King of Creation Chapter 1709 - 1694: Killing Two Birds with One Stone (Happy Valentine’s Day)

With the frustrated and helpless departure of Power Priest Tongna, it's now a certainty that Princess Changle will assume the role of Main Hall Master for the Barbarian Spirit Hall. Yet, the primary factor driving Tongna’s exasperated exit stems from Ye Zhen's established position as the Inherited Divine Messenger of the Southern Barbarian Sacred Spirit Peak.

This role of Inherited Divine Messenger holds immense significance for the Ancient Gods, War Souls, and War Spirits housed within the Ancestor God Temple, serving as the linchpin for the temple's command over the power of Ancient God War Souls. Upon attaining this title, individuals gain the ability to commune with slumbering Ancient God War Souls and War Spirits at any moment, employing a hereditary secret technique – much like Ye Zhen recently summoned the Divine Archer Yiz Lie.

The process of enshrining these Ancient God War Spirits is admittedly quite intricate. To put it plainly, this enshrinement resembles a transaction, with the Inherited Divine Messenger acting as a crucial intermediary. They serve as a trusted liaison for the enshrined Ancient God War Spirits.

For instance, priests are expected to provide a monthly quota of blood sacrifices and a steady stream of belief support. In return, the enshrined Barbarian Spirits are meant to bestow insights into the laws of power they command. Some formidable Ancient Gods can even directly augment a priest's capabilities. The Inherited Divine Messenger is indispensable for orchestrating all these exchanges.

Most critically, the secret techniques for communing with the enshrined Ancient Gods and War Spirits of each faction are unique to the Inherited Divine Messenger. Discovering an Ancient God War Spirit lacking its corresponding communication secret technique renders it akin to a lifeless artifact.

Naturally, the Ancestor God Temple, with its considerable might, has contingency measures in place, including several ancient secret technique curses designed to compel these Ancient God War Spirits into appointing an Inherited Divine Messenger. However, initiating a new connection on an already occupied canvas proves exceedingly difficult, even if achievable, the resulting bond is likely to be suboptimal.

Given that Ye Zhen has already been appointed the Inherited Divine Messenger for the Ancient Barbarian God and the four War Spirits of this Holy Spirit Peak, his position is effectively solidified.

The most straightforward approach, of course, would be to eliminate the current Inherited Divine Messenger, Ye Zhen, and then utilize ancient secret technique curses to designate a new appointee for these Ancient God War Spirits. However, this course of action benefits the Ancestor God Temple in no way, and furthermore, the temple is unable and unwilling to take Ye Zhen's life.

Beyond Ye Zhen's current vital standing, he has become a symbol of resistance against the Heavenly Temple for the ministers of the Great Zhou Dynasty; his demise would be akin to the Ancestor God Temple dismantling its own defenses. Moreover, with Princess Changle steadfastly by his side, how could they possibly harm Ye Zhen?

Princess Changle herself was secured for the Ancestor God Temple through significant effort and considerable expense. Striking down Ye Zhen would effectively alienate Princess Changle from the temple.

Furthermore, Ye Zhen's current status as the Inherited Divine Messenger for an Ancient God and four War Spirits of this Holy Spirit Peak, coupled with the peak's inherent power, presents a formidable deterrent. Even the Heavenly Temple would suffer greatly should they attempt to kill Ye Zhen.

An Inherited Divine Messenger possesses the capacity to ignite their Essence Blood Spirit, enabling the enshrined Ancient God War Spirit to instantaneously unleash a measure of its might, the extent of which varies with the individual's cultivation. Such an act would undoubtedly inflict substantial casualties upon the Ancestor God Temple at this juncture.

Power Priest Tongna also comprehends that with Ye Zhen holding the title of Inherited Divine Messenger, Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang will never permit him to further persecute Ye Zhen. Thus, he made the decisive choice to withdraw, thereby avoiding further humiliation and rage!

"Whether it be Changle’s ascension to the Main Hall Master position of the Barbarian Spirit Hall or the enshrinement of an Ancient God and four War Spirits within this Spirit Peak, all these ceremonies necessitate the selection of an auspicious date to pay homage to heaven and earth and to seek blessings from the four cardinal directions. The preparation for these rites also requires a period of time.

