64: Chapter 64 Cession of Territory and Payment of Indemnities?

High in the sky, a fierce wind whistled, blowing Sect Leader Xuanjizi's Daoist robe until it snapped loudly.

He stared at the pale blue, honeycomb-shaped light barrier beneath his feet. His pupils, which had constricted due to his ineffective attacks, relaxed again, and a mocking arc curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Mere child's play."

Sect Leader Xuanjizi flicked his sleeves lightly, as if brushing away dust. "I thought it was some grand Sect protection array, but it turns out to be nothing more than a barbaric method borrowing the power of subterranean fire. This inanimate object—as long as its energy is exhausted, breaking it will be as easy as taking something out of one's pocket."

Beside him, an Elder stroked his long beard, his expression arrogant. "Sect Master, since the imperial court of this Mortal world can produce such a turtle shell, they must have some foundation. But in the face of our Kunlun's immortal might, it is ultimately like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."

"That goes without saying."

Sect Leader Xuanjizi's gaze passed over the light barrier, looking down at the jungle of steel below. There was not a shred of reverence for life in his eyes, only the cold indifference one shows toward livestock.

He grasped at the void with his right hand.

"Hum!"

A brilliant golden light condensed in his palm, instantly transforming into a golden scroll tens of zhang long. The scroll expanded against the wind, stretching across the sky above Yanjing City, blotting out the sun. Every character was formed from Spiritual Qi, the golden light so blinding that countless citizens were forced to squint.

On it were written four large characters—Ultimatum to the Mortal Realm.

Sect Leader Xuanjizi sank his Qi into his Dantian, his voice booming like a great bell, shaking the glass curtain walls of the entire city until they hummed:

"Mortal ants, listen to my decree! I, in consideration of the difficulty of your cultivation and the heavenly virtue of cherishing life, am giving you one last chance."

"If you do not wish for the entire city to be annihilated, act according to this ultimatum immediately!"

He held up three fingers, his tone brooking no doubt.

"First, immediately hand over the culprit Gu Changan and his nine generations of kin, so that I, Kunlun, may extract their souls and refine their spirits, lighting them as human lanterns for a hundred years, to serve as a warning to others!"

"Second, cede three thousand li of land west of Yanjing, and expel all Mortals so that I, Kunlun, may establish a blessed land, designating it a forbidden zone. Trespassers will be killed!"

"Third..."

Sect Leader Xuanjizi paused, a cruel smile appearing on his face. "The Mortal government must pay an annual tribute to Kunlun of ten thousand tons of Top-Grade Spirit Stone, and additionally, offer one thousand young boys and one thousand young girls for our Sect's Old Ancestor... to practice Alchemy and extend his life!"

Once these words were spoken, the entire city fell into a deathly silence.

Immediately following, an overwhelming rage erupted.

Whether it was the citizens hiding in air-raid shelters, the influencers livestreaming on their phones, or even the office workers trembling in skyscrapers, everyone was shaking with fury at these words.

Ceding territory? Paying indemnities? And they even want young boys and girls for Alchemy?!

In the online livestream chat, the comments exploded instantly, thick layers of text covering the screen.

"Holy crap! Which graveyard did this old geezer crawl out of?!"

"Young boys and girls? Does he think this is a feudal society selecting concubines? And he wants to eat people?!"

"Where is Director Gu?! Don't hold back! Blast these scumbags to hell!"

"To say such anti-human things with such self-righteousness, have these Cultivators cultivated themselves into beasts?"

"This is China! Not some bullshit Cultivation world! Get him out of here!"

The angry emotions were like a prairie fire, instantly igniting the entire city.

Just then, the massive holographic projection screen above the city suddenly flickered.

The previously dark screen instantly lit up.

The figure of Gu Changan appeared in mid-air, magnified thousands of times, standing across from Sect Leader Xuanjizi in the sky, his Aura not losing out in the slightest.

Behind him was a bright red national flag, snapping in the wind from a blower.

Gu Changan was still wearing his crisp uniform, the buttons at his collar fastened meticulously. He held his standard-issue enamel mug in his hand, his expression so indifferent it was as if he were just handling a neighborhood dispute over illegal construction.

He lifted his eyelids and, through the screen, cast a calm glance at the arrogant Cultivator.

"Ceding territory? Tribute?"

Gu Changan smiled. The smile was faint, but carried a bone-chilling coldness and no warmth. "Old man, it seems the signal in Kunlun Mountain isn't very good, causing you to miss out on the last few hundred years of history class."

He set down the teacup, the porcelain base clacking against the tabletop with a crisp "da" sound.

"The Qing Dynasty fell over a hundred years ago."

Gu Changan stood up and straightened his cuffs. Though his voice was soft, it was transmitted clearly to every corner through the loudspeakers spread across the city.

"This is the Peoples Republic of China."

"Every inch of mountain and river on this land belongs to all the people; every citizen here is under the absolute protection of the nation's laws and military."

He raised his head, his gaze suddenly becoming as sharp as a knife. "You want us to cede territory? You want to take our children for Alchemy?"

"In your dreams."

The last three words were spoken with resounding force, like a loud slap, fiercely striking Sect Leader Xuanjizi across the face.

High above, Sect Leader Xuanjizi's face turned livid instantly.

Since he began practicing the Dao, no Mortal had ever dared to speak to him like this. In his eyes, Mortals were nothing more than ants that provided resources; killing them was fine, and asking for things was a favor.

"Presumptuous!"

Sect Leader Xuanjizi let out a violent shout, his Spiritual Qi surging and scattering the surrounding clouds. "Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit! Mere ants, and you dare speak of national law? Here, my word is the law of heaven!"

"Since you are seeking death, I will grant it to you!"

He waved his sleeve fiercely, and the giant red-gold sword in his hand let out a shrill sword cry.

"All Elders, heed my order!"

"Here!"

The ten Elders at the Golden Core Stage behind him answered in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

"Form the 'Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin Array'!" Sect Leader Xuanjizi's face was twisted, his eyes revealing murderous intent. "Slaughter the city! Leave no living thing! I want to turn this Yanjing City into a dead zone!"

"As you command!"

In an instant, the ten thousand Flying Swords hovering in the sky turned their tips in unison.

Countless streams of freezing Sword Qi locked onto the city below. The air seemed to freeze, and the feeling of impending terror, as if about to be pierced by ten thousand arrows, caused countless hearts to stop beating.

"Zheng—!!!"

Ten thousand swords sang in unison, the metallic vibration sounding like a devil's shriek.

Inside the command center, red lights flashed frantically.

"Target Spiritual energy reaction has exceeded Peak values!"

"The opponent has locked onto the entire city area! Estimated time to contact: 15 seconds!"

Gu Changan stood before the large screen, watching the rain of swords falling from the sky, his expression without the slightest fluctuation.

He simply extended his finger calmly and placed it on the red physical launch button in front of him.

"The difference between immortals and Mortals?"

Gu Changan sneered, an expression of ultimate contempt for so-called divine power.

"Fine."

"Today, I will use truth to teach you country bumpkins who have never seen the world a lesson."

"This is what is called—the power of industrialization."

His finger pressed down heavily.

"Launch all missiles."

Click.

As the order was given, deep in the Western Hills on the outskirts of Yanjing, the ground collapsed with a roar.

One hundred and twenty launch silo covers, camouflaged as mountains, slid open to the sides.

At this moment, the earth trembled.

Countless fire Dragons rose from the ground accompanied by deafening roars, rolling smoke obscuring the setting sun.

That was not a Flying Sword.

That was the pinnacle of human art of slaughter—a swarm of hypersonic multiple-warhead cruise missiles.