103: Chen Xu breaks through to become a Nascent Soul True Monarch!

Chapter 134: Myriad Armies as Protectors, Breaking Through on the Spot!

The army returned victorious, their banners obscuring the sun.

Along the official road from the Northern Territory to the Capital, an endless steel torrent was slowly advancing.

Joy of surviving a catastrophe and pride of achieving merit filled the face of every soldier.

They puffed out their chests, their weapons polished to a shine.

By the roadside, countless Great Feng Dynasty commoners came spontaneously.

They carried wine and food, casting the most reverent gazes upon the battle-hardened army.

"Imperial Tutor is mighty!"

"Long live the Great Feng Dynasty!"

Cheers like mountain roars and sea tides rose and fell.

Inside the commander's tent on the flying boat Magical Artifact, a simple commendation ceremony was underway.

"Marquis Zhenbei, you have defended the territory with merit and shown commendable loyalty and courage. Upon returning to the Capital, you will be reinstated to your original position, rewarded with ten thousand gold, and a thousand bolts of brocade."

Chen Xu sat in the commander's seat, his voice calm.

"This subordinate... thanks the Imperial Tutor!"

Marquis Zhenbei, this iron-blooded marquis, now had red eyes and a choked voice.

He knelt heavily.

He knew that this was not just an award, but the Imperial Tutor personally clearing him of all his grievances.

"Li Hu, Wang Bao, you fought bravely in battle; each of you is promoted one rank and rewarded with a thousand gold."

"Thanks, Imperial Tutor!"

Li Hu and Wang Bao were so excited their faces turned red, and they also knelt to express their gratitude.

Chen Xu's gaze finally fell upon his son, Chen Daoxuan.

At this moment, Chen Daoxuan, after the battle in Soul Severing Valley, had broken through in battle, and his temperament became even more profound and sharp.

He stood there like a sharp sword about to be unsheathed.

"Chen Daoxuan."

"Your son is here."

Chen Daoxuan stepped forward and bowed.

"In Soul Severing Valley, you slew a Nascent Soul Demonic General in battle, earning the greatest merit for the army's victory."

Chen Xu looked at him, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"Your Majesty has issued an edict, conferring upon you the title of... Marquis of Champions!"

"With an estate of ten thousand households, and the right to establish your own mansion and territory!"

Marquis of Champions!

As these three words were spoken, the breathing within the entire commander's tent momentarily ceased!

Marquis of Champions!

This was an unprecedented supreme honor since the founding of the Great Feng Dynasty!

What immense favor this was!

Chen Daoxuan's heart skipped a beat.

A surge of hot blood rushed to his head.

"Your son, thanks father!"

"Thanks Your Majesty for your great grace!"

Chen Daoxuan knelt on one knee, his voice strong and clear, no longer bearing any youthful immaturity.

After the awards were concluded, everyone withdrew.

Inside the commander's tent, only Chen Xu remained.

Night gradually deepened.

Outside the tent were the joyful sounds of soldiers celebrating victory, but inside, there was silence.

Chen Xu did not rest.

He closed his eyes, and scenes from this battle quickly flowed through his mind like a scroll.

From being entrusted with a critical mission at Heavenly Wolf Pass, to the initial display of the Star Guards' prowess.

From drawing the firewood from under the cauldron by burning Black Wind Gorge, to setting an ambush and slaying generals in Soul Severing Valley.

Finally, there was the earth-shattering battle with Pojun Demon Lord.

That battle was the most difficult he had fought since his Transmigration, and also the most exhilarating!

Pojun Demon Lord's war Domain, that terrifying power gathered from millions of military souls and battlefield Evil Qi.

If he hadn't comprehended the Nascent Sword Domain and possessed the Primordial Violet Qi, a bane to all Laws, the outcome would still be unknown.

"Domain... this is the true power of a Nascent Soul Cultivator."

Chen Xu muttered to himself.

He could feel that the clash of Laws with Pojun Demon Lord had elevated his understanding of power, Sword Dao, and life and death to an unprecedented height.

His state of mind quietly reached Perfection in this baptism of blood and fire.

The next moment, he suddenly opened his eyes!

He could clearly feel that within his Dantian Qi Sea, the Primordial Chaos Golden Core, wreathed in violet Qi, was violently pulsating.

It was like an egg about to hatch.

The eggshell was already covered with cracks.

