Chapter 461: Achieving Mid-Level Cultivation

Upon returning to the Eastern Manor, the first thing Zhong Shan did was to refine the Millennium Fruit.

Nothing was more important than enhancing one's own strength. The Millennium Tree, a heavenly spiritual root, blooms once every thousand years, bears fruit once every thousand years, and matures once every thousand years. Each time, it only produces five Millennium Fruits, each containing miraculous transformative powers.

After consuming the Millennium Fruit, a surge of energy filled Zhong Shan's entire body. He meditated for a whole month.

Finally, after a month, he reached the first level of the Integration stage.

In the cultivation hall, Zhong Shan sat with his eyes closed, while his primordial spirit stepped out, wandered around the Eastern Manor, and then returned to his body.

The primordial spirit was still weak and couldn't leave the body for long. Zhong Shan was merely testing its effects. Unless faced with a life-and-death situation, he would never abandon his physical body.

At the same time, Zhong Shan began studying the Heavenly Thunder Transformation from the Sky Wolf Island.

Reading through the introduction, Zhong Shan realized it was an exceptionally powerful manual.

As he walked out of the hall, releasing his aura, a small thundercloud about an acre in size suddenly appeared in the sky. With a mere thought, the thundercloud acted like a lightning rod, absorbing thunder elements from the surroundings and then unleashing them in a devastating barrage against enemies.

An acre was small, but it didn't consume Zhong Shan's true essence. Due to his unique physique, he could activate it with minimal effort. This could cause significant disruption. Additionally, with each cultivation level increase, the cloud's size expanded tenfold.

At the peak of the Integration stage, the thundercloud would cover the sky, obliterating entire armies with a single thought.

Imagining such a scene, Zhong Shan couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. It was incredibly powerful!

That day, Zhong Shan visited a guesthouse in the Taigu Holy Capital.

"Father!" Zhong Zheng greeted respectfully.

"How have things been recently?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"The Darong Chamber of Commerce now has assets worth thirty billion top-grade spirit stones. However, I have reinvested all of it. Our industries are rapidly expanding in all directions, even extending towards the Taishui Dynasty. But it will take some time to establish a firm foothold there," Zhong Zheng reported.

"You did the right thing. Money will only rot if kept in hand. Investing it generates more wealth. Additionally, gather information on talented individuals across the world. Recruit them for the Dazun Dynasty," Zhong Shan instructed.

"Yes!" Zhong Zheng responded promptly.

"Good. Now, I have two tasks for you," Zhong Shan continued.

"Father, please tell me!"

"First, send someone to the East Sea and follow the method I told you last time to find 'Hao Meili.' Give her this note and ask her to come see me," Zhong Shan said, handing over a small note with only four characters on it: "Immortal Stele."

"Understood."

"Second, you personally go to Daming Temple and meet Tian'er. Convince him to persuade the abbot to come and assist me," Zhong Shan said.

"Father, is something big about to happen?" Zhong Zheng asked, sensing the gravity of the situation.

"Indeed, something major is about to unfold," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Oh?" Zhong Zheng looked slightly puzzled.

"We are going to annihilate the Pure Land," Zhong Shan declared.

Hearing this, Zhong Zheng was momentarily stunned. He knew Zhong Shan never spoke lightly, but the idea of annihilating the Pure Land was shocking. The Pure Land was a colossal entity; to annihilate it?

"Rest assured, Father, I will personally meet with my brother. Moreover, with the opportunity to destroy the Pure Land, the monks of Daming Temple will surely be eager to join. It promises immense merit," Zhong Zheng said with a smile.

"Mm!" Zhong Shan nodded with a smile.

The Longevity Realm

In a small hut, Nian Youyou sat at a stone table, looking somewhat troubled at the little furball in front of her—the ancestral divine beast, Xiao Qing.

The furball lay on its back, holding its belly and swaying back and forth, clearly content. It had grown very fond of Nian Youyou and enjoyed staying by her side.

"Zhi zhi zhi zhi," the little furball hummed contentedly, causing Nian Youyou to smile unconsciously.

Just as Nian Youyou was enjoying a rare moment of happiness, her expression changed abruptly. The smile vanished, replaced by a look of bitterness.

A woman had suddenly appeared beside her—Nian Youyou's master, someone she both respected and feared.

"Master," Nian Youyou greeted her.

"How have you been feeling lately?" the woman asked, her voice naturally alluring and magnetic.

"Much better," Nian Youyou replied, with a touch of sorrow and helplessness.

"That's good. Two years from now, the three major dynasties will attack the Pure Land. Zhong Shan will surely be involved. Use this opportunity to remove this heart's constraint," the woman said.

Biting her lip and holding back her tears, Nian Youyou nodded.

"Sigh," the woman sighed softly before disappearing in front of Nian Youyou.

As soon as she vanished, Nian Youyou couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Despite her wisdom, she couldn't focus on why her master knew such a secret. Her heart was filled with heavy sorrow.

Her only solace was Xiao Qing. But seeing Xiao Qing reminded her of those years of married life. Xu Xian? Zhong Shan?

Unable to bear the pain in her heart, she picked up the little furball and held it tightly, ignoring its struggles. Her mood was utterly miserable.

Great Luo Dynasty, Five Months Later

After five months, Shui Wuhen finally arrived at the Taigu Holy Capital with the army.

