Under One Person: I Opened the Age of Mythology

Chapter 556

The air inside the Qitian Palace seemed to freeze, with only the flames dancing silently in Sun Wukong's eyes.

The news from Venus about the "Dark Star" organization's plot to seize the Chaos Pearl was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up towering waves.

"Excellent! Well done, 'Dark Star'!"

Sun Wukong slammed his hand on the jade table, the sound of metal clashing echoing through the hall, instantly breaking the heavy atmosphere and igniting the fighting spirit in everyone's hearts.

"After hiding their true intentions for thirty-six years, they finally couldn't hold back any longer and decided to set their sights on the Chaos Pearl? Wishful thinking!"

"Venus," Sun Wukong's gaze was sharp as a knife, "Immediately issue an order: all high-ranking celestial officials and palace masters in the capital must gather at the Lingxiao Palace within half an incense stick's time! There must be no delay!"

"Yes, sir!" Venus, sensing the unprecedented severity of the situation, dared not delay for a moment. He bowed and transformed into a streak of light, rushing out of the hall.

Only Sun Wukong, Nezha, and Yang Jian remained in the hall.

"Nezha!" Sun Wukong turned to his capable assistant who had just made a great contribution. "How effective is the elixir you developed? Has it been tested in practice?"

Nezha, radiating confidence, pulled a crystal-clear jade bottle from his robes. A pale golden liquid flowed within, faintly emanating a sacred aura shared with the Golden Cudgel: "Great Sage, rest assured! This spiritual liquid is based on Golden Stone Powder, infused with the energy of the Heart-Cleansing Mantra, the Soul-Suppressing Talisman, and my improved Spirit-Purifying Array. Small-scale testing has already shown complete success! It can quickly neutralize the black corrosive energy of the 'Gluttonous Devouring Spirit Technique' and form a temporary protective film. I have prepared the list of materials and refining methods needed for mass production. We only await Taibai Jinxing's resource allocation, and large-scale production will be possible within a few hours!"

"Good! This matter concerns the lives of the Heavenly Court's soldiers, and it is your great achievement, Nezha!" Sun Wukong nodded approvingly, then looked at Yang Jian, "Erlang Zhenjun, how is the Heavenly Net being set up?"

Yang Jian cupped his hands, his voice steady and powerful: "Reporting to the Great Sage, the barriers of the South Heavenly Gate, East Heavenly Gate, and North Heavenly Gate have been fully reinforced and upgraded, and special sensing runes targeting black energy fluctuations have been incorporated. The number of celestial soldiers on duty has doubled, the patrol frequency has tripled, and all are equipped with detection magic artifacts. The defensive formations of each palace have also started self-checking, and heavy troops have been deployed to key nodes. The 'Dark Star' spy, the immortal official of the Medicine Palace, who was captured this time, infiltrated by exploiting a previously overlooked point in the formation's periodic energy decay. This loophole has now been completely repaired, and real-time monitoring has been established. In addition, I have secretly mobilized two thousand elite celestial soldiers, ready to be deployed at any time. They are equipped with new spiritual energy shield magic artifacts, and in recent high-intensity training, they have focused on practicing responses to sudden energy impacts, coordinated defense, and cooperation against strange energy intrusions, significantly improving their overall resilience. Currently, the guards of the Lingxiao Palace are under the command of my personal guards to ensure the absolute safety of the meeting!"

"Excellent! Anticipating the enemy's moves and being prepared for any eventuality! Truly worthy of being a Heavenly General!" Sun Wukong's praise deepened. "The news of this person's arrest must be strictly suppressed. Only announce to the public that a person who deserted his post was caught during a routine patrol. Keep him under strict guard, and interrogate him only after this matter is resolved!"

The urgent sound of the celestial bell resounded throughout the heavens, and moments later, the Lingxiao Palace was enveloped in celestial light, its atmosphere heavy with tension. The high-ranking celestial officials, their faces solemn, conversed in hushed tones, clearly sensing the impending storm brewing behind this unusual summons.

