C7 The Qin Empire Was in Chaos

Cultivation techniques are categorized into three tiers: Heaven, Earth, and Human, each with its own ranking system based on the speed of cultivation and the purity of the Genuine Qi condensed. Chu Tianyu is currently practicing the Vajra Esotery, a High-grade Human Rank technique, which in theory could be cultivated up to Level Six.

However, surpassing Level Three often results in a significant slowdown. This is because the higher a warrior's level, the purer the Genuine Qi required within their body. Eventually, the Genuine Qi produced by the Vajra Esotery falls short of these heightened requirements.

Chu Tianyu, however, has limited options. The prevalent cultivation system focuses on Qi cultivation, and body refining techniques are scarce. The most advanced body refining technique he knows is his father's Vajra Unbreakable Body, a High-grade Earth Rank technique that becomes exceedingly difficult to advance beyond Level Six.

Tianyu had long committed the flow of the Vajra Esotery to memory. Aside from initial discomfort, he found the practice quite agreeable.

It must be acknowledged that there is a distinct advantage to being a noble. Even someone like Tianyu, labeled as incapable of cultivation, has access to extensive knowledge on the subject. In contrast, ordinary individuals, regardless of their innate talent, would struggle to progress without the fortune of a skilled mentor's guidance.

Ao Xingyun watched with a mix of surprise and admiration as Tianyu quickly entered a focused state. "It seems I should also attend to healing my wounded soul," he mused, before delving into his own meditative realm.

"Ah, this is incredible, so soothing!" Tianyu soon discovered a lively and comforting energy coursing through him, following the path outlined by the Vajra Esotery. With each cycle, the energy grew stronger and the sensation more pleasant. Influenced by the Genuine Qi within him, Spiritual Qi continuously converged around his body, enriching the ambient energy.

Lost in this delightful experience, Tianyu tirelessly cycled through his technique, oblivious to the outside world.

Saint Level experts typically master only one type of law, with only a rare few prodigies capable of grasping more than two. Ao Xingyun, who has mastered five types, is nearly unheard of, a feat only the most exceptional talents of the Dragon Clan could achieve.

Even those prodigies who can handle multiple laws are limited to using one at a time. Mishandling them could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Take Yugong and his companions, for example. They had to meticulously practice with a formation countless times to partially overlap their Laws' Domains, which significantly amplified their power.

Ao Xingyun, however, managed to wield five types of laws simultaneously. Although he controlled the collision to some extent, the combined force of these five laws was beyond imagination. In that moment, the sky shattered, space turned into a void, and the earth disintegrated into dust...

The devastation was beyond comprehension. Despite the four of them covering a thousand miles in the blink of an eye, escape was impossible.

Yugong fled early, yet not swiftly enough. His physical form was obliterated, leaving only a wisp of his soul hidden within a damaged relic, a grim price for his betrayal.

Lei Chongshan was quicker but still suffered severe injuries. With the Great Dao shattered and his cultivation level diminished, he retreated to his sanctuary to recover.

Feng Wuya, tragically, was already gravely wounded by Ao Xingyun. His unique evasion techniques were futile against such an indiscriminate onslaught, leading to his complete annihilation.

Xue Wuheng's fate mirrored Lei Chongshan's, though he chose not to retreat to safety. Dragging his injured body back to the battlefield, he found nothing but disappointment. No trace of Ao Xingyun, no keepsakes, not even the young man or the rubble that once was – all replaced by a vast crater, with no clues to their whereabouts.

The epic clash between the four Quasi Sovereigns and the Holy Dragon raged for a full day, sending shockwaves across ten thousand miles and drawing the gaze of many powerful beings. Yet, they wisely kept their distance. A Saint from the Qin Empire had dared to approach and was met with a fatal raindrop that pierced his body, causing unstoppable bleeding.

He was undoubtedly a figure they could only aspire to match. The crowd was stunned, retreating a staggering ten thousand miles!

Yet, escape was not in their fate. Ultimately, the catastrophic shockwave left everyone severely wounded.

