Undying Life

Chapter 509: Immortal Nangong Sheng

Outside the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain, the palace where everyone had gathered before the second trial was now slowly rising into the sky, floating high above. Nangong Sheng sat on his throne, his brows furrowed as he gazed at the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain. He then scanned the entire Netherworld Heaven, as if reminiscing, a trace of reluctance flashing in his eyes.

The Flame Inheritance was a monumental event in the Netherworld Heaven, deciding the next Heaven's Lord. Naturally, it attracted almost everyone from the Netherworld Heaven who could traverse the endless mountains, all waiting at the periphery for the final outcome.

Two demon youths, two Demon Lords—the next Heaven's Lord would be chosen from among them. Speculation ran rampant among the crowd.

Chu Jiu stood among them, clenching his fists, praying for Jian Ao.

Inside the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain, Zhong Shan, led by Jian Ao, reached the very center of the mountain range, where a towering mountain split the region in two, separating the Yin and Yang domains.

"It's here," Jian Ao said, pointing to an enormous ancient tree ahead.

The giant tree was massive, rooted deeply in the ground, looking like a mountain itself. Oddly, half of the tree was white, and the other half black, making it appear very peculiar.

"The Heaven's Lord's palace complex is located just in front of this Yin-Yang Tree. However, after setting up his formation, everything about the palace seemed to disappear. Don't think it was taken away by the Heaven's Lord—these palaces have existed since ancient times and can't be moved. If they leave this place, the entire Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain would collapse. The disappearance is due to the formation," Jian Ao explained.

Looking at the vast plaza ahead, Zhong Shan grew serious. He could see the grand formation before him, something only possible due to the special nature of his shadow body, which was immune to all formations and illusions.

Zhong Shan observed a massive dome-like structure covering the area, with alternating black and white rings flowing from the top to the bottom.

"Let's go inside," Zhong Shan said.

"Inside?" Jian Ao asked, surprised.

This was an empty area they had already walked through. There was nothing there. Nangong Sheng, known as the greatest formation master in the Divine Continent, didn't earn that title for nothing. Even Jian Ao couldn't discern the slightest clue about the formation. But to go inside? How? They had already explored thoroughly before.

Yet, Zhong Shan was resolute. He grabbed Jian Ao's hand and stepped forward.

As they reached the edge of the formation, Zhong Shan's body trembled slightly.

"Whoosh!"

Zhong Shan vanished into thin air. Jian Ao found himself stopped at the boundary, unable to enter.

Gone? Zhong Shan was gone?

Jian Ao had seen Zhong Shan's body disappear right before his eyes. Entered the formation? He felt no great excitement but rather a heavy solemnity. How did Zhong Shan enter the formation? Even Nangong Sheng's formation couldn't stop him?

Jian Ao's initial solemnity turned into a surge of excitement. This was indeed the rival he had been seeking.

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On the third day outside the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain, Nangong Sheng sat on his throne, watching the mountain with a calm expression. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed as he looked into the distance.

"How could this be? Someone has broken through the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Array?" Nangong Sheng muttered, filled with confusion.

In a flash, Nangong Sheng disappeared from his throne. At the same time, the storm clouds above the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain grew even more violent, as if the heavens themselves were enraged.

The Yin-Yang Reincarnation Array? Unless one was at the Celestial Extreme Realm, it was impossible to even see it. That was why Nangong Sheng had confidently arranged the competition location within the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain. But how had someone broken through?

Who could it be?

Nangong Sheng's expression grew increasingly serious. As he rushed towards the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain, a name flashed through his mind—Zhong Shan. Could it be that Zhong Shan, the person he had never been able to see through?

As Zhong Shan stepped into the grand formation, he immediately knew that only he could enter; bringing someone else inside was impossible.

Before him lay a vast complex of palaces, with a gigantic blood-red palace at the center. The plaque above it bore three imposing characters:

Blood God Palace!

Netherworld Heaven, Blood God Palace?

Zhong Shan swiftly entered the Blood God Palace.

Inside the palace, it felt like an ancient sacred hall, exuding a powerful aura. However, it was not overwhelming for Zhong Shan. The hall was filled with numerous decorations, and at the far north was a blood-red throne, clearly where Nangong Sheng sat. Behind the throne stood a ten-foot-tall screen.

On the screen was a diagram of a Taiji Yin-Yang fish. The two fish, one black and one white, rotated slowly, exuding a gentle light, their rotation following a seemingly rhythmic pattern.

Taiji Diagram!

Zhong Shan's eyes lit up with joy. Without hesitation, he rushed towards the Taiji Diagram.

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

Sensing the approach of someone greedy, the Yin-Yang fish spun, releasing a burst of green light that sent Zhong Shan flying backward.

"What a treasure!" Zhong Shan exclaimed, not angry but delighted.

Outside, Jian Ao waited patiently. Suddenly, a figure in white robes appeared beside him.

Nangong Sheng! Nangong Sheng had not initially believed someone could breach his formation, but the response from the array was unmistakable, prompting him to investigate. Upon arrival, he gave Jian Ao a brief glance before looking inward.

Indeed, someone had entered. How was this possible? The Yin-Yang Reincarnation Array showed no signs of damage, so how had they gotten in?

"Greetings, Heaven's Lord," Jian Ao said politely.

"How did he get in?" Nangong Sheng asked, incredulous.

