In the Daoist Field outside the territory, an unwatchable shadow disappeared too quickly.
Tao Qian hadn't even had enough time to discern any of the Human Emperors' true forms. However, he didn't need to see clearly to know—they were definitely twisted and disgusting forms that could shatter souls upon sight.
Merely hearing the drunken ramblings of these Mutated Emperors made him aware of their condition.
Chaos!
Distortion!
They were once Human Emperors.
Most of them could have even been called enlightened rulers.
But now, they were no longer part of the Human Clan; instead, they had become man-eating and blood-sucking monsters.
Ironically, the ancestors of the Li Family and Liu Family both took an interest in Tao Qian—one wanted to adopt him as a sworn son, the other as a son-in-law.
Either option made Tao Qian shudder.
This was vastly different from the treatment received by Xiao Hua Daoist, who sponged off others. Should he ever fall into such a situation, Tao Qian would rather end himself.
The twelve old monsters, although they babbled nonsense due to their drunkenness, spoke sentences that were surprisingly accurate.
Tao Qian's status, the resources he commanded, his control over the Human Dao Destiny... Not to mention summoning all fragments of the Ancestor God Forbidden Techniques to rebuild the Barrier—just summoning the "Nine States' Twelve Artifacts" alone was still short of a final touch.
Now eleven artifacts had arrived, but the last one was still not forthcoming.
As time passed, not only the twelve old monsters but everyone in the world began to guess.
Master Tao!
Despite his great ambitions and numerous achievements, he was still far from reaching the Ancestor Dragon and probably incapable of gathering all the fragments to rebuild the Barrier.
Sighs were heard from all seventy-two provinces.
Tao Qian cared not for these, as he was currently trying to sense the whereabouts of the last treasure.
Beside him, Duobao's avatar, Qingjing Zen Master, frowned, clearly having made calculations and ready to transfer the results immediately.
"This is bad!"
"The last piece of the Nine States' Twelve Artifacts is the [Emperor Jade Seal]."
"This item, a Divine Treasure crucial for suppression and control of destiny, is a true treasure of Human Dao. Without it, your wave of momentum might fail to rise."
"With your possession of the Human Dao's destiny, this treasure should have been the first to come to you."
"The reason it hasn't, is because... it already has an owner."
As Duobao spoke, Tao Qian also sensed the outcome.
Having already controlled eleven of the Nine States' artifacts, he could easily discern the status of the last piece.
Upon realizing the truth, Tao Qian's expression turned peculiar.
"The Emperor Jade Seal has ended up in Yuu Yanshi's hands."
"Hmm, that's expected."
"The creation of this treasure wasn't primarily by the Ancestor Dragon—Primordial Sect was deeply involved, even to say that the Jade Seal was a gift from Primordial Sect to the Ancestor Dragon."
"Yuu Yanshi, being nurtured by Primordial Sect as the new Human Emperor, rightfully deserves this item."
After saying this, Tao Qian made no further comment.
On the other hand, Qingjing Old Monk displayed a look of resignation before saying, "No wonder my previous predictions always felt that something unexpected would happen with the [Emperor Jade Seal]. It turns out to be related to Primordial Sect. It must be those twelve old goods interfering with me; otherwise, it would have been impossible to deceive me."
Before Duobao's avatar could finish, Master Yuan could not hold back.
Suddenly, he transmitted a message and suggested:
"Kid, I've told you before, the people from Primordial Sect are extremely deceitful. Since that darned Emperor Jade Seal has fallen into their hands, it'll be difficult to get it back. The elders of Primordial Sect, whether old or young, don't care about the bigger picture or the well-being of people; they only consider what aligns with their interests as the real agenda."
"For now, the only way might be to have Duobao request the Spirit Treasure Sect Master to mediate and convince Primordial Sect to temporarily surrender the treasure."
Master Yuan's idea, though hardly ingenious,
was surprisingly supported by Duobao upon hearing it, nodding immediately in agreement:
"That old monkey isn't wrong this time, people from Primordial Sect are truly troublesome and shameless."
"To retrieve the [Emperor Jade Seal], we probably really need to have the Sect Master speak on this."
After discussing these matters, Duobao True Monarch in Penglai, ready to go find the Spirit Treasure Sect Master and talk.
Just then, Tao Qian shook his head in refusal.
In his mind, scenes from his time in Demon City suddenly emerged.
In this world, Tao Qian was not only unique in temperament but also his ideals vastly differed from most cultivators, finding no peer.
Yet after joining the world, he had indeed met a few similar individuals.
In a place called "Xianheng Hotel," he a
"Tao Qian had ambitions that could not be accomplished by a single person."
"I was merely initiating, if even the first hurdle cannot be overcome, and we have to ask the Sect Master for help with transactions in the background, then it indeed indicates that the tribulations of the Human Dao cannot be mitigated or shortened."
"Should the Emperor Jade Seal fall into others' hands, that would indeed be worrisome."
"Since it is in Yu Yanshi's hands... perhaps it's still a good thing."
Tao Qian rarely played coy in front of his master and, after speaking, did not offer an explanation.
He simply closed his eyes and continued to listen to the ensuing conversation.
