Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Chapter 1290: Chapter 1258: Ten Thousand Clans Are All Human Theory

The Great Sun Heavenly Pond, within the Sun Abyss.

Jiang Ding was convening the officers’ military meeting of the Second Expeditionary Army in the Horned Ming Realm, with all Nascent Soul Lords and Divinity Transformation Heavenly Monarchs in attendance.

“Our objective this time is to suppress the rebellion across the hundred Minor Thousand Worlds in the Horned Ming Realm.”

“The strategy adopted by the General Staff is a combination of suppression and pacification. This is not only a military war but also a political war: eliminating resistance forces while establishing our governance.”

A desolate star map was spread out before Jiang Ding, with many officers seated upright below.

“Under such circumstances, military discipline becomes paramount.”

“I don’t know how you perceive the military in your everyday thoughts, but within the Xianmen Sect, you must completely obey orders. Those who defy orders shall die. Those who slaughter without authorization shall die. Those who privately hoard spoils of war shall be severely punished.”

“Of course, the Xianmen rewards your military achievements accordingly. These rewards may include treasures, elixirs, classics-grade cultivation methods, promotions, or improvements in sect rankings. Anything within the legal framework of the Xianmen is permissible. The division of spoils also has a corresponding system, as outlined in the regulations just distributed to you for reference.”

“Is this clear?”

Jiang Ding asked in an authoritative tone.

“Vice Marshal, we understand!”

A sudden chill struck the hearts of numerous Nascent Soul Lords and Divinity Transformation cultivators, who responded respectfully.

“Vice Marshal,”

After a brief pause, an Early Stage Divinity Transformation cultivator, Huo Baosan, mustered the courage to ask, “If one accumulates enough military merit, can it be utilized to become an Immortal Sect citizen?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the cultivators all turned to look, their eyes filled with yearning.

In their hearts, becoming an Immortal Sect citizen was almost divine.

It symbolized safety, acceptance, access to countless cultivation method books, far superior training, and a bright future along the great path.

However, becoming an Immortal Sect citizen seemed like the moon reflected on water or a flower viewed in a mirror—forever close yet unattainable.

“No.”

Jiang Ding did not shy away or conceal the truth, and with slight regret said, “I am pushing for this matter, but for now, it remains impossible. Your merits can only earn you the aforementioned rewards such as cultivation methods, elixirs, treasures, and improved moral and ethical virtue scores.”

“You ask me if merits can grant citizenship in the Xianmen Sect?”

“My answer is: not for now.”

The morality of the Xianmen does not merely reflect the thoughts of cultivators but also their practical actions. A cultivator who has contributed greatly to the Xianmen inherently possesses high moral virtue.

Someone who has caused significant harm to the Xianmen, regardless of their inner thoughts—whether kind-hearted or malicious—will inevitably fail in moral virtue.

Moral virtue is both ideational and material.

“I understand.”

Huo Baosan could not hide his disappointed expression, bowed respectfully, and sat down.

The visible mood of many Minor Thousand World cultivators dipped.

“Our enemies consist of various races, factions, and enslaved groups from the Horned Demon Imperial Clan within the Minor Thousand Worlds.”

Jiang Ding maintained a calm demeanor and continued, “As for the Eight Great Immortal Sects, they might be present. However, they have yet to stand out openly and clearly. They remain behind the scenes, encouraging the independence of various enslaved groups. For now, we need only remain vigilant.”

The Xianmen does not need to consider the ideas of others or provide upliftment channels for anyone.

The Xianmen has always acted in its own interest.

These cultivators may harbor resentment, and so resentment it shall be.

Throughout history, no domain ruler has managed to accumulate no hatred. Neither the Horned Demon Imperial Clan nor the Eight Great Immortal Sects can ensure everyone’s benefit.

If resentment cannot be overcome, causing one’s moral virtue and Dao Heart to shift or generate disloyalty, then such individuals are not the immigrants desired by the Xianmen.

Understand it or not, all must grasp one fundamental truth.

