Daqin Zhentiansi

Outside Xuanyu Temple.

Zhang Yuan did not linger in the secluded place.

He left quietly and first visited the mountain giant ape tribe of Angry Rock Peak.

"Master!"

The clan chief's booming voice echoed through the mountains.

This giant ape, nearly three zhang tall and expansive in dark gold, led all its warriors to prostrate themselves on both sides of the mountain path, performing the highest salute of the giant ape tribe.

Yan Feng walked alone to Zhang Yuan and kowtowed deeply to the ground with his huge head: "The shackles of the Giant Ape clan's bloodline have been broken, all thanks to Master's enlightenment! Whatever Master commands, my clan will brave mountains of knives and seas of fire, even unto death!"

Zhang Yuan lifted the rocky peak with a flick of his sleeve: "The hunt in the Ancient Forest of Ten Thousand Miasmas is imminent. We must clear away the demonic influence and extract resources. The Giant Ape Clan is strong enough to shake mountains. Are you willing to be the vanguard of the 'Martial Guard'?"

"The obtained ores and medicinal herbs will be distributed according to merit, with priority given to the nobles who need them for body refinement."

Upon hearing Zhang Yuan's words, all the giant apes showed surprise and delight.

The relationship between the demon race and the human race is tense, and the guardians of the temple have always been on guard against the demon race.

Humans are doing their best to compete with demons for resources, spiritual materials, and mineral veins everywhere.

The demon race naturally occupies various spiritual lands and does not trade with the guardian temple.

It was because of Zhang Yuan that the Giant Ape Clan received so many opportunities at Xuanyu Temple.

Yan Feng's single eye blazed, and his voice boomed like thunder: "Our master opened the path to heaven for our clan; what is a mere mineral vein worth!"

"The thirty thousand men of Nuyan Peak are all for Master's mountain-splitting axe!"

Behind him, the giant ape warriors pounded their chests with their fists, causing the mountains to rumble and their fighting spirit to soar to the heavens.

For the giant ape clan, supplies were a minor matter; they would certainly obey Zhang Yuan's orders.

Without Zhang Yuan, where would their Mischievous Demon Ape legacy come from?

Without Zhang Yuan, where would their clan have gotten several top experts?
----------------

After leaving the Giant Ape Clan, Zhang Yuan entered the territory of the Iron Feather Eagle Clan.

Before the message could be sent, a streak of dark gold light tore through the clouds.

Tie Tang, disguised as a middle-aged man in black robes, led his entire clan's elite forces to kneel in mid-air: "The Iron Feather Eagle Clan thanks the Daoist Master for his life-saving grace!"

The Blood Marrow Rejuvenation Pill that Zhang Yuan refined not only stabilized his cultivation at the Venerable Realm, but also significantly boosted the strength of their clan.

Moreover, if it weren't for Zhang Yuan's intervention, their Demon Eagle Clan would have been at a disadvantage in their battle against the Blackwater Serpent Clan. Furthermore, with the Heavenly Man's machinations, even if they hadn't perished, they would have certainly suffered enormous losses.

Zhang Yuan looked at Tie Tang and nodded, saying, "Did you receive the message I sent earlier?"

"On the banks of the Sunken Sand River, if it weren't for the Daoist Master's intervention, my clan would have perished in the jaws of the Blackwater Serpent. Moreover, I was fortunate enough to be granted a pill to cure the chronic illness in my bloodline." Tie Tang's voice resounded with emotion. "Now that the Daoist Master intends to conquer the Ancient Forest, the entire Iron Feather Eagle Clan will be under the Daoist Master's watchful eye!"

Zhang Yuan nodded: "Please, nobles, form an aerial battle formation to assist in defense and reconnaissance, and to transport elixirs."

Tie Tang's wings were outstretched in anger: "I will obey the Daoist Master's decree! No demon in the ancient forest, or any disturbance in the Sunken Sand River, can escape the eagle's eyes!"

In the days that followed, the temporary camp at the edge of Xuanyu Temple and Wanzhang Ancient Forest became exceptionally busy and vibrant.

