Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs-Chapter 259 - 257: Winter Solstice Begins, Ziling Mountain Rises

"Winter Solstice, the end of the year, extreme cold gives birth to Yang, True Man Zhang intends to lead people from the thirteen states of the world to construct Spirit Mountains. At that time, Heaven and Earth will undergo a great transformation, perhaps Earth Dragons will turn over, and the common people need not panic, devoutly offer sacrifices to the Sacred Artifacts of the human race…"

The heavy snow that lasted for several days had just stopped when the message, sent via the Divine Path network from the headquarters of the Kaiyuan Sect in Lai State, instantly sparked a huge uproar across the land.

"Construct Spirit Mountains… What is this all about?"

"Could it be preparing for a new dynasty?"

The whole of Central State was abuzz with discussion.

Someone was inexplicably shocked, "A great transformation of Heaven and Earth, Earth Dragons turning over? This… this is a great disaster!"

Someone immediately sneered, "You must be muddle-headed. True Man Zhang is a divine being in this world. How can you speculate on his actions! Besides, when eliminating Locust Demons, calming chaotic times, and subduing the evil spirits of the world, has True Man Zhang ever failed? Just listen and be at ease!"

Soon after, the locations for constructing Spirit Mountains in various places were released one by one, coinciding with the places Zhang Kui chose when eliminating demons, and the Kaiyuan Sect immediately organized the relocation of people within a hundred miles.

There were also those worried, "The emperors of the previous dynasties always embarked on massive construction projects at the drop of a hat to showcase their achievements. True Man Zhang has a debt of gratitude for recreating Central State and its people, but isn't this a bit too hasty?"

"Bah, you sour scholar!"

Someone, hands on hips, retorted: "Did they order you to become a common laborer? If I truly had to commemorate such merit, I'd be willing to work myself to death!"

That's the reality; Zhang Kui's prestige had reached an incredible level, and any doubting voices would quickly be drowned out by public opinion.

Even if he claimed to be a god now, countless people would immediately kneel down and pray sincerely.

Yet Zhang Kui couldn't care less about being any sort of god.

After refining artifacts and comprehending Tao on Ten Thousand Demons Island, his mind became purer. Since descending into this world, he has always been about pursuing the path of transformation.

In this world, the human race endures harsh conditions, evil demons run rampant, with grievances in their hearts not easily dispelled, hence he subdued the world and changed the plight of the human race.

This realm is oppressive and dull, full of deadness. Seeking to relieve his mind, he aims to change Heaven and Earth, to alter the Sun and Moon.

Supreme power?

Some seek power for personal gain, some for the welfare of the people, and some for their faith.

But to Zhang Kui, power is just like a chamber pot, to be used when needed, but usually better kept at a distance.

The path of Immortality is full of wonders, with so many mysteries of Heaven and Earth waiting to be explored. If confined by such things, where then is the freedom?

Reverence of the masses?

Such reputation is the most illusory, glorious one moment, yet perhaps besmirched by thousands the next. If one cares about it, they too will be confined.

This is the vast red dust of the world; if immersed, one will be endlessly entangled. To completely hide from the world turns one to stone.

The subtlety of Taoism lies in the step between entering and leaving the world. Mastering retreat means true freedom!

Thus for Zhang Kui, saving this world has nothing to do with the people of the world.

Power cannot confine him, public opinion cannot bind him, everything changes, everything can be discarded, as if this vast red dust is shackles. With a thought, one can break the golden locks and emerge as a pang, like a dragon!

...

The heavy snow had just cleared, the mountains lay vast and barren, trees withered, and all was desolate.

In Yutang County, though the roads were icy and slippery, making travel difficult, the streets were still bustling, and all industries flourished.

These were the people who had migrated here following the great disaster. Although the city had been massacred and seemed ominous, the abundance of fertile land, convenient transportation, and the emergence of True Man Zhang as a figure to share in good fortune attracted more and more people, making it even more prosperous than before.

In recent days, the influx of people had increased significantly, these being citizens from Qing City, two hundred miles away, arranged for relocation by local officials.

At this time, the northern Qing City had long become an empty city, and on the nearby mountains, clouds and wind surged, as over thirty gigantic figures stood reaching the heavens.

Zhang Kui's gaze shifted slightly as he withdrew his sight from Yutang County, turned, and addressed the crowd: "The first is Zi, all things sprout under the Yang Qi, and the Divine Land Array starts from here."

Yuan Huang praised, "True Man Zhang rose from this place, using it as a starting point is indeed an auspicious sign."

"Friend, you overpraise."

Zhang Kui smiled slightly, "Zi is Yang, but we must deploy the Kui Water Array. The Qingjiang State is inland, with many river channels and abundant water vapor, making it most suitable."

"Gentlemen, please help me alter the mountains and rivers, adjust the Earth Veins, and pile up Ziling Mountain!"

The assembled demons all saluted,

"We obey the decree of True Man Zhang!"

Instantly, over thirty terrifying Qi Mechanisms shot up into the sky, dispersing across various parts of Qingjiang State, as all beasts lay dormant and all birds fell silent.

Most of the populace had long sought shelter at home upon command, even those who were outside became pale-faced and quickly ran home.

To change all the Spirit Veins of Central State, even with Zhang Kui's Tao cultivation at the peak of the mortal realm, he couldn't single-handedly manage.