Only a little external force was needed for it to break out of its shell and transform into a Nascent Soul, reborn!

The opportunity for Breakthrough had arrived!

Not a moment too early, not a moment too late!

It was now!

A look of determination flashed in Chen Xu's eyes.

Without the slightest hesitation, with a thought, a piece of tea leaf, yellow and profound in color, as if carrying the ultimate truth of heaven and earth, appeared out of thin air in his palm.

System reward, enlightenment ancient tea!

The moment the tea leaf appeared, an indescribably clear fragrance instantly permeated the entire commander's tent.

Just by smelling this aroma, Chen Xu felt his mind, which had been taut from successive major battles, instantly become clear and serene.

Countless insights into Sword Dao flowed through his heart.

This is it!

Chen Xu looked at the tea leaf in his hand and made a decision that would drive the entire Cultivation world crazy.

Not returning to the Capital!

Not searching for a spiritual mountain or blessed land!

Right here, on the way back to the court after the victory!

Amidst these myriad armies, he would enter seclusion on the spot and assault the Nascent Soul Realm!

He wanted to use this method to declare his invincible confidence to the world!

And even more, to use this method... to tell the enemies hidden in the shadows that he, Chen Xu, feared no petty villains!

"Come!"

Chen Xu's voice was not loud, but it clearly spread throughout the entire camp.

The next second, three figures simultaneously appeared inside the commander's tent.

They were Chu Xuan, Daoist Yuqing, and Chen Daoxuan, who had just been titled Marquis of Champions.

"Greetings, Patriarch!"

"Greetings, Father!"

The three knelt on one knee, their expressions respectful.

"Deliver my order."

Chen Xu's gaze swept over the three, and he directly commanded.

"From this moment on, the army will cease its advance and set up camp on the spot."

"With my commander's tent as the center, set up defenses layer by layer."

"The Star Guards will defend the inner circle, the Northern Expedition Army the outer, forming a military Formation to isolate all internal and external Qi."

"I am going into seclusion."

What?!

Seclusion?!

Here?

The three looked up sharply, their faces filled with shock.

Entering seclusion to break through a Realm amidst ten thousand armies?

This... this was too crazy!

A Cultivator's Breakthrough of a major Realm was the most dangerous, and disturbance was most taboo.

They would always seek a blessed land with abundant Spiritual Qi and extreme secrecy, set up layers of Formations, before daring to attempt it.

But the Imperial Tutor actually wanted to assault the Nascent Soul Realm in this wilderness, under the very noses of hundreds of thousands of soldiers?

What courage!

What dominance!

After a brief moment of shock, the three did not ask a single word.

"Yes, sir!"

They responded in unison. For their father, or Patriarch, they never doubted, only obeyed.

The Imperial Tutor's decision was destiny!

All they had to do was execute it!

The order was quickly relayed.

The entire marching army of one hundred thousand instantly halted.

All the soldiers were stunned.

"What's going on? Why aren't we moving?"

"I heard that Imperial Tutor is going into seclusion!"

"What? Going into seclusion here? To assault the Nascent... Nascent Soul Realm?"

This news exploded throughout the army!

After a brief uproar, there was absolute silence!

"Quick! Form the Formation!"

"Shield-bearers in front, archers behind!"

"Protect the Imperial Tutor!"

There was no need for the generals to urge them.

One hundred thousand battle-hardened, iron-blooded soldiers spontaneously took action.

They formed circle after circle around Chen Xu's commander's tent.

Shields like walls, spears like a forest!

Solidified waves of iron-blooded Evil Qi surged skyward from their bodies!

Three thousand Star Guards, under Chu Xuan's command, occupied the innermost core position.

They formed the Star Guard Grand Formation, and the Qi of three thousand people instantly merged into one, transforming into a dark blue light curtain that firmly enveloped the entire commander's tent.

Thirty-six Golden Core Cultivators of the Tiangang Squad, led by Daoist Yuqing, transformed into thirty-six streaks of light, diving into various nodes of the military Formation, hidden in the shadows, like the most vigilant hunters, monitoring every rustle of wind and grass in the surroundings.

One hundred thousand soldiers, three thousand personal guards, thirty-six Golden Core Cultivators!

They used their flesh and blood to build the strongest city wall for Chen Xu!

However, this was not over yet!

Boom!!!

The moment the military Formation took shape, the iron-blooded Evil Qi gathered from the hundred thousand soldiers seemed to be drawn by some invisible force.

