Chapter 144

Chapter 144: Predestined by Heaven, Fate’s Design?

Seeing Elder Ji’s strange expression, Chen Ansheng quickly asked, “Elder Ji, is there something wrong with this item?”

“Unexpected, truly unexpected! Chen Xiaoyou, you have such a fortuitous encounter, obtaining this treasure!”

Ji Hongfu did not respond but sighed to himself.

Treasure?

Chen Ansheng felt a rush of excitement in his heart and asked, “Elder Ji, what exactly is this item that even moves you?”

“Hahaha.”

Ji Hongfu’s expression returned to normal as he laughed several times and fixed his gaze on Chen Ansheng, saying, “This is a military talisman.”

“Military talisman?” Chen Ansheng raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “How can a mere military talisman be considered a treasure?”

Ji Hongfu explained, “This is not the kind of military talisman you understand. This military talisman contains the rare ‘Assimilation’ Dao law, which cannot be forged by human hands. In the entire Martial Immortal world, it can be regarded as a unique treasure!”

Chen Ansheng still couldn’t understand and asked, “May I ask, Elder Ji, what is the purpose of this so-called ‘Assimilation’ law, and what makes it so valuable?”

Ji Hongfu pondered for a moment and slowly said, “‘Assimilation’ law is one of the top laws in the universe. No matter what level of cultivator, one cannot comprehend it by oneself. Only those with great fortune may attain it. As for its effect? Simply put, activating this military talisman can temporarily assimilate the soldiers under the user to their own realm! Tell me, isn’t this item extremely precious?”

Chen Ansheng’s heart shuddered!

He never expected this Assimilation law to be so astonishing!

Just imagine, if an Immortal King recruited a hundred thousand soldiers and activated this military talisman to assimilate them, that would be a hundred thousand Immortal Kings!

How terrifying would that be!

What if it were an Immortal Sovereign? An Immortal Emperor?

Chen Ansheng couldn’t even begin to imagine!

“Precious, it’s simply incredibly precious!”

After a moment of shock, Chen Ansheng exclaimed excitedly.

“The only drawback is that this is a royal-level military talisman,” Ji Hongfu sighed, paused, and continued, “That being said, many Immortal Kings have lost their lives competing for this royal-level military talisman, and to obtain it without lifting a finger is already a tremendous blessing, haha.”

Chen Ansheng agreed!

One shouldn’t be too greedy; having received such a huge benefit for free, he felt satisfied.

“Elder Ji, are there even higher-level military talismans above this royal-level, such as sovereign-level or emperor-level talismans?” Chen Ansheng asked.

Ji Hongfu nodded and said, “Speaking of which, the division of power in the entire Martial Immortal world is closely related to these three types of military talismans. For example, a top-tier Immortal King who possesses a royal-level military talisman can easily dominate a region.

“However, such Immortal Kings cannot truly become independent rulers, as there are always powerful Immortal Sovereigns above them. Thus, most prominent Immortal Kings would seek to serve under a powerful Immortal Sovereign, acting as the Immortal Sovereign’s right-hand men.

“As for sovereign-level Immortal Sovereigns, they are often the targets of competition among various Immortal Emperors, as only sovereign-level beings can withstand the assimilation of Immortal Emperor-level beings.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Ansheng quietly organized his thoughts.

The Immortal Kings with military talismans depend on powerful Immortal Sovereigns, while the Immortal Sovereigns serve the invincible Immortal Emperors. This hierarchical structure is the method by which various Immortal Emperors divide and control the Immortal Realm.

“So, in the Immortal Realm, those who truly stand out must at least be Immortal Kings who possess military talismans,” Chen Ansheng stated.

“Precisely,” Ji Hongfu acknowledged, “However, a military talisman can bring glory but can also drag one into hell! According to the records I’ve reviewed, throughout history, aside from conflicts between races, the strongest have often perished while competing over various ‘military talismans.'”

Chen Ansheng nodded in agreement, saying, “So, possessing this item may bring both fortune and misfortune.”

Ji Hongfu laughed, “You needn’t worry. A military talisman is only sought after during its initial birth, within the first hundred years before it recognizes its master. Once a military talisman recognizes its master, even if the owner perishes, other cultivators cannot regain ownership unless that generation’s master voluntarily relinquishes it to pass it on.

“And this military talisman you have is one that the previous owner, an Immortal King surnamed Mu, chose to relinquish. Once you recognize it as your own, no one will be able to take it from you.”

“Oh?” Chen Ansheng was instantly overjoyed, then recalled something and said, “Wait, my disciple can control this item, but I can’t. It seems this ‘military talisman’ has already recognized my disciple as its master, and thus I cannot possess it.”

Upon hearing this, Elder Ji laughed, “Not at all. According to my investigation, this military talisman is still unowned. Your disciple is merely utilizing a tiny fraction of its effect.”

Chen Ansheng was puzzled and asked, “That’s odd. Is my disciple really that dull, not trying to drip blood to recognize it?”

Hearing this, Ji Hongfu chuckled, “Who told you that dripping blood is sufficient to recognize a military talisman? To have it recognize you, you must integrate your immortal soul with it, making the Assimilation law take root within your immortal soul. I imagine your disciple is unaware of the talisman’s origins and recognition method, leaving it unclaimed.”

Chen Ansheng was momentarily taken aback.

What a coincidence!

And there’s this beautiful opportunity waiting for him?

Since obtaining the Cross-Boundary Stone, his luck seemed to have turned remarkably well, as if the heavens were serving him food.

“Then, it’s destined to belong to me, hahaha.”

Chen Ansheng couldn’t help but laugh.

“Quickly recognize it as your master,” Ji Hongfu handed the military talisman back and said, “Your disciple has given you such a treasure, so be sure to guide and support him more in the future.”

“That goes without saying.” Chen Ansheng replied with a smile, “Even without Elder Ji’s reminder, I will take care of that kid.”

A short while later, under Elder Ji’s guidance, Chen Ansheng recognized the military talisman as his master in less than an hour.

Once he recognized the talisman, Chen Ansheng also obtained some information about using it.

It turned out that the assimilation effect of this military talisman had limitations on the number of soldiers.

This royal-level military talisman could assimilate approximately three thousand soldiers at one time.

The duration of assimilation ranged from one breath to an hour, depending on the soldiers’ constitution, soul, and bloodline strength.

Additionally, the military talisman carried a law constraint—any soldiers who were assimilated would be absolutely loyal and could not betray their master.

“Chen Xiaoyou, you have now obtained the Ascension Pool and the rare royal-level military talisman, giving you the qualifications to contend for kingship. However, your realm is still weak. I advise you to keep a low profile and abide by caution after returning to the Immortal Realm. With enough time and strength, then you can enter the world and compete.”

Ji Hongfu cautioned.

Chen Ansheng nodded, saying, “I certainly understand this, Elder Ji. You can rest assured.”

Ji Hongfu looked pleased and didn’t say anything more.

However, at this moment, Ji Hongfu’s thoughts were quite complicated.

As an extraordinary Law Cultivator, his perception of the essence of things was far more acute than that of other cultivators.

In his view, Chen Ansheng’s arrival at the Cleansing Pool and his encounter with him, as well as obtaining a series of treasures, were not mere luck.

All of this was likely predestined by fate. His own destiny, from the moment he met this young man, had probably already quietly changed.

“Or perhaps my chaotic ascension was also the result of him? Too complicated; I cannot see through it. It’s best to accept that fate is unpredictable and cannot be defied. Just let it be!”

Ji Hongfu sighed inwardly.