Chapter 878: Chapter 878: The Sage Descends
The Holy King of Great Unity had left, and the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect watched him intently.
"The Holy King of Great Unity, truly a cunning old fox, fleeing so quickly!" the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect said in a deep voice.
"Huh?" Chess Sage Chimei raised an eyebrow.
"I wasn't talking about you!" the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect said, slightly exasperated.
"Master, didn't the Holy King of Great Unity leave because he was shrouded in bad omens? What did you mean by your previous words?" Cheng Baiyi asked in confusion.
"You'll understand soon enough!" the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect shook his head, not explaining further.
Turning around, the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect surveyed the other people.
At this moment, Sima Qing, standing behind the Holy King of the Primordial Era, was glaring coldly at Zhong Shan. He had seen Zhong Shan take the Five-Colored Divine Stone but couldn't speak of it now, only feeling extremely puzzled.
The Five-Colored Divine Stone, such a precious treasure, where had Zhong Shan hidden it? In a storage space? Impossible, it couldn't be stored there. So why couldn't his divine sense detect it?
After surveying the crowd, the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect's gaze returned to Zhong Shan.
The moment he saw Zhong Shan, the Leader's pupils contracted, and his face twitched slightly.
Although this change was subtle, it caught the attention of many, causing a significant number of the tens of thousands of spectators to turn and look at Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan frowned slightly.
"Congratulations, Zhong Shan! How long has it been? Your cultivation has broken through again?" The Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect said with great conflict.
Chess Sage Chimei looked at Zhong Shan, his face showing a trace of oddity.
Celestial Immortal Seventh Heaven? Before the emergence of Ghost Carriage, wasn't Zhong Shan at Celestial Immortal Fifth Heaven? How had he suddenly reached Celestial Immortal Seventh Heaven? He's a prodigy!
Everyone knew that cultivation became increasingly difficult the further one progressed, with each stage blocking countless practitioners. Zhong Shan's progress, with his seemingly mediocre roots, was unprecedented. It wasn't just about becoming an immortal; even stepping onto the path of cultivation had been extremely challenging for him. Yet his cultivation had increased so quickly!
It was too unreasonable! No wonder the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect was so conflicted.
The Holy King of the Primordial Era also looked at Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan's rapid increase in cultivation shocked everyone.
"The Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect wouldn't kill a Celestial Immortal just because of this, would he?" Zhong Shan asked with a faint smile.
Zhong Shan's words were blunt, extremely blunt. Yet this bluntness strangely silenced the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect. He had indeed considered eliminating Zhong Shan at the budding stage. After all, Zhong Shan was different from others; although he lacked strength, he held a significant position. If it were an ordinary cultivator, the Leader wouldn't care, but Zhong Shan was a Holy King.
The concept of a Holy King was extraordinary. It forced the Leader to ponder deeply.
Kill? After Zhong Shan's blunt statement, Chess Sage Chimei frowned slightly, while the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect's expression subtly changed.
"Perhaps it's possible," the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect said with a smile.
This statement could be a joke or a fact, ambiguous but cautionary.
"Woo-woo～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～!"
Suddenly, the sound of ghostly wailing filled the air. The tens of thousands of spectators who had been about to leave stopped in their tracks, looking in astonishment at the center of the black gas.
It was the seal of Ghost Carriage, from which came the eerie sounds of ghostly wails and divine howls, extremely grating to the ears.
Was there something else in the seal?
"Is there another monstrous bird below?" Princess Nine-Tails exclaimed in surprise.
"Bang!"
A grotesque creature suddenly leaped out from the seal. Zhong Shan's eyebrows raised in recognition.
A Heaven Ghost!
This creature, once created by Corpse Master using countless ghosts condensed from immortal corpses, still existed beneath the seal?
The Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect also focused intently on the emerging Heaven Ghost. He extended a finger, and a beam of purple light shot towards the Heaven Ghost.
"Bang!" The Heaven Ghost was instantly pierced by the purple light and dissipated into smoke.
Yet, the sounds of ghostly wails and divine howls continued, as if many more of these creatures were waiting within the seal.
"Chess Sage Chimei, what are those things?" Su Afo asked in confusion.