In the sky, it converged into a boundless sea of blood-colored clouds!

The cloud sea churned, and thunder rumbled!

"Roar—!!!"

An earth-shattering roar suddenly erupted from the depths of the blood clouds!

The blood-colored cloud sea violently writhed, actually transforming into a monstrous giant beast, so massive it obscured the sky and sun!

The beast had a tiger's head, a Dragon's body, Qilin's feet, and was covered in dark red scales. Its eyes were like two blood-colored suns!

War Beast!

This was the materialized will of a hundred thousand iron-blooded military souls!

It coiled above the commander's tent, gazing down at the vast land with cold, majestic eyes.

Any enemy daring to approach this place and disturb the existence below would suffer its world-destroying wrath!

With iron-blooded military souls as Protectors!

This was an unprecedented sight in the history of Cultivation, never before heard of or seen!

In the distance, Murong Zhuyun, who had been quietly following the army, saw this scene, and her beautiful face was also filled with shock!

"Inciting military souls to form a guardian..."

"How... how did he do it?"

"This is no longer the method of a Cultivator; this is... this is a true God of War!"

She looked at the commander's tent, shrouded by the phantom of the War Beast, and at that calm figure, and a monstrous wave rose in her heart.

She suddenly understood that the three great Sects betting on Chen Xu was the most correct decision they had made in ten thousand years!

Inside the commander's tent, Chen Xu seemed oblivious to everything outside.

He flicked his finger, and a small ball of Southern Brightness Leaving Fire appeared out of thin air, hovering beneath a teapot.

He then took out a bottle of ten-thousand-year-old spiritual spring water and poured it into the pot.

Using Dao fire as fire, and spiritual spring water as water.

The moment the spring water boiled, he gently placed the enlightenment ancient tea leaf into the pot.

Buzz—!

The moment the tea leaf entered the water, the entire teapot emitted a soft hum.

A profound and mysterious Daorhyme instantly exploded within the entire commander's tent!

On the tent's fabric, countless tiny runes seemed to flow and perish.

Even the dust on the ground seemed to contain some peculiar pattern.

Chen Xu picked up the teacup and drained the tea, which had a faint yellow-brown color.

Boom!!!

As the tea entered his throat, Chen Xu's mind felt as if billions of stars had exploded at the same time!

His consciousness was instantly pulled into an endless Chaos.

There was no time, no space, no heaven and earth, no myriad things here.

There were only fragments of Law, rapidly flowing before his eyes.

He saw fire.

That was not flames, but the Law representing "burning" and "destruction."

He saw water.

That was not flowing water, but the Law representing "nourishment" and "inclusiveness."

He saw wind, he saw thunder, he saw metal, wood, water, fire, earth... and he even saw his most familiar... those crisscrossing, incomparably sharp Laws of Sword!

With the help of the enlightenment ancient tea, Chen Xu's understanding of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth was rapidly ascending at an unbelievable speed!

He was immersed in this profound Realm, unaware of how much time had passed.

Perhaps it was an instant, or perhaps it was ten thousand years.

Finally.

He moved.

His consciousness, which had been in Chaos, suddenly returned to his Physical Body!

He unhesitatingly circulated the Myriad Ages Evergreen Art, guiding the surging magical power within his body like a great river.

Enveloping the myriad Law powers he had just comprehended.

Towards the Golden Core in his Dantian Qi Sea, which emitted Primordial Violet Qi.

He fiercely crashed into it!

Shattering the Core to form a Nascent Soul!

Breaking down to rebuild!

This was the most perilous and crucial step in the path of Cultivation!

A narrow escape from death!

If he succeeded, his Lifespan would greatly increase, Divine Abilities would form naturally, and he would roam freely between Heaven and Earth.

He would be a terrestrial Immortal!

If he failed, his Core would be destroyed, his Divine Soul would perish, and all his arduous Cultivation would turn to naught!

"Break for me!"

Chen Xu roared in his heart!

Crack!!!

A crisp cracking sound suddenly erupted from deep within his Dantian!

Upon that smooth and full.

Indestructible Primordial Golden Core.

A crack suddenly appeared!

It's done!

The first step is done!

Chen Xu rejoiced, but dared not relax in the slightest.

He continued to guide his magical power, impacting the Golden Core again and again.

Crack!

Crack! Crack!

The cracks on the Golden Core became more numerous and denser!

