The Daofather Descends

The Xia Emperor introduced them one by one. Some of these True Gods and True Immortals were names Ji Ning had heard of but never met, while others were so obscure he had never even heard of them. After all, not everyone was as famous as Lü Dongbin. However, actual strength could not be judged by reputation alone; a reclusive True God or True Immortal might very well possess power comparable to Patriarch Lü's.

"And this is Evergreen, my junior apprentice-brother," the black-robed Xia Emperor said with a smile, turning his gaze to Ji Ning.

The Evergreen Sword Immortal?

Ji Ning was startled. He carefully examined the man before him. He was a young man with a peculiar visage and an aura of natural distinction. So this is the Evergreen Sword Immortal? Back then, the Xia Emperor asked him to accept me as a disciple, and he even sent me a keepsake, agreeing to take me on. But at the time… I went to Mount Innerheart instead and didn't become his pupil. Ji Ning still felt a trace of guilt toward this Evergreen Sword Immortal. After all, he had left without a word to head straight for Mount Innerheart. Although, according to the Evergreen Sword Immortal's original instructions, if he didn't crush the keepsake within ten days, it would count as a forfeit, he had still worried that the Xia Emperor might make things difficult for him, so he had departed in secret. It was indeed less than honest.

"There was quite a bit of karma between you two; Ji Ning very nearly became Evergreen's disciple," the Xia Emperor laughed. "Fate works in mysterious ways."

"Greetings, Senior Evergreen," Ji Ning quickly said. "I must apologize for failing to live up to your good intentions back then…"

"I never really wanted to take you as a disciple in the first place."

The Evergreen Sword Immortal spoke indifferently. "It was only because my master instructed me to that I agreed to accept you. I've never been good at teaching disciples. If you had followed me, you likely wouldn't have achieved what you have today. Now that you have become a disciple of a Daofather, that is a good thing."

There was a clear arrogance in his words.

I never thought much of you. You were just lucky to end up under a Daofather's tutelage. The words struck like a sharp sword. Ji Ning was taken aback for a moment.

If he had been polite, and the other had responded in kind, wouldn't that have made for a harmonious meeting?

"This Evergreen Sword Immortal is truly cold and unfeeling," the Flying Rain Immortal thought to herself.

"If I were Ji Ning, I wouldn't bother saying another word to him with that kind of attitude," the Tonghe Immortal also mused silently.

The Xia Emperor laughed, "Ji Ning, my junior apprentice-brother Evergreen has been in seclusion for a very long time. As a Sword Immortal, he is naturally proud to the bone. His words may be harsh, but he has no ill intent."

"That's right. I say what I want, when I want," the Evergreen Sword Immortal said, looking at Ji Ning.

"Senior is a man of true temperament," Ji Ning said with a smile, and then said no more.

A few words were enough to tell if a conversation was worth having.

He had originally felt a trace of apology, but after this brief interaction, Ji Ning felt that it was best to keep his distance.

The Xia Emperor held a grand, sumptuous feast. Although the Evergreen Sword Immortal was cold and arrogant, with so many True Gods and True Immortals present, the gathering was naturally lively. The Immortal banquet was free and easy, and everyone enjoyed themselves.

While the Xia Emperor's side was at ease, the True Immortal Baiji of the Seamless Gate was having a rough time.

In a vast, dark world.

True Immortal Baiji and the Green Fox Sect Leader, these two fellow disciples, knelt prostrate, while in the distance, a towering throne sat ten thousand zhang high. The majestic, black-robed figure upon it made their hearts tremble.

"Forgive us, Godking," True Immortal Baiji said in terror.

Although he was a disciple, he usually addressed him as Godking.

The Godking's heart was cold and icy. When he gave an order, he usually only looked at the results. This attempted 'ambush' had been stillborn before it could even begin. Although True Immortal Baiji had been grievously wronged, in the depths of the Godking's heart… his valuation of True Immortal Baiji had dropped significantly.

"For this Realm War, Daofather Ink Bamboo will descend upon the Grand Xia to oversee everything," the Godking announced.

"A Daofather is descending?" True Immortal Baiji and the Green Fox Sect Leader were both stunned.

