Chapter 4: Pervasive

Nine days passed in the blink of an eye.

In the main hall of the Tianmang Hall, over ten thousand Celestial Immortals sat cross-legged, surrounded by floating blood-colored runes. Ji Ning was similarly surrounded by a multitude of blood-colored runes, each radiating astonishing battle intent. Yet these runes seemed to lack something, spinning continuously... Finally, when another rune coalesced before Ji Ning, all the runes instantly connected into a whole, and the battle intent surged.

"Done." Ji Ning opened his eyes, looking at the floating runes around him. "This Xing Tian Formation is truly profound, taking me nine days. But it is indeed the most suitable formation for attack and battle, worthy of being created by the 'Ancient War God' Xing Tian."

Xing Tian was known as the Ancient War God.

Extremely fond of battle, he broke through to become a True God while continuing to fight after his head was cut off, using his nipples as eyes and his navel as a mouth. This shows how fierce and mad Xing Tian's battle intent was.

"Hmm?"

Ji Ning looked around. The hall was quiet; the Celestial Immortal Tonghe and Yu Wei were still in meditation, but Tonghe's seat was empty.

"Has Tonghe already learned it?" Ji Ning rose. At this moment, the Tianmang Hall was very quiet, everyone in meditation. Even the Xia Emperor and the five Heavenly Gods and True Immortals had temporarily left; after all, they wouldn't sit there foolishly for half a month. Ji Ning walked toward the main hall's exit and soon saw over sixty Celestial Immortals on the floating clouds outside, chatting and laughing. They had likely all learned the formation.

Learning the Xing Tian Formation required high comprehension. Of course, those with a high enough Dao realm and deep study of formations could also learn it very quickly.

"Daoist Beiming."

"Daoist Beiming has also learned it?"

"We've lived for billions of years, so it's only natural we learn quickly. But Daoist Beiming's comprehension is astonishing." The Celestial Immortals spoke with smiles.

Ji Ning responded with a smile. These sixty-plus were elites among Celestial Immortals, many comparable to Tonghe.

"Ji Ning." Tonghe approached. "I just learned it not long ago, and you're only a step behind. It seems you'll be a major rival in the competition for the commander positions."

"Don't flatter me, Daoist Tonghe." Ji Ning shook his head. "The Grand Xia world hides dragons and crouching tigers; ranking among the top nine out of ten thousand Celestial Immortals is no easy task. By the way, I have something to discuss with the Xia Emperor."

"Go ahead." Tonghe nodded.

Ji Ning then walked to a nearby attendant and asked him to deliver a message.

"I'll go report to the Xia Emperor. Please wait a moment, Beiming the Immortal." The attendant quickly left to inform the Xia Emperor.

...

In a side hall.

The Xia Emperor sat alone before a desk, on which lay a map of the entire Grand Xia world. He was staring intently at it when Ji Ning, in his black Daoist robe, entered.

"You're here." The Xia Emperor looked up.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Ji Ning bowed.

"No need for such formality in private." The Xia Emperor smiled. "What brings you to see me privately?"

Ji Ning said, "I have a request for Your Majesty."

"Speak." The Xia Emperor said.

Ji Ning said, "I know that during this tribulation of the Three Realms, Celestial Immortals and Sanxians must all participate in battle. But I ask Your Majesty to help ensure that my Dao companion, Yu Wei, does not have to fight."

"Not fight? This..." The Xia Emperor frowned. "Why?"

"My Dao companion is pregnant." Ji Ning explained. "If the battle's impact is too great, though a Celestial Immortal's body can recover, the fetus inside could be harmed..."

The Xia Emperor immediately laughed. "Fire Rainbow Immortal is pregnant, and you didn't tell me."

"After all, few know of the pregnancy." Ji Ning said. He hadn't made it public, fearing someone might target Yu Wei. Only a few closest to them knew. But after his second incarnation's tribulation, his master Subhuti's words made Ji Ning realize that once a secret was told to another, it could be known by the Undying Sect.

Ji Ning also understood... that the Undying Sect might already know of Yu Wei's pregnancy. He had to be even more cautious.

"Rest assured, since she is pregnant, Fire Rainbow Immortal will not be sent to battle." The Xia Emperor said. "But after she gives birth, she will still need to fight. During this tribulation, no one can shirk their duty."

"I understand." Ji Ning nodded.

Just then, someone walked in from outside.

Ji Ning sensed it and looked over. Seeing the visitor, he said, "Greetings, Senior Dongyan." It was Dongyan the True Immortal.

Dongyan the True Immortal smiled. "I heard you had awakened from meditation and wanted to see you, but it seems you came to see His Majesty."

"May I ask why Senior wished to see me?" Ji Ning asked.

"I wanted to ask a favor." Dongyan the True Immortal said.

"A favor?" Ji Ning was surprised. "Senior's power far exceeds mine."

Dongyan the True Immortal shook his head. "What use is power? In this great tribulation, even mighty figures may fall. I was thinking... if I die, I ask that you look after Jiu Lian a little. Not personally, just ensure she can survive safely."

Ji Ning was taken aback. Jiu Lian?

Ji Ning had long severed his feelings for Jiu Lian, but the three thousand years of entanglement in the Heartworld had left some influence.

