Starting as the young master of a medicine shop, he practiced swordsmanship for twenty years.

Chapter 442: Devouring the World, Establishing a New Xia Dynasty, Ending the Seventh Incarnation in the Mortal World.

The intense firefight lasted for about half an hour.

With their steel fortifications made of military vehicles, the Dingnan Army held a commanding geographical advantage.

The results presented a terrifying disparity: Chen Xiong's personal guard suffered more than half its losses, while the Dingnan Army lost fewer than ten men, a casualty ratio of nearly one hundred to one.

Just then, the suffocating golden light of dragon-shaped fortune that enveloped the battlefield finally swayed a few times and completely dissipated into the night, and the surrounding mountains returned to darkness.

Upon seeing this, Lieutenant Mo, who had been closely monitoring the battle, was overjoyed, but being cautious by nature, he did not immediately order a charge.

A glint flashed in Lieutenant Mo's eyes as he made an extremely daring test.

He turned the gun around and aimed it at the skin on the outside of his thigh.

Under the astonished gazes of the Taoist priests, Lieutenant Mo pulled the trigger without hesitation—

"boom!"

A clear, resonant sound, like metal striking metal, rang out. The bullet was deflected by the crimson aura that erupted from it and fell to the ground in vain.

"Hahahaha! The Great Marshal's Divine Talisman has worked again!"

Lieutenant Mo burst into wild laughter, all his worries vanishing instantly.

He leaped out from behind the military vehicle's cover and stood fearlessly amidst the hail of bullets, his body shimmering with magical light, deflecting all the incoming bullets!

"Brothers! Did you all see that? The Great Commander's divine talism is protecting us! Kill—!"

This scene instantly ignited the passion of all the soldiers in the Dingnan Army.

The deafening battle cries pierced the sky, and the soldiers who had been firing from cover leaped out and launched a fearless charge against the Qingzhou army!
"Damn it! That old fox Chen Xiong... he got away!"

The battle ended, the smoke cleared, and Lieutenant Mo stood in the center of the devastated battlefield.

He stared at the deserted official road leading to the capital, his forehead veins bulging with anger, and he kicked the tire of the military vehicle next to him hard.

Despite his meticulous planning and elaborate schemes, including his accurate prediction of Chen Xiong's escape route, Lieutenant Mo never imagined that Chen Xiong would manage to escape right under his nose at the last moment.

"Search! Turn this entire mountain area upside down! He can't have gone far!"

Lieutenant Mo was filled with a pent-up anger that he could not calm down, and he almost roared as he gave the order.

The great achievement that was within my grasp just slipped away like that. How could I explain this to the commander-in-chief?

However, everyone knew perfectly well that in this vast darkness and amidst the rolling mountains...

Once someone is lost, trying to catch them who is desperate to escape is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Just as Lieutenant Mo was flying into a rage, the taciturn Taoist priest in the green robe beside him remained calm.

He somehow found the scroll of Qingzhou military governor's documents that had fallen to the ground in his hand, and gently brushed off the dust.

"Lieutenant Mo, please calm down."

The Taoist priest in green slowly spoke, spreading the document open in his palm, revealing the dark red bloodstains belonging to Chen Xiong that were not yet completely dry.

"With this in hand, even if Chen Xiong escapes to the ends of the earth, he will be nothing more than a turtle in a jar."

"When I set up the altar and perform the ritual, using his blood as a catalyst, I will execute the 'Ten Thousand Mile Tracking' technique."
At that time, no matter how cunning he is, he will not escape the guidance of fate.

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant Mo was overjoyed, and the anger on his face was instantly replaced by anticipation.

He immediately composed himself and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to the Taoist priest in blue: "In that case, I'll leave everything to you, Master! Just let me know if you need anything, and the entire Dingnan Army will do its utmost to cooperate!"

He knew all too well that these masters possessed unpredictable and mysterious abilities. Since the other party spoke with such certainty, then this old fellow Chen Xiong was destined to meet his doom.

The Taoist priest nodded slightly, said no more, and carefully put the blood-stained warlord's document into his sleeve.

Three days later, in Hejiang City.

This former central hub of Qingzhou has fallen entirely under the control of the Dingnan Army.

Lu Xuan personally arrived at this place and stepped into the main hall of the military governor's mansion, which originally belonged to Chen Xiong.

"General," Lieutenant Mo respectfully presented a document stained with dark red blood to Lu Xuan with both hands.

“Three days ago, that old scoundrel Chen Xiong used this item to temporarily break the protection of the General’s Divine Talisman, causing my Dingnan Army to lose ten good brothers.”

"However, although that old thief managed to escape for a time, the long arm of the law will eventually catch him! He was captured yesterday by my pursuing troops, and I have already ordered him to be executed on the spot!"

Lu Xuan lowered his gaze and stared silently at the blood-stained warlord's document.

It's quite interesting that this seemingly ordinary thing could temporarily break the talisman drawn by this master celestial being.

Lu Xuan's mind stirred slightly, based on the records in the "Yangyan Fuhuo Zhenjing".

