Lord of the Earth

Chapter 867 This is Qianxia?!
"This general is wise... We are grateful for your army's righteous assistance..."

Zhao Ji tried his best to make his voice sound calm.

The general's gaze was sharp, and he paused for a moment on the old pen that Zhao Ji had unconsciously gripped tightly in his hand even as he fled for his life, as if he had thought of something.

"Your Excellency, could you perhaps be... His Majesty the Daoist Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty?"

"How...how do you know my identity?"

Zhao Ji was shocked, his face filled with surprise. How could the other party recognize him at a glance?
"Although the imperial aura surrounding His Majesty has weakened, the unique aura of our Chinese 'human dynasty' still lingers... Our Qianxia adheres to the principle of human co-prosperity, and travels through the Eternal Land to search for and rescue our compatriots of all races who are suffering. Previously, our army sensed a large-scale massacre of humans in this area, so we came here to investigate and provide assistance."

The general explained.

"Moreover, in such circumstances, he is still so attached to calligraphy and painting, and even though he is imprisoned, he does not lose a certain... scholarly elegance... Such an image, apart from the last emperor of the Southern Tang, is probably only that of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, who was famous for his calligraphy and painting." He thought to himself, "These two are indeed 'rulers who lost their country' who are recorded in history."

However, despite his mixed feelings, the Chinese general did not show any contempt on his face; instead, he wore a warm smile.

After all, in the military merit evaluation system of the Qianxia Dynasty, the merits of saving compatriots were not only judged by quantity, but also by "quality".

Although Emperors Huizong and Qinzong are famous rulers who lost their kingdoms in history, their high "fame" makes their potential value not to be underestimated.

Bringing them back safely is undoubtedly a great achievement.

"It is I, the King of Qin, and my son Zhao Huan."

Zhao Ji admitted bitterly.

"May I ask your name, General?"

"This humble general, Lin Pingzhi, is currently the commander of the vanguard battalion of the 880th 'Salvation Ship' in Qianxia."

The military officer announced his name in a calm tone.

"Your Majesty, there is no need for such formalities. The battle here will inevitably attract attention... It is not advisable to stay any longer. Please follow us to board the ship and head to a safe place."

When Emperors Huizong and Qinzong followed the guidance and nervously stepped onto the bronze behemoth called the "Salvation Ship," they were immediately deeply shocked by the scene before them.

The deck was incredibly spacious, cast from some unknown metal, and gleamed with a cold, bluish light.

Squads of soldiers stood solemnly, their armor gleaming, their aura fierce, all radiating fluctuations beyond the extraordinary level!
Their actions were perfectly coordinated, and their silence carried the chilling aura of seasoned veterans.

On both sides of the ship, the thick black iron cannons gleamed with a cold luster in the sunlight, runes flowing around them, containing destructive power.

Recalling the Jin soldiers' laxity and brutality, and the despair of the ghosts' massacre of the camp, and then feeling the immense and vast humanistic aura emanating from the Qianxia soldiers around him, which shared the same roots as them.

"Have we finally returned to the land of China?"

Emperor Huizong was overcome with grief, and tears streamed down his face.

A century of humiliation, the suppressed pain of national subjugation, and the fear of just hanging by a thread—all these intertwined emotions made it difficult for him to control himself.

Zhao Huan subconsciously stroked the cool bronze patterns on the ship's hull that gave him immense peace of mind. He murmured to himself, his voice trembling with disbelief: "Such a massive ship, such a powerful army... just what kind of existence is this Qianxia? Could it be the reappearance of the ancient Qin Dynasty, or the celestial army descending to earth?"

Just then, his gaze was drawn to something hanging below the bow of the ship.

That seemed to be a head that had been treated with special magic, shrunk several times in size, but whose original ferocious appearance was still visible...?
The head was covered with jet-black scales that gleamed with a cold metallic light. Although its huge eyes had dimmed, they still retained a trace of divine pressure that made one's soul tremble. It was tightly bound and sealed by countless thin, hair-like chains of runes that shimmered with dazzling golden light, like a strange trophy decoration!
"General Li... what is that?"

Zhao Huan couldn't help but point to the head, his voice trembling uncontrollably, a fear stemming from his very survival instincts sending chills down his spine.

Lin Pingzhi followed his gaze, his tone as calm as if he were introducing an ordinary decoration.

"Oh, this one. It was a blind, god-level ghost who called himself the 'Soul-Devouring Ancestor.' Some time ago, he tried to lead his followers to ambush us, but he was killed by Commander Ding Xiu, who happened to be leading the army at the time."

"Its divine body and divine essence have been dismantled and used to forge weapons and train future generations. As for its head, it contains some of its remaining divinity and resentment. Hanging it on the bow of the ship can both ward off evil spirits and protect the route, deterring any foolish alien races along the way. It can also serve as a constant reminder that those who offend our Qianxia and slaughter humankind, even if they are gods, will meet the same fate!"

"Those who offend the Qianxia will be punished, no matter how far away they are!"

"Wh...what?! The head of a god-level ghost?! And it's being displayed on the bow of the ship?!"

