Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Chapter 1319: Chapter 1287: Dari Swordsman Will Not Swear Loyalty to Anyone

“Hunter Dao Plan…”

Within Jiang Ding’s mind, countless thoughts surfaced.

Over a thousand years, he, together with the Immortal Sect Sword Dao Science Academy, had worked tirelessly, day and night, developing, crafting, and deducing the Sun Star Engineering Project assigned by the Xianmen Sect. Generation after generation—each meeting their mortality—contributed to it, their efforts unceasing, and countless heart blood converged onto this endeavor.

Yet the Sun Star Engineering Project was only a small fraction of the entire Hunter Dao Plan. The real bulk lay far beyond, in the projects led by Shen Ji, Wan Ji, Canghai, and Sun Extinguisher. Combined, these subdivisions spanned over several billion smaller projects, redirecting the entirety of Xianmen’s manpower, resources, and materials toward them.

A plan of such monumental scale remained confidential, with no leaks, owing greatly to the strictly enforced secrecy measures of the Xianmen Sect.

Furthermore, whether during wartime or peace, Xianmen had consistently maintained high-intensity research efforts across all projects.

Much of this research had already become ingrained as a regular part of Xianmen life and work. Even if some research were displayed openly before Refining Nothingness cultivators, they might still fail to comprehend its true essence.

To the majority of Immortal Sect cultivators involved in these projects, much of the work was simply mundane routine.

“Ding!”

“Horned Ming Realm Second Expeditionary Army Vice Marshal, Great Sun Celestial Lord, by order of the Horned Ming Realm War Zone Supreme Command:

Please proceed immediately to the battlefield of the Nine Spirit Realm, a Medium Thousand World.

Please ensure that the handover of the Second Expeditionary Army is orderly and confirm that its military deployments are operating as required.”

The Xianmen’s formal military transfer document, delivered through the Central Array Spirit Computer, arrived at this moment.

This was necessary.

It was impossible for Yuan to command Jiang Ding directly in a personal capacity.

His orders must be issued under the authority granted by Xianmen—only then could power over a Front Army Commander be invoked. Otherwise, it would constitute unauthorized orders, which would be immediately rejected, and Yuan himself would face accountability measures. The front-line military committee would initiate a responsibility-tracking procedure without delay.

In Xianmen, Refining Nothingness cultivators and Refining Void True Venerables were entirely restricted from possessing supreme, unchecked authority without limitations.

The Dari Swordsman usually appeared gentle and endearing.

But in truth, he was equally cold and prideful.

To him, a Refining Nothingness cultivator did not carry any inherently superior aura, nor did they have the qualifications to be his monarch—even elders were no exception.

Though he might assist elders out of personal sentiment, he would not swear loyalty to them, as the distinction between both was vast.

If not for Xianmen’s collective will, the Dari Swordsman might not remain as compliant as he was now.

A Refining Nothingness cultivator, if they were only so capable, did not possess the authority to command him.

“Understood, I will execute the orders immediately,”

Jiang Ding accepted the spirit document transmitted by the Central Array Spirit Computer, signing it with his Divine Sense, and saluted in response.

Moments later, a directive was relayed to the General Staff of the Second Expeditionary Army, after which it was subdivided into hundreds of thousands of precise orders distributed across the Group Army Commands and civil administrative agencies spanning 155 Minor Thousand Worlds.

Ten minutes later, through Xianmen’s Array Spirit communication networks scattered across the regions, numerous Minor Thousand World divinity transformation cultivators and army-commanding Xianmen True Monarchs convened in the army conference hall, the majority appearing as strands of Divine Sense.

“Salute!”

“Greetings, Vice Marshal!”

Hundreds of divinity transformation cultivators and army-commanding conscript army commanders rose all at once, saluting in unison and calling out loudly.

These cultivators, ordinary-looking upon first glance with modest demeanors, akin to common passersby, were in fact among the most prominent and powerful figures within their respective Minor Thousand Worlds.

Effectively, they were governors of sealed territories, with decisions that could impact the destinies of countless billions—their authority immense.

This was undeniably the lament of the Immortal Path World.

