Undying Life

Chapter 698: Chapter 698: Wrapping Up the South

Underworld, Huangquan Road!

Ghosts continued to gather from all directions, jumping directly into the Huangquan Sea upon arrival. In a nearby valley, protected by an array that prevented ghosts from entering, stood a small thatched cottage guarded by seven or eight vigilant members of the Tian family.

At this moment, the new head of the Tian family, Tian Xiaozi, arrived with Xiao Wangfei and landed at the entrance.

"Patriarch!" The guards respectfully greeted them.

"When was this discovered?" Tian Xiaozi asked.

"Three days ago. The old patriarch had me bring some items to him, but when I returned today, I found him like this!" one of the Tian family members said with a frown.

Tian Xiaozi nodded and pushed open the door of the cottage.

Xiao Wang followed closely behind. Inside, the room was very clean. In the center, the previous patriarch, Tian Ji Zi, sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, unmoving, seemingly unaware of anyone entering.

"Patriarch, is the old patriarch dead?" Xiao Wang asked in surprise.

Tian Xiaozi looked at Tian Ji Zi and sighed slightly. "Father, have you finally understood the Great Elder's intentions?"

"Patriarch!" Xiao Wang's eyes showed a hint of fear.

Tian Xiaozi bowed deeply to Tian Ji Zi's body. "You will always be the father I respect the most. Although I understood the Great Elder's thoughts, I never had your courage. Your bravery is something I will remember for life!"

Xiao Wang furrowed his brows, seemingly having guessed the reason and looked at Tian Ji Zi's body in shock.

Tian Xiaozi took out a jade coffin and gently placed Tian Ji Zi's body inside. Carrying the jade coffin, he slowly walked out of the cottage.

"Station guards here at all times! Do not neglect this place! Pay close attention to any wandering souls coming from the mortal realm!" Tian Xiaozi commanded.

"Yes!" The Tian family members responded immediately.

Tian Xiaozi then took the coffin and headed back to the Tian family.

In Jingbo Pond, Tian Xiaozi placed the jade coffin in front of a group of elders.

"Great Elder!" Tian Xiaozi bowed deeply.

Tian Chenzi slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the jade coffin. "He's gone?"

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"Yes, my father was a man of great courage. He has reversed the flow on Huangquan Road, taking his memories with him to reincarnate in the mortal realm," Tian Xiaozi said solemnly.

"Indeed, Tian Ji Zi was not a mediocre person to have become the patriarch. However, over the years, power blinded him. When one's eyes are blinded, one becomes a foolish brute," Tian Chenzi said calmly.

"Yes, I will take this as a warning!" Tian Xiaozi immediately bowed again.

This was a reminder from Tian Chenzi, urging him to remain vigilant.

"Tian Ji Zi has gone to the mortal realm to seek the 'Heavenly Order'. Deploy more people to keep an eye on Huangquan Road," Tian Chenzi said.

"I have already made the arrangements," Tian Xiaozi replied.

"Also, keep a close watch on the Da Zhen Empire," Tian Chenzi added.

"Understood!"—

Half a year later, in the mortal realm, the Great Qin Empire, Xianyang Sacred Capital!

In the court, Ying listened to reports from all sides.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, on the northern battlefield, Bai Qi has been invincible, and he is about to enter the former territory of the Da Li Empire!" Li Si reported.

"Mm, is the decisive battle approaching?" Ying nodded.

"Yes, the armies of Great Qin, Taishui, and Da Yong are about to converge at the former capital of Lihuo. On this northern battlefield, not only our Great Qin but also Taishui and Da Yong have been unstoppable. Da Yong's Huan Tulong is a true war hero, and Taishui's Wang Chen has washed all the empires with a sea of blood, demonstrating the unrivaled might of the Blood God Son," Li Si reported solemnly.

"The Blood God Son? Yet another technique from the Great Thousand Worlds. The disciples of the Kong family certainly came prepared," Ying said with a faint smile, his expression revealing nothing.

"Yes, the Taishui Empire has spread Confucianism widely, and their leader is called 'Sekong.' I met him once at the Lingxiao Heavenly Court. He seemed very timid at the time, but now it appears he's quite a capable minister," Li Si commented.

"Oh?"

"Sekong seems aware of our Great Qin's dislike for Confucianism and has astutely avoided many of our crucial areas, establishing Confucian academies in the surrounding empires," Li Si explained.

"Let's keep observing," Ying said.

"Understood."

"Lu Buwei, have you discovered the cause of Guigu's death?" Ying inquired.

"Yes, it seems to be the work of the Dayong Empire," Lu Buwei replied after some thought.

"Dayong? How unfortunate that Gu Shentong did not fall to Dayong," Ying shook his head slightly.

"Gu Shentong? Your Majesty, are you referring to the seemingly harmless blue light Nu Qinghui released towards the luck dragon?" Lu Buwei's eyebrows raised.

"What do you think?" Ying responded calmly.

Lu Buwei pondered for a moment and nodded, "If not for Your Majesty's reminder, I might have overlooked it. Gu Shentong? Zhongshan? This is becoming increasingly intriguing!"

