Fantasy: After transmigrating, I effortlessly became a god.

Chapter 423 The Story of Zhao Minghang

It was a brightly lit and joyously lively night, the banquet unprecedented in its grandeur. The spacious training ground was packed, the air thick with the aroma of wine and the sounds of laughter, creating a vibrant and bustling scene. As the night deepened, the magic of the alcohol began to take effect, many faces flushed, and their eyes sparkled with excitement and unbridled joy.

At this moment, the banquet venue had become a stage for free speech, with all sorts of boasting voices rising and falling like a surging tide. Some recounted thrilling adventures, while others exaggeratedly boasted about their great achievements. Some even imitated the legendary dragon roar, and the deafening sound pushed the atmosphere of the entire banquet to a climax.

"Haha, he threw up, he threw up all over himself."

"If you can't drink, go outside and sit at a table with the dog."

"Who says I can't drink this? Give me another bowl, ugh..."

However, as the grand event finally drew to a close and the clamor subsided, Zheng Qian chose a different path: a walk. He strolled alone to the top of the cliff, where only the howling wind kept him company, as if it were nature's most sincere listener. The night breeze brushed against his face, carrying a slight chill, but it also gradually cleared his mind, which had been somewhat clouded by alcohol.

Standing here, Zheng Qian felt a surge of complex emotions. The Fifty Kingdoms, which he had once considered the foundation of his development and a solid logistical support, were an incredibly important part of his life. He had assumed that every step of his future would depend on the nourishment of this land, but unexpectedly, within the strategist alliance and the Radiant Legion of the Wind Rift, he was not only not treated as an outsider, but had also gained unexpected support and affection. They fought side by side, weathering the storms together, and he, in turn, earned the highest honor and respect.

"Life is truly unpredictable. In the end, kindness and sincerity still dominate the world." Zheng Qian murmured to himself, overwhelmed with emotion. He gently pulled out two gleaming medals from his clothes: the Starry Sky Medal of Wisdom and Courage and the Medal of Glory. Under the moonlight, they shone even more gloriously.

At this moment, Zheng Qian's heart was filled with gratitude and hope. With a clear mind, he drew the Dragon Scale Void-Piercing Sword with a clang, and accompanied by the whistling wind, he earnestly practiced his swordsmanship.

"Look who's there? Instead of sleeping at night, they're practicing swordsmanship on the cliff edge."

"Let me see who's acting crazy?"

The soldiers on duty were all curious: who would stay up all night to practice swordsmanship on the cliff edge? Was it to highlight his diligence?

Liu Zhuo squinted. He saw that the sword the man on the cliff was wielding was a heavy sword, and every move contained endless killing intent.

"This is a master, a master of the Dragon Transformation Realm," Liu Zhuo commented. He could see that the spiritual energy within the swordsman's body was surging, and it was on the verge of transforming into the form of a true dragon.

Zhao Hong scoffed, "Nonsense. I can tell he's a Dragon Transformation Realm expert, but he shouldn't be practicing swordsmanship at this time. Doesn't he get any sleep?"

Just then, the moon shone down, illuminating the figure atop the cliff. The figure stood there, sword sheathed, revealing a handsome face.

"Holy crap, it's Zheng Qian!" Liu Zhuo shouted in disbelief, his eyes wide open.

Zhao Hong's eyes widened as well, and when he saw Zheng Qian's face, he couldn't believe it: "My God, it really is Zheng Qian."

Zheng Qian heard Liu Zhuo's shouts from the city wall in the distance and waved to the two of them.

"Zheng Qian!" Liu Zhuo shouted excitedly. He hadn't expected that Zheng Qian would come to the top of the cliff to practice his sword so soon after the banquet held for him had just ended.

"They're already so amazing, yet they still work so hard." Zhao Hong sighed. The lives of prodigies are indeed beyond the comprehension of ordinary people like them.

Zheng Qian had an epiphany. The battles of the past four days replayed in his mind. The three races' prodigies were incredibly strong. Shadow Demon had already forced him to go all out, and he only managed to kill her after sustaining serious injuries. Yin Kuang, a prodigy in the late stage of the Zen Demon Realm, was even more powerful than Shadow Demon. To be honest, Zheng Qian wasn't confident of victory.

