Chapter 377: The Armies Rise Across the Nine Provinces

Chapter 377: The Armies Rise Across the Nine Provinces

It wasn’t just the Taixuan Empire.

Other forces were also like this.

Upon learning that Gu Yang had attained sainthood, they all wished to emulate him, forcefully breaking the shackles of Heaven’s Path to achieve the Saint realm in this Era of Decline.

Unfortunately,

Not everyone could easily break the shackles of Heaven’s Path.

The fortune of some imperial dynasties was insufficient to shake these shackles, only some divine dynasties could manage this.

As for other sects and noble families, their fortune was even weaker than that of divine dynasties, making it even harder for them to achieve this.

However,

Gu Yang paid little attention to the outside world.

With the Divine Martial Dynasty’s ascension, numerous matters awaited his attention.

In the imperial court,

Ministers gathered.

Gu Yang sat on the imperial throne, his saintly aura radiating subtly, making everyone present show deep respect.

They had all witnessed his trial by the Saint’s heavenly tribulation on the Sun of the Imperial Yang Mountain.

The terrifying power of that tribulation was still fresh in their minds.

“With the Divine Martial Dynasty’s ascension to a divine dynasty, our overall strength has increased. Therefore, I plan to lead our troops to the Eastern Domain to fully secure the passage between the Nine Provinces, the Divine Origin Province, and the Gu Yue Province!”

Gu Yang surveyed the ministers, speaking slowly.

This ascension of the Divine Martial Dynasty wasn’t just his breakthrough to the Sheng Ren realm; all the officials had also made significant advancements in their strength.

Anyone with an official position could receive the support of the dynasty’s fortune, allowing them to break through their current limits.

The higher the position,

The more fortune they would receive.

For example, the Chief Cabinet Minister, Liang Jin, had directly advanced from the Third Stage Dao Palace to the peak of the Ninth Level of the Palace of Dao Realm, his strength rivaling that of a half-saint.

Similarly, the Secretaries of the Six Ministries had all advanced from the Ninth Stage of Divine Transformation to the Seventh Level of the Palace of Dao Realm in one go.

As for the rest,

There was no need to elaborate.

To put it bluntly,

This ascension of the Divine Martial Dynasty had caused a surge in the strength of all officials, allowing anyone who could stand before Gu Yang to have broken through to the Palace of Dao Realm.

Outside the court,

The officials of various departments had also made significant breakthroughs.

Especially the generals guarding the border regions and the governors of various counties, their strength had also surged.

Due to the increased strength of the dynasty, Gu Yang had the confidence to act.

Even without the support of Gu Qingfeng, the Divine Martial Dynasty was now a true giant.

At least,

In this Era of Decline.

After all, Gu Yang had already broken through to the Sage Realm, and if he were to utilize the dynasty’s fortune, his strength would rival that of an experienced saint.

With the use of a quasi-imperial weapon, he would have the confidence to face even a Great Saint or a Saint King Realm powerhouse.

If there was any weakness in the Divine Martial Dynasty, it was perhaps the short time since its establishment, lacking the centuries or even millennia of history that other divine dynasties possess.

The latter had a deep foundation and many ancient strong figures sleeping, serving as the dynasty’s hidden cards.

If these ancient figures were not considered, the Divine Martial Dynasty was no weaker than any other divine dynasty.

However,

If they were taken into account,

Then Gu Yang would have to bring out his father, Gu Qingfeng.

With Gu Qingfeng present, any ancient strong figure would have to bow obediently.

Therefore,

Gu Yang intended to use this opportunity to expand the Divine Martial Dynasty further, thereby enhancing its foundation.

A divine dynasty was not the end.

In the Xian Court, above the divine dynasty was the divine realm, and above the divine realm was the Xian Realm.

At the pinnacle,

Was the Xian Court, which stood above the Xian Realm.

The Xian Court,

This term referred to just that.

Although the existence of the Xian Court was merely a concept from the ancient Taiyi Divine Dynasty, as the most powerful human force in the Primeval Era, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty had countless strong figures. It was not impossible that some of them could glimpse the profound mysteries of the ages and witness the existence of the Xian Court.

Therefore,

The Xian Court might not be a mere illusion.

Thus,

The path ahead for the Divine Martial Dynasty was still long.

Consequently,

Gu Yang would not be complacent.

As his cultivation advanced, he increasingly understood the vastness of the world, and a divine dynasty was far from his ultimate goal.

Even the ancient Taiyi Divine Dynasty was not his final target.

After all, the fall of the Taiyi Divine Dynasty signified its failure.

