I built the Jade Capital with the Netherworld

Chapter 207 Betrayal
When Zhang Jichuan's three-masted sailboat arrived at Suixing Island in the Eighteen Seas, he was immediately stunned by the scenery before him.

The legendary Shattered Star Isle, which was supposed to be destroyed in the war, is nowhere to be seen as desolate after the great battle.
Looking out, crystal-clear ice crystals spread across the sea surface. On the ice, large ice crystal structures transform into hollowed-out coral forests, emitting a hazy mist under the sunlight, resembling a fairyland.

Once you step into it, a cultivator will guide you into the depths of the coral forest.

Along the way, countless demonic beasts roamed the Ice Crystal Forest, and the guide proudly declared:

"This is the Cold Marrow Coral, a rare species from the East Sea. When harvested and eaten, it does not cause hunger or thirst, which is why it was almost extinct. Fortunately, it was cultivated by the Water Official and is now not only used as food, but also for repairing buildings. It can be called a treasure."

Zhang Jichuan was greatly encouraged upon hearing this.

Get a glimpse of the whole leopard.

Such treasures can be used to build structures; the Eighteen Seas are indeed extraordinary.

Upon reaching the depths of the Ice Crystal Forest, a massive rotating ice staircase stretched from beneath his feet into the deep sea. The ice crystals themselves emitted a faint glow, illuminating the surrounding waters, leaving him speechless with astonishment.

Only then did they realize that the coral forest on the surface of the sea was just the tip of the iceberg, and the seabed was the true headquarters of the eighteen sea areas.

Crystal-clear ice crystals stretch from the sea surface to the deep-sea fissures, resembling icy spears hurled by gods at the earth's core, with ice crystal bubbles of various shapes growing deep in the trenches.

Inside the bubble, pavilions and towers, resembling a divine palace, create a scene straight out of a celestial paradise.

Having come this far, Zhang Jichuan was completely convinced, realizing that the legendary Celestial Court was nothing special!

After the names were recorded, the Eighteen Seas kept their promise and not only bestowed upon them three months' worth of Longevity Pearls, but also granted them a sea monster with five years of cultivation, with the type of sea monster to be chosen at will.

The clerk responsible for recording names and compiling the register explained it this way:
"My Lord Water Official has heard that you people from the Nine Paths are not good at naval warfare, so he has bestowed upon you a sea monster to help you become familiar with the water. If you can achieve great things in the future, you can come here to exchange for a stronger sea monster. Of course, if you have the ability, you can also capture powerful monsters yourself."

Zhang Jichuan, who came from a humble background as a cultivator, had never received such treatment before. He was immediately moved.

But someone beside him said excitedly, "Demon beasts are good, but we don't know how to tame them!"

The clerk asked in surprise, "Those who enter my naval tutelage will naturally be taught the Way of the Sea, fellow Daoist, are unaware of this?"

The rogue cultivator asked in surprise, "We can still cultivate the art of beast taming?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jichuan laughed heartily. He hadn't expected anyone to rashly pledge allegiance without understanding the situation. This only showed that the benefits offered by the Eighteen Seas were indeed more generous than those offered by the Celestial Court.

For a time, Zhang Jichuan felt that his future was bright, and his body, which had been damaged in his early years due to greed for merit and recklessness, seemed to be reborn.

That very night, Zhang Jichuan obtained the Beast Taming Seed and led the sea monster.

The way of beast taming in the Sea Imperial Sect is called the Blood Pact Way.

It involves making a blood pact with a spirit, controlling the spirit, and even sharing the spirit's abilities.

In particular, the ability to share spiritual objects is something that can be easily shared even by those who have just obtained the Dao Seed.

Zhang Jichuan finally understood why the eighteen sea areas were sending out sea monsters.

With the Siren's help, and the ability to share power, even landlubbers from the Nine Realms can quickly gain the ability to breathe underwater and even move around.

This has an obvious effect on enhancing a cultivator's power.