Therefore, in the ensuing days, Commander Ye should endeavor to remain within the Barbarian Spirit Hall alongside Changle, dedicating more time to understanding and fostering a connection with the Ancient God War Spirits residing within the Spirit Peak."

Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang's directive functions as a protective measure for both Ye Zhen and Changle. Bai Xiang is acutely aware that the Ancestor God Temple is not an impenetrable fortress; on the contrary, its intelligence network is porous, with infiltrations from the Heavenly Temple, Great Zhou, and various other factions rampant. The news regarding the Barbarian Spirit Hall securing the enshrinement of an Ancient God and four War Spirits has likely already been disseminated.

While four War Spirits could be managed, the appearance of an Ancient God would be extraordinary, foreshadowing a significant boost in combat power for the Ancestor God Temple and a quantum leap in strength for the Barbarian Spirit Hall. Naturally, this would incite actions from entities with hidden agendas, such as the Heavenly Temple. Of all factions, the Heavenly Temple would find the growing power of the Ancestor God Temple most detestable. There might even be actions taken that cannot be revealed to the public! Despite Luoyi being recognized as the Imperial Capital, Bai Xiang perceived the turmoil originating from it to be more severe than from any other location.

Ye Zhen raised no objections to this arrangement. His recent focus had been entirely on enhancing his strength, and spending a few days in secluded cultivation within the Barbarian Spirit Hall seemed like a fitting endeavor. It was also the perfect opportunity to discuss the matter of the Ancient God War Spirit with Princess Changle.

"However, I do request that the Great Chief Priest expedite matters," Ye Zhen stated. "The five-year term is approaching, and I must strive to return to my fiefdom to make necessary arrangements."

"Five-year term?"

Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang’s mind immediately turned to the arrangement between Ye Zhen and the West Patrol Xiu Qiangu. This five-year term was shamelessly secured for Ye Zhen by Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long through an Imperial Decree, stipulating that the West Patrol could not issue any commands to the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy within this period. The situation after five years, however, remained uncertain. Having witnessed all manner of unsavory dealings under military orders, Bai Xiang nodded gravely in agreement.

"Notify all Power Priests immediately. Within half a day, convene in my Chief Priest Main Hall for a meeting!" Bai Xiang commanded, swiftly departing with a retinue of Moon Priests.

Observing this, the Ba’long brothers remained silent, following Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang’s group.

"Wait, Great Chief Priest, you have not yet fulfilled your promise to me?" Ye Zhen called out loudly.

With a flash of crimson Spirit Light, Bai Xiang, the Great Chief Priest of the Barbarian Spirit Hall, reappeared in his original spot.

"What remains unfulfilled?"

Ye Zhen did not need to answer; merely by following Ye Zhen’s gaze, Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang understood the subject of his inquiry. At that moment, the Ba’erlong brothers, who had been attempting to slip away unnoticed, felt as though they had been plunged into an ice cellar!

"Everything must adhere to your prior agreement!"

Having stated this, Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang stood with his arms crossed, patiently awaiting fulfillment without further urging. The Ba’erlong brothers’ faces turned ashen. Without employing formidable tactics, how could Bai Xiang have ascended to the position of Great Chief Priest of the Ancestor God Temple?

Despite their internal anguish, the Ba’erlong brothers presented a storage ring. Within it lay a colossal stone statue, seemingly calcified over countless ages, emanating faint wisps of mystery.

"Where is the secret technique for communication?" Ye Zhen inquired, accepting the storage ring.

The Ba’erlong brothers glared at Ye Zhen with murderous intent but reluctantly handed over a Jade Scroll. Ye Zhen noted a trickle of blood already escaping from Ba’long’s mouth. Ba’long was in considerable pain!

Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang appeared somewhat unsettled by this sight and only after personally verifying the authenticity of the secret communication technique from the Jade Scroll did he hand it over to Ye Zhen.

"Quickly commence the tribute of this Guardian Battle Spirit of Yutu Barbarian. Changle will oversee this matter. Ba’erlong, Ba’erhu, as Vice Hall Masters of the Barbarian Spirit Hall, you two must provide your full cooperation to the Hall Master. Should you dare to cause any trouble, hmph!" With a chilling snort, Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang’s figure vanished into the distance.

