The imperial court issued a clear edict across the realm, declaring Wu Zhen a rebel and calling upon all under heaven to “join forces in punishing him.” Although not a single regional governor publicly declared war against Wu Zhen, the power of this righteous cause was still unimaginable.
In Wu Ming’s divine sight, Wu Zhen’s original military aura instantly diminished by several degrees! This was especially shocking considering Wu Zhen had always relied on self-reliance and self-strengthening since her rise.
However, this girl truly lived up to her status as a prodigy; facing such dire circumstances, she remained calm and composed, ordering Qi Lin and others to attack and conquer two commanderies.
By the sixth year of the Peaceful Reign, early in the ninth month,
the three great generals Qi Lin, Chen Jingzong, and Wu Tiehu had finally swept through the Zhuwu and Jiude commanderies, accepting surrenders and consolidating their forces. They joined Wu Zhen beneath the walls of Dingzhou, assembling an army of fifty thousand, claiming to be one hundred thousand strong. Abandoning their previous slow-paced attacks, they began a full-scale assault on the commandery city.
…
Externally, the distracted divine consciousness continuously mobilized the Zhixuan Bureau, clashing with the cultivators of Dingzhou. Within the Main Divine Hall, Wu Ming’s true form sat high above myriad thrones across countless worlds, his eyes gleaming with sharp insight.
“It’s finally beginning—the final act of the Illusory Immortal Realm… the great calamity is upon us!”
He smiled faintly, his gaze seemingly piercing through countless realms to behold the many transmigrators.
After several cycles of these tasks, the weak had naturally been eliminated, leaving only those with strong adaptability, considerable power, and fortune.
Thanks to Wu Ming’s deliberate leniency, their growth had been rapid. Though still somewhat inferior to the veteran transmigrators from previous cycles, they were no longer completely defenseless.
Inside the Northern Garrison Prince’s Mansion of the secondary capital,
“It has finally begun!”
Deep within a secret chamber, Ji Fu, dressed in martial attire, suddenly felt a dizzying sensation. When he regained his senses, he had already been transported to the Great Zhou Western Regions World.
…
[Ding!]
[Main God Task Initiated!]
[Transmigrator Code B13—Cyclic Rat! The world you are entering is… the Great Zhou Western Regions World! All previous exploration progress and character relationships are retained!]
[Stage Main Quest Activated!]
[You have received the first main task: Rescue!]
[Time Limit: Three Days!]
[Task Description: Within the White Elephant Kingdom of the Western Regions, your old friend Zhang Tianxiang is in trouble. Go rescue him from captivity!]
[Reward upon Completion: Minor Merit 500! Unlock the next main task!]
[Punishment upon Failure: Erasure!]
[Task Scenario: Super-Massive! Task Difficulty: Cosmic (Yu)!]
[Note: This world has entered its final act! All supernatural powers are fully unlocked. Exercise utmost caution!]
“Indeed, it’s the Great Zhou Western Regions World!”
Ji Fu clenched his fists in excitement. If it had been another world, he might have felt uneasy.
“However… the task difficulty has increased again!”
Ji Fu’s expression turned serious as he read the notification. He hadn’t forgotten how the previous partial unlocking of supernatural powers had drastically increased the danger—nearly leading to total annihilation.
“Master!”
Beside him, Zhu Si approached with a delighted expression, clearly displaying his loyalty.
After all, his life and fortune in the real world were in someone else’s hands; such an expression was understandable.
“Mm… you’re joining me on this task?”
Ji Fu nodded happily. Having a reliable subordinate who was well-known and trustworthy would naturally be of immense benefit in completing the mission.
“Big Brother, long time no see!”
But immediately, Xin Jue’s voice rang out, causing Ji Fu’s face to darken slightly.
He glanced left and right and indeed saw the bright and cheerful young man Xin Jue, along with several other transmigrators, all keeping a wary distance—clearly seasoned veterans.
“No newbies this time?”
Xin Jue rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “Looks like this rescue mission isn’t going to be easy!”
Ji Fu ignored him and walked directly to the window, gazing at the outside world.
Blazing sun, endless yellow sands!
The buildings in view were all domed or pointed, the streets filled with deep-nosed, deep-eyed people leading camels, heads wrapped in scarves, dark-skinned—each displaying a unique exotic charm.
“Western Regions!”
Ji Fu murmured aloud.
…
Inside a prison not far from where the transmigrators were gathered,
Zhang Tianxiang, shackled in irons, sat slumped in a lower cell. His face appeared expressionless, but only when the guards passed by did a glint of sharpness flicker in his eyes.
“I was merely a deputy envoy sent to confer the title upon the new ruler of the White Elephant Kingdom, never expecting to end up imprisoned!”
Thinking back to the past few months, even he felt somewhat dazed.
After killing the Dragon-Subduing Sage, Zhang Tianxiang had obediently followed the diplomatic envoy westward beyond the Heavenly Absolute Pass, straight into the Western Regions.
Thousands of miles of arduous travel were but minor inconveniences, and the exotic scenery, so different from the Central Plains, had broadened his horizons.
Dozens of small kingdoms along the way, fearing the might of the Great Zhou, had warmly received the envoys. But upon entering the territory of the White Elephant Kingdom, everything changed!
The old king of the White Elephant Kingdom had died, and the new ruler, King Xidi, had specially sent envoys to the Great Zhou to report the succession.
Emperor Li was delighted, not only approving the conferment but also bestowing numerous gifts escorted by the envoy group.
Unfortunately, the White Elephant Kingdom had already undergone drastic changes!