"Indeed, it grows more interesting by the day. What did you discover at the entrance to Changsheng Realm?" Ying asked.

"A five-colored divine light, an unparalleled master," Lu Buwei replied solemnly.

"Oh?"

"Once, in the Great Thousand Worlds, the Tongtian Saint fell, and the Four Swords of Zhuxian shattered into powder, with their sword souls disappearing. After the battle at the Lingxiao Heavenly Court, the Zhuxian Sword and Juexian Sword were able to break free from Emperor Xuan Sha's grip. I suspect that the so-called sword souls might be in Changsheng Realm," Lu Buwei speculated.

"Hmm, there are many imitations of the Four Swords of Zhuxian, but none are as ferocious as the originals. The Four Swords of Zhuxian in Changsheng Realm might truly be the legendary sword souls," Li Si remarked with deep admiration.

"What use is a sword soul? Without the Tongtian Saint and the sword bodies, they are incredibly weak now," Lu Buwei sighed.

"But they are still the sword souls of the Four Swords of Zhuxian! If they really are, then who is the person in Changsheng Realm?" Li Si pondered.

"That person seems to be recuperating. Could it be that..." Lu Buwei furrowed his brows.

Li Si also frowned and looked at Ying.

"And what about the five-colored divine light?" Ying asked another question instead of responding.

"It was earth-shattering!" Lu Buwei replied.

"Hmm," Ying nodded.

"Your Majesty, should we prepare to march against Changsheng Realm?" Li Si asked.

"Not yet. Attack Changsheng Realm? Someone is more eager than us," Ying said confidently.

"Understood."

"Your Majesty, in the south, of the twenty remaining empires covered by Zhongshan's commercial war, fourteen have already fallen into chaos. The loyalty of ministers and the authority of emperors are in disarray. Some emperors have even been assassinated. Only six emperors remain clear-headed and have made timely counterattacks. Unfortunately, only four succeeded, swiftly eliminating the related parties. However, those four empires are now in a state of panic. These once-mighty empires are almost ruined," Lu Buwei lamented.

"What a significant destruction, using commerce to ruin a nation? Are there any within Great Qin attempting to imitate this?" Ying asked.

"Your Majesty, yes, but they have been dealt with according to the law," Li Si stepped forward and reported.

"Hmm, eliminate all sources!" Ying's eyes flashed with a murderous intent.

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty, the commercial warfare in the south is nearing its end. Zhongshan's Da Zhen Empire's army is about to reap the abundant rewards. Should we also...?" Lu Buwei suggested.

"Let the newly promoted generals head south for some training," Ying nodded.

"Yes!" Lu Buwei responded respectfully.

Great Qin began to dispatch troops southward. Similarly, the southern empires were mysteriously thrown into chaos. The Dayong Empire's Taizong King led his troops south, and the Taishui Empire also sent their forces southward!

In the Da Zhen Empire, the Hall of Longevity, during the court assembly.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the four empires that besieged us half a year ago have been completely pacified," Shui Jing reported.

"Good," Zhongshan nodded.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, among the surrounding empires, ten have collapsed. The former prime ministers and ministers of these empires have submitted petitions, requesting Your Majesty to take over their territories," Yi Yan reported with a smile.

The court was in an uproar. Many ministers could hardly believe what they were hearing. Were these empires really asking Da Zhen to take over?

"Hmm, the three great northern empires may have already mobilized their forces. Speed up and take control of these territories as quickly as possible!" Zhongshan ordered.

"Yes!" Yi Yan responded promptly.

The court was stunned, listening to the exchange between the emperor and his ministers as if they were hearing celestial orders. Half a year ago, Da Zhen faced numerous difficulties, besieged by four empires externally and attacked by Changsheng Realm internally, almost on the brink of destruction. But now, now everything seemed to be going too smoothly. Other empires were actually requesting Da Zhen to take over?

"Shui Jing!" Zhongshan called.

"Here, Your Majesty!" Shui Jing immediately responded.

"Years ago, during the Great Luo Empire's imperial examinations, your essay resonated with the gods, and the article was a masterpiece. This time, I appoint you as the chief examiner for Da Zhen's imperial examinations. I hope you will select the best talents for Da Zhen to meet the needs of the nation!" Zhongshan said solemnly.

"I will not fail Your Majesty's high expectations! However, my writings are still far inferior to those of Your Majesty. Your praise is too generous," Shui Jing responded respectfully.

"Hmm, court is dismissed," Zhongshan announced.

"Dismiss the court～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～!"

"Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～!"

After the court session, Zhongshan was about to continue researching the remnant thoughts of Gu Shentong within him when he was interrupted again.

The visitor was the young master of the Xuanwu clan, Gui She.

"Your Majesty, the former supreme of the Xuanwu clan requests an audience," Gui She reported with a frown.

"Gui Shou? Has he passed the heavenly tribulation?" Zhongshan was slightly surprised.

"Yes, the former supreme is about to head to the Great Thousand Worlds. Before he leaves, he wishes to meet Your Majesty one last time," Gui She explained.

After a moment of thought, Zhongshan said, "Lead him to Tianyuan Pavilion."

"Yes!"