Undying Life

Chapter 495: Great Wisdom in Simplicity

"Zhong Shan, the memorial service for the Emperor is being held at the ancient abyss. I want to go!" Gu Qianyou said, her eyes red with tears.

"Memorial service?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Yes, it's the memorial service for Ancient Shentong. His cenotaph and fragments of the Divine Register will be burned as an offering to the heavens in two days, seeking pardon for Ancient Shentong's soul. This will erect a 'heart monument' for him, ensuring his legacy endures in people's hearts forever," Shui Wuhen explained.

"Erecting a heart monument? Yes, since Ancient Shentong's form and spirit are obliterated, he can only be buried in the hearts of the people," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Zhong Shan!" Gu Qianyou looked at Zhong Shan expectantly.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty has collapsed. We have withdrawn from its complicated situation. It's not advisable to go now. Your Majesty's reputation shakes the land of Shenzhou, and some might seek to harm you," Shui Wuhen advised.

"Your Majesty, I agree with General Shui," Mr. Corpse nodded.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider," Fire Wolf General added.

"Please reconsider, Your Majesty!" everyone around him bowed and pleaded.

Zhong Shan looked at the bowing crowd and then at the hopeful Gu Qianyou. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Prepare the Zhong family army. We will go to the ancient abyss to pay our respects to Ancient Shentong!"

"Yes!" everyone replied immediately. Although they were reluctant, Zhong Shan's order had to be obeyed.

The group dispersed to prepare, leaving only Gu Qianyou behind.

"Thank you!" Gu Qianyou said, tears streaming down her face.

Over the past few days, Gu Qianyou had looked much more haggard. Paying respects to Ancient Shentong was what she most wanted to do, but Zhong Shan's safety was more important. If Zhong Shan refused to go, she wouldn't insist, no matter how heartbroken she was.

Gently holding Gu Qianyou, Zhong Shan shook his head. "I'm going to pay my respects to Ancient Shentong not just for you. Even without you, I would still go. The Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty, and Ancient Shentong, have given me immense help and trust over the years. Whether out of gratitude or obligation, I must go."

"Yes!" Gu Qianyou nodded.

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At the ancient abyss, to the south, atop a towering white jade mountain, stood a grand memorial hall. Inside, there were no photos, no coffin, no body. The hall itself was closed.

No one stood near the memorial hall; everyone was gathered at the base of the white jade mountain.

The base of the white jade mountain had been leveled by cultivators and was filled with countless strong practitioners.

Directly below was a massive incense burner. Attendants handed out long incense sticks to those coming to pay their respects.

The four crown princes stood on either side of the main position, with former officials of the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty arriving one after another. High-ranking and influential individuals would light an incense stick and then step aside.

Former Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty Prime Minister Huan Tulong was one of the first to offer incense. After paying his respects, he stepped aside, seemingly waiting to address everyone after the memorial service.

Of course, only those with significant status could offer incense.

When Zhong Shan arrived, the area around the ancient abyss was already packed with people, an endless sea of nearly eighty million. Although this number was vast, it was still somewhat lacking compared to the entire population of the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty.

Eighty million people had come to deeply mourn Ancient Shentong.

These eighty million people were divided into countless small groups, each led by a leader to offer incense. The Zhong family army, numbering a million, was only a small fraction of the total, and thus not very conspicuous. However, when people saw Zhong Shan at the forefront, everyone fell silent.

Zhong Shan, the former First-class Duke of the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty and the Vice Minister of Rites, was now standing at the forefront. His rise had been nothing short of legendary, filled with endless tales of valor. His reputation even rivaled that of the four crown princes and surpassed that of the Prime Minister.

Zhong Shan had arrived, and he brought the entire Zhong family army with him.

The various leaders quickly commanded their troops to clear a path for the Zhong family army.

"Zhong Shan and Gu Qianyou, here to pay respects~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" announced a ceremonial official.

With the collapse of the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty, everyone's titles were re-evaluated. Gu Qianyou was no longer referred to as Princess Qianyou.

As the announcement echoed, all eyes turned towards the Zhong family army.

King Zhengyi's gaze remained murky, while King Daxuan and King Taizong's eyes lit up. King Zhantian had a peculiar glint in his eyes.

Zhong Shan's capabilities were undeniable. With the fall of the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty, the four crown princes no longer had their previous reservations. In the past, Ancient Shentong's protection meant no one dared to touch Zhong Shan. Now, with Ancient Shentong dead, to whom would Zhong Shan ultimately pledge his allegiance?

As they approached, the Zhong family army, under Shui Wuhen's command, quickly aligned themselves. The difference between the Zhong family army and other forces became apparent. The Zhong family army stood in perfect formation, each soldier in line as if cut by a knife, standing so straight that only the front row was visible, with everyone else hidden behind them.

What an impressive Zhong family army!

Seeing such a disciplined and orderly force, everyone couldn't help but marvel. Training cultivators to such precision was no small feat, and the strength of the Zhong family army was beyond doubt. And their leader, Zhong Shan, was even more formidable.

Zhong Shan and Gu Qianyou looked at the towering white jade mountain and the grand memorial hall, sighing softly.

At this moment, attendants brought long incense sticks.

Zhong Shan and Gu Qianyou each took a bundle and approached the incense burner.

