Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1127 - 351: A Touch of Wind and Frost

On the towering mountain peak, a high platform stood firm, with dim lights flickering above it. Strange runes glimmered, drawing in strands of yin energy that seemed to vanish and reappear.

Amidst them, faint wailing sounds intermingled, and the fluctuations of soul revealed the origin of these yin energies. In this great battle between two armies, the residual spirits of the dead were likely all summoned here.

Suddenly, yellow clouds appeared above the high platform, an illusory heavenly realm unfolded and quickly solidified. The Heavenly Monarch emerged from within, and his qi swept over, instantly devouring the yin energy and soul fluctuations completely.

Chilling energy emanated from his body, as if he were a ghost god from the underworld. His gaze lowered slightly to his right hand, where yin energy surged, transforming into pure Innate Qi, healing the cracks on his palm.

"Jiang Li······"

The face of the Heavenly Monarch showed an unmistakable murderous intent. The injury on his palm was particularly glaring in his eyes.

He couldn't help but close his eyes slightly, only regaining his calm after a long while. When he reopened his eyes, they were indifferent again, "After this battle, although the Daoist Lord has not perished, he can no longer intervene. It's just you and me, Jiang Li."

Despite being injured this time, the Heavenly Monarch had now gauged Jiang Li's strength. Yet, he still had the Netherworld Heaven hidden away······

The Heavenly Monarch's gaze was deep and unreadable, pondering unknown thoughts until the injury on his right hand had faded to mere hints before he took action.

He placed his right hand behind him, concealing the marks with his sleeve. With a gentle wave of his left hand, space shifted, projecting one phantom after another.

Tan Wuwei, Lingxuzi, Shen Hou, Kaiyang Martial Arts, and a man wearing a bright yellow king's robe, with a delicate yet dangerous appearance; these phantoms, after appearing, bowed in unison to the Heavenly Monarch, saying, "Greetings, Heavenly Monarch."

The Heavenly Monarch nodded, raised his hand in a virtual gesture of support, indicating no need for suspicion, then looked at Shen Hou and said, "Shen Hou, you invited the Immortal Queen this time and aided meritoriously. Your Dao Fruit aligns with the Water Element, so I hereby grant you the 'Rain-shaped River' from the 'Form Tomb' as a reward for your service."

The Heavenly Monarch said no more, but merely granting this reward symbolized Shen Hou's rising status, likely just below the third-rank strong people.

'My status has risen again. If the Heavenly Monarch can take down the Great Zhou, I might be conferred a title of King······'

Shen Hou mused to himself, then cooperated by showing joy, bowing in thanks to the Heavenly Monarch.

Subsequently, a stream of light merged into Shen Hou's phantom, and the essence of "Rain-shaped River" was immediately transmitted into Shen Hou's mind, prompting him to close his eyes and directly comprehend it.

The Heavenly Monarch then looked at Tan Wuwei.

Tan Wuwei immediately lowered his head and reported, "The matter happened unexpectedly; although we anticipated the actions of Taibai True Monarch in advance, we were unable to respond in time, leading to casualties of over forty thousand in our army. Many remaining soldiers are in panic, even terrified, and this is Wuwei's fault. Please punish me, Heavenly Monarch."

"You indeed have faults, but I also have faults."

The Heavenly Monarch said calmly, "It was I who fell into Emperor Jiang's scheme, causing this casualty, while you managed the army in the crucial time, preserving the army under the Jiuli Vast Sky Realm Law, your merits outweigh your mistakes. After this, I will reward you separately."

The Heavenly Monarch, having served as the Crown Prince and led the Dinghu Sect for many years, lacked no means to soothe people's hearts; this gesture of assuming responsibility was enough to prevent the subordinates from harboring grievances.

No matter whether they were truly angry, at least on the surface, no faults could be found.

"Thank you, Heavenly Monarch," replied Tan Wuwei.

