Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1079 - 308: The Power of Life and Death Lies in a Single Thought

Name, status, and power intrigue—all ultimately boil down to the need for strength to defeat one's opponents.

Throughout history, it has only ever been through armed forces that empires were unified, never through benevolence. Benevolence is used to govern an already established domain, not to conquer it.

For Jiang Li to have reached today, to sit on the throne of the Emperor due to his mastery of power. As for other means and schemes, those are secondary.

"The Heavenly Monarch borrows my power to break through the Realm, using this to assail my mind and add pressure, yet he doesn't know the joy in my heart."

Jiang Li looked towards the Heavenly Monarch, Taiji revolving in his eyes, Eight Trigrams deduced, light flickering, "The more you do so, the more it shows how important the upcoming battle is to you, so important that you're willing to cut off your retreat and break through again with such radical tactics. Heavenly Monarch, this time, I will kill you."

Once regarded as a pawn by the Heavenly Monarch, used to seize the Divine Farmer's appearance, now says he will kill the Heavenly Monarch. Indeed, fate is fickle, Heaven and Earth unpredictable.

To be precise, Jiang Li was practically raised by the Heavenly Monarch; without him, Jiang Li might not have had his subsequent fortunes.

Of course, the Heavenly Monarch also obtained what he desired from Jiang Li; that appearance of the Divine Farmer became a crucial piece of the "Yin Talisman Scripture," proving his efforts were not in vain.

Yet now, the situation has changed, the former pawn has reached the same Realm as the Heavenly Monarch.

With the final word spoken, crimson light covered the heavens, the overwhelming momentum contending with the Heavenly Monarch as equals.

"Heavenly Monarch, show yourself."

Word follows law, as Jiang Li uttered, layers of space compressed intensely, forcefully squeezing out a figure.

The aura of both sides surged at that moment to a certain zenith, causing the cosmos to change color.

Meanwhile, under the Heavenly Altar, the officials also noticed the emergence of the Heavenly Monarch, their faces drastically changing, with some opening their mouths to shout.

"Silence!" Zhu Hui'an coldly shouted deeply.

He looked towards the few in front and said, "This Heaven-sacrificing ceremony allows no clamor."

The Gongsun Family Master, the Princess, and even the future Empress up front did not move, indicating no need to disrupt the ceremony at this time.

Upon the Heavenly Altar, the Heavenly Monarch's serene and unperturbed eyes revealed no ripple, only unfurling layers of yellow cloud behind him, divine light radiating, piercing through the compressed space to freeze it completely.

The Heavenly Realm behind him gradually took shape, a massive vertical eye opening within the Realm.

However, at that moment, intense light descended, appearing before the Heavenly Altar, revealing a small yet stern Daoist.

"Yuxu Temple's Yin Tulong, attending on behalf of the temple master to celebrate the Emperor's ascension."

The small Daoist paid his respects to the Heavenly Altar on behalf of Yuxu Temple, his actions elevating Jiang Li's aura further.

Immediately—

Auspicious clouds soared across the sky, a golden light cutting through and descending.

Sun Wukong landed, loudly proclaiming, "Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong, delivers the national letter on behalf of the Buddha Country, willing to form eternal ties with the Great Zhou."

As Sun Wukong's statement concluded, the Jiangshan phantom above the Heavenly Altar roared and transformed, with a new territory appearing to the west of Kunxu Mountain, adjoining Great Zhou.

The relationship between the Buddha Country and Great Zhou thus materialized, with Jiang Li's divine abilities completely encompassing Buddha Country. Already at the pinnacle, his majesty reached new heights, his gaze reflecting various hues.

Taixu!

The grand and simplistic Taixu Qi transformed into brilliance, swiftly shattering space, aiming directly at the Heavenly Monarch.

Within the Heavenly Realm behind the Heavenly Monarch, the vertical eye opened wide, forming layers of space out of thin air, with Nine Cauldrons manifesting below the Heavenly Realm.

"Boom!"

Accompanied by an earth-shattering roar, the instant the layered space appeared, it was shattered again, while the Nine Cauldrons boosted the Heavenly Monarch's aura, causing it to rise again, a mighty force erupting in collision with the Taixu light.

The space atop the Heavenly Altar seemed to split into two halves, but the next moment, it was repaired by the surging Primordial Qi.

However, atop the Heavenly Altar, the Heavenly Monarch's figure was no longer visible.

As blood-like radiance shone across the sky, a murderous destructiveness unfolded, Jiang Li's gaze landed on the shadow of the Jiangshan, causing mountains and rivers to seem heavily burdened.

These extreme colors symbolized destructive terror, as if foreshadowing the upcoming battle's ferocity.

In the next moment, however, Chi You's Flag rose into the sky, bursting through the heavens with infinite power, nearly tearing the sky apart, with the noonday sky suddenly blackening, as beams of starlight shot down.

All Heaven Divine Sha evolved into Innate Qi, introducing starlight to take shape, with one giant star after another manifesting in the sky, aligning into an ancient star formation.

The previous ominousness vanished instantly, the crimson brilliance transformed into Fire Virtue Qi, merging with the Sacrificial Altar of Great Zhou.

Simultaneously, beams of starlight descended, Star Primordial Power arriving from beyond the heavens.

