Chapter 796: The Human Sovereign

In Lingxiao Heavenly Court, Zhong Shan had released the toad.

The toad, upon escaping, felt as if he were dreaming. He had been released just like that? With a dreamlike feeling, the toad flew away frantically, not daring to look back.

With the toad gone, the discussion in Lingxiao Heavenly Court continued.

"Father, why did you only ask for the Immortal Steles in exchange? Why not demand the Trapping Immortal Sword as well?" Zhong Tian asked, puzzled.

Indeed, the purple coffin appeared extremely valuable. Why didn't the Emperor try to obtain more?

"The Immortal Steles are the baseline. Asking for the Trapping Immortal Sword as well would be too greedy," Yi Yan explained.

"Oh?"

"We're negotiating with Shen Ya Daojun, not Kong Xuan," Yi Yan said seriously.

"What do you mean?"

"Kong Xuan hasn't returned to the Longevity World yet. If we ask for too much, Shen Ya Daojun might refuse to negotiate and wait for Kong Xuan to return and forcibly take back the coffin," Yi Yan explained.

"Understood," the group nodded in agreement.

"But how did you know Kong Xuan isn't in the Longevity World?" Tian Ling'er asked, puzzled.

Yi Yan smiled slightly. "Because he is currently at the Yellow Springs Sea."

"The Yellow Springs Sea?"

"Yes, after being severely injured in the battle at Lingxiao Heavenly Court, Kong Xuan headed straight to the Yellow Springs Sea. Perhaps the sea can help him heal," Yi Yan said, frowning.

"He actually went to the underworld? To the Yellow Springs Sea below the Yellow Springs Road?" Gu Qianyou frowned.

"No matter. He doesn't have the time or interest to deal with the underworld right now," Zhong Shan shook his head.

"Indeed."

As the group discussed, Mr. Corpse moved to the purple coffin. Although the coffin was now nailed shut, Mr. Corpse continued to examine it closely, scrutinizing every detail.

As he looked, Mr. Corpse's expression grew increasingly grave. His concern became more apparent.

The group, noticing his intense focus, turned their attention to Mr. Corpse.

"Mr. Corpse, did you discover something?" Zhong Shan asked.

Mr. Corpse took a deep breath and looked at Zhong Shan. "Your Majesty, there is a problem."

"Oh?"

"Please look here," Mr. Corpse said.

Everyone gathered around, looking at the spot Mr. Corpse indicated on the coffin. There was a tiny black dot.

"What is this? We examined the coffin when we brought it back and it didn't have this black dot," the Clay Bodhisattva frowned.

"Yes, there was no black dot then. Now there is," Mr. Corpse said, taking a deep breath.

"What does this black dot mean?"

"This is a corpse spot, an external corpse spot. There are eighty more on the coffin, making eighty-one corpse spots in total," Mr. Corpse said gravely.

"Oh? What does that signify?"

"Corpse transformation. The process of corpse transformation has become irreversible. The coffin nails can suppress the corpse and the coffin, but the appearance of these eighty-one corpse spots means that the transformation is unavoidable. Through these spots, the corpse inside can absorb 'habit energy', just more slowly than before. Given enough time, the transformation is inevitable. Once it happens, it will cause a cataclysm," Mr. Corpse said, with a hint of fear.

Mr. Corpse's somber words made Tian Ling'er cling to Zhong Shan in fear.

"But for now, it's not a problem. I believe the corpse won't transform for at least three hundred years. After that, it's uncertain," Mr. Corpse said solemnly.

"Three hundred years?" Zhong Shan's eyebrows raised.

"Your Majesty, the timeline is tight!" Yi Yan frowned.

"No matter how tight, within three hundred years, we must unify the world, destroy the Longevity World, and annihilate the Taishui Heavenly Dynasty!" Zhong Shan declared firmly.

"Yes!" everyone responded immediately.

"The Northern Great Qin has already departed. We shall commence our northern campaign. Yi Yan, I appoint you as the Grand Marshal of the Northern Expedition. Swiftly conquer the northern territories!" Zhong Shan commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Yi Yan replied.

In the Taishui Heavenly Dynasty, in Kong Lietian's study.

Kong Lietian had returned, standing before Wang Chen.

"Has Sekong not returned yet?" Kong Lietian frowned.

"Not yet!" Wang Chen shook his head.

"Then we'll wait for him. The Confucian Academy has not been effective under his control. Hmph!" Kong Lietian snorted coldly.

"I believe Sekong has been trying his best. Although he rarely visits the academies, I'm sure he often studies their layout at home," Wang Chen said.

Wang Chen seemed to be speaking in Sekong's defense, but it only irritated Kong Lietian. Rarely visiting the academies?

"Enough, I'll deal with him later. Now, let's discuss your matter!" Kong Lietian said sternly.

"Mine?"

"I heard that you erected a tombstone for Zhong Shan at your home a few days ago?" Kong Lietian said coldly.

Wang Chen's eyebrows twitched before he responded, "Forgive me, Your Majesty. Zhong Shan was once my foster father. Even though our relationship ended, I still wanted to honor him with a tombstone."

"Zhong Shan isn't dead!" Kong Lietian said irritably.

"Not dead?" Wang Chen's expression changed.