"If it is within my power, I will naturally help protect her. Jiu Lian is, after all, my senior apprentice-sister." Ji Ning said.

"With your word, I am reassured." Dongyan the True Immortal sighed.

"Dongyan, you're too cautious." The Xia Emperor said. "You became a Pure Yang True Immortal long ago, yet always used your second incarnation. Now that the tribulation is unavoidable, you sent your clan to your master early, and still entrust Ji Ning."

Ji Ning was startled. So Dongyan the Old Ancestor had long become a Pure Yang True Immortal; the Celestial Immortal everyone knew was merely his second incarnation.

"Revealing one's true strength only hastens death in this tribulation." Dongyan the True Immortal shook his head. "By the way, Xiamang, among these eleven thousand Celestial Immortals, there are likely spies from the Undying Sect. If the nine commanders fall into their hands..."

Ji Ning also looked at the Xia Emperor.

"There are definitely spies. Knowing that, what can we do?" The Xia Emperor shook his head. "The Undying Sect's spies are too hard to detect. They swear Heavenly Dao oaths but are not punished for breaking them. They have infiltrated even the Dao Ancestors' sides. The spies discovered so far are probably just a small fraction."

"Infiltrating the Dao Ancestors? Swearing Heavenly Dao oaths without punishment?" Ji Ning was shocked.

The Xia Emperor looked at Ji Ning and nodded. "Yes. Your strength is still weak; you're mainly preparing for the Heavenly God Tribulation. So your master probably hasn't told you much. Once you become a Heavenly God, all this will be revealed. The Undying Sect's methods are beyond your imagination—their intelligence gathering, their infiltration... truly 'Undying'! Undying, undying... pervasive!"

Ji Ning shuddered and asked doubtfully, "But how can they swear Heavenly Dao oaths and break them without punishment? That makes no sense."

"Why not? Dao Ancestors comprehend the Heavenly Dao and master it; Heavenly Dao oaths are useless against them." The Xia Emperor said. "Heavenly Dao oaths are useless against Dao Ancestors, so they can also be useless against others. Not everyone can achieve this, but clearly the Undying Sect can!"

"They can detect every tribulation transcender."

"Heavenly Dao oaths are useless against them."

"Some of them have even become disciples of Dao Sect leaders or Buddhist leaders!" The Xia Emperor sighed. "The two leaders of the Dao Sect and Buddhist Sect are immensely powerful; they have found flaws and discovered some spies. But these are likely just a tiny fraction."

The Xia Emperor sighed. "That is why this is called a tribulation!"

Ji Ning nodded.

Yes.

Even his master Subhuti, an existence of such stature, was so cautious. The Undying Sect was too mysterious, their methods too unfathomable. Ji Ning even felt that the Undying Sect could manipulate the laws of heaven, knowing the time and place of every tribulation, and making Heavenly Dao oaths useless.

"I will be extremely cautious about the nine commanders." The Xia Emperor said. "I must ensure these positions do not fall into the hands of spies. I think even if there are a few spies among the eleven thousand Celestial Immortals, their chances of ranking in the top nine are very slim. I will also constantly investigate; once I find anything suspicious, I will apprehend them immediately."

...

Soon, the fifteen days for the Celestial Immortals to comprehend the Xing Tian Formation passed.

In the main hall of the Tianmang Hall.

The Xia Emperor sat high on his throne, looking down and smiling. "Fellow Immortals, fifteen days have passed. I believe you have all learned the 'Entry-Level Scroll' of the Xing Tian Formation."

The Celestial Immortals present laughed.

The Xing Tian Formation was divided into Basic, Entry-Level, and Complete Scrolls.

The Basic scroll was for Sanxians, very simple; even a Sanxian could learn it in a day.

Learning the Entry-Level scroll was harder, but for Celestial Immortals, the slowest took only two days.

However, learning the entire Xing Tian Formation was hundreds or thousands of times more difficult.

"Those who have learned the entire Xing Tian Formation, please come to the center of the hall." The Xia Emperor said.

Immediately, many rose.

Ji Ning and Tonghe also rose and walked to the center, where a group of Celestial Immortals stood.

"There are three hundred and fifty-nine." The Xia Emperor smiled. "One short of the Zhou Heaven number; perfection is rare in heaven and earth. Fellow Immortals, please prepare. In one hour, you will each lead a thousand Celestial Immortals and a hundred thousand Sanxians to form the Xing Tian Formation. We will assess the power of the formation under your command. The nine with the greatest power will be the nine commanders."

...

A moment later.

In the palace square, over a million Sanxians gathered, stretching beyond sight.

The Sanxians had cleared a thousand-li-square area. Around this area stood over ten thousand Celestial Immortals and the Xia Emperor and others.

"A thousand Celestial Immortals and a hundred thousand Sanxians, enter the field." The Xia Emperor ordered.

The designated thousand Celestial Immortals and hundred thousand Sanxians rose in a mighty swarm and flew into the thousand-li area.

"Fellow Immortal Beichen, you go first." The Xia Emperor said.

Beichen the Celestial Immortal respectfully replied, "Yes." He then stepped into the thousand-li area. As he entered, a hazy light enveloped the area, forming a massive sealing formation.

...