บท 546: Chapter 546: The Descent of the Golden Sun
The three dynasties wagered their territories, and Zhong Shan returned victorious. The Da Zeng Dynasty celebrated nationwide as they quickly took over the twenty cities they had won, growing ever more prosperous and powerful.
In three years, the national strength of the Da Zeng Dynasty surged, and news of the dynasty possessing an Emperor Extreme Realm expert spread rapidly. Those who heard were astounded—an Emperor Extreme Realm expert in a dynasty? Incredible!
People soon realized the implications. Beast kings, like Sha Po, merged their lifeforce with their bloodline and couldn't establish dynasties of their own. They had to rely on powerful dynasties, ideally empires, but they often weren't highly valued there. In a dynasty, however, their Emperor Extreme Realm power was highly significant and allowed them to achieve great feats. Zhong Shan had indeed struck extraordinary luck.
Of course, people were unaware that behind Xuanjing, the capital, the Da Zeng Dynasty also had an even more formidable Heavenly Extreme Realm Skeleton King. If they knew this, their reactions would be even more profound.
In three years, Zhong Shan's governance led to a scene of flourishing strength. The Da Zeng military grew increasingly powerful. Over nearly ten years, the Da Zeng Dynasty had established a solid foundation in the underworld.
In the palace, at the morning court, Zhong Shan convened in a hall identical to the "Hall of Longevity" in the yang world, named:
The Hall of Immortality!
In the Hall of Immortality, Zhong Shan held court.
"Your Majesty, the Western Biyun Empire has seen the descent of a star from beyond the heavens. The event has stirred the world, drawing countless heroes to it. Please decide our course of action!" a minister reported respectfully.
"A star from beyond the heavens?" Zhong Shan pondered.
"The star descended like a golden sun, sinking into the Great Ze Ghost Domain of the Biyun Empire. It vanished upon landing, and despite numerous investigations, no traces could be found," the minister explained.
"Hmm, I understand," Zhong Shan nodded but said no more.
After the court session, a few key ministers remained: Lin Xiao, Mr. Corpse, and two newly appointed officials.
"What do you make of this?" Zhong Shan asked them.
"Your Majesty, it likely originates from the Great Thousand World," Mr. Corpse said.
"Hmm," Zhong Shan nodded, agreeing that something from beyond the heavens could only come from the Great Thousand World.
"A golden sun descending from the sky—it must be no ordinary object. It could be a great treasure, or possibly a significant figure from the Great Thousand World," Mr. Corpse continued.
"Oh?" Zhong Shan was intrigued.
"Entering this small thousand world isn't something an ordinary immortal can achieve. Of course, there are rare cases of people entering by sheer luck, like a meteor. But this golden sun clearly isn't a meteor. It's either a great treasure or a significant figure, and in either case, powerful figures must be involved. I believe those who received the news won't remain idle; they will surely head to the Biyun Empire," Mr. Corpse asserted confidently.
"Hmm," Zhong Shan nodded, pondering for a moment.
"Your Majesty, should we go?" Lin Xiao asked.
"Such an unshielded descent, causing a worldwide sensation, must involve some scheme or hidden agenda. The Biyun Empire? The Great Ze Ghost Domain? I must go and see for myself. Lin Xiao, you will stay behind!" Zhong Shan decided immediately.
"Understood!" Lin Xiao nodded.
"At tomorrow's morning court, I will assign you the necessary powers. Keep the capital secure for me. I will arrange for Sha Po to stay and assist you," Zhong Shan said.
"Understood!" Lin Xiao responded once more, with the two officials beside him nodding respectfully.
"Mr. Corpse, Xianxian, you will accompany me to the Great Ze Ghost Domain!" Zhong Shan ordered.
"Yes!" Mr. Corpse replied immediately. As for Xianxian, she was more than ready. She had been stifled in the capital for years and was eager for action.
Da Ying Dynasty, Imperial Palace
Yan Chongzhi had also received news of the Great Ze Ghost Domain and the descent of the golden sun. Unsurprisingly, the news had spread throughout the Biyun Empire and beyond. The Biyun Empire's location in the eastern underworld was not far from Zhong Shan's forbidden territory.
After a brief court session, Yan Chongzhi headed directly to a secluded hall in the palace. Outside the hall lay numerous empty wine jars, filling the air with the scent of various liquors.
"Senior!" Yan Chongzhi dismissed his guards and rushed into the hall.
"Uh?" The Old Wine Man groggily opened his eyes, glanced at Yan Chongzhi, and then closed them again to continue his sleep.
"Senior, something significant has happened!" Yan Chongzhi said.
"Even if it's significant, don't disturb my sleep!" the Old Wine Man mumbled.
Yan Chongzhi smiled wryly. "But this is more significant than anything else."
At these words, the Old Wine Man's eyes snapped open, and his drunkenness seemed to dissipate instantly. He sat up straight.
"What happened?" the Old Wine Man asked, frowning.
"Senior, you asked me to keep an eye on the world's happenings. Just recently, something major occurred. In the Biyun Empire, a golden sun descended from the sky and vanished upon landing! It's likely something from the Great Thousand World!" Yan Chongzhi explained.
"Uh?" The Old Wine Man frowned in thought.
"Senior, what do you think? Is this a sign of impending chaos?" Yan Chongzhi asked, staring at the Old Wine Man.
"With great chaos on the horizon, this event adds another layer of complexity. I must go and see for myself!" the Old Wine Man sighed deeply.
