Undying Life

Chapter 558: The Pursuit of Jian Hong

Zhong Shan and Zhao Suoxiang, old friends reunited, naturally took the opportunity to catch up. They relocated to a tranquil valley, set up a pavilion by a small stream, and spent time reminiscing about their experiences over the years.

"So the Zhong Shan causing such a commotion in the East was you all along!" Zhao Suoxiang exclaimed, looking at Zhong Shan with surprise.

The name Zhong Shan was well-known across the dynasties, recognized by knowledgeable generals everywhere. Zhao Suoxiang had heard it too but hadn't connected it to his old friend, thinking it was just someone with the same name. After all, decades ago, Zhong Shan was only at the Xiantian stage. In Shenzhou, a place teeming with heroes, the name Zhong Shan seemed quite common.

For years, Zhao Suoxiang thought it was a mere coincidence. He never imagined that the formidable Zhong Shan of the Dazhen Dynasty was actually his old friend.

"It's just a minor thing, not worth mentioning," Zhong Shan said with a humble smile.

"Minor? You defeated an Emperor Extreme Realm expert. Was that really you?" Zhao Suoxiang asked, still incredulous.

"Yes," Zhong Shan nodded, confirming it.

"It seems our sparring will have to be postponed," Zhao Suoxiang said with a wry smile.

"I was just lucky, advancing my cultivation quickly," Zhong Shan said.

"No matter the reason, your strength has reached the pinnacle of Shenzhou," Zhao Suoxiang said, sighing.

"And you? How did you end up in the Blue Flame Empire?" Zhong Shan asked.

"After we parted ways, I took my senior uncles and headed to Shenzhou. But the sects that were hunting us continued their pursuit. We fled to Shenzhou, only to find their headquarters there. We were besieged by many powerful cultivators and fled until we reached the Blue Flame Empire. The former emperor of the Blue Flame Empire saved us, and I've been serving here ever since to repay that kindness," Zhao Suoxiang explained.

"Oh? With your abilities, what position do you hold in the Blue Flame Empire? Have you become a corps commander?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Not at all. I am currently the commander of a battalion under the Third Corps, with only five thousand soldiers. All of them are trained in the spear by me and my senior uncles," Zhao Suoxiang said with a smile.

Hearing this, Zhong Shan had a thought.

"So these five thousand soldiers will be the foundation of your Iron Spear Sect in the future?" Zhong Shan asked with a smile.

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"Yes, the Iron Spear Sect. But it seems the sect is not suited to being a secluded mountain sect. Its true value is shown on the battlefield, and only through battle can those who practice the spear grow stronger," Zhao Suoxiang sighed.

"The former emperor of the Blue Flame Empire passed away fifty years ago, didn't he?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Yes," Zhao Suoxiang nodded.

"Would you be interested in joining my Dazhen Dynasty?" Zhong Shan asked tentatively.

Zhao Suoxiang looked at Zhong Shan with surprise, then furrowed his brow, understanding Zhong Shan's intent. He smiled wryly and said, "I might visit the Dazhen Dynasty someday."

This was Zhao Suoxiang's polite refusal.

However, Zhong Shan was persistent. Zhao Suoxiang was both an old friend and a formidable general. Zhong Shan didn't want to face him as an enemy on the battlefield in the future.

"After fighting for the Blue Flame Empire for so many years, haven't you repaid the former emperor's kindness? Do you plan to stay in the Blue Flame Empire forever?" Zhong Shan asked.

Shaking his head, Zhao Suoxiang said solemnly, "If I had met you first, I would have joined the Dazhen Dynasty. But the Blue Flame Empire has never betrayed me, so I will never betray them."

Zhao Suoxiang's firm refusal only made Zhong Shan value him more. A man of such strong principles and loyalty was rare. Zhong Shan had also done much for Zhao Suoxiang, but he would never use those deeds to demand loyalty. At least, not from someone like Zhao Suoxiang.

"Let's not talk about that. How did you end up here?" Zhao Suoxiang changed the subject.

"We're here for the Great Alchemy Gathering. My wife, Gan Baobao, is the head of the Tai Dan Sect," Zhong Shan said, pointing to Baobao in the distance.

The mention of Tai Dan Sect surprised Zhao Suoxiang. Having lived on Heavenly Wolf Island, he knew about the Tai Dan Sect. He glanced at Zhong Shan in acknowledgment.

"What was with that group of monkeys earlier?" Zhong Shan asked after a moment.

"Well, that's due to a powerful official who came to the Blue Flame Empire twenty years ago. You might even know him," Zhao Suoxiang said.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan was intrigued.

"Shen Qitian. He used to be with the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty but later joined the Blue Flame Empire. He brought the monkey clan with him, making their national beast. The emperor was delighted, and Shen Qitian quickly rose to power," Zhao Suoxiang explained.

"Shen Qitian?" Zhong Shan was slightly taken aback.

Shen Qitian, formerly the Marquis of Qitian in the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty, had even tried to sabotage Zhong Shan in the Netherworld Heaven. And now, he had joined the Blue Flame Empire?

"You do know him!" Zhao Suoxiang frowned.

