"Demon-Slaying Immortal-Slaying Sword!"
How could Chao Mu not recognize this sword light.
It is the slaughtering technique of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, from a True Monarch.
Just a slight touch of this sword intent that could cleave continents made him feel a terrifying sense of foreboding.
He glanced with some trepidation at Zhang Jian above the Soul-Cleansing Cyan Lotus, thinking that it should be Zhang Jian’s life-saving trump card.
A strike at True Monarch level, as if the myth has been rekindled.
Just looking at the scene of the dragon body collapsing above his head.
Chao Mu’s face was hard to look at, his heart was bleeding.
This innate dragon soul was actually slain by one sword.
A terrible waste!
Chao Mu suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
As for suddenly rising up to act against Zhang Jian, upon seeing that demon-slaying immortal-slaying sword light, Chao Mu naturally dismissed the idea.
A basin of cold water poured over his burning enthusiasm, he could only force himself to find a reason to convince himself.
This scene before him was not Zhang Jian’s fault.
The Demon-Slaying Immortal-Slaying Sword Zhang Jian held was very likely bestowed by an elder of the Tongshan Dao Lineage for protection.
This was triggered passively.
Strongly suppressing the pain of his bleeding heart, Chao Mu forced a smile and showed concern.
"Mr. Zhang, were you harmed by the dragon soul?"
Standing on the Soul-Cleansing Cyan Lotus, he returned Chao Mu’s concerned gaze with a smile: "Luckily escaped disaster!"
"Fortunately, luck was on my side, and there was a protective sword qi bestowed by Master Zhanmo to guard me just in time, but it was indeed very ’dangerous’!"
Zhang Jian slightly clasped his fists.
By now, Zhang Jian already knew, things had worked out!
Chao Mu could only say.
"This matter was due to us not thinking it through thoroughly, probing inaccurately, and not expecting that an ancient dragon vein could still produce a dragon soul, it was our fault, almost resulting in a great calamity!"
"After this affair, I hope you will allow me to host you to apologise, Mr. Zhang!"
His face was full of sincerity.
Zhang Jian glanced at him, also showing an unconcerned expression.
"No need for apologies, Chief Minister Chao, don’t let this matter weigh on your mind, as long as we can resolve the dragon vein resentment, overcoming some dangers is nothing, besides, didn’t I come through this just fine!"
Zhang Jian laughed heartily, indicating he didn’t mind.
Chao Mu’s hidden motives were clear to him, but he chose to pretend not to know, he made a huge profit from this, not only did he resolve the dragon vein resentment gaining abundant soul essence, he also secured great Fortune and the opportunity to make offerings in the ancestral shrine once more.
Besides, he would gain a dragon soul.
Having taken all the benefits, asking for an apology seemed a bit unreasonable, Zhang Jian almost felt guilty, yet he must seize what he should.
Zhang Jian now directed his gaze towards the dragon vein resentment, waving his hand to gather a Soul-Cleansing Cyan Lotus to block the rupture in the dragon vein, without delving further.
With the dragon soul cut off, he forcibly purified most of the dragon vein resentment, leaving a small part for Jingming Daoist to handle.
He had no need to venture further.
First, to owe a favor to Dong Shen Temple.
Second, leaving the remaining dragon vein resentment would give him a chance to reclaim that wisp of dragon soul.
If he cleared everything now, the Great Qian dragon soul might swallow it all, including the Shu Kingdom dragon vein and the dragon soul, leaving nothing for him.
...
On the Observatory Platform, the Daoists of Dong Shen Temple noticed the dragon vein abnormality in front of the Chengguang Sect, each one fully armed, standing in the plaza before the Observatory Platform, awaiting Jingming Daoist’s orders.
Jingming Daoist likewise noticed the abnormality within the dragon vein, his expression solemn, pupil technique flickering in the depths of his eyes, his expression subtly surprised a moment later.
Not only him, but many cultivators with profound Dao practice within Haojing City could sense the earth-shattering struggle, and many Daoists with ulterior motives vaguely sensed the presence of the dragon soul.
The existence of a dragon soul indeed stirred the disposition of many cultivators, making them eager to move, but positioned within the Imperial City, they were heavily suppressed by the Great Qian Dragon and Tiger Qi, unlike Chao Mu who holds the Dynasty Official Seal and can freely wield magical power!
