I conquer the immortal with my strength.

Chapter 621 Disobedience, Loyalty

The five local deities had just entered the hall when their gazes fell upon Xingyi. They were all shocked, their expressions changed, and their eyes revealed horror.

Two years ago, she was merely a nascent immortal, and despite Xia Daoming's protection, she remained ethereal and intangible. Now, however, she has transcended the illusory and returned to the true, her true form perfected, her aura profound and vast, becoming a true immortal!
This speed is simply unbelievable!
Several people were racing through their minds: Could it be that an elder behind her was secretly helping her? But that elder was only a Second-Level True Immortal, how could she possess such heaven-defying methods? If not, it could only be that she had obtained some kind of rare and precious treasure due to a stroke of luck, which led to such an amazing transformation.

With their minds racing, the five local deities dared not be negligent in the slightest. They stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Xingyi remained calm, raised her hand in a gesture of invitation, and said in a clear voice, "Sit."

"Thank you for the seat, sir!"

The five men sat down respectfully, their expressions reserved, yet their hearts remained uneasy.

Xingyi's eyes darted around as she surveyed the surroundings. Her voice was clear and cold yet authoritative: "I have already written another letter, ordering the Cangfu and other forces to withdraw from the Six Qi Lands within two months, return the proceeds from the Immortal Mines, and offer apologies. You should be aware of this. Now that the deadline is approaching, they have yet to make a move. The reason I have summoned you here today is to discuss the matter of sending troops."

"Does Your Excellency truly intend to send troops?"

The five local deities all felt a chill run down their spines. Previously, they had been hoping day and night that an elder behind Xingyi would step forward and stand up for them, even repeatedly testing the waters to gauge her intentions. But now that Xingyi had personally declared her intention to mobilize troops, they were all filled with panic and unease.

"Now that a deadline has been set, how can we renege on our promises! When the deadline arrives, we will surely send troops!" Xingyi's expression was solemn, her long hair fluttering in the wind, and her eyes brimming with spirit.

This decisive demeanor made all five of them tense up at the same time.

Suddenly, the land deity of Akagawa couldn't help but ask the question that concerned him most, his voice trembling slightly: "I wonder if what you mean by sir is that you are only going to use force against Cangfu? Or... are you going to take action against all the forces that have occupied the Six Kingdoms?"

"First, we'll attack Cangfu, then we'll deal with them one by one." Xingyi spoke firmly and without hesitation.

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.

All five men's expressions changed drastically, and they felt a chill run down their spines.

The Green Pool Land God couldn't help but speak up, his voice trembling: "My lord, please reconsider! If we only send troops against the Cang family, we can still use your and your elders' power to force them to make concessions and get a share of the spoils. But if we launch a full-scale war... with our small force, we're afraid it's like throwing an egg against a rock, only to bring shame upon ourselves!"

Xingyi's expression was cold and solemn, but her voice was as loud as a bell, carrying an unwavering determination: "Since you have decided to send troops, I am confident of victory! You need not say more. Seven days later, each of you shall select eighty elite soldiers and assemble at the Temple of the Earth God to receive orders!"

As the voice faded, its imposing power echoed throughout the hall, heavy as thunder.

The five local deities exchanged glances, knowing there was no room for negotiation, and could only reply in unison, "We will obey Your Majesty's decree!"

After saying this, the group bowed helplessly and left, their hearts heavy with worry.
-
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

In front of the Jade Stream Temple, the main hall stands majestically. As the morning light shines, the rosy clouds reflect on the jade steps, as if shrouding the day in solemnity.

Xingyi was already seated in the hall, the Jade Seal of the Earth God hanging in her palm, shimmering with light. Her expression was calm, her robes fluttered without wind, and she seemed to be one with the majesty of the hall.

It was past Chen Shi (7-9 AM), but only the troops from Green Pool and Black Ridge were lined up in front of the temple, their armor imposing and their aura solemn.

The main hall was silent, with only Xingyi's eyes slightly narrowed, and she remained silent.

On either side stand Green Pool and Black Ridge. Green Pool is short and withered, with a sallow complexion, and is usually gloomy and cautious; Black Ridge is like an old woman with a dark face, silent and taciturn, with eyes as still as dead water.

