Chapter 407: Chapter 39: Capturing the Spirit World
National Guardian Level powerhouses were the most formidable individuals in the first dynasty, aside from the lofty ancestors. Their strength was on par with the likes of their dynasty’s Master of Destiny.
It was safe to say that National Guardian Level powerhouses could effortlessly crush him at his peak, let alone now that his strength had dwindled.
In reality, he had only heard about the might of National Guardian Level powerhouses from his elders. Only on coming face-to-face with one did he truly comprehend their formidable nature. He had encountered the Great Zhou’s Master of Destiny, yet in his perception, the National Guardian Level powerhouse before him seemed even more potent by a margin.
And this person was an elder of the Jiang Family.
“May I ask which elder you are?” he inquired once more.
“I am King Zhen of the dynasty. I bring the ancestral command,” responded the visitor, presenting a special token that only members of the Jiang Family could understand the significance of.
The dynasty’s three National Guardian Level powerhouses were each known as one of the Three Kings, and the token was a special item bestowed by the ancestors.
“King Zhen!” Jiang Dao intoned with utmost respect. As his own elder and immeasurably stronger than himself, respect was obligatory. Moreover, that wasn’t the most important part, “King Zhen, may I ask what command the ancestor has brought?”
An ancestral command was unprecedented; such an occurrence had never been recorded in thousands of years.
“I mentioned it before I came here: to rule over this land, which is of great importance.”
As a National Guardian Level powerhouse, he was privy to much information.
He was aware that the current state of the dynasty was not favorable and that more regions were needed to support the first dynasty. However, he also believed in the ancestors, confident that they would reclaim everything.
“To rule over this land…” Jiang Dao certainly knew what this entailed, “King Zhen, that’s not so easily done. There’s an issue with my strength…”
Having confirmed his identity, Jiang Dao made no attempt to conceal the truth. Concealment was futile against a National Guardian Level powerhouse. He disclosed the decline in his strength.
“I’m aware and know the reasons. That’s precisely why I’ve come: to help you resolve the problem.”
King Zhen was well informed; he had understood the situation of this region before arriving.
As for the decline in strength, King Zhen was aware even without investigation. This was something the ancestors had briefed him on prior to his visit.
“Your strength has waned, and you probably have guessed why. The first dynasty is indeed facing grave issues that affect every region. In fact, your region has fared better than the several other dynasties I’ve visited.”
King Zhen wouldn’t have just confined his visits to one place. He had already been through many dynasties, and even in those with National Guardian Level powerhouses, the situation wasn’t much better.
“You haven’t experienced a calamity caused by the Demon Clan here. As long as you rule over this land, you can aid the ancestors and have the opportunity to participate in the final competition for their position.”
Even if it’s a family, one must reap benefits for their efforts. King Zhen believed that the ancestors’ position was the ultimate lure.
However, Jiang Dao’s response was unexpected.
“King Zhen, it’s not that we haven’t experienced a calamity by the Demon Clan; rather, it has been resolved by a mysterious powerhouse!”
That enigmatic figure was someone Jiang Dao had been tirelessly searching for, to no avail. There were only suspects, with no evidence to confirm anyone’s identity.
Moreover, what difference would it make to prove it?
“King Zhen, while it may sound defeatist to say this, the fact is that as long as the one who solved the Demon Clan calamity is around, I dare not act too boldly, not to mention the emergence of that… entity.”
The reason Ming Dynasty hasn’t made a move was due to the presence of a mysterious powerhouse, assuredly surpassing that of a Grandmaster.
King Zhen merely inquired casually about the situation, truly unaware of what had specifically transpired.
“A mysterious powerhouse, this is news to me!” King Zhen’s first suspicion was that it was an enemy of the ancestors, but he immediately reconsidered—if it were an enemy of the ancestors, they would never have solved the Demon Clan calamity, “Tell me about this mysterious powerhouse’s methods!”
“The general situation is as follows…” Jiang Dao shared his understanding, “I suspect he’s at least at the National Guardian Level, and it’s not impossible he might be even stronger.”
“It’s unlikely to be beyond National Guardian Level. Surpassing it would mean equating to an ancestor. If one appears, a second is improbable.”
Jiang Dao fell silent.
If it truly wasn’t possible, then the ancestors’ enemies would not have emerged.
Some things are indeed hard to believe without witnessing them.
However, he did not elaborate further.
To become a National Guardian Level powerhouse in the first dynasty was closely linked to the ancestors; in their minds, the ancestors were heaven, divinity itself!
Seeing their ancestors at a disadvantage did not spell certain defeat in their eyes. Instead, they believed the ancestors must have an important plan, a necessity for their actions!
This belief explains why many from the first dynasty chose to venture to other territories instead of staying to compete for one of those three positions.
Those with ambition and spirit chose not to linger within the dynasty but to establish their own realms, ultimately vying for the ancestral position.
Jiang Dao was once quite fortunate. Born during the years that enabled him to participate in the competition for that ancestral position within the first dynasty.