They had no power to contend.
Nor could they compete with a Primordial Spirit Master over such Creation.
But it seemed the Primordial Spirit Master of the Daqian Court also did not gain the upper hand?
Instead, the dragon soul was eradicated?
On the Observatory Platform, Jingming Daoist had a strange expression as well.
He also did not expect this outcome from the emergence of this dragon soul.
...
The Peaceful Sacrificial Ceremony proceeded smoothly several days later.
Officially, this ritual belonged to a yang ceremony, but in fact it dealt with matters of yin ceremonies.
The rituals of Daqian’s various Daoist sects are generally divided into yang ceremonies and yin ceremonies.
Yang ceremonies involve blessings, expressions of gratitude, healing illnesses, prolonging life, bidding the country prosperity, praying for good weather, warding off troubles, and celebrating longevity among others.
Yin ceremonies summon lost souls, conduct cleansing rituals, break imprisonment and obstacles, offer food to spirits, and perform vegetarian sacrificial ceremonies aiding the spirits and freeing the souls.
Emperor Jingwu invited various Daoists to the capital, ostensibly to bid the country prosperity and ward off disasters.
Actually, it was to aid spirits and free souls, guiding the resentment and war souls within the Former Shu’s dragon vein.
On the auspicious day, the City Guard Army with Black Armor cleared the way down the long street.
Flags waved above the street, numerous esteemed masters and cultivators from across Daqian, accompanied by the City Guard Army and many Haojing City citizens, slowly accepted positions in the thousand constructed altars before Chengguang Sect, began chanting and performing the rituals.
This ritual in the tenth year of Emperor Jingwu might well be the most grand event of Daqian these decades.
...
The ritual stretched over nine days, not confined to a single moment.
On the third day after the ritual began.
Under the night sky, a ghost moon hung high and a figure silently appeared beside a drum tower.
Located at Longhua Sect, known as Jing Garden.
It was an abandoned Royal Garden, also part of the Imperial Palace, but pertaining to the Former Shu Imperial Palace.
Rumor had it Emperor Ai of Shu and Empress Guan Qiang were executed here by the Daqian Imperial Guard.
A lot of blood was shed here.
The Grand Ancestor of Daqian considered it inauspicious, sealing this segment of palace wall.
Now the garden was overgrown, most of the tall buildings were rotted, collapsed, turning into ruins, with only a stone-based drum tower standing here, weathered by time.
This was also the location of the Shu Kingdom dragon vein’s tail.
Zhang Jian prepared to lay down a Feng Shui Grand Array here to lure out that wisp of Dragon Soul Spirituality.
The ritual was not complex.
Following the guidance of True Monarch Zhanmo, Zhang Jian set up a small-scale magic altar on the open ground!
With this altar he amplified the power of his Life Plate, using blood to lure out the dragon soul.
Similar to Gu Master refining Gu insects, using special bait to lure them out before capturing them with secret techniques.
Once the altar was set, Zhang Jian stood before it, forming seals with his hands, emitting his Treasure Record Magical Power, red light appeared at his fingertips.
It was a drop of Essence Blood exuding the King’s Mandate, along with a hint of Emperor’s Qi.
"Go!"
With a light command, the blood light in his hand transformed into a red dragon, serpentine on the ground, soon strands of purple qi extended from deep within the dragon vein.
These strands of purple qi melded naturally with the drop of blood essence until a faint shadow of a purple dragon appeared within, Zhang Jian stretched out his hand to contain it within his palm, integrating it into his body.
Zhang Jian used magical power to form a small Starlight Soul Binding Seal, securing it temporarily for future assimilation.
Feeling the dragon soul enter his body and the Life Plate within him faintly urging the desire to devour, an indescribable transformation was brewing, Zhang Jian was overjoyed.
Though he sacrificed a Protective Talisman this time, gaining this dragon soul.
An absolute profit.
At this moment, from deep within the void, the chuckle of True Monarch Zhanmo emerged.
"The dragon soul enters the body, the foundation can be established!"
"Ah Yu, do you know how many types of Emperor’s Fate there are?"
Hearing this, Zhang Jian’s eyes moved, knowing that True Monarch Zhanmo might be deliberately giving him special guidance.
He respectfully replied.
"Please, Master, share your wisdom!"