"Among the army, those who are terrified should be converted with your Buddhist chanting again, dispelling their fear and restoring their courage," the Heavenly Monarch ordered.

The Heavenly Monarch's subordinates had already undergone a round of Buddhist chanting; otherwise, it would have been difficult to oppose the court, which had ruled for eight hundred years. Now those who were fearful merely needed another conversion, without much extra effort.

Tan Wuwei naturally accepted the task once more.

Afterward, the Heavenly Monarch looked at the man in the king's robe.

This person appeared under thirty, still a young man, with a handsome yet delicate face that gave off a sense of danger.

Seeing the Heavenly Monarch look over, he saluted and said, "Three thousand Plague Umbrellas have already been sent to Yu State, Yan State, and Jizhou respectively. Once you give the order, I can deploy the plague."

Among the Heavenly Monarch's subordinates, there was only one who could deploy the plague, and that was King Yue, Ji Wen, who led the effort to aid the King and clean the King's side.

Initially, it was also Ji Wen who secretly taught the Fourth Prince cultivation techniques, helped him conceal his realm, and even guided him to enter the Treasure Extreme Cave Heaven so that Jiang Li could obtain the 'Yin Talisman Scripture.'

In terms of strength, this person might not be the best, but he was definitely trusted deeply by the Heavenly Monarch.

The Heavenly Monarch nodded slightly at Ji Wen's words and then said, "Invite the Immortal Queen to visit me afterward. Dismiss."

The others, including Shen Hou who had awakened from his comprehension, bowed again, each phantom dissipating one by one, leaving only Lingxuzi's phantom at the end.

"Heavenly Monarch."

Lingxuzi said, "According to the Sect's records, Shen Hou's Dao Fruit may have an adverse effect on Qi Fortune. Is there any issue in bestowing this cultivation technique?"

He certainly understood the Heavenly Monarch's intention. The cultivation techniques granted by the Heavenly Monarch could resonate through the Heavenly Dharma and even be manipulated. Even the 'Form Tomb' cultivation techniques were no exception.

Who knew if there were any methods pertaining to the 'Yin Talisman Scripture' hidden in these techniques? After all, the 'Yin Talisman Scripture' itself was created by merging the supreme learnings of the 'Qi Tomb' and 'Form Tomb.'

The Heavenly Monarch indeed valued Shen Hou more, so he specially provided the enhanced cultivation technique to ensure Shen Hou would serve him better.

If Shen Hou knew, he would undoubtedly be indescribably moved.

However, this also would inevitably cause an intertwinement with Shen Hou's Qi Fortune. The mere act of accepting Shen Hou under his command could already cause adverse effects on his Qi Fortune. Now with this intertwinement, it might only worsen.

"I can sever cause and effect; minor losses in Qi Fortune are not a concern. Besides, Shen Hou is merely fourth-rank."

The Heavenly Monarch waved dismissively and said, "Grant him the cultivation technique, so in critical moments, he can wield the God-beating Whip. Compared to that item, such a cost is but a little hardship."

Since the Heavenly Monarch had said so, the topic was considered concluded.

Lingxuzi spoke no more of it and brought up another person, "Tan Wuwei dedicated himself fully without holding back. If she hadn't detected in time, our losses might have been greater."

"Continue to monitor her; her role is crucial, and make sure she does not make mistakes," the Heavenly Monarch nodded and said, "The day of ascension is near. Fetch the Primordial Qi Shangqing Talisman and start preparing the magic ceremony for me."

"As soon as the time is right, open the gate to the Heaven to aid in my ascension."

"Yes," Lingxuzi solemnly responded.

His phantom also dispersed soon after, leaving the Heavenly Monarch alone on the high platform.

The Heavenly Monarch looked up, gazing into the distance as if trying to penetrate the sky dome and see the existence above the extreme sky, "Years of planning will be put to the test in this. If I succeed in ascending this time, I will be invincible in the world."