Please call me Dadaozu

Chapter 475 Heading North—Immortal Soldier Valley! (4000)

Two months later, the seasons change, and autumn and winter arrive.

Turbulent times are brewing in various parts of Immortal Soldier Valley.

In the Ming Dynasty's Jinling City, at the Ming Imperial Palace, atop the ninety-nine steps, a crimson figure sat upon the throne.

Behind him, battle flags fluttered in the wind, and wisps of blue mist rose, drifting toward the throne and then disappearing.

Before the young man, a jade stone engraved with dragon and phoenix patterns floated above and below, radiating black and white light, intertwined with profound Taoist charm.

While absorbing the life essence of the divine tree and transforming it into his own magical power, Zhang Yuanzhu also observed the Yin-Yang treasures and comprehended the laws of Yin and Yang.

Breathe
With each breath, the surrounding green mist was completely swallowed, and the Blood Demon Banner stood behind him, no longer swirling with green mist.

Immediately, he raised his hand, put the jade in front of him into his pocket.

I've been doing this every day for the past two months without ever slacking off, and I've gained a great deal.

As the young man looked inward into the depths of his mind, the Seven Treasures Tree swayed, and the mirror-like information formed by the interwoven divine radiance of blue, red, purple, and green underwent a slight change.

Realm: Second Step of Qi Condensation (93% complete)

Since entering the Black Wind Forbidden Land from the Divine Origin, I have been cultivating for more than four months and am about to complete the second step of the Condensing Evil Realm.

Within a month at most, he will be able to attempt to break through the barrier and enter a new level.

Zhang Yuanzhu's lips curled up slightly, a hint of pleasure in his expression.

But the gains from this period of time are not limited to this.

He raised his palm, extended his index finger, and a wisp of black light bloomed from his fingertip.

The black light flowed, carrying absolute death and annihilation, utterly yin and dark.

zizi~
Space dissolves, and even the void ripples, revealing a chaotic hue.

Zhang Yuanzhu lowered his gaze, looking at the black light at his fingertips, his smile deepening.

The Wansen Nirvana Finger technique has been cultivated to an extremely profound level, and he anticipates that it will soon be perfected.

The reason why this wood magic was practiced so smoothly was largely due to the life essence and green leaves of the Du family's divine tree.

It should be understood that the "Wansen Jimie Finger" transforms life into death, annihilating all things.

What other spiritual object could contain more vitality than the Du family's divine tree?

Lost in thought, the young man dispersed the black light from his fingertips and turned his gaze toward the gate.

His smile was gentle, and he spoke softly:

"come in."

crunch~
The gate opened, and a figure dressed in a white robe and wearing a jade crown stepped inside.

He was an ordinary-looking young man, but just by standing there, he exuded an aura of immovability and solidity, like a mountain.

Upon seeing the person who had arrived, Zhang Yuanzhu immediately stood up and walked down the steps.

Bow with hands clasped in greeting!
"Zhang Yuanzhu greets the Mountain Lord."

His voice was gentle, as always.

Chen Zijing remained silent, gazing at the crimson figure that had remained unchanged for years.

He was deeply agitated and unable to calm down.

The ravines that stretch across thousands of miles of mountains and rivers in front of Immortal Soldier Valley symbolize the power of the person before them.

At this moment, however, he showed no arrogance whatsoever, remaining as gentle as ever.

At this moment, Chen Zijing sincerely thanked Jin Zhan on Thousand Soldiers Peak for recruiting such a disciple for his family.

I am also grateful that I did not let go back then and allowed my disciple to go to the Thousand Laws lineage.

Extending both hands, he gently supported the crimson shadow:
"There's no need for that. Your cultivation has already surpassed mine. We can simply address each other as fellow practitioners."

Zhang Yuanzhu stood up and shook his head:

"We have been taught by the Mountain Lord and mentored by Elder Huo. How can we forget such kindness? Senior is indeed a senior."

If he were to change his mindset and forget the kindness he received because of his increased power, then he would no longer be the beggar who traveled a hundred miles in the snowy night.

With a flick of his sleeve, two futons, two teacups, and a pot of hot tea appeared on the ground.

