Daqin Zhentiansi

"Fire General... Zhang Yuan..."

Elder Mingchen repeated the name in a low voice, his gaze lingering for a moment on the words "Chaotic True Essence," "Destiny Evolution Technique," "Suspected Great Qin Heavenly Dao," and "Martial Dao Divine Connection" on the jade slip.

Suddenly, he burst into a long laugh: "Hahaha! Good! What a brilliant Fire General Zhang Yuan! What a remarkable human hero who has emerged out of nowhere! Truly... excellent!"

Under the stunned gaze of Yu Cheng and the slightly narrowed eyes of Venerable Cangming, Elder Mingchen waved his sleeve and turned around decisively: "Fellow Daoist Cangming, since the matter of suppressing the rebellion at Chensha River is being presided over by Fire Commander Zhang Yuan, I will wait and see! I hope you all... will do your best!"

"Great army—return to the Heavenly Palace!"

Upon receiving the command, the 100,000-strong celestial army, exuding murderous aura, along with the twelve world-destroying pillars of light, retreated like a tide without the slightest hesitation. They instantly tore through space and disappeared into the banks of the Chensha River, as if they had never existed.

All that remained were the still-colliding thunder, spiritual light, and demonic light, and the stunned Jade City.

On the return journey, above the Heavenly Palace Cloud Path.

Despite his injuries and overwhelming frustration and panic, Yu Cheng caught up with Elder Mingchen and, unable to hold back any longer, cried out urgently, "Elder! How...how could you just leave like this?"

"Those humans are clearly hoarding military power and secretly colluding with the Kui Niu!"

“That Zhang Yuan is even more ambitious and treacherous, harboring rebellious intentions against the Heavenly Dao. His methods are unpredictable and treacherous; sooner or later, he will become a major threat to our Heavenly Palace! He…”

"Shut up!" Elder Mingchen abruptly stopped and turned around, his icy eyes like two cold blades piercing deep into Yu Cheng's soul. "Yu Cheng, you've known about Zhang Yuan's existence for a long time, you know he possesses a strange inheritance and extraordinary potential, haven't you?!"

Yu Cheng trembled violently, as if struck by lightning. His face turned deathly pale, and his lips trembled as he stammered, "I... my subordinate..."

"Why didn't you report it?!" Elder Mingchen's voice suddenly rose, and a terrifying pressure, like a solid mountain, crashed down on Yu Cheng. "Have you forgotten the current situation of the Xuanqiong Palace among the Three Thousand Great Halls?"

"Have you forgotten why the Palace Master urgently needs the 'Chaos Thunder Horn' to forge the 'Mysterious Sky Mirror'?! My Mysterious Sky Palace needs such an extraordinary individual who can stir up the winds and clouds and is skilled in battle!"

"We need a sharp weapon that can expand our territory and achieve great feats in the battle among the three thousand palaces! How dare you conceal this?!"

Yu Cheng was so overwhelmed by the pressure that he almost knelt down, blood spilling from his mouth again. He struggled to say, "Elder... Elder, please calm down! He... he's a human! How can a lowly human garrison commander... how can he... how can he participate in the supreme competition of the Three Thousand Halls of my Heavenly Palace?"

"Besides... the competition among the three thousand palaces is for the right to inherit the mantle and lineage of the future Heavenly Venerable. What qualifications does he have..."

"Fool! Frog in a well!" Elder Mingchen laughed in anger, took a step forward, and an even more terrifying pressure suddenly erupted, sending Yu Cheng flying backward and spitting out a mouthful of golden blood in mid-air.

He stared at Yu Cheng, who lay limp and barely breathing on the ground, and spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice as cold as ice, striking at Yu Cheng's already crumbling defenses:

"Is Elder Xingyao, who is in charge of the 'Hall of Ten Thousand Stars,' of human origin?!"

"Is the Panshan Palace Master, who commands the Zhenyue Palace, of human origin?!"

"Of the twelve direct disciples under the Heavenly Venerable, tell me—how many are human?!"

Each question was like a heavy hammer blow, shattering Yu Cheng's soul and leaving him speechless!