After all, they were at a higher realm, and Zheng Qian was seriously injured. Going up there would have been tantamount to suicide. Therefore, his decision to end the gate-blocking battle was a result of careful consideration.

“Yin Kuang.” Zheng Qian looked towards the direction of Huaxu Cliff Fortress and felt a sense of pressure.

Zheng Qian had been suppressing his cultivation level. At this moment, the spiritual energy in his dantian was extremely abundant. If he wished, he could compress and liquefy the spiritual energy at any time, directly advancing to the Liquid Aperture Realm. The battles of the geniuses and prodigies in the Liquid Aperture Realm did not take place at the Dragon Shaping and Void Transformation Cliff, but rather at the Liquid Aperture Dragon Roar Valley. If Zheng Qian advanced to the Liquid Aperture Realm, he would inevitably attract the attention of the prodigies from the three races.

"My combat strength is still too low." Zheng Qian closed his eyes. He felt that his strength was still too low. Being targeted on the battlefield of the Liquid Aperture Realm was a very dangerous thing. And he couldn't keep cultivating until he reached the mid-stage Liquid Aperture Realm, the Liquid Rising Realm, before leaving. So he had to find a way to improve his strength so that he could protect himself when he went to the Liquid Aperture Realm battlefield.

The Devouring Heaven Technique is incredibly powerful; that's an undeniable fact. However, Zheng Qian didn't want to rely on it for his growth indefinitely. It was a demonic art, and a very strange one at that. During the gate-blocking battle, Zheng Qian used all his strength, and no one mentioned his cultivation of demonic arts. He was very grateful for everyone's understanding.

The Ghostly Rift Valley could tolerate the existence of demonic arts, but what about the human world? Zheng Qian had read many books, from yellowed ancient texts to detailed local chronicles, from biographies of heroes to the downfall of villains. He had witnessed too many tragedies of destruction caused by the practice of demonic arts. In these accounts, demonic arts always played the role of being despised by the world, and regardless of their initial intentions, their practitioners often could not escape a tragic end, as if cursed by an invisible force.

"Demonic arts, even if they can be tolerated in the Ghostly Rift Valley, are an untouchable taboo in the human world. I must forge my own path of the sword." Zheng Qian's voice was deep and firm, his eyes gleaming with an indomitable light. He was unwilling to be subservient to the "Devouring Heaven Technique," and even less willing to let his fate be defined by external labels.

Sitting cross-legged, Zheng Qian's mind seemed to traverse thousands of mountains and rivers, shuttling between the essence of ancient and modern sword techniques. He constantly sketched sword moves in his mind, deduced the sword intent, and strived to make each sword strike contain the principles of heaven and earth, and each move transcend worldly constraints, reaching the highest realm of swordsmanship.

As the sun rose, its rays shone on Zheng Qian's profile, and he opened his eyes.

Tonight, Zheng Qian deeply realized that true strength lies not in the good or evil of the cultivation techniques one practices, but in the purity and resilience of the cultivator's heart. He firmly believes that as long as one holds justice in one's heart and points one's sword towards the heavens, even in this human world that rejects demonic arts, one can forge a path of light that belongs to oneself.

"I will prove my Dao with the sword and wield the sword with my heart, so that the world will know that the true strength lies not in the type of martial arts one cultivates, but in the determination to remain unmoved by external things, to stick to oneself, and to pursue the truth." Zheng Qian whispered, his voice low but containing a heart-stirring power. He would walk on this lonely path and forge an unprecedentedly glorious path of swordsmanship.

The Southern Region tolerates the Demonic Sect because the Heavenly Vein Sect wants to foster diversity and strengthen the Southern Region's power. The Southern Region's geniuses and prodigies tolerate his existence because he hasn't committed any evil deeds, and even more so because he has a powerful master, Yun Youzi.

The Fifty Kingdoms cannot tolerate the existence of the Demonic Sect, and therefore cannot tolerate the existence of demonic arts. The Fifty Kingdoms are merely a microcosm of humanity, and the Southern Region is also a microcosm of the human world. As long as one possesses strength, no one dares to claim that they cultivate demonic arts.

