Lord of the Earth

"The fate of the eight states and the faith of the people are all bestowed upon me!"

The Emperor's voice suddenly rose in pitch, transforming into a chant that resonated throughout heaven and earth.

Meanwhile, the emerald green eight-foot-long magatama beside him suddenly burst forth with unprecedented brilliance, shooting into the sky.

Amidst the light, eight enormous, clear, and historically significant illusory "landscapes" suddenly appeared!
In the history of Japan, there is a legend of "Eight Great Provinces," namely Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Shikoku, Chugoku, and Kyushu...

Today, the geographical features of the "Great Eight Provinces" from the mythology of the Sakura Kingdom, the outlines of the cities, and even the countless phantoms of beings dressed in clothing from different eras have appeared, with hundreds of millions of phantoms facing the Emperor and bowing in worship.

A massive amount of pure and fervent faith transformed into golden light rain, flowing into the magatama and the Emperor's body. This was not merely a manifestation of geography, but a forced aggregation of the entire civilization concept of the Cherry Blossom Kingdom and the national destiny of the "Chrysanthemum Dynasty"!
Then, the eight illusory landmasses merged into one, like a collapsing sky, carrying the heavy pressure of the wills of billions of living beings, and pressed down on Xia Tian and the Qianxia fleet.

Its immense power froze the air in the surrounding 100,000-mile sea area, causing the space to groan as if the end of the world had arrived!

"The Great Eight Provinces? In my view, they are nothing but the self-proclaimed boasts of a tiny land! How dare you use the names 'China' and 'Nine Provinces'? Do you even know the vastness of my Chinese land and the long history of its civilization?"

Faced with such astonishing "methods", Xia Tian's eyes were sharp as sword light that could pierce through the void, and he did not back down in the slightest.

Instead, facing the illusory image of the "Eight Provinces" that covered the heavens and the earth, they took a firm step forward!
"Boom!"

This step seemed to be on the pulse of heaven and earth.

The fortune of the entire Qianxia territory resonated and surged, and at the same time, Xia Tian communicated with the sacred artifacts that suppressed the mountains and rivers of Qianxia in the dark.

"The Nine Provinces Cauldron... has appeared!"

With a command, nine tripods appeared behind Xia Tian, ​​as if nine vast and ancient worlds had descended into the present.

Each cauldron corresponds to an eternal fundamental law of heaven and earth.

The body of the tripod is engraved with countless images of the ancestors' hardships, the abdication of the sage king, the establishment of doctrines by wise men, and the defense of the border by brave warriors. These images, with their flowing light and shadow, form a stark contrast and overwhelming force in terms of civilization level with the singular and fanatical scenes of faith in the phantom of the "Eight Great States"!
"Establish the foundation of the Nine Provinces, stabilize the mountains and rivers, secure the nation, and thwart evil!"

At Xia Tian's command, the Nine Cauldrons suddenly formed a grand formation covering the four extremes and eight wastelands, carrying the profound will of the entire Chinese land and the will of all living beings of Qianxia, ​​and went against the approaching phantom of the "Eight Provinces"!
hum! ! !
The clash between two divine artifacts, driven by the fortunes of two civilizations, has already decided the outcome in the blink of an eye!

"Click, click..."

A series of teeth-grinding cracking sounds rang out.

Before the ancient, vast, and diverse will of Chinese civilization represented by the Nine Provinces Cauldron, the seemingly enormous phantom of the "Emperor" of the Sakura Kingdom, like a fragile piece of glass, rapidly developed countless cracks on its surface. The mountains and rivers in the phantom distorted, the cities collapsed, and the phantoms of the worshipping beings emitted silent screams before dissipating...

Amidst the deafening roar, the eight illusory landmasses cracked and shattered one after another, and the invisible backlash caused the Emperor's body to tremble slightly.

The last great cauldron transformed into a mountain-like stream of light and crashed fiercely into the Emperor's body!

"What?! Nine Cauldrons? This...how is this possible?!"

The Emperor, who had maintained his aloof demeanor, finally lost his composure and cried out in surprise!

