The Ultimate Celestial Martial Emperor: An Isekai Cultivation Progression Fantasy Novel: The Ultimate Celestial Martial Emperor, #9

By De Yun Piao Dang

Jiang Yuan, an ordinary person from Earth, finds himself transported to another world, becoming a different Jiang Yuan in a realm filled with mystery and fantasy. In this world, individuals can cultivate their abilities to perform feats as miraculous as turning rivers and capturing the stars. However, Jiang Yuan's existence in this new world is far from stable. He inherits the identity and a series of troubles and challenges of his predecessor.

In the beginning, Jiang Yuan only wants to fully enjoy his new life, but fate doesn't afford him much respite. By a stroke of luck, he acquires a mysterious wooden carving, which seems to conceal the deep secrets of this world...

If I stand with humanity, then humanity shall flourish for hundreds of generations without end!

If I enter the path of demons, demonic flames will surge, and oceans of blood will flow!

As a sage, I shall help all beings, offering salvation to the world!

As an emperor, I shall be revered, with all directions submitting to me alone!

As an enlightened one, I shall follow in the footsteps of the sages before me, singing a war song of a prosperous yet melancholic era, shedding blood on the path to immortality!
 

 

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Standing before a corner, Jiang Yuan caressed a gleaming Spirit Crystal embedded in the cave wall, marveling, "I'm starting to admire Wan Qianqiu and his team. In just a few days, they managed to carve out such a deep underground tunnel."

 Ji Ziqing reasoned, "Given Wan Qianqiu's background, it wouldn't be surprising for him to possess treasures suited for excavating Spirit Crystal Mines. He must have something specifically for mining Spirit Crystals."

• Language: English
• Publisher: He Qiao Qiao
• Release date: Apr 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224445035

Book preview

Chapter 321

Standing before a corner, Jiang Yuan caressed a gleaming Spirit Crystal embedded in the cave wall, marveling, I’m starting to admire Wan Qianqiu and his team. In just a few days, they managed to carve out such a deep underground tunnel.

Ji Ziqing reasoned, Given Wan Qianqiu’s background, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to possess treasures suited for excavating Spirit Crystal Mines. He must have something specifically for mining Spirit Crystals.

Jiang Yuan remembered utilizing a treasure to rapidly excavate vast amounts of Spirit Crystals in the past. Given that Wan Qianqiu and his team managed to create such a long tunnel in a short time, they must indeed possess some mining treasure.

However, what piqued Jiang Yuan’s curiosity the most was the purpose behind Wan Qianqiu and his team’s excavation of the tunnel within the mine, especially since they weren’t solely interested in the Spirit Crystals within the vein.

Creating a tunnel within a mine was no small feat. Aside from the potential dangers, the sheer difficulty of the task was not something easily overcome, even with the right tools.

Delving dozens of meters deeper, the tunnel continued to stretch on, seemingly endless. Jiang Yuan turned to Ji Ziqing, inquiring, Ziqing, have you figured out what Wan Qianqiu and his team are trying to achieve?

Ji Ziqing nodded slowly, I’m not sure about their end goal, but I understand why they created this tunnel within the mine.

Curious, Jiang Yuan asked, Oh? Is there something special about this tunnel within the mine?

Ji Ziqing chuckled, If there’s anything special about it, it’s that the presence of the mine and the convergence of natural energies make it possible to block the intrusion of spiritual senses.

Jiang Yuan was momentarily taken aback before realizing the implications. As Ji Ziqing mentioned, the concentration of Spirit Crystals could obstruct the exploration by an individual’s Primordial Spirit. If someone were hiding within the mine, they could potentially avoid detection by other powerful entities using their Primordial Spirits for sensing.

Somewhat surprised, Jiang Yuan concluded, So, Wan Qianqiu and his team must have a specific purpose for creating this tunnel. Considering its location at the edge of the hundred-mile restricted zone, could it be that...

At this point, a gleam flashed across Jiang Yuan’s eyes, and he gasped in disbelief before looking up at Ji Ziqing.

Apparently, Ji Ziqing had also considered this possibility but hadn’t dared to confirm it. Seeing the astonishment on Jiang Yuan’s face, she sighed slightly. Indeed, based solely on Wan Qianqiu and his team’s preparations, it certainly seems suspicious.

Jiang Yuan calmed his racing thoughts and frowned slightly. But it’s just suspicious. I find it hard to believe that Wan Qianqiu and his team are audacious enough to set their sights on that treasure of heaven and earth.

Not just Jiang Yuan, but anyone would find it hard to believe that someone would dare to covet the treasure of heaven and earth right under the noses of powerhouses from both the Barbarian and Human races.