The interests of the citizens must take precedence!

Otherwise, though the Xianmen consistently presents itself as egalitarian—unlike the Immortal Sects, which demand bowing and kneeling from Minor Thousand World cultivators—the Xianmen cultivators interact warmly, neither condescending nor arrogant.

If Minor Thousand World cultivators, however, neglect the dignity of the Xianmen, forgetting that it is a domain overlord faction, and presume they deserve equal treatment with such a power…

Then those harboring such thoughts must be naturally eliminated.

A faint and icy aura emanated from the Great Sun Celestial Lord and Gu Lin Heavenly Monarch, and other Xianmen cultivators.

A sense of unease gripped the hearts of many Minor Thousand World cultivators.

At this moment, even those genuinely filled with grievance carefully cloaked their thoughts, their expressions becoming increasingly reverent. They suppressed their dissatisfaction deeply, refusing to let it escalate further.

“Your primary task is to hold the already-occupied Minor Thousand Worlds and serve as mid-level officers in the Horned Ming Realm’s conscripted army.”

“There’s no need for extensive combat. Simply hold your ground and wait for reinforcements from the Xianmen.”

Jiang Ding gazed intently at the numerous Minor Thousand World cultivators below.

“Understood, Vice Marshal!”

The Nascent Soul Lords and Divinity Transformation cultivators from various Minor Thousand Worlds roared in unison.

“Additionally, among the rebellious enslaved groups of the Minor Thousand Worlds, there exists a faction known as the Skull Blood Vine Demon Imperial Court.”

“This faction, this race, has slaughtered over ten thousand Xianmen citizens.”

Jiang Ding remarked with interest, “What do you all think should be done about them?”

Many gazes turned toward the Skull Blood Vine Demon Emperor’s Flower Vine.

This person was a Heavenly Monarch in the form of a human woman, with delicate features, a gentle demeanor, and hair made of lush green, vine-like tendrils sprouting leaves.

“Vice Marshal!”

“All guilty Skull Blood Vine Demons, as well as anyone directly or indirectly involved in this matter, must be executed.”

Without hesitation, Flower Vine said, “The remaining Skull Blood Vine Demons are now subordinate races of the Xianmen, deceived into this situation. They are uninvolved; this unforgivable atrocity was committed solely by scoundrels such as Steelbone.”

“Excellent.”

Jiang Ding nodded slightly.

These words might stem from genuine conviction.

After all, she had lived within the Xianmen’s territory since childhood. The Skull Blood Vine Demon race historically thrived on the principle of survival of the fittest, with frequent internal strife. There was little familial affection within the race.

If it existed, it was for the race as a whole, not specific individuals.

It could also be a facade.

If this were pretentious, her moral virtue score would inevitably drop below passing. No Divinity Transformation cultivator could deceive the Central Array Spirit Computer.

But both possibilities were irrelevant.

The domain prides are countless. No individual is indispensable. The Xianmen merely selects the people it needs, those who align with its path, without concern for any specific pride.

However, based on her past studies, Flower Vine likely spoke from genuine conviction. Her moral virtue score was consistently high, with tests often exceeding one hundred thirty—a clear indication of her wholehearted support for the Xianmen.

She even formulated her own theory:

The All Races Are Humans Theory.

Are the Tiger Clan, Fox Tribe, Ghost Clan, Ant Clan, and other demons truly part of the Demon Race?

No, they are not.

They are human.

In daily life, all cultivators adopt human forms, only revealing unique battle forms during combat. It is akin to human cultivators using transformation cultivation methods—nothing remarkable.

This explains Flower Vine’s human form.

She contended that all races were merely different manifestations of the Human Race, with no inherent disparity.

Buzz!

After the military meeting concluded, officers returned to their camps, and the Realm Portal Transmission Array was activated. Countless spatial teleportation lights flickered as the Great Sun Heavenly Pond, carrying millions of troops for the suppression campaign, vanished from the Nine Spirits Realm.