These names and facts completely shattered his deep-seated belief that humans could only be slaves and servants!

Elder Mingchen looked at Yu Cheng's disheveled appearance, as if struck by lightning and his worldview had completely collapsed, and his eyes were filled with only cold contempt and anger:

"If it weren't for the fact that you served the Patrol Division for many years, I would have annihilated you today, body and soul!"

"Go back and recover from your injuries! If you delay military operations and ruin the important affairs of my Xuanqiong Palace again... Hmph!"

A cold snort rang out, like the final death knell tolling in Yu Cheng's heart.

Elder Mingchen didn't even glance at him, flicked his sleeve and transformed into a cold, clear stream of light, instantly disappearing into the depths of the sea of ​​clouds.

Only Yu Cheng remained, slumped on the cold cloud path, covered in blood, utterly dejected, the piercing question and the cold pronouncement echoing repeatedly in his ears, his heart filled with endless fear and regret.

He finally understood that he had not only lost on the battlefield, but also become a pawn that almost lost an important piece in the game of the Xuanqiong Palace's higher-ups.

And Zhang Yuan, the human garrison commander whom he once regarded as an ant and a traitor, has now been projected with unparalleled clarity onto the chessboard of the highest level of the Heavenly Palace!
------------------

Deep within the Thunderfall Abyss.

The raging power of thunder, under the residual force of the Heaven-Shaking Drum, became much more docile, transforming into flowing lightning plasma that swirled around the core area.

The old man in green robes, who was actually Lei Yu, sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. Lightning patterns flickered all over his body as he used the power of the Heaven-Shaking Drum to draw upon the source of the Thunderfall Abyss to heal his injuries and consolidate his cultivation.

Zhang Yuan, Venerable Cangming, Abbot Qingfeng, Abbot Xuanyan, and two other Venerables from the Thousand Observation Hall—"Sword Venerable Lingxiao" and "Venerable Zhenyue"—gathered on a relatively stable thunder crystal platform at the bottom of the abyss.

"Commander Huo, that old fox Mingchen retreated so decisively, it was definitely not out of fear. The Xuanqiong Palace's mobilization this time was all talk and no action, their intention is probably not in Luolei Abyss, but in you." Venerable Cangming looked at Zhang Yuan with a deep gaze and got straight to the point.

The Sword Master Lingxiao concealed his sword aura, his voice clear and cold: "Not bad. Mingchen specifically asked you about your resume at the end, his intentions were obvious."

"The Xuanqiong Palace is probably in a precarious situation amidst the competition among the three thousand great palaces."

"Three thousand palaces vying for supremacy?" Zhang Yuan raised an eyebrow; this was the first time he had heard of such a secret.

They had already planned to push him, the Fire General, before the Celestials.

However, he was unaware of the competition among the three thousand palaces.

He had already considered the suspicious circumstances surrounding Mingchen's retreat, and now that it was confirmed, it further confirmed his suspicion that the Heavenly Palace was not a monolithic entity.

The Venerable Zhenyue, resembling an ancient mountain rock, spoke in a deep voice, his tone carrying the weight of the primordial earth: "This is the highest secret of the Heavenly Palace."

"Above the Nine Heavens, under the Heavenly Venerable are three thousand Dao Palaces, each leading a star field and wielding the power of the Heavenly Dao."

"However, the Heavenly Venerable is transcendent, and the succession of his lineage must be chosen among the three thousand great halls."

“Every ten thousand years, the Celestial Venerable will open the ‘Chaos Trial Grounds’.” Venerable Cangming continued, his tone solemn. “The Three Thousand Great Halls must send powerful figures to lead their elite forces into that perilous place that connects the primordial origin with the endless chaos.”

"In the trial grounds, we will not only have to face the ancient hostility and counterattacks of the ancient divine beast races," added Abbot Qingfeng, who was once a core member of the Thousand Observation Hall and knew a lot about secret places, "we must also be wary of those 'fierce beast' races that were rejected by the Heavenly Dao and were born from chaos."

