"You think I handled the Dragon Clan matter well?" Hao ili asked, smugly.
"Well? Very well!"
Hearing Zhong Shan's praise, Hao ili was imnsely satisfied, her face full of pride.
"However, half a year ago, I found the last piece for you as well!" Zhong Shan smiled.
"The last piece? The last piece of what?" Hao ili was puzzled.
"Give your storage bracelet," Zhong Shan said.
With a mysterious deanor, Zhong Shan placed his storage bracelet next to Hao ili's delicate golden bracelet. Instantly, the contents transferred to Hao ili's bracelet.
Checking the contents, Hao ili's eyes lit up in surprise. "You really found it?"
"The last eleven Immortal Steles, they're complete now!" Zhong Shan smiled.
Hao ili looked at Zhong Shan with a mix of admiration and complexity.
"I used to think that if I were strong enough, I could take back everything by force. But the old man taught a lot, and I realized that many things can't be taken by brute strength alone. The Immortal Steles, scattered across Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty, Da Li Heavenly Dynasty, Taishui Heavenly Dynasty, Netherworld, Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, and the Longevity World—you managed to find them all. You're really sothing else!" Hao ili said, a bit dejected.
Clearly, Hao ili felt psychological pressure knowing Zhong Shan was more capable than she was.
"I'm a man, so of course, I need to be strong!" Zhong Shan chuckled.
Hao ili looked at Zhong Shan, then, seemingly accepting the fact, said, "Alright, let's say you're the best."
"Good!"
"Last ti, I ntioned that as long as I could avenge the old man, I would give you the Immortal Steles. Now, all one hundred and eight pieces are here, just the perfect gift for you!" Hao ili suddenly said.
Shaking his head, Zhong Shan replied, "This was passed down from your ancestors. You should keep it. Besides, from the person we captured from the Great Thousand World, we learned that the forr Holy Emperor Haotian is also back, seemingly waiting to retrieve the Immortal Steles after the sky is opened."
"Haotian? I don't care if he dies!" Hao ili said disdainfully.
Zhong Shan: "..."
"One hundred and eight Immortal Steles—I will keep my word. If I said I'd give them to you, I will. And once you know their use, you won't want to give them up either," Hao ili smiled.
"Oh?"
"These one hundred and eight Immortal Steles are not from this world."
"Not from this world?"
"Yes, that person, my ancestor Haotian, actually ca from the Great Thousand World. He established an empire in this small thousand world, intending to open the sky. The Immortal Steles were brought here to deal with the aftermath of opening the sky. Unfortunately, his luck ran out, and before he could open the sky, Ao Lie was forced to ascend by Di Xuanhua, so he had to ascend alone. Fearing the Immortal Steles would be discovered in the Great Thousand World, he left them here, knowing the people of the small thousand world wouldn't recognize them," Hao ili explained.
"To deal with the aftermath of opening the sky?" Zhong Shan was surprised.
"These one hundred and eight Immortal Steles are actually treasures of the Wu Clan, and each one is a legendary 'Great Immortal Artifact,'" Hao ili said.
"Each one is a 'Great Immortal Artifact'?" Zhong Shan was astonished.
"Yes, each one is. But they are useless on their own!" Hao ili added.
"Uh, what do you an?" Zhong Shan was puzzled. Great Immortal Artifacts being useless?
"The Immortal Steles have only one purpose, and that purpose requires all one hundred and eight pieces to manifest their effect."
"Oh?"
"The Immortal Steles are actually 'Boundary Steles' crafted by the Wu Clan to guard the four corners of an empire," Hao ili explained.
"Boundary Steles?"
"Within the range of the Boundary Steles, an 'Immortal World' is ford. No one below the level of a Great Immortal can step inside."
No one below the level of a Great Immortal can step inside?
Zhong Shan's pupils contracted sharply. No one below the level of a Great Immortal can step inside? This was the ultimate barrier, and completely controllable?
"Tempted, aren't you?" Hao ili smiled.
Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan nodded, "A priceless treasure indeed!"
"Of course, otherwise, how could I, Hao ili, part with it? I'm giving you this treasure, so in the future, if I need your help, you must agree," Hao ili imdiately added.
"When have I not helped you?" Zhong Shan laughed.
"The past is the past, what if you refuse in the future? I want you to swear," Hao ili's face turned serious.
Zhong Shan broke out in a slight cold sweat. Swearing? To others, it might not matter much, but to swear to Hao ili, one had to be cautious. She was practically the embodint of oaths. If you dared break your vow, you'd be in deep trouble.
"If you give the Immortal Steles, what if Haotian cos after us later...?" Zhong Shan tried to change the subject.
"Haotian? He is he, and I am I. We don't have much of a relationship, and I couldn't care less about him. Swear now! At least promise three things!" Hao ili insisted.
"Fine, as long as it doesn't go against my principles, I promise to fulfill three of your requests," Zhong Shan conceded after thinking for a mont.
In truth, it wasn't so much about swearing or not. Hao ili's background made her dominant exterior mask a heart lacking a sense of security. Making Zhong Shan swear was just a way to gain so assurance. And as long as it didn't violate his principles, Zhong Shan didn't mind indulging her whims.
"Alright then!" Hao ili bead with joy.
Ten years later, in the underworld.
The Great Zhen army advanced strongly northwards. The area that once housed the Hell of Ten Thousand Fathoms had long beco territory of the Great Zhen Dynasty.
The imnse Yellow Springs Sea, along with the Yellow Springs Road, had been entirely devoured by Kong Xuan.
At the forr site of the Yellow Springs Sea, Zhong Shan, Yi Yan, Shui Jing, and others observed the vast passageway.
"The passage between the two realms. It's been ten years, Your Majesty. Kong Xuan devoured the Yellow Springs Road ten years ago, yet this passage remains this large?" Shui Jing frowned.
Wang Ku looked at it and said, "It won't close unless the heavens and earth are recreated. When the small thousand world descends into the Great Thousand World, it will have to close."
"But how is Kong Xuan's recovery? According to Prince Zhong Xuan, it will take a century for Kong Xuan to heal. Will he need the full hundred years?" Shui Jing asked, frowning.
"Indeed, if Kong Xuan's injuries heal, he will certainly cause trouble for the Great Zhen Dynasty again. Next ti, it might be even more challenging than before," Yi Yan sighed.
"No use worrying for now. Let's focus on securing what we can. How much longer until the underworld is unified?" Zhong Shan asked seriously.
"Forty years. In forty years, the underworld will be unified!" Shui Jing stated firmly.
"Very well, I give you forty years!" Zhong Shan declared.
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