Divine Brilliance - Chapter 647

Chapter 647: Great Death Restriction

After escaping the chaotic World River and running until he reached the Cloud World, Zong Shou still felt that it was a great pity.

If he had a piece of wood big enough to remodel and build into a giant ship, it would have had room enough for four hundred thousand Gantian Mountain elites.

Even the discarded fragments of wood could be used to craft spiritual artifacts to earn a huge amount of money.

Also, he would not need to worry about the spaceship matter.

Zong Shou sighed as he stopped the Royal Demon God Shuttle.

A short time ago, he had clashed with the pursuing Prince Jia Mingluo once more. Although they were on the same level, he was able to escape easily using the Illusionary Heart Mirror. However, he was not entirely unscathed, and had suffered some damage to his internal organs.

But these injuries couldn’t compare to damage done by the Illusionary Heart Mirror.

Just then, that mirror turned into a ball of light that flew into his sleeves.

Zong Shou smiled bitterly. He had used the item for a mere two hours, and only cast the most basic spells in that time.

However, this short period of use had consumed a full three years of his lifespan.

If he used it a few more times, he would probably die on the spot.

Xuan Yunlan was also worried for him. “It is the best if the Ruler uses it less often before breaking through to Spirit Realm.”

After saying this, she took out a zither and began to play lightly. A clean and crisp tune instantly filled the shuttle.

It was a Settling Soul Purification Tune. Resonating with that clear tune, Zong Shou’s raging vital energy calmed down.

Zong Shou suddenly felt his brow heat up, a pure essence energy surging in as he listened on. The majority of his injuries were instantly healed.

Zong Shou turned to Zhao Yanran shock, only to hear her say, “Don’t misunderstand, I am only pitying you. It’s a payment for collecting the wood!”

Zong Shou knew that she was telling the truth. Why else would this woman be so nice as to provide energy to heal him?

At this moment, Ruoshui was distracted as she stared at a broken piece of wood. She directly leaned back on it and let out a satisfied moan. It was even more comfortable Zong Shou’s fox tail.

Zhao Yanran was also a little curious about the trunk. “What kind of tree could grow to such a huge size?”

If it was in the Cloud World, then the tree would have reached into the stars.

“Legend has it that during the Cloud Desolate Era, there was a tree known as Heaven Reaching! It was two million feet tall and broad enough for one hundred thousand people holding hands to circle it. This tree could compare to that. However, unfortunately, during the start of the Cloud Desolate Era it was cut down.”

Zong Shou was in deep thought. Naturally the giant wooden pieces in front of him couldn’t be from that Heaven Reaching tree. That was a god item, and much higher quality than this.

Saint Realm experts could at most damage it, but not destroy it.

“I heard that not far from the Cloud World, there is an alien world. On the continent there are many giant trees. After just three thousand years, they gain their own consciousnesses, and can even speak. They develop strong powers, each able to control living spirits! Actually, this trunk is considered a small one.”

He had gained such knowledge when he was “Tanqiu.”

He thought that this item was probably stolen by the Night Demon race from that world.

When these giant trees gained consciousness, they were comparable to God Realm experts.

For the Night Demon race to be able to battle their way in and obtain it showed how strong they were.

Zhao Yanran didn’t believe what he said, scoffing, “You have never left the Cloud World, so what would you know? You are just lying.”

Zong Shou laughed and didn’t reply. Why did this woman have the same reaction as Ye Feishuang and Ye Feihan?

He did begin to miss the two sisters as he thought about them. Who knew what happened to those two girls. He told them that if they faced trouble they could hide in Gantian Mountain. Even if that Juelong City was strong, they wouldn’t try to make trouble with him.

Since they hadn’t arrived, they probably hadn’t run into trouble. He didn’t need to worry about them.

The women spoke for a while before they started discussing about what magical artifacts to craft the wood into. It was best if they were carved into jewelry. As for what kind, they were anxious and arguing about it.

Zong Shou felt like his eyes had been opened to a new sight. So a crazy person like Zhao Yanran actually had such a little girl side.

Jingyin even interrupted a few times which surprised him. It seemed like the little nun wasn’t truly devoid of desires.

Maybe because she felt embarrassed by his stare, Jingyin’s face flushed red. She lowered her head and didn’t speak up anymore.

Zong Shou’s eyes were attracted by her embarrassed looks. The size of her chest was actually no smaller than Xue’er.

Before this she wore a thick robe and it wasn’t apparent. Now that had she lowered her chin and it pressed onto her clothes, her huge chest was obvious.

Just as his heart sped up, Kong Yao’s voice rang out at the wrong time, “Husband, the Night Demon race is strong. If we want to win, we have to use strategy!”

Zong Shou was jolted back to his senses, and to thinking about the important matter at hand. His heart tensed up as he thought back to the closely packed and majestic Night Demon army.

