Chapter 672
: Full Preparation for War
South of Buzhou Mountain, at the Imperial Road Ten Miles Inn, in a small pavilion on the second floor, a copper basin was filled with crimson gold cinnabar, with flames leaping and each grain of crimson gold cinnabar burning red-hot. Outside the window, goose feather snow was falling heavily, but the temperature inside the pavilion was as scorching as the dog days of summer.
A large octagonal table was surrounded by people, including Ren Xiaoyao, Wuchenzi, Wang Lang, Gu Hanqing, Zhang Qiubai, Shen Buqun, Yue Botong, Zhu Youjian, Li Zhicheng, and Zhang Xianzong.
Ren Xiaoyao stood up, picked up his wine glass, looked at everyone, and said, "I'm a few years older than you all, so I'll shamelessly play the older brother for once. We'll all go our separate ways in two days, and who knows when we'll meet again. Today, everyone must drink to their hearts' content and not leave until we're drunk."
This time, Zhechong Prefecture was reorganized into Tianshu Province, and Ren Xiaoyao and others were appointed by Huoling Zhenxian to serve as local gods such as mountain gods, water gods, and land gods in the four continents.
Although they left Buzhou Mountain, they were appointed as local deities, which clearly showed that the authorities intended to train them.
None of the ten have become immortals yet, and it would be difficult for them to play their role if they continued to stay in Tian Shu Province. If they continued to stay in Tian Shu Province, they would only waste their time.
If they are sent out to serve as chief gods, they can achieve great things and their future path will be easier.
Among them, Ren Xiaoyao, Wuchenzi, Wang Lang, and Gu Hanqing went to Xiniu Hezhou to serve as mountain gods. Of course, Gu Hanqing mainly went to replace Tiger Vanguard's wife, Lan'er.
Because Huang Feng Dasheng was appointed as Zhang Tian Taiwei to serve in Tian Shu Du Province, the position of Lingtai Mountain God became vacant. Huo Ling Zhenxian then transferred Lan'er to take over the position of Lingtai Mountain God and had Gu Hanqing take over Lan'er's position as Chixian Mountain God.
As for Zhang Qiubai, Shen Buqun, and Yue Botong going to Beiju Luzhou, and Zhu Youjian, Li Zhicheng, and Zhang Xianzong going to Nanzhanbuzhou, they were all going to become local deities.
After everyone drank a cup together at Ren Xiaoyao's suggestion, Yue Botong said, "Even back on Earth, we never thought we could become officials. Now you're all seventh-rank officials. Do your jobs well and don't embarrass us Earthlings."
“Yes.” Zhang Xianzong stood up and said, “I hope that a long, long time from now, we can return to Buzhou Mountain to work together again. I hope we won’t be captured halfway there.”
Wang Lang laughed and said, "That's what I mean too. Everyone should cherish their own wings."
Wuchenzi stood up and poured himself another cup of wine: "I don't want to hear any news of any of you being beheaded for violating the laws of heaven in Xiniu Hezhou. Come, drink this cup of wine, and let's make a promise that no matter how many years later, we will all be able to come here and reunite in peace."
"Alright." Everyone responded in unison, and then clinked glasses with Wuchenzi to drink.
Two days later, Ren Xiaoyao, Wuchenzi, Wang Lang, Gu Hanqing, Zhang Qiubai, Shen Buqun, Yue Botong, Zhu Youjian, Li Zhicheng, and Zhang Xianzong bid farewell at the gate of Buzhou Mountain, and then, under the escort of the divine generals of Tian Shu Du Province, went to their respective posts.
The wind and snow in Xiniu Hezhou were extremely fierce. Gu Hanqing was wearing a bright red mink cloak, and the shimmering light on the cloak kept out the cold wind and snow.
Although she was surrounded by ice and snow, Gu Hanqing did not feel cold at all. On the contrary, her face was rosy, all thanks to the sable fur cloak that she had bought for thirteen purple coins.
