BOOK 2: CHAPTER 449: SECOND CLONE, TIANHE ARMY ESTABLISHED

Vol 2 Chapter 449: Second Clone, Tianhe Army Established

Idealism shines brilliantly, but reality often looks dull and grimy.

To control the Hundred Immortals Alliance using the subterranean primordial magnetism meant one thing—the entire Hundred Immortals Alliance was about to embark on an unprecedented massive infrastructure project.

This grand undertaking was destined to be arduous and messy, drenched in sweat and dirt, lacking any trace of immortal elegance.

Yet only by enduring this sweat and toil could the Jiushan Sect forge a true immortal nation among mortals.

"Uncle Pang, please conduct another survey of the Hundred Immortals Alliance together with Fairy Xiao. This time, focus especially on the distribution and direction of the earth vein primordial magnetism."

Uncle Pang and Xiao Yuying exchanged a glance and both cupped their fists in salute: "Understood!"

Everyone understood why these two were entrusted with the survey: Uncle Pang’s Void-Piercing Spirit Eye had reached its peak level, and Xiao Yuying possessed the Primordial Magnetic Dao Body.

"Elder Xuanhua."

"Present!"

"Arranging the primordial magnetism network requires designing and manufacturing specific artifacts, and also transforming the Divine Sky Flying Boats and various factories. The workload on Tiangong Pavilion will be heavy."

"Rest assured, Sect Leader!"

Zheng Fa nodded gently to Madam Xuanhua and smiled: "The current development of Jiushan Sect owes much to Tiangong Pavilion’s hard work. If you encounter any difficulties or needs, do not hesitate to come to me."

Madam Xuanhua nodded earnestly in response.

Zheng Fa then turned his gaze to the Jiushan Ancestor and Senior Sister Zhang: "Patriarch, the Lingshan Method is still somewhat rudimentary. I would like to ask you to cooperate with Senior Sister Zhang to refine it with the Innate Eight Trigrams, so it can better match the primordial magnetism network."

Even the Jiushan Ancestor, with his childlike temperament, solemnly agreed.

After Zheng Fa’s demonstration and explanation, even a child could grasp the significance of the primordial magnetism network to the entire Jiushan Sect:

In modern terms, this was a complete transportation, industrial, and defense system.

Calling it a monumental achievement for the Jiushan Sect was no exaggeration.

Everyone returned to Ziwei Yuan. The elders with assignments headed to their departments, selecting disciples and starting work.

In no time, the once-packed Tiangong Hall suddenly emptied out considerably.

"Junior Brother, what are you going to do?" Senior Sister Zhang asked.

"I have more than just the Sleeve Universe innate divine ability."

"One Qi Transforming into Three Purities?"

Indeed, it was One Qi Transforming into Three Purities. After Zheng Fa’s advancement, the power of his innate divine abilities naturally increased.

But this ability was different;

it required Zheng Fa to enter seclusion and condense another clone.

After advancing to the Great Ascension realm, Zheng Fa could form yet another clone.

Senior Sister Zhang glanced up at the Heavenly Emperor body in the sky and curiously asked, "What cultivation method will you train with this clone?"

"Tianhe Method."

"Tianhe Method..." Senior Sister Zhang’s expression changed slightly, as if she understood, "Of course, it can only be the Tianhe Method."

In Zheng Fa’s small courtyard, the Heavenly Emperor body stood outside the door, gazing at the quiet room where Zheng Fa secluded himself with some anticipation. ŕâ𐌽ŎВΕŞ

Spiritual energy surged in the courtyard. After half an incense stick’s time, rosy light shone through the window. Three golden flowers, carried by an auspicious cloud, burst through the roof of the quiet room. Among them, one flower shone with dazzling azure light.

At this moment, the golden sun hung high, its sunlight piercing the eyes.

Yet this azure light was even more radiant than the sun’s brilliance.

A faint human figure appeared within the azure glow. As the spiritual energy dissipated, the figure became more lifelike and eventually took the form of Zheng Fa.

He wore snow-white robes, stood like a lone bamboo, with a defiant expression and sharp eyes looking askance in all directions.

A scroll unfurled and folded behind him, slowly rolling up with boundless killing intent.

Ka—

The original Zheng Fa pushed the door open and walked out, glancing up with a helpless expression.

He considered himself an honest man;

the Heavenly Emperor body was a hardworking old ox, but this sword dao body was a bit flamboyant.

Indeed, this time the clone he condensed was the sword dao body. More precisely, this clone cultivated the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram as its innate treasure and trained in the Tianhe Four Veins Sword Classic.

Using the primordial magnetism network to establish a great formation was, in Zheng Fa’s view, only the Jiushan Sect’s basic defensive power.

It could handle ordinary cultivators, but against top cultivators of the Xuanwei Realm—True Immortals or even Golden Immortals—relying solely on earth vein primordial magnetism was insufficient.

The Tianhe Army or the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram were the Jiushan Sect’s trump cards.

When the Hundred Immortals Alliance began its massive infrastructure project, these means would become all the more critical.