Zhang Yuanzhu pointed to the prayer mat and spoke:
"Lord of the Mountain, please have a seat!"

Chen Zijing nodded and sat cross-legged.

Zhang Yuanzhu then sat down opposite him, picked up the teapot, and poured two cups of tea.

He pushed one cup towards the mountain lord, picked up another, and took a sip.

"It has been several years since I last saw you, Master. Your cultivation has improved considerably."

A hint of helplessness appeared on Chen Zijing's face as he reached out and picked up the teacup.
“When you joined the lineage, I was already at the first step of the Condensing Qi Realm. More than twenty years have passed, and I am still the same. So what is there to improve or not improve?”

"As for Yuan Zhu, more than twenty years have passed, and he has already progressed from the second level of Qi Refining to the second step of the Qi Condensation Realm."

Chen Zijing forged a mid-grade spiritual platform. Breaking through to the Condensing Fiend Realm was already a struggle. Covering the spiritual platform with fiend energy for over twenty years was already quite remarkable and could be considered a significant improvement.

To break through to the second step of the Condensing Evil Realm in one's lifetime would be an incredible stroke of luck.

However, compared to the person before him, this cultivation speed was much slower than that of a tortoise.

Zhang Yuanzhu toyed with the teacup in his palm, feeling the warmth emanating from his fingertips:
"I am different after all, and I am unique throughout history."

Chen Zijing nodded and slowly sipped the tea in his cup.

He wholeheartedly agreed with these words. Zhang Yuanzhu was ultimately different from them, and it was not surprising that he achieved so much.

"Let's leave aside the matter of cultivation for now. Yuanzhu, you've already cultivated to this level, and you've even swung your sword a foot in front of the Immortal Weapon Valley. Be careful of some fools from the Five Great Dao Meridians and many other Dharma Meridians."

"They may not dare to confront you directly, but if they collude with foreign enemies, they can still cause some trouble."

Zhang Yuanzhu finished his tea and chuckled.
"Mountain Lord, it is the sect that needs me, not the other way around."

Given his talent and combat prowess, even if he joined the Boundless Palace with the Scorching Sun Dharma Lineage, they would immediately abandon their hatred and agree to his request.

He was no longer a prisoner so weak that his life or death was decided by the seven major meridians.

"With that one swing of the sword, the two True Monarchs within the sect will eliminate all unsettling factors for me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zijing was initially shaken, but then calmed down, his eyes filled with emotion.

"It was my oversight!"

Yes, possessing the power to change the world, how could the five remaining major meridians of Immortal Soldier Valley dig their own graves?

bang~
Zhang Yuanzhu put down his teacup, poured more tea, and solemnly uttered each word:
"Mountain Lord, after my return, Zhuoyang will surely become the Dao lineage. Which sacred mountain do you want, Tai Ri or Zhi Ren?"

Boom~
Like a thunderclap resounding in his heart, Chen Zijing was unable to calm down for a long time.

The great cause that the sages of the past generations failed to complete will be accomplished in my own hands.

After a moment, the mountain lord suppressed his excitement and spoke:
"The Tai Ri Dao lineage is similar to my Zhuo Yang lineage cultivation method. If possible, it should be the Tai Ri Divine Mountain."

"I understand!"

Zhang Yuanzhu nodded and drank the tea in his cup again.

At the same time, he took out a stone box from his bosom and pushed it in front of the mountain lord:
"I'll give this small harvest from the Past River Plain to my predecessors."

A light tap of the stone box with a fingertip.

Click~
The box was opened, and a ray of blue light burst forth, burning like a raging flame, illuminating the entire palace, and a rich life essence filled every tiny corner.

Chen Zijing strained his eyes beyond the radiance to see the spiritual objects placed inside the jade box.

Nine green leaves and a palm-sized piece of wood are soaking in the green water.

vitality!

Unimaginable vitality and profound Taoist charm permeated the green leaves, wood chips, and flowing water.

"This is this"

The mountain lord was taken aback, feeling the instinctive desire emanating from his body.

