Undying Life

Chapter 889: Zhong Shan Faces the Saint

Zhong Shan stood bathed in radiant golden light, a formidable aura emanating in all directions. He lifted his head, his gaze meeting that of the Saint before him.

This was not a feat accomplished by mere courage. The presence of a Saint was something no ordinary being could withstand, akin to defying the will of the heavens themselves.

With his head held high, Zhong Shan looked at the Saint, who showed a hint of surprise. It was unexpected for someone to meet his gaze so directly.

"Zhong Shan of Great Zheng, congratulations to the Saint on achieving another monumental feat!" Zhong Shan laughed heartily.

"A monumental feat?" The Saint's gaze grew colder as he looked at Zhong Shan.

"In ancient times, the Great Zhou allied with the Seven Saints, defying fate and seizing destiny. Today, you, revered Saint, walk the same path, seeking the creation of heaven and earth. How could I not offer my congratulations?" Zhong Shan replied with a smile.

Zhong Shan's words were calm, yet each one pierced the heart!

The Seven Saints' defiance had led to their complete demise, even implicating two innocent Saints in the process. Clearly, the wrath of the heavens was inescapable. Now, defying the heavens had become a taboo. Which Saint would dare to alter the course of fate now, knowing it would incur the heavens' roaring fury?

"Are you not afraid of death?" The Saint asked lightly.

"Afraid? Who wouldn't be? But what does it matter? Do you intend to kill me?" Zhong Shan spoke with increasing composure.

Behind him, Princess Nine-Tails frowned deeply, while Su Afo was already stunned. Was Zhong Shan truly fearless, even speaking to a Saint in such a manner?

"I have considered it," the Saint admitted without hesitation.

"That is only natural. Killing us serves multiple purposes: silencing us, demonstrating your resolve, making a firm decision, and erasing all evidence. It's a quadruple benefit, a human instinct!" Zhong Shan remarked.

Zhong Shan was essentially accusing the Saint of plotting against the heavens, listing so-called 'evidence' to support his claim, framing it as logical and factual.

Perhaps only Zhong Shan dared to frame a Saint in this manner, and the Saint could not refute it.

For a moment, the Saint's usually untroubled heart was strangely stirred. In theory, nothing should disturb a Saint, not even the appearance of Gui Che had caused more than a frown. After all, the greatest power in the world was that of the Saints; no force behind Gui Che could surpass that of a Saint.

A Saint represented the heavenly way. What could disturb a Saint? Only something greater than the Saint: the way of the heavens.

Zhong Shan was seizing this very point!

Defying the heavens was like a country's emperor forbidding rebellion. Tens of thousands of years ago, the Seven Saints had set the ultimate example. No matter how powerful they were, the heavens had obliterated them without hesitation, even causing two uninvolved Saints to fall from grace.

The Saint looked at Zhong Shan with a grave expression, his killing intent intensifying.

"Do you know why the surrounding planets form a grand array that does not obstruct anyone?" the Saint asked calmly.

"Please enlighten me!" Zhong Shan sensed something amiss.

"To obscure the heavenly secrets. Everything here is outside the purview of the heavens. Even if I kill you, the heavens will remain unaware," the Saint said calmly.

Behind him, Su Afo and Princess Nine-Tails were shocked, filled with worry. What would they do now that Zhong Shan's trump card seemed useless?

"Hahaha, indeed, killing us would go unnoticed by the heavens. However, the people outside the Celestial Hall know. If I were you, I would kill everyone outside to avoid suspicion. Oh, and that wouldn't be enough. Many in the Ao Lai Sea below saw us come up here. To be thorough, you should kill them too. And, considering they have relatives and friends who know they came to Ao Lai Sea, you should eliminate them as well. And their friends and relatives' friends and relatives, to be completely thorough!" Zhong Shan spoke with unshakable calm.

Su Afo, standing behind, was speechless. Zhong Shan was truly incredible. How could he spout such twisted logic? Kill everyone? That would defeat the whole purpose of silencing them, making the entire world aware instead.

The Saint looked coldly at Zhong Shan and said indifferently, "Do you really think I don't dare to kill you?"

"You don't dare," Zhong Shan suddenly smiled.

At this moment, Zhong Shan faced the Saint with a smile, as if he had reached the same lofty height. He appeared as a figure at the pinnacle of the world, facing the peak without any fear.

This demeanor, seen by the two behind him, was nothing short of worship.

As Zhong Shan grew increasingly composed, the surrounding killing intent weakened.

Zhong Shan knew he had succeeded. His greatest strength was not his power but his ability to manipulate his opponent. A person who can control their adversary is truly invincible.

Although Zhong Shan hadn't completely controlled the Saint, he had managed to place himself on equal footing through a few subtle words.

At this moment, Zhong Shan still couldn't guarantee that the Saint wouldn't make a move, but he had made every effort to continually shift the Saint's thoughts. From the beginning, Zhong Shan had sensed the Saint's hesitation, and he was merely pushing the balance in the Saint's heart.

"Why wouldn't I dare?" the Saint asked indifferently.

