Undying Life

Chapter 986: Unifying the Fengzong Territory

In the mortal realm, the Great Xian Empire continued its relentless expansion. Although the citizens of the imperial capital harbored lingering fears, the unification of the Fengzong Territory would dispel all shadows and solidify their loyalty to the empire.

Fortunately, there was no force within the Fengzong Territory capable of resisting the might of the Great Xian.

The Holy Court had crumbled entirely, the Serpent Queen's domain had collapsed, the Radiant Lantern Sect had vanished, and even the Zixiao Daochang had disappeared without a trace.

Where had the Zixiao Daochang gone? Zhong Shan pondered this question repeatedly. If it were only the Zixiao Daochang, it might not have mattered, but what concerned Zhong Shan was the whereabouts of Zixun. She had vanished, and Zhong Shan was deeply worried.

"You don't understand! You don't know! The Zixiao Daochang has something I need!"

Zixun's words echoed in his ears. Reflecting on her status within the Zixiao Daochang, as the Holy Maiden, her position was just a step below the sect leader. The entire Zixiao Daochang exuded an air of mystery.

Although the Zixiao Sect Leader had perished, the Zixiao Daochang seemed unscathed. That day in Qingqiu, two ancient immortals had risked their lives to protect the great immortal Cheng Baiyi. Did ancient immortals have a master? And from their tone, it seemed their master could protect the entire Zixiao Daochang.

Could this have been Zixun's objective? Was the Zixiao Daochang merely a stepping stone for her?

Sitting in his study, Zhong Shan rubbed his temples before suddenly calling out, "Dark Emperor!"

In an instant, a shadowy figure appeared before him.

Zhong Shan glanced at the Dark Emperor and asked, "You've broken through to the Great Immortal Realm?"

"Yes, just three days ago," the Dark Emperor replied.

Zhong Shan nodded, "Inform the Shadow Guards to gather information from across the world and search for any trace of the Zixiao Daochang."

"Yes!" the Dark Emperor responded.

The Zixiao Daochang seemed to have vanished from the world, with no news of it even decades later.

On this day, within the court of the Longevity Hall:

"Congratulations, Holy King! The Great Xian has unified the Fengzong Territory, and the world bows in submission!" Yi Yan congratulated.

"Congratulations, Holy King! With the unification of the Fengzong Territory, the Great Xian shall enjoy eternal prosperity, its longevity equal to that of heaven!" the ministers cheered in unison.

"May the Holy King enjoy eternal prosperity, his longevity equal to that of heaven!"

"May the Great Xian enjoy eternal prosperity, its longevity equal to that of heaven!"

The entire Heavenly Court of Lingxiao resounded with jubilation, and the entire territory of the Great Xian echoed with cheers.

A grand celebration swept the land, and the world rejoiced!

Looking back over two centuries, to the moment when the Great Xian had first emerged, the world had been steeped in mourning. It was deemed the weakest Holy Court in history. Who could have imagined that in just over two hundred years, the Great Xian would sweep across the Eight Wastes, unifying the Fengzong Territory?

Though the Fengzong Territory lacked the highest-level powers, its mid-level forces were formidable, far beyond what the Great Xian could have confronted. Yet, in this short time, the Great Xian had not only confronted them but had unified the entire Fengzong Territory.

It was nothing short of a miracle. Even the citizens of the conquered cities couldn't help but admire the Holy King's extraordinary talent and vision.

With the world newly unified, not everyone was yet aligned with the Great Xian. The next step was to integrate the hearts of the people, ensuring their loyalty, and solidifying control over the Fengzong Territory.

As usual, the court continued its proceedings, and the Great Xian grew stronger and more cohesive by the day.

On this day, in Zhong Shan's study, the Great Xian welcomed a new guest.

Wang Jian from Great Qin!

"Congratulations, Holy King Zhong, on unifying the Fengzong Territory. Before I came, our Holy King remarked that Zhong Shan would surely have unified the Fengzong Territory by now, and indeed, it is so!" Wang Jian smiled.

