Undying Life

Chapter 616: Chapter 616: The Aspiration of the World

Amidst swirling clouds, a massive floating island slowly traversed the skies millions of miles above ground.

Slow? It was merely a matter of perspective. Like the sun's apparent movement, it seemed slow enough, yet its speed was beyond the reach of most.

A floating island amidst the clouds? In the high skies millions of miles above?

Witnessing this scene, nearly everyone was stunned. So distant, yet so immense?

Countless experts, upon spotting the Celestial Pavilion, ascended into the air, eager to approach and witness its full grandeur. Those with lower cultivation couldn't keep pace with the Pavilion's speed, while even the most skilled exerted themselves to keep up.

Gradually, as people drew near, they were dumbfounded to find that what they thought was a 'floating island' extended beyond their sight.

Was this even a floating island? How could something like this fly? The foremost floating island in the world?

"Halt!" Zhao Suoxiang commanded, spear in hand, surrounded by his subordinates at the westernmost point.

"Who goes there?" queried a leading expert of the Emperor's Domain.

"The Great Juezhen Dynasty, Zhao Suoxiang!" Zhao Suoxiang replied solemnly.

"The Great Juezhen Dynasty? Ah, I remember now...!" Suddenly, one of them exclaimed.

All eyes turned to him.

"This is the Isle of Tianlang, the ancestral lair of the Wolf Clan, and the residence of Emperor Xuanzha. Tianlang Island, that peak along the coast, where I sought refuge in days past—it cannot be mistaken. This... this is Tianlang Island!" he shouted in disbelief.

At his cry, the resolve of the experts who had intended to ascend the Celestial Pavilion wavered. Emperor Xuanzha's lair? Tianlang Island? While Emperor Xuanzha was once well-known, with Zhongshan's rise, understanding of him grew. Zhongshan's Great Juezhen Dynasty's capital was on Tianlang Island—was this indeed Tianlang Island?

One by one, the experts who had contemplated offense restrained themselves.

Filled with incredulity, they looked on. Tianlang Island? How did it come to fly here? How did it ascend?

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"The Tianlang Island of old exists no more. This is now called the 'Celestial Pavilion,' the capital of the Great Juezhen Dynasty. Before His Majesty opened the Celestial Pavilion, we request all to show restraint and not approach unannounced," Zhao Suoxiang declared solemnly.

Upon hearing Zhao Suoxiang's words, nearly everyone frowned.

Tianlang Island? Celestial Pavilion? Capital?

No one dared to underestimate Zhongshan, nor Emperor Xuanzha. This was the political heart of the Great Juezhen, the ancestral lair of the Wolf Clan. Who would risk their lives to offend?

Having made their intentions clear, Zhao Suoxiang and the experts reluctantly withdrew.

Watching the immensely vast Celestial Pavilion fly by, countless experts couldn't contain their amazement. They felt as if they were in a dream until the Celestial Pavilion flew out of sight, leaving them abruptly awake.

The dynasty? Celestial Pavilion? From this moment on, news of the Celestial Pavilion was sure to spread throughout the world, and the name of Zhongshan would once again resound across the continent.

The Celestial Pavilion, the foremost city in the world, the foremost capital of the world—none of the previous celestial capitals could compare. It was truly worthy of being called the foremost city for all eternity, even hailed as the first city of the ages!

Swiftly, the experts dispersed in all directions, spreading the news like a flood. Wherever the Celestial Pavilion passed, it became once more the aspiration of the world.

Upon receiving news of this astounding feat, dynasties and sects dispatched numerous scouts to investigate.

As for safety, after learning the origins of the Celestial Pavilion, no one dared to intervene. Moreover, in the southern regions of the continent, there were no powerful dynasties to contest with, allowing the Celestial Pavilion to travel smoothly on its way through the land of Zhou.

The movements of the Celestial Pavilion stirred the hearts of countless individuals.

Above the Celestial Pavilion,

After the court assembly, within the Hall of Longevity, stood a group of Zhongshan's trusted confidants. Those of lower cultivation remained at a distance, while the higher cultivators dared to approach closer to the center.

At the heart of the great hall was a jade table, upon which rested a white jade statue. All eyes were fixed on this statue of white jade. Even Liu Wushuang, after a single glance, felt her mind sway, quickly closing her eyes and sitting cross-legged to meditate.

The white jade statue depicted an unparalleled beauty, seemingly divinely crafted, adorned in flowing robes exuding an unparalleled allure.

This was the cherished treasure passed down by Beiqingsi, the statue known as the "Heavenly Demon Pond."

As everyone gazed upon the white jade statue, they couldn't help but experience fleeting illusions: visions of countless beauties, of yakshas, of enemies, of loved ones—phantasmal visions filling their minds.

"Is this the treasure you spoke of?" Zhongshan looked to Beiqingsi.

Beiqingsi glanced at Linger and Baoer, seeing the gentle smiles of the two women before turning to Zhongshan. "Yes, it was discovered by our ancestor by chance. According to our ancestral records, this item originated from the Great Thousand Worlds, though how it came to be lost and ended up here is unknown. Its name is 'Heavenly Demon Pond.'"

"Heavenly Demon Pond?" Zhongshan furrowed his brow.

Nibo and the others showed expressions of confusion.

Heavenly Demon Pond? This statue was a pond? They exchanged puzzled looks.

"This Heavenly Demon Pond was sealed countless times by our ancestor after ascending to immortality, thus preventing it from causing turmoil in our hearts," Beiqingsi explained.

"Countless seals?" Those whose minds were confused couldn't help but twitch their lips.

To have been sealed countless times, yet still inspire such terror.