Upon hearing this, not only was Zhao Huan so frightened that he almost jumped up, but even Zhao Ji, who was immersed in a mixture of sorrow and joy, as well as some surviving Song slaves who were cautiously listening nearby, and even a few Jin prisoners whose faces were ashen, all trembled violently, their faces instantly turning ashen, and they were horrified!
God level!

That was a terrifying being who truly ignited the divine fire and established his own divine kingdom!
In the Jin Dynasty, which had already reached the level of a "quasi-dynasty", there were only three such powerful figures. Each of them was a pillar that suppressed the fate of the country, with a transcendent status, almost like a totem. Even the Jin King had to pay half a bow when they met!
According to the bits and pieces of information they heard during their imprisonment, the ancient god of the Ghost Clan was even more unfathomable in his cultivation.

It is said that he has reached the peak of the first level of the God Realm and once fought against the combined forces of three gods of the Jin Kingdom without being at a disadvantage!
Now, this terrifying being, who was almost invincible in their perception, has actually been... casually killed by one of the "military commanders" of this human army?
Even heads were used as trophies, like wolf heads displayed at a hunter's gate, hung on the bow of ships for public viewing, and also used as "evil-repelling" objects?!

The psychological impact and subversive shock brought by this seemingly casually revealed information were ten or even a hundred times stronger than Lin Pingzhi's previous display of amazing combat power and his two-slash kill of the demigod ghost!
This is completely beyond their comprehension!
"This...this...is this Qianxia's power?"

Zhao Ji's voice was as dry as sandpaper. He looked at the soldiers on the deck, whose auras were fierce and who were mostly at the Transcendent Realm, and then at the hideous head of the god. He felt that his understanding of the past hundred years had completely collapsed and shattered at this moment.

"Treating extraordinary individuals as ordinary soldiers... regarding the slaughter of gods as ordinary achievements... this is simply... inconceivable! Unheard of!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Pingzhi smiled slightly and explained.

"Your Majesties need not be surprised. The territory of Qianxia is vast, with hundreds of millions of people, and its military system has its own regulations. Someone like me, commanding over ten thousand soldiers, is merely the commander of a battalion, a lowly position. Above me are military commanders who command millions, grand military commanders who lead armies of hundreds of millions, legion commanders who oversee a region and command a billion elite troops, and even the Grand Marshal, the head of the Military Affairs Bureau who commands the entire Qianxia army of hundreds of billions!"

With each word he spoke, the hearts of Emperors Huizong and Qinzong leaped.

Commanding an army of hundreds of millions?

What is that concept?
The entire Jin Dynasty, under constant raids and oppression by foreign tribes, probably had a total population of no more than ten million, while the enemy's army alone far exceeded that number!

Lin Pingzhi paused, looking at the shocked expressions on their faces, and continued.

"In fact, the vanguard battalion under my command can only be considered a third-class unit in the Qianxia army, mainly responsible for exploration and rescue. The true core force of Qianxia requires ordinary soldiers to have a quasi-saint cultivation level to be eligible for selection, and the 'elite troops' in these armies require a saint cultivation level to serve!"

"For example, General Yue Fei, who is currently stationed in the 'City of Saints,' commands the 'Beiwei Army,' which is one of the true 'elite forces of the human race.' Every soldier in the army is a saint, and when they form a battle formation, they can even fight against top gods!"

"What?! Yue Fei?!"

Zhao Ji suddenly looked up, his eyes blazing with unbelievable excitement, and even his voice changed. "He's in your Qianxia too!"

Lin Pingzhi nodded proudly.

"General Yue and his Beiwei Army are renowned for their bravery, and Elder Zong Ze also holds an important position in the Human Race Council, where he is highly respected. They have always fought to protect the human race."

"That's wonderful... Heaven has eyes... Heaven has eyes!"

Emperor Huizong was so excited that he trembled all over, and Emperor Huan also showed a look of ecstasy.

"Your Majesty, rest assured,"

Lin Pingzhi spoke sincerely, “Now that you have entered Qianxia, ​​you are one of my fellow human races. Upon arriving in Baiyujing, Your Majesty and the Crown Prince can abandon their old cultivation methods and instead practice the orthodox human cultivation methods provided by Qianxia, ​​which are more suitable for the Eternal Land. All kinds of resources will also be supplied in abundance. Qianxia firmly believes that the human race is not divided into north and south, nor does it come from anywhere. As long as we work together with one heart and one mind, we will surely be able to gain a firm foothold in this Eternal Land and reproduce or even surpass the glory that our ancestors once had!”

……

About half a day later, a violent spatial tremor subsided, and everyone's vision suddenly cleared.

Through the enormous observation window, against the backdrop of the distant starry sky, the outline of a colossal city, whose grandeur and magnificence defy description, slowly emerges.

No, it's not just a city!

The first thing that catches the eye is a huge "wall" that stretches across the mountains and valleys, seemingly endless and reaching the sky!
The wall was a dark yellow color, as if it were formed by the essence of countless worlds and the vast fortune of a great civilization. Its height was immeasurable, estimated to be at least a thousand feet, and its length was unknown, perhaps hundreds of millions of miles!
The walls were not smooth; instead, they were covered with countless lifelike reliefs and ancient runes, epics of human struggle written in blood and fire, soul and bone.