The gap between the strong and the low-to-moderate-level cultivators was immense, spanning differences in power, thought speed, longevity, and more—all-encompassing. Establishing a finely balanced political structure came at too great a cost; thus, authority had to be heavily decentralized to allow individual army commanders the discretion to execute commands.

Thankfully, the Central Array Spirit Computer provided oversight across all Xianmen-controlled territories. Even in distant Minor Thousand Worlds, a basic level of monitoring ensured that subordinates were prevented from engaging in unchecked behavior or becoming independent factions.

“Everyone,”

“I have received a new transfer order and will be departing from here.”

Jiang Ding’s words were succinct.

The divinity transformation cultivators and Immortal True Monarchs seated below were visibly affected, their thoughts surging with mixed emotions—relief, reluctance, fear. The departure of a vast overseeing presence subtly unsettled their hearts.

Nonetheless, the predominant sentiment was one of deep reluctance.

In the presence of the Great Sun Celestial Lord, they felt utterly secure.

No threats of invasion or external attacks worried them.

Furthermore, the Great Sun Celestial Lord, embodying the approachable traits shared by Xianmen Celestial Lords, frequently offered guidance to improve their cultivation bases and resolved their doubts along the Immortal Path—even Minor Thousand World divinity transformation cultivators were allowed to inquire.

Of course, the solutions provided to Minor Thousand World divinity transformation cultivators did not involve Xianmen’s restricted legacy secrets.

During these past hundred years, countless divinity transformation cultivators within Minor Thousand Worlds experienced profound increases in their cultivation foundations, overcoming long-standing hurdles, and making strides in progress—more valuable than even the rarest Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures.

Now, this significant fortune was about to disappear.

For Immortal True Monarchs, this was ordinary; at most, they might purposefully plan a coincidental meeting with the Great Sun Celestial Lord during their trips back to Xianmen for their debriefings. However, for Minor Thousand World divinity transformation cultivators, opportunities for direct encounters from now onward might become exceedingly scarce—leaving future challenges along the Immortal Path unresolved, without anyone to provide direction.

Thus, for many divinity transformation cultivators in Minor Thousand Worlds, intense reluctance prevailed in their hearts—some even dared consider appealing for his stay.

Yet none truly had the courage to voice their plea.

“After my departure,”

“Before Xianmen assigns a new commander to the Horned Ming Realm’s Second Expeditionary Army, the army will be led by the Second Expeditionary Army Committee in matters of military and civil governance. Any decisions made by the committee, provided they do not violate Xianmen Law, are to be followed,”

“During military governance, refusal to comply with military orders will be treated as battlefield defiance and handled accordingly.”

Jiang Ding briefly explained.

The Second Expeditionary Army Committee referred to the General Staff and the numerous conscript Group Army commanders of Xianmen coming together as an organizational entity.

This committee could act on behalf of the Vice Marshal’s authority. Historically, this arrangement had been in place. Outside periods of active conflict, Jiang Ding often refrained from managing specific responsibilities, letting them operate autonomously instead.

Henceforth, Xianmen would likely refrain from dispatching a new Vice Marshal to the Horned Ming Realm’s Second Expeditionary Army. At most, some Celestial Lords may be reassigned to take on assistant roles in overseeing defense and administration.

For relatively minor theaters of war, Vice Marshals seldom made appearances without extraordinary circumstances.

“Understood, Vice Marshal!”

“May you return victorious!”

Hundreds of divinity transformation cultivators and Immortal True Monarchs saluted, fixating their gaze as they sent off their commander.

“May all of you prosper along the Immortal Path.”

Jiang Ding gently inclined his head, closed the communication link, and dissolved the meeting.

Buzz!

The Great Sun Heavenly Pond began emanating boundless radiance, devouring endless Heavenly Earth Spiritual Qi.

Over twenty Minor Thousand Worlds activated their Starry Sky World-Locking Arrays, projecting billions of strands of starlight that pierced through the Star River and poured into the Great Sun Heavenly Pond. One by one, spatial rules and runes emerged from the void, spreading across tens of thousands of kilometers of starry skies, while a dense atmosphere of Chaos Qi emerged.

“Vice Marshal,”

“The process is estimated to complete in three months, after which the ultra-long-distance interdomain teleportation will commence…”

The Central Array Spirit Computer’s voice echoed.