Chapter 870: War with the Grand Age

Chapter 870: War with the Grand Age

The wilds of the world bowed in submission, and a million malevolent warriors suppressed the pestilence.

Amidst the various sects, the struggle for power among the Grass King had subsided, and peace had been restored. Within the sects, the extraordinary individuals from the ten sects all realized the grand trend and no longer entertained the dream of seizing wealth and power with their abilities alone.

Therefore, many people also believed that when the new emperor ascended the throne and the Grand Ritual of the Lofty Heaven was held, they would still be anxious about the Grand Age hanging over their heads. They only wished that it could be done sooner rather than later, and whether they could drive away the Grand Age became their greatest aspiration.

After all, it seemed that there was only this one opportunity to expel the Grand Age. This was the result of the Hu family's discussion with the divine beings from beyond the world. The people of the world were scattered and unmotivated. If there was ever a moment when everyone's hearts were united and their aspirations soared, it would only be at the time of the new emperor's ascension.

"Nonsense!"

At this moment, Mingzhou King Yang Gong, who had entered the capital city, directly refuted this idea.

Facing countless sect members with astonishing abilities, he calmly replied, "What's this about the new emperor's ascension and the unity of the people?"

"Others may not know, but I do. With the new emperor's ascension, only I am happy. It's only those brothers who follow me in pursuit of wealth and power who care about the common people of this world."

"They don't care who becomes the emperor. In their eyes, the new emperor's ascension is worthless. If they truly want to see the unity of the people and the Grand Ritual of the Lofty Heaven, they'll have to wait until the crops are strong and the granaries are full!"

"When people have enough to eat and see surplus food, that's when we can truly win over the people's hearts and suppress the pestilence."

"..."

When it came to abilities within the sects, Yang Gong had never even touched the door of the imperial palace. But at this moment, his words astonished many notable figures, including the reincarnated Er Guotou. Yet, they were suddenly awakened by his words, and they began to ask questions.

"I'm in no hurry to become the emperor. What's destined to be mine will be mine."

"Therefore, the Grand Ritual of the Lofty Heaven will be held after autumn, when the common people can see food in their mouths."

"Before that, if you submit to me, let the extraordinary individuals of this world travel the land, suppressing pests and bringing peace to the people."

"If there's not enough rain, help them pray for rain. If the land is infertile, help them bless the land. If people are troubled, help them with medicine and plague prevention. If the heavens and earth are in turmoil, help them dispel calamities and solve problems."

"Let the farmers have their fields, the young have their nurture, and the elderly have their food. How can we worry about not winning over the people's hearts?"

"..."

After awakening the sect members, Yang Gong immediately gave the order: "Farmers return to the fields, warriors lay down their arms, open up wastelands, and exempt taxes and provide grain."

With this decree, the world welcomed a prosperous era.

Currently, the world was in the midst of spring and summer, a time when the crops were scarce. However, due to the Purple Aura being seized by the Governor of Pest Suppression on Great Sorrow Mountain, the Black Grand Age turned white, and the people had enough food to fill their stomachs.

Seeing that the disaster of war had passed, they gained the strength to cultivate the land. With the Purple Aura blessing the land, the weather became harmonious, and the crops grew vigorously. This alone brought joy to the farmers of the world, who were delighted just by looking at the thriving fields.

For those within the sects, these six months were astonishing.

Witnessing the rolling Purple Aura returning to the human world, they finally understood that between heaven and earth, the weight was supposed to be light. It was believed that the Grand Age had been absorbing the essence of the world, but in the end, most of the weight had been taken away by Dui Yi, leaving little for the Grand Age to claim.

The Non-Vegetarian Sect disciples, the Wandering Ghosts, and the members of the Ten Surnames sects traveled the world, suppressing pests and bringing peace to the people.

With the imperial decree from the King of the Capital to exempt taxes and provide grain, the vast land from the south to the north was filled with farmers tending to their fields.

As summer passed and spring arrived, the fields, nourished by the Purple Aura, were already heavy with ripe grains. The people of the world were filled with joy.

Hearing that taxes would be exempted for three years, the joy and relief in their hearts were beyond words.

There were those skilled in observing qi, who observed the world from the capital."

They witnessed the rising fortune, which was several times stronger than when Yang Gong first entered the capital. They realized that the new king, the Bright King, had an even more accurate perception of the people's fortune.

Interestingly, Yang Gong's ascension to the throne was initially met with much resistance and hatred. If he had rushed to hold the Grand Ritual of the Lofty Heaven as soon as he entered the capital, the people would have appeared united on the surface, but in reality, there would have been many with hidden malicious intentions.

But at this moment, with the hearts of the people united, even their slightest dissatisfaction was overshadowed.