"They are born from chaos, do not cultivate the laws, and devour everything by instinct. Their ferocity and cruelty far exceed that of ordinary demons."

"Their population is enormous, often swarming out in droves, numbering in the hundreds of millions. Among them, the kings possess strength comparable to peak Venerables!"

Such a group possesses unimaginable strength.

Zhang Yuan nodded, his expression solemn. The primordial world, with its myriad races vying for supremacy, was truly a dazzling spectacle!
“However, what the Three Thousand Great Halls fear most are the ‘Star Beasts’ that roam the edge of chaos and star fields!” A hint of fear flashed in the eyes of the Sword Venerable Lingxiao, as if he had recalled some terrifying scene. “They are not a race, but individuals!”

"Their shapes vary, some like giant whales soaring through the sea of ​​stars, some like demonic tentacles covering the sky, some like mountains stretching across the void... their size is comparable to that of stars!"

"Even the smallest cubs are the size of star fragments, while adult star beasts are so large that they can obscure a star field!"

A powerful star beast that obscures an entire star field!
Venerable Cangming nodded solemnly, his voice carrying a hint of awe: "Star Beasts are born from the core of a chaotic star, feeding on the origin of stars, fragments of the world, and even small star fields."

"The sheer magnitude of its power defies conventional understanding. Primordial beings measure its might in the 'Hong' (鸿), and they can easily unleash the power of a single Hong, enough to crush a life-bearing planet!"

"Ordinary Venerables are like dust in his presence. Only the direct disciples of the Celestial Venerable or Palace Masters who possess top-tier treasures are qualified to contend with him."

"Every time they appear in the Chaos Trial Grounds, it is a catastrophic disaster for the Three Thousand Halls!"

"During the last trial, the elites of several great halls, along with their hall masters, were swallowed whole by an adult star beast called 'Devouring Realm,' leaving no trace of their bodies."

Zhang Yuan felt a chill run down his spine.

With a size as large as a star and a power exceeding that of a celestial being, it is virtually invincible in the void...

His physical body possessed power beyond that of the Nine Heavens, and he knew how powerful the power of the One Heaven was.

That's the power to crush stars with a single hand.

Even a Saint Realm expert is as insignificant as dust before the true chaotic behemoths of the primordial world.

It turns out that even celestial beings have such powerful adversaries.

This further strengthened Zhang Yuan's belief in guiding the Great Qin Heavenly Dao into the primordial world and reshaping the order.

Only in this way can we fight against the ultimate threat in this vast universe.

He asked in a deep voice, "Did the Xuanqiong Palace fail in the trial?"

“It was more than a defeat.” A glint of light flashed in Venerable Cangming’s eyes. “According to our secret report from the high-ranking members of the Patrol Division, Venerable Xuan Yue, the Lord of Xuanqiong Palace, was attacked by several powerful ferocious beast kings and a star beast that was close to adulthood during the last Chaos Trial. Although he managed to escape, his Dao foundation was severely damaged and he is still in seclusion to heal his wounds.”

"Otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to let Yu Cheng seize the 'Chaos Thunder Horn' to refine the 'Mysterious Sky Mirror' to prolong life and strengthen the foundation."

"The Xuanqiong Palace's position among the three thousand great palaces is already precarious, and it urgently needs peerless talents who can turn the tide and expand its territory in the Chaos Trial!"

The abbot of Xuanyan Temple sneered and looked at Zhang Yuan: "This is the real scheme behind that old fox Mingchen's retreat!"

"He saw your methods of manipulating events in the Sunken Sand River, how you used the weak to defeat the strong, slay the Venerable, subdue the giant rhinoceros, intimidate the dragon, and unite the human and demon races, turning the impossible into possible!"

"Such a commander who can lead an army and carve out a path to survival in desperate situations is exactly the 'sharp blade' that the Xuanqiong Palace craves most in the Chaos Trials!"

"He left Yucheng behind as a pawn, and withdrew his army without a fight despite the enemy's overwhelming force. This may seem like a concession, but in reality, it's an olive branch extended to you, Fire Commander, and to my Thousand Observations Palace, as well as to the Xuanqiong Palace!"

