Chapter 115: The Nine Provinces of China (Final Chapter of the First Arc)

“The way of Heaven is defined by Yin and Yang; the way of Earth by softness and hardness; the way of humanity by benevolence and righteousness.” A voice ethereal and elusive emerged from Leng Bingyan’s lips. “One Yin and one Yang constitute the Dao! Hence, the hexagram is formed by six lines. Dividing Yin and Yang, alternating hardness and softness, thus six positions create the pattern.”

Qian represents pure Yang, Kun pure Yin; together, Qian and Kun embody the totality of Yin and Yang and form their root. Confucius said in the “Appended Statements”: “Qian and Kun are the gateway to the Yi; Qian and Kun embody the essence of the Yi.” The “Yi Wei · Qian Zao Du” states: “Qian and Kun are the foundation of Yin and Yang, the ancestors of all things.”

At that moment, beneath Leng Bingyan’s feet, a vast diagram of the Eight Trigrams suddenly unfolded. Truly, the Dao is defined by Yin and Yang; the world can be divided into two opposing yet coexisting halves. This is reflected in Bingyan’s very constitution—Yin and Yang coexisting yet contradicting each other.

“Heaven has nine divisions and eight eras; Earth has nine provinces and eight pillars.” Suddenly, 1,296 Divine Dragon Pillars appeared around Leng Bingyan. Yet these pillars were no longer the colossal columns they once were—each once over ten feet thick and a hundred feet long—but now slender as fingers.

Leng Bingyan stretched out her hand, fingers slightly curved. A thousand streams of divine consciousness unfurled, each locking onto a Divine Dragon Pillar. She held her breath as her consciousness sent all these pillars to a distant border.

Here, in southeastern Jilin Province, lies the border between China and North Korea, dominated by the majestic Changbai Mountains. Changbai’s Heavenly Lake is flanked by sixteen peaks—seven within North Korea’s territory and nine within China’s. From this day forward, in a certain sense, the boundary between China and its neighbors would no longer be marked solely by boundary stones, but by something far grander.

In the distance, a golden light suddenly flashed. Soldiers at a border outpost on the Changbai boundary witnessed a sight they would never forget. A golden needle flew from afar, pausing briefly at the border. Then, with a resounding explosion, the golden needle, like Sun Wukong’s Ruyi Jingu Bang from Journey to the West, slowly thickened and lengthened. Before the soldiers stood a colossal dragon pillar—over ten feet thick and a hundred feet long—with a five-clawed golden dragon carved in fierce splendor, radiating majestic dominance.

These Divine Dragon Pillars were not limited to the Sino-Korean border; encircling all of China, 1,296 massive dragon pillars floated in midair.

Time passed—perhaps a few seconds, perhaps several minutes, though to those who saw the pillars it felt extraordinarily slow. Suddenly, the pillars emitted golden light. The pure white columns thundered down from the sky with a continuous roar. Beginning from the Sino-Korean border, the Divine Dragon Pillars settled one by one, ninety feet buried underground, ten feet above the earth’s surface.

They descended across the borders of North Korea, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. After the thunderous impact, the pillars stood tall and resolute. Notably, the placement of the Divine Dragon Pillars followed the original coordinates of the Nine Provinces Barrier, which diverged significantly from current political borders. For example, a large portion of Outer Mongolia was enveloped within the pillars, as were parts of southwestern India and northeastern Russia. But such matters were not Leng Bingyan’s concern.

After the terrestrial pillars settled and the dust cleared, those on the sea began their descent. Though only a hundred feet long, the pillars needed to embed deeply beneath the ocean floor to stand firm—otherwise, they would be submerged. But these pillars were extraordinary. At their pale bases, a radiant glow suddenly flared, releasing scarlet energy that solidified into substance, extending the pillars by a great length. With a tremendous crash, the pillars pierced the ocean surface and plunged deep into the seabed, leaving ten feet exposed above the water.

The maritime territories of Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea were suddenly marked by these towering dragon pillars, with Taiwan naturally encompassed within.

Once all 1,296 Divine Dragon Pillars were in place, beads of sweat appeared on Leng Bingyan’s brow. Such large-scale control demanded immense energy. She felt the Immortal Spirit Qi within her wane by nearly twenty percent, yet a profound joy stirred within. As a child of the Chinese land, to contribute to this realm was an honor beyond measure.

