Undying Life

Chapter 901: The Big Winner

The envoys from the eight great celestial dynasties, who were at war with Great Zheng, were now all in shock, their minds buzzing. Is this the weakest holy court from the Small Thousand World?

Is this a holy court of mere celestial beings?

Is Great Zheng's Sacred King, Zhong Shan, as weak and easily bullied as they had imagined?

At this moment, the envoys from the eight celestial dynasties all thought about their strategies against Great Zheng.

Wrong, it was all wrong! Because they underestimated Great Zheng, their celestial dynasties were now facing imminent doom!

The envoys from the eight celestial dynasties fled in panic in all directions. There was no time to waste; they had to report the news to their respective sacred kings as quickly as possible.

The people from the eight celestial dynasties left, but more remained behind. Although the outcome was decided, they still seemed reluctant to leave.

At the location of the Wuxiang Holy Court.

"Third Prince, did Zhong Shan really win? Did Luo Xingchen lose?" an official asked incredulously.

"This can't be right. How could Luo Xingchen lose to Zhong Shan? Luo Xingchen is an ancient immortal, and Zhong Shan is merely a celestial!" another official exclaimed in disbelief.

"It doesn't matter what you say. Victory is victory, and defeat is defeat. There are no excuses!" the Third Prince said sternly.

"Yes!"

"Third Prince, what should we do? Although Great Zheng is in the north of the Zhuanlun territory, we have neglected them. Great Zheng's strength is not just a replacement for the Temporal Dojo; it seems even stronger. Maybe even...!"

The official didn't continue, but his meaning was clear. The Great Zheng Holy Court was different from the Temporal Dojo. The Temporal Dojo was just a dojo, with little conflict of interest with the Wuxiang Holy Court. But two holy courts would inevitably clash in the future, and the Great Zheng Holy Court seemed to have significant ambitions.

"There's no need to say more. Although we didn't take them seriously at first, it's not too late to do so now. Besides, three years ago, we already sent someone to the Wuxiang territory to deliver a message. The Sacred King should have made arrangements by now!" the Third Prince said.

"Yes!" The officials of the Wuxiang Holy Court immediately nodded.

"What are you doing?!" a sharp cry suddenly came from a distance.

Everyone turned to look and saw the Great Zheng army surrounding the hundred or so people who had come with the Temporal Dojo.

"What are you doing? Do you intend to kill us all?" one person shouted in alarm.

"He's dead? He's dead...!" Chen Xiaoqian was in a daze, her expression confused.

Chen Xiaoqian had always hoped for Luo Xingchen's death, so she could be with Chen Zihao without any more concealment. But when the man who had always protected her died, she realized it didn't feel as good as she thought.

"My lady, after this retreat, I can help you reclaim that jade bead from the Great Chen Celestial Dynasty's Sacred King!"

"My lady, with me here, no one can hurt you!"

"My lady, from now on, you will be the mistress of the Temporal Dojo, and your brother will be the vice leader!"

"My lady, marrying you is the greatest achievement of my life!"

...

Scenes from the past flashed through Chen Xiaoqian's mind. These words, which she had never cared about, suddenly surfaced in her memory.

One after another, these scenes filled her mind.

Chen Xiaoqian suddenly realized with anguish that, while deeply loving Chen Zihao, she had unknowingly fallen deeply in love with Luo Xingchen. Her eyes were filled with confusion, but even more so with heartache. She should be happy, but why did her heart hurt so much?

"You all may leave immediately, but Chen Xiaoqian must stay. Anyone who dares to resist will be executed without mercy!" Yi Yan said sternly.

Although Yi Yan rarely led troops, his command carried immense authority. His threat of execution was filled with a chilling coldness.

The master is dead, should they still protect the master's wife?

Many from the Temporal Dojo chose to leave immediately, disappearing in an instant. Only a few stayed behind, knowing that the master's wife had ties to the vice leader. With the master dead, they thought the Temporal Dojo might still protect Chen Xiaoqian due to the vice leader. However, as more people left, they became increasingly outnumbered and vulnerable.

Fight? Or just leave?

In no time, those from the Temporal Dojo were gone.

Chen Xiaoqian, still in her daze, was easily captured.

This was just a minor incident, a victor claiming the spoils of war. It was common in this world.

People's eyes remained fixed on Zhong Shan in the distance.

Zhong Shan withdrew the Samsara Passage and looked around at the countless powerful figures, many of whom were elites of the Zhuanlun territory.

"I have decided that in two years, we will hold a grand examination, open to all talents of the world. Those interested in joining Great Zheng should come to the Changjing Examination Hall in two years!" Zhong Shan announced loudly.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried supreme authority, instantly spreading in all directions.

In the distance, the Third Prince's expression changed.

