Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery
Chapter 852 - 831: The Ultimate Victory Belongs to the Xianmen Sect

Jiang Ding's knuckles turned white as he gripped the sword hilt.

How many Immortals, Heavenly Monarchs, and citizens of the Xianmen Sect had been sacrificed for this victory in the war?

He did not know how to comfort a weeping Heavenly Monarch.

Should he say "Mourn in moderation, death is irreversible"?

"Your wife died for the Xianmen Sect, died a worthy death, and future generations will surely remember her"?

Too false!

Too superficial!

A Heavenly Monarch, after experiencing so much, was still in such deep sorrow, especially since his wife died in the very campaign he had pushed for, continuously supporting and facilitating his goals from behind the scenes, only to...

Jiang Ding did not know what to say.

Perhaps the Divine Mechanism Heavenly Monarch just needed someone to listen, not someone to comfort him.

Jiang Ding thought quietly to himself.

After a while, once the Divine Mechanism Heavenly Monarch's emotions had somewhat calmed down,

"Senior,"

"why belittle yourself?"

Jiang Ding spoke earnestly, "To lead the Refinement Void Battlefield with a body of Divinity Transformation, slaughtering countless Divinities, severely wounding many above Void Refinement, and forcing them to retreat—an achievement of such magnitude?"

"What Domain Pride, what domain heroes—none are worthy of mention before you."

"Refining Nothingness, you will surely break through."

"Above Void Refinement, you too will achieve success."

"When that time comes, please personally seek vengeance. I am willing to be your spearhead, under your command to charge forth, breaking lines and defeating enemies, never retreating half a step."

"I look forward to that day."

"Yes,"

the Divine Mechanism Heavenly Monarch's eyes, red and swollen, showed a pause in his tears as he bitterly said, "I am also very strong."

"My wife was also strong, as she should be, only she was shy and introverted, not liking to be in the limelight, always silently supporting me…"

He sighed and disconnected the communication.

Jiang Ding took a deep breath.

In his eyes, many figures appeared—those of Immortal Dinghai, Immortal Luling, Zhang Junsheng, and even weaker ones like Jin Lingfeng, An Siyan...

What had become of them?

If they had all departed, would there be anyone left in the world to comfort him?

As time passed, was it that cultivators eventually ended up alone, all their relatives, friends, and confidants departing, becoming the cold and heartless old freaks in the eyes of the world?

He did not know.

Jiang Ding, holding the sword hilt, stood between heaven and earth, not cultivating, like a statue, staring blankly at the sky.

At this moment, he belatedly realized that it was incredibly hard to act like Sun Extinguisher Heavenly Monarch, whose tears mixed with laughter as he sang to bid farewell to a friend.

Sun Extinguisher Heavenly Monarch,

must have experienced many such wars, such scenes of relatives, friends, and teachers continually passing away.

Ding!

He did not know how much time had passed when the voice of the Star Sky Army's Array Spirit came through.

"Commander of the Air Space Sky Army, Sir Jiang Ding, this war has ended in victory for the Xianmen Sect."

"The coalition of the Eight Great Immortal Sects has already retreated, major collapses and eliminations have occurred among the Refining Void Dao Soldiers and the Void Refining Army Formation, and many great experts are severely injured.

It's basically determined that within a two-thousand-year lifecycle of a Nascent Soul Monk's growth, promotion, and death, the Immortal Sects will no longer have the capability to continue their attacks."

"Military exploits are currently being calculated..."

"Post-war military defenses are being arranged, and the Immortal Sect Military Committee is consulting your opinions.

Do you wish to continue serving as the commander of the Air Space Sky Army, developing within the military, or to resign your military post and focus solely on the Xianmen Sect's scientific research till war emerges again?"

"Resign the military post."

Jiang Ding did not hesitate much.

Although holding military power and commanding the Air Space Sky Army could earn many military exploits and resources, these were not the most important things to him.

Even without captured spoils, Xianmen Sect could provide him with sufficient loans for growth.

