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Chapter 456: Chapter 456: Any Trouble

With millions chanting, the scene was overwhelming. Surrounded by countless layers of people shouting, Xiaoyao Hou couldn\'t bear it any longer. He signaled, and a subordinate quickly carried him away. As he flew off, still spitting blood, Xiaoyao Hou cast a venomous glance at Zhong Shan in the distance.

Zhong Shan coldly met his gaze, indifferent to his departure.

"Let\'s go!" Zhao Tiansha, recognizing the terror of the situation, led his subordinates away swiftly.

In an instant, the troublesome figures vanished. The overwhelming tide of public opinion left no room for resistance, and leaving early was better than facing the humiliation Xiaoyao Hou had endured.

At this moment, Tian Linger became acutely aware of the millions of eyes on her, her face flushing red with embarrassment.

Zhong Shan released his embrace, holding Tian Linger\'s hand, and pointed to the heart-shaped scroll.

"Linger, these people are our witnesses. That \'Million Blessings\' scroll is a permanent token of my love for you. The cry of ten thousand phoenixes celebrates us. Last time was rushed and somewhat humble; today, I want to proudly tell the world that you are my wife," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes!" Tian Linger nodded, deeply moved.

Gently extending her hand, Tian Linger intertwined her fingers with Zhong Shan\'s, just as they had done when heaven witnessed their vows.

"Do you remember what I said last time?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Heaven as our witness, from this day forth, Zhong Shan and Tian Linger are husband and wife, sharing life and death, never to part," Tian Linger recalled. This phrase would forever be etched in her memory.

"Heaven as our witness, Zhong Shan and Tian Linger are husband and wife, sharing life and death, never to part!" Zhong Shan declared again.

"Heaven as our witness, Tian Linger and Zhong Shan are husband and wife, sharing life and death, never to part!" Tian Linger echoed.

At that moment, despite the millions present, there was complete silence. Even the phoenixes ceased their cries, and the surroundings fell utterly quiet, with only Zhong Shan and Tian Linger\'s words echoing around.

Their words seemed sacred, stilling the entire world.

Nie Qingqing, standing nearby, was moved to tears, covering her mouth as the tears streamed down her face. She wasn\'t the only one; many women in the crowd were deeply emotional, their eyes welling up with tears. This sacred moment, witnessed by the world, moved countless people to tears.

"Linger, come with me!" Zhong Shan said once more.

"Yes!" Tian Linger agreed without hesitation.

Zhong Shan laughed heartily, then turned to the layers of onlookers.

"Thank you all for witnessing this moment. As a token of my gratitude, I\'ll share a fact with you!" Zhong Shan announced.

As he spoke, everyone fell silent again.

"I\'m sure you\'re all curious why the Phoenix Sovereign helped me so much."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"It\'s because the immortal longevity elixir displayed previously has been given to the Phoenix Sovereign. Perhaps it no longer exists in this world," Zhong Shan continued.

When Zhong Shan finished speaking, the crowd erupted in a frenzy.

The Immortal Longevity Elixir? Yes, only the Immortal Longevity Elixir could have persuaded the Phoenix Sovereign to perform the Phoenix Cry of the Nine Heavens and summon ten thousand phoenixes! If it no longer existed, it meant it had already been consumed—by the Phoenix Sovereign!

Immediately, emotions of anger, frustration, and regret surged within the crowd. But what could they do? The exchange for the Immortal Longevity Elixir was beyond their capabilities.

Some called Zhong Shan foolish, while others saw him as deeply romantic, willing to give up immortality for a woman.

Simultaneously, many female cultivators turned to their partners.

"If you had the Immortal Longevity Elixir, would you give up immortality for me?"

Suddenly, many partners swore oaths, claiming they would be even more devoted than Zhong Shan if they possessed such an elixir.

The plaza buzzed with excitement. Even without seeing the Immortal Longevity Elixir, everyone felt their trip was worth it. The events of the day would be talked about for a long, long time.

