Infinite Professions

The dragon battles in the wild, its blood black and yellow.

That divine light combined with the dispersing Dragon Qi, transformed into a crimson rainbow shooting straight outside the city.

It was the last vestige of the Celestial Destiny of the Hidden Dragon.

As for Celestial Destiny, simply put, it’s an investment made by deities during the cycle of reincarnation.

The more divine power invested, the stronger the abilities of the reincarnated body, especially concerning fortune and fate, will be significantly enhanced.

Why did Xiao Ye become the Restoration Ascension’s Hidden Dragon of the Chen Dynasty?

It’s because his previous incarnation was a Second Grade Great God in the Celestial Realm, who invested immense divine power during reincarnation, creating a destiny so formidable that other deities could hardly compete, thus granting him the hope of restoration.

With such fortune, he was like the protagonist of the world, succeeding in all endeavors; not only were demons and evil spirits hard-pressed to approach him, but he could also turn calamities into blessings, attract talents from all directions to serve him as ministers aiding the destiny, exuding royal majesty to make people bow before him.

But that’s all in the past.

Now the Hidden Dragon is dead, the Celestial Destiny is exhausted, and the divine spirit returns.

Let’s call him Xiao Ye for now.

In this dragon struggle, he staked heavily, investing years of wealth accumulated as a Second Grade Great God, even his life, to establish an unstoppable Hidden Dragon Celestial Mandate, aiming to advance to the First-Grade Venerable Position.

With such a heavy stake and a well-chosen timing, theoretically he should have easily crushed obstacles and completed the great restoration.

Unexpectedly, Shen Hex emerged halfway like a wrench in the works, abruptly severing his grand Celestial Destiny.

The resentment in this matter requires no elaboration.

Although the struggle for the dragon is always about accepting the outcome, this time he refused to accept it.

Because he lost too inexplicably.

He still couldn’t understand why he lost.

How could Song Xiang, a Fourth-Grade City God, manage to break the Lanruo situation and defeat the Six Great Ghost Gods so decisively?

No matter how you think about it, it’s illogical!

Therefore, he refused to admit defeat, now acting as a Fierce Ghost seeking vengeance, melding his restored Primordial Spirit with the dispersing Dragon Qi, harnessing the last of his strength to charge at the Jinyang Array.

He wants to see what sky-reaching means Song Xiang possesses!

"Roar!!!"

The crimson rainbow, though residual, still pierced clouds and broke the sky, exuding extraordinary power not inferior to that of Great Gods.

He was originally a Second Grade Great God, and though diminished post-reincarnation, his position remained high, and now combined with the remnant Celestial Dragon Qi, he could barely match a Third-Rank Great God, preparing to probe Shen Hex’s foundation, intending to counter with vengeance once an opportunity arises.

However...

"Roar!!!"

As soon as the crimson rainbow emerged, a dragon’s roar echoed.

Above the Jinyang Array, amidst the surging Evil Qi, a Cyan Flood Dragon bared its fangs and claws, carrying the Venerable Dragon Qi aura, colliding head-on with the crimson rainbow.

This is the Jinyang Hidden Dragon!

Though Shen Hex hadn’t recovered from his injuries, and despite accompanying the army, remaining in the camp, he didn’t wish to face this evil ghost dragon.

Soldiers face soldiers, generals face generals, monarchs face monarchs; this dragon-snake struggle should be resolved by the dragon and snake.

"Roar!!!"

The Cyan Flood Dragon lunged out, baring teeth and claws, imposing in its momentum, swiftly pressing the crimson rainbow under its claws, then gnawed and feasted, devouring the fierce ghost dragon comparable to a Third-Rank Great God.

The Venerable Dragon Qi revealed its distinctive prowess.

Although Xiao Ye was a Hidden Dragon, having died, entered the Underworld, transforming into a deity, his Dragon Qi status greatly diminished, incapable of resisting the Cyan Flood Dragon in its zenith.

"Song Xiang!"

"I will not rest until death with you!"

"Ah!!!"

Finally, a cry of despair was heard, the crimson rainbow shattered, Dragon Qi spilling out, entirely devoured by the Cyan Flood Dragon.

