“This white thread…”
Under the Heavenly Eye, within the main sanctum, nothing escaped Wu Ming’s observation.
The previous Creation World was quite similar to a land cultivated by an Earth Immortal, and it had given him much inspiration. It even sparked some ideas for his future ascension to a Heaven Realm cultivator.
Now, observing these white threads, Wu Ming appeared deep in thought.
“Should these be called threads of faith? Or perhaps manifestations of spiritual power, or even white fortune? These are merely surface phenomena. In essence, they are expressions of the world’s power, albeit at a very low level…”
“The world’s power generates all things, and these things cultivate extraordinary power, constantly purifying and drawing closer to the world’s power… This is, in fact, a cyclical process…”
“Therefore, concepts like spirit, faith, incense offerings, and fortune… are all merely lower forms of the primal force of the world… The ultimate level is the essence of the world itself!”
As this thought crossed his mind, Wu Ming suddenly felt a vast expansion in his consciousness. Even the Western path to godhood through faith no longer held any mystery for him.
There are three thousand great Dao paths, but in essence, they all lead to the same destination—they are all cultivation of the primal force of the world, a process of attaining a world’s status and then transcending it!
Wu Ming gestured, and a white orb immediately flew into his palm, emanating a warm, familiar sensation.
“Pity… it’s still just the Illusory Immortal Realm, merely a prototype!”
If it were a true world, with his identity as the original creator and god, Wu Ming estimated that he would immediately gain the status of a Heavenly Emperor upon entering.
Of course, the Illusory Immortal Realm was nearly equivalent, but it was merely a “nominal” status, carrying an ephemeral and illusory nature, with more limitations.
“Still… even if the status is illusory, the cultivation stage is real. Experiencing it ahead of time naturally brings great benefits to a cultivator…”
Wu Ming extended his hand, and the orb floated to the center of the Da Luo Hall, continuously absorbing spiritual energy and growing stronger.
“Next… it all depends on the efforts of those Reincarnators… Since my requirements are low, the time needed should also be relatively short. Within a few months, we should see the results…”
After planting this seed, Wu Ming left the Da Luo Hall and returned to the main hall.
“Main Sanctum! Display!”
[Ding!]
The Main Sanctum trembled slightly, and immediately a luminous screen appeared:
[Main Sanctum]
[Number of Reincarnators: One thousand six hundred and ninety-seven!]
[Reincarnator Strength:
Level One Reincarnators: Eight hundred and eighty-five!
Level Two Reincarnators: Seven hundred and seventy-two!
Level Three Reincarnators: Thirty-eight!
Level Four Reincarnators: Two!]
[Worlds Explored: Star World, Ghost and God World, Fusang World…]
…
[Primal Energy Reserve: Nine hundred and thirty-seven units (previously averaged at eighteen thousand and forty-two units)]
[Buildings Owned: Main Sanctum Hall, Da Luo Hall, Creation Hall]
[Virtual Immortal Realm: Great Zhou’s Journey to the West (cultivating)]
[Number of Generated Tasks: One! Reincarnator Assigned: Nine!]
…
“This data…”
Wu Ming frowned slightly.
“It feels like it wouldn’t display anything unless I asked… Also, four Reincarnators died? What useless trash. All the previous investments were wasted…”
The Great Zhou World was in a chaotic era, naturally fraught with danger.
Level One Reincarnators were generally weak, possessing only slightly more resilience against disasters than ordinary people. When facing true death tribulations, they were still as fragile as ants.
The previous investments by the Main Sanctum into cultivating Reincarnators were completely wasted, which caused Wu Ming a slight pang of regret.
“Fortunately, the forty Level Three and above Reincarnators are safe. They are the greatest asset!”
Wu Ming rubbed his chin and tapped on the option for Level Four Reincarnators.
Buzzzz!
Space vibrated, and two figures appeared.
These two Level Four Reincarnators were a man and a woman. The man wore armor, had a murderous aura, sharp brows and bright eyes. He looked to be in his forties or fifties, with a slightly weather-beaten appearance. Behind him, faintly visible, was a rising aura shaped like a qilin.
The woman held a zither, her appearance merely above average, yet she exuded a unique aura.
“Qin Yun? What a good name… With a Level Four to hold the fort, I don’t need to worry about the Great Zhou’s Journey to the West…”
A flash of insight, and all of this woman’s reincarnation tasks appeared in Wu Ming’s mind.
In fact, one could say he understood her even better than she understood herself. After briefly reviewing her situation, Wu Ming immediately shifted his gaze to Qi Lin, the Jiedushi of Pingshan Prefecture.
Currently, Ding Prefecture was in chaos. Wu Zhi had dispatched an army of twenty thousand to attack Dingyuan Prefecture. Pingshi County had fallen in a single day—major events that shocked the entire province.
According to intelligence, the imperial court had also made a firm decision this time, granting full authority. The provincial forces had already begun mobilizing and would soon march out to quell the rebellion.
Under such circumstances, Qi Lin, as a long-standing Jiedushi, would make what choice? It was intriguing.
“I guess… across the province and even the imperial court, countless factions must have sent envoys, doing everything possible to court and form alliances?”
Thinking that Wu Zhi had even sent three envoys in succession, Wu Ming’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Undoubtedly, Pingshan Prefecture’s position was now extremely important.
It bordered Dingyuan Prefecture, and the two regional warlords had been locked in conflict for over a decade, each possessing strong armies. If Qi Lin aided Wu Zhi, Dingyuan Prefecture would be in grave danger, and the entire situation in Ding Prefecture would drastically change.