At Chixian Mountain, Lan'er had already tidied everything up. The mountain residence was spotless and bright, and the stove in the center of the hall was radiating heat.
When Gu Hanqing arrived at the main hall of the mountain mansion led by the mountain general, Lan'er immediately got up to greet him.
"Gu Hanqing pays his respects to the Mountain Lord." Gu Hanqing was the first to bow to Lan'er.
Lan'er quickly grabbed Gu Hanqing's hands and led her to sit down at the stone table by the stove with a warm smile.
"Fellow Daoist, there's no need to be so formal." Lan'er looked at Gu Hanqing with a smile. "Do you know my man?"
Gu Hanqing was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Is Shan Jun referring to Grand Commandant Hu?"
“Yes, his name is also Tiger.” Lan’er nodded and asked, “Has he been fooling around with other women while he was on Buzhou Mountain all these years?”
"This..." Gu Hanqing was taken aback when Lan'er asked such a question as soon as they met. He paused for a moment before saying, "Please forgive me, Lord of the Mountain. I have only met Hu Taiwei a few times for official business. However, I heard from Chi Ling Taiwei that Hu Taiwei has no other hobbies in Buzhou Mountain these years except to drink and fight with the Bull Demon King."
Upon hearing this, Lan'er smiled with relief, "This old rascal is actually quite honest."
After speaking, Lan'er began to explain the affairs of Chixian Mountain to Gu Hanqing, who listened carefully and dared not miss a single detail.
After giving her instructions, Lan'er pointed to the two mountain generals in front of her and said, "They are both mountain generals who have followed me for many years. They have been loyal and hardworking all these years. I originally wanted to take them to Lingtai Mountain, but their families are all in Chixian Mountain. So I can only leave them here. If you are used to them, you can continue to use them. If you are not used to them, you can pay them their salaries and let them go home."
Upon hearing this, Gu Hanqing immediately said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Lord Shan, as long as they remain the same, I will treat them as before."
Lan'er's face lit up with a smile when she heard this. She patted Gu Hanqing's hand a few times and then said, "I'm a bit older than you, so I'll shamelessly call you 'little sister.' If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, just contact me with the Heavenly Profound Jade Talisman, and I will definitely do my best to help you."
As she spoke, Lan'er exchanged hand seals with Gu Hanqing. Then, Lan'er said to the two mountain generals, "This is the new mountain god of Chixian Mountain. You must assist her as you have assisted me in the past, understand?"
The two mountain warriors crisply accepted the order, then came to Gu Hanqing, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed three times to her.
Gu Hanqing quickly got up and helped the two of them up. Then Lan'er got up to take her leave. Gu Hanqing, accompanied by two mountain generals, escorted Lan'er all the way out of Chixian Mountain. He watched Lan'er ride away on a cloud before returning to his mountain residence.
While Lan'er returned to the familiar Lingtai Mountain to assume the position of Lingtai Mountain God, on the other side, in the new Nine Heavens, the First Heaven had already undergone tremendous changes.
Above this first heaven, magnificent temples rise from the clouds, as the craftsmen from the Heavenly Crafts Institute of the Tai Xuan Bureau tirelessly construct this vast and grand temple complex.
The Four Emperors rode their imperial palanquins across the heavens. When they saw the enormous temple complex below, the Antarctic Longevity Emperor asked, "Who will guard the first heaven?"
The Great Emperor of the North Pole Ziwei pondered for a moment and said, "True Lord Tianpeng guards the first heaven, True Lord Tianyou guards the second heaven, and True Lord Yisheng guards the third heaven."
Emperor Gouchen asked, "Who is in charge of the Thunder Department and the Heavenly Laws?"
The Great Emperor Ziwei said, "The Divine Might Thunderbolt True Lord shall personally oversee the Thunder Department and the Heavenly Laws."
