Chapter 374 - 22: Frenzy, Invitations from All Factions, the Celestial Sea King Appears

Chapter 374: Chapter 22: Frenzy, Invitations from All Factions, the Celestial Sea King Appears

At this thought, a hint of regret flickered through him. If the two had already settled their dispute, obtaining the celestial-grade Wind Fiend resources he desired would likely be far more troublesome.

He wasn’t worried about facing retaliation. With his current strength, he could go anywhere he pleased in this vast world. Besides, he still hadn’t formally responded to the Demon Suppression Bureau’s invitation.

However, with no need to win him over, the Celestial Sea King would naturally not offer an unexpectedly generous reward. His original plan—to watch the tigers fight from the mountain and sell himself to the highest bidder—had now come to nothing.

Just as Zhong Ming was letting his thoughts run wild, the Celestial Sea King, who had also heard Ji Hao’s rebuttal, swept a glance over him. Then, the Celestial Sea King calmly said, "Silence!"

HUMMM!

Along with the sound came an immense pressure, as deep as the sea and as vast as an abyss.

This immense pressure instantly silenced the entire Qi Family Plaza.

After this display of authority, the Celestial Sea King did not continue to suppress the crowd, but instead explained, "As I said, I am only temporarily serving as the Military Commander of the Celestial Patrol Army."

"Furthermore, Ji Lingxiao will not be coming to Immortal Martial City for the time being."

At this, his expression grew grim, and his voice turned icy:

"To maintain order across the Four Continents, we intend to form a new army. But do you think the grotesque Evil Spirits and those Outer Evil Gods would simply stand by and watch?"

"Several days ago, instigated by Cultists, the Quanrong Tribe in the Bitter Domain of the Northern Wilderness pledged their full allegiance to an Evil God and held a blood sacrifice."

"Harnessing the power of that blood sacrifice, they obtained many grotesque and evil powers. Their ambition exploded, and they raised an army to attack the Celestial Cloud Kingdom. They slaughtered a million of its people and have now breached its royal capital."

"His Majesty was enraged upon hearing the news and has urgently dispatched Ji Lingxiao with troops to provide aid. I, too, have come to support the Silver Moon King and stabilize the front in the Northern Wilderness."

His gaze swept over the crowd as his voice rang with iron certainty, "You have three days to ready your forces. After three days, I will personally lead you, once assembled, to the Northern Wilderness to slay evil and slaughter spirits!"

A grim, killing aura instantly enveloped the plaza. Zhong Ming finally understood why the Celestial Sea King had declared that "the child’s play is over" upon his arrival. Compared to the true mountains of corpses and seas of blood in the Northern Wilderness, the previous infighting and political maneuvering among the human factions truly seemed like a game.

At the same time, the news brought by the Celestial Sea King made Zhong Ming truly feel the choking shadow of the impending second calamity.

’The second calamity hasn’t even truly arrived, and there are already Evil God sacrifices and barbarian invasions? This truly is the dawn of a cataclysmic era!’

As he thought this, a slight tremor ran through his body—it was not from fear, but from a surge of excitement and exhilaration bubbling up from within.

A sharp blade in hand gives rise to a killing heart!

Though not a pure Sword Cultivator, he had been imbued with their disposition of living for battle. For him, combat was never something to be feared; it was something his heart yearned for.

What’s more, he could also seize resources through battle.

’The Celestial Cloud Kingdom... even though it’s a vassal of the Frost Moon Immortal Dynasty, a small nation like Goryeo from my past life, the very fact that it’s called a kingdom means its resources can’t be insignificant.’

’If I can’t take resources from the New Army, then earning them through military merit will work just fine!’

Zhong Ming had already given up on the idea of obtaining celestial-grade Wind Fiend Qi from the New Army.

But just when it seemed all hope was lost, a new path revealed itself. Unbeknownst to Zhong Ming, the Celestial Sea King had been watching him the entire time.

Seeing that Zhong Ming, upon hearing he was to march to the Northern Wilderness for a life-or-death battle against the Quanrong and Evil Spirits, showed not a trace of fear or anxiety—but instead had eyes burning with fervent battle lust—the Celestial Sea King couldn’t help but smile in approval.

Then, as if a thought occurred to him, he waved his hand to dismiss the crowd to prepare their troops, keeping only Zhong Ming behind. His tone was gentle yet carried the firm confidence of a superior, like an elder giving praise. "Honorable and loyal, and fearless in battle. Zhong Ming, you are quite impressive."

"I have always valued the capable and have never been stingy with my rewards. You’ve just reached Foundation Establishment, a critical time for Forging Evil and Condensing Gang. I imagine you must be in need of high-quality Sha Qi, correct?"

Without waiting for Zhong Ming to respond, he continued, "As it happens, I have a batch of high-quality Sha Qi. I’m going to give you an opportunity. In a moment, I will release all of this Sha Qi. Whatever you can absorb is yours."

"Huh?" Zhong Ming froze at his words and blurted out, "This... isn’t that a bit improper?"

"No matter," the Celestial Sea King said, waving his hand with a nonchalant air. "This Sha Qi is part of the military resources allocated by the Frost Moon Immortal Dynasty. It’s meant to be used one way or another. Rather than letting it be wasted on the mediocre, it’s better to give it to a promising talent like you. That way, it’s put to its best use."

Using the Immortal Dynasty’s military provisions to curry favor, ingratiating himself with Zhong Ming while also forming a bond with such a promising junior—it was a bargain the Celestial Sea King was more than happy to make.

Besides, he didn’t truly believe Zhong Ming could absorb that much anyway.

’Sha Qi may be the essence of heaven and earth, greatly beneficial to a Cultivator’s Body Forging and Gang Condensation, but this primordial energy, refined from the depths of the earth’s ley lines, is ultimately incompatible with the human body.’

’A Cultivator must be methodical when Refining Evil, like simmering a stew over a low fire. If one gets greedy and tries to absorb too much at once, the inherent nature of the Sha Qi will inevitably lead to all sorts of calamities.’

’Either their body will be petrified by stone Sha, turning them into a lifeless statue, or they’ll be scorched by fire Sha, their meridians obliterated and their foundation ruined.’

’Faced with such dangers, even someone with extraordinary Talent like Zhong Ming wouldn’t dare act recklessly. The amount he can absorb is bound to be limited.’

Beyond that, the Celestial Sea King had an even deeper scheme in mind.

He was certain that once a peerless genius like Zhong Ming experienced the profound power of high-quality Sha Qi firsthand, he would never again be content with refining low-grade Sha Qi just to get by. Once you’ve seen the ocean, it’s hard to be impressed by a river.

And since he controlled the distribution of military supplies, a vast amount of celestial-grade Sha Qi was in his hands. If Zhong Ming wanted more of such a treasure, pledging allegiance to him would be the most direct path.

’Zhong Ming, in the end, you will be mine to command!’