Rewrite the myth and become the Taoist!

Chapter 323 Zhao Yun's Divine Might: Eight Hundred Break Through One Hundred Thousand, Demon God's Corpse

Xiang Ji soon received news that the seven states had sent troops to retrieve the "elixir formula."

The Yuan and Jin kingdoms are closest to the Qing kingdom. Two generals from the second level of the Heavenly Realm arrived in Qing ahead of schedule. Xiang Ji met with Ma Hong, a general of the Yuan kingdom, who delivered a message from King Xiang Wenlong of Yuan, requesting that Xiang Ji return to the Yuan kingdom.

[—Marquis of Chang Le, a second-tier mid-grade spiritual vein, lord of a local town.]

[These conditions are a hundred times better than this rural place. Ma Hong is confident that Xiang Ji will abandon Qing Kingdom and agree. If Yuan Kingdom monopolizes the Blood-Replenishing Pill formula, and a million soldiers cultivate a second True Martial Soldier Master, they can then sweep across the world and seize the Great Xia Dynasty.]

Xiang Ji looked at Zhao Yun. He was neither a general nor a commander; how could he know what the Blood-Replenishing Pill formula developed by the Old Ancestor meant for the Source Blood Warriors? His decision to exchange the Blood-Replenishing Pill for "silver" was ill-considered.

[With such a wondrous object exposed, the Qing Kingdom will never have a day of peace.]

However, if Ma Hong had arrived an hour earlier, Xiang Ji would have considered it for his own safety, but now...

More than enough to protect oneself.

Xiang Ji decided to openly and honestly sell "blood-replenishing pills." Only the Yiya Ancestor could refine these pills, and the formula was not a mystery.

[The eight foreign alchemists, upon tasting it, were able to analyze the "medicinal ingredients," but they were unable to replicate it to the level comparable to "low-grade spiritual seeds," believing that the most crucial step was missing.]

This alchemy technique comes from the closely guarded secrets of the "Green Mountain" sect, where the Yiya Ancestor resides. It was created by the Green Mountain Daoist Master in his youth, through painstaking effort, using the power of the furnace of heaven and earth to transform the rotten into the miraculous.

This is a similar method used by the Martial Arts Hall to refine the "Creation Elixir".

[With eight hundred years of cultivation in his primordial spirit, the ancient ancestor possessed immense magical power and rich experience in refining failed attempts, enabling him to create such a elixir that was free of poison yet contained a faint "spiritual essence."]

According to Xiang Ji's understanding, this is a unique talent exclusive to the "Qi Cultivator" profession. Even if the recipe for the Blood-Replenishing Pill were given to the Yuan Kingdom, their alchemists wouldn't be able to refine it.

[If this pill formula is sold, and the Yuan Kingdom fails to refine it, they will come knocking on our door demanding an explanation. It's better to be open and honest.]

As for whether they believe it or not... Xiang Ji has a god-like figure like Zhao Yun, whose feat is a mythical version of "seven charges in and out of a million-strong army," directly breaking through the Western Paradise, a world of gods and Buddhas in a great age of cultivation.

[Zhao Yun said that the Buddhist soldiers, Arhats, and Bodhisattvas of the Western Paradise could easily move mountains and fill seas; in terms of sheer power, they were no different from the Lord of War. The overall strength of the Western Paradise was certainly stronger than that of the dominant nation.]

Although Zhao Yun had rebuilt his true form and fallen to the level of Peerless, and had no troops from any province to aid him, he was confident that he could protect Xiang Ji and fight his way in and out of a million-strong army seven times.

[Zhao Yun's true spirit is inscribed on the Martial Arts Golden Stele, protected by the will of Huang Tian. Even forbidden beings from other worlds cannot snatch his true spirit from Huang Tian.]

Zhao Yun believed that he had come to this unfamiliar world on the orders of the Yellow Heaven to help their world's ally—Donghuang Taiyi.

Therefore, Zhao Yun will do everything in his power to help Xiang Ji.

Therefore, Xiang Ji didn't care whether people believed him or not; he was too lazy to explain.

In any case, Xiang Ji only accepts transactions involving silver and gold.

Silver is a wondrous object used to ward off evil, the hard currency of the Hundred Kingdoms of the Great Xia Dynasty, and also the vessel through which spiritual weapons are born, a family heirloom.

Gold is a hundred times rarer than silver. Besides forging top-grade and peerless spiritual weapons, it is also an essential treasure for "Furnace Realm Weapon Masters," making it a national treasure.

