The ability to hear the heavens and see across vast distances meant that Old Zhang, on his way, had already learned everything about Shuntian.
This included Zhao Xuanlang's actions, the words of the Yin spirits, the movements of the Forbidden City, and… the appearance of Ji Xiang.
"The second ascended master in the human realm?"
"Such an unfamiliar person, I don't seem to have met him… Is he a cultivator from a previous dynasty?"
Old Zhang's Yang Shen avatar arrived at the Great Gaoxuan Hall.
It had been completely destroyed, with only the Wushang Pavilion, Xiangyi Palace, and the Nine Heavens Myriad Laws Thunder Altar remaining. All other structures had been razed to the ground!
"I heard the sounds and saw the sights. Zhao Xuanlang guided the Dharma Realm, and that ascended master was dragged into it. Zhao Xuanlang should be dead by now, but why isn't that ascended master in the Dharma Realm?"
Old Zhang's Yang Shen avatar peered into the ruined Dharma Realm, but a strange phenomenon occurred. The broken Dharma Realm was suddenly as if swallowed by something, vanishing without a trace in an instant.
Old Zhang stroked his chin, feeling carefully: "Was it taken back to the Great Fu Li Earth?"
"Never mind, it's not something important. That ascended master, I feel he's right here… I'll wait a moment."
Old Zhang decided to wait. During this time, he wasn't idle. He looked at the three remaining buildings, especially the Wushang Pavilion, and heard the lingering sword hum:
"So the Jingzhen Sword was inside the statue of the Jade Emperor. The defensive measures of that pavilion were quite formidable back then. Tao Zhongwen, with his Earth Immortal cultivation, was able to set up this golden lock that even those in the Pure Yang realm couldn't break. However, for those in the Ascended realm, this golden lock is like paper now."
…
Ji Xiang's physical body was almost destroyed.
The aftereffects of using the Dharma Manifestation of Heaven and Earth required time to heal; it couldn't be rushed. No matter how severe the problems in the lower realm were, Ji Xiang had to wait for his physical body to recover before leaving the Heavenly Gate.
Within Fu Li, the blank divine tablet madly absorbed vital energy, continuously helping Ji Xiang recover the damage to his body and magical power.
At the same time, the previously broken Dharma Realm was also swallowed.
This was an astonishing act. The Dharma Realm guided by a Primordial Spirit master was only a part of the true Dharma Realm's power. Now, this portion of power was consumed by the blank divine tablet, and Ji Xiang, in turn, gained partial authority over this Dharma Realm.
That authority was transcendence, the transcendence of all souls, good or evil, and even the ability to guide them towards reincarnation.
This scene reminded Ji Xiang of what Zhao Xuanlang's avatar had said before he was killed by Ji Xiang: that the immortal officials of the Longevity Palace would be watching him and competing with him for souls. Now, with the power of the Dharma Realm, no immortal official, no matter how powerful, could be greater than a Dharma Realm.
Within the Inner Scenery Divine Tablet, text was reflected.
[Fragment of the Yuan Zai Kong Sheng Dharma Realm (Residual, Damaged): Belongs to the Western Liang Li Gong Shou Heavenly Emperor, possessing the form of Shao Yang. The Dharma Realm Qi within is purple, primarily for the transcendence of all souls in the world.]
[The Dharma Realm Fragment can no longer perform environmental illusions; after its power is consumed, it will not recover. It diminishes with each use.]
[Chanting the hidden title of the Liang Li Heavenly Emperor, "Kai Zhen Ding Guang," will allow the Dharma Realm's power to sustain the body. If the vital energy has been completely depleted, it will be filled and replenished by the Dharma Realm's vital energy, restoring it to its full state.]
[Merit in Benefiting All: With the Dharma Realm's power within, transcend all souls, good or evil, and guide them towards reincarnation.]
[Entering and Exiting the Underworld: With the Dharma Realm's power within, enter and exit the divine realms of the Underworld without obstruction.]
[Purple Cloud as Canopy: With the Dharma Realm's power within, guide the Dharma Realm's Qi to suppress enemies. Those suppressed will have their Primordial Spirit realm power reduced by thirty percent, Golden Core Earth Immortals by fifty percent, and those below Earth Immortal will be cast into dust, their souls destroyed.]
[Shao Yang Power (Missing): Zhao Xuanlang's true form was a Yin spirit. Although he had a Yang form, he could not guide Shao Yang power.]
