Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Chapter 1354: Chapter 1322: Return to the Mother Star

Jiang Ding stayed in the Magic Vine Minor Realm for several years.

He thoroughly examined the living and production conditions of the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Clans in the Magic Vine Minor Realm and several surrounding Minor Thousand Worlds, compiled his observations into a report, striving to remain as objective as possible without inserting personal bias or emotions, and then submitted it to the Immortal Gate Committee.

At the end of the report, he included this statement.

“Perhaps we should strictly prohibit all Immortal Tao scientific research activities outside of the Mother Star.”

“However, this greatly troubles me as it creates significant conflicts with the God Transformation Strategy. The hidden elites among the Ten Thousand Clans cultivators would fail to emerge, leaving them relegated to mere labor force. Those accidental sparks of extraordinary inspiration, which might be the key to the Immortal Gate’s future breakthroughs, would be extinguished—what a pity that would be.”

“I believe the Immortal Gate should not fear the unknown or challenges.”

Jiang Ding said.

“The Domain Starry Sky is boundlessly vast.”

“Our current enemies include the Eight Great Immortal Sects, long-standing and deeply rooted forces. Our future enemies lie within the Ancient Divine Domain, a terrifying power with myriad possibilities. If we are extraordinarily fortunate and favored by the Immortal Tao, even after annexing the Ancient Divine Domain, we will inevitably encounter foes far stronger than it in the future.”

“The stronger we become, the more we draw the attention of other Immortal Tao civilizations in the Cosmic Starry Sky.”

“To struggle against humanity brings boundless joy; to struggle against the heavens brings boundless joy.”

“Compared to opponents like the Ancient Divine Domain and even greater adversaries beyond it, the danger posed by the Ten Thousand Clans cultivators we now govern is truly negligible.”

“We Immortal Gate cultivators are not the founding monarchs and officials of feudal dynasties who aim to resolve everything at once, eliminating all repercussions, and establish an unshakable legacy for eternity.”

“As cultivators, our lifespans are more than sufficient to span multiple generations, dozens of generations, tens of thousands of generations—we fear no challenge.”

“On this earth, there has never been an unshakable eternal legacy.”

“The Ten Thousand Clans cultivators can absolutely be harnessed as a driving force for the continued growth of the Immortal Gate.”

“Some worry that our future forces might dramatically decline and be overturned by the Ten Thousand Clans cultivators.”

“This is sheer nonsense!”

“If our forces truly face dramatic decline, the first to destroy us would undoubtedly be the Eight Great Immortal Sects or even stronger enemies. As for the Ten Thousand Clans cultivators, who only grasp mid-to-low-level Immortal Tao industries… it wouldn’t even be their turn to act; we’d already be dead by then.”

Jiang Ding finished writing, affixed an anti-counterfeit Divine Sense seal that shifts constantly with every passing moment, and sent it to the Immortal Gate Committee.

Afterward, he inspected the Magic Vine Minor Realm Group Army of the Second Expeditionary Army from the Horned Ming Realm.

After millennia of training and upgrades to second-line warships, the combat power of the Immortal Gate’s Conscript Army Corps from the Magic Vine Minor Realm had substantially increased.

The army formation was disciplined and solemn; the morale of the cultivators and officers from all races within was no longer turbulent. They now felt a great sense of belonging toward the Immortal Gate organization, and their will to fight had significantly risen.

Boom!

Boom boom!

Spiritual Light exploded as space dissolved.

The mixed-species fleet, composed of over two million cultivators from various races, unleashed volley formation tactics, maneuvered, marched, and performed combat drills and formation exercises with remarkable precision. Their synergy was seamless, incomparable to the past.

In terms of frontal combat strength, they could now confront several Peak Divine Transformation Cultivators head-on without being at a disadvantage.

Jiang Ding conducted a thorough assessment.

He confirmed that this Magic Vine Minor Realm Conscript Group Army had attained battle powers comparable to the Immortal Sect Daoist Soldier Army Formation level. They could now partake in regular inter-domain battles and suppress forces across regions, all achieved with significantly fewer resources compared to the Immortal Sect’s Daoist Soldiers or disciples’ army formations.

