In the night, Shen Xingchen, Chen Xue, Ding Chi, and others were online, actively preparing for battle. Some were undertaking final quests to acquire a magical artifact, while others were pushing for a crucial level. Each had their own tasks.
"Swish~~~"
Within the Villa on the Mountain Peak, a ray of white light flashed, and Lin Zhao's character appeared outside the Natural Abode. He turned, looking towards the Snow Region Celestial Pond. Under the divine power of observing the moon in the water, the scenery on the Snow Region Celestial Pond came into view. Countless commoners were migrating south, many with their families, pulling oxen and carts, working without complaint.
When Lin Zhao rebuilt the Snow Region Celestial Pond, these commoners were mostly scattered hunters and farmers from the wilderness, living difficult lives. They had only enjoyed a good life for a year or two after coming to the Snow Region Celestial Pond, and now they had to leave their homes once again.
However, everyone knew that the Snow Region Celestial Pond was about to fall into another catastrophe and war. Therefore, the people in the small town did not blame the Mountain Lord. After all, most of them knew that the handsome and elegant Mountain Lord was actually Lin Baiyi, whom the storytellers spoke of. They couldn't blame him.
"It's almost time..."
Lin Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, reached into his robes, and took out the Vast Spirit Golden Token, which emanated a dense aura of the Sacred Path. It was a supreme Confucian treasure personally conferred by the Grand Sage. Its significance was immeasurable. As Lin Zhao's mind moved, wisps of conferment text rose from the Vast Spirit Golden Token, enveloping his body as he ascended into the air.
In the next moment, Lin Zhao looked down upon the entire Human Realm. He closed his eyes and recited, "Everyone, I am Lin Zhao. The demon race's plot is about to descend, and the Snow Region Celestial Pond will bear the brunt of it, followed by Shanhaiguan, Yangpingguan, Yunzhou, and other places. Therefore, human cultivators willing to fight for the world may proceed to Shanhaiguan, Yangpingguan, and other passes to resist the enemy."
He frowned and continued, "All mountain sects north of Yunzhou, please send a senior of high cultivation to lead the younger generation south, to preserve the embers of the northern mountains. Those willing to contribute, please do so. The future of the Human Realm is entrusted to all of you!"
In an instant, his voice transformed into a heavenly decree that resounded throughout the land.
In the mountains, an eleventh-realm sword cultivator, who had been meditating cross-legged, suddenly let out a "Oh?" He, who had been cultivating in seclusion for many years, smiled faintly. "Lin Baiyi has returned... With the Human Realm facing a great catastrophe, how can we sword cultivators stand idly by?"
Saying so, he stood up and rode his sword directly towards Shanhaiguan.
In Jizhou, atop a green peak, a frail old Taoist slowly rose amidst the clouds. He looked at a group of disciples and said with a smile, "A catastrophe is imminent, and we Taoist cultivators should rush to the front. The second-generation disciples and below will remain in the mountain to cultivate. The second-generation disciples and above will accompany me to Shanhaiguan. It is time to slay demons!"
"Yes, Master!"
A group of young Taoists stood up, their brows like swords, their eyes like stars. The long swords on their backs resonated joyfully within their scabbards.
East Sea, a solitary island.
A rough man holding a coconut frowned. Lin Zhao's words echoed in his ears. The fact that his voice could travel thousands of miles from land to the depths of the East Sea indicated a heavenly conferment. For a moment, the man grinned and said, "Another great battle, eh... That's good, that's good. I missed the battle a hundred years ago, but I mustn't miss this one."
He directly threw away the coconut and, with a leap, returned to the front of his wooden hut. He took out a wooden block and retrieved a blood-stained long sword from it. He then began to whet the sword by the sea.
"Sharpening the blade does not delay cutting firewood." The sword grew sharper and sharper, just like the hearts of the people of the world. If everyone in the human race was willing to contribute, what fear would there be of the demon race and the fiend race?
In just a few dozen breaths, Lin Zhao's conferred decree had spread throughout the entire Human Realm, carrying a rich and vast aura. This military order issued through the Vast Spirit Golden Token could be considered the first "Heavenly Decree" in the Human Realm in centuries.
...
White Emperor City.
In the Prince of Jinan's Mansion, two twelfth-realm great cultivators sat in quiet contemplation, drinking tea with Prince of Jinan, Zhao Qiyang.
Instantly, Lin Zhao's voice reached the ears of all three, and their expressions varied.
"It is a Heavenly Decree..."
Cao Ying's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "He has already issued a Heavenly Decree in the Snow Region Celestial Pond. It seems the catastrophe is imminent, and there is little time left."
Huang Qingning nodded. "Precisely so."
Zhao Qiyang, with a languid demeanor, had been filled with disappointment from the moment Lin Zhao ascended the Terrace of Generals and became the commander of the Human Realm's three armies. Zhao Qiyang's plans and arrangements were ultimately no match for a Vast Spirit Golden Token from the Confucian literary circle. His plan to reclaim many military powers had all gone to waste.
He narrowed his eyes and looked at his two capable generals. "A Heavenly Decree?"
"Indeed."
Cao Ying respectfully replied, "Your Highness, a Heavenly Decree is an order specifically for cultivators on the mountains. The last Heavenly Decree dates back to the previous dynasty over a thousand years ago. After Lin Zhao issues the Heavenly Decree, the cultivators on the mountains of the Human Realm will undoubtedly flock to Shanhaiguan, Yangpingguan, and other battlefields."
"I understand."
Zhao Qiyang was not a person of the mountains and had no desire to overthink things. "What are your thoughts, the two of you?"
