Chapter 394: Chapter 340: The Elephant Sheep Immortal, Jungle Unsealing
Year 101 of the Western Ocean Record.
The group arrived at the Kingdom of Baoxiang.
The Kingdom of Baoxiang spans a thousand li, mostly inhabited by immigrants from the Jin Dynasty, who after centuries without contact with the Central Plains, had thoroughly integrated with the local population.
From afar on the sea, the Kingdom of Baoxiang exudes a passion for white hues; most houses are rounded with white-painted domes, brimming with foreign exoticism.
The fleet intended to dock for supplies.
Suddenly, ten warships approached from the front.
"Who goes there? Leave at once!"
Zheng He stood atop the mast and shouted loudly:
"I am Grand Marshal Zheng He, appointed by Emperor Zhu of the Great Ming Nation, representing the Heavenly Dynasty to calm the four corners of the world. Notify your King to come forth and pay homage promptly!"
Zheng He’s words were bold and domineering.
Of course, this was in line with Emperor Yongle’s temperament.
This army of thirty thousand was not here for sightseeing; Zheng He and his men had been explicitly instructed beforehand.
Barbarian vassal states that resist will face battle, to re-establish the majesty of the Heavenly Dynasty.
No need for servility; the resources of the Heavenly Dynasty will not be used to coddle barbarians.
If they submit and offer tribute, they will receive an Imperial Decree signed by Emperor Zhu.
"Outrageous!"
The enemy soldiers, proud of their nation’s status, roared in fury upon hearing such words.
Boom, boom, boom!
Smoke rose; cannons erupted.
"Bold!"
Since the enemy initiated hostilities, there was no turning back.
The two hundred warships unveiled even longer cannons.
Boom, boom, boom!
A hundred ships fired in unison, engulfing the enemy’s warships in flames.
War erupted instantly.
After annihilating the enemy, the fleet sent vanguard forces ashore, securing the fortress and surrounding territory.
"Soldiers of Emperor Zhu from the Central Plains? How dare you offend the Kingdom of Baoxiang—prepare to die!"
A golden-armored female general, wielding a Willow Leaf Divine Spear, charged in on a multicolored steed.
Behind her were ten thousand heroic soldiers.
As a fierce wolf-like nation of the Western Regions, their military strength was indeed formidable.
Song Lin couldn’t help but sigh in relief—luckily it was the early years of Great Ming.
If it were someone like Jiajing handling this army, they’d likely have been humiliated.
It was time for the much-anticipated duel segment, where both sides sent generals forward while the others watched from the sidelines.
Three consecutive battles—all victories.
The female general from Baoxiang, named Jiangg Jinding, was their nation’s top general.
In the first battle, she suffered a major defeat and was captured, though she later escaped using a Secret Technique.
The demon soldiers and demon generals of Baoxiang suffered heavy losses, abandoning the fight and fleeing.
The Imperial Palace of Baoxiang.
The King paced anxiously.
"What should I do? What should I do!"
The Prime Minister advised, "Your Majesty, why not surrender to the Great Ming Nation? Rumor has it their lands span the Four Seas, and their territory is tens of times larger than Baoxiang. If Emperor Zhu were to be angered, and the Heavenly Army attacked..."
"Nonsense..." Jiangg Jinding scolded sharply. "Even if Emperor Zhu is far away and the empire is strong, so what? Just sever their fleet, and they wouldn’t dare return for ten years."
"Don’t forget—we have Sheep-Horned True Monarch!"
"Indeed, quickly summon True Monarch to guard us!"
Sheep-Horned True Monarch was said to be an immortal from a hundred generations ago.
Originally a sheep that ate stones, it achieved immortality through its cultivation.
The next day.
An elder with sheep horns, exuding celestial grace, ascended to the skies accompanied by Western Barbarian soldiers, Water Spirits, Grass Immortals, Stone Monsters, and Beast Soldiers. In an instant, he descended before the Great Ming Nation’s army formation.
Sheep-Horned True Monarch, adorned with the Ruyi Cloth, the Water and Fire Belt, the Ruyi Eight Diagram Robe, and wielding the Taia Sword while riding the Eight Diagrams Immortal Deer, presented a striking figure.
