Heart Survey

Chapter 2788 A dream come true is called 'fulfillment'

The space depicted is like a piece of paper cut open, and the hand holding the cutter is even more indifferent than the cutter itself.

The puppets filled the world, but their power was divided beneath the long shawls of women.

The severely damaged painted prison space, teetering on the verge of collapse and about to return to the world, froze beneath her martial arts boots in that instant when the light scattered.

Princess Zheyue used her long sword to cut away this scene of impending collapse, transforming the dynamic process of world-ending destruction into a still painting, which she gently held between her fingertips.

As long as it hasn't completely collapsed, there's still room for repair after it's sent back to Jing Kingdom. Otherwise, with the vastness of the world, who knows when it will be possible to find this grotto again.

The characters Xi Xiangyi and Gong Weizhang in the painting have both escaped and are now in the vast, empty space of the Xi Mansion.

All that remained on this thin painting was the withered remains of the sacrificial demon, which was being carefully cut away by Tang Wenxue's sharp eyes... leaving nothing behind.

The method of sacrificing demons is to sacrifice the future in order to struggle in the present. The plan to awaken the gods is to consume the present in order to secure a vague future.

However, the demon race has yet to find a solution, and the future that Rao Xiansun envisioned... has already come true ahead of schedule!
Shushuro's lowest hope before his death was that all the heavens and the myriad worlds would forget about the "Painted Prison" for a year.

But in reality, it never existed.

On his deathbed, he looked up and saw the light of the sword as bright as the sky; perhaps it was a sign of divine mercy.

At least he died with hope, and from then on, the demon realm was left with only the soil of the "Bitter Cage Sect".

"Can you still stand up?" Tang Wenxue asked calmly without turning around.

"I can still fight," Gong Weizhang said, standing up straight.

The Divine Firmament War is currently in a stalemate, with the situation relatively stable. The armies of the two Heavenly Realms are facing off, and their top combatants are also watching each other closely. Tang Wenxue's hasty escape will come at a price.

But she said nothing, and simply sheathed her long sword.

The long sword forged by the master craftsman of Jing State after a year of rushing to complete was not as easy to use as it used to be.

Because what gives "the cold moon cutting autumn" its meaning is the time when I once held a knife.

Now she hovers high in the sky, casting a shadow over the sea of ​​puppet power, watching Xi Xiangyi without saying a word.

Xi Xiangyi, who had washed away all the tear and blood stains, still had the old face paint on her face. Her short hair was just above her ears, and she was only about as tall as Tang Wenxue's waist.

In the current context of misalignment, it appears increasingly insignificant.

Amidst the lingering waves of the Puppet Power Sea, she gripped the wingstrings with both hands and tightened her grip on the bronze box she carried on her back, appearing somewhat nervous.

The silence made this examination seem exceptionally long.

In the past, Xi Xiangyi wouldn't have been so vigilant, nor would she have thought so far ahead.

But at this moment, all the divine kingdoms were frantically issuing warnings. The results of the puppet world's deductions were so clearly presented to her—compared to when Shu Xiulang was around, she was now truly in danger.

History repeats itself again and again, foreshadowing tomorrow's story. The roaring torrent of information within the "Spiritual Pivot" repeatedly compares different possible scenarios—and the possibility of the demon race destroying the Puppet World is far lower than that of the human race.

She should have hidden herself the moment the Puppet World ascended; this was a calculated decision.

But she becomes a real life because free will does not always choose the right answer.

She wants to kill Shu Xiulang to avenge her life, and she wants to save Gong Weizhang just as Gong Weizhang saved her.

She felt hatred, a feeling just as intense as love.

Of course, her current unease is also her own choice.

The former site of the theater was now only inhabited by humans, but the atmosphere did not ease.

The spring of birdsong and blooming flowers will never come again, and no one will sit at the door of the office waiting for her, slowly drinking tasteless wine.

When a strange visitor arrives, the elder brother will no longer stand before him.

Shurou is dead, but his last sword before becoming a demon sacrifice still seems to be showing its sharpness—the tide of the times is unstoppable, but whose name should it be given?
"Cough cough!"

Gong Weizhang wiped away the blood he coughed up from the corner of his mouth without leaving a trace, and took the initiative to walk forward: "This is the Divine Firmament World, the Golden Universe Yu Continent that I was ordered to develop."

His tone was somewhat heavy: "Today's battle has truly shattered my arrogance. I think Rat Xiulang is not the only hero of the demon race. Such an opponent cannot be wiped out immediately."

Tang Wenxue glanced at him indifferently, without saying a word. With a flick of her fingers, she put away the thin sheet of paper with the drawing.

High above Qingrui City, a brightly colored eye suddenly opened!

The mere change in the color of his eyes was enough to sadden and dishearten the viewer. His overwhelming power made his arrival seem like the collapse of the heavens.

The voice of the Emperor Wuyuan rolled down like thunder: "Your Highness Zheyue, the previous agreement has been made. The affairs of Shenxiao are to be handled by the four continents and five seas themselves. Is your Jing Kingdom still so impatient? Are you being cornered again and want to start another battle for the Central Moon Gate?"

Tang Wenxue would not easily relocate her post unless absolutely necessary.

Therefore, a reasonable judgment is that Nian Nuxing gained an absolute advantage in Shuangyun County, even forcing Gong Weizhang into a situation where he was doomed.

He had taken advantage of the situation in the Central Heavenly Realm, and his tone was deliberately composed.

But when his gaze swept over Nian Nuxing, the true king of the sea tribe, who was arrayed outside the city, that composure vanished.

