I can increase my power through breathing.

Chapter 99 Gathering One Million Spirit Stones
"Withdraw from the Southern Territory!"

Upon hearing this, the Nine Yang Sect Master's expression changed slightly.

He hadn't expected Zhou Qing to be so direct, demanding that the Nine Yang Sect withdraw from the Southern Territory and return the dozen or so states they had occupied. This showed that he didn't take the Nine Yang Sect seriously at all.

“Mr. Zhou, you are mistaken,” said the Nine Yang Sect Master. “The dozen or so states that our sect occupies in the Southern Territory were incorporated into the sect’s territory during the Great Xuan Dynasty. It is probably inappropriate for you to forcibly take them back with just a word.”

The Nine Yang Sect Master suppressed his displeasure and tried to persuade him with reason.

He naturally wouldn't obediently hand over the southern territory he occupied.

The revival of a Mahayana-level spiritual weapon requires offerings of incense.

Moreover, with the fall of the Great Xuan Dynasty, the new dynasty should have fallen to the Nine Yang Sect. Zhou Qing's appearance undoubtedly thwarted the Nine Yang Sect Master's plans.

He was still scheming about how to seize more territory.

"It seems your clan has no intention of returning the territory!"

Zhou Qing's expression turned cold.

“Mr. Zhou, this matter concerns the vital interests of my Nine Yang Sect. I hope you will think twice before acting and not act impulsively.”

The Nine Yang Sect Master countered sharply, refusing to yield an inch.

The matter of incense offerings is related to the foundation of the Nine Yang Sect. If they cannot collect enough incense offerings in this lifetime, then the next time will be thousands of years later.

If danger arises again and there isn't enough incense offerings, it will be difficult to awaken the spirit of the Great Sun Burning Ruler.

Therefore, the Nine Yang Sect could not and should not back down.

"Since your sect refuses to back down, then we'll have to settle this with our own strength."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Qing released layer upon layer of extraordinary phenomena in the heavens and earth.

Golden lotuses sprang from the earth, celestial maidens scattered flowers, the Milky Way fell from the heavens, blue lotuses grew in a sea of ​​fire, and the ancient god created the heavens.

The martial spirit within Zhou Qing's body flew out and merged with the ancient god in the Ancient God Heaven Opening Diagram, as if a real ancient god had descended, emitting an earth-shattering aura that made the entire void tremble.

"What?! Five unusual phenomena of heaven and earth!"

The Nine Yang Sect Master's expression changed drastically.

He knew that Zhou Qing's strength was extraordinary, and with his talent, he must possess extraordinary phenomena of heaven and earth, but he did not expect that there were as many as five extraordinary phenomena of heaven and earth.

It should be known that possessing four extraordinary celestial phenomena is equivalent to having the potential to become a saint.

These five extraordinary phenomena of heaven and earth are enough to make even the most sacred lands vie for the attention of exceptionally talented individuals.

Why would someone of such stature appear in a small place like the Mountain and Sea Realm?

Could it be that the other party is a saint reincarnated?
Although a saint lives as long as heaven and earth, he can still be killed by a power of the same level. However, as long as a wisp of his true spirit remains, he can be reincarnated.

In ancient times, the realm of mountains and seas also saw the emergence of geniuses who were reincarnations of saints.

“Mr. Zhou, there’s no need for us to be so confrontational.” The Nine Yang Sect Master immediately said, “The Great Xuan has been destroyed and a new dynasty has just been established. It is a time when everything needs to be rebuilt. My Nine Yang Sect is willing to lend a helping hand to the Great Zhou and annex our territory to the Great Zhou.”

Upon seeing Zhou Qing unleash five extraordinary phenomena of heaven and earth, the Nine Yang Sect Master's attitude immediately underwent a complete 180-degree turn, transforming from previous indifference and disdain to enthusiasm and respect.

He knew all too well how terrifying it was to possess five extraordinary celestial phenomena; they were the kind of unparalleled geniuses that even holy lands would fight over!

