Chapter 6: Becoming a General

Every loose immortal was very weak, yet the power of heaven and earth stirred by a hundred thousand loose immortals... Ji Ning finally truly felt it. Even though it had been guided by a thousand Celestial Immortals, and the power of heaven and earth was no longer violent and chaotic, it still made Ji Ning feel the difficulty of control.

"Controlling all the power of the Xingtian Formation is no less difficult than controlling the ninth level of the Grand Thousand Sword Formation," Ji Ning marveled.

The Grand Thousand Sword Formation became harder to control the more flying swords were used.

Especially now that he was using nine Pure Yang顶级 flying swords, the 'Anan Pushi Swords'. Although his powerful heartforce greatly helped in controlling magic treasures, Ji Ning could barely manage the first level of the Grand Thousand Sword Formation. The main reason was the immense power of those nine Pure Yang顶级 flying swords. Even among Pure Yang True Immortals, not everyone could obtain a complete set of Pure Yang顶级 flying swords, so the difficulty of controlling them was imaginable. This was only possible because Ji Ning's heartforce had reached the third level, 'Mastery', allowing him as a Celestial Immortal to achieve such feats. Although Ji Ning had not yet comprehended the method of using heartforce to control the soul, the stronger the heartforce, the more flying swords one could control—just as a strong man can wield a heavier sword. The method of using heartforce to control the soul was like technique; with technique, the same strength could wield a sword several times heavier, and the power of swordplay could increase dramatically.

That was the difference in methods.

Currently, Ji Ning was relying entirely on his strong heartforce, acting brute-force.

Rustle, rustle, rustle... The surging power flowed within the Xingtian God, and Ji Ning controlled it.

Ji Ning gradually grew familiar with it and gained experience.

It wasn't much different from controlling a sword formation.

...

The white-robed Xia Emperor collected the previously shattered Chaos Goldstone and set down ten intact Chaos Goldstones. The Chaos Goldstones shimmered with golden light, radiating endless charm.

"Let's begin." The white-robed Xia Emperor spoke after watching Ji Ning familiarize himself for a moment.

Boom.

The Xingtian God Ji Ning immediately took a step forward and raised his thick, powerful right arm. At once, the million immortals outside the sealing formation fixed their gazes on the Xingtian God's arm, which was thousands of feet long. Boom! The enormous hand, like a giant axe, chopped downward.

Pangu splitting heaven and earth; space trembled with ripples that spread outward.

The axe-like dark red hand, with terrifying might, its palm edge like an axe blade, struck directly at the mountain-like Chaos Goldstone.

Bang!!!

A tremendous sound; the shockwave spread in all directions, even crashing into the sealing formation, producing a series of booming sounds. Hearing this, the million immortals outside were all greatly startled.

"Such powerful momentum."

"This momentum is the strongest so far."

"This Ji Ning is truly extraordinary, a prodigy, a prodigy."

"I wonder how many Chaos Goldstones shattered."

The million immortals marveled. In their hearts, Ji Ning was a peerless prodigy. They had thought that commanding the Xingtian Formation might not be his forte. But who would have thought that just this display of power... might already surpass any previous Celestial Immortal.

They all watched closely.

The shockwave dissipated.

Only then could they see clearly. The pile of mountain-like Chaos Goldstones was no longer distinguishable; most had turned into rubble.

"Looks like eight pieces?"

"Nine pieces?"

The million immortals carefully discerned, but many broken stones obscured the view, making it hard to tell.

The white-robed Xia Emperor waved his hand, and the scattered rubble flew aside, revealing one intact Chaos Goldstone and another that was only half left, covered in cracks.

"Eight pieces shattered, and the ninth is nearly completely shattered." The white-robed Xia Emperor smiled. "Friend Ji Ning is truly remarkable. Among the three hundred and thirty friends who have tried so far, you rank first."

"This Ji Ning is truly extraordinary," the white-robed Xia Emperor thought to himself. "For a Celestial Immortal, commanding the Xingtian Formation to shatter six Chaos Goldstones is about the limit. Only an inconceivable prodigy like Ji Ning can display such extraordinary strength." Shattering eight Chaos Goldstones instead of six might seem like only two more.

But with that palm strike,

the power was progressively weakened. Ji Ning's Xingtian Formation, compared to those of other powerful Celestial Immortals, was actually two levels stronger in might. This was the effect of heartforce! Strong heartforce allowed Ji Ning to mobilize more of the power of heaven and earth. If he comprehended the method of using heartforce to control the soul, with technique, the power he could mobilize would be even more astonishing.

"Boom."

The Xingtian God Ji Ning completely dissipated, revealing the one thousand and one Celestial Immortals and one hundred thousand loose immortals. Ji Ning immediately flew down and said with a smile, "Thank you, fellow Daoists."

"Ji Ning." The white-robed Xia Emperor laughed. "If nothing unexpected happens, you will be one of the nine generals. Of course, if among the remaining twenty-nine friends, nine appear who are stronger than you, then there's no helping it."

"If that happens, it would be a blessing for Great Xia," Ji Ning said.

The Xia Emperor laughed heartily, then said, "Alright, next, friend Fuchen."

...

The Celestial Immortal Fuchen, who came after Ji Ning, truly startled countless immortals, for he barely managed to shatter seven Chaos Goldstones, becoming second only to Ji Ning. This made many Celestial Immortals jump—could a group of powerful Celestial Immortals appear later, or even one surpassing Ji Ning? But as one after another tried, although some were powerful—the Xia Emperor had placed some renowned Celestial Immortals later—none were stronger than Ji Ning, and not even stronger than Fuchen.

