Chapter 241 - 203: Preparing for War, A Wager

Chapter 241: Chapter 203: Preparing for War, A Wager

Origin Star.

Beneath the Bodhi Tree, Zhang Ji was cultivating the *Buddha Country’s Inner Scenery Sutra*.

This Cultivation Technique was the magnum opus of the Child Venerable, the culmination of his life’s work.

Even if Zhang Ji presented it to Shen Xi, she wouldn’t be able to find a single flaw.

It had already transcended the existing systems, no longer confined by the original frameworks.

If Shen Xi insisted on analyzing and upgrading it, she could only add extraneous elements, which would be entirely superfluous.

Therefore, Zhang Ji could simply practice it as it was.

The Ten Great Buddha Country Inner Sceneries.

It took Zhang Ji only ten days to master the first Buddha Country.

In the depths of his consciousness, a pure spiritual space emerged. Within it was a Buddha in his own image, but its eyes glowed with a golden light, unlike those of an ordinary person.

Under this enhancement, Zhang Ji’s physical self gained far more powerful vision.

He could now perceive things from miles away, observing more energy waves and subtle changes. Zhang Ji could even scrutinize things with microscopic precision.

This was the Celestial Eye Buddha Country’s Inner Scenery.

And with that, Zhang Ji had obtained an essence of the *Buddha Country’s Inner Scenery Sutra*.

Only by connecting all ten Buddha Countries would the *Buddha Country’s Inner Scenery Sutra* be complete.

A single Inner Scenery was just a small buff on its own.

Of course, calling it "small" wasn’t entirely accurate.

A functional increase of this magnitude, if used well, would result in a huge boost in power.

Zhang Ji was more proficient with the second Buddha Country, mastering it in just nine days.

Similarly, a new space appeared in the depths of his consciousness, along with another Buddha constructed in his image.

This Buddha showed nothing unusual on the outside, but its heart aperture shone with a brilliant golden light.

Zhang Ji’s spiritual perception became even more refined, his insight into matter more profound. He could now even discern the detailed material structure of immortal bronze.

Eight days later, Zhang Ji mastered the third Buddha Country as well.

In the new Inner Scenery space deep within his consciousness, a new Buddha manifested.

This Buddha sat cross-legged with its eyes closed. Its ears, however, were unlike an ordinary person’s—they were enormous, with lobes resting on its shoulders.

Invisibly, Zhang Ji could sense the subtle fluctuations and energy shifts of the outside world with even greater detail.

Eyes, ears, and mind—for receiving and processing information about the material world. Empowered by the buffs from these three Buddha Countries, Zhang Ji’s perception of things grew increasingly clear and distinct.

In fleeting moments, he truly felt that there was nothing outside the mind.

Everything in the external world was nothing more than different particles constructed from different waves.

’If I willed it,’ he thought, ’I could construct those things as I please, transforming them into anything I desire.’

「The seventh of the ninth month.」

Dugu Yunfeng returned with Giles.

He found Zhang Ji cultivating.

Before Dugu Yunfeng could even speak, Zhang Ji had already faintly read the information he was about to convey.

But Zhang Ji still waited for Dugu Yunfeng to explain everything.

"People from the Crown of Sin and Thorns came to investigate. Their power and resources seem to be quite profound, and this matter might also involve the Saint Silver Church Country..." Dugu Yunfeng said.

Zhang Ji looked at the timidly shrinking Giles and asked, "Are you all right?"

Although he could tell Giles’s physical condition was fine with a single glance, Zhang Ji still asked out of courtesy.

"No major problems. I was a bit over-exhausted, but I’ve been healed," Giles replied, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He had expected that, given Zhang Ji’s domineering nature, he would be berated for being useless. He was slightly surprised to receive concern instead.

Zhang Ji nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.

’Originally, one of my plans for the Crown of Sin and Thorns was to cooperate with them,’ he mused. ’After all, our main goal in Lan’er is to seek resources, not to stir up conflict with various factions. However dark the Crown of Sin and Thorns’ methods are, that’s their business, as long as it doesn’t affect us.’

Besides, Zhang Ji was somewhat wary of the Lord of Entropy.

But now the other party had made the first move, directly harming one of his Saint Kings.

The nature of the incident had changed.

Attacking a regular employee and attacking a Saint King were two entirely different concepts.

Although Giles’s power level was now quite insignificant to Zhang Ji, he was still a top-tier manager under him. His status was clear.

