Noon, Mount Wuwang.
With a brilliant sword light, Huang Tingyu unleashed his blade, carving a tunnel from the mountainside straight into the heart of the mountain. Lin Zhao didn't hesitate, leaping into the crevice within the mountain. Sui Zhi, Tang Guangjun, Yu Wan Ning, and Tong Yu quickly followed. Outside, Zhao Shutong, Chen Xi, Han Yetang, and the others exchanged glances before also plunging in.
"Swish!"
Tang Guangjun drew his immortal sword and ascended, illuminating the interior of the mountain.
Lin Zhao, as one with his sword, guided the flying sword Hongye at the forefront. The aura within the mountain was quite familiar. When he was once pinned beneath Mount Wuwang, he was constantly accompanied by this dense, chaotic energy. Now, it was like visiting a place of remembrance.
Within Lin Zhao's twelve-realm vision, the mountain's roots and veins emerged one by one. The foundation of this half of Mount Wuwang was incredibly deep, with each mountain root containing an extremely rich spiritual energy. Even though it was only half a mountain, it surpassed all the spiritual mountains in the lower realm, making it an excellent location for a sect.
"Look over there."
Yu Wan Ning pointed to a distant spot. Between the mountain's roots and veins, densely packed rock caves were arranged. The inner walls of these caves were completely black, appearing as if they had been scorched for a long time. Inside the mountain, these caves were as numerous as insect eggs, causing an involuntary shiver. Even Sui Zhi, Tong Yu, Zhao Shutong, and the others frowned.
"These places..."
Lin Zhao's brows furrowed. "Should be where Mount Wuwang hid millions of heart demons with umbrellas back then!"
"Yes..."
Zhao Shutong's expression was solemn. "Over the past ten years, how much harm have the hundreds of thousands of heart demons that fell into the lower realm caused to the human world? How many cultivators on the mountains have fallen into demonic ways due to the contamination of these umbrella-wielding heart demons? And how many conflicts and killings in the mortal world were instigated by these heart demons? Even now, the umbrella-wielding heart demons in the mortal world have not been completely eradicated. If we don't kill them all, those of us in the upper five realms bear responsibility."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Your Highness speaks the truth. The umbrella-wielding heart demons should indeed not linger in the human world. They shake the great Dao of the lower realm too much. After we eliminate the demon race, it will be time for us to gradually hunt down those umbrella-wielding heart demons scattered throughout the lower realm."
Everyone nodded in unison, deeply agreeing.
"By the way."
Lin Zhao surveyed the interior of Mount Wuwang and asked, "How are the demon race's treasuries, caves, and other facilities within Mount Wuwang preserved?"
"Don't even mention it."
Lin Zhujie said sheepishly, "The treasury of Mount Wuwang has already been emptied. That group of Jian Chen and Nan Qingfeng truly left not a single qingfu coin for us. As for the immortal caves and opportunities of the great demons within Mount Wuwang, they took everything they could. Those they couldn't take, they simply destroyed with spirit stones. This entire Mount Wuwang is essentially just a deep-rooted, hollow shell."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao chuckled. "As expected. It's like how we scorched earth and burned every city that fell back then. The demon race isn't foolish either."
Zhao Shutong couldn't help but smile charmingly. "Marshal Lin, what are your plans for Mount Wuwang? Once the demon race's territory is pacified, Mount Wuwang's location is quite advantageous, bordering the Snow Region Heavenly Pool. Neither demons nor devils would dare to covet it easily. The mountain's roots and water transport are extraordinary, making it the premier mountain in the human realm!"
"Indeed."
Lin Zhao frowned. "I don't have any specific ideas yet. Mount Wuwang's foundation is truly unparalleled in the world. It seems difficult to give it to any one sect. Perhaps after the merits are rewarded, we can see which sect has contributed the most to the world and grant them a peak of Mount Wuwang. Regardless, Mount Wuwang must be utilized well."
"Mm."
Zhao Shutong smiled. "Then let's discuss it after the official list for the Heroic Deeds is released."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao led everyone out of the mountain and looked north. "Transmit orders to the three armies. Rest for one day, and after one day, the three armies will march to conquer the demon race's ancestral mountain!"