Despite their skepticism, Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing grew increasingly curious. They couldn’t help but wonder what Wan Qianqiu and his group’s true intentions were. If not for the treasure of heaven and earth, their actions made little sense.

Continuing deeper into the tunnel, they couldn’t help but admire Wan Qianqiu and his team’s perseverance. They had managed to carve out such a lengthy tunnel in such a short amount of time.

At one point, Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing paused within the tunnel. Up ahead, they could hear the clanging of metal. Exchanging a glance, they cautiously peered around the corner toward the source of the noise.

As it turned out, Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing were quite close to Wan Qianqiu and his group, merely a hundred meters or so away.

A large, luminous pearl hung from the ceiling, illuminating the tunnel. From the darkness, Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing could clearly make out the figures of Wan Qianqiu and his companions.

Upon seeing them, Jiang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Not having seen them earlier, he had wondered where they had gone. After discovering this tunnel and following it, he was finally able to locate them.

From a distance, they observed Wan Qianqiu and his group rapidly excavating the tunnel. Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing watched for a moment before quietly retreating from the passage.

Shortly after Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing concealed themselves, several figures emerged from the cave entrance. It was none other than Wan Qianqiu and his team.

Wan Qianqiu and his group maintained considerable caution. Although they checked their hiding place almost daily, they still remained on high alert.

One cultivator carefully inspected the surroundings to ensure there were no abnormalities before returning to the cave.

A few beasts were killed and brought into the cave.

While Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing were covertly observing Wan Qianqiu and his team, hundreds of miles away from their remote valley and from the treasure of heaven and earth about to emerge, two vague figures sat facing each other in the void.

These two shadows were mere projections of the thoughts of powerful beings, yet they emitted a terrifying aura. Even deities might struggle to withstand such force.

These were just two extremely weak thought projections, not even amounting to a sliver of their full consciousness. Yet, they possessed such formidable power, indicating just how terrifying these entities’ true forms must be.

The two projections faced off in the void, not far from a radiant treasure light shooting into the sky. The treasure of heaven and earth had yet to appear, leaving everyone in the dark about its form. Regardless, it was a potent treasure of heaven and earth, capable of provoking massive conflicts and wars at the borderlands between two races.

Now, even the mighty beings from both races had personally intervened.

The projection of the Barbarian race spoke to the Human race’s projection, Beiming Divine King, this treasure of heaven and earth should belong to our Barbarian race. Tell your people to leave, or don’t blame us for a massacre.

The Beiming Divine King’s projection burst into laughter, responding to the Barbarian deity, Nine-Faced Divine King, spare us the pretense. Our Human Race has never feared threats. If we are to fight, so be it. If we were to retreat just because of your words, what dignity would our Human Race have left in the Hundred Clans Battlefield?

The Nine-Faced Divine King, irritated, said, Beiming Divine King, it seems your Human Race truly intends to contest this treasure of heaven and earth with our Barbarian race.

The Beiming Divine King remained silent, but his stance was crystal clear.

Suddenly, the projection of the Nine-Faced Divine King sharpened significantly, a divine consciousness piercing through space to form a jade-white finger, pointing fiercely at the Beiming Divine King.

Beiming Divine King let out a long howl, his expression filled with disdain. Manifesting a consciousness in the same way, his finger, like a pillar of jade piercing the heavens, collided with the Barbarian’s in the void.

The void trembled, and space shattered. A horrifying spatial storm swept in all directions, causing a radius of dozens of miles to resemble the end of the world.

However, when that terrifying storm reached the treasure of heaven and earth, it subsided instantly, as if waves crashing against a mountain.

Upon witnessing this, Beiming Divine King and Nine-Faced Divine King remained composed, clearly not surprised. If the treasure of heaven and earth did not possess at least this power, it would not be considered a treasure that could innately rival Imperial divine weapons.

The two divine kings, each with merely a sliver of consciousness, exchanged a simple blow, yet its repercussions affected a radius of a thousand miles.

Fortunately, the two divine kings held back, or the consequences would extend far beyond a thousand miles.

Beiming Divine King said indifferently, Nine-Faced Divine King, is this the Barbarian race’s stance? Resorting to force at the slightest disagreement? It’s a pity that our Human Race isn’t susceptible to such threats. Do not compare us to those weak clans. Should a war erupt between our races, the Human Race will not be afraid.

Nine-Faced Divine King’s expression darkened. Achieving the status of Divine King was reserved only for peerless geniuses. Despite belonging to the Barbarian race, he was undoubtedly resourceful and astute. Thus, Nine-Faced Divine King understood that his threats held no sway over Beiming Divine King.

