Chapter 1659: Yan Kang's Heavy Weapon

The crisis in Yuanjie arrived swiftly and receded just as quickly. Ancestral God King and Xu Tianzun retreated one after another, leaving chaos in their wake. Soldiers from Yankang and Wuyou Township cleared the battlefield, discovering heavy casualties on both sides. Emperor Yenfeng was furious and immediately ordered the cleansing of ghost realms throughout Yuanjie.

The reason Youdu was able to invade so smoothly this time was primarily because, during the Battle of Youdu, the fiends, demons, and ghost gods from Youdu had infiltrated Yuanjie and its affiliated heavens, forming numerous ghost realms. Furthermore, after Tubo's death, no one guided the lost souls into Youdu, causing the ghost realms' influence to expand rapidly. Previously, the ghost realms were merely a minor nuisance, but during this invasion, they became conduits for Youdu's forces, accounting for a significant portion of Yuanjie's casualties.

Forces from various parts of Yuanjie and its affiliated heavens were immediately mobilized to wipe out the numerous lurking corrupted enclaves. Meanwhile, You Tianzun and Qin Fengqing established Yuanjie Youdu to guide the lost souls from these ghost realms into Youdu, where good would be rewarded and evil punished. Soldiers who died in battle were guided to Fengdu to become ghost soldiers, forming a considerable force.

"Guiding souls into Yuanjie Youdu is no different from Tubo's actions and will increase the burden on Yuanjie Youdu." Yama presented a memorial to Emperor Diyi Yue, stating, "If this continues, Yuanjie Youdu will become overcrowded with ghosts. Without Tubo's power, Qin Fengqing will eventually be unable to suppress them, and Yuanjie Youdu will inevitably face trouble in the future. This must not be overlooked."

Emperor Diyi Yue summoned Celestial Master Wen Tiange and asked, "Does the Saintly Master have any insights?" Wen Tiange replied, "I've heard that Yankang's Mu Tianzun has cultivated the Path of Reincarnation. Based on this, a treasure could be forged to allow the souls of all beings to reincarnate throughout the myriad heavens and realms, punishing evil and promoting good."

Emperor Diyi Yue traveled to Yankang to meet Emperor Yenfeng and discuss the matter. Emperor Yenfeng smiled, "Emperor Kaihuang, there's no need to worry; this treasure is already being forged." Emperor Diyi Yue was surprised and asked, "When was it started?" Emperor Yenfeng explained, "Ever since the defeat in the Battle of Youdu, Emperor Yanxiu and Mu Tianzun ordered Yankang's major manufacturing plants to forge various heavy armaments in preparation for future wars. This treasure is one of them. Yankang's skilled craftsmen have been forging day and night, and many of these armaments are already taking shape."

Emperor Diyi Yue asked, "May I go and see?" Emperor Yenfeng gladly led her to the Jinjiang Manufacturing Plant. Along both banks of the Jinjiang River, giant manufacturing plants stretched in rows like long dragons. Countless multi-decked ships shuttled back and forth on the river, some of which were so large they carried only a single divine artifact component! The ships carrying divine artifact components arrived at the largest Divine Mechanism Manufacturing Plant, where it took dozens of gods working together to unload a single component.

Here, Emperor Diyi Yue saw a colossal divine artifact taking shape, dozens of times larger than the altar of the Celestial Court's largest divine artifact, the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge. It was magnificent and grand. Emperor Diyi Yue looked up, utterly awestruck. The upper part of this incredibly complex circular wheel already pierced the clouds, taller than Yankang's Upper Capital, which was built on the canopy of the Primordial Wood! Many Yankang gods, projecting their primordial spirits, collaboratively lifted giant components, flying them into the sky to embed them onto the circular wheel. Many other gods were busy aligning runes. Even though those components were extremely large, they still appeared minuscule compared to the circular wheel.

"This is probably the greatest marvel and heavy armament of the last twenty thousand years!" Emperor Diyi Yue praised it sincerely, "To manufacture such a massive armament requires an incredibly powerful divine kingdom and the close cooperation of tens of thousands of industries. The Kaihuang Era could also produce such armaments, but it's no longer possible now." She sighed with emotion, smiling bitterly, "Wuyou Township now lacks these industries. Your Majesty, what is the name of this armament?"

"The Six Paths Celestial Wheel, which governs life, death, and reincarnation." Emperor Yenfeng smiled, "In the future, once this divine artifact is forged, it can permanently suppress Yuanjie Youdu, making it difficult for ghost gods to cause trouble. Moreover, its power will be incredibly vast. Mu Tianzun says that once this artifact is complete, Tubo Qin Fengqing will be able to directly contend with Xu Tianzun. As for victory or defeat, that will depend on Qin Fengqing's cultivation." Emperor Diyi Yue nodded silently.