Daofather Ink Bamboo had been one of the founders of the Seamless Gate since its inception and had survived the ancient Dawn War. Of course, because the Godking held a very special position as the sole disciple of that slumbering existence, Daofather Ink Bamboo served as one of his advisors.

"Baiji, you have greatly disappointed me. I cannot allow you to continue overseeing the Realm War," the Godking said. "Daofather Ink Bamboo will take direct command. Of course, it is impossible for Daofather Ink Bamboo to personally make a move. If a Daofather acts, it might cause the final battle to erupt early."

If Daofather Ink Bamboo dared to act, then the Nuwa Alliance would certainly respond in kind. Other Daofathers on the Seamless Gate side would also come to Ink Bamboo's aid…

This could very well escalate continuously, eventually triggering a full-scale final battle.

Neither side wished to act prematurely. If a decisive battle were to erupt under these circumstances, the result would be catastrophic. Even if one side won, it would be a pyrrhic victory.

"Your subordinate understands," Baiji and Green Fox said respectfully.

"I will dispatch waves of Immortal armies to support you… Since we can no longer launch a sneak attack, we will gather our strength first. Once we are fully prepared, we will make our move," the Godking commanded.

"Yes," Baiji and Green Fox knelt in submission.

In a standard Realm War, True Gods and True Immortals were critically important, but the vast seas of Celestial Immortals and Loose Immortals were also crucial.

If there were enough of them, they could even kill True Gods and True Immortals!

The reason they had only sent sixty-six True Gods and True Immortals earlier was because they had intended a sneak attack and hadn't mobilized the massive armies of Celestial Immortals and Loose Immortals. Once such a large army was mobilized, the commotion would be too great to conceal.

Days passed, one after another.

The Eight Dragons Cloudcity and the Seamless City both hung suspended in midair, facing each other from a distance. Neither side initiated another challenge. They had both fallen into a state of calm… but this calm filled every Immortal and Fiend on both sides with a pressing sense of an impending storm. What was about to erupt next was a true, terrifying Realm War!

"Your Imperial Majesty." Ji Ning sought a private audience with the Xia Emperor.

"Ji Ning?" The Xia Emperor was sitting there, perusing a book. He smiled. "Sit."

Ji Ning sat down and could not help but ask, "Your Imperial Majesty, the countless Immortals of our six Xingtian divine spirits are all uneasy. When will we go to war with the Seamless Gate? Or will there be a long ceasefire? It would be best to clarify things so that everyone can be at ease."

The worst part was the uncertainty.

"Ah, that is my fault," the Xia Emperor said, suddenly understanding. "My incarnation has been at my master's Daoist temple, helping direct and deploy the grand army. I forgot about the many Immortals within the Eight Dragons Cloudcity."

Ji Ning looked at the Xia Emperor.

"For this Realm War, the twenty-six True Gods and True Immortals from before were all without attachments; that's why they arrived first. That was merely the first wave. More True Gods and True Immortals are coming. More importantly, there is a massive army of Immortals. The number of Celestial Immortals already gathered is over three hundred thousand," the Xia Emperor said.

"Over three hundred thousand Celestial Immortals?" Ji Ning cried out in shock.

Good heavens.

"What is there to be surprised about? The Grand Xia alone has over ten thousand Celestial Immortals," the Xia Emperor said. "My master commands dozens of major worlds and countless minor worlds. Many major worlds are constantly embroiled in war, which actually makes it easier to temper Celestial Immortals. Especially the 'Crimsonbright Major World' which he created himself—it has an especially high number of Celestial Immortals. The total number of Celestial Immortals under my master's command likely numbered a million."

"A million Celestial Immortals?" Ji Ning held his breath.

"But that was in the past. Under the Seamless Gate's instigation and enticement, even my Grand Xia lost three thousand Celestial Immortals to defection. It is likely that throughout the entire Crimsonbright Realmverse, over a hundred thousand Celestial Immortals have defected to the Seamless Gate. The total number of Celestial Immortals under my master's command now is probably less than a million," the Xia Emperor said.

Ji Ning nodded in agreement.

