This year, the biggest event on the Shenzhou mainland was undoubtedly the three great heavenly dynasties' eradication of Elysium.
Elysium, one of the four holy lands of Shenzhou, an entity as transcendent as the heavenly dynasties, had been obliterated not long ago.
Three great heavenly dynasties had encircled and besieged Elysium.
The world still rembered the imposing visage of the first Buddha of Heaven and Earth, Gu Yuan Buddha. Now, it was only a distant mory.
Elysium had been formidable with just two Buddhas. Then a third, Golden Cicada Buddha, appeared, and even a hidden Joyful Buddha. Four Buddhas—what a terrifying existence.
Yet, they were all destroyed. Completely eradicated. None of the four Buddhas survived; all t their end. The outwardly triumphant three great emperors surely suffered so hidden injuries, but who would reveal them?
The Buddhas were annihilated, and the practitioners of Buddhism mourned deeply. Elysium had beco a part of the annals of history.
Elysium had t its nesis.
Zhong Shan, who had always been at the top of Shenzhou's Wind and Cloud Rankings, wasn't invincible in cultivation, but his prominence had never waned over the years. His cleverness led to the downfall of two major dynasties, the introduction of the Elixir of Immortality, which millions paid to witness, the grand spectacle of the Phoenixes singing in unison, the breaking of the Buddha's silent ditation, and finally, his crucial role in the demise of Elysium. Each event pushed Zhong Shan further into the spotlight, to the very peak.
Throughout Shenzhou, almost every major city echoed with Zhong Shan's legends.
History had seen many instances where a nesis threatened only a particular powerful individual or group. Once that group was gone, everything returned to normal without further harm. Therefore, the powerful didn't see Zhong Shan as a personal threat.
Additionally, a new heavenly dynasty was rising rapidly in Shenzhou!
The Great Qin Heavenly Dynasty, with Emperor Ying and its capital in Xianyang, had made a dramatic entrance. Unlike other heavenly dynasties that evolved from kingdoms, empires, and dynasties, the Great Qin Heavenly Dynasty had ascended directly to its status. The other three great heavenly dynasties even ca to congratulate it. The strength of the Great Qin Heavenly Dynasty was undeniable, evident from its role in the siege of Elysium.
Soon after, the Great Qin Heavenly Dynasty announced to the world that the Dragon Clan was now its national beast.
The Dragon Clan? The most powerful beast clan in Shenzhou had submitted to Great Qin.
Since the ascension of Emperor Haotian from the Great Hong Heavenly Dynasty, the Dragon Clan hadn't affiliated with any empire—not because they didn't want to, but because no empire was worthy. Yet now, they had submitted to the Great Qin Heavenly Dynasty.
This demonstrated the formidable power of Emperor Ying.
Moreover, with the fall of one of the four holy lands, only three remained.
The Divine Creation Palace, one of the three holy lands, re-erged after thousands of years of silence.
The Divine Creation Palace announced a new palace master.
The new palace master was "Xuan Yuan," a na many hadn't heard before. But upon examining history, people quickly found Xuan Yuan's records.
He was reputed to be the strongest Emperor Realm cultivator, known for single-handedly annihilating the Bear Clan. Had he broken through to the Celestial Realm?
Thus, the world underwent significant changes.
The leaders of the world now were the four great heavenly dynasties and the three holy lands.
The Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, the Great Li Heavenly Dynasty, the Taishou Heavenly Dynasty, and the Great Qin Heavenly Dynasty.
The Longevity Realm, the Netherworld, and the Divine Creation Palace.
Among the four great heavenly dynasties, the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty was the most powerful.
The ancient holy capital's fortunes surged, subduing five major empires around it, doubling its territory. Now, the neighboring empires along the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty's border dared not make any reckless moves.
Not only was the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty imnsely powerful, but with the public statents from the Great Qin Heavenly Dynasty and the Great Li Heavenly Dynasty, no one dared to make a move. To act against the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty would an declaring war against three major heavenly dynasties. Who would dare?
In the ancient holy capital, Gu Shentong led a triumphant return. The ancient sacred hall held a ceremony to distribute honors and rewards.
"Zhao Zhengbei, commander of the Eighth Corps of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, led the vanguard in the siege of Elysium, contributing greatly to the country. He is conferred the title of First Class Loyal and Brave Marquis and rewarded with 120,000 top-grade spirit stones."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
"Feng Wuji, commander of the Ninth Corps of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, led the vanguard in the siege of Elysium, contributing greatly to the country. He is conferred the title of First Class Xinting Marquis and rewarded with 120,000 top-grade spirit stones."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
The eunuch continued to read the decrees issued by Gu Shentong, promoting and rewarding the ritorious officials one by one.
"Zhong Shan, First Class Duke of the East and Vice Minister of Rites of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, led the vanguard in the siege of Elysium, contributing greatly to the country. He broke Gu Yuan Buddha's Silent ditation, destroyed Golden Cicada Buddha's Seven-colored Buddha Beads, broke the Feng Shui formation of Elysium, and beca the nesis of Elysium. He is awarded a holy robe and five emperor essences."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
Zhong Shan received his rewards with a slight surprise. His contributions in the siege of Elysium were imnse, and everyone knew it. Thus, they listened attentively to his rewards.
A holy robe and five emperor essences?
Upon hearing Zhong Shan's rewards, almost everyone took deep breaths.
A holy robe? What is a holy robe? It is a garnt worn by the Emperor himself. Although it may not have imnse power, it symbolizes status. Wearing the holy robe, one's status is beyond reproach.
