Tian Jiang was working hard to become stronger, and naturally it didn't want to be affected by external forces during its overall strengthening.
Mu Shen was also wholeheartedly focused on his work within Tian Jiang.
To repel foreign enemies, one must first secure the homeland. This was absolutely the correct course of action, but it also required the willpower to carry it out.
Mu Shen possessed absolute authority over Tian Jiang, making this the best solution.
Only when the internal is united can it be unified against the outside. If there is internal discord, then it will be the time for internal strife.
Therefore, Mu Shen knew very well that Tian Jiang not only needed to be united against external forces, but also needed to be a strong Tian Jiang. Otherwise, if a weak Tian Jiang only had him as its sole strength, that wouldn't be enough. It would be unbalanced, and the troubles that arise would be more than just talk.
Under such circumstances, someone was needed to complete the task, someone with great strength to lead the charge. He understood this very well.
Aside from the main force, there was also a need for auxiliary forces. One person's strength, no matter how great, would ultimately leave him alone. He didn't want this to happen. Even if his subordinates couldn't be too strong, they should at least reach the level of first-rate fighters as a basic requirement.
Then came the innate fighters, who formed the backbone of the force.
As for the top-tier fighters, there needed to be a considerable number, at least a dozen, and then there were the domineering-level fighters.
Only a force like this could be harmonious and develop stably.
The presence or absence of strength all depended on combat power. In the land of hardship where realms weren't the sole determining factor, this was what determined status.
Mu Shen would nurture them, cultivate each and every one of them.
They would become independent forces, or even dominate their own territories, a necessity for Tian Jiang to truly rise, not relying solely on numbers.
That would truly be a lamentable outcome.
For recovery, there was the Birth Scroll of the Military Armament Scripture. Any top-tier master would cultivate it, for it was a trump card, a foundation. With the Birth Scroll, the speed of recovering from injuries would be noticeably faster than others, this was the very foundation.
When a great war breaks out, it's a matter of who survives until the end.
The survivor is the victor, while the deceased will have no chance for a second try.
So, Mu Shen eagerly awaited this day. At the same time, he was still the pillar of Tian Jiang and wouldn't easily abandon his responsibilities.
Moreover, there was a major enemy still lurking, and that would inevitably have a significant impact, without needing any further explanation.
As Tian Jiang exerted itself, Yama returned to the Black Sea Prison.
He didn't go anywhere else, but instead went to the five generals of the Heavenly Road and thoroughly awakened them.
The five generals, An, Chu, Dun, Duan, and Du, appeared at his summons.
"Greetings, Yama."
"Hm, prepare yourselves. This King is going to make a trip to the Deep Marrow Ancient River."
As Yama spoke, he headed towards the depths of the Great Yellow Earth Mother.
Within the Deep Marrow Ancient River, a massive three-headed cloud dragon emerged, Yama's soul beast.
"Go to where the Primal Brain is."
The three-headed cloud dragon descended, plunging straight into the location of the Primal Brain, deep within the Deep Marrow Ancient River.
Upon seeing the Primal Brain, Yama transformed into light and entered it, seeing the other five kings he had hypnotized and imprisoned.
They were: Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge King of Wildfire, Crimson Crown Border Town Ghost Fang Crimson Fate King, Golden Basin Heavenly Dynasty Golden Basin Immaculate King, Purple Cosmos Crystal Abyss Purple Evolved Divine Gigantic King, and Lady Jun Jun Hai Tang Blue King (the only female).
Together they were known as the Six Kings.
But Yama clearly had greater ambitions. He had imprisoned the five kings here, aiming to gain more benefits and lay out his plans.
However, the current situation forced Yama to face reality. He could only release a bit of power, and the most suitable one was the Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge King of Wildfire, his sworn brother. But even he could be abandoned in the face of grand ambitions.
Of course, now he seemed to need this force, and he had to re-evaluate it. Otherwise, trouble would fall back upon himself.
"Very well, let it be so for now. We'll talk later."
He then lifted the hypnotic spell on the King of Wildfire and sent him out, while the others remained as they were.
This was not his true form, but his consciousness, so as soon as the hypnosis was lifted, the King of Wildfire's consciousness returned to Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge.
Yama then left the Primal Brain, intending to bring the five generals of the Heavenly Road and the aid from Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge to make another effort, to show Mu Shen what he was capable of.
Within Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge, the King of Wildfire's consciousness awoke, and Divine Mandate of Sovereignty immediately knew.
"King of Wildfire, you're finally awake."
The King of Wildfire, upon hearing this, stretched and said, "Divine Mandate, I'm awake now, just slept long enough."
Divine Mandate of Sovereignty replied, "Indeed, you've been asleep for a long time, for years, who knows how many."
The King of Wildfire, upon hearing this, realized something. At the same time, he didn't forget his responsibilities, and he needed to search for the life seed to save Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge.
"Divine Mandate, how long have I been asleep?"
Divine Mandate of Sovereignty simply said, "Several score years."
The King of Wildfire was startled. So long? This...
After a long silence, he fell silent. The current situation was completely unknown. He didn't know what had changed in the land of hardship, completely unaware of the passage of these long years.
"King of Wildfire, though these days have passed, Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge is nearing the point of dying out."
"No, that's impossible."
The King of Wildfire immediately went to the holy land to check the situation and couldn't help but fall silent. The life force was indeed declining, causing the life force of the holy land to vanish.
"Divine Mandate, how much longer can it last?"
"King of Wildfire, I fear it won't be long. We must find the life-imparting seed as soon as possible, or all of Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge will be on the verge of collapse."
This was an undeniable fact. Without the continuation of the life seed, Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge would turn into a wasteland, vanishing from this world. This was a very perilous situation.
The King of Wildfire looked on, worry reflected in his eyes. He had delayed so long, was it still possible?
Divine Mandate of Sovereignty was at a loss for words.
"Divine Mandate, just speak. Is it something I can't know?"
"It's not that. It's just that I don't know what to say. There's no telling what's going on in the land of hardship. It's too vast, and we have no idea what will happen. We're not sure where the true life seed is."
The King of Wildfire furrowed his brow upon hearing this, "Then who is the strongest person in the land of hardship right now?"
Divine Mandate of Sovereignty responded without hesitation, "Tian Jiang's Mu Shen."
"Him?"
The King of Wildfire pondered, Tian Jiang's Mu Shen, how could he not know him.
He'd appeared again, and it must have been Yama's doing.
"Divine Mandate, do you think Yama will come again, my good brother?"
Divine Mandate of Sovereignty nodded directly, "He should. The King of Wildfire is a vital part of his forces. He couldn't possibly not know."
The King of Wildfire naturally knew and understood. The current situation was complex and tangled. It wouldn't be easy to clear it up.
"Well, then let's wait. I will go search for the life seed. I will surely find it, allow Colorful Green Hazardous Ridge to continue existing, and keep my people safe and sound."
"Yes, Your Majesty, the situation in the kingdom is clear. Time is running out. Now, we can only hope for Your Majesty's success."
Divine Mandate of Sovereignty knew this well. This was the responsibility of a king, a responsibility that he had to bear.