"That's right. I don't blame you for erecting the tombstone. You thought he was dead, and it shows your loyalty to me. Rest assured, regardless of what happens in this realm, the Kong family will remain a revered saintly family in the Great Thousand World," Kong Lietian said sternly.

"Yes!" Wang Chen bowed, a subtle smile appearing on his lips.

"Ying has left. Now, I appoint you as the Grand Marshal of the Three Armies. Lead our forces eastward to seize Great Qin's lands!" Kong Lietian commanded.

"I accept!" Wang Chen responded promptly.

"However, there's one more task for you before that," Kong Lietian said.

"Please, Your Majesty, command me."

"The Taishui Heavenly Dynasty originally had two feng shui masters: Shenxiu and the Human Sovereign. Shenxiu is dead, which is unfortunate but not crucial. The key is the Human Sovereign. He has no connection to the Longevity World and has a very mysterious background, yet his power is immense!" Kong Lietian explained.

"Immense power?" Wang Chen frowned.

"Yes, the Human Sovereign is usually very low-key. However, the previous Emperor, Lu Guaitian, once said he was no match for the Human Sovereign. Even the former Supreme of the Crow Clan, Wuhuan, was his disciple," Kong Lietian said.

"The Human Sovereign is that powerful? Isn't he just a feng shui master? Why has he been hiding his strength?" Wang Chen asked, astonished.

"It is indeed puzzling why he has kept his true power concealed. Perhaps he has his reasons or a greater purpose. Regardless, his presence and influence cannot be underestimated," Kong Lietian replied.

Wang Chen nodded thoughtfully. The revelation of the Human Sovereign's hidden capabilities added a new layer of complexity to his upcoming mission.

"I don't know. Before I arrived in this realm, he was already serving in the Taishui Heavenly Dynasty. Apart from the former emperor, Lu Guitian, and Wuhuan, no one trusted him. Even Shen Ya Daojun and others from the Longevity World didn't trust him. Otherwise, they would have included him in their attempts to assassinate Zhong Shan," Kong Lietian said, frowning.

"Every action has a cause and effect. The Human Sovereign is definitely plotting something in the Taishui Heavenly Dynasty," Wang Chen said confidently.

"I think so too. But what could he be plotting in the Taishui Heavenly Dynasty? Is there something we don't know?" Kong Lietian shook his head in frustration.

"Does Your Majesty want me to probe the Human Sovereign?" Wang Chen asked perceptively.

"Exactly. I want you to test the Human Sovereign. You are the most trustworthy among my ministers. This task can only be entrusted to you. I want this world, and I want to use the Longevity World to achieve it. Even if we can't uncover his true motives, the Human Sovereign must become my pawn to help conquer the world!" Kong Lietian said firmly.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint you!" Wang Chen responded immediately.

In the underworld, at the center of the Hell of Ten Thousand Fathoms, the Yellow Springs Road reached from the underworld to the mortal world.

A massive yellow road led to the mortal world, attracting countless ghosts to rush forward. In a small valley near the Yellow Springs Road, an old man, bloodied and battered, lay hidden.

This was Tian Chenzi, the Grand Elder of the Tian family of the underworld. After taking a powerful blow from Ying, he fled frantically. Ying kept his promise and did not pursue him further after the initial strike.

Tian Chenzi escaped to the entrance of the Yellow Springs Road and set up a grand formation to cautiously heal his wounds.

But Tian Chenzi soon realized in horror that Ying hadn't failed to kill him with one strike out of inability but out of deliberate choice. His wounds were strange, not healing despite consuming numerous elixirs. The damage worsened daily.

His skin gradually melted, and muffled explosions periodically erupted within his muscles, causing immense pain.

Any other person would have long ago chosen to end their suffering, but Tian Chenzi endured. For eighty thousand years, he had endured all kinds of torment. How could he not endure this pain?

His deteriorating condition filled Tian Chenzi with hatred. Why was this happening? Why was the Great Qin so powerful?

While healing in the valley, Tian Chenzi often used his divine sense to observe the surroundings. He noticed some people loitering near the Yellow Springs Road, easily recognizable by their attire as Jinyi Guards from the Great Zhen Dynasty.

The Great Zhen Dynasty! It was all their fault. Zhong Shan's fault. If not for Zhong Shan, he wouldn't be in this predicament.

However, Tian Chenzi didn't act rashly. He needed to heal first. Perhaps in a few years, his wounds would stop worsening.

Until a few days ago, Tian Chenzi suddenly noticed the faces of those Jinyi Guards change drastically before they turned and left.

"Boom!"

A loud explosion reverberated from the surrounding earth of the Yellow Springs Sea.

Tian Chenzi looked towards the Yellow Springs Sea with shock.

The sky was filled with ghosts.

Ghosts swimming in the Yellow Springs Sea were violently expelled by a massive force, all sent flying out. The ghostly columns climbing the Yellow Springs Road also collapsed, the ghosts either dissipating or being ejected from the Yellow Springs Sea.

A massive barrier seemed to form around the Yellow Springs Sea, preventing any ghost from entering.

"Chirp!"

A gigantic bird cry echoed. Tian Chenzi cautiously emerged from his hiding place.

The Yellow Springs Sea was in turmoil, as if a colossal creature was stirring beneath the surface.

What made Tian Chenzi's scalp tingle was that the entire Yellow Springs Sea was sinking. The water level was dropping, as if some terrifying entity was absorbing the sea's water. Someone dared to absorb this water?