“Even if we have to fight, it can’t be in Huizhou! We need to avoid facing them head on, and instead focus on splitting their forces. We can let matters take their course for now…”

Zong Shou knew what she meant. However, that plan would allow the Night Demons to occupy Huizhou.

Splitting troops to defend against Great Shang and against the sects. Gantian Mountain had the home ground advantage, and it would be much easier to handle the enemy this way.

After thinking a short moment, Zong Shou still shook his head.

“I want to wall the enemy outside of the country! Donglin has been in chaos for three thousand years, and only enjoyed a few months of peace. How can I let my people suffer the chaos of war once more?”

In his heart, he was considering those paths and piers he had built, and how most of them were completed now, as well as those ships under his name which occupied the east of Donglin.

How was he going to earn money if war came once more? Wouldn’t all those beast crystals and mind stones he invested be a waste? Moreover, if many people die, who would he collect taxes from?

How could he allow a war to happen?

This was why they not only needed to end this battle outside the borders, they also had to be quick.

Kong Yao was silent as she stared at Zong Shou, before turning her head away.

She thought to herself, What would His Majesty do if it were Great Shang?

He knew that the best way to win against the Night Demon race was to fight on Donglin land, but instead he was willing to take the risk to decide things at Huizhou.

She really didn’t know what to say about this person.

He wasn’t willing to let his people suffer from the chaos of war?

Jingyin lifted her head again, her eyes shining. Her expression was filled with respect. “Ruler is so kind, no wonder the millions under Gantian love you so much.”

In the past, she praised Zong Shou just because everyone was doing so. Today however, her words were truly sincere.

Only Zhao Yanran who could read his dark thoughts was laughing to herself.

This fellow merely couldn’t bear to lose money!

Zong Shou maintained his smile as he felt the energy within his body recover.

Then he drove the Royal Demon God Shuttle forwards.

The Royal Demon God Shuttle was famous for the name ‘Royal Demon.’ Its strength wasn’t swift travel, but durability, which was why Gods and Demons both avoided it.

It had taken no damage during the recent battle with Prince Jia Mingluo.

However, as there were several million kilograms of wood within, its speed was naturally reduced by several times.

Slowly and leisurely, the shuttle flew through the clouds.

When they were in the space layer, there wasn’t any concept of weight, which was why they weren’t affected. Now that they were in the Cloud World, they were crawling at the pace of a tortoise.

Zong Shou was unbothered by their slow progress, but Zhao Yanran couldn’t take it. Along the way, she saw several Grade Seven Lightning Crane Super Carriages fly past them.

Those Lightning Cranes were swift, a little faster than Grade Nine cultivators. Not long ago, the Grand Demon God Shuttle could have ditch them a thousand miles back in a breath, but now it was the other way around.

Even if she wished to speed up, it was impossible to dispose of the wooden pieces.

Just as she was about to mock Zong Shou, her heart changed as she made a realization. “This is the direction towards Lianyun Island. Are you going back to take a look?”

There was total silence in the shuttle.

Zong Shou wasn’t the only one who had heard what that Prince Jia Mingluo said.

Using the million souls to seal the world?

Were those words true or false?

Zong Shou looked towards Kong Yao with a questioning gaze.

“There is indeed such a secret technique!” She said in answer.

Kong Yao thought back to the past. “My Kong Family passed it down for many generations. I have seen it before, and it is called the Great Death Restriction Formation. During the Cloud Desolate Era, before the Battle of Wenshan there were ten thousand Grade Nine cultivators who used this formation to stop an alien army, sacrificing themselves to seal up a part of space for three years…”

Zong Shou’s face froze in shock. Only a family with long history like them could possess such a technique.

He definitely couldn’t find it in the library in the future.

He also knew that the Battle of Wenshan was one of the most important battles during the Three Saint Emperor Era.

The rise of the Human race started in that era.

He knew that the battle was one that had covered the land in corpses, creating casualties numbering tens of millions.

However, when he heard Kong Yao’s description, he was still shocked at the scale of the technique!

Grade Nine cultivators could be considered the pillar of a sect. To sacrifice so many at once…

“The Cloud World can’t bring out ten thousand Grade Nine cultivators as sacrifice. Which means that Weihai is using ten million souls as a replacement?”

After he said this, Zong Shou couldn’t help but exhale.

He was at a total loss, not knowing if he was in a suitable state of mind to be driving the flying shuttle.

What should he do if it was really as Prince Jia Mingluo said?

Save them? He wasn’t so kind…

Those people were pitiful, but they weren’t under his rule. So what business did he have?

He would have to start a conflict with those three Huizhou Taoist Sects and Weihai if he wanted to save them.

Even before the Night Demon race arrived, they would be at war.

It would cause more Huizhou civilians to be suffer. It would also endanger the Gantian army.

So what could he do even if he went?

