Undying Life

Chapter 574: The Hidden Emergence of the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince

"That pill pool, only one person can enter!" Xu Fu suddenly announced.

"Huh?" All the alchemists were slightly taken aback, even Long Hu Dan Sheng looked at Xu Fu in surprise.

Xu Fu, although an unfamiliar name until now, was not to be underestimated. After all, anyone who could ascend the Ancient Sage Platform was worthy of respect. Moreover, Xu Fu was the first to refine an eighth-grade pill and represented the Great Qin Empire, so naturally, his words were taken seriously.

"Oh? Is what Daoist Xu said true?" Long Hu Dan Sheng asked with a slight frown.

"Whether it's true or not depends on Daoist Gan!" Xu Fu suddenly looked at Bao'er.

The alchemists were first surprised, then turned their curious gazes towards Bao'er. Bao'er's information was quickly recalled from their memories.

Tai Dan Sect! An ancient sect now allied with an empire!

Her?

Bao'er also looked at Xu Fu in surprise. He knew?

From the moment Xu Fu mentioned 'Ancient Pill Sect,' Bao'er had a bad feeling. She never expected Xu Fu to know even this.

"Daoist Gan, is it true?" Long Hu Dan Sheng asked.

"Indeed, our Tai Dan Sect has a history of producing Pill Sages. Our Heaven and Earth Xuan Huang Cauldron can withstand the central pill pool!" Bao'er immediately nodded.

In the past, Tai Dan Sect had never used the central pill pool, but now Bao'er had no choice but to agree. She didn't want the news of the Ancient Pill Sect to spread further.

"Heaven and Earth Xuan Huang Cauldron, so that's it!" Dan Sheng sighed.

Clearly, the Heaven and Earth Xuan Huang Cauldron was renowned throughout the ages.

The alchemists were envious, though jealousy lingered among some.

"However, everyone need not overly concern themselves with the pill pools. The eighty-one pill pools each have unique benefits. The closer to the center, the better it isn't necessarily for everyone. The pill pool I usually use is one of the outermost ones. Now, select your pill pools, and let's begin refining the divine pills!" Dan Sheng declared.

At Dan Sheng's words, everyone nodded. Their jealousy towards Bao'er also diminished.

Each chose their pill pool, and naturally, Bao'er chose the central one, specifically designed for the Heaven and Earth Xuan Huang Cauldron.

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Ling'er and Zhihuo followed her.

Arriving at the pill pool, Bao'er waved her hand, and a huge pill furnace thunderously fell into the pool. Instantly, the merits and luck above seemed drawn to it, flowing into the central pill pool and merging with the furnace.

Not only Bao'er, but the other seventy-two places also experienced the same.

Xu Fu's pill furnace landed in the second ring, while Long Hu Dan Sheng's pill furnace was in the third ring. Thus, the pill refining began.

As the flames ignited under the furnaces, countless spiritual energies from all directions swirled towards the Ancient Sage Platform, continuously converging at the various alchemists. Simultaneously, numerous streams of luck and merit were also drawn in.

The enormous Ancient Sage Platform immediately radiated billions of golden rays, appearing resplendent and incomparably sacred! It was inviolable!

Everyone below was in awe, their attention focused intently on the alchemists' refining techniques, especially on Long Hu Dan Sheng, whose methods drew the most onlookers.

The Grand Pill Assembly had officially reached its climax! The crowd was bustling!

The alchemists exchanged insights and observed the techniques of those on the platform. The crowd grew increasingly lively and noisy.

In the northern square, Zhong Shan remained still, quietly waiting for Bao'er to complete her pill.

The next day!

Zhong Shan continued to wait, playing a game of Go with Qian You to pass the time while awaiting Bao'er's return. Nearby, Emperor Lan Yan was also waiting for Long Hu Dan Sheng.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" Suddenly, a courtier rushed in frantically.

"Chancellor, what's the matter?" Emperor Lan Yanwei asked.

"Your Majesty, an envoy from the Yan Hong Empire requests an audience!" the chancellor said urgently.

An envoy from the Yan Hong Empire? Zhong Shan, who was playing Go, suddenly paused. The Yan Hong Empire was established by Xiao Wang, and recently, Zhong Shan had encountered Jian Hong and Xiao Wang's son, Xiao Zhongxing, who was the emperor of the Yan Hong Empire. The Yan Hong Empire was to the west of the Blue Flame Empire, with another empire, the Taishui Empire, in between.

"The Yan Hong Empire? What urgent matter brings them here? Let them come here to speak!" Lan Yanwei said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty!" The chancellor seemed anxious, glancing around at the many people present but saying nothing more.

"I am comprehending the pill refining techniques of my great-uncle. Either wait until the Grand Pill Assembly is over or let them come here!" Lan Yanwei said impatiently.

Comprehending pill refining techniques? Zhong Shan was slightly stunned. This emperor was truly indulgent, neglecting state affairs like a mundane emperor obsessed with learning medicine instead of governing. Such an emperor might have a deep talent for pill refining but was certainly not a competent ruler.

The chancellor sighed slightly and left. Soon, an old man with white hair was brought in.

"The envoy from Yan Hong greets Emperor Lan Yan!" The old man bowed immediately upon seeing Lan Yanwei.

"Oh? What brings Xiao Zhongxing to send you to me?" Lan Yanwei asked.

"His Majesty is currently in seclusion. After a discussion among the ministers, I was sent to the Blue Flame Empire," the old man said anxiously.