"They are likely spirits and monsters condensed from evil energy, malevolent energy, and ghostly qi. Ghost Carriage's playthings," Chess Sage Chimei explained.
"I want to take a look!" Princess Nine-Tails said excitedly.
Being at the Grand Immortal level, Princess Nine-Tails was confident that these spirits wouldn't be able to harm her, hence her curiosity.
"No!" Chess Sage Chimei quickly stopped her.
"Why not?"
"Someone else is coming. We should wait," Chess Sage Chimei shook his head.
"Someone else? Who?" Princess Nine-Tails asked in surprise.
"Boom～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～!"
At that moment, the clouds above suddenly cleared, revealing an infinitely clear sky. A massive pillar of white light descended from the heavens, shining brilliantly as if reaching the stars. The light enveloped one of the spectators.
Zhong Shan had noticed this group earlier; most of them had the cultivation level of Earth Immortals. The white light directly enveloped one individual among them, sending out a powerful aura that scattered the surrounding Earth Immortals.
That area became incredibly spacious as the white light slowly disappeared, revealing a gray figure.
Chapter 53: Zhuangzi's Sword Debate
With the departure of the first Sage's divine sense, the other two Sages exchanged glances, ignoring the 'ants' around them. They nodded at each other, their bodies emitting white light as they soared into the sky.
The two individuals whose bodies had been occupied by the Sages fell into the sea below.
All the Sages left, except for Zhuang Zhou, who remained.
Zhuang Zhou turned away from the seal, scanning the surroundings.
"Master of Qingqiu, Taichu pays respect to Elder Zhuangzi!" the Holy King of the Primordial Era bowed slightly to Zhuang Zhou.
This bow was peculiar; traditionally, a Holy King only bowed to Heaven, Earth, and Sages, yet he bowed to Zhuang Zhou, who was not a Sage.
"Qingqiu?" Zhuangzi nodded in acknowledgment.
Zhuangzi did not put on airs, returning a slight bow as a sign of respect for Qingqiu.
Zhong Shan observed the two curiously.
"Actually, Zhuangzi has deep ties with Qingqiu, which is why we hoped he would become a Sage. Unfortunately..." Princess Nine-Tails whispered to Zhong Shan.
Zhong Shan nodded in understanding.
"Was this conflict over Lady Nüwa's relic?" Zhuangzi asked calmly.
"Yes, unfortunately, the Five-Colored Divine Stone is missing," the Holy King of the Primordial Era replied.
Zhuangzi shook his head and said, "Daji's schemes are boundless, but she shouldn't have done this. Whether the Five-Colored Divine Stone is found or not, it makes no difference. Why cling to it? Drawing so much attention was unnecessary, though at least no major disaster occurred."
"But...?" The Holy King of the Primordial Era asked, puzzled.
"Don't bother searching for the Five-Colored Divine Stone. Announce to the world that I have taken it," Zhuangzi said calmly.
Huh? Zhong Shan, standing at a distance, was slightly taken aback. When did Zhuangzi take the Five-Colored Divine Stone? It was clearly swallowed by the Eight Extremities Heavenly Tail. What is Zhuangzi doing? Is he covering for me? No, Zhuangzi claiming the Five-Colored Divine Stone's whereabouts is to quickly dispel the powerful figures of the Ao Lai Sea.
But why? Why is Zhuangzi doing this?
Looking at Zhuangzi, the Holy King of the Primordial Era nodded and said, "Understood."
"Good."
"Elder, who is the new Sage this time?" the Holy King of the Primordial Era asked.
After the question, nearly everyone turned their attention to Zhuangzi. Yes, who became the new Sage? Many had speculated it would be Zhuangzi, as he was reputed to be the closest to becoming a Sage. So why wasn't it him?
"The new Sage? He is not a new Sage," Zhuangzi shook his head.
Perhaps Zhuangzi's relationship with Qingqiu was indeed deep, as he conversed with the Holy King of the Primordial Era like old friends.
"Oh? Not a new Sage?"
Everyone was bewildered. If the newly emerged Sage wasn't a new Sage, what was he?
"He is the 'Mithra Sage'," Zhuangzi stated solemnly.
"Mithra Sage? It's him? He became a Sage again?" the Holy King of the Primordial Era exclaimed in surprise.