If the Divine Martial Dynasty did not want to follow the same path, it had only one method: to surpass the Taiyi Divine Dynasty and become even stronger.

At this moment.

As Gu Yang's words faded away, a minister quickly stepped forward, clasping his hands and said, "I agree with Your Majesty’s proposal!"

"In the ancient era, a power rose from the Nine Provinces, sweeping across the land to become the dominant force of an era.

Our Divine Martial Imperial Dynasty also rose from the Nine Provinces; we can certainly follow in their footsteps!"

Soon, other ministers also stepped forward, expressing their support for Gu Yang's decision to wage war.

Watching the ministers below and listening to their words, Gu Yang felt extremely satisfied.

The hearts of his people were united and ready to be used!

The Divine Martial Imperial Dynasty no longer needed to remain hidden.

Immediately, Gu Yang issued an order for the Ministry of War and the generals in the court to prepare for battle.

Finally, he added, "Within one year, I want the eleven provinces of the Divine Martial Imperial Dynasty to be seamless!"

"We will obey Your Majesty's command!"

—

The Gu Family.

Gu Qingfeng, dressed in casual attire, sat in the main hall, with two people seated below him.

One was Gu Shengnu, and the other was the Sword Sect's Sect Master, Xiao Jianjun.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was somewhat silent.

Gu Shengnu, looking at the scene before her, recalled the past. Her cold and beautiful face showed a touch of the dependency she once had as she looked at Gu Qingfeng in the main seat.

"Grandfather..."

This single word broke the silence in the hall.

Gu Qingfeng glanced at her and then coldly snorted, "You still remember me, your grandfather, after so many decades? Your wings have grown hard; why come back now?"

"Shengnu has always missed you, Grandfather. It was just that my cultivation outside made it difficult to return. Now that I have some free time, I came back immediately to visit you, Elder!"

Gu Shengnu pouted, a sight that would have made other Sword Sect disciples drop their jaws in surprise.

After all, the direct disciple of the Sect Master had always been cold and aloof, rarely showing such a gentle side.

In fact, this was her true character.

Only in front of Gu Qingfeng did she reveal the softer side of herself.

With these words, Gu Qingfeng's expression softened slightly.

"At least you have some heart. Since you're back, go see your grandmother. She has missed you for a long time. I have some matters to discuss with your master."

"Then I will take my leave, Grandfather!"

Gu Shengnu, hearing this, glanced at Xiao Jianjun and then bowed before leaving.

Once Gu Shengnu was gone, Gu Qingfeng turned his gaze to Xiao Jianjun.

The latter felt a wave of pressure and immediately clasped his hands in a bow.

"Xiao Jianjun, a junior of the Sword Sect, greets Elder Gu!"

He did not address Gu Qingfeng as a fellow cultivator but directly called him "Elder."

Despite Xiao Jianjun being thousands of years old, much older than Gu Qingfeng, in the cultivation world, one's strength was the ultimate measure.

Moreover, in Xiao Jianjun's eyes, Gu Qingfeng's strength was unfathomable. There was no way he could have achieved this level in just a hundred years.

In his mind, Gu Qingfeng was an ancient existence who had been dormant for countless years, only awakening a century ago, leading to the emergence of the Gu Family.

"Have you heard that the Sword Sect's lineage dates back to the ancient era? Is this true?"

Gu Qingfeng looked at Xiao Jianjun and slowly asked.

To him, the Sword Sect's Sect Master had no secrets to hide.

There was no denying that the Sword Sect's foundation was indeed extraordinary.

Xiao Jianjun, though only at the Ninth Stage of the Palace of Dao Realm, radiated an aura so formidable that Gu Qingfeng believed his true strength was likely on par with a Saint.

It was important to note that the gap between the Ninth Stage of the Palace of Dao Realm and the First Stage of the Saint Realm was vast, a chasm that even many prodigies with divine bodies found difficult to cross to match the strength of a Saint.

Yet Xiao Jianjun had managed it, which spoke volumes about the Sword Sect's exceptional nature.

On the other side, Xiao Jianjun, upon hearing Gu Qingfeng's words, became even more convinced that he was an ancient powerhouse.

After all, the Sword Sect had not been active in the outside world for over ten thousand years, and they had always been quite low-key since the ancient era.

Their few high-profile moments were during the times when the Sword Sect produced Emperors.

However, even the last Emperor of the Sword Sect dated back to the Primeval Era.

Ordinary people, upon hearing the name of the Sword Sect, would never associate it with the ancient era.

Only those truly ancient beings who understood the Sword Sect would make that connection.

