## Chapter 47: The New Spirit State
Starlight reflected on Chu Yun’s face, its flickering patterns revealing the profound mysteries of the Great Dao.
Chu Yun gazed at the Star Sea Bowl before him. The bowl was filled with a deep blue holy water, resembling an ocean, or perhaps a night sky. The water’s surface was as calm as a mirror, with flashes of white and gold light – the last remnants of Outer Heavenly Demons.
Originally, there were thirty-eight million Outer Heavenly Demons. Now, only just over twenty million remained. This was the price paid for eliminating the two Crescent Moon Divine Demon Kings and expelling the entire Crescent Moon Divine Demon army from Xingzhou.
Time slipped by quickly. It had been over a month since the Star Saint’s demise. After the Star Saint’s complete disappearance, the Star Sea Bowl became an ownerless artifact, and Chu Yun took control of it. As for the Underworld Emperor, he had narrowly escaped death and could not even return to Ghost Continent. He had been recuperating in Chu Yun’s Spirit State all this time.
Though the Star Saint had fallen, the Soldier Saint still existed. Even though he had completely lost his sanity, his combat power seemed to have fully recovered. However, the Star Saint’s final struggle had inflicted immense damage. This was definitely good news for the Underworld Emperor. The Soldier Saint’s spirit light had dimmed, and there were no more intermittent spiritual pressure surges. While this did not entirely eliminate the life-threatening crisis, it granted the Underworld Emperor precious time to recover.
In fact, once the Underworld Emperor recovered, he would find fortune in misfortune and further advance his cultivation. This was because the collision and compression of spiritual lights were not only a fierce struggle but also a form of communication. When the Star Saint repelled Chu Yun’s spiritual light and soul, their thoughts could instantly be conveyed to each other. Chu Yun and the Underworld Emperor acted as conduits for the spiritual lights and souls of the two Saints as they battled. The fierce battle between the two Saints, especially during the Star Saint’s demise, also allowed Chu Yun and the Underworld Emperor to glean hidden secrets of Saints, gain cultivation insights, and acquire fragmented memories.
Provided the Underworld Emperor could digest these gains and his body could break through and be reborn under the nourishment of Innate Original Essence, his cultivation would undoubtedly see significant progress. As for Chu Yun, possessing the Star Sea Bowl, he wasn’t particularly concerned about these fragmented insights gained from the clash of spiritual lights. The Star Sea Bowl was the vessel of the Star Saint’s Dao; controlling it meant mastering all of the Star Saint’s perceptions and wisdom.
“After over a month of effort, today, the last Crescent Moon Divine Demon in Xingzhou has finally been annihilated.” Chu Yun, now positioned high in the sky, his eyes flashing with divine light, spoke. In one hand, he held the Star Sea Bowl, and in the other, a miniaturized model of the Yin Yang Grand Harem. He constantly felt two profound essences circulating within his heart. One emanated from the Yin Yang Grand Harem, a more familiar Dao resonance, embodying the will of all living beings. Within its fusion, it flowed like a vast river, its source being himself, surging forward ceaselessly. The other originated from the Star Sea Bowl, a divine will that viewed all beings as pawns and the world as a mere prospect. It detached itself from the mortal realm, transcending the five elements, and observed the world with cold detachment. This was a form of insight, clarity, composure, and control.
Xingzhou was built by the Star Saint, and the Star Sea Bowl was his accompanying Saint Artifact. Now that Chu Yun controlled the Star Sea Bowl, it was like holding a key to controlling Xingzhou. Shifting his gaze from the Star Sea Bowl, Chu Yun looked down at Xingzhou. He felt as if the land of Xingzhou was groaning in an elegy. The great tribulation of divine and demonic forces had left deep scars on Xingzhou. All living things were annihilated, with fires burning everywhere, showcasing a scene of desolation and ruin. The once magnificent and orderly Great Net of Law of Xingzhou in the sky was now like a tattered spiderweb after a storm, a heartbreaking sight. The demon creatures, the core of the Heaven and Earth foundation, had suffered heavy casualties. This resulted in a drastic shrinkage of Xingzhou’s territory, with phenomena of void collapse occurring at its edges. Countless mountains and rivers were being continuously eroded and swallowed by the surging currents of the Sea of Chaos.
