Three days later, in Zhong Shan's small courtyard.
Tian Ling'er, newly a wife, had a radiant blush of happiness on her face. She busily washed Zhong Shan's clothes, looking every bit the diligent little housewife, bustling about with great enthusiasm. In her haste, she tore a large hole in his pants while washing them. Instead of using magic to dry them instantly, she whimsically hung the wet pants outside to dry, mimicking what she had seen other won do during their travels among mortals. The key issue was that the tear was right in the crotch area. If anyone saw them, it would surely lead to so wild speculations!
After finishing her tasks, Tian Ling'er entered the house, resting her chin on her hands as she gazed lovingly at Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan, unclothed, sat cross-legged, his mind focused inward. He was clearly in the midst of cultivation.
Had he broken through?
After consummating their marriage, Zhong Shan realized he had broken through to the next cultivation stage. This was incredibly fast! In his previous experiences, each level was challenging, especially the last stages. But now, what was happening? With Gu Qianyou, he had reached the Nascent Soul stage, and dual cultivation with Tian Ling'er had propelled him to the Integration stage, rging his Yin soul and Yang soul into one, forming his Primordial Spirit!
Forming the Primordial Spirit marked the Integration stage!
This was too exaggerated. Undeniably, it was due to Tian Ling'er's exceptional body. The first dual cultivation had an unexpected effect, making Zhong Shan wonder if he was destined to be a rogue cultivator in this world. His terrible innate talent had been transford through dual cultivation? In the past, the Hong Luan Heavenly Sutra also provided astonishingly fast results, and now this?
Zhong Shan broke through, and the black jade talisman in his body seed to vibrate, becoming more attuned to him, though he still couldn't fully control it. Additionally, his Eight Extre Heavenly Tails, resembling a Primordial Spirit, extended eight tendrils that danced gracefully, looking incredibly enchanting.
As his eyes opened, Tian Ling'er's eyes sparkled.
"Ling'er, you truly are my lucky star!" Zhong Shan said with a smile.
He lifted Tian Ling'er in his arms despite her protests, filling the room with another wave of passion.
This ti, the effect of their dual cultivation was much weaker. It made sense; if dual cultivation resulted in a breakthrough each ti, why bother with regular cultivation? One could just stay ho and reach immortality in no ti.
After a month at the Kaiyang Sect, Zhong Shan took Tian Ling'er to Xuanjing.
"Sister!" Tian Ling'er called out shyly to Bao'er.
"Ling'er, I've heard so much about you! From now on, you'll live with !" Bao'er said, holding Ling'er's hand with a smile.
Tian Ling'er looked at Zhong Shan and nodded shyly.
Then, Bao'er led Ling'er into the harem, leaving Zhong Shan alone.
Wearing his imperial robes, Zhong Shan, along with his shadow clone, walked into the study.
Inside, the Grand Eunuch Wei Taizhong stood on one side, while Mr. Shi, Yinglan, and Yi Yan stood before him.
Seated at his desk, Zhong Shan took a deep breath and said, "The ti has co!"
"Granduncle, can I go to Shenzhou now?" Yinglan asked excitedly.
Yi Yan smiled slightly beside her.
"Yinglan, Yi Yan, listen to my command!" Zhong Shan said.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Yinglan and Yi Yan responded imdiately.
"In three days, lead the Second and Third Corps to the southern regions of Shenzhou and initiate a campaign to conquer the cities," Zhong Shan ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" They replied in unison, their excitent palpable.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Yinglan and Yi Yan imdiately responded.
With a slight smile, Zhong Shan continued, "You already know the locations. The Darong Chamber of Comrce has provided detailed maps. Your task is to occupy those two chaotic regions. With your abilities, I don't think it will be too difficult. As for your safety, each of you will have two Wolf Generals as personal bodyguards to protect you at all costs."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" They replied promptly.
"Granduncle, once we enter Shenzhou, when should we start using the flag of the Dazun Dynasty?" Yinglan asked.
"Use it as soon as you arrive. With the Sky Wolf Island troops, it won't remain a secret. However, the two regions I chose are relatively remote and not yet claid by any imperial dynasties, so there shouldn't be too much attention from powerful forces," Zhong Shan replied with a smile.
"Is Gu Shentong about to undergo his tribulation?" Yi Yan pondered for a mont before asking.
"It shouldn't be too far off. Once Gu Shentong becos an immortal, the Great Luo Dynasty will undoubtedly collapse. Each of the four princes is incredibly strong, and there will be conflicts, igniting widespread warfare. Surrounding imperial dynasties will surely get involved in the chaos, resulting in a period of darkness. To establish a foothold in Shenzhou quickly, we must accumulate strength and establish a foundation," Zhong Shan explained.
"Yes!" Everyone responded imdiately.
Over the next four months, Zhong Shan spent quality ti with Bao'er and Ling'er, ensuring the two won got along very well before reluctantly leaving with Mr. Shi.
Five months later.
Zhong Shan and Mr. Shi returned to the Taigu Holy Capital of the Great Luo Dynasty.
The Zhong family army was still on the way, so Zhong Shan wasn't in a rush. He first visited the Princess Mansion, only to find that Princess Qianyou had not returned yet. With a sigh, Zhong Shan went to the Ministry of Rites to report his arrival, as he still held the position of Assistant Minister of Rites.
Upon reaching the Ministry of Rites.
"Lord Zhong, it's so good that you're back! I've been waiting for you for a month," an official greeted him with a smile.
