Tianzhu, a small border town within the territory of the Sword Sect.
The afternoon sun lazily shone on the Bluestone Slab pavement, in front of a steamed bun shop.
A man dressed in faded white clothes, which still exuded an air of extraordinary elegance, leaned casually against the threshold, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, gazing at the sky with utter boredom.
He had a handsome face, but with a touch of nonchalant arrogance. What was most striking was the long sword on his back, casually wrapped in coarse cloth. Although it was not drawn, it faintly exuded a sharp Sword Intent that made the surrounding air seem to freeze.
He was the contemporary leader of the Sword Sect, whose swordsmanship overwhelmed even the Jian Jiu of his time.
Beside him, a beautifully sculpted Little Girl was holding a meat bun, taking small bites, her mouth greasy with oil, and looking completely satisfied.
It is the Heavenly Dao Incarnation of this world, Tiantian.
Jian Jiu gazed up at the seemingly calm sky, a sky whose subtle Principle and hidden flow of Origin were visible to someone of his level of cultivation. Suddenly, he spoke, his voice no longer playful, but carrying a rare solemnity:
"The Principle are becoming increasingly chaotic, as if they are being frantically extracted and devoured by something."
Tiantian, the half of your Origin power that you left in this world is probably... about to be completely 'eaten up', isn't it?
He stopped eating steamed buns Tiantian, nodded, and his voice was somewhat downcast:
"Yes, I can feel it... that woman... she probably won't last much longer."
"This land is about to become a place of conflict, even... a dead end."
Jian Jiu spat out the grass stem from his mouth and sat up straight.
He turned his head to look at the little girl beside him, his eyes clear and earnest:
"I'm getting ready to leave."
Are you planning to leave this world with me and see the world, or... stay behind?
Tiantian blinked her big eyes, looking somewhat bewildered.
"Leave?
Where to go?
Isn't this our 'home'?
"Home?"
Jian Jiu chuckled self-deprecatingly, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, as if trying to pierce through the barriers of the world.
"My swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle of this realm, and there is no further advancement."
To advance further and reach the true Undying Golden Immortal Realm, one must break free from this cage.
Alternatively, I could travel to other worlds where the Principle are more complete and the Great Dao is clearer, seeking fortuitous opportunity to complete the missing thread of 'immortal' Principle in my own sword path;
Or...
He paused, his gaze falling on Tiantian, his tone tinged with amusement yet utterly serious:
"... I'll eat you up."
With your complete Heavenly Dao Origin, make up for my last deficiency and instantly achieve the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit.
Tiantian froze, forgetting to finish the half-eaten bun in her hand.
Eat me... and you'll break through to the Golden Immortal?
She looked down at her small hands, then looked up at Jian Jiu's eyes, which held a half-smile, yet were utterly open and honest.
She knew Jian Jiu wasn't joking; at least the part about "consuming the Heavenly Dao Incarnation to complete the Principle and achieve Golden Immortal" was likely true.
Because Zilu seems to be doing just that.
After a moment of silence, Tiantian suddenly muttered to herself:
"Eat me... and you can break through to the Golden Immortal... if..."
Her large eyes shone with a complex light, a mixture of struggle and confusion.
But in the end, a certain emotion settled down and transformed into a clear and firm resolve.
She looked up at Jian Jiu, her voice not loud, but exceptionally clear:
"You can leave now."
I... I want to stay.
Jian Jiu didn't seem surprised by her answer, merely raising an eyebrow. "Go find your 'big Brother '?"
She nods vigorously Tiantian, her Small Face full of seriousness.
Jian Jiu looked at her for a long while, then suddenly reached out, ruffled her hair, and laughed.
"Alright, you have guts. Then let's part ways here."
If fate allows, we'll meet again in another world.
His laughter was hearty, carrying the carefree and unrestrained spirit of those who live the martial arts world.
As soon as he finished speaking, Jian Jiu's figure, along with the sword on his back, rippled out like water and gradually faded away.
Tiantian stared blankly at the spot where Jian Jiu had disappeared for a long time, then quickly stuffed the remaining buns into his mouth.
She wiped her mouth, and the innocence of childhood returned to her Small Face, but deep in her eyes, there was an unprecedented firmness and decisiveness.
Meanwhile, at the Jixia Academy, the atmosphere was tense and the powerful figures gathered there.
Five Half-step Supreme experts from the five major Confucianism Five Great Academies —Jixia, White Deer, Songshan, Yuelu, Donglin —gathered in the Minglun Hall of the Jixia Academy, a hall symbolizing the highest authority of Confucianism.
Zhu Tianxin is the head of the Jixia Academy and also the Old Ancestor of the Zhu Family.
Dressed in a scholar's robe, with a lean face and sharp, eagle-like eyes, he spoke first, his voice resounding and carrying an undeniable determination:
"We have just received confirmation that Zhang Yu, a wanted criminal by the Confucianism school, will be holding Heaven-Sacrificing Dao-Establishment to establish the so-called 'Great Xia Divine Dynasty' in three days at the Li Family Ancestral Land the Li Earth Province!"
This scoundrel has become so arrogant, openly establishing a state; this is a slap in the face to the entire Confucianism school.
It must be stopped immediately and nipped in the bud to serve as a warning to others!
White Deer Bai Sheng is a middle-aged scholar with a gentle and refined temperament.
He frowned slightly upon hearing this, and slowly said:
Brother Zhu's words make sense.
However, according to reliable intelligence...
