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Chapter 140: Chapter 140: The Trace of Bao’er

"Boom, boom!"

After a while, two muffled sounds echoed. Zhong Shan slowly opened his eyes, looking at Nan Batian with surprise. Was this really the "Nine Spirits Ten Thousand Blossoms Brew"? It was so powerful!

"How do you feel?" Nan Batian asked with a smile.

"Incredible," Zhong Shan nodded solemnly.

"If it's that good, drink more. I only have this one jar," Nan Batian laughed.

Zhong Shan didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up the large bowl and drank with Nan Batian. Although the effects seemed to weaken over time, the brew still increased his true essence. The wine contained a considerable amount of spiritual energy.

"Batian, do you know about the Tai Dan Sect?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Tai Dan Sect? One of the five great immortal sects on Sirius Island? How could I not know?" Nan Batian responded immediately.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan looked at Nan Batian.

"Tai Dan Sect is the weakest of the five great immortal sects, but also the one you can't afford to offend," Nan Batian said.

"Why?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.

"Because Tai Dan Sect is a sect of alchemists. Everyone in the sect is a master of alchemy. Although our Kaiyang Sect has people who can refine pills, our techniques and abilities are inferior to those of Tai Dan Sect. Instead of learning alchemy, it's better to focus on cultivation. After all, life span is limited. In the limited time, it's more important to enhance oneself. If you need pills, you can exchange them with spirit stones," Nan Batian explained.

"Why can't we offend them?" Zhong Shan nodded.

"The people of Tai Dan Sect are mostly obsessed with alchemy. Although they neglect diligent cultivation, they compensate for their shortcomings with pills, as if they were eating beans. So, their combat strength is not strong, but due to their alchemy, they have connections with many sects. Generally, they are the least to be offended," Nan Batian explained further.

"Got it," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Zhong Shan, I've heard about Ling'er. No matter what, Ling'er and I grew up together. I'm relieved that she chose you," Nan Batian suddenly said with a serious expression.

"Thank you," Zhong Shan nodded at Nan Batian.

"No need to thank me. Although Ling'er always calls me Little Nan, our relationship is like that of siblings. It's better for her to choose you than Senior Brother," Nan Batian said earnestly.

"Senior Brother?" Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, Senior Brother may seem brilliant and talented, but I know he is arrogant and self-serving. He loves himself too much. Ling'er wouldn't have a good outcome with him," Nan Batian said, taking a sip of wine.

Looking at Nan Batian, Zhong Shan nodded. Tian Sha was outwardly impressive but narrow-minded. Despite being a prodigy, he would eventually be ruined by his personality.

"Zhong Shan, your secret technique last time helped me break through. To thank you, I will be your sparring partner for the next year, fighting you every three days to stimulate your cultivation," Nan Batian suddenly said.

Hearing this, Zhong Shan looked at him with deep gratitude. But between men, gratitude need not be spoken. The intention was enough.

In the following days, Zhong Shan diligently cultivated, continuously impacting his acupoints. Repeatedly using the "Heavenly Demon Body Refinement Art," it seemed to accelerate the opening of his acupoints. With Nan Batian's assistance every three days, Zhong Shan's cultivation speed increased significantly compared to before.

At the same time, with the assistance of the Wolf Clan, the Dayan Dynasty garnered immense support from the populace. The citizens were unwavering in their loyalty, and the number of wolf cavalrymen steadily increased, though their cultivation levels were not particularly high.

Within the Dayan Dynasty, Yinglan, Zhong Zheng, and Lin Xiao had all stepped into the Xiantian realm. After Zhong Shan had selected cultivation techniques for everyone from the Kaiyang Sect's scripture repository, their progress in cultivation had been exceptionally swift.

Everyone was aware of Zhong Shan's ambition. They understood that the Emperor's goal was to conquer the Divine Continent, to wage war across the lands, and to establish an unparalleled heavenly empire.

It had been almost three years since Zhong Shan's main body had returned to the Kaiyang Sect. During this time, the Dayan Dynasty's national strength had flourished, and it officially went to war. The remaining three nations formed an alliance, but on the battlefield, the howl of the wolf cavalry caused the enemy's horses to panic. When the battle commenced, it was like a hot knife through butter, driving straight towards the capitals of the three kingdoms.

The three kingdoms, unable to resist, were defeated in just over three months. Their royal families surrendered and joined the Dayan Dynasty, becoming ministers in its court.

The Dayan Dynasty's power reached unprecedented heights, becoming incredibly formidable.

In the Hall of Longevity:

"Your Majesty, the six nations are unified, and all citizens are submissive," Yinglan said excitedly, looking at Zhong Shan on the throne.

In the grand hall, the ministers congratulated each other.

"Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live, long live!"

Zhong Shan felt a wave of satisfaction in his heart. The first step had been completed, albeit a bit slower than he had hoped.

"Zheng'er," Zhong Shan called out.

"Your son is here," Zhong Zheng responded immediately.

"How goes the construction of the nine hundred-zhang stone dragons?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Reporting to Father Emperor, half of them are completed. In another half month, they will all be finished," Zhong Zheng replied.

"Good. Once the stone dragons are completed, in two months, gather the people and head to the eastern and western regions. Begin the task of opening up the mountains and lands, creating pathways to the other two domains. Introduce trains to the surface to transport the huge stones for strengthening Dayan's infrastructure," Zhong Shan instructed.

