In the Yang Realm, the Great Zong Empire established itself as the dominant power in the southern part of Shenzhou. Right after its foundation, it had already crushed four major imperial dynasties, a feat unprecedented in history. The appearance of the nineteen-clawed golden dragon of fortune shocked the world. The four celestial dynasties ca to congratulate it, making the Great Zong the most powerful imperial dynasty in the south.
Its vast territory was larger than half of an average celestial dynasty's domain.
Initially, the surrounding imperial dynasties were worried that the Great Zong would continue its expansion, but after its establishnt, Emperor Zhongshan seed to lose his ambition and gradually beca silent.
As the Great Zong beca quiet, the neighboring imperial dynasties also refrained from provoking it. Thus, the Great Zong entered a period of peace and reorganization.
With its vast territory to assimilate and countless people to appease, nurous sects, including the Great Ming Sect, had to be visited. The Great Zong entered a golden age, holding imperial examinations to select talented individuals.
Although the Great Zong remained silent, the fortune on the Celestial Pavilion continued to increase, making it the most spectacular sight in the empire.
While everything developed in an orderly manner in the Yang Realm, Zhongshan's shadow body in Changjing of the Yin Realm received an unusual intelligence report from the outside world.
In Zhongshan's study, Zhongshan pondered with his eyes closed, while Gu Qianyou read the report.
After reading it, Gu Qianyou frowned.
"Soone deliberately released this information?" Gu Qianyou frowned.
"The Qilin possesses the Earth Book. The functions of the Earth Book have been detailed and made known to the world. Now, countless people in the Yin Realm are eyeing the Earth Book," Gu Qianyou continued.
"Yes, the person who spread this information has malicious intentions. The Qilin left this small world, but the Earth Book was left behind by the immortal Nangong Sheng," Zhongshan said, taking a deep breath.
"By spreading this news to the world, he aims to incite nurous strong individuals to fight for it. Ordinary strong individuals cannot contend for it; only large factions can. He wants to borrow a knife to kill? Let major factions fight for the Earth Book, and then he will seize it back? Could the mastermind behind this also be a powerful faction?"
"You're right. If this person doesn't have a powerful faction behind him, he must be a lunatic!" Zhongshan nodded.
"Nangong Sheng? He's an immortal, but facing the allure of the Earth Book, countless supre experts will undoubtedly gather. It will be a grand battlefield. Do you want to go?" Gu Qianyou bit her lip and looked at Zhongshan.
"Of course!" Zhongshan affird.
Seeing Zhongshan's determination, Gu Qianyou felt a twinge of disappointnt but nodded. "Alright, you should go. I'll watch over the Great Zong here!"
Seeing the disappointnt in Gu Qianyou's eyes, Zhongshan showed a gentle smile, stroking her hair. "Co with !"
With his keen eyes, Zhongshan noticed Gu Qianyou's disappointnt. Gu Qianyou had always been a free-spirited woman, never bound by constraints. Even in the past at the Da Luo Celestial Dynasty, she road the world, always seeking adventure. She was a woman who couldn't stay idle, but for Zhongshan's sake, she willingly stayed in Changjing. This showed how deep her love for him was.
"But if we both leave, what about the Great Zong?" Gu Qianyou shook her head.
"It's decided. You go prepare, and we depart tomorrow!" Zhongshan said firmly.
Seeing Zhongshan's resolve, Gu Qianyou smiled excitedly. "Alright."
Zhongshan summoned his subordinates.
Before him stood Lin Xiao, Yan Chongzhi, Mr. Corpse, Xianxian, and Old Wine.
"Lin Xiao, you and Yan Chongzhi will stay and guard the dynasty!" Zhongshan ordered directly.
"Yes!" the two imdiately responded.
"Your Majesty, the sudden elevation of our dynasty to an empire has caused great consternation among the surrounding imperial dynasties. My subordinates have apprehended many spies. If Your Majesty is absent for an extended period, how should we handle this situation?" Lin Xiao asked Zhongshan.
Yan Chongzhi also nodded in agreent.
"I grant you military authority. If any imperial dynasty dares to attack, fight! Fight! Fight!" Zhongshan said, handing over a tiger talisman, his eyes shining with determination.
Fight! Fight! Fight!
The three consecutive declarations of battle made Yan Chongzhi's eyebrows twitch. What did His Majesty an? Did he want to not only repel any attackers but also take the fight to their territory? To destroy another imperial dynasty? That seed too audacious!
Lin Xiao stepped forward without hesitation, fully supporting Zhongshan's words.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. If others do not provoke us, we will not provoke them. But if they dare to offend us, I will annihilate their entire dynasty!" Lin Xiao declared firmly.
"Good!" Zhongshan solemnly handed the tiger talisman to Lin Xiao.
It wasn't that Zhongshan acted recklessly, but the situation necessitated such asures. In the Yang Realm, the Great Zong Empire had made a na for itself. However, in the Yin Realm, its fa was still too small. As a newly established empire, it had yet to command significant respect. Who would bother to rember the nas of the leaders of the world's top 500 companies during Zhongshan's youth on Earth?
Over the years, Zhongshan's primary focus had been dispatching people to find Yinglan, his master and mistress, and his most cherished love, Kui'er.
