Wei School's Three Good Students

Chapter 16 The Seed of Annihilation

In the outer atmosphere, a vortex was slowly rotating, its outer edge crackling with electricity. Each flash of lightning corresponded to a wisp of unusual energy trying to enter the vortex. The lightning forcefully expelled this strange energy!
This vortex is an interstellar drop system. Inside the vortex, clusters of light envelop people, horses, terracotta warriors much larger than humans, winged lions, and even enormous palaces, all falling toward the planet's surface.

These translucent energy orbs fell in strings, just like toads laying eggs in water.

Around the vortex, wriggles of what appear to be sandworms wriggled. Oh, these aren't worms, but rather dragons. Compared to the planet and the massive vortex that teleported them, these dragons were utterly insignificant.

These tiny dragons circled the vortex, but occasionally stopped abruptly, their bodies arching to guide lightning, shooting it at any external aura attempting to invade the vortex, like a monkey picking lice, picking out and crushing these corrosive auras.

Among these dragons, one roared, but its language contained a sigh, a sigh that these "seeds of destruction" had already invaded their homeland, the place they had fled to, before they could.

…The perspective shifts to the source of those strange energies…

Above the large hexagram, in the orbit of the stars, several indistinct spatial regions are moving above the large hexagram in the orbit of geostationary satellites.

These entities are not normal planets, but rather a space, enclosed by a vague boundary, where the internal matter is in irregular suspended motion and undergoing bizarre changes, much like a stomach "digesting food residue".

Imagine a piece of paper with a hole punched in it, revealing another sheet of paper inside. The hole represents the current universe, while the "spaces" revolving around planets are the strange, cyclical environments and rules of another universe revealed through the hole.

The rocks in the first type of space were covered with mushrooms, pustules, and various flying insects.

The second type of space is filled with crisscrossing spikes and writhing flesh pierced by the spikes.

The third type of space was a blood-red mess, filled with heads of different sizes and races, like pieces of mushrooms floating in a mushroom and pork rib hot pot, colliding and shouting.

In the fourth type of space, there is a deep blue sea, filled with endless dazzling colors. If one has enough willpower to pull their curious gaze away from it, they will find that while they are staring, eyes appear in other parts of the space, watching every outsider who wants to explore this place.

On the destroyed planet where the dragons once lived, there were often some unsavory cultivators who, while cultivating, would suddenly proclaim, "I've achieved enlightenment!" and then break through the Heavenly Gate, ascending directly into the void. However, to outsiders, these rogue cultivators would suddenly sprout eyes all over their bodies, transforming into rings that would then swiftly burst through space.

…In their original world, the Dragonborn forbade the spread of evil practices disguised as cultivation.

In this world, the willpower of living beings can influence the mountains and seas of the real world. Such influence is not exclusive to immortal cultivators. When mortals discuss the cultivators' ability to "split mountains and divide rivers," it's because immortals, compared to other schools, have the least impact on the world order, thus being granted this carefree display of divine power. Other schools theoretically possess similar abilities, but they are not permitted to use them. For example, the Hundred Schools of Thought—Confucianism, Legalism, and Military Strategists—are all bound by order, maintaining mutual checks and balances, and stabilizing the order of the mortal realm.

To reiterate, the reason why immortals are permitted to manipulate spiritual energy in secluded places is because they have avoided the malevolent influences of the mortal world. It's not because immortals possess "immortal magic" and then, out of pity for humanity, voluntarily withdraw their power.

Of course, the above situation only exists in times of peace and prosperity; right now, a great calamity is imminent.

…When order is completely destroyed, things will run rampant…

The Dragonborn had exhausted their tranquility after a long spatial journey. Although the seeds of destruction had arrived here before them, they were certain that the seeds were still in their infancy, and that they, a race that had experienced the complete end of the world in the Haotian Realm, could tolerate settling here.

Now, all these seeds of destruction have manifested in the outer orbit of the planet where Da Yao is located. They will leap out as "threads" and fall onto the planet below, silently infiltrating the planet with their evil power.

The extraterrestrial dragonborn were very familiar with this destructive power; the anomalous forces that were driven away by the lightning and thunder, instead of penetrating the vortex, fell to other parts of the planet.