There are very few powers in this world that can render a sorcerer's magic ineffective, and the most legitimate and upright of them all is—human destiny.

That invisible force that carries the beliefs of the people and the weight of the nation.

While the reign of the previous dynasty is still in effect, it can also be called the imperial destiny, a glorious mandate from heaven that embodies the will and power of hundreds of millions of people and the dragon veins of the mountains and rivers.

The moment Lu Xuan's fingertips touched the blood-stained document.

He was suddenly jolted!
A mysterious light screen, visible only to Lu Xuan, automatically unfolded before his eyes, and the familiar characters on it rippled violently.

Host: Lu Xuan, the Immortal of the Mortal World (Seventh Incarnation)

Realm: Celestial Master (Great Completion)

Technique: Yangyan Talisman Fire True Scripture (11/9)

Score: 80000
Below all the data, a new line of text, shimmering with gilded light, appeared.

The power of the primordial energy of heaven and earth has been detected. Please confirm whether you wish to extract and absorb it.
This document left over from the previous dynasty contains not just simple fortune, but something more fundamental... the origin of heaven and earth?
The next moment, Lu Xuan calmly took the document from the Qingzhou military governor. He looked up at his adjutant, Mo, and asked a seemingly unrelated question.

"Who has the Imperial Seal of the State now?"

Lieutenant Mo was taken aback by the abrupt question. His mind was preoccupied with frontline military affairs, and he didn't react for a moment.

So, Deputy Officer Mo subconsciously looked at the knowledgeable and remarkably well-known feng shui master beside him.

Upon hearing this, the feng shui master's face showed a hint of surprise. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and revealed the core secrets he knew.

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, according to reliable rumors from various sources, the Imperial Seal that carries the Mandate of Heaven and symbolizes legitimacy... is currently enshrined in the capital and controlled by the Provisional President, Shen Yiyuan."
It is said that he only managed to maintain the facade of being the ruler of the world by virtue of the remaining fortune of the imperial seal.

The Xia Yu Kingdom is currently divided among warlords, and the provisional president in the capital is the nominal ruler of the world.

"very good."

Lu Xuan's original plan was to steadily and gradually annex the surrounding states, accumulate strength, and eventually aim for the world.

However, the appearance of this wisp of "the origin of heaven and earth" in his hand, along with the definite news of the Imperial Seal of the State, made him change his mind.

"Order the three armies to prepare immediately and march north—to seize the capital!"

What Lu Xuan wants now is the Imperial Seal of the State, which contains the destiny of humankind.

"Urgent report—!"

A sharp shout broke the solemn atmosphere in the hall.

A general from the Dingnan Army rushed in, urgently saying, "General! Luo Zhenshan, the Western Tyrant, and Miao Jiugu, the Southern Ridge Witch Chief, have arrived outside Hejiang City with their personal entourage! They...they request an audience with you, General!"

"Oh?"

Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow. These two overlords of Qingzhou, who were on par with him, dared to come to the territory of the Dingnan Army instead of staying in their own territory.
The general took a deep breath and uttered the most crucial information: "They claim... they've come to surrender with their troops!"

The hall fell silent instantly.

All eyes were on Lu Xuan, awaiting his decision.

Before long, heavy footsteps approached from the outer corridor.

Led by the Dingnan Army's personal guards, the two figures stepped side by side into the hall that once belonged to Chen Xiong.

On the left is a towering figure, with bronze skin, none other than Luo Zhenshan, the "Western Overlord" who controls the mining industry in western Qingzhou. On the right is a middle-aged woman adorned with elaborate Miao silver ornaments and possessing a lithe and agile physique.

Her expression was calm, and several strange cloth bags hanging from her waist swayed slightly with her steps.

The Witch King, Miao Jiugu.

As the two entered the hall, their gazes fell upon the imposing figure at the head of the table, and a hint of undisguised surprise flashed across their faces.

However, that moment of surprise was quickly replaced by absolute humility.

Their former airs of regional warlords had vanished, and they bowed to Lu Xuan without hesitation, adopting an extremely humble posture.

"Luo Zhenshan and Miao Jiugu pay their respects to Commander Lu!" The two said in unison, their tone extremely respectful. "We are willing to lead all our soldiers to serve under the Commander, to be at his command, and to have no disloyalty whatsoever!"

They were really scared.

King Chen Xiong of Qingzhou, with an army of 500,000, dominated the prefecture and had a deep-rooted power base. How arrogant he was!
The results of it?
Faced with the overwhelming force of the Dingnan Army and the unpredictable magic of the talismans, they couldn't even last half a month before their lives were extinguished, their clans wiped out, and their empire changed hands.

Honestly, their combined strength and foundation are far inferior to Chen Xiong's back then.

If the Dingnan army were to turn its attention to them, the outcome would be even more dire.

Rather than waiting until the enemy is at the gates and you are beheaded, it is better to surrender early and thus secure a decent future for yourself and your men.

Those who understand the times are true heroes.

In this chaotic world, it takes immense wisdom and courage to accurately see the general trend and bow down in time.

With the surrender of the two major warlords in Qingzhou, Qingzhou was unified, ending twenty years of warlord separatism, and the people lived in peace and prosperity.