The aftershocks of battle still lingered throughout Qingrui City, and Niannu Xing had only just arrived with his sea tribe army.

Tang Wenxue hovered in the air, Zhan Shou's gaze stopping at her, the entire Qingrui City shrouded in her long cloak. Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword, her voice so calm that no emotion could be discerned: "Today, the Western Continent is probably more crucial than the Central Moon Gate."

Zhan Shou's vision was obscured by his long cloak, but the sea warriors arrayed outside Qingrui City all raised their eyes at the same time, their gazes reflecting the azure blue.

The causes and effects that had spread throughout the city, like drops of water, quickly gathered into an ocean in Zhan Shou's eyes.

What Tang Wenxue had concealed was all reflected in his eyes.

The restless native creatures of Qingrui City kept their doors and windows tightly shut, waiting for the conflicts of the outsiders to end.

The few humans and allied races immediately drew their swords and crossbows, engaging in their respective standoffs.

And of course, there's that most central circle—

The cold and sharp Gong Weizhang, the many silent scenes in the play, and the lingering presence of Shu Xiulang...

The once mighty Ancestor of the Sky-Piercing Clan, a great saint of the demon race, is now reduced to a mere wisp of life!
Even Zhan Shou's sighs were heavier than it.

There was no time to mourn for Shushurou anymore; Zhan Shou, now possessing only one eye, immediately launched a chaotic all-out attack on the Central Heavenly Realm.

There was no coordination, no objective, no hierarchy, only a single order for the entire army to launch an attack.

He didn't even communicate with the commanders of the other allied forces immediately, because the window of opportunity to kill the Puppet King of Universal Love and destroy the Puppet World existed only for a moment.

If it cannot be accomplished now, no amount of support will be of any use.

All other matters of war became trivial; he only cared about the present.

Tang Wenxue came to rescue Gong Weizhang, but still needed to make some arrangements for the battlefield, striving to minimize the losses on the front lines. Zhan Shou, however, directly abandoned the front lines he had cultivated in the Central Heavenly Realm for a year, overturning all his past strategic plans, causing the Allied Forces of the Heavens to charge into battle recklessly, while concentrating his elite troops to rain down on the Golden Universe of Yuzhou.

The defeat in one or two battles would at most temporarily deprive the Allied Forces of the heavens of any possibility of launching a counterattack against the mortal realm. Although the past years had been difficult, there was still room for them to survive.

If Xi Xiangyi were alive today, that would be a true "dark age"!
The first army to storm into Qingrui City was, of course, Nian Nuxing's army.

Gong Weizhang cleaved Qingrui City with his sword, leaving a mark like a flag, attracting the people of Jing, and he was the first to be alarmed.

Familiar with human culture and habitually cautious in his actions, he did not immediately launch a large-scale attack on the city.

Having just learned that Gong Weizhang would be meeting with the Heavenly Official Zhu Dali at Taiping Mountain, before even having a chance to verify the news, I turned around and discovered that Gong Weizhang had gotten into a fight in Qingrui City. The Jing Kingdom had only dispatched ten flag bearers to the entire Shuangyun Prefecture, and five of them had headed to Qingrui City!
There are serious problems no matter how you look at it.

Therefore, he led an army over early on, but only watched from outside the city.

With the situation of the twenty-one cities of Shuangyun County in mind, gazing at the Western Blessed Sea, and surveying the entire Jinzhou Yuzhou, his vision was so broad that it was worthy of a famous general.

However, what happened in Qingrui City was the move of a truly outstanding figure in the present world, which has implications for all realms and will completely rewrite this war of the gods.

Nian Nuxing led his army in a charge toward Qingrui City, their roars frenzied, displaying a fearless and reckless attitude.

But beneath the fluttering flags, a profound sense of sorrow filled my heart.

The fact that he was able to engage in such a protracted struggle with the Jing Kingdom in Shuangyun County, forcing Huang He Kui to take the field, was the result of immense effort he had expended. Even someone as powerful as Gong Weizhang was forced to step forward and use himself as bait… the effort he put in is beyond words. It can be said that Nian Nuxing's entire life's glory was entrusted to Jin Zhou Yu Zhou.

He believed that the sea race still had hope. The second phase of the Divine Firmament War needed warriors like him to accumulate small victories for the Allied Forces of the Heavens... until the final chapter was won.

But when the tide of the times roared in, he was not even a tree blocking the way, nor could he make a ripple.

The course of the war had nothing to do with him.

Whether he was a military genius or a spoiled brat, whether he did something or did nothing... it made no difference.

The greatest tragedy in the world is that in a tragic story that concerns oneself, everything you do is a useless and superfluous stroke; you are a punctuation mark unrelated to the ending.

The ten thousand soldiers who charged alongside him were his comrades-in-arms, with whom he had spent every day. Every soldier had shed sweat to ensure the smooth operation of the current military formation.

The demons gathered, their roars becoming thunder. They transformed into a ferocious dragon with spiky bones, bursting through the city and heading straight for Xi Xiangyi, who had unknowingly brought about a new era.

"The sea race fights for the freedom of the heavens—with us sea races here, the human race can never dream of controlling the heavens or herding the divine realm!"

The current human race's dominance is beyond doubt, and its efforts to win over the local forces of Shenxiao are based on the principle of "those who submit to me prosper." The Allied Forces of the Heavens can't keep up in any way, so they can only raise the banner of freedom and shout slogans of equality for all beings.

Nian Nuxing had read many stories of the human race and always imagined that the sea race would one day rise again. His talent for cultivation was inferior to Qi Xiaoqian's, and his military leadership skills were not as good as Ao Huangzhong's, yet he held his own against the prodigies of the Hegemon Kingdom in the Golden Universe Yu Continent, truly risking his life. His life…

All that remains is this roar.