Behind, Shen Hex coldly watched, unmoved by the final words.

Xiao Ye’s previous incarnation was a Second Grade Great God; although he failed in the dragon struggle and lost everything, he merely lost everything.

As a Heavenly God of the Upper Realm, this reincarnation was likely just a manifestation; even suffering losses wouldn’t endanger his original self, at most reducing his rank.

Thus, his final words weren’t completely posturing; there might indeed be a chance to confront Shen Hex again for unending revenge.

Yet that’s a matter for later, as Shen Hex currently has no intentions of ascending to the Celestial Realm, unconcerned by threats from a fugitive.

He must ensure he doesn’t fall below Third Grade rank first.

"Roar Roar!"

Then gazing at the high heavens’ firmament, the Cyan Flood Dragon, having devoured its opponent’s Dragon Qi, roared triumphantly amidst the winds and clouds, growing another horn atop its head, and two more claws on its abdomen, each claw possessing three toes.

Previously, the Cyan Flood Dragon had one horn atop its head and two claws on its chest, though claimed as a Flood Dragon, was more serpent than dragon in appearance.

Now it’s different; with twin horns atop its head and four claws beneath, it’s truly embodying the Flood Dragon visage, with prospects of becoming the True Dragon Venerable.

This is thanks to "Xiao Ye’s" contribution.

Golden Sun Dragon Qi, with this growth, instantly repays, making Shen Hex feel an overwhelming force augmenting him, somewhat resembling merit, yet distinctly different, greatly enhancing his divine power and authority.

It’s the Dragon Qi’s reciprocation, and the growth of the Celestial Destiny.

The character of Dragon Qi is ultimate sovereignty, inherently intolerant of others sharing its benefits, but Li Mubai, being the Ziwei Assistant Star, with Celestial Halberd in his fate, his fortune long intertwined with him as the Ziwei Main Star, not merely a partial share, but even complete seizure couldn’t make this Cyan Flood Dragon resist.

Dragon Qi’s feedback greatly amplified divine authority, even accelerating recovery from injuries, demonstrating the benefits of Dragon Qi to deities, no wonder it could decree Third-Rank Deities, and even allow one to advance from Junior Third Grade to First Grade.

"But water can carry the boat, yet also overturn it!"

"Even though Dragon Qi is powerful, it cannot last eternally."

"After all, the essence of Dragon Qi is the condensation of the faith of all people under heaven."

"In the last years of a dynasty, the world is in chaos, and people are plunged into disasters, naturally hoping for someone to rebuild the mountains and rivers and create anew."

"Thus, when a new dynasty is founded, with clean governance in its early stages, the people’s burdens are light, and there are avenues and space for growth and development, flourishing into a prosperous era, so the people’s faith is mainly positive."

"However, the wealth and influence of a gentleman do not extend beyond five generations. As time goes by, power, population, and production factions become saturated, the dynasty’s bureaucracy gradually corrupts, people’s lives become harder, and the people’s faith will shift from positive to negative, becoming grievances and karmic force that will backfire on the dynasty’s Dragon Qi."

"At that time, not only will the power of Dragon Qi greatly diminish, but it will also be plagued by various evils. At worst, the emperor may die suddenly, and at best there will be disasters from the heavens, with monsters and serpents rising all around, reenacting the historical cycle."

"Thus, all founding emperors, those Great Gods who successfully contend for the Dragon Qi, choose to take some Dragon Qi and leave, ascending to the Upper Realm to enhance their rank, unwilling to stay in the world and establish a terrestrial Divine Kingdom for long-term rule, ensuring Dragon Qi doesn’t fall."

"It’s not that they don’t want to, but they can’t!"

"Besides, the struggle for Dragon Qi involves all factions, even the Upper Realm..."

Shen Hex’s gaze was deep, analyzing the essence of Dragon Qi.

At this moment...

"Boom!!!"

Within Jinling City, Divine Light erupted, transforming into a pillar, soaring into the sky.

The City God Realm that originally enveloped the capital and entire Jinling Prefecture began to rapidly contract, and thousands of golden lights converged, all injected therein.

