Facing the increasingly frenzied attacks from the Giant clan, the Celestial clan could only brace themselves and fight, engaging in positional warfare.
At this point, any attempt to flee would surely lead to a rout, leaving no chance of survival.
It was better to stand their ground and fight, for there was still a possibility of victory.
The desperate fight of hundreds of millions of Celestial clan members, led by Yu Xiya, Yu Sheng'er, and Yu Xueli, inflicted heavy casualties on both the Giant side and Wu Tao's forces.
However, to decide the outcome of the war in one decisive battle, both Wu Xingtian and Wu Tao gritted their teeth, determined to crush the Celestial and Golden Crow clans.
...
This fierce battle lasted for four to five days.
The Celestial and Golden Crow clans were ultimately defeated.
Wu Xingtian finally beheaded Yu Xiya, Yu Sheng'er, and Yu Xueli, though he himself was severely wounded.
The Giant clan, once numbering around a million, was reduced to only a few hundred thousand after this battle.
This meant they had lost more than half of their population, a devastating blow.
Wu Tao's side did not fare much better.
Out of thirty-nine flying warships, only thirteen remained. The over three hundred thousand cultivators released by Wu Tao were virtually all annihilated.
This battle was akin to inflicting a thousand wounds on the enemy while suffering eight hundred oneself.
However, from this point onward, Yunzhou would truly change hands, with the Giant clan dominating the entire region.
Naturally, Wu Tao also planned to relocate his forces to Yunzhou, seeking strategic initiative and opportunities for rapid expansion.
A few months later, the Ascending Immortal Sect, led by Wu Tao, successfully obtained a vast territory from the Celestial clan through the connections of the Giant shaman La'er.
Even the former capital of the Celestial clan, Maitreya Heavenly Palace, now belonged to Wu Tao and his followers.
Looking at the magnificent and spectacular Maitreya Heavenly Palace before him, Wu Tao nodded in satisfaction.
While it might not rival the Imperial City of Chang'an in the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty, Maitreya Heavenly Palace was still far superior to his own cities like Weicheng and Heixue City.
Firstly, Maitreya Heavenly Palace was developed around a colossal spiritual脉 and nine other giant spiritual脈, making it a top-tier blessed land.
Moreover, the Celestial clan and the Human clan required similar cultivation resources, and the Celestial clan also used spirit stones as currency.
According to the information they possessed, this territory was the most vital part of the Celestial clan's domain. Combined with the Giants' lack of expertise in management, establishing a power base here was ideal.
It was likely that the now delighted Giant King Wu La'er could never have imagined that he himself had removed the shackles from the head of the greedy beast that was Wu Tao.
Years later, when he discovered this truth, he could only vent his frustration on his incompetent subordinates and then silently try to bury this disgrace.
Because by then, he would no longer have the ability to do anything about Wu Tao.
He, the Giant King, would have long become a mere figurehead, with few Giants willing to obey him.
...
Everything had come to this because he had agreed to Wu Tao's suggestion to use the Qi and Blood Replenishing Pills as currency, thus giving Wu Tao an opportunity.
No race or kingdom, whose currency was manufactured by others, could maintain its independence.
Wu Tao had already sidelined the Giant King through control of the currency.
By the time the currency system was fully established, it was already too late for the Giant King Wu La'er.
From then on, the Giants no longer obeyed the Giant King, but instead heeded the words of Wu Tao, who controlled the source of the currency.
Of course, all of this was mere speculation for the future.
...
Although the Giant clan was the main force in annihilating the Celestial and Golden Crow clans, Wu Tao's faction was the one that truly benefited the most.
Feasting on the corpses of the Celestial and Golden Crow clans, Wu Tao's forces had essentially acquired a boundless treasure trove, laying the foundation for rapid expansion.
Most crucially, such vast territories and abundant resources were sufficient for Wu Tao to quickly recruit soldiers and horses, elevating his faction into a colossal power.
Of course, what pleased Wu Tao the most was the discovery of three small worlds within the Celestial clan's Maitreya Heavenly Palace.
To advance to the Violet Mansion stage, cultivators in the late Nascent Soul stage must possess a small world.
This was because each small world would naturally produce a World Origin Seed every tens of thousands of years.
The primary benefit of such World Origin Seeds was enabling late Nascent Soul cultivators to comprehend and master the power of laws.
Whether it was intelligent races that followed the path of spiritual energy or divine souls, or the Giant clan that specialized in physical cultivation, this point was the same for all.
Three small worlds meant that not only Wu Tao himself could advance to the Violet Mansion stage, but his disciples also had the opportunity to do so.