If his top leadership was bullied and Zhang Ji still chose to shake hands and make peace with the enemy at the expense of his own people, that would be truly inappropriate.

"The Crown of Sin and Thorns, is it?"

Zhang Ji had made his decision.

’I originally didn’t plan to interfere with the Lord of Entropy’s grand plan for godhood. After all, a Divine Emperor is a peak existence on the verge of godhood. I didn’t want to clash with him.’

But now, the Crown of Sin and Thorns could be annihilated.

The Lord of Entropy’s grand plan for godhood could now only be realized in his dreams.

’You want to continue gathering faith in peace?’

’Not so easy!’

It was time for a proper, full-scale interdimensional war.

"Convene the Saint King Council," Zhang Ji said lightly.

.....

「September 10th.」

Origin Star, the Supreme Capital.

The Saint King Council convened.

Besides Zhang Ji, the Supreme One, and the four original Saint Kings, two new seats had been added.

One was for Dugu Yunfeng, and the other was for Zhuge Mingyuan.

These two from the Celestial Essence Realm had been pulled into Zhang Ji’s core team.

As for Ling Xuzi and the others, they belonged to the Celestial Essence Association, not the core decision-making body of the Saint King Council.

Ling Xuzi had too many of his own ideas. His strength was sufficient, but Zhang Ji didn’t particularly like him.

In comparison, Dugu Yunfeng was a better fit.

His temperament was upright and straightforward. He said what he meant, and if he was dissatisfied, he showed it without much concealment.

Zhuge Mingyuan was chosen for similar reasons. He was powerful, a top-tier technician, and had a practical, action-oriented personality, making him suitable for the core leadership structure.

"This organization has already harmed a Saint King. I propose that we begin war preparations immediately. When the time is right, we will unite with the Arcane Federation and other organizations to jointly settle scores with the Crown of Sin and Thorns. We must ensure the entire organization is completely annihilated," Zhang Ji declared.

"What about the Saint Silver Church Country’s stance? Shouldn’t we consider that?" Cyril asked.

"I believe it’s completely unnecessary," Zhang Ji said. "According to my investigation, the Saint Silver Church Country may appear autonomous, but in reality, it has long been controlled by the Crown of Sin and Thorns. It’s merely a puppet regime. Therefore, this war against the Crown of Sin and Thorns is highly likely to trigger a rebellion within the entire Saint Silver Church Country."

"The Celestial Essence Realm is still under construction, and our cooperation with the Arcane Federation has only just begun. We should focus more on development. Rashly starting an interdimensional war could easily arouse the vigilance of the local world, and our cooperation might be interrupted. This doesn’t align with our predetermined course," Zhuge Mingyuan said.

His words were always rational and usually correct, but this time, he was facing Zhang Ji.

"Indeed, this will slow the pace of our development. That’s why we must fight a swift and decisive war, with no delays," Zhang Ji replied.

"Currently, of the Crown of Sin and Thorns’ twelve Legendaries, three have been dealt with. That leaves nine Legendaries and the Lord of Entropy, making ten of them. We must also add the Saint Silver Church Country’s four top Legendaries to the enemy list. That means a total of fourteen S-rank experts," Tran said with a grave expression.

Although he had been working hard, he ultimately couldn’t keep up with Zhang Ji’s growth rate.

The strength of the enemies they now faced was already a bit too far beyond his limit.

"None of them are to be feared, except for the Lord of Entropy," Zhang Ji said. "And as for the Lord of Entropy, I will deal with him myself."

A Divine Emperor was indeed extraordinary, and facing one at his current stage would be a struggle for Zhang Ji.

But a war, from preparation to conclusion, is a process.

And during that process, Zhang Ji intended to improve himself.

Mastering the *Buddha Country’s Inner Scenery Sutra* was a given.

He would directly install the Primordial Sword Bone. Since it was an external power source aligned with the [Physics School] style of combat, it wouldn’t take much time to assimilate.

All told, he could complete it all within two months.

By then, fighting the Lord of Entropy would most likely not be a problem.

Zhang Ji also had a backup plan. If things went south, he still had the Celestial Intent Seal to use.

Besides, he didn’t intend to fight the Lord of Entropy alone. When the time came, the many Demigods of the Divine Realm could be put to use.

"Then, let’s prepare," said Dugu Yunfeng.

Ferguson also added, "I will oversee the factories and accelerate production."