Sun Wukong sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sweeping across the hall, and went straight to the point: "Gentlemen! The 'Dark Star,' a malignant tumor that has been lurking for thirty-six years, has surfaced! Their target is the Chaos Pearl, which guards the balance of heaven and earth!" He succinctly relayed the intelligence and preparations obtained by Taibai Jinxing, Nezha, and Yang Jian.

An uproar erupted within the hall! The Chaos Pearl! If this object fell into the hands of evil spirits, the consequences would be unimaginable! Fear, anger, and a resolute fighting spirit surged within the hearts of the immortals.

Taibai Jinxing stepped forward and added, "Reporting to the Great Sage and all, according to the secret records in the deepest part of the Scripture Pavilion and the clues from the confessions of captured spies, the Chaos Pearl does indeed exist, and its location is—the 'Eye of Returning to the Void' at the deepest part of the Northern Abyss! It is naturally protected by endless Xuanming cold water and violent chaotic currents, making it difficult for anyone other than a Great Luo Golden Immortal to approach. The Heavenly Court has always protected it through the outer 'Ninefold Heavenly Secret Locking Array' and regular inspections every thirty-six Jiazi. Because of its treacherous and extremely hidden location, conventional defenses have always focused on 'invisibility and concealment'."

He then changed the subject, his voice filled with worry: "However, since 'Dark Star' knows its location, it must have unique methods for locating it. The malevolent 'Gluttonous Spirit Devouring Technique' may even corrupt or erode the Heavenly Secret Locking Array. I suggest: First, immediately dispatch at least three Golden Immortal-level experts, each carrying the strongest array-breaking and protective magic treasures, to the Eye of Returning Ruins to take turns guarding it and ensure the array's stability. Second, set up 'Doubtful Pearl' traps within the Heavenly Court to create the illusion that the Chaos Pearl has been moved or is heavily fortified, thus interfering with 'Dark Star's' judgment. Third, conduct a comprehensive investigation of all personnel and records related to the Eye of Returning Ruins over the past thirty-six years to identify any possible leakers!"

Venus's advice was shrewd and comprehensive, winning the approval of many celestial officials.

“Stationing, setting up ambushes, and conducting investigations all take time.” Sun Wukong’s voice boomed like a bell, drowning out the discussions in the hall. “But what we lack most is time! The next celestial anomaly is, according to calculations, no more than ten days away! To passively take a beating and wait for the enemy to choose the right time and place to launch a surprise attack is the worst possible strategy!”

He abruptly stood up, surveying his surroundings with an overwhelming aura: "The enemy wants to wait for the celestial anomalies to strike? Fine! We'll catch them off guard! When they think the time isn't right and their strength isn't gathered, we'll strike first and nip their plot in the bud!"

"Take the initiative?" These words shocked the entire hall. Venturing deep into enemy territory was extremely risky!

“That’s right!” Sun Wukong said decisively. “Now that it’s been confirmed that the ‘Dark Star’ lair is related to the sealed ancient beast and points to the Black Mist Abyss deep underground, this is our target!”

His gaze was intense as he looked at the three core generals: "Nezha! Can the spiritual liquid be used to equip the entire army within three days?"

Nezha immediately replied, "As long as the materials are in place, we can definitely finish it by working day and night!"

"Yang Jian! Can your three thousand elite celestial soldiers be deployed immediately for underground combat? Can you guarantee their equipment, morale, and coordination with the magic array?"

Yang Jian's eyes blazed with fighting spirit as he knelt on one knee: "The heavenly soldiers have trained hard for this day's battle! With just the Great Sage's command, we will surely crush the enemy's lair! Our formation, equipment, and fighting spirit are all at their best!"