Upon seeing this, the Princess below the Heavenly Altar ascended into the sky, drawing upon the vast star power into her being, shifting the Star Formation directly over her head.

"Qiankun Shifting, Space Transformation, this place is indeed the South Pole."

Jiang Li uttered the True Words, causing another layer of space to merge with this place, leading to a shift in the cause and effect of the Divine Capital's geography, coupled with the Vermilion Bird Seven Constellations appearing during the day despite supposed to emerge at night, the Princess absorbs star power into her form, and connects with the earthly energy below.

Blazing flames instantly enveloped her body, tempering and refining her soul, as an ethereal Vermilion Bird merged with her image.

The Fire Virtue Qi soared through the sky, the Princess herself was originally a fourth-rank Fire Star Lord, and with the Fire Virtue of Great Zhou, now combined with Jiang Li also wielding the Fire Virtue, and the summer solstice heavenly timing. Heaven's timing, earthly position, and human harmony, the Three Talents combined, the great momentum upon her.

All previously ominous signs were completely swept away, furthermore, star essence Qi and the Five Vile Qi were refined by the Fire Virtue Qi, transformed into strands of spiritual mechanism dispersing into the Divine Capital with the wind.

The Heavenly Monarch's earlier appearance altered the sacrificial ceremony, Chi You's Flag further brought a sense of tension, yet now it all transformed into auspicious signs, the mechanism of life and death changed in an instant.

Moreover, the Princess's ascension now also set the minds of the Ji Family members at ease.

Regardless, the Princess's ability to ascend to third grade means that the Ji Family has the most basic safeguard. Added to this, the Gongsun Family Master Tianxuan and Master of Rain are also third grade, the two families flowing together, only the Jiang family exceeds them.

Yet, the main power of the Jiang family rests on Jiang Li alone, and now Jiang Li becomes Emperor, acting for the public, the Jiang family is practically still lesser than the Ji family and Gongsun family.

This way, there's no need to worry about suddenly being cast into mundanity.

With such prospects, Ji Changfeng and others, who had already decided to submit, settled their hearts.

At least, they still have opportunities and are not at a dead end.

However, the decision-maker is still the Emperor, if the Ji family does not exert enough role, even if they pass the current barrier, future considerations may remain muted. To arise, merits need to be established.

And the greatest merit now is to gather the enfeoffed kings.

Various thoughts flashed through Ji Changfeng's mind, he now knew what to do next, while also feeling awe of the Jiang Emperor's methods.

'Indeed, deserving of the Emperor.' Ji Changfeng, in awe, also felt it's expected, after all, except for the former Emperor, Great Zhou has never produced a foolish ruler.

Jiang Li's actions deepened Ji Changfeng's inherent impressions and made his heart grow increasingly eager.

Since the Emperor can overlook gossip surrounding the Princess for the sake of sacrificial altar stability, he can later execute rewards and punishments, dismissing those without merit. Thus, for the royal clan's future, I hope the kings will recognize sensibility.

As this thought emerged, a majestic voice descended from the Heavenly Altar.

"Prepare the military, ready for a southern expedition."

The mechanism of life and death lies entirely in control, having witnessed previous scenes, the officials had no intention of opposing, upon hearing the order, they all bowed and replied, "As decreed."

After auspicious signs came military conquest, the Qi Mechanism changed, yet further assisting the Princess's ascension.

The Fire Star Lord was born responding to Mars, inherently tied to conquests, the Princess's foundation was already sufficient, prepared long-term to withstand star power refinement, now receiving one fortunate encounter, greatly boosting her power, now moving with the Qi mechanism, accelerating the ascension.

"Li——"

Amongst the resounding chirping, the Vermilion Bird arose from the flames.

Meanwhile, under the Heavenly Altar, Tianxuan also sensed the enhancement of her Dao Fruit. The starry canopy descending indeed involved her action, though her traces remained hidden, indicating her help with the Princess's ascension.

And the Vermilion Bird Dao Fruit corresponds to the Vermilion Bird Seven Constellations also among the stars, facilitating the birth of the Vermilion Bird, naturally also furthering the Mother of Stars' Doumu Dao Fruit.

"Boom——"

Scarlet light starry sky, overshadowing the sky dome, signifying the new emperor's coronation, also portending the revitalization of a storm-battered Great Zhou, Great Zhou's Qi Shu was abundantly rising.

The Fire Virtue World welcomed a ruler truly in accord with the Fire Virtue, yet it's uncertain whether this dynasty can also undergo rebirth through the flames.

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On the other side, above Yangzhou.

The sky transformed, a silhouette appeared out of thin air, landing on a high platform.

"Heavenly Monarch."

Tan Wuwei, Lingxuzi, along with Shen Hou holding the God-beating Whip, and a person dressed in king's robe, all saluted on the high platform.

"Emperor Jiang has ascended the throne, we can begin." The Heavenly Monarch said calmly.

"Yes."

Replied the four.

[May 26th, summer solstice, Great Zhou's new ruler ascends the throne, King Yue, Ji Wen issued a proclamation, angrily accusing Jiang family's rebellious crimes against hierarchy, regicide and usurpation, simultaneously intending to welcome Saintly Prince of two hundred years ago, Ji Jiji as ruler.]

[In an instant, chaos is born anew in Great Zhou.]