In some places, there were ambitious individuals who, seeing Yang Gong's entry into the capital but his delay in ascending the throne, believed that his heavenly mandate had faded. They spread rumors:

They claimed that Yang Gong was a demon sent from heaven, intending to eliminate the Grand Age and take away the people's livelihood. They aimed to protect the Grand Age, overthrow the Bright King, and even the Non-Vegetarian Sect disciples would not need to send troops from the capital.

The green fields turned yellow overnight.

The day of the Jiazi term arrived, and the sky transformed into the Heavenly Emperor. It was time for the Bright King's official ascension and the gathering of notable figures for the Grand Ritual of the Lofty Heaven.

With the new emperor's ascension, the ancestral temple was to be established. It was also time for the Hu family's ancestral temple to leave the capital.

The Bright King Yang Gong, however, arrived a day earlier. He brought only the lame little ghost, who sniffed the air and confirmed the familiar scent. After knocking his head a few times and shouting a few words, there was no response.

He tilted his not-so-smart head and quietly took out a piece of blood food from his sleeve, placing it before Hu Ma.

"Brother, the longer I delay, the longer you'll receive the incense offerings here. I hope this helps you."

Yang Gong, looking at Hu Ma beneath the green mist, did not bow this time. Instead, he chatted casually as if they were meeting for the first time: "They say the ancestral temple will be relocated, and my family's tablet will be placed. But I've grown up without any ancestors or forefathers."

"Even if I found distant relatives, I secretly had them eliminated. If I must acknowledge ancestors, I, Yang Gong, would rather recognize the people of this world as my ancestors."

"Enjoy these incense offerings. Take it one day at a time. As for this seal, I'll receive it on behalf of the people."

"There's still much to do when you return!"

"..."

With the new emperor's ascension, the ancestral temple in the capital was to be relocated back to its original land.

For the former emperor, this was a "demotion."

But no one could have imagined that the Hu family's ancestral temple would be "promoted," remaining in the capital to receive the incense offerings of the world.

It was bestowed the title of "Grandmaster of the World"!

At the same time, within the vast capital, the Grand Ritual of the Lofty Heaven was held.

On the auspicious day, Mingzhou King Yang Gong, leading his generals, the national teacher, and meritorious officials, opened the gates of the imperial city, entered the Heaven-Bearing Hall, held the Heaven-Stabilizing Treasure Seal, and ascended the throne.

In the northern part of the capital, at the Grand Ritual of the Lofty Heaven, Hu Shanchuan, the master of the Wandering Ghosts, stood on the platform and set up the ritual altar, with five stone blocks as the altar base and an offering table in front of him.

On the offering table, there were five square-shaped pieces of black, white, green, red, and gold Grand Ages, each cut into a square shape, along with a jar containing the Purple Aura, positioned above the Five Grand Ages.

This is the Immortal Fruit, one of the Five Stabilizing Altars.

On the incense table, three incense sticks were lit, and in front of the incense burner, there was a piece of human skin covered in inscriptions.

This is the Former Emperor's Skin, also known as the Great Age Ledger.

The Yin General stood in the shadowed area behind the ritual altar, with an iron coffin placed there, covered in various chains.

Outside the altar, on the layered steps, there were various sects gathered, each standing in their respective areas. Among them were the previous generation's main officiant of the Great Dharmic Sect, the Supreme Master of the Non-Vegetarian Sect, and various capable individuals from the Wandering Ghosts, Inquiry Zhang Agu, Reasoning Seven Gugula, the Li Master of the Cave, Miss Li Xiangyu, Life-Saving Zhou, and the Divine-Hand Zhao Family.

On the second level outside the altar were Impermanence Li, Mountain Watching Zhu, Blessing Sun Family, and the leaders of the Non-Vegetarian Eight Sects.

On the third level were notable individuals from all over the world, the Immortal King, great swordsmen from various sects, and those who had made significant contributions in the battle against fate. They were arranged in layers, each one renowned and awe-inspiring.

Er Guotou lit the incense, and as the crowd watched, green smoke rose, soaring into the sky. The world fell silent, awaiting the new Emperor's words.

At this moment in the Imperial City, Yang Gong walked between the two rows of civil and military officials, approaching the throne. In his hands, he held the final altar of the Five Stabilizing Altars, the Heaven-Stabilizing Treasure Seal. The Purple Aura on the seal was radiant, and with the mandate of heaven, the words "Longevity and Eternal Prosperity" were inscribed, capable of shaking the very heavens.

Then, he raised the seal above his head, facing the world, and proclaimed in a deep voice, "With Dui Yi as the guide, the Grand Age descends, invading our world and sacrificing our people. Now, I, as the Emperor, kneel to serve the millions."

"With this seal as witness, I reject the Grand Age, and will never again offer sacrifices!"

"..."

Boom!