Back when the Seamless Gate remained hidden, powers like the Shaoyin clan and True Immortal Baiji were, on the surface, all subordinates of Daofather Crimsonbright.

Now that the great tribulation had arrived, many had switched sides.

The forces under Daofather Crimsonbright had indeed weakened.

"Because many major worlds also need to maintain their own stability, mobilizing over three hundred thousand Celestial Immortals was already quite difficult," the Xia Emperor said. "If we pushed further, we could probably mobilize another two hundred thousand Celestial Immortals. But that would put too much pressure on the other major worlds of the Crimsonbright Realmverse."

"I understand," Ji Ning nodded.

"Over three hundred thousand Celestial Immortals, and tens of millions of Loose Immortals," the Xia Emperor said. "Furthermore, my elder brother, Daofather Yinglong, has also contributed some forces. According to what our side's Daofathers have learned, the Seamless Gate side will be personally led by Daofather Ink Bamboo this time. Therefore, my master will also descend upon the Grand Xia along with the army of over three hundred thousand Celestial Immortals to personally oversee the command."

Ji Ning's heart tightened.

Terrifying.

Was this what an Immortal war was like?

Both sides had Daofathers as commanders-in-chief, with several dozen True Gods and True Immortals, over three hundred thousand Celestial Immortals, and tens of millions of Loose Immortals.

"This is a Realm War!" The Xia Emperor looked at Ji Ning. "Both sides are desperately deploying their troops and hoarding their resources, trying to prepare as fully as possible. Neither side will easily start a war. But once the war begins… no one knows how many Immortals will die. During this preparation period, you must cultivate diligently. The sooner you can break through to become a Pure Yang True Immortal, the better. Then, when you command the Celestial Immortals and Loose Immortals, you will pose an even greater threat to the Seamless Gate."

Ji Ning nodded gently.

He had to train hard.

Although he had already become a Pure Yang True Immortal, his Heartforce Soul-Spirit technique was still far from minor mastery. He made some small amount of progress in it every day. As long as he had enough time, his strength would continue to rise. Eventually, the day would come when his Heartforce Soul-Spirit technique was fully mastered. Once he reached that step, Ji Ning couldn't even imagine how powerful his command of the Xingtian divine spirit would be. What was certain, however, was that the natural energy absorbed by a thousand Celestial Immortals and a hundred thousand Loose Immortals would definitely not be enough for him. He would need even more Celestial Immortals and Loose Immortals.

"Enjoy this last period of peace before the great war," the Xia Emperor said, looking at Ji Ning. "Once both sides are fully prepared, when that battle begins… even I don't know if I will survive it. If half of the True Gods and True Immortals make it through alive, that will already be considered fortunate."

"Mm," Ji Ning nodded.

In the following days, Ji Ning spent his time quietly accompanying his wife while wholeheartedly meditating on the Heartforce Soul-Spirit technique. He devoted all his energy, from both his Primaltwin and his true body, to comprehending this 'Heartforce Soul-Spirit technique'. At present, this technique offered the fastest way to increase his strength in the coming tribulation.

The Immortals of the Eight Dragons Cloudcity also knew that this was the last peaceful period before the Realm War. The atmosphere grew heavy.

And amidst this heaviness…

True Gods and True Immortals frequently descended upon the Eight Dragons Cloudcity.

Finally, one day—

BOOM!

It felt as if the entire Grand Xia world was trembling.

Ji Ning, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, silently cultivating his Heartforce Soul-Spirit technique, immediately charged outside, flying up into the air. In a single glance, he saw that above the distant, dark Seamless City, a massive spatial passage had appeared. A tall, thin man radiating an endless dark light stepped out of that spatial passage and manifested within the Grand Xia world.

He appeared ordinary, yet the endless dark light radiating from him, along with the massive, ten-thousand-zhang tall swaying bamboo that appeared behind him, caused even Ji Ning to feel a sense of oppression.

As a Pure Yang True Immortal, Ji Ning felt this pressure. The Tonghe Immortal and the others were all filled with an indescribable terror.

"A Daofather!" Ji Ning immediately understood the man's identity.