The source was from the south, a series of quarrelsome dialogues.
Although the first few sentences did not reveal who was speaking, the fiery tone alone was enough for Tao Qian to know it must be "Li Wenyan."
"Yu Yanshi!"
"What are you dragging your feet for? You think I don't know the Emperor Jade Seal is inside you? Although Brother Tao has not consulted with us, his grand ambition has been clearly stated. Rebuilding the Longevity Barrier is indeed the crucial first step. Only by accomplishing this can we truly act freely and save billions of mortals."
"And you still haven't released the Emperor Jade Seal. Don't tell me you really want to become the Emperor?"
"If you rebel, I, Li Wenyan, will be the first to fight you to death, even if I cannot kill this Primordial Daoist Son, I'll splash you with blood."
...
"Li Wenyan, what nonsense are you spouting? When did I, Yu Yanshi, ever say I wanted to become the Emperor? You think I don't want to release the Emperor Jade Seal right away to aid Brother Tao? But the Sect Master has ordered us not to act rashly to avoid accelerating the tribulation and increasing casualties."
"You're talking crap. Do you think I can't sense the prayers of the people? Now is the best opportunity, just hand over the Jade Seal, let the Twelve Artifacts of the Nine Provinces assemble, it will surely trigger a resonance from all other Ancestor God Treasures, and once the reunion momentum rises, even those old monsters among the Alchemists have to comply."
"Brother Tao has sacrificed so much; he will surely be retaliated against by the Alchemists afterward. If you drag him down at this time, I, Li Wenyan, will never let you off."
"I, Shi Yingqiong, think the same. If Brother Yuu does not comply, beware of my lethal Sword Intent."
"I, as well."
"Yang Li, also please Brother Yuu, assist Brother Tao once."
"You all..."
Yu Yanshi, chided by the members of the National Salvation Congress, flushed red with urgency and anger.
However, he quickly calmed down.
He was a decisive person, and at that moment, he had not forgotten his own ambitions.
After pondering for a few moments, he was ready to act.
Just then, a majestic transmission from his own Sect Master echoed in his mind.
Instantly, Yu Yanshi's face lit up with joy, he stood up excitedly and said to his fellow Heroes, "I want to do more than just release the Emperor Jade Seal to aid Brother Tao, let's add more fuel and smoke out those old monsters from the Alchemists..."
After explaining the details, the members of the National Salvation Congress also became joyful.
Then, Yu Yanshi immediately began casting, connecting with the Divine Ear Sect and Ting Di Sect, making his figure and face appear on the Spirit Mirrors of the seventy-two provinces.
Naturally, he also appeared in front of Tao Qian.
Back in Demon City, Tao Qian had judged Yu Yanshi to be an extraordinary person.
Now viewing him again, his demeanor had undergone several transformations, seemingly possessing the qualities of a Human Emperor; no wonder the Primordial Sect had been keen to cultivate him.
As soon as Yu Yanshi appeared in front of the world, he pulled out an object.
Upon its appearance, Divine Light soared into the sky.
It was an ancient and plain Jade Seal, which, without any need for reminders, everyone immediately guessed the name and origin of this object.
The last component of the Twelve Artifacts of the Nine Provinces, the Emperor Jade Seal.
Indeed, the next moment, everyone heard Yu Yanshi claim loudly,
"This object, known as the 'Emperor Jade Seal', has recognized me, Yu Yanshi, as its master."
"But hearing of Tao Master's great vow, I am willing to offer this treasure to help fulfill his pledge."
"Also, I, on behalf of the Primordial Sect and all the southern provinces, lend all our strength to assist Tao Master in rebuilding the Forbidden Law Barrier."
As his words fell,
Regardless of north or south, the whole world watched as Yu Yanshi threw the treasured seal in his hand, which transformed instantly into a frightful beam of Divine Light, wrapped in endless fortune, shooting toward Qiantang Province.
When the eleven relics were sent before, Great Demons had attempted to intercept and steal the treasure along the way.
But this 'Emperor Jade Seal', whether Immortals, Demons, and Devils, no one dared to steal.
Why?
Anyone who wasn't blind could see the immense fortune contained within that Jade Seal.
It was well-known that attempting to steal the Jade Seal at this time would be tantamount to opposing the entire world, and the rebounding fortune's evil poison could cripple a Daoist Transformation Practitioner in an instant, and even lead to his death.
After Yu Yanshi finished speaking and acting, only a few moments had passed.
Tao Qian suddenly opened his eyes, the Void in front of him split apart, and the Emperor Jade Seal arrived as expected.
The Twelve Artifacts of the Nine Provinces!
This piece, comparable to the previously encountered Mountain and River Map, and perhaps even stronger, an Ancestor God Fragment, was finally complete.
When the twelve beams of Divine Light converged into a pillar reaching to the heavens, it began to expand, swiftly engulfing the provincial city, then the other cities, and even the entire Qiantang Province.
During this process, Tao Qian entered a mysterious state.
As the heavenly pillar spread, wherever it reached, every existence related to the transcendent, whether living beings or inanimate objects, seemed to be under his control.
As if with a single thought, he could utterly erase these existences.
ps: More to come.