Countless powerful figures around revealed looks of astonishment. Mithra Sage?
"Mithra?" Zhong Shan looked at Chess Sage Chimei with a slight frown.
Chess Sage Chimei, perceiving Zhong Shan's confusion, quickly explained, "Among the world's Sages, there are nine in the yang and six in the yin. In the past, seven of the nine great Sages in the yang, including Hongjun Daozu, perished. However, two Sages did not fall. Though they escaped divine retribution, they were implicated and lost their Sagehood."
"Two Sages? Hongjun and the others disturbed the heavenly order, but these two Sages had no part in it from the beginning to the end?" Zhong Shan asked with a frown.
"Correct. Perhaps they foresaw it. From the beginning of the Great Shang's apotheosis, they withdrew from the world. It is said that these two Sages hid in a small thousand-world, waiting until after the divine retribution passed," Chess Sage Chimei explained.
They hid in a small thousand-world? Zhong Shan felt it was a strange coincidence. Wasn't there a rumor in his former small thousand-world that two Sages had once entered and dueled, leaving behind their teachings to repay the world? One was the "Heavenly Demon Body Refinement," and the other was the "Heavenly Secrets Diagram" given to him by Ying.
Could it be him? Zhong Shan was astonished.
Mithra Sage?
Zhuangzi nodded to the Holy King of the Primordial Era.
"The world is about to undergo another major change?" the Holy King of the Primordial Era wondered.
"A major change? When has the world ever not been in flux? It's always changing! However, you should worry about Qingqiu. It is no longer what it once was. If Qingqiu does not regain its strength, it will inevitably be erased in the face of the world's turmoil," Zhuangzi said calmly.
"Thank you for your guidance, Elder. Taking this opportunity, I would like you to examine this Heavenly Son Sword," the Holy King of the Primordial Era said.
As he spoke, the Holy King of the Primordial Era took out a bright silver longsword, handing it to Zhuangzi with great reverence.
Zhuangzi gave the Holy King a deep look and finally smiled faintly, saying, "I haven't examined a Heavenly Son Sword in a long time. For the sake of Lady Nüwa and the ancestors of Qingqiu, I will take a look for you."
"Thank you, Elder!"
Zhuangzi took the Holy King's sword, holding it gently, and closed his eyes slightly, as if deeply sensing the essence of the sword.
"Examining a sword? What does that mean?" Zhong Shan asked Chess Sage Chimei curiously.
Examining a sword? Was Zhuangzi checking the quality of the Holy King's sword? That couldn't be it, could it? What was so special about it?
Chess Sage Chimei gave Zhuangzi a deep look and then turned to Zhong Shan, saying, "Holy King Zhong may not be aware, but Zhuangzi is not merely examining the sword; he is 'seeing' the Holy King and the entire Primordial Heavenly Court."
"Oh? How so?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.
"Zhuangzi has a unique method of perception, dividing swords into three types: the Heavenly Son Sword, the Vassal Sword, and the Commoner's Sword."
"The Heavenly Son Sword? The Vassal Sword? The Commoner's Sword?" Su Afo echoed, confused.
"The Heavenly Son Sword, with the world as its blade, encased by the four barbarians, wrapped in the four seasons, forged by the five elements, governed by laws and virtues, opened by yin and yang. This sword moves forward without obstruction, rises without limit, descends without bounds, and sweeps without hindrance. It cuts through the clouds above, severs the earth's veins below. When unsheathed, it rectifies vassals, commands the four seas, and wins the hearts of all."
"The Vassal Sword, with wise and brave men as its edge, honest men as its bluntness, virtuous men as its back, loyal and holy men as its tip, and heroes as its hilt. This sword moves forward without showing its edge, rises without showing its height, descends without showing its depth, and sweeps without showing its width. It emulates the round heaven above, follows the three lights; emulates the square earth below, follows the four seasons; harmonizes the people's will, stabilizing the four directions. When used, it shakes like thunder, commanding respect within the four seas."
"The Commoner's Sword, wielded by those with disheveled hair and long beards, wearing ill-fitting clothes, with fierce eyes flashing angrily, and speaking rudely. It strikes at the neck, stabs at the liver and lungs."
Listening to Chess Sage Chimei's explanation, Zhong Shan was filled with admiration.