With another wave of her hand, four impressively thick stone pillars materialized before her. Each was thrice the thickness of the previous dragon pillars. Their bodies were intricately carved with exotic flowers and plants, while their tops bore distinct creatures: a spiraling azure dragon on the green pillar, a proud flaming phoenix with outstretched wings on the red, a fierce roaring white tiger on the white, and a lovable, dragon-turtle hybrid of vast proportions on the black pillar.

These were the Four Symbols: the Azure Dragon of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Tortoise of the North.

Under Leng Bingyan’s divine consciousness, the Four Symbols rose into the air, arranged according to the cardinal directions. They soared to central China, where they thundered down, each settling into their destined spots.

Next, Leng Bingyan summoned the crucial core of this barrier formation: two colossal stone pillars appeared before her. One bore a scene of myriad birds singing in unison, crowned at its apex by a magnificent phoenix spreading its wings. The other displayed a sacred pilgrimage of all beings, solemn and majestic, topped by a soaring great dragon.

These two pillars were the Dragon Giant Pillar and the Phoenix Giant Pillar—masterpieces painstakingly crafted by Bingyan, each housing nearly a thousand formations within.

Guided by her will, the two pillars moved to their designated central position amidst the Four Symbols, crashing down with tremendous force and embedding deeply into the earth. Upon close inspection, the dragon and phoenix heads faced each other, their eyes locking in a harmonious, eternal embrace—a symbol of the dragon and phoenix singing together, greeting dawn and dusk.

Having completed this, Leng Bingyan’s Immortal Spirit Qi was further depleted. Yet she hesitated not; the critical moment to arrange the Nine Provinces Barrier had arrived.

The nine small cauldrons—Qiuniu Cauldron, Yazi Cauldron, Chaofeng Cauldron, Pulao Cauldron, Suanni Cauldron, Bixi Cauldron, Bi’an Cauldron, Fuxi Cauldron, and Chiwen Cauldron—once again gathered in her hands.

“Heaven has nine divisions and eight eras; Earth has nine provinces and eight pillars. The Earth Pillars are now set; it is time for the divine cauldrons to find their place,” Leng Bingyan murmured, as if speaking to herself, or perhaps recounting to others.

“I am the Emotionless Immortal Emperor. Now, on the Nine Provinces Platform, following Emperor Yu’s example, I set the Nine Provinces of China!” She paused and gestured, commanding the first Divine Dragon Cauldron, the Qiuniu Cauldron, to appear before her. “Qiuniu Cauldron shall belong to Jizhou—fixing Jizhou!” With that, the cauldron shot forth like a spear, entering the soil of the Jizhou region.

The second cauldron: “Yazi Cauldron shall belong to Yanzhou—fixing Yanzhou!”

The third: “Chaofeng Cauldron shall belong to Qingzhou—fixing Qingzhou!”

The fourth: “Pulao Cauldron shall belong to Xuzhou—fixing Xuzhou!”

The fifth: “Suanni Cauldron shall belong to Yuzhou—fixing Yuzhou!”

The sixth: “Bixi Cauldron shall belong to Yangzhou—fixing Yangzhou!”

The seventh: “Bi’an Cauldron shall belong to Jingzhou—fixing Jingzhou!”

The eighth: “Fuxi Cauldron shall belong to Liangzhou—fixing Liangzhou!”

The ninth: “Chiwen Cauldron shall belong to Yongzhou—fixing Yongzhou!”

The remaining eight cauldrons swiftly shot out, embedding themselves into the earth at their respective locations. After this, Leng Bingyan felt utterly drained, as if all her energy had been siphoned away, her body soaked with her own sweat.

No wonder Mo Wuxie insisted Leng Bingyan arrange the Nine Provinces Barrier—it was clear that without the power of an Immortal Emperor, no one could muster sufficient energy to complete such a formation.

Ancient texts offer various accounts and divisions of the Nine Provinces, leading to the concept of the “Three Dynasties’ Nine Provinces”: the Xia Nine Provinces described in the “Book of Documents: Tribute of Yu,” the Zhou Nine Provinces in the “Rites of Zhou,” and the Yin Nine Provinces in the “Erya.” Nonetheless, Leng Bingyan chose Emperor Yu’s delineation, for the previous Nine Provinces Barrier was also established by him, so reusing his divisions was entirely reasonable.

The very place where Leng Bingyan stood was the Nine Provinces Platform—the site where Emperor Yu defined the Nine Provinces.

After Leng Bingyan’s Nine Provinces Divine Dragon Cauldrons were set, the cultivators who had been waiting sprang into action. Their hands wove seals rapidly and expertly; their true essence surged as they guided the treasures under their charge into the array’s core points.