Was he going to confirm the effects of that formation?

Zong Shou’s mind wandered off as he pondered the problem before him.

Chapter 648: Overlord Zong Shou

They were already close to Lianyun Island. Although the Grand Demon God Shuttle was traveling very slowly, they needed only thirty minutes to arrive.

Although they hung two hundred thousand feet above the island and used illusionary techniques to hide, Zong Shou was totally unafraid of people below noticing.

When Zong Shou looked down, his expression turned serious, and his face fluctuated between green and white. In the end he laughed out loud, “It was really true…”

At the edges of the floating islands, many black-armoured soldiers were busy at the work of beheading their victims.

Blood drained into the ground, and was instantly picked up by the spiritual formation.

When the blood within each head was sucked dry, it was thrown into the Cloud Ocean.

In the distance, there was a fleet of cloud ships which ferried more people to the island.

What surprised Zong Shou was that the people sent to the slaughter weren’t old and weak, but mostly strong men. They were all dressed in simple and cheap clothing, and their expressions were numb and filled with despair. Some wanted to rebel, but were slain on the spot by the surrounding soldiers.

Squinting, Zong Shou didn’t need to think hard to figure out that the blood of strong men would be much more effective.

To think that those Huizhou City Lords were willing to send over so much of their labor forces.

Those within the shuttle were all used to witnessing bloody scenes, and they quickly recovered from the initial shock at the sight before them.

Jingyin’s body shuddered in fury, her lips turning white as she gritted her teeth. She looked towards Zong Shou with a pleading expression.

She knew that Zong Shou was the only one who could save all these people now.

Although she wasn’t close to or comfortable with that fellow, it couldn’t be compared to her anger towards those beasts in black below.

Who could predict that that Zong Shou would offer praise? “What was the word? Ah, that’s right. Generals have to be unscrupulous. Commander Wei really understands that.”

Zhao Yanran also nodded. “The Night Demons are strong, so no wonder Weihai has to do this.”

Jingyin’s heart turned cold. She was about to stand up and leave the shuttle before Zong Shou let out a self-mocking laugh. “However, no matter what, I can’t tolerate this.”

If these ten million people were in his hands, who knew how much money they could make for him.

Yet Weihai threw them away just like that. If only he could seal up this region, then he would step in. But he was unable. He felt his heart twinge in pain…

These ten million lives were pitiful, but the billion people of Donglin and the troops under him were more important.

Kong Yao wasn’t surprised as she looked closely at her husband.

Although he was vicious and despicable, he was a kind ruler.

She shook her head. “Husband, if we can’t bear with this it will spoil the plan. If my lord really can’t take it, you can send an envoy to negotiate…”

She didn’t even believe the words even as she said them. That method would probably be useless, and Weihai wouldn’t listen at all. He might even think that Gantian Mountain had nefarious intentions. Who knows, he might even speed up the process and slice off ten million heads.

“Right now we need to work together against the enemy. Husband, don’t argue too much with him.”

She wanted to say something but she couldn’t. If one was a wise ruler, one would act like he didn’t see anything. The big picture was more important.

“Send an envoy to negotiate? Do you want Weihai to humiliate me again?”

Zong Shou chuckled coldly, feeling stunned as he looked into the sky. He became lost in deep thought.

Moments later, he laughed aloud again. It started low and soft, almost unable to be heard. Then, the clouds and the sky were shaken by his nearly maniacal laughter.

Just as the surrounding women started to look worried, Zong Shou suddenly stopped. He asked Kong Yao seriously, “If I let you command, with the four hundred thousand Gantian Mountain elite, how long do you need to take down Lianyun Island? How many casualties will you suffer?”

The question was too sudden and unexpected.

Kong Yao’s brow furrowed, and although she didn’t understand, she still took in a deep breath and replied, “If we catch them off guard, at most six hours. As for casualties less than half a town…”

Zong Shou nodded. Based on his predictions, it would take five hours and the deaths would be within two thousand.

Then he asked, “If you have a million troops can you defend it?”

Kong Yao was shocked. What did Zong Shou mean by these words?

She had never experienced a million-man war. She had also only recently been promoted to the role of Governor Commander.

She had been through ten wars in the past, but they were all on the scale of two to three hundred thousand.

Not to mention leading a million troops.

She recalled that the only person in Gantian Mountain with such an ability was the Left Pillar General Qiuwei.

Zong Shou had probably only asked for her opinion, and nothing else.

“If it was Commander Qiu, I don’t know. But if I was in charge, I would give this place up.”

Zong Shou sighed. Kong Yao continued, “This Island is hanging above the Cloud Ocean, there is no place to defend and nowhere to retreat to. If I was Prince Jia Mingluo, with just one hundred thousand troops, I can trap our army of a million here. Even our sailors won’t be able to remain. The only way is to retreat to the continent and fight back. Does Ruler want to get more troops from Gantian? That would be a bad idea…”

Zong Shou laughed softly, interrupting her before she could finish her sentence.

