Chapter 675
Changing Clothes and Presenting the Flag
At the foot of Mount Buzhou, 30,000 divine generals stood in three orderly and majestic formations on the imperial road.
Each square formation consists of 10,000 divine generals, forming an 'army', with the commander at the very front of the army.
The formation on the left is the Zhechong Camp led by Chi Ling, the one in the middle is the Zhen'e Camp led by Hu Xianfeng, and the one on the right is the Zhang Tian Camp led by Huang Feng Dasheng.
Behind each army's commander-in-chief, the Grand Marshal, stood two divine generals, who were the standard bearers.
However, only one of the two flag bearers now carries the divine flag, which is red with mysterious symbols in the four corners and a golden talisman of the heavens in the center.
This is the 'Golden Banner of Haotian', which symbolizes the Heavenly Court and the Jade Emperor, because the Jade Emperor's title includes 'Supreme Jade Emperor of the Golden Palace of Haotian'.
Above the sky, golden warships and celestial vessels broke through the heavy clouds and slowly descended to the side of the imperial road under the light of the sun.
The golden warship, still carrying the clouds of the second heaven, landed on the ground, stirring up a powerful air wave that caused the golden banners of Haotian to flutter wildly.
Today is the day for the 30,000 divine generals to change their attire. 30,000 sets of 'Eight Treasures Armor' and 'Seven Treasures Sword' were transported down by ten golden warships.
As the leading golden warship opened its barrier, the commander of the Heavenly Lord Tianyou, who guarded the Second Divine Refining Heaven, the Imperial Clerk 'Huilinghou', hurriedly flew out.
He quickly approached Zhuang Yan and Erlang Shen, took out a register and handed it over: "Your Majesty, the Great Emperor of Shenxiao, I have been ordered by the True Lord Tianyou to escort 30,000 sets of armor and weapons to Buzhou Mountain. I hereby present this to Your Majesty and request that Your Majesty send someone to inspect them."
Zhuang Yan took the book, opened it and looked at it carefully, then handed it to Erlang Shen.
Erlang Shen took the register and looked at it. Then he turned around and called the Six Sages of Meishan. He handed the register to Kang Anyu and said, "Take your men and go to check it. Make sure to verify it thoroughly and there are no mistakes."
Kang Anyu accepted the register, and then the Six Saints of Meishan bowed respectfully and said, "As you command."
Subsequently, the Six Sages of Meishan led their followers aboard the ten golden warships to inspect the armor and weapons. When they saw the sets of precious armor and swords fixed on the jade platforms, everyone's eyes lit up.
Each set of armor shimmered with the light of the Eight Treasures, its surface radiating golden light, dense and heavy, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.
Especially when they approached the Eight Treasures Armor, a powerful deterrent and repulsive force emanated from it, making each step forward extremely difficult for them.
And then there was the Seven Treasures Blade, with seven precious patterns engraved on its blade, radiating a dazzling light.
That sword was no ordinary weapon; it looked cold and sharp, and its weight and power were immense. Especially when everyone approached the Seven Treasures Sword, the cold light emanating from its blade made everyone's scalp tingle.
The Six Sages of Meishan swallowed hard, for they all had the feeling that the Seven Treasures Blade before them could unleash a beam of light at any moment and shatter them into pieces.
After the Six Saints of Meishan finished their inspection, they hurriedly stepped out of the golden warship. At this moment, their clothes were soaked with sweat.
The pressure of inspecting the armor and weapons was immense; they had never imagined that a set of armor and weapons could bring such a powerful sense of oppression.
After leaving the golden warship, the Six Sages of Meishan quickly adjusted themselves and returned to report, "Your Majesty the Great Emperor of Shenxiao, we have verified that there are exactly 30,000 sets of armor and weapons, no more and no less."
Zhuang Yan nodded, then said to Erlang Shen, "Let's begin."
Erlang Shen responded, then walked to the front of the 30,000 generals, raised the command flag in his hand, and shouted loudly: "All generals, listen to my command! Starting from the Zhechong Camp, board the golden warships and celestial boats in turn, and equip yourselves with armor and weapons."
As Erlang Shen's voice faded, Chi Ling immediately flew to the first row of the Zhechong Camp, waved the command flag in her hand, and said: "Starting from the first to the tenth row, board the ship and change clothes in order."
The next moment, starting with the first person in the first ten rows of the vanguard camp, ten long queues extended onto the ten golden warships and skyships.
Soon after, when the first batch of newly equipped divine generals stepped off the golden warship, everyone outside stared wide-eyed.
The Six Saints of Meishan and their subordinates, in particular, stared wide-eyed.
The ten divine generals were enlarged by the Eight Treasures Armor, reaching a height of over ten feet. The helmets of the Eight Treasures Armor also had golden masks. When the masks were lowered, two transparent and smooth glass crystals shimmered with spiritual light in the eye area.
They wielded seven-treasure swords, the blades of which emitted eerie clanging sounds.
As the ten divine generals approached, the ground trembled and the air around them vibrated with every step they took.