Of course, this was still only the result of training—actual combat performance remained uncertain.

“You’ve done very well.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Jiang Ding praised.

The surrounding Immortal Gate True Monarchs and many Minor Thousand World Nascent Soul Cultivators smiled in relief and pride.

Within the Minor Thousand Worlds, military authority and all high-ranking officer positions were firmly in the hands of Immortal Gate cultivators, controlling warfare command, training, logistics, and post-death compensations.

This was yet another measure to prevent unrest.

“Heavenly Monarch.”

Hua Teng couldn’t help but ask, “About the Great Sun God Transformation Strategy…”

The moment this question was raised, the many Minor Thousand World cultivators around showed eager expressions, clearly concerned about the matter and aware of the heated debates within the Immortal Gate.

“I’m working on advancing it,” Jiang Ding replied calmly. “The outcome is still uncertain for now.”

He nodded slightly: “If it fails, I will do my utmost to find you all another path. It may be incredibly dangerous, but there will be many unknown paths available for you to choose from.”

“You may also consider defecting to the Eight Great Immortal Sects, if they’re willing to accept you.”

The unknown path, of course, referred to the Ancient Divine Domain.

This was a domain full of uncertainties—it could contain tremendous opportunities, or it could lead to their immediate deaths.

Meanwhile, the unspoken message lay hidden beneath his words.

Should the Immortal Gate reject the proposal for the Great Sun God Transformation Strategy, the elites within the Ten Thousand Clans cultivators might choose rebellion. If that happened, Jiang Ding would personally suppress and execute them.

“Master, you speak too seriously!”

Hua Teng, Huo Baosan, Blood River King, and others quickly bent down and bowed in fear.

“It’s nothing too serious.”

“Everyone has the freedom to pursue a happy life.”

Jiang Ding sighed faintly.

He said no more, offering some words of comfort to the Magic Vine Minor Realm Conscript Group Army, and then bid farewell to everyone. Through the teleportation formation, he vanished from sight.

…

At the passage between the Nine Spirits Realm and Horned Ming Realm.

“Greetings, Swordsman!”

A brilliant and radiant Great Sun Heavenly Pond shimmered in the heavens, shining brightly as the Eight Great Immortal Sects cultivators bowed deeply, their postures humble and reverent.

The stationed Immortal Gate troops greeted them according to protocol.

Jiang Ding nodded slightly and left the area.

“Swordsman, it’s no easy feat!”

“Finally, this day has come again.”

Ever since the Eight Great Immortal Sect Great Experts achieved Harmonization, the previously dispirited Yue finally spoke up again, sighing: “Across this vast domain, you’ve finally become the strongest.”

“In you, I once again see the spirit of the historical Sword Masters…”

She was overjoyed.

Indeed, in the current Nine Spirits Realm, there seemed to be no one who could rival the Great Sun Swordsman in individual strength.

This moment faintly resembled the historical trajectory of past Great Sun Sword Masters, returning to a status akin to the days of the Great Sun Sword Pavilion’s height nearly ten thousand years ago.

“Please spare me this talk.”

Jiang Ding rolled his eyes, “I can’t help but feel like the situation is ‘when there’s no tiger in the mountains, the monkey becomes king.’ It’s a bit embarrassing; please stop saying that.”

“Understood, Swordsman.”

Yue obediently complied.

The Great Sun Heavenly Pond flickered several times amidst the Super Transmission Array’s glow, and the surrounding scenery shifted, unveiling a vast sea of trees. Every flower, every blade of grass, and every tree was imbued with the familiar essence of home.

“Finally, I’ve returned home…”

Jiang Ding felt an overwhelming surge of emotion, his eyes brimming with tears.

“Welcome back!”

“You rascal, you finally made it here!!”

Canghai True Venerable shouted.

Tears streamed down his face, his gaze filled with longing.

He rushed forward, his plump body moving with surprising agility. Defying conventional measures, he nearly ran headlong into Jiang Ding, enveloping him in a massive, heartfelt embrace.