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Chapter 245: The Grand Prosperity Trading Guild

Inside, Zhongshan sat upon the throne, his figure imposing despite the dim light. Beside him was Ba'er, a serene presence. In front of them stood Zhongshan's closest confidants: Wei Taizhong, Zhong Zheng, Lin Xiao, and Ying Lan.

"Zhong Zheng," Zhongshan called out.

"Father!" Zhong Zheng stepped forward immediately.

"How are the preparations going?" Zhongshan asked, his gaze piercing.

"Father, as per your instructions, the thirty most loyal and capable individuals have been selected. They receive the best training and resources every day, and now all of them have reached the sixth or seventh level of innate cultivation," Zhong Zheng reported promptly.

"And you?" Zhongshan queried.

"Your son has reached the ninth level of innate cultivation!" Zhong Zheng replied truthfully.

"Good. In one month, we will set out for the Divine Land. Establish a trading guild, 'Prosperity,' the Grand Prosperity Trading Guild. It will gather resources for the Great Xian Dynasty," Zhongshan stated with gravity.

"Yes," Zhong Zheng responded immediately, though a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes.

Zhongshan smiled slightly. "Are you puzzled?"

"Yes, Father. Didn't you say we should wait until everyone reaches the Golden Core stage before departing?" Zhong Zheng asked, puzzled.

"The Golden Core stage? Rest assured, I will send Golden Core experts to protect the thirty-one of you. Once you reach the Golden Core stage yourselves, they will withdraw," Zhongshan explained with a smile.

"Yes," Zhong Zheng nodded, refraining from further questions.

"I have prepared maps of the eastern and southern regions of the Divine Land, as well as the trading practices of the cultivators there. Spend this month familiarizing yourselves with them," Zhongshan instructed.

"Yes!" Zhong Zheng nodded again, glancing at Ba'er, knowing that only his stepmother had been to the Divine Land.

Satisfied with Zhong Zheng's response, Zhongshan smiled. "Besides sending Zhong Zheng to the Divine Land, I have another matter to disclose to you all."

"What is it?" Ying Lan asked, puzzled.

"Four years ago, I already went to the Divine Land!" Zhongshan revealed.

"Uh? Granduncle, when did you go? How come I didn't know?" Ying Lan exclaimed in astonishment.

The others also looked at Zhongshan with puzzled expressions. The Divine Land was not in the neighboring city but across a vast sea. How could His Majesty have gone there? He had been attending court regularly for all these years. It seemed impossible.

Only Ba'er smiled faintly, knowing that her husband was about to unveil a bit of his secret.

"Have you ever heard of an external incarnation?" Zhongshan asked.

"I know! That's an immortal's technique. Granduncle, you've mentioned it before," Ying Lan immediately responded.

Everyone turned to look at Zhongshan.

"Correct. It's an immortal's technique. An immortal once helped me create a puppet doppelganger, my external incarnation. Even across countless miles, we can share thoughts and feelings," Zhongshan explained.

As Zhongshan spoke, everyone widened their eyes, disbelief written all over their faces. An immortal?

"Granduncle, you've met an immortal?" Ying Lan asked excitedly.

"Yes. So, four years ago, I went to the Divine Land," Zhongshan confirmed.

"Father, does this mean your puppet doppelganger has been in the Divine Land all these years?" Zhong Zheng asked, eyes wide with surprise.

"Yes, he is me, and I am him. Whatever he sees, I see," Zhongshan declared with absolute certainty.

The gathered crowd gaped in disbelief, struggling to comprehend such an incredible statement. It seemed too fantastical to be true.

"Father, does that mean that when I reach the Divine Land, I will also be able to find you?" Zhong Zheng quickly asked.

Zhongshan glanced at Zhong Zheng and smiled slightly. "Indeed. However, when you seek me out, you must be discreet. My identity in the Divine Land is somewhat sensitive at the moment."

"Sensitive?" Zhong Zheng inquired, puzzled.

"You'll understand when you get there," Zhongshan replied.

"Understood," Zhong Zheng acknowledged.

Zhongshan then shared more details about the Divine Land with everyone, and they listened in awe, their minds reeling from the revelations. Soon, the meeting concluded, and everyone was dismissed, leaving only Zhongshan and Ba'er in the hall.

Once the doors were securely closed, Zhongshan suddenly called out, "Dark Sovereign."

From a shadowy corner came a response, "Master."

"Dark Sovereign, gather some Shadow Guards at the Golden Core stage and have them accompany Zhong Zheng and his team. They should protect them openly while they are at the innate stage, but once they reach the Golden Core stage, they must protect them from the shadows, ensuring the safety of every single one of them," Zhongshan instructed.

"Understood," the Dark Sovereign responded.

"Dark Sovereign, you should go to the Divine Land as well. Witness the grandeur and meet the heroes of the world," Zhongshan said with a smile.

"But...?" The Dark Sovereign showed a hint of concern.

"Haha, you're worried about the Lunar Moon Dynasty to the north of Sky Wolf Island?" Zhongshan chuckled.

"Yes. The Shadow Guards have already infiltrated the Lunar Moon Dynasty and the three other dynasties. If I leave..." The Dark Sovereign frowned.

"Going to the Divine Land doesn't mean you won't return. It's not the right time to confront the Lunar Moon Dynasty. The Grand Prosperity Trading Guild will soon spread its branches across the Divine Land. Visit the guild periodically, and when we are ready to wage war against the Lunar Moon Dynasty, you'll be informed. The next time you return, it will be to lay siege to the Lunar Moon Dynasty," Zhongshan stated with unwavering confidence.