The six saints of Meishan and the others felt that they could hardly breathe when facing these ten divine generals. The power and pressure they felt were unimaginably heavy.
Erlang Shen's eyes gleamed with wonder. "Your Majesty, what grade of armor and weapon is this?"
Zhuang Yan laughed and said, "This set of armor and weapons cannot be classified by the previous grades. It has broken through the original grades. Immortal treasure, spiritual treasure, and true treasure cannot describe it. If we have to say, it is only below the acquired supreme treasure."
At this point, Zhuang Yan pondered for a moment, then added, "If I had to describe it, the armor would be a 'divine treasure,' and the weapons would be 'divine weapons.'"
Erlang Shen nodded and said, "The cost of forging such a set of armor and weapons must be quite high, right?"
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yan immediately turned his gaze to the Imperial Envoy, 'Marquis Huiling', who was standing to the side.
Marquis Huiling instantly understood and stepped forward, saying, "Your Highness, the Second Prince, it takes five million purple coins to forge a set of 'Eight Treasures Armor,' and four million purple coins to forge a set of 'Seven Treasures Blade.'"
"How much?" Li Huanzhang, the third of the Six Saints of Meishan, looked incredulous, thinking he had misheard.
Not to mention the Six Sages of Meishan were shocked, even Erlang Shen's pupils shrank instantly. "This set of armor and weapons costs nine million purple coins?"
"Yes," Marquis Huiling said, cupping his hands. "This set of armor and weapons is made from extremely precious materials found in the Three Realms. Its power is extraordinary, and its price is naturally high."
Erlang Shen already knew about the Five Elements Heavenly Dao and the Mysterious Law Heavenly Dao, so he accepted the news after only a brief moment of shock.
However, the Six Sages of Meishan were still extremely shocked. In other words, this set of armor and weapons cost nearly ten million purple coins. If a terrestrial immortal consumes one hundred purple coins a day, it would be enough for him to spend for nearly two thousand five hundred years.
"Your Majesty," the sixth prince asked Zhuang Yan, "Do we also possess such armor and weapons?"
Zhuang Yan and Erlang Shen both laughed when they heard this. Then Zhuang Yan said, "The first batch will only equip three battalions of divine generals. You'll have to wait for the second batch."
Upon hearing this, the Six Sages of Meishan were overjoyed. They didn't care about waiting for the second batch, as long as there was one.
More than an hour later, all 30,000 divine generals had completed their change of clothes. After Zhuang Yan stamped the treasure register, Marquis Huiling put away the register and took his leave. As the ten golden warships soared into the sky, the 30,000 divine generals had already lined up in perfect formation again.
At this moment, everyone turned to look, and apart from Zhuang Yan and Erlang Shen, everyone gasped in shock.
The thirty thousand divine generals stood there like a mountain wall radiating eight lights and seven colors, and the power they exuded caused the air around them to distort and deform.
Zhuang Yan nodded slightly, then said to Erlang Shen, "You may now present the flag."
Erlang Shen bowed and accepted the order, then stepped forward. Kang Anyu, Zhang Boshi, and Li Huanzhang, the three of the Six Sages of Meishan, immediately followed, each carrying a divine flag.
Erlang Shen's gaze swept over the 30,000 divine generals, then he shouted in a clear voice: "Begin the flag presentation."
As soon as he finished speaking, the three Grand Marshals Chi Ling, Hu Xianfeng, and Huang Feng Dasheng, who were already wearing the Eight Treasures Armor and wielding the Seven Treasures Sword, stepped forward with firm and steady steps.
Erlang Shen first took a divine flag from Kang Anyu. The flag was still red with the words "Zhechong" engraved in gold in the center.
"Grand Commandant Chi Ling, step forward and receive the flag!" Erlang Shen shouted.
Chi Ling stepped forward, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Erlang Shen handed her the divine flag, which Chi Ling accepted with both hands. Then she loudly proclaimed, "Defeat the enemy from the outside, and defend against aggression."
Erlang Shen nodded, then Chi Ling turned back to the front of the ten thousand generals of the Zhechong Camp, raised the divine flag in her hand high, and immediately a thunderous roar came from behind her: "Defeat the enemy from the outside, defend against the invaders!"
Then Erlang Shen took a divine flag from Zhang Boshi. It was still red with the words "Zhen E" engraved in gold in the center.
Zhen'e Grand Commandant Tiger Vanguard stepped forward to receive the flag, simultaneously letting out a tiger's roar: "Charge into the strong and destroy the sharp, Zhen'e cleaves the enemy!"
When Tiger Vanguard returned to the front of the camp and raised the divine banner high, the ten thousand divine generals of the Zhen'e Camp behind him also shouted in a deafening voice: "Charge into the strong and destroy the sharp, Zhen'e slay the enemy!"
Finally, Erlang Shen received the third divine flag from Li Huanzhang. It was still red with the words "Zhang Tian" engraved in gold in the center.
After receiving the divine flag, the Great Sage Huangfeng opened his mouth and roared like a whirlwind: "Divine might is fierce, bathing the heavens in blood!"
