Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 1028 Such spirit is like that of a person

The Bull Demon Clan is one of the earliest strategic cooperative tribes in the Blood Mill City. The Black-Veined Fire Copper and Abyss Cold Iron they provide are the core materials for forging "Stone-Grade" armor blanks.

If the mine is abandoned, not only will the Bull Demon Clan suffer losses, but the entire supply of armor in Chentie Ridge will be disrupted.

“Approved.” Zhao Yu said decisively, “According to the internal settlement price, advance five hundred Purifying Flame Exorcism Talismans. For the shortfall in battle merit vouchers, they can use the ore production of the next three months as collateral, and the monthly interest… will be waived.”

The Shadow Cat Clan girl looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her pale golden cat eyes.

"Go ahead," Zhao Yu waved his hand. "By the way, tell Elder Blackhorn that I will send Master Craftsman Lei Zhen with a group to their mine tomorrow to see if they can set up a simple 'Earth Fire Purification Array'. The battle merits will be awarded separately."

The girl bowed and withdrew.

Silence returned to the tent.

Zhao Yu leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and gently rubbed her temples.

No matter how ingenious the numbers on an abacus are, they are ultimately cold.

But those trembling hands holding the war merit coupons, those red-rimmed eyes when exchanging the lives of their clansmen for resources, those elderly members of the surviving clans kneeling and wailing after exchanging for their first bag of spirit grains—these are the warm ones.

She wanted to achieve a cruel yet firm balance between cold and heat on this land irrigated by blood and fire.

……

Jiazi Warehouse is located behind the main fortress of Chentieling. It is built against the mountain and the entrance is heavily guarded.

It's called a warehouse, but it's more like a hollowed-out mountainside.

The interior was expanded by supernatural powers and divided into dozens of areas, with mountains of supplies gleaming with a breathtaking luster under the light of the spirit stones.

Inside the Linggu Granary, the high walls made of sacks almost reached the top.

The grains peeking out from the bag's opening were plump and glistening, exuding a faint aura of vitality.

This is the finest "jade marrow rice" in the Nine Provinces of the Great Qin Dynasty. One pound of it can be exchanged for three pounds of refined iron on the black market of the Primordial World.

Inside the elixir storage room, tens of thousands of jade bottles were neatly stacked on sandalwood shelves.

The bottles are labeled with terms such as "Rejuvenating Powder", "Golden Wound Healing Ointment", "Demon-Cleansing Pill", and "Qi-Gathering Powder".

The air was filled with a mixed medicinal fragrance, and just one breath was enough to invigorate you.

The talisman storehouse was even more extravagant, with stacks of pale yellow talisman paper bound together with red thread, piled up like small mountains.

From the most basic "Fireball Talisman" and "Wind Control Talisman" to the "Demon Binding Chain Talisman" that can temporarily trap demon generals on the battlefield, there is a dazzling array of items.

At that moment, a scene was unfolding at the entrance of the Jiazi warehouse, leaving all the onlookers dumbfounded.

The chieftain of the Rock Armor Clan, an old man nearly ten feet tall with skin the color of grayish-brown rock, stood in front of the warehouse gate with more than ten of the clan's elite soldiers.

What the old man held in his hands was not a war merit certificate, but a palm-sized iron plaque that was jet black but shimmered with silver specks like stars.

This is a "Strategic Cooperation Tribe Privilege Certificate" specially approved by Zhao Yu. With this certificate, one can receive an additional share of "strategic materials" in addition to the war merit vouchers.

The manager in charge of the Jiazi warehouse was a chubby middle-aged man surnamed Wu, who was originally the treasurer of the Qin imperial treasury.

After taking the metal plate and inspecting it, the fat on his face jiggled. He took a deep breath and waved his hand behind him.

"Rock Armor Clan, 70,000 battle merits corresponding to supplies, plus the additional quota for this month from the strategic partner tribe, are to be shipped out!"

At the order, hundreds of strongmen dressed in uniform gray clothes immediately poured out of the warehouse.