With these words, the people bowed in worship, and the treasure seal in the Emperor's hand emitted a divine light, shooting straight up into the sky.

Dark clouds rolled in, turning the world upside down. From the unseen, cries of anguish could be heard, belonging to the remnants of the Demon World.

Sensing that a new heaven was about to arrive, they were desperately struggling in their final moments.

On the altar, Er Guotou heard the Emperor's words and stood up, holding the Former Emperor's Skin. In the middle of the altar, he set it on fire, symbolizing the contract between the human world and the Grand Age. At this moment, it burned away, never to exist again.

Boom!

The world underwent even greater changes. Endless dark winds suddenly blew from all directions.

The ghosts and spirits were shocked, and the world fell into darkness.

In the mortal world, calamity objects went wild, eager to rush into the human realm. From all directions, countless blood and flesh emerged from the depths of the earth.

They had been dormant, allowing themselves to be slaughtered, but at the moment the Emperor's skin was burned, they suddenly discovered the earth-shattering roars. The flesh swelled and undulated, giving birth to numerous tentacles and faces, as if to engulf the world.

"It's time, rise from the altar!"

Amidst these heavenly changes, even the National Master beside him couldn't help but show a hint of solemnity. However, Er Guotou on the altar suddenly rose with a cold smile, and the ritual flags in his hands suddenly rose into the air.

With his fingers forming a seal, he proclaimed in a stern voice, "Yin-Yang Unification, the world's hearts are united. From this altar, I command all ghosts and spirits to heed my order!"

"Drive away the malevolent spirits, leave the mortal realm, and bring peace to my people without calamities!"

"Those who disobey will be executed!"

"..."

With this altar, even the capable individuals from various sects who were present felt their hearts tremble.

Even though they had known about it beforehand, witnessing this altar firsthand still made them feel it was a bit too crazy.

The Hu Family had not entered the Underworld, so their Mother Style was unrelated to the Yellow Springs Eight Sceneries. The previous Mother Style was called the Commanding All Eight Directions Military Altar, which was, in fact, the World Altar.

With one command, all the ghosts and spirits of the world obeyed.

And now, the altar raised by Er Guotou is the final technique from the Subduing Grand Age Book, and it's the new Wandering Ghosts Mother Style, Commanding All Eight Directions Ghost Deity Altar."

This altar penetrates Yin and Yang, commanding all ghosts and spirits. Those who obey this order dare not disobey, or they will be executed!

Furthermore, within the altar, there is something called the Ghost Deity Altar, and the Grand Age is considered a "Malevolent Spirit" by the mortal world. This means even the Grand Age must obey the order.

Those who disobey will be executed!

"Hula..."

Divine light rose from the altar, and the ritual flags flew in all directions, rushing into the various Blood Food Mines where chaos was rampant.

Disciples who had received the orders from various sects, along with the Wandering Ghosts, followed this command and went to subdue the malevolent spirits.

To protect the people, the Golden Armor drew its sword, and the Grand Ages across the land were all treated as demons and executed!

...

...

By now, Hu Ma had traveled far beyond the mortal realm.

He had the opportunity to take that one step out of the human world, but it was still not enough to reach the Grand Age. However, the reincarnated ones sent him further and further, and he finally approached the Grand Age.

He didn't know how deep he had ventured, only that the deeper he went, the slower time passed. He had no idea how much time had passed in the human world or what had become of his physical body.

But this was a path of no return, so he didn't think about the human world. Instead, he focused on the faces that had brought hope to this world, firmly determined, and took big strides forward, finally reaching the end of this endless darkness.

Here, he seemed to have crossed a blurry barrier, as if he had finally stepped onto a mountain, witnessing a vast Blood Food Mine.

"Is this the Grand Age?"

"Is this the Origin?"

His heart stirred with excitement at every step. Compared to the endless void and darkness, being able to reach this place was already a victory.

But it wasn't enough. He needed to get even closer, trying to understand the deeper layers of the origin.

It was then that he suddenly heard a voice: "Why did it take you so long?"

"What the...?"

Even as a spiritual entity, Hu Ma felt a shiver run through his body.

He had traveled too far from the human world to describe, and even those reincarnated ones who had sent him on his way seemed like they had left him long ago.

He had almost adapted to the endless darkness and loneliness, but he never expected that at the end of this road, in the place closest to the origin of the Grand Age, he would still hear a familiar voice...

He turned his head and saw a man in a white robe, standing quietly atop the flesh.

He had sunk his knees into the Meat Mountain, yet his robe remained pristine, his hair cascading down, and his eyes still clear.

"Brother Monkey Wine?"

Hu Ma was on the verge of cracking.

With this step, he had ventured too far, and it took immense courage for him to take it.

He wondered how many reincarnators had aided him to reach this place.