The extraterrestrial dragons in these vortex regions felt extremely embarrassed watching these repelled anomalous forces fall onto the planet, like stepping into a swimming pool and seeing someone standing next to it urinating into the pool.

Just as the Dragonborn were feeling helpless against these world-destroying forces, this uncivilized behavior of urinating by the poolside was suddenly punished. Abruptly, as a certain force dispersed below the planet and seeped into an unknown place beneath the clouds, a flash of light suddenly appeared there! This flash of light was extremely small, but it could be seen even in space.

…Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, please restore the gem!…

In that purple space, which was originally the most arrogant and noisy in space, when the spikes and writhing flesh inside were raising their glasses in merriment, they suddenly provoked something unknown. A wisp of golden "flame" turned around and soaked into the spikes and flesh inside the space, and under the gaze of the will of the planet beneath their feet, it became a real celestial body.

From the perspective of an external planet, the theater space, which appears eerie and illusory, becomes real and tangible after being adorned with golden power!

The originally distorted space, after being adorned with gold, had half of the purple domain petrified, as if the absurd projection screen had been torn off, turning it into a blazing, erupting planet.

At the point of transition, the instant space transforms into a material entity, one can see that the thorny snake whips in those spaces have all turned into normal stone matter in this "eruption".

The "purple area" is fiercely resisting. If this golden entity directly penetrates its interior, it will collapse and become a small planetary object in the universe.

The dragons, who were escorting the last group of "ferrymen" to safety outside the whirlpool, stared at this inexplicable scene in astonishment. After a long while, they asked, "What happened over there?"

An old dragon said, "The Xiren Realm is different from the Haotian Realm. The planetary origin of this world is still very strong. Just now, those external forces that destroyed the world encountered a backlash."

Another young dragon: "What about us?" — Although this race originated from this planet, the new generation of dragonborn and the migrants were all born and transformed into dragons on other planets.

After a long while, the old dragon said, "The Xi Ren Realm is now rejecting us. We, well, only one (an individual who can transform into a dragon) is allowed to enter this place." (That is, individuals who have not transformed into dragons and are still in human form are not rejected.)

At this moment, a dragon with Yin power raised its head and looked at the old dragon.

Old Dragon: "Pu'e, the returning people are entrusted to your protection. You must follow the natural order here and build peace and harmony."

…synchronous scenarios…

After leaving the Flower Fairy Pavilion, Wu Fei looked at the 0.94 credits already deducted from his account and began to feel the pinch. He started to wonder if he had been too lenient in refusing the free offer earlier.

Wu Fei pondered his calculations: It would take a year, or even a bloody battle, to earn just one credit. Exchanging for a "sports" aid only cost 0.02 credits, but this restoration gem cost a whole credit – so expensive! And it was limited in number of uses; he'd already used 1/4, and had 3/4 remaining.

Wu Fei made no mention of the fact that this expenditure was due to his "impulsive" behavior. Instead, he reflected on his actions afterward, hoping that the system would give him another chance to "answer questions for free." However, the system remained silent, clearly indicating that his little scheme was out of the question!

Upon reaching the door, they encountered Zhao Xianzhong, a loyal retainer who was standing guard at the entrance with a sword in hand, ready to kick down the door at any moment to protect his lord.

Wu Fei raised his hand and placed it on Zhao Xianzhong's forehead, stopping his momentum.

Zhao Xianzhong: General? — After looking him over, he asked, "Are you alright?"

Wu Fei pressed his palm against Zhao Xianzhong's forehead, clutching the Restoration Gem in his hand, and aimed it at the guy. —The gem's notification read, "Object found for restoration. Consume one restoration power?"

At this moment, in space, the golden power that had been penetrating the purple space suddenly separated, flashed in front of the blood-red space, and turned into a finger pointing at the blood-red space, seemingly ready to pierce into the other at any time.

At the courtyard gate, Wu Fei lowered his hand. He'd already acted impulsively once; he wouldn't do it again. Wu Fei thought to himself, "This thing only lasts three times; I can't waste it!"