Emperor Yenfeng continued, "However, the Six Paths Celestial Wheel is not the only divine artifact currently under construction. In addition, there are dozens of other divine artifacts, many of which are not much smaller than this one." Emperor Diyi Yue was deeply shaken. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "May I ask how many heavens Yankang governs?" Her question was, in essence, about Yankang's financial strength. In the Kaihuang Era, they ruled thirty-three heavens and commanded over a hundred other heavens. Yet, Kaihuang's financial resources were only sufficient to forge a single massive armament like Wuyou Township, and after its completion, forging two Transcendent Divine Boats completely depleted their treasury!

"Yankang governs only forty-six heavens," Emperor Yenfeng replied. Emperor Yenfeng led her to see other armaments. They passed through a teleportation gate and arrived at the Jiangling Manufacturing Plant, which was equally magnificent, with manufacturing plants as numerous as trees in a forest. Emperor Yenfeng explained, "However, over two thousand seven hundred heavens have established trade agreements with Yankang. More than two thousand of these heavens engage in economic and trade exchanges with Yankang. Coupled with the mineral purchases over the years, although Yankang directly controls fewer heavens, its financial strength is still sufficient to support these endeavors."

Emperor Diyi Yue nodded silently. Suddenly, she spotted a familiar armament and exclaimed, "A Creation Divine Artifact?" It was a divine artifact resembling the Creation Divine Artifact of the Celestial Court's Zaofu Celestial Palace, though smaller and with significant differences. Five mountain-like supports held eight circular wheels in the center. These five supports appeared to be five mineral veins, branded with various runic marks, fundamentally differing in structure from the Creation Divine Artifact of old.

"This Creation Divine Artifact was improved by Mu Tianzun and Ling Tianzun," Emperor Yenfeng stated. Emperor Yenfeng added, "It can be used to forge divine artifacts capable of rivaling Celestial Venerables. Lan Yutian was here recently, and Dao Master Lin Xuan led many Daoists to map him; they are likely nearing completion. Emperor Kaihuang, please look over there."

Emperor Diyi Yue followed him, flying over. She saw another manufacturing plant constructing a colossal warship, no less massive than the Ark of the Other Shore. The unique feature of this battleship was its ability to split into countless smaller vessels at any time, launching separate attacks. The ships resembled countless modules that could be assembled at any time to form an unparalleled colossal battleship.

"This is the Celestial River Pagoda, designed by old Cult Master Wei Suifeng to counter the Celestial River Navy. We plan to build five of them," Emperor Yenfeng said, "The first one is almost complete." Emperor Diyi Yue's eyes gleamed as she said, "Lend two of them for Wuyou Township's use." Emperor Yenfeng smiled, "Of course. Please, this way."

Emperor Diyi Yue then saw numerous Vermilion Bird chariots, designed to counter the Xuan Capital Sun Guardian. She even saw Southern Emperor Vermilion Bird herself there, helping the celestial artisans at the manufacturing plants design the chariots. In addition, she saw various Northern Emperor Divine Weapons. Unlike traditional Northern Emperor Divine Weapons, which used a gourd from the Ancestral Court to contain the Five Great Cloud Thunders, the Northern Emperor Divine Weapons forged by Yankang's manufacturing plants were made from divine metals and materials, imbued with runes, and shaped like gourds. These manufacturing plants were also forging Azure Dragon Divine Weapons, which were pagoda-shaped treasures, and White Tiger Divine Weapons, which were horn-shaped treasures.

They then arrived at the Yongjiang Manufacturing Plant near Tiansheng Academy and Yongjiang Academy, which was a sanctuary for formations and divine arts. The Yongjiang Manufacturing Plant was constructing colossal formation diagrams. "These formation diagrams are designed by Divine Spear leading Yankang's formation masters. Each diagram incorporates a Celestial Palace-level cultivation method, and if there's enough magic power, it can unleash the power of an Emperor's Throne expert."

Emperor Yenfeng explained, "However, these formation diagrams require armies of gods and devils to enter the formation and work together to unleash their full power. Control over the formation is crucial. Divine Spear and Yankang's formation masters have already designed over two hundred types of Celestial Palace formation diagrams. More importantly, these two hundred-plus diagrams can be combined to form various grand Celestial Courts." Emperor Diyi Yue exhaled slowly, murmuring, "If there are enough gods and devils, could they simulate the battle power of a Celestial Venerable?"

"Theoretically, yes," Emperor Yenfeng replied. His expression turned somber. "However, Yankang's number of gods and devils is probably insufficient to unleash the full power of all the formation diagrams. After over a century of development, Yankang's number of deities is still far inferior to that of the Celestial Court." Emperor Diyi Yue quickly said, "Wuyou Township needs a set of Grand Celestial Court formation diagrams, capable of forming a perfect Celestial Court!"

