Daqin Zhentiansi

Azure clouds streaked across the sky of the western region of Lei Ze like a streak of light, below which stretched a vast, rugged mountain range with undulating peaks and jagged rocks.

Above the clouds, Qing Xuanzi's Daoist robes fluttered, his expression calm, yet a hint of gravity was subtly hidden between his brows.

Zhang Yuan followed closely behind, his dark robes fluttering in the strong wind, his gaze calmly sweeping over the land filled with the aura of primitive wilderness.

A strong wind howled, blowing the robes of the two men.

Qing Xuanzi's gaze swept across the endless mountains below, which resembled enraged beasts coiled around them. Suddenly, he turned to look at Zhang Yuan, his voice still clear in the wind:
“Junior Brother Zhang, look at this Western Region of Lei Ze. It’s just a small part of the territory under the jurisdiction of my Xuan Yu Temple.”

"Under my rule, the territory stretches for millions of miles, with ancient ferocious beasts lurking in the deep marshes and powerful clans dominating the primordial peaks."

"The 'Mountain Giant Ape' that we are going to visit is just one of them."

His tone carried a hint of seniority and also a touch of helplessness: "The ancient races have a long history, and there are countless individuals with powerful bloodlines."

"The descendants of divine beasts, such as the Kui Niu, Zhu Yan, Zhen Long, and Feng Huang, possess earth-shattering power. Although they nominally submit to the Heavenly Palace, they are actually unruly and regard human cultivators like ants as servants."

"The demon race is rampant everywhere, fierce and cunning, and often raids human settlements to compete for spiritual veins and caves."

Qing Xuanzi paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Yuan as if assessing the weight of this newly promoted colleague: "In this world, there are as many as 38 million temples like my Xuanyu Temple that bear the responsibility of guarding the land!"

"Scattered across the edges of human territory, they must maintain the majesty of the Heavenly Palace, collect tribute, suppress ferocious beasts, mediate disputes, and balance all parties."

"The system appears large, but in reality it is stretched thin in every aspect, with scarce resources and a shortage of manpower. Especially when facing these powerful alien races, the slightest carelessness could lead to sudden turmoil."

He pointed to the deep, muffled roars of beasts that faintly echoed from the depths of the distant mountains. The sound reverberated through the forests, carrying a primal and violent aura: "Listen to this noise, and you'll know how rampant the ferocious beasts are here."

"The Celestial Race sent by the Heavenly Palace resides high above the Nine Heavens, regarding us, the guardian cultivators, as mere straw dogs and pawns. They only care about the result, not the process. If there is the slightest mistake, a reprimand or punishment is considered lenient."

Qing Xuanzi's tone revealed a hint of weariness and awe for higher-level power: "The Heavenly Venerable who sits deep in the Heavenly Palace is an unparalleled being who has stepped into the Supreme Realm. He can destroy all living beings with a single thought, which is beyond our comprehension."

"In its eyes, these 38 million guardians, and us guardians, are nothing more than one of the countless tentacles that maintain its rules and draw resources from the primordial world. This trip to the Giant Ape Clan's territory will be your first lesson in witnessing the myriad aspects of this primordial world."

The air was filled with a faint smell of sulfur and the scorching heat of thunder.

The distant, deep, drum-like roar of the beast seemed to have gained even more of a primordial vastness and cruelty, shaking the mountains and forests, and silently confirming the weight of Qing Xuanzi's words.

"We've arrived. This is the territory of the Mountain Giant Ape Clan's 'Raging Rock Peak'."

Qing Xuanzi descended from the clouds and landed on a relatively flat platform carved from a single giant rock.

In front of the platform are two giant stone peaks that stand like roaring apes, forming a natural gateway with an imposing presence.

At the edge of the platform, dozens of giant apes, each as big as a small mountain, were already waiting.

They are over ten feet tall on average, with muscles that are as bulging as a coiled dragon's root, covered with short, dark brown hair like steel needles.