Wu Fei clapped his hands and said, "The matter is resolved, she's fine now, Zhao Xianzhong!" Zhao Xianzhong immediately agreed. Wu Fei scrutinized him and earnestly warned, "Your murderous aura is too strong. You need to remain clear-headed when you draw your sword." In the past, Wu Fei wouldn't have dared to say this to Zhao Xianzhong, but now, with the Restoration Gem in hand, Wu Fei suddenly straightened his back and swaggered.

Seventeen years his senior, Zhao Xianzhong felt a fleeting sense of impatience as Wu Fei criticized his methods of ruthlessness. However, upon meeting Wu Fei's gaze, he was immediately subdued, and for some reason, all murderous intent vanished. It was as if the young general before him was a colossal mountain, capable of suppressing him at any moment.

Zhao Xianzhong: "What the general says is true. I will go back and eat more vegetarian food."

Wu Fei nodded, then lowered his hand from Zhao Xianzhong's shoulder.

Wu Fei was unaware that when he lowered his hand, the golden finger hovering in front of the eerie space "filled with blood" received the "withdraw" command and stopped immediately.

In the courtyard, Zhao Xianzhong also breathed a sigh of relief.

After Wu Fei left, Zhao Xianzhong stepped into the room, took out his knife, lifted the curtain, and checked the snake-man's transformation inside. When he saw that Xiao Qing had returned to human form, he snorted coldly, seemingly mocking her good fortune, and slammed the door shut as he left.

…and so the night passed, but the stars in the sky didn't dare to blink…

April of the 25th year of the Tianli calendar.

On a small hill outside Tianchi City, talismans were carved on a stone slope. Wu Hanluan stood there, holding the imperial edict.

After he slowly affixed the edict to the stone slope, the inscribed talismans on the mountain disappeared, and the stone slope seemed to heal itself, erasing the marks.

After submitting the imperial edict, Wu Hanluan displayed a menacing aura towards the stone slope. From the air, the earth's veins here showed a change of "爻" (a specific astrological configuration).

The "Yang Yao" part: The trees on the hillside dozens of miles away undulate like a dragon's spine turning over.

The "yin" part depicts the water splashing on the river five kilometers away, with a large number of fish leaping on the surface. Then the river channel first narrows and then changes, resembling the belly of a dragon stretching and contracting.

As the surrounding earth's veins subtly shifted, cracks appeared across the entire stone slope. With a loud boom, a large opening was revealed. A rumbling sound seemed to emanate from within, but upon closer listening, the rumbling was actually a "moo~".

Wu Hanluan opened a sealed-off artisan storehouse by imperial decree.

The craftsman's storehouse, which underwent such extensive sealing, contained a "giant weapon" with an extremely menacing aura. The giant weapon that had just emerged from the stone slope was in the shape of an ox, standing two zhang tall (equivalent to a two-story building). Although it was made of wood, its muscles were as if they were alive, and its walking and running posture was no different from that of a real ox!

In addition to trampling and using iron horns to pierce nails (for breaching city gates), its combat mode also includes "area-of-effect damage." Inside its abdomen is a large vat heated by a fire altar, filled with molten gold. When it comes into contact with soldiers, there are nozzles on its buttocks and horns from which the boiling molten gold is sprayed out, causing damage to large numbers of enemy troops.

This giant soldier was thus named "Golden Ox," a name derived from the story of the Ba Kingdom in the south, which declared itself a kingdom five hundred years ago. At that time, the General Zhennan attempted to conquer it but lacked the manpower. Then, a strange man deceived the Ba king, saying that there was a Golden Ox in the Central Plains that swallowed soil and excreted gold, and that a road could be cleared to lure it.

The "Golden Bulls" transported to Badi at that time were such war machines. These war behemoths could easily break through enemy lines, and could also ram city gates during sieges, or splash gold liquid on enemies on the city walls.

After the pacification of Ba, the imperial court, citing its perceived violation of natural law, sealed it away in the armory. It's worth noting that this wasn't the only similar massive war machine within the Great Yao Kingdom.

For example, in the capital city, the Iron Lion, whose destructive power was no less than that of the Great Yao Kingdom, was not sealed away! It has always been squatting on both sides of the imperial road in the capital.