In comparison, he even felt it was more powerful than the Netherworld Path.

—That's right, Zhang Jichuan, who has twenty years of cultivation, has already passed the Dao Academy's assessment and obtained the Netherworld Dao Seed.

In his view, compared to the ethereal merits, the tangible demon beasts made him feel more grounded.

Perhaps due to his extensive experience, he was quickly appointed as a squad leader and sent to Huan Yue Island.

He readily accepted the order.

To prevent attacks from the Celestial Court, the islanders of the eighteen seas are systematically moving to the deep sea. Meanwhile, the East Sea has been refined by the Water Official, and four powerful demons are stationed there. The risks of carrying out missions there are very low, but the pay is substantial, and it is calculated based on lifespan.

For him, this was essentially trading time for time.

Upon arriving at Huan Yue Island, Zhang Jichuan found that more than half of the islanders had already evacuated. The island was guarded by four powerful demonic beasts contracted by the Water Official, which gave Zhang Jichuan a great sense of security.

He was soon assigned to patrol duties.

"During your mission, in addition to being wary of attacks from the rebels, you must also be wary of spies on the island who are passing on intelligence. Therefore, anyone who leaves the island without permission will be killed without mercy!"

The sea-guarding cultivator who arranged the patrol spoke in an icy tone.

"I accept my order from my humble position!"

Zhang Jichuan readily accepted the order, but inwardly he was skeptical.

The two sides have just set up their battle formations, and the Celestial Court is still recruiting soldiers. The possibility of a war is too low. As for spies, they are not stupid and would not risk their lives.

However, just as he joined the patrol, the contracted demon beast discovered a cultivator from the Nine Paths Lands lying on the seabed, using the turtle's power to swim swiftly outwards.

"catch him!"

At his command, the squad sprang into action, and the man was easily subdued and killed amidst the siege of ten sea monsters.

"Captain, we've struck it rich!"

The team members' eyes lit up with excitement as they looked at the bound monk.

Zhang Jichuan, a late bloomer, calmly brought the man to the surface of the sea and asked, "A member of the Listening Bureau?"

The cultivator, pale-faced, shouted, "Don't attack! We're all on the same side! I'm a member of the fourth team of the Divine Strategy Camp, and this is my blood-bound demon beast."

As he spoke, the man channeled his magical power, revealing the aura of the Blood Pact Dao.

"What brings you here, fellow Daoist?"

Zhang Jichuan frowned, asking with a hint of doubt.

"Fellow Daoists, you must all be new to the Eighteen Seas, right? Take my advice and leave together. There is still a chance now. If you stay any longer, you may regret it later."

"What do you mean, 'too late to regret'?"

Zhang Jichuan became increasingly confused, and after a series of questions, his face suddenly darkened.

"You mean, as long as you join the Celestial Court's celestial soldiers, you can enjoy a reincarnation and rebuild your cultivation after death?"

“That’s right. It’s a message from my own brother. The Celestial Court has built a Birth Pool in the Celestial Palace, where one can directly reshape their physical body. Some people have already been reincarnated.”

"You're talking nonsense! The two sides haven't even started fighting yet, where would any dead bodies come from?"

"It's true! There was a rogue cultivator in the Celestial Court who had just joined the Mystic Weapon Division. He died because of his greed for merit and recklessness, and was directly reincarnated!"

Upon seeing Zhang Jichuan and his companions, the rogue cultivator's expression shifted, and he quickly seized the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot:
"As you said, fellow Daoist, the two sides haven't even started fighting yet, and the Celestial Court is already recruiting soldiers and needs so many people to patrol? I've heard that we came here not to guard against an attack from the Celestial Court, but to prevent the islanders from escaping? None of us are fools. The eighteen sea areas are sacrificing the lifespan of the islanders to replenish the lifespan of us cultivators. Is this a long-term solution? Defeat is only a matter of time!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jichuan's face darkened.

Where does the longevity of the Eighteen Seas come from? It comes from the islanders of the Eighteen Seas.