"Third Prince, what does Zhong Shan mean by this? He's already aiming to rule the Zhuanlun territory right after destroying the Temporal Dojo?" an official asked in surprise.

"Let's go, return to Tianci Mansion immediately. The situation is escalating, and we must make preparations. Today's events must be reported to the Sacred King at once!" the Third Prince said promptly.

"Yes!"

This group quickly flew away.

In contrast to their attitude, the countless strong figures gathered here were already eager.

Two years later, the Great Zheng examinations? Open to all talents? Does that mean people outside Great Zheng are also eligible to participate?

Many people, having witnessed Zhong Shan's strength, were already itching to try. Similarly, this news would surely spread like wildfire in all directions.

No one disturbed Zhong Shan, as he had given everyone the best answer: in two years, the examination would be held in Changjing.

The Great Zheng army captured Chen Xiaoqian, and Zhong Shan flew towards them.

Zhong Shan landed.

"Sacred King's heavenly might!" everyone immediately bowed respectfully.

"Mm, Clay Bodhisattva, the Zhuanlun Hall is now under your command," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

"Yes!" Clay Bodhisattva nodded, but his brow was slightly furrowed.

"What's wrong?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.

"Sacred King, the earlier battle was too intense, and it seems to have disturbed the feng shui of the Zhuanlun Hall. Some places' geomantic energy appears to have shifted. What I said before about it taking a few years, I can no longer guarantee with absolute certainty," Clay Bodhisattva said respectfully.

Looking towards the Zhuanlun Hall, the black energy remained, and Zhong Shan could not detect anything unusual. However, since Clay Bodhisattva mentioned it, there must be an issue.

"Do your best!" Zhong Shan said.

"Yes!" Clay Bodhisattva responded immediately.

"Yan Chongzhi!" Zhong Shan called out.

"At your service!" Yan Chongzhi replied promptly.

"Mobilize three hundred thousand troops to guard the outside of Zhuanlun Hall and protect Clay Bodhisattva as he resolves the issues there," Zhong Shan ordered.

"At once!" Yan Chongzhi responded without hesitation.

Outside the Temporal Dojo, the surrounding mountains had been reduced to rubble.

Xianxian, Wang Ku, and the Drunken Old Man stood atop a high platform.

Below them were some of the Temporal Dojo's strongest members, including the vice leader Chen Zihao, all of whom had their powers sealed. They could hardly believe that their once formidable Temporal Dojo was now no more.

Leveled to the ground? Even the accumulated merit was mysteriously taken by a tower. What kind of situation was this?

About a hundred of them were surrounded, with over two thousand strong guards watching over them. There were also numerous Temporal Dojo treasures, texts, and elixirs. The place had been thoroughly ransacked.

"All Great Zheng generals, you have worked hard. Return to your posts at the front lines; Zhong Shan will reward your contributions in the future," Xianxian announced loudly.

"Yes!" the powerful Great Zheng generals responded respectfully.

"As for the rest, follow me to escort these people back to Changjing, along with all the treasures and texts. Not a single one should be left behind; they must all be safely delivered to the Great Zheng treasury!" Xianxian instructed again.

"Yes!" everyone responded immediately.

"Also, those who have died but can be revived with soul-restoring pills are heroes. If only their souls remain, don't worry; you are still martyrs. Great Zheng will not mistreat you. You can continue as ghost cultivators or, if possible, be given a chance to reincarnate in the future!" Xianxian said.

"Yes!" responded some ghosts and severely injured individuals.

"Return to the court!" Xianxian said excitedly.

This first expedition was a complete victory, and Xianxian was very pleased.

Meanwhile, in Changjing, Nangong Sheng had set up the 'Heaven's Calamity Chessboard,' thwarting the surprise attack by the eight celestial dynasties.

Many strong individuals attempted to rush into Changjing or flee, but under the Heaven's Calamity Chessboard, all efforts were in vain. There was no escape. Anyone who tried was struck down by the stellar golden lightning.

The citizens of Changjing were also instructed to stay put, and the attackers were similarly immobilized.

Trapped on a high mountain, these attackers were watched by the citizens of Changjing and the surrounding areas.

"To stand at the summit and see all the other mountains appear small," but these attackers were tragically unable to descend the mountain.

The reputation of the greatest array master in the Small Thousand World was well-earned. The grand array painstakingly created by the first sage of the fox clan was no mere decoration.

As a result, the eight celestial beings struggled; some were killed, and others were captured.

The plan for a surprise attack seemed sound—Xianxian's surprise attack on the Temporal Dojo had succeeded. But if Zhong Shan had anticipated the surprise attack, could it still be called a surprise?

The eight celestial dynasties underestimated Great Zheng and Zhong Shan, but Zhong Shan did not underestimate the Temporal Dojo, leading to different outcomes.

Great Zheng emerged as the biggest winner in this conflict!