Chapter 617: The Hundred Worlds Cave

The Celestial Pavilion, as it journeyed, captured the hearts of countless experts. A colossal capital city, floating in the skies, unprecedented in all of history. Who else in the world could boast such a city?

The Great Zong Dynasty, so grandiose!

Moreover, the land of Shenzhou was vast, and even after two and a half years, news had not spread across the entire continent.

After two and a half years, plus six months at sea, the Celestial Pavilion finally reached Qingzhou after nearly three years!

The number of experts trailing it grew, and the entire Qingzhou gradually became the focus of the world, with countless experts gathering, awaiting the grand spectacle of the Great Zong Dynasty.

In Guangling City of Qingzhou, as the Celestial Pavilion entered the territory of Qingzhou, 108 beams of light suddenly shot up into the sky.

The Celestial Pavilion gradually decelerated, slowly entering the center of the 108 beams of light.

Like the reversal of the scene at the East Sea long ago, the Celestial Pavilion eventually came to a halt.

"Boom ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The moment the Celestial Pavilion settled, there was a slight tremor.

Because the Celestial Pavilion was so high above the ground, it did not cast a shadow on the land below. From Qingzhou, it appeared as a mere black dot.

Once the Celestial Pavilion was stationary, numerous experts of the Great Zong Dynasty flew up to it.

Led by Zhong Tian, about 8,000 members of the Da Ming Sect ascended into the sky in a vast and imposing manner.

After a long flight, these 8,000 people, supporting each other, finally reached the Celestial Pavilion!

Upon reaching the Celestial Pavilion, they rested briefly before proceeding to the Hall of Longevity.

"Son greets Father Emperor!" Zhong Tian bowed respectfully upon seeing Zhong Shan.

Dressed in imperial robes, Zhong Shan wore a faint smile.

"Let's go. The headquarters of the Da Ming Sect have been prepared by Mud Bodhisattva, and the construction is nearly complete," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes!"

Leading a group, Zhong Shan flew to a newly cleared area nearby, where the scenery was picturesque and tranquil. Countless craftsmen of the Great Zong's Ministry of Works had already built numerous grand monasteries, ready for the Da Ming Sect to settle in.

In the center, as requested by Zhong Tian, a giant stone altar with a diameter of a thousand zhang was left, though its purpose was unknown. Naturally, Zhong Shan did not inquire further.

"Let your people settle in first; I will take you to a place!" Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Yes!" Zhong Tian nodded.

After instructing the monks, Zhong Tian followed Zhong Shan to a restricted area within the palace.

Guarded by numerous soldiers, no one was allowed to enter.

They arrived at a valley surrounded by a large number of array formations and restrictions, clearly a place of utmost importance.

In the valley stood many of Zhong Shan's close confidants. At least, all the empresses were present.

Everyone was looking at a huge cave halfway up the mountain.

The inside of the cave glowed green, with faint illusions of peerless beauties dancing within, as if the cave itself was another world.

"Your Majesty, the derivative realm is complete!" Mud Bodhisattva said respectfully.

"Oh? Are all the seals on the Heavenly Demon Pool removed?" Zhong Shan asked.

"The seals are undone. The illusions of the Heavenly Demon Pool were immensely formidable. Without the assistance of Emperor Xuanzha, it wouldn't have been as successful. Additionally, nearly all the treasured artifacts of my lineage have been expended on this derivative realm," Mud Bodhisattva said with a wry smile.

"Treasured artifacts? There will be plenty more in the future. Whatever you invest today, you will reap a hundredfold, even a thousandfold, in return!" Zhongshan solemnly promised.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Mud Bodhisattva nodded in gratitude.

"What is this derivative realm called?" Zhongshan asked.

"It hasn't been named yet. I humbly ask Your Majesty to bestow a name," Mud Bodhisattva replied.

"Oh?" Zhongshan looked at Mud Bodhisattva with surprise. Mud Bodhisattva was learning the art of flattery now?

"Since it allows one to experience a hundred reincarnations, let's call it 'Hundred Worlds Cave,'" Zhongshan said firmly.

"Yes, it shall be called 'Hundred Worlds Cave,'" Mud Bodhisattva agreed.

"Son greets all the mothers!" Zhong Tian respectfully bowed upon seeing Bao'er and the others. The empresses nodded in acknowledgment.

"Are there any precautions to be taken?" Zhongshan asked.

"Generally, the first experience has the most significant effect. It comprises a hundred reincarnations, refining one's mind. If one's mental state deviates significantly during these reincarnations, they will be expelled from the Hundred Worlds Cave. The longer one persists in the first experience, the better the effect. The more reincarnations experienced, the greater the gain!" Mud Bodhisattva explained.

"Has anyone tried it?" Zhongshan inquired.

"I tested it once when setting up the Hundred Worlds Cave. Unfortunately, I only experienced seventy-four reincarnations," Mud Bodhisattva admitted.

Seventy-four reincarnations? That meant experiencing seventy-four cycles of life and death. Zhongshan looked at Mud Bodhisattva with a peculiar expression. No wonder Mud Bodhisattva had learned the art of flattery; seventy-four reincarnations must have taught him a great many things!