A few days ago, outside Yuhua Prefecture, Zhang Yu forced back the Qi Yun Fortune Dharma Body of Emperor Ji Wuxiang of the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty with a Ji Wuxiang sword strike.
His true strength is probably beyond that of ordinary Heavenly Immortal, and he may even have touched the threshold of the Unparalleled Realm.
Now that he has gained considerable power and has the Li Family as his base, he has recruited many experts under his command.
Making a hasty move might... lead to difficulties in dealing with the situation.
In my opinion, wouldn't it be more prudent to wait until Lord Zilu before making a decision?
Zuo Lengqiu, the headmaster of the Songshan Academy, was thin and had a stern face. He replied:
Brother Bai is absolutely right.
Moreover, Xiang Tianyu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, seems to have a close relationship with Zhang Yu and has clearly stated that he will attend the ceremony.
This person possesses overwhelming Combat Power, making him one of the top beings in the Half-step Supreme Realm, capable of defeating several individuals of the same level single-handedly.
Add to that Jian Jiu, the elusive and unpredictable Sword Sect of the Sword Sect, a master of swordsmanship... who is also said to have some connection with Zhang Yu.
If these two intervene, even if all five of us go out together, we are not guaranteed to win.
To be on the safe side, we should indeed wait for Lord Zilu.
The other two academy heads, Ouyang Zhengwo of the Yuelu Academy and Gu Xiancheng of the East Forest Academy, did not speak, but their expressions revealed their agreement with Bai Sheng and Zuo Lengqiu.
After the news spread that Master Zilu was about to break through the seal, the morale of the Confucianism school was greatly boosted, but a sense of dependence inevitably arose, especially when facing a tough opponent like Zhang Yu, they were even less willing to take risks.
"Absurd! Foolish!"
Zhu Tianxin slammed her hand on the table, the sound echoing through the roof tiles, her face showing anger and frustration at her son's lack of ambition.
"With Lord Zilu about to break free of his fiefdom, this is a golden opportunity for our Confucianism to regain its prestige and unify the Three Thousand Great Provinces."
Now, a mere Zhang Yu, a so-called 'Divine Dynasty' that's just beginning to take shape, has frightened you so much that you don't even have the courage to take action to suppress it?
If we have to trouble Master Zilu with everything, what use are we?
He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the other four, his tone impassioned and highly persuasive:
"Don't forget, everyone, the world has already been shaken since the news of Lord Zilu's imminent breaking of his seal was released!"
Ji Wuxiang of the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty Emperor has clearly expressed his submission to our Confucianism and is willing to serve as our vanguard!
Yuan Tong, the leader of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, has also submitted a letter of surrender, expressing his willingness to lead his disciples to submit to the Buddhist Sect!
Both of these individuals are genuine Half-step Supreme experts!
Zhu Tianxin held up her fingers and counted them one by one:
"Our Confucianism Five Great Academies have five members who Half-step Supreme."
Adding Qianyuan Ji Wuxiang and Ten Thousand Buddha Sect Yuan Tong, these make Half-step Supreme.
Even if Xiang Tianyu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, was incredibly strong, could he possibly fight seven opponents alone?
As for Jian Jiu, his whereabouts are a mystery, and he might not be willing to completely break ties with the Confucianism over Zhang Yu.
Upon hearing this, Bai Sheng, Zuo Lengqiu, and the others all showed a change in expression.
Zhu Tianxin's analysis is not without merit.
The group exchanged glances and pondered for a moment.
Finally, Bai Sheng slowly nodded:
"What Brother Zhu said makes sense."
Zuo Lengqiu also said, "That's right. Lord Zilu is about to emerge from seclusion, and we should indeed do something to prevent him from looking down on us."
Ouyang Zhengwo and Gu Xiancheng also expressed their support.
"Good!"
Seeing that everyone was in agreement, Zhu Tianxin smiled with satisfaction, which quickly turned grim.
"In that case, let's act immediately without delay!"
His expression turned serious, and he gave the order in a deep voice. His voice, transmitted through a special Formation, resounded throughout the entire Jixia Academy, and even to the other Four Great Academies:
"Convey my Confucianism edict:"
"First, I Ji Wuxiang Emperor Ji Wuxiang of the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty to immediately muster the Divine Dynasty's elite troops, march on the Earth Province, and punish the traitor Zhang Yu. We must arrive at his city gates before his founding ceremony to demonstrate the might of Heaven!"
"Second, I hereby order Yuan Tong, the Buddha Master of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, to lead the Buddhist Sect's experts and guardian monks to fully cooperate with the Primal Origin Divine Dynasty's actions, without fail!"
"Thirdly, all elders and True Disciple of the Five Great Academies shall immediately end their seclusion and travels and return to their respective academies to await orders within three days!"
Each academy will draw 70% of its elite forces, personally led by its head, and immediately proceed to the border of the Earth Province to join forces with the armies of Qianyuan and Ten Thousand Buddha Sect!
"In this battle, we must utterly crush Zhang Yu and his cronies, along with the yet-to-be-established 'Great Xia,' in front of the world."
"As the Supreme Court President Edict!"
One command after another, like an invisible storm, emanated from the Jixia Academy and quickly spread in all directions.
The Three Thousand Great Provinces, which had only recently enjoyed a period of peace, were once again shrouded in the Dark Clouds of war.
Confucianism, this behemoth, has finally bared its sharp fangs, its target the nascent "Great Xia"!