Zhang Yuan personally drilled the battle formation.

He improved upon the basic battle formations of the human race, such as the Rock Formation, Flowing Cloud Formation, and Arrowhead Formation, and incorporated the true meaning of chaos into them.

Based on the characteristics of the giant ape tribe—its immense strength and thick hide—they tailored the "Mountain Shaking Formation," which emphasizes both offensive and defensive capabilities, for them.

For the mobile and agile Eagle Clan, the "Sky-Splitting Gale Formation" was designed, which excels at high-speed infiltration and concentrated fire sniping.

Different races are conducting arduous yet highly efficient collaborative exercises under a unified chaotic battle formation command system.

From initial unfamiliarity and estrangement, the human cultivators gradually adapted to working together, and eventually achieved tacit cooperation in changing battle formations, with their morale soaring day by day.

Zhang Yuan was like a pillar of strength, and every piece of advice he gave was to the point, allowing the battle formation to increase in power at a visible speed.

At the same time, he began large-scale mining of veins and weapon crafting.

Thanks to the efficient cooperation between the Giant Ape Clan and the Eagle Clan, the rich mineral deposits on the outskirts of the Myriad Miasma Ancient Forest, including Yin Sha Xuan Iron, Geng Gold Ore, Chen Tie Wood Core, and spiritual herbs, were continuously mined and transported out.

Zhang Yuan set up a huge weapon-refining workshop in the center of the camp.

He did not personally forge each weapon, but instead incorporated the body-refining part of the "Tiangang Refining Form Method" and the spiritual power guidance method of the "Qi Guiding and Profound Chapter" into the weapon-forging diagrams.

He personally guided human weapon refiners and skilled forging craftsmen from the giant ape and eagle tribes.

In the center of the temporary camp, the largest weapon-refining workshop was sweltering.

A dozen or so enormous furnaces spewed out flames that were a mixture of dark purple and crimson, illuminating the entire space.

The air was filled with the scorching heat of molten metal and the refreshing fragrance of burning spirit wood.

And the unique fishy and bloody smell of monster materials during the refining process.

They blend together to create a unique and powerful "battlefield atmosphere".

"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

The heavy sounds of forging rose and fell, like the stirring drums of war.

The human weapon refiners worked shirtless, their bronze skin glistening with sweat, their muscles bulging.

They wielded giant hammers engraved with power runes, repeatedly forging them into red-hot Yin Sha black iron blanks.

Sparks flew with each hammer blow.

Under immense force and high temperature, the iron billet is given a new form.

Impurities are removed, and the internal structure, guided by the true meaning of chaos, tends towards perfection.

Nearby, several experienced, white-haired old weapon refiners were gathered around a giant ape breastplate that had just been quenched, their brows furrowed.

A key rune circuit at the junction of the armor plates showed a slight stagnation of spiritual energy during quenching.

Although it doesn't affect defense, it reduces the efficiency of power transmission by half a percent.

“The spiritual energy node at the intersection of the ‘mountain layering patterns’ here is too rigid and does not match the wild way the giant ape exerts its power. We need to introduce a trace of ‘gentle water’ to flow and guide it…” an old voice said with confusion.

“Gentle Water Intent? But this is earth-type armor. Water and fire clash. Forcibly introducing it might weaken the overall defense!” another elder retorted.

Just then, a calm voice rang out behind them: "Water and fire are not necessarily mutually destructive; they can also complement each other."

“Take three parts of ‘earth vein stone heart powder’ and use ‘Geng metal qi’ as a guide. Melt it into the outer layer of the node at the ‘Li fire position’ to form the momentum of metal generating water and water nourishing earth.”

Everyone turned around at the sound and saw Zhang Yuan standing to the side, his black Taoist robe motionless in the heat.

"Commander!" The old weapon refiners quickly bowed and saluted, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhang Yuan stepped forward, but instead of doing it himself, he simply extended one finger.

"Om-"

He flicked out a wisp of pure chaotic true essence from his fingertip, precisely inserting it into the sluggish rune node.