One artifact settled, then two, then three... Nearly half an hour passed. Through the coordinated efforts of tens of thousands of cultivators, a total of 19,683 artifacts were embedded within the formations: 6,561 arrays in total, the product of multiplying 99 by 81. Once every artifact was in place, the arrays began to operate.

These vast arrays were scattered across the broad expanse of China, fortifying the land’s stability. As they activated, intricate underground channels formed, interlinking each array into a unified system. Soon, the arrays merged seamlessly underground, their presence becoming imperceptible.

The cultivators, exhausted from their massive expenditure of true essence, gasped for breath. They knew their mission was complete; from here on, they must place their hopes in the “Emotionless Immortal Emperor.”

Leng Bingyan, fully aware of her crucial role in building the Nine Provinces Barrier, used every spare moment to recover her depleted Immortal Spirit Qi, though the recovery proved slow and insufficient.

Time was of the essence; she could not linger. Rising from the Nine Provinces Platform, she floated into the air, gazing over the Chinese land. A surging, majestic aura of an Immortal Emperor radiated forth. As this aura emanated, the 1,296 Divine Dragon Pillars, the Four Symbols Pillars, and the two Dragon-Phoenix Giant Pillars absorbed it greedily, leaving none behind. Leng Bingyan’s purpose was clear: to infuse these stone pillars with her Immortal Emperor energy and thereby activate them.

As the pillars absorbed her energy, a subtle transformation began. The 1,296 Divine Dragon Pillars, starting from one, extended an invisible pulse to the nearest pillar. When the energy of the first pillar waned, this pulse continued onward to the next, forming a chain. One pulse linked to another, and at last, the chain looped back to the first pillar, creating a closed zone—the territory of the Nine Provinces of China.

Though the concept was sound, the execution proved challenging. Despite her early Immortal Emperor cultivation, the vast energy required pushed Leng Bingyan to her limits. When the pulse reached the 1,281st pillar, she felt her strength falter. Yet fifteen pillars remained; she could not give up. Gritting her teeth, she took a deep breath and unleashed a torrent of energy.

In terms of raw energy, Mangshan Ghost King, with his Ghost Emperor cultivation, was clearly stronger than Leng Bingyan. It would have been better for him to supply the energy. However, as a Ghost Emperor, his energy was predominantly shadowy and sinister. Moreover, he was at the pinnacle of his realm, possibly soon to undergo the Nine Nether Divine Tribulation and ascend to the Nine Nether Demon God Realm. Though his energy might fit the needs, expending it now could be risky should the tribulation strike suddenly. (Typically, immortals ascend to the Divine Realm after tribulation, but the Linggui Realm is an exception, ascending instead to the Nine Nether Demon God Realm.)

Thus, the burden of supplying energy fell solely upon Leng Bingyan. She gritted her teeth and unleashed an enormous surge. At last, the subterranean pulse of the 1,296 Divine Dragon Pillars was fully connected. With inner tension released, she collapsed to the ground, utterly spent. Yet shortly after, she rose again—the Nine Provinces Barrier was not yet complete.

Though over a thousand Divine Dragon Pillars were linked, the Four Symbols Pillars remained unconnected, as did the Dragon-Phoenix Giant Pillars. After connecting these groups individually, the three must be linked together for the barrier to be truly complete.

But Leng Bingyan’s Immortal Spirit Qi was nearly exhausted.

She could not watch the barrier construction be abandoned halfway! Energy—energy was what she needed! A sudden insight struck her: she still possessed Lingyu Purple Qi within her body, a high-level energy. Using it to replace Immortal Spirit Qi would unquestionably suffice.

Upon this realization, she began gathering the Lingyu Purple Qi. Suddenly, a voice thundered in her mind: “No! You cannot do this!”

“Why?” Leng Bingyan asked.

“Consider your physical condition!” the voice, belonging to Ziling, urged anxiously. “Originally, your Lingyu Purple Qi and Immortal Spirit Qi coexisted. Most of the Purple Qi has fused into your body, with only a little remaining in your meridians. The meridians and Purple Palace are filled with Immortal Spirit Qi, maintaining a balance: Lingyu Purple Qi in the body is saturated; the Purple Qi in the meridians can assimilate Immortal Spirit Qi but is halted due to the body’s inability to absorb more; likewise, Purple Qi in the body tends to overflow but is blocked by the Immortal Spirit Qi filling the meridians.”