With such talent, it's possible that they might even be able to break through to the Dao Realm.

For such a prodigy, it's too late to befriend him, but if you offend him, you must kill him at all costs.

However, the Nine Yang Sect Master was not confident that he could kill Zhou Qing.

Since that's the case, then we have no choice but to befriend them.

In ancient times, before the Mountain and Sea Realm lost contact with the Lands of Saints, such a prodigy would have been fought over by all the great saints and be named a holy son. The Nine Yang Sect wouldn't even have been qualified to associate with him. The attendants accompanying such a prodigy would at least have reached the Dao Realm.

"Hmm? The Nine Yang Sect is willing to annex its territory into the Great Zhou."

Seeing that the Nine Yang Sect Master had backed down, Zhou Qing also put away the five strange phenomena he had released. His face did not show much surprise, as if everything was within his expectations.

"Indeed, if Mr. Zhou has any needs, our sect will provide full support."

The Nine Yang Sect Master said in a deep voice.

"Is that so?" Zhou Qing smiled slightly and said, "I need one million spirit stones. Can your sect help me raise the funds?"

"A million spirit stones?" Upon hearing this, the Nine Suns Sect Master looked shocked, then smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Zhou, please don't joke. Even if you emptied the entire blessed land, it would be impossible to raise a million spirit stones."

"How many spirit stones does your sect possess?"

Zhou Qing asked.

"What does Mr. Zhou need so many spirit stones for?"

The Nine Yang Sect Master did not answer, but instead asked a question.

“Naturally, we should head to the Land of Saints,” Zhou Qing said. “Once we gather a million spirit stones, we can activate the spatial teleportation array.”

"Activate the spatial teleportation array!"

Upon hearing this, the Nine Yang Sect Master was taken aback.

The Mountain and Sea Realm does indeed have a spatial teleportation array leading to the Land of Saints, but the spirit stones required for each teleportation are simply too many.

No reclusive sect could afford to produce a million spirit stones on its own.

Tens of thousands of years ago, various reclusive sects would gather together and send a group of prodigies to the Land of Saints every thousand years.

They hoped that among these prodigies, some could join the Holy Land and gain a certain voice, so that they could send someone to guide them into the Land of Saints.

However, batch after batch of prodigies were sent to the Land of Saints, only to disappear without a trace.

Over time, the various reclusive sects gave up on this idea and stopped pooling a million spirit stones to send their prodigies to the Land of Saints.

After all, a million spirit stones is no small sum. Even if all the hidden sects contributed together, it would still be a huge financial burden, and it would take a thousand years to teleport once.

I've been investing in this, but haven't seen any returns.

These reclusive sects naturally gave up.

However, given Zhou Qing's demonstrated talent, he will undoubtedly be able to pass the Holy Land's selection process and enter the Holy Land for cultivation.

“Mr. Zhou, I can contact several other hidden sects to raise a million spirit stones together to activate the spatial teleportation array,” said the Nine Suns Sect Master. “The only requirement is that Mr. Zhou joins the Holy Land in the future and becomes a high-ranking member, so that he can guide us to enter the Land of Saints for cultivation.”

"no problem!"

Zhou Qing readily agreed.

The request from the Nine Yang Sect Master and others was that he could guide them to the Land of Saints for cultivation after he had achieved success in his cultivation. This would not cause him any loss, so there was no reason for him to refuse.

“Okay, I will contact the sect leaders and patriarchs of the other reclusive sects immediately.”

The Nine Yang Sect Master took out a communication jade talisman and began making contact.

Zhou Qing waited quietly, his heart filled with anticipation. After all, entering the Land of Saints for cultivation was a rare opportunity for him.

A moment later, the Nine Yang Sect Master put away the communication jade talisman and smiled at Zhou Qing, saying, "Mr. Zhou, the sect masters and patriarchs of the other hidden sects have all agreed that we will raise one million spirit stones to activate the space teleportation array."

(End of this chapter)