Upon hearing this condition, Ma Hong's face darkened. The Yuan Kingdom had annexed numerous vassal states, and its military commanders were waging large-scale military campaigns on the battlefield; they didn't even have enough silver, let alone gold.

Ma Hong naturally didn't believe that only alchemists from the "Qing Kingdom" could refine this blood-replenishing pill, and simply took it as Xiang Ji's excuse of waiting for a high price.

Just then, Qi Chen, a guard from the Qing Kingdom, reported that Cao Wei, a general from the Jin Kingdom, requested an audience.

Ma Hong snorted coldly, then closed his eyes to rest. The Qing Kingdom had no more than eight hundred soldiers capable of fighting, and its only general was Fei Yan Thirteen, a mere warrior. Without the protection of the Yuan Kingdom's iron cavalry, how could they safeguard that miraculous blood-replenishing pill formula?

He only wanted to see Prince Yuan make a fool of himself; the other powerful nations wouldn't care about Xiang Ji's status as a useless prince.

If they won't give it to you, you'll steal it.

"This deposed prince of the Yuan Kingdom actually established a country in this rural area?"

"He's obsessed with being king, he's gone mad."

General Cao Wei of Jin stared at the stone tablet inscribed with the words "Qing Kingdom" and sneered repeatedly.

No one considers the ten-mile-long Qing Kingdom as a country. This rural spiritual realm should be called Qing Kingdom Territory, Qing Kingdom Township—not Qing Kingdom!

Upon seeing Cao Wei arrive with "ten thousand catties of silver," Xiang Ji immediately sold him the formula for the blood-replenishing pill.

Cao Wei was taken aback for a moment, then had the Jin state guest minister accompanying him examine the authenticity of the prescription. The Jin state guest minister almost laughed in anger upon seeing the prescription, as it was exactly the same as the one he had deciphered.

[The Jin state's guest minister easily deciphered the recipe for the Blood-Replenishing Pill, but he couldn't refine the original "Blood-Replenishing Pill" no matter what he tried. That's why Cao Wei personally came to this rural spiritual realm to obtain the recipe.]

They didn't spend so much money to buy the formulas for "low-level pills."

This kind of low-grade pill is unnecessary for martial artists of warrior level or above in their cultivation.

The Jin state was willing to offer ten thousand catties of silver because they believed this elixir formula could produce effects comparable to low-grade spiritual seeds using "ordinary medicinal herbs," and that the world's spiritual veins were limited, and the number of source blood warriors that could be cultivated was also limited.

Therefore, the Qing Kingdom's Blood-Replenishing Pill possesses strategic value.

[However, the alchemy methods of the ancient ancestor are beyond the reach of ordinary people.]

Like Ma Hong, Cao Wei believed that Xiang Ji was trying to sell at a higher price and pressed him for the secret behind the missing elixir formula.

Xiang Ji felt this was a different price and immediately made an outrageous demand, offering high-grade spirit seeds or even gold, but he had made it clear to Cao Wei beforehand that he would teach but not guarantee mastery.

Cao Wei gritted his teeth and took out the third-grade low-level spiritual seed, the "Seven-Colored Gourd," in exchange for the alchemy technique.

Looking at the so-called "alchemy technique," the guest minister of Jin was dumbfounded. "What do you mean by drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth? No, it's just a small blood-replenishing pill. Are you trying to refine a creation-generating elixir here?"

"A elixir of creation? Excellent!"

Cao Wei, enraged, laughed inwardly. The fleshy muscles on his face contorted with rage, and the bulging veins at his temples throbbed.

What is the Elixir of Creation? It steals the power of nature! It incurs divine retribution!

[With the Human Emperor still alive, the Sage of the Martial Arts Hall, aided by the "Supreme Divine Weapon" and the "Mandate of Heaven for Humanity," expended considerable effort to refine the Creation Elixir! The difficulty was comparable to that of a Dao-proving Weapon Master, who inscribed their own will into the heavens and earth.]

Each of these Creation Elixirs is a national treasure, yet this blood-replenishing pill, intended for ordinary people, requires such heaven-defying methods! Do they really think the God of Destiny of the Void Sea won't come knocking on their door?

"Xiang Ji! Do you think I'm a three-year-old child to be trifled with?"

Cao Wei's voice boomed like thunder, his body surging with murderous intent. His heavy black iron armor clanged as he stood up in fury, and the sword at his waist, though still sheathed, already emitted a faint, dragon-like tremor.

