Undying Life

Chapter 622: Chapter 622: The Four Great Celestial Dynasties

The Imperial Dynasty is the mainstream power in the land of Shenzhou. Only by achieving the status of an Imperial Dynasty can one participate in the grand affairs of the world. Across the entire Shenzhou, there are only a little over a hundred Imperial Dynasties.

Zhongshan has now, in terms of strength, status, and influence, entered the circle of Shenzhou's power struggles.

Faced with the emerging era of chaos, the ascension of the Great Zong Empire could not have come at a better time.

After the ceremonial offerings to heaven, the Great Zong Empire successfully ascended. Everything was about to enter a new era. Zhongshan put away the Fang Tian Jade Seal and the Investiture of the Gods list and descended from the high platform.

Many ceremonial officials quickly cleaned up the surroundings, even dismantling the newly erected platform. After the officials and citizens cheered for the emperor's long life, the celebration began.

At this moment, in every city of the Great Zong Empire, banquets were laid out to celebrate the ascension. It was the first grand banquet of the Great Zong Empire.

Below the Celestial Pavilion, Li Si looked at the stabilized Great Zong, brushed off the wrinkles on his clothes, and muttered to himself, "It's time."

With a step, Li Si flew towards the Celestial Pavilion.

As he approached, he suddenly heard:

"The Emperor of the Great Li Celestial Dynasty congratulates the Great Zong Empire on its successful ascension~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

In front of the Hall of Longevity, Zhongshan had not yet entered the hall when a group of people quickly flew over. These were envoys from the Great Li Celestial Dynasty, Zhongshan's allied dynasty. The leading envoy, Marquis Shaofei, was granted permission to enter the Celestial Pavilion.

With the successful ascension of the Great Zong Empire, Marquis Shaofei performed the appropriate court etiquette and presented the gifts from the Great Li Celestial Dynasty.

"Thank the Emperor of the Great Li~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" Zhongshan returned the salute.

With a wave of his hand, many ceremonial officials received the gifts.

"The Great Li Celestial Dynasty comes to congratulate, and the Great Zong is grateful~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

"The Great Li Celestial Dynasty comes to congratulate, and the Great Zong is grateful~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

Officials from the Ministry of Rites relayed this message layer by layer, spreading it throughout the Celestial Pavilion and to every corner of the Great Zong Empire.

Below the Celestial Pavilion, numerous onlookers were astonished upon hearing the announcement. The Great Li Celestial Dynasty? That's in the northern part of Shenzhou, while the Great Zong is in the southernmost part. How could they be connected? Yet, they sent an envoy to congratulate an ascended Imperial Dynasty?

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People's surprise was understandable. The Great Li Celestial Dynasty was a celestial dynasty, while the Great Zong was merely an Imperial Dynasty. It was unheard of for a celestial dynasty to congratulate an Imperial Dynasty.

"This Great Zong Empire sure has a lot of influence!"

"Indeed, it's unprecedented for a celestial dynasty to send congratulations!"

As the onlookers marveled, another announcement was heard.

"The Emperor of the Great Qin Celestial Dynasty congratulates the Great Zong Empire on its successful ascension~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

Li Si, having performed the proper etiquette, landed on the plaza before the Hall of Longevity.

The Great Qin? Zhongshan was slightly surprised, but as the saying goes, "a guest is a guest." Zhongshan naturally received him with courtesy.

"Thank the Emperor of the Great Qin~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

Li Si presented a gift, which the ceremonial officials promptly accepted.

Li Si nodded and stepped aside, exchanging a brief glance with Marquis Shaofei. Both acknowledged each other with a nod, each harboring their own thoughts.

"The Great Qin Celestial Dynasty comes to congratulate, and the Great Zong is grateful~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

As the news spread far and wide, countless experts were left in astonishment.

Everyone knew that the Great Zong Empire was powerful, but this was beyond their expectations. Two celestial dynasties already, and now another? The mysterious Great Qin Celestial Dynasty?

"This is unbelievable! The Great Zong Empire is really blessed," murmured a man in the crowd.

"The Emperor of the Great Taisui Celestial Dynasty congratulates the Great Zong Empire on its successful ascension~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

A loud voice, coming from afar and drawing closer, interrupted everyone's shocked thoughts. Another celestial dynasty?

How formidable was the Great Zong Empire to warrant such extravagant recognition?

Zhongshan recognized the newcomer—Monk Sekong—who had changed into official robes. When he looked at Zhongshan, his gaze flickered, showing his extreme fear of Zhongshan. Had it not been for the purpose of delivering congratulations, Monk Sekong would never have dared to come.

Sekong's task was to gather intelligence on the Great Zong Empire, with the ascension celebration being the prime opportunity.

As he approached, Zhongshan's eyes narrowed, a cold gleam flashing in them. Sekong, sensitive to the atmosphere, shivered, fearfully looking at Zhongshan.

"Thank the Emperor of the Great Taisui~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" Zhongshan's tone was slightly stiff.

Li Si watched Zhongshan with a slight smile, while Marquis Shaofei pondered silently. Sekong dared not move recklessly.

"The Great Taisui Celestial Dynasty comes to congratulate, and the Great Zong is grateful~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

As the ceremonial officials relayed the message, the onlookers widened their eyes.

"Another celestial dynasty? The Great Taisui Celestial Dynasty? Did I hear that right?"