"Acting on your own? You've got some nerve!" Lan Yanwei said with a look of surprise.

"It's not that I acted on my own, but we had no other choice. His Majesty is in seclusion, and we cannot disturb him. I had to act on my own. Please, Emperor Lan Yan, save our Yan Hong Empire!" the old man pleaded anxiously.

Seclusion? Zhong Shan knew that Xiao Zhongxing was not in seclusion; he was on his way to the Underworld Heaven.

"Save? What do you mean by that?" Lan Yanwei asked, puzzled.

"The Taishui Empire has already conquered our western empire and is now preparing to attack our cities. When I left, they were attacking Ruyan City, and they might have taken it by now. The Taishui Empire's forces are too strong; we can't resist them. We are asking Emperor Lan Yan to send troops and save our empire!" The old man suddenly knelt, pleading earnestly.

Zhong Shan couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration for the old man's loyalty and dedication.

The Taishui Empire is attacking the Yan Hong Empire? Lan Yanwei frowned, sensing the gravity of the situation.

"Your Majesty, if the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold. Though the Yan Hong Empire is small, it is close to our empire. The Taishui Empire has just destroyed another empire and is now targeting the Yan Hong Empire. If the Yan Hong Empire falls, we will face the Taishui Empire directly. It is better to stop them now than to fight them later!" the chancellor advised.

"Please, Emperor Lan Yan, send troops!" The old man on the ground begged.

Lan Yanwei furrowed his brows and pondered. "Could this be a conflict between the Yan Hong Empire and the Taishui Empire, trying to drag us into their war?"

"Emperor Lan Yan, there is no such thing! We have no enmity with the Taishui Empire; they are purely invading us!" the old man quickly explained.

"Your Majesty, the Taishui Empire's invasion is real. The front lines have sent a declaration of war filled with baseless accusations!" the chancellor supported.

"But what if it truly is a conflict between the two empires? Originally, it didn't concern us, but now it would set up a major enemy for us. This matter must be handled with caution!" Lan Yanwei said solemnly.

Zhong Shan was stunned. Caution? What kind of caution was needed here? Regardless of whether it was a conflict between the two empires, help was necessary! Without this ally, wouldn't it be much easier for the Taishui Empire to attack the Blue Flame Empire next?

"Your Majesty, the Yan Hong Empire has always been a vassal to our empire and is considered our ally. No matter the cause, when an ally is in trouble, we must assist them," the chancellor advised urgently.

Hearing the chancellor's advice, Lan Yanwei furrowed his brows in thought. He realized that an ally in trouble must indeed be helped. But still...

"You say the Taishui Empire is advancing aggressively?" Lan Yanwei asked.

"Yes! They have mobilized an army of three hundred thousand, directly threatening our empire," the old envoy responded immediately.

"Who is leading the army?" Lan Yanwei inquired.

"The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince," the old man replied with a bitter expression.

"The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince?" Lan Yanwei's eyes tightened.

Zhong Shan's hand, holding a Go piece, froze. The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince? The one who killed Kui'er?

"Snap!"

The Go piece between Zhong Shan's fingers shattered under his uncontrolled grip.

"The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince? It seems the Yan Hong Empire is doomed," the chancellor sighed, shaking his head.

Apparently, the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince's fearsome reputation was too overwhelming in the western lands of Shenzhou. Just hearing his name made the chancellor lose hope.

"The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince? Why is he suddenly leading an expedition?" Lan Yanwei mused.

"The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince's past victories are well known. If he goes to war, he is certain to win! He conquered two empires in his youth. Sending troops now would be futile!" The chancellor sighed again.

"Emperor Lan Yan, you cannot watch the Yan Hong Empire be destroyed. We are your allies!" the old envoy pleaded desperately.

Allies! Yes, an ally asking for help and being refused—who would want to be allies with the Blue Flame Empire after that? But sending troops would be futile against the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince's might.

"This is..." Emperor Lan Yan was visibly troubled.

"Emperor Lan Yan, if you do not send troops today, the Blue Flame Empire will have no allies in the future. For the sake of the empire's future, please send troops!" The old envoy became stubborn.

The old envoy knew that if he showed any more weakness, Emperor Lan Yan would refuse to send troops. He had to force the issue.

But Emperor Lan Yan lacked Zhong Shan's strategic prowess. Once he wavered, it would be hard for him to act decisively again.

Seeing Emperor Lan Yan's hesitation, the old envoy's face showed a trace of sorrow.

"Emperor Lan Yan!" Zhong Shan suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?" Everyone looked at Zhong Shan in surprise.

"I have a past connection with Xiao Zhongxing. I am willing to go on behalf of the Blue Flame Empire!" Zhong Shan said.

"Oh? Emperor Zhong wants to go? That's perfect. You are a formidable figure in the east of Shenzhou, and the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince is a formidable figure in the west. Perhaps you can stop the Taishui Empire's advance!" Lan Yanwei's eyes lit up.

"Who is this?" The old envoy looked at Zhong Shan in confusion.

"This is the famous Zhong Shan, Emperor of the Great Zheng Empire!" Lan Yanwei introduced.

Hearing it was Zhong Shan, the old envoy's eyes lit up with excitement. He immediately bowed repeatedly to Zhong Shan. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Zhong Shan helped the old envoy up and turned to Emperor Lan Yan. "I will lead the troops on behalf of the Blue Flame Empire, but I hope the Blue Flame Empire can provide me with some forces."