Undying Life

Chapter 701: Chapter 701: Disciples of the Celestial Emperor

Xuan Yuan slowly opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and then smiled bitterly, "This time, Shenzhou might be in great trouble!"

"Great trouble?" Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow.

From Xuan Yuan's words, Zhong Shan could sense the gravity of the situation. Who could have injured Xuan Yuan so severely? Even the six great Earth Immortals couldn't manage to harm him back then.

"Another invasion from the Grand Thousand World. This time, they are even more formidable than the six Earth Immortals from before. They were sent here by powerful beings who broke through the Yang Realm's barrier," Xuan Yuan explained.

"Broke through the Yang Realm's barrier?" Zhong Shan was slightly shocked.

The Yang Realm's barrier was incredibly strong. Who could break through it? In Zhong Shan's memory, only one, no, three people had managed to do so. One was a powerful being from the Grand Thousand World who resembled Bao'er, and the other two were saints mentioned by Gui Shou. The fact that they could break through the barrier indicated their immense power. Moreover, from Xuan Yuan's tone, it seemed more than one person had arrived. What were they after? Could it be the Dragon Clan's Imperial Seal again?

"Yes, as soon as the barrier was breached, I went to investigate. There were eleven of them in total, ten Earth Immortals, each more formidable than the Qinglong of the past. I was injured by three of these Earth Immortals," Xuan Yuan sighed.

"Three Earth Immortals? Did you use the 'Three-Part Self' technique?" Zhong Shan asked, frowning in surprise.

"Yes," Xuan Yuan nodded.

Zhong Shan narrowed his eyes. Xuan Yuan couldn't defeat even one Earth Immortal?

"Weren't there eleven of them? Ten Earth Immortals, who is the last one?" Zhong Shan asked, staring at Xuan Yuan.

"Their leader didn't make a move, but it's clear he's stronger than all the Earth Immortals," Xuan Yuan said, taking a deep breath.

"A Heavenly Immortal?" Zhong Shan asked in surprise.

After a heavy look at Zhong Shan, Xuan Yuan nodded.

A Heavenly Immortal? Even if their cultivation was suppressed in the Small Thousand World, it would still be equivalent to the twelfth level of the Heavenly Extreme Realm, the ultimate level in the Small Thousand World. Moreover, they must have numerous secret techniques from the Grand Thousand World.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan finally understood the meaning of Xuan Yuan's words: "Shenzhou is in great trouble." Such a group of powerful beings would cause upheaval in this realm; they were forces to be reckoned with.

After a moment of silence, Zhong Shan asked, "Do you know who they are and their purpose for coming to the Small Thousand World?"

"I don't know their purpose, but I did find out where they came from," Xuan Yuan said, taking a deep breath.

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"Oh?"

"The leader is called 'Sima Ce,' and he is a disciple of the Celestial Emperor of the Taichu Sacred Court," Xuan Yuan said solemnly.

"Sima Ce? Taichu Sacred Court? Disciple of the Celestial Emperor?" Zhong Shan frowned, pondering these terms.

The Sacred Court? What is the Sacred Court? In the book "Forging the Heavenly Court," which Zhong Shan used to establish his own dynasty, it mentioned that the ultimate goal was to become a Sacred Court. Just like the ancient divine powers who created the world, if successful, they would be promoted to a Sacred Court. The ruler of a Sacred Court is called the 'Sacred King,' and their position is elevated to 'Holy Rank,' a thousand times faster in cultivation, on par with the Buddha. The dynasty above the Celestial Dynasty is called the Sacred Court, overseeing the heavens and seeing through the world.

That is the true supreme ruler of the universe. The Taichu Sacred Court?

And Sima Ce, a disciple of the Celestial Emperor of the Taichu Sacred Court, is an important official in the Taichu Sacred Court.

A Heavenly Immortal is merely an official on a mission? How powerful must the Taichu Sacred Court be? Fortunately, only those below saints can enter. Saints generally do not personally intervene in the Small Thousand World.

"Sima Ce? A disciple of the Celestial Emperor? A Heavenly Immortal?" Zhong Shan pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "You don't need to worry. Their purpose will likely be revealed soon enough. Moreover..."

"Moreover, what?" Xuan Yuan frowned.

"Moreover, this isn't the underworld; it's the Yang Realm. The waters here run very deep. Even a Heavenly Immortal cannot determine the fate of this world. The grand trend of the world cannot be shaken by them. No matter what they do, the world will continue as it always has!" Zhong Shan declared confidently.

"Oh?" Xuan Yuan looked at Zhong Shan.

"Shenzhou has produced a supreme expert like Gu Shentong, and there will surely be a second and a third. The Small Thousand World is not just a burden for your Creation Divine Palace; it is everyone's 'home'," Zhong Shan said with a deep breath.

Hearing Zhong Shan's words, Xuan Yuan felt a sense of relief. Then, he frowned and looked at Zhong Shan, "Is that true?"

"It is absolutely true!" Zhong Shan affirmed.

Xuan Yuan nodded.

"For the time being, stay in Lingxiao Heavenly Court to recuperate," Zhong Shan suggested.

"Alright."

Among the three major dynasties—Da Qin, Da Yong, and Da Xiong—there was a small, neutral imperial dynasty. However, its capital, Liucheng, was now devoid of fortune and completely collapsed. Countless cultivators were enslaved to build a massive circular structure.

In a large valley north of Liucheng.