Most of these warriors were low-ranking demon servants who were captured and then willing to submit to the demons.

Or perhaps it is some young and strong men from weaker remnant tribes who lack combat ability, and they are currently engaged in transport work under strict supervision.

They launched specially made iron-wheeled carts.

The first vehicle was Linggu.

They weren't sacks, but sealed metal crates specifically used for transporting strategic materials.

One box contains 500 jin (250 kg).

Thirty boxes of spirit grain were pushed out and piled up into a small mountain on the open ground.

The old man of the Rock Armor Clan began to breathe heavily.

The second cart contained elixirs.

Rejuvenating Powder, Muscle-Regenerating Ointment, Demon-Purifying Pill...

Ten boxes of each item, two hundred bottles per box.

The slight sound of the jade bottles clinking together was exceptionally clear in the quiet air.

Among the other warriors of the remnant race who were watching, some subconsciously swallowed.

The third vehicle contained weapons.

These are not standard weapons, but rather thickened heavy shields, armor-piercing warhammers, and matching "rock-solid" arm armor components specially forged for the Rock Armor race's physique.

The metal gleamed with a cold, hard luster under the light.

But what truly silenced the entire audience was the fourth car.

There were only three boxes in the car.

Manager Wu personally stepped forward and opened the first box.

Inside were twenty jade bottles arranged neatly, their bodies a dark gold color, and their mouths sealed with crimson sealing wax.

"This is the 'Earth Vein Tempering Pill'." Manager Wu's voice was not loud, but it was enough for everyone to hear. "It is made with the secret recipe of the Qin Dynasty royal family and supplemented with the essence of the earth vein of Chentie Ridge. After taking it, it can slowly improve the physique and enhance the affinity with earth element spiritual energy - especially suitable for the Rock Armor Clan bloodline."

"boom--"

The crowd erupted.

Improve your physical condition!

Enhance spiritual affinity!

For the Rock Armor Clan, a remnant race trapped in barren lands and whose bloodline was gradually declining, this was practically a legendary divine object!

On the black market, such elixirs that can optimize one's bloodline foundation are practically priceless and unavailable. Even if they occasionally appear, they are bound to trigger a bloody struggle.

And now, Shen Tieling is just... giving them away by the box?

The old man from the Rock Armor Clan began to tremble.

The rock armor warriors behind him, known for their resilience and silence, began to have tears welling up in their eyes one after another.

Manager Wu seemed oblivious to everyone's reaction and opened the second box.

Inside were five jade slips.

"These are the first four levels of the 'Earth Rock Technique' and a matching 'Heavy Shield Like a Mountain' combat skill. Fire Commander personally deduced them, suitable for the Rock Armor Clan to cultivate, and can directly lead to the Grandmaster realm."

Dead silence.

Even the sound of breathing disappeared.

Kung Fu!

A complete cultivation method leading directly to the Grandmaster level!

In the primordial world, cultivation techniques were the most core inheritance of each tribe, and were never leaked.

Many small clans, due to incomplete cultivation techniques, have been stuck at a certain realm for generations, unable to make any progress, and are eventually swallowed up by the demonic tide or time.

Now, Shen Tieling has given it to him.

It's not about giving them some resources; it's about giving them a path to the future!

When the third box was opened, even Manager Wu's own voice sounded a little unsteady.

"Inside this box is part of the basic array diagram of the 'Immovable Rock Mountain' formation, as well as ten sets of matching array flags and array plates."

"The Fire General promised that if the Rock Armor Clan can set up a simplified version of the 'Immovable Rock Formation' in Gray Rock Valley within three months, more in-depth knowledge of protective formations will be made available later."

"..." The old man from the Rock Armor Clan knelt down with a "thump".

He landed on both knees, not one, his forehead slamming heavily onto the hard ground.

"The Rock Armor Clan...we are willing to serve the Fire Commander as our lord for generations to come! We dedicate our bodies and souls to the Iron Ridge!"