Zheng Fa had once heard a modern joke: "While neighbors plant grain, I make guns;

the neighbors are my granary."

But if Jiushan Sect’s farming efforts ended up like this neighbor...

He would find it hard to laugh at that joke anymore.

"Still not coming down?" Seeing the sword dao body still standing on the roof, Zheng Fa asked, "How is it?"

The sword dao body leapt down from the roof, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth: "With me here, Jiushan is as steady as Mount Tai. If anyone dares to be blind, I will make sure they know—those who offend Jiushan will be exterminated no matter how far!"

"....."

Zheng Fa was speechless. This clone was far too dramatic, leaving him at a loss for words.

Beside him, the Heavenly Emperor body said softly: "I recall that clones created by One Qi Transforming into Three Purities inherit the personality traits of the original."

"You mean me? Or him?" Zheng Fa pointed at himself, then at the sword dao body. After thinking for a moment, he finally nodded and said, "You don’t understand! It must be the cultivation method influencing the cultivator!"

"....."

"This Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram’s cultivation method has issues... The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor has misled me!"

The Heavenly Emperor body looked at him for a long time, then finally let out a chuckle: "Heh."

Zheng Fa felt a bit guilty and quickly changed the subject: "Are you confident in upgrading the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram?"

The sword dao body glanced at him silently, but the corner of its mouth curled into a wider grin.

Zheng Fa sighed deeply: "You better be confident..."

His main purpose for condensing the sword dao body was to upgrade the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram.

The sword dao body, with the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram as its innate treasure, connected to the Tianhe Army through the Fangxian Formation Technique. Its power was fifty percent stronger than Zheng Fa himself.

Moreover, through the Fangxian Formation Technique, this sword dao body could gradually enhance the formation diagram at a pace far beyond what Zheng Fa could manage alone.

Currently, the power of the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram was only between top True Immortals and Golden Immortals.

Breaking through to Golden Immortal was vital for Jiushan Sect to face the future emergence of Golden Immortals.

On the other hand, Zheng Fa simply did not have time to focus solely on the formation diagram. While other cultivators might obsess over its power, he understood this formation was not his foundation, only a means of protecting the Dao.

Yet such a supreme treasure could never be entrusted to others.

Whoever controlled the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram could claim to be the Commander-in-Chief of Jiushan Sect’s armed forces. This position could only belong to Zheng Fa himself for now.

Uncle Pang had privately advised him against handing over the formation diagram to anyone, not even Senior Sister Zhang.

Uncle Pang, Elder Yu, and Uncle Huang were acceptable, and the previous disciples of Jiushan Sect could be considered.

But outsiders like Madam Xuanhua and new disciples felt differently about Senior Sister Zhang. In their eyes, Senior Sister Zhang was more of a high-ranking sect official.

If Senior Sister Zhang had any special status, it was that of her Dao companion.

Thinking this, Zheng Fa looked toward Senior Sister Zhang’s courtyard.

This shift seemed natural but was subtly driven by someone. In recent years, though Senior Sister Zhang still helped manage internal sect affairs—often more so than Zheng Fa himself—she rarely stepped into the limelight.

Just as he was lost in thought, the sword dao body suddenly interrupted: "Wait."

"Hmm?"

"He handles Jiushan Realm’s miscellaneous affairs and gathers incense offerings. I refine the formation diagram and boost strength."

"Right."

"And you?"

Zheng Fa’s expression turned serious: "I have other important matters."

The sword dao body narrowed its eyes, its gaze sharp as lightning: "What important matters?"

"Senior Sister helped me greatly in the past. Now that I’ve advanced to Great Ascension, it’s time to repay her." Zheng Fa’s face was sincere. "I will assist her cultivation."

"...Are you talking about the kind of assistance I’m thinking of?"

Zheng Fa solemnly replied: "You must understand, if Jiushan Sect gains another Great Ascension cultivator, its strength will increase further. As Sect Leader, this is my duty."

"...."

Watching Zheng Fa fly away, the sword dao body turned to the Heavenly Emperor body and, after a long pause, said: "Doesn’t this division of labor seem a bit unreasonable?"

The Heavenly Emperor body chuckled: "I agree."

"Right?"

"Should we switch?"

The sword dao body stopped complaining—training the Tianhe Method was certainly less enjoyable than dual cultivation, but the Divine Path method was hardly a human’s way to cultivate.

Three days later, Zheng Fa emerged from Senior Sister Zhang’s courtyard.

It wasn’t that he could only endure three days, but even after delegating difficult tasks to his two clones, many matters in Jiushan Sect still required his personal oversight.

One was the previously mentioned lecture on the Yellow Court Scripture.

The other, more important, was the Tianhe Army’s formation and sword bestowal ceremony.

On the training ground of Xuanwu Yuan Military Academy, 108 Nascent Souls and 436 Golden Cores stood divided into four teams.

They stood like sturdy pines and cypresses, completely silent, their breathing barely perceptible, as if united as one.

A breeze blew across the training ground, making them appear even quieter.

Yan Wushuang stood at the front of one team, his expression complex as he looked toward the stage.