"Three celestial dynasties coming to congratulate the Great Zong? This is unprecedented!"

"This is indeed a grand event! The Great Zong Empire has certainly made its mark!"

The experts' admiration for Zhongshan increased manifold. The Great Zong Empire was proving to be incredibly powerful. Then, something even more surprising happened.

"The Emperor of the Great Yong Celestial Dynasty congratulates the Great Zong Empire on its successful ascension~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

A voice from a distance reached the crowd.

The Great Yong Celestial Dynasty? Everyone was stunned.

The Great Yong Celestial Dynasty? But there were only three celestial dynasties in Shenzhou. Was this person an impostor?

People could only speculate, as no one dared to voice their doubts openly.

Zhongshan's eyes narrowed, a look of confusion flashing in them.

The figure in the distance quickly approached.

Zhongshan recognized the newcomer as well—Huan Tulong, former Grand Tutor of the Da Luo Celestial Dynasty. After the four princes split the Da Luo Celestial Dynasty, Huan Tulong and other loyalists followed the eldest prince, Gu Zhengyi, and established the Yong Dynasty. Huan Tulong, once a nominal foster father to Gu Qianyou, was now the emperor of the Great Yong.

"Huan Tulong? The Great Yong Celestial Dynasty? Could Gu Zhengyi have resurrected a celestial dynasty using the old Da Luo foundation so quickly? Incredible!" Zhongshan thought.

"Huan Tulong, we meet again. What brings you here?" Zhongshan asked, puzzled.

"The former Duke of the East has now become an emperor; congratulations are in order. The Great Yong Celestial Dynasty's establishment wasn't long before the Great Zong. The late Da Luo Emperor had long planned for the future. The Da Luo loyalists have joined the Great Yong, now ruled by our current emperor. Just recently, the Great Yong officially became a celestial dynasty," Huan Tulong explained.

Zhongshan suddenly realized why Fan Yipin had left abruptly. There must have been changes in the eastern part of Shenzhou.

"During the early days of the celestial dynasty, the Emperor of the Great Yong thought of Zhongshan. I thank the Emperor of the Great Yong!" Zhongshan returned the salute.

"The Great Yong Celestial Dynasty congratulates the Great Zong Empire on its successful ascension~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

As the ceremonial officials relayed the message, nearly all the observing experts were left dumbfounded. They couldn't quite grasp why they were so stunned, as each piece of news seemed increasingly surreal, as if the entire world had changed without notice.

Another celestial dynasty? The Great Yong Celestial Dynasty?

Four celestial dynasties? Even if there were four celestial dynasties, it was unprecedented for them to collectively congratulate an imperial dynasty.

"Everyone, please come inside," Zhongshan gestured, formally inviting the envoys of the four celestial dynasties into the Hall of Longevity.

"The Great Zong Emperor, please lead the way!"

Zhongshan did not stand on ceremony, as he was the host. He entered the hall first.

Following him, the envoys of the four celestial dynasties entered, accompanied by several high-ranking officials of the Great Zong Empire.

The Hall of Longevity had been rearranged for the occasion.

Zhongshan took the main seat at the northernmost position, the highest place. Below him on the second tier were his three empresses, Bao'er, Ling'er, and Bei Qingsi, who took their seats gracefully.

On the third tier, the lowest level, the seats were arranged in two rows. On the left side, in order of arrival, were Shaofei Marquis, Li Si, Monk Sekong, and Huan Tulong.

On the right side sat Zhong Tian, Emperor Xuanzha, Yi Yan, Shui Wuhen, Shui Jing, Zhao Suoxiang, and Wang Ku.

Once seated, the guests from the celestial dynasties directed their gazes with particular interest.

Shaofei Marquis glanced at Zhong Tian, showing slight surprise—not at Zhong Tian's identity, but at the integration of the religious leader of the Great Ming Sect into the state apparatus.

Li Si directed his gaze toward Empress Gan Bao'er, his pupils slightly contracting and his brow furrowing. Bao'er, feeling Li Si's gaze, calmly returned it, nodding slightly as a form of courtesy. Acknowledging the gesture, Li Si nodded back and looked away.

Monk Sekong focused on Wang Ku, his keen senses causing his eyelids to twitch. He felt an overwhelming sense of dread emanating from Wang Ku, making him the second most terrifying presence in the hall, after Zhongshan.

Huan Tulong glanced at the second tier, particularly the three empresses, his brow furrowing slightly in disappointment as he failed to find the person he was searching for—Gu Qianyou, the nominal foster daughter of the Great Yong Emperor.

The envoys from the four celestial dynasties had varying expressions, but soon composed themselves and turned their attention to Zhongshan.

Before each of them was a small table with the finest dishes of the Great Zong Empire.

Zhongshan looked at the four envoys, understanding that each had come with different intentions. With a faint smile, he lifted a cup of wine and said, "It is a great honor for Zhongshan that you have come to attend the first banquet of the Great Zong Empire. I toast to you all with this cup!"

"The Great Zong Emperor is too kind!" The four envoys lifted their cups in response.

Regardless of their personal thoughts, they had to follow the formalities. The first toast of the banquet was obligatory.

Zhongshan drank first as a gesture of respect, and the others followed suit, downing their cups, signaling the official start of the banquet. With the initial toast concluded, it was time to discuss matters openly.