darknovel Chapter 1846 The Disguised Zhenhai Alliance!
Chapter 1846 The Disguised Zhenhai Alliance!
"This is enough to convince the cultivators of those top sects..."
This is a Nascent Soul cultivator who has been in seclusion for thousands of years and has just emerged into the world.
Cheng Buzheng thought to himself,
"At a time when the top combat power of various forces is vacant, it is most appropriate to act under this identity, take advantage of the situation to 'occupy the nest', and secretly collect cultivation resources."
"However, the details still need to be refined."
In particular, the style of the robes needs to be changed to the ancient style, and the hairstyle also needs to be redone according to ancient methods...
Strive for perfection, leaving no flaws whatsoever.
Not long!
After some careful adjustments, an old Taoist priest, dressed in a simple cloud-patterned robe, with his hair tied up in a high bun and exuding an air of vicissitude and antiquity, appeared before Cheng Buzheng.
Its aura is ethereal and profound, completely different from the popular cultivation methods of the time.
Immediately, the Dharma body dressed in ancient robes flicked its finger and pointed to the void in front of it.
next moment!
A portal, shrouded in countless illusory silver runes, silently appeared low in the air above the quiet room.
It quickly solidified, emitting faint spatial fluctuations.
The old Taoist, who had been transformed into a Dharma body, took a step forward, and his figure immediately transformed into a thin stream of light, silently disappearing into the floating portal.
When the Dharma body completely disappears...
The silver rune portal gradually faded, eventually disappearing without a trace like a bubble.
The quiet room returned to its previous calm, as if nothing had happened.
Cheng Buzheng, sitting cross-legged on the cloud bed, glanced indifferently at the spot where his Dharma body had disappeared, and then slowly closed his eyes.
"boom!"
An immense and unimaginable force of devouring suddenly swept outwards from him in all directions!
In an instant, the dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth that was originally so dense in the quiet room was swept away, creating a temporary vacuum zone.
Outside the quiet room, the sky above the entire secret courtyard suddenly changed!
Endless spiritual energy from heaven and earth converged wildly from all directions of the secret realm, forming a massive, visible vortex of spiritual energy, with its center pointing directly to the quiet chamber below.
The overall concentration of spiritual energy within the secret realm began to decrease slowly, almost imperceptibly.
This shows just how terrifying the amount of spiritual energy Cheng Buzheng was absorbing and refining every moment was!
Fortunately, beneath this hidden realm of Peace City lies a large spiritual vein of extremely high quality.
The Cheng Clan currently has a relatively small number of cultivators, and their daily demand for spiritual energy is far from reaching the limit of the spiritual veins' capacity...
otherwise.
In an ordinary spiritual land, it would probably be impossible to support Cheng Buzheng's level of cultivation for such a long period of seclusion.
This is the reality for high-level cultivators.
The higher one's cultivation level, the more demanding one becomes regarding external conditions.
The reliance on high-level resources is also becoming increasingly serious.
This is also one of the fundamental reasons why the cultivation world is dominated by the strong and the competition for resources is extremely fierce.
Just as Cheng Buzheng's main body began to frantically absorb spiritual energy and enter a deep state of seclusion...
Far away in the Endless Sea, in the giant city where the Zhenhai Alliance headquarters is located—Zhenhai City.
This day.
Deep within Zhenhai City, at the headquarters of the Zhenhai Alliance...
A massive, dark palace lay dormant like a crouching beast.
The entire palace was cast from spirit gold, with soaring eaves that gleamed with a cold, heavy luster under the sunlight, and intricate array patterns were engraved on it.
It also appears somewhat gloomy at this moment.
Deep within the palace, the light was dim, with only a few bright moon pearls embedded in the walls emitting a soft glow, yet they could not dispel the solemnity permeating the air.
A faint sigh, almost imperceptible, echoed in the empty, silent hall, sounding remarkably clear.
It was also exceptionally heavy.
"Senior brother, how are your discussions with those Nascent Soul Immortal Clan members going?"
The sound came from the jade steps on the left side of the hall.
A nun dressed in a plain white dress stood by the railing.
Her hair was slightly gathered, secured with a simple white jade hairpin. Her face was beautiful, but shrouded in an unyielding sorrow. Her delicate brows were tightly furrowed as she gazed at the figure standing not far away in front of the huge glass window with his hands behind his back.
Outside the window, there are the continuous pavilions of Zhenhai Alliance and the distant, faintly visible sea.
The figure turned around and was a middle-aged cultivator wearing a dark blue Daoist robe with star patterns. He had a square face, and his eyes, when they opened and closed, hinted at the illusion of the five elements. He exuded an imposing aura without being angry.
He is one of the current leaders of the Zhenhai Alliance.
A powerful cultivator in the late Nascent Soul stage – Mingfu Zhenjun.