"Cutting through clouds above, severing the earth's veins below. When unsheathed, it rectifies vassals, commands the four seas, and wins the hearts of all. What a sword, what a Heavenly Son Sword!" Zhong Shan nodded, his eyes full of admiration.
Zhong Shan looked at Zhuangzi, a peculiar thought crossing his mind. Was Zhuangzi also a practitioner of the Emperor's Way? His understanding was so profound.
In the distance, Zhuangzi's eyes opened. He flicked the sword with his finger.
"Ding!"
The sword resonated with a clear tone, vibrating gently. Zhuangzi looked at the Holy King of the Primordial Era.
"It has reached the level of the Vassal Sword, but it still falls short of the Heavenly Son Sword," Zhuangzi said.
"Oh?" The Holy King of the Primordial Era was slightly taken aback, a hint of disbelief in his tone.
"Falling short of the Heavenly Son Sword?"
"Inner excellence leads to outer sharpness. Take good care of yourself," Zhuangzi said with a hint of deeper meaning.
"Thank you, Elder!" Although puzzled, the Holy King of the Primordial Era bowed slightly to Zhuangzi.
Suddenly, Zhuangzi turned and looked in Zhong Shan's direction.
"Great Zhong Holy King, Zhong Shan?" Zhuangzi asked, puzzled.
"Huh?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised.
Not only Zhong Shan, but also the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect, the Holy King of the Primordial Era, and many onlookers were surprised. Why did Zhuangzi suddenly pay attention to Zhong Shan?
"Zhong Shan, greets the Elder," Zhong Shan nodded, still puzzled.
Leaving the Holy King of the Primordial Era behind, Zhuangzi stepped forward.
"I have heard Yilan Que praise you many times. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary!" Zhuangzi said with a smile.
Zhong Shan felt a bit strange. Extraordinary? Is it my constitution?
"Elder, you flatter me!" Zhong Shan said quickly.
In the distance, the Leader of the Purple Heaven Sect frowned, a serious look flashing in his eyes.
"Since I have examined the Heavenly Son Sword for the Primordial Holy King, why not do the same for your Great Zhong?" Zhuangzi said.
Now, people found it even stranger. Examining the Heavenly Son Sword? Zhuangzi usually didn't do this for others. He had done it for the Primordial Holy King because of his connection with Qingqiu. But why now? Why offer to examine Zhong Shan's weapon?
"I don't use a sword," Zhong Shan said, shaking his head oddly.
People were speechless. What emperor doesn't have a sword? The Heavenly Son Sword, even if not used, is typically refined and kept!
"A blade will do," Zhuangzi said with a smile.
The onlookers were even more bewildered. To accommodate Zhong Shan, Zhuangzi was willing to break his usual practice of only examining swords and was even willing to look at a blade?
Zhong Shan did have a blade, the great blade "Longevity."
"Thank you for your kindness, Elder, but I think I'll pass," Zhong Shan refused.
The spectators were speechless. Many Holy Kings dreamed of having Zhuangzi examine their swords to improve themselves, but Zhong Shan was refusing? Was he crazy?
Zhuangzi, instead of getting angry at Zhong Shan's refusal, smiled with satisfaction.
"Such vast potential, rare in this world. Would you be willing to become my disciple?" Zhuangzi asked again.
At this moment, the onlookers were no longer speechless; they were numb with shock. Was this for real? Zhuangzi had only ever accepted eight disciples, each after a long period of scrutiny. Now he was proactively offering to take Zhong Shan as a disciple?
Zhong Shan frowned, giving Zhuangzi a deep look.
If he accepted Zhuangzi as his master, the Great Zhong Heavenly Court would be protected from all but the Sages. But...
"Thank you for your kindness, Elder, but my master is Tian Xingzi," Zhong Shan shook his head.
"But Tian Xingzi has passed away. You can still take a new master," Zhuangzi persisted.
People couldn't understand. Was this really Zhuangzi? Would he say such things? They looked at Zhong Shan with envy, wishing they could switch places with him.
"Since my master passed away, I only bow to Heaven and Earth! I appreciate your kindness, Elder, but this matter should not be mentioned again," Zhong Shan said firmly, seeming ungrateful to the onlookers.
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