How could someone still be ahead of him?

"You visit the Earth Deity on equal terms, crossing the bridge and arriving here directly."

Monkey Wine seemed to understand Hu Ma's astonishment and explained, "But I'm different. I found the Earth Deity's root in the human world and returned as my original self, so I'm faster than you."

"I took this shortcut to come and see what the Earth Deity is like ahead of time. While observing it, I've been waiting for you. In fact... I've been waiting for you here for twenty years."

"Twenty years..."

Hu Ma struggled to describe the shock in his heart, thinking this guy was completely insane...

Tie Guan Yin and the others were willing to help him, prepared for the possibility of annihilation, hoping to escape the Eternal Punishment.

But this guy had directly returned to the Earth Deity?

He hesitated for a moment before asking anxiously, "Aren't you afraid of being completely devoured or even enduring the Eternal Punishment?"

"The soul that endures the Eternal Punishment is also a form of existence."

Monkey Wine slowly spoke, "Thought is existence. The human mind fears not torment but only confusion."

"I don't quite understand!"

Hu Ma was even more astonished, "But your words always seem to make sense."

"Simply put, I'm prepared to endure the Eternal Punishment."

Monkey Wine explained, "Even if I endure the Eternal Punishment, I want to see what it truly is. Of course, I've also considered that since our souls could be sent down to seal the gods in the human world, it means we possess a certain power to resist the Earth Deity."

"So I believe I can hold out for a while, and during that time, I can discern its true form."

"And even find its weakness..."

"..."

He paused, sighing as he looked at his legs submerged in the Earth Deity, "However, I'm still limited by the body of a reincarnator."

"I once detached from it and returned as my original self, so its influence on me grows stronger each day. I know I can't defeat it, but fortunately, I knew you would come, and I've been waiting here for you."

"So..."

Hu Ma understood his words and finally couldn't help but ask the question, "Can we win?"

When he took that step, Hu Ma didn't know the answer.

He still didn't know the answer when he embarked on the journey with all the reincarnators.

Although they had agreed on many things, no one knew for sure if they could win...

After all, it was something so formidable that even the civilization of the other world couldn't withstand.

He had intended to face this question alone, but then he saw Monkey Wine, who had arrived twenty years earlier. Hu Ma believed that in those twenty years, Monkey Wine must have learned a lot, so he decided to ask him directly.

For a moment, he worried that Monkey Wine would give him a despairing answer.

But when Monkey Wine heard the question, he smiled and asked, "Why not?"

Hu Ma looked at him.

Monkey Wine laughed, half of his body already devoured by the Earth Deity, yet his smile remained as clean as it was in the human world.

There was no sign of despair in his eyes, only anticipation, "At first, I didn't think we could win either. Our world, in terms of technology, culture, knowledge, philosophy, and various other aspects, was more advanced than this one, yet we lost completely."

"Since we have no power to resist, it's difficult to place all our hopes in this world..."

"Until I discovered..."

He paused, then suddenly laughed, "We haven't lost!"

This unexpected revelation surprised Hu Ma, but he hesitated, "But they said..."

"Our home was stolen, wasn't it?"

Monkey Wine chuckled, "Our world indeed no longer exists!"

He slowly raised his finger, and on this Meat Mountain, purple aura permeated everywhere, as if even the mountain itself was a manifestation of the purple aura. With a light touch, he revealed the endless starry sky to Hu Ma.

Hu Ma saw a desolate land, filled with ruins and devoid of any signs of life.

He knew this place; it was the previous world that the reincarnators longed for.

This desolation further confirmed the answer given by the Great Red Robe and Tie Guan Yin, but Monkey Wine spoke up at this moment,

"But our war is not yet lost!"

"As long as our consciousness remains, not completely extinguished, this war continues."

"..."

He slowly raised his head, looking at Hu Ma, his voice extremely rational yet stirring, "Because we are distant from the Earth Deity, we embarked on a path of seeking truth."

"But the Earth Deity is a product of the spiritual world, a shadow of the soul. So when it descended, we were caught off guard, unable to comprehend it, and were destroyed by this incomprehensible existence."

"Just because we haven't seen it doesn't mean we lack the will."

"The Earth Deity devoured our civilization, but our will remains, transforming into heart demons and waging war against it."

"In a way, Dui Yi summoning the Earth Deity to the human world was a good thing."

"..."

Monkey Wine paused, unable to hold back a smile, as if he found this discovery fascinating, "While we were still fighting the Earth Deity, it descended upon the human world."

"This is when it's at its weakest."

"..."

Listening to Monkey Wine's analysis, Hu Ma's heart stirred with great hope.

"So, is this the best time to slay it?"

"Why kill it?"

Monkey Wine gave an unexpected reply, smiling, "Why do people kill thunderbolts?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end