He certainly didn't really believe in freedom and equality, but these were weapons against the current human race, just as the ancient human race used them as a symbol to rebel against the Heavenly Court.

He didn't even really believe he could cause any harm to Xi Xiangyi. He understood his role perfectly well—to exchange his own and his comrades' desperate charge for a tiny bit of information, so that these humans would be distracted even for a moment.

The evil dragon rampaged wildly, destroying streets and houses, and crushing all who stood in its way. With just a casual flick of its tail, the mansion in front of the road, which had a distinctive Jing-style architecture, was reduced to rubble.

Qingrui, buried beneath the ruins, usually manifested in human form and addressed people as Daoist when interacting with them. When communicating with other tribes in the heavens, he added the mark of a demon and called himself the Demon Daoist.

However, even the most skillful and shrewd person can be reduced to ashes, and even the most adept dancer cannot escape the cage of life and death.

He remained motionless in the city lord's mansion, yet he was still swallowed up by the aftermath of the war.

A moment later, he stretched out two hands from the ruins and shoved the broken bricks and mud onto his body, as if he were building a grave for himself.

This is his city.

But what is he anyway?

……

This world is a world where big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp, it's survival of the fittest, and nature selects the best.

Xi Xiangyi stood quietly suspended in the air, her eyes like glass mirrors, reflecting everything in the city.

The theater her brother had built for her still stood under the protection of the puppet power. Youxiao, still at the Divine Ascension level, stood atop the cargo box in the form of a kitten, its tail erect and its green eyes wide with surprise.

Outside the opera house, only ruins remained.

After arriving in the Divine Firmament World, she and Xi Ming settled here. Only a city created by the native inhabitants of Divine Firmament could truly represent it. Only in such a neutral place could some exchanges take place, allowing her to directly experience the impact of different cultures from all the heavens and myriad realms.

Each puppet she sold brought her a different message, inspiring her with endless creativity.

She knew everything about this place well, and for the sake of innovation in the original puppet materials, she and Xi Ming traveled all over the streets and alleys of this place.

This is arguably the second most familiar city she has in the world.

As for the one she was most familiar with...

Xi Xiangyi remained silent, yet she felt her heart slowly warming, and the Divine Heaven Kingdom was trembling.

The clear, cloudless sky suddenly darkened. The crimson sunset seemed like molten iron had seeped into the world. The spreading iron hue would eventually solidify into a mighty steel city!
The Golden Universe of Yuzhou trembled.

At the summit of Taiping Mountain, Heavenly Official Zhu Dali, carrying two swords, gazed at the heavens: "It seems they've lost their patience!"

Standing beside him was the demon official She Guyu, his cherry lips tightly pressed together, his eyes like frost. Gone was that perfectly timed fake smile, and gone was that insincere flirtatiousness. He was much colder, and much more genuine, than he had been in the demon realm.

“One day, Victoria Peak will be leveled, and you and I will die in battle. But the spirit of the Way of Peace will not be extinguished.”

She dodged the Eight-Slash Blade: "I should go down the mountain now."

Just as there is a distinction between the human race in the heavens and the human race in the present world, there is also a boundary between the demon race of Shenxiao and the demon race.

The world of Shenxiao is their world; the glory of the ancient Heavenly Court is irrelevant to them. Sheguyu, as a demon official, is responsible for spreading the teachings among the demon race of Shenxiao.

The influence of what one sees and hears is always mutual. She conveyed the ideals of the Way of Peace and truly became a part of the Divine Firmament Demon Clan.

"Shenxiao does not belong to the demon race, nor does it belong to the human race."

The Earth Official Lingyi was quite young, but his stubborn tree bloodline made him look old. At this moment, his wrinkled face made him look especially like an elder: "It belongs to the creatures living here, to all living beings who truly love this world and love peace."

"But we... can no longer hold onto this peace."

He looked at Zhu Dali: "Will the Lord of Taiping really respond to us?"

"To be honest, I don't know." Zhu Dali gazed at the dark red sunset on the horizon, as if he saw the world weeping, as if it were blood flowing down.

He fought his way up to where he is today.

In the demon realm, they specialized in eliminating evil cults and wicked gods.

When the world was first created by Shenxiao, ignorance prevailed and many people ate raw meat and drank blood. There were many gods who worshipped blood. It was he who, with his two narrow swords, carved out a bright and clear world in Jinzhou Yuzhou.

He never backed down, but he knew very well that Victoria Peak wasn't that high, and his knife wasn't sharp enough.

"All I know is that during the most confused time of my life, that voice told me—peace and tranquility for all ages."

Iron color completely enveloped the Golden Universe Yu Continent.

The Mo family's mighty city descends upon the heavens.

Only half of the city wall shattered space, appearing abruptly high above Qingrui City, yet it already possessed an imposing grandeur that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. The majority of the iron-black city body continued to drag in the void, like an ancient behemoth making a distant leap.

Boom boom boom!
The battle between Zhan Shou and Tang Wenxue paused for a moment; the snow-white blade light and the cursed eyes both froze.

If we were to pinpoint the greatest asset of the Mohist school in the post-Mohist era, it would undoubtedly be this city undergoing a cosmic leap, a masterpiece of Mohist mechanical engineering.

The wall appeared to be made of the roughest black iron blocks, but as it broke through the air, millions of hidden runes could be seen lighting up with a ghostly blue light.

The blue light, like a sea, blocked all interference from divine thoughts.

Only with a keen eye can one see that there are countless tiny, tooth-like components in the gaps between the bricks, like wild beasts tearing each other apart.

