Chapter 510: The Gate Between Worlds

"Hongmeng Purple Qi, is it really that powerful?" Jian Ao frowned.

"You haven't fully recovered your past life's memories, so you don't understand. The energy contained within Hongmeng Purple Qi might not be vast, but it holds the essence of creation. Even in the Great Thousand Worlds, it's an invaluable treasure," Nangong Sheng explained.

Zhong Shan nodded. The Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail had consumed a wisp of it, significantly boosting his cultivation. The essence of creation? Nangong Sheng mentioned that refining the Hongmeng Purple Qi would elevate those at the Celestial Extreme Realm to the level of immortals. Immortals represented a great divide. To be comparable to immortals? The Hongmeng Purple Qi must be incredibly high-level!

"Just now, I saw you rushing towards the Taiji Diagram. Do you want it?" Nangong Sheng asked with a smile.

"Taiji Diagram, one of the top ten ancient treasures. Naturally, I desire it," Zhong Shan admitted without hesitation.

"Then take it," Nangong Sheng said with a smile.

"Give it to me?" Zhong Shan was skeptical.

Why would Nangong Sheng suddenly give him the Taiji Diagram? It didn't make sense. According to the Mud Buddha, the Taiji Diagram was one of the supreme treasures of the Netherworld Heaven. Why give it to him?

Seeing Nangong Sheng's calm smile, Zhong Shan had a realization.

"Thank you very much!" Zhong Shan immediately nodded.

With a flip of his hand, Nangong Sheng summoned the Taiji Diagram screen to Zhong Shan, making it no longer repel him.

Zhong Shan grabbed the Taiji Diagram, finding it couldn't be stored in his storage bracelet.

If even the Ice Soul Divine Sword couldn't be stored, it was no surprise the Taiji Diagram couldn't either. Zhong Shan rolled it up, wrapped it in cloth, and slung it over his back.

"Will you stay for Jian Ao's inheritance ceremony?" Nangong Sheng asked with a smile.

"No, I just remembered something urgent at home. Since Jian Ao has obtained the Flame Inheritance, I've fulfilled my duty. Farewell!" Zhong Shan said.

Jian Ao looked at Zhong Shan, a hint of guilt in his eyes, but he nodded nonetheless.

"Safe travels!" Nangong Sheng nodded.

With a flicker, Zhong Shan sped out of the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain.

"Heaven's Lord, what you've done…" Jian Ao looked at Nangong Sheng with a hint of reproach in his eyes.

"One willing to give, one willing to take. Zhong Shan voluntarily took the Taiji Diagram, so he can't blame me. Choosing Zhong Shan to divert disaster was a necessity. The Netherworld Heaven cannot fall in my generation," Nangong Sheng said, shaking his head.

Disaster diversion! Zhong Shan understood Nangong Sheng's meaning. The Netherworld Heaven had five supreme treasures, including the Ice Soul Divine Sword and the Taiji Diagram. With both now in Zhong Shan's possession, it diverted attention from the Netherworld Heaven, reducing its disaster risk but bringing trouble to Zhong Shan.

Those envious of the treasures would now focus on Zhong Shan.

However, since Zhong Shan voluntarily took the Taiji Diagram, he couldn't blame Nangong Sheng. Of course, Zhong Shan wouldn't be too grateful to Nangong Sheng either because he knew it wouldn't be long before Nangong Sheng announced the Taiji Diagram's whereabouts to the world.

Zhong Shan sped out of the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain, disappearing quickly. He retrieved the Ice Soul Divine Sword from his previous hiding place and used his burrowing ability to escape.

He moved swiftly towards the entrance of the Netherworld Heaven.

As he approached the entrance, intending to leave before the Taiji Diagram's whereabouts were exposed, Nangong Sheng's voice rang out.

"Hear me, people of the Netherworld Heaven! From this moment, the demon youth Jian Ao is the next Heaven's Lord and the bearer of the Flame Inheritance!"

Nangong Sheng's voice echoed throughout the Netherworld Heaven.

Outside the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain, Chu Jiu and the demon youths were ecstatic. The next Heaven's Lord, the one they followed, Jian Ao, was indeed the chosen one. It was a moment of great joy for them.

With the announcement of the new Heaven's Lord, the people of Netherworld Heaven immediately bowed respectfully towards the Yin-Yang Boundary Mountain.

"Congratulations, Young Heaven's Lord!"

"Congratulations, Young Heaven's Lord!"

The voices of congratulations echoed endlessly.

Meanwhile, Zhong Shan had already left the Netherworld Heaven and entered the Divine Continent. Transforming into a shadow, he flashed across the endless land, rapidly heading towards Sirius Island.

On the tenth day after Zhong Shan left the Netherworld Heaven, Nangong Sheng made a significant change, creating a sensation throughout the world.

He officially passed the inheritance to Jian Ao, making him the new Heaven's Lord of the Netherworld Heaven.

From Young Heaven's Lord to Heaven's Lord, the acceptance of the celestial position was supposed to take ten years. Why was it so urgent?

Then, a second piece of news spread: Nangong Sheng had ascended to immortality.

Ascended to immortality?

Another immortal was born, achieving eternal life?

In people's hearts, another legend was created. Nangong Sheng, an immortal? An immortal ascending?

So soon after the creation of the world by the ancient divine powers, another person had become an immortal? The Divine Continent had been experiencing one major event after another in recent years, with countless sects sending their congratulations.

No wonder the new Heaven's Lord was announced so urgently. People suddenly understood.