This was the symbol of deities gathering power and diving into reincarnation!

After Xiao Ye died, the Jinling Prefect also made his choice.

In this advance towards Jinling, Shen Hex didn’t make a move, and the Jinling Prefect offered no resistance, allowing the struggle of the mortal world, letting dragons and serpents clash.

This was an unavoidable situation. His injuries were more severe than the Weishui River Dragon Monarch’s, let alone comparing to Shen Hex. Were he to resist the mortal world’s army, under the backlash of Dragon Qi and the penalties of the Celestial Rules, he would surely be annihilated.

Thus, he could only remain at the State Mansion, pinning his hopes on Xiao Ye’s last gamble to see if it could turn the tide.

Now that this hope is shattered, he has no other choice but to either become a defeated dog fleeing to the north or dive into reincarnation, seeking another life.

He decisively chose the latter.

After all, fleeing north means relying on others, not to mention the possibility of becoming cannon fodder.

He wouldn’t accept it.

He’d rather take a gamble and invest in another life than become that defeated dog.

Shen Hex saw this but did not stop him.

Even though he was besieged by this deity before, having cultivated to such heights, aside from some untouchable bottom lines, everything else can be compromised for profit.

This small grudge with the Jinling Prefect was among them; indeed, the two have animosity, but that grudge did not warrant Shen Hex risking to intercept him.

After all, this is still Jinling, his main stage, and even if pressed to burn jade and stone together, Shen Hex, though he might win, would have to pay a huge price.

In fact, had Shen Hex not cultivated the momentum of the Hidden Dragon, relying on his home ground advantage, he might have managed to hold Jinling before Shen Hex’s ascension to Third Grade.

So, let him go.

"Boom!!!"

The radiant golden light, like a pillar propping the heavens, opened the reincarnation channel, leading to the mysterious place.

This was Shen Hex’s second time witnessing the reincarnation of a deity.

Still shocked, unfathomable.

In this way, who knows how long, Jinling Capital City was no longer shrouded in Divine Light.

Countless Yin Souls fell into chaos, even likely to stir up another Fierce Ghost disaster.

But fortunately, Shen Hex was prepared long before, the Golden Sun Deities had already spread out, ready to take over the situation. The mortal world also had troops stationed, using military Dragon Qi to deter the Fierce Ghosts, which was not easy to do.

Thus, the Third-Rank Great God and Jinling City God entered reincarnation.

Just after he entered reincarnation...

"Ang!!!"

A dragon’s roar suddenly rose from the distant horizon.

Shen Hex turned to look, seeing the far horizon where the main trunk of Weishui River lay, a Cyan Flood Dragon soared, carrying Divine Power to pierce the heavens, throwing itself into that mysterious place.

It was the Weishui River Dragon Monarch!

Like the Jinling Prefect, he too chose to decisively sever ties and dive into reincarnation.

Worthy of the Great God’s dignity, all decisive indeed.

Shen Hex similarly did not obstruct, merely shifted his gaze back to Jinling Capital City.

The reincarnation of deities, the departure of City Gods, left this city defenseless for him.

There are changes in the Underworld, the mortal world must sense them, and if I’m not mistaken, those noble families and various forces within the city will soon send emissaries to express loyalty to Li Mubai, perhaps even stealthily offering the city, engaging in "offering food and drink to welcome the royal army."

Two-faced, despised by people.

But that is the rule of the game.

Shen Hex did not intend to keep them out, for they are like firewood to him, only able to burn and unleash residual heat under the furnace constructed by the system, providing value.

What sense is there in refusing such consumables?

Of course, the world contains both those two-faced ones and those who sing heroically; the Song dynasty nourished talents for three hundred years, with Xiao Ye, this Hidden Dragon, also ruling Jinling for decades, under him there will be some staunch loyalty, and Li Mubai, wanting to advance and occupy this Ancient Capital of Six Dynasties, will face a storm of blood and wind.

But that is the matter of the mortal world’s living.

For Shen Hex, the battle is decided, with no suspense left.

Jinling and Weishui, Jingzhou and Yangzhou, even the whole Southern Lands will fall into his hands.

Next, comes the time to reap the fruits of war!