"We are enemies, not friends. What happened to him?" Zhong Shan asked.

Hearing Zhong Shan's stance, Zhao Suoxiang relaxed a bit.

"The monkey clan, though not as prestigious as the dragon or phoenix clans, is still a formidable group in Shenzhou. As Shen Qitian's power grew in the Blue Flame Empire, he eventually threatened the emperor's authority," Zhao Suoxiang said.

"He threatened the Blue Flame Emperor?" Zhong Shan was surprised.

"Yes, the Blue Flame Emperor is not as capable as the former emperor, leading to a situation where the official is stronger than the sovereign. It even seemed that Shen Qitian might be aiming for the throne," Zhao Suoxiang said.

"Shen Qitian is ruthless and ambitious. An official position in the empire might not satisfy him, and it's very likely he would try to usurp the throne. The monkey clan would undoubtedly be loyal to him," Zhong Shan said after thinking for a moment.

"Fate has its twists. Recently, an enemy of Shen Qitian appeared out of nowhere! This enemy is incredibly powerful, relentlessly pursuing Shen Qitian. One strike from her sword left a mark stretching for miles, shocking the entire court. Shen Qitian, despite his strength, couldn't withstand her. He fled east, seeking refuge in the Water Curtain Mountains, the largest stronghold of the monkey clan, and called for aid from all monkeys," Zhao Suoxiang explained.

"An enemy? Pursuing him?" Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, a woman in red. Due to the Great Alchemy Gathering, people from all over Shenzhou are here. Someone recognized her as Jian Hong, the master of the Sword God Palace. Her swordsmanship is unparalleled," Zhao Suoxiang said with admiration.

"Jian Hong? Is she still pursuing him?" Zhong Shan was surprised.

"You know her?" Zhao Suoxiang asked, surprised.

"Not personally, but I know the story. It happened decades ago. Shen Qitian killed Xiao Wang, the Grand Marshal of the Great Light Dynasty, and Jian Hong was Xiao Wang's wife. She's been chasing him for decades and hasn't given up!" Zhong Shan sighed.

"That explains her cold and vengeful demeanor. Shen Qitian is a traitor, and the emperor won't tolerate him. Shen Qitian is protected by powerful monkeys, so Jian Hong can deal with him. Meanwhile, we've been deployed to different areas to eliminate any monkey reinforcements," Zhao Suoxiang explained.

"Is your Iron Spear Battalion only you eleven?" Zhong Shan asked, surprised.

"No, the other members are with my senior uncles. I only brought these ten, which is enough!" Zhao Suoxiang smiled.

"Do you know where the Water Curtain Mountain Range is?" Zhong Shan asked.

"You want to go see it?" Zhao Suoxiang asked, surprised.

"Of course, I want to meet Shen Qitian again and see the powerful Jian Hong," Zhong Shan said thoughtfully.

"Since I've just broken through, I'll accompany you," Zhao Suoxiang offered.

"That sounds good."

Zhao Suoxiang gathered his subordinates, instructed them to rendezvous with the other teams, and then set off with Zhong Shan and his group, flying west.

As they traveled, Zhao Suoxiang came to understand the terrifying strength of the ten companions, none of whom were below his own level.

After two days of flying, they reached the Water Curtain Mountain Range.

Even before entering the range, they saw an endless sea of monkey corpses. Blood flowed like rivers.

The outer mountains were mostly collapsed or sliced in half. The ground was scarred with enormous sword-shaped trenches, evidence of terrifying destructive power.

Seeing this, Zhong Shan felt a sense of gravity. Though he could achieve similar destruction, Jian Hong's unrestrained and overwhelming power was impressive.

The Sword God Palace's might was indeed formidable.

They continued deeper into the mountains, passing through the devastation left by Jian Hong and encountering countless monkey and ape corpses.

After about an hour of flying, they saw a scene in the distance.

From afar, they could see the sky filled with boundless sword energy, reaching the clouds. The clouds were shredded, and the nearby ones were forced away, unable to approach.

The sky was raining sword energy. The ground below was barren, and weaker monkeys were already dead. Only the strongest were struggling to survive.

"Still no conclusion. It seems Jian Hong is still at the peak of the Emperor Extreme Realm," Zhong Shan said to Zhao Suoxiang.

"What? Emperor Extreme Realm? Jian Hong is at the Emperor Extreme Realm? That's impossible. There are a monkey king and an ape king there, both at the Emperor Extreme Realm. How could Jian Hong, at the Emperor Extreme Realm, fight them for a month without a result?" Zhao Suoxiang was astonished.

Even Zhihuo, A'da, and the others found it hard to believe. Emperor Extreme Realm? How could Jian Hong be at the Emperor Extreme Realm? The immense sword rain and overwhelming power seemed like the work of someone at the Emperor Extreme Realm.

"It's the Emperor Extreme Realm. Jian Hong has been chasing Shen Qitian for years, with no time to cultivate further. Moreover, if Jian Hong had reached the Emperor Extreme Realm, the monkey king and ape king would have been defeated long ago. It wouldn't have dragged on until now," Zhong Shan said with certainty.

Jian Hong's strength was indeed formidable and fierce!