One after another, various mechanical weapons were raised onto the city wall along with iron platforms.

Some resembled giant beasts with their heads held high, holding lightning in their mouths; others were like unfolded bamboo scrolls, their surfaces flowing with torrents of golden data; still others were so massive that they occupied an entire section of the city wall, their winches like mountain peaks, their crossbow arms engraved with ancient Mohist seal script characters for "non-aggression" and "frugality"...

Lu Maoguan, the contemporary magnate, stands tall on the city tower. His hempen robes billow, exuding an imposing aura. His exuberant demeanor is entirely unlike the restrained and calm he has displayed in the years since assuming the position of magnate.

Behind him stood Mi Yi, Liang Qi, Ming Yi... the eleven Mo Xians lined up in a row.

Then came rows of neatly arranged puppet armors, which appeared as the city moved.

The Mohist warriors, dressed in hempen robes, were organized into different battle formations based on the type of puppet beasts they were accompanied by, much like components of a grand city embedded in different locations.

These countless creative ideas and diverse souls ultimately converged into a whole called "Jucheng".

Since Qian and Mo, the Mohists, who have always believed in "being kind to others and making money through harmony," have finally shown their fangs once again, reminding people of the past when Mohist disciples were so chivalrous and the Mohist army was so formidable!

Within the Central Celestial Realm, a perilous peak hangs suspended in mid-air, like a sword reaching to the heavens. It has stood there for half a year, a sight that both humans and other races have grown accustomed to.

At the very moment the Great City was born, the True Lord of Battle, who was sitting cross-legged atop the perilous peak, suddenly opened his eyes.

In this protracted war that lasted for more than a year, both sides tacitly exercised restraint within the Heavenly Realm. The main role of top-tier combatants was deterrence, and Dou Zhao's life was exceptionally simple: aside from cultivation, he would seek out the Demon Lord of Hatred to duel.

At the foot of the mountain, Zhongli Yan, clad in heavy armor, was fiercely striking the Hun Tian Blade Formation that was expanding outward from the Fighting Golden Body with his fists raised like chisels, shouting, "Thief, let go of my sword!"

The shouting suddenly fell silent, the eagle's eyes narrowed slightly, and it looked down deeply at the Golden Universe Continent.

"The Mohist school is now reduced to nothing but ink," he lamented.

Dou Zhao hadn't intended to speak, but thinking that 'even a fool can have a brilliant idea,' he still glanced at him and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhong Liyan's eyelids twitched slightly: "They've moved their entire home here."

Dou Zhao stood up and kicked the perilous peak he had been standing on for the past six months back into the form of a heavy sword, slamming it hard towards Zhong Liyan: "Get out of here with your sword!"

The battlefields of both realms were affected by the Golden Universe Yu Continent. The expansion of the Five Continents and Four Seas was suspended, and this world awaited the Western Continent's response.

Rumble, rumble!

The city was like a giant beast opening its mouth, and a steep mountain range emerged directly from its belly.

Anyone who has been to the Southern Region and participated in the "Thousand Opportunities" will recognize it at a glance as the famous Southern Mountain, "Tianjue Peak".

The Divine Firmament World also has a Heavenly Absolute Peak, named after the Heavenly Absolute Sword Master. But compared to this, how insignificant it is!
As it soared above Qingrui City, the rapid engine noise possessed a harmonious resonance, like a giant striking an iron pipa—

After the deafening mechanical sounds abruptly ceased, the surging iron light subsided. Finally, a colossal mechanical puppet, gleaming with a cold light, stood suspended in mid-air.

This puppet, clad in black armor, wielding an iron spear, carrying a giant crossbow, and bearing a battle array, has its mechanical, cold eyes like divine mirrors, illuminating the entire Qingrui City in an instant.

Its name: Giant Spirit God!

It is the supreme puppet armor created by Gongye Jiaxing, the master of the Mohist school in the late ancient period, and is a representative work of the "giant" puppet armor.

It was once a nightmare for alien races on the battlefield, but was later destroyed by the great demon god Hu Boqing.

But the terrifying aspect of the Mohist mechanical arts lies precisely in this—

The cultivation of a powerful being takes decades or even centuries; once dead, they are gone forever. But as long as the puppet armor's design remains and the materials are sufficient, it can rise again and again.

The Giant Spirit God has never appeared again, but in fact it has remained in the Southern Region of the present world, transforming into the Heavenly Absolute Peak, and has been silently iterating over the years.

Each "Thousand Opportunities" event concludes when the Mohist mechanics renovate the Giant Spirit God and test different upgrade plans. Some succeed, some fail, but ultimately, they push it step by step to a stronger level.

Its return to the battlefield of races is also a major test of the development of Mohist mechanical arts over thousands of years.

How much better is today than before?
With his short hair, sword-like eyebrows, and iron-colored battle armor, Mo Xianmi landed on the head of the giant spirit god, his riding boots making a final, crisp sound.

The giant spirit's mechanical, cold eyes suddenly surged with crimson flames, as if it had come to life!

The sage in charge of designing the puppet armor for the Mohist school was Luan Gong, whose body was made of steel and who stood behind Lu Maoguan.

However, when it comes to controlling the giant spirit in battle, Mi Yi, the chief designer of the Mo family's battle suits, is actually more skilled.

The Mohists had made thorough preparations for war, perfecting every detail.

"Your Majesty is without fault!"

Lu Maoguan finally spoke: "The moon is dim over the vast sea, but the puppet world shines brightly. It is not that our Mo family's puppet masters are superior to the wise teachers of the sea race, but that the human race has won a great victory over all the heavens. The trend is irreversible, and those who oppose it will surely die. The Divine Firmament War is over, so why do you still struggle?"