Before, they harbored the mentality of opportunistic fishermen, but now, they fled in haste, terrified of perishing in the residual effects. The most unfortunate Saint of the Qin Empire met his demise due to prior injuries.

The elders, upon returning to their respective powers, were dispirited. Their bodies were riddled with cracks, resembling spider webs, appearing as though they might crumble upon the slightest touch. However, what preoccupied their thoughts was the nature of this holy war. Was it for treasure or vengeance? Chance or inevitability?

These uncertainties kept the many factions within the Qin Empire in a perpetual state of unease. The normally sagacious and valiant Emperor of the Qin Empire, Qin Ren, found himself frowning more frequently, his hair gaining a few more strands of white.

"Conduct an investigation, and do it quickly," commanded Emperor Qin Ren, his expression grim. This was an unforeseen calamity. "Order the Southern Legion to hold their ground at all costs. Reinforce them with a million troops from the southern counties and keep a vigilant eye on every move made by Dali."

The Qin Empire was formidable, stretching over a hundred thousand kilometers. The Taibai, Li Mountains, and Jiannan ranges were rich with innumerable spirit veins, medicinal herbs, and other celestial treasures, forming three natural fortifications for the empire, easily defended and difficult to breach.

Over a decade ago, it was at Jiannan Pass that they decimated the forces of Dali and the Wei Empire, leaving behind mountains of bones and rivers of blood, their might unmatched. Yet, the Qin Empire had no shortage of adversaries. From Dali to the south, the Wei Empire, the western coalition of states, Da Qi to the east, and Da Han to the north, all coveted the empire's strength. Moreover, within the Qin Empire itself, unity was far from absolute, with numerous factions eager to seize power.

Annually, the Qin Empire engaged in several conflicts with the neighboring five nations, though these were minor clashes that never threatened to breach the defenses of Yin Mountain and Jiannan Pass.

Recent reports indicate that a massive breach has appeared in the Jiannan Mountain Range. The extent of the gap and whether it runs through the entire range is unknown, but this represents a significant issue for the mountain range's defenses. Should it fall, the southern border extending to the Li Mountains would be left wide open, with no natural defenses to rely on.

"I hope we can keep the news of Ancestor Qin Hao's demise under wraps," Qin Ren mused, his brow deeply furrowed. Though reports from other ancestors suggested that all the saints were too preoccupied with their own survival to notice, there was no guarantee the information wouldn't leak.

To Qin Ren, the breach in the Jiannan Mountain Range paled in comparison to the loss of Ancestor Qin Hao, who was the linchpin of the Qin Empire's stability.

The news stirred excitement among the many factions opposed to the Qin Empire. Following this event, the empire was bound to become a prime target, and this behemoth would eventually tire under the relentless scrutiny of so many covetous adversaries.

The saints had entered seclusion to heal their wounds, and their recovery was expected to take at least three to five years.

Meanwhile, countless streaks of light converged on the Sacred War Ruins from every direction, as many sought to glean even the smallest insight or opportunity from the remnants.

"What? A ten-thousand-mile-wide chasm has opened in the Jiannan Mountain Range, and the stationed army has been reduced to ashes?" Emperor Duan Li of Dali was initially dumbstruck upon receiving the momentous news brought back at great risk by his ancestor. He then erupted into hearty laughter.

"Excellent, excellent," Duan Li exclaimed, his excitement palpable. For over a millennium, the Jiannan Mountain Range had been the final resting place for Dali's armies. The disappearance of this natural barrier was cause for his elation.

"The heavens favor us. The southern lands of the Qin Empire will soon be Dali's," he declared. That very day, Emperor Duan Li issued a series of imperial decrees, mobilizing an army of a million to march on Jiannan.

The Wei Empire, too, seized the moment and deployed their forces. Their losses in Jiannan were no less significant than Dali's, and they were not about to let such an opportunity slip by. If the Qin Empire were to regroup, Wei would be left with a lifetime of regret.

The clouds over the Qin Empire began to stir once more!