On this day, in the mortal realm, within the Dazhen Dynasty's capital of Xuankong, in the imperial harem, Gan Baobao held an invitation card adorned with a dragon and a tiger. Her brows were furrowed, as if she was contemplating sothing deeply.
"What is this?" Zhong Shan asked.
Gan Baobao handed the invitation to Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan took it and after a mont, a trace of confusion appeared on his face.
"The Great Alchemy Gathering?" Zhong Shan frowned.
"Yes, it is a once-in-a-millennium alchemy competition organized by all the sects focused on alchemy. This gathering attracts most of the powerful alchemy sects from all over Shenzhou. They participate to compete for the title of 'Alchemist Saint'," Baobao explained.
"Alchemist Saint?" Zhong Shan found it sowhat peculiar.
"This invitation is from the Dragon and Tiger Alchemist Saint, inviting our Tai Dan Sect to the Blue Fla Empire to compete with the world's best alchemists," Baobao said.
"Blue Fla Empire? What's their relationship with this Dragon and Tiger Alchemist Saint?" Zhong Shan inquired with a frown.
"The Dragon and Tiger Alchemist Saint is a forr mber of the Blue Fla Empire's royal family. For three consecutive terms, he has won the title of 'Alchemist Saint' and now oversees the 'Eternal Saint Platform'," Baobao explained.
"Eternal Saint Platform?"
"Yes, it is the most treasured item in the alchemy world. It belongs to no one, and there is a universal rule that whoever holds the title of Alchemist Saint gains control of the Eternal Saint Platform. Even the various celestial dynasties and holy lands abide by this rule. Anyone attempting to seize it by force would face collective retribution from the celestial dynasties and holy lands," Baobao elaborated.
"What is the purpose of the Eternal Saint Platform?" Zhong Shan asked.
"It gathers and purifies the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for the person on the platform. With it, the success rate of alchemy increases significantly, and the quality of the elixirs improves. Over ti, even the alchemy furnaces can be upgraded. Cultivators can also advance their practice much faster on the platform. There are many benefits, but I'm not entirely sure of all of them. I only know that the Eternal Saint Platform is a sacred object in the world of alchemy," Baobao said.
Elixirs? Zhong Shan understood the importance of elixirs to the dynasty. Every dynasty had its alchemy departnt, not only to provide divine elixirs for the breakthroughs of the strong but also to supply healing pills for the army. Without such support, why would soldiers risk their lives in battle?
A dynasty operates as a system; soldiers need not worry about crafting weapons or alchemy. They follow orders and receive rewards, which save them ti and provide them with benefits, including longevity and increased cultivation. Thus, elixirs are essential to the operation of any dynasty.
The ntion of the Eternal Saint Platform piqued Zhong Shan's interest, sensing its imnse potential.
"Do you want to go?" Zhong Shan asked Baobao.
"Yes, I want to go!" Baobao replied firmly after a mont of thought.
"Then let's go. We will go together," Zhong Shan said with a smile.
"You too, my lord?" Baobao was surprised.
After all, Xuankong needed Zhong Shan's presence. What would happen if he left?
"It's fine. Xuankong is on Heavenly Wolf Island. Who would dare cause trouble? Not only will I go, but Ling'er and Qianyou will co too. It's been a long ti since we went out, so let's consider this a chance to get so fresh air," Zhong Shan said with a smile.
"Alright!" Baobao nodded.
Since Zhong Shan had decided, Baobao didn't object further.
When Ling'er learned of the news, she was overjoyed and eagerly packed her things, ready to set off early.
Zhong Shan's group consisted of ten people: Zhong Shan, Bao'er, Ling'er, Qianyou, A'da, A'er, Zhihuo, Qinghong, and two wolf generals. Except for Bao'er and Ling'er, everyone else was at the Emperor Extre Realm, making the group's combat power exceptionally strong. Such a lineup could probably only be assembled by the Dazhen Dynasty among the world's many dynasties.
With their direction set, the group embarked on their journey.
The Blue Fla Empire, located in the western part of Shenzhou and near the Taishui Celestial Dynasty, was far from Heavenly Wolf Island. Thus, the group set out early, knowing they still had three years until the Great Alchemy Gathering. Along the way, they combined travel with sightseeing.
Despite Zhong Shan's outwardly relaxed deanor, Ancient Qianyou sensed the weight on his mind.
Two and a half years later, they were close to the Blue Fla Empire. One day, they stopped in a valley, setting up their palace seats and other items to rest temporarily.
Having just caught so rare birds and exotic beasts, Bao'er personally cooked for Zhong Shan, while Ling'er, out of curiosity, helped Bao'er in the kitchen, learning how to prepare the dishes. The others guarded the area, ensuring no one disturbed them.
Zhong Shan sat at a stone table, watching the two won busying themselves, smiling.
Qianyou brewed a pot of tea for Zhong Shan and poured him a cup.
"What are you thinking about?" Qianyou asked softly, handing over the tea.
Zhong Shan shook his head, smiling as he took the cup without saying much.
"Are you thinking about Sister Kui'er?" Qianyou asked.