"Venus! You are in charge of the overall situation!" Sun Wukong commanded. "Within three days: ensure Nezha's supplies are fully guaranteed! Gather the best healing pills and magic-restoring crystals for the soldiers going to war! At the same time, set up the 'Doubtful Pearl' trap that you proposed, making the Heavenly Court appear relaxed inside but tense outside, thus confusing the enemy! The reinforcements from the Eye of Return to Nothingness will be postponed until our main force destroys the enemy's lair and cuts off their clutches! In addition, in conjunction with the Department of Weapons, develop a special magical artifact that can simulate the faint energy fluctuations of the Chaos Pearl, and secretly deploy it in three extremely dangerous secret realms... Let 'Dark Star' guess slowly!"

"As you command!" Venus, knowing this was a crucial decision, bowed and accepted the order.

"Good!" Sun Wukong shouted, "All immortals, heed my command!" "Nezha! I hereby appoint you as the vanguard general, to oversee the production of the spiritual liquid and equip the entire army, and to be responsible for breaking through the enemy's evil magic shields and energy interference during battle! You must also bring your new sandbox, to interfere with the enemy's nest energy when necessary!"

"Yang Jian! You are the commander-in-chief, leading all the heavenly troops on the expedition! The battle formation and the advance of the assault are entirely under your command! The objective is to completely destroy the enemy's core and capture or kill its leader, 'Lord Dark Star'!"

"Venus! You are appointed Military Advisor and Logistics Officer! Responsible for overseeing the central command, coordinating all Heavenly Court resources to support the front lines, handling all intelligence, and ensuring internal stability within Heavenly Court! Project Suspicion Pearl is to be launched immediately!"

"All other celestial officials! Perform your duties diligently, remain on high alert, and be ready at any time to support or suppress any possible internal strife! This matter is classified as a top secret of the Heavenly Court!"

The orders were issued with lightning speed and crystal clarity.

“One last thing,” Sun Wukong’s eyes flashed with a cold light, “this operation is codenamed 'Breaking Through the Darkness'! Three days from now, at the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), we will march into the Abyss of Black Mist!”

"We obey!" Inside the Lingxiao Palace, a thunderous roar of response echoed through the heavens. The oppressive tension was replaced by the heroic spirit of a decisive battle.

For the next three days, the Heavenly Court appeared calm on the surface, but internally it was like a taut bowstring.

Nezha's base...

A dazzling display of light and vibrant activity filled the air. Rare medicinal herbs and celestial crystals, gathered by Venus, flowed in like a torrent. Hundreds of alchemy officials from the Pill Refining Bureau worked collaboratively on a complex array platform, smelting, purifying, fusing, and packaging the gold-gold stone powder with other purifying spiritual materials. Nezha personally oversaw the operation, constantly adjusting the core arrays of several main control furnaces to ensure every drop of spiritual liquid contained sufficient purifying power. Meanwhile, his sandbox, simulating a simplified terrain and energy distribution of the Black Mist Abyss, was placed nearby, where he was attempting to input some disruptive stellar energy fluctuations.

Yang Jian's military camp...

An atmosphere of grim determination permeated the air. The three thousand celestial soldiers, clad in golden helmets and armor, had ceased their battle drills, leaving only the most concise and efficient pre-battle checks. Spiritual energy shields gleamed with an eerie light, and their halberds were repeatedly wiped clean. Every celestial soldier's face was etched with resolve. Yang Jian patrolled the ranks, silent, his gaze sharp as an eagle, inspecting every equipment interface and every rune pattern. The battlefield bore the marks of drills conducted days prior, focusing on "black energy impact," "confined space melee," and "breaking through the eerie protective shield."

Venus's Coordination Office...

This place resembles a massive information and resource allocation hub. Messengers shuttle back and forth. On one side is a huge resource allocation list: the healing elixir "Nine-Turn Purple Gold Pill" is being packaged and stored in batches for later use; "Superior Immortal Crystals" containing immense magical power are being packaged and marked; and "Bewitching Jade Plates" used to simulate the Chaos Pearl are being quietly deployed in several hidden corners. On the other side is an intelligence gathering place: barrier monitoring reports from various Heavenly Gates, background checks on suspicious celestial personnel, the latest remote observation data on the outer locking array of the Northern Underworld Ruins... All information is gathered and sorted here, forming briefings that are constantly sent to the temporary tactical room behind the Qitian Palace.