"Oh?" Zhong Shan looked slightly puzzled.
"His Majesty issued a decree a month ago, instructing that you see him imdiately upon your return!" the official said.
"Thank you!" Zhong Shan thanked him with a bow, though he was confused.
To see the Emperor imdiately? A decree issued a month ago? Why the urgency? Typically, he would report during the morning court session after returning from his mission to the Great Li Dynasty.
Wasting no ti, Zhong Shan headed straight to the palace.
"Minister Zhong requests an audience with His Majesty!" Zhong Shan announced at the palace gate.
"Lord Zhong, His Majesty is already waiting for you at the Taigu Sacred Hall. You may proceed," an old eunuch said with a smile.
"Yes!" Zhong Shan entered the palace and headed directly for Taigu Mountain.
At the base of Taigu Mountain, Zhong Shan was montarily stunned to see that everyone around had been dismissed.
Without lingering, he quickly ascended the mountain. Observing that everyone had been dismissed from outside the Taigu Sacred Hall as well, he was slightly taken aback but continued forward, stepping into the grand hall.
"Boom!"
The doors of the hall closed suddenly. Zhong Shan knew that sothing significant was happening.
Inside the grand hall, there was only one person: Gu Shentong.
Gu Shentong appeared the sa as always, but there was a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Minister Zhong Shan greets His Majesty and wishes His Majesty eternal celestial fortune and longevity equal to the heavens!" Zhong Shan bowed respectfully.
"Good. I've heard about your activities in the Great Li Dynasty. You haven't disappointed ," Gu Shentong said with a faint smile.
Activities? Indeed, Zhong Shan had caused quite a stir in the Sacred Capital of Lihuo. He had abducted a princess, orchestrated a grand spectacle with a million phoenixes, and made a heartfelt confession that almost turned the Sacred Capital upside down. Anyone else would have been executed by Nie Fancheng multiple tis over, but Zhong Shan had co back unscathed, leaving behind a legend that shook the entire world.
"Uh, thank you for the complint, Your Majesty!" Zhong Shan responded sowhat awkwardly.
"From today, I promote you to the rank of Second Class Duke of the East," Gu Shentong announced.
Zhong Shan had previously held the rank of Third Class Duke of the East, the lowest tier of dukes. This promotion elevated him one level higher. As Gu Shentong finished speaking, Zhong Shan felt a surge of fortune flow into his body. The additional fortune from the Great Luo Dynasty increased his cultivation speed to nine tis the normal rate, and combined with the fortune of the Dazun Dynasty, his cultivation speed was now fourteen tis the normal rate.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhong Shan imdiately bowed in gratitude.
"Your Majesty, here is the Millennium Fruit from the Great Li Dynasty. I have brought it back," Zhong Shan said, presenting the fruit.
"Keep it for yourself. Did you deliver the items?" Gu Shentong asked.
"Yes, both the bamboo flute and the jade slip have been handed over to Nie Fancheng," Zhong Shan replied, putting away the Millennium Fruit.
"What was his reaction?" Gu Shentong inquired.
Zhong Shan then recounted the events in detail to Gu Shentong.
"Good!" Gu Shentong's expression turned serious. He extended his right index finger and pointed forward.
"Buzz~~~"
A grand map appeared in the hall.
The Forbidden Ten Thousand Mountains?
Zhong Shan recognized it imdiately; it was the area he had passed through a few years ago, ho to the Pure Land.
"Do you know this place?" Gu Shentong asked.
"Yes," Zhong Shan confird.
"Two years from now, on the fifth day of the eighth month, the armies of three dynasties will surround and annihilate the Pure Land. Leave no survivors! Obliterate it completely!" Gu Shentong said coldly.
Annihilate the Pure Land? Zhong Shan was stunned. He knew how vast and powerful the Pure Land was, with three prominent Buddhas, twenty Bodhisattvas, and five hundred Arhats. This was a colossal force, and there might be hidden powers within as well. Zhong Shan didn't know for sure, but Gu Shentong's grand plan to destroy the Pure Land was audacious and ambitious. This battle would undoubtedly cause upheaval throughout the land. Such a massive movent would trigger widespread chaos, involving the strongest forces of Shenzhou: the four great holy lands and the three major dynasties. The annihilation of one holy land by three dynasties would mobilize half of Shenzhou's powerful forces. The other holy lands would not remain idle; they would certainly take action. This was too shocking! It would lead to countless battles and the fall of many powerful figures.
"May I ask, Your Majesty, will the Taishui Dynasty participate in the battle?" Zhong Shan asked. After all, three dynasties were involved, and the Great Luo and Great Li Dynasties were confird. Could the third be the Taishui Dynasty?
"The three dynasties attacking the Pure Land are the Great Luo Dynasty, the Great Li Dynasty, and the Great Qin Dynasty," Gu Shentong said calmly.
The Great Qin Dynasty? Had Ying already allied with Gu Shentong to destroy the Pure Land together?
"You need not attend morning court sessions anymore. Start mobilizing your troops," Gu Shentong ordered.
"Yes!" Zhong Shan responded imdiately, still in shock.
"You will be in charge of the eastern position, here!" Gu Shentong pointed to the eastern part of the Forbidden Ten Thousand Mountains, near the East Sea.
"Yes, I will ensure no one escapes from the Pure Land. Slay them all!" Zhong Shan accepted the order resolutely.
"Good," Gu Shentong nodded in approval.
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