"Yes!" The Dark Sovereign responded.

"Like a dragon entering the sea, like a black dragon ascending to the heavens, the Divine Land is a good place. Make the most of it, Dark Sovereign," Zhongshan advised with a smile.

"Thank you, Master!" The Dark Sovereign replied.

"Mm," Zhongshan nodded.

A month later, under Zhong Zheng's leadership, the first thirty founding members of the Grand Prosperity Trading Guild, tasked with gathering resources for the Great Xian Dynasty, set foot on the Divine Land. Zhong Zheng carried a wolf token, a substantial amount of elixirs, and numerous specialties from Sky Wolf Island as initial capital to begin their venture into the Divine Land's market.

The Dark Sovereign quietly departed as well. Apart from the sudden disappearance of the crown prince, everything else in the Great Xian Dynasty remained unchanged, and the dynasty continued to build its strength. Wolf cavalry forces grew steadily, with batches of the most elite soldiers constantly being trained.

In a valley within the Great Guang Empire's territory on the Divine Land...

"Princess, has the residual poison been cleared?" Zhongshan asked, looking across at Princess Qianyou.

Princess Qianyou held the Pure World Snow Lotus, channeling her magical energy. The lotus emitted rings of milky white light that enveloped her. As the outer rings passed over Zhongshan, he felt a soothing, harmonious sensation that was deeply comforting.

The milky white light of the Pure World Snow Lotus cast a dreamlike glow around Princess Qianyou, enhancing her ethereal beauty. Her previously closed eyes slowly opened, revealing a soft radiance akin to a blooming orchid. She was extraordinarily captivating.

"The residual poison has been cleared. But, Mister, could you gift this flower to Qianyou?" Princess Qianyou asked with a playful expression.

Hearing this, Zhongshan frowned slightly and shook his head. "No, this flower holds great significance to me."

The Pure World Snow Lotus was a precious gift from his master and a part of Linger's dowry. If it had not been seized, Zhongshan would never part with it, regardless of what he was offered in exchange.

Upon hearing Zhongshan's refusal, Princess Qianyou instinctively pouted her lips. It was the first time Zhongshan had seen such a girlish expression from her.

"How about the grand sedan?" Princess Qianyou inquired.

"The sedan is fine," Zhongshan nodded.

The sedan was originally meant for Linger, but in Zhongshan's heart, the one to receive Linger should only be a new and unused one. How could a sedan used by someone else be appropriate? Therefore, the sedan that had been carrying Princess Qianyou could naturally be gifted to her.

Upon hearing Zhongshan's agreement, Princess Qianyou handed the Pure World Snow Lotus back to him and extended her hand for the sedan.

With a slight smile, Zhongshan carefully put away the Pure World Snow Lotus and then produced the large sedan, handing it to Princess Qianyou.

Smiling with satisfaction, Princess Qianyou took a long, appreciative look at the sedan before storing it away.

"Mister, do you know about a special use of the Pure World Snow Lotus for spiritual awareness?" Princess Qianyou suddenly asked.

"Spiritual awareness?" Zhongshan was puzzled.

"It seems you're unaware," Princess Qianyou said with a smile.

"I'd like to hear more!" Zhongshan urged.

"You're currently at the fifth level of the Golden Core stage, and the next level is the sixth. The sixth level involves opening the Niwan Palace and forming self-awareness into spiritual consciousness, transitioning from the ethereal to the tangible, and performing the wonders of the spirit," Princess Qianyou explained.

"I'm aware of that," Zhongshan nodded.

"But have you thought about the form of your spiritual consciousness?" Princess Qianyou asked with a smile.

"The form of my spiritual consciousness?" Zhongshan was intrigued.

"Yes. For some, their spiritual consciousness is as sharp as an unsheathed sword. For others, it's as gentle as flowing water, endlessly continuous. Some have spiritual consciousness like blazing fire, burning and annihilating other consciousnesses. Others have it like towering green trees, full of vitality. Some have it like solid earth, firm and powerful. And what about you, Mister?" Princess Qianyou asked, her smile widening.

"Oh?" Zhongshan was surprised.

His master, Tian Xingzi, had not mentioned this, and the Pure Yang Thunder Prison Technique did not cover it either. Spiritual consciousness? Could there really be such diversity?

"Is there something Mister doesn't know?" Princess Qianyou asked excitedly, as if delighted to find a gap in Zhongshan's knowledge.

"I seek your guidance, Princess," Zhongshan asked sincerely.

"Hmm, it's understandable. Generally, Golden Core stage cultivators do not have access to such advanced knowledge because they have no choice but to form a basic spiritual consciousness. Most of them condense ordinary spiritual consciousness, and later, as it grows stronger, they can shape it according to their preferences, forming a 'root spiritual consciousness.' Some people choose a 'sword,' others choose 'water,' 'fire,' or 'tree,' creating a variety of forms based on their own liking and attributes. The root spiritual consciousness is essentially the essence or origin of one's spiritual consciousness. Initially, it may not show significant effects, but its importance grows over time. For instance, someone with a root spiritual consciousness in the form of a sword can later use it to sever the spiritual consciousness of a strong opponent, rendering them mindless and turning them into a complete imbecile. I've even heard from His Majesty that a root spiritual consciousness can be extremely useful in withstanding heavenly tribulations in the future," Princess Qianyou elaborated.