Undying Life

Chapter 736: Chapter 736: The Black Sea Duel

"Ye Qingcheng?" Zhong Shan snorted coldly as he strode out of his study, followed by a group of ministers.

As Zhong Shan stepped out, a purple sky suddenly appeared over Changjing. The purple 'sky' grew larger and larger, quickly covering the entire city. An aura of imperial majesty descended from this purple sky, filling the citizens of Changjing with awe and reverence.

"Long live His Majesty, long live, long live!" The citizens and officials shouted in unison, bowing deeply as Zhong Shan walked out.

Raising his head, Zhong Shan looked at the two figures in the sky. One was Ye Qingcheng in a white robe with blue hair, and the other was Tian Xiaozi in white attire.

Both of them frowned as they looked at Zhong Shan.

"Tianji Realm?" A look of astonishment flashed in Tian Xiaozi's eyes.

When did Zhong Shan reach the Tianji Realm?

Ye Qingcheng was only slightly surprised by Zhong Shan's cultivation. His attention quickly shifted to Zhong Shan's arms, where a small, furry creature was waving its tiny fists at Ye Qingcheng as if it wanted to pummel him. However, its little fists were so small, not even as big as Ye Qingcheng's pinky finger, that it lacked any semblance of threat.

"Ye Qingcheng, Tian Xiaozi? Do you know what you're doing? Trespassing uninvited, you've got some nerve!" Zhong Shan said coldly.

"Uninvited? Last time at the Tian family, weren't you the uninvited one?" Tian Xiaozi replied with a faint smile.

"I sent a visiting card to Tian Jizi beforehand, and as for the second time, it was Tian Jizi himself who invited me. It was not impolite. But you, neither announcing your visit nor obtaining my permission, have barged into my palace. Are you provoking me?" Zhong Shan's pupils contracted.

"Roar～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～!" Beneath the purple sky, a nineteen-clawed fortune golden dragon roared angrily.

"Provoke? What makes you think you're worthy of my provocation?" Ye Qingcheng sneered.

At that moment, two more people approached Zhong Shan. Yin Luori walked up to Zhong Shan, and another person approached from the other side. Upon seeing this person, Ye Qingcheng's pupils involuntarily contracted.

Yin Luori was something Ye Qingcheng could accept. After all, Yin Luori following Zhong Shan was no secret for a long time. But the other person? How could it be possible?

Nangong Sheng? Immortal Nangong Sheng?

He still hadn't left this world? He actually managed to stay? And from his posture, he seemed to be Zhong Shan's subordinate.

Who was Nangong Sheng? A master of unparalleled formations, known for driving away Ye Qingcheng with the Tianji Formation at the Blood Sea in the past.

"Nangong Sheng? Why are you here?" Ye Qingcheng asked in disbelief.

"Nangong Sheng, Grand Supervisor of the Yitian Bureau of the Da Zhen Imperial Dynasty, greets the Realm Lord Ye and the Head of the Tian Family," Nangong Sheng said with a faint smile.

Grand Supervisor of the Yitian Bureau? A minister of the Da Zhen Imperial Dynasty?

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Ye Qingcheng's brows furrowed deeply. The development of this Da Zhen Imperial Dynasty was terrifying. Tian Xiaozi had the same reaction. Nangong Sheng's reputation was legendary; it was unthinkable that he had become a minister of Da Zhen. This Zhong Shan must not be allowed to remain. He was already a significant threat even before the future arrived.

"Now, do you think I am qualified?" Zhong Shan sneered.

With Zhong Shan's words, Ye Qingcheng narrowed his eyes at him. At this moment, Ye Qingcheng had no choice but to regard Zhong Shan as an equal.

"Zhong Shan?" Ye Qingcheng said in a deep voice.

"Eeh-eh-eh-eh-eh..."

As if sensing that Zhong Shan had subdued Ye Qingcheng, the ancestral beast began to cheer excitedly, waving its tiny fists at Ye Qingcheng. Seeing the little creature's comical actions, the ministers around Zhong Shan couldn't help but smile, while Ye Qingcheng's expression in the sky turned grim.

"Entering Changjing without permission is an offense," Tian Xiaozi said, offering a slight apology.

"Apologies," Ye Qingcheng also said in a stern voice.

"In that case, please leave," Zhong Shan waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

However, the two in the air did not leave but slowly descended to the ground.

"What? Do you plan to stir up trouble in my Changjing?" Zhong Shan sneered.

"Zhong Shan, you misunderstand. I am merely accompanying Realm Lord Ye. Once your matter is resolved, I will leave immediately," Tian Xiaozi quickly distanced himself.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan turned to Ye Qingcheng.

"This creature belongs to my Ageless Realm. I hope you can return it to me," Ye Qingcheng pointed at the ancestral beast in Zhong Shan's arms.

Ye Qingcheng's blunt demand caused the ministers to frown and glare at him.

"Hahaha, items of the Ageless Realm can naturally be returned to it. But something of the Da Zhen Imperial Dynasty is also in your possession. If you return it to me, I will return this creature to you," Zhong Shan laughed.

"Oh? What item?" Ye Qingcheng's eyes narrowed.

Some ministers were slightly startled, while others smiled.

"The 'Slaying Immortal Sword' on your back originally belonged to Da Zhen. I don't know how it ended up in your hands, but now that you've come to Changjing, are you perhaps here to return it?" Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Hahahaha..." The ministers laughed.

It was clear that Zhong Shan had no intention of handing over the ancestral beast.

"Scoundrel, do you dare insult me?" Ye Qingcheng's eyes widened.

"When did I insult you?"

