Even if they were unwilling, the Great Zhou Emperor and his ministers could only retreat helplessly.
It was just that their losses in this trip to Yinghai were too great. Not only did they not get Yingzhou Mountain and Penglai Mountain, they even lost Fangzhang Mountain that they already had. The Grand Imperial Palace, which had not yet recovered to its peak state, suffered new injuries before it recovered.
Originally, they were the organisation that held the greatest advantage with the appearance of the three mountains. They had even used the strength of their entire country, yet they ended up in such a miserable state in the end. How could Liang Pan and Zhu Hongwu not feel gloomy about this?
In fact, Lin Feng used Penglai Mountain to lose to Fangzhang Mountain. Even if they managed to snatch Yingzhou Mountain, they would still suffer a loss.
They had planned for many years, made many preparations, and invited external help like Dao Master Luo Fu. These were all huge costs and costs. If they could not get the second mountain, these costs would all be for naught.
Only by obtaining Yingzhou Mountain and the white jade pillar together could their wounded hearts be comforted.
However, it was a pity that the immortal mountain and the magical treasure embryo of creation were just illusions in the end.
Zhu Hongwu put away the Great Celestial Wheel and returned to the Grand Imperial Palace with a gloomy expression. "We did not do our job well and ruined Your Majesty's plan."
Liang Pan shook his head slightly and his expression had completely recovered. "We can't blame you. The Great Zhou's failure this time is related to two points. First, the secret of our control of Fangzhang Mountain was exposed too early. Second, I was too greedy."
The Great Zhou's control of Fangzhang Mountain gave them a huge advantage in fighting for the three mountains. However, the news was leaked in advance, causing the Great Zhou Empire to become the target of public criticism. The other forces all focused their attention on the Great Zhou Empire. At the same time, they would subconsciously unite to resist the Great Zhou Empire when the conditions were equal.
Under such circumstances, the Great Zhou Empire still attacked on two fronts, attempting to take Penglai Mountain and Yingzhou Mountain in one go. Monopolizing the three mountains further increased the difficulty of the operation.
Liang Pan sat on the dragon throne in the main hall of the Grand Imperial Palace and sighed with a smile. "Being too greedy will indeed blind one's rationality. I will take today's matter as a warning."
Zhu Hongwu and the other Great Zhou officials said in unison: "We are guilty."
Shao Dongtian, the leader of the Eastern Sky Gate, who had already returned to the Grand Imperial Palace, sighed, "If not for the leader of the Celestial Gate, the matter of our Great Zhou controlling the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain would not have been leaked in advance. If not for Xuanmen Tianzong's interference, even if we were to obtain two mountains at the same time, we might still have had a chance."
Eastern Heavenly Gate had always kept a low profile. This time, their plan to seize the three mountains for the Great Zhou Dynasty had been completely exposed. Not only had they lost two Dharma treasures, but they had also lost their secrecy. This was an immeasurable loss.
Silently, Zhu Hongwu said, "Even without Lin Feng, there could still be Zhang Feng and Li Feng. Instead of thinking about these things, why don't we reflect on how we can do better?"
He put his hands behind his back and curled his fingers. "I'll give you what you've always wanted."
Shao Dongtian's eyes were as deep as the ocean. He raised his white eyebrows and looked at Zhu Hongwu.
After the two of them looked at each other calmly for a while, Shao Dongtian nodded. "I will also give you what you want."
Liang Pan, who was sitting on the dragon throne, did not move. He looked at Shao Dongtian and said warmly, "Official Shao, go and get some materials and treasures later. Quickly repair the Xuantian Seal of your Eastern Heavenly Gate."
The Great Zhou Dynasty lost the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, which was equivalent to losing their base in the Ying Ocean. In the future, it would be much more difficult to obtain treasures from the Ying Ocean. At the same time, the damage to the Grand Imperial Palace would require a large amount of resources to repair. However, Liang Pan did not hesitate to issue a decree to help Shao Dongtian repair the Xuantian Seal.
Shao Dongtian's white eyebrows twitched. Not only did he not feel happy, but he sighed.
However, his expression was calm as he replied respectfully, "This old subject thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."
After a slight pause, he said even more respectfully, "My daughter's cultivation is not good enough. She has lost the Alchemy Calligraphy Iron Voucher Your Majesty bestowed. This old subject is ashamed, so I ask Your Majesty for another meeting on behalf of my daughter. I hope Your Majesty can be magnanimous."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Liang Pan's lips. He said unhurriedly, "Approved."
Sword Venerable Watching Tide sent a voice transmission to Sword Venerable Vast Sea, "Sect Leader, Shao Dongtian is demanding an exorbitant price. Does he think that the Great Zhou Dynasty's setback this time gives him the right to raise the price? Although the Great Zhou Dynasty's trip to the Ying Ocean this time was a failure, it hasn't reached the point where their vitality is truly damaged, right? "
Sword Venerable Vast Sea did not answer the question. "Shao Dongtian is a smart person. He is one step faster than me, but his Eastern Heavenly Gate is indeed a little stronger than our Vast Sea Sword Sect. Since he is one step ahead, it's not good for me to imitate him."
Sword Venerable Watching Tide was confused. "Sect Leader …"
Sword Venerable Vast Sea shook his head slightly. "How can there be a free lunch in this world?"
"Sect Leader, you mean that Shao Dongtian is doing the opposite …" Sword Venerable Watching Tide seemed to have understood something. He chuckled and said, "He is indeed a sly old fox. Isn't he afraid that the Great Zhou Dynasty will give him a mission that will break the teeth of his Eastern Heavenly Gate?"
Sword Venerable Vast Sea shook his head without saying anything, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes.
Before today, the Great Zhou Dynasty had always been developing at a high speed. They were high-spirited and continuously expanding.