The news spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every corner of the Xia Yu Kingdom.

In the streets and alleys, in the fields, everyone was talking about that name that rose like a comet—Lu Xuan!
"Have you heard? Qingzhou has been unified!"

"Both the Western Overlord and the Witch King have surrendered!"

"That Commander Lu is a true dragon descended to earth! His Dingnan Army not only doesn't rob grain, but also helps the people slay demons and monsters!"

"The people under his rule have enough to eat and wear, and they don't have to worry about being dragged away by demons in the middle of the night..."

Hope, like rain after a long drought, nourished countless desperate hearts struggling in a chaotic world.

The long-suppressed desires of the people began to stir, eagerly anticipating the day when the banner of "Dingnan" would be planted all over the land.

At the same time, talented individuals and strategists from all over the country packed their bags and, like rivers flowing into the sea, headed towards Qingzhou and the Dingnan Army.

Anyone with eyesight can see it.

The Dingnan Army was no longer a warlord confined to a corner of the country, but had developed an invincible aura that could swallow up the world and rule the land!

No one can stop the relentless march of history.

When the time is right, heaven and earth will lend their strength; the general trend cannot be defied!
"I'm so angry!"

"Lu Xuan, you brat! The Dingnan Demon Army!"

"We of Donglaizhou... are willing to acknowledge Marshal Lu as the ruler of the world and usher in a new era of national rejuvenation!"

"The entire Zhenjiang Prefecture is also willing to follow suit..."

Lu Xuan's momentum to conquer the world caused an unprecedented upheaval in the Xia Yu Kingdom.

The warlords in different states reacted differently; some were shocked and furious, and others suffered from splitting headaches.

Some, assessing the situation, decisively surrendered the entire prefecture, while a few die-hards insisted on holding out to the bitter end.

However, under the overwhelming force of nature, how can one stop a chariot with a mantis's arm?

Not only did ordinary people in various states welcome the royal army with joy, but even many generals and soldiers under warlords were deeply moved, either defecting on the battlefield or remonstrating with their commanders.

"When people's hearts are at peace, the world will return to the land"—this slogan has become an irreversible trend throughout the entire Xia Yu Kingdom.

Three months later.

The flames of war gradually died down, and the land was restored.

Lu Xuan's Dingnan Army took over most of the territory of Xia Yu Kingdom without bloodshed.

Wherever he went, the people were moved to tears, lining the streets to greet him and wholeheartedly supporting this wise ruler who could end the chaos and bring peace.

Now, only one isolated city remains on the entire map of the Xia Yu Kingdom.

Capital.

It is still putting up a stubborn resistance, but everyone understands that it is only the final chapter of the old era.

At this time, countless forces were surging beneath the surface in the capital, eventually evolving into a wave that swept across the entire city.

Public opinion has completely turned against them!

On the streets and alleys, the talk was no longer about the president's decrees, but about Marshal Lu's benevolence and the prestige of the Dingnan Army.

Inside the Presidential Palace, Provisional President Shen Yiyuan listened to the faint commotion outside the window and slumped into the chair that symbolized supreme power.

His face was ashen, his lips trembled for a long time, and finally he managed to squeeze out a curse mixed with endless confusion and despair.

"Fuck your God... what the hell is going on?!"

He just couldn't understand it.

Just three months ago, he was still the nominal ruler of the world, holding the rightful authority. The advantage should have been clearly in my hands.

In the blink of an eye, his power collapsed like a mountain, utterly defeated.

Now, he has even fallen into a state of being abandoned by everyone and all alone.

Just then, the gates of the Presidential Palace were suddenly pushed open.

A general in a crisp uniform, with a complex expression, led thousands of heavily armed soldiers into the building, instantly surrounding the core building that symbolized power in the old era.

The general walked up to Shen Yiyuan, stood at attention, and gave a standard military salute, his voice deep yet firm.

"Your Excellency the President."

"Times have changed. Please... come with us with dignity."

"Now that a new ruler has been chosen, the hearts of the people are with him; this is an irreversible...destiny."

half year later.

A brand new nation was established on this war-torn land of China, historically known as "Xinxia".

With the support of the people, Lu Xuan rightfully ascended to the position of President and established his rule over the world.

From then on, the decades-long period of warlordism and chaos was completely ended, laws were unified, and order was rebuilt.

The dark era when human life was treated like dirt is gone forever, and the lives and dignity of all ordinary people are now solemnly protected by the new law.

In this new summer, all evil influences within the territory have been swept away, and demonic calamities have been eradicated.

The demons and monsters that once plagued the world were reduced to dust in history by the mighty army of talismans.

Finally, we ushered in a new era where mountains can be opened up, rivers can be bridged, and man can conquer nature!

In a quiet room, Lu Xuan dismissed everyone around him and was alone.

What he held in his hands was the Imperial Seal of the State, which bore witness to the rise and fall of countless dynasties and symbolized the Mandate of Heaven.

He gazed at the jade seal that embodied the power of destiny of the land of China, and finally uttered two words in his heart.

"extract."

(End of this chapter)