Upon hearing this, Zhong Shan's hand trembled slightly. Although the movent was subtle, Qianyou noticed it, and a ripple appeared in the tea.
"Yes," Zhong Shan nodded, not denying it.
A flash of envy crossed Qianyou's eyes. She knew that, above all, the most important woman in Zhong Shan's heart was his first wife, Wei Kui'er, who had died. Wei Kui'er was killed by the Crown Prince of the Taishui Celestial Dynasty, and the Taishui Celestial Dynasty was very close to the Blue Fla Empire. How could Zhong Shan not think of this as they neared the Blue Fla Empire?
Since eting Zhong Shan, he had never spoken of the Taishui Celestial Dynasty or the Crown Prince. This silence spoke volus about the imnse hatred he harbored.
"What are you going to do?" Qianyou asked, showing a trace of worry.
Zhong Shan gave a bitter smile and looked at Qianyou. "Don't worry, now is not the ti for to act. Besides, Kui'er wouldn't want to throw my life away."
"Okay," Qianyou nodded, moving behind Zhong Shan to gently massage his shoulders.
Despite being a task for servants, Qianyou perford the massage with great skill because the person she was massaging was her beloved. Even the strongest person has a vulnerable side, and Qianyou knew this particular wound in Zhong Shan's heart, continuously soothing it with her gentleness.
Zhong Shan closed his eyes, enjoying Qianyou's tender care.
"Boom!"
A loud explosion ca from outside the valley.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
A series of squeaks followed.
"Get out!"
Zhihuo's angry voice echoed from outside the valley.
The angry voice of the wolf general Zhihuo could be heard, driving away the monkeys.
"Take your followers and leave from another direction! Get lost!" Zhihuo shouted again.
Zhong Shan opened his eyes, and Gu Qianyou also looked surprised. Their divine senses detected that the incoming monkeys were not just a few dozen, but thousands. The monkeys were quite powerful, with the strongest ones reaching the Integration Stage and towering up to forty ters tall. However, Zhihuo, being a wolf general, wouldn't be intimidated by these Integration Stage monkeys.
Zhihuo's task was to keep watch and ensure that no outsiders disturbed the Emperor.
In front of Zhihuo, more and more monkeys gathered, glaring at him with anger. Leading them were six Integration Stage Long-Ard Ape Monkeys, each wielding a huge stick, appearing ready to command the entire troop to battle against Zhihuo.
"Anyone who steps forward will die!" Zhihuo said impatiently.
Five of the Integration Stage monkeys seed eager to attack, but the tallest one in the center waved its hand, causing all the monkeys to halt. The monkey stared intensely at Zhihuo for a mont. anwhile, several more people flew out from the valley.
Upon seeing the newcors, the tallest monkey waved its hand again. The monkeys reluctantly screeched a few tis before following the lead monkey and bypassing the valley, heading west.
Zhong Shan, having been alerted, naturally ca out to see what was happening.
Seeing the army of nearly ten thousand monkeys depart, Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow. Monkeys?
"Bao'er, let's do it another day. Let's go and take a look," Zhong Shan said to Bao'er below.
"It's already done. Why not eat while we go?" Bao'er suggested hopefully.
"Yes, Sister and I worked hard to prepare this al," Ling'er added, looking aggrieved.
Seeing the two won's disappointed expressions, Zhong Shan smiled wryly. "Alright, pack it into the palace. We'll continue our al as we follow the monkeys."
"Yes!" Zhihuo responded imdiately.
With nurous Emperor Extre Realm experts, transporting a palace through the sky was an easy task.
A small white cloud supported the palace from below, carefully and steadily following the monkey troop from a distance.
Inside the palace, Zhong Shan tasted the dishes prepared by the two won.
The monkey troop moved westward, entering the territory of the Blue Fla Empire.
Two days later, the monkeys encountered a scene of nurous red monkey corpses scattered on the ground, igniting their fury. They raised their clubs and began searching the area.
"Wretched beasts, we've been waiting for you!" a loud voice echoed from a nearby valley.
A man dressed in white, with hair flowing behind him and wielding a silver-white spear, stepped out from the valley. His battle intent was palpable even from afar.
Behind the man, ten more people, each holding a spear, erged from the valley. They eyed the approaching monkeys coldly. Unlike the white-robed man, they were covered in bloodstains. However, their eyes revealed an unyielding spirit, a defiance of heaven and earth, and a loyalty to the white-robed man.
"By the Emperor's order, we are to exterminate all demon monkeys of the Blue Fla Empire. Leave now, or today will be your death day."
"Roar!"
The lead monkey let out an enraged roar. It understood that the countless monkey corpses on the ground were the work of these people. Waving its club, it commanded the monkeys to charge at the white-robed man.
At the command, thousands of monkeys surged forward like a tidal wave.
"You all stand down. I alone am enough!" the white-robed man said arrogantly.
With a flourish of his spear, he pointed it directly at the army of monkeys.
From high above, Zhong Shan watched the scene unfold. When he saw the white-robed man step out of the valley, his mouth dropped open in astonishnt.
Zhao Suoxiang!
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