All the rock-armored warriors behind him knelt down in unison, their heads bowed, their rock-like bodies trembling slightly with excitement.

The other survivors—the hill dwarves, the winged people, the shadow cats, and even a few scouts from wandering tribes who hadn't officially joined yet—all stood frozen in place.

They have seen the reward.

But I've never seen such a reward before.

This is no longer a "generous reward," this is... this is pulling the Rock Armor Clan back from the brink of extinction to a vibrant shore, and even personally handing them blueprints and tools for building ships and setting sail!

“So that’s how it is…” a winged warrior murmured, “So that’s how the Fire General meant when he said ‘all races return to the heart’…”

Another hill dwarf stared intently at the jade slips containing the "Earthly Rock Mantra," his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, before suddenly turning and leaving.

"Where are you going?" his companion asked, grabbing his arm.

"Return to the tribe! Tell the chief that when the next demonic tide comes, we hill dwarves must be at the forefront! Black market deals, preserving our strength... all that nonsense! Only by shedding blood here can we secure a true future!"

The dwarf's growl rippled through the crowd.

When many eyes turned once again to the mountain of supplies piled up at the entrance of the Jia-class warehouse and the Rock Armor Clan members kneeling on the ground, the emotions inside had completely changed.

What started as envy turned into a burning desire.

What started as observation has transformed into a firm resolve.

------------------

At the top of the main fortress of Chentieling is the Stargazing Platform.

This is the highest point of the entire fortress, offering a panoramic view of the entire basin.

At this moment, six figures stood by the railing, none other than the divine beast incarnations of the Vermilion Bird, the Black Tortoise, the White Tiger, the Qilin, the Golden-Winged Roc, and the Yellow Dragon.

They had just witnessed the Rock Armor Clan kneeling in allegiance.

"Tsk." The young man, who was actually the Golden-Winged Roc, curled his lip, but there was a hint of amusement in his sharp golden eyes.

"Zhang Yuan is getting more and more skilled at winning people over."

"A few pills and a few scrolls of cultivation techniques in exchange for the unwavering loyalty of a race—this deal is far more worthwhile than the life-and-death struggles we had back then."

“It is not a bribe.” The old man, in the form of a Xuan Turtle, slowly shook his head, his voice deep and resonant. “This is the ‘Way of the Lord’.”

"Yudao?"

"Give them the means to survive, the path to cultivation, and the ability to protect." The Xuan Turtle gazed at the warriors of various races below, who were gradually dispersing, but whose eyes were still burning with fire.

"What appears to be giving is actually planting a seed of 'hope' in their hearts. This seed takes root and sprouts, growing into recognition, belonging, and even faith. This is the right path, and also... the tyrannical path."

The middle-aged man, who was actually a Qilin, sighed softly: "In the primordial era, when all races stood together, how glorious it was."

"However, each race clung to its traditions, cherishing its own treasures, with the strong growing stronger and the weak withering away. When the Heavenly Demons invaded, they were a disorganized mess, and were defeated one by one."

He paused, his gaze lingering on the long queue still forming at the military merit post in the distance: "But now Zhang Yuan is doing the opposite. He uses war merit as a bond, resources as bait, yet he opens up the most precious cultivation techniques, formations, and elixirs to all those who have shed blood. Such courage..."

“Such spirit is like that of a person,” the cold-faced man, the incarnation of the white tiger, suddenly spoke.

Several pairs of eyes turned to him at the same time.

"Who?"

"The First Heavenly Emperor." The White Tiger uttered these four words, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

"In the beginning of the primordial world, all living beings were ignorant. The first Heavenly Emperor set up the 'Heavenly Merit List,' in which anyone who had contributed to Heaven and Earth, regardless of their origin, could exchange their merits for cultivation techniques, spiritual treasures, or even the authority of the Heavenly Dao."

"Thus, all races strived forward, and everyone competed to be the first, thus ushering in the first golden age of the primordial world."