“It is time.” Finally able to focus, Chu Yun tossed the Star Sea Bowl. The artifact transformed into a meteor, shooting straight into the heavens, disappearing into the nine celestial spheres. It stopped at the center of Xingzhou’s Great Net of Law and then erupted with magnificent starlight. The starlight flowed like water along the Net of Law to all directions. The scattered starlight condensed into threads of Dao and Reason. Soon, Xingzhou’s Great Net of Law regained its former brilliance, having been repaired. With the support of the complete Great Net of Law, the collapsing situation was immediately contained. The approaching waves of the Sea of Chaos were all pushed back by the Net’s intangible power. However, only a dozen or so demon creatures remained for Xingzhou’s core, and the destroyed areas remained empty, large expanses of void without new Heaven and Earth. Furthermore, due to the destruction of the Star Saint Hall, Xingzhou’s Great Net of Law was still visible and easily attacked, observable by any living being looking up.
Chu Yun’s eyes flickered as if he had made a firm decision. He unfastened the Supreme Grade Immortal Pouch from his waist and tossed it away. The Immortal Pouch vanished before his eyes. Instantly, the entire world was enveloped in a magnificent splendor of light. Within this light, the original Great Net of Law of Xingzhou rapidly gained more threads of Dao and Reason. Simultaneously, the original demon creatures of Xingzhou’s core were pushed out of their positions, becoming free entities. Correspondingly, the core positions were replaced by demon creatures from the Spirit State. The entire land, with its mountains and rivers, seemed like melting earth, transforming in the radiance. High mountains became craters, and low-lying areas became hills. Rivers, lakes, and seas dramatically changed their courses, some even evaporating and disappearing. At the same time, new Heaven and Earth appeared in the previously empty spaces, and the voids were filled. The entire dramatic transformation lasted for three full hours. When the grand radiance finally receded, Xingzhou was unrecognizable. It was no longer an Immortal Pouch World dominated by oceans, nor was it the original appearance of the Spirit State. Instead, it was a completely new World formed by the combination of both.
“The Star Saint has fallen, and Xingzhou is a thing of the past. From this day forward, this realm shall be the brand-new Spirit State,” Chu Yun stated calmly, his voice echoing throughout the entire Immortal Pouch World.
“Spirit State?!”
“From now on, there will be no more Xingzhou?”
“The Holy Emperor has become the master of the Star Sea Bowl and has even annexed the entire Xingzhou!”
“What immense power! He has gained a huge advantage and truly soared to unprecedented heights!”
Led by You Huang, the various Emperors exclaimed in unison, their voices a mixture of admiration, shock, envy, and awe.
“My Emperor, you are the ruler of Heaven and Earth, the savior of all living beings!”
“My Lord, your humble servant bows before you. You are supreme. The land is revitalized because of you, and miracles of civilization will surely descend once more!” The followers from the old Spirit State erupted in thunderous cheers. As the fervent cheers filled the air, a large amount of faith power flowed into Chu Yun’s body. Chu Yun smiled slightly, and the holy water in the Star Sea Bowl, which had been greatly depleted, began to rise again. However, the speed of recovery was nowhere comparable to how it was during Xingzhou’s crisis. After waiting for a long time, it had only increased by a sliver, slower than a snail’s pace. But this was expected. In a sense, Xingzhou no longer existed; it was now the new Spirit State. With no immediate threat of destruction, the phenomenon of raging faith had also vanished.
“Give me three hundred years, and I will develop the Spirit State to the prosperity it had during the time of Xingzhou. However, what I lack the most right now is time.” With a sigh in his heart, Chu Yun looked up at the Spirit State’s Great Net of Law and retracted the Star Sea Bowl. At the same time, he tossed out the Yin Yang Grand Harem. The latter flew towards the center of the Great Net of Law in the void, emitting radiant colors, just like the Star Saint Hall had done initially, establishing a connection with the Spirit State’s Great Net of Law. The entire world trembled slightly, and the Spirit State’s Great Net of Law gradually faded from everyone’s sight. From then on, the Yin Yang Grand Harem became the central hub of the Spirit State’s Great Net of Law. With such a hub, the Net of Law became invisible again, not easily attacked.