On the stage, Zheng Fa stood at the forefront, with Xie Qingxue and others behind him.

Yan Wushuang’s gaze swept over Xie Qingxue’s face, seeing her expression was also somewhat indescribable, knowing she shared his thoughts:

The Four Slaying Immortal Swords... after all, they were Tianhe Sect’s greatest treasures.

Today, Zheng Fa would bestow them upon the disciples. Although he and Senior Sister Zhang were "accomplices," a hint of wistfulness lingered in his heart.

On the stage, Zheng Fa’s gaze swept over the more than five hundred disciples, as if memorizing every face.

"After military academy selection and master assessment, your sword dao skills are superb, and your character outstanding. You are pillars of the sect."

A slight stir arose among the disciples.

"By decision of the Jiushan Elders’ Council, you have all been selected for the Sword Dao Army, code-named Tianhe!"

The wind suddenly intensified, kicking up dust that blew toward Yan Wushuang and others.

Yet they didn’t blink, only their breathing grew slightly heavier.

"We hereby appoint Li Lingfeng as Chief of the Trapping Immortal Division."

"Appoint... Chief of the Slaughter Immortal Division."

"Appoint... Chief of the Absolute Immortal Division."

Yan Wushuang quietly waited and finally heard his name: "Appoint Yan Wushuang as Chief of the Slaying Immortal Division."

He knew this chief position was not permanent;

it only represented his current proficiency with the Slaying Immortal Sword Classic, surpassing others.

If a more talented individual later surpassed him, the position would slip away.

On the stage, Xie Qingxue stepped forward two paces, holding the Trapping Immortal Sword with both hands, turning to face Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa nodded gently, then extended both hands to present the Trapping Immortal Sword before calling out to the crowd:

"Chief of the Trapping Immortal Division Li Lingfeng, receive the Trapping Immortal Sword!"

A disciple stepped out of the formation, slowly ascended the stage, saluted Zheng Fa, then accepted the Trapping Immortal Sword.

"...Receive the Slaughter Immortal Sword!"

"...Receive the Absolute Immortal Sword!"

"Chief of the Slaying Immortal Division Yan Wushuang, receive the Slaying Immortal Sword!"

Yan Wushuang’s face tensed as he ascended the steps and stood before Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa looked into his eyes, smiled softly, and handed him the Slaying Immortal Sword.

Yan Wushuang took a deep breath and lifted the sword.

For a Nascent Soul like him, the Slaying Immortal Sword was naturally not heavy—yet now it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Fearful he might not hold it steady, veins bulged on his fingers.

He stood with the other three division chiefs before Zheng Fa, then turned to face the disciples below the stage.

Zheng Fa’s voice sounded behind them:

"These four swords are the supreme immortal swords of the Xuanwei Realm. Today, I entrust them to you."

"The army is named Tianhe;

you know its origin."

Zheng Fa’s words tightened Yan Wushuang’s jaw.

"Under the favor of the Tianhe Venerable, the Tianhe Method was passed to me. Today, I pass these four swords to you."

No disciple spoke, only the wind howled across the training ground.

"The Tianhe Army will be the strongest force of Jiushan Sect."

"On ordinary days, you only need to train. You are not required to execute any missions. The sect will distribute merit points accordingly."

Zheng Fa’s tone grew heavier, his voice soaring.

"The cultivation method you learn is the most powerful sword classic in Xuanwei."

"Pills, whatever you need, the sect will supply without fail."

"Immortal swords, none in the world surpass the Four Slaying Immortal Swords."

"This is your hard work, your sword dao cultivation achievements."

Many disciples’ faces displayed pride.

"But I hope you remember, the pills you consume are made by disciples within the sect."

"Even every merit point comes from the sweat of disciples in other departments."

"While you cultivate in comfort, other disciples are planting spiritual plants, crafting artifacts, refining pills, and completing missions without rest."

The pride on those disciples’ faces gradually faded.

"I also hope you remember that the Tianhe Method you practice was created by the Tianhe Venerable."

"The Four Slaying Immortal Swords are legacies of the previous era’s Tianhe Sect."

Yan Wushuang blinked.

"What you inherit should not be just the Tianhe Method and these Four Slaying Immortal Swords, understand?"

The disciples were silent for a moment, then called out together: "Understood!"

"Good." Zheng Fa nodded lightly and continued, "If one day the sect needs you to march to war, it will be a time of life or death for Jiushan Sect."

"At that time, can you risk your lives and fear no sacrifice for those disciples who silently support you?"

"Yes!"

Zheng Fa’s gaze swept over the disciples’ faces. After half an incense stick’s time, he smiled:

"I hereby announce the Tianhe Army is officially established."

"I hope you will, in the future, carve a broad and glorious path for Jiushan and for Xuanwei."

Yan Wushuang was inspired. Together with the three other division chiefs beside him, they drew their swords and shouted loudly: "For Jiushan! For Xuanwei! Carve a broad and glorious path!"

Four sword rainbows, accompanied by the disciples’ cries, tore through the wind and clouds, soaring straight into the Nine Heavens.