This time, with three hundred and fifty-nine Celestial Immortals trying, it lasted until the evening of the next day before completely ending.

According to the ranking,

the Beiming Celestial Immortal Ji Ning was first.

The Dusty Sky Celestial Immortal was second.

The Xi River Celestial Immortal was third.

The Flying Rain Celestial Immortal was fourth.

The Ten Thousand Beasts Celestial Immortal was fifth.

The Comprehensive Harmony Celestial Immortal was sixth.

The Ten-Zhang Rainbow Celestial Immortal was seventh.

The Thousand Needles Celestial Immortal was eighth.

The Mad Celestial Immortal was ninth.

Strange to say, Ji Ning had shattered eight Chaos Gold Stones, the Dusty Sky Celestial Immortal had shattered seven, the next seven had all shattered six, and the tenth had shattered five.

“These one thousand Celestial Immortals and one hundred thousand loose immortals are placed under the command of Mad Immortal, to be called the Mad Army.” The Xia Emperor began making arrangements. The first arrangement made many immortals laugh; the name ‘Mad Army’ truly had not a trace of immortal elegance.

“These one thousand Celestial Immortals and one hundred thousand loose immortals are placed under the command of Thousand Needles Immortal, to be called the Thousand Needles Army.”

…

“These one thousand Celestial Immortals and one hundred thousand loose immortals are placed under the command of Northmont Immortal, to be called the Northmont Army. Alright, these nine Celestial Immortal armies are settled. The remaining Celestial Immortals and loose immortals are all under my command.” The Xia Emperor said, “The remaining loose immortals and Celestial Immortals are to rest according to their armies. The nine generals, follow me.”

The Xia Emperor immediately rode mist and flew toward the Heavenly Apex Hall.

The five Heavenly Gods and True Immortals followed, and Ji Ning and the other nine followed as well.

In a quiet hall of the Heavenly Apex Hall.

“All sit.” The Xia Emperor sat down and laughed, and they all took their seats.

The five Heavenly Gods and True Immortals naturally sat closest to the Xia Emperor, then Ji Ning and the other nine sat in order according to their previous ranking.

“This is the most important technique of the Punishment of Heaven Formation. Quickly learn it and ponder it well.” The Xia Emperor waved his hand, and nine dark red tokens flew toward Ji Ning and the other nine. “These were personally refined by the Punishment of Heaven God, who left the technique within.”

The tokens were palm-sized, dark red, with ferocious patterns on them.

The nine tokens floated before Ji Ning and the others. They naturally reached out and grabbed them, then extended their mind power into them, quickly memorizing all the technique information contained within.

“Keep these tokens.” The Xia Emperor sighed. “You risked life and death to lead the immortals to battle against the Abyss Gate… If you survive in the future, you can use these tokens to meet the Punishment of Heaven True God, and choose a technique from his library, or choose a Pure Yang treasure or innate spiritual treasure from his treasury.”

Ji Ning remained fairly calm, but the other Celestial Immortals felt their hearts burn with anticipation. They were not disciples of Dao Ancestors, and many divine abilities, secret arts, and techniques were beyond their reach.

“Ponder well.” The Xia Emperor’s gaze was deep. “I fear it won’t be long before the Abyss Gate starts a war.”

…

In the Great Xia world, Baiji Commandery was a very remote commandery. The more remote it was, the broader the fiefs.

It was now dusk.

Above Baiji City, a towering black city hung suspended. This floating black city was even larger than Baiji City itself. Around the floating black city, countless chains drifted, penetrating into the void, like the anchors of a great ship fixed in the sea. The floating black city was held in place in that region of void by these countless chains.

On the walls of the black city, many black-armored soldiers patrolled.

Inside the walls were stern barracks and some towering palaces.

On the largest square of the black city sat a dense sea of immortals, all loose immortals, stretching endlessly out of sight.

“Hoo…”

At the front of the square were three huge black mist caves, each a hundred zhang high, leading to mysterious and terrifying places.

“It is said that the black mist caves lead to the legendary Fifth World.”

“The Ancestor also said that in that Fifth World, Celestial Immortals are countless, and Heavenly Gods and True Immortals are far more numerous. If the Fifth World sent out its full force, it could easily sweep the entire Great Xia.”

“Then why doesn’t it send out its full force?”

“It is said that the Fifth World is fighting wars with many great worlds.”

Countless loose immortals whispered among themselves.

…

Inside the most towering palace of the floating black city.

Several thousand Celestial Immortals sat cross-legged in the palace, each with black-water-colored runes floating on their bodies, all cultivating quietly.

At the highest seat in the palace sat the Abyss Gate’s leader, ‘Green Fox’, and a group of Heavenly Gods and True Immortals, eight in total. The Abyss Gate alone had four, while the Ten Thousand Demon Cave and the Blood Cloud Tower each only had their respective leaders present; other strong ones had not come. Also present were the white-browed, cold-faced man ‘Baiji True Immortal’ and a black-robed, black-haired, red-eyed old man.

“After years of infiltration and decades of guidance, nearly three thousand Celestial Immortals of the Great Xia world have defected to our Abyss Gate.” Green Fox leader smiled. “We have gained three thousand Celestial Immortals, while Xiamang has lost three thousand. Inside and out combined, it is as if our Abyss Gate has gained six thousand Celestial Immortals. The idle forces of our Abyss Gate from many other great worlds are continuously gathering. Once these three thousand Celestial Immortals learn the ‘Muddy Water True Method’, it will be time to start the war. Senior Brother Baiji, you will be in command then.”

“I have waited for billions of years for this day.” The white-browed, cold-faced man Baiji True Immortal said coldly.

…