"Father Emperor, what is this?" Zhong Tian asked, his eyes full of wonder.

Reincarnation? A hundred reincarnations? What did that mean?

After Mud Bodhisattva explained to Zhong Tian, his eyes shone brightly. This was a method to enhance one's mental state and wisdom, far superior to any elixir or magical herb. His father had once said, "The farther the mind can go, the farther one's cultivation can reach." Wasn't this the essence of that saying?

"Today, I brought you here just to inform you of this place. You can't enter it for a while. Wait until the Great Zong Dynasty has successfully ascended and everything is on the right track. Then you can enter, to avoid any unnecessary trouble in the short term," Zhongshan said solemnly.

"Yes!" Zhong Tian nodded, suppressing his eagerness.

"First, handle the affairs of the Da Ming Sect. The ascension of the Imperial Dynasty will happen soon. Also, select a few absolutely trustworthy individuals from within your sect. When the time comes, they will have to queue up to enter the Hundred Worlds Cave!" Zhongshan said with a smile.

"Yes, Father Emperor!" Zhong Tian replied with a smile.

To the north of Qingzhou, in a palace of the Yongle Imperial Dynasty. Inside the main command hall,

Fan Yipin looked at the scenes displayed on the jade platform, his expression extremely grim.

Several strategists stood nearby, all former subordinates of Gu Xuan.

"Mr. Fan, what do we do now? Our army has suffered repeated setbacks! This Yi Yan is too formidable! If this continues, our army will be in grave danger!" one of the strategists said worriedly.

"Calm down! The outcome is not yet decided. If you continue to unsettle the troops, you will be dealt with according to military law!" Fan Yipin glared at him.

The strategist immediately fell silent.

"Mr. Fan, it's not that we want to unsettle the troops, but the Great Zong Dynasty's army is truly formidable. Who would have thought that over these decades, they would amass such a force? Their three army commanders are exceptionally skilled, managing to hold an advantage against four great dynasties simultaneously for over three years without any let-up. It's as if they had planned it all long ago. Yi Yan, a renowned scholar, and those like Shui Jing and Shui Wuhen are equally remarkable?"

"Don't worry. Until the final moment, no one can predict the outcome!" Fan Yipin said firmly.

"Mr. Fan, do you have any plans? If this continues, our disadvantage will become more pronounced. The appearance of the Celestial Pavilion has immensely boosted the morale of the Great Zong army, while our troops' morale has significantly declined!"

"The Celestial Pavilion?" Fan Yipin furrowed his brow as he paced in the hall.

He continued to pace back and forth, deep in thought, and the strategists did not dare to disturb him.

Suddenly, Fan Yipin lifted his head, his eyes flashing with a sinister gleam.

He quickly approached the jade platform and examined the terrain closely.

"Immediately notify the grand commanders of the other three imperial dynasties to come here at once. I have urgent matters to discuss with them," Fan Yipin instructed one of his aides.

"Urgent matters? Mr. Fan, each dynasty is currently embroiled in intense battles. Will they come?" one of the strategists expressed concern.

"Tell them that if they wish to destroy the Great Zong Dynasty, they must come!" Fan Yipin said with unwavering determination.

"Destroy? Mr. Fan, have you thought of a plan?" the strategist asked in surprise.

"Go quickly!" Fan Yipin commanded coldly.

"Yes!" The aide immediately left to arrange for some experts to go to the three imperial dynasties.

As the Celestial Pavilion arrived in Qingzhou, Zhongshan began handling the heavy military and political responsibilities. There was no room for laxity at this crucial juncture. Success would mean the establishment of an imperial dynasty, while failure would result in utter destruction.

Often, battles between dynasties were far more nerve-wracking than duels between two strong individuals.

Countless experts, drawn by the Celestial Pavilion, shifted their focus from the pavilion to the Great Zong battlefield. After scrutinizing the battlefield, almost everyone was stunned.

Was this still a dynasty? Elsewhere, it took several dynasties combined to dare challenge an imperial dynasty. Yet here was the Great Zong, a mere dynasty, confronting four imperial dynasties. Did they think they were a celestial dynasty?

But, this enigmatic dynasty was indeed holding its own against the imperial dynasties, and it even had the advantage.

Was the Great Zong too strong, or were the other four imperial dynasties too weak?

In Zhongshan's study, Zhongshan reviewed some reports.

Yi Yan stood before the desk.

"Your Majesty, what do you think of these battle reports?" Yi Yan asked.

"They seem quite normal, just as before," Zhongshan replied, frowning slightly.

"Yes, that's exactly why I returned from the front lines in such haste. Because everything appears normal, it all seems highly unusual. Fan Yipin, whom I've battled for three years, is a formidable opponent. We've clashed numerous times on the battlefield. If not for my prior strategies, it might be me who is being defeated now. Over these three years, I've come to understand him. Fan Yipin is definitely not someone who remains idle. Behind this calm and normal battlefield, there must be an extraordinary plot brewing. I can't see through it right now and fear something might go wrong. I seek your counsel, Your Majesty!" Yi Yan expressed his concern.

Looking at the intelligence reports, Zhongshan furrowed his brow deeply, pondering the situation. Clearly, he took Yi Yan's concerns very seriously.