Finding Yinglan alone was a daunting task for Wei Taizhong, with little hope of success. This small thousand-world was vast, comparable in size to the solar system Zhongshan knew in his youth. Searching for soone in such an expanse was like finding a needle in a haystack—no, more like finding a speck of dust in the ocean. It was impossible.
Zhongshan had dispatched many subordinates to search, but it was still a needle in a haystack. The only solution was to make his na known far and wide.
If the whole world knew him, those he sought might co to find him instead.
Thus, in the Yin Realm, Zhongshan did not plan to lie low as he did in the Yang Realm.
To beco famous, I want the world to know.
Although Lin Xiao and Yan Chongzhi didn't fully understand Zhongshan's intentions, they had no qualms about following his commands.
"You know our purpose for this expedition, right?" Zhongshan asked.
"For the Earth Book!" Xianxian imdiately shouted.
Zhongshan smiled and shook his head.
"The Earth Book? It's not that easy to obtain. We have three main objectives on this trip: first, to make a na for ourselves; second, to recruit extraordinary talents; and third, the most important, to ensure safety!" Zhongshan said.
"Safety?" Xianxian pouted. What kind of objective was that?
Gu Qianyou, who had a good relationship with Xianxian, explained, "The Earth Book is in the hands of Nangong Sheng, an immortal. You can imagine how powerful Immortal Nangong Sheng is. Those who dare to compete for the Earth Book are not ordinary people. When the ti cos, there will be countless strong experts. Even the slightest fallout from their battles could turn us to dust. Unless you don't want to go, safety must be the top priority!"
"Oh!" Xianxian's brows furrowed as she digested Gu Qianyou's words.
"However, with Old Wine with us, we shouldn't encounter much danger," Zhongshan said, looking at Old Wine.
Old Wine, lazily touching his red nose, responded, "Don't worry. As long as you follow my lead, there won't be any problems."
"Shapo needs to co along?" Xianxian imdiately asked.
"No need. Shapo must guard the 'Yin-Yang Hall' without fail. Besides, the five of us are enough," Zhongshan affird.
"Oh!"
Thus, the team was decided: Zhongshan, Gu Qianyou, Xianxian, Mr. Corpse, and Old Wine—five in total.
The next day, after arranging matters in court, Zhongshan led the four out of Changjing, rapidly heading towards the source of the ssage.
On the way:
"We've been flying for twenty days now. How much further to the 'Blood Sea of Turbulence'? Why did Nangong Sheng have to go so far?" Xianxian complained after twenty days of monotonous flight.
"Pfft, you can't handle just twenty days?" Gu Qianyou teased.
"Of course not. But flying continuously without rest for twenty days is uncomfortable," Xianxian shook her head.
"We're almost there, another ten days at most," Zhongshan said.
"Another ten days?" Xianxian cried out in dismay.
Seeing Xianxian's reaction, the others couldn't help but relax a bit.
"Old Wine, what is your relationship with the Tian family?" Zhongshan suddenly asked Old Wine.
"Nothing, no relationship at all!" Old Wine hastily replied.
"No relationship? Why are you nervous?" Xianxian quickly picked up on the situation.
"Who's nervous?" Old Wine retorted.
"Really no relationship?" Zhongshan asked with a smile.
"Of course not!" Old Wine insisted.
"Good, because I believe the Tian family won't stay idle regarding the Earth Book. They'll surely send soone. I hope you won't suddenly have 'sothing else to do' then," Zhongshan said teasingly.
"What? The Tian family will be involved?" Old Wine's eyes widened.
"With such a significant event, how could the Tian family not be involved?" Gu Qianyou added.
Old Wine's expression changed rapidly, showing regret and helplessness. Looking at Zhongshan, Old Wine sighed.
"Sigh, Yan Chongzhi ntioned this, but I didn't believe him. It seems I can't hide anything from you!" Old Wine said with a bitter smile.
Xianxian stared at Old Wine, wondering what other secrets this old drunkard held.
"Spit it out. I can handle it accordingly," Zhongshan said, fixing his gaze on Old Wine.
Mr. Corpse also looked at Old Wine warily. Having pledged his loyalty to Zhongshan, Mr. Corpse prioritized Zhongshan's safety above all else.
"In truth, my surna is also 'Tian'," Old Wine admitted with a bitter smile.
"What? Old Wine, you're part of the Tian family?" Xianxian exclaid in surprise.
Old Wine nodded and smiled bitterly. "I'm a mber of the Tian family, but the Tian family would never recognize ."
"Oh?"
"My father was a direct descendant of the Tian family. Unfortunately, he fell in love with my mother, an enemy of the Tian family, and I was the result of their union," Old Wine explained.
"A bastard?" Xianxian repeated.
Hearing this, Old Wine, who was reminiscing about his sorrowful past, felt a surge of emotions. He glanced at Xianxian with a hint of frustration but knew he couldn't bla her for his own loose tongue.
"My parents were both executed by the Tian family in the na of righteousness, leaving only . The Tian family considers a disgrace, and every mber of the Tian family is obliged to kill on sight," Old Wine continued.
From Old Wine's words, Zhongshan quickly discerned that there were lies mixed with truths. However, he chose not to expose them and simply nodded.
"Don't worry, I'll try my best to keep you from eting the Tian family," Zhongshan assured him.
"Thank you," Old Wine said, deeply moved.
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