"Lin Xiao, clear the way!" Zhong Shan commanded.

"Yes!" Lin Xiao responded loudly.

Zhong Shan, with Tian Linger, mounted the seven-colored phoenix once more and flew south, accompanied by the numerous phoenixes. The Zhong family army followed closely, with Nie Qingqing carrying the plucked Zhuque following them.

That very night, Zhong Shan and Tian Linger left.

Under countless wistful gazes, they departed from the Lihuo Holy Capital swiftly.

Zhong Shan knew that prolonged exposure would only invite trouble.

At first, some people secretly followed them, but gradually, the number of followers dwindled.

Once out of the Lihuo Holy Capital, the ten thousand phoenixes dispersed, even the seven-colored phoenix that Zhong Shan rode, knowing its mission was complete, spread its wings and flew away.

Only the Zhong family army and Nie Qingqing remained.

The army continued marching until ten days later, when they were sure there were no followers. They then rested in a valley.

Tian Linger took the plucked Zhuque, and Zhong Shan turned to Nie Qingqing.

Zhong Shan bowed deeply to Nie Qingqing, with Tian Linger following suit.

"Thank you, Princess Qingqing, for everything during this time," Zhong Shan said.

"It\'s nothing. I couldn\'t just watch Linger remain unhappy. Even the best of friends must part eventually. I must take my leave now," Nie Qingqing shook her head with a smile.

"Sister!" Tian Linger said, somewhat reluctant.

"You\'ll be happier with Zhong Shan. Take good care of yourself, and listen to Zhong Shan," Nie Qingqing smiled.

"Yes!" Tian Linger said, holding back her tears.

"Princess Qingqing, from saving Linger to assisting us during this time, your great kindness cannot be repaid with words. In the future, if you ever encounter any trouble, come to Tianlang Island. You will always find me and Linger there, and I, Zhong Shan, will stand by you for any trouble you face," Zhong Shan promised earnestly.

Any trouble? Such bold words!

Nie Qingqing looked at Zhong Shan with a slightly amused expression. As a princess of the Great Li Dynasty, how could she possibly encounter trouble?

"I understand. Take good care of Linger," Nie Qingqing said.

"Yes!" Zhong Shan nodded.

Just then, Nie Qingqing noticed Zhi Huo the wolf general nearby with Qinghong by his side.

"Qinghong, congratulations on finding a good match!" Nie Qingqing said.

"Princess Qingqing, I\'ll miss you. If I have the chance, I\'ll come back to see you," Qinghong replied.

"Take care, all of you!" Nie Qingqing said, feeling a bit emotional. She then turned and flew away quickly.

Nie Qingqing flew swiftly, fearing she would be reluctant to leave. Watching Zhong Shan and Tian Linger depart filled her with blessings, but also an inexplicable sour feeling, a mix of envy and something else. She wasn\'t just reluctant to part with Tian Linger, but felt there was something more.

As she flew, she couldn\'t help but feel a complex mix of emotions. While she was happy for Tian Linger, a part of her heart felt heavy with a sense of longing and unspoken feelings.

Nie Qingqing flew away quickly and disappeared from sight.

Watching her vanish, Zhong Shan took a deep breath and turned to Tian Linger. "Linger, you go back to the valley camp first. I\'ll be there shortly."

"Is there something wrong?" Tian Linger asked, puzzled.

"Yes," Zhong Shan nodded.

Tian Linger nodded obediently and left with Qinghong and Zhi Huo.

Soon, a figure flew over from the base of a nearby mountain. It was Mr. Shi!

As Mr. Shi arrived beside Zhong Shan, four other figures suddenly appeared before them.

Xuan Yuan, Wu Jiutian, Nie Fancheng, and the old eunuch.

"Thank you, Phoenix Sovereign!" Zhong Shan said sincerely.

"Enough with the pleasantries. Where is the Mingyuan Pill?" Wu Jiutian asked bluntly.