On the left side of the valley, there was a pile of spirit stones. At the center, a ferocious beast stood three zhang high with green skin. The beast resembled a tree root with wrinkled skin, two arms, and two legs. Its eyes were under its arms, and it had a huge mouth that greedily devoured the surrounding spirit stones.

As soon as the spirit stones entered its mouth, they disappeared, as if its stomach were a bottomless pit that could never be filled.

On the right side of the valley stood a middle-aged man. He wore light, simple clothing and held a giant bow, shooting arrows toward the foot of the distant mountain.

These were not arrows infused with mystical power, but ordinary feathered arrows.

One arrow after another was shot with precise aim and perfect strength.

After a series of shots, the arrows formed the character "Ce" at the foot of the distant mountain.

Seemingly satisfied with his skill and accuracy, the man smiled faintly. He extended his hand, and someone immediately stepped forward to respectfully take the giant bow.

The man took out a handkerchief and gently wiped his hands. A few subordinates stood nearby.

"Sir, that Xuan Yuan escaped, and we don't know where he is hiding," one subordinate reported, bowing.

"The body of creation? This Small Thousand World actually has such a genius!" The man frowned as he wiped his hands.

"No matter how talented the Small Thousand World is, they can't be a match for you, sir. You are a disciple of the Celestial Emperor from the Taichu Sacred Court. There are only 108 disciples of the Celestial Emperor in the entire Taichu Sacred Court," the subordinate said respectfully.

This man was none other than Sima Ce, the Heavenly Immortal who had descended from the Grand Thousand World, along with his subordinates.

Sima Ce smiled faintly at the subordinate's flattery. "What have you found out?"

"Reporting to you, sir, we have found out that this Small Thousand World has three great celestial dynasties: Da Yong, Da Qin, and Tai Sui. However, there is also a peculiar imperial dynasty," the subordinate reported respectfully.

"Oh? A peculiar imperial dynasty?" Sima Ce sneered slightly. To him, an imperial dynasty was nothing.

"The imperial dynasty is called 'Da Xiong.' This Small Thousand World is called 'Shenzhou.' The land of Shenzhou is currently divided into four parts. Da Qin and Tai Sui each occupy three parts, Da Yong two parts, and Da Xiong almost two parts as well," the subordinate explained respectfully.

"Oh? An imperial dynasty occupying twenty percent of the world?" Sima Ce showed a hint of surprise.

"Yes, this happened thirty years ago," the subordinate replied.

"So, the celestial dynasties of this Small Thousand World aren't much, if they can be equaled by an imperial dynasty? Hmph!" Sima Ce sneered.

"You're wise, my lord!" the subordinate flattered once again.

It's no wonder Sima Ce looked down on the celestial dynasties. Having spent a long time in the Taichu Sacred Court, his perspective on the worldly dynasties was different, much like how Zhong Shan viewed mortal kingdoms—no matter how powerful a mortal kingdom was, it was still a mortal kingdom.

Thus, Sima Ce underestimated the Da Xiong Imperial Dynasty and, by extension, looked down on the three celestial dynasties as well. He never considered that this imperial dynasty might be very powerful.

Sima Ce didn't need to know, just as Zhong Shan didn't need to delve into the intricacies of a few Golden Core cultivators' disputes and strengths.

"How is the construction of the altar coming along?" Sima Ce asked.

"It's almost finished, just a few more days," the subordinate replied.

"Good."

"Anything else, my lord?" the subordinate asked.

Sima Ce turned his gaze to the left side of the valley, where the grotesque, green-skinned beast lay devouring spirit stones with delight.

"Tao Tie, ranked ninety-ninth among the divine beasts of the Grand Thousand World. To make it onto the list means it's an extraordinary creature. My lord, you were able to subdue it; I am truly impressed!" the subordinate praised again.

Indeed, Sima Ce felt pleased with the compliment and nodded, "Tao Tie enjoys the spirit stones of this Small Thousand World. Find more for it."

"Yes!" the subordinate responded immediately.

Five days later.

Sima Ce stood in Liucheng, where a colossal altar, a hundred zhang tall and a thousand zhang in diameter, had been constructed. Sima Ce, along with Tao Tie and his subordinates, stood by the altar, watching. The city's residents had long been driven out, leaving them homeless.

Tao Tie was greedily stuffing various magical treasures into its mouth, as if its stomach could never be satisfied.

"Alright, begin the ritual to stir the world's fortune!" Sima Ce ordered.

"Yes!" Ten Earth Immortals responded immediately.

The ten Earth Immortals took positions at ten different points around the altar, each taking out a disc. They infused their magic into the discs, which glowed with golden light that shot toward the altar.

Suddenly, the altar radiated a brilliant golden light that soared into the sky.

"Vroom~~~"

The entire world seemed to vibrate with a strange frequency, causing no physical destruction but making people feel drowsy.

An hour later.

In the Da Xiong Imperial Dynasty, the morning assembly suddenly halted.

Zhong Shan, accompanied by his ministers, stepped out of the grand hall. In the sky, the fortune of the Da Xiong Imperial Dynasty surged turbulently, like waves in a stormy sea. Even the nineteen-clawed golden dragon of fortune seemed uncomfortable. It glanced at the clouds of fortune, then roared toward the sky.

"Roar~~~"

With a dragon's roar, the clouds of fortune stabilized, but Zhong Shan's brow remained deeply furrowed. The golden dragon of fortune also turned to look toward the northeast. The direction it pointed directly aligned with Liucheng, where Sima Ce was located.