Chapter 223: The Start of a World-Shaking Battle
"For a hundred years, I guarantee that all eighty-three members of your clan will reach the Golden Core stage in their cultivation. How about it?" Zhong Shan said with a smile, looking at Lu Jianping.
Lu Jianping stared at Zhong Shan, suspicion and doubt swirling in his mind.
"You can think about it. For a hundred years, I won't limit your cultivation and will provide the best assistance. After that, you can choose to stay or leave, the decision will be yours," Zhong Shan said with a smile.
Lu Jianping gazed at Zhong Shan and finally said, "Alright, as long as my clan remains safe."
Although Zhong Shan's methods were somewhat unscrupulous, threatening Lu Jianping with the lives of his entire clan, from beginning to end, Zhong Shan had remained an outsider and had not directly coerced the Lu family.
"Very well, please take a look." Zhong Shan took out a memory crystal and continued playing the scene where he saved Lu Jianping's fiancée with a pebble and crippled Young Master Zhao with a single palm strike.
Lu Jianping watched with great satisfaction, and Zhong Shan was equally pleased.
"Where are my family members?" Lu Jianping turned to Zhong Shan once more.
"You know we came here for your master. Wu Wanli is dead. Regardless of the outcome, we will certainly be investigated. I have been to your Lu family, so they will inevitably be found. When the Great Yu Empire traces the clues, they will undoubtedly find you. Therefore, I have relocated your entire clan to a safe place," Zhong Shan explained.
"My entire family?" Lu Jianping was astonished.
"Yes, everyone. After we leave, you must immediately depart from Sky City. Head three hundred miles north of Qili Town to the bald mountain. Someone will be waiting for you there to take you to your family," Zhong Shan said with a smile.
"Waiting for me?" Lu Jianping frowned, surprised by Zhong Shan's meticulous planning.
"Yes, at that time, use a luminous pearl as your token. Remember, no matter what it looks like, you must trust it," Zhong Shan said with a smile.
"No matter what it looks like?" Lu Jianping asked, puzzled.
"You'll understand when the time comes. Its appearance is quite unique. Just remember to use the luminous pearl as your token," Zhong Shan replied.
"Alright," Lu Jianping nodded, indifferent.
"In that case, we shall take our leave. As for what to do with Lord Qian, that's up to you," Zhong Shan said with a smile. He then removed the flag formation and quickly left the heavenly prison with Ah Da.
No one dared to stop Zhong Shan and Ah Da, only wondering why Lord Qian had not come out.
Zhong Shan and Ah Da left, gave a look to the Da Luo official, and then found a hidden place to disguise themselves before quickly flying towards the north gate, preparing to leave the city.
Just as Zhong Shan and Ah Da were flying north, a massive surge of fortune began to churn above Sky City.
The fortune dragon atop the city, which had been coiling lazily, suddenly swayed. Its eyes shone with golden light, its head lifted high, as if filled with boundless fighting spirit.
"Roar~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
The fortune dragon let out a resounding roar, and the entire Sky City trembled. This supreme heavenly might made every citizen of Sky City feel an urge to kneel and worship the heavens.
This roar not only echoed throughout Sky City but also resonated in the distant horizon, carrying the same vast dragon chant.
Under the oppressive force of the dragon's might, Zhong Shan and Ah Da descended onto a mountain peak, looking towards the imperial palace at the center. At the very heart of the palace was a radiant golden mountain, and atop its peak, on the palace plaza, a figure in a golden robe suddenly appeared.
From a great distance, there was a tiny black dot. But even from afar, Zhong Shan could feel its immense presence. It was as if the entire world had plunged into darkness, with only that single point of light shining through. In this darkened environment, that point of light was exceptionally dazzling.
The golden figure radiated an aura of pride that soared straight into the clouds. Above, the fortune dragon mirrored its movements, swaying its massive body in perfect sync with the figure below.
"Long live our Emperor, long live, long live!"
"Long live our Emperor, long live, long live!"
"Long live our Emperor, long live, long live!"
… The chant of worship echoed unevenly throughout Sky City.
Zhong Shan squinted, fixing his gaze on the distant figure.
The Great Yu Emperor, Nalan Piaoxue?
Nalan Piaoxue stood proudly against the clouds, a fierce battle aura piercing the sky. With a step, he floated into the air, and it seemed as though the restrictions over Sky City had suddenly vanished. As he soared skyward, the fortune dragon above stirred, swinging its tail abruptly.
"Roar~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
With a resounding dragon roar, the fortune dragon surged into Nalan Piaoxue's body. As he flew eastward, the surrounding sky turned a golden hue, filled with a vast, overwhelming power that seemed capable of annihilating everything.
Standing atop the mountain peak, Zhong Shan clenched his fists. Although Nalan Piaoxue had already departed, the scene was deeply imprinted in Zhong Shan's mind. Such power, so boundless, it made his very soul tremble, even as a fourth-level Golden Core cultivator. What kind of existence was this?
Nalan Piaoxue?
"Sir!" Ah Da called out from the side.
