บท 895: Chapter 895: Zhong Shan Casts a Wide Net for Battle
Zhong Shan waved his hand gently, and the protective crowd dispersed, though they remained close, ready to sacrifice themselves for him if necessary. Their loyalty and bravery were evident.
At this moment, although Luo Xingchen was filled with anger, he couldn't help but envy Zhong Shan. He looked at Zhong Shan's subordinates, then at his own. Zhong Shan's followers were always ready to die for him, always placing themselves in front of him, while his own disciples always hid behind his protection, despite their praise and adoration. In moments of life and death, they relied on him entirely.
Was the difference between a dojo and a sacred court really that vast?
Zhong Shan waved his sleeve, lifting his head to look at Luo Xingchen on the distant cloud.
"Luo Xingchen, is there no one else left in the Spacetime Dojo? Are you the only one seeking revenge for Luo Tianhe?" Zhong Shan said sternly.
"If you killed Tianhe, there's nothing more to say. Confirming his cause of death means I no longer have any reservations. Da Jing? Hmph!" Luo Xingchen snorted coldly.
"No reservations? What do you intend to do?" Zhong Shan responded coldly.
"Destroy Changjing, annihilate Da Jing, kill you, Zhong Shan, and slaughter Empress Xianxian!" Luo Xingchen's tone was icy.
"Hahahahaha…" Zhong Shan laughed heartily.
"At death's door, you can still laugh?" Luo Xingchen was taken aback by Zhong Shan's laughter.
"Luo Xingchen, you truly aren't suited to be the leader of a sect!" Zhong Shan said seriously.
"What did you say?" Luo Xingchen's face darkened.
"Are you certain about the cause of Luo Tianhe's death? Liu Wushuang, bring that person here, along with Luo Tianhe's corpse!" Zhong Shan commanded.
"Yes!"
Soon, Luo Tianhe's corpse was brought out, along with the man who had accompanied him in the assassination attempt on Xianxian, now dragged from Changjing's prison.
"Bang!"
Luo Tianhe's corpse and the man were thrown to the ground.
"Master, Master, save me!" the man cried out in terror, clearly having suffered greatly during his time in Changjing.
"You're still alive?" Luo Xingchen frowned.
"Take them with you and interrogate him. See if his story matches what you know. I give you five years to uncover any discrepancies. Five years from now, outside the Zhuanlun Hall, Da Jing will formally challenge you to a life-and-death battle!" Zhong Shan declared solemnly.
"You? A Tianxian, challenging me to a life-and-death battle?" Luo Xingchen's face twisted with a bizarre expression. Though he had just entered the Ancient Immortal realm, he was still an Ancient Immortal. And Zhong Shan, a mere Tianxian, challenging him to such a battle? It was laughable, a great irony. Did Zhong Shan lose his mind?
"The arrow you just fired should have given you some insight into my capabilities. In five years, I will announce it to the world. If you seek revenge for Luo Tianhe, come then!" Zhong Shan said, waving his hand to send Luo Tianhe's corpse and the man flying toward Luo Xingchen.
"Whoosh!" Luo Xingchen caught them with a flip of his hand.
At that moment, Luo Xingchen was filled with doubt. It seemed many things differed from what Chen Zihao had said. For instance, the man before him, whom Chen Zihao claimed was dead, was clearly alive. And Luo Tianhe's corpse, which Chen Zihao said Zhong Shan had mutilated, was intact.
Luo Xingchen needed to uncover the truth, for he suddenly had a bad feeling.
Revenge was a must. However, Luo Xingchen wasn't foolish; at least in his mind, he wasn't. He needed to understand the full story before exacting revenge.
After casting a cold glance at Zhong Shan, Luo Xingchen disappeared with the body and the man.
"Sacred King, challenging Luo Xingchen to a duel at the Zhuanlun Hall? Isn't that too dangerous?" Yi Yan asked worriedly.
"Don't worry. Ancient Immortal? I have my ways of dealing with him!" Zhong Shan said solemnly.
"Uh?" The ministers were taken aback.
Does the Sacred King really have such confidence? After all, Luo Xingchen is an Ancient Immortal! How strong is the Sacred King, truly?
"Sacred King, do you intend to subdue Luo Xingchen?" Xiao Wang asked curiously.
The ministers were stunned. Could it be true that the Sacred King wanted to recruit Luo Xingchen, the leader of a sect and an Ancient Immortal?
Zhong Shan looked at Xiao Wang in surprise, then smiled. "You understand me well, Xiao Wang."
The ministers were puzzled by this exchange.
"However, is it really possible to subdue Luo Xingchen? He may not be extremely wise, but his pride is immense. Subduing him seems unlikely," Xiao Wang shook his head.
"Not extremely wise? It's enough to have ministers with great wisdom. Our Da Ming Sect still lacks a Left Protector. He doesn't need to command the armies; being a protector will suit him well," Zhong Shan said with a smile.
"Why choose him, Sacred King? Is it because of his time manipulation ability?" Yi Yan asked.
Zhong Shan nodded, "Yes. The growth of the Great Da Jing Sacred Court should not rest on one person but on the collective. Those who come against us need not always be enemies; they can be turned to our side. Besides, the time manipulation ability is crucial."