These giant apes mostly had unruly eyes, flashing with a wild and fierce light.

The leader was even more imposing, nearly two zhang tall, standing there like a moving iron tower.

He was none other than Yan Feng, the young chieftain of the Giant Ape Clan.

Although it was in human form, its facial features were rugged, its fangs were slightly exposed, and its body exuded the violent, volcanic power fluctuations of a late-stage Saint Realm cultivator.

He was covered by a faint, earthy-yellow halo, a manifestation of the "Mountain Moving Technique" passed down through generations of the Giant Ape Clan at its most profound level.

This technique draws upon the power of the earth's veins to temper the physical body, imbuing every movement with the immense power to shatter mountains and split the earth.

However, under the suppression of the complete and extremely stable laws of the primordial world, the power of this force is far beyond what the shattered world can compare to.

Here, even a full-force strike from a late-stage Saint Realm cultivator might shatter a small hill, but it would be utterly impossible to smash stars, let alone overturn rivers and seas.

The primordial Heavenly Dao, like an invisible shackle, confines all power within a more "reasonable" scope.

"Governor of Qingxuan Town, you have come from afar. You must be tired."

The sound of the rock peak was like the grinding of a boulder, dull and carrying a sense of superiority.

His gaze swept over Qing Xuanzi, finally landing on Zhang Yuan, with undisguised scrutiny and a hint of contempt.

"This is... a newcomer? His aura is quite pure, but I wonder if his physique can withstand a punch from one of my clan's young men."

Behind him, several giant ape warriors let out low, mocking laughs, their muscles bulging, revealing their muscular and powerful physiques honed through countless trials.

“Indeed, this is my newly appointed garrison commander of Xuanyu Temple, Junior Brother Zhang Yuan.” Qing Xuanzi nodded slightly, his tone calm yet carrying the majesty of a celestial palace garrison commander.

"Young Clan Chief Yanfeng, please deliver this season's tribute: one hundred catties of spirit ore and one thousand Wind and Thunder Spirit Fruits. The laws of the Heavenly Palace cannot be delayed."

He got straight to the point, stating his purpose.

No sooner had Qing Xuanzi finished speaking than Yan Feng's rugged face revealed an undisguised sneer. He crossed his thick arms and his voice was like muffled thunder: "Hmph, more tribute! Qing Xuanzi, every time you come, besides asking for things, have you ever done anything for my Giant Ape Clan?"

"The western region of Lei Ze is already barren. Some time ago, the earth fire surged, destroying many mining sites. Moreover, most of the spirit fruits were ruined by a few blind ferocious beasts! Look at that!"

He waved his hand and pointed behind him.

Several giant ape warriors carried up several large wicker baskets, which contained only a few dozen scattered pieces of low-quality ore that were dull in color and lacked spiritual energy.

And over a hundred green fruits of poor quality, some even shriveled, swirling with a faint aura of wind and thunder.

It was far from meeting the requirements of 100 jin of top-grade spirit ore and 1,000 plump Wind and Thunder Spirit Fruits.

"A hundred catties of spirit ore? A thousand spirit fruits? No! That's all, take it or leave it!"

Yan Feng's tone was harsh, with obvious impatience.

Qing Xuanzi's expression darkened, and the pressure of the second level of the Saint Realm, the Creation Realm, surged out like a tide, attempting to suppress the restless, primal aura in the arena.

"Yan Feng! The Heavenly Palace's tribute is the foundation for maintaining order in the primordial world. How can you say it's gone just like that? This mere trifle isn't even a fraction of what it is!"

"Resource scarcity is just an excuse! Without the protection of the Heavenly Palace, could your Giant Ape Clan live peacefully in this Western Thunder Swamp, surrounded by ferocious beasts and powerful clans?"

"Pay the full amount immediately, or your clan will be unable to bear the consequences of the Abbot's decree!"

He spoke sternly, attempting to intimidate the other party with the power of the Heavenly Palace.

