Capítulo 647: Chapter 647: The Devil's Temptation of Zhong Shan
In the mortal realm, at the Lingxiao Heavenly Court, inside Zhong Shan's study in the Tianyuan Pavilion.
Zhong Shan was examining some intelligence reports while important advisors like Yi Yan and Shuijing awaited his instructions.
"Chaos has begun in Shenzhou," Zhong Shan said, setting down the reports with a sigh.
"Your Majesty, what should we do about the Eastern Great Yong Heavenly Dynasty?" Shui Wuhen asked.
"Great Yong is essentially a replica of the former Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty, with Gu Zhengyi replacing Gu Shentong. The systems remain largely the same, with Taizong King and Zhantian King still in their former roles. Their strength remains formidable," Zhong Shan explained, glancing at his advisors to hear their different perspectives.
"Not quite, Your Majesty. Great Yong is far inferior to the former Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty!" Shuijing shook his feather fan with a smile.
"Oh?"
"Gu Zhengyi has caused excessive bloodshed to elevate his dynasty, even killing his former brother, Gu Xuan. Compared to Gu Shentong, he falls short. While it's true that chaos has begun, his impatience has generated significant negative effects, which will be detrimental to Great Yong's future development!" Shuijing said, shaking his fan.
"Those who gain the way have many helpers, those who lose the way have few. When few help, even relatives abandon you; when many help, the world follows," Zhong Shan summarized.
"Your Majesty's words are succinct and insightful. Shuijing is impressed!" Shuijing nodded in agreement.
"Gu Xuan is dead. Have we found his chief strategist, Fan Yipin?" Zhong Shan asked.
"Not yet," Shuijing replied.
"Understood," Zhong Shan nodded.
"Your Majesty, I have a concern," Yi Yan suddenly said.
"Oh?"
"The era of chaos in Shenzhou has begun. The Eastern Great Yong Heavenly Dynasty is continuously waging wars. The Northern Great Li Heavenly Dynasty and the Western Taishui Heavenly Dynasty have both issued proclamations of opposition, forming alliances to face the calamity. While three heavenly dynasties are vying for dominance, Great Qin remains inactive. Why is Great Qin so quiet?" Yi Yan asked seriously.
"Great Qin?" Zhong Shan frowned.
"Yes, Great Qin's eerie silence is alarming. There is no sign of expansion. Your Majesty, what kind of person is Ying?" Yi Yan asked.
"Ying? Haha, Ying is a terrifying individual!" Zhong Shan said solemnly.
"Uh?" The advisors were taken aback.
"Remember, in terms of ambition, no one surpasses Ying," Zhong Shan warned.
"What about Great Qin's strength?" Yi Yan asked again.
"Immeasurable. I would say Ying's power is likely no less than Gu Shentong's, and he undoubtedly has many Heavenly Extreme subordinates," Zhong Shan explained.
"No less than Gu Shentong?"
The advisors gasped. Gu Shentong was a twelfth-level Heavenly Extreme cultivator, the true number one in the world, and Ying was comparable? That made even Zhong Shan cautious?
"Your Majesty, do you have any evidence?" Yi Yan asked, frowning.
"Though there is no concrete evidence, I am certain of it!"
"Understood," the advisors nodded, taking Zhong Shan's words to heart. They trusted Zhong Shan's judgment more than evidence itself. Could Great Qin really be that powerful?
"The chaos will soon affect us. Our military strength is increasing continuously, but the cultivation levels of you commanders need to improve swiftly. Enter the Hundred-World Cavern as soon as possible!" Zhong Shan said seriously.
"Your Majesty, we have all entered the Hundred-World Cavern. Now, it is Di Xuansha who is undergoing reincarnation inside. When will Your Majesty enter?" Shui Wuhen asked immediately.
"Oh? Di Xuansha is already inside? Then I will follow after him," Zhong Shan said, slightly surprised.
"Master!" Bao'er suddenly burst in from outside.
In the entire Da An, only the empresses could enter Tianyuan Pavilion without an announcement. Yet, the empresses were always respectful and never barged in like this.
"Huh?"
"We have a visitor!" Bao'er said with a smile.
"A visitor?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised.
"Longhu Dan Sheng!" Bao'er smiled.
"Longhu Dan Sheng?" Zhong Shan's eyes lit up. He quickly led everyone out of Tianyuan Pavilion.
Longhu Dan Sheng was a master of alchemy, known for creating the Leaving Ruin Pill. Although Bao'er could also refine pills, alchemy required not just talent and knowledge but also experience—something Da An greatly needed.
Outside the main hall, Zhong Shan saw Longhu Dan Sheng waiting in the distance.
"Longhu Dan Sheng, it's been a while. What wind has blown you here from Blue Flame?" Zhong Shan greeted courteously.
Longhu Dan Sheng, looking somewhat older and with a hint of a bitter smile, replied, "A man from a fallen nation, nothing worth mentioning!"
"Oh? The Blue Flame Empire has fallen?" Zhong Shan frowned.
Although he had anticipated it, this seemed too quick.
