Undying Life

Chapter 756: Chapter 756: The Snow-White Sword Master

Two years later, in Lingxiao Heavenly Court, within the Tianyuan Pavilion.

Zhong Shan sat at his desk while Liu Wushuang, the Chief Commander of the Jinyiwei, stood respectfully before him.

Zhong Shan reviewed a document Liu Wushuang had collected.

"A duel at Meishan next year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month?" Zhong Shan frowned as he read.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The Supreme Leader of the Monkey Clan, Shen Qitian, has issued a challenge to Jian Ao, the Lord of the Netherworld Sky, for a duel at Meishan," Liu Wushuang reported respectfully.

"Shen Qitian? Jian Ao?" Zhong Shan's brows furrowed.

"In the past, Jian Ao issued a 'Proclamation to the World,' rallying the Netherworld Sky's heroes to exterminate all monkeys on the Divine Continent. The Monkey Clan was nearly wiped out, and Shen Qitian never showed himself. Now, he has issued a battle post to Jian Ao, announcing it to the world. It seems very strange," Liu Wushuang explained.

"Was it really Shen Qitian who issued the challenge?"

"Yes!"

Zhong Shan tapped the table lightly, deep in thought.

"Your Majesty, why would Shen Qitian want to announce it to the world? What is his plan?"

"Announcing it to the world means he has a scheme. It's like when I announced the Black Sea duel in the underworld. However, Shen Qitian's purpose is different from mine. He's afraid Jian Ao won't show up!" Zhong Shan contemplated.

"A scheme? The Monkey Clan doesn't have any other strong individuals, and Shen Qitian has no subordinates or influence. For him to challenge Jian Ao, he must have made some agreement with another power. In the world of the living, there aren't many forces that would cooperate with Shen Qitian."

"It's the Realm of Longevity!" Zhong Shan took a deep breath.

"The Realm of Longevity?" Liu Wushuang frowned.

"Where is Meishan located?" Zhong Shan asked.

"It's at the border between the Taishui Heavenly Empire and the Qin Empire. That place is famous for its plum blossoms, covering an area of a million miles. It's a beautiful and elegant location," Liu Wushuang explained.

"Hmm," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Your Majesty, Hao Meili has left Lingxiao Heavenly Court and headed for the East Sea. I sent people to follow her, but she lost them shortly after," Liu Wushuang reported.

"She's going to the East Sea? Let her be. As long as she doesn't go to the Qin Empire, no one can stop her!" Zhong Shan thought for a moment and then said.

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty, Jian Hong has returned and requests an audience outside the hall!" came a sudden voice from a guard outside the door.

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"Oh? Let him in!" Zhong Shan said.

"Yes!" the guard replied.

Liu Wushuang stepped aside, and soon Jian Hong entered the hall.

Walking up to Zhong Shan's desk, Jian Hong bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, my father has sent me to invite you. He asks that you be sure to arrive at Meishan on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month next year!"

"Oh?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised.

"This is the letter my father asked me to deliver to you." Jian Hong handed over a white envelope.

Zhong Shan opened the letter:

I will soon depart and wish to meet with you. On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month next year, I await you at Meishan with wine.

—Jian Ao

Zhong Shan's eyebrows furrowed slightly. He had just mentioned Jian Ao, and now an invitation arrived?

A duel on the fifteenth, and an invitation on the fourteenth? "Soon depart?" What does this mean? Could it be...?

Zhong Shan's pupils contracted, then he looked at Jian Hong. "What is Jian Ao's current cultivation level?"

"My father is at the eleventh level of the Heaven Tier, about to reach the pinnacle of the Heaven Tier!" Jian Hong said proudly.

Lingxiao Heavenly Court, Tianyuan Pavilion, Two Years Later

"Eleven levels of the Heaven Tier?" Zhong Shan's eyebrows twitched. This is Jian Ao? Such rapid improvement in cultivation was astonishing. Despite his own rapid progress to the third level of the Heaven Tier, Zhong Shan felt it paled in comparison.

Seeing Zhong Shan's frustration, Jian Hong quickly explained, "Your Majesty, my father is different from you. His memories from his past life have returned, and with them, his previous cultivation level. That's why his progress has been so swift."

Zhong Shan nodded, understanding.

"Your Majesty, my father instructed me to return after delivering the invitation. Is there any message you'd like me to convey?" Jian Hong asked.

"Tell Jian Ao that I will definitely be at Meishan on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month next year," Zhong Shan said firmly.

"Understood!" Jian Hong smiled slightly.

Qin Empire, Holy Capital of Xianyang, Imperial Court

"Li Si!" Ying called out softly.

"Present!" Li Si responded immediately.

"The duel at Meishan is of great significance. I want you to go and observe Jian Ao's true strength," Ying commanded.

"I will obey!" Li Si replied respectfully.

Taishui Heavenly Empire, Imperial Palace, Kong Lietian's Study

Standing before Kong Lietian were Daoist Master Shen Ya, Ye Qingcheng, and Shen Qitian.

"The number one sword master in the underworld? Ye Qingcheng?" Kong Lietian looked at Ye Qingcheng.

"So what?" Ye Qingcheng frowned slightly.

"I heard that during a battle, Zhong Shan took the Immortal Slayer Sword from you?" Kong Lietian sneered.

Ye Qingcheng's eyes turned cold but he said nothing.