Beneath the black and gold mask, his eyes were filled with disbelief and shock, as well as a hint of... deep-seated jealousy and rage!
The Nine Cauldrons were once the most precious treasures of the human race, and their status far surpassed that of ordinary true divine artifacts, even exceeding that of the "Yasakani no Magatama" and the "Kusanagi no Tsurugi" in his hands!
Moreover, these "Nine Tripods" now represent not only power, but also, in a sense, the "orthodoxy" and "mandate of heaven" of the entire Chinese nation!

"Hmph, it's just China. So what if you have the legacy of King Yu? How could you possibly fathom the depths of my Highland Celestial System!"

The Emperor appeared to be insane.

He raised the "Yata no Kagami" (Eight-Span Mirror), which represents sacrifice and divine authority, above his head. The mirror no longer reflected everything, but instead pointed at the white bone gate!
"Using the mirror as a guide, the ancestral spirits slumbering deep within Takamagahara, answer the call of your bloodline descendants and the current rulers! Descend upon this world and cleanse the disobedient!"

hum!
The Yata Mirror emitted a gentle yet penetrating divine light, shining into the depths of the portal. On the mirror's surface, figures of astonishing power and divine aura appeared!

It seemed that the three most imposing figures among them had "opened" their eyes.

"Boom--!"

The next moment, the space at the edge of the white bone portal illuminated by the "Yata Mirror" rippled violently like water, and three majestic and ancient auras, indescribable in words, suddenly awakened from the other end of the portal like dormant volcanoes.

And through the passage established by this "sacrificial artifact", they projected their own "mark" across heaven and earth!

The first one, blazing, radiant, and supreme, with the majesty of the sun reigning over the world, coalesced in the brilliance of the Yata no Kagami.

It was a phantom of a goddess dressed in a twelve-layered robe, wearing a sun-shaped crown, her face hidden behind a divine light—the mark of Amaterasu, one of the legendary "main gods" of the Sakura Kingdom!
The second one was cold, deep, and unpredictable, carrying the aura of moonlight soothing and ice sealing—it was the phantom of a female deity dressed in a moon-white hunting robe, with a blurred face and surrounded by a hazy moon and shadows, the mark of Tsukuyomi!

The third one, violent, unrestrained, and full of destructive and regenerative power, with thunderous sounds and storms that annihilate evil spirits, is the phantom of a burly male god with bulging muscles, bristling hair and beard, wearing simple armor and wielding the fully formed Kusanagi Sword. It is the mark of Susanoo-no-Mikoto!

These three have a name that is more familiar to the Chinese, and in the hearts of the people of Japan—the “Three Main Gods”!
"Judgment, disloyalty!"

The divine marks of the three great Sakura Kingdoms appeared, and then each of them grasped a divine weapon.

A powerful pressure spanning the mythological era swept across the heavens and earth, freezing the surface of the East Sea into ice, turning the clouds into tangible divine shackles, and even obscuring the sun and moon, plunging the entire world into extreme oppression.

The rules of heaven and earth, which were originally supported by the Nine Provinces Cauldron and the national fortune of Qianxia, ​​were violently shaken. The Yamata no Orochi let out a hiss that was a mixture of excitement and fear. Oda Nobunaga and the people of Sakura Country knelt down and prayed fervently!

"These are the marks of the three true gods?"

On the Chinese side, after realizing what the other side had attracted, even Zhu Di, a ruthless emperor who had conquered the world on horseback, showed some horror on his face...

The words “true god” carry immense weight.

Even if it is just a wisp of "mark", when combined with its "natal true artifact", it can unleash power far exceeding that of an ordinary "quasi-true god"!

After all, the world has now been further unlocked, and the gap between a "true god" and a "quasi-true god" is probably even greater now...

"Are they finally revealing their last trump card?"

Faced with this lineup that could make everything below the level of a true god despair, Xia Tian's face instead showed an expression of expectation, even with a hint of fierce fighting spirit.