"Yes!"
Everyone was greatly excited. Once they broke through the celestial barrier and entered the demon race's territory, it would be making history. After all, since ancient times, only the demon race had invaded the human race; there had never been a precedent of the human race invading the demon race's domain.
...
Afternoon.
At Gu Lingyu's gentle call, Lin Zhao, accompanied by Sui Zhi, Huang Tingyu, Yu Wan Ning, and others, arrived at the Lotus Wind Academy.
Beneath a white tree, the peerlessly beautiful Shi Hanyin was brewing tea for everyone.
Huang Tingyu and Tang Guangjun sat side-by-side, grinning foolishly as they looked at Shi Hanyin's back. She truly lived up to her reputation as the Great Shang Dynasty's foremost beauty. Now that she had become a peach blossom demon, her allure had surpassed her former self. The charm in her every smile, her figure, her eyes – how could the young girls like Sui Zhi, Tong Yu, and Yu Wan Ning compare?
As they watched, both men were practically drooling.
Lin Zhao sat at a stone table, looking at a roster that Gu Lingyu had produced.
"Little Martial Uncle, please take a look."
Gu Lingyu was extremely respectful. "This is the mountain and sea roster for the top ten individuals in the Heroic Deeds that I have drafted. If you find no issues, it can be handed over to the historians of the Great Shang Dynasty for detailed compilation and inscription."
Lin Zhao glanced at it and felt a pang of sorrow.
Because the first person Gu Lingyu had listed was little Jiu'er, and the reason was also clearly stated.
First: Su Qingjiu, Lord of Changming Mountain, a thirteen-realm Sword Immortal. She once wielded her sword for the human race, slaying two fourteen-realm demons, namely the Nine-tailed and Canglan. In the battle of White City, her sword, Xun Lu, cut down countless twelve and eleven-realm demons, achieving the foremost military merit for the human world!
"Hoo..."
Lin Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. Just seeing little Jiu'er's name filled him with immense sadness. However, when he saw the second name, his heart ached even more.
Second: Chen Ben, chief martial artist of the Summit Villa, peak of the thirteen-realm. During the battle of Mount Wuwang, he broke through to the thirteen-realm, killing numerous upper five-realm demons, and halting the descent of Mount Wuwang, achieving an unparalleled feat!
Chen Ben truly deserved to be in the top three.
Lin Zhao frowned, and when he saw the third person, his eyes welled up even further.
Third: Qin Suihan, the Confucian Sage. Over a hundred years ago, he single-handedly resisted the Sages of all heavens, ushering in the rejuvenation of all things for the lower realm. Qin Suihan's contributions cannot be adequately expressed in words!
It was Mr. Qin!
Lin Zhao looked up, his eyes slightly red. "Lingyu, is Mr. Qin's ranking too low? Only third..."
In Lin Zhao's heart, Mr. Qin should have been first, or even first place couldn't encompass the Sage's merits.
Gu Lingyu said softly, "Mr. Qin is Little Martial Uncle's teacher, and my Grand Martial Uncle. Precisely because of this relationship, the list I drafted should not be ranked too high. Besides, do you think Mr. Qin would care about this ranking?"
"That's true."
Lin Zhao's palms trembled slightly as he turned to the second page of bamboo slips.
Fourth: Su Fu, Lord of Heavenly Pool Mountain. Over a hundred years ago, he wielded his sword to assist Qin Suihan in resisting the inquiries of the Sea of Heavens. He also slew countless great upper five-realm demons with his sword. Ten years ago, before the battle of White City, he drew his sword to halt the descent of Mount Wuwang, nourishing the Summit Villa and enabling the extraordinary feat of quadruple rebirth within the Summit Villa.
Lord Su's merits were indeed brilliant!
Lin Zhao took a deep breath and continued reading.
The individuals Gu Lingyu had listed were all those who had sacrificed their lives for the realm. Otherwise, Tang Guangjun, Sui Zhi, and the others would also have been eligible for the list. Ranked fifth was the old marshal Chen Wanli, a renowned commander who dominated the Snow Region Heavenly Pool over a hundred years ago. Ranked sixth was the old Sword Immortal Lu Xinghe, who, along with Marshal Chen Wanli, slew multiple thirteen-realm demons; his military achievements were equally glorious!