“Now, with your Immortal Spirit Qi nearly depleted, haven’t you noticed the Purple Qi in your meridians is rebelling? Moreover, the Purple Qi in your body is overflowing into the meridians. Though your body has borne a significant quantity of fused Purple Qi, as long as replenished, it can return to its original state. However, the total Lingyu Purple Qi in your body—the meridians and flesh combined—is just enough to fully restore your male form. If you manage to fuse them all into your body, neutralizing each other, you will regain your male form.”

“But if you use your Lingyu Purple Qi now, where will you find more? How long will it take to convert other energies? Previously, when you used Purple Qi, I did not oppose you because the amounts were small and easily replenished. But now, to build the Nine Provinces Barrier requires vast energy. How much Purple Qi would you need? Do you not wish to return to your male self?!”

“Do you not wish to return to your male self?!” Ziling’s words struck deep into Leng Bingyan’s heart, halting her for a moment. Yet moments later, she opened her eyes resolutely and replied, “It’s not that I don’t want to return—I very much do—but… I cannot let the Nine Provinces Barrier be abandoned halfway. It is not just my effort; many cultivators have expended tremendous energy. Moreover, without the barrier, the world’s calamities cannot cease. Therefore...”

“I will use the Lingyu Purple Qi!” she shouted.

“Do you not regret it? Consuming so much Purple Qi may prevent you from returning to your male form for a long time, or worse, unknown events may occur. If that happens, you might never regain your male form.”

“That’s just a hypothetical, isn’t it? And how many ‘what-ifs’ exist in the world?” Leng Bingyan smiled, a smile of unparalleled beauty.

“Truly, I have no choice with you. If you really want to be a ‘little girl’ forever, I’ll accompany you!” Ziling laughed, resigned but fond. That was the Leng Bingyan she admired.

“I won’t be a ‘little girl’ forever. Once the Purple Qi recovers, I’ll change back to my male form,” Leng Bingyan declared, full of ambition and confidence.

“But who knows when that will be...” Ziling refrained from voicing her doubts, unwilling to dampen Bingyan’s youthful spirit.

“Enough talk—begin!” Leng Bingyan commanded, her heart buoyant. She summoned forth the Lingyu Purple Qi within her body.

The pale purple Qi, containing unfathomable power, under her control suddenly transformed into Immortal Spirit Qi. Because the Purple Qi was of such high grade, the resulting Immortal Spirit Qi was astonishingly abundant.

The Four Symbols Pillars and the Dragon-Phoenix Giant Pillars absorbed the energy, generating pulsations within themselves. Then countless bonds spread between the Divine Dragon Pillars, Four Symbols, and Dragon-Phoenix Pillars, interweaving and connecting until fully unified.

Once the Divine Dragon Pillars, Four Symbols Pillars, and Dragon-Phoenix Giant Pillars merged into one, the dragon and phoenix atop the central pillar seemed to come alive. Their eyes emitted brilliant light, transmitting energy to all 1,296 Divine Dragon Pillars. Instantly, a radiant glow rose around the pillars, visible only to cultivators and those with special abilities—not to ordinary folk.

The glowing light ascended thousands of meters into the sky before slowly contracting inward, finally forming an inverted, enclosed barrier.

At the moment the Nine Provinces Barrier formed, the previously turbulent underground spiritual veins ceased their activity. The spiritual energy ceased to dissipate, firmly sealed within the Chinese territory. Additionally, countless pure demon-slaying energies arose within the barrier. Fortunately, most of the dark creatures from the West had already been expelled. Those remaining turned to dust at the barrier’s completion.

Those who endured the calamity and witnessed this miracle saw the dreadful earthquakes vanish entirely—no tremors, no sounds—as if they had never occurred.

As Zhuangzi said, “To forget one’s feet is to walk naturally”—a state attainable only by those who have weathered storms, who have survived tribulations, and who have felt great pain and ultimately transcended it, leaving only joy. They understand life’s fragility and preciousness most clearly.

Having endured great disaster, the people now knew the value of life. The past pain and loss were mourned; now was the time to open their eyes and face the reborn Chinese land.

Romantic dreams had traversed thousands of mountains and rivers; soaring on the wind, they had glimpsed the essence of the divine land.

“Success!” Leng Bingyan smiled and said softly to Ziling. But as soon as the words left her lips, dizziness struck, followed by a profound, silent darkness...

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This volume concludes. It features familiar elements common in urban cultivation novels: the Church’s Eastern Campaign and the establishment of the Nine Provinces Barrier.

These plotlines are typical staples of the genre, often similar across works—much like the shared tropes found in primordial mythology novels.