"How dare you falsely claim the Slaying Immortal Sword!" Ye Qingcheng's tone turned icy.

"Then why do you falsely claim the ancestral beast? Does it have your inscription on it, or the mark of the Ageless Realm? When did it become yours?" Zhong Shan's tone grew cold.

Zhong Shan's words made Ye Qingcheng realize he had been rash.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "The ancestral beast indeed belongs to Nian Youyou of my Ageless Realm. This is not a secret!"

"Heh, it belongs to Nian Youyou? Then why are you here? If someone should retrieve it from me, it should be Nian Youyou, not an unrelated person like you!" Zhong Shan replied sternly.

Having Nian Youyou come? Clearly impossible! Ye Qingcheng glared at Zhong Shan.

At this moment, a woman in a yellow dress flew over. It was Hao Meili!

"Zhong Shan, what's going on?" Hao Meili shouted from a distance.

"Ye Qingcheng?" Anger flared in Hao Meili's eyes as she recognized him.

"Hao Meili? You fled here?" Ye Qingcheng's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Hao Meili? Realm Lord Ye, who is this?" Tian Xiaozi asked.

Ye Qingcheng did not answer Tian Xiaozi but looked at Zhong Shan.

"Zhong Shan, tell me, what do you want in exchange for the ancestral beast?" Ye Qingcheng seemed to compromise slightly.

"What do I want? I want nothing. Please leave," Zhong Shan shook his head.

"Zhong Shan, don't let him go. I want him dead!" Hao Meili shouted immediately.

Tian Xiaozi watched with great interest from the side, while Ye Qingcheng's eyes turned cold as he looked at Hao Meili.

Zhong Shan turned to Hao Meili and said calmly, "Do you remember what I told you?"

Hearing Zhong Shan's words, Hao Meili frowned continuously, and after a moment of hesitation, she reluctantly agreed, "Alright."

Although Hao Meili stopped causing trouble, her eyes still burned with hatred as she stared at Ye Qingcheng.

Seeing the exchange between Zhong Shan and Hao Meili, Ye Qingcheng's expression shifted. "Zhong Shan, I imagine you are in need of the Immortal Steles. I can trade eleven Immortal Steles from my Ageless Realm for the ancestral beast. How about it?"

Zhong Shan's expression tightened before he revealed a faint smile. "The Immortal Steles are in the hands of the Curse Master. How can you trade something that isn't yours for something of mine?"

"I have a way to obtain the Immortal Steles. All you need to do is hand over the ancestral beast! The Immortal Steles hold no value to us, but with Hao Meili, they should be extremely valuable to you," Ye Qingcheng said.

At the mention of the Immortal Steles, Hao Meili's eyes turned blood-red with hatred toward Ye Qingcheng and the Ageless Realm.

Zhong Shan pondered for a moment.

"Ee-ee-ee-ee," the ancestral beast looked pitifully at Zhong Shan.

Patting the ancestral beast, Zhong Shan smiled and said, "There is a difference between the Yin and Yang realms; the Yin realm has a custom called 'Duel Betting.' Disputes can be settled by betting land, and treasures can also be wagered. Why don't we use the Immortal Steles and the ancestral beast for a 'Three-Round Duel Betting'?"

"This is a good idea. I am willing to act as a notary!" Tian Xiaozi's eyes lit up as he immediately offered.

"Agreed," Ye Qingcheng said.

"Then please leave. Bring the Immortal Steles next time, and we will have the duel here," Zhong Shan said.

"Here? Why not at the Ageless Realm?" Ye Qingcheng sneered.

A duel in Zhong Shan's capital would definitely give him an advantage.

"Zhong Shan, it would indeed be unfair to duel here, and even more so in the Ageless Realm. How about choosing a third location? To the north, there is a Black Sea, a vast and open area suitable for the duel between the Ageless Realm and the Da Zhen Imperial Dynasty," Tian Xiaozi suggested, acting as a mediator.

"Fine," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Fine," Ye Qingcheng agreed immediately.

"Then see you in the Black Sea in half a year!" Tian Xiaozi smiled.

"Half a year? He might not be able to get the Immortal Steles in half a year. Make it a year," Zhong Shan said disdainfully.

"Hmph, fine. One year it is, a three-round duel at the Black Sea! Farewell!" Ye Qingcheng snorted and turned to leave.

Tian Xiaozi glanced at Zhong Shan and the others, nodded to Zhong Shan, and then his figure flickered and disappeared.

After sending the two off, Zhong Shan coldly looked around before flicking his sleeves and striding back to his study, followed closely by his key officials.

"Yi Yan, coordinate the three armies and speed up their preparations. We have one year, and by this time next year, it will be time to wrap things up," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes!"

"Yin Luori, you have three months. Notify the Four Tiger Clans of the underworld and spread the news of the 'Black Sea Duel' to the world! I want everyone to know," Zhong Shan said sternly.

"Spread the news to the world? Why?" Yin Luori was puzzled.

"The Black Sea Duel will not be ignored by the Tian family. Tian Xiaozi's enthusiasm suggests he is brewing some scheme. However, once the news spreads, heroes from all over the world will gather, creating a balance of power against the Tian family," Zhong Shan explained.

"Understood!" Yin Luori responded immediately.

"Zhong Shan, this time..." Hao Meili began, frowning.

"Focus on your cultivation. You have one year to prepare," Zhong Shan said.

Others might not understand Zhong Shan's words, but Hao Meili did. Her face lit up with excitement. "Okay!"

"Ee-ee-ee-ee!" The ancestral beast seemed a bit upset.

Patting the ancestral beast, Zhong Shan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't lose!"