"From what I know, the greatest force in this world is not you, the Saint, but the way of the heavens. Saints are immortal, their lifespan infinite, supposed to be the most carefree and powerful beings in existence, without worries. So why did the Seven Saints defy the heavens in the past? Was it merely because they were bored after living so long? If one was bored, what about the other six? They couldn't all be bored together!" Zhong Shan spoke in a deep voice.

"So what?"

"There is a saying among mortals: 'Every family has its troubles.' I believe everyone has worries. As long as they are living beings, they will have dissatisfaction and will never be content with solitude. I am not in a high position and do not understand the affairs of Saints, but I do know one thing. The defiance of the Seven Saints in the past must have been driven by some issue, a confrontation with the way of the heavens due to some problem. This problem is likely a 'knot' for every Saint. An unresolved 'knot'," Zhong Shan speculated.

"Go on," the Saint said gravely.

"The outbreak of this 'knot' led to the fall of the Seven Saints. The way of the heavens could not be unaware and would be highly sensitive to such matters. It's like an emperor whose ministers rebel over a certain issue. After quelling the rebellion, the emperor would be even more wary of that issue and highly suspicious, fearing other ministers might rebel over the same matter. I imagine the relationship between you, the Saints, and the way of the heavens is similarly fraught with tension," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"And what does this have to do with me killing you?" the Saint asked indifferently.

By now, Zhong Shan felt the killing intent dissipating even more.

"You know better than I do if it has any relation, and the way of the heavens knows even better. Or perhaps, those strong individuals just one step away from becoming Saints would very much like you to kill me! That would make their chances even greater," Zhong Shan said with supreme confidence.

The Saint stared at Zhong Shan in silence for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter.

"Hahahaha...!"

The Saint's laughter sent shivers down Su Afo's spine, but Zhong Shan remained tense, unsure whether the Saint would ultimately decide to kill him or not.

Zhong Shan could always find a way to argue his point, regardless of the situation. It was unclear what the Saint thought of all this.

"What is your name?" the Saint suddenly asked.

"Zhong Shan of the Great Zheng Holy Court," Zhong Shan replied respectfully, his previous arrogance replaced with solemnity.

"Zhong Shan? A good name!" The Saint nodded, as if making a point to remember it.

Hearing this, Zhong Shan finally relaxed. He had succeeded; the Saint's killing intent had vanished.

"May I ask for the Saint's name?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"People call me 'Mozi.' Remember it well," the Saint said, giving Zhong Shan a deep look.

"Yes, I will remember it well!" Zhong Shan replied, taking a deep breath.

Mozi? That name sounded so familiar! A Saint?

Looking around, Mozi said calmly, "Come with me."

"Yes!" the three responded in unison.

With a flick of his sleeve, Mozi transported the three to the entrance of the Celestial Hall.

Outside the Celestial Hall, the battles had ceased as soon as the two Saints descended.

With Saints present, there was no point in fighting. In the presence of Saints, any battle was merely a spectacle, and an irritated Saint could end it all with a single slap. It was better to be cautious.

The two Saints stood at the entrance of the Celestial Hall, not entering as Mozi had. They seemed to be waiting for something.

No one dared to rush in, so they all stood anxiously outside, watching the entrance.

"Holy King, do you think Nine-Tails and the others will be alright?" Chess Saint Chimei asked worriedly.

"Let's wait and see," said the Holy King of Taichu.

"Alright."

The waiting was torturous, each heartbeat echoing loudly in the silence. What kind of treasure was inside? The Universe Cauldron? The Red Sleeve Sphere? The Map of Rivers and Mountains seemed to have been destroyed.

Suddenly, a figure stepped out first, causing everyone's heart to skip a beat. A Saint?

Had the Saint taken over Sima Qing's body? What about Princess Nine-Tails and the others? Had they been silenced?

"Whoosh!"

Zhong Shan, Princess Nine-Tails, and Su Afo stepped out.

Seeing the three emerge, everyone was stunned. What was happening? How did they come out with the Saint? What had happened inside?

"Mozi, what's inside?" one of the Saints asked.

Mozi looked at him and shook his head. "I have forgotten."

Hearing Mozi's reply, the other two Saints' pupils contracted. It seemed they understood, or at least suspected, something, wanting Mozi's confirmation.

Mozi waved his hand and struck the Celestial Hall with his palm.

"Boom!"

The Celestial Hall exploded into dust, which was then consumed by a black hole behind it, disappearing completely.

What was Mozi doing? Destroying the Celestial Hall? Why? No one understood.

"There is no Celestial Hall in this world. There is none now, nor was there ever. These three never entered the Celestial Hall. Anyone who inquires about it will be pursued by me, Mozi!" Mozi declared calmly.

His tone was light, yet it carried immense authority, sending a shiver through everyone's hearts.

"Mozi's decree is equivalent to mine!" another Saint suddenly declared.

"Equivalent to mine as well!" the last Saint added.

Everyone was bewildered. The three Saints had spoken with one voice, forbidding any inquiries. What had happened inside?