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes, and a bloody light shone in the air. Zheng Qian understood.

Strength is the strongest support for navigating the world, and the only way to break through prejudice and prove oneself. Zheng Qian's heart gradually became calm and profound. What is true good and evil? Is it the world's perception, or the choice within one's own heart?

At that moment, Zheng Qian's state of mind underwent a dramatic transformation. He realized that true power should not be limited by good or evil, but rather reside in the user's own heart. Thus, amidst a crimson light, he closed his eyes and concentrated, pouring all his unwavering commitment to justice, his thirst for power, and his understanding of all things into his sword intent.

With a thought, Zheng Qian lightly touched the ground with the tip of his sword, and an unprecedented power erupted from the blade, representing his ultimate understanding of life, combat, and self-transcendence.

The second move of the Blood Drinking Sword, Blood Drinking and Soul Severing, was born.

"Blood-Drinking Soul-Severing" is neither purely demonic nor a traditional righteous sword technique. It blends Zheng Qian's compassion for all things in the world with his fearlessness against evil. When the sword is drawn, the air is filled with an aura that is both bloody and sacred. Wherever the sword tip passes, it seems to be able to see into the deepest fears and vulnerabilities of the enemy's heart. With one strike, the soul is scattered, yet it does not lose its compassion.

In Zheng Qian's eyes, there was no longer mere killing intent, but a profound understanding and acceptance of all things in the world. A true strongman must not only be able to defeat external enemies, but also to conquer the darkness within his own heart. Drinking blood and severing souls is not only a judgment of the enemy, but also a purification and sublimation of one's own soul.

"From now on, I will no longer be troubled by demonic arts. Good and evil do not depend on what kind of cultivation method one practices, but on the heart that forever pursues the light, is not afraid of difficulties, and dares to explore." Zheng Qian understood. Fifty countries could tolerate his demonic arts, the Southern Region could tolerate his demonic arts, the Ghost Wind Rift Valley could tolerate his demonic arts, so why couldn't the human race tolerate his demonic arts?

If you can't tolerate it, then kill, kill until you can tolerate it.

Inside the Dawn Barrier, Zhao Minghang entered Zhao Nuo's office.

"Uncle, this is the real-time battle report of Zheng Qian's blocking the gate. Please take a look." Zhao Minghang presented the battle report with both hands, his respect evident on his face, but his heart was churning with turmoil.

Zhao Minghang calls Zhao Nuo "Uncle" at Zhao Nuo's request; there is no blood relation or special care relationship between them. Zhao Minghang is the Deputy Director of the Wise and Courageous Judgment Division of the Radiant Legion, a capable subordinate of Zhao Nuo, while Zhao Nuo is Zhao Minghang's benefactor—nothing more.

"Oh? Minghang, your speed is truly impressive!" Zhao Nuo took the battle log, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He had been enjoying drinks and conversation with everyone at the banquet last night, never expecting that Zhao Minghang would have already finished compiling such a detailed real-time battle log this morning. Even Zhao Nuo couldn't help but marvel at such swift and efficient work.

However, as Zhao Nuo opened the battle record and read it carefully, his expression gradually darkened. Zhao Minghang, in his writing, had excessively attributed Zheng Qian's bravery and wisdom in initiating the gate-blocking battle to himself. This exaggerated and reckless behavior displeased Zhao Nuo.

“Minghang, while your battle record is detailed, some parts seem a bit inappropriate.” Zhao Nuo put down the record and said earnestly, “Zheng Qian’s bravery and resourcefulness in this battle at the gate are truly a source of pride for our clan. Although you also played a significant role, you must not claim credit for others’ achievements. This would not only be unethical but would also breed resentment among your clansmen.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Minghang's face turned pale, and his heart sank into an ice cellar. He had thought that his actions would win Zhao Nuo's praise and promotion, but unexpectedly, he had made a fool of himself and instead attracted his blame and dissatisfaction.

"Uncle is right, Minghang knows he was wrong." Zhao Minghang lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly: "I will keep it in mind and be more careful in the future, and never make such a mistake again."

