Not long after, Huang He Master returned, but he brought back some unfortunate news.
"Nie Xiang has escaped!"
The expressions of several Primordial Spirit Masters grew even grimmer!
A few Demonic Primordial Spirits escaped, but the heterodox sects amongst the Three Passes faced misfortune, becoming targets for Dong Shen Temple's reckoning.
On the ridge, Jingming Daoist commanded numerous Cave God Sect cultivators to intercept and eliminate all the fleeing heterodox sect remnants in the mountains.
After purifying the War Souls of the ancient battlefield of the Third Pass, Zhang Jian proceeded to the Cold Pool Pass of the Second Pass and the Celestial Spring Pass of the First Pass.
However, most of the War Souls within these two ancient battlefields had been devoured by the Ghost Mother, so little effort was needed.
Since Zhang Jian had come to the Nine Passes of Western Shu, he decided to pacify the War Souls on the ancient battlefields of other passes, completing a great deed of merit.
Guangwu Pass
Duke Cheng hosted a celebratory feast for everyone within the pass.
With the successive recovery of Celestial Spring Pass, Cold Pool Pass, Taiye Pool, and Poison Dragon Pass, the danger to Guangwu Pass was alleviated.
During the banquet, Xiong Tingwu was full of praise for Jingming Daoist and Zhang Jian.
"Dong Shen Temple, as the National Religion of our Daqian Kingdom, when the righteous master makes a move, the demons retreat, sparing Central Jin Province from a great calamity. I toast the State Preceptor!"
Standing at the main seat, Xiong Tingwu's face was filled with exuberance.
The numerous deputy generals also stood up, their gazes toward Jingming Daoist filled with respect.
Zhang Jian merely smiled slightly, watching everyone drink heartily, after which Xiong Tingwu focused his gaze on him, speaking again.
"The second toast is for Mr. Zhang. Mr. Zhang, with the Great Compassion Technique, saves countless souls. In these Nine Passes of Western Shu, who knows how many heroic warriors perished, including our Daqian sons. After death, they found no rest, being exploited by these heterodox sects to cause harm. Mr. Zhang's compassion saves the world, his Mysterious Technique pacifies the obstinate, and now these sons have finally attained liberation. I toast Mr. Zhang on their behalf!"
Upon hearing this, the deputy generals beside him felt somewhat embarrassed, as they had previously slandered Zhang Jian.
Nonetheless, they all raised their cups.
Zhang Jian slowly rose with a smile, saying,
"The general's words are too kind. I will drink this cup to the full!"
He lifted the high bronze wine goblet in his hand, gently drinking it all. Everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
Zhang Jian did not proactively mention the matter of slaying the Ghost Mother.
Especially after learning from Jingming Daoist that after all the strong reinforcements had struck, they had only managed to injure two of the five invading masters, making the results seem lackluster, he deemed it unnecessary to gain fame thus!
Ultimately, the greatest benefits had already been secured!
Given his current strength, there was no need to seek credit from Dong Shen Temple!
The benefits gained from seeking credit would not outweigh the drawbacks of exposing his power!
Below, Jingming Daoist smiled outwardly, though felt some anguish inside.
The results were somewhat beyond his expectations.
In a five-on-five confrontation, they initially severely wounded Xuan Du Ancestor, forcing him out of battle. In a subsequent five-on-four battle, they unexpectedly used Dong Shen Temple's killing array to seriously injure Nie Xiang Master.
Ultimately, almost in a five-on-three situation, Hundred Facets Ancestor, Huo Ling Divine Monarch, and Ghost Mother still managed to escape.
It could be described as starting strong but ending weak.
These Demonic Primordial Spirits had escaped this time; facing them again would be even more challenging.
Nevertheless, he tried to maintain a smile, as overseeing everything as the State Preceptor, he could not reveal any flaws, lest it affect the morale of the Daqian populace.
Sitting nearby, Zhang Jian was amongst some other young cultivators of Ding Shen Temple, noticing that these young cultivators, along with some elders, watched him with curiosity and respect, without anyone's hot blood clouding their judgment with jealousy and defiance.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, escaping the Nine Passes of Western Shu, Hundred Facets Ancestor was heading towards the Two Realms Region!
His figure appeared on the south bank of Yun River, revealing his True Body—a face that appeared perpetually masked with coldness.
Nie Xiang Master's face was pale, his eyes faintly flickering with a grey light, though when facing Hundred Facets Ancestor, he showed respect, with a trace of fear deep in his eyes.
Hundred Facets Ancestor's aged face shimmered with gloom as the rushing river could not broaden his mood.
"I never thought the depths of the Daqian court concealed such a formidable force. We underestimated them!"
He spoke slowly.
His losses this time were also substantial.
Tiangang Master's final blow had allowed him to escape using the Peach Wood Puppet, yet a wisp of the terrifying Sword of National Fate followed the connection between puppet and self, injuring his Primordial Spirit.
The Sword of Fate was extraordinarily mysterious and not something easily withstood.
Fortunately, Tiangang Master hadn't fully grasped the Sword of Fate to reach the Dharma Realm; otherwise, he might not have left Taiye Pool.
Nie Xiang Master's gaze flickered and he spoke softly:
"These years, Dong Shen Ancestor's activities have drawn a lot of Loose Cultivators by leveraging interests. Now, as the Daqian's destiny hasn't yet waned, seeing the potential for benefit, these Independent Cultivator Masters' arrival isn't surprising. Once Daqian truly falls apart, these Primordial Spirit Masters might not want to wade into this muddy water!"
"People favor the strong and step on the weak; Primordial Spirit Masters aren't necessarily above it all!"
Nie Xiang Master's face flashed a cold sneer.
The cold light in Hundred Facets Ancestor's eyes flickered.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Have you contacted Ghost Mother and Huo Ling?!"
"No contact with Ghost Mother, but I've reached Huo Ling; the scoundrel said they're heading to the depths of the Barbaric Region to heal and can't meet for now!"