"The allied forces retreat, not because the sea creatures have retreated. Are you determined to destroy my Mo family's treasures here and prevent the advancement of humanity?"

"Are you really prepared... to shatter the ocean?!"

The sound was sharp and fierce, like a powerful crossbow bolt cutting through the air.

Such a master of the Mohist school has not been seen in the world for many years.

At this moment, Zhan Shou had fully revealed his true form, but upon hearing this, he only looked at Tang Wenxue and said, "See that, Your Highness Zheyue? He's on guard against you!"

"This old-fashioned tycoon, all he knows is to apologize. Today, all he's done is threaten, and he hasn't said a word."

"We sea people live far away in the ocean, uninvolved in the present world, and should not have spoken out of turn. But what right does the Mo family have to act in this manner and declare on behalf of the human race! They moved their holy land to Shenxiao, did they get permission from any of your families?"

"You six great hegemonic nations have shed blood and made countless sacrifices for the human race. In the Battle of Moon Gate, even the Emperor of Jing took action, and countless famous generals and heroes followed one after another. How tragic it was, how much you sacrificed! And now you are being ignored by these insignificant characters who are hiding in the background and picking up the scraps?"

Tang Wenxue would certainly not be swayed by these words, but she could be! It all depends on whether she needs the reason.

Zhan Shou believed she needed it.

She simply looked up.

The next moment, the dark, rust-like sky was lifted up like a cloak.

One heaven opens, another heaven falls.

Shu Weijun, a master of Mo Wu, dressed in iron armor and with white hair flowing down his shoulders, slowly descended, carrying a person in his hand.

His other hand was simply outstretched, yet the veins pulsating through his flesh conveyed a near-perfect display of strength.

His voice was like a blacksmith forging a sword, the anvil clanging loudly.

"The Mohists have always respected the contributions of the State of Jing to the human race. The State of Jing has also never overlooked the role of the Mohists as a prominent school of thought in promoting the flow of humanity."

"On the battlefield of Shenxiao, do you think you can shake the united stance of our human race with just a few words?"

Shu Weijun put the man down: "Zhan Shou, you're about to die, and you still don't think about resigning—then don't leave!"

His perfect physique seemed to be erupting like a volcanic eruption, and amidst the rumbling that shook the western continent, this martial body was already pressed against Zhan Shou's face.

A journey of thousands of miles is but a single step.

His slap was like a curtain, blocking Zhan Shou's ever-changing eyes.

That slap was enough to shatter the war drums.

The war belonging to the Mohists broke out from this moment.

The iron spear moved like a dragon moving on the ground, causing the mountain peaks to rise and point vertically to the sky.

The giant spirit that Mi Yi rode flew across the sky, higher and higher, like a majestic city wall stretching far into the distance above the clouds.

He became a city in himself. He not only cut off Zhan Shou's retreat but also intercepted the allied forces of the heavens that Zhan Shou had summoned, which had descended from the celestial realm.

Boom! Boom!
All the weapons on the great city were activated simultaneously—

There were crossbow bolts whistling and carrying a fierce aura, as malevolent as a ghost or tiger unleashed from its gate.

The Soul Tower continued to rise, its rings of soul patterns relentlessly bombarding Zhan Shou's divine will and consuming his unwavering faith.

A vast, all-encompassing electric net of living beings flickered above Qingrui City, locking down all living beings.

……

Only Lu Maoguan, dressed in hemp clothing and cloth shoes, strolled forward amidst the whistling crossbow bolts and flashing lightning. He walked towards the empty circle in the city and stood quietly before Xi Xiangyi.

Amidst the earth-shaking roar, his sigh was so soft and gentle.

“Child,” he said, extending his hand, “you have suffered all these years.”

Zhan Shou was right about one thing: the Mohists did not seek the consent of the six great powers before they marched to Jucheng. This was because they were indeed wary of the six great powers!

As pioneers in the Shenxiao battlefield, the six hegemonic states effectively controlled the Shenxiao gateway.

Of course, the true gateway is not the "Divine Firmament Heavenly Gate" that each of the six hegemonic states stands in the Star Abyss Boundless Brahma Realm, but rather the majesty of the increasingly solidified national system since the new calendar.

Because Shenxiao is an infinitely open world, it cannot be truly locked down.

If we must draw an analogy, the six hegemonic states controlled the shortest route from the mortal realm to the divine realm, and the reason it was so short was simply due to their continuous consolidation and management during the war.

The Mohists, however, took a roundabout route to enter the Divine Firmament. Even with the resonance of the Divine Heaven Kingdom, the guidance of the puppet power, and the knowledge of the changes in the Puppet World before Tang Wenxue, they still arrived half a step too late by displaying the peak power of the Mohists without any hesitation.

At the same time that Shu Weijun made his move, the Giant Spirit God took flight, and Jucheng initiated a state of war, Lu Maoguan came to care for Xi Xiangyi, which in itself was a form of vigilance.

He needed to be by Tang Wenxue's side to ensure Xi Xiangyi's safety.

Tang Wenxue remained silent, neither speaking nor joining the fray. Her sharp, piercing gaze seemed to be assessing something. Gong Weizhang, of course, was also observing from behind her.

What a lonely circle this is. Only Xi Xiangyi remains within it. What she wants, what she thinks, is completely different from those of the people on the stage.

There is only one person in the world who will completely understand her. And she never thought it was important before. As a puppet, she couldn't possibly think it was important.

Lu Maoguan's hands were rough yet warm; they were the hands that made puppets and planed wood themselves.

