The formation of the Six-Formed Sheji King Tripod is very important to Zhang Jian. As the core of the Map of Mountains and Rivers magic, it plays a key role in stabilizing the magic structure.
Furthermore, this is the only mysterious technique Zhang Jian can use to harness the power of the Dragon Soul.
Zhang Jian possesses the Red Dragon, and if this mysterious technique is deployed at a critical moment, it can suppress the Primordial Spirit and break through all magic.
This is a very pure Sheji Immortal Technique!
The Sheji King Tripod can suppress all external evil.
Additionally, at a critical moment, it can tap into the power of the supreme treasure Sheji King Tripod itself of Tongshan.
The true Sheji King Tripod is a relic of the Saint King, vast in power, and even borrowing a portion of its divine power at a critical moment can turn the tide of events.
This form of ’borrowing’ comes with no cost; it doesn’t require becoming a ’lackey’ or making any prior special offerings.
Zhang Jian familiarized himself slightly with the Six-Formed Sheji King Tripod before beginning to comprehend the Taiyin Refining Form Technique.
The Taiyin Refining Form Technique is a Daoist technique he innovated on his own.
It occupies a highly unique position among Zhang Jian’s many magical techniques.
Through this technique, Zhang Jian has enlightened many destined individuals.
Perfecting this technique not only means he can reorganize a Yin Yang Immortal Technique.
Zhang Jian feels that in the future, this Primordial Spirit Immortal Technique will bring him many surprises.
...
Zhang Jian resolved the issue with the Bone Demon Ancestor, while at several other places, great battles also broke out.
Some Demonic Primordial Spirits attempting to enter the city quickly encountered opponents.
Starlight filled the sky, and one killing array after another erupted at the edges of several important ministers’ residences, banishing streaks of demonic qi in the killing light.
But one strand of demonic qi was trapped by several beams of starlight, imprisoned within an extremely grand Dao Map, and pulled into an unknown spatial storm. Its fate was predictable.
The commencement of numerous battles only indicated that the ensuing conflicts would become bloodier.
After all, a Primordial Spirit Master had already fallen.
...
As the storm outside Haojing City grew more intense, a figure returned to Haojing City from the Profound Void.
Before the East Mausoleum, Chao Mu furrowed his brows tightly as he gazed at the Dragon Vein, which bore only residual traces of Dragon Qi.
Chasing that Drought Fiend all the way from the Northern Land deep into the Two Realms Region, he became aware of massive changes in the star formation in the sky, prompting him to hurriedly return.
Little did he expect that upon his return, such significant events would occur in and around Haojing City.
Moments later, a black-robed figure appeared in the distance, wrapped in a humble cloth robe and shrouded in intense malefic energy, with a plain yet imposing sword slung across his back.
This figure appeared and slowly approached the East Mausoleum with each step.
It was then that he said slowly, "The Daqian Kingdom, with its history of over four hundred sixty years and twenty-four emperors buried here, suppressing feng shui, but alas, still cannot suppress this Daqian Dragon Vein!"
"Old friend, what happened to you?"
Chao Mu looked at Tiangang Master Yuan Geng with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
At this time, Tiangang Master Yuan Geng was completely covered in boils, even his eyes had turned a murky yellow.
This was an abnormal sign of backlash from malefic energy.
Moreover, it was quite severe.
The Dragon Vein shattered, and many cultivators across Daqian had suffered some backlash from the malefic energy. He too had suffered backlash, but with the Daqian foundation still intact and orthodoxy not lost, and with some personal techniques on hand, he managed to temporarily suppress the backlash without much trouble.
Not as severely as this.
"Isn’t it all for the Dragon Soul, for you? I, a poor Daoist, have risked my life!"
Tiangang Master said somewhat self-deprecatingly, as he took out the Great Qian Dragon Banner.
The profound black Great Qian Dragon Banner fluttered in the wind in his hand.
To prevent an unexpected occurrence of the Dragon Soul after the Dragon Vein shattered, he risked being backlashed to forcibly retrieve the Dragon Soul.
Without suppressing the malefic energy of the Dragon Vein first, directly confronting the malefic energy with the Primordial Spirit, he was inevitably tainted.
Receiving the Great Qian Dragon Banner in his hand, Chao Mu’s gaze swept over it, and a ripple appeared in his eyes.
The Dragon Soul was still there, which meant the situation for Daqian had not reached its worst.
Tiangang Master indeed rendered great meritorious service and hard work.
But the one within the Dragon Vein was a bit too self-centered!
Chao Mu felt displeased and some suspicion.
Tiangang Master looked at the damaged Dragon Vein and said.
"We must find a way to quickly establish an altar and hold a ritual to stabilize the Dragon Soul!"
"The Great Qian Dragon Banner can only serve as a temporary vessel; over time, it will no longer be able to suppress the Dragon Soul!"