The powerful minister Arta launched a rebellion, deposing King Xidi and usurping the throne of the White Elephant Kingdom. Upon hearing of the approaching Great Zhou envoy group, he acted out of fear and immediately dispatched three thousand cavalry to ambush them.
How could Zhang Tianxiang and the White Elephant envoys have anticipated this? They were ambushed immediately, all the accompanying riders perished, even the chief envoy was killed by stray arrows. Zhang Tianxiang fought valiantly but was captured and thrown into prison.
Though his martial arts were formidable, in the desert, facing an attack by thousands of elite cavalry, even a Grand Master of the Martial Saint level would be helpless!
“I’ve already figured out the guard rotation patterns. Though this prison is heavily fortified, with a determined strike, escape is not impossible. However, there are two main concerns: the first is these chains! The second is that even if I escape, how can I cross the thousands of miles of desert without knowing the land or its people?”
The Western Regions also had capable individuals who, knowing Zhang Tianxiang’s might, specially equipped him with magical shackles. These chains were not only forged from pure black iron but also inscribed with runes, making them as heavy as mountains—impossible for even a Martial Saint to break.
Moreover, the enemy controlled the White Elephant Kingdom, and Zhang Tianxiang’s Han Chinese appearance made him stand out starkly among the locals, making him extremely conspicuous if pursued.
And then there was the vast desert, a natural barrier—how could he possibly cross it?
Despite so many difficulties before him, Zhang Tianxiang’s eyes showed not a trace of despair. Instead, a glimmer of unyielding determination burned within them: “They killed my chief envoy and annihilated my attendants. White Elephant Kingdom, Arta! I Zhang Tianxiang swear that I shall destroy your ten clans and topple your nation!”
As one of the origins of the great calamity, the moment he made this vow, the heavens themselves responded.
To cultivators with spiritual insight, waves of terrifying calamitous black qi instantly gathered above the White Elephant Kingdom, forming a massive crimson storm cloud of unimaginable scale.
“Fate!”
All cultivators who had any spiritual insight sighed in awe.
At the same time, throughout the entire Great Zhou Western Regions World, whether they were in deep meditation, refining elixirs, or engaged in duels, every cultivator suddenly experienced a surge of premonition, turning their gazes westward: “The great calamity has arrived!”
This phenomenon was especially evident across the thirty-six Western Kingdoms. Not only cultivators, but even mystical beasts and demonic creatures who had reached a certain spiritual level seemed to feel the call. Driven by an inner restlessness, they emerged from their secluded domains, heading toward the White Elephant Kingdom.
“Amitabha! The great calamity has begun. You must each go forth now and rely on your own fate and fortune!”
Within the White Elephant Kingdom’s imperial palace, in a hall paved with gold, its walls made of white jade, and adorned with pearls and jewels, a great monk seated upon nine layers of lotus blossoms, radiating golden Buddhist light and exuding a compassionate aura, suddenly sighed, addressing the many disciples gathered below who had been listening to his teachings.
“World Honored One!”
A younger monk couldn’t help but speak up: “Since the calamity originates from this man, I wish to sacrifice this body to resolve this enmity!”
Who will go to hell if not I? Every successful sect has those willing to sacrifice themselves.
“Foolish child!”
The World Honored One sighed, suddenly holding a flower in silence. With a flick of his finger, a golden lotus flew into the young monk’s forehead, forming a lotus-shaped mark like a birthmark.
“Disciple takes leave!”
The young monk seemed to gain sudden insight and immediately withdrew, unaware of the sorrow in his master’s gaze.
“Heaven and Earth’s great calamity has come; how can it be averted? Even the Three Ancient Gods and Five Primordial Patriarchs lack such great power!”
“Moreover… the calamity originates from the West, also by the decree of Heaven. What can we, the disciples of the Brahma Sect, do?”
“Today, bestowing you this lotus is merely a precautionary measure—to preserve a single spark of your true soul!”
Only the Three Ancient Gods, the Five Primordial Patriarchs, the Eight Great Immortals, and those who have reached the World Position can attain immortality equal to Heaven and Earth, unscathed through countless calamities.
Though this World Honored One was the second-in-command of the Brahma Sect, he too was caught in the cycle of calamity, even facing the danger of annihilation!
“After my passing, a great demon will infiltrate the Buddhist disciples, wearing robes and chanting sutras, marking the Age of Dharma Decline!”
The World Honored One, being the second-in-command of the Brahma Sect, had a certain divine intuition. In that moment, he suddenly gained insight into the future and spoke in verse.
All the Buddhist disciples below were astonished, while a few with deep roots showed joyous expressions: “May the Buddha have compassion!”
“World Honored One! World Honored One! The White Elephant King Arta has come again to request an audience!”
At that moment, a young novice entered and reported.
“Master, this king has always been devout in his reverence for the Buddha, generously supporting us and even offering the dragon qi of his entire nation to nourish our sect. He is truly a person of great blessings!”
A Buddhist disciple beside him spoke joyfully.
The World Honored One’s face remained compassionate, but inwardly he thought: “This one also lacks deep roots and is destined to be caught in the calamity!”
He immediately said, “I already know his intentions. Today I bestow upon you the three treasures: your robe, your alms bowl, and your staff. Go and meet him, and become the national teacher of the White Elephant Kingdom.”
“Honoring the Dharma Decree!”
This Buddhist disciple, seeing the Brahma treasures made of agate and fragrant wood, radiating seven-colored Buddhist light, and seeing Arta waiting anxiously outside, his heart burned with excitement. He hurriedly bowed, accepted the three treasures, and immediately went out to meet Arta.
“Amitabha!”
Inside the grand hall, the World Honored One’s face remained compassionate as he continued expounding the sutras.
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