Heroes braved thorns and brambles, battling primordial beasts; legions arrayed themselves, fighting bloody battles against alien armies across the starry sky…

Each pattern seemed to come alive, radiating a fierce, indomitable, and soaring will, coalescing into a tangible golden radiance that illuminated the surrounding void with a magnificent and dignified light!
"This...this is?!"

Emperor Huizong and Emperor Huan of Song leaned over the observation window, their pupils dilated, almost forgetting to breathe.

Lin Pingzhi walked up to them, his tone filled with utmost respect and pride, and began to introduce them.

"This is the national treasure of Qianxia, ​​the bulwark protecting our race—the 'Great Wall of Heroic Souls of the Human Race'!"

"It is no ordinary object, but a 'True God's Artifact' forged with the painstaking efforts of countless sages and with supreme power! Perhaps it even surpasses the ordinary meaning of a True God's Artifact. It protects the boundless territory of my Qianxia and is the strongest barrier against foreign enemies."

"The Great Wall of Human Heroes... Could it be related to the original Great Wall of China?"

Zhao Huan murmured the name.

A throbbing sensation deep within his blood made him tremble all over.

"Your Majesties, you have excellent eyesight. Indeed, this item evolved from the original Great Wall of our Divine Land... For thousands of years, barbarian soldiers have yielded in submission, and countless lives have been sacrificed to forge peace..."

Lin Pingzhi said.

"So, the Great Wall of my human race can be so vast!"

Emperor Huizong was deeply moved. As a master of calligraphy and painting, he could feel the immense will and profound historical weight contained in every mark on the Great Wall.

"Shame on me, shame on me... We were so young in the past... Alas!"

Zhao Huan seemed to remember something and looked ashamed.

Throughout Chinese history, the Great Wall has always been relied upon to resist foreign tribes. However, the two of us not only failed to defend the Great Wall, but were even captured by foreign tribes for a century...

The stark contrast made him feel utterly ashamed.

“The Great Wall is not only a barrier,” Lin Pingzhi continued to explain, “it is also a weapon of war with the power of spacetime. When necessary, it can summon a legion projection composed of the heroic spirits of the guardians of past generations. The various passes of the Great Wall of the human race are also teleportation hubs connecting different parts of Qianxia.”

As they were talking, the ship began to approach a huge gate at the Great Wall that was nearly a thousand meters high. In front of the gate, there was not nothing but a long queue.

The members of the team left the two emperors speechless; they were all alien races in various forms!

There were Golden Eagle Clan members flying down from the sky, and Mermaid Clan members writhing on the ground. The most eye-catching of them all was a "Mountain Giant" that was nearly 100 meters tall, made of dark red rock, and radiating terrifying heat and quasi-saint level energy!
The two emperors had heard of this creature during their imprisonment. It was an outstanding member of the alien race, known for its domineering power and violent nature, and even more fearsome than the Ghost Clan.

However, at this moment, this imposing giant, who seemed capable of shattering stars with a single punch, appeared unusually "well-behaved" in the group.

Its massive body was slightly curled up, as if afraid of breaking something.

This was all because a city gate guard, dressed in the standard Qianxia-style spirit armor and barely taller than its ankle, had scolded it for nearly trampling a slime to death with its large steps.

The giant hurriedly composed himself and loudly apologized in a gruff, broken language.

Then, carefully, almost tiptoeing, they walked to the designated area, obediently continued to queue, and waited to pass through customs.

"These...these powerful alien races...they actually...they actually have to queue up in front of my human race's pass? And they're so...obedient, even humble?"

Zhao Ji felt his tongue was tied in knots; the scene before him completely overturned his understanding of the "powerful alien race."

Lin Pingzhi smiled calmly.

"Faced with absolute power and order, all living beings must learn to abide by the rules. Our Qianxia upholds the principle that 'those who are not of our kind are sure to have different hearts, but those who enter our territory must abide by our laws.' We do not exclude those of other races who are willing to abide by Qianxia's laws and engage in peaceful trade or exchange. However, if anyone dares to bully the weak or violate the prohibitions..."

His gaze swept over the god-level ghost head on the bow of the ship, his unspoken meaning clear.

After the "Salvation Ship" passed through the city gate, which was three hundred feet high, it officially entered the territory of Qianxia, ​​where even more magnificent scenes came into view.

Floating immortal mountains and pavilions, various spirit boats and magical treasures shuttling among the clouds, neatly planned and spiritually vibrant cities and fields on the land, and in the distance, the human capital city, Baiyujing, surrounded by auspicious clouds and radiant light, exuding endless majesty and civilization!

Everything they saw along the way shocked and bewildered these two emperors from the Song Dynasty, who had endured countless hardships a thousand years ago, and instilled in them an unprecedented sense of inferiority about their past.

"This is... Qian Xia!"

As Zhao Ji gazed upon this unimaginable, vast divine land, dominated and prosperous by the human race, he let out a long and complex sigh.

(End of this chapter)