Seeing this, Zhao Nuo sighed inwardly. He knew that Zhao Minghang was young and impetuous, and it was normal for him to make such mistakes. But as long as he could humbly learn from his mistakes, he would surely achieve great things in the future.

"Alright, it's good to admit your mistakes and correct them." Zhao Nuo patted Zhao Minghang on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Remember this: true heroes are those who dare to admit their mistakes and are brave enough to correct them. Go and revise this war record, making sure it is fair and impartial, so that the people of your tribe can see the true heroism."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Minghang felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He knew that Zhao Nuo was giving him a chance to make amends and regain the respect and trust of his people.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Uncle. Minghang will certainly live up to your expectations." Zhao Minghang bowed deeply, then turned and left.

"Wait." Zhao Nuo suddenly called out to Zhao Minghang, and then slowly said, "The oath of light illuminates the journey, and courage burns like fire, illuminating the darkness. Minghang, never forget the oath of the Radiant Legion's soul. You must act in accordance with the rules and think thrice before you act. Think of danger, think of retreat, think of change. Don't do things you are not sure about, and don't gamble."

"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle. Minghang understands." Zhao Minghang felt as if his face was being sliced ​​open, the pain suffocating him. At the same time, he was terrified, afraid that Zhao Nuo would be disappointed in him.

In Zhao Minghang's heart, that memory is like a mark sculpted by time, deep and heart-wrenching. Whenever the night is quiet or he encounters setbacks, that past surges up like a tide, carrying endless bitterness and gratitude.

It was a stormy evening. Pedestrians hurried along the streets of Zhanlin City, except for a few mischievous children who surrounded him in the dim alleyway, uttering words more biting than the cold wind.

"Look, that fatherless wild child!"

"Yes, a bastard from a brothel, does he think he's worthy of playing with us?"

Every word was like a sharp blade, carving bloody wounds into his young heart. Zhao Minghang huddled in a corner, tears mingling with the rain, silently streaming down his face, his heart filled with helplessness and despair.

Just then, a majestic yet warm voice, like heavenly music, pierced through the rain: "Stop!"

Zhao Nuo, a famous general in Zhanlin City, with an upright demeanor and piercing eyes, appeared in his line of sight.

“Children, everyone is born with dignity and value, and should not be humiliated because of their origin.” Zhao Nuo’s words resonated deeply, causing the unruly children to exchange bewildered glances before finally scattering. He knelt down, looking gently at Zhao Minghang: “Child, what is your name?”

“Zhao… Zhao Minghang.” He answered, his voice choked with emotion, a mixture of fear and a strange sense of anticipation in his heart.

Zhao Nuo gently patted his shoulder, her eyes flashing with complex emotions: "Minghang, remember, you can't choose your birth, but you can choose your future. Are you willing to follow me, learn martial arts, strengthen yourself, and make those who mocked you look at you with new eyes?"

At that moment, Zhao Minghang felt as if he had seen the first ray of sunshine in his life, piercing through the long-standing gloom. He nodded vigorously, his eyes shining with an unprecedented light: "I do!"

From then on, Zhao Minghang moved into the Radiant Legion and, starting as the lowest-ranking soldier, rose through hard work and talent to become the Deputy Director of the Wise and Brave Judgment Division.

All of this was given to him by Zhao Nuo. Without Zhao Nuo, Zhao Minghang would not be where he is today.

Zhao Nuo pondered for a long time before asking, "You want to go to the Divine Court to find someone?"

Zhao Minghang abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. He didn't know who his father was, nor had he ever seen him. He joined the Radiant Legion at the age of five, and his mother died when he was eight. Before she died, his mother told him, "Your father is a very important figure in the Radiant Legion of the Divine Court."

Does Zhao Nuo know about this?

Zhao Nuo did not give Zhao Minghang a chance to answer or ask questions. He turned around and looked at Youfeng Rift Valley, his voice calm.

"Minghang, if you perform another great service, I will follow the procedures to send you to the Radiant Legion of the Divine Court. As for whether you can find the person in your heart, that depends on your fate."

Bang.

Zhao Minghang knelt down and kowtowed to Zhao Nuo: "Thank you for your teachings and guidance, Uncle. Minghang understands."