But they remained silent, perfectly suited to the role.

Lu Maoguan's hand ultimately couldn't reach her head.

"A play on fate..."

Lu Maoguan's gaze could easily penetrate the bronze box, so he could naturally see what Xi Xiangyi was carrying.

His sorrow deepened, and he sighed, "Xi Ming is the pride of our Mo family, and he has dedicated everything to the Mo family. I should follow the will of Master Rao and bring him back to our school."

He further stated, "In the name of this great master of our time, I posthumously confer upon Xi Ming the title of 'Sage of Mo,' and grant him the honor of being worshipped. His name will endure alongside the Mohist school. When praising the Mohist spirit of defying death, let us not forget that there once was a man in this world named Xi Ming!"

Xi Xiangyi was silent for a moment, then raised her hand and placed it on Lu Maoguan's hand.

An old man and a young boy gave each other a high five.

The wanderer of the Mo family has returned home.

When Lu Maoguan, wielding the authority of the Mohist Grand Master, granted Xi Xiangyi the highest level of power; when the Divine Heaven Kingdom of the Universal Love Puppet King was fully integrated into the Grand City.

The two divine puppets named "Tianzhi" and "Minggui" also took to the sky, and under the support of infinite puppet power, they connected with the puppet world and began a new evolution.

At this moment, the Mohist school reached its peak in the post-Mohist era.

Lu Maoguan then turned his head and said, "General Beigong, you may make the announcement now."

The person who was urgently summoned by Shu Weijun and is now standing on the city wall of Jucheng is none other than Bei Gongke, the commander of the Yong Kingdom's Shenxiao Expeditionary Army, who has caused quite a stir in Qiantian Yaozhou.

Thanks to the advanced application of Mohist mechanisms in the Yong people's lands, the Blissful County managed by Beigong Ke was almost the most successful county in assimilating the native creatures of Shenxiao among all the various expansionist forces.

At this moment, he was on a dangerous battlefield, witnessing the endless bombardment of Jucheng on the innocent emperor, and he calmly took out a scroll of imperial edict.

This imperial edict is different from others; its main body is like cast iron, and it is engraved with mechanical shapes—a very clear Mohist style.

It is itself a sign.

And Bei Gongke's identity is fully qualified.

He raised this edict high: "I, Bei Gongke, by order of the Emperor of Dayong, hereby declare this to the world—"

"In the ancient times, the light was mixed, and the heaven and the earth were not separated. The Tao transformed into the divine sky, and all kinds of things competed for life."

"Our human race, endowed with innate virtues and inheriting the wisdom of Suiren, has pioneered the way through hardships to open up the mountains and forests. Thus, we have eradicated demons and evil spirits, brought peace to the world, pacified the heavens, and brought tranquility to all realms."

"First, the six kingdoms swore an oath to jointly open the Heavenly Gate. It was not out of greed for territory expansion, but to save those in dire straits and avert disaster."

"Looking at Shenxiao today, the four continents are rising and falling, and the five seas are churning. The demon race sacrifices blood, the sea race tears up the waves, and all kinds of evil races bar their fangs and claws. They merely use 'freedom' as their banner, but they have never seen true freedom for the people of Shenxiao!"

"The people of Yong hate to see this! It is truly a pity that even in their dreams they cannot see it."

"Following the will of the former sages and embodying the benevolence of the present world, and in accordance with the 'Regulations for the War of Shenxiao,' I hereby order Beigong Ke and others to express the lofty aspirations of the Great Yong Dynasty and formally establish the city of Shenxiao!"

"Our soldiers of Yong have come with imperial credentials, not for weapons. We have built city walls to bring peace to the people and spread education to rectify their hearts."

"The celestial order and the terrestrial order are called 'square,' and the realization of a beautiful dream is called 'round.'"

"Those who can form squares and circles must follow the rules."

"Today, the city's 'square and round' structure should serve as the warp and weft of the divine heavens, enabling all living beings to jointly realize their dreams. Then, there would be no greater virtue!"

Although the mere state of Yong has developed rapidly in recent years and its national strength has greatly increased, it can already be called a powerful country. Even the ruler of Yong, Han Xu, has reached the pinnacle of power due to the rise of the state.

But it's rather laughable that it wants to establish itself in the divine realm and spout grandiose talk about dreams coming true.

But Gong Weizhang did not laugh.

Tang Wenxue remained expressionless.

The next moment, Lu Maoguan led Xi Xiangyi onto the city wall of Jucheng, where he, along with Luan Gong and other Mo Xian, bowed and said, "Your subjects...receive the imperial decree!"

This was a landmark moment, signifying that the Mohist school, one of the most prominent schools of thought in modern times, had fully integrated into the state system.

The Mohist school was completely incorporated into the Yong state!

From this day forward, the ink will be to Yong as the Dao is to Jing, and Yong can be called the ink state!

This is the truly earth-shattering event. Only a nation like Yong can truly rewrite the current world order, be qualified to establish itself as a pillar of the divine realm, and thus influence all the heavens!
The first major event for the Mo Yong Alliance was to establish a great city in the Shenxiao World.

This city will be built to the standards of a national capital, and will be a different capital city from the present-day Dream City of Yong Kingdom—establishing a capital in Shenxiao with the expectation of dreams coming true!
It is said that the State of Jing has staked everything on winning the first victory in the Divine Firmament.

What the Yong State and the Mohists are demonstrating now is their determination to risk everything.

The Mo family has arrived in Jucheng and has no intention of returning.

Gong Weizhang retrieved his sword hilt, no longer coughing, but silently stroking it. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if he had made a mistake in dissuading Princess Zheyue from taking action.

