The ties between East Jia State and Chen Xia's destiny could be described as intricate and multifaceted. Practitioners across East Jia State are well aware of Chen Xia, and nearly twenty percent of the state's territories have already become part of the Heaven Pill Gate, his faction.
Chen Xia's current objective is to seize control of the entire East Jia State, claiming its fortunes for himself. This would also serve as a strategic base from which to contend with the will of the Immortal Realm.
Within East Jia State, Chen Xia can unleash his full power at will, free from any suppression by the Immortal Realm's Will.
The question now is how to take over East Jia State—through people or through force?
If through people, the goal would be to secure the approval of East Jia State's practitioners, much like how Chen Xia purchased sect territories in the past.
If through force, it would be simple—just unsheathe the immortal sword and sweep through, dealing with anyone who resists. However, this method is too crude, relying solely on brute strength. Such a takeover might result in significant losses of fortunes within East Jia State, making it an uneconomical approach.
After extensive deliberation with his inner demon and calculating the pros and cons, Chen Xia finally made a decision.
"We'll use the practitioners of East Jia State as points, then connect these points into lines, weaving an intricate network that becomes the Heaven Pill Gate's web. That's how we'll achieve success," Chen Xia explained.
"How do we weave these connections?" the inner demon inquired further.
"Simple," Chen Xia replied, pointing to another twenty percent of East Jia State's territories. "We'll use the Divine Realm Emperors to draw these lines."
In the same year, the Heaven Pill Gate initiated an action to eliminate the Divine Realm Emperors in East Jia State. They proclaimed that East Jia State should belong to the Immortal Realm and should not be contaminated by Divine Realm practitioners. Their goal was to eradicate these "parasites" entirely.
This call immediately received strong support from practitioners across East Jia State. The elders of the Eighth Mountain even personally visited Chen Xia to express their gratitude.
"The call of the Pill Ancestor is a great blessing for East Jia State. On behalf of the Eighth Mountain, I express our deepest gratitude. If the Pill Ancestor truly intends to eliminate the Divine Realm Emperors, I assure you that all the Emperors and Semi-Emperors in East Jia State will gather here!"
"If possible, also summon the Saints and Heaven Mending Realm practitioners. They don't need to fight; just cheer us on," Chen Xia replied.
"Of course, of course," the elder of the Eighth Mountain hurriedly agreed, though he was puzzled by Chen Xia's request.
As he glanced around, he noticed Huang Qingyue inside. He had heard rumors that the Ninth Mountain's disciple was at the Heaven Pill Gate, and it seemed to be true. However, he was curious about why the two of them had ended up together.
Huang Qingyue also spotted the elder of the Eighth Mountain and waved at him with a polite smile.
"Hey, old guy."
The elder of the Eighth Mountain chuckled wryly and shook his head. "You've really been spoiled by the elders of the Ninth Mountain."
He didn't take offense at Huang Qingyue's words, as his purpose today was solely to discuss the matter of eliminating the Divine Realm Emperors with Chen Xia.
Chen Xia shot a slightly exasperated glance at Huang Qingyue and advised, "We should maintain some decorum. Speak kindly and learn from me."
"That's exactly what I've learned from you," Huang Qingyue retorted, sounding puzzled.
"...," Chen Xia thought for a moment, realizing that she wasn't entirely wrong, so he dropped the subject and turned back to the elder of the Eighth Mountain.
"We'll gather at the foot of the Heaven Pill Gate in half a month. Then we'll head out together to eliminate the Divine Realm Emperors. You don't need to fight; just help build the momentum. It's best if everyone in the state knows about this."
The elder of the Eighth Mountain quickly nodded. "That goes without saying. By then, not only East Jia State but the entire Immortal Realm will know about this. Your reputation will soar!"
He assumed Chen Xia's primary goal was to gain fame.
Chen Xia smiled but didn't elaborate, tacitly agreeing to the plan with the elder of the Eighth Mountain.
What followed was a period of quiet waiting.
The news that the Heaven Pill Ancestor would lead the entire East Jia State in eliminating the Divine Realm Emperors spread rapidly across the Immortal Realm.
Practitioners in East Jia State grew increasingly excited, especially after hearing that the Pill Ancestor was gathering forces. Not only Heaven Mending Realm practitioners, but even Sea Inversing Realm practitioners vied to join in.
"What's a Sea Inversing Realm practitioner doing here? Go play somewhere else," some practitioners grumbled.
"What's wrong with a Sea Inversing Realm practitioner? I'm at the ninth level of the Sea Inversing Realm. Even if I'm going to die, I'll be happy as long as we can eradicate these Divine Realm scoundrels!"
The practitioners of East Jia State were filled with righteous indignation, clearly showing how much they despised the Divine Realm practitioners.
Within just five days, the Eighth Mountain had assembled nearly seventy percent of East Jia State's high-level practitioners, ready to act.
Meanwhile, the Divine Realm Emperors also received the news and debated whether they should flee. After all, going head-to-head with the Heaven Pill Ancestor sounded like a sure path to doom.
They even contacted the Divine Realm homeland, seeking advice from their ruler, anxiously asking, "What should we do?"
"Stay in East Jia State," came the reply from the Divine Realm ruler.
But staying in East Jia State meant certain death!
The Divine Realm practitioners couldn't understand, yet they dared not defy the Divine Realm ruler, as disobeying would mean their immediate demise.
Now, their only hope was that the Divine Realm ruler would intervene on their behalf.
On the tenth day after the news broke,
The entire East Jia State was in a frenzy. Prominent practitioners had already gathered at the base of the Heaven Pill Gate, silent but solemn, waiting. More practitioners continued to arrive during this time.
Not just high-level practitioners, but also Sea Inversing Realm and even lower-level practitioners lined up at the farthest end, eagerly anticipating the event.
Time passed excruciatingly slow under the weight of expectations, but it eventually came.
On the fifteenth day,
As the sun rose, a leading Emperor raised a loud cry.
"Greetings to the Pill Ancestor!"
A Saint below echoed, "Greetings to the Pill Ancestor!"
Then came the thunderous chant of hundreds of thousands of practitioners, shaking the mountains, reversing the rivers, and reverberating throughout East Jia State. The sound traveled even to neighboring states, heard as one unified cry:
"Greetings to the Pill Ancestor!"