However, the Mahayana Realm controls one region's spiritual qi, and with over thirty people dispersed in various locations, they could just form a network, which was why Zhang Kui sought their assistance.

Soon, only Zhang Kui remained in place.

After surveying his surroundings, Zhang Kui's Illusionary Dharma Aspect suddenly expanded severalfold, the Sun, Moon, and Star Robe, towering high crown, with a huge black halo slowly revolving behind, like a celestial being standing atop the earth's chessboard.

Clang!

Purple sword energy soared into the sky, slicing through the mountain base and prying open the earth veins.

Rumble!

The mountain-moving skill unleashed its power, the earth trembled, and ground light dyed the entire sky red, as if the land was bleeding and mourning.

The common people hid in their homes, feeling the chilling winds howling outside, as if the heavens and earth were weeping. Coupled with the relentless shaking of the ground, they could only shiver and continuously pray to the Sacred Artifact.

The sun and moon lost their brilliance, and smoke and dust rose everywhere.

In Zhang Kui's hands, the earth veins surged. Severed mountain peaks rolled up and stacked together, gradually forming a mountain thousands of meters high, surrounded by an endless expanse of broad plains.

Alas, there was a mountain but no spirit, a scene of desolation, with the Kui Water Array around the mountains being dry and lifeless.

Zhang Kui took a deep breath, and his majestic voice echoed through the heavens and earth, "Everyone, heed my command and reorganize the underground spirit veins!"

Boom!

Yuan Huang's Qi mechanism shot up to the sky, and with a wave of his hand, rivers surged, and mountains rocked.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Terrorizing Qi mechanisms wielded the earth veins across Qingjiang State, dark clouds filled the skies, and thunder rumbled.

In an instant, countless underground spirit veins swirled and rushed toward the center, Ziling Mountain.

An immense pressure descended in an instant. Zhang Kui's body creaked under the strain, and his expression changed. He hadn't expected that such a large-scale alteration of the spirit veins would provoke such a fierce backlash from heaven and earth.

Veins bulged on Zhang Kui's face, and with a cold snort, "Longevity" spun furiously behind him, the Divine Court Bell suspended above his head, and myriad rays of divine light suppressed all directions.

"Damn it, rise!"

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

An eerie booming echoed between heaven and earth, infinite spiritual energy, wrapped in white water vapor, surged in like tidal waves, and the Kui Water Array began to slowly operate.

Gradually, all the spirit veins of Qingjiang State started revolving around Ziling Mountain. The earth veins congealed, the immense mountain's spiritual energy settled, and like a divine spirit awakening, it began to firmly embed its roots into the ground.

Splash! Splash! Streams of clear spring water gushed from the mountain, flowing gently around the mountain range, forming beautiful waterfalls of varying sizes.

The world seemed to gain a sense of order. Gradually, the earth veins calmed, and the dark clouds in the sky slowly dispersed.

The gathering of demons gleefully moved amid the rolling black mist, quickly arriving beside Zhang Kui.

Seeing the vast plain above which the mighty Spirit Mountain rose, piercing the clouds, innumerable waterfalls cascading down, they were stunned.

At this moment, the dark clouds in the sky had completely dispersed, the sky was clear for miles, and under the golden sunlight, there emerged countless rainbows encircling the Spirit Mountain, breathtakingly beautiful.

The demons were dumbfounded. They had merely followed Zhang Kui's instructions step by step, not expecting to create such a magnificent sight.

"What an Immortal paradise!"

Yuan Huang's lips trembled, overwhelmed with joy.

Zhang Kui laughed heartily, "Everyone, this is just the beginning. Let's continue!"

The demons initially thought Zhang Kui was daydreaming, but now their confidence soared, and they cheered loudly, flying away with Zhang Kui.

After they left, the residents of Qingjiang State came out one by one, their courtyards and streets in disarray, with many houses even collapsed.

But no one bothered with those matters anymore, each taking deep, greedy breaths of air, feeling inexplicably refreshed.

At the foot of Ziling Mountain, Taoist Puyang had already rushed out with countless Kaiyuan Sect disciples, marveling at the splendid sight before them, each one seemingly dumbfounded.

What followed was boundless ecstasy.

Taoist Puyang waved his arms and legs, lips trembling, his face flushed red.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!"

"From now on, this Ziling Mountain will be the Divine Mansion of Kaiyuan Divine Dynasty in Qingjiang State. This expansive plain is enough to build an unprecedented grand city."

"Master, over there!"

It turned out a disciple from Shouxin Temple was pointing to the left, shivering all over. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Taoist Puyang turned his head and saw, on the left side of the plain on the horizon, several mountain ranges rising and falling. Countless spiritual energy gathered crazily, creating misty spiritual fog that enveloped the entire mountain range.

"Hahaha..."

Taoist Puyang laughed so joyfully he couldn't shut his mouth, "That place is where the spiritual energy is most concentrated outside the Kui Water Array. It will be used for planting spirit medicine in the future. Even ordinary people might afford to buy spirit pills then!"

"Hahaha, marvelous!"

Taoist Puyang seemed to have lost his mind, knowing no better than to laugh foolishly.

A slightly calmer disciple quietly said, "Master, didn't you say we should wait for all spirit mountains to gather before the array starts operating?"

"Ah, right, it hasn't even started yet..."

Puyang was suddenly dumbfounded, looking up at the sky, drooling...