Chapter Sixty The Third Year I Come from Beyond the Heavens

In a secluded hall within the imperial palace.

“Tomorrow marks the beginning of the third year!”

Jiang Ming stood beneath the parasol tree, lost in thought.

Much time had passed since the day he struck down the crown prince in a blaze of force. That day, he had slain two grandmasters, and with the visiting grandmaster Chen Yu declaring his support, the rest had no choice but to yield. He had then aided the Ninth Princess in bathing the palace in blood, suppressing all dissent. Even those from the Cold Moon Palace, who had not yet acted, were buried without exception.

Afterward, he marched with overwhelming might to the four main capital garrisons, awe-inspiring and unstoppable, slaying several senior generals to ensure the Ninth Princess’s people seized power. Once the court’s situation had stabilized somewhat, Jiang Ming left its management to the Ninth Princess, though he did offer many suggestions.

For instance, he advised her to keep military authority firmly in her own hands.

He also suggested that, during the suppression of the vassal kings, she take the opportunity to curtail their powers.

Since the Ninth Princess was short on capable aides, Jiang Ming summoned Bai Yunfei from Tianwu Manor to assist, bringing with him a large contingent of elite disciples from various sects. Only then was the rebellion of the vassal kings swiftly quelled, and now they were in a period of consolidation.

To free the Ninth Princess from the burdens of court affairs, Jiang Ming proposed establishing a cabinet system, implementing the “household tax per acre” policy, reforming commercial taxes, founding a newspaper to strengthen central authority, and methods for large-scale animal husbandry, among other reforms.

This comprehensive suite of policies left the Ninth Princess utterly astounded.

No—she was now the Empress Fengwu.

“Tomorrow... I wonder what changes will come?”

According to the date of his arrival, tomorrow would be the first day of his third year in this world. He would also become this world’s otherworldly demon.

His gaze sharpened, and before him appeared the system screen:

Name: Jiang Ming

Qi Cultivation: Level Three (Steel Qi Realm)

Body Refinement: Third Turn

Techniques: Yin-Yang Canon, Dragon-Elephant Heavenshaking Art; Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram, Yin-Yang Millstone, Yin-Yang Shrouding Hand, Nine Yang Divine Fist, Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin, Sword Control Art, Star Pointing Finger, Great River Sword Intent, etc.

Talents: Hundredfold Comprehension, Nirvana Rebirth, Soul Dominion (temporarily fixed)

Task: Become provincial champion in the martial examination’s preliminary stage

Little about himself had changed.

He continued to practice the Yin-Yang Canon, while his body refinement method had evolved from the Dragon-Elephant Tyrant Body Art to the Dragon-Elephant Heavenshaking Art. For defense, he relied on the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram; for offense, he had developed the Yin-Yang Millstone and Yin-Yang Shrouding Hand, both derived from Yin-Yang principles.

The Nine Yang Divine Fist was a supremely forceful technique, fusing nine types of yang intent, terrifyingly powerful—when unleashed, it was as if a blazing sun descended, annihilating all before it.

In addition, he had mastered various movement skills, sword control arts, and many others.

Though the changes seemed slight, Jiang Ming’s strength had, in truth, multiplied many times over.

His mastery of the Yin-Yang intent had reached perfection, and his integration of the five elements had also attained a consummate stage. He had begun to grasp the intent of darkness and had hoped to combine it with light to form the “light and dark intent,” though so far without success. He was also preparing to comprehend the intent of life and death.

“Alas, there simply hasn’t been enough time. Otherwise, I would have tried to comprehend the intent of space as well.”

Jiang Ming couldn’t help but smile.

“Young Master, tea is served!” Xiao Lan approached with a cup of tea, her elegant steps graceful and enchanting.

She too had been brought here to attend to his daily needs.

Baptized day and night by his Yin-Yang Dao, her cultivation had grown by leaps and bounds; she had already broken into the grandmaster realm, though she still knew little of offensive techniques.

“After tomorrow, great changes will sweep the world. You must apply yourself in your cultivation,” Jiang Ming said quietly as he accepted the tea, reminding her.

“Great changes?” Xiao Lan was puzzled, but replied nonchalantly, “Young Master, you are a banished immortal descended to this world, invincible under heaven. Even if great changes come, they cannot affect us.”

“Just do as I say and focus on your training!” Jiang Ming shot her a look.

“Yes!” Xiao Lan pouted.

At that moment, Chief Jin entered—no, she was now Commander Jin—rushing over at lightning speed and throwing herself into Jiang Ming’s arms, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Brother Jiang, I missed you so much.”

Jiang Ming was speechless.