Instantly covering the entire surface of the Golden Core!

However, just as the Golden Core was about to completely shatter!

A terrifying Spiritual Qi storm suddenly brewed and grew wildly from the core of the crumbling Golden Core...

That power was too violent! Too immense!

As if it could completely lose control at any moment!

Once it lost control, the consequences... would be unimaginable!

Chen Xu's entire Physical Body would be blasted into dust by this power, from the inside out!

Not even a trace of his Divine Soul would remain!

The most dangerous step of shattering the Core to form a Nascent Soul had arrived!

"Crack!"

A bloodline appeared on Chen Xu's forehead without warning.

Immediately after.

"Crack! Crack!"

More bloodlines spread wildly across his neck, arms, and chest.

Like a porcelain object about to shatter!

Excruciating pain came from every inch of his flesh and blood.

As if billions of ants were gnawing at his Divine Soul.

Trying to tear his consciousness apart!

Outside the command tent.

The faint blue light curtain of the protective Formation, formed by three thousand Star Guards, flickered violently at this moment.

Visible cracks even appeared on the light curtain!

"No! The Family Head's power is out of control!"

Chu Xuan's face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

As the core of the Formation, he bore the greatest pressure.

He could feel a violent Spiritual Qi, powerful enough to destroy everything.

Brewing wildly inside the command tent!

"Hold steady! Everyone, hold the Formation steady at all costs!"

Daoist Yuqing shouted sternly.

The thirty-six Golden Core Elders of the Tiangang Squad unhesitatingly poured their Spiritual Qi into the military Formation.

Above the sky.

The colossal war beast, condensed from the Evil Qi of one hundred thousand military souls, let out an uneasy growl.

Its blood-red eyes stared at the command tent below.

Its massive body circled anxiously.

Even it felt the destructive aura that could threaten itself!

Among the great army, the one hundred thousand soldiers felt a tightness in their chests, as if a great mountain was pressing on their hearts.

Making them unable to breathe!

"Father..."

Chen Daoxuan clenched his fists tightly, his eyes bloodshot, looking towards the command tent.

Father!

You can do it!

Inside the command tent.

Chen Xu's consciousness was on the verge of collapse.

His Physical Body had reached its limit under the impact of the energy storm.

He could even feel that the cracked Primordial Golden Core in his Dantian.

Was about to completely explode in the next second!

Once it exploded, let alone this small command tent.

The entire area within a hundred li would be razed to the ground!

Everyone would be buried with him!

Just at this critical, life-or-death moment!

An unexpected change occurred!

Buzz—!

At the very center of the about-to-explode Primordial Golden Core.

A faint wisp of Primordial Violet Qi Origin.

Suddenly, it lit up!

It was no longer faint, no longer dormant.

It rose like a purple sun, erupting in Chen Xu's Dantian!

That light was domineering! Supreme!

The moment the purple light bloomed, the energy storm, so violent it was about to tear Heaven and Earth apart.

Seemed to have been paused.

Time, at this moment, solidified!

Immediately after.

From within that purple sun, billions of slender purple threads extended.

These threads were like a purple net covering Heaven and Earth.

And like a purple black hole devouring all things.

With an undeniable posture, they enveloped all the violent Spiritual Qi, the fragments of the Golden Core, Chen Xu's Divine Soul, his comprehension of the Sword Dao... everything, completely!

Then, they contracted wildly inwards!

Suppression! Fusion!

That power, capable of destroying Heaven and Earth, was before this wisp of purple light.

Extremely docile!

The piercing pain instantly vanished.

It was immediately replaced by an unprecedented sense of control.

An absolute control of wielding the universe, where words became Law!

Chen Xu's dissipating consciousness instantly cleared.

Enlightened, he immediately guided this power, suppressed by the Primordial Violet Qi, according to the methods of the Myriad Ages Evergreen Art.

To begin the final reshaping and condensation!

The shattered Golden Core fragments.

Were crushed into Spiritual Qi dust by the purple Qi.

His Divine Soul, his Sword Intent, all his insights in this life, under the medicinal power of the enlightenment ancient tea.

Perfectly fused with these Spiritual Qi dust particles.

A brand new life form.

Was slowly gestating within his Dantian.

After an unknown period of time.

A small figure, about three inches tall, entirely crystal clear, shining with a faint halo of Primordial Violet Qi, slowly opened its eyes in the center of his Dantian Qi Sea.

