Daqin Zhentiansi

Lin Tao and the Zhenyue Guards' unified and reverent "Greetings, Marshal Huo!" resounded like thunder from the heavens in the deathly silent Xuanzhen Hall square.

The smugness and rosy cheeks on Zhao Kun's face vanished instantly, turning into a deathly pale ashes.

He slumped into the large chair he thought would soon belong to the abbot, his body trembling uncontrollably.

He unconsciously gripped the chair armrests so tightly they creaked, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force.

He stared intently at the figure slowly walking out—Zhang Yuan!
The person he believed to have long since turned to ashes in the lava canyon, and who even went so far as to forge documents to seize his merits and position, was none other than the "Fire General," the commander of the Hundred Views who had burned the main forces of the three races, was awe-inspiring in the Sunken Sand River, and held the Burning Heaven Order!
A tremendous sense of absurdity and overwhelming fear instantly gripped him.

He felt all his strength drain away, cold sweat soaked through his heavy abbot's robe, and a chill ran down his spine to the top of his head.

He tried to speak, but his throat felt like it was being choked by an invisible hand, and he could only let out a series of gasping sounds.

Documents of collusion with celestial beings?
Suppressing Qing Xuanzi?
To seize the position of abbot?

Every single thing became a death warrant in front of "Fire General"!
He could almost see himself being reduced to ashes by the Heavenly Fire.

Li Xuan, standing beside him, was completely devastated.

His legs buckled, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud, instantly filling the air with a foul, fishy smell.

She was so frightened that she lost control of her bladder.

His face turned from blue to purple, his lips trembled, his eyes were unfocused, and he wanted to beg for mercy but couldn't even make a sound, only the sound of his teeth chattering could be heard.

He recalled the many times he had mocked and harassed Zhang Yuan, and the coercion he had just put on Zhou Xian. He felt dizzy and wished he could faint immediately.

All the guests in the square, whether they had previously flattered Zhao Kun or remained neutral, were now as if they had been frozen in place.

The smiles on the faces of the abbots and elders of Songshi Temple, Chenyun Temple, and other temples froze, turning into incredulous astonishment.

The air seemed to freeze, leaving only the heavy breathing and the pounding of the heart.

This reversal was too shocking. The legendary "Fire General" who was elusive and had an outstanding record was actually Zhang Yuan, the low-key and dormant garrison commander of Xuanyu Temple who had been looked down upon and even framed by Zhao Kun and others!

The overwhelming influx of information left everyone momentarily speechless, and the square fell into a suffocating silence.

Zhou Xian looked at Zhang Yuan, his face filled with mixed emotions.

There was shock, relief, excitement, and even a sense of "I knew it."

His tightly pursed lips trembled slightly, eventually turning into a long, relieved sigh.

The sigh seemed to break the silence.

Those guardians and elders who had come specifically for Zhang Yuan instantly realized what was happening, and their faces lit up with immense joy.

"Fireman! It really is Fireman!"

"Zhang... no, Lord Fire General! We are so grateful for your timely assistance in the Battle of Blood Maple Ridge!"

"Fighting side by side in Lava City, I will never forget the might of the Fire General!"

"Greetings, Lord Fire General!"

They rushed forward, bowing deeply in greeting.

Among them were comrades who had fought alongside Zhang Yuan on the battlefield, as well as elders who had heard of his renown and came to befriend him on behalf of their respective temple masters.

Zhang Yuan remained calm, nodding in response to each question. His attitude was neither arrogant nor overly enthusiastic, but rather exuded a dignified and awe-inspiring presence.

After everyone had rested for a while, Zhang Yuan's gaze swept across the entire room, and he said loudly, "Fellow Daoists, today is the auspicious day of Fellow Daoist Qingxuan's inauguration as the abbot of Xuanyu Temple."

"I am here only to attend the ceremony and offer my congratulations. Please do not overstep your bounds."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying an undeniable power that instantly drew everyone's attention back to the ceremony itself.