"Your Majesty, this is the last time Qianyou will see you. When I was young and lost my parents, it was you who took care of me. I will never forget your kindness. Rest assured, I have grown up and can take care of myself now. I have also found someone to entrust my life to. Zhong Shan has passed all your tests. Your Majesty..." Gu Qianyou, emotionally charged, stepped forward and placed her incense in the burner.

Zhong Shan sighed softly beside her.

"Ancient Shentong, you are the person I respect the most. Over the years, I have received your care and am immensely grateful. Gu Qianyou is now my wife, and I will take good care of her. The Zhong family army has gained fame thanks to you. Today, I bring Qianyou and the Zhong family army to pay our respects and bid you farewell for the last time, calling you our Emperor one last time!" Zhong Shan said, placing his incense in the burner.

"Hail to the Emperor of the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years!" Zhong Shan shouted.

With Zhong Shan's shout, Gu Qianyou and the million-strong Zhong family army knelt and shouted in unison.

"Hail to the Emperor of the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The combined shout of a million people echoed through the heavens, shaking hearts and leaving a profound silence.

The higher-ranking officials nearby all looked at Zhong Shan. His words were clear. Zhong Shan's gratitude to Ancient Shentong was evident, but his speech was more of a farewell.

Not just Zhong Shan, but the Zhong family army was also saying goodbye, severing their ties with the former Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty and stepping away.

Witnessing this, the four crown princes' eyes tightened.

After paying his respects, Zhong Shan turned to leave with the Zhong family army, not even bothering to greet the four crown princes.

"Zhong Shan, please wait!"

The concerns of Shui Wuhen and the others were finally realized. Just as Zhong Shan was about to turn away, Prime Minister Huan Tulong suddenly called out.

It wasn't surprising that Huan Tulong called out to Zhong Shan; the four crown princes had intended to do the same. It wasn't just Zhong Shan's capabilities that drew their attention but also his cultivation level.

The four crown princes and Huan Tulong were all Emperor Extreme Realm experts. As they looked at Zhong Shan, they realized they couldn't discern his cultivation level. An indiscernible level to Emperor Extreme Realm practitioners meant that Zhong Shan was at least at the Emperor Extreme Realm.

Emperor Extreme Realm? Zhong Shan had already reached the Emperor Extreme Realm? How could this be? It hadn't even been a hundred years since Zhong Shan joined the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty, and he had leapt from the first level of the Golden Core stage directly to the Emperor Extreme Realm? When Zhong Shan first entered the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty, he was at the first level of the Golden Core stage. What was happening now?

This was too fast, too extraordinary. Even a prodigious talent wouldn't advance this quickly. And that wasn't the most critical point. The key was Zhong Shan's inherent potential. Back when he first joined the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty, his potential was thoroughly assessed. With his level of potential, it would have been impossible for anyone else to reach the Nascent Soul stage in their lifetime. Yet, within less than a hundred years, Zhong Shan had reached the Emperor Extreme Realm?

It was unbelievable. Zhong Shan was a monstrous talent. If such a person were allowed to leave, he would not only be a great loss of strength but also a significant threat.

Not wanting to let him go, Huan Tulong immediately called out.

With Huan Tulong's call, the four crown princes naturally didn't say much. Zhong Shan turned to face Huan Tulong.

"Huan Tulong? What do you want?" Zhong Shan asked.

"There's no rush to leave. After the memorial service for the Emperor, you can go," Huan Tulong said.

"No need. I have already paid my respects, and my heart is at peace," Zhong Shan shook his head.

"After the memorial service, there are important matters to discuss," Huan Tulong said.

"Important matters? The Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty is no more. There are no important matters that concern me," Zhong Shan shook his head again.

"The late Emperor left a decree. If the attempt to split the heavens failed, everything would be passed on to King Zhengyi. There is an imperial decree as proof," Huan Tulong said.

Passed to King Zhengyi? Transfer everything to King Zhengyi? Consolidate all forces under King Zhengyi? Gu Zhengyi?

Zhong Shan looked at Gu Zhengyi in surprise. Of the four crown princes, Gu Zhengyi had always appeared the least remarkable, seemingly without any exceptional abilities. Yet, could such a seemingly mediocre person become the crown prince of an imperial dynasty, and the first crown prince at that?

Zhong Shan had long suspected that Gu Zhengyi was extraordinary, but he hadn't anticipated that Ancient Shentong had such high expectations for him. Everything was to be passed to King Zhengyi? This seemingly unremarkable crown prince? Concealing his brilliance, demonstrating great wisdom by appearing foolish!

Seeing the surprise in Zhong Shan's eyes, Gu Zhengyi remained calm, his expression unchanged. It was evident that he had always been biding his time, hiding his true potential.

"Zhong Shan, stay and listen to the will of the late Emperor. This concerns the future of all who once served under the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty," Huan Tulong insisted.

Zhong Shan pondered for a moment, looking at Gu Qianyou beside him, then back at the gathered officials and soldiers. Finally, he nodded.

"Very well, I will stay and listen," Zhong Shan agreed, knowing that this decision could have far-reaching consequences.

With that, the tension in the air eased slightly, and everyone returned their focus to the solemn memorial service for Ancient Shentong, awaiting the reading of the imperial decree.