"Kong Lietian, what are you trying to do?" Daoist Master Shen Ya said with some annoyance.

"Nothing, just lamenting the loss of the Immortal Slayer Sword. From now on, the Immortal Execution Sword Formation will be just a legend!" Kong Lietian shook his head.

Kong Lietian's regret was genuine; perhaps he had hoped to one day possess all four Immortal Execution Swords himself.

"The Immortal Execution Sword Formation? Becoming a legend? Who said that?" Daoist Master Shen Ya shook his head.

"Oh?"

"As long as the Immortal Execution Swords exist, the Immortal Execution Sword Formation will not become a legend!" Daoist Master Shen Ya declared.

Hearing this, Kong Lietian frowned slightly, sensing something but knowing that Daoist Master Shen Ya wouldn't elaborate further, he didn't press the matter.

"Alright, let's get to the main point. I've already arranged for Jian Ao to come out. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month next year, we will have the duel at Meishan. Everyone needs to cooperate well!" Shen Qitian said with a frown.

"Yes, rest assured, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month next year, I will personally lead troops to the Netherworld Sky! The Netherworld Sky within the Taishui Heavenly Empire's territory is a hidden danger that must be eliminated!" Kong Lietian nodded.

For some reason, Kong Lietian was much more serious towards Shen Qitian, as if Shen Qitian was more important than Daoist Master Shen Ya in his eyes.

"Understood," Shen Qitian nodded.

"And Jian Ao?" Kong Lietian asked.

"Jian Ao? He won't walk out of Meishan alive!" Daoist Master Shen Ya's eyes flashed coldly.

"However, I still feel something is amiss," Ye Qingcheng pondered.

"Oh?"

"A duel at Meishan is not much different from the Black Sea duel in the underworld. I'm worried Jian Ao might see through it," Ye Qingcheng frowned.

"See through it? So what if he does? As long as he goes to Meishan for the duel, even if the Black Sea duel repeats itself, we will still be in an invincible position!" Kong Lietian said in a deep voice.

"Alright," Ye Qingcheng nodded, but there was still a trace of concern in his eyes.

Meishan Duel

The duel at Meishan attracted countless strong individuals from all over the world, most of them rogue cultivators, eager to witness this pinnacle battle. Duels between Heaven Tier experts were rare, the last notable one being Daoist Master Shen Ya's siege on Lingxiao Heavenly Court.

A clash between the master of a sacred land and the supreme leader of the Monkey Clan was a fierce battle that piqued everyone's curiosity and drew numerous experts to watch.

At the beginning of the first lunar month, the surroundings of Meishan were already filled with countless experts. Snow was falling from the sky, and the plum blossoms were in full bloom.

On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, Zhong Shan also arrived at Meishan. This time, he was accompanied only by Liu Wushuang.

As Zhong Shan reached the outskirts of Meishan, light snow continued to fall, and numerous strong individuals gathered from all directions, but they were stopped by some sword-wielding, white-robed men outside Meishan.

Zhong Shan and Liu Wushuang landed on the peak of a mountain, and three white-robed men immediately flew over. Each of them had an exceptionally cold and proud expression.

"Disciples of the Netherworld Sky, pay respects to Emperor Zhong Shan!" the three men bowed in unison.

"Hmm," Zhong Shan nodded.

"The Lord is waiting for Emperor Zhong Shan in the 'Snow Plum Pavilion' within Meishan. Please follow us," the leading man said.

"Alright," Zhong Shan nodded.

Following the three men inward, they flew over countless mountain peaks, each covered with various blooming plum blossoms.

"Your Majesty, all the plum blossoms are in full bloom?" Liu Wushuang whispered in surprise.

"Hmm?"

"There are over three hundred types of plum blossoms here, each with different blooming times. But today, all the plum blossoms are blooming simultaneously?" Liu Wushuang frowned.

Indeed, looking around, there wasn't a single bud; all the flowers were in full bloom, adorning the snowy landscape beautifully. A sense of serene beauty filled the heart.

Zhong Shan nodded but did not respond to Liu Wushuang's observation.

Liu Wushuang respectfully flew behind Zhong Shan.

Under the guidance of the three white-robed men, they soon arrived at a large valley. In the valley, a small stream flowed, fed by a mountain spring, and passed by a small pavilion.

Outside the pavilion were some rare and beautiful plum blossoms. A few white-robed individuals, including Jian Hong, stood outside the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, a man knelt. His long hair flowed smoothly down his back, and he wore a spotless white robe, making him look incredibly clean. The man had his eyes closed, and before him was a set of cooking utensils with a porcelain pot brewing wine.

A plum blossom, swaying in the wind, landed gently on the man's white-clad shoulder, adding to the scene's serene and elegant beauty. Just witnessing this scene felt like a spiritual elevation.

The man's kneeling presence exuded a single word: 'Serenity'! A profound inner peace, a transcendence from worldly concerns.

Seeing this, Zhong Shan's pupils contracted.

While Liu Wushuang recognized the man as Jian Ao, Zhong Shan felt the terrifying nature of this 'serenity.'

This was a state of mind that could change others' emotions with its presence. Jian Ao's mere kneeling there had such an infectious effect.

How terrifying was this state? Jian Ao was at the eleventh level of the Heaven Tier, but Zhong Shan believed that even the celestial Sima Ce of the past wouldn't be a match for Jian Ao.