The Celestial Court had already publicized this matter, but the Eighteen Seas simply refused to acknowledge it.

The islanders of the eighteen sea areas had long been under the rule of the Sea Emperor Sect, and most of them regarded it as a rumor.

But Zhang Jichuan knew that the news was most likely true.

Lifespan, like primordial energy, cannot appear out of thin air, so its origin is self-evident.

In fact, the average life expectancy of the islanders in the eighteen sea areas is indeed problematic.

It's important to understand that almost everyone on the islands of the Eighteen Seas cultivates martial arts, making them all physically strong and robust. Even with the hardships of life at sea, they shouldn't have a lifespan ten years shorter than those in the Nine Paths Realm. Now, the Celestial Court has announced that joining the Celestial Soldiers will grant them a chance to be reborn, which is extremely attractive to some islanders!
"fart!"

Thinking this through, Zhang Jichuan shouted angrily, "If this were true, why would you have left alone? I think you're deliberately fabricating lies to deceive us!"

The man became anxious: "Really!"

"Shut up!"

With a wave of his hand, Zhang Jichuan sent out a talisman that gagged him.

"You cowardly wretch, how dare you spread such rumors and mislead the public! Arrest him and take him away to claim the reward!"

The team members exchanged glances and responded with a resounding roar.

After the group escorted the person back, they immediately received a generous reward and an explanation from the four powerful demons.

"You wise men are indeed steadfast in your Dao! The so-called Birth Immortal Palace is nothing but a trick by the old thief Wujiu! Reincarnation and rebirth are nothing but puppetry. If you actually believe this nonsense, you will die without a burial place."

"Unfortunately, there are always some people who can't see things clearly. They don't believe in the lifespan they've been given, but insist on believing in this so-called reincarnation and rebirth. Do you know that after being reborn, you're still the same person? Look at Zhao Wuji of the Wudang Sect. After being reborn as a tiger fetus, even his soul changed. I think that so-called rebirth is nothing more than a trick of inheriting memories!"

After the explanation, everyone suddenly understood and their spirits were lifted.

Spurred by the generous reward, they were all eager to capture the defectors again.

With the people's hearts set on it, Zhang Jichuan quickly led his team away.

However, it seemed that their luck had run out.

The group patrolled for several days until all the islanders of Huan Yue Island moved underwater, and no one defected, which made everyone feel lost and disappointed.

I'm increasingly certain that the rogue cultivator is most likely a spy!
As night fell, the relocation of Huan Yue Island was completed, and the group prepared to evacuate, only to find that Captain Zhang Jichuan's private room was empty.

"Where did the captain go?"

"Did he go to relieve himself?"

"It should be him, let's wait for him!"

The team members looked at each other, none of them taking it seriously.

At this moment, Zhang Jichuan, who was "relieving himself," was curled up inside the belly of a sea beast, desperately trying to steer it towards the Nine Paths Land.

He harbored deep resentment towards the Celestial Court.

Why don't you introduce conscription benefits sooner?
They only released it after it entered the eighteen sea areas. Isn't that making things difficult for them?
That's right, Zhang Jichuan decided to defect.

Indeed, when the rogue cultivator mentioned the Birth Immortal Palace and other news, he was already skeptical. The reason he didn't release the person or even leave with him was mainly because he was worried that his teammates would betray him.

Therefore, once the four great demons also admitted the existence of the "Birth Immortal Palace," he immediately realized that it was true!
The words and actions of the Four Great Demons were nothing more than attempts to appease people.

Zhao Wuji of the Wudang Sect was reincarnated as a tiger, and his soul changed, but the Nine-Fold Sword, which remains unchanged, cannot be obtained simply by inheriting memories.

The Nine Great Mysterious Sects aren't fools either.

As for whether the physical body reconstructed by the Birth Immortal Pool is a puppet.
He thought it wouldn't happen because there was no need.