"Yes, it has fallen. Alas, as you said, it was not meant to be. With the empire's demise, I planned to wander the world and suddenly thought of you. I hope my visit is not an inconvenience."
"How could it be? I'm delighted by your visit. Bao'er has longed to learn from you about alchemy!" Zhong Shan said enthusiastically.
"Emperor Zhong, you flatter me. I am honored to be here," Longhu Dan Sheng replied.
"Since Longhu Dan Sheng is passionate about alchemy, how about heading to the Tai Dan Institute to exchange knowledge with our alchemy elders?" Zhong Shan suggested.
"Excellent!" Longhu Dan Sheng agreed with satisfaction.
With this, Zhong Shan managed to retain Longhu Dan Sheng, and he officially took up residence in Da An.
Thus, the era of alchemy in Da An began to flourish.
Outside the Hundred-World Cavern.
Numerous wolf kings were guarding the area. Di Xuansha's seclusion was a critical event that could not be disturbed.
When Zhong Shan arrived, the Clay Bodhisattva and others were already watching from outside.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Everyone bowed respectfully.
"Hmm," Zhong Shan nodded.
"How many reincarnations has Di Xuansha undergone?" Zhong Shan asked.
"Ninety-two reincarnations," the Clay Bodhisattva replied.
"Oh?" Zhong Shan was surprised.
"The stronger the will, the more reincarnations one can endure, leading to deeper insights, higher cultivation levels, and greater gains. Di Xuansha has undergone the most reincarnations so far," the Clay Bodhisattva remarked.
At that moment, a brilliant light burst from within the Hundred-World Cavern, illuminating the entire valley before fading back to tranquility.
"The world shifts. This is the ninety-third reincarnation," the Clay Bodhisattva said, taking a deep breath.
"Is there any difference in the world of reincarnation?" Zhong Shan asked.
"With each reincarnation, one delves deeper into their own heart," the Clay Bodhisattva replied.
"Hmm."
Zhong Shan waited patiently. Finally, on the ninety-fourth reincarnation, Di Xuansha slowly emerged from within.
Di Xuansha walked out with his eyes closed, tears staining his cheeks. He took a deep breath and disappeared back into seclusion. The wolf kings also dispersed.
Zhong Shan, after a ritual purification, approached the entrance of the Hundred-World Cavern. Today, Zhong Shan would enter the Hundred-World Cavern to face the trials of reincarnation.
Outside, Zhong Shan's close ones stood waiting. The three empresses were particularly anxious.
At the entrance, Zhong Shan peered inside. It seemed like an infinitely long tunnel, similar to an underwater passage, surrounded by eerie illusions. Zhong Shan stepped inside.
Gradually, Zhong Shan felt as though the world around him was real. He wandered through bizarre scenes, eventually losing consciousness.
Zhong Shan entered the world of reincarnation.
In the first cycle, Zhong Shan became a world-dominating tyrant, feared by all but ending his life in solitude.
In the second cycle, Zhong Shan was a beggar, scorned by everyone, living with broken limbs and dying in a winter's snow.
In the third cycle, Zhong Shan was a scholar, entangled in a tragic romance with a ghostly fox, condemned by society, and dying at Huangshan in a fox's grave.
In the fourth cycle, Zhong Shan was successful, excelling in exams, marrying a princess, and securing the borders, living a peaceful life.
... The cycles continued, each lasting a day. Zhong Shan endured the myriad forms of human existence and the trials of the world's furnace.
Outside, everyone waited patiently.
Three months later, almost all the key figures of Da An had gathered. Ninety days had passed, meaning ninety reincarnations. How much longer could the emperor endure?
Di Xuansha had also come to wait at some point.
"How many reincarnations has Zhong Shan undergone?" Di Xuansha asked the Clay Bodhisattva.
"Ninety-three."
From the fiftieth reincarnation onward, Zhong Shan had encountered a recurring figure, forming a significant emotional knot.
Wei Kui'er.
In every life, their identities differed, yet Wei Kui'er always appeared. She was Zhong Shan's first wife, and he couldn't let her go. This became the most crucial part of Zhong Shan's heart-refining process.
In every life, they fell in love, but each story ended tragically, incredibly tragically.
Since the fiftieth life, Zhong Shan's heart had been exceedingly weary, his spirit shattered. However, a deep-seated desire to see Kui'er in the next life kept him going.
In the ninety-third reincarnation, Zhong Shan held the poisoned body of Kui'er, separated by life and death.
"No～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"
Zhong Shan wailed in agony, his eyes bloodshot and weeping tears of blood.
Outside, Di Xuansha and the others waited patiently for the ninety-fourth reincarnation. Suddenly, a thick black mist shot up into the sky, enveloping the entire valley of the Hundred-World Cavern.
"What is this?" Zhao Suoxiang frowned.
"Such heavy resentment! What kind of ordeal is His Majesty facing?" Wang Ku exclaimed in surprise.
"This is bad! The Heavenly Demon Pool has produced a Heavenly Demon, and it's wreaking havoc on His Majesty! And using the Hundred-World Cavern to amplify its chaos!" the Clay Bodhisattva suddenly shouted in alarm.
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