"General Qi, this swordsman is now your responsibility. You are in charge of the entire 'Xuanwu Legion'!"

Xia Tian's gaze flashed like lightning, instantly locking onto the roaring Susanoo mark. At the same time, he casually waved his hand, and the Seven Star Dragon Abyss Sword transformed into a dragon shape, falling into Qi Jiguang's palm.

"My lord, take the order!"

Qi Jiguang's voice was like thunder, and the True Martial Divine Light around his body suddenly erupted, merging with the Imperial Dragon Qi of the Longyuan Sword, and his momentum reached a new peak.

"As ordered!"

Meanwhile, atop the mirage, the fifty million soldiers of the "Xuanwu Legion" roared and poured their power into the "Legion Commander"!

Qi Jiguang took a step forward.

The true form of Wanli Zhenwu manifested, with the Xuan Turtle phantom beneath his feet as heavy as a mountain. The Longyuan Sword in his hand emitted a purple-gold cold light. Without dodging or avoiding, he went straight to meet Susanoo, who was wielding the Kusanagi Sword and slashing down with wind, thunder, and fierce energy!

"clang--!!!"

The sound of swords clashing resounded throughout the universe, as if two stars were colliding. Sword light stretched for thousands of miles, and storms and mysterious waters intertwined. Two powerful figures, known for their martial prowess and their ability to ward off evil, were locked in a fierce battle, unable to gain the upper hand!

"The Way of the Moon also has distinctions of purity and turbidity, high and low. Rong'er, let the people of your Guanghan Palace and Yin-Yang Hall deal with this so-called 'Moon Reading Fate'."

Xia Tian then looked at Huang Rong, and the "Key of Heaven" flew out from his hand, landing on this outstanding person who had also stepped into the "quasi-true god" realm.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, the moon's pure light is untouched by dust."

Huang Rong smiled faintly, took the "Key to Heaven" and turned it gently. Her temperament changed instantly, becoming as aloof and cold as the bright moon in the sky.

With a light touch of her slender feet, a miniature yet ethereal "Guanghan Palace" appeared behind her, casting endless yin light. The cold moonlight of Guanghan Palace and the hazy moonlight of Yue Du Ming intertwined, permeated, and vied for the right to interpret the rules of the "moon," forming a tranquil yet deadly labyrinth of light and shadow.

"Yin and Yang reversed, the Nine Palaces soul transfer!"

At the same time, tens of millions of "Yin Yang disciples" emerged from all over Qianxia and activated a peerless formation that Shao Siming had discovered in the ruins of "Baiyujing"!
"As for this so-called 'sun'..."

Summer's gaze finally settled on the most radiant, imposing, and seemingly supreme law-representing mark of Amaterasu Omikami, and a cold smile curved his lips.

"Then let Master Lü test its purity using the Pure Yang Orthodox Method."

"It's my wish, but I don't dare to ask for my ear."

A clear, resonant laugh rang out, and the sword light surged like a reversed Milky Way. The true form of Chunyang Zhenren Lü Dongbin stepped out from the void, his aura perfectly harmonious and transparent, clearly at the "peak of quasi-true god," or even surpassing it!
He did not rely on the soldiers' support; he stood alone, his Taoist robes fluttering, before the sacred light of Amaterasu Omikami that illuminated all things.

Immediately, his gaze fell upon the Emperor, his tone icy and laced with sarcasm.

"It's been many years. You've quite the schemer. You've become the 'Emperor' of the Sakura Kingdom and even stole the East Heavenly Gate and the Fusang Tree. Did you really think no one knew your true nature?"

"Hmm, Lü Dongbin, do you know this 'Emperor'?!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

Lü Dongbin, a deity of China, actually knows the Emperor of Japan. Could it be that the two have some connection?
"Chinese deities, what are you saying to me?"

The emperor, hidden behind the black and gold mask, trembled almost imperceptibly the moment he saw Lü Dongbin, but immediately spoke in a deep voice.

"Wasn't that 'Yellow Heaven' attendant who was responsible for sweeping and caring for the Fusang Divine Tree under Master Donghua Dijun back then?!"

