Chapter 120: The Kingdom of God

In an unnamed secluded valley, there lay a terrestrial fire vent that continuously emitted blue smoke and violet flames throughout the year. Thick, viscous lava would occasionally surge forth from the vent. Once cooled, the lava revealed extraordinarily precious treasures—genius earth gems found only deep within the planet’s core.

Moreover, from this fiery vent sporadically emerged innate and acquired fire seeds. In the hands of the top-tier beings of the Southern Wilderness, any single fire seed could be refined into a priceless shamanic artifact.

Because of this, the small valley was designated as a directly governed territory by the Divine State of Zhu Rong. They claimed the surrounding thousand-mile area and constructed a modest war fortress within the valley, staffed year-round by hundreds of divine guards on rotation.

Ji Hao hastened toward the fortress, continuously examining the treasures he had seized from the three fallen foes. The three flying knives had already been imprinted with his soul mark. After nurturing each with a drop of his essence blood, they transformed into sharply potent metallic energy, fusing seamlessly with the three fingers of Ji Hao’s left hand.

Ordinarily, as Ji Hao’s vital blood coursed through his fingers, it would nurture these knives, gradually enhancing their power and deepening their connection to him. Over time, Ji Hao could wield these knives as naturally as if they were extensions of his own limbs.

The precious orb that had dealt Ji Hao a grievous wound had likewise transformed into a dense white mist, merging with his right hand. Each day, it absorbed a portion of his vital blood to nourish itself while emitting a faint, heavy aura that fed back to Ji Hao.

Within just one day, the force behind Ji Hao’s right fist had noticeably surpassed that of his left, and the bones of his right hand had grown significantly more robust. With the orb fused to it, his right fist had effectively become a heavy weapon capable of delivering devastating blows.

From the last young man he had slain, Ji Hao retrieved two flying swords, each about five inches long. After simple ritual refinement, these two swords fused with the last two fingers of Ji Hao’s left hand. Now, whenever Ji Hao’s fingers touched one another, a sharp clash of metal rang out, sounding terrifyingly fierce.

This secret technique of merging treasures with one’s own body was taught by the elder shamans of the Fire Crow tribe—a sacred method of refining shamanic artifacts.

Great shamans of the Southern Wilderness, upon obtaining powerful legacy artifacts, would merge their treasures with themselves, thereby gaining extraordinary abilities. This was true for Ji Xia, Ji Yao, and even Ji Wu, who had once troubled Ji Hao, all of whom had practiced this method.

After a long journey, Ji Hao finally glimpsed the familiar fiery mists rising from the unnamed valley. Although his cultivation had not advanced, his combat prowess had unknowingly surged significantly.

Due to the fire vent, the surrounding forests remained scorched and barren all year round, with the ground scattered with crimson stones. Even during the rainy season, not a single drop of rain could be found within several miles of the valley, as the approaching rain was immediately evaporated by the vent’s intense heat.

Bright sunlight bathed the valley. Having spent months in the dense, rainy forests, Ji Hao suddenly emerged from the downpour into the sunlight, squinting and standing still with his arms outstretched, savoring the warmth.

Suddenly, a beast’s roar shattered the quiet. Two flaming unicorn horses galloped toward him, each ridden by heavily armored divine guards wielding oddly shaped long halberds. The half-meter-long spearheads emitted fiery beams stretching over three meters, aiming directly at Ji Hao’s vital chest.

The guards, their faces obscured by helmets, bellowed in deep voices, “Child, this is no place for your kind to play. This is the Divine State’s territory. Any Southern Wilderness inhabitants who trespass here shall face death.”

One guard, with a slightly more polite tone yet still laced with arrogance, added, “You seem young; we won’t make things difficult for you. Leave immediately! Go back to your elders and accept a harsh beating so you won’t bring trouble to your tribe.”

Ji Hao said nothing but produced the identity token belonging to Manman.

The two guards stiffened, then leapt down from their flaming steeds, lowering their halberds and removing their helmets. They knelt respectfully before Ji Hao, one knee to the ground, and saluted, “We pay homage to the noble. May we ask if you are sent by someone?”

Ji Hao admired the two guards. Their cheeks bore distinct dragon scales, and two small antlers adorned their foreheads, marking them as non-pure human. Towering and imposing, even kneeling they stood nearly half a meter taller than Ji Hao; standing, they were over six meters tall.

“I’m heading to the Divine State of Zhu Rong to see Manman. I request to use the teleportation array,” Ji Hao declared.

The guards neither hesitated nor questioned him. They promptly led him into the war fortress and activated the teleportation array that linked directly to the core of the Divine State.

Along the way, every guard who glanced at Ji Hao did so with reverence. Ji Hao knew he was unworthy of such respect; it was Manman’s token that earned him such courtesy.

The Divine State of Zhu Rong clearly held supreme status in these guards’ eyes—no one dared challenge the authority of its highest leaders.

The crimson teleportation array, forged with the power of the subterranean fire veins, blazed with dazzling flames. Ji Hao’s body suddenly stiffened as an overwhelming force pressed down on him from all directions, causing his bones to crack and nearly crushing him.

Fortunately, the radiant armor he wore absorbed ninety-nine percent of the pressure, allowing him to barely endure the terrifying force.

After an unknown span of time, the light dimmed, the pressure lifted, and Ji Hao found himself standing on a vast plaza.

Scorching heat surged from all around. Ji Hao looked about in shock, taking in the enormous square paved entirely with fiery red jasper, stretching nearly a thousand miles in length and width.

Countless arrays shimmered with fluctuating light across the plaza, through which large groups of people entered and exited constantly.

Above, thousands of fire dragons soared—genuine five-clawed giants wreathed in flames. Riding the fiery clouds, each dragon carried dozens of heavily armored divine guards wielding long halberds, great spears, and hanging bows and crossbows.

Throughout the plaza, squads of divine guards patrolled with deliberate, heavy footsteps like the beating of war drums, asserting absolute control over the area. Without a doubt, anyone who dared cause chaos here or enemies who attempted to infiltrate via the teleportation arrays would face their devastating wrath.

As for Ji Hao, the moment he appeared from the array, at least ten long halberd points pressed against his body, their sharp, fiery tips grazing his skin and sending waves of searing heat that stiffened him, forbidding any movement.

An elderly man dressed in a crimson robe woven with golden threads, his face marked by age, approached Ji Hao, squinting as he appraised him.

“Stranger, your aura is off. You aren’t one of our people. What kind of barbarian snuck in here?”

“Take him to the mines. Let him toil for life.”

“Investigate who was negligent enough to let this brat in. From top to bottom, all responsible shall be demoted to war slaves, and their families sent to the mines to serve a hundred years!”