Emperor Yenfeng smiled, "That's not difficult. The manufacturing plants at Tiansheng Academy have also built some cloud chariots. These chariots are equipped with sword towers, each containing five thousand sword pellets, and each pellet contains two thousand swords. These cloud chariots are used for ground clearing operations and sky blockade. Does Emperor Kaihuang need some as well?" Emperor Diyi Yue emphatically declared, "Yes! The more, the better!"

"Lijiang Manufacturing Plant also has some good things, Emperor Kaihuang, please!" Emperor Yenfeng gestured. "There's more?" Emperor Diyi Yue suppressed her shock and followed him through the teleportation portal leading to Lijiang Academy. "The climate here in Lijiang is suitable, so most manufacturing plants focus on refining medicine, supplemented by other types of plants," Emperor Yenfeng explained.

Emperor Yenfeng led her to the Lijiang Manufacturing Plant. There, colossal alchemy furnaces burned day and night, and numerous alchemists worked diligently, refining various spirit pills and sealing them away. "This area is overseen by the Medicine King God, Poison Master Mu Yingxue, and Little Poison King Fu Yuanqing. They specialize in refining all sorts of spiritual elixirs, miraculous medicines, and poisons." Emperor Yenfeng said, "Casualties are inevitable on the battlefield, so life-saving spiritual medicines are indispensable."

"Yes!" Emperor Diyi Yue stated emphatically, then added sheepishly, "Your Majesty, can poisons kill gods and devils?" Emperor Yenfeng smiled, "It's not difficult. Injuries are unavoidable during combat; simply apply some potent poison to divine weapons. Does Emperor Kaihuang need some as well?" "The more, the better!" Emperor Yenfeng then asked, "Emperor Kaihuang, have you heard of the Path of Painting? I'll take you to the Painting Sage Pavilion to see. The Painting Sage is currently depicting the geographical maps of the heavens and realms."

Above Gui Xu, thirty-six layers of void opened up, and the Spiritual Consciousness Grand Overarching Heaven appeared. Yun Tianzun stood beneath the Dao tree, gazing at Gui Xu. Suddenly, his body became unstable, nearly being pulled into Gui Xu along with his Grand Overarching Heaven, startling him. "Mu Tianzun truly thinks highly of me, sending me to rescue Xu Tianzun. This Gui Xu is a dead end even for enlightened beings; it can even devour the ultimate void!" He steadied himself and looked down, seeing layer upon layer of void being captured by Gui Xu and pulled into its depths. He instinctively sensed danger. Gui Xu, this mysterious place, could destroy even the ultimate void and posed immense lethality to the Grand Overarching Heavens and Dao trees of enlightened beings. He had to proceed cautiously.

After a moment, Yun Tianzun, taking advantage of a Gui Xu tide eruption, emerged from the void and stood beside the Great Abyss, gazing down. He couldn't discern how deep Gui Xu truly was. "Ling Tianzun has been here before; there are traces of her divine arts." Yun Tianzun pondered for a moment. His Dao Fruit flew into his forehead, merging with the Primordial Stone, and he leaped into the Great Abyss.

At the same time, a golden ship sailed out of the chaotic space. Dao Ancestor sat at the bow and Brahma at the stern, heading towards Yuanjie. The ship was mostly filled with Buddhas and Daoists. Over the years, they had transported a portion of the Yankang people to the chaotic lands, found a small universe, settled the Yankang people, built divine cities, and cultivated crops, allowing Yankang's civilization to endure. Aboard the golden ship, besides them, were Emperor Ming and Emperor Chi, two tall and burly emperors, standing on the deck, gazing at the increasingly closer Yuanjie and the myriad heavens and realms.

Elsewhere, Bai Qionger led some gods and devils from the Emperor's Era, migrating from a heaven, undertaking a long journey to the ruins of the Emperor's Era Celestial Court. Yi Shisheng led them to pay respects at the coffins of the successive Emperors. After worshipping at these mausoleums, Bai Qionger said, "Senior Yi, I have come by order of Moon Tianzun, with a matter to inquire about. The great calamity for Yankang is imminent; can the Emperors still fight?" Yi Shisheng's face turned somber, and he said sorrowfully, "The Emperor's Era is no more! My senior brothers here have become corpse demons; they will cause chaos if they emerge. They cannot fight anymore..." Just then, the coffins began to shake. From one of the imperial coffins, a deep, eerie voice asked, "You say my master has a command; is there an imperial decree?" Bai Qionger presented Moon Tianzun's imperial decree. The imperial coffin split open, and a greenish-blue hand grasped the decree.