Chapter 435: A Billion Blessings

Once the elixir of immortality was confirmed, the entire world reacted!

The Grand Commerce Guild no longer needed to rack their brains for marketing strategies. Just one word from Nie Fancheng was enough to establish the authenticity of the elixir of immortality. As soon as people heard the news, they flocked to the city of Li Huo. Which sect, empire, or kingdom wouldn't desire the elixir of immortality?

Outside the Southern Ming Tribute Hall, the streets were empty. Though it appeared calm, the inns and taverns were packed to the brim with people! Nearly every establishment was overcrowded at this moment.

Whenever a breeze blew through the streets, numerous divine senses would extend outward.

Even if they couldn't consume it, the chance to smell it would be a blessing.

At this moment, a troop of soldiers emerged from the Southern Ming Tribute Hall.

Zhong's Army! What were they doing? Were they leaving?

The soldiers, under Shui Wuhen's command, spread out and took positions at different locations.

Shui Wuhen retrieved a hundred-foot-tall stone monument from his storage bracelet.

"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The stone monument was planted into the ground, kicking up a large amount of dust.

Everyone hidden in the shadows focused on the monument. What they saw made them rub their eyes in disbelief. Were they dreaming? What the hell was this?

Paid Viewing!

I, Zhong Shan, have obtained a treasure, verified by the Great Li Emperor to extend lifespan by at least a thousand years. I understand the extraordinary nature of this treasure and do not wish to keep it hidden. Starting now, a Viewing Pavilion is set up in the Western Courtyard of the Southern Ming Tribute Hall for heroes of the world to appreciate.

Each person gets five breaths' time, queued entry.

Given my pursuit of Princess Ling'er, as permitted by the Great Li Emperor, I am establishing a paid viewing!

Each person must pay one top-grade spirit stone and write a blessing for me and Princess Ling'er, then queue for entry!

Anyone who does not queue, does not follow Zhong's Army's arrangements, or causes trouble will result in the pavilion being closed for three days!

I hope everyone abides by the rules and enjoys the viewing harmoniously! - Zhong Shan

Seeing the words "paid viewing" on the monument, everyone felt like they were dreaming.

Anyone else who obtained the elixir of immortality would have hidden it away immediately. What was Zhong Shan doing? Sharing it with the world?

They couldn't believe it. Zhong Shan's brain must have been kicked by a donkey. Just one top-grade spirit stone? That's it? Nearly everyone in the city could afford that.

Only one top-grade spirit stone? So anyone could take a look and get a whiff? Five breaths' time! Writing a blessing? That's nothing. "Wish you both happiness." Who couldn't write that?

In no time, numerous tables were set up outside the Southern Ming Tribute Hall, with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones all prepared.

There were a total of four hundred tables, each with a piece of white cloth ready. One top-grade spirit stone and a written blessing could get you in line.

People were unsure and skeptical, but soon someone approached one of the four hundred tables. Once the first person started, the second quickly followed, then the third. In the blink of an eye, the square in front of the Southern Ming Tribute Hall was filled with four hundred long lines.

Those who were still watching in hesitation soon panicked and rushed to join the lines, seeing how quickly they were growing.

The four hundred lines rapidly grew longer, stretching out across multiple streets in no time. Citizens going about their daily business suddenly noticed a long queue forming outside their shops.

"Hey, Lao Liu, come out and see this! What's going on? When did these cultivators become so polite? What are they doing?"

"Isn't that the sect leaders of the Demon Refining Hall and the Clear Serenity Sect? They used to be at each other's throats. What are they doing in line together?"

"Hey, isn't that Zhang the Thunder Arrow Master? What's he up to?"

From the Southern Ming Tribute Hall, the entire area became lively and noisy. People wondered why these notorious individuals were suddenly so well-mannered and standing in line.

Monks, Taoists, nuns, sect leaders, alchemists, blacksmiths, chefs, butchers—what were they all doing?

"You dare cut in line? Beat him up!" A sudden shout rang out.

Immediately, hundreds of flying swords shot towards the offender, sending him flying.

Amidst the chaos, in front of the Southern Ming Tribute Hall, four hundred desks had formed two queues leading inside.

"Kid, do you even know how to write a blessing? People ahead have already gone in, and you're wasting our time!" Those in the back grew increasingly anxious.

Once someone finished writing, they followed the arranged order and joined the two queues leading into the Southern Ming Tribute Hall.

Given how cheap it was, just one spirit stone, who couldn't afford it?

The two lines, under the escort of Zhong's Army, entered the grand Southern Ming Tribute Hall. Inside a valley, they saw a massive palace, with an entrance in the front and an exit in the back.

Surrounding it was a 'hollow metal cage' that extended underground, appearing very sturdy. One could see inside but couldn't probe it with their divine sense. Inside was the Immortal Elixir.

"So, this is the elixir of immortality! So eerie!"

"Yeah, it looks like a baby."

"This is it! My uncle saw it in the court and later recorded it. This is the elixir of immortality!"

"I need to smell it more!"