"Heavenly Palace protection?" Yan Feng suddenly took a step forward, his huge foot landing on the rock platform with a dull thud. Spiderweb-like cracks instantly spread several feet, and rubble flew everywhere.

He grinned, revealing gleaming white fangs, his arrogant aura soaring to the heavens. A sudden surge of earthy yellow light erupted from his body, subtly pushing back Qing Xuanzi's oppressive aura. "My Giant Ape clan is born powerful, capable of uprooting mountains and rivers! We rely on our bodies of steel and iron, on the 'Mountain Moving Technique' passed down from our ancestors, drawing upon the power of the earth's veins to temper ourselves! Why do we need the protection of others?"

"You human cultivators dare to act arrogantly here just because you rely on a few Qi refining methods passed down from the Heavenly Palace. In my eyes, you are nothing but weaklings who can only chant scriptures and draw talismans! You want tribute? Fine!"

He pointed his large, fan-like hand sharply at Zhang Yuan behind Qing Xuanzi, his eyes flashing with provocation and cruelty: "Let this newcomer fight me!"

"If he can withstand me for ten breaths, or even make me back half a step, my Giant Ape Clan will pay this season's tribute in full, even if it means selling everything we own! If not... hehe, the tribute will be halved! Otherwise, not a single grain of ore!"

He deliberately emphasized "newcomer" and "weakling" to humiliate the human race, and also took a liking to Zhang Yuan's identity as a rogue cultivator who had ascended to immortality.

These cultivators, upon first arriving in the prehistoric world, are most heavily suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, often finding it difficult to even unleash 30-40% of their original strength. Facing this late-stage Saint Realm giant ape who proves the Dao through force, they have almost no chance of victory.

"Wow——!"

Yan Feng's words were like igniting a powder keg!

The dozens of giant ape warriors behind him instantly erupted in earth-shattering roars and chest-pounding stomping sounds, the heavy sense of power almost freezing the air.

They pounded their chests and the rocky ground with their thick knuckles, producing a rhythmic and violent "thump-thump" sound.

The roar was like a tidal wave, filled with disdain for the oppressive power of the Heavenly Palace and mockery of human cultivators, especially the "newly arrived rogue cultivators":

"Roar! Weakling! Weakling!"

"Strike! Defeat him! Tear him apart!"

"Young Clan Leader is mighty! Let him witness the true power of the Primordial Gods!"

"The Heavenly Palace is nothing! It pays no tribute! Attack!"

The area is closed.

A violent, savage aura, mixed with a strong body odor, assaulted the senses, creating a suffocating sense of oppression.

Qing Xuanzi's face turned ashen, Dao principles flickered around him, and the pressure of the Creation Realm increased once again, attempting to forcefully suppress the commotion: "Yan Feng! How dare you be so insolent! Junior Brother Zhang Yuan is the guardian of my temple, how dare you provoke him so casually!"

"Quickly gather your people and pay your tribute, or don't blame me..."

He was both anxious and angry. This Yan Feng was so arrogant and even pointed the finger at Zhang Yuan!
Even if a newly ascended rogue cultivator has the best aptitude, how much strength can he exert under the suppression of the Primordial Great Dao?
Facing this giant ape clan leader who specializes in physical cultivation and possesses immense strength is like lambs to the slaughter!

He could almost foresee the scene where Zhang Yuan would be severely injured or even crippled by a single punch.

This would not only damage the temple's reputation, but could also cause unnecessary conflict and ruin the abbot's important plans!

However, with Yan Feng's tacit approval, the clamor of the giant ape tribe intensified, and Qing Xuanzi's angry rebuke was drowned out by the deafening roar.

Yan Feng crossed his arms and looked at Qing Xuanzi, whose face was ugly, with a mocking expression. His eyes seemed to say, "What can you do to me?"
Heavenly Palace's oppressive aura?