"Time manipulation is indeed rare and invaluable. It's an extremely difficult ability to master, even for saints. Luo Xingchen's potential is enormous, and subduing him now would be highly advantageous," Wang Ku agreed.
"But Zhong Shan, can you really handle him now?" Xianxian asked worriedly.
"Don't worry. Since I've issued the challenge, I have a way to deal with him. Moreover, we have five years to prepare and accomplish many things," Zhong Shan reassured with a smile.
"That's good to hear," Xianxian smiled, relieved.
"Sovereign, since you've set the five-year deadline, shall I announce it to the world?" Yi Yan asked, smiling.
"Do it quickly. Spread the word across the northern Zhuanlun Domain in the shortest time possible to unsettle the powerful," Zhong Shan commanded firmly.
"Yes!"
Great Da Jing Sacred King vs. Spacetime Sect Master!
Zhong Shan vs. Ancient Immortal!
A life-and-death battle outside Zhuanlun Hall in five years!
Those who heard the news were in disbelief. It sounded too absurd, almost like a joke. Could Zhong Shan really be challenging an Ancient Immortal?
In a court of one of the celestial dynasties at war with Da Jing:
"Your Majesty, I find it increasingly difficult to understand the Great Da Jing Sacred Court," an official said, shaking his head.
"Oh?"
"Zhong Shan received the blessings of the heavens and is at most in the Da Xian realm. But the Spacetime Sect Master is an Ancient Immortal with powerful time manipulation abilities. Zhong Shan challenging him to a duel is suicide," the official said, perplexed.
"Apparently, this proclamation was issued by Zhong Shan himself," another official added.
The hall fell silent. The news was too bizarre to believe.
A newly emerged sacred court from a Small Thousand World was expected to be on par with a celestial dynasty of the Great Thousand World. Yet, this Great Da Jing Sacred Court had repeatedly defied expectations. It faced eight celestial dynasties simultaneously, eradicated four sacred lands within two years, and now had the strength to challenge a renowned dojo.
What kind of joke was this?
How could Da Jing possess such formidable strength?
"What do you all think?" the emperor asked calmly.
"Your Majesty, I believe this is real and advantageous to us!" a minister responded promptly.
"Oh?"
"Your Majesty, and esteemed colleagues, consider the outcome of this life-and-death battle. Who do you think will win, Zhong Shan or Luo Xingchen?" the minister inquired.
"Of course, it will be Luo Xingchen. He's the top expert in the Zhuanlun Domain. How could he lose to a barbarian from a newly emerged Small Thousand World?" another minister said immediately.
The ministers all voiced their agreement.
"Exactly. If Zhong Shan dies, can Da Jing continue to exist? Even though the battle is currently a stalemate due to Yi Yan's strategies, once Zhong Shan is dead, even if Yi Yan possesses extraordinary abilities, what can he do? At that time, the eight celestial dynasties will vie for Da Jing's territory with ease, facing no significant resistance!" the minister explained.
"Indeed!" the others echoed.
"Your Majesty, for now, we should avoid aggressive actions to prevent a desperate counterattack from Da Jing. With four years remaining of the five-year period, once it's over, we'll reclaim all we lost and gain even more territory!" the minister suggested.
"Wise counsel, Prime Minister!" the ministers praised.
The emperor nodded in agreement.
The eight celestial dynasties shared the same thought, which inadvertently made Yi Yan's command of the eight armies much easier. They conquered more cities and territories faster. Da Jing's national strength would inevitably grow significantly in these five years, while the eight celestial dynasties would find themselves at a disadvantage due to this oversight.
Zhong Shan's strategy was clear. The life-and-death duel not only aimed to settle the score with Luo Xingchen and the Spacetime Dojo but also served as a catalyst for Da Jing's rapid expansion.
The news reached the southern Zhuanlun Domain in the second year.
Wu Xiang Sacred Court, Tianci City
"This is truly bizarre!" an official reported.
"The Great Da Jing Sacred King? Such ambition! Eight celestial dynasties, four sacred lands, and now the Spacetime Dojo. He seeks to dominate the north. How could he have such immense power?" the Third Prince asked, filled with disbelief.
"We cannot fathom it either. A barbarian group newly emerged from a Small Thousand World, possessing such strength? They should only be as strong as a single celestial dynasty. Yet, they waged war against eight celestial dynasties, eradicated four sacred lands, and now are challenging the Spacetime Dojo, intending to duel the top expert of the Zhuanlun Domain? It's incomprehensible!" the official said, bewildered.
"Da Jing's defeat would be logical, but its victories align with Zhong Shan's audacious style. This upcoming peak duel shows Zhong Shan's courage, unmatched by many in the Zhuanlun Domain. It appears the Zhuanlun Domain has indeed produced a remarkable talent!" the Third Prince mused.
"What should we do about this?" the official asked, frowning.
"I sense a conspiracy, a grand scheme orchestrated by Zhong Shan! Quickly relay this information back to the Wu Xiang Domain and inform the Sacred King. As for the duel at the Zhuanlun Hall, I will attend personally!" the Third Prince declared resolutely.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
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