhang Jian's expression turned a bit amused.
He somewhat understood the Cave God Sect Ancestor.
Demons like this were indeed not deserving of death.
After the engagement of the first layer demons, Zhang Jian circulated magical power to rectify several small flaws within his Technique Model.
The changes in these runes made the transitions within the Map of Mountains and Rivers significantly more coherent!
Soon, his gaze turned to the second layer, third layer, and then the fourth layer.
The fourth layer consisted of a Flower Demon.
This Flower Demon possessed considerable Dao Practice, being a Great Demon at the Yin Spirit Realm.
It manifested as an old lady, appearing heartbroken, transformed into a peony that merely manifested its true body, dwelling within the tower wall, exuding a strong illusory fragrance all around. Many demons were confused by this unseen intoxicating scent, often drunkenly dazed and unable to awaken.
...
While Zhang Jian was evolving the Map of Mountains and Rivers and simultaneously perfecting the Golden Core Qi, the court received tragic news.
The forces crushing the bandit army suffered severe damage, with Marquis Yang Gonghu from Tongcheng injured and severely ill.
Inside Chengtian Hall, Emperor Jingwu's face was not pleasant.
He asked those present, "Whom do you recommend to replace Old General Yang Gonghu and venture northwards?"
Upon hearing this, a grand official in a red robe stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the times are challenging; now, with General Yang incapacitated, an experienced veteran should be sent to stabilize the situation. I recommend Marquis Fei Cheng Song Dingshan!"
Hearing this name, many high-ranking officials in the court showed a shift in expression.
Marquis Fei Cheng Song Dingshan indeed boasted impressive combat achievements, commanding respect in the military almost equal to that of Yang Gonghu.
However, Song Dingshan did not please the current ruler.
Emperor Jingwu was always intolerant of factionalism, and Song Dingshan happened to offend this taboo, recently organizing grand gifts to flatter a certain prince and incurring a rebuke from Emperor Jingwu, now in seclusion at home as a consequence.