The cabin was cold and damp.

Accompanied by the sound of rushing water, the keel and deck creaked as if they might fall apart at any moment.

In the flickering candlelight, there were ghastly, decaying faces, and in the distance, a few bound coffins thudded loudly.

Damn it!

Ninth Yang cursed under his breath, handing over the package in his hand, and said in a deep voice, "The reward this time has been increased, and next time try to get better goods, don't use such worthless things to fool us!"

Opposite him, an old man with a bluish complexion and pustules on his face took the package with a smile. Inside were taels of silver and a few bottles of pills.

"Yes, yes..."

The old man nodded and bowed, "In these times, dead bodies are abundant, but it takes time to make a zombie. You're pushing too hard."

"That's your problem!"

Ninth Yang snorted, "If you're not willing to put in the effort, there are plenty of people who want to make this money!"

The old man nodded awkwardly, "I ask Steward Yang for leniency. I will do my best."

Ninth Yang nodded in satisfaction,

"Bring the goods inside."

A group of people immediately came forward, carrying dead bodies and coffins containing zombies, filing out of the boat, onto the dock, and into a secret warehouse.

In the torchlight, thousands of iron-armored corpse soldiers with bluish-purple skin were neatly arranged, and on the other side was a large workshop.

The transported corpses were successively soaked, talisman papers stuffed into their bellies, iron plates embedded outside, and then placed in a Yin Qi pool to cultivate.

This was the corpse refining room of the Yang Family in Lanzhou.

The aging patriarch of the Yang Family, who served as the National Guardian in Lanzhou, stood solemnly, wearing a row of copper rings on his hand. With his gestures, these impervious iron-armored corpse soldiers moved to attack in unison.

Next to him, Yang Chixuan, the grandson of the Yang Family's direct line, frowned slightly and respectfully said, "Ancestor, the power of this shadow soldier borrowing technique... doesn't seem substantial. Why are we so painstakingly cultivating them?"

"These are not to deal with cultivators..."

The Yang Family ancestor touched his beard, his face aged with time, "Do you know why I ignore the Kaiyuan Sect?"

Yang Chixuan shook his head in confusion.

A trace of gloom passed through the Yang Family ancestor's eyes, "If they obediently select an emperor, what harm is it for the Yang Family to be the first to respond after taking this world?"

"But what they're doing now only recognizes merit for harvests. With commoners able to learn magic, joining with the Yang Family would be the beginning of our end."

"That True Man Zhang, even though his skills are otherworldly, acts too recklessly. Soon, he will be destroyed by the Forbidden Lands, and those who follow him won't escape death."

"At that time, the Yang Family will lead a hundred thousand shadow soldiers, seize the Kaiyuan Sect's land, and negotiate with other Forbidden Land National Guardian clans. Then the world will be secured!"

As he spoke, the Yang Family ancestor slowly turned around, looking at Yang Chixuan with a slight smile.

"Then, you will be the emperor who opens the dynasty..."

Yang Chixuan's face turned beet red, his eyes full of excitement, and he knelt on the ground, constantly kowtowing.

"The ancestor plans well; Chixuan thanks the ancestor for his guidance..."

"Hahaha, no wonder your Yang Family doesn't recognize good from bad, still dreaming of being an emperor!"

Suddenly, mocking laughter was heard from outside the door, followed by the entrance of Captain Yuan Kong of the Lanzhou Astronomical Bureau with a large contingent of men.

"Yuan Kong, how dare you!"

Yang Chixuan was furious, losing all his gentlemanly demeanor, his face twisted as he roared out.

But he failed to notice the panic on the Yang Family ancestor's face, who was already trembling and kneeling on the ground.

"This old man welcomes the Upper Envoy!"

Yang Chixuan was startled, noticing that the surrounding area had somehow filled with Yin Qi, as a Yaksha covered in dripping water slowly emerged.

The Yaksha scratched its belly, its voice harsh and sinister: "The Lanjiang Water Mansion has formed an alliance with the Human Race, with an agreement not to interfere with each other. From now on, you belong to his jurisdiction."