"Commander, I am ashamed to report that we lost ten thousand soldiers on the way here," Shui Wuhen confessed to Zhong Shan.

"Victory and defeat are common in warfare. Along the way, you were unstoppable, showcasing the might of the Zhong family army. I am very pleased with these results," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

Shui Wuhen was slightly surprised but felt a surge of excitement at the commander's praise.

"Yes!" Shui Wuhen responded enthusiastically.

"Only through rigorous trials can steel be forged. Isn't the Zhong family army different now?" Zhong Shan asked with a smile.

"Yes, although we lost ten thousand soldiers, the current Zhong family army is more than twice as powerful as before," Shui Wuhen replied promptly.

"Good. Go and console the troops. From now on, you will lead these soldiers," Zhong Shan instructed.

"Yes!" Shui Wuhen responded immediately.

"Commander, now that the Zhong family army is back, should we spread the story of the commander's wife breaking Guiyuan Buddha's silent meditation?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

"Of course, we should!" Zhong Shan laughed.

With Zhong Shan's approval, everyone burst into laughter.

Within two days, a sensational story spread throughout the Taigu Holy Capital.

The Lady of the Duke of the East, defeating Guiyuan Buddha and breaking his silent meditation, became a three-part tale, sung and told far and wide, elevating her prestige and spreading the tale of their prowess throughout the land.

In a Tavern

In a bustling tavern, a man was animatedly recounting the story from that fateful day.

"Oh my, I can't stop laughing! It's killing me, hahaha!"

"My stomach hurts from laughing. Oh, that tragic Guiyuan Buddha, wasn't he supposed to be the top figure in the Pure Land? Hahaha."

"Heaven and earth, I am supreme? Turns out he was inviting them for a meal, hahaha, and porridge too?"

This joke was explosively funny yet oddly not funny to some. Some believed it was fabricated to tarnish Guiyuan Buddha's reputation. However, it wasn't long before it was confirmed that Guiyuan Buddha had indeed visited an imperial dynasty recently and had actually spoken.

Could it be true that this was how his silent meditation was broken? Poor Guiyuan Buddha, what bad luck!

During the Great Luo Dynasty's court session, this earth-shattering joke made its way to the court. All the civil and military officials' faces twitched, wanting to laugh but having to hold it in.

This Duke of the East, Zhong Shan, was too much! The court had barely digested the outrageous events in the Great Li Dynasty when a new joke arrived. Guiyuan Buddha inviting someone to a meal? And breaking his silent meditation in the process?

Hearing this, Gu Shentong was also quite surprised. Although the Zhong family army was Zhong Shan's private force, it wasn't difficult for Gu Shentong to place one or two of his own people there. The incident was quickly verified.

Gu Shentong silently mourned for Guiyuan Buddha, this tragic first Buddha!

"Duke of the East Zhong Shan, by spreading the might of our Great Luo Dynasty, is hereby promoted to First Class Duke of the East!" Gu Shentong declared.

At Gu Shentong's words, everyone was astounded. First Class Duke of the East? That meant a position in the middle ranks of the celestial order, with a tenfold increase in cultivation speed?

This Duke of the East, Zhong Shan, was rising in rank too quickly. In just a few decades, he had reached the status of a top-tier duke?

Before the eunuch could deliver the message, Zhong Shan in the Eastern Manor had already felt the influx of fortune. Vast fortune poured into him, granting him a middle rank.

With the fortune of the Dazun Dynasty added, his cultivation speed was now fifteen times the normal rate. Even with poor innate talent, this could make up for a lot.

However, Zhong Shan did not feel much joy but instead frowned deeply.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Mr. Shi asked, slightly puzzled.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan said, "The end of the Great Luo Dynasty is approaching faster than expected!"

Logically, this merit shouldn't have warranted an increase in his rank, but Gu Shentong had promoted him anyway. This indicated that the time for Zhong Shan to plan for the Shenzhou land was running out.

At the Eastern Palace

"Commander, outside are Hao Meili and the Western Poison Emperor requesting an audience," Liu Wushuang reported as she entered the Eastern Hall.

"Hao Meili? The Western Poison Emperor? Invite them in!" Zhong Shan instructed.

"Yes!" Liu Wushuang nodded and left.

Soon, Hao Meili and the Western Poison Emperor were led into the Eastern Hall.

"Zhong Shan, what do you want from me? Did you find it?" Hao Meili's arrogant voice rang out even before entering the hall.

"Welcome, Hao Meili, and the Western Poison Emperor. Please, have a seat," Zhong Shan said, remaining calm.

"You called me here for a reason. Did you find the Immortal Stele?" Hao Meili asked, her tone demanding and impatient.

Zhong Shan nodded. "I did find the Immortal Stele, but there is more at stake here. We need to discuss the upcoming battle against the Pure Land."

The mention of the Pure Land piqued Hao Meili's interest, and her demeanor softened slightly. "Alright, let's hear what you have to say," she said, taking a seat.

The Western Poison Emperor remained silent but observant, taking in the details of the room and the interactions.

Zhong Shan proceeded to lay out his plans and the imminent actions against the Pure Land, ensuring that both Hao Meili and the Western Poison Emperor understood the gravity and the potential gains of the situation.