They started inhaling deeply, and the hall filled with the sound of sniffing.

"Hurry up, move faster!" Those waiting outside shouted.

An officer from Zhong's Army announced, "Alright, alright, time's up. Others are waiting. One spirit stone only buys you this much time. If you want to see it again, get back in line!"

The people in front reluctantly left, following the line out through the back door of the Southern Ming Tribute Hall.

Once outside, they dashed back to the square at the south gate.

But upon arrival, they were dumbfounded. The lines had extended far out of sight.

From the Southern Ming Tribute Hall, lines spread like a spider web in all directions. The four hundred lines kept growing rapidly, extending farther and farther.

In no time, the end of the lines couldn't be seen.

Those who exited the hall hurriedly rushed to the end of the line, only to find it had stretched nearly a hundred miles. How long was this line? Would they die waiting?

If they didn't queue up, another group would take their place immediately.

In just one day, the entire city of Li Huo seemed to be nothing but lines.

No promotion was needed; these four hundred long queues were the best advertisement. The queues stretched from street to street, causing a massive commotion.

Many powerful figures flew in from all corners of the world, and upon entering Li Huo Holy City, they looked around curiously.

Among them was a group of people dressed in white.

"Senior Brother, it seems the Immortal Elixir is real. We should gather more information. Our master will arrive soon, right?" a woman said.

"Yes, the Immortal Elixir is something our Burning Sound Valley must obtain!" the man beside her said with a determined and cold expression.

"Huh, what are those people doing? Why are they lining up?"

"Uh, that... that's the sect leader in line?" the woman exclaimed in surprise.

"And the three great elders!"

As more and more powerful figures gathered, the four hundred queues continued to grow crazily.

Cause trouble? Do you want to face the wrath of these four hundred queues?

Inside the Li Huo Holy Palace.

There were only two people, the old eunuch who had once summoned Zhong Shan, and Nie Fanchen.

"Your Majesty, this is the situation," the old eunuch said, looking puzzled.

"Paid viewing? Haha, good one, Gu Shentong, sending me such a troublemaker!" Nie Fanchen said with a strange smile.

At the Xiaoyao Hou's mansion.

Xiaoyao Hou looked at the people in front of him and said, "What's going on? Where is everyone? Where did they all disappear to?"

"Lord Hou, they asked for leave earlier."

"Leave? How could so many people leave at once? Where did they go?" Xiaoyao Hou asked angrily.

"They went to line up."

"Line up for what?"

"For the paid viewing organized by the Grand Luo envoy..." the servant quickly explained.

Xiaoyao Hou: "..."

At the Princess Ling'er's residence.

Nie Qingqing was with Ling'er.

"Ling'er, did you hear the Emperor's instructions clearly?"

"Really, I have to meet with those four every five days?" Ling'er pouted, looking reluctant.

"The Emperor's orders must be followed. Don't worry, I'll accompany you," Nie Qingqing said.

"Alright, fine."

"But do you know who these four people are?" Nie Qingqing asked.

Ling'er frowned.

"There's Zhong Shan, Xiaoyao Hou, Shaofei Hou, and Zhao Tiansha!"

Ling'er looked quite annoyed.

"There are two things I need to tell you," Nie Qingqing said.

"Oh?" Ling'er asked, puzzled.

"One is Zhao Tiansha. Do you know who Zhao Tiansha is?"

"I don't know, I've never heard of him."

"He is Tian Sha, the former second-generation senior brother of the Kaiyang Sect."

"The senior brother!" Tian Ling'er exclaimed with excitement.

The senior brother? The senior brother is here to propose? Ling'er's face showed a trace of joy.

"And then there's Zhong Shan."

At the mention of Zhong Shan, Tian Ling'er's excitement suddenly faded. The prior excitement seemed to vanish inexplicably, making Tian Ling'er feel odd.

"Zhong Shan? What about him now?" Tian Ling'er asked, pretending to be indifferent.

"The Emperor has allowed these four to pursue you. Now, it's known throughout the world. Zhong Shan is very attached to the lost memories you have, so he's currently in Li Huo Holy City, organizing a 'Million Blessings Scroll'," Nie Qingqing said.

"A Million Blessings Scroll?" Tian Ling'er looked confused.

"Yes, he's asking millions of people to write a blessing for you and him," Nie Qingqing said, a hint of excitement flashing in her eyes.

"A Million Blessings Scroll? That sounds difficult," Tian Ling'er said, inexplicably worried about Zhong Shan.

A Million Blessings Scroll? How many people would that take?

"Do you think the Zhong Shan in those stories is smart?" Nie Qingqing asked with a smile.

"Yes, the Zhong Shan in the stories is very clever, but a Million Blessings Scroll? Millions of people? Didn't the Emperor say they only have four months? How many people can he gather to write?" Tian Ling'er doubted.

"Gather? He doesn't need to gather them. Right now, in Li Huo Holy City, people are fighting to write. They can't wait to do it," Nie Qingqing said, shaking her head with a bitter smile.