Zhang Yuanzhu closed the stone box with his palm:
"The spiritual objects I seized from a family can be slowly refined, which will benefit both the physical body and magical power."

He withdrew his hand and placed it on his knee, then continued drinking tea.

The mountain lord looked at the stone box in front of him and did not refuse.

He knew his disciple's character: frank and sincere, and he would not take back what he had given away.

He raised his hand and carefully placed the stone box into his bosom.

"As the lord of this mountain, I haven't helped much, but I've accumulated too many favors from the younger generation." "These are nothing."

Zhang Yuanzhu didn't care at all and chuckled softly:

"I have been away from the lineage for several years and have encountered many doubts in my cultivation. I hope the mountain lord can answer them for me."

Chen Zijing remained silent, gazing at the figure.

He wasn't stupid; he naturally understood the meaning behind his disciple's words, and whispered:

"Can!"

Without waiting for a reply, Zhang Yuanzhu began to recount his insights gained during his cultivation.

At first, the two of them talked back and forth, explaining their points.

Gradually, Chen Zijing fell silent, and only Zhang Yuanzhu's gentle voice echoed in the hall.

He explained his various insights after entering the Condensing Evil Realm, which captivated Chen Zijing.

Just like back then, inside the main palace of the Zhuoyang lineage, Zhang Yuanzhu had just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and the Mountain Lord personally explained the Foundation Establishment realm.

The same people, the same cross-legged meditation cushions, even the same sitting posture, as if it were a cycle of reincarnation.

After an unknown amount of time, the sermon gradually stopped, and Chen Zijing also came to his senses.

He stood up, intending to bow with his hands clasped in greeting.

He found that he couldn't move his body at all, and looked at the red shadow with a helpless expression.

Zhang Yuanzhu finished his tea and slowly stood up.
"Mountain Lord, let's end our discussion here for today. You should go back and prepare, as you have important matters to attend to tomorrow."

"it is good."

Unable to return the thanks with a cupped-hand salute, Chen Zijing could only nod in response.

He turned around and slowly left the main hall.

For a moment, the young man was the only one in the palace.

He bent down, picked up the teapot, and drank the tea with gusto, savoring the delicate fragrance emanating from the water.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Yuanzhu threw down the teapot, leaned against the steps, rested his head on his arms, relaxed his body and mind, and became free from all thoughts.

The next day, early morning.

Snowflakes fluttered down, covering the earth in a layer of silver.

Outside Jinling City, shouts and cries shook the heavens and the earth.

Countless cultivators clad in crimson armor stood in the vast wilderness, resembling a crimson ocean, carrying an aura of impending war.

Within the inner circle of numerous armored warriors, many cultivators, some dressed in blue Daoist robes, others in crimson robes, and still others in the robes of the Vast Ocean Sect, gathered here. The Azure Thunder, Scorching Sun, Vast Ocean, and Divine Catcher Sect, among many other forces, were all present.

At this moment, whether they were True Immortal Ning Sha or Qi Condensation cultivators, they all stood respectfully in the wind and snow, gazing at the being on the ninety-nine-layered altar.

That was a tall, slender figure draped in a robe of ten thousand dragons and wearing a crown with twelve tassels.

As vast as the sky, as majestic as a true dragon.

He simply stood on the altar, his gaze sweeping across the heavens and earth.

In an instant, the shouts ceased, the atmosphere of war dissipated, and figures bowed their backs in respectful submission.

Feng Ling, Feng Xintang (a divine constable of the Divine Constable Sect), Qi Heng (the future successor of the Han Hai lineage), Chen Zijing—one by one, old friends came into view.

These were all people who followed him out of the Immortal Soldier Valley and went on to destroy the Yuan Kaiming.

Zhang Yuanzhu placed his palm on the long, white ruler and spoke:
"Ming and Qian were united, annexing the chaotic lands, resisting the invasion of the Yan state, and pacifying the people, ensuring they had plenty of food and clothing."

"well done!"

He spoke in a calm voice, recounting what he had seen and heard.

Raising his free hand, streams of light bloomed from between his fingers, drifting down to his friend and transforming into green leaves.