Zhong Shan gave Mr. Shi a look, and Mr. Shi immediately took out the \'Immortal Longevity Elixir.\' Nie Fancheng quietly observed Mr. Shi, his eyes filled with a strange intent.

Zhong Shan handed over the Mingyuan Pill, and Wu Jiutian quickly grabbed it and vanished from sight. Zhong Shan knew she was going to check on Tian Linger.

"Greetings to the Emperor of Great Li!" Zhong Shan said.

"So, you think you can just take my princess away like this?" Nie Fancheng said in a deep voice.

"Linger is my wife. Taking my wife away is my responsibility. I hope the Emperor of Great Li can understand," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

Zhong Shan knew Nie Fancheng had other matters to discuss.

"But you have not fulfilled your promise. You said you would hand over the Immortal Longevity Elixir to me. Why did you give it to someone else?" Nie Fancheng asked.

"Is the Phoenix Sovereign considered someone else? Haha, Emperor of Great Li, if you have any requests, please state them directly. I will weigh the pros and cons and give you a fair answer," Zhong Shan replied.

Hearing Zhong Shan\'s words, Nie Fancheng didn\'t know whether to be angry or amused. A fair answer? That was as good as saying nothing.

Looking at Mr. Shi, Nie Fancheng said, "I want that rune from that day!"

"Rune?" Zhong Shan looked at Mr. Shi.

"Your Majesty, I happen to have an extra celestial talisman," Mr. Shi said.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Shan understood Mr. Shi\'s meaning. Those talismans were plentiful for Mr. Shi, and he had no problem parting with one.

Nie Fancheng\'s eyes lit up slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. He seemed to realize something, and his face gradually darkened.

"Emperor of Great Li, in my youth, I was a merchant and made countless deals. I would like to exchange this rune for something that might be insignificant to you," Zhong Shan said.

Negotiating? Nie Fancheng looked at Zhong Shan curiously. This person, whom he could crush with a finger, dared to negotiate with him?

Xuan Yuan, standing beside him, also found it odd. This young man really didn\'t know his place!

"Oh? Let\'s hear it," Nie Fancheng said, oddly not showing anger.

"In the past, the Great Hong Dynasty had eleven Immortal Steles. In the hands of the Emperor of Great Li, they might be insignificant. I would like to have one," Zhong Shan said directly.

Immortal Steles?

Nie Fancheng and Xuan Yuan\'s pupils contracted simultaneously.

"Bold, very bold!" Nie Fancheng said mysteriously.

Bold? Zhong Shan didn\'t understand the peculiar nature of the Immortal Steles, but since Nie Fancheng agreed, Zhong Shan didn\'t want to linger. He immediately looked at Mr. Shi.

Mr. Shi took out a celestial talisman and handed it to Nie Fancheng. The talisman shimmered with an ethereal glow, exuding a mysterious and powerful aura. Nie Fancheng examined it closely, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Very well, Zhong Shan. You have the Immortal Stele you requested," Nie Fancheng said, producing a small, ancient-looking stele from his sleeve and handing it to Zhong Shan.

"Thank you, Emperor of Great Li," Zhong Shan said, accepting the stele with a bow.

"Remember, Zhong Shan, our agreement. If you ever need assistance or have further dealings, you know where to find me," Nie Fancheng said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Of course, Emperor of Great Li. I will remember," Zhong Shan replied.

With the transaction complete, Zhong Shan and Mr. Shi prepared to leave.

As they flew back towards the valley camp, Zhong Shan couldn\'t help but reflect on the day\'s events. He had achieved his goal and ensured Tian Linger\'s safety. The Immortal Stele in his possession was a valuable asset, and the celestial talisman had secured his agreement with Nie Fancheng.

Arriving at the valley camp, Tian Linger rushed to greet him, her face filled with relief and happiness.

"Zhong Shan, is everything alright?" she asked.

"Yes, everything is fine now," Zhong Shan said, embracing her.

The journey ahead was uncertain, but with Tian Linger by his side and the support of their allies, Zhong Shan felt prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.