"Your words are correct, Elder. The Sword Sect does indeed trace its lineage back to the ancient era!"

Xiao Jianjun, understanding the futility of lying to such a powerful being, answered truthfully.

At this level, any cultivator's slightest change in expression or mental fluctuation could be detected.

Besides, Gu Qingfeng was the head of the Gu Family, and Gu Shengnu was a direct disciple of the Sword Sect.

The relationship between the two forces can be described as quite close.

No matter how Xiao Jianjun thought about it, he couldn’t find any reason for the other side to harm the Sword Sect.

Gu Qingfeng, unaware of Xiao Jianjun’s thoughts, continued to ask, "In the Primeval Era, there was a divine dynasty named Taiyi, which suppressed the entire Ancient Realm with its formidable strength. Later, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty vanished. The Sword Sect has been passed down since the Primeval Era. How much do you know about these matters?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jianjun’s expression froze. He took a deep breath and clasped his hands, saying, "These matters were originally a secret within the sect. However, since Senior Gu has asked, I will boldly share them."

"In fact, according to the records of the Sword Sect, at the end of the Primeval Era, the Taiyi Divine Dynasty attempted to ascend as a whole, forcing open the Xian Gate. However, this action inadvertently summoned the Evil Spirits. These beings were almost indestructible and, upon emerging from the Xian Gate, caused catastrophic disasters.

The human race, led by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty, poured all its resources into fighting the Evil Spirits, but the result was a mutual destruction. Most of the powerful figures from the Primeval Era perished, but the Evil Spirits were also sealed by the Taiyi Divine Dynasty in a desperate final stand, bringing both sides to an end!"

"However, the Primeval Era was the most prosperous era. Despite the fall of many powerful figures, some left behind their legacies. The Sword Sect is one of them."

Speaking of the Primeval Era, Xiao Jianjun’s expression became unusually solemn, with a hint of unease and a trace of unperceived fear in his eyes.

The descent of the Evil Spirits!

The upheaval of an era!

Such events were truly horrifying.

If this wasn’t the legacy of the Sword Sect, Xiao Jianjun would never have believed it.

"According to legend, in the great battle of the Primeval Era, almost all the strong figures perished, and the human race suffered tremendous losses. Countless lives were lost, making it the most tragic period in human history. This calamity began and ended with the Taiyi Divine Dynasty.

However, the sect’s records state that the so-called Evil Spirits should actually be called Evil Deities!"

At the end, Xiao Jianjun added, "Evil Deities!"

Gu Qingfeng nodded inwardly.

He had asked Xiao Jianjun to see if the Sword Sect’s legacy matched the information he had. From what he could see, there was no significant difference.

In other words, the Deceptive Heavenly Emperor had not lied.

At this moment, Xiao Jianjun’s expression became much heavier.

"But after the great calamity of the Primeval Era, the Evil Deities, who had vanished, have reappeared. I suspect that the great calamity of the Primeval Era might be replayed in this world. If that happens, countless lives will be lost!"

"Whether a great calamity will occur is still unknown. Why should you, Sect Leader Xiao, worry needlessly? Moreover, great calamities often come with great opportunities. Just wait and see."

Gu Qingfeng’s words calmed Xiao Jianjun down.

If anyone else had said this, he would have dismissed it. But since it came from Gu Qingfeng, Xiao Jianjun felt much more at ease.

After all, when the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up.

This man, with his immense strength, would surely reach the Da Di realm in the future. With such a powerful figure around, it wasn’t his place as a Palace of Dao Realm cultivator to worry about the survival of the human race.

Moreover, Xiao Jianjun even wondered if Gu Qingfeng’s awakening in this era was a premonition of the coming calamity.

After all, as Gu Qingfeng had said, great calamities often come with great opportunities.

Just like the Sword Sect in the Primeval Era, though it faced a great calamity, it also gained tremendous opportunities, allowing it to produce an Emperor in the early Desolate Ancient Era.

At Gu Qingfeng’s level, his goal must be to attain the Emperor realm.

Therefore, his appearance in this era must be to find the opportunity to become an Emperor amidst the turmoil of the great calamity.

Thinking this way, all of Xiao Jianjun’s doubts cleared up.

When he looked at Gu Qingfeng again, his expression was one of understanding.

Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng furrowed his brow, wondering what the Sword Sect’s leader had thought that caused such a change in his expression.

However, Gu Qingfeng had no intention of asking further.

Learning about the Primeval Era from Xiao Jianjun was the main purpose of his visit. As for the rest, he didn’t care much about it.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end