Despite this realization, Nine-Faced Divine King had still made his stance known. In a sense, it was a testament to the Barbarian race’s apprehension toward the Human Race.

As two of the top ten races in the All Heavens and Thousands of Clans, neither could afford to be lightly humiliated. The Human Race may have ranked slightly lower among these ten powerful races, yet even the top three races would not dare to underestimate them.

The Human Race was most adept at concealing its strength. No one could be certain of victory against them.

Besides, a mere treasure of heaven and earth was not sufficient to incite a full-scale war between the two powerful races.

Chapter 322: Ashen Faced

Both Nine-Faced Divine King and Beiming Divine King were well aware that their meeting was merely to find a solution. If it were truly about contending for the treasure of heaven and earth, this meeting wouldn’t have taken place. They would have directly gathered their respective race’s warriors on the day the treasure emerged to fight to the death.

Beiming Divine King, without showing any mercy, quashed the Nine-Faced Divine King’s arrogance. The Human Race, known for its patience, would still take a firm stand when necessary. Thus, faced with the Nine-Faced Divine King’s provocation, Beiming Divine King chose to retaliate strongly.

Seeing Beiming Divine King’s composed demeanor, the Nine-Faced Divine King was visibly annoyed and bitterly said, Beiming Divine King, our two races can’t possibly fight to the death over a treasure of heaven and earth. That would turn us into a laughing stock among the All Heavens and Thousands of Clans. So, let’s stick to the old rules. Since we can’t resolve this, let’s decide the outcome on the Life and Death Arena.

Beiming Divine King responded coolly, You could have just said that from the start instead of being so arrogant.

The Nine-Faced Divine King was almost fuming with anger and glared at Beiming Divine King, saying, Beiming Divine King, your Human Race has historically lost more than won on the Life and Death Arena. This time will be no different. Honestly, you might as well give up on the treasure of heaven and earth now to save your elites the embarrassment and defeat.

Beiming Divine King disdainfully said, Whenever my Human Race is determined to win a decisive battle, when have we ever failed?

The Nine-Faced Divine King was momentarily speechless, as what Beiming Divine King said was indeed true. While the Human Race may often choose to settle conflicts with the All Heavens and Thousands of Clans on the Life and Death Arena and frequently loses, a closer analysis reveals that defeats usually occur in battles not concerning the fundamental interests of the Human Race. However, in matters involving their core interests, they have almost never lost.

Taking a deep breath, the Nine-Faced Divine King stared at Beiming Divine King and challenged, Beiming Divine King, do you dare to bet with me?

Beiming Divine King looked at the Nine-Faced Divine King with interest and said, Oh, how do you propose we bet?

The Nine-Faced Divine King sneered and said, Let’s bet on who will win the upcoming duel!

Beiming Divine King laughed out loud and said, I’m not afraid of you. I recently refined a star and obtained a Stellar Heart. What treasure do you have?

The Nine-Faced Divine King’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Beiming Divine King and said, A Stellar Heart? You actually refined a star? Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?

Beiming Divine King said indifferently, What of divine retribution? But I wonder, do you have any treasures that can compare to mine?

The Nine-Faced Divine King, provoked by Beiming Divine King, immediately said, Alright, so what if it’s a Stellar Heart? I have a fist-sized ball of Origin Fluid that is boundless.

Beiming Divine King’s eyes flashed with amazement as he looked at the Nine-Faced Divine King in surprise and said, Origin Fluid? You were able to come out of the Divine Graveyard alive and even obtain Origin Fluid?

The Nine-Faced Divine King said with a hint of pride, Since you were able to withstand the divine punishment and refine a star, why wouldn’t I be able to walk out of the Divine Graveyard alive?

Beiming Divine King said, The Stellar Heart and the Origin Fluid are both priceless treasures. Indeed, they are worthy of a gamble. In that case, you and I shall make an oath.

Just like that, the two Divine Kings casually made a bet and swore an oath. The many great beings from the two races who were secretly watching, whether it was the Stellar Heart or the Origin Fluid, were secretly astonished.

The Stellar Heart is an essential material for forging Divine Emperor Weapons. Possessing a Stellar Heart lays the foundation for crafting such weapons, with more than ten percent of the Divine King’s Spirit Weapons being forged from Stellar Hearts. It’s fair to say that a Stellar Heart is a coveted treasure that many Divine Kings vie for.

The Origin Fluid is equally invaluable, especially given that it can only be found in a few forbidden lands, one of which is the Divine Graveyard.

