Chapter 682: The Sole Ruler of the World

Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Jiang Zongheng's perspective suddenly broadened.

Looking at the vast map of the Eastern Barrens, he also felt that the nineteen kingdoms were indeed too numerous and too chaotic. If there were only one, the utopian world he had dreamed of while studying as a child might truly come to pass.

"Master, what do I need to do?"

An unprecedented golden age was about to begin in the Eastern Barrens, but since such a thing had never happened in history, Jiang Zongheng didn't know how to proceed. Stirred by emotion, he immediately asked for guidance.

"While the Eastern Barrens has never been unified since ancient times, the entire Eastern Domain has seen unification. What are your thoughts?"

Chen Mobai already had a comprehensive plan in mind, but he wasn't entirely sure if the Immortal Sect system could be implemented here in the Eastern Barrens. Thus, he wanted to hear the thoughts of Jiang Zongheng, his disciple who was a native of the region.

Facing the map of the Eastern Barrens before him, Jiang Zongheng pondered for a moment before speaking:

"For the realm to be unified since ancient times, there first needs to be a formidable leader capable of ending an era of chaos. This disciple is willing to venture into the mortal world to find this person and help him become the sovereign of all under heaven."

This had been Jiang Zongheng's wish since he gained wisdom, and it was also the best conclusion he had drawn based on all the dynastic history he knew of the Heavenly River Realm.

"If that is so, Zongheng, go forth into the mortal world and fulfill this great aspiration. You possess the talent for statesmanship; I, your master, believe you can achieve this."

Chen Mobai knew that reforms could only ever advance gradually. If he were to propose from the outset that there was no need for mortal dynasties, and instead, cultivators should dominate and rule the entire human world, many would likely consider him mad.

The ancient sages of the Daoist Sect from the Eastern Lands Holy Ground believed that the most suitable arrangement for this world was for the mortal realm to have its own dynasties, while the major immortal sects and families remained hidden within their spiritual vein mountains, cultivating in seclusion. Only when major natural disasters or calamities occurred would cultivators intervene, leading the mortal dynasties through their tribulations. If a dynasty's mandate was truly exhausted, then a change of dynasty would occur, and things would begin anew!

Thus, mortals belonged to mortals, and immortals belonged to immortals! The separation of immortals and mortals was the Way of Heaven!

The Daoist Sect governed the world in this manner, and every generation produced God Transformation sages.

Chen Mobai decided to first proceed according to the rules of the Heavenly River Realm. After all, the main objective now was to unify the Eastern Barrens. By using the pretext of establishing a sovereign of all under heaven, at least on the surface, they would have a reason to bring the territories of the remaining twelve kingdoms not under the Divine Wood Sect's direct control into their fold. If, after unifying the Eastern Barrens, the mortal dynasties failed to establish a truly peaceful and prosperous era, then Chen Mobai could prepare to implement the Immortal Sect system there.

"Yes, Master!"

Jiang Zongheng accepted the command and departed. Three days later, he left Beiyuan City with three scrolls of texts. With Chen Mobai, the headmaster, overseeing the Longevity Academy, Jiang Zongheng felt unburdened and departed with ease.

He first went to the Yan Kingdom to visit the local Zhao Dynasty.

Generations of the Zhao clan had been dominant on the plateau, renowned for their bravery and martial prowess. Among them, Zhao Zheng, the legitimate son of the King of Zhao, had admired immortal sects since childhood and had lived outside Beiyuan City for ten years. Unfortunately, Zhao Zheng possessed no spiritual root talent. After seeking immortality for ten years, he was ultimately unable to enter the Immortal City and could only leave disheartened, returning to inherit the throne.

Upon hearing that an immortal master had arrived, Zhao Zheng immediately gave him the warmest possible welcome.

Zhao Zheng was tall and mighty, with a resolute face and eyes like torches. Although he could not enter the immortal path after ten years of seeking, it allowed him to cultivate mortal martial arts to a pinnacle. Though young, he was already at the peak of the Xiantian realm, known as the Martial Overlord. Yet, facing Jiang Zongheng, the towering Zhao Zheng displayed a respectful attitude, showing the deference of a disciple.

"Immortal Elder, is it truly impossible to cultivate immortality without a spiritual root?"

After they met, Zhao Zheng posed a question that left Jiang Zongheng silent.

"If one obtains and refines rare treasures of heaven and earth, even a mortal can develop a spiritual root."

Jiang Zongheng shared what he knew. Upon hearing this, Zhao Zheng's eyes lit up, and he immediately pressed for details on what kind of heavenly materials and earthly treasures were needed.

"Your Majesty, such heavenly materials and earthly treasures can only be obtained by those with great destiny. Moreover, even if obtained, a mortal body would be unable to withstand them."

Jiang Zongheng's words caused Zhao Zheng to frown deeply, but he was unwilling to give up and displayed his peak mortal martial arts cultivation. "Even with my physique, is it not possible?"