Emperor Gouchen nodded, and then Empress Houtu asked, "Who will guard the Fourth to Ninth Heavens?"
The Great Emperor Ziwei said, "The Central Heavenly Brahma Qi Doumu Yuanjun will personally oversee the area, with the Zhou Tian Xingjun assisting and guarding the fourth to ninth heavens."
Empress Houtu said, "This arrangement is appropriate. Should we inform the Great Emperor Shenxiao?"
Emperor Ziwei said, "Of course we should inform them, but let's wait until the 'True Spirit Palace' of the First Heaven is fully completed before informing Emperor Shenxiao."
Upon hearing the words of the Ziwei Emperor, the other three emperors nodded slightly, and then rode their precious palanquins to inspect the other eight heavens.
When the Four Emperors arrived at the Eighth Heaven, they saw countless celestial officials busily constructing temples.
However, unlike the first heaven, the halls under construction in the second heaven are being built around a series of enormous Bagua furnaces.
In addition to those celestial officials, tens of thousands of Taoist cultivators participated in the construction of the Eight Trigrams Furnace, led by the Four Celestial Masters.
The Great Emperor Ziwei said, "Those are all Eight Trigram Furnaces moved from the Tushita Palace. Each Eight Trigram Furnace weighs 490,000 catties, and there are 36 in total. The palace is still under construction. The furnaces will be opened after the construction is completed. Laozi said that the Great Emperor Shenxiao will come to bless them at that time."
Emperor Gouchen asked, "These Eight Trigrams Furnaces are for refining magical artifacts, aren't they?"
“Yes.” Emperor Ziwei nodded and said, “I heard from Laozi that the newly forged treasure will change the existing pattern of magic weapons and will be of great use in future battles against the people of the Five Elements Heavenly Dao.”
The three emperors nodded with pleasure, and then continued their inspection of the Seven Heavens.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, another twenty-seven years have passed. During these twenty-seven years, under the absolute control of the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm, all the heavens of the Three Realms have maintained absolute stability.
Although wars occasionally occur among mortals, they have no impact on the overall situation of the Three Realms.
In these twenty-seven years, Tian Shu Province finally recruited all 30,000 divine generals. It can be said that Tian Shu Province has hollowed out the entire Yama Great World.
All immortal cultivators who achieved physical immortality were recruited into the Tian Shu Province. It didn't matter whether they became earth immortals or heaven immortals through physical immortality cultivation; as long as they achieved immortality through physical cultivation, they were all included in the recruitment list.
On this day, Zhuang Yan personally issued an edict, ordering Erlang Shen to gather the three Grand Commandants and all the divine generals under the jurisdiction of Tian Shu Du Sheng, and then, led by Zhuang Yan, they arrived at the First Heaven.
Twenty-seven years have passed, and the 'True Spirit Palace' of the First Heaven has been fully completed. When they arrived at the Heavenly Gate of the First Heaven, they discovered that the golden plaque above the gate bore the five large characters 'First Heaven True Spirit Heaven'.
The Heavenly Lord Tianpeng, responsible for guarding the first heaven, had already led a group of celestial officials and thunder generals to wait for Zhuang Yan. Upon Zhuang Yan's arrival, they immediately came forward to pay their respects and then ushered him inside. "Why are there so many identical temples and palaces?" Tiger Vanguard asked in confusion.
Not only Tiger Vanguard and his men, but even Erlang Shen's eyes showed a hint of doubt.
At this moment, Tianpeng Zhenjun led everyone to the first 'True Spirit Hall'. Zhuang Yan turned to everyone and said, "Erlang Zhenjun, the three Grand Marshals, the Six Saints of Meishan, and Xiaotian Dog, come in with me. The rest of you wait here."
Upon hearing Zhuang Yan's decree, the thirty thousand generals immediately shouted in unison, "Yes, sir!"