She now presided over the Six Gates.

As for Wang Wudi? He had retired, becoming an honored guest of the imperial court, guarding the capital city.

Both he and Empress Fengwu had told her to leave official duties behind and focus on her cultivation, but she had retorted, “If I’m idle, I’ll have to compete with you for men!”

“What brings you here today?” Jiang Ming patted her shoulder.

“I missed you, obviously!” Commander Jin lifted her head, her cheeks flushed, then glanced at Xiao Lan and declared, “Tonight, he’s mine!”

Xiao Lan withdrew with a gentle smile, neither fighting nor coveting, as serene as still water.

Night slowly descended.

“Brother Jiang, help me break through tonight?”

“I’m afraid once won’t be enough.”

“Then seven times!”

“Are you trying to exhaust me to death?”

“Then let the gods be above, and the immortals below!”

The two exchanged murmurs.

Commander Jin had long reached the peak of the grandmaster realm, on the verge of comprehending intent. Her body had been repeatedly tempered and refined, her vital energy exceptionally abundant.

With the many supreme arts Jiang Ming had imparted to her, her strength was truly formidable. Among those below grandmaster, few could compare.

In the middle of the night, in the bedroom.

A hum...

Amid intimate murmurs, a surge of sword intent soared skyward—razor-sharp, cleaving through all obstacles. It was the purest sword intent imaginable.

“The dual cultivation path has been brought to perfection by Brother Jiang!”

In a nearby courtyard, two men were drinking tea.

One of them was Lu Yuan.

“Amazing, truly amazing—not only is he peerlessly invincible, but he can so easily create grandmasters. He certainly lives up to the title ‘Martial Saint Jiang.’” Wang Wudi swirled his teacup, sighing in admiration.

“Who could disagree?” Lu Yuan felt it most keenly.

He had been the first to benefit.

Both men were grandmasters, rarely needing sleep, and often shared tea together late at night.

The next day.

“Haha, I’m a grandmaster now!” Commander Jin burst into the courtyard, swept Xiao Lan up, and tossed her three times in a row, making Xiao Lan cry out in surprise.

Jiang Ming, emerging afterward, could only shake his head as he sat beneath the parasol tree, watching the two women frolic.

Moments later, Commander Jin leaped into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Brother Jiang, thank you!”

“But…” She hesitated, puzzled. “Brother Jiang, with the three of us by your side, why is it that none of us have conceived after all this time?”

Xiao Lan also looked over.

Jiang Ming’s breath caught.

“Brother Jiang, could it be… your problem?” Commander Jin quickly added, “No, Brother Jiang, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“It’s not my problem—it must be this world,” Jiang Ming replied, gazing up at the sky.

He could sense whether conception was possible.

But this world was unique; perhaps that was the reason.

Yet, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief—if there really were a child…

Just thinking of the consequences made his scalp tingle.

He was only eighteen...

And in this strange world, uncertain whether it was real or false...

“A problem with the world?” Commander Jin was perplexed.

“We’ll know soon enough!”

“I don’t get it. Brother Jiang, I’m heading back to the Six Gates to show off, hehe!”

“Stay here today!” Jiang Ming’s expression grew grave. “Go and notify Yan Feng, have her come here, as well as Brother Lu, Wang Wudi, and Chen Yu—bring them all. Also, have Bai Yunfei and the others come as well.”

“Brother Jiang…” Commander Jin’s heart tightened, but she asked no more and left at once.

Before long, Yan Feng arrived first.

Wielding the imperial throne had lent her an imposing and authoritative air; every gesture was suffused with unquestioned dominance—a temperament forged in blood when she first secured her rule.

But here, her authority faded, her domineering edge disappeared.

“Brother Jiang, what could be so urgent?” Yan Feng took a seat opposite him.

“Prepare yourself,” Jiang Ming said, not explaining further. “I’ll speak in detail when everyone is here.”

A sense of unease crept into Yan Feng’s heart.

With Jiang Ming’s strength, and so many grandmasters on hand, and the court’s stability, what could possibly require her to steel herself?

Shortly thereafter, Lu Yuan, Wang Wudi, Chen Yu—the palace’s elite—arrived one after another. Bai Yunfei, He Qianshan, and other outstanding disciples from the sects also assembled.

“Brother Jiang, have you been cooped up too long and called us here for a drink?” Lu Yuan joked.

“I wouldn’t leave you out!” Jiang Ming smiled as well. “But the real reason I’ve called you here is because the world is about to change in a way never seen before. I must also reveal my true origin to you all.”

He pointed to the heavens above.

“I come from beyond this world!”