"They've calculated it perfectly; what the Xuanqiong Palace lacks right now is someone like you!"

Zhang Yuan listened quietly, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

The analysis by Venerable Cangming and others was perfectly consistent with the results of his deductions using the art of destiny calculation.

The retreat of the Xuanqiong Palace was not out of fear, but rather an investment.

This is not the end, but the beginning of another, even grander game.

He needs the cracks within the Heavenly Palace, and time to accumulate strength, and the "olive branch" of the Xuanqiong Palace is an excellent cover and springboard.

“I understand.” Zhang Yuan spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power. “Mingchen wants to borrow my strength to secure a future for the Xuanqiong Palace in the Chaos Trial.”

"As for us, we need to use the name of the Xuanqiong Palace to gain a chance to catch our breath and accumulate enough power to overturn the shackles of the Heavenly Palace."

"This is an open conspiracy; everyone knows it, yet they have no choice but to get involved."

Lei Yu slowly opened his eyes, lightning flashing within them, clearly having heard the entire conversation.

He said in a deep voice, "Young friend Zhang Yuan is absolutely right. The infighting within the Heavenly Palace is precisely a golden opportunity for our myriad races of the Primordial World to catch their breath and grow stronger. Since Mingchen has given us time, we cannot waste a single moment of it!"

Zhang Yuan looked at Lei Yu with burning eyes: "Senior, Luo Lei Yuan is the place where the origin of thunder in heaven and earth gathers, and it is also the source of your power."

"Although the Celestial army has retreated, the 'Burial Wasteland' ravaged by ferocious beasts is like a thorn in our side, blocking our contact with human strongholds and potential allies deeper in the Sunken Sand River."

"That place is chaotic and disorderly, with no celestial beings guarding it. Only a few powerful ferocious beast clans, such as the 'Soul-Devouring Ghost-Faced Spider' and the 'Earth-Splitting Stone Demon,' are entrenched there. It is an excellent place for training troops and forging weapons!"

To make the guards under my command stronger, they need to be trained and equipped with stronger weapons and armor.

What's needed even more is honing.

Zhang Yuan's eyes gleamed with wisdom and ambition: "Please, senior, mobilize the primordial thunder power of the Thunderfall Abyss to help my Martial Guard army temper its armor and forge divine weapons!"

"I intend to train the newly surrendered Black Horned Rhinoceros Heavy Cavalry as quickly as possible, integrate the Giant Ape and Iron Feathered Eagle units, and push the Martial Guard's combat power to its peak!"

"Then, we marched westward, aiming for the Burial Grounds! Firstly, to open up trade routes and connect with our allies; secondly, to sweep away ferocious beasts, hone our new army, and collect rare materials; and thirdly... to show the Xuanqiong Palace just how sharp this 'sword' they've set their sights on truly is!"

A thunderous light flashed in Lei Yu's eyes, and he nodded emphatically: "Excellent! The power of the Heaven-Shaking Drum has not yet dissipated; summoning the primordial thunder will be as easy as turning one's hand!"

"We, the Kui Niu clan, will do our utmost to help! What do you wish to refine?"

Just as Zhang Yuan was about to explain the weapon-refining plan in detail, Lei Yu suddenly changed his expression, turned his gaze to the void outside the abyss, and said softly, "Wait a moment."

Lei Yu's expression shifted, and he turned his gaze into the depths of the void, as if listening to something.

After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, looked at Zhang Yuan, and said solemnly:
“Young friend Zhang Yuan, your plan to forge divine weapons and sweep away the wasteland is excellent. However, before that, there is something more important.”

He paused slightly, his voice carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Just now, Fellow Daoist Zhuque sent me a message. Fellow Daoists Nanfang Shengli, Zhongchen Qilin, and several others wish to meet with you!"

"They are quite interested in your ability to invoke the Heavenly Dao of another world and forge the Heaven-Shaking Divine Drum."

Zhang Yuan's gaze sharpened: "The Vermilion Bird and other divine beast venerables want to see me?" (End of Chapter)