Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Chapter 1280: Chapter 1248: Ancient God Order

Jiang Ding spent several months in secluded cultivation before opening his eyes again.

“Great Sun Senior.”

In front of him, an elder dressed in a navy-blue robe bowed respectfully, with a hint of reverence. “I am Tianqing, the Dean of the Xianmen Science Institute. I have come to report to you.”

He had received an audience with the Great Sun Celestial Lord.

The Dean of the Xianmen Science Institute and its numerous vice deans served the same role: to assist the Nascent Soul cultivators, forming research teams centered on their expertise. They were akin to officers in charge, not necessarily among the strongest within the sect.

Just like how Jiang Ding had been elevated from the Sword Dao Hall Group to the Immortal Sect Sword Dao Science Academy, Jiang Ding himself was not a dean either.

“You are Tianqing?”

“Tianqing, ah, it has been long since we last met.”

Jiang Ding, having finished absorbing the memories of his various avatars, revealed a trace of recollection. “It was, what, 327 years ago? Back then you had just advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage; you looked so young then. Now, you seem to have aged considerably… too much to worry over, perhaps?”

As a cultivator who had mastered the Great Sun Enlightenment Dojo Technique, many juniors sought Jiang Ding out for guidance.

Thus, Jiang Ding was relatively familiar with the younger generation within the sect.

This Tianqing True Monarch was one of the most outstanding Nascent Soul monks of the sect over the past few centuries, having attained notable achievements in the field of Array Spirit Algorithms, which led to his appointment as Dean of the Xianmen Science Institute.

The position was an honor. Holding this role made it easier to access cutting-edge Immortal Dao Technology and obtain opportunities to transform into a deity.

For improving one’s Immortal Path foundation, it was also an excellent opportunity.

“Great Sun Senior, you jest.”

The aging Tianqing True Monarch, whose beard had strands of white, revealed an embarrassed expression, an almost childlike demeanor, as he replied, “I have encountered numerous unsolvable challenges in my research, and my mental energies have somewhat deteriorated. Truly, it’s due to my lacking aptitude in the study of Array Spirit Algorithms.”

“Take it slow. Study when you can, let it come naturally, and you’ll gain enlightenment eventually.”

Jiang Ding offered words of encouragement.

“I summoned you this time because there’s something important I want to commence.”

Jiang Ding returned to the main topic: “I want to establish a Six Paths Reincarnation Laboratory—of the highest standard. Here’s the related documentation; have a look and tell me when it can be completed.”

He handed over a jade slip.

The data inside had been simplified for anything concerning the Six Paths Order, as Tianqing True Monarch wouldn’t be able to comprehend it; he only needed to memorize the concept.

“The highest standard?”

Tianqing True Monarch’s heart trembled.

The sect had only a handful of top-tier laboratories. If another of this level was built, the expenditures would be astronomical—perhaps even the sect’s annual tax revenue wouldn’t suffice by far.

Still, this was the Celestial Lord’s request, and Tianqing could only comply.

After months of careful thought and repeated deliberation, Tianqing True Monarch said, “Great Sun Senior, this caliber of laboratory exceeds my capabilities. I’ll submit the proposal to the Divine Mechanism Heavenly Monarch, but I estimate it might require two million to three million top-grade Spirit Stones, along with numerous Fifth and Sixth Order Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. You’ll need to be mentally prepared.”

This was the standard procedure.

“All right, no problem.”

Jiang Ding nodded with a smile.

On this matter, he had confidence. Not only was his wealth substantial, but he also had plenty of Refining Nothingness battle merits to utilize. His only concern was whether it would hinder the sect’s development, but that had already been accounted for—no issues there.

“Understood.”

“Great Sun Senior, I shall take my leave now.”

Tianqing True Monarch respectfully bowed and retreated.

…

After Tianqing True Monarch departed, Jiang Ding flew out from the Great Sun Heavenly Pond, descending through the planet’s atmosphere, eventually landing before the Immortal Capital Library, where he wandered briefly before entering the Golden Palace.

Here, he met the Divine Mechanism Heavenly Monarch.

“Jiang Ding, have you submitted your laboratory construction plan?”

The Divine Mechanism Heavenly Monarch asked.

Such matters had certainly been discussed in advance between the two.

They had long-term exchanges concerning Immortal Dao Technology, insights, and collaborations on the development of planet-level warships and cultivation methods—so frequent that their closeness exceeded that of mortal familial connections.

This was the nature of a Taoist Friend—a true companion on the path of the Dao, not just a courteous title.

“Senior, I’ve submitted it.”

Jiang Ding nodded slightly. “The Six Paths Reincarnation structure is extremely important to me. I have an idea that this structure could potentially be utilized in the planet-level warship’s engine furnace, boosting its power and output by approximately twenty percent.

The wisdom contained within the inheritance of the Endless Starry Sky’s ruling races is astonishing. The human who created the Six Paths Reincarnation structure must not have been a simple existence but likely an immortal…”

“I have the same impression.”

The Divine Mechanism Heavenly Monarch nodded, then shook his head. “However, the experimental prototype engines for planet-level warships have already been constructed. For the sake of sect military security, there won’t be any major modifications to standard planet-level warships in the short term. Only when the sect comprehensively masters Harmonization Stage combat power will we consider such adjustments.”

“For now, the priority is acquiring planet-level warships; optimization can wait.”

“Indeed.”

Jiang Ding felt some regret.

At present, just over a hundred years, nearly two hundred years had passed, and the battlefield in the Horned Ming Realm’s Medium Thousand World, Horned Devil Realm, was reaching its climactic stages. A resolution might come within these next one to two hundred years.

By then, the domain’s situation would undergo drastic changes.

In such turbulent tides, if the sect couldn’t wield Harmonization Stage power—power strong enough not just to contend, but to independently confront Harmonization Stage beings—it wouldn’t have the qualification to survive.

Under these circumstances, the speed at which planet-level warships could be mass-produced was of utmost importance.

“Senior, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Jiang Ding took out a weathered token, passed it to the Divine Mechanism Heavenly Monarch, and said solemnly, “This token appeared in my Storage Jade Pendant after I broke the Yama Hell Equal King Yin-Yang Inversion Array back then. I only discovered it recently.”

“This token possesses a peculiar trait: I cannot discard it. No matter where I go, it always follows me.”

“This must be far beyond our current Immortal Dao Technology!”

With the exception of traveling to other worlds.

Jiang Ding added silently in his heart.

“An artifact containing technology far exceeding ours?”

The Divine Mechanism Heavenly Monarch was startled. He cautiously accepted the token, examining it closely. Inscribed upon it were three cold and ancient characters. Though he didn’t recognize the characters, their meaning was clear.

Ancient God Order.

That was all—there was nothing else unusual.

Jiang Ding, seeing this, used his Divine Sense to touch the token, activating the hidden properties within.

“Living being,”

“You have broken the Black Corner Ant Clan’s Equal Array. Become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Ancient Divine Path.”

It was an ancient elder’s voice, boundless and overbearing. It didn’t ask for origins or consent, instead directly marking him as part of the Ancient Divine Path—as if claiming him as its possession.

“This item is incredibly dangerous.”

Jiang Ding said, “Senior, through it, I can sense that somewhere within the Horned Ming Realm, there may be a passage leading to a larger domain. This message was imprinted upon me by the token.”

“I speculate, during the Ancient Divine Path’s heyday in history, by now someone would have come either to capture me, to accept me, or turn me into simple property.”