When the Great Sage Huangfeng returned to the camp and raised the flag, the ten thousand divine generals behind him erupted in a deafening roar: "Divine might is fierce, bathed in blood, we soar to the heavens!"
An indescribable oppressive atmosphere permeated the Jambudvipa world. Many people did not know what had happened, but they were aware of the changes in the world before their eyes.
This change left the beings of Jambudvipa feeling confused and uneasy, especially after the Heavenly Capital Province held a ceremony to change the clothes and bestow flags upon 30,000 divine generals, which was then reported in the Human World Gazette. This atmosphere became even more intense.
First, everyone was amazed by the terrifying power of the 30,000 divine generals after they changed their clothes, and shocked by the armor and weapons that cost nine million purple coins. Finally, they felt even greater unease.
Whom does the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm intend to attack by cultivating such a powerful force?
Those who felt particularly uneasy were the demonic cultivators of Xiniu Hezhou, as well as the immortals and cultivators of the Brahma sect, and the vast number of rogue immortal cultivators.
They vividly remembered Zhuang Yan's purge and rectification of the divine paths of the Four Continents more than a hundred years ago. He was so ruthless in killing even his own people that everyone suspected that the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm was about to take action against all forces not controlled by the Heavenly Court.
However, the divine palaces of the various continents quickly sensed this oppressive and fearful atmosphere, as well as the unease of all living beings, and thus the divine palaces in various places promptly reported it.
Soon the Jade Palace of the Mortal Realm reacted. Three months after the changing of clothes and flag-giving ceremony, the Mortal Realm Gazette published a major news item: "On the Existence of Other Heavenly Daos in Chaos".
To be honest, when this official report was issued, not only were the beings of the Great World of Jambudvipa shocked, but even the headquarters and branches of the Human World Gazetteer were still in a state of great shock.
This news instantly ignited the entire world of Yanfu. All living beings found it hard to believe, but what they found hard to believe was not that there were other Heavenly Daos besides the one they were in.
Although this news is still shocking, as the saying goes, "there are heavens beyond heavens," and we are all spiritual beings, so accepting this news is not difficult.
But what they found unbelievable was that all the Heavenly Daos in the Chaos were actually fighting and destroying each other, endlessly battling to the death.
It should be understood that this concept completely conflicts with the ideals of Jambudvipa, where everything is based on the principle of "equality of all beings." The only distinction between friend and foe is between good and evil, and there is no such thing as a stranger being an enemy.
The subsequent appearance of Xuanjiao in the Renjian Shiyi Dibao (a local gazetteer) had a huge impact on everyone.
The Five Elements Heavenly Dao crushed and destroyed the Profound Law Heavenly Dao so decisively that even two of the three Great Luo Golden Immortals were suppressed.
As a result, many people began to worry, wondering if their own Pangu Heavenly Dao could defeat the Five Elements Heavenly Dao.
Therefore, some immortals began to publish their opinions in the Human World Gazette:
"Questions arising from the destruction of the Mysterious Law Heavenly Dao? Can we unite with the Five Elements Heavenly Dao?"
"My Pangu Heavenly Dao should remain hidden and concealed, and not expose itself, lest it invite the attacks of the Five Elements Heavenly Dao."
"The Five Elements Heavenly Dao has the power to destroy the Profound Law Heavenly Dao. Can my Pangu Heavenly Dao resist it? If not, we must devise a plan as soon as possible."
“I, a cultivator of the Pangu Heavenly Dao, am not necessarily unable to adapt to the laws of the Five Elements Heavenly Dao.”
"Judging from the words of the fellow Daoists above, they are all cowards who are only concerned with their own survival!"
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In short, for a long period of time, various opinions and debates took place in the official newspaper, most of which were "defeatist arguments".
They believe that the Five Elements Heavenly Dao's ability to destroy the Profound Law Heavenly Dao indicates that the Five Elements Heavenly Dao has been doing this for a long time. They think that the Pangu Heavenly Dao is definitely no match for the Five Elements Heavenly Dao, so it would be better to join forces with them.
Of course, a more extreme approach would be to simply submit to the Five Elements Heavenly Dao. So what if the laws of the Heavenly Dao are different? We might be able to adapt to the laws of the Five Elements Heavenly Dao.
The other side argued for victory, believing that the Five Elements Heavenly Dao was nothing to fear. They had five Great Luo Golden Immortals, and so did they, along with figures like the Dao Ancestor and the Buddha Ancestor, so they were not necessarily inferior to the Five Elements Heavenly Dao.
Of course, there is a third faction, the low-key faction. They believe that since chaos is so chaotic and dangerous, Pangu Heavenly Dao should simply hide away, not contact other Heavenly Daos, not participate in anything in chaos, and just live its own life.
However, this faction was quickly besieged by both the defeated and victorious factions and soon fell silent.
Finally, the debate between the victors and the vanquished was not limited to the official gazette; huge debates and disagreements also arose within the various religious sects, factions, and monasteries.
Even among fellow disciples, two opposing viewpoints emerged, leading to endless debates and arguments. For a time, the entire Jambudvipa world was engulfed in a grand debate between the victors and the vanquished. (End of Chapter)