"Your Majesty, any heavenly material or earthly treasure capable of producing a spiritual root takes tens of thousands of years for heaven and earth to nurture into form. Let alone you, even if I were to consume one, I would need Master's assistance to refine it."

Jiang Zongheng's words rekindled hope in Zhao Zheng.

"Immortal Elder, if I find such a rare treasure, may I request your esteemed Master's assistance?"

This question made Jiang Zongheng fall silent once more. However, the King of Zhao before him, with his bravery and martial prowess, was indeed very likely to be the formidable ruler who would unify the Eastern Barrens. So, he offered a glimmer of hope.

"If Your Majesty can become the co-ruler of the Eastern Barrens, you will be qualified to have an audience with my Master."

As Jiang Zongheng's words fell, the entire great hall became silent!

Besides King Zhao, the ministers of the Zhao royal family were also present. Their dream was merely to hold onto their small territory in the Yan Kingdom. After all, all nineteen kingdoms of the Eastern Barrens had the influence of immortal sects behind them. No matter how powerful their mortal armies were, they could not withstand flying swords. Throughout the history of the Eastern Barrens, many ambitious monarchs had been decapitated by cultivators descending from the sky, even amidst tens of thousands of troops. After several such instances, the territories of the nineteen Eastern Barrens kingdoms were thus delimited. Unless notified by a representative from an immortal sect, the royal armies of various kingdoms would not step an inch out of their own territories.

"May I ask, who is your esteemed Master, Immortal Elder?"

To King Zhao's left, the first person was an old man with a golden sash and an extraordinary demeanor, likely the chief minister. He spoke, addressing Jiang Zongheng.

"Since you are royalty of the Yan Kingdom, you must know about Beiyuan City, correct?"

As Jiang Zongheng's words fell, everyone present nodded. After all, whenever they had children of suitable age, an immortal master from Beiyuan City would come to test for spiritual roots. In recent decades, three had been found to possess spiritual roots. King Zhao himself had located Beiyuan City based on this, but unfortunately, the spiritual root was like an insurmountable chasm, blocking him outside the city.

"This Beiyuan City was personally established by my Master. The current lord of Beiyuan City is one of my senior brothers."

As Jiang Zongheng's words fell, everyone's expressions showed surprise. King Zhao even stood up directly and bowed deeply to Jiang Zongheng.

"So it is the esteemed disciple of Immortal Venerable Chen of the Divine Wood Immortal Sect. Please forgive my ignorance for not recognizing a true immortal..."

As mortal royalty, especially the ruler of the Yan Kingdom, King Zhao was well aware of his patron sect. After all, three children of his ministers had entered the Longevity Academy to cultivate immortality. Although they did not understand the true cultivation world, they knew that the Divine Wood Sect was the undisputed foremost immortal sect in the Eastern Barrens. And the head of this immortal sect was Immortal Venerable Chen!

"My Master intends to end the chaos among the various states of the Eastern Barrens. If King Zhao can become the unifying ruler, I am willing to introduce you."

After saying this, Jiang Zongheng placed the three scrolls of texts he had brought onto the table, then rode the clouds and mist, soaring into the sky and disappearing from the hall. King Zhao immediately led his ministers in pursuit. But by then, Jiang Zongheng had already vanished into the horizon.

After leaving the Yan Kingdom, Jiang Zongheng went to the Hong Kingdom. However, while it was nominally a country, due to its desert environment, it consisted of nomadic tribal forces wandering on camels. Jiang Zongheng found a royal court that occupied the largest oasis. Unfortunately, they lacked proper human ethics and education, and only wished to seek the art of eternal life.

After leaving the Hong Kingdom, Jiang Zongheng also visited the royal families of the Xiao Kingdom, Lei Kingdom, Yun Kingdom, Yu Kingdom, and others affiliated with the Divine Wood Sect. Among these, King Sheng of the Lei Kingdom was wise and intelligent. After years of war, he utilized the geographical advantage of being at the junction of the Eastern Barrens plateau and plains to develop his originally weak nation into a powerful one, balancing various domestic interests and bringing great order and peace to the realm. Unfortunately, when facing Jiang Zongheng, the first thing this King Sheng asked for was also the art of cultivation. After leaving his three scrolls of texts as customary, Jiang Zongheng departed.

The last kingdom he observed was the Jian Kingdom, the royal family from which Jiang Zongheng himself originated—the Han clan!

The current King of Han was already eighty-seven years old. When Jiang Zongheng was very young, he heard from his parents that the King, as a crown prince, already had a reputation for wisdom. After ascending the throne, he lived up to expectations, maintaining the governance of the previous king. During his fifty-two years on the throne, the country enjoyed a long period of peace and stability, both far and near, and the Jian Kingdom was built into the most powerful nation in the Eastern Barrens. Regrettably, this wise King was now old and frail, confined to his sickbed.