The Yin-Yang Reincarnation Array had no clear entry or exit routes. It was an illusion array, a complex combination of derivative, battle, and static arrays, painstakingly crafted by Nangong Sheng. It was like another world, isolating everything unless a powerful entity could see and break it. This array, while not Nangong Sheng's strongest, was one of his proudest creations, imperceptible to anyone below the Celestial Extreme Realm. Yet, Zhong Shan had entered, as if delivering a harsh slap to Nangong Sheng's pride.

"He just walked in," Jian Ao answered truthfully.

Nangong Sheng was speechless. Just walked in?

With a wave of his hand, Nangong Sheng dismissed the 'proud' array, just in time to see Zhong Shan being thrown back by the Taiji Diagram's green light.

As Zhong Shan felt the array outside disappear, he stopped and turned to look.

Nangong Sheng?

"Greetings, Heaven's Lord of the Netherworld," Zhong Shan said.

Nangong Sheng stared intensely at Zhong Shan.

"How did you get in?" Nangong Sheng demanded, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Zhong Shan remained calm. "Heaven's Lord, I have my ways. Your formation, impressive as it is, could not keep me out."

Nangong Sheng's eyes narrowed. "You've shown extraordinary abilities, Zhong Shan. But entering my domain uninvited, do you know the consequences?"

Zhong Shan smiled faintly. "Heaven's Lord, I mean no disrespect. I merely seek the treasures you have hidden, as per the rules of the competition."

Nangong Sheng's face softened slightly, though his eyes remained wary. "Very well. You've proven resourceful. Let's see how far your luck and skill take you."

Turning his gaze back to the Taiji Diagram, Zhong Shan's eyes gleamed with determination. This treasure was not going to escape his grasp.

"What exactly are you?" Nangong Sheng asked solemnly.

"Zhong Shan," Zhong Shan replied truthfully.

Nangong Sheng was speechless for a moment. He knew Zhong Shan's name; that wasn't what he meant.

"Why is your constitution so vague? Even the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Array, which even those at the Celestial Extreme Realm cannot easily enter, could not stop you. How did you do it?" Nangong Sheng pressed further.

Vague? Zhong Shan felt a pang of tension in his heart.

"It's a result of a cultivation technique I practice," Zhong Shan explained.

Nangong Sheng scrutinized Zhong Shan, clearly not entirely convinced. His gaze suggested he wanted to study Zhong Shan more thoroughly.

Seeing Nangong Sheng's intent, Zhong Shan knew this was a precarious situation. He quickly changed the subject, "Does this mean we've passed the second trial?"

With a peculiar smile, Nangong Sheng shook his head. "Don't worry. Since you are a friend of the next Heaven's Lord, I won't make things difficult for you."

Hearing this, Zhong Shan felt a bit relieved. He wasn't underestimating Nangong Sheng, but caution was always necessary. It seemed rushing in earlier was a bit reckless. He hadn't expected Nangong Sheng to be so proficient in formations that even his subtle entrance was noticed.

"Heaven's Lord, is it decided?" Jian Ao asked.

Nangong Sheng had referred to Zhong Shan as a friend of the next Heaven's Lord, which seemed to confirm Jian Ao's position.

Nangong Sheng smiled and nodded. The treasures within the formation were far more than what he had placed. Although there were still a few days left, the outcome was clear.

"Thank you, Heaven's Lord!" Jian Ao said immediately.

"You were a Heaven's Lord in your past life, and now you are simply resuming your role. No need to thank me," Nangong Sheng shook his head.

"Very well," Jian Ao nodded.

"In ten days, I will formally pass the inheritance to you. From then on, you will be Heaven's Lord Jian Ao," Nangong Sheng declared.

Jian Ao, however, frowned.

"Heaven's Lord Jian Ao? Normally, there is a ten-year period between the inheritance and the assumption of the title. Why is this so urgent?" Jian Ao asked with a frown.

Suddenly, Jian Ao recalled what Zhong Shan had said when they entered the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain.

"Jian Ao, what is Nangong Sheng's cultivation level?" "Maybe I'm overthinking it."

Nangong Sheng's cultivation level was well-known, so why had Zhong Shan been uncertain? Could it be...? Moreover, the thunder outside was incessant, with multicolored lightning bolts raging violently, as if a great evil lay below.

Jian Ao looked at Nangong Sheng in surprise. "Have you ascended to immortality?"

Nangong Sheng looked at Jian Ao, then at Zhong Shan, and finally nodded. "Yes, my time here is short. The world's rejection of me is growing stronger, and I must leave this realm soon. That is why the inheritance is so urgent."

"Congratulations!" Jian Ao said.

"Congratulations!" Zhong Shan echoed.

Nangong Sheng nodded and then spoke with a solemn expression. "My ascension is poorly timed. Netherworld Heaven faces great calamity, and it might be destroyed. I hope you can lead Netherworld Heaven through this crisis."

"Great calamity?" Jian Ao raised an eyebrow.

With Nangong Sheng's departure, Netherworld Heaven would lack a Celestial Extreme Realm master. However, this had happened before. There had been many times when the sect lacked a top-tier master, yet Netherworld Heaven had never been destroyed. Its foundation was deep and strong, and even Celestial Extreme Realm practitioners might not gain the upper hand easily.

"Yes. The ancient divine abilities created the world, splitting numerous strands of primordial purple energy, each obtained by a Celestial Extreme Realm practitioner. Though each received only a sliver, this energy will significantly enhance their strength. Even ordinary immortals may not be their match. If I could stay, it wouldn't be an issue. But the world no longer tolerates my presence. From now on, it's up to you," Nangong Sheng said with a touch of regret.