"According to our ancestor's records, it was discovered in a deep mountain notorious for ghostly legends, where people often saw specters. Perhaps these were its doing. At that time, this object was like a small pond in the heart of a valley in that deep mountain, seemingly discarded by someone unintentionally," Beiqingsi continued.

"Ah," nodded the crowd as they looked at Beiqingsi.

"That pond, because it turned pitch-black and shrouded the entire valley in countless illusions, would have led to death if our ancestor hadn't created the 'Ice Heart Technique' to safeguard our hearts. According to the records, within that pond, a 'Heavenly Demon' would emerge every day, tearing through the void and leaving this realm," Beiqingsi said.

After Beiqingsi finished speaking, the group of experts wore strange expressions, particularly Emperor Xuanzha. Emperor Xuanzha stared at the beautiful statue before him in an extremely bizarre manner. A Heavenly Demon? Could this thing breed Heavenly Demons?

"A Heavenly Demon deceives the heart. It's rumored to be a formless spirit unique to the Great Thousand Worlds, an ascension of the mind demon, unstoppable and incorporeal. Junior Heavenly Demons often become formidable adversaries during the tribulation of the Heaven Extreme Realm in the Great Thousand Worlds. The greatest obstacle to becoming an immortal in the Heaven Extreme Realm is the Heavenly Demon!" Mud Bodhisattva nodded.

"The Great Thousand Worlds? Invoking Heavenly Demons during ascension? What about our Small Thousand Worlds?" Zhongshan asked.

"In our realm, it's not certain!" Mud Bodhisattva shook his head.

"Oh?"

"Speaking of which, 'immortal' is just a general term. After confronting and resisting the Heavenly Will post-tribulation, reversing mortal fate into immortal fate, the resulting immortal fate may not necessarily be the same. Ordinary immortals who ascend from the Heaven Extreme Realm often only become the lowest class of immortals. Such immortals do not necessarily invoke Heavenly Demons during their tribulation in the Small Thousand Worlds. However, for someone like Emperor Zhi Zun, I believe that Heavenly Demons will descend during his future tribulation. If he can pass through, his achievement will far surpass that of ordinary immortals. If he cannot pass through, he will only turn to ashes!" Mud Bodhisattva said solemnly.

Emperor Xuanzha nodded in agreement. How strong was he? One of the strongest Heaven Extreme Realm existences; his path to immortality was not that of an ordinary immortal. The difference between the most ordinary immortal and Emperor Xuanzha was not substantial.

It wasn't merely about realms; just like the ancient shaman, who could defeat the weakest immortals with the Opening Sky Axe, prowess couldn't solely be measured by realms. Just as with Zhongshan, realms didn't define strength.

"It's rumored that seventy percent of those who fail their tribulation in the Great Thousand Worlds perish due to Heavenly Demon disturbances," Mud Bodhisattva said solemnly.

Upon hearing Mud Bodhisattva's explanation, the group of experts looked at the white jade statue on the table, a chill passing through their eyes.

Heavenly Demons, how terrifying they were. Even junior Heavenly Demons had caused countless Heaven Extreme Realm experts to meet untimely deaths. Could this statue truly be so fearsome? Could it nurture Heavenly Demons?

"I haven't seen specific Heavenly Demons myself, but practicing near it will undoubtedly induce endless illusions, breeding inner demons incessantly. The closer one gets, the greater the influence. Although it disturbs the mind, prolonged practice can hone one's mental fortitude and enhance spiritual cultivation. In cultivation, cultivating oneself is easiest, cultivating one's mind is the hardest, and one's spiritual state determines one's cultivation level. This object can cultivate one's spiritual state and greatly strengthen the ranks of experts for the Great Dong Empire!" Beiqingsi took a deep breath and spoke seriously.

Everyone fell into silence. Zhongshan also understood why Beiqingsi risked everything to obtain this item from the Eternal Life Realm.

With this item, the Great Dong Empire would be able to mass-produce unparalleled experts. Experts and wise individuals were the talents the Great Dong Empire needed most. Instead of searching everywhere, it was better to create them oneself.

"With this item, the Great Dong Empire will surely ascend another step!" Zhongshan said satisfactorily.

Seeing Zhongshan's satisfaction, Beiqingsi revealed a gentle smile. As long as Zhongshan was satisfied, all the suffering was worthwhile.

"Your Majesty!" Mud Bodhisattva suddenly bowed.

"Oh?" Zhongshan looked unexpectedly at Mud Bodhisattva.

"According to what the Empress mentioned, I have an idea!" Mud Bodhisattva's eyes sparkled.

"Oh?"

"Using this item as the foundation, I can create a derivative realm based on a secret technique obtained from the Underworld not long ago!"

"A derivative realm?"

"Yes, a derivative realm specifically designed for refining the mind. Within this derivative realm, while the physical body remains, the mind can undergo a hundred reincarnations! Amidst the chaotic dance of Heavenly Demons, one can maintain steadfastness in their original intentions!" Mud Bodhisattva exclaimed with excitement.

"Are you sure about this?" Zhongshan's excitement matched Mud Bodhisattva's.

"According to theory, it should be feasible. After a hundred reincarnations, even the weakest heart would become as firm as a rock! Penetrating through everything! Realms would infinitely ascend," Mud Bodhisattva said excitedly.

"Good, I entrust this item to you. Before arriving at Qingzhou, I want to see this derivative realm of a hundred reincarnations laid out!" Zhongshan said solemnly.

"Understood!" Mud Bodhisattva immediately replied.

At this moment, Emperor Xuanzha also smiled faintly, yet his eyes shimmered with deep nostalgia. In hindsight, he truly made the wisest decision for the Great Dong Empire.