“Everyone, I entrust the future management of the Spirit State to you.” Chu Yun sat majestically, his voice reaching all the consorts in his harem. “Yes…” The consorts respectfully accepted the order. This was the advantage of using the Yin Yang Grand Harem as the central hub for the Net of Law. Because the consorts were all integrated with the Yin Yang Grand Harem, they possessed a certain degree of management authority, enabling them to carry out supervisory and provisional management duties. Unlike the former Star Saint Hall, which had only the solitary Star Saint. This was not to say that more people meant greater strength. In terms of sheer power, even ten times the number of consorts would not match the Star Saint alone. It was a difference in the philosophy of managing a world. The Star Saint’s management was relatively laissez-faire, a form of free-range development, allowing the Immortal Pouch World to grow and mature naturally. The consorts’ intervention represented a meticulous approach. While lacking some natural spirit and boldness, with dedicated effort and significant exertion, short-term growth would undoubtedly be considerable. The newly born Spirit State was like an infant, and meticulous care and management would foster its robust growth. Chu Yun further detailed the management aspects, with Jin Bihan, the mistress of the harem, overseeing everything, and the seventy-two Immortal Consorts, Rouge Scent Consort, and others forming the core.
“Reporting to the Holy Emperor, an Emperor seeks an audience outside the palace.”
“Enter.” As the discussions neared their conclusion, Chu Yun summoned the Wine Emperor, Straight Emperor, and others within the Yin Yang Grand Harem.
“Greetings, Holy Emperor, Lord of Spirit State.” Led by the Wine Emperor, several Great Emperors respectfully bowed.
“Hehehe, Wine Emperor, Straight Emperor, we meet again,” Chu Yun said with a faint smile. The Wine Emperor was the Wine King, and the Straight Emperor was Erlang Tian Jun. As old acquaintances met, a sense of nostalgia naturally intertwined with their hearts. After a pause, Chu Yun’s smile faded as he spoke gravely, “The Star Saint is dead, and the former alliance pact is invalid. The newly born Spirit State does not bind your freedom. You Huang and others have already departed for other continents. You have come to see me, do you wish to stay?”
“However, if you wish to stay, you must obey my command and sign an alliance pact. If you cannot accept this, you are free to leave now.” The Great Emperors exchanged glances, but no one moved. They had anticipated this when they came, and Chu Yun’s words did not surprise them.
“We are here because we have already made our decision,” the Wine Emperor said, gazing intently at Chu Yun. “We have come to sign the pact.” Thus, they proceeded to sign the alliance pact one by one. Seven Great Emperors, all newly promoted, signed the pact. The veteran Emperors of the former Xingzhou had long since departed, and not one remained. Chu Yun had merely observed them coldly and was busy expelling the Crescent Moon Divine Demons; he had not intervened. But now…
“Very well. Since the pact is established, the next step is to march out and defend the other seven major continents,” Chu Yun stated with a serene expression, while the Emperors looked increasingly astonished, exchanging glances. Chu Yun’s words were pleasant, but the reality of “defending” was akin to “conquering.” Indeed, Chu Yun intended to bring the other seven continents under his dominion. This was an unprecedented undertaking, a desire to awe the world! However, upon closer thought, although this plan appeared extremely audacious, it was actually quite feasible. With the Nine Saints missing and Chu Yun wielding the Star Sea Bowl, possessing pseudo-Saint combat power, and having vanquished Divine Demon Kings and expelled the Divine Demon army, who else could possibly stop him?
Thinking of this, the Great Emperors present could not help but feel fortunate. Those Emperors who had defected to other continents had either perished or surrendered. In retrospect, it was wise of them to pledge allegiance first. “Since there are no objections, I declare that the first continent to be defended is— ” Chu Yun paused here, scanned the surroundings with his gaze, and then continued, “Ghost Continent!”
(To be continued)