That small figure had the exact same face as Chen Xu.

He sat cross-legged, within his eyes.

Billions of stars seemed to be born and perish, revolving.

Profound purple runes flowed over his body.

As if he himself was condensed from the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth!

Primordial Chaos Nascent Soul!

It's done!

The moment the Nascent Soul formed!

Boom!!!

An awe-inspiring aura, far surpassing that of ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivators, even grander than Pojun Demon Lord's Clone.

And even more pure.

Shot up into the sky, centered on Chen Xu!

That aura directly tore through the dome of the command tent, penetrated the Star Guards Formation.

And shattered the blood-red cloud sea in the sky!

The next second!

Heaven and Earth changed color!

In the eastern sky, a vast purple Qi, like a surging river, rolled in!

Purple Qi coming from the East for three thousand li!

Above the firmament, a drizzling rain fell out of nowhere.

The rainwater was actually transformed from pure Spiritual Qi, carrying rich vitality!

Heavenly Sweet Dew!

On the ground, golden lotus flowers emerged from the Void Realm, bloomed.

And then dissipated.

Golden Lotuses gushing from the Earth!

"Roar—!"

Above the sky, that colossal war beast that covered the sky and sun.

The moment it sensed this aura.

Let out a respectful growl!

This world-shaking celestial phenomenon stunned everyone!

"This... this is..."

Chu Xuan and the others gaped, shocked beyond measure.

"Nascent Soul! The Family Head has broken through to Nascent Soul!"

"But... but when ordinary Cultivators break through to Nascent Soul, there's no such terrifying display!"

Among the army, the one hundred thousand soldiers bathed in the sweet dew felt comfortable all over.

The fatigue and internal injuries from days of continuous battle were all swept away at this moment!

Some veteran soldiers, stuck at a Bottleneck for many years, even felt the shackles within them loosen.

Their Cultivation broke through on the spot!

"A miracle! This is a miracle bestowed by His Majesty the Imperial Tutor!"

"Long live the Imperial Tutor!"

Cheers, like mountains roaring and seas surging, rose again.

More fervent than any previous time!

In the distance, on the mountaintop.

Murong Zhuyun, in a white dress, looked at the magnificent scene of purple Qi coming from the East for three thousand li, at the sweet dew falling universally.

The sacred scene of golden lotuses covering the ground.

On her beautiful face, only endless shock remained.

"To cause the Laws of Heaven and Earth to celebrate..."

"What exactly is his Dao? How can it receive such recognition from Heaven and Earth?"

She murmured to herself, her heart filled with unparalleled shock!

...Inside the command tent.

Chen Xu slowly opened his eyes.

He felt the surging power contained within the Primordial Chaos Nascent Soul in his Dantian Qi Sea.

That power was more than ten times stronger than when he was at the Peak of the Golden Core Stage!

With a thought.

His Divine Sense instantly spread out!

One li, ten li, a hundred li, a thousand li!

The entire Northern Wilderness, that battlefield strewn with corpses, the majestic Heavenly Wolf Pass.

Even the more distant lands shrouded in Devilish Qi... everything was as clear as lines on his palm under his Divine Sense!

He could even see an ant carrying food.

He could hear the sound of a dewdrop sliding from a blade of grass.

This is a Nascent Soul!

No!

Chen Xu slowly clenched his fist.

Space, slightly twisted in his palm.

This, is my Nascent Soul!

He could feel that he had no gap with Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators like Pojun Demon Lord.

In fact, he was even superior!

From this moment on, he truly stepped into the ranks of the top powerhouses of this world!

Just as Chen Xu was stabilizing his Realm... and familiarizing himself with the surging power within his body.

Buzz!!!

Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, the map that had been silent since Chen Daoxuan and Chen Daochu obtained it from the Qingyun Immortal Sect Secret Realm, recording various secrets of the Purple Mansion Dao Lord.

Began to vibrate violently without warning!

Streaks of dazzling purple light erupted from the map.

Almost illuminating his Sea of Consciousness!

The previously blurred map patterns, like seeing flowers through a mist.

After Chen Xu's promotion to Nascent Soul, under the illumination of the purple light.

Finally revealed its true appearance!

It was an incomparably vast, boundless star map encompassing mountains, rivers, seas, sun, moon, and stars!

On the star map, a previously dim point.

Was completely lit up at this moment, emitting a scorching radiance!