Upon hearing his junior sister, True Monarch Mingxiang's, question, True Monarch Mingfu slowly shook his head.
A hint of weariness, difficult to conceal, also appeared on his dignified face.
"Junior Sister Mingxiang, the news has now spread completely and there is no longer any possibility of concealing it."
My master... is trapped in the forbidden sea, his fate unknown.
Without a Nascent Soul cultivator to suppress the four directions, how could those long-established Nascent Soul families, entrenched in various regions, possibly still be willing to abide by past precedents?
His voice was deep, with a metallic quality, each word clear and distinct in the silent hall.
"The conditions they proposed were even more demanding than we had anticipated."
If it weren't for the presence of a semi-venerable elder within the alliance, barely maintaining a semblance of dignity and deterrence, those families probably wouldn't even be willing to contribute their usual 40% share of tribute.
"Yes……"
Upon hearing this, Mingxiang Zhenjun's lips curled into an extremely bitter smile. This smile, instead of dispelling her sorrow, only added to her desolation.
She shifted her gaze to the ancient murals on the dome of the main hall, depicting the glorious history of the Zhenhai Alliance, which now seemed somewhat jarring.
"The news that Master has fallen into the Forbidden Sea can be kept secret for a while, but not forever."
In the ruthless and powerful cultivation world, how could those Nascent Soul families who control a region and have countless disciples willingly obey the alliance's orders and pay tribute?
Given the current situation, it's fortunate that they haven't united to overthrow the Zhenhai Alliance.
"It's not that they don't want to."
Mingfu Zhenjun walked to the huge sand table in the hall. The sand table displayed changing light and shadow, simulating the mountains, rivers, geography, and spiritual energy channels of the Zhenhai Alliance and its affiliated forces.
At this moment, the light spots representing certain areas are flickering erratically, appearing somewhat restless.
"Firstly, although the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm and the Half-Saint realm seem to be only a small step, they are actually worlds apart."
The existence of a semi-saint senior was, to them, a sword hanging over their heads.
Enough to create an overwhelming force.
This makes them hesitant to act rashly, forcing them to test the limits but preventing them from truly breaking off relations.
He extended a second finger and continued his analysis, his voice calm:
Secondly, junior sister, don't forget...
Those Nascent Soul cultivators from those families, whether sincere or not, are nominally elders of my Zhenhai Alliance.
Or they may be honorary elders who enjoy offerings but are not involved in practical affairs.
Or they may be powerful elders who wield some authority.
This identity is both their most direct link to the Zhenhai Alliance and their greatest constraint.
Not to mention, the grudges, conflicts of interest, and even blood feuds accumulated among these families over hundreds or thousands of years are deeply intertwined!
When people are too busy being suspicious and wary of each other, how can they possibly put aside their prejudices and completely reach a consensus?
"To form an impenetrable wall against us?"
"As for the last point, it is also the most crucial point at present."
The gaze of the True Lord of the Dark Abyss deepened, as if piercing through the walls of the palace and revealing the turbulent situation outside.
"The cultivation world today is no longer as peaceful as it used to be."
Amidst this turbulent situation, the "Zhenhai Alliance," a prestigious name passed down for tens of thousands of years, still represents a certain order, protection, and a potential legitimacy.
With this signboard overhead, those Nascent Soul families will have an extra layer of buffer and more capital to stand firm in the chaotic world.
They are shrewd enough to know how to weigh the options; they wouldn't be foolish enough to completely abandon their facade and destroy their own defenses at this time.
He finished speaking in one breath, and the hall fell into an even deeper silence.
Mingxiang Zhenjun silently digested her senior brother's words. The bitterness on her face had not faded, but a sense of understanding and heaviness had also appeared.
Yes, what's holding this precarious situation together is no longer the awe of the past.
Rather, it is a naked comparison of strength and a complex web of interests.
And the perilous pressures of the external environment.
"It is precisely because of these three points,"
"Immortal Lord Mingfu concluded," he said, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible hoarseness.
"That's why those Nascent Soul families are acting like this now, unwilling to submit and constantly bargaining, testing their limits."
Yet they dared not truly break free.
They still chose to attach themselves to the Zhenhai Alliance, a banner that was already somewhat tattered.
All we are doing now is struggling to maintain this fragile balance.
Having said that,
Mingfu Zhenjun seemed to suddenly remember something important, paused in his speech, and a look of solemnity flashed across his face.
He raised his hand to straighten the cuffs of his star-patterned Taoist robe, which were originally without wrinkles, and said in a deep voice:
"Alright, I need to report the results of dealing with those old foxes and their latest attitude to the Half-Saint Senior as soon as possible and ask for your decision."
"Junior sister, I'll need to trouble you to take care of the alliance's daily affairs for now."
Upon hearing this, True Monarch Mingxiang suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind and nodded slightly:
"Senior brother, you've worked hard. Take care."