Temporary tactical room...

This is the central nervous system of the entire operation to break through the darkness. A massive spiritual energy screen floats in mid-air, integrating some of the simulation information from Nezha's sand table, the main advance route marked by Yang Jian, the terrain intelligence sketch provided by Taibai Jinxing, and most importantly—the extremely limited real-time environmental images hastily produced by the Heavenly Crafts Department and the Ministry of Machinery, transmitted by several celestial officials skilled in stealth reconnaissance who risked great danger to infiltrate the outer area of ​​the Black Mist Abyss in advance. It is a scene shrouded in dense dark energy, with distorted ley lines and the entrance to a huge cavern vaguely visible. Sun Wukong guards this place day and night, repeatedly deducing the battle situation with several trusted golden immortals who arrive one after another: What kind of sniping might be encountered at the entrance? What might be the hiding place of the enemy's main force? How to locate and raid that core altar? The location of the Chaos Pearl, the "Eye of Returning to the Void," is also displayed to one side. Although it is the background of this battle, everyone in the tactics room has its importance etched in their minds.

Late on the third day, Nezha, his face slightly weary, handed over the last batch of jade bottles filled with pale golden spiritual liquid to the celestial officials escorting Yang Jian. The liquid was enough for the entire army to use twice with some left over. Yang Jian stroked his sword, checking the equipment list one last time. Taibai Jinxing looked at the final report in his hand regarding the successful activation of the "Bewitching Jade Disc" at the three perilous locations, and its beginning to emit faint yet profound fluctuations, and let out a long sigh of relief. On the light screen in the temporary tactical room, the images of the entrances to the "Abyss of Black Mist," outlined by dark energy, appeared even clearer and more menacing in everyone's eyes.

Sun Wukong sat upright in the main seat, gazing at the light screen, his eyes burning with fighting spirit, yet also displaying a resolute calm as an abyss. He spoke slowly, his voice soft yet carrying immense weight: "Everything is ready. We await... dawn!"

The first rays of golden light at dawn pierced the auspicious clouds of the Heavenly Court, casting their light upon the vast training ground at the Southern Heavenly Gate. Three thousand heavenly soldiers, their armor impeccable and their weapons gleaming coldly, stood solemnly, like a golden torrent of steel. Each of them wore a jade bottle containing a pale golden spiritual liquid hanging at their waist.

Clad in armor and wielding a three-pointed, double-edged sword, Yang Jian stood at the forefront of the formation. His gaze swept over his soldiers, and he roared, "Today's battle is to protect the Heavenly Court's stability and uphold the righteous path of Heaven and Earth! Soldiers! Follow me—break through the darkness!"

"Break through the darkness! Break through the darkness! Break through the darkness!" The soaring battle cry shook the heavens.

Nezha, dressed in military attire and riding his Fire-Tipped Spear, arrived at the front of the battle and nodded vigorously to Sun Wukong and Yang Jian.

His gaze swept over the troops about to set off, and he saw several array masters traveling with him and his assistant operating the sand table, which had been placed in a specially made, portable magic tool box.

Clad in golden chainmail and a phoenix-winged purple-gold crown, Sun Wukong held his Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel) and soared into the air. He gazed at the rising sun, then at the army formation below that bore witness to both hope and war, and finally at the distant, seemingly eternally dark peak to the south, representing the enemy's lair.

"set off!"

Sun Wukong's voice was like thunder from the heavens, resounding throughout the world. He transformed into a golden streak of light that tore through the sky, shooting southward at unparalleled speed!

Yang Jian waved his hand and commanded, "All troops, listen to my order! Proceed according to plan! March!"

Three thousand dazzling golden rays followed closely behind the most dazzling golden rainbow, like heavenly soldiers descending to earth, vast and mighty, carrying an overwhelming momentum to crush all darkness, rushing straight towards—the Abyss of Black Mist!
(End of this chapter)