Everyone quickly bowed and stepped aside.

Zhang Yuan looked at Qing Xuanzi and nodded with a light smile.

With a solemn expression, Qing Xuanzi slowly walked up to the center of the high platform.

The inauguration ceremony officially began.

Lin Tao, as the deputy prefect of the Shiguan Town Guard, presided over the meeting on behalf of the prefect, Yue Zhenshan.

He solemnly took out the cyan jade tablet with the power of laws, which was written by the Lord of the Palace and contained his own handwriting, and read it aloud.

After reading the edict aloud, he solemnly handed it to Qingxuanzi.

The instant Qing Xuanzi received the imperial edict with both hands—

"boom--"

Above the sky, wind and clouds gathered, and the originally clear sky suddenly lit up with mysterious runes, faintly echoing the earth veins of the mountain range where Xuanyu Temple was located.

A vast, pure, primordial power originating from the ancient world was drawn forth, transforming into a dazzling seven-colored pillar of light that descended from the heavens and precisely enveloped Qing Xuanzi!

The great way is upon you!

Within the pillar of light, countless tiny, dragon-like runes of law flowed, containing pure spiritual energy and the essence of heaven and earth, continuously surging into Qing Xuanzi's body.

His robes, worn by the garrison commander of Xuanyu Temple, fluttered and rustled even without wind.

On it, the black jade patterns representing the abbot's identity suddenly lit up, as if they had come to life.

Qing Xuanzi closed his eyes and focused his mind, fully circulating the "Mysterious Jade Returning to Truth Technique," and his aura rose steadily.

He could clearly feel that his true essence had been refined to a higher purity.

Their perception and control over the spiritual energy of heaven and earth have been greatly enhanced.

In his sea of ​​consciousness, he gained many profound insights into mountains, ley lines, and the way of protection.

This is the recognition and blessing bestowed upon the guardian deity of this primordial world.

Zhang Yuan stood aside, seemingly calmly observing the ceremony, but in reality, the golden pearl of the Great Dao deep within his sea of ​​consciousness was slightly rotating.

A wisp of extremely subtle Heavenly Dao power, originating from the very foundation of the Qin world, merged with his Chaotic True Meaning and the destiny of the Qin nation. It quietly emerged.

This power, like a drop of water flowing into a river, silently merged into the hanging, seven-colored pillar of light.

This force is not about seizing, but about gently entwining and resonating.

It's as if it's added a unique mark to the primordial power of the Heavenly Dao.

While it was cleansing Qingxuanzi, it also subtly imprinted some of the rules and rhythms of this world onto him.

This deepened Zhang Yuan's understanding and connection with the Great Qin Heavenly Dao, as well as his immersion in and understanding of the primordial world.

He slowly closed his eyes, and a faint light flickered around him.

The seven-colored beam of light lasted for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before gradually dissipating.

Qing Xuanzi opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and bright, and his demeanor became increasingly calm and composed.

His aura had already stabilized at the peak of the third level of the Saint Realm, and he had even touched the threshold of the fourth level of the Heavenly Mandate!
He bowed deeply to heaven and earth, to the imperial edict, and to everyone present.

Congratulations, Abbot Qingxuan!

"Congratulations on the solid foundation of Qingxuan Temple and the great prosperity of Xuanyu!"

After a brief silence, deafening congratulations echoed across the square, filled with sincerity and reverence.

At this moment, Zhao Kun and Li Xuan huddled in a corner, their faces ashen, ignored by everyone. The garrison commanders who were loyal to them were also deathly pale.

Lin Tao stepped forward at the opportune moment, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings.

The Dao patterns of the deputy governor of the Ten Observatory Garrison appeared on his body.

Instantly, everyone present straightened up and fell silent.

Lin Tao's voice rang out.