Although this endeavor was extremely perilous, the rewards were equally immense.
Following this event, Wu Tao's forces would develop at an astonishing pace.
Only when he could contend with the central Liu imperial family of the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty, and the four royal families of Wang, Li, Kong, and Qin, would it be time to flip the table.
The saying "When fortune smiles, the heavens assist" perfectly described Wu Tao's current situation.
Even a pig standing in a strong wind would be carried into the sky and become an exalted being.
Furthermore, Wu Tao was not a pig, but an extremely shrewd and capable individual.
From here on, Wu Tao would use this as a base to continuously develop and grow stronger.
Time flew by, and several years passed in the blink of an eye.
Although the Human cultivators of Chu Domain were severely weakened due to Wu Tao's machinations, with only a handful remaining.
However, due to the superior conditions offered by Wu Tao, which other regional powers could not match.
Many Human cultivators from other domains came to Chu Domain and joined Wu Tao's faction.
Wu Tao, in turn, was forthright, offering them substantial benefits while directly relocating them to Yunzhou.
This strategy allowed for the covert development of his forces while accelerating their growth, achieving a two-pronged objective.
Maitreya Heavenly Palace, which was initially sparsely populated, began to take shape and its population significantly increased after a period of development.
Purple State Continent. Great Jin Immortal Dynasty.
"Hey, have you heard? In Chu Domain, Governor Wu seems to be recruiting, and the benefits are quite high..."
"For cultivators at the Qi Refining stage, just by being listed, they receive a monthly salary of thirty spirit stones without doing anything."
"Brother, shall we form a group and go check it out!"
A Human cultivator at the Qi Refining stage said to another.
...
"Governor Wu? I have indeed heard of him. As one of the eight great frontier garrisons, he is indeed a powerful figure."
"Such a significant force, their words are likely true. It wouldn't hurt to go and see."
It was evident that this Human cultivator at the Qi Refining stage was somewhat informed.
Hearing his companion's words, the extremely young Human cultivator glanced around and lowered his voice, saying, "Brother, do you know that Governor Wu recently offered a reward of ten spirit stones for every person recruited? To be frank, I've already earned several hundred spirit stones through this."
The slightly older, middle-aged cultivator, listening to the youngster enthusiastically extolling the benefits of joining the Ascending Immortal Sect, understood. So this kid had already joined Governor Wu's ranks.
No wonder he was so eager to recruit me. It was indeed for personal gain. No wonder you're so enthusiastic...
However, the old saying, "The older the ginger, the spicier," held true. It was worth the effort I'd put in to curry favor with you for so long to finally learn the reason for your recent financial ease.
"One of the eight great frontier garrisons? The conditions are indeed generous, and the power is immense. Joining would undoubtedly be profitable."
Groups like these, linking arms and heading to Chu Domain, were occurring in various locations across the more than one hundred domains of the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty.
While Wu Tao was vigorously recruiting Human cultivators, on the other side, exchanges with the Giant clan were proceeding smoothly.
...
"My esteemed brothers, I am deeply honored that you have accepted my invitation. Please, come into the city to speak. We have prepared fine spiritual wine and delicacies within."
Wu Tao, with a smile, led everyone into the newly renamed Moonflower City, formerly Maitreya Heavenly Palace.
As he invited the leaders of each tribe into the city, the Giants who had accompanied them were also being organized by Ye Yu and her team, settling into specially constructed houses suitable for Giants.
Furthermore, Ye Yu and her group had intentionally spread word that these Giants were welcome to roam freely within the city.
These newly constructed towering pavilions naturally drew the attention of the Giants, who entered them with great enthusiasm.
In Moonflower City, the various amenities immediately astonished many of the newly arrived Giants.
In fact, along the way, the tribal leaders had displayed a peculiar look in their eyes upon seeing the specially built large pavilions for them.
However, with Wu Tao, the host, leading the way so hospitably, they felt it impolite to leave midway and decided to visit them later at their leisure.
But the accompanying Giants had no such reservations and eagerly entered the various pavilions specially built for them.
Moonflower City contained establishments such as a Winery Pavilion, a Weapon Refining Pavilion, and a Pill Refining Pavilion, among others.
As these rough-and-tumble Giants entered, they were like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden, exclaiming in awe.
"My heavens, they sell wine here! Just look at this entire collection of fine wine. The aroma is so rich; it's far superior to the wine brewed in our tribe..."
(This new book is being updated. Please collect, vote for recommendations, share, and subscribe. Support the genuine edition by visiting Zongheng Chinese Network and lending a hand. Thank you, friends, your support is my motivation!)