Chapter 820: The Day of the Great Opening

The ministers of the Lingxiao Heavenly Court were abuzz with discussions regarding the announced list. The distribution differed significantly from what they had expected. Zhong Shan, having announced the list, adjourned the court.

The news of the appointments quickly spread and reached the ears of those with vested interests.

Six months later, in a desolate valley in the Yang Realm, where no sects were established and few demonic beasts roamed, a cluster of palaces housed some reclusive individuals.

In the central palace, a man in a green robe stood with his hands behind his back, deep in thought. Those around him passed around a jade slip.

This man was Yi Lanyue, once of the Yin Realm, the young master of the Yi family who had acquired the divine beast Kunpeng, now the head of the Yi family.

"Lanyue, why has Zhong Shan arranged things this way? How can he be so assured about the powerhouses outside the small thousand world?" asked the Yi family patriarch.

"No, Zhong Shan's planning is meticulous. This distribution list must not be altered; each appointment has its purpose," Yi Lanyue shook his head.

"When will we leave this realm?"

"Let's wait for Zhong Shan to open the heavens," Yi Lanyue replied.

"Open the heavens? The outside world is already in chaos, with powerhouses gathering. When the heavens open, won't this small thousand world be flattened in an instant?"

"No, we must wait for the Great Opening. Firstly, I want to see how Zhong Shan does it. Secondly, I need these years to use the 'Xiaomeng Method' to persuade our ancestors from the outside world, to ensure they follow my instructions when the time comes," Yi Lanyue said.

"For what?" the Yi family patriarch asked, puzzled.

"I want to establish a favorable relationship!" Yi Lanyue said earnestly.

"A favorable relationship? With so many powerhouses outside, can Zhong Shan handle it?"

"I believe Zhong Shan will manage. Even if this world turns to dust, Zhong Shan will escape. Such a person will shine in the vast world. It's better to provide help when it's most needed rather than when it's least needed," Yi Lanyue said confidently.

"Alright, you're the head of the family!"—

In the Lingxiao Heavenly Court!

After finalizing the arrangements, Zhong Shan went to the inner palace.

"Husband, what will we do in a hundred years?" Bao'er asked tentatively.

"We will go to the Yin Realm together!" Zhong Shan affirmed.

"I'm not going!" Bao'er shook her head.

"Neither am I!" Gu Qianyou shook her head.

Bei Qingsi also shook her head, and Tian Ling'er refused as well, "I'm not going either!"

"What's the matter?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"We want to face the strong enemies of the vast world with you. We want to stay in the Yang Realm!" Bao'er said.

After Bao'er spoke, the other women nodded.

"The Yang Realm is too dangerous! It's better to go to the Yin Realm!" Zhong Shan tried to persuade them.

"But whether we're in the Yang Realm or the Yin Realm, it doesn't matter. That feeling of being watched has never eased. Even if we go to the Yin Realm, the powerhouses of the vast world watching us can still descend to the Yin Realm the moment the heavens open," Bao'er said.

"But they might not be able to," Zhong Shan said with a hint of hope.

"Can those who can watch us from the vast world through the barriers between realms be weak? Instead of constantly avoiding them, we should face them directly. Last time, when Tianchenzi tried to harm us, they even protected us. I think it shouldn't be too dangerous; at least they won't harm us," Gu Qianyou analyzed.

Zhong Shan shook his head.

"Husband, let us decide for ourselves this time. We worry about you. Let us stay with you in the Yang Realm," Bao'er pleaded.

The women all looked at Zhong Shan together.

Zhong Shan closed his eyes, furrowing his brow deeply and pressing his temples, clearly troubled.

"What's wrong, Zhong Shan?" Tian Ling'er asked.

"Qianyou, you have the highest intellect. You must have guessed what will happen after the Great Opening?" Zhong Shan asked with a frown.

"Yes! I've discussed it with everyone. Because we guessed the outcome, we don't want to stay in the Yin Realm," Gu Qianyou shook her head.

"Being targeted by such powerful beings means that the Yin and Yang Realms are essentially the same. I've been holding onto a sliver of hope, but I know it's unrealistic. Since you all want to stay in the Yang Realm, then stay. We'll face the gods and Buddhas together!" Zhong Shan said decisively.

"Mm!" The women nodded in unison.

A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye. The ten legion commanders had all reached the peak of mortal cultivation, waiting for Zhong Shan to open the heavens.

On the seventh day of the seventh month, the day of the Great Opening arrived for Great Zheng.

