Chapter 35: The Command

On Mistrock Star, there were a total of nine World-level cultivators, referring to those who had long lived within the Da Mo Domain.

After all, Mistrock Star governed ninety-six chaos worlds, and over the long ages, it had produced several World-level cultivators. For instance, the father of the 'Mistrock Star Lord'—the previous Mistrock Star Lord—had left the Da Mo Domain to roam! In truth, many World-level cultivators wandered and adventured in other territories, and even the Mistrock Star Lord, whose cultivation time was relatively short, had visited several territories.

And now, these nine.

Among them, 'Mistrock Star Lord,' 'Blackmist World God,' and 'Celestial Hydro Immortal' were specially nurtured by the Mistrock Star lineage.

The other six were all dependents, akin to 'guest retainers' in nature.

"Since the Star Lord says so, fine, I also agree to join the battle. I will do my utmost in the war against the Black Lotus Empire, but if things look bad... I will prioritize saving my own life." The bald, golden-robed elder said slowly.

"Everything according to plan. I also agree."

"Mm."

"Agreed."

"Haha, this reminds me of the days when I roamed and adventured outside. On Mistrock Star, I have been dormant for far too long. This time, it's time for a good fight."

"Since the Star Lord has paid such a price, we naturally agree."

The nine World-level cultivators ultimately all agreed to go to war with the Black Lotus Empire!

The Mistrock Star Lord nodded lightly.

"Uncle, I'll trouble you to go to the Da Mo Eternal Realm and purchase the 'Lesser Ancestral God Formation' and the 'Lesser Ancestral Immortal Formation.'" said the Mistrock Star Lord.

"Mm." The Blackmist World God nodded.

"Everyone, when the time comes, follow the plan. It will be relatively easy for you all," said the Mistrock Star Lord. "I don't even ask you to kill the enemy; just help me hold them off."

"Star Lord, rest assured."

"This small matter is not difficult for us."

"Since the Star Lord has paid such a price, it's hard for the Black Lotus Empire not to lose." These dependent World-level cultivators, including Void Serene Immortal and others, were secretly amazed. The 'Mistrock Star lineage' had a long history and deep foundations, actually managing to equip the entire Mistrock Army with the 'Lesser Ancestral God Formation.'

In fact, through long ages of accumulation, Mistrock Star originally had three sets of Lesser Ancestral God Formations. To ensure victory, they specially bought three more sets of Lesser Ancestral God (Ancestral Immortal) Formations, and Void Serene Immortal was willing to lend one set. Void Serene Immortal was also the most unfathomably powerful among the dependent immortals.

A Lesser Ancestral God (Ancestral Immortal) Formation, formed by a thousand Ancestral Gods (Ancestral Immortals), costs about three hundred cubes of chaos nectar to purchase. Even a World-level cultivator's entire wealth might not be enough to buy one.

A Greater Ancestral God (Ancestral Immortal) Formation, formed by nine thousand Ancestral Gods (Ancestral Immortals), is extremely expensive, worth almost an Eternal Divine Weapon. But its power is also terrifyingly great; once trapped inside, a World-level cultivator is almost certain to die!

...

Sushun Chaos World.

Dongning Mountain Range.

Inside the Kuitian Taihao Tower, Ji Ning sat cross-legged, pondering the seventh turn of the 'Star Picking Hand.'

Although he spent most of his time comprehending sword techniques, he needed some variety. Over the centuries in the Sushun Chaos World, combining the 'Mistrock Destruction Chapter' and the 'Nine Elements Annihilation,' Ji Ning gradually formulated the seventh turn of the 'Star Picking Hand.'

"Master." A voice came from outside.

"Hm?"

Ji Ning opened his eyes. He had not isolated the sounds from outside; through the Kuitian Taihao Tower, he could clearly see outside.

Whoosh!

In a study, Ji Ning appeared out of thin air. With a wave of his hand, he collected the Kuitian Taihao Tower from the desk.

Creak. He pulled open the door. Outside the study stood the Wild Dog Ancestral God.

"Master, a messenger from Mistrock Star has arrived," the Wild Dog Ancestral God said quickly. "The other three Mistrock Army captains stationed here have all gone."

"Messenger?" Ji Ning was surprised. He nodded. "Let's go take a look."

...

"What? All return to Mistrock Star?" exclaimed the golden-robed Food Mountain Ancestral God.

"The Sushun Chaos World no longer needs a garrison?" The other two captains, Flying Spirit Immortal and Abyss Tears Ancestral God, were also greatly surprised.

Ji Ning looked at the messenger before him.

The messenger said respectfully to Ji Ning, "General, three captains, this is the Star Lord's command. You may take a look." He handed a starlight scroll to Ji Ning.

Ji Ning unrolled it and looked.

