In the Earth Dragon Cave, a white mist filled the air. The realm gate between two worlds stood wide open, making it so that the slightest wisp of aura leaked from any creature within would instantly reveal the heights of its power.
The Spirit Summoning and Saint Manifesting General, leading three hundred Armored Grass Deities, had originally intended to unite the eighteen factions of Wild Zen Mountain Deities. With lightning speed, they would press on to Anning, construct a Divine Temple, and harness the Incense and Candlelight of the entire county to establish the ’Three-Five Slaying Evil Divine Monarch Temple’.
Once they began receiving worship and established a foothold, the suppression they, as Outer Dao Divinities, endured from the Great Xuan Realm Gate would lessen.
Once they completely captured the county seat, enjoyed the offerings of Incense and Candlelight, and had the mountain folk and County Yamen submit, they could then use the geography of mountains and sea to cut off the so-called ’Jiangyin Prefecture’ from the vast East Canghai.
No matter how many warships and Martial Artists were dispatched, no matter how many Schools or grand masters from all corners of the land wanted to earn glory by Purifying the Outer Dao.
Once the die was cast, trying to drive them back to the other side of the Realm Gate...
...would be nothing but a fool’s dream!
But what the Spirit Summoning and Saint Manifesting General never expected was...
He had just sworn a military oath before the Divine Monarch Temple. Then, he crossed the Realm Gate, ready to fight a glorious battle that would raise his spirits high.
But before he could even process what was happening, he saw an old, coffin-carrying man blocking the gate, eyeing him like a predator, his mouth full of threats!
His first reaction was that this old man had a death wish.
His second reaction was a jolt of alarm. ’Something’s not right. How could an old man dare to be here all alone in such a treacherous place, just squatting there?’
Then, he saw the ’Ancient Dragon Elephant’ lying dormant upon Xu Longxiang’s shoulders, also eyeing him like a predator, staring him down.
The Spirit Summoning and Saint Manifesting General’s grand ambitions were instantly extinguished, as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head.
Without a single moment of hesitation, the Dharma Guardian General turned on his heel. Not uttering a single word to his subordinates, he stepped into the Illusory Gate, intending to return to the Three-Five Slaying Evil Divine Monarch Temple!
The three hundred Armored Grass Deities who had followed him witnessed this, not yet having grasped the situation.
And before they could even recover from the shock of Xu Longxiang’s words... the old man was already grinning. He looked toward the Dharma Guardian General—wielding a Golden Mace, clad in Divine Armor, and radiant as a blazing sun—and raised his palm, as if chuckling.
"You’re already here. Why leave?"
CRACK!
A sound like a thunderclap suddenly erupted from the old man’s five fingers as they came together!
The Ancient Dragon Elephant True Intent he held aloft began to coil, as if preparing to strike across a thousand leagues and trample the very heavens!
The moment this incredibly torrid and ferocious Martial Saint True Intent manifested, it scattered the dense white mist, causing the myriad Spiritual Mechanisms of the Earth Dragon Cave to drape themselves over Xu Longxiang’s shoulders. He bore them all, and in terms of sheer power, he seemed to have grown even mightier than before!
’Those old fools would fight tooth and nail to guard a Realm Gate, all for the sake of being nourished by this kind of Spiritual Mechanism...’
Xu Longxiang’s hair billowed as he mused aloud.
At that moment, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism of the Great Xuan Earth Dragon Cave slowly settled upon him.
If this were to continue, it would be like using this Spirit Land to temper his Martial Arts True Body, offering endless benefits for his future Cultivation.
However, this was a profound benefit he had already enjoyed many years ago when he founded the Dragon Elephant True Sect and sealed a Realm Gate.
He casually threw out a palm strike.
The surging power, seemingly carrying the might of the Dragon Elephant, thundered like a war drum!
Instantly, the three hundred Armored Grass Deities were sent scattering. Some were even left dizzy, their ears ringing, and they nearly collapsed to the ground, their minds reeling in horror.
’Who is the real Divine Being here?!’
This disheveled old man, just standing there with his great sleeves spread wide, was like an Ancient Demon Deity capable of tearing the sun and moon apart with his bare hands—utterly terrifying!
’A Celestial Universe ripe for corroding the Human Immortal Martial Dao? The so-called Anning County is just a backwater with not even the weakest Dharma Guardian General?’
Among these Grass Deities were some who had risen from humble origins, embarking on the path of Divine Armor Cultivation in hopes of one day earning enough divine merit to be appointed a Dharma Guardian General.
Others came from Divine Dao Families, with ancestors who had been Dharma Guardian Generals and Divine Blood flowing in their veins; they had a deeper foundation of knowledge and Cultivation.
But even they, upon witnessing this scene, felt their courage shatter in an instant!
’This is no backwater mountain valley.’
’This is clearly a Dragon’s Pool and Tiger’s Den! The Dharma Guardian General doesn’t even care about the lives of his Divine Armor soldiers—he was the first one to flee!’
CLANG! CLATTER!
By the time these Armored Grass Deities reacted and scrambled to retreat...
...the giant palm had already descended. It swept through them like a scythe through grass. Wave after wave of battle-hardened Divine Armor—each suit a match for an Immortal Robe—fell in droves without making a sound!
The Spirit Summoning and Saint Manifesting General had just turned, one foot inside the Realm Gate, when he felt a chilling wind scrape at the back of his neck. He shuddered, cursing his rotten luck.
’Where in the hell did this Martial Saint come from?!’
After all, in the Central Yellow Heaven, the noblest beings were the All-Heavenly Saints above. They controlled the Dou Shu, were ranked among the stars, and had founded the Central Yellow Divine Court, from which they watched the sun and moon pass.
Below them were the various Divine Temples that presided over mountains, rivers, and lakes.
Each of these Earthly Divine Monarchs could establish their own rules within their jurisdiction. Although they served the Saints above and belonged to the Eight Divisions, their positions were tantamount to Dividing the Land and Granting Titles, allowing them to rule as kings in their own right!