As it spoke, it pointed to Yuan Kong.

"What?!"

The Yang Family ancestor abruptly lifted his head.

This Yaksha was indeed the evil spirit he had contacted, but the words it spoke were truly unbelievable.

"Fake, fake!"

Yang Chixuan suddenly went mad, pointed at the Yaksha and shouted, drawing his treasure sword with a clang.

He found it even harder to accept than the Yang Family ancestor. Just after harboring hope of being emperor, he was transferred like a dog.

"Courting death!"

The Yaksha was instantly enraged, twisting his trident as a black, bizarre force field appeared, tearing Yang Chixuan, who charged up, to pieces with flesh and blood flying everywhere.

The Yang Family ancestor, who also intended to resist, found himself utterly unable to muster the courage, and prostrated himself on the ground, looking old and frail.

"The Upper Envoy's wrath, Lord Yuan, the Yang Family complies..."

The Yaksha snorted, turned to look at Yuan Kong, "The transfer is complete. The Lanjiang Water Mansion adheres to stringent rules. Any demons and ghosts harming people on the river can be slain as seen fit and are unrelated to us."

As he spoke, his form gradually dissipated.

Yuan Kong cupped his hands, then looked at the kneeling Yang Family ancestor, speaking in a deep voice:

"The actions of the Yang Family will be thoroughly investigated. Those who deserve to die won't live, and those who deserve to live can't die."

"You also see, the new dynasty is to be established, with the Kaiyuan Sect as its guiding principle. True Man Zhang personally set a rule for the sect, which even prisoners must follow."

The Yang Family ancestor's lips trembled,

"Lord Yuan, what is the rule?"

Yuan Kong took a deep breath, his eyes glaring as he hissed:

"The Human Race, till death... never kneels!"

At the same time, within the Human Race Holy Temple of Tong City, Lanzhou, the temple priest was dozing off, as incense smoke curled around the Divine Court Bell and the statues of the three True Gods.

Below the hall, the silhouette of the Lanjiang River God was kneeling on the ground, continuously kowtowing, full of supplication:

"Taoist Friend Taoxu, please be lenient. I don't want to be a pig raised by the evil spirits of the Water Mansion. I am willing to guard the human race for generations."

The Dharma Aspect of Shen Xu slowly appeared, frowning and scolding, "The Star Lord was right. You're truly indecisive, wanting to become a True God of the human race—what merits and abilities do you have!"

"Leave now, and remember, from this day forth, you all are merely ritual worship. You may maintain minimal incense but if you dare use evil skills to intimidate and sacrifice living beings, I will ensure your divine soul is obliterated!"

"I-I will obey…"

The Lanjiang River God kneeling on the ground was nearly overcome with regret.

The alliance between the human race and the Forbidden Land spread like wildfire, moving all who heard of it.

Some were delighted, some were shocked, while others were restless.

Gathering information, arranging escape routes, burning bridges… Each National Guardian Clan harbored their own intentions, beginning to plot in secret.

The major Forbidden Lands naturally received the news as well, but they did not react, nor did they care, merely speculating that the Lanjiang Water Mansion had some designs on the human race…

…

After the alliance with the Lanjiang Water Mansion concluded, Zhang Kui returned to Quanzhou the next day.

Although Zhu Sheng was overseeing operations, the Kaiyuan Sect also dispatched a large number of personnel to manage the affairs of Quanzhou, incorporating it into the Divine Dynasty's system.

But the premise was that the Spiritual Sect or other overseas Forbidden Lands would not cause trouble; if they did, Zhang Kui had to be able to hold them back, otherwise, it would be all for naught.

Additionally, there was an important matter of attending the Immortal Path Alliance gathering organized by Yuan Huang.

...

The bright moon shone, and the sea tides reached the sky.

In the night sky, Zhang Kui traveled on clouds, sipping a little wine as he observed the sea surface below.

For the human race, the ocean represented both mystery and terror, especially in this world.

Quanzhou had quite a few sea merchants, but the furthest they dared venture was to the southern islands, trading for some gems and spices.