As long as he wears the holy robe, no law in the heavenly dynasty can bind him. Even the four crown princes cannot trouble him. The only person who can punish him is Gu Shentong himself. It can be said that in the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, he is second only to the Emperor, above millions. Though not granted any specific authority, the holy robe itself represents the greatest authority.
The Emperor's favor towards Zhong Shan was imnse.
Five emperor essences. Emperor essences are the primordial spirits of Emperor Realm experts. These essences are highly pure energy, paramount in alchemy and artifact crafting.
How many Emperor Realm experts exist in the world? Taking out five essences this ti? Everyone knew these emperor essences were certainly acquired from Elysium, the primordial spirits of five Bodhisattvas.
Zhong Shan understood clearly. While others might value the holy robe more, Zhong Shan valued the emperor essences. The primordial spirits of Emperor Realm experts were exactly what he desired most.
Gu Shentong must have known that Zhong Shan had previously refined Bodhisattva Piaoxiang's primordial spirit, which is why he intentionally left these essences for him.
Zhong Shan felt silently grateful.
In the Eastern Residence.
Zhong Shan returned with his rewards, and his subordinates all congratulated him.
"Wu Shuang, you stay and lead the Zhong Family Army. Wuhen, co with on a mission," Zhong Shan instructed.
"Yes!" everyone responded imdiately.
Although Shui Wuhen was puzzled, he did not question.
Everyone knew that Zhong Shan had another plan when he requested leave from the Emperor.
Leaving Zhi Huo, Qing Hong, and Liu Wushuang to guard the Eastern Residence, Zhong Shan took Mr. Corpse, Lin Xiao, and Shui Wuhen with him. They departed the day after they returned.
Gu Shentong's plan to create a new world had spread widely, with everyone aware of the news. However, very few truly understood what creating a new world entailed.
Leaving the ancient holy capital, Zhong Shan led his three companions swiftly towards Tianlang Island.
"Mr. Corpse, now that we've left the ancient holy capital, explain what 'opening the heavens and creating the earth' ans," Zhong Shan asked directly.
Lin Xiao and Shui Wuhen looked at Mr. Corpse curiously.
"Yes," Mr. Corpse replied promptly. "To explain the concept of 'opening the heavens and creating the earth,' we must start with our world and the so-called Immortal Realm. You all probably believe that our current location is the mortal realm, right?"
"Correct, we are in the mortal realm. Those who beco immortals ascend to the Immortal Realm," Lin Xiao nodded.
Mr. Corpse shook his head.
"And what about the underworld?" Mr. Corpse asked.
"There are three realms: the Immortal Realm, the Mortal Realm, and the Underworld," Shui Wuhen answered, sharing his knowledge.
"No, in reality, there is only one realm," Mr. Corpse said suddenly.
"Oh?" The group was slightly surprised.
"Generally speaking, it's called the 'Great Thousand World,'" Mr. Corpse explained.
"The Great Thousand World?"
"Yes, the Great Thousand World is divided into two parts: the Yang World and the Yin World," Mr. Corpse elaborated.
The group listened attentively.
"The Great Thousand World is the main entity. Within it, there are three thousand small worlds. Our world is one of these enclosed small worlds," Mr. Corpse clarified.
"You an this world is a small world? And the so-called Immortal Realm, where people go after becoming immortals, is the Great Thousand World?" Lin Xiao frowned.
"Correct. In the small world, becoming an immortal is extrely difficult. But once soone achieves it, the small world rejects them, expelling them into the Great Thousand World. This is what is known as ascending to immortality," Mr. Corpse explained.
"So what does 'opening the heavens and creating the earth' an?" Shui Wuhen asked, frowning.
"Opening the heavens and creating the earth is an extraordinary feat. It involves using great power, fortune, or rit to forcibly break open a small world and integrate it into the Great Thousand World," Mr. Corpse explained.
"Forcibly break open? Integrate into the Great Thousand World?" Shui Wuhen was astonished.
"Gu Shentong intends to take this entire world with him as he ascends?" Lin Xiao also frowned in surprise. This news was shocking.
"Yes, if he succeeds in opening the heavens and creating the earth, this small world will beco part of the Great Thousand World. It can indeed be seen as taking the entire world along in his ascension, or rather, bringing the entire world into the Great Thousand World," Mr. Corpse said with a smile.
"Furthermore, if Gu Shentong succeeds, the entire Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty will also be elevated. It will be blessed by the heavens, its fortune will soar, and its cosmic status will increase. Gu Shentong will then have the sa cosmic status as a Buddha in the Great Thousand World. Although his power may not increase imdiately, his status will be equal to that of a Buddha," Mr. Corpse continued.
Zhong Shan took a deep breath. Indeed, it was unbelievable. Gu Shentong had great ambitions. Not content with ruling a heavenly dynasty, he aid for even more.
"Of course, opening the heavens and creating the earth is extrely difficult. It's not sothing an ordinary heavenly dynasty's emperor can achieve. Even ordinary immortals don't have the confidence to succeed. Gu Shentong's chances of success are less than one percent," Mr. Corpse sighed.
"I've heard from Qianyou that Gu Shentong has had the power to confront heavenly tribulation and beco an immortal for four thousand years, but he has delayed it for this very purpose," Zhong Shan pondered.
"Four thousand years? Even after four thousand years, his chances of success are still less than one percent," Mr. Corpse confird emphatically.
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