The Divine Graveyard is one of the infamous great forbidden lands, regarded as a terrifying place. It’s said that formidable entities lie dormant within it. In ancient times, the Heavenly Emperor and the Human Clan Great Emperor attempted to penetrate the depths of the Divine Graveyard without success, allegedly thwarted by its forbidden entities.

Considering the perilous nature of such a place, one can only imagine how few dare to venture there. Yet, the more dangerous a location, the more likely it is to harbor enticing treasures.

The Origin Fluid is one such treasure, immensely precious. A single drop can extend a cultivator’s lifespan by one year. The fist-sized ball of Origin Fluid wagered by the Nine-Faced Divine King against Beiming Divine King could contain thousands of drops, potentially adding thousands of years to a cultivator’s life.

What makes the Origin Fluid even more significant is its rarity, even among Divine Kings, as a treasure that can prolong life. Its appearance would inevitably lead to bloodshed.

Only in the hands of Divine Kings could the possession of Origin Fluid be safe; otherwise, the Nine-Faced Divine King owning it might have been immediately seized by stronger beings, who could forcibly take it by extracting his soul.

The Nine-Faced Divine King coveted the Stellar Heart owned by Beiming Divine King, and Beiming Divine King was equally interested in the Origin Fluid. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have agreed so readily to the wager.

Both confident in their victory, they exchanged glances, and the Nine-Faced Divine King said to Beiming Divine King, Beiming Divine King, I am destined to win this battle. You might as well start preparing to hand over the Stellar Heart.

Beiming Divine King waved his sleeve, and the void image began to collapse and fade, replying, If you are capable, take it. Just don’t end up being a sore loser when the time comes.

The Nine-Faced Divine King snorted coldly, and his shadow, formed in the void, also gradually dissipated.

The news of the wager between the two Divine Kings quickly spread among the powerful beings of both races. However, the lower-level cultivators of the two races hadn’t caught even a whisper of it.

Only those of Divine King caliber and a very few close associates of such powerful beings were privy to this secret information. At most, the cultivators from both races knew that a contest for the ownership of a yet-to-emerge heavenly treasure would take place on the Arena of Life and Death. They were unaware that behind this contest, two Divine Kings had wagered astonishing treasures.

Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing, who were keeping an eye on Wan Qianqiu and others, were suddenly startled by a tremor that shook the ground beneath them.

Exchanging glances, Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing both looked towards the far distance, right in the direction of where Beiming Divine King and the Nine-Faced Divine King were.

Both showed deep shock and wariness in their eyes, and Jiang Yuan exclaimed, Terrifying, truly terrifying! Despite the distance, this aura still induces an overwhelmingly oppressive feeling.

Ji Ziqing’s expression was equally solemn as she said, Without a doubt, this terrifying aura must be emanating from a Divine King. Only a being of such status could cause such turmoil with a mere thought.

Meanwhile, Wan Qianqiu and his companions emerged from a cave like a group of ground mice, only to find that the passage they had carved out collapsed with a rumble during the shockwave.

A cloud of dust shot up dozens of meters, enveloping Wan Qianqiu and the others within it.

Looking at Wan Qianqiu and his group swallowed by the dust, Jiang Yuan expressed his astonishment, How is this possible? Despite the distance, the residual effects of a Divine King’s action shouldn’t be enough to collapse an entire passage.

Ji Ziqing responded, I’m afraid the truth is not so simple. Under normal circumstances, it’s certainly impossible for something like that to suddenly collapse. However,

Although Ji Ziqing didn’t finish her sentence, Jiang Yuan grasped her meaning. Frowning, he said, Ziqing, you can’t mean a Divine King found Wan Qianqiu and his men and personally collapsed the underground tunnel they had excavated!

Ji Ziqing nodded, replying, In all likelihood. Otherwise, there’s no way to explain the sudden collapse of that underground passage.

The continuous rumbling emanating from the earth was proof enough that the tunnel Wan Qianqiu and his men had worked so hard to dig had undoubtedly collapsed entirely. There would not have been such a commotion otherwise.

As if affirming Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing’s conjecture, before the dust had fully settled, Wan Qianqiu could not help but roar, Damn it! Who was it that ruined this Saint’s plans? My treasure! I was so close!

Wan Qianqiu seemed furious, not showing much fear even towards the Divine King who had interfered with him. However, the information he revealed stirred something within Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing.

Jiang Yuan asked in surprise, Treasure? Could Wan Qianqiu have discovered some kind of treasure? Was that why he took the trouble of excavating a passage through a mineral vein? And all in the name of finding treasure?