What a figure—Sheep-Horned True Monarch!
A three-foot Taoist disciple at his side stepped forward, pointed at the Great Ming troops, and shouted:
"Which brave general dares to face me in combat?"
A Ming general stepped out wielding a Lightning Whip.
"Nanjing Embroidered Guard Commander Sha Yanzhang is here to face you. State your name!"
Commander Sha, armed only with his whip, clashed with the Taoist disciple amidst the Wild Grass Slope.
Swinging his whip, Commander Sha conjured lightning, his strikes weaving like a serpent.
The Taoist disciple was forced to retreat repeatedly.
Suddenly, the disciple transformed into a Three-headed Six-armed figure, growing three zhang tall, and defeated Commander Sha within three rounds.
The two armies collided violently, battling until the sky darkened.
Heavenly Master Zhang stepped forth to face Sheep-Horned True Monarch.
The Seven Stars Treasure Sword clashing against the Taia Divine Sword, Grass Dragons against Eight-pronged Deer, Heavenly Soldiers against Grass Immortals and Beast Monsters.
The two were evenly matched, until a Three-headed Six-armed Ghost joined the fray.
"Despicable!"
Heavenly Master Zhang split into two, engaging both opponents.
More and more reinforcements joined the Baoxiang side, forcing Heavenly Master Zhang to split into ten avatars to counter multiple mystical Techniques and artifacts, yet he remained unshaken.
"You can divide yourself—I can as well!"
Sheep-Horned True Monarch also divided into ten, then into a hundred.
A hundred Heavenly Masters, a hundred Sheep-Horned True Monarchs, a hundred Seven Stars Swords, and a hundred Taia Blades jammed the battlefield.
Jin Bifeng prepared to assist but was stopped by Song Lin.
"Leave it to me!"
The Three Emperors Scripture was put to the test; other talismans hadn’t been cultivated yet, but the Five Mountains True Form Map could be utilized.
Song Lin soared into the battlefield, immediately joining the fight.
"Perfect timing—I will take you down together!"
Sheep-Horned True Monarch pulled out a crimson-gold mirror-like treasure from his flower basket. This object was extraordinary—a condensed essence of the sun, inscribed with the Four Rivers and Five Mountains on the back, featuring social realms and landscapes, illuminating the world.
It was also known as the Xuanyuan Demon Mirror; no matter what entity was reflected, its true form would be revealed.
Heavenly Master Zhang’s ninety-nine avatars were dispelled under its light, his spells vanishing, leaving him to fall directly into the demon army’s ranks.
Sheep-Horned True Monarch sought to pursue his victory.
At this moment, Song Lin acted!
Left hand holding the Nine Elders Immortal Capital Seal, right hand forming a Sword technique.
"Cloud dragons naturally ascend, the Dao rises upward, righteous aura of Zhang Lie, radiant in Taiqing, aiding the Great Path, proceeding on proper balance..."
Boom!
Five runes materialized in the void.
The Five Mountains True Form Map.
Like the force of Mount Tai, they descended with crushing power.
The Xuanyuan Mirror fell to the ground, the demon army prostrated themselves.
"Demon Art!"
Sheep-Horned True Monarch’s eyes widened in disbelief; his knees buckled, and he knelt immediately.
Heavenly Master Zhang stepped forth and severed the tendons in his hands; Jin Bifeng acted swiftly to trap Sheep-Horned True Monarch within a bowl-shaped artifact.
With the commander captured, the vassal kingdom’s forces crumbled.
The artifact was opened, and Sheep-Horned True Monarch, bound by Heavenly Master Zhang’s spell, was restrained.
"Do not harm this Immortal’s life; he hasn’t killed anyone despite being a True Monarch of the Dao—likely a Demon Immortal sent down from the Heavenly Court," Jin Bifeng remarked.
"Very well, but let me ask one thing."
Song Lin asked, and Sheep-Horned True Monarch gave straightforward answers, recounting everything he knew.