Even in the face of absolute power, in this wild and untamed land, one must yield!
What he wants is an escalation of the conflict! To bring the negotiations to a complete standstill.

If Qingxuanzi backs down, the tribute tax will be easy to negotiate.

Yan Feng's enormous, bell-like eyes locked onto Zhang Yuan again, filled with intense malice and blatant contempt: "What? That new kid, scared out of his wits?"

"Hiding in the back like cowards? Not even daring to fart? Human cultivators, you really are all spineless cowards! Don't you even have the courage to accept a challenge? Hahaha!"

His maniacal laughter was like rolling thunder, which drew even more intense cheers and jeers.

Qing Xuanzi's heart sank. He hurriedly sent a telepathic message to Zhang Yuan, his tone filled with unprecedented urgency and worry: "Junior Brother Zhang! Don't act rashly!"

"This fiend has mastered the 'Mountain Moving Technique' to a state of perfection. His physical body is as strong as a top-tier magic weapon, and he possesses immense strength. Moreover, he is violent and ruthless in his attacks! You are a rogue cultivator who has just ascended to the Primordial World. You are under the greatest suppression of the Great Dao of this world, and your strength is difficult to fully display. Your foundation is not yet stable. It is not worth fighting him head-on!"

"This battle is extremely dangerous. The slightest carelessness could result in serious injury or even damage to one's foundation! Retreat immediately! Leave everything to my senior brother, and wait for me..."

However, before Qing Xuanzi could finish his persuasion, a calm and undisturbed voice, yet clear enough to pierce through all the noise, suddenly rang out.

"it is good."

Zhang Yuan took a step forward, his dark ink robe sleeves fluttering even without wind.

His gaze was calm as he met Yan Feng's provocative and fierce stare.

It was as if the other party's terrifying aura, arrogant words, and the overwhelming ferocity of the dozens of giant apes behind him were nothing more than a gentle breeze.

Amidst the commotion, he appeared silent, but in reality, his divine sense had already spread out quietly like mercury.

Deep within the territory of the Giant Ape Clan, he keenly detected a faint yet exceptionally dense fluctuation of spiritual energy.

The waves were deep and heavy, carrying the pulse of the earth and the sharpness of metal. They were far superior to the inferior ores in the wicker basket in front of us. It was very likely a rich vein of mineral deposits that had been hidden for a long time!

Perhaps this is the real source of the giant ape tribe's confidence in shirking responsibility?
Meanwhile, deep within his sea of ​​consciousness, the core of the Thirteen Arts of Destiny, the "Art of My Destiny," was already operating silently.

Yan Feng's seemingly ferocious and oppressive massive body was instantly analyzed in his eyes.

The trajectory of muscle power explosion, the nodes of breath flow, and the power ripples generated when the power of the earth veins combines with the "Mountain Moving Technique".

The subtle, almost imperceptible force exertion habits when he stepped on the ground and slightly lowered his shoulders and elbows, as well as the weak points where his power gathered, were clearly reflected in Zhang Yuan's mind, just like the lines on his palm.

He even predicted the three most likely starting moves of Yan Feng and the terrifying power trajectory they contained.

The suppression of the Great Dao in the primordial world does indeed exist.

However, the Chaos Origin and Destiny Evolution Techniques that Zhang Yuan carries are of an extremely high level. This suppression has a far less impact on his ability to analyze the trajectory of "skill" and "power" than it restricts the output of pure power.

"Senior brother, it's alright."

Zhang Yuan nodded slightly to Qing Xuanzi, who looked shocked and was about to stop him.

His tone remained eerily calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

"Since the young clan leader insists on giving some 'guidance,' Zhang Yuan will experience the divine power of the giant ape clan firsthand."

"It's a good opportunity to see what's so mysterious about the 'Mountain Moving Technique' of the Hundred Races of the Primordial Era."

He looked at Yan Feng again, his eyes clear and unchanging, like a deep, still well, and simply said, "Please." (End of Chapter)