Chapter 183: Departure

Watching Zhong Zheng, Zhong Shan nodded in satisfaction. The others were also excited because Zhong Shan's tone indicated that he was now focusing on the Divine Land of Shenzhou.

"Zhong Zheng's matters are his own, and you all have your own tasks. Now that the south of Tianlang Island has been unified, our next focus is on the north," Zhong Shan said.

"Uncle, how do you plan to deal with Tianlang Island?" Ying Lan asked.

"To the north of Tianlang Island, there is the Yin Moon Dynasty and three major kingdoms, which are currently in a state of stalemate. You all should intensify your training. When our strength is sufficient, I will instigate a life-and-death battle among the four powers. In the end, the Da Ling Dynasty will mobilize to eradicate all forces on Tianlang Island," Zhong Shan said.

"All forces? What about the numerous sects to the west of Tianlang Island?" Ying Lan asked.

"Hehe, it would be best if they are willing to join the Da Ling Dynasty. If not, well, how can we allow others to sleep soundly beside our bed? We can only ask them to move elsewhere and develop in the Divine Land," Zhong Shan laughed.

Zhong Shan's words were very casual, and everyone took them for granted. However, if these words were spread, it wouldn't take long for many immortal sects and northern kingdoms to send people over.

"Ying Lan, how is your Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation now? Tai Xuzi once trapped thousands of cultivators with it," Zhong Shan asked.

"Uncle, rest assured. The current Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, as long as the cultivation does not exceed the Nascent Infant stage, anyone who enters will undoubtedly die," Ying Lan said confidently.

"Good, in that case, you should intensify your cultivation. Aim to refine it until even Nascent Infant stage cultivators who enter will undoubtedly die," Zhong Shan laughed.

Upon hearing Zhong Shan's words, Ying Lan's face fell. "Uncle, what you're asking is extremely difficult. The highest cultivation level in our formation is mine, and I'm only at the Innate stage. Without pure yang energy, I can't perform the spells. Being able to kill Golden Core stage cultivators is already impressive, let alone Nascent Infant stage."

"Haha, then you should intensify your training," Zhong Shan laughed.

"Lin Xiao, you should focus on training archers. Train more of them. In a few years, I want everyone in the Da Ling Dynasty to be equipped with Sky-Breaking Arrows. Under a rain of thousands of arrows, even Nascent Infant stage cultivators won't escape," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes," Lin Xiao immediately nodded.

"Tai Zhong, you should expedite the matters concerning the 'Heaven-Connecting Altar'," Zhong Shan said to Wei Tai Zhong.

"Yes," Wei Tai Zhong nodded.

The Heaven-Connecting Altar was a crucial item required in the Book of Creating a Heavenly Court for connecting to the Heavenly Mandate, and Zhong Shan naturally paid close attention to it.

Then, Zhong Shan gave some instructions to everyone, and amidst Ying Lan's reluctant gaze, he dismissed them all.

In the main hall, only Zhong Shan and Gan Bao'er remained.

"Dark Emperor," Zhong Shan called out.

A black shadow slowly emerged from the darkness.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the Dark Emperor responded immediately.

Looking at the Dark Emperor, Zhong Shan smiled slightly. "I didn't expect you to reach the Golden Core stage so quickly, but that's good. With your attainment of the Golden Core stage, I can rest assured to some extent, especially since you specialize in covert operations."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the Dark Emperor said tersely.

"It's time. Send out the Shadow Guards to infiltrate the forces of the Yin Moon Dynasty and the three major kingdoms to the north. Provide me with the latest information at any time," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes," the Dark Emperor responded.

"By the way, there's one person I want you to pay more attention to, and be cautious around him," Zhong Shan said after some thought.

"Who?" the Dark Emperor asked.

"He's called Mr. Corpse. When the Shadow Guards are sent to the Yin Moon Dynasty, they can hear about him. This person is extremely mysterious, not an ordinary cultivator," Zhong Shan said after some thought.

"Not an ordinary cultivator?" the Dark Emperor asked with slight confusion.

"That's right. I've encountered this person a few times. Although he belongs to the Yin Moon Dynasty, it seems like he's under some sort of contractual relationship and not actually affiliated with them. Moreover, this person possesses a set of strange techniques, so you must be careful," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

"What kind of technique?" the Dark Emperor asked.

"Necromancy," Zhong Shan said.

"Necromancy?" the Dark Emperor exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, he can control a large number of zombies. Some powerful zombies can not only fly but also burrow underground. When your people are watching him, be extra cautious underground," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes," the Dark Emperor immediately responded—

Six months later, on the Divine Land of Shenzhou, in the city of Unparalleled. The floating island where Zhong Shan was located.

Zhong Shan's cultivation room.

This cultivation room, entirely constructed from thunder stones, could adjust the intensity of thunder and lightning due to the array formation.

At this moment, electricity flashed and crackled in the room, giving it a terrifying appearance.

