Undying Life

Chapter 930: Chapter 930: The Shattering of the Immortal Monument

Standing in the air, Zhong Shan cast a cold gaze over the distant onlookers. Under his stern eyes, nearly everyone felt a chill run down their spines, unable to meet his stare.

Those who had once thought Zhong Shan weak now felt a deep, chilling fear. If this was considered weak, then what were they?

Thousands of Confucian disciples, two Ancient Immortals, all obliterated in less than a tea break? Such power went beyond mere strength.

Terrifying Zhong Shan.

"Let's go," Zhong Shan commanded. He and his companions shot off in a chosen direction.

It was only after Zhong Shan had left that most of the onlookers breathed a sigh of relief. So this was Da Zeng's Zhong Shan?

He was so powerful? Why was he allied with the Taichu Holy Court?

In a distant forest, in a concealed mountain recess, stood three figures: Ying, Bai Qi, and Guiguzi.

"Da Zeng's Zhong Shan has finally shown his true dominance. This is the Zhong Shan we knew from the Small Thousand World," Bai Qi said, nodding.

"No, he has always been that Zhong Shan. He just had too many concerns before, and his power wasn't enough to fully display his dominance," Ying replied calmly.

"Not enough to display his dominance? Are you saying that in these past hundred years, Zhong Shan has gained that power? He no longer needs to be cautious?" Bai Qi asked, surprised.

"His actions speak volumes. He no longer needs to be cautious. The Da Zeng of old is back," Ying said.

"Are you implying that Zhong Shan will return to the Lingxiao Heavenly Court and take control of Da Zeng again?" Bai Qi asked, frowning.

"That is inevitable," Guiguzi said in a deep voice.

"Sir, do you have any insight into Zhong Shan's Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail?" Ying asked calmly.

"Not yet, but I am certain it is one of the top eighteen divine beasts in the rankings," Guiguzi said with confidence.

"One of the top eighteen? But its power doesn't seem to match..." Bai Qi said, frowning.

"That's because the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail hasn't reached its peak yet," Guiguzi said seriously.

"Zhong Shan is truly fortunate to have subdued this beast in the Small Thousand World," Bai Qi nodded.

"Fortunate? If it were merely luck, Zhong Shan wouldn't have come this far," Ying shook his head.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Bai Qi replied respectfully.

"Let's go," Ying said calmly.

The three figures stepped forward and vanished.

Zhong Shan's battle, perhaps the first significant fight in the Nuwa Realm, had drawn the attention of Ying and others. In another mountain recess stood an elderly man with white hair and a white beard: the Snow Plum Patriarch.

Behind the Snow Plum Patriarch stood a dozen disciples, all respectfully watching him.

The Snow Plum Patriarch made calculations with his fingers for a while, then lowered his hand, frowning with a slight sigh.

"Master, are Taiyi and Yan Hui really dead?" a disciple asked, frowning.

"They are dead. That beast is incredibly powerful," the Snow Plum Patriarch said with a sigh.

"Really dead? Those were Ancient Immortals, gone in less than a tea break?" the disciple asked, shocked.

"That divine beast is unique. It might be one of the top eighteen divine beasts in the ancient rankings," the Snow Plum Patriarch said with admiration.

"A divine beast in the top eighteen? This Zhong Shan, truly..." the disciple was stunned.

"Master, what was that sea of blood just now? Why did it have such a heavy aura of misfortune?" another disciple asked, frowning.

The Snow Plum Patriarch looked contemplative for a moment. "The sea of blood is a manifestation of immense grievances and malicious energy. It's a powerful weapon that can even deter Ancient Immortals. Zhong Shan's use of such a technique shows his deep understanding and control over these forces."

The disciples exchanged nervous glances. The presence of such formidable powers and beings in the Nuwa Realm only heightened the tension and anticipation for the unfolding events.

"The Vexation Miasma, one of the Five Impurities of Heaven and Earth!" the Snow Plum Patriarch confirmed.

"Oh?"

"There's no doubt. I have traveled through the Underworld and visited the Ten Halls. This is indeed the Vexation Miasma. Zhong Shan is no ordinary person," the Snow Plum Patriarch said, frowning.

"Zhong Shan is so strong. Will he affect your plans, Master?" another disciple asked.

"Him? Not quite," the Snow Plum Patriarch shook his head.

"That's good to hear."

"Let's go. It's time to explore this Nuwa Realm," the Snow Plum Patriarch instructed.

"Yes!"

The group vanished from their spot.

Zhong Shan, along with Su Afo and the Nine-Tailed Princess, flew rapidly in one direction. They found a secluded valley where Zhong Shan meditated for an hour. During the battle, the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail had consumed two Ancient Immortals and two Ancient Immortal artifacts. This led to another increase in Zhong Shan's cultivation, nearing saturation.

"Boom!"

He broke through to the tenth level of the Heavenly Immortal stage, achieving the Heavenly Immortal Great Perfection.

Zhong Shan frowned, realizing a troubling fact. The Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail had consumed the equivalent of four powerful Ancient Immortal artifacts, yet this had barely been enough for a single breakthrough. This indicated that consuming Ancient Immortal artifacts would no longer be effective for his cultivation growth.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Zhong Shan thought, Ancient Immortal artifacts are no longer useful?

