To be honest, Zhang Jiao originally thought that since they were both at the early stage of the sixth rank, he could go toe-to-toe with Xiang Yu. Besides, he was a cultivator of immortality, while Xiang Yu was a body cultivator. Theoretically speaking, in a situation where they were at the same rank, he should have a greater advantage. However, the reality was far more disheartening.
Seeing this, Xiang Yu said nonchalantly, "I'm not at the early stage of the sixth rank, I'm at the seventh rank! Besides, what exactly do you want?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiao didn't waste any words. Instead, he directly took out a box. The box was black, and the outside seemed to be made of wood. However, on the surface, there were extremely complex seals, like patterns.
At this point, all the seals had been broken. Even a child could open the box.
Around the box, black ripples appeared, all of them fragments of space. The space around the box was constantly breaking and repairing itself.
At the same time, an aura of destruction emanated from the box. If one's willpower was insufficient, they might suffer a qi deviation and die!
With a snap, the box opened, and then a left arm flew out. Chains were attached to the left arm. However, as the arm was attached to Xiang Yu, the chains broke automatically.
"This is my left arm, sealed away by Zhang Liang in the far north, in some unknown place. Now, it has been released. Tell me, what do you want?" Xiang Yu asked, while continuing to move his body.
At the same time, a faint aura of power emanated from his body. The color of his skin instantly changed from white to a deep black.
Zhang Jiao knew that Xiang Yu's strength had definitely increased again at this time, and he should be at the mid-stage of the sixth rank, right? The remaining right arm, torso, and two legs should correspond to the late stage of the sixth rank, the perfect sixth rank, half a step into the seventh rank, and the seventh rank.
This can be described as the grand path. At this moment, Xiang Yu only needs his physical body to recover, and he can automatically break through to the seventh level and become an immortal Dao Lord-level powerhouse.
However, Zhang Jiao was Zhang Jiao after all. After a brief moment of envy, he returned to normal. Xiang Yu was powerful, but Zhang Jiao was confident that his own mastery of talismans was no weaker than his.
"What I ask for is very simple. I just need the Overlord to strike with his full power at the crucial moment. I don't need the Overlord to rebel beforehand, nor do I need the Overlord to help me kill people. I just need him to strike with all his might at the crucial moment."
"As for the target and timing, I will tell the Overlord at the crucial moment. As for this left arm, it is merely a token of my sincerity. To be honest, the remaining right arm and both legs are also under my control. If you want them, you can get them quickly. Except for the torso sealed in Luoyang, I can get the rest," Zhang Jiao said confidently.
Upon hearing this, Xiang Yu paused for a moment. He knew without a doubt that the person who had broken his seal and given it to him was neither a good person nor a traitor.
Moreover, Xiang Yu had heard of Zhang Jiao before him. Yu Ji had said that this man was keen on establishing a terrestrial kingdom and had also taken away Wang Mang's human and heavenly principles. Another rebel, but what did that have to do with Xiang Yu?
Then, he nodded and said, "You were able to break through so many seals and obtain them. It seems you must be colluding with people from the outside world, right? But I'm about to leave this world. What happens to this world is for that old rogue Liu Bang to worry about. It's none of my business."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiao was initially startled, but then regained his composure. Indeed, Xiang Yu was, after all, one of the most outstanding chosen ones from 20,000 years ago; it was understandable that he would become aware of his methods.
"At the crucial moment, I'll deliver the final blow. I agree to that request."
"Alright, I'll send over the next seal after a while," Zhang Jiao said happily. With Xiang Yu's cooperation, the feasibility of the plan was improved once again.
Upon hearing this, Xiang Yu frowned, then said, "Since you lifted the seal for me, I'll give you a heads-up: few of those outsiders are good people. Back then, Liu Bang used their power to defeat me, and even now, he's still being controlled by them, owing favors that he hasn't repaid. This is the price he's paying!"
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Chapter Seventeen: More than half a year later, a bumper harvest, a satellite launch.
Xiang Yu was plotting to restore his strength, Zhang Jiao was planning a rebellion, many powerful families were also secretly making their own plans, while Lin Yang lived a relatively simple life.
Farming and cultivating, farming and cultivating, and from time to time he would check on Xu Shu's work results and give some theoretical and directional guidance.
Occasionally, when he had nothing else to do, he would frequently appear in the sight of the people of Wu, trying to make his presence known. Sometimes, he would even deliberately put on a show to win over the hearts and minds of the people.
And so, time slipped away unnoticed. Now, more than half a year has passed. In these past six months, Lin Yang has experienced two more cycles, one in the world of Jade Dynasty and the other in a historical world.