Jiang Zongheng held the highest hopes for the Jian Kingdom, so he specially returned to Great Wood Ridge and exchanged a pill from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion that could protect mortals from all illnesses. Unfortunately, he was unable to meet the King of Han. This was because, while the King of Han was confined to his sickbed, the court had already split into three factions, each supporting a prince, and vying for power and gain. Jiang Zongheng sought an audience with the King of Han under the guise of being a disciple of a great Confucian scholar from the Jian Kingdom, but he couldn't get past the three princes.

Jiang Zongheng could only sigh at this. He had originally intended to meet the King in his home country as an ordinary person, but what he encountered instead was caution and estrangement. He had no choice but to reveal his true identity.

Among the factions of the three princes, there were also cultivators, but they were all supported by major local families of the Jian Kingdom; there was no one from the Divine Wood Sect. As soon as Jiang Zongheng's Foundation Establishment cultivation identity from the Divine Wood Sect was exposed, all cultivators in the royal city with connections came to pay their respects, while those without connections immediately concealed their auras and cowered, avoiding detection.

After consuming Jiang Zongheng's pill, the ailing King of Han's face regained a rosy complexion. The three princes, witnessing this, had varied expressions, but still had to step forward to thank Jiang Zongheng, then displayed their filial piety before the King of Han.

During these days, Jiang Zongheng also observed the three princes, wanting to know the quality of the King of Han's successors. Unfortunately, the First Prince was indecisive, the Second Prince was tyrannical, and the Third Prince was gloomy. None of them were fit to be a ruler.

Jiang Zongheng said, "Your Majesty has toiled for the country for many years, burdened by worries and mental exhaustion. While this pill can cure your physical ailments, it cannot reverse the deep-seated malaise of your spirit."

Upon hearing this, the King of Han sighed softly, motioned for his three sons, whose faces showed joy, to rise, and then asked Jiang Zongheng for the art of eternal life.

"At Your Majesty's age, even heavenly materials and earthly treasures would be of no use. It would be better to consider how to continue your dynastic lineage."

Jiang Zongheng's words caused King Han's face to dim, but having lived for so long and encountered many cultivators, he was already mentally prepared for this outcome.

"Immortal Elder, for coming here to bestow a pill, is there anything this humble king needs to do for you?" King Han asked a second question.

"My Master intends to unify the Eastern Barrens and has tasked me with choosing the sovereign of all under heaven. I hail from the Jian Kingdom, and I have long heard of Your Majesty's wise reputation since childhood, so I have specially come to meet you."

Jiang Zongheng's words greatly shocked both King Han and his three princes. They already knew Jiang Zongheng's identity, and if Immortal Venerable Chen of the Divine Wood Sect intended to unify the Eastern Barrens, they, as mortals, simply could not stop it. This meant that only two paths lay before them: to become the sovereign of all under heaven, or to surrender to the sovereign of all under heaven!

"May I ask, Immortal Master, how much longer do I have to live?"

After a long silence, the aged King of Han asked Jiang Zongheng his third question.

"Ten years at most!"

Upon hearing this, the three princes looked at each other. The First Prince was anxious, the Second Prince was excited, and the Third Prince, being shrewd, showed no outward emotion.

"Ten years, you say? If there is no interference from cultivators, ten years should be enough to unify the Eastern Barrens." King Han's words made Jiang Zongheng's eyes reveal a strange glint. The latter once again carefully scrutinized the wise King before him, who sat on his sickbed, slightly hunched, with an aged face and calm eyes.

"These are three treatises on governance. They contain the rules I have set. During the unification wars among the seven kingdoms under the Divine Wood Sect, if any cultivator is found to interfere, you may burn the activation talisman to notify me. Regardless of who it is, if they dare to interfere, I will personally strike them down and suppress them. Finally, no matter who unifies the seven kingdoms, I will descend from the mountain to assist, willing to take the position of Grand Tutor to help them become the co-ruler of the Eastern Barrens and eradicate the remaining twelve kingdoms."

After saying these three sentences, Jiang Zongheng bid farewell to the King of Han, who was on his sickbed.

"Grand Tutor Jiang, take care!"

With the support of his eldest son, King Han personally came to the palace entrance and watched as Jiang Zongheng disappeared into the horizon.

The First Prince said, "Father, unifying the Eastern Barrens in ten years, how difficult it is!"

The Third Prince added, "Indeed! Although the Jian Kingdom is the most powerful, there are still eighteen other kingdoms in the Eastern Barrens. Even with the support of the Divine Wood Immortal Sect, it's impossible to completely subdue them all within ten years!"

The Second Prince scoffed, "What's so difficult about that? Conquering two countries a year will suffice!"

After Jiang Zongheng left, King Han's three sons began to express their opinions. King Han waited for them to finish before looking towards Great Wood Ridge, where the Divine Wood Sect was located. Then, with deep eyes, he said, "The key to unifying the Eastern Barrens lies only in whether our Jian Kingdom can subdue the other six kingdoms under the Divine Wood Sect. As long as we become the final victor, the matter of subduing the remaining twelve kingdoms—this Grand Tutor Jiang will naturally lead the immortals of the Divine Wood Sect to accomplish it for us!"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the three princes all lit up!