Outside this cultivation room, Princess Qianyou wore a purple male attire, holding a folding fan, and frowned as she looked at the lightning flashing inside. Behind her stood Ada and A'er, both with a hint of worry on their faces.

"Princess," Ada frowned.

"What's wrong, Ada?" Princess Qianyou asked indifferently, looking at the lightning-filled room.

"Is this how Master cultivates? Can he withstand such a large amount of electricity?" Ada asked worriedly.

"Ordinary people naturally couldn't, but Master is different. Master is a person of great perseverance. Otherwise, how do you think he managed to advance from the fourth level of Innate to the first level of Golden Core in just nine years on that remote Tianlang Island? Even geniuses can't match that, but Master achieved it with his seemingly impossible determination," Princess Qianyou said, tapping the folding fan in her hand.

"But, even a slight mistake could be fatal under this amount of lightning," Ada worriedly said.

"Hehe, Master is smarter than you think. Aren't we standing outside monitoring him? Would we let Master be struck by lightning? Besides, Master also has means of defense. It's just that you don't know about them," Princess Qianyou squinted her eyes as she looked at the lightning-filled room.

"Yes, Ada is overthinking it," Ada immediately said.

"Hehe, it seems that Ada is particularly concerned about Master," Princess Qianyou frowned and said.

"Ada will always be loyal to the Princess. It's just that during these days of serving as Master's assistant, Master often gives me advice during his practice sessions, which has been very beneficial to me. So, I feel grateful," Ada immediately said.

"Yes, Master has a very keen grasp of the overall situation and can maximize the use of his own power, naturally able to see the potential that you can't unleash," Princess Qianyou nodded.

Just as Ada was about to say something else, the three suddenly became tense again, once again focusing their attention on the lightning-filled room.

"Roar~~~"

Suddenly, a long roar came from inside the lightning-filled room.

Princess Qianyou smiled, turned her hand, and directly shot a blue light into the room.

As soon as the blue light entered the room, the lightning around it disappeared abruptly, and the room returned to its previous state of black stone. Shining runes appeared all around the room and quickly faded away.

"Master has broken through to the third level of the Golden Core stage," Ada laughed.

"Pushing oneself to the limit brings about rebirth. It seems that war and cultivation are also related," Princess Qianyou nodded and smiled—

Ten days later.

The city of Unparalleled, eighty thousand miles to the south.

On a white cloud stood seven people, followed closely by a group of individuals riding flying swords or white clouds. Among them were Zhong Shan, Princess Qianyou, Mr. Shuijing, Gulin, Ada, A'er, and over a hundred guards and officials.

At this moment, over a hundred people embarked on the journey to the Great Imperial Dynasty.

"Qianyou, why is Zhong Shan standing beside Ada and A'er?" Gulin looked displeased as he watched Zhong Shan, who was riding comfortably in a wind-driven carriage.

"He is my guard, so naturally, he should be by my side," Princess Qianyou emphasized once again.

"He's only in the Golden Core stage. What qualifications does he have..." Gulin furrowed his brow again.

"Gulin, let me say this again. My affairs don't need your management, and I don't need to report to you whom I choose to use," Princess Qianyou immediately interrupted.

"Fine, I won't say anymore." Gulin looked innocent, but when he glanced at Zhong Shan, there was a hint of resentment in his eyes. Clearly, the frustration Princess Qianyou had placed on him was now directed towards Zhong Shan.

Mr. Shuijing chuckled while shaking his feather fan, but Zhong Shan remained motionless, as steady as a mountain.

"Alright, Gulin, you take your people to the capital of the Great Imperial Dynasty first. I'll go back to the Jade Balance Sect on the way," Princess Qianyou said after some thought.

"You want to go back to the Jade Balance Sect?" Gulin became anxious.

"Yes, I need to ask an elder from the Seven Stars Hall to return. Since I'm passing by, I'll take a look and see what's going on. You guys go ahead with these officials," Princess Qianyou explained.

"I'll accompany you. Let these officials go first, and then we can all head to the capital of the Great Imperial Dynasty together," Gulin immediately suggested.

"No, the officials must not be delayed. Each realm has its own etiquette that must be upheld," Princess Qianyou shook her head.

"Then let them go first, and Mr. Shuijing and I will accompany you," Gulin insisted.

Seeing Gulin, Princess Qianyou frowned slightly, then looked at Mr. Shuijing, and finally seemed to make a decision, nodding, "Alright, just don't cause me any trouble."

"Okay, I won't. You can trust me," Gulin said excitedly.

Then, in the sky, Princess Qianyou gave instructions to the group of people behind her. They all obeyed, nodding their heads, and proceeded to head to the capital of the Great Imperial Dynasty.

Meanwhile, Princess Qianyou, Mr. Shuijing, Ada, A'er, Gulin, and Zhong Shan flew towards the southwest.

Standing on the clouds, Zhong Shan furrowed his brow in thought. The guardian of the Jade Balance Sect? There was also a guardian there? The Seven Stars Hall and the Seven League Sect, what kind of existence were they? Why were they so similar?