There have been gains, and now his strength has reached the level of the Great Perfection of the Three Elements.
The body cultivator has once again cultivated various extraordinary phenomena, and even the bloodline within his body has been activated to a trace. At crucial moments, he can even undergo a near-demon transformation, giving his enemies an unexpected surprise.
As for Wendao, with the spread of "Detailed Explanation of the Divine Way" and the occasional issuance of commands, his literary talent had long been fully realized. Although he could not fully comprehend his own way or substitute his own heart for the will of Heaven, he could still achieve unity of knowledge and action, and at least not go against his own conscience.
In martial arts, the Longevity Technique has long been cultivated to its limit. The seven completely different types of true energy have been perfectly blended, achieving true primordial harmony and generating stable primordial true energy. In terms of the mysteries of true energy transformation, it can be said that it is no less than that of humans.
Even his spiritual cultivation became incredibly powerful (relatively speaking) due to occasionally practicing some simple and practical techniques and visualizing some Taoist diagrams.
It's fair to say that if it weren't for the need to enter the Primordial Land and find the Seed of the Universe, Lin Yang would have already broken through to the next level. But the Seed of the Universe is simply too important; Lin Yang can't afford to gamble, nor does he dare to.
What if someone else gets this seed in this lifetime? Wouldn't that mean that person has a slight chance of going back in time, just like the original owner?
Even if time cannot be reversed due to insufficient energy, isn't it still a piece of cake to wish for innate treasures or innate spiritual treasures?
"Phew, thank goodness. But it's about time I broke through. I'll go out and handle some government affairs, and then enjoy the scenery. Maybe I'll break through automatically." Observing the situation within his body, Lin Yang said confidently.
Now, in terms of foundation alone, he's finally not weaker than these local prodigies. After all, traveling through the myriad realms of the Samsara Land is the greatest opportunity!
Soon, Lin Yang left his secluded cultivation place, as he had things to do that day. Although Lin Yang, as the ruler, usually appeared to be someone who didn't care much about affairs, there were still some things that needed his attention.
Take this event, for example, which is called the Autumn Harvest Celebration. Actually, calling it a celebration isn't quite right, because the autumn harvest is about to begin, and they're just waiting for Lin Yang to put on a show and be the first to harvest.
Not only Lin Yang, but all the civil and military officials and five hundred nobles, unless there was something major happening today, would come. This was called universal celebration, and also sharing joy with the people.
After all, this was Wu's first bumper harvest, making it a significant event. Once Duke Lin Yang took the lead in harvesting, the civil and military officials would take turns, each displaying their skills—or rather, their approachable image and their emphasis on agriculture—according to their rank.
In matters like this, generally speaking, unless something happens to Lin Yang, no one can substitute for him. Unless that person is the future crown prince, and it's Lin Yang himself who gives the order. Otherwise, the first person to do this can only be Lin Yang. Otherwise, this celebration is better off not being held at all.
At this moment, Lin Yang arrived on the earthen platform, surrounded by several glittering crystals. Lin Yang knew that these crystals were similar to security cameras in modern society. At this very moment, at the entrance of every hundred villages, large and small, throughout the entire Wu Kingdom, there was a similar image, or rather, a projection.
As for the content, it's what these crystals captured. Like now, each village, under the organization of its village chief, has come to the open space in the village. And what are they doing? Of course, they're fully embracing the leadership's directives.
It's only because Lin Yang is rich that he has such things installed in every village. Otherwise, why would anyone else install such things in every village?
Looking at the civil and military officials below the stage—well, there were now over a hundred, to be precise, over a thousand. It was all thanks to Lin Yang's generosity; all the minor officials had become officials.
Looking at the local people on the outskirts, they seemed quite excited as well. And rightly so; just looking at the rice stalks so tall, reaching as high as a person, and the heavy ears of rice that had already bent the stalks askew, how could they not be happy?
The civil officials were overjoyed, for this bountiful harvest signified that the Kingdom of Wu had finally stabilized. It also demonstrated the immense potential of Wu. In other words, with diligent work, the titles of rank of scholar-official and baron were within reach! Brilliance and honor for their ancestors seemed to be just around the corner.
The military officer was also very happy, because Lin Yang had said long ago that after the autumn harvest, a large-scale military campaign would be launched to thoroughly clear out the nearby mountain tribes.
As for Lin Yang, he was even happier. A million people had won his heart—was there anything more important? A million people, in Jiangdong, was the population of a small county. Among the many vassal states, it was comparable to some earls.