True essence, like the most skillful carving knife, instantly adjusted the subtle structure of the rune circuit and left a guiding energy imprint.

“Ou Ye, adjust the proportions of auxiliary materials and the quenching timing according to this mark.” Zhang Yuan’s voice was calm.

The middle-aged weapon refiner named Ou Ye was the most outstanding disciple of this group of old craftsmen, and he was the most calm and reliable.

Ou Ye often consulted Zhang Yuan in ordinary times.

"I understand." Upon hearing Zhang Yuan's words, Ou Ye quickly stepped forward.

He held his breath and, following the marks and instructions left by Zhang Yuan, carefully took a small amount of precious earth vein stone powder, wrapped it with the energy of Geng metal, and put it into the furnace at the fire position where the fire was at its strongest.

"Fuck-"

A strange, soft sound.

On the originally dark breastplate, the key rune node suddenly lit up with a warm, jade-colored luster!

What was originally stiff and awkward became incredibly smooth.

A profound and resilient aura spread out.

It's even more perfect than the design expectations!

"It's done! The flow of spiritual energy is smooth and unimpeded, and the power transmission has increased by at least 70%!"

Ou Ye was so excited that his face turned red, and his hands trembled as he held the breastplate.

He looked up at Zhang Yuan, his eyes filled with indescribable shock and reverence: "Commander, your skill is divine! This disciple is dull-witted, having studied weapon forging for forty years, only today have I come to understand the way of runes, which can turn the rotten into the miraculous!"

"Water and fire complement each other, metal and earth generate each other... This, this is the true meaning of Chaos Refining!"

The surrounding weapon refiners also gathered around, marveling at the shimmering breastplate, looking at Zhang Yuan with eyes of wonder as if they were looking up to a god.

Zhang Yuan's seemingly casual guidance felt like opening a door to a completely new realm for them.

The morale of the entire workshop was instantly ignited; the hammering became more powerful, and the flames burned even brighter.

Zhang Yuan chuckled and nodded.

The art of weapon forging in the Great Qin Dynasty was already the pinnacle of the world.

He integrated these weapon-refining techniques into the primordial heritage, and the power of the Heavenly Dao also quietly merged with them.

"boom--"

A booming sound echoed in the void.

Zhang Yuan looked up, his eyes slowly narrowing.

At the camp entrance, several figures descended without warning, accompanied by a deliberately released pressure that carried an aura of scrutiny and arrogance.

The leader was none other than Ling Hao, the commander of the patrol division, who was dressed in magnificent celestial silver armor and had a cold and stern face.

Beside him stood Zhao Kun, his face beaming with smugness, his eyes gleaming with resentment and glee.

Behind the two were several powerful, expressionless Celestial Guards.

The person guarding the entrance was a human recruit named Wang Tiezhu.

He was originally just an ordinary farmer's son, but because of his good aptitude, he was selected to enter the outer sect of Xuanyu Temple.

Faced with the sudden pressure from this important figure, his legs went weak, his face turned pale, and his palms, gripping the long spear, were covered in cold sweat.

But when he recalled the scene from yesterday's drill, when a giant ape warrior clumsily patted him on the shoulder and said in broken human language, "Kid, hold your shield steady, I'll protect you!" a strange courage welled up in his heart.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to straighten his back.

Following the defensive stance of the Rock Formation taught by Zhang Yuan, Wang Tiezhu pointed his long spear diagonally forward, his voice tense yet exceptionally firm: "Come on, who goes there! State your name! This is the Martial Guard camp, no unauthorized personnel allowed!"

Ling Hao's icy gaze swept over Wang Tiezhu as if he were an ant, and he ignored him completely.

Zhao Kun stepped forward, a fake smile plastered on his face, but his voice carried an undeniable arrogance: "Are you blind? I am Zhao Kun, the acting abbot of Xuanyu Temple!"

"This is Commander Ling Hao of the Patrol Division! He is here by imperial decree to inspect the defenses of all garrisons and fortresses along the Chensha River!"

