The reason Qiu Xia had been collecting Dragon Vein Energy and the Power of Faith was specifically to prepare for this grand array. When the array was activated, the barrier would manifest that very energy, fortune, and faith.
As the barrier rose, the fortune, dragon veins, and faith of Shenzhou would be drawn into it, weaving together. Anyone who dared to attack this barrier would trigger a monstrous surge of Karma.
Thus, those who did not fear such overwhelming Karma lacked the means to break the barrier, while those capable of breaking it were terrified of the consequences. Many great gods could only watch as one array node after another rose, their boundaries expanding until they touched and merged into a singular whole.
Perhaps sensing the benefits of this barrier, the Heavenly Dao began to grant its blessing. it mobilized a massive amount of Shenzhou's fortune and Dragon Vein Energy, infusing them into the barrier. This caused the strength of the array to skyrocket and accelerated the fusion process of the various formations.
In Qiu Xia's original planwhile he was occupied with comprehending his cultivation methodsit should have taken months or even years to fully activate the array. However, with the assistance of the Heavenly Dao, it took a mere three days. The formation was successfully energized, and a super-array manifested across the Divine Land.
Once the super-array was established, the people within Shenzhou found their ailments lightened or completely cured. Conversely, those outside the bordersespecially those harboring ill intent toward the landfelt an intense, inexplicable discomfort.
For ordinary people, it was merely an unpleasant sensation. For transcendents, however, the effects were far more severe. They felt the energy within their bodies stagnate; their strength became difficult to exert, and any attempt to harm the citizens of Shenzhou resulted in an immediate backlash.
Even experts above the Celestial Realm felt their powers suppressed within the barrier. Their strength was capped, leaving them able to exert only the power of those newly initiated into the Celestial Realm. Only those who had reached the rank of Golden Immortal could ignore this restriction.
But in this world, how many Golden Immortals truly existed?
Time passed day by day, and months turned into a season. During this time, because the warlords, bandits, and foreign invaders had been decimated, the Red Power developed with the speed of a rising rocket.
In just a few months, they had fully established themselves and begun to take over the administration of Shenzhou. They moved against the remaining foreign invaders, driving them out of the land step by step.
Because of Qiu Xia's interference, only two major massacres had occurred: the Jingnan Massacre and the initial slaughter when the Japs first broke into Shenzhou.
Though the people had suffered fewer tribulations than they might have, it did not mean they were harder to govern. The common folk did not ask for much; as long as they did not go hungry and had a prospect for a good life, they were satisfied. The Red Power was precisely the entity to provide that.
At this moment, Qiu Xia was unaware that his actions had brought such a monumental change to the land. Having just awakened from his meditation on his cultivation techniques, he was currently in a small town, feasting on pork offal. He took a swig of grain liquor followed by a bite of entrails, occasionally tossing two cloves of raw garlic into his mouth. He ate with incredible gusto.
After eating his fill, Qiu Xia tossed down a dozen or so copper coins and sauntered away. Since the new Shenzhou had just been established, a unified currency had not yet been implemented. Copper coins and silver dollars were still the standard in many places, so he didn't have to worry about being unable to pay.
"I didn't expect so many things to happen while I was in meditation. Shenzhou was established several years ahead of schedule. Well, it's a good thing. Letting the people suffer a few years less is better than anything else. Since I have the ability, why not lend a hand? Of course, I have to thank that bastard Zhao Li. If he hadn't pissed me off, I wouldn't have gone this far."
As Qiu Xia grumbled about Zhao Li, down in a small city within the Underworld, Zhao Li couldn't help but sneeze. "Who's badmouthing me behind my back again?"
Just then, a heroic-looking woman with long hair draped over her shoulders walked up. "Li-ge, the Japs stationed in the city ahead are the last of the ghost forces. However, compared to the others, this group won't be easy to clear out. There are quite a few Ghost Kings and Ghost Emperors among them. Word is they've even found a Ghost Immortal as a backer."
