Chapter 1199: Elder Shui Becomes the 'His' Preselected God of War and Blood

"But this situation is actually Lü Mountain helping us without knowing it. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't really care, this was part of my plan. But now that you're in the middle of it, I think we should communicate with Lü Mountain and see what they're willing to do."

"This matter counts as Great Han owing Lü Mountain an apology, but Great Han doesn't rely solely on Lü Mountain. If Lü Mountain can help Great Han, then that would naturally be best, and Great Han will treat them with unreserved sincerity from now on."

"If Lü Mountain is unwilling, that's fine too. When the time comes, I'll return my soul to the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, lead the Expeditionary Force, and stand between Demon Province and the First Circle, fighting to the death without retreating. I won't give those above any chance to descend, buying enough time for Great Han's war plans and for your growth."

Lu Ding's heart sank, and he couldn't help asking, "Can you hold them off?"

Elder Shui knew Lu Ding's temperament well, so he spoke bluntly but with some vagueness: "Buying enough time will be sufficient."

But the price for that would be his death.

As for the final outcome, that would depend on how Lu Ding performed.

Lu Ding fell silent.

He didn't want to drag Lü Mountain into this when they couldn't even be pulled out of Demon Province, adding pressure to their shoulders. Lü Mountain didn't owe him anything. Why should they be the ones to bear the pressure from the First Circle?

And having Elder Shui return his soul to the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation to lead the Expeditionary Force in a bloody fight? He was still unwilling to accept that either.

But a decision had to be made eventually.

Lu Ding was not the type to waver indecisively or fail to make tough choices.

At this moment, his gaze was firm as he looked at Elder Shui.

He bowed and said, "Elder Shui, this is our own matter, isn't it?"

Elder Shui smiled and nodded. "Yes, this is our own matter!"

"We have to handle it ourselves."

"Lü Mountain has already helped Great Han more than enough. There's no need to burden them with such a heavy weight. I understand. Don't worry, I'll make preparations in advance. You focus on developing the embassy in Demon Province. If there's any sign of trouble on that side..."

Elder Shui rose to his feet. "I, Shui Zongmin, will step up without hesitation!!!"

He had dedicated his entire life to Great Han. Even if it meant giving his very life to Great Han, it would be worth it!

If sacrifice was unavoidable, then Lü Mountain was innocent. When it came to our own affairs, we should sacrifice our own people.

Lu Ding didn't plan to talk to Lü Mountain, because he knew that if he did, it would put them in an impossible position. Given his identity, if he spoke with his status, that would be moral hostage-taking against Lü Mountain.

Then Lü Mountain would have to choose between abandoning their peaceful existence to help Lu Ding, helping Great Han—a nation originally with absolutely no connection to them—shoulder the pressure.

Or would they refuse Lu Ding?

Neither would be the best outcome.

So, he simply wouldn't mention it to Lü Mountain at all, sparing them the agonizing dilemma. Lu Ding and Great Han would handle it themselves!

Lu Ding stood up. "Elder Shui, although we're preparing for the worst-case scenario, I'll fight for the best outcome. Trust me."

If it were possible, Lu Ding would never let Elder Shui sacrifice himself. If it were possible...

Every generation has its own challenges. The Hundred Dynasties War, the threat of the Circles—these were the challenges of Lu Ding's generation!!!

Elder Shui would lead his people, fighting up from the Third Circle to the Second Circle.

Then Lu Ding would take up the heavy mantle, fighting from the Second Circle up to the First Circle, ascending the entire nation to immortality!!!

Elder Shui said, "I believe in you, Xiao Lu!"

Hearing these words, Lu Ding formed a hand seal and wrote down his path to the seventh rank of God Ascension.

[Son of Heaven: one person carries a nation, a nation nourishes one person in return]

BOOM!!!

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth flooded in, steadily pushing Lu Ding's realm and power up to the seventh rank of God Ascension!

This condition had long been fulfilled when Lu Ding used spirit stones to elevate an entire nation's growth, and Great Han used the full strength of the nation to grant Lu Ding his title, forge his name, and support his cultivation of the True Method of Feeding the Divine.

So the seventh rank of God Ascension shattered through without resistance.

The Sin Dragon within his body was gradually weakening; it urgently needed to grow.

Lu Ding wrote again.

Eighth rank of God Ascension: [Son of Heaven: one person leads the great age, hand pulling open the golden gate, inviting the world to embrace the new era]

After writing it down, Lu Ding said, "Elder Shui, I still need to accumulate in Demon Province. My technique needs to undergo transformation and growth. But I look forward to the day I descend upon the battlefield. Call me whenever you need, and I will descend at once!!!"

"On the day I appear on that battlefield, I will step directly into the eighth rank of God Ascension, sweeping everything before me, breaking nations, crossing territories, one person becoming an army, charging fiercely toward the ninth rank!!"

"Let the flames of war scorch these Second Circle lands, and plant the banner of Great Han upon them!!"

He waved his hand and scattered mountains of spirit stones.

Lu Ding turned and used [Celestial Shift] to return to Demon Province.

Elder Shui looked at these spirit stones.

He reached for the red landline phone beside him and dialed.

The other side picked up.

Elder Shui spoke, "This is Shui Zongmin. Connect me to my old troops."

As the call connected.

Elder Shui said, "Dark zone, outside the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation. I'll be waiting for you."

Those who advance first will inevitably suffer the most brutal casualties. Since that's the case, let the old-timers of a bygone era tear fresh wounds into the enemy first, using the enemy's blood as nourishment to feed the growth of the new generation!!!

A grand stage needs corpses to be built upon, providing the supreme foothold for Lu Ding's entrance!

Elder Shui put down the phone.

A smile spread across his face, stretching until it tore the corners of his mouth, blood dripping down as crimson light blazed all over him. "Drinking blood to the full... my path shall endure."

His bloodthirsty heart had been dormant for far too long...

Now that the final matters had been settled.

He could finally reveal his most authentic self without restraint.

War. Blood. Only these could bring him joy.

Before departing for the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, Elder Shui activated his special ability once more.

This time, he saw something different.

[You have been noticed by 'Him'. 'He' anticipates your performance in the war. Unleash a rolling sea of blood that drowns everything. Wage a pure, maddening war. You will receive 'His' reward, become 'His' chosen one, become 'His' emissary who walks the world igniting the flames of war]

Seeing these words, Elder Shui said slowly, "Ah... so it's finally here again........"

'He'

The foundation of Elder Shui's Martial Path of the Fierce God came from 'Him.' As for who this 'He' was, Elder Shui himself didn't know.

He only knew that without this 'He,' he could never have led Great Han to where they stood today at the smallest possible cost.

Elder Shui had thought that 'He' had disappeared for a long time and might never appear again.

But now 'He' had shown up once more.

Elder Shui broke into a smile. "Perhaps by becoming 'His' chosen one, I can obtain the option of immortality, live long enough to witness with my own eyes the day Great Han fights its way up to the First Circle, to see the day the entire nation ascends to immortality."

As he spoke, Elder Shui couldn't control himself and burst into laughter. "Hahahahahahahaha........."

His laughter grew increasingly sinister, as if carrying the crackling sound of burning war, as if carrying the thunderous pounding of war drums, shaking the front lines of this battlefield. The silent fighting spirit infected everyone who heard it, causing the heavens to tremble, the earth to crack apart, inch by inch of foreign lands collapsing and disintegrating, fissures splitting open like abyssal chasms, spewing forth magma that looked like blood.

.....

An extra chapter for the Gift King sent by the bigshot Jun Shen Hongchen earlier. I went to write the bonus chapters today, so the update came a bit late. Sorry, everyone.