Chao Mu nodded, knowing the severity of the situation.
With the Dragon Soul stabilized, the Daqian Court could still mobilize most of the Dragon Qi, using it to suppress those heretical paths.
If the Dragon Soul fled with the Dragon Qi, further loss of Dragon Qi from Daqian would worsen the situation progressively, making the days increasingly difficult for Daqian.
Moreover, the Dragon Soul could also temporarily suppress the malefic energy for Daqian’s cultivators, delaying immediate backlash from the malefic energy, giving them time to reshape the mountains and rivers.
But the problem was that the Dragon Soul needed a brand new vessel.
Chao Mu and Tiangang Daoist exchanged a glance; both were well aware of the candidate for this vessel.
Daqian had no other choice!
Tiangang Master casually collected the Great Qian Dragon Banner again, asking in passing.
"What about that Drought Fiend?"
Chao Mu glanced at Tiangang Master, speaking indifferently.
"What else could I do, if I hadn’t returned, Daqian would soon have vanished; how could I still be concerned about a Drought Fiend?"
Chao Mu’s expression was somewhat grim. He had actually found the tracks of the Drought Fiend several times, initially intending to refine such a newly born Drought Fiend, aiming to cultivate a Primordial Spirit-level avatar. But he had no choice but to rush back.
Missing such an opportunity was truly a pity.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, Zhang Jian’s secluded cultivation was disrupted.
The arrival of Jingming Daoist broke the tranquility.
Sitting in the flower hall, Jingming Daoist felt somewhat helpless. If possible, he wouldn’t want to bother Zhang Jian, but now that the Daqian Dragon Vein was shattered, the Dong Shen Temple faced a severe shortage of manpower to maintain stability across regions, leaving no choice but to ask Zhang Jian for help.
In addition, this trip involved a major matter.
Tiangang Master intended to set up an altar and hold a ritual to guide the Dragon Soul into a new ’host’ body, requiring Zhang Jian’s assistance.
Guiding the Daqian Dragon Soul into Emperor Jingwu’s body surely could not escape the notice of those cunning heretical paths.
After all, similar events have occurred throughout history.
After the Dragon Vein’s shattering, an emperor possessing the Emperor’s Fate became the best vessel choice.
"This matter concerns national affairs, and I hope Mr. Zhang understands!"
Zhang Jian nodded. "Rest assured, State Preceptor, since this concerns the national fortune of Daqian, I must not stand by idly!"
Hearing his words, Jingming Daoist’s face brightened, and he immediately continued, "In fact, we only wish to temporarily borrow the divine power of your East Emperor’s Treasure Mirror. This mirror can reveal hidden threats in the void, and any approaching heretics or demon fiends will have nowhere to hide. With this treasure present, we can ensure the ritual proceeds as normal!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian’s gaze fluctuated, and he nodded.
This time, he made no further conditions, repaying Emperor Jingwu’s appreciation in kind.
...
In the late night, under a dim moonlight,
within the Imperial Palace, before the East Mausoleum, a tall magic altar stood high, surrounded by fluttering flags. Emperor Jingwu sat among them, and Tiangang Daoist’s body was swollen and covered with festering sores, presenting a terrifying appearance.
His expression was solemn as he addressed Emperor Jingwu, cautioning,
"Your Majesty, you must think clearly. Letting the Dragon Soul enter your body carries great side effects. Your Majesty remains of mortal body; a mortal form is fragile, unable to bear the force of the Dragon Soul, this will shorten your lifespan, and you will gradually suffer from insomnia and exhaustion in the future!"
At the altar, facing the disheveled Tiangang Daoist, Emperor Jingwu smiled.
"Didn’t you say that if the Dragon Soul has no vessel, Daqian’s national fortune cannot be preserved, and only by stabilizing the Dragon Soul can we deter those cultivators and stabilize order, with no other path?"
Emperor Jingwu wore casual clothing, yet his eyes glowed brightly.
Nearby stood several figures at the side of the tall magic altar, including Prime Minister Li Yan, Imperial Censor Zhuang Ying, Grand Commandant Wang Huan, Chao Mu, and another Daoist robed in the Star Constellation Robe. Hearing this, they nodded quietly.
Emperor Jingwu’s wisdom and resolve were exceptional; perhaps he could truly defy destiny and reshape Daqian.
"Your Majesty, then please endure it!"
Tiangang Master performed the ritual, and the profound black Dragon Banner flew up. In an instant, an imposing black dragon soared from the banner, its dragon roar resonating through the heavens, racing towards Emperor Jingwu guided by the countless flags atop the altar.
In the distance, in a palace pavilion, Zhang Jian faced the cold wind under the dim moonlight, watching the grand black dragon.
At the moment the black dragon manifested, he felt the Sheji Emperor’s mark within him stir slightly, as if, should he desire, he could devour the black dragon.