Despite his aspirations, Jiang Dao’s mindset had already shifted in the face of current circumstances.
But he did not contradict King Zhen’s words.
“Since I’ve come to you, naturally I’m here to assist. Prepare yourself. We’ll launch a direct assault on other territories. I’ll aid you in eliminating other powerhouses. Thousands of years have passed, and all the territories should return to the Jiang Family!”
With the change of each era, unforeseen events had allowed people from different dynasties to rise, but all of these occurrences remained under their control.
Now, facing difficulties, it was time to reclaim the territories that rightfully belonged to them.
Jiang Dao felt momentarily swayed.
Both the Qian Dynasty and the Taiping Sect were formidable; yet, before a National Guardian Level powerhouse, they surely would stand no chance.
But what worried him the most at the moment wasn’t those two powers.
“King Zhen, may I ask if you’re aware of something called the Spirit World?”
“The Spirit World, what is that?” Clearly, King Zhen had not heard of it.
Jiang Dao was somewhat disappointed. He had thought that someone from the First Dynasty would know of such a place, but now it seemed that even the dynasty was unaware, which made it very likely that the Spirit World was unique to their region. “The Spirit World is… I suspect its emergence is related to that mysterious figure.”
He relayed some information about the Spirit World along with his own conjectures.
That mysterious figure was at least at the National Guardian Level in terms of strength.
If one truly ruled this land, they would likely be unavoidable.
“Is there really such a heaven-defying thing?”
You could try to become a top Great Grandmaster inside, what kind of immortal place was this? The top Great Grandmasters were also the strongest fighters in the First Dynasty.
If this thing could be secured, the First Dynasty would benefit greatly.
Secure it!
Help the ancestors!
These two thoughts were incessant in King Zhen’s mind.
To them, what could aid the ancestors was the most significant matter.
“Where is this Spirit World?”
King Zhen already had the idea of making a move. Jiang Dao cast a discreet glance at King Zhen.
“The influence of the National Guardian Level powerhouses of the First Dynasty is indeed great!”
These were the very outcomes he had intentionally guided, yet King Zhen had decided to go just after Jiang Dao’s slight nudge, without any worry at all.
“That place is to the west of our current position, in a region of Shuzhou known as the Three Counties. There, one can enter the Spirit World.”
“In that case, I shall pay a visit myself! The Spirit World, I fear, may be a treasure or possibly something acquired by a powerful individual, who even used the abilities of the treasure to resolve the calamity inflicted by the Demon Clan. Such an object should be held only by the Jiang Family.”
“King Zhen, there could be many risks in doing so. That shadowy figure is very strong,” Jiang Dao cautioned, though his words sounded less like a warning and more like he was fanning the flames.
“Rest assured, in this world, aside from our ancestors, even if I’m not a match, I can still escape unscathed!”
King Zhen was very confident, or rather, had great faith in the predecessors of the First Dynasty, not believing there could be anyone who could surpass them.
Therefore, he was at ease, confident that he could flee in the face of unexpected danger.
Jiang Dao sighed and said, “I cannot stop you, so I only hope you will succeed.”
“Don’t worry, I will return before long, and you can use the time to assemble the army.”
With that, King Zhen immediately left, hurtling towards the location of the Spirit World.
“Prepare the army? King Zhen, I hope you can indeed return successfully!”
Jiang Dao had deliberately led him on, hoping King Zhen would test the Spirit World. If successful, as long as the goods were of the Jiang Family, he would have the chance to use them.
If it proved too formidable a challenge and King Zhen wasn’t his match, Jiang Dao would have to drastically change his strategy.
In this era, where the ancestors had been severely wounded, the ambition for supremacy had largely turned into a drive for survival.
…
On the other hand, King Zhen, in a great rush, arrived at the Three Counties. As a National Guardian Level powerhouse, comparable to a Master of Destiny, he immediately sensed the uniqueness of this area.
Full of vigor, not at all like those caught in the throes of war.
Moreover, he heard a voice in his ears.
“Welcome to the Psychic Network coverage area. To enter the Spirit World, proceed by…”
This mechanical stiffness was intended to instruct newcomers on entering the Spirit World, yet it caused King Zhen to be extremely wary.
“Who!”
The people around were startled, but such incidents had occurred in the Three Counties more than once, and they were all very understanding.
“A newcomer, no doubt, one yet unfamiliar with the Spirit World warriors here!”
“Don’t be nervous, that’s a feature of our place here; simply follow the instructions!” someone kindly advised.
Some people began to laugh—not in ridicule, but with the kind of broad smiles that greeted newcomers.
However, to King Zhen, who was used to being overbearing, these smiles seemed like mockery, mocking his ignorance.
“How dare you insult me, you shall all die!”
The aura of a National Guardian Level powerhouse erupted forthwith, instantly suppressing those around him so much their guts nearly burst.
Regrettably, before he could take further action, King Zhen disappeared in front of everyone.
The one who had been frightened murmured, “Actually daring to cause trouble here, definitely a newbie…”