After an hour of closed-door cultivation, Zhong Shan stepped out, retrieved his palace with a flip of his hand, and faced his companions.

Su Afo and the Nine-Tailed Princess no longer appeared excited; instead, they wore expressions of deep concern.

"Zhong Shan, are you leaving?" the Nine-Tailed Princess tentatively asked.

During Zhong Shan's meditation, the two had discussed his display of power. It seemed like a sign, a premonition that Zhong Shan was no longer bound to Taichu. Would he still remain as a hostage?

"The Taichu Holy Court stood by me when I needed it most. I, Zhong Shan, will not turn against them. I will not harm the Taichu Sage King. If needed, I will help him. However, after leaving the Nuwa Realm, I may return to the Lingxiao Heavenly Court. You are welcome to stay there for a while if you wish," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

Although disappointed, they understood that this was the best outcome.

"Is Taiyi really dead?" the Nine-Tailed Princess asked.

"He's dead. I believe the Taiyi Holy Court is now in chaos. Taiyi was good at accumulating virtue and achievements, but not suitable for governance," Zhong Shan confirmed.

Zhong Shan was certain the Taiji Sage King had also been present but chose not to act. His strategy and shrewdness far surpassed Taiyi's.

In the southern Fengzhong Territory, at the capital of the Taiyi Holy Court.

"Boom!"

A massive explosion echoed through the sky, drawing everyone's attention towards the capital.

"Roar!"

A mournful dragon's cry reverberated through the sky above the Qi Luck Cloud Sea, spreading throughout the Taiyi Holy Court. Everyone felt an inexplicable sadness, as if something vital had been lost.

"Boom!"

The Qi Luck Cloud Sea roared, and fortune was draining away rapidly.

"The Sage King!"

Officials and citizens of the capital knelt, gazing at the slowly dissipating Qi Luck. Everyone knew that their Sage King had fallen.

In the northeastern part of the Fengzhong Territory, within Qingqiu.

Inside the Sima Residence.

Sima Qing clutched a bamboo cane, frowning at the sky, his heart surging with emotions.

Before him stood a man, his brow deeply furrowed.

"Young Master, the Taiyi Sage King has died. What now?" the man asked worriedly.

"The Nuwa Realm is too dangerous. The Taiyi Sage King died on the first day of its opening?" Sima Qing nodded.

"The Patriarch also went in. What if...?" the man asked, concerned.

"Don't worry. My father is fine; his life token is still intact!" Sima Qing reassured him.

"Yes!"

"The immediate priority is Qingqiu. Uncle Eight, our Sima family has been preparing for so many years. We cannot afford any mistakes now!" Sima Qing said solemnly.

"Rest assured, Young Master!" the man replied seriously.

"Good."—

At the same time, in the Fengzhong Territory, within Da Zeng, at the Lingxiao Heavenly Court.

In the Long Life Hall of the imperial court.

No one dared to touch the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Throne in the Long Life Hall, for only one person could sit on it, and only that person was worthy.

On the step below the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Throne, there was a purple throne.

Ministers stood respectfully. On the purple throne sat a man in a purple dragon robe. The dragon robe had only four claws, symbolizing a prince. This was Prince Zichen, Shui Wuhen, of the Da Zeng Holy Court.

Sitting on the purple throne, Shui Wuhen exuded an aura of authority. As the regent of Da Zeng in Zhong Shan's absence, his presence had grown considerably.

On the left, at the head of the ministers, stood Prime Minister Shui Jing. On the right, at the head of the generals, stood General Lin Xiao.

"Reporting to Prince Zichen, all one hundred and eight Immortal Monuments across the four corners of Da Zeng have been destroyed. Armies are steadily advancing into our lands; the invading forces are formidable," Shui Jing reported with concern.

The ministers frowned deeply.

"Listen carefully, everyone. From today, each of you must look up at our Da Zeng Qi Luck Cloud Sea every morning, noon, and night. This is our pride. The Sage King protects us. As long as our Qi Luck remains, we are the proud ministers of Da Zeng. The Immortal Monuments have been destroyed? Every soldier of Da Zeng is a living Immortal Monument. Da Zeng will never fall. Anyone who dares to trample upon Da Zeng will pay the price!" Shui Wuhen declared solemnly.

"Yes!" the ministers replied earnestly.

"The Sage King will return. We have overcome many hardships in the Small Thousand World; this time is no different. Lin Xiao!" Shui Wuhen called.

"Here!" Lin Xiao responded.

"You are in charge of Da Zeng's armies. You will command this battle. Whoever you need, I will arrange for them. Anyone, even the Prime Minister or myself, if it benefits Da Zeng, we will follow your orders!" Shui Wuhen said seriously.

"Yes!" Lin Xiao nodded respectfully.

In the land of Da Zeng, the battle raged as the Immortal Monuments were broken, and every city had to fight back against the invaders with all their might.

Meanwhile, everyone was thinking about the Sage King. When would he return?