He saw the key to the imperial edict from Yong Kingdom—

Riding on the great cause of humanity and controlling the tide of the times, they are simply unstoppable.

Yong Kingdom's participation in the development of the Shenxiao world was entirely in accordance with the rules and respected the "Shenxiao War Regulations".

On the battlefield of Shenxiao, the bottom line of the united front of the human race cannot be shaken.

In other words, since the Mohists were united with Yong, other countries should no longer have designs on the Mohists.

Unless the six hegemonic powers join forces again, just like they did back then to suppress the Taixu Mountain Gate.

But times have changed.

The Mohists have already moved their assets to the Shenxiao world. Who would risk pushing the Mohists into the Allied Forces of the Heavens to protect the selfish desires of a hegemonic state and consolidate its power?

What is certain is that if the six major powers of the present world force them, the Allied Forces of the Heavens will send troops to aid Jucheng even more fiercely than they would to aid Yuemen—regardless of whether the Mohists need them or not!
The Mohists united in Yong, and the great city soared to the heavens—these were truly decisive moves.

Could the Emperor Yong, who has kept a low profile all these years and focused solely on improving people's livelihoods, really possess such a grand vision?
Should we admire the Mohists' far-sighted vision and their generational dedication to their ideals until they finally succeeded?

The sudden rise of the Yong Kingdom is bound to shake up the current格局 (geju, a term encompassing the overall situation, structure, and overall balance) of the western border. For the Jing Kingdom, the outcome remains uncertain.

“Xiangyi.” Lu Maoguan held Xi Xiangyi’s hand, pointed to the ruins of Qingrui City beneath their feet, and said in a gentle voice, “You and your brother have lived here for some time now. It’s in ruins, and there are cries of sorrow everywhere. We will rebuild the city here and establish Fangyuan City. This will be both a protection for the native creatures of Shenxiao and a memorial to your brother. What do you think?”

Xi Xiangyi shook her head: "This place has an owner. The owner of this city is named Qingrui. He is still alive."

"Universal love" was not a virtue preordained by the creator. It was fate that taught her to love and respect, and she learned to interact with the world in this way.

Lu Maoguan listened to the advice: "Then let's choose a wasteland, clear the mountains and cut down the forests, and build a new city from scratch... build our home."

Amidst the ruins, Qingrui Daoist, who had buried himself, burrowed outwards like an earthworm, finally standing there in dejection.

“Miss Xi!” he said dejectedly. “Mr. Xi is a very good friend, but I dare not save him. Jiecheng is for the protection of the border, and the rules are for the safety of the people. I can’t protect anything, yet I’m delusional about neutrality and freedom. Today I’ve been woken up by this—in the end, these people are innocent. If you can protect them, I will be eternally grateful.”

The first time in his life he was generous was when he gave that house to the Xi siblings. In doing so, he also brought the city he had worked so hard for his entire life to its current state.

He thought that with his awakened wisdom and divine intervention, he could learn from both humans and the heavens and create a pure land for the divine realm. In the end, he discovered that he was still just a cloud that could not gather or disperse at his own will, depending only on which wind blew.

After watching the play unfold, Lu Maoguan said to Qingrui, "You are a friend of the play, a friend of the Mohists, and a friend of our Yong Kingdom. We will provide Qingrui City with friendly assistance until it is restored to its former state."

"It can remain neutral; its stance belongs to all the citizens of Qingrui City."

"We will establish Fangyuan City in Jinzhou Yuzhou. This city upholds the spirit of universal love of the Mohists and is willing to protect all living beings of Shenxiao. All who come are free. Qingrui City is also one of the free choices."

"Fangyuan City and Qingrui City can remain friendly nations forever."

Qingrui Daoist understood the complexity of this choice, but he also knew that he had no better option.

Boom boom boom! Boom boom!

Gao Qiong's encirclement and suppression of Zhan Shou is still ongoing.

Standing in the chilly wind, Daoist Qingrui performed a human-style Daoist salute: "On behalf of the entire Qingrui City, I accept the friendship of Dayong."

Xi Xiangyi was still not used to communicating. Lu Maoguan and Qingrui Daoist were already discussing specific aid matters, and she had also determined the new site for the city's construction.

It was an extinct volcano. When the first round of the battle of Shenxiao had just ended, things were not yet in order. She and Ximing were first born there.

As soon as she thought of it, the huge courtyard inside the city rumbled open its "well cover".

Neatly arranged within the courtyard were puppets, all designed for warfare. Now, they all opened their eyes, their powerful auras merging into one, crashing straight into the sea of ​​clouds!

From a very early time, Jucheng had been continuously creating divine puppets to prepare for war in the era of the Mohists. Of course, it was only during Qian Jinhua's time that the pace truly accelerated.

The Divine Kingdom increased the yield rate of Divine Descent Puppets.

To date, there are fifteen masters in Jucheng capable of independently creating Divine Descent puppets. If you include Xi Xiangyi, that makes sixteen.

There's no need to hide it anymore; there will only be more and more of it.

Today, a divine being descends upon the world, soaring to the heavens from the city!
Thirty divine puppets descended, forming a formation to fly high into the sky to support the defensive line built by the giant spirit god.

Meanwhile, many more artisan puppets rode wooden kites and flew to the city site set by Xi Xiangyi to begin the construction of Fangyuan City. These artisan puppets were orderly and their construction speed was so fast that it was almost visible to the naked eye that they laid the foundation, built high walls, and inscribed array patterns. Building a large city was as simple as a child playing with mud!
War, construction, creation... the Mohists laid everything bare before Tang Wenxue.