He took a step forward, the blue bricks beneath his feet shattering with a "bang," and his right hand, forming a claw, swept with a fierce wind as he aimed straight for Xiang Ji's throat—

"Zheng—!"

A rusty sword blade, like a ghost, lay across Cao Wei's neck. The blade was broken, yet its chilling gleam was piercing; the icy touch sent shivers down his spine, and his movements froze in mid-air.

The hall was deathly silent, save for the faint, trembling hum of the sword's edge.

[Feiyan Thirteen had appeared behind Cao Wei unnoticed, her eyes cold and sharp. Her sword was pressed against Cao Wei's throbbing neck vein; another half inch and blood would splatter five steps away.]

"General Cao, please reconsider." Fei Yan Thirteen's voice was calm, yet it was like a deep, icy abyss, sending chills down one's spine.

Cao Wei's eye twitched as he caught a glimpse of the broken sword out of the corner of his eye—he had no doubt that if he moved even slightly, that sword would slit his throat without hesitation. "Good! Good, Flying Swallow Thirteen!"

Within this confined space, Cao Wei was not confident in dealing with Fei Yan Thirteen. He didn't even bother to retrieve the ten thousand catties of silver and the third-tier spirit seed. He glared fiercely at Xiang Ji, then turned and left.

Ma Hong stood quietly to one side, a cold, mocking glint in his eyes. He shook his head slightly, as if sighing at Xiang Ji's foolishness—this rural land of Qing dared to defy the will of the hegemonic nation time and again; they were truly courting their own destruction.

Xiang Ji watched Cao Wei's departing figure, his brows furrowed. He hadn't intended to mock him, but the secrets of this blood-replenishing pill formula were indeed profound; even he himself struggled to unravel them. He couldn't very well hand over the Yiya Ancestor, could he?

[The Old Ancestor Yiya was a companion he summoned; give him away? Are you kidding me?]

After returning to his tent, Cao Wei's anger burned even brighter. He couldn't wait even a day. He crushed the wine cups on the table, the wine mixed with blood dripping from his palm.

He abruptly stood up and shouted sternly, "Order! Assemble the entire army!"

The guards outside the tent, trembling with fear, hurriedly beat the drums to assemble the general.

"Remember—" Cao Wei's eyes were bloodshot, his voice like that of a demon from the deepest hell, "Throughout the Qing Kingdom, even an earthworm will be cleaved upright!!!"

The soldiers exchanged glances, but none dared to utter a word, only bowing their heads in agreement. Soon, the sounds of clashing armor, drawing swords, and snorting horses blended together, creating an atmosphere of chilling menace.

[Stand by.]

The night wind picked up, and dark clouds swallowed the last ray of moonlight.

Cao Wei's army surged like a black tide, torches forming a long line that reflected the cold gleam of their armor. The earth trembled slightly as warhorses neighed, and a murderous aura condensed into mist, enveloping the surrounding landscape.

"Alas, in this age of great strife, such is the fate of weak nations," sighed one of the observers in the shadows.

【—Whoosh!】

A streak of silver light suddenly tore through the night!

A lone figure charged into the enemy ranks, his white robes and silver armor flashing like a meteor falling to earth amidst the flames. His spear moved like a dragon, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. Soldiers didn't even have time to raise their shields before their throats were split open in crimson.

His figure moved so fast it was almost blurry; wherever his afterimage went, men and horses fell!

"Enemy attack!!"

"Oh no! His target is the general! Stop him!!" a lieutenant roared, but before he could finish speaking, a silver spear pierced his chest, the tip flicking the body away as it smashed through three riders behind him like a broken sack.

Cao Wei's pupils contracted sharply. Before he could even muster his battle spirit, he drew his sword abruptly: "This general—"

[Clang—!]

A blood-stained spear was already pressed against his throat.

Zhao Yun, having somehow broken through the ranks of a thousand soldiers, now stood before Cao Wei's horse, blood dripping from the tip of his spear, his eyes icy. The night wind whipped his blood-stained cloak, and behind him lay a jumble of fallen corpses, yet not a single person could stop him!

The entire army was deathly silent, save for the crackling of torches.

"You..." Cao Wei's Adam's apple bobbed, cold sweat soaking through his heavy armor. He wanted to shout angrily, to struggle, but the chill of the spear tip had already seeped into his bones.

