Undying Life

Chapter 556: Chapter 555: Earth Book, Heavenly Scripture

Yan Chongzhi's alliance with the Dazhen Dynasty, followed by Dazhen's conquest of the Dayan Dynasty and the unification of the forbidden lands, led to an explosive expansion of Dazhen's power. Within less than a decade, the Dazhen Dynasty had achieved remarkable success, showcasing the brilliance and strategic prowess of Emperor Zhong Shan. This attracted numerous talents and ghosts from the underworld.

The Dazhen Dynasty, now a mixed-race empire, boasted both human and ghost armies. Its formidable presence gradually became known throughout the underworld.

After the great war, the focus naturally shifted to recuperation and consolidation, strengthening the nation's power. Zhong Shan, with his unparalleled abilities, understood this better than anyone.

The expansion of the new territory made it unwise to engage in further wars. Otherwise, it could provoke the other powers into forming a coalition against Dazhen, which was not what Zhong Shan desired. His current goal was to have the other powers gradually accept Dazhen and lower their guard.

Thus, nearly five more years passed in this manner.

In Zhong Shan's study in the underworld, a man in a black robe, the Mud Buddha, returned.

"Your Majesty, forgive me. I was delayed by various matters and couldn't return sooner," the Mud Buddha said sincerely.

Yan Chongzhi, standing nearby, was slightly surprised. Who was this person? He couldn't gauge his depth at all. Moreover, he seemed to hold a significant position in the Dazhen Dynasty. According to the information Yan had gathered over the years, there was no mention of this person.

Lin Xiao and Mr. Corpse remained expressionless as they looked at the Mud Buddha.

"Oh? Did you go far?" Zhong Shan asked.

"I went to the Great Thousand World this time," the Mud Buddha replied.

"What? Impossible! How could you leave and return?" Yan Chongzhi exclaimed in shock.

The Mud Buddha gave Yan Chongzhi a curious glance.

"This is Yan Chongzhi, the Seventh Corps Commander of the Dazhen Dynasty and Marquis of Yingwu," Zhong Shan introduced.

"No one can leave and return, not even immortals!" Yan Chongzhi stared at the Mud Buddha.

"I am a feng shui master," the Mud Buddha said calmly.

"A feng shui master?" Yan Chongzhi was taken aback and then showed a strange expression. A feng shui master? He's a feng shui master serving the Dazhen Dynasty? Yan Chongzhi grew increasingly astonished.

Looking at Zhong Shan, his curiosity deepened. Just how many surprises did this emperor have in store?

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Feng shui masters were typically only found in celestial dynasties. There were few in the underworld, and yet one appeared in the Dazhen Dynasty?

"The Great Thousand World?" Zhong Shan asked the Mud Buddha.

"Due to the unique nature of my lineage, I can use certain special methods to enter the vicinity of the Reincarnation Palace in the Great Thousand World. However, I can't access other areas. To be precise, it was just my 'spirit' that left; my 'body' remained in this realm," the Mud Buddha explained.

"Understood," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Your Majesty, a few years ago, did a fire qilin descend into the underworld?" the Mud Buddha asked.

"Oh? How do you know about that?" Zhong Shan was surprised.

It was a well-guarded secret, known only to his closest allies, as most witnesses had perished.

"Yes, it's been widely discussed in the Great Thousand World. Numerous experts nearly broke through the barrier to enter this realm, but their lack of unity prevented success. Shortly after, the fire qilin escaped," the Mud Buddha explained.

"The fire qilin? Why were so many experts focused on it?" Zhong Shan asked, frowning.

"It wasn't the fire qilin itself; it was the book the fire qilin seized," the Mud Buddha replied.

"A book?" Zhong Shan suddenly remembered the iron book the fire qilin had in its mouth. Was it that book?

The fact that numerous experts from the Great Thousand World failed to break through the barrier highlighted its strength. However, one expert had managed to breach the underworld barrier alone. How powerful must that individual be?

The grand expert must have operated very discreetly, as most people in the Great Thousand World were unaware of this event.

"I'm not sure what the book is exactly. I only heard that the fire qilin happened to obtain it when it emerged, and then it was relentlessly pursued," the Mud Buddha explained.

"Uh? Emerged?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Yes, it's said that the book wasn't crafted by anyone but was a spiritual object born of heaven and earth, called the 'Earth Book'," the Mud Buddha said after some thought.

"Earth Book?" Mr. Corpse suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"That's what I've heard," the Mud Buddha said, giving Mr. Corpse a curious glance.

"Earth Book? No wonder, no wonder so many powerful figures from the Great Thousand World were drawn to it," Mr. Corpse sighed deeply.

"You know about the Earth Book?" Zhong Shan asked Mr. Corpse.

"Indeed. In the Great Thousand World, there's more than one Earth Book. Every time an Earth Book appears, it triggers endless bloodshed. The Earth Book represents power, a divine power bestowed by heaven and earth. It can be used as a magical weapon and is one of the most potent spiritual treasures of the world. Moreover, it contains cultivation methods that can elevate a person's strength to the level of a grand expert. Whenever the Earth Book's techniques emerge, countless powerful figures go mad, fighting desperately to seize it," Mr. Corpse explained with deep reverence.

"An Earth Book? A grand expert?" Zhong Shan was astonished.