Then Zhuang Yan led Erlang Shen, Tiger Vanguard, Chi Ling, Yellow Wind Great Sage, the Six Sages of Meishan, and Xiaotian Dog into the True Spirit Hall. Inside the True Spirit Hall, everyone discovered that the buildings were extremely simple. There was a blue stone path leading in through the gate, with corridors and gardens on both sides, and a huge palace directly opposite.
When Zhuang Yan led everyone into the palace, everyone was shocked.
The interior of this palace is like another world entirely. Although you can sense that the palace is very large from the outside, once you step inside, you will find that it is not a palace at all, but a separate indoor world.
Zhuang Yan led the group forward for about three hundred steps when suddenly a dazzling light illuminated everyone.
Everyone looked up and saw a huge, exquisitely crafted octagonal eternal lamp sitting where the red light was emanating. The lamp emitted a clear and divine light that felt like a gentle spring breeze on people.
"Your Majesty, is this an ever-burning lamp?" Huang Feng asked in astonishment.
Zhuang Yan nodded and smiled, "That's right, this is the 'Eight-Sided Exquisite Everlasting Lamp' personally crafted by Laozi, a divine lamp specifically for preserving true spirits."
"Preserve the true spirit?" Chi Ling asked in surprise, "What is a true spirit?"
Before Zhuang Yan could speak, Erlang Shen explained, "There is a Buddhist verse: 'Who was I before I was born? Who am I after I am born?' This 'true spirit' is you before you were born, the unique and ultimate existence of all living beings within the Heavenly Dao. Even if your soul is scattered and your spirit and form are destroyed, as long as your true spirit remains, you still have the opportunity to become a completely new living being."
Zhuang Yan added, "Now, let the eternal lamp absorb your true spirits, and at the same time, it can also extract your memories and integrate them into it. If something unexpected happens in the future, at least you can still find your memories."
Upon hearing this, everyone present gasped.
First, they were brought to this True Spirit Temple, and then they were shown this eight-sided exquisite eternal lamp. Anyone with a brain knows what this means.
Zhuang Yan didn't explain much. He turned around and said to everyone except Erlang Shen, "Now each of you step forward and stand under the lamp, so that the lamp can absorb your true spirit and preserve it within it."
The people present couldn't help but look at each other. Then, Tiger Vanguard, Red Silk, and Yellow Wind Great Sage stepped forward without hesitation, followed by the Six Sages of Meishan.
Erlang Shen's eyes flickered, and he said to Xiaotian Dog, "You go too."
Upon hearing this, the Celestial Hound immediately took steps and followed.
"I shouldn't need to preserve my true spirit, right?" Erlang Shen asked Zhuang Yan.
Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "You are a Great Enlightened Golden Immortal, and your true spirit resides in the Heavenly Dao, so there is naturally no need for you to do anything extra."
The true spirit and primordial soul of a Great Awakening Golden Immortal are entrusted to the Heavenly Dao. Even if they truly perish, the Heavenly Dao will ensure their true spirit reincarnates. Although they will become a new being after reincarnation, it is still better than being completely annihilated.
Erlang Shen nodded, his expression now somewhat solemn. "The Heavenly Court has changed so much in recent years, and now it wants to absorb everyone's true spirits. What exactly is going to happen? Who are they going to fight?"
Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "Don't worry, you'll know in a while. It's not time yet."
At this point, Zhuang Yan looked at Erlang Shen with a smile and said, "What? Are you scared?"
Erlang Shen smiled calmly and said, "When facing a powerful enemy, have I ever been afraid? It's just that the unknown always makes people uneasy."
"Don't worry," Zhuang Yan said with a smile, "The enemy is not in front of us, at least not right now, and it's not anyone we know."
Erlang Shen finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. If the Heavenly Court were to launch a massive purge against Taoism, Buddhism, and all non-Heavenly Court forces in the Jambudvipa world, he truly wouldn't know how to handle the situation.
Although he was the Jade Emperor's nephew and Erlang Shen of Heaven, he was also a god who valued loyalty and righteousness.