Ji Ziqing shared his confusion, saying, That’s strange. It stands to reason that this place is too close to where that heaven and earth treasure will emerge. Any spiritual energy from heaven and earth should have been absorbed by that treasure. It’s unlikely that other powerful natural treasures could be produced here.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan suddenly realized, I see! I was wondering why there wasn’t even a single decent spiritual object in this vicinity. It turns out that the spiritual energy from tens of thousands of miles has all been absorbed by that heaven and earth treasure.

While Wan Qianqiu roared, his followers emerged one after another from the collapsed cave, each of them covered in dirt and dust.

Chapter 323: Peerless Monstrosity

One follower said to Wan Qianqiu, Your Highness the Holy Son, I fear our actions have been detected by a Divine King. This must be their way of warning us not to covet that treasure.

Wan Qianqiu waved his hand dismissively, Hmph! Once this treasure has caught this Holy Son’s attention, it shall belong to me. No one can hinder me from obtaining it, not even a Divine King.

Wan Qianqiu uttered these words with such certainty and vigor that his aura radiated an unparalleled sense of dominance. And he did indeed have the foundation to back up such bold claims. After all, given the formidable background of the Hall of Samsara, even Emperors and Sovereigns were not worthy of much consideration, let alone Divine Kings.

Staring at the collapsed passage, Wan Qianqiu said spitefully, Continue! I don’t believe it. If I could excavate it once, can’t I do it again? Do you really think a collapsed passage will stop this Holy Son? Dream on!

Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing witnessed Wan Qianqiu’s reaction. Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but express his admiration, It’s truly remarkable to have such powerful backing. This Wan Qianqiu dares to defy even the warning of a Divine King. I can’t help but feel a little envious of him.

Ji Ziqing chuckled at Jiang Yuan’s envious tone, What’s there to be envious of? It’s just that the Hall of Samsara has such a fearsome reputation that most people wouldn’t dare to provoke them. That’s the only reason someone like Wan Qianqiu can act so arrogantly and presumptuously. The Hall of Samsara produces a Holy Son like him every hundred years. If they really angered a Divine King, he would be crushed like an ant. And even in such a scenario, the Hall of Samsara wouldn’t risk offending a Divine King for the sake of a mere Holy Son.

Jiang Yuan naturally understood this point, but there was something else that Ji Ziqing had not mentioned. In general, unless a Holy Son from the Hall of Samsara had gone too far and committed a grave offense, their deaths would be met with indifference. However, if a Holy Son was killed despite being in the right, the Hall of Samsara would not rest, even if the perpetrator was apeerless Divine King.

Unwilling to give up, Wan Qianqiu paid no heed to the fact that the Divine King’s act of collapsing the passage was a warning to him. The backing of the Hall of Samsara gave him the confidence to disregard the warnings of most powerful beings.

Get to work! Continue excavating for me!

With a cold snort from Wan Qianqiu, his followers immediately sprang into action. Little by little, the passage that had been buried due to the collapse began to be excavated once more.

This time, their progress was noticeably faster than before. Soon enough, Wan Qianqiu and his followers disappeared into the cleared-out cave.

At this moment, Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing also appeared at the entrance of the cave. Looking at the dark and deep cave, Jiang Yuan said, This is truly strange. I wonder what treasure Wan Qianqiu has discovered that he dares to ignore even the warning of a Divine King.

Ji Ziqing replied with a chuckle, Now I’m also very curious about what kind of treasure could exist in such a place. How could there be any other treasures when there’s already a heaven and earth treasure here?

Jiang Yuan and Ji Ziqing entered the cave once again, quietly following behind Wan Qianqiu’s group.

Wan Qianqiu and his men were busy clearing the passage, so they would never have guessed that someone was following them.

Wan Qianqiu’s group moved very quickly. In less than half a day, they had cleared the collapsed passage and continued excavating further. The sound of clinking and banging echoed through the passage.

Wan Qianqiu stood in front, watching as his followers cleared the rock wall ahead. His face held a hint of anticipation, and in his hand was a treasure mirror that emitted a dazzling red light. Wan Qianqiu glanced at the treasure mirror while observing the progress of the excavation, urging them on, Faster, faster! The treasure will appear soon.

Based on the treasure mirror in his hand, Wan Qianqiu ascertained that they would soon reach the treasure’s location. Though he was unsure of its nature, the fact that the treasure mirror was emitting such a brilliant red light indicated that it was no ordinary treasure.

Ever since he had acquired this strange treasure, he had used the mirror to find many precious treasures. However, none of those treasures had elicited such a strong reaction from the mirror. The current intensity of the mirror’s glow suggested that the treasure ahead must be