Lu Dongbin continued to mock while fighting.

"Taking advantage of the gods' attack, the Emperor's battle with the alien demons, and the Heavenly Court's turmoil, you not only stole from your own people, including the Fusang Divine Tree and the core seal of the Eastern Heavenly Gate, but you also absconded with the half of the 'Heavenly Emperor's Calamity Chapter' that the Emperor had bestowed upon you by the Fuxi Emperor, which the Emperor had kept in a side hall!"

"Afterwards, he faked his own demise, but in reality, he fled to the lower realm. Using the stolen treasures and techniques, he combined them with the local indigenous beliefs to fabricate a pantheon, proclaimed himself 'Emperor,' and committed the despicable acts of harvesting faith and stealing the nation's destiny! Am I right?"

Lü Dongbin's words were like thunder from the heavens, exploding in everyone's ears!

It turns out that this "Emperor" is not a native deity of the Sakura Kingdom, but a former servant of the Eastern Emperor of Fusang, who was originally a fellow disciple of Lü Dongbin!

"You...you're spouting nonsense! I am the Lord of Takamagahara, and have absolutely no connection with that 'Eastern Emperor'...How dare you tarnish my name! Today, you will all die here!"

The Emperor's eyes, hidden behind his black and gold mask, suddenly sharpened, his voice turned icy cold, and his gaze beneath the mask was so malevolent it could freeze.

Wow!
The next moment, his "priest's robe" suddenly burst open, and the countless fine "golden threads" that wove the robe suddenly came to life, like living divine tentacles, flying all over the sky and wrapping around Xia Tian and the many Qianxia experts who were fighting!

These threads, though seemingly soft, ignore most energy defenses and directly bind, erode, and extract from the "soul," "luck," and even "destiny" of living beings!
【Emperor's Silk (Ruri)】

[Type] Curious Object

【Characteristics】Imperial Nobility (A sufficient quantity of Imperial Silk can be woven into an 'Imperial Robe' that grants immunity to the power of the rules)

Resurrection (can repair the body and soul, allowing living beings to "come back to life")
Seizing the Creation of All Beings (Those beings manipulated by the Emperor's Silk will have their "origin" continuously drained, thereby strengthening the holder).
Seizing the power of heaven and earth (if one dies and has enough "Emperor's Silk," one can achieve "Nirvana"!).

[Description] This is a method that draws life force from all living beings. When enough Emperor Silk is gathered, it can unleash the true power of a god!

[Note] Only those who possess the status of a dynasty ruler can use this feature, and it requires consuming the dynasty's fortune.

[Note] Is it a single lineage for all ages? No, it is the same person for all ages!

These threads, though seemingly soft, can ignore energy defenses and specifically bind and erode the soul, fortune, and destiny.

What Xia Tian had previously obtained from the Sea Clan Prince was merely a wisp of silk; the golden threads that filled the sky before him were its true core!
"Hmph, trying to possess someone from my Qianxia?"

In the summer, the "Battle Map of the Land" suddenly appeared above his head. This natal treasure had already reached the level of glass by integrating many rare treasures... Now, it has evolved into a vast world spanning tens of thousands of miles, instantly freezing those "golden threads"!
Furthermore, the mysterious yellow aura emanating from the "Huaxia Imperial Robe" cascaded down like a waterfall, merging with the humanistic imperial aura of the Imperial Seal and the stellar power of the Zhou Tian Star Array... transforming into a canopy of heaven and earth interwoven with black, yellow, and purple colors, firmly protecting everyone in Qianxia.

These imperial silk threads, striking the canopy, were also caught in the rain pattering on banana leaves, making it difficult to advance further!
"Such a treasure has fallen into the hands of a junior like you; it is truly a case of a pearl being covered in dust!"

The Emperor's voice turned cold and sharp, the greed and killing intent beneath his black and gold mask no longer concealed. "Once I seize your destiny, I will use this supreme treasure to lay the foundation for my High Heaven Divine Court's eternal stability!" (End of Chapter)