Chapter 941: Gods and Demons Appear in the World

Who would refuse such an easy way to obtain a demon god projection even more powerful than their own combat strength?

Xin Hongzhang was about to agree, but at the crucial moment, as if enlightenment struck, he looked at Li Fan again.

“So, what’s the cost?”

“How can there be such a good thing falling from the sky in this world?”

Li Fan watched his continued resistance and smiled temptingly once more: “The cost? That greatly compassionate Saint, who could have ascended to a transcendent realm beyond the immortals, now has no choice but to embody a prison, suppressing thousands of demon gods…”

“Is that not a cost? It is merely the Saint’s compassion that has shielded us from all calamities. If those demon gods were still rampant, summoning them would certainly require sacrificing one's own soul.”

“If you are truly grateful, you only need to praise the Saint’s benevolence daily.”

With Li Fan's explanation, everything made sense.

All doubts in Xin Hongzhang’s mind vanished, and he couldn't help but ask, “May I know the name of that Saint?”

“Learn the Divine Manifestation Art, and you will know,” Li Fan said, pointing lightly at Xin Hongzhang.

The contents of this unfathomable secret art of gods and demons instantly surged into Xin Hongzhang’s mind like a tide.

“It truly is a supreme and extraordinary method!”

Just from reading the text, Xin Hongzhang could glimpse the profound mysteries of the Divine Manifestation Art. Compared to all the cultivation techniques he had practiced in his life, it was like comparing heaven and earth.

He became utterly engrossed in the wondrous technique.

When Xin Hongzhang regained his senses, Li Fan had already vanished without a trace.

“Saving the suffering, compassion in the mortal realm,” Xin Hongzhang murmured to himself.

Having acquired the secret art, his first priority was, naturally, to find a place to cultivate.

Xin Hongzhang suppressed his excitement and returned to the Jiushan State defense fortress.

He spent a significant sum to rent the most private cultivation chamber. Sitting cross-legged inside, Xin Hongzhang began cultivating according to the methods described in the Divine Manifestation Art.

Darkness quietly descended upon the chamber.

Xin Hongzhang felt as if he had returned to that boundless demonic realm where thousands of demon gods resided.

However, unlike the terrifying scenes of chilling winds and wailing ghosts he had witnessed before, this demonic realm now seemed to be in a state of absolute stillness.

Above the multitude of demon gods, a blurry, compassionate figure was faintly visible, emanating warm rays of light.

Xin Hongzhang's fear gradually dissipated, and with a mix of excitement and reverence, he respectfully bowed towards the figure in the sky.

Then, his divine sense drifted among the thousands of demon gods, continuously sensing.

As he passed one of the demon statues, his heart suddenly stirred.

He chanted an incantation, and the next moment, that demon statue abruptly opened its eyes.

The static demonic realm shattered with a roar, and in reality, a majestic demon god with eight heads and eight arms appeared before Xin Hongzhang.

“It’s actually Shetuoluo!”

Xin Hongzhang was instantly overwhelmed with excitement.

According to the secret art’s records, Shetuoluo ranked among the top hundred in strength among the thousands of demon gods! He never expected such good fortune!

Xin Hongzhang attempted to communicate with the demon god projection before him using his divine sense. A dark, viscous sensation extended from his divine sense into his sea of consciousness.

Xin Hongzhang was startled, but soon, the feeling of effortless control, as if Shetuoluo were an extension of his own limb, dispelled his worries.

Manipulating Shetuoluo to launch an attack, Xin Hongzhang could not hide his surprise and delight.

“This demon god, freshly summoned, is already stronger than the three summoned by Fellow Daoist Fan Li. If I were to impart the Divine Manifestation Art to other cultivators…”

Xin Hongzhang immediately fell into a reverie.

“No mediocrities, no arrogant ones, no those without conscience…”

Xin Hongzhang recalled the selection criteria Fan Li had told him and began pondering suitable candidates.

Meanwhile.

A thousand miles away, Li Fan, who had observed Xin Hongzhang’s expression clearly through Shetuoluo, revealed a satisfied smile.

The so-called thousands of demon gods were, naturally, avatars of Li Fan’s thoughts, formed by his cultivation of the Three Calamities, Hundred Tribulations, and Bright Spirit Art.

The Divine Manifestation Art, in reality, used the cultivator themselves as a host, summoning an avatar of Li Fan’s thoughts to reside within them.

What appeared to be effortless control was actually the thought avatar reading the cultivator’s consciousness and acting spontaneously.

It was akin to Li Fan entrusting a part of his consciousness to other cultivators.

Through their divine senses, it would be nurtured and grow stronger.

They were unknowingly serving as his unwitting instruments. This was the true outcome of cultivating the Divine Manifestation Art.

“Currently, my divine sense is already stronger than that of a Dao-Integration expert. If I use this method, with thousands of cultivators becoming fertile ground for my divine sense to recuperate and grow…”

“Its strength will expand a thousandfold, a truly unexpected gain.”

“What’s more, my thought avatars residing in these cultivators’ seas of consciousness can subtly influence and alter their thoughts, making them completely subservient to me.”

“Hee hee hee…” Li Fan couldn't help but let out a dark, low chuckle.

He seemed to already envision a vast number of cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance succumbing to this Divine Manifestation Art.

“Widespread dissemination will definitely attract the attention of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”

“The characteristics are so obvious; as long as Mo Rubin learns of this, he will certainly realize it’s the work of a former comrade from the Mysterious Sky Sect…”

“What I need to do is plant a few more seeds.”

Li Fan’s figure flickered, and he flew away from Jiushan State.

Next, he returned to the various states of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. He subtly lured a total of eighty cultivators into practicing the Divine Manifestation Art before finally stopping.

Including the initial Xin Hongzhang, the first batch of cultivators totaled eighty-one.

“Hmm? That fellow is quite swift; there’s already a second generation of cultivators,” Li Fan mused after sensing for a moment, highly satisfied with Xin Hongzhang’s efficiency.

“In half a year at most, the numbers will be quite impressive.”

“Soon, very soon.” Li Fan returned contentedly.

During this period of his diligent seeding, just as Xin Hongzhang had predicted, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance issued an announcement: they planned to establish the first Free Trade Zone in Jiushan State.

The news caused a sensation across the land. Countless cultivators who longed for the Five Elders’ Council, as well as those hoping to get rich quickly, surged towards Jiushan State.

Along with the announcement, numerous detailed regulations were released.

These included Jiushan State’s development plan for the next hundred years, rules for resource and power distribution, and more.

The most eye-catching detail was one particular rule: ordinary cultivators were not eligible to purchase cultivation caves or land plots in Jiushan State. Only those who made outstanding contributions to Jiushan State’s development would possess this right. Furthermore, to prevent powerful figures from using covert means, all land transactions would be publicly announced via the Heavenly Profound Mirror.

If any illicit dealings occurred, any cultivator could report them.

The Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance vowed to investigate thoroughly and show no leniency!