This time, if they could really obtain Mount Penglai and Yingzhou Immortal Mountains at the same time and completely control the Ying Ocean, they would be able to defend it for a period of time. The Great Zhou Dynasty's national strength would definitely soar again.
However, things did not go according to their wishes. In the end, the Great Zhou Dynasty's strength declined instead of increasing. The failure of the Ying Ocean incident also hindered the Great Zhou Dynasty's momentum of expansion.
The Great Zhou Dynasty had to handle every step carefully. Otherwise, not only would the momentum of development be interrupted, but there was also the possibility of a decline. They could not afford to be careless.
What should the Canghai Sword Sect do?
Just like the Eastern Heavenly Gate, the Vast Sea Sword Sect and the Great Zhou Dynasty were so close that they were almost inseparable …
Unlike Sword Venerable Vast Sea's gloomy heart, Xuanmen Tianzong could be described as overjoyed.
After bidding farewell to Stonefeather and the others, Lin Feng rode Mount Yujing and disappeared into the void. Meanwhile, the Illusory Ocean Mystique Tide devoured the Yingzhou Immortal Mountain that had been refined by his God of Battle clone. The huge immortal mountain instantly disappeared in the misty illusion of the Ying Ocean.
Tens of millions of transparent jade plates appeared once again. They stacked on top of each other and formed a huge transparent sphere, wrapping the Yingzhou Immortal Mountain like a shell.
This was the nameless ancient formation that Lin Feng received the power of the Ying Ocean after refining the immortal mountain, allowing it to regenerate.
However, it would still take a long time for it to recover to its peak strength.
On the other hand, the core illusion of the immortal mountain had taken shape once again. Lin Feng attached great importance to this core illusion. Zhu Yi, Xiao Yan, and the others who had entered the illusion had comprehended the Divine Abilities of Dao Master Hao Yang and Dao Master Looming Shadow through the combination of the starlight in the illusion.
Meanwhile, the core illusion of the Yingzhou Immortal Mountain could refine the Soul Imprints of most of the cultivators that died in the Ying Ocean into starlight.
Although according to Xiao Yan, Zhu Yi, and the others, it was difficult to deduce the Dao manuals, and they could only comprehend the Divine Abilities and bring them out. Furthermore, it was only a portion of the Divine Abilities, but it was still a priceless treasure trove.
Relatively speaking, the bigger problem was that the starlight that had collapsed in the illusion could not be condensed again. In other words, a cultivator only had one chance to condense the starlight into a cultivator's Soul Imprint. In order to break the core illusion, Xiao Yan, Zhu Yi, Monk Da Kong, Shi Xingyun, and the others had fought continuously, causing most of the starlight in the illusion to collapse.
The collapsed starlight turned into a ray of red light that gathered at the center of the galaxy, forming the door to break the illusion.
However, Lin Feng believed that as time passed, most of the cultivators that died in the Ying Ocean would have their Soul Imprints intercepted by the mysterious power of the Ying Ocean and turned into starlight in the illusion.
Before Xiao Yan, Zhu Yi, and the others had ascended the Yingzhou Immortal Mountain, the defense of the Yingzhou Immortal Mountain had actually become very weak after countless years of attacks by countless powerhouses. After Lin Feng refined the Yingzhou Immortal Mountain, he realized that the core illusion had many other wonderful uses. For example, he could release all the starlight stored in it to face the enemy. Within a short period of time, each cluster of starlight could unleash the strength of the previous owner of the Soul Imprint.
Although the starlight would quickly dissipate after leaving the illusion, the number and quality of the powerhouses had accumulated to a certain extent. When hundreds of starlight faced the enemy together, the power would be extremely impressive.
Apart from the nameless ancient array and the core illusion, there were many other restrictions in the Yingzhou Immortal Mountain. However, Lin Feng had just refined the immortal mountain, and there were still many things that he needed to carefully study.
In terms of resources, apart from the core illusion, the most valuable thing in the Yingzhou Immortal Mountain was the Jasmine Spring that had once nourished the Li Qing Jade Table.
Lin Feng carefully sensed the Spirit Qi in it and realized that the spring water indeed had a unique advantage in nourishing Dharma treasures. It was priceless.
As for the other spirit flowers, spirit herbs, resources, and minerals, they were also very abundant.
Due to the existence of the immortal mountain, it was much easier for Xuanmen Tianzong to obtain the many treasures in the sea outside the immortal mountain.
"Master, we've had a great harvest this time." Xiao Yan smiled and went up to greet Lin Feng with the others. After bowing, he pointed at Zhu Yi. "Especially Second Junior Brother, you've really earned a lot this time."
Zhu Yi, who had always been indifferent, was also full of smiles at this moment. However, he was neither arrogant nor humble. "We've indeed gained a lot."
His Hao Yang clone carried the huge White Jade Pillar and came before Lin Feng. "Master, please handle this."
Lin Feng smiled. "This is your own opportunity, I won't interfere. I'll only give you some pointers to help you refine this treasure properly. If you can successfully refine a Dharma treasure of creation in the future, it'll be a good story."
Zhu Yi blinked and bowed solemnly to Lin Feng. "Thank you, Master!"
Although they knew that according to the usual practice, Lin Feng would not take the treasures that they obtained because of their personal opportunities in most cases, a Dharma treasure of creation embryo like the White Jade Pillar was too valuable and had a completely different meaning. Even the Taixu Temple, Mount Shu Sword Sect, and the Great Zhou Dynasty would take it for public use. On one hand, it was for safety reasons, and on the other hand, it was to ensure that the sacrificial refining was successful and not wasted.
In the whole world, Lin Feng was probably the only Master who would leave a treasure like the White Jade Pillar to the disciple who found it.
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