Conversely, if he supported the provincial forces, Wu Zhi would be left to fight against the other five prefectures with just two, clearly signaling the beginning of her downfall.
Although strength wasn’t solely determined by territorial control, this directly affected population, taxation, grain supplies, and troop recruitment—thus being of utmost importance.
“The provincial and imperial authorities must be sending envoys non-stop, striving to have Qi Lin side with them, or at the very least, remain neutral…”
Wu Ming sneered, “Too bad…”
As the one who held Qi Lin’s greatest secret, with his life in the palm of his hand, Wu Ming naturally had the composure of a seasoned angler.
…
Dingyuan Prefecture.
April, a warm spring, birds singing, grass growing.
On the plains, a cavalry unit was galloping swiftly.
Xiu!
Three long arrows pierced the air, forming a triangular formation, and swiftly embedded themselves into the ground.
In the center, a pure white rabbit was pinned down, unable to move, the arrows slicing through its flesh and burying deep into the earth, yet leaving its fur unscathed.
A rider shot forward, grabbed the rabbit by the ears, and seeing it still lively, loudly exclaimed, “Excellent marksmanship, General!”
“Haha!”
The general was none other than Qi Lin. “It’s just a white rabbit, not particularly impressive. I promised my three concubines yesterday that I’d give them a plaything. You can take it back to the mansion.”
“Understood!”
The rider swiftly mounted his horse and rode off. A few others quickly rode up.
“Reporting, General… Three more envoys have arrived!”
“Refuse to see them!”
Qi Lin waved his hand dismissively. “They’re all just scheming and deceit. How could that compare to the joy of spring hunting? Today, I must hunt a tiger or wolf to bring back! Only then will I feel satisfied!”
“Understood!”
The riders galloped away, but Qi Lin did not mount his horse or draw his bow. Instead, he dismounted and began walking slowly, then sighed deeply, “It’s fate!”
The several guards behind him heard this and their eyes reddened, almost shedding tears.
They naturally knew that the general had been gifted since childhood, surpassing ordinary people. After becoming the Jiedushi, he had been even more ambitious, skilled in archery and horsemanship, and capable of governing the people. In several major battles, he had nearly crushed Dingyuan Prefecture, forcing them to seek external aid just to barely hold on.
If things had continued like this, declaring himself king of Ding Prefecture would have been easy, and Wu Zhi wouldn’t have had a chance.
But such a brilliant and capable general had a chronic illness!
Every year, for a certain period, he would be bedridden and unable to manage affairs!… Of course, this was actually an excuse, a deception Qi Lin had created to complete the main god’s task, but how could he say that out loud?
A lord who couldn’t overcome an old illness and might die at any moment would find it hard to gain the full loyalty and support of his subordinates.
Not to mention, it had already caused several important political affairs and missed opportunities to completely annihilate the Ding Marquis.
Now, with other regional warlords rising, having lost the early advantage in the struggle for supremacy under heaven, the outcome was hard to predict.
If he was lucky, he might survive for a few more decades, eventually surrendering to a wise ruler and still enjoying wealth and honor.
If unlucky, he might face defeat in battle, death, and the destruction of his family and clan, becoming a laughingstock to the world!
Wasn’t that fate?
In fact, if Wu Ming himself were here, he might not have done any better than Qi Lin.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have previously abandoned the idea of competing for supremacy under heaven, precisely because the reincarnation tasks were too burdensome! Managing a thousand things daily was completely different from living freely and occasionally undertaking main god’s tasks!
A reincarnator absolutely could not become the ruler of a major power, or they would inevitably be sidelined!
Unless one used mind control, nightmare spells, or other powerful techniques, but that would be a lesser path. If continued for long, it would certainly lose the hearts of the subordinates, eventually leading to death!
“Enough! Let’s go back!”
After walking for another half hour or so, Qi Lin finally turned back gloomily, accompanied by his personal guards returning to the general’s mansion.
“General!”
In the study, several trusted generals and advisors had gathered, bowing and paying respects to Qi Lin.
“The Southern Feng army took Pingshi County in a single day and is about to enter Dingyuan Prefecture. All the envoys have arrived. What are your opinions? Feel free to speak openly?”
Qi Lin wore his Jiedushi official robe, the dragon pattern on it appearing ready to pounce. He looked imposing and showed none of his earlier weariness as he spoke.
“…”
There was silence below.
It was obvious to all that the struggle for dominance in Ding Prefecture had reached its most intense moment. A wrong decision might lead to defeat and death, and they couldn’t bear such a heavy responsibility.
“Indeed… everything has changed…”
Looking at this scene, Qi Lin sighed inwardly.
If this were before he “fell ill,” even though the current situation was perilous, there would still be a three-part chance of victory.
These civil and military officials would certainly exhaust their minds and efforts to help him take risks, allowing Wu Zhi, the provincial forces, and the Ding Marquis to weaken each other, and then he could act as the fisherman to reap the benefits. He had the courage to gamble and the confidence to do so!
Alas, his subordinates no longer had confidence in him.
Now, their thoughts were mostly about which side to defect to, ensuring their safety, their families’ security, and maintaining their wealth and honor.
A bitter smile appeared on Qi Lin’s lips as he began calling names: “Ge Jin!”
This was his trusted strategist, who had devised countless plans before and had managed the affairs of the state efficiently during his “illness.” One could say that half of the foundation of Pingshan Prefecture was maintained by this person.
“My lord!”
Ge Jin stepped forward, his handsome eyebrows furrowed, clearly deep in thought.
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