A boy around ten years old sits cross-legged on a piece of Qingshi, meditating and refining qi.
"The world contains primal energy, where one qi gives birth to all things. For us Qi Refiners, the first step into the path is to sense the primal qi. After passing the sensory threshold, one finds the qi most suitable for oneself from the myriad of qi, cleansing the entire body, and forging a specific Dao Foundation. These can be further subdivided into 'Pure Dao Body', 'Flawless Dao Body', 'Five Elements Dao Body', 'Xuanyin Dao Body', etc., etc..."
"Therefore, the refinement of essence into qi is essentially a journey with two major realms: the 'Qi Refinement' and the 'Foundation Establishment'!"
Zhong Shenxiu spoke eloquently.
While Ji Fa was refining qi, suddenly two streams of white qi entered his nostrils, promptly causing his limbs and every bone to issue loud popping noises, as if he grew taller all at once: "Master, I seem to have sensed the qi most suitable for me. Its nature is deep and heavy, its color is mysterious yellow..."
"That is the qi of the earth element, it seems your spirit root is inclined towards the earth..."
Zhong Shenxiu replied with a smiling squint: "In the future, when establishing your foundation, prioritize the 'Earth Element Dao Body', then the 'Chongshan Mystical Body', and then the 'Thick Earth Body'..."
"Although you have yet to awaken the Divine Skills of your bloodline, if you succeed in Foundation Establishment, you may also gain immense strength, comparable to Innate Gods and Demons..."
"Thank you, Master!" Ji Fa leaped off the rock, almost like a little adult, meticulously saluting Zhong Shenxiu.
For some reason, he always felt a bit awkward about this.
As the second son of Ji Chang, the Western Lord, Ji Fa was born into luxury, and he had a good teacher to guide him in reading, literacy, and the Immortal Dao of qi refinement.
Yet Ji Fa bore a maturity beyond his years, never revealing his emotions on his face.
Among the servants and soldiers' rumors, he was considered more imposing than Ji Chang's eldest son, Bo Yikao.
A secret lingered in Ji Fa's young heart.
Occasionally at night, he would dream of another world, but everything from that world would become unclear upon waking.
However, his character and Spiritual Wisdom grew rapidly as a result.
"Mr. Jiang, Second Young Master... The Western Lord requests your presence!"
While Zhong Shenxiu continued teaching Ji Fa swordsmanship, a servant ran over and whispered.
"Since the Western Lord requests it, let's go then."
Zhong Shenxiu smiled lightly, allowing the servant to lead the way to a palace.
Ji Chang, the Western Lord, seemed to have aged a bit more, staring at a map in front of him, then coughing: "Emperor Xin has been campaigning against the Eastern Barbarians these years, with mixed success... What do you think, sir?"
Beside Ji Chang was also a refined gentleman, his eldest son, Bo Yikao.
"Emperor Xin is putting on a show!"
Zhong Shenxiu smiled: "Yin Shang still has cards left unplayed, these ten years were merely to probe the intentions of the Kunlun Upper Gods..."
Even though it was declared that humanity would never be enslaved again, Emperor Xin clearly would exhaust every option before attacking Kunlun.
He merely stopped sending tributes to Kunlun and used resources to expand his army.
In fact, if a god descended from Kunlun Mountain right now, Emperor Xin might directly kneel.
Undoubtedly, this was a grand gamble, and also a probe!
"Now that ten years have passed and there has been no sign or movement from the Kunlun God, in the next decade, Emperor Xin will certainly make grand moves... Congratulations, Western Lord, your opportunity is approaching!"
Zhong Shenxiu smiled.
Ji Chang's face briefly brightened, looking at Ji Fa: "Fa'er, what do you think?"
"Congratulations, Father, the realm shall belong to the Zhou!"
Ji Fa responded loudly.
"Haha, good, good!" Ji Chang laughed heartily, while Bo Yikao stood by, a hint of gloom on his face.
Emperor Xin sat on the throne, adorned in splendid armor, his right hand supporting his chin: "I have campaigned against the Eastern Barbarians, returning with great victory, Bi Gan, Wen Zhong... why do you noble families and royal kin still obstruct me?"
Bi Gan was Emperor Xin's blood relative, and Wen Zhong was also a descendant of the three hundred nobles of that era.
Back then, Shang enfeoffed three hundred nobles, from which the noble families perpetually remained nobles, officials remained officials, commoners always commoners, and slaves forever slaves.
Emperor Xin wanted to break this monopoly and implemented reforms, promoting individuals like You Hun and Fei Zhong, who were of commoner and slave backgrounds, as officials, inciting dissatisfaction from ministers like Bi Gan and Wen Zhong.
"Great King, since Shang ceased divine worship, the realm has fallen into chaos, and rebels have risen among the four barbarians. This is all due to the Great King's lack of virtuous governance..." Bi Gan advised.
"No need to speak further." Emperor Xin waved, interrupting Bi Gan's words.
Though valorous, he had flaws such as being impulsive.
He even wielded a lethal hand against a few opposition figures to advance reforms, while imposing severe laws to intimidate the old nobles.
"These ten years of probing have confirmed that the Kunlun God will not interfere with the mortal realm. Once I pacify all regions, you will see that everything I do is justified."
Emperor Xin stood up, returning to his palace, where his concubine Daji resided.
"Greetings, Great King!"
A woman in a red dress greeted him, bright-eyed and beautiful, stunning beyond compare.
But Emperor Xin gave her only a brief glance, asking: "How's the preparation of the God Slaying Armor?"
"With the Great King's support, it is more than halfway complete and can be activated at any time..." Daji's eyes were filled with admiration: "Once the Great King dons it, you shall slay gods and conquer spirits, unifying the realm!"
Emperor Xin nodded, entering the depths of Daji's palace, and walked into a passage.
The temperature continuously rose, red light flashed.
Upon emerging from the corridor, a vast underground cavity appeared, magma constantly seeped out, forming a lake.
Over the lake, countless dark chains bound a set of black armor.
The armor was filled with Evil Qi, almost like a fierce beast ready to break free at any moment.
"Good, Daji, you are indeed a Kunlun Remnant, having mastered the art of crafting the Divine Armor!"
Emperor Xin gazed obsessively at the armor, saying to Daji: "As long as you complete the God Slaying Armor for me, I will reward you handsomely."
"Serving the Great King, I would die a thousand deaths without regret!"
Daji responded solemnly.
Indeed, she was a Kunlun Remnant. Back when Shang served the gods for six hundred years, sending countless slaves and beauties, they also gleaned much useful information and secrets.
This Daji was the greatest result.
Not only did she bring the secret that the Kunlun God could not descend the mountain to meddle in the mortal world, she also brought a design blueprint for the Divine Armor. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel[f]ire.net
Once this armor was complete, combined with the Innate Divine Power, Emperor Xin had confidence to rival that black dragon capable of devouring gods!
"Ten years of testing have passed, in the next ten years, I shall annihilate the four barbarians and establish a truly unified dynasty!"
Emperor Xin laughed, though with a tinge of regret.
Since toppling the temple last time, something seemed to have happened on Kunlun Mountain, transforming it into a black hole, with no news emerging, causing him some vague unease.
Just then, a child peeked his head, observing everything in the cave.
"Wu Geng, do not misbehave!"
Daji quickly reprimanded.