Chapter 358: The Nine Provinces Earth Vein
Jiang Li felt that expecting anything from his system was sheer idiocy.
“Trusting this system is like expecting pigs to climb trees,” he muttered.
The system was an enigma—stupid yet occasionally brilliant.
“Caught between idiocy and intelligence, it exhibits a duality I’d call ‘foolish brilliance.'”
What amazed Jiang Li most was its unshakable identity as a “Counterattack System,” diligently helping him rise from nothing.
In the Nine Provinces, no position stood higher than the Human Sovereign. Rising from the lowest cultivator to the realm’s pinnacle indeed constituted a counterattack. The system’s special mission—”Path of the Human Sovereign”—had guided him to this throne.
Jiang Li never doubted the mission’s validity. Following its directives had genuinely made him the Human Sovereign.
“Though it came too late, and the path was perilous.”
Until he uncovered the system’s origins, Jiang Li remained wary.
“Everything’s been meticulously arranged—this can’t be coincidence.”
Besides the First Emperor, Jiang Li had never met another system bearer. Their brief encounters had ended with Jiang Li beating him senseless, but he was certain: the First Emperor also possessed a system, similarly delayed by five centuries.
“Am I special? Or just ignorant of other system holders across worlds?” Jiang Li pondered his uniqueness—his Mahayana Stage cultivation, unparalleled combat power, transmigration status… too many possibilities to pinpoint.
“Current missions seem harmless, but who knows about the future?” Jiang Li recalled the system’s absurd tasks. Had they appeared five centuries earlier, they would have spared him countless headaches, providing straightforward solutions with decent outcomes.
“When will the ‘Path of the Human Sovereign’ special mission begin?”
[Host must wait patiently]
Jiang Li conceded the timing wasn’t right. Five hundred years ago today, the old Human Sovereign Lu hadn’t even begun selecting candidates.
Actually, it wasn’t Lu who chose them—it was the Nine Provinces Earth Vein. If Jiang Li ever abdicated, the Earth Vein would similarly select his successor.
“It’s been too long since I last visited the Earth Vein.”
…
The Earth Vein formed the core of the Nine Provinces world, lying directly beneath the Human Sovereign Hall. Commander Liu’s perpetual guard duty there served dual purposes.
“Greetings, Hall Master!” The guards at the entrance suppressed their excitement as they bowed.
“At ease.” Jiang Li nodded curtly before seeking out Commander Liu.
The commander looked up from his communication talisman, startled. “Hall Master? I was just about to contact you.”
“Something urgent?” Jiang Li asked. Commander Liu only reached out for major incidents—like Zhang Konghu and the Ma Zhuo couple’s imprisonment, candidate selections, or their baby’s full-moon banquet.
“I request two days’ leave for personal matters.”
“Granted. I’ll oversee the hall.” Jiang Li approved immediately. The diligent commander deserved respite. All officers received regular vacations anyway.
Commander Liu looked more shocked than when Jiang Li had first appeared.
Without further discussion, the commander departed while Jiang Li proceeded to a restricted chamber. Deadly formations lined this vault—even Tribulation Transcendence experts would perish without proper access. Only the Human Sovereign could enter; not even veteran commanders like Liu were permitted.
Following precise steps, Jiang Li deactivated the traps and traversed the lengthy passage until reaching an area thick with spiritual energy—so dense that careless inhalation could burst a cultivator’s meridians.
Holding his breath to avoid absorbing it all, Jiang Li pressed forward. The mark on his forehead glowed brighter as he approached the Earth Vein’s core—a unique sigil symbolizing the Human Sovereign’s bond with this power.
Before him flowed a sluggish azure stream, its consistency hovering between liquid and solid. Merely standing here brought cultivators profound peace and mental clarity.
“Old friend, it’s been too long.” Jiang Li crouched, attempting to scoop the stream, but his hand passed through the phantom-like substance.
This was the Earth Vein’s heart—lifeless yet vital to the Nine Provinces. Had someone bisected the continent, they’d find this tranquil river spanning its entirety.
The Earth Vein collected faith energy from all living beings, which past sovereigns channeled into themselves. Jiang Li alone stored his in bronze cauldrons.
“Without you, previous sovereigns could never have repelled the Outer Realm Demons.” Jiang Li expressed gratitude. The Earth Vein had been instrumental in surviving the demons’ onslaught.
Originally, no Earth Vein existed. After the Celestial Ladder vanished, terrifying demons invaded. Dozens of Tribulation Transcendence experts fell due to disunity against the overwhelming threat.
When the people’s desperate faith coalesced around one champion, the first Human Sovereign emerged. Victorious but recognizing faith’s instability, he established the Earth Vein during this unity—transforming volatile belief into stable power while enabling sovereign candidate selection.
From the second sovereign onward, all rulers—Jiang Li included—underwent this selection process. Even Immortal Elder Changcun couldn’t define the Earth Vein’s nature—a uniquely Nine Provinces phenomenon absent in celestial realms.
Jiang Li chattered like catching up with an old friend, sharing recent events: the realm’s prosperity, wonders of other worlds, and the demons’ persistent attempts at annihilation.
Less speaking to the vein than to past sovereigns, Jiang Li understood why predecessors treated it as a conduit between generations of rulers.
“Being Human Sovereign is grueling work. My respects to you all—and to myself. I wonder what my successor will be like… I hope I don’t set the bar too high.”
With these musings, Jiang Li returned to his duties.