"By order of Venerable Pan Shi and the Joint Council of the Hundred Temples: In order to eliminate the demonic atmosphere in the lower reaches of the Chensha River, deter alien races, and obtain cultivation resources, effective immediately, Commander Zhang Yuan, the 'Fire General', will take charge."

"With Xuanyu Temple as the center, we will unite all the temples under the jurisdiction of the Ten Temples Garrison to form the 'Martial Guard' and go to the Ancient Forest of Ten Thousand Miasmas to hunt down mineral veins and medicinal fields, collect Yin Sha Xuan Iron Ore and Bone-Eating Grass, train troops for encirclement and suppression, and use war to sustain war!"

Upon hearing this, the garrison commanders of the various towns who had experienced the great victory in the Lava Canyon and knew the power of Zhang Yuan's battle formation were all greatly encouraged and their faces showed great joy!

"Follow the order!"

"With Fire General leading the army, we will surely sweep through the ancient forest!"

"Finally, we can avenge our defeat and acquire resources!"

Cheers erupted again.

In the corner, a hint of resentment flashed in Zhao Kun's eyes as he whispered to his trusted confidant, whose face was also ashen.

His voice trembled with fear, yet he forced himself to be defiant: "Hmph, forming a martial guard? Hunting? This violates the rules set by the Celestials!"

"They, they're courting death! Wait until the Celestial Inspectors arrive, and see how they get out of this! I, I will definitely report this!"

The others looked at each other and nodded blankly.

After the ceremony, guests from all sides departed one after another, each with their own feelings.

Zhang Yuan did not leave with Lin Tao, but instead stayed temporarily at Xuanyu Temple, claiming to be in seclusion.

In the deepest part of the Xuan Yu Temple, in the secret archives, Zhang Yuan gained unprecedented access—all the books, including those ancient jade slips and animal skin scrolls that had been sealed away for a long time and were considered taboo or useless, were open to him.

He sat cross-legged, his mind sinking into his sea of ​​consciousness. He fully activated the Great Dao Golden Pearl and the Thirteen Arts of Destiny, and began to eagerly peruse and deduce them.

……

In those oldest fragments and inscriptions, almost lost to written language, Zhang Yuan captured the truth buried by the dust of history.

He discovered that in the extremely distant early primordial era, when the human race was newly born and extremely weak, not all powerful divine beasts, such as the Kui Niu, Xuan Turtle, and Phoenix, regarded the human race as enemies.

Conversely, some gentle or highly intelligent mythical beasts once coexisted with humans as totems, protectors, or even enlighteners.

The early Qi cultivation methods of the human race vaguely show traces of imitating the divine beasts' ability to devour heaven and earth and comprehend nature.

But everything changed with the rise of the three-eyed, winged Celestial Race and their establishment of the Celestial Palace to govern the order.

Zhang Yuan clearly deduced that the Heavenly Palace not only systematically "castrated" the cultivation techniques passed down to the human race, but also deliberately locked the upper limit and hid the key ancestral apertures.

Over the long course of time, they have cleverly used resource competition, territorial disputes, and blood feuds to constantly provoke and intensify conflicts between humans and demons, including many originally neutral descendants of divine beasts, demons, and ferocious beasts.

They even secretly support ferocious and violent races, such as the Blackwater Serpent and the Nine-Headed Nether Serpent, as their henchmen to create hatred.

This plunges all parties into endless fighting and infighting, making it impossible for them to unite or threaten the ruling position of the Celestials.

"Ferocious beasts fight each other, and the human race is trapped."

This is the cold strategy by which the celestial beings maintain their supreme authority.

These insights exploded in Zhang Yuan's heart like thunderclaps.

A grander and more far-reaching plan is gradually taking shape.

"Unite... divine beasts, humans, and even some demon forces that can be won over... break the shackles and instigation of the celestial beings... this is the true way to break the deadlock!"

There was a determined glint in his eyes.