He deliberately waved a silver token, which shimmered with faint starlight and bore the mark of the Patrol Division, in front of Wang Tiezhu. The oppressive aura emanating from the token almost suffocated Wang Tiezhu.

"Make way! We need to enter the camp for inspection!"

The noise in the camp paused slightly due to this external pressure.

Zhang Yuan slightly raised his gaze in the workshop, his divine sense sweeping over the entrance, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He did not appear in person, but instead used telepathy to instruct the general in charge of the camp's defenses: "Let them in. Give them a 'warm welcome' and allow them to 'inspect' the area."

Wang Tiezhu received the order and felt as if he had been granted a pardon, but with a hint of resentment, he stepped aside to make way and said through gritted teeth, "Please, please come in!"

Zhao Kun glanced smugly at Wang Tiezhu, then, head held high, stepped into the camp under the protection of Ling Hao and the others.

They were immediately drawn to the bustling weapon-refining workshop.

As they watched the heavy armor and feathered arrows, forged by human and giant ape craftsmen under the guidance of the Heavenly Flame and Chaos True Essence, shimmering with extraordinary spiritual light, as well as the array core being assembled, Zhao Kun and Ling Hao's pupils suddenly contracted!
"This...this is definitely not ordinary iron!" As a celestial being, Ling Hao had a sharp eye and immediately saw that the runes flowing on those armors and weapons contained profound and mysterious meanings that he had never seen before, and faintly resonated with the laws of heaven and earth.

Without making a sound, he took out a jade tablet for recording and quietly recorded the busy scene in the workshop and the details of several finished products.

Zhao Kun was deeply shaken, and an indescribable sense of jealousy and unease welled up within him.

He forced himself to remain calm and walked over to a giant ape craftsman who was polishing the joint parts of the giant ape's war boots. He asked in a deliberately gentle manner, "This... brave warrior, who taught you the techniques for making these armors and weapons? How powerful are they?"

The giant ape craftsman recognized the Xuan Yu Temple robes on Zhao Kun's body, but showed him no respect. He simply roared in a gruff voice, "Master Zhang! Master Zhang taught you! Excellent! A hundred times better than our old broken stones!"

After saying that, he ignored Zhao Kun and continued to focus on his work, as if the "acting abbot" in front of him was less important than a piece of iron.

Zhao Kun choked and his face turned pale.

They left the workshop and headed towards the central training ground.

Before they even got close, deafening roars, sharp whistling sounds, and the booming of colliding spiritual energy could be heard.

The scene in the training ground was even more breathtaking than they had imagined.

The giant ape formation, consisting of dozens of giant apes clad in dark, heavy armor of black iron, resembled a mobile steel fortress.

They were no longer practicing simple swinging and smashing, but rather coordinating it with a peculiar footwork and breathing rhythm.

Each time the "Mountain-Shaking Staff" falls, it is no longer just brute force. Chaotic runes on the staff light up, drawing on the power of the earth's veins to form visible shockwaves that shatter the specially made trial rock walls into uniform dust!
A young giant ape warrior, who had made repeated mistakes yesterday due to unstable power control, was reprimanded by Yan Feng.

Today, he was able to precisely guide the power of the runes, and with a single blow, the power remained concentrated and did not dissipate, leaving a deep and regular hole in the rock wall, which drew a low roar of cheers from his companions.

The giant ape warrior excitedly pounded his breastplate, his dark golden pupils gleaming with unprecedented confidence.

"Om-"

Dark clouds swept across the sky.

The sky is no longer filled with chaotic, disorganized movement.

The Ironfeather Eagle Clan warriors formed the "Sky-Splitting Gale Formation," which, under Tie Tang's command, resembled a flowing black gold storm.

Each volley of arrows is not a blind barrage, but rather dozens of arrows are fired in a group to precisely target a small, fast-moving target. The arrows can even make slight changes in direction to track the target in mid-air!
The purple arc of electricity that burst from the tip of the arrow was no longer scattered.

Instead, they are interconnected, forming a temporary electric grid that demonstrates terrifying swarm killing and control capabilities. (End of Chapter)