The reason why the rulers and ministers of the Great Yao Dynasty sealed the "Golden Ox" in the treasury was clearly not just because it was against the will of Heaven.

If military strategists become unrestrained, various places will be attacked by evil spirits, and mountains and rivers will collapse. This is not comparable to the battles between immortals in remote places.

After the golden bull emerged from the rubble, Xian Daoren, who was beside Wu Hanluan, led the craftsmen forward to examine the giant weapon. They measured it with rulers and quickly concluded that the material used to make the golden bull was "millennial ironwood," which was abundant in the southern border region.

Beside the golden ox, under a makeshift shed, Wu Hanluan asked, "Daoist, these are weapons that the imperial court has entrusted to us. Can they be used 'indefinitely' in Lingnan?"

Xian Daoren said, “Within three steps of the poisonous herb, there is bound to be an antidote; within a hundred miles of the Phoenix Nest, there is bound to be a phoenix tree. General, this is originally from the Southern Frontier.”

After looking at the "Golden Ox" mechanical diagram presented by Xian Daoren, Wu Hanluan pondered for a moment, then put it away and sealed it in a box.

A few days later, he sent a trusted confidant back to the family with the "Golden Ox" blueprints, in case the future calamity became uncontrollable. The Wu family had some influence in the south.

…The rust on the black iron ox hooves had been removed, revealing the blood seeping through…

After unifying the world, Da Yao, in order to ensure the people could live and work in peace, sealed these "weapons of natural disaster" back into the warehouse. This was not directed at border generals like the Wu family army.

One of the major charges listed by the Legalists for the execution of the Duke of Qi a thousand years ago was "privately opening copper mines to cast giant soldiers." These "giant soldiers" were another type of colossal weapon.

The reason the court has now opened up the armory and allowed Wu Hanluan's army to use these six golden oxen is because after the great plague in the south in early spring, the people in various parts of the south were in disarray, and disloyal people have emerged.

Beside the giant bull's hooves, the winged tiger beneath Wu Hanluan was no longer as fierce as before, but instead watched the enormous beast with wariness. Its expression was the same as a 21st-century house cat's reaction to seeing a dinosaur costume in its owner's home.

Feeling the thunderous roar of his mount, Wu Hanluan jumped off, patted the big cat's head, and gestured for it to go play somewhere else.

He continued to observe the Taurus, despite its particularly unpleasant smell.

Behind Wu Hanluan, Xian Daoren stared intently with his magical gaze, but when Wu Hanluan turned around, his eyes had returned to normal.

Xian Daoren saw Wu Hanluan's future. He suppressed his nausea and said with a smile, "Congratulations, General, on wielding a powerful weapon."

Wu Hanluan lowered his hand from the ox's nose and said with emotion, "Yes, the imperial court has entrusted this vital national asset to me. Daoist Xian, do you think this is a blessing or a curse?"

Xian Daoren: "The East Sea Dragon Clan will return to the 'Xi Ren Realm,' stirring up the winds and clouds in all directions. This is a great calamity, and the imperial court hopes that the commander-in-chief can maintain peace in this calamity."

Wu Hanluan nodded, then asked a question: "You said that the East Sea Dragon Clan left the Xi Ren Realm ten thousand years ago, and now they have suddenly reappeared. Daoist, do you know where they went during the time they disappeared?"

A few days ago, Wu Hanluan had been reading an ancient scroll of the Records of the Myriad Realms. It recorded the origins of various strange beasts, which piqued his curiosity.

Looking at the starry sky, Xian Daoren clearly knew something. Under Wu Hanluan's pursuing gaze, he said, "In this starry sky, there are many worlds. Xi Ren Realm is just one of them. These dragon descendants from the end of the Cheng Dynasty found another new world in the starry sky. According to ancient records, that world is called Haotian Realm."

Wu Hanluan nodded. "Hmm, I see. So why did you come back now?"

The Daoist pointed towards the direction of the Haotian Realm in the starry sky, revealing a mysterious smile, and said in a low voice, "Because the Haotian Realm has been destroyed!"

(End of this chapter)