[Zhao Yun didn't utter a word, but simply flicked his wrist—]

【"laugh!"】

A jet of blood shot into the sky, and Cao Wei's head was already impaled on the spear tip. In his wide-open eyes, an unbelievable terror remained frozen.

[Zhao Yun turned and left, and not a single soldier dared to move.]

The white-robed figure faded into the distance, leaving only a deathly silence.

"Who is that young general in white robes? He can take the head of a general from among thousands of troops as easily as taking something from a bag."

[Wang Jisheng, the leading physician of the Martial Arts Hall, his white beard trembling, stared in disbelief. He had traveled to hundreds of kingdoms and spiritual realms to compile a "medical classic," but had never seen such a person before.]

"Qing Kingdom, a country of mere rural landscapes, has actually been blessed with the great fortune of the Heavenly Dynasty." Beside him stood Elder Yin Tianyi of the Martial Arts Hall, a man of destiny whose eyes blazed like torches, seemingly holding a galaxy within them.

"Brother Jisheng, I once observed that King Yuan, Xiang Wenlong, possessed the destiny to unify the world. His son, Xiang Ji, clearly had the appearance of dying young... yet he had such a divine general supporting him."

Yin Tianyi had met Xiang Wenlong, who was one of the five most likely rulers to unify the world. The Great Xia royal family had resisted the decline of the God of Destiny for three thousand years, leaving Xia Prefecture leaderless and rife with heroes.

[The Martial Arts Hall has declined to the point of being unable to guard the Great Wall. Although there are True Martial Soldiers still existing within the Great Xia territory, without the support of a Dao-proving Soldiers and supreme divine weapons, they are insufficient to deter alien demon gods.]

The Great Xia Dynasty had ceased to exist, and in the eyes of the leaders of the Martial Arts Hall, it was nearing its end.

Yin Tianyi, while compiling the "Medical Canon" with Wang Jisheng, also had the mission of examining the potential rulers on behalf of their lineage. Meanwhile, the direct descendants of the various schools had already joined the ranks of their chosen rulers, utilizing their talents to expedite unification.

Wang Jisheng and Yin Tianyi were very curious about Xiang Ji's "defying fate" and decided to stay and observe him.

[Ma Hong was also present last night and witnessed Zhao Yun charging through thousands of troops to kill Cao Wei. He realized he was no match for Cao Wei and was terrified. He left that very night to report the matter to Prince Yuan, Xiang Wenlong.]

Other dominant nations that came to Qing Kingdom all initially used diplomacy before resorting to force.

Since Xiang Ji had already offended the neighboring states of Yuan and Jin, he accepted all the silver from these more distant hegemonic states without hesitation.

As for what happens afterward, whoever dares to object will be dealt with by Zhao Yun.

The dominant nation boasts numerous arrogant and fierce generals, who, knowing full well the danger lurking in the mountains, still choose to provoke the Qing Kingdom.

[Yun was furious.]

The dominant power suffered heavy losses as a result.

This move enraged the seven hegemonic states besides Jin, who dispatched troops to invade Qing, bypassing Jin's territory.

[The leader of their army, the Forge Warriors, boasts arrogantly.]

Zhao Yun, leading 800 warriors of the Qing Kingdom, activated his "Divine Weapon Domain," transforming into the Changshan True Dragon. He directly defeated the 100,000-strong allied army of the seven kingdoms, and slew the three great furnace masters in battle.

[Eight hundred defeated one hundred thousand; the military leaders of various nations trembled with fear and dared not speak of war.]

With such a divine being descended from heaven in Qing Kingdom, the eight hegemonic nations did not want to needlessly deplete their national strength by clashing with the Qing Kingdom, which was content with its limited territory. They all recognized Qing Kingdom's status and unanimously agreed that the "Blood-Replenishing Pill Formula" was indeed beyond the capabilities of ordinary people to refine.

The states of Jin and Yuan continued their conquest of weaker vassal states, and to appease Xiang Ji, they ceded the surrounding city of Lingjing to the state of Qing.

[Xiang Ji received a hint from the "Mythical Holy Emperor" to complete the main quest for the Thousand-Mile Kingdom.]

In March, news suddenly spread from the Martial Arts Hall that a section of the Great Wall of Zhen Tian had been breached by alien races, and a demon god had crossed the mist and arrived from the sea. This demon god was named—Ming Hai!

In October, the demon god Minghai slaughtered across 30,000 li, drawing a great fog that eroded the heavens of Xiazhou, where the nation's guardian general, Zhenwu, perished.

The world was in uproar.

……

(End of this chapter)