"During the founding of the world, I must thank General Wang for helping the Great Xian sweep away all the small and petty threats!" Zhong Shan nodded in acknowledgment.

During the founding of the world, Wang Jian had come under the command of Ying to protect the Great Xian, and Zhong Shan was naturally deeply grateful.

"Holy King Zhong overpraises me. I was merely following the orders of my Holy King," Wang Jian replied, shaking his head modestly.

"What brings General Wang here this time?" Zhong Shan asked.

Wang Jian's expression grew serious as he reached into his sleeve and produced a black and gold invitation.

"It is the Holy King's grand birthday celebration, and he wishes to invite Holy King Zhong to attend the banquet. I am here only to deliver the invitation," Wang Jian respectfully handed over the black and gold invitation.

"Oh? Ying's grand birthday?" Zhong Shan took the invitation.

"The Holy King's 90,000th birthday is approaching. He hasn't invited many from outside the court. I have been tasked with delivering invitations, and my first stop was here, to Holy King Zhong," Wang Jian said with a smile.

Zhong Shan opened the invitation, glanced over it, and after a moment of contemplation, nodded. "Send word to Ying for me. Tell him that I will certainly attend."

"Rest assured, Holy King Zhong, I will convey your message to the Holy King!"

"Very well," Zhong Shan nodded.

"The invitation has been delivered, so I must take my leave. There are still other places where I need to deliver invitations," Wang Jian said.

"Let me see you off."

Zhong Shan escorted Wang Jian out of the Lingxiao Heavenly Court.

Holding the black and gold invitation, Zhong Shan returned to his study, deep in thought.

Two days later, Zhong Shan summoned several of the Great Xian's key ministers.

He informed them of the invitation, and the ministers began to ponder the situation.

"Great Qin is located in Dongzhou?" Mr. Corpse thought for a moment before speaking.

"Do you know this place?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"Yes, it is said that while the Fengzong Territory lies to the north of the world, Dongzhou is in the eastern part. Even if I were to fly there without rest, it would take at least thirty years. It's quite far!" Mr. Corpse explained.

"Quite far, indeed. However, there are still several decades before Ying's grand birthday, so there's no rush," Zhong Shan said.

"Allow me to describe the general situation in Dongzhou," Mr. Corpse recalled.

"Go on," Zhong Shan encouraged.

"Dongzhou is not the easternmost part of the world, but it's close. To its west, across the sea, are the Four Great Continents: East Shenzhou, South Zhanbu Continent, West Niuhe Continent, and North Julu Continent. And to the north of the Four Great Continents lies the Lu Territory, which is within the influence of Confucius," Mr. Corpse explained.

"The Heavenly Court, Great Thunder Sound Temple, Confucius?" Zhong Shan pondered these names.

Could Great Qin really be located there?

"In fact, the Four Great Continents form one of the three great centers of the world," Mr. Corpse added.

"Oh? Three great centers?"

"The three great centers are connected by what is known as the Yellow Springs Road. There is a Yellow Springs Road in both the Small Thousand Worlds and the Great Thousand Worlds. In the Great Thousand World, there are three such roads, one of which passes through the center of the Four Great Continents. It connects to the underworld," Mr. Corpse explained.

"I see," Zhong Shan nodded.

As he considered this, Zhong Shan's brows furrowed, and he fell into deep thought. Memories from his younger days surfaced—back when he was still on Earth. Weren't these Four Great Continents the same as those described in the myths and legends he had heard in his youth?

Everything was gradually overlapping. Could this journey to the Four Great Continents reveal some connection to Earth?

What exactly was Earth? A Small Thousand World? No, that didn't seem right. A planet among the stars? That didn't fit either. Even the idea that the solar system was part of a starry sky in the Great Thousand World didn't make sense. Everything was shrouded in mystery.

This upcoming journey to Great Qin for Ying's grand birthday would surely take Zhong Shan through the Four Great Continents. Perhaps, during this trip, he might uncover a clue to these mysteries.

