This is an innate spirit stone born from the spiritual mechanism of the Jie Ling Mountain Range.
To some extent, it can be considered a kind of earth spirit.
And that innate Geng Metal spirit emerged when an earth dragon turned, and the earth’s crust shifted. Lacking a nest, it was drawn to this divine object and came forth on its own.
The combination of the two, metal and earth supporting each other, reshapes the heaven and earth spirit embryo.
Once it takes form, it will surely give birth to a naturally nurtured innate spirit.
Once the innate spirit comes into being, its achievements will not be small.
At the very least, it will be a naturally nurtured god. If it is more exceptional, achieving immortality and gaining great divine techniques is not impossible.
"The future Dharma Guardian War God of the Great Xia Dynasty now has a candidate!"
A slight smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Jian’s lips.
When he raised his hand, a stream of light flicked from his hand, vaguely transforming into a crescent moon that danced and then transformed into a mirror of light enveloping the innate spirit stone.
The innate spirit stone, complete with eight apertures, revealed a translucent immortal embryo spiritual light inside, transforming into a humanoid being, resembling an ape upon closer inspection.
This might have been influenced by the Iron-Armed Golden Apes that lived in Ji Mu Mountain for generations.
Perhaps an Iron-Armed Golden Ape had lingered here, leaving an image captured by the innate spirit stone, the form and spirit of the innate spirit embryo merging as one, hence forming an ape shape.
However, this also has its advantages.
After capturing the divine form of the Iron-Armed Golden Ape, the innate spirit embryo will naturally preserve part of such a rare species’ innate power.
Moreover, with the infusion of the earth spirit’s creation, it will undergo an atavistic transformation.
The innate spirit embryo will bring the power of these ancient hybrid species, the Iron-Armed Golden Apes, to its fullest potential.
The ancient hybrid Iron-Armed Golden Apes themselves are unique beings with both earth and metal attributes, their strength naturally formidable, possessing copper skin and iron bones, and able to control magic of earth and metal attributes.
Zhang Jian could imagine the innate spirit embryo’s potential talents in close combat once it descends into the world.
Zhang Jian raised his hand, gently stroking the towering mountain rock in front of him. The rock was smooth, having been blown by the gang wind at the mountain’s summit for years, undergoing refining by thunder and starlight. Its skin appeared ordinary but had an exceptionally resilient texture.
Zhang Jian prepared to take it with him.
The innate spirit embryo’s form and spirit are complete. All it needs next is to continue absorbing the essence of the heavens, earth, sun, and moon for a time to successfully come into being.
Just as his fingers touched the innate spirit stone, Zhang Jian looked around and suddenly smiled.
"Are the two fellow Daoists going to continue watching the spectacle, or are you planning to make a move? If you’re just here to watch, you might as well show yourselves!"
In the depths of the storm, following Zhang Jian’s gaze,
A rich purple light suddenly emerged from the vast Gangfeng Ocean, tearing through the gang wind layer around Ji Mu Peak.
Two figures appeared, breaking through the void.
A man and a woman, the woman tall and dressed in a purple dress, her face stunningly beautiful, surrounded by strands of purple light, a capability of the Nine-leaf Purple Sage.
The other was a burly man with a tiger’s back and an ape’s waist, carrying a giant sword on his back.
Zhang Jian was not unfamiliar with these two Primordial Spirit True Monarchs.
They were the Nine Heavens True Monarch Xin Ziqing and another Ape Emperor True Monarch, among the Four Barbaric Immortals.
These two had once been entities Zhang Jian had to look up to, even needing to borrow the name of True Monarch Zhanmo to protect himself.
But now, facing these two True Monarchs, Zhang Jian could treat them with complete calmness, even looking down on them.
Nine Heavens True Monarch Xin Ziqing and Ape Emperor True Monarch had already seen the giant stone beneath Zhang Jian’s palm.
Through the Nine-leaf Purple Sage’s ability, they had already perceived the stone’s mystique.
Especially the Ape Emperor True Monarch.
His eyes shone with a different light as he laughed heartily.
"I never expected the renowned Great Xia Emperor to visit this remote corner of my domain. However, since the Emperor is here, why not inform me, so my Iron-Armed Golden Ape clan can fulfill the duties of a host!"
His gaze flicked to the giant stone in front of Zhang Jian, his intent all too clear.
Zhang Jian chuckled, merely saying lightly, "Ji Mu Mountain is grand and vast, no matter how wide the territory of the Iron-Armed Golden Apes, it probably doesn’t reach this deserted Gangfeng Ocean!"
"As for being a guest, there’s no rush. Allow me to take this treasure first!"
As he spoke, he raised a hand, only to hear True Monarch Ape Emperor shout sternly.
"Wait!"
Seeing Zhang Jian’s gaze towards him, True Monarch Ape Emperor stepped forward. He glanced at the peculiar gigantic stone several meters high, golden light flickering deep in his eyes, and after a brief moment, he chuckled softly.