Another piece of news spread quickly: Zhong Shan, who had participated in the Flame Inheritance with Jian Ao, had obtained two of the Netherworld Heaven's greatest treasures.

The Ice Soul Divine Sword and the Taiji Diagram!

Suddenly, Zhong Shan's name resounded throughout the Divine Continent again.

After the fall of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, along with the silence of its courtiers and even the temporary quiescence of the four great princes' dynasties, Zhong Shan had reemerged in the public eye.

The Taiji Diagram? The Ice Soul Divine Sword?

The Ice Soul Divine Sword might be considered slightly less impressive, but the Taiji Diagram was incredibly famous.

One of the top ten ancient treasures, comparable to the Heaven-Opening Axe of the ancient divine powers and the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade of the Divine Crow Daojun, had been obtained by Zhong Shan?

Many people began to take an interest in Zhong Shan, including some absolute powerhouses of the Emperor Extreme Realm.

As the news spread across the land, Zhong Shan's shadow body had already delivered the items to Sirius Island and returned to the chaotic regions to maintain his presence there.

At the front of the Longevity Hall on Sirius Island.

"Mud Buddha, here is the Taiji Diagram you requested!" Zhong Shan's main body said generously.

The Taiji Diagram, one of the top ten ancient treasures of the Divine Continent, a treasure that would make countless people covet, was casually handed over to Mud Buddha by Zhong Shan as if it were a mere spirit stone.

Mud Buddha took the Taiji Diagram, a content smile appearing on his face as he bowed slightly to Zhong Shan.

"Your Majesty truly possesses great fortune. To have obtained such a treasure is admirable," Mud Buddha said respectfully.

"Nangong Sheng gave it to me. Besides, it won't be long before the entire Divine Continent is buzzing with this news," Zhong Shan said, shaking his head with a wry smile.

"It's only natural for people to be envious of Your Majesty for acquiring the Taiji Diagram. However, the utility of the Taiji Diagram means Your Majesty is not at a disadvantage. Once I gather some more items, I'll show Your Majesty the true value of the Taiji Diagram! It will surely bring unexpected rewards," Mud Buddha said with a smile.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan responded with interest.

"The top ten ancient treasures are not just incredibly powerful; they have infinite wonders. Especially the Taiji Diagram, its miraculous aspects are likely unknown even to the current Heaven's Lord of the Netherworld Heaven. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given it to Your Majesty so easily," Mud Buddha explained with a smile.

"Oh? Even the Netherworld Heaven's Lord doesn't know its mystical abilities?" Zhong Shan was genuinely surprised this time.

Mud Buddha's claim was indeed bold.

"Well, they certainly knew in the past, but over time, it might have been forgotten. This Taiji Diagram is not like those newly crafted ones. It was created by the first generation Heaven's Lord of the Netherworld Heaven and has grown into a spiritual treasure over hundreds of thousands of years. With its yin-yang attributes, it's perfect as the core for a grand formation I know of," Mud Buddha explained with a smile.

"As the core for a grand formation? What kind of grand formation?" Zhong Shan asked.

The Taiji Diagram, one of the top ten ancient treasures, having grown over hundreds of thousands of years, being used just as a formation core? What kind of formation could be so powerful?

"It can connect the realms of Yin and Yang," Mud Buddha said.

"Connect? Connect the realms of Yin and Yang?" Zhong Shan's eyes widened, nearly shouting out loud.

This was incredibly powerful! Even those at the Celestial Extreme Realm couldn't enter the underworld. Could Mud Buddha really open a gate between the two realms and enter the underworld?

"This is only based on ancestral records. Whether it works or not is still uncertain, and the remaining materials are very hard to find," Mud Buddha said, shaking his head.

"Set up the formation. I will find whatever materials you need!" Zhong Shan said with determination.

Connecting the realms of Yin and Yang, entering the underworld? It wasn't just an extraordinary feat; if Dazhen Dynasty could enter the underworld, the resources they could obtain would surpass those of any other dynasty in the world.

Zhong Shan's ten-year plan had come to fruition.

In the Divine Continent, in the chaotic region, within the palace of Guangling City.

Zhong Shan sat at the head of the hall, looking at the six commanders of the Dazhen Dynasty.

First Corps Commander: Lin Xiao! Second Corps Commander: Wei Yinglan! Third Corps Commander: Yi Yan! Fourth Corps Commander: Mr. Corpse! Fifth Corps Commander: Shui Wuhen! Sixth Corps Commander: Shui Jing!

"Your Majesty, everything is ready! We await your command!" Wei Yinglan said, slightly excited.

"Issue the declaration of war. Tomorrow we will pledge and march!" Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes!" the commanders responded immediately.

Issuing a declaration of war rather than launching a surprise attack wasn't arrogance on Zhong Shan's part. It was to gain the luck of the eight dynasties. Nearly a hundred dynasties' worth of luck.

At the same time, in a vast area north of the chaotic region, a kingdom was rapidly advancing to become an empire.

The Grand Light Empire! Emperor Han Jiguang, formerly the ruler of the Grand Light Dynasty.

"Father, for a dynasty with our foundation, advancing to an empire was not difficult. Our army is in high spirits. Why not take advantage of this momentum to conquer the chaotic region to the south and directly advance to an empire?" the First Prince said eagerly.

"Indeed, Father. So far, the Ice Army has not even been deployed. Our empire has not exerted its full strength. Conquering the eight great dynasties will surely elevate us to an empire. Father, give the order!" the Second Prince said excitedly.