At the boundary between the realms, the Yang Realm's Lingxiao Heavenly Court mirrored that of the Yin Realm. During this time, Lu Jianping had constructed a flying city named Changjing, serving as the heart of Great Zheng in the Yin Realm.

At the boundary between the realms, both in the Yin and Yang Realms, the forces of Great Zheng gathered. The elite troops of Great Zheng assembled to show their strength. Everyone knew this was a significant day—a day of infinite importance.

The Emperor was going to open the heavens again, leading the entire world to ascend to the 'Immortal Realm.'

The entire world belonged to Zhong Shan. Everyone revered Zhong Shan and believed he would succeed in opening the heavens.

At the Southern Gate of the Lingxiao Heavenly Court stood the four empresses, Zhong Tian, Shui Jing, Shui Wuhen, Mr. Shi, Lin Xiao, Tian Lao, Hao Meili, Emperor Xuanzha, Yin Luori, Gui She, and the ministers of the Yang Realm.

At the Southern Gate of Changjing in the Yin Realm stood Zhong Zheng, Xianxian, Yi Yan, Xiao Wang, Yan Chongzhi, Wang Ku, Zhao Suoxiang, Liu Wushuang, the Clay Bodhisattva, Lu Jianping, and the ministers of the Yin Realm.

After this Great Opening, the ministers would be divided, separated by the Yin and Yang Realms.

Under the gaze of countless people, everyone focused on the boundary between the realms.

At the boundary in the Yang Realm stood Zhong Shan's true body, wearing a golden flat sky crown and a nine-dragon cloud robe. He stood with his hands behind his back, eyes closed.

At the boundary in the Yin Realm stood Zhong Shan's shadow body, similarly adorned with a flat sky crown and a nine-dragon cloud robe, hands behind his back, eyes closed.

Zhong Shan stood there for two hours, motionless, as if taking one last moment to feel the small thousand world and the ultimate power he held.

"Boom!"

The sky of the Yang Realm suddenly exploded with a thunderous sound, and endless thunderclouds rapidly gathered. As Zhong Shan's eyes opened, he began to invoke the heavenly might.

The gathered ministers and soldiers watched in awe as Zhong Shan stood at the center of the impending storm. His presence commanded respect and fear, embodying the power and determination required to open the heavens.

In the Yang Realm, Zhong Shan's true body, with eyes now open, raised his hands to the sky. Thunder roared and lightning crackled around him, converging into a vortex of divine energy. The heavens responded to his call, and the air vibrated with an immense power.

In the Yin Realm, the shadow body mirrored these actions, invoking similar forces. The sky above Changjing darkened, and a corresponding storm formed, reflecting the actions in the Yang Realm.

Both bodies of Zhong Shan were now channeling the energies of their respective realms, creating a bridge between them. The boundary between the realms began to shimmer, the air around it becoming charged with a palpable energy.

The ministers, soldiers, and spectators watched in a mix of fear and anticipation. They understood the gravity of the moment—Zhong Shan was not just opening the heavens; he was merging the realms, creating a unified path to the vast world.

As the energy reached its peak, Zhong Shan's voice boomed across both realms, "By my command, let the heavens open!"

A brilliant light burst forth from the boundary, enveloping both the Lingxiao Heavenly Court and Changjing. The ground shook, and the air was filled with a deafening roar as the realms began to merge.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, with a final, resounding crash, the barrier between the realms shattered. The Yin and Yang Realms were now connected, their energies flowing freely between them.

The Great Opening had succeeded.

Zhong Shan stood tall, the divine energy still crackling around him, his eyes blazing with determination. The path to the vast world was now open, and Great Zheng was ready to step into its future, unified and strong.

The ministers and soldiers cheered, their voices echoing through the newly connected realms. They knew that this was only the beginning. The challenges ahead were great, but with Zhong Shan leading them, they were ready to face whatever the vast world had in store.

With the realms connected, Zhong Shan turned to his ministers. "We move forward together, as one. Prepare for the journey ahead. The vast world awaits, and we shall conquer it with our strength and unity."

The ministers bowed deeply, acknowledging the gravity of their mission. The era of Great Zheng's expansion into the vast world had begun, and with it, a new chapter in the annals of history.

Zhong Shan looked out over his gathered people, a sense of pride and responsibility filling him. The journey would be long and arduous, but with his trusted allies by his side, there was nothing they could not achieve.

Together, they would face the gods and Buddhas, the challenges and opportunities of the vast world, and emerge victorious. The future of Great Zheng was bright, and it began with this Great Opening.