Hearing the woman's report, Zhao Li let out a sigh. "What a pain. I'll have to report this to Cha Cha! We can't handle this on our own. It makes sense, though. Those foreign invaders and the spirits of demons and monsters aren't idiots. If they stayed divided, they'd just be picked off by our Underworld forces. Grouping together to find a backer is their only choice."
"Come on, Mulan. Let's leave this to Cha Cha and let her decide what to do!"
Having made up his mind, Zhao Li led Hua Mulan to the residence of the King of the Underworld and reported the situation to Cha Cha. After listening to the details, Cha Cha reflected for a moment before speaking to her maid.
"Go tell Cao Cao that since he has taken those people under his command, I will cease the campaign against them. However, the condition is that he must keep those foreign souls in line. If they cause trouble, don't blame me for being impolite."
"Yes, my Lord A Cha!"
After the maid left, Cha Cha looked at Zhao Li. "The last region of stray souls has been dealt with. Now, Zhao Li, it's time to handle your problem."
Zhao Li's expression turned bitter, and he tried to play dumb. "My Lord A Cha... my problem? What problem could I possibly have?"
"What problem? You know exactly what I mean. Don't play the fool with me, Zhao Li. If you hadn't provoked that hothead, the Underworld wouldn't have been delayed for so long." Cha Cha stared at him with an unfriendly gaze.
Zhao Li quickly tried to defend himself. "My Lord A Cha, I already reported everything I did in detail. I just wanted a bit of a kickback. I didn't even lay a hand on him! Who knew that little brat would launch a sneak attack? I had to stay with the Ghost Doctors for days. He almost ended my family line!"
"Since you became a soul ferryman, your family line was already ended. What use is there in complaining?" Cha Cha snapped. "I don't care, Zhao Li. I'm giving you two choices. Either go stay in the Eighteen Levels of Hell for a few years, or go to the mortal realm and bring back the remaining wandering ghosts within a month. At the same time, find the guy who turned the Underworld into this mess."
The choices made Zhao Li's head throb. "My Lord A Cha, you know as well as I do that the guy is either hiding his strength or has some powerful treasure. Even the inspectors we sent upeven the Heaven People and the monitors of the three realmscan't find his location. How am I supposed to find him?"
"I don't care. I'll give you a year. If you can't find him, you can go for a swim in Ice Mountain Hell or soak in the hot springs of Oil Cauldron Hell."
Zhao Li was speechless. Was that even human talk? Swimming in Ice Mountain Hell? That place was so cold you'd start shivering the moment you stepped inside, let alone swimming. And the Oil Cauldron Hell... was that a place for a bath? Even if it wasn't as hot as lava, that was sustained, agonizing damage!
Cha Cha had given the order. Even if he was unwilling, what could he do? Zhao Li could only hope his luck would turn around; otherwise, he was destined for a long stay in Ice Mountain Hell.
Qiu Xia was completely unaware that Zhao Li was hunting for him. At this moment, he was taking Ren Tingting on a leisurely tour across the beautiful landscapes of Shenzhou. As for Fengdie,
Qiu Xia had found her a husband in the capitala man of good family standing and upright character. The man Qiu Xia chose was well-tempered, and his parents were kind. Fengdie was set to live out the rest of her life in peace and security.
After Fengdie married her "ideal man," Zhao Li investigated Old Chen's daughter using the Book of Life and Death and eventually found her. However, he found no sign of Qiu Xia or Ren Tingting there.
As a former Arhat, although Zhao Li was now full of schemes and petty tricks, he wasn't a truly evil person at heart. He didn't harm Fengdie; he simply questioned her about Qiu Xia and Ren Tingting.
Since Qiu Xia had told Fengdie to tell the truth if anyone asked, she didn't hide anything. She shared what little she knew, which wasn't much. To be precise, she only knew what Qiu Xia and Ren Tingting looked like.
She knew from Qiu Xia what her father had done for her, and Qiu Xia had also taught her some literature and the four arts before helping her find a husband and seeing her married.
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