[Being within Fu Li, you can request it from the Liang Li Heavenly Emperor. Upon obtaining Shao Yang power, it will strengthen your own "form and spirit!"]
Although Zhao Xuanlang was dead, he had left behind a fragment of the Dharma Realm, a powerful force. It was equivalent to Ji Xiang carrying a vital energy bottle. Although it was a broken fragment of the Dharma Realm, it didn't require communication with a Primordial Spirit; one only needed to recite a divine incantation to use it. This was the greatest benefit.
"However, even with the power of the Dharma Realm, one is still missing."
As the blank divine tablet digested the Dharma Realm fragment, Ji Xiang's physical body could now move. After taking only a few steps, he found the owner of this Dharma Realm. Deep within the divine tablet positions, the divine tablet of the Liang Li Gong Shou Heavenly Emperor sat quietly.
Ji Xiang limped and called out from afar:
"Liang Li Heavenly Emperor, please wait…"
But before he could finish speaking, the divine tablet of the Liang Li Heavenly Emperor suddenly shot up into the sky and fled directly, as if unwilling to say a word to Ji Xiang!
"Heavenly Emperor, wait…!"
The words were out, but the divine tablet had already vanished.
Ji Xiang stared blankly at the disappearing Liang Li Heavenly Emperor. He searched all directions but couldn't find where this Heavenly Emperor had fled… The Great Fu Li Earth was vast. Although most of the divine tablets were concentrated in one area, there were more hazy realms of the Azure Nether outside.
"Ah, if it's gone, it's gone. Although I don't know what strengthening form and spirit means."
Ji Xiang comforted himself and began to consider his other spoils.
He had previously collected the positions and merits of the Underworld gods, which also brought a large amount of incense offerings. Although Ji Xiang could now buy a large amount of incense himself and burn it for fun, the "food" made by others always tasted better than his own.
"The amount of incense offerings received is immeasurable, having defeated a total of two hundred and twenty-six divine generals of the Underworld."
As for the items obtained, there weren't many. The divine generals of the Underworld were public officials, and the magical artifacts they carried were those that came with their divine positions. For example, the Night Roaming God's large black boots were magical artifacts that came with his divine position. When the divine position disappeared, these boots would also disappear.
"It's different from Fire God Song Zhongzheng and Stove King Qian Guang. They were spirits who gained massive worship from people, thereby obtaining divine power. They were below the thirty-six ranks of merit, minor gods of the common folk."
"Therefore, all things with spirits can become gods, but these gods cannot ascend to heaven unless they receive a formal imperial decree. Hence, the divine tablets labeled them as 'Fire God category' rather than 'Fire God, proper god'."
Ji Xiang confirmed the positions of the many divine tablets in Fu Li again. His physical body had also recovered to the point where he could move normally. The disaster in the lower realm had not stopped, and he couldn't wait here any longer.
At this moment, Ji Xiang saw the divine tablet of the Jade Emperor. No matter which direction he walked, the Jade Emperor's divine tablet always faced him. This was the Jade Emperor's gaze, not a curse, but a result caused by his wish.
Unless the Jade Emperor's divine tablet was destroyed, this wish would always exist, marking Ji Xiang's location for the immortal officials below, essentially acting as a tracker.
Just as Ji Xiang was about to say something, a divine tablet suddenly flew from afar. It was the Liang Li Gong Shou Heavenly Emperor! This Heavenly Emperor's status was lower than the Jade Emperor's, but he now stood in front of the Jade Emperor's divine tablet, preventing the Jade Emperor from peering at Ji Xiang.
"Heavenly Emperor!"
Ji Xiang was startled. For some reason, he felt a touch of emotion. He had inherited the Heavenly Emperor's Dharma Realm, and the Heavenly Emperor still helped him.
But in the next moment, the Liang Li Heavenly Emperor suddenly opened the Heavenly Gate for Ji Xiang, then emitted a divine light and drove Ji Xiang down.
The radiance of the Great Fu Li gradually dissipated. Ji Xiang rushed out of the Heavenly Gate and, in the next moment, returned to the Great Gaoxuan Hall.
An unfamiliar person appeared before Ji Xiang's eyes.
Old Zhang was standing there, having waited for a long time, still holding the Jingzhen Jade Sword.
Seeing Ji Xiang appear, Old Zhang first sized him up, then broke into a smile:
"May I ask, senior brother, from which dynasty do you hail, and from which mountain or river do you come?"