Huang Qingning smiled faintly. "The Shanhaisi, which I command, was originally the mountain power of the Great Shang Dynasty. The Shanhaisi will always be loyal to the Great Shang Dynasty. Therefore, we can disregard Lin Zhao's Heavenly Decree."
He narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "Moreover, Shanhaiguan, Yangpingguan, and Yunzhou are indeed likely to be important battlefields in the future. It is precisely because of this that White Emperor City needs to make early preparations. If the demon army and the fiend cavalry truly charge into Jizhou, it will be the Shanhaisi that can truly protect White Emperor City."
"Mm."
Zhao Qiyang nodded gently, quite pleased with Huang Qingning's astute response. He turned to Cao Ying, the young and beautiful pavilion mistress of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and said with a smile, "Cao Ying, what is your opinion?"
"Regarding the Heavenly Decree, no sword cultivator can stand aside."
Cao Ying frowned slightly. "Your Highness, I, Cao Ying, will not deploy any of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's elite soldiers. They will all remain to guard the capital. However... as a twelfth-realm sword cultivator, I have no reason not to exert myself for the Human Realm. Therefore, I, Cao Ying, will go to Shanhaiguan alone with my sword."
"You..."
Zhao Qiyang frowned. "You are too stubborn and hold your twelfth-realm sword immortal pride too high. After Lin Zhao issues the Heavenly Decree, will Shanhaiguan lack fifth-realm cultivators? It doesn't lack you, Cao Ying, why must you insist on going?"
"Your Highness."
Cao Ying took a few steps back, knelt on one knee, and said softly, "When my master taught me the way of the sword, he said that in times of great turmoil, we sword cultivators must never stand idly by. If I, Cao Ying, do not go to Shanhaiguan, I fear I will never overcome my inner demons and will never reach the thirteenth realm in this life."
"..."
Zhao Qiyang's brow was deeply furrowed, and he was filled with hesitation. Cao Ying was the strongest subordinate under his command. On one hand, he did not wish for Cao Ying to go to Shanhaiguan, as all four Ancestral Courts had been alerted, and this battle would undoubtedly be extraordinary. Shanhaiguan was perilous, and Cao Ying might never return.
On the other hand, just as Cao Ying said, undergoing a trial of heart and mind at Shanhaiguan might offer a chance to reach the thirteenth realm in this lifetime. Zhao Qiyang had many subordinates, and if he could produce a thirteenth-realm sword cultivator, his standing in the court would be entirely different. Even if Lü Fengxian, that rebirth-realm martial artist, was powerful, he would have a trump card to contend with, no longer completely lacking confidence.
After a long period of deliberation, Zhao Qiyang looked at Cao Ying and said, "I agree, you may go, but you must return alive."
"Yes!"
Cao Ying's face was filled with gratitude, and her heart was filled with joy. "I, Cao Ying, will never disappoint Your Highness!"
...
Cloud Maple State, Lake of Forgotten Hearts, Lingyan Sword Sect.
Late at night, in the corridor of sword Qi, Chen Mengjun, clad in a green dress, held a long sword. Before her stood over a hundred disciples of the Lingyan Sword Sect, including eleventh-realm elders and sisters from the middle realms.
"I believe everyone has received Lin Zhao's Heavenly Decree."
Moonlight cascaded upon Chen Mengjun's beautiful and pure face, making her appear even more captivating. She said softly, "My master once spoke of the great trends of the world, and our Lingyan Sword Sect has an undeniable responsibility. Therefore, my intention is for Uncle-Master Changlin to lead the disciples below the Golden Core realm to remain and guard the mountain gate, while I lead all disciples, including those at and above the Golden Core realm, to Shanhaiguan."
She furrowed her delicate eyebrows. "In this way, our Lingyan Sword Sect will not have its lineage broken. If Mengjun perishes in battle, Uncle-Master Changlin will serve as the next sect leader and continue to bring our Lingyan Sword Sect to greater glory."
"Mengjun!"
A slightly older woman among the crowd frowned. "Although you are the sect leader, you cannot act so rashly. As the sect leader, you should remain to oversee the Sword Sect. Let me, an elder who has long struggled to break through, lead everyone to Shanhaiguan to resist the enemy."
"Uncle-Master..."
Chen Mengjun pursed her red lips. "It is most appropriate for me to lead everyone to Shanhaiguan. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because..."
She gently bit her lip. "Mengjun has seen through her inner demons and will break through to become a twelfth-realm sword cultivator tonight. It is perhaps more likely for me, a twelfth-realm cultivator, to return alive from Shanhaiguan. Please rest assured, Your Highness, Mengjun will go all out, lead everyone to slay the demon and fiend races, and will also lead everyone back safely."
The middle-aged female sword cultivator was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to refute. Especially upon hearing that Chen Mengjun would become a twelfth-realm cultivator tonight, she felt a sense of great relief. In Chen Mengjun, she truly saw many, many reflections of Lingyan Sword Immortal Xie Yiying.
Perhaps, this child Chen Mengjun could truly lead the Lingyan Sword Sect to the pinnacle.
...
Villa on the Mountain Peak.
A sword arrived from the south, transforming into a charming figure in a red dress and white skirt, landing in the Natural Abode. Carrying a divine sword radiating heavy killing intent, she rushed into the study with a swift stride, her hands spread wide as she hugged Lin Zhao from behind, her entire body clinging to him, as if she couldn't be pulled off.
"Brother Lin Zhao! Did you miss me?"
She said joyfully with a smile.
Lin Zhao chuckled and waved his hand. "Go down, go down. Let's talk properly."