On it were words written with divine power, and the aura was indeed that of the Mistrock Star Lord.

"You three, take a look too." Ji Ning handed it over.

Food Mountain Ancestral God, Flying Spirit Immortal, and Abyss Tears Ancestral God, the three captains, looked at it and remained puzzled. They did not doubt its authenticity; the messenger's identity could not be forged, nor could the scroll. If someone could forge something that they couldn't detect, there would be no need to use such petty tricks to deceive them.

"Such a critical border region, with no garrison—this hasn't happened in ages," Food Mountain Ancestral God muttered to himself.

"Alright," Ji Ning nodded and ordered, "Since the Star Lord has commanded, we will immediately return to Mistrock Star... Also, it is clearly written that we must withdraw quietly."

"Mm." The three captains all responded.

...

That day, Ji Ning had his Three Absolute Sword Lords remain in the Dongning Mountain Range to protect the immortals and demons living nearby. Others, like Fire Fairy Su Youji and Wild Dog Ancestral God, all followed Ji Ning.

Quietly.

Ji Ning led his retinue and the over three hundred Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals of the Mistrock Army, leaving the Sushun Chaos World for Mistrock Star.

...

When Ji Ning arrived at Mistrock Star, he realized just how many Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals were gathered there.

"I haven't seen so many Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals in a long time."

"So many."

The soldiers marveled, gathering in small groups.

"General, the Star Lord summons you." Unlike the ordinary soldiers, Ji Ning had no leisure; he was immediately summoned to the Star Lord's mansion.

Star Lord's Mansion.

In a side hall, four figures were already seated.

"Hm?" Ji Ning entered the side hall and saw the four seated figures at a glance. They had extraordinary auras—some were women, some childlike, some of alien appearance.

"Greetings, four generals." Ji Ning spoke first.

"I heard that our Mistrock Army gained a new general who had sparred with the Blackmist World God. Unfortunately, by the time I learned of it, Daoist Xuri had already left Mistrock Star," said a tall, white-robed cultivator with green scales all over his body, an alien race.

"Greetings, Xuri Sword Immortal."

"Brother Xuri, we should spar sometime."

The four generals were quite friendly to Ji Ning. After all, they were from the same faction, bound by lifeblood oaths, so naturally they would unite.

Soon, the sixth general arrived, and even Palace Ancestor Immortal arrived.

"The Star Lord is here." The seven in the side hall all looked outside, sensing a vast aura like endless stars. A man in starry robes walked in.

"Greetings, Star Lord."

The six generals and Palace Ancestor Immortal all bowed respectfully.

The Mistrock Star Lord took the main seat and ordered, "Be seated."

"Thank you, Star Lord." Ji Ning and the others all sat down.

"This time, I have gathered the Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals stationed in various places. You must have guessed something," said the Mistrock Star Lord with a smile.

Ji Ning and the others were all curious.

Withdrawing troops from many borders and gathering them all at Mistrock Star—something major must be happening.

"Our Mistrock Star will mobilize its entire army. The nine World-level cultivators and the Ancestral God and Ancestral Immortal army will all set out... to attack the Black Lotus Empire," said the Mistrock Star Lord.

"What?"

Everyone was shocked.

Ji Ning was also surprised. Although he was waiting for a better opportunity to deal with the Heart General, this news still shocked him. In the Da Mo Domain, various factions usually engaged in small-scale skirmishes to train their Ancestral Gods and Ancestral Immortals. It was rare for battles to escalate to the level of World-level cultivators! Such battles had too great an impact and would result in heavy casualties.

Although Mistrock Star had nine World-level cultivators.

The Black Lotus Empire also had six! And in battles among cultivators, numbers alone couldn't be compared. A very powerful World-level cultivator could match seven or eight weak ones. Some extremely strong ones, like the former Beixiu World God wielding the divine sword Ziguang Qiong, could easily kill ten ordinary World-level cultivators!

Thus, numbers were not absolute, as no one knew if a World-level cultivator had some powerful tricks up their sleeve.

"The plan is set," said the Mistrock Star Lord. "You seven will each command nine hundred and ninety-nine Ancestral Gods or Ancestral Immortals! Forming six Lesser Ancestral God Formations and one Lesser Ancestral Immortal Formation."

"Seven formations?" Ji Ning marveled at the scale.

A thousand Ancestral Gods combined with a formation could besiege and kill weaker World-level cultivators! Even powerful ones could resist and hold out!

"Palace Ancestor Immortal will be in charge of the Lesser Ancestral Immortal Formation. You six generals will each command a Lesser Ancestral God Formation... I will give you one month to master the formations," ordered the Mistrock Star Lord. "One month later, we depart for the Black Lotus Empire."

"Yes." The six generals and Palace Ancestor Immortal all responded.