The most crucial aspect

was the development of the Great Sun Nascent Soul Art, Swordsmanship, and Cultivation Methods!

In this regard, Xianmen University and the research institutions had an unparalleled advantage. There was no reason to give up and change positions.

"Your opinion has been recorded, please sign for confirmation."

A luminous blue notebook appeared in front of Jiang Ding, displaying his recently spoken words.

This was part of the strict system of Xianmen, designed to prevent individuals from abusing power for personal gain, blocking upward mobility, or forging signatures.

The power of the commander of the Air Space Star Sky Army was too great, and some people might be blinded by greed and act irrationally.

Without a doubt, even within Xianmen, such individuals existed, even among those with distinguished military exploits; fearless and valiant on the battlefield, and audacious in combat.

Beneath the battlefield...

Indulgence in comfort and desiring unearned wealth were innate pursuits of humans.

Without systemic constraints and monitoring, even the most virtuous person could be corrupted over the years.

Especially during times when partial victories are achieved, external enemies recede, and fruits of success abound. Such times might have increased likelihood for internal conflicts, necessitating enhanced vigilance.

"Confirmed."

Jiang Ding signed his name on it.

"Please be aware, the Immortal Sect Military Committee will carefully consider your personal opinion, but it might not be approved. Do not abandon your post; you must remain at your station until transfer orders arrive."

The voice of the Star Sky Army Formation's Array Spirit rang out.

"Understood."

Jiang Ding nodded.

This possibility was minute; as long as there wasn't a severe shortage of personnel or the situation wasn't dire, the Immortal Sect Military Committee generally respected Cultivators' personal opinions.

Without incident.

Several months later, Jiang Ding traded military duties with a Vice Commander who was assuming control of the Air Space Star Sky command, then returned through the Boundary Formation to step onto the teleportation Formation leading back to Xianmen.

The new deputy commander of the Air Space, who once taught at Beidou University, was certainly competent in military standards. Unless Immortal Sect Disciples were personally involved, the Fire Spirit Realm defensive line was utterly secure.

Within the hazy space of teleportation's white light, after an indeterminable period, Jiang Ding closed his eyes, then opened them again.

The leaves of the Divine Wood Sky Covering Rong were a lush green, spreading across an entire sea of clouds to the edge of vision and piercing into starry space, drawing light from the stars and transforming it into vast flows of Heavenly Earth Spiritual Qi, releasing it across the entire planet.

Jiang Ding relaxed instantly, his ever-painful Divine Soul seeming much comforted.

Everything about the Mother Star was so reassuring, making one want to simply find a patch of grass, lie down in the sunlight, and sleep without care until fully rested.

Jiang Ding wished to do just that, yet his heart still held concerns, unable to fully settle down.

After some thought, he took out his phone and gazed at the various names in the contact list.

Pulling back, then taking it out again.

Pulling back, then taking it out again.

Hesitating, fearing to hear some terrible news.

At least for now, it was fine.

No news was the best news.

"Maybe some other time..."

After a long hesitation, Jiang Ding dared not face it.

He simply put away his phone and walked across an atmosphere entirely different from that of the Minor Thousand Worlds, where the freezing temperatures of dozens of degrees below zero couldn't affect him at all.

He rounded a corner formed by the branch of a Heaven-Covering Banyan, the size of a mountain peak.

Jiang Ding was startled.

In front of him, several figures emerged, all missing arms or legs, with only heads remaining, still blinking—Sun Extinguisher Heavenly Monarch, whose head was gone, with his Divine Soul residing in a mechanical puppet's body, Immortal Luling with a severed arm, Immortal Dinghai with only couple, along with the pale-faced figures of An Siyan, Jin Lingfeng, and Ouyang Hui.

They were mischievously watching him.

"Hahaha!"

"I told you he could be tricked, right?"

Dragged along by An Siyan, Sun Extinguisher Heavenly Monarch was beaming with joy and triumphantly boasted, "What does being the Great Sun Swordsman matter? Even if I'm reduced to nothing but a head, I can still suppress you with the flick of my hand!"

"So, tell me, are you convinced now?"