But at this moment, the two dared not look away, and only bowed their heads respectfully.

Akagawa, Shiraishi, and Kyōshi—the three most high-profile local figures—did not show up.

The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly heavy.

After a long silence, Green Pool sighed softly and said, "My lord... it seems that the three local deities, Red River, White Stone, and Qiongzhi, will not be coming again." A cold glint flashed in Xingyi's eyes, and her tone was indifferent, yet sharp as a frost-covered sword: "Since they are not coming, then they need not come again in the future."

A simple, unassuming remark, yet it seemed to deliver a death sentence.

Green Pool and Black Ridge exchanged a glance, then hesitated before saying, "However... with the troops of our three regions, attacking the Cang Prefecture's base is inevitably beyond our capabilities. Perhaps we should send someone to urge them again; maybe we can still summon them..."

"No need!" Xingyi said decisively, her long hair fluttering, her expression solemn. "I never expected them to attack the Cang Mansion! You two impressed me when you broke through Iron Bone Ridge last time, and now you dare to stand up for what is right and wrong, which is even more commendable. Very good!"

As soon as she finished speaking, footsteps suddenly came from the back of the hall.

A young man slowly entered through the side door, his aura deep and unfathomable, his demeanor calm and composed.

"Master!" Upon seeing this, Xingyi immediately stood up, stepped down from her throne, and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Immortal!" Green Pool and Black Ridge felt a jolt in their hearts and almost instinctively prostrated themselves on the ground.

This person is none other than the true peak behind Lord Yujian Zhisi—the one who once forced Cang Shunyi to retreat with a single move!

Xia Daoming walked calmly to the throne and sat down, with Xingyi standing to his side.

"Get up." His voice was calm, yet carried an air of authority.

The two quickly stood up, hands clasped, barely daring to breathe.

"Since you have lived up to my disciple's expectations, I will not treat you unfairly." Xia Daoming glanced around and smiled slightly.

With a casual flick of his wrist, two beams of light shot out: one was an ancient scepter shimmering with earthy light, engraved with twelve axe patterns; the other was a massive black iron hammer, heavy as a mountain, faintly radiating a mountain-like aura.

It was the Mountain God's Ancient Tablet, which Xia Daoming had nurtured for thousands of years, and the Xuanjin Zhenyue Hammer, which he obtained from the Black Bear King!
Green Pool gasped for breath, his voice trembling: "Mountain God Guhu!"

Hei Ling's eyes widened in surprise, and he exclaimed, "A celestial artifact!"

"Your cultivation is shallow; you possess courage and loyalty, but are ill-suited for great responsibilities. Today, I bestow these two artifacts upon you. You must immediately refine them so that you may truly assist Xingyi in conquering Cangfu," Xia Daoming said calmly.

"Thank you so much, Immortal, for bestowing this treasure!" The two then seemed to wake from a dream, hurriedly knelt down, and accepted the treasure with trembling hands.

When he looked up, Xia Daoming was no longer on the throne; only a faint, lingering aura of power remained in the hall.

"My lord..." Green Pool and Black Ridge looked dazed, the heavy treasures in their hands seemed unreal, and they looked at Xingyi with longing eyes, not daring to put them away without permission.

Xingyi smiled and said, "Since Master has given the order, you shall begin the refining process in the hall. Once you have mastered these two treasures, you shall join me on the expedition!"

Only then did the two calm down, one refining the ancient scepter of the mountain god, and the other refining the Xuanjin Zhenyue Hammer.

Meanwhile, the army outside the Situ Temple was stationed there awaiting orders.

At noon, the Black Ridge Land God was the first to complete the ritual, taking the Xuanjin Zhenyue Hammer into the Yellow Court for nurturing.

The Green Pool Land God remained seated in the hall, an ancient mountain god's tablet hovering above his head, wisps of pure and innocent incense energy emanating from it and enveloping his body. His once short, withered, and sallow-faced figure now exuded an aura of ethereal grace and majestic majesty.

　That concludes today's update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)