"Then I'm relieved," Erlang Shen said with a smile.
At this moment, Tiger Vanguard, Crimson Silk, Yellow Wind Great Sage, the Six Sages of Meishan, and Howling Celestial Dog had all returned with their true spirits preserved. Zhuang Yan nodded at them and then said to them, "Now, each of you go and lead your subordinate generals to enter the True Spirit Hall in turn to preserve your true spirits."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately bowed and said, "As you command."
After everyone had left, Zhuang Yan said to Erlang Shen, "You stay here and watch over them. Once everyone has preserved their true spirits, take them directly back to Buzhou Mountain. I still have something to do in the Eighth Heaven."
Erlang Shen nodded, then cupped his hands and said, "Alright."
As soon as Erlang Shen finished speaking, Zhuang Yan vanished without a trace, leaving Erlang Shen stunned.
When Zhuang Yan arrived at the Eighth Heaven, Laozi was already waiting there.
A divine light flashed behind Laozi, who was preaching to the Four Celestial Masters, and then Zhuang Yan suddenly appeared behind Laozi.
The four Celestial Masters, who were listening respectfully to the lecture, were greatly surprised and hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Great Emperor Shenxiao."
Zhuang Yan slapped Laozi on the back, but was bounced back by a beam of Taiqing Immortal Light. Then, Laozi turned around, pointed at Zhuang Yan, and chuckled.
Zhuang Yan also laughed heartily, then stepped forward and said to the four Celestial Masters, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The four Celestial Masters bowed in gratitude and rose.
Then Zhuang Yan said to Laozi, "Did you send me a message saying that the furnace hall has been built and it is ready for blessing?"
Laozi nodded and smiled, "That's fine. There are a total of thirty-six Bagua furnaces, eighteen armor-refining furnaces, and eighteen weapon-refining furnaces. You can decide how to enhance them yourself."
Zhuang Yan nodded and said, "Okay."
Having said that, Zhuang Yan had a thought, and in an instant, space and time shifted before his eyes, and the thirty-six Bagua furnaces, which were distributed in various halls, appeared neatly in front of him.
Zhuang Yan's gaze swept over the eight trigram furnaces. He raised his hand and shouted at the eighteen armor-refining furnaces. Instantly, eight divine runes appeared around the eighteen armor-refining furnaces: dodge, escape into the air, escape into the ground, ward off fire, ward off water, ward off poison, invisibility, and self-healing.
Then Zhuang Yan's gaze fell on the eighteen refining furnaces. He raised his hand, pointed, and gave a soft shout. The next moment, seven divine runes appeared around the eighteen refining furnaces: Sure Hit, Weakness, Critical Strike, Spell Break, Evil Break, Demon Break, and Illusion Break.
After the blessing was completed, Zhuang Yan had a thought, and the space-time before him instantly returned to normal. The Eight Trigrams Furnaces were back in the original main hall, as if nothing had happened.
"Alright," Zhuang Yan said with a smile, "Let's go take a look together."
Lao Tzu smiled and nodded, "Go and take a look."
When Laozi looked at the divine power imbued in the armor-refining furnace and weapon-refining furnace, he couldn't help but exclaim, "With the appearance of these precious armors and weapons, all previous magical treasures will pale in comparison."
Because after this blessing, the armor and weapons that are forged will truly have the functions that were blessed by the Eight Trigrams Furnace!
Zhuang Yan laughed and said, "Times should change too."
At this point, Zhuang Yan said to Laozi, "Laozi, give this armor and weapon a name."
Laozi didn't stand on ceremony. After a moment's thought, he said, "Let's call the armor 'Eight Treasures Armor,' and the weapon 'Seven Treasures Blade'!"
"Hahaha," Zhuang Yan laughed loudly, "That's really simple and apt!"
Lao Tzu stroked his beard and smiled, "The Great Way is simple." (End of Chapter)