"The name of the Great Xia Emperor resonates across the regions of the Two Realms, especially recently for single-handedly annihilating the Celestial Demon Star upon its descent. This king admires that greatly, but this stone is a sacred artifact of my Iron-Armed Golden Ape clan. I ask the Emperor to give me some face today and leave this object; this king would be most grateful!"
Zhang Jian smiled silently. He glanced at True Monarch Ape Emperor and chuckled.
"Your words are deceitful, my friend. Before I entered this place, I’m afraid you still didn’t know the origin of this item? You’ve been here for ten thousand years, yet you’ve never glimpsed the true form of the treasure; this shows that it has no predestined connection with your Iron-Armed Golden Ape clan!"
"Now, by a fortunate chance, I am here and able to reveal the true nature of the treasure. This means I am its destined person, its master!"
"You are a reasonable person and a man of virtue; why not simply observe? To witness the birth of this treasure is a great fortune!"
True Monarch Ape Emperor frowned at these words, but he was not satisfied with just watching.
This treasure was born at Ji Mu Mountain, which naturally meant it belonged to the Iron-Armed Golden Ape clan, and outsiders could not be allowed to take it.
He glanced at Zhang Jian, revealing an insidious look in his eyes, and said impatiently.
"Great Xia Emperor, this king has accommodated you several times, giving you much face, don’t fail to appreciate it!
This item is birthed by Ji Mu Mountain and naturally belongs to my Iron-Armed Golden Ape clan; no one can take it away!"
"Anyone who makes a move is an enemy of my Iron-Armed Golden Ape clan!"
At the end of his sentence, a fierce and chilling glint appeared in his eyes.
Zhang Jian chuckled at this.
His gaze then fell on Nine Heavens True Monarch Xin Ziqing, and he smiled as he spoke.
"Senior Xin, do you feel the same?"
Nine Heavens True Monarch Xin Ziqing slightly furrowed her brows. Using the Nine-leaf Purple Sage’s ability to foretell the Celestial Secret, she could clearly sense that Zhang Jian was like a fog; deep and vast.
Beneath his seemingly frail Dao Body lay terrifying Divine Power.
Combined with the rumors circulating outside, she realized that those stories might not be greatly exaggerated.
But to make True Monarch Ape Emperor give up the treasure like this; considering his nature, it seemed unlikely.
Xin Ziqing quickly weighed her options but ultimately decided to advise True Monarch Ape Emperor to endure a little longer.
However, Zhang Jian’s gaze shifted without further regard for Nine Heavens True Monarch Xin Ziqing. He raised his hand, and a majestic, heavy Divine Light suddenly enveloped the surroundings of the peak, the void within a ten thousand mile radius was instantly stilled by the flowing majestic Emperor’s Qi, oppressed.
This was the subspace formed by Zhang Jian using the Emperor’s Authority of the Divine Emperor.
It was also the field control space attribute provided by the Sheji Emperor.
Once suppressed, if there’s a difference of two or three realms in rank between them, they would be completely subdued, even losing the ability to resist.
At this moment, both Nine Heavens True Monarch Xin Ziqing and True Monarch Ape Emperor underwent changes in expression.
In this instant, they felt as if an unparalleled divine power had transformed into a mountain pressing down on them, a formidable force enveloped their bodies, rendering them completely immobile.
Whether it was Magical Power, Primordial Spirit, or the Lifebound Spiritual Treasure pre-imbedded deep in the Primordial Spirit.
They even sensed a terrifying feeling, as if any slight movement could directly cause the golden mountains and rivers gradually appearing above their heads to crush them to death, turning them into a pulp.
"Emperor’s Authority..."
Xin Ziqing’s expression was one of astonishment, her heart was stirring fiercely, she restrained the trump card that was about to explode from the depths of her Primordial Spirit.
At this moment, she heard Zhang Jian suddenly smiling to himself: "Indeed, since I ascended the throne, I’ve been busy cultivating, conducting affairs also by the book, but I had forgotten for a moment that in the Cultivation Realm, the bottom line is still strength!"
"I have been too polite to you all, so some fail to recognize their own standing!"
"Now, I say, I’m interested in this thing; does anyone have any objections?"
Zhang Jian’s eyes remained calm as the magnificent Emperor Dao Authority pressed down.
Xin Ziqing’s expression was calm, yet True Monarch Ape Emperor, under the pressure of the Emperor’s Authority, found his Copper Skin Iron Bones nearly flattened; however, there remained a wild, defiant look in his golden eyes.
Zhang Jian slowly raised his hand, ready to apply another spell with greater force.
Seeing this, Xin Ziqing gently sighed: "Great Xia Emperor, Heaven and Earth Divine Objects are born and raised by nature; those of virtue possess them. The Emperor is correct; this object revealed its anomaly only upon the Emperor’s presence, and we shall not contest it with the Emperor!"