The seventh-ranked individual was a surprise: the Marquis of War, Yue Hao.
In terms of combat power, Yue Hao was merely at the Tianyuan realm. He couldn't last more than a few rounds against the thirteen-realm Bai Lan back then. However, Gu Lingyu's high ranking for Yue Hao undoubtedly had its reasons. At the time, the Great Shang Dynasty was hesitant; some advocated for appeasement, offering tributes of people to the demon race for peace, while others advocated for war. It was precisely Yue Hao's "obstinate" northward advance that broke the deadlock, leading the Great Shang Dynasty to resolve to fight the arduous and protracted battle of the Snow Region Heavenly Pool.
Therefore, while Yue Hao's personal combat power and merits were ordinary, his actions, in retrospect, were undeniably highly significant.
Ranked eighth was the Sword Immortal Xu Zhan of the Mo family's ancestral home.
Xu Zhan exchanged one of his twelve-realm cultivation for two of the demon race's twelve-realm cultivation, saving two thirteen-realm humans. Lin Wanhua and Su Qingjiu were able to survive thanks in no small part to Xu Zhan. This eighth-place ranking was entirely earned.
Ranked ninth was the elder Sun Qinghe of the Medicine King Valley, who self-destructed his spiritual core, achieving the primary merit of killing the fourteen-realm great demon Lianban.
Tenth was the old Sword Immortal Wei Yan of the Fusui Great Wall. This sword hero slew countless demons and, to some extent, inspired the fighting spirit of the Fusui Great Wall, greatly delaying the southward advance of the demon and devil races. His contributions were equally indispensable.
Beyond these ten, Gu Lingyu had further rankings.
Among them, Wen Shuoyang, Chu Huaixi, Xiao Muchan, Han Fang, Zhao Suiguang, Xiang Ji, Zhang Xicheng, Han Yurou, and others were also listed. In truth, Shi Hanyin should also have been on the list, but since she had been reborn and transformed into a peach blossom demon, she did not need to be compiled into the Heroic Deeds roster. Otherwise, it would be chaotic to have the living and the dead receive mortal worship together.
...
Upper Realm, Fengshen Terrace.
A swordsman in a green robe leaned against a broken rock, holding a red gourd and taking large gulps of red bamboo wine. On his right arm was a horrifying wound, a long gash from the crook of his arm to his wrist, the flesh peeled back and gruesome. Yet, he paid it no mind, as if good wine could cure all unhappiness.
After a mouthful of wine, Ding Muchen exclaimed with satisfaction. He looked down at the lower realm and chuckled, "My goodness, little martial brother is certainly doing things properly. That Heroic Deeds roster indeed soothes the heart, but it's not cautious enough. Little Jiu'er is living well beside Lin Qing'er in Jianlin Mountain. Is ranking little Jiu'er first in the Heroic Deeds roster truly cautious enough?"
"What do you want?"
Not far away, a fairy maiden was wiping blood from her sword. A portion of her daoist robe had been burned off by the heart demon's flames, but it did not diminish her celestial beauty. Ten years of fierce battles, and the offensives of the heart demon legion seemed relentless. Wei Huarou, as one of the sect leaders of the Daoist ancestral lineage, had rarely left Fengshen Terrace in the past decade.
"The wave of heart demon attacks has just passed. The next wave won't be too soon."
Ding Muchen glanced at Wei Huarou. "Sect Leader Wei, you have the lightest injuries and the deepest foundation. Why don't you go down to the lower realm? Inform little martial brother of little Jiu'er's whereabouts. Moreover, station yourself in the lower realm for a while until the lower realm is truly completely pacified and can support the upper realm. After all... does the war in the upper realm make a difference with or without Wei Huarou?"
These words were quite insulting.
Wei Huarou stomped her foot in anger. "You, Ding Muchen, how can you speak like this?! Farewell!"
Daoist Sage Lie Yun rubbed his forehead. "My junior sister, my junior sister, your acting is too fake. You clearly want to go down to the lower realm to see Lin Zhao yourself!"