With the decision to go to war confirmed, changes began to quietly take place on both Origin Star and in the Celestial Essence Realm.

In the Physics Department, Iver’s Fusion Reactor was officially integrated into various pieces of equipment. The first suit of armor using the "Iver Micro-Fusion Reactor" was created. It was named [Thorn-Slayer].

This was a suit of combat armor that truly possessed the power of a B-rank martial artist.

It integrated the Spiritual Ability System, and its defense, reaction speed, and even attack power all met the required standards. Under the control of an Artifact Spirit, it also had a degree of autonomy.

It only needed to be worn by a professional martial artist to be fully effective.

Most importantly, it could be mass-produced.

This would be the main force for destroying the Rusted Moon Monastery.

Zhang Ji would destroy every single one of the Lord of Entropy’s sources of faith.

Over in the Celestial Essence Realm, large war shuttles and Spirit Puppets were also being produced in the factories, even causing a slight delay in the construction of the [Qiankun Nine Heavens Void Tide-Inducing Array].

Waging a swift and decisive war against a large country—what Zhang Ji was undertaking this time was no small matter.

Giles felt a little embarrassed that Zhang Ji was making such a huge fuss on his account and wanted to talk to him, but Zhang Ji’s only response was a single sentence.

"If you’re weak, then train more. Don’t let every piece of trash push you around."

The remark was devastatingly effective.

It wasn’t just Giles; the other members of the Saint King Council also felt spurred on.

To call those three from the Crown of Sin and Thorns "trash" was a bit of an exaggeration; they were Legendaries, after all.

And Giles hadn’t exactly been pushed around, either. He had only suffered minor injuries and had successfully fought back.

In Zhang Ji’s eyes, however, anything less than effortlessly crushing the three of them unscathed fell into the category of "weak."

-----------------

Lan’er World.

Within the Crown of Sin and Thorns, the incident involving three of their core members caused some surprise and anger.

The Lord of Entropy, however, remained calm. His reaction was to order his subordinates to investigate.

He couldn’t afford to lose any more of the twelve seats of the Crown of Sin and Thorns. Until he had a clear understanding of the enemy’s background, he didn’t plan to make another move.

The Arcane Federation was still reveling in the joy of their new cooperation, completely unaware of the Saint King Council’s decision to go to war.

They were still in the preparation phase, and Zhang Ji would not let any information leak.

Once he made his move, it would be with lightning speed—directly cutting off the Lord of Entropy’s sources of faith, forcing him into a corner, and then initiating the final, decisive battle.

At this very moment, Zhang Ji had also arrived in Lan’er.

And he went straight to the Saint Silver Church Country.

Although the Demigods’ true bodies resided in the Divine Realm and never descended, most had avatars walking among mortals.

They disguised themselves in various identities, either to experience mortal life or to gather faith for themselves.

Zhang Ji strode into a place called the [Gamblers’ Guild].

Upon entering, he saw countless figures—some lost in despair, some shrouded in gloom, and others radiating wisdom.

Gamblers, a very niche Extraordinary System.

They were beings who toyed with fate.

And they were beings toyed with by fate.

One wrong step, and they would fall into an endless abyss.

In the end, their fates were almost universally tragic.

Zhang Ji walked inside. He didn’t go to the counter to register or ask questions; he was searching.

The place was thick with smoke and foul air, a chaotic mix of strange smells and sounds, and crowded with people. But Zhang Ji still locked onto his target in an instant, finding the man he was looking for.

A skinny young man with a pipe in his mouth, holding a hand of cards.

The God of Fortune, Badilon Isaac.

His path to becoming a Demigod was one that almost no one could replicate.

As a child, he made a bet with a giant and won, acquiring a fortune that an ordinary person could never obtain in a lifetime.

He then embarked on the Extraordinary path, experiencing countless lucky events along the way.

Later, in an Epic-level battle, he slew a dragon with a perfectly timed, lucky strike, becoming a Legendary.

There are many gamblers in the world, but he was the most successful one.

Those gamblers all believed in him with fervent devotion.

Thus, his story was told and retold, and through this, he ascended to the rank of Demigod.

The Gamblers’ Guild could basically be considered his church, as he didn’t have a proper one.

"I win!" Badilon laughed.

His opponent, looking annoyed, threw down his cards and Gold Coins and turned to leave.

Before the next person could come up, Zhang Ji took his spot, sitting down opposite Badilon.

"Let’s play a round," Zhang Ji said.