A rich life force soared into the sky, burning like a raging flame, melting snowflakes and drying up the earth.

Seven green leaves, seven beams of green light, piercing through the sky and the earth.

"This is the spiritual item you deserve, please accept it."

"As the Emperor commands!"

Feng Ling, Feng Xintang, and Qi Heng raised their hands to put away the green leaves.

The towering blue beams of light gradually dissipated.

The cultivators sensed the immense life essence contained within; it was far beyond their wildest imagination and must be exceptionally precious.

Some may want to refuse, but being here, no one would be so inappropriate as to refuse the gifts that exist on the altar.

Zhang Yuanzhu lightly gripped the gleaming white ruler with his five fingers, and with a flick of his outstretched hand, a sphere of blue water appeared.

His gaze swept over the armored warriors, cultivators, countless living beings, and endless onlookers, and a smile crept onto his lips:
"May all the people of my Great Ming live in peace and stability, and refrain from bullying the weak, so that they may enjoy long and prosperous lives."

His five fingers suddenly clenched together.

bang~
The water burst open, rising into the sky and transforming into a vast expanse of mist that seeped into the snow and wind that stretched for eight thousand miles.

Huhuhu~
The wind howled and the snow fell heavily, merging into the bodies of armored warriors, cultivators, and mortals.

It nourishes the flesh and blood, enhances magical power, and dispels illness.

Exclamations of joy rang out.

A gentle smile appeared on Chi Ying's face, then disappeared.

Beneath the altar, Feng Xintang gazed at the Emperor's shadow with a complex expression.

All these years have passed, and that person has not changed at all; he still harbors goodwill towards the common people.

Just like investigating a case in Zishan City and killing the mastermind behind the harm to young children.

No matter how many enemies they offend, they will never give up.

This is also why she persuaded all forces in the Qian Kingdom to integrate into the Ming Kingdom.

Emperor Ming was like this in the past, is like this now, and will be like this in the future.

Zhang Yuanzhu ignored what everyone was thinking and didn't need to.

All he did was seek to achieve a clear understanding of his own thoughts!

His hand fell to his waist, and his majestic voice resounded throughout the heavens and the earth.

"The army marches north—to Immortal Soldier Valley!"

"As the Emperor commands!!!"

Loud shouts shook the heavens and swept away the swirling snow.

Immediately, armored soldiers led the way, followed by various lineages who established their foundations and took their positions. The army stretched endlessly northward.

Standing atop the altar, Zhang Yuanzhu gazed at the endless rows of crimson-armored warriors, sensing the Foundation Establishment cultivators and the Qi Condensation True Persons. For a moment, he felt somewhat dazed.

More than twenty years ago, in a snowstorm just like this, he huddled among the corpses in an alley, struggling to survive, not knowing if tomorrow would come.

More than twenty years later, today, as the Emperor Ming, the True Man Qingcang, and the pride of all time, he commands a vast army that stretches endlessly, and has completed the foundation building and major repairs of the 10th generation.

At a single command, without asking any questions, they charged straight for the second largest side gate of Ancient Cliff Mountain—Immortal Soldier Valley!

Zhang Yuanzhu grinned, his expression unrestrained and arrogant.

The wind howled, swirling up thousands of piles of snow, and the emperor's shadow that once stood high on the altar had already vanished.

Chen Zijing gazed at the empty altar, recalling their conversation not long ago.

When he learned that the young man intended to lead a large army north, he was puzzled.

If a disciple goes to the sect alone like his own disciple, the five remaining Dao lineages will recognize the Blazing Sun Lineage as a Dao lineage. Why go through all this trouble?

At that moment, the crimson figure responded in this way:

"With today's achievements, you should naturally return home in wealth and honor. If you were to wear fine clothes in the dark, how could I, a man of such talent, possibly be considered worthy?"

Youthful spirit, burning brightly like the sun.

There are no schemes or plots among those who cultivate themselves, nor is there any trace of selfishness or self-interest in the immortal path.

"Zhang Yuanzhu!!!"

Chen Zijing sighed.

Their figures dispersed, and they followed the army.

(End of this chapter)