What is a grand expert? A few years ago, Zhong Shan had seen a glimpse of their power—an overwhelming palm strike that covered the sky, even when constrained by the laws of this realm.

Could an Earth Book really create such a grand expert?

The Earth Book! Indeed, if he had known about it back then, he might have been tempted to seize it himself.

"Of course, to become a grand expert, the possessor of the Earth Book must survive until they reach that level," Mr. Corpse added.

Survive? Mr. Corpse's words revealed the harsh reality of the Great Thousand World. Even with a powerful cultivation method, time was needed for growth. The Earth Book was a treasure coveted by grand experts, and its possessor would incur the wrath of the entire world. Imagine the scenario—being hunted by everyone. It would take immense courage to endure that.

"Is the Earth Book's cultivation method the strongest in the Great Thousand World?" the Mud Buddha asked.

"No. Some grand experts can create similarly powerful methods. However, the Earth Book is a divine gift, which places it at the top," Mr. Corpse clarified.

"Understood," Zhong Shan nodded.

"There's another legend, a legend within a legend. I don't know if it's true, but since we're discussing the Earth Book, I'll mention it," Mr. Corpse reminisced.

"Oh?" Everyone looked at Mr. Corpse.

"The strongest cultivation method isn't the Earth Book but another thing born of heaven and earth," Mr. Corpse recalled.

"What is it?"

"The Heavenly Scripture."

"Heavenly Scripture?" the Mud Buddha's eyes lit up, recalling the Myriad Shadows Heavenly Scripture he had seen and destroyed. Could it be that?

Zhong Shan, hearing the sensitive term "Heavenly Scripture," also felt a surge of excitement. Something even stronger than the Earth Book? The Heavenly Scripture?

"The Heavenly Scripture is different from the Earth Book. It's not something anyone can cultivate. It requires fate. Even if a Heavenly Scripture is placed before you, you might not be able to learn it. Moreover, some Heavenly Scriptures need special treasures to practice," Mr. Corpse explained.

"Like what?" Zhong Shan asked, slightly excited.

"In the legends of the Great Thousand World, such powerful Heavenly Scriptures are often considered distant myths, mere tales from long ago. I've only ever heard of one such Heavenly Scripture and its accompanying magical treasure," Mr. Corpse recalled.

"Oh?"

"The scripture is called the 'Scripture of Creation.' To practice it, one must have an auxiliary item known as the 'Jade Disc.' Eventually, it was lost to history, and I only know about it through hearsay," Mr. Corpse said.

"Scripture of Creation? Jade Disc?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Your Majesty, these are just stories I heard in my youth. They may not be true, and the existence of Heavenly Scriptures is uncertain. However, the Earth Book is undoubtedly real," Mr. Corpse explained.

Whether the Heavenly Scriptures were myths or not, even in the Great Thousand World, it was uncertain. Yet Zhong Shan trusted Mr. Corpse's words. Heavenly Scriptures! Zhong Shan felt a strange sensation. Could the Hong Luan Heavenly Scripture and the Myriad Shadows Heavenly Scripture be the legendary items Mr. Corpse mentioned?

The Mud Buddha remained silent throughout the discussion. When the meeting concluded and everyone else left, he stayed behind.

"Your Majesty, I have wronged you," the Mud Buddha said solemnly, bowing deeply.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan looked at the Mud Buddha.

"Your Majesty, I destroyed your precious 'Myriad Shadows Heavenly Scripture' and its auxiliary treasure, the 'Myriad Shadows Heavenly Mirror,' causing you to lose such valuable items," the Mud Buddha said regretfully.

"Didn't you say that the mirror was created by a wise predecessor?" Zhong Shan asked with a smile.

"That was just a story passed down in my lineage. A member of my line once practiced it, went mad, and wreaked havoc, generating immense karma. Our ancestral command was to destroy the treasure. I had no choice," the Mud Buddha explained with regret.

"Forget it. As Mr. Corpse said, practicing a Heavenly Scripture requires fate. I may not have had that fate. Even if I possessed it, I might not have been able to practice it. Besides, to gain it is fortunate; to lose it is destiny. You don't need to worry," Zhong Shan said cheerfully.

Seeing Zhong Shan's smile, the Mud Buddha felt even more apprehensive.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your forgiveness," the Mud Buddha said cautiously.

"However, let this matter end here. No one else must know about the Myriad Shadows Heavenly Scripture," Zhong Shan said sternly.

"Yes!" the Mud Buddha replied immediately.

The Mud Buddha believed Zhong Shan was being cautious. If any grand expert discovered the existence of the Myriad Shadows Heavenly Scripture, they would certainly pursue Zhong Shan and himself relentlessly. The potential consequences were dire.

Little did he know, Zhong Shan had already practiced the Myriad Shadows Heavenly Scripture and had reached the ninth level, even unlocking the Reincarnation Eyes. He had no intention of revealing this secret and would remain vigilant about it.

Scripture of Creation? Jade Disc?

Zhong Shan smiled mysteriously.

Dazhen Dynasty in the Underworld

The Dazhen Dynasty entered a period of recuperation and strengthening.

Dazhen Dynasty in the Mortal Realm

In the mortal realm, an unexpected event occurred in the Dazhen Dynasty, involving not Zhong Shan, but the Empress, Gan Baobao.