"Yes," Zhong Zheng responded promptly.

"Lin Xiao," Zhong Shan called next.

"Your subject is here," Lin Xiao stepped forward and responded immediately.

"Train the soldiers diligently. In a year's time, you shall lead the first legion of the Dayan Dynasty to reclaim the seven nations of the Eastern Domain," Zhong Shan commanded solemnly.

"Your subject obeys," Lin Xiao replied promptly.

"Yinglan," Zhong Shan called.

"Your subject is here," Yinglan stepped forward eagerly.

"Intensify the training of the troops. In a year's time, you shall lead the second legion of the Dayan Dynasty to reclaim the five nations of the Western Domain," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes," Yinglan replied with excitement.

One by one, Zhong Shan issued military and administrative orders, akin to the decrees of Heaven and Earth, continuously impacting the entire Dayan Dynasty and rapidly strengthening it, elevating it to new heights.

At the same time, on the desk before Zhong Shan, the imperial seal emitted a faint yellow glow. Not only did it deepen its connection with Zhong Shan, but it also rapidly gathered the nation's fortune, earthly luck, and heavenly luck, enhancing its might.

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner. Meanwhile, in a secluded valley in the northwest of Sirius Island, on the Divine Continent, there lay an incredibly deep gorge.

Within the valley, a clear spring flowed, and beside the spring stood a ten-zhang giant cauldron. Next to the giant cauldron was a small thatched hut.

The hut emitted a faint red glow, resembling a small formation, isolating the inside from the outside world. Outside the hut stood three elders, two men and one woman, their hair mostly gray, faces etched with wrinkles. The three elders kept their gaze fixed on the hut, frowning and sighing, their eyes filled with worry.

Inside the hut, on a couch, lay an elderly woman. Her face was extremely haggard, her complexion pale, as if she were clinging to life by a thread. She leaned weakly on the edge of the couch, looking at a young woman kneeling before her.

The young woman kneeling before the elderly woman had a remarkably delicate face. Her hair was tied up with a simple jade hairpin, and she wore plain clothes. Yet, even such simple attire could not conceal her peerless beauty. Her large eyes radiated a gentle sweetness, and even in her sorrowful state, she evoked great sympathy.

"Master," the young woman said, looking worriedly at the elderly woman.

"Bao'er, these past decades, I haven't let you leave. Do you still resent me for it?" the elderly woman asked with difficulty.

"Disciple does not resent you," Bao'er shook her head immediately.

"You don't have to comfort me. Over the years, I've seen you daydreaming while staring at the jade hairpin in your hair, calling out 'Master' in your dreams every day. I know you still can't forget him. I can no longer control you," the elderly woman said with difficulty.

"Master, you will get better. Didn't you say that the 'Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Cauldron' in the sect contains the Heavenly Yuan Divine Pill? For those below the Conjoined Stage, just one pill can break through a level's barrier. If Master takes one, you can extend your life by another eight hundred years," Bao'er said quickly.

"Foolish child, you know well that I died a hundred years ago. It was only by using the 'Soul Locking Pill' to bind my soul to my body that I've lingered in this half-dead state until now. The Heavenly Yuan Divine Pill won't work. A hundred years... I've been content with a hundred years. Moreover, I've found a successor in you. With you inheriting my legacy, I can die in peace," the elderly woman said solemnly.

"Master," Bao'er's eyes brimmed with tears.

Gently, the elderly woman wiped away Bao'er's tears with her hand.

"I took you as my disciple for a reason. As you know, among the physiques of women in the world, the best is the Nine Cauldrons Body. You possess the most unique 'Central Cauldron Body.' Only with this body can you inherit my legacy. Do not tell anyone about your physique, other than the two of us," the elderly woman instructed.

"Hmm," Bao'er responded, tears streaming down her face.

"The three outside are elders of our Tai Dan Sect, all of them at the Conjoined Stage. Use them wisely. I have nothing left to teach you," the elderly woman said, looking lovingly at Bao'er.

"Hmm," Bao'er replied, her tears falling uncontrollably.

"Bring your storage bracelet. I will transfer all my belongings to you," the elderly woman said.

"Master," Bao'er said, looking tearfully at her master, her heart filled with sorrow.

"Hurry," the elderly woman urged.

"Hmm," Bao'er finally extended her delicate wrist.

The elderly woman smiled faintly and touched the two bracelets together. With a flash of green light, a vast amount of items transferred into Bao'er's bracelet.

Satisfied, the elderly woman looked at Bao'er and smiled gently. "Everything of the Tai Dan Sect is now in your hands. Only the sect master knows of these items. Whether the sect can regain its glory from ten thousand years ago depends on you. I do not expect you to, as I couldn't achieve such glory for the Tai Dan Sect myself."

"Master, please don't leave," Bao'er pleaded, clutching the elderly woman's arm, her eyes filled with tears.

"Hehe, silly child. It's not that I don't want to stay, but I can no longer hold on. Let the three elders come in. While I am still here, I will pave the way for you," the elderly woman said, stroking Bao'er's hair lovingly.

"Hmm," Bao'er replied tearfully, sniffing as she nodded.