"I will accompany you, Senior. Who knows which significant figure from the Great Thousand World has come this time!" Yan Chongzhi immediately said.
The Old Wine Man looked at Yan Chongzhi and eventually nodded. "Very well. Your clever mind might indeed be useful."
"I'll arrange matters in the court. By tomorrow afternoon at the latest, I'll be ready to leave with you for the Biyun Empire!" Yan Chongzhi said.
"Good."
On the Way to the Biyun Empire
Zhong Shan, along with Mr. Corpse and Xianxian, sped towards the Great Ze Ghost Domain. The three moved at incredible speed, covering vast distances in an instant. Among them, Mr. Corpse had the lowest cultivation, at the Nascent Soul stage, but he had his own methods to increase his speed, keeping pace with Xianxian.
As for Zhong Shan, his shadow body and Emperor Extreme Realm cultivation allowed him to move faster than even some Emperor Extreme Realm experts, primarily depending on Xianxian's maximum speed.
After leaving the forbidden territory, they headed straight for the Great Ze Ghost Domain marked on their map.
One month later,
On the outskirts of the Great Ze Ghost Domain, in a deep mountain, Zhong Shan and his companions flew overhead.
In the depths of the mountain, two figures stood: one in black combat attire and the other a disheveled old man holding a wine gourd, fast asleep.
As Zhong Shan flew past, the Old Wine Man's eyes suddenly lit up. He jumped up and shot into the sky.
Zhong Shan, slightly surprised, halted. The three of them looked back.
The Old Wine Man stopped mid-air, and Yan Chongzhi slowly flew up from the valley below.
Zhong Shan's eyes narrowed as he regarded the approaching figures. The Old Wine Man and Yan Chongzhi were clearly formidable, and their sudden appearance indicated they were also drawn by the descent of the golden sun.
"Haha, Zhong Shan, it seems we are destined to meet again! Do you have any of that wine you had last time?" The Old Wine Man, acting familiarly, approached Zhong Shan with a laugh.
"Emperor of Da Zeng, we meet again," Yan Chongzhi said with a slightly surprised smile.
"Yan Chongzhi? How are you here?" Zhong Shan asked, equally surprised.
"We came for the descent of the golden sun, of course. Aren't you here for the same reason?" Yan Chongzhi replied, his smile deepening.
Zhong Shan frowned slightly. He had asked Yan Chongzhi why they were in this valley, but Yan Chongzhi's response addressed the golden sun incident instead, skillfully evading the direct question while still providing an answer. This demonstrated Yan Chongzhi's cleverness.
"Yes, we are here for the same reason," Zhong Shan smiled back.
"Zhong Shan, do you still have any of that wine?" The Old Wine Man asked.
With a wave of his hand, Zhong Shan produced another jar of wine, which the Old Wine Man eagerly grabbed.
"May I ask your name?" Zhong Shan inquired, looking at the Old Wine Man.
"Just call me the Old Wine Man. I've forgotten my real name," the Old Wine Man replied, breaking the seal of the wine jar with a slap.
Xianxian, standing nearby, pouted and muttered, "Not very professional at all!"
"Uh?" The Old Wine Man turned to look at Xianxian.
"Did you say I'm not professional?" The Old Wine Man asked, looking at Xianxian with a strange expression.
"Of course. Zhong Shan has told me many stories where characters like you, with troubled pasts, secrets, or some hidden ailments, all introduce themselves in a mysterious and tragic way. But you just blurted it out so casually. It's not professional at all. At least show some nostalgic look in your eyes!" Xianxian said disdainfully.
The Old Wine Man was speechless. Troubled past? Secret ailments? He could accept being called a crazy old man, but having hidden ailments? That was something he couldn't tolerate. Only eunuchs in the palace had hidden ailments. His face turned red with frustration, but seeing the little girl Xianxian, he had to suppress his anger.
"Xianxian, don't be rude!" Zhong Shan quickly intervened. Even though Xianxian had hit the nail on the head, it was impolite to say such things in front of others.
"Why are you not moving forward? Aren't you entering the Great Ze Ghost Domain?" Zhong Shan asked the Old Wine Man, trying to change the subject.
Zhong Shan could tell that Yan Chongzhi was a formidable character and might not reveal much. He decided to direct his question to the Old Wine Man instead.
"Uh, there's danger ahead," the Old Wine Man said straightforwardly.
Yan Chongzhi frowned, wanting to stop him but ultimately held back.
"Danger? Have you been inside?" Zhong Shan asked, surprised.
"No," the Old Wine Man replied after taking a sip of wine.
"No? Then how do you know there's danger?" Xianxian interjected.
"I can feel it," the Old Wine Man said.
"Feel it?" Xianxian looked skeptical.
Having been dismissed by Xianxian earlier, the Old Wine Man was sensitive to her disdain. Seeing her disbelief, he felt both frustrated and helpless.
"I said there's danger, so there is danger. Believe it or not!" The Old Wine Man said firmly.
Hearing the Old Wine Man's words, Zhong Shan's eyes brightened. A feeling? Even without a concrete reason, he was so certain? While Xianxian didn't believe the Old Wine Man, Zhong Shan did. Zhong Shan's own true body had this ability.
To predict good and bad fortunes!
Zhong Shan's true body could predict fortunes without any rationale, thanks to the Red Luan Powder Lotus. This was the basic ability of a "fortune cultivator," a skill Zhong Shan had never disclosed. Could it be that the Old Wine Man had the same ability?
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