Without saying another word, Mingfu Zhenjun turned around and was about to transform into a streak of starlight and escape from the main hall.
Just then—
"boom!!!"
A deep, muffled sound, like a thunderclap, yet seemingly striking directly at the soul, suddenly exploded without warning!
The entire magnificent palace of black iron trembled violently...
The bright moon pearl on the wall shimmered and trembled, while dust fell from the high dome.
Then,
A piercing shriek and a buzzing sound came from outside the palace.
That was the mournful cry of the protective array being struck by a tremendous force!
The two of them suddenly changed color, and their divine senses spread out like a tidal wave.
Outside the palace, a gigantic light barrier, normally hidden and only revealed when attacked, was visible—
The fourth-order "Mysterious Origin Heavy Water Grand Array," which was powerful enough to withstand a long-term onslaught from a Nascent Soul cultivator, was now completely exposed to the air.
Above the light shield, multicolored spiritual light flickered and faded at an unprecedented frequency, like the struggle of a dying beast.
Thick, dragon-like streaks of silver-white lightning twisted, moved, and exploded on the surface of the light shield, producing crackling sounds.
Countless complex and profound runes that form the foundation of the grand formation were forced to surface at this moment.
However, under the impact of the violent power, it quickly twisted, drifted, and then collapsed one after another, turning into specks of light and dissipating!
The light mask dented and fluctuated violently.
It felt as if it would be completely torn apart and pierced by that overwhelming and terrifying force in the next instant!
This sudden and earth-shattering change caused both Mingfu Zhenjun, who was about to leave, and Mingxiang Zhenjun, who was still standing there, to pause in their actions.
It was as if it were frozen by invisible ice.
The majestic face of the Mingfu True Lord instantly turned so gloomy it seemed to drip water, and the vision of the five elements in his eyes suddenly turned violent, igniting a cold fury.
Even the beautiful Lady Mingxiang's face was frosty, and her plain white palace robes fluttered without wind.
A chilling pressure from a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator spread uncontrollably, colliding with the heavy atmosphere in the hall and emitting a low groan.
shame!
This is a blatant provocation, an undisguised slap in the face!
where is this place?
It is the core of the Zhenhai Alliance headquarters!
It is the location of a palace that symbolizes the authority of a regional hegemon!
Even though the whereabouts of the Nascent Soul Venerable are currently unknown and the alliance's strength has weakened, it is by no means a pushover to be bullied.
The intruders dared to be so arrogant, directly attacking the main formation of the headquarters' core palace. This was no simple provocation, but a trampling of the dignity of the entire Zhenhai Alliance.
This is an insult to all the cultivators in the alliance!
Without a word, two cold and resolute killing intents rose and intertwined between Mingfu Zhenjun and Mingxiang Zhenjun.
Regardless of who the visitor is or what level of cultivation they possess.
What is the background?
Today, we must all pay the heaviest price for this arrogant act!
It was precisely to let all cultivators in the world, and those forces that were secretly watching and eager to make a move, see clearly that the Zhenhai Alliance, even without a Nascent Soul Venerable in charge for the time being, was by no means a bunch of worthless fish and shrimp who could come and humiliate them.
Its accumulated strength and remaining top-tier combat power still possess thunderous means, enough to suppress all evil forces and crush any claws that dare to extend!
Two terrifying auras shot into the sky from inside the main hall!
next moment.
There was deathly silence between heaven and earth.
Before the deafening roar of the violent attack had completely dissipated, an even deeper and more vast pressure, like an invisible sky collapsing, slowly descended.
Next!
An aged voice rang out, not particularly loud, yet it seemed to resonate directly within the very souls of all living beings.
It was like a thunderclap from the heavens above.
Rolling forward, unstoppable!
The message instantly spread to every inch of the vast Zhenhai City.
"All Nascent Soul and Half-Step Deity Transformation cultivators of the Zhenhai Alliance, immediately emerge from seclusion and meet with me!"
His voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion, yet it carried an unquestionable, absolute majesty that placed him above all living beings.
Each word was like a heavy hammer, striking the listener's defenses.
"Those who do not arrive within fifteen minutes..."
The voice paused slightly.
The oppressive force that permeated the heavens and earth suddenly intensified by three-tenths, sweeping across like a cold tide, freezing the very soul.
“You will suffer the consequences.”
When the last four words were uttered...
A faint, almost imperceptible, yet undeniably real killing intent quietly spread out.
This killing intent was icy cold, as if it could directly freeze a cultivator's golden core and nascent soul. All the cultivators who heard it, regardless of their cultivation level, felt a sudden tightness in their hearts and a sense of impending doom rising in their fear.
At the same moment the words fell, the already vast and powerful pressure erupted completely!
"boom--!"
It was not a tangible sound, but a terrifying shock felt at the level of the soul.
...(End of this chapter)