"Let's go!" Zhong Shan snapped back to reality and continued towards the northern gate with Ah Da.
People who had not yet left the city began to pour out in a frenzy after Nalan Piaoxue's departure.
Zhong Shan and Ah Da followed this surge and quickly left the city, heading towards a specific distant location.
They flew north swiftly.
They didn't stop until they reached their predetermined destination.
Ah Da stood behind Zhong Shan, who gazed into the far distance and exhaled deeply.
"Sir, now we just wait for the Princess to succeed?" Ah Da asked.
"Exactly. The great formation over Sky City has loosened. Once the Princess seizes the Ten Thousand Cities Treasure Mirror, she can quickly escape and rendezvous with us here," Zhong Shan confirmed.
"Hmm, it's a pity we won't get to witness the battle between Nalan Piaoxue and the Great Dragon Buddha," Ah Da sighed.
"Indeed," Zhong Shan nodded, sharing the sentiment of regret.
The Furious Sea roared with storm and wave, the surging tides crashing against the shores.
Countless cultivators gathered at the periphery, waiting in silence. The world-shaking battle was about to begin, and everyone was filled with anticipation.
As everyone watched eagerly, from the west, a figure bathed in boundless golden light slowly flew towards them. Looking at that figure, the crowd felt a peculiar sensation, as if the very heavens and earth around him had been assimilated by the golden energy.
The Great Yu Emperor, Nalan Piaoxue.
Nalan Piaoxue was the first to arrive. Once he reached the Furious Sea, he stood directly on the surface of the sea.
From the horizon, his majestic presence dominated the scene, the golden radiance engulfing the vast expanse, making him the central figure of the impending battle.
As soon as he stood there, the raging waves of the Furious Sea suddenly stilled. The towering waves instantly fell back, transforming the once tumultuous sea into a mirror-like expanse, so calm it instilled fear.
The sea's surface had no ripples—absolutely none.
All the onlookers took a deep breath.
Was this the power of Emperor Nalan? Could he subdue an entire sea with his presence alone?
Simultaneously, from the east of the Furious Sea, Dawei Tianlong Bodhisattva emerged from Qingling Monastery. Clad in a resplendent kasaya, a lotus crown on his head, and wielding a purple-gold glazed staff, he walked slowly forward. With each step, his figure would suddenly vanish and reappear at a distant location, a seemingly mundane walk that carried an air of boundless mystery. Additionally, wherever he set foot, plants would burst into growth, dead trees would revive, and flowers would bloom.
Dawei Tianlong Bodhisattva continued his steady walk until he reached the Furious Sea.
Across the vast sea, he locked eyes with Nalan Piaoxue, who stood on the other side.
The battle was about to begin. Both sides' subordinates had already arrived.
Huiguang Arhat had arrived early and stood on a distant mountain peak, coldly observing a heavily guarded tent by the shore.
"Da Luo Empire's Princess Qianyou?" Huiguang Arhat muttered with resentment.
Another observer was Grand Commander Yi Yan of the Great Yu Empire.
Yi Yan, gazing at the tightly shut central tent, furrowed his brow. After a moment of contemplation, he led Ironblood General towards the tent.
"Grand Commander!" The Great Yu soldiers guarding the perimeter immediately greeted him respectfully.
"Inform Princess Qianyou that Yi Yan is here to see her," Yi Yan ordered.
The battle was about to begin. Why was Princess Qianyou's tent still closed? It made no sense.
"Yes, sir." The soldier responded quickly and ran towards the tent.
As he reached the tent, a court official blocked his way. After hearing the soldier's report, the official seemed puzzled but quickly approached Yi Yan.
"Greetings, Grand Commander," the Da Luo official said.
Seeing the official blocking the way, Yi Yan sensed something amiss. The official hadn't even gone to inform Princess Qianyou; instead, he took it upon himself to intercept the messenger. Could it be that Princess Qianyou was not inside?
"Please inform Princess Qianyou that Yi Yan is here to see her," Yi Yan reiterated.
"To report to the Grand Commander, just moments ago, perhaps influenced by the Emperor's aura, the Princess experienced a sudden epiphany and has entered seclusion. The crown prince and others are standing guard, and she has instructed that no one should disturb her. We ask for your understanding," the official replied respectfully.
A sudden epiphany? Yi Yan sneered, his eyes narrowing at the official, filled with disbelief.
"Are you telling the truth?" Yi Yan pressed, his gaze intense.
The official, unnerved by Yi Yan's disbelief, insisted, "Every word I speak is true, sir. There is no falsehood."
Hearing the official's words, Yi Yan turned without waiting for a response and walked away. Ironblood, puzzled, followed closely.
As Yi Yan departed, the official was slightly taken aback. What was wrong with the Grand Commander?
Once they were a distance away, Ironblood quickly asked, "Grand Commander, what's going on?"
"Gather the troops. We're returning to Sky City. Princess Qianyou and her group have already gone back to the city," Yi Yan ordered.
"Yes, sir." Although Ironblood was filled with confusion, if the Grand Commander said that Princess Qianyou had returned to the city, then she must have returned.