As for the main materials for refining the Nine Tripods, they are not lacking.
The core material, Qianyuan Golden Mother, is still abundant in the Phoenix Nest Mountain Range.
As for other auxiliary materials, one can go to the Canal Dragon Palace, or seek the aid of the Dragon Palace to purchase from the caravans of various Water Vein Divine Palaces.
As for the main tripod, Zhang Jian already has it.
His Lifebound Spiritual Treasure, the Qianyuan Golden Tripod, can serve as the core to suppress the Dragon Vein.
This Lifebound Dharma Artifact has now absorbed a vast ocean of Dragon Vein Dragon Qi, and can ascent if the corresponding Forbidden Techniques are gradually improved.
"However, my artifact-refining skills need to improve somewhat; otherwise, even a clever woman cannot cook without rice!"
Upon the dragon throne, Zhang Jian sighed slightly, feeling deeply that time was insufficient.
...
While Zhang Jian was managing court affairs and trying to prepare for the refining of various Nine Tripod materials,
elsewhere in the Two Realms Region, many Immortal Sect Dao Lineages were watching the grand Northern Expedition War in the East Continent Fertile Land.
For the Foreign Sects in the Two Realms Region, the division of the East Continent Fertile Land was naturally the best outcome, for if a unified dynasty emerged, especially one possessing a Primordial Spirit Cultivator walking the Saint King Dao, it would inevitably affect the interests of many Foreign Sects.
However, this time was different from a dozen years ago.
Daqian refined the King Jun Golden Man, aiming to walk the Saint King Dao and form a Saint King Clan, great in momentum, yet the Foreign Sects were still unafraid.
Because Daqian had only a few Foreign Sects supporting it.
The Dong Shen Temple might be strong, but it's only the Dong Shen Ancestor who was truly formidable.
Moreover, the Dragon Vein was shattered, the Dragon Soul collapsed.
This equated to the dynasty losing its greatest Protective Talisman.
With Celestial Destiny lost, calamities naturally descend to destroy the dynasty.
But the current Great Xia was different; not only was the Great Xia Emperor powerful, and the Dragon Vein stable, but it also had the 'label' of the Tongshan Dao Lineage behind it.
The Tongshan Dao Lineage is not an Immortal Sect, but its Saint King Dao Lineage still holds renown.
Not to mention, rumors say the Tongshan Dao Lineage has a 'backer' in the Celestial Realm, and quite a few major sects, such as the Shangqing Sword Sect and Five Elements Immortal Sect, though they wished to intervene, harbored apprehensions and unwillingly acted, merely watching Great Xia devour the East Continent.
...
Outside the East Continent, in a grand Daoist Temple, True Monarch Zhanmo was seated overseeing the place, and opposite him was Jue Ming Daoist, who left with him; the two would occasionally discuss Dao, contently.
Just then, a stream of light broke through the void, instantly caught by Jue Ming Daoist.
After a brief review, Jue Ming Daoist handed it over to True Monarch Zhanmo.
"Junior Sister Zhanmo, can you rest assured now?"
Jue Ming Daoist slightly stroked his beard, a mild smile in his expression.
The Tongshan Dao Lineage sent word, as several elders released their influence, the Five Elements Immortal Seed, the Shangqing Sword Sect, and a few Demonic Sects finally abandoned their support for Beichu, conceding to Great Xia annexing Beichu.
This undoubtedly was good news.
Not just for Great Xia, but also for the Tongshan Dao Lineage.
True Monarch Zhanmo snorted lightly.
"At least those guys are sensible, otherwise I wouldn't mind going on a killing spree!"
A hint of coldness appeared between her brows, then she continued.
"Sect Leader, our Tongshan Dao Lineage has been dormant for too long; if we do not stir, these Immortal Sect Dao Lineages will think we are a soft touch, letting even a few 'Minor Sects' challenge us, but a millennium ago, we could expand as we wished, without needing a few Senior Brothers to step in and split them!"
Jue Ming Daoist glanced at True Monarch.
"The Immortal Sect's seclusion is temporary, merely to assimilate the gained benefits, allowing disciples to grow using them, and when the time is right to emerge as an Immortal Sect, the Tongshan Dao Lineage will naturally appear with due timing!"
Jue Ming Daoist sighed again and continued.
"You need not worry about having nothing to do. Recently, your Senior Brother Wuliang discovered Outer World Demons emerging in the Two Realms Region. It's likely a door to the Outer Realm lies within, which may need your intervention to resolve!"
Hearing this, True Monarch Zhanmo raised an eyebrow.
"Which Demon Sect did it?"
Jue Ming Daoist chuckled, "Blood Shadow Demon Sect, it's an Asura Gate!"
A slight motion in True Monarch Zhanmo's eyes, but she paid it no mind.
The Demon Dao and other heterodox sects' practices differ, as cultivators pursue longevity, ascension, achieving freedom thereafter.
While the Demon Dao seeks unrestrained power, ultimately striving to dominate the heavens and earth, willing to kill without limit for power.
They also indulge in placating Outer World deities with profound magic, transforming realms to attain infinite divine techniques; if they could ravage a realm into the boundless sea of blood, they would gain the favor of powerful Demon Monarchs within the Endless Blood River.
They persist relentlessly in such acts, never weary of obliterating others!
However, being a demon offers little future; no matter how well one performs, they ultimately become mere appetizers for powerful Demon Monarchs in the depths of the Endless Blood River, who could dispose of them whenever displeased.
Immortals, however, band together, and those Ancient Immortal Emperors and Daoist Monarchs respect conventions, without needlessly exploiting their subordinates!
Thus periodically, some old demons 'renounce darkness for light', unwilling to mingle with the above anymore.
True Monarch Zhanmo smiled, "Let disciples handle it, this can help hone the young disciples' sharpness against those demons!"
Jue Ming Daoist nodded slightly.
...
With Zhang Jian, the prominent Great Xia Emperor suppressing numerous Demon Sect cultivators of Beichu, and the Tongshan Dao Lineage secretly restraining the Two Realms Region and Barbaric Region, the war to destroy Chu proceeded smoothly.
In about three months, An Ruming once again reached Guangyuan City.
Along the way, most of the defense leaders surrendered without resistance.
The capture of Emperor Chu Huan Xuan struck fear in most of the Beichu Court generals, and the few who resisted were defeated by the Northern Expedition Army.
Meanwhile, the Second Route Marshal, Wang You, coordinated with the Northern Expedition Army from another direction, capturing cities and reclaiming Beichu territories.
The two routes progressed in tandem.
Upon entering Guangyuan City, the expedition army found the city's resistance was sparse.
The Northern Expedition Army expended little effort, entering Guangyuan City directly.
Upon capture of Emperor Chu Huan Xuan, infighting emerged among the remaining civil and military officials for power and profit.
Numerous members of the Beichu Imperial Family got embroiled, undergoing several thorough purges.
Under these conditions, Guangyuan City naturally couldn't mount any effective defense.
Thus, the Great Xia's Northern Expedition Army took just over three months to overthrow the Beichu regime that stood in the Northern Land for over five hundred years.
This spectacle left countless noble families sighing, and caused many to ponder:
Is Great Xia truly destined by Celestial Destiny?
Though Beichu's capital, Guangyuan City, fell, resistance in Beichu's counties was sporadic. An Ruming left some soldiers to guard Guangyuan City and joined Second Route Marshal Wang You to continue clearing Beichu's counties, removing barriers, and accomplishing this unprecedented feat.
And as Beichu fell, above Haojing City, a grand phenomenon transpired.
A unique sign soared into the sky, illuminating the heavens.