This terrifying war potential even moved the eldest princess of the Military Court Empire.

High above, Zhan Shou, who was engaged in close combat with Shu Weijun, suddenly vanished. All the war machines on Jucheng lost their targets.

A vast city suddenly rose into a curtain of light, then instantly revealed a void. Bei Gongke, representing the Emperor of Yong, suddenly had a crimson glint in his eyes—

Lu Maoguan acted swiftly, and Xi Xiangyi's eyes also emitted a world-destroying light.

The crimson light shattered instantly, and Zhan Shou, complete and unharmed, stood before Bei Gong Ke, clad in the robes of a sea race emperor.

Shu Weijun couldn't stop him, Jucheng couldn't stop him, he was determined to kill Beigong Ke, and no one on the scene could save him!
Having narrowly escaped death, Bei Gongke calmly embraced the imperial edict, serenely scrutinizing Zhan Shou's eyes, eyes capable of "predicting death." The twin swords at his waist rang out without a sound.

Zhan Shou sighed, "The special envoy from Yong Kingdom is indeed extraordinary. In twenty years, I shall give way!"

The brilliance in his eyes vanished, leaving only endless, sea-like sorrow. He clasped his hands together in prayer and said, "Zhan Shou is completely convinced and has no more disrespect. On behalf of the Sea Clan, I formally surrender to the Yong Kingdom."

"The Mohist principles can measure the world; the Yong Kingdom's dream can encompass all living beings."

"The tides of the ocean will henceforth follow the waxing and waning of the moon. Beneath the city walls, I will be its protective river. From this day forward, I bow in submission, and wherever the banners of the Great Yong army point, that will be the direction of my sea tribe's might!"

The thunderous roar of the battlefield fell silent for a moment.

All eyes were on Bei Gongke.

He was the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force personally appointed by Emperor Yong, and only he could fully represent Emperor Yong's will.

Tang Wenxue's eyes were subtle, while Gong Weizhang remained silent.

Lu Maoguan remained silent.

Although the Mohists have officially joined the State of Yong, the journey of a hundred miles is only half complete at ninety. At this crucial moment when their dream has come true, they should examine the magnanimity of the rulers and ministers of Yong.

This was the most glorious moment in Bei Gongke's life.

The sea race, the age-old enemy of the modern human race and the scourge of the East Sea for several great eras, has surrendered to him!
This is an unparalleled glory for the entire 19th Yellow River Conference.

If he were to surrender here, the name "Bei Gong Ke" would be forever etched in history, more profoundly than any of his contemporaries.

But looking into Zhan Shou's sincere and sorrowful eyes, he simply said, "Yong Kingdom does not accept your surrender."

"In the past, the Jing Kingdom was the one that pacified the seas. The Qi Kingdom was the one that guarded the sea frontiers. In the past, there was the rising sun; now, the nations have been shed blood."

"Although Yongguo has the heart to protect all living beings, what merit has it that allows it to occupy this position and receive such great honors?"

"If the sea people want to surrender, they are surrendering to the present world, not to Dream City, and not only to the people of Yong Kingdom!"

The battle lights and shadows that filled the sky gradually faded away, reflecting a rainbow.

The suspended puppets remain a silent part of the scenery.

"I misspoke! The might of the human race fills me with trepidation."

Zhan Shou seemed to awaken from a dream, as if only now realizing he had said the wrong thing. He lowered his head even further and bowed his back even deeper: "The sea people surrender to the human race—from this day forward, they will not provoke any border conflicts and will be vassals for generations to come!"

Bei Gongke turned aside to avoid the courtesy. He then looked at Tang Wenxue and said gently, "Your Highness Zheyue, no one has achieved greater merit and virtue than you. Only you can represent our human race in this world. Please ascend to the Great City and make a statement for the present world."

He presented this honor of accepting surrender to Tang Wenxue.

The State of Yong bestows this honor upon the State of Jing!
Tang Wenxue remained silent for a moment, then finally stepped forward, supporting herself with her sword: "Let's go together."

Although we say "together," there is still a primary and a secondary element.

At that time, the iron-colored tide receded, and the sky shone brightly.

On the majestic city wall of Jucheng, Tang Wenxue stood solemnly with her hand on her sword, like a goddess.

Bei Gongke, carrying a sword and an imperial decree, lagged slightly behind, a dignified smile on his face.

He once presided over the battle to defend the Central Moon Gate, nearly causing the Jing Kingdom to be downgraded... The arrogant and unjustly wronged Emperor Wuyuan bowed down on the city wall.

The sunlight, sharp as a knife, seemed to slice this scene into an eternal silhouette.

……

Inside the well-preserved opera house in Qingrui City.

A gentle and harmless man with a smile hidden in his eyes sat quietly on a recliner. The black cat that had transformed from the ghostly beast lay obediently in his arms, letting him gently stroke it.

He looked up at the sky, squinted slightly, and sighed, whether with regret or satisfaction, it was hard to tell.

"Looking up, I see no blue sky; looking down, I see no bright sun. Are there any travelers on the road? Only you two or three understand me."

This protracted war, which involved countless sacrifices, has truly come to an end.

　Thank you to reader "Only Seeking Peach Blossom Spring" for becoming the leader of this book's alliance, making him the 1040th leader of the Red Heart Patrol Alliance!
　　Thank you to reader "921020" for becoming the leader of this book, the 1041th leader of the Red Heart Patrol Alliance!
　　Thank you to reader "Lianhua Zuoshi Pian" for becoming the leader of this book's alliance, making him the 1042nd leader of the Red Heart Patrol Alliance!
　　……

　　See you next Monday.

　　(End of this chapter)