Only by breaking the stalemate between Heaven and Man can the Heavenly Dao of the Great Qin be integrated into the primordial world.

------------------

Meanwhile, high above in the heavens, the Celestial Guardian Bureau.

Zhao Kun knelt on the ground, sobbing as he accused, "Your Excellency! That Zhang Yuan... no, that 'Fire General' is acting recklessly because he has the backing of the Hundred Temples!"

"Not only did he forcefully promote Qingxuanzi to the position, but he also openly formed the 'Martial Guard' to carry out a large-scale hunt in the Ancient Forest of Ten Thousand Miasmas! This completely violates the 'balance' rule set by the Heavenly Palace! He is trying to provoke a great war and shake the foundation of the Heavenly Palace!"

"Your Excellency, you must do justice for me! Xuanyu Temple... Xuanyu Temple has fallen into the hands of this scoundrel!"

He gritted his teeth and portrayed Zhang Yuan as an unpardonable traitor, doing his utmost to incite the wrath of the gods.

The Governor of Yucheng sat on the divine throne, his brows furrowed.

The failure of the Lava Canyon Project, the escape of the Kui Niu, Ling Hao's description of Zhang Yuan's bizarre battle formation, coupled with Zhao Kun's accusations and the clearly "overstepping" behavior of the Ten Views and Hundred Views Guardian Offices, have made him feel dissatisfied and wary of the control that the human race in this lower realm has over this side.

His patrol and guard post covers an area of ​​three million li, with three thousand guard posts. For countless years, the human race has always obeyed his orders.

In terms of combat strength, although the Patrol Guard Division can suppress dozens or even hundreds of garrison temples, it is actually impossible to completely suppress three thousand garrison temples.

However, they can incite monsters and even divine beasts to fight against humans.

They patrol the heavens, all they need to do is hold power.

But this time, it seems a little different.

Yu Cheng narrowed his eyes and sneered, "The Ten Views, the Hundred Views... are getting more and more restless. Zhang Yuan is indeed a scourge."

"However, the Wuwei hunting expeditions, ostensibly for acquiring resources and training troops to exterminate demons, are still on the fringes of the framework tacitly approved by the Heavenly Palace..."

"If I were to intervene directly at this moment, the reasons would be somewhat insufficient and would easily give others grounds for criticism."

Zhao Kun was taken aback, and his face showed urgency: "Your Excellency, but—"

Yu Cheng raised his hand to stop him from speaking.

After a moment's thought, a cold glint flashed in his eyes: "However, rules are rules! How can we allow them to act recklessly? Ling Hao!"

The celestial generals, exuding a cold and aloof aura, stepped forward.

Ling Hao, the leader of the Celestials who once faced Zhang Yuan directly.

"You shall carry this Inspector's Order and descend to the mortal realm with Zhao Kun. Ostensibly, you shall inspect the various sites along the lower reaches of the Shensha River, especially the hunting activities of the 'Martial Guards'."

"Keep a close eye on him!"

A chill ran through Yu Cheng's eyes.

"As long as they are found to have violated the Heavenly Palace's prohibitions in any way, or disrupted the 'order' of the primordial world."

"Whether it's the indiscriminate slaughter of 'innocent' demons, the excessive exploitation of resources, or the unauthorized attack on clans 'protected' by the Heavenly Palace—immediately detain their leaders with patrol orders and send a report! I will catch them red-handed and deal with them legitimately!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kun's despairing eyes instantly blazed with wild joy, as if he had grasped the last straw. He kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Governor! Thank you, Governor! I will do my utmost to help Inspector Ling uncover the evidence of Zhang Yuan and the others' crimes!"

Ling Hao, who was standing to the side, bowed, his eyes gleaming.

Zhang Yuan had ruined his plans by letting Kui Niu go, causing the Patrol Guard's scheme to fail.

How could he possibly let Zhang Yuan off this time? (End of Chapter)