The red-clad woman, who was actually the Vermilion Bird in disguise, narrowed her beautiful eyes: "Are you saying that Zhang Yuan is imitating the First Heavenly Emperor?"

“It’s not imitation.” Baihu shook his head. “Times have changed. The first Heavenly Emperor relied on the authority of the Heavenly Dao, while Zhang Yuan relied on… the Chaos Furnace, the foundation of the dual realms, and the credibility he earned through blood and fire.”

"But the core is the same, driven by profit, bound by principles, and gathered by hope."

The avatar of the Yellow Dragon, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke, his voice deep and resonant like a dragon's roar: "How far can he go?"

No one answered.

Six pairs of eyes simultaneously turned towards the depths of the main castle.

……

Millions of miles away, beyond the blood-stained millstone.

Fragments of Skyward Continent.

This is not a desolate, empty graveyard.

Huge landmass debris collided and crushed each other, drifting slowly in the chaotic currents.

The fractured mountain range, like the spine of an ancient beast, pierces the darkness, and occasionally the outlines of long-weathered palace foundations can be seen on it, silently telling of its former glory.

The viscous, ink-like void dust formed vortexes, silently devouring the light, and at certain points of energy turbulence, it suddenly erupted with brief and eerie phosphorescent flames.

The eerie green and pale white reflected the distorted shadows of the jagged rocks, as if countless vengeful spirits were silently howling.

Deep within the shadows of a relatively stable floating landmass shaped like a broken giant claw, several figures appeared and disappeared in the distorted light.

The demonic energy was compressed and bound with extreme force, like a lurking venomous snake. Only from the occasional chilling aura emanating from them, enough to freeze one's soul, could one glimpse the terror of their existence.

The demon envoy, who was in the lead, was shrouded in a cloak that seemed to be woven from solidified shadows. Underneath the hood was not a solid object, but a miniature black hole that was constantly rotating and devouring light.

His outstretched hand was as withered as an ancient vine, its skin an ominous dark purple, and its nails sharp as hooks, gleaming with a ghostly blue metallic sheen.

Above the claw, two treasures, enveloped in chaotic energy, floated.

It was a viscous, dark golden liquid that was constantly changing shape, like a living thing.

The essence and blood of chaotic gods and demons.

It exudes a primal, savage, and terrifying pressure that makes one's blood boil and one's soul tremble, as if a single drop of blood contains the creation and destruction of a world.

The other group consisted of several translucent crystals, each the size of a pigeon's egg, seemingly containing a miniature, dazzling galaxy.

Countless stars are born and die within it, radiating a pure and boundless stellar primordial power.

Star Crystal Source.

"The essence and blood of the Chaos Gods and Demons can cleanse your celestial bloodlines, remove chronic ailments, rebuild your foundation, and even... allow you to touch the glory of the ancient progenitor."

The demon envoy's voice was like sandpaper rubbing against bones, carrying a seductive yet chilling quality that pierced the soul.

"Star Origin Crystal is formed from fragments of a primordial star core. It contains the purest star source power, enough to support your clan's cultivation for a hundred years, and can even repair damage to inherited sacred artifacts."

Beneath the cloak, a black hole-like "gaze" was cast toward the other side.

There stood three figures, shrouded in a light mist, with three pairs of huge, but obviously dull-colored, wings with scorch marks and damage on the edges folded behind them.

They are a long-declining, almost forgotten branch of the Celestial Race, the Yunyi Clan.

The elder at the head, Yun Yixuan, had a withered face and sunken eyes. Only in the depths of his hawk-like eyes burned a flame of resentment and an extreme thirst for power.

The two elders behind him were also weakened, their wings bearing scars that looked like marks of shame.

"The wrath of the Abyss Demon Lord must be atoned for in blood." The demon envoy's voice suddenly turned fierce, like a chilling wind from the depths of hell. "Zhang Yuan must die! His Chaos God-Demon body must be brought back intact! This is the Demon Lord's personal decree!" (End of Chapter)