Since Zhao Wuji could be reborn as a tiger, the Celestial Court also has animal fetuses to choose from, so there's no need to deceive people with puppetry.

Otherwise, if it were leaked, the Celestial Court would surely collapse.

In fact, with the emergence of the Birth Immortal Palace, the public opinion advantage brought by the Eighteen Seas' generous rewards of longevity was instantly shattered.

……

Outside the Celestial Court, the Lingxiao Palace, and the Birth Immortal Palace, hundreds of celestial officials and clerks gathered, discussing amongst themselves.

Suddenly, a figure appeared outside the gate of the Birth Immortal Palace, immediately drawing exclamations from more than a dozen cultivators!

"Brother Ye!" "Cheng Yun!" "Is it really you?"

Following the sound, they saw more than a dozen cultivators dressed in Xuanbing uniforms, who hurriedly surrounded them.

The person surrounded appeared to be under twenty years old, dressed in a simple linen robe, and with a weak, ordinary aura, looking like someone who had just entered the Daoist path.

A crowd gathered around, and some people looked him up and down, clicking their tongues in approval: "He's lost weight, looks younger, just like when we first met in Yongcheng."

Someone asked, "Hey, don't move. I'm asking you, what color is the red robe that Lin'er of Honghualou likes best?"

Someone else winked and asked, "Second brother, is he alright? He's not even a year old yet, is he?"

A group of people were offering their chaotic concern, jeering, and probing, which made Ye Chengyun laugh heartily. He answered fluently and bowed, saying, "Fellow Daoists, it is truly poignant to see you again in the cycle of life and death!"

Seeing this, everyone suppressed their smiles and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on your return to the mortal realm!"

The chaotic scene made the cultivators outside the Birth Immortal Palace extremely envious.

It turns out that not everyone came to wait for someone.

More people came out of curiosity, wanting to see for themselves.

"Brother Ye, tell me, what is it like to be reincarnated?"

"That's right, that's right, tell me, tell me!"

"Hey, everyone, be quiet and let Brother Ye speak."

Ye Chengyun thought for a moment and said, "Since that's the case, then I'll tell you. As for my feelings, there's nothing special about them. It's just that when I died, the Yin Talisman suddenly generated a suction force, which pulled me into it. I felt as if I had passed through a long passage. When my six senses were restored, I was already in a pool of warm water. With the slightest movement, I popped a bubble and was reborn from the Birth Immortal Pool."

These few words were clearly not enough to satisfy everyone, and the friends pressed for more information: "So, you woke up to this kind of body?"

"That's right!"

"Where did this level of cultivation come from?"

"This is the very talisman I cultivated! Unfortunately, all my vital energy was scattered due to qi deviation and demonic possession."

"What does the Birth Pool look like?"

"About three hundred feet high, shrouded in celestial mist, auspicious herbs such as lotus and daffodils grew there. After I awoke from this place, a fairy maiden came to guide me ashore..."

As Ye Chengyun narrated, he was soon surrounded by people.

Everyone was captivated by his description.

Earlier, the Celestial Master's Mansion suddenly issued a decree stating that because reincarnation is against the will of Heaven, the Jade Emperor has set up the Birth Pool to reshape the physical bodies of those who are to be reincarnated.

Those who are reborn in the future will no longer be reborn in the mortal realm, but will all be reborn in the Birth Immortal Pool.

The news shocked the Celestial Court and caused an uproar in the Nine Paths.

As a result, countless celestial officials and clerks lost interest in their work and, after being dismissed from their posts, would come straight here to inquire about news.

Now that I have finally seen someone who has been reincarnated, I am overjoyed to see it for myself.

If even celestial soldiers can enjoy reincarnation, wouldn't celestial officials and clerks also be able to enter the Mysterious Weapon Bureau and be reborn when their lifespan ends?
The Jade Emperor truly lives up to his title of the Son of the Underworld; his actions are extraordinary!

Only now does the Celestial Court possess the true grandeur of a celestial realm.

(End of this chapter)