The Ba’erlong brothers stood drenched in cold sweat, having absorbed Bai Xiang’s warning.

Heeding the Great Chief Priest’s admonition, and despite their deep reluctance, the Ba’erlong brothers dared not cause further disruption. Resignedly, they remained within the Barbarian Spirit Hall, overcome by distress and helplessness. They conveniently requested leave from Changle, thereby facilitating Ye Zhen and Changle’s privacy.

With the two of them alone, Princess Changle inevitably sought clarification from Ye Zhen regarding the origins of the Southern Barbarian Sacred Spirit Peak. Ye Zhen was reluctant to deceive Princess Changle, but the matter was of profound significance and could not be disclosed lightly. Fortunately, Princess Changle proved understanding; observing the troubled expression on Ye Zhen’s face, she refrained from pressing further.

In truth, Ye Zhen had never quite devised a suitable resolution for the Southern Barbarian Spirit Saint Spirit Peak.

Ye Zhen had borne witness to the formidable combat prowess of the Divine Archer Yiz Lie within the Southern Barbarian Sacred Spirit Peak. This was especially true considering the exceedingly low cultivation levels of the Southern Barbarian Tribe members and the limited spiritual power derived from their Essence Blood. At that time, only a fraction of Yiz Lie’s true combat power had been unleashed.

As per the pronouncements of the Great Chief Priest Bai Xiang, each of the nine Divine Arrows belonging to the Lii Clan, when wielded at their absolute peak, was said to possess the might of a Creation Realm God.

Since assuming the mantle of the Inherited Divine Messenger of the Sacred Spirit Peak, Ye Zhen possessed a clear understanding, not just of the ultimate combat power of the Divine Archer Yiz Lie, but also of the fact that this War Spirit Divine Archer could undoubtedly contend against Dao Realm experts without breaking a sweat.

The crux of the issue, however, was that even as the Inherited Divine Messenger, Ye Zhen could only awaken the War Spirit to fight for him through immense Essence Blood sacrifices, or by utilizing smaller quantities of high-quality Essence Blood. This was only feasible as a last resort, requiring him to burn his own Essence Blood Spirit in a moment of dire desperation.

Yet, during the heat of battle, at critical junctures, Ye Zhen could scarcely find the time for such elaborate Essence Blood sacrifices. Furthermore, making the necessary pre-arrangements for them proved to be immensely troublesome.

However, if the Sacred Spirit Peak were to be formally established within the Barbarian Spirit Hall, with Ye Zhen holding the position of Inherited Divine Messenger and Changle appointed as the Main Hall Master.

Then, in instances where Ye Zhen needed to call upon the power of the War Spirit, he could preemptively borrow its strength. The required Essence Blood sacrifices could subsequently be arranged and fulfilled by the Barbarian Spirit Hall.

Moreover, the Ancestor God Temple, with its specialized capabilities in this very domain, was adept at rearing Demon Beasts teeming with abundant and vigorous Qi, in numbers reaching the millions.

According to the account of Princess Changle, the Ancestor God Temple housed over a hundred thousand flood dragons, horned dragons, and other creatures of the dragon clan, all raised specifically for the purpose of blood sacrifice.

Consequently, this arrangement perfectly surmounted the obstacle Ye Zhen faced – his inability to perform the necessary Essence Blood sacrifices, which had previously prevented him from borrowing the War Spirit's power from within the confines of the Sacred Spirit Peak.

Furthermore, as the Barbarian Spirit Hall continued its tributes, the strength of the Ancient God and the War Spirit residing within the Sacred Spirit Peak would experience rapid recovery and accumulation. This would pave the way for Ye Zhen to borrow progressively greater amounts of power in the days to come.

Under these auspicious circumstances, Ye Zhen formally unveiled the Sacred Spirit Peak and presented it to Princess Changle. In doing so, he not only resolved his personal predicaments but also secured the prestigious Main Hall Master position for Princess Changle.

It was a truly mutually beneficial arrangement, a situation where both parties emerged victorious. Thus, why would he hesitate to pursue such an advantageous path?