Soon, Heavenly Master Zhang summoned Spirit Officials from the Heavenly Court to escort Sheep-Horned True Monarch back.
The King of Baoxiang surrendered and presented his nation’s treasures.
Inside the royal palace, music filled the air, with musicians plucking strings.
The King of Baoxiang unveiled chest after chest of treasures:
Blood coral, octagonal deer, Qilin beasts, phoenix bird eggs, dragon bones, eight-sided mirrors, Han swords and Qin tiles, Xuanyuan Demon Mirrors, Taia Divine Swords...
A bounty of abundance.
The haul from this campaign was equivalent to half the tax revenue of Great Ming’s two capitals and thirteen provinces.
If this Western Ocean Record endeavor succeeded, the Great Ming Nation would rise to become the most powerful empire in history, replenishing the cultivation world’s supplies of exotic treasures and divine medicine.
After all, with the nation’s fortune restored, even reckless squandering would leave them unmatched.
Yet, according to historical accounts, the final outcome wasn’t optimistic.
The Kingdom of Java, coming next, posed even greater difficulties.
That would be the battleground for human networks.
It nearly sparked a war across the Three Realms, ending only with the Jade Emperor’s intervention.
"By the way, what did you ask earlier?"
Heavenly Master Zhang inquired.
"About the whereabouts of the Great Three Emperors Scripture."
The Great Three Emperors Scripture likely held the true and complete Tao system of talismans.
"Where is it..."
"The last country—Fengdu Ghost Country."
The two fell silent.
Fengdu Ghost Country was no ordinary kingdom; entering it was a gamble of life and death.
Soon, the fleet set sail once again.
The following days entailed long voyages and restocking supplies.
Defeating Baoxiang’s forces instilled fear, driving pirates and water demons into hiding.
Finding himself bored, Song Lin returned to the real world.
...
Real World.
Song Lin opened his eyes and noticed the Jade Plate glowing faintly; it bore news from Donghua Jungle.
He examined the Jade Plate closely.
"Hmm?"
Song Lin was surprised, his expression tinged with joy.
Evil Exorcism Altar Sword Guards reported an update about the battle involving Tianhe and three Transcendance Tribulation Stage masters.
The trio repelled Tianhe, ensuring peace for the two prefectures and six jungles.
Reading this, Song Lin exhaled in relief.
"Finally, some stability."
His earlier worries were unfounded.
Now he could slow down the pace and study Taoist Skills properly.
The fourteen texts of the Little Three Emperors Scripture hadn’t been cultivated yet.
In the real world, he could also replicate parts of the Little Three Emperors Scripture, drawing out the Five Mountains True Form Map, which might connect to the Heavenly Master’s Dao.
Last time, traces of the Five Mountains True Form emerged during his encounter with Tianhe.
Perhaps Tianhe’s Great Dao held related insights.
Preparing to cultivate the Three Emperors Scripture required a Dharma Seal.
The Nine Elders Immortal Capital Seal was too difficult, but replicating the Taiqing Yellow Divine Seal was feasible.
With this thought, Song Lin returned to Donghua Jungle.
He sought the warehouse steward.
"Prepare some thousand-year-old thunder-struck jujube wood cores, three sacrificial offerings, sandalwood..."
After gathering materials, Song Lin refrained from dealing with matters among the people, confining himself to a secret room.
This Seal, meant to be a Scripture Seal rather than an Honored God Seal, didn’t demand divine consecration but required inscribing the script upon it.
The Seal bore 120 characters, all of which must be engraved at its base.
For a cosmic resonance, it couldn’t be crafted within a Grotto Heaven environment.
Soon, Song Lin shut himself away for extended cultivation, entering the story world during breaks to check on its progress.
Offering tributes, chanting incantations, lighting incense thrice, and bowing; offering tributes and lighting incense.
As the Treasure Seal was completed, an oppressive presence spread across the jungle.
Everyone appeared unsettled.
What sort of Treasure Seal could awaken such a sensation within themselves?
Song Lin was unaware and entirely engrossed in carving the Seal; even if he knew, he’d remain puzzled since this phenomenon had never occurred before.
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