"Then, I'll make the arrangements for this journey eastward," Zhong Shan said after a moment of contemplation.

The gathered officials listened intently.

"Mr. Corpse, Luo Xingchen, and Nangong Sheng will accompany me on this journey. The rest of you will remain in the Great Xian and await my return," Zhong Shan announced in a deep voice.

"Understood!" Mr. Corpse, Luo Xingchen, and Nangong Sheng responded immediately.

Luo Xingchen was the strongest among them, an ancient immortal with time-related divine abilities, and he had also obtained the Xuanyuan Bow. Nangong Sheng was a master of formations, at the Great Immortal Realm. Mr. Corpse, although only at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, was the most mysterious, with deep knowledge of the Yellow Springs Road and other esoteric matters.

"Holy King, you're leaving again? Won't this...?" Yi Yan expressed concern.

"Rest assured, I will make all necessary arrangements before I depart. Additionally, I will leave the Imperial Diagram in the Lingxiao Heavenly Court, allowing you to traverse between the mortal and underworld realms at will. With the Fengzong Territory now unified, I can leave without worry," Zhong Shan reassured.

"Understood!" The ministers nodded.

With the ability to traverse between the mortal and underworld realms, the officials no longer felt anxious. After all, the Holy King would be gone for several decades.

"We will depart in one month. This journey eastward is not just for celebrating a birthday; it could very well turn into a campaign. Prepare for the worst, and Mr. Corpse, Luo Xingchen, Nangong Sheng, start making your preparations," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes!" The three responded in unison.

Over the course of the next month, Zhong Shan carefully attended to the affairs of the Great Xian, ensuring everything was in order for his absence.

With the Imperial Diagram enabling him to traverse realms, Zhong Shan felt confident in leaving, knowing that he would remain informed of the situation in the Great Xian at all times.

Before his departure, Zhong Shan once again entered the Hundred Worlds Cave Heaven.

At the deepest part of the Hundred Worlds Cave Heaven, a place few could reach, Zhong Shan found Huan Ji seated on a black throne, surrounded by countless shadows swirling like demonic entities. Over the decades, Huan Ji seemed to have grown significantly, having refined much of the black throne.

"Zhong Shan, you're here?" Huan Ji opened her eyes, surprised to see him.

"Yes. How is your refining progressing?" Zhong Shan asked.

"I'm confident that in another hundred years, I'll have made significant progress. By then, I might even be able to connect to the Demon Realm!" Huan Ji said, a trace of excitement in her voice.

"The Demon Realm?"

"Yes. I'm not sure where the Demon Realm is, but through this Throne of Demons, I can sense a pathway. It feels as though the end of the path is teeming with demons—I'm certain it leads to the Demon Realm!" Huan Ji explained, her excitement palpable.

"Congratulations on acquiring such a treasure!" Zhong Shan remarked, impressed.

"It's thanks to my own abilities. No one else could have refined this treasure!" Huan Ji added, clearly proud of herself.

Zhong Shan smiled wryly. "Alright."

"By the way, didn't you mention that you were going to Dongzhou a few days ago? When are you leaving?" Huan Ji asked, curious.

"The day after tomorrow. I wanted to see you before I left, and I have a favor to ask," Zhong Shan said.

"A favor?"

Zhong Shan reached into his sleeve and took out a round disk, the fixed-point transmission device that Tianshenzi had given him.

"Keep this item here for me. Don't let anyone touch it," Zhong Shan requested.

"What is this?" Huan Ji asked, surprised.

"It's something that can save lives," Zhong Shan explained without reservation.

After hearing Zhong Shan's explanation, Huan Ji patted her chest confidently. "Don't worry. As long as it's with me, no one can take it. No one will dare touch it!"

"Good," Zhong Shan nodded.

On the third day, Zhong Shan looked at Luo Xingchen, Mr. Corpse, and Nangong Sheng, who stood behind him.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes!"

"Let's depart!"

With that, Zhong Shan led the three of them, striding eastward.

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8