As expected from the invincible commander decades later. It was such a good deal.

Zhao Yanran was totally confused, frowning, “Zong Shou are you crazy? What are you doing?”

Even Xuan Yunlan felt that this great-great-great-great-great senior master was a little weird.

Zong Shou suddenly stretched. “Since we can’t talk sense into them, then let’s not! I can’t bear to watch these Huizhou people get killed, so I can only liberate them…”

Again, he had confused everyone.

Zhao Yanran was shocked. Was that fellow being serious?

She felt that she understood his intent when she heard those words. Wasn’t this the best excuse to occupy Huizhou Island?

Why didn’t this fellow look at the timing? Even if he could occupy it how could he block the Night Demons?

“What ‘big picture?’ What ‘enduring the little things so they don’t ruin the plan?’ Those excuses were all dogshit! Since Weihai can’t block those Night Demons, then I will take over…”

The moment he said those words, Kong Yao’s face flushed red and then she felt angry. She had said those things purely in consideration of Zong Shou.

The Central Continent had a phrase which was, ‘if you marry a chicken you will follow the chicken, if you marry a dog you will follow the dog.’ She had accepted her fate the day her father rushed over to Gantian Mountain.

Along the way, all the words she said were for Zong Shou.

However that person didn’t accept her kindness…

Forget it, she was simply too lazy to bother about him!

Zong Shou still felt nothing at all contradicting his wife, and he was still filled with pride as he scoffed, “Most people will probably say that we are taking advantage of the situation, not bothering about the big picture. But who cares, why do I need to reason with them? I am unrivalled so why should I bother what others do? A chaotic world is about to arrive, and acting with kindness will will get you nowhere. Since that is the case, I will be domineering. Hey! I should have thought of this long ago. With only a little effort, I can quash these people. Remember, in the future all of you will call me Overlord…”

In the future, there will be a rich person known as South Overlord. He was really domineering and never reasoned with people, bullying men and stealing women, doing all kinds of evil. Zong Shou had always admired his legacy.

A real man should behave like that…

The moment he said those words, the entire shuttle became so quiet that a pin drop would be heard.

Zong Shou’s dominance spread all over. Seeing all the woman stunned and unable to speak, he impatiently kicked Zhao Yanran, saying barbarically, “Remember to help me send this boat full of wood back to Gantian. I will question you if any is missing!”

After which he sped out of the shuttle on his own.

Only after a short while did Zhao Yanran come back to her senses. Following which she touched her bum and was shocked.

She gritted her teeth in rage. This Zong Shou actually dared to take advantage of her, he really wanted to die!

※※※※

Zong Shou took out the Teleportation Jade after leaving the flying shuttle. The spell activated and his surroundings started to fade.

Numerous different spaces and situations flashed before his eyes.

Maybe because his cultivation was much higher, this time he didn’t feel like vomiting.

The scene ahead of him finally settled. He was in the Common People Vast Habitat, within the Book Hiding Building.

As usual, it was quiet and cold. Zong Shou’s expression was also filled with a little darkness.

Although he was really jovial in front of Zhao Yanran and the others, even laughing, in reality his heart was so suppressed by the Night Demon army that he felt unable to breathe.

Closing his eyes, Zong Shou adjusted his thoughts before walking down.

By the time he reached the last few steps, he had already transformed his appearance to Tanqiu’s.

What surprised him was that Hanfang and Ruolan weren’t here.

Zong Shou’s brow furrowed as he stepped out of the building. He looked all around. It was currently morning. Most of the Common People Path disciples were walking about the corridors.

Everyone were shocked when they saw Zong Shou, following which they all saluted him.

At this moment, everyone recognized Tanqiu, and everyone respected him within the Common People Path Vast Habitat.

This was not only due to his shocking seniority, but also because of his sword.

However, when Zong Shou spread out his spiritual sense, he couldn’t find Hanfang and Shi Ruolan.

Were they outside of the Learning Palace? Or were they in one of the spiritual rivers?

Zong Shou didn’t hesitate, stepping onto a sword and he flying out.

Right as he reached the gate, a buzzing sound greeted his ears.

Zong Shou lifted his head in shock, seeing a light fly over. It struck the ground in front of him, burrowing into the rock at his feet.

It was a sword, around five feet long. It looked exceedingly simple and ordinary, and gave off a green glow.

Zong Shou looked in all directions, but he saw no one.

Although the sword was close to him, but it didn’t look like a sneak attack.

Reaching out, Zong Shou pulled the sword out in confusion. He was shocked.

… It was actually a Grade Four Magical Treasure!

Casually waving his hand without using much energy, a stream of sword energy shot out. Instantly it drew a thin and deep mark on the ground.

This sword was really sharp…