Some had attempted to journey further, but none returned, though legends of Turtle Mountain, Ghost Ships, and others slowly made their way back.

Even the coastal regions were not safe; Zhang Kui sat upon the cloud, looking north to the sea's depths, where a mass of dark clouds loomed with lightning and thunder, black light piercing the sky.

That was Profound Yin Mountain, one of the "Three Mountains."

Compared to the "Four Caves and Five Water Mansions," the "Three Mountains" were even more mysterious; nothing had ever emerged from them, yet they were extremely perilous, where no living soul dared to approach.

Though Zhang Kui's curiosity was piqued, now he was burdened with numerous affairs, leaving no time to explore—yet this time, he could inquire with Yuan Huang.

The speed of Soaring Clouds and Mist was swift, and within a single incense stick's time, a small island abruptly appeared before him.

Surrounded by scattered reefs, the island was shrouded in mist, bathed in moonlight, ethereal and enchanting.

This was the meeting place, Bright Moon Island.

Zhang Kui used the Cloud Head Ghost Communication Technique to probe the island, finding no malevolent miasma, just lush greenery and some ancient ruins.

He found it odd—merely a meeting, why did Yuan Huang travel so far to this isolated island?

Just as he wondered, Yuan Huang's clear voice echoed from the island, "Taoist Friend Zhang, since you're here, why not come down to drink and admire the moon?"

"Friend, this place is rather remote…"

Zhang Kui laughed heartily, guiding his cloud to descend slowly. It was a mountain-top ancient ruin, weather-worn with only a mottled stone platform remaining.

Above, four directions faced each other, each with a stone table and meditation cushion laid with fruits and spirit wine, leaving one empty seat, with three gazes directed at him.

No need to mention Yuan Huang.

Sitting to the west was a purple-robed demon charm woman, her neck covered in floral tattoos, appearing languid as her three large white tails swayed gently.

To the north, a bald monk sat, though his four eyes marked him as a demon, his brow was calm as ancient wells, exuding great poise.

With a little smile, Zhang Kui greeted,

"Greetings to my fellow Taoists."

These two demons showed no hostility, smiling back in return,

"Greetings, Taoist Friend Zhang."

After sitting down, Yuan Huang immediately began introductions, explaining that the woman's name was Bao Wuxin, a Mountain Lord from the Spiritual Sect.

Zhang Kui had been gathering information these past few days and knew the Ten Thousand Demons Cave Spiritual Sect had numerous mountains, each governed by a Mountain Lord.

The yellow-robed, four-eyed monk was called Bonaluo, an evil spirit from the Celestial River Water Mansion at the Mahayana Realm.

Once seated, Yuan Huang wasted no time, expressing with a sigh, "Taoist Friend Zhang, although our Immortal Path Alliance is small in number, we share common goals and support one another."

"Originally, you were to be informed of the backstory next Mid-Autumn, but now we urgently require your great assistance, so we can no longer keep this secret."

"A thousand years ago, this Bright Moon Island held an Ancient Secret Realm. By chance, the three of us entered, initially at odds, but upon finding an object, we put aside our differences and established the Immortal Path Alliance."

"Oh, what was it?"

Zhang Kui was curious as to what they could have found that prompted them to set aside their preconceptions.

Yuan Huang smiled slightly, looking towards the four-eyed monk Bonaluo, "Friend, shall we begin?"

The four-eyed monk laughed heartily, tossing a stone disc from his bosom, its ancient patterns exuding spirit charm, buzzing and hovering in the air.

Subsequently, Yuan Huang and the demon charm woman Bao Wuxin also tossed out a stone disc, and the three discs layered upon one another in the air, instantly enveloped in spirit light, forming a circle of light below.

With a smile, Yuan Huang waved his hand, causing the circle of light to drift slowly towards the sky above Zhang Kui.

Zhang Kui was unafraid, recognizing the object as an Ancient Artifact, yet sensing no danger.

He gazed up at the light circle, just as it aligned perfectly with the bright moon above.

He was instantly taken aback.

Glimpsing the bright moon through the circle of light, he could vaguely see outlines of palace structures within the Moon Sea...

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