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Chapter 463: Proclamation of War

Dragon pearls can be used to craft magical treasures or be absorbed directly. Zhong Shan remembered how, during a meal with Yi Yan in the Da Yu Dynasty, he had taken a dragon pearl to go. However, this dragon pearl was different. Its essence was so potent that directly absorbing it could be lethal. Even the Western Poison Emperor, a pinnacle-level Emperor Extreme Realm expert, dared not absorb it.

But Zhong Shan couldn't afford to wait. He announced his seclusion, sealed the doors tightly, and began refining the pearl.

The ten-thousand-year dragon pearl, brimming with essence, was enveloped by his primordial spirit and fed to the Eight Extreme Heavenly Tails.

"Ah-woo~~"

The pearl was swallowed in one gulp by the Eight Extreme Heavenly Tails.

A terrifying surge of energy erupted from the Eastern Hall.

Outside the Eastern Hall, the generals watched with admiration.

"The commander's cultivation is going to increase again," Lin Xiao said with great admiration.

"Indeed," Mr. Shi smiled wisely, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Roooar~~"

A mournful dragon cry echoed from within the Eastern Hall.

"Roar~~"

Zhong Shan let out a powerful roar.

"Boom~~"

The Eastern Hall exploded from within, lightning bolts spewing forth.

As the dust settled, Zhong Shan dusted himself off and emerged. He had reached the second level of the Integration stage! The ten-thousand-year dragon pearl had indeed lived up to its reputation.

Zhong Shan knew that breakthroughs would become increasingly difficult, but this ten-thousand-year dragon pearl, even after the Eight Extreme Heavenly Tails absorbed most of it, still provided enough residual energy for him to break through.

Zhong Shan considered finding more ten-thousand-year dragon pearls in the future.

"Rebuild the Eastern Hall!" Zhong Shan ordered the onlookers.

"Yes, yes!" Liu Wushuang, with a strange look, quickly nodded.

The Pure Land

In the Pure Land, the Past Amitabha Buddha, the Present Guiyuan Buddha, and the Future Jinchang Buddha sat together, listening to the Perfume Bodhisattva report. She glanced at Guiyuan Buddha occasionally as she spoke.

Both Amitabha Buddha and Jinchang Buddha looked at Guiyuan Buddha with peculiar expressions.

Guiyuan Buddha, the most powerful and serene figure in the Pure Land, was now struggling to maintain his composure. His face alternated between green and white, an ever-changing spectacle.

"Buddha, the message received is exactly as stated. At the time, Tian Ling'er thought you were inviting Zhong Shan to a meal," the Perfume Bodhisattva reported with bewilderment.

Her words caused Guiyuan Buddha's face to flush red with embarrassment.

"Infinite Life Buddha!" Both Jinchang Buddha and Amitabha Buddha intoned a Buddha's name, then looked at Guiyuan Buddha with sympathy.

"Guiyuan, don't take it too hard. Breaking your Silent Meditation is not the end of the world. This Zhong Shan is quite crafty. At the Great Extinction Event, I didn't plan on letting him leave, but he managed to escape unscathed," Jinchang Buddha consoled.

"Yes, Jinchang is right. It's not just Zhong Shan who's tricky; the people around him are also extraordinary. This time it was his wife. Last time, when I sent Perfume to capture him, it was the same. The people around him even had the ability to connect with the Yellow Springs Road. Perfume should have deep insights into that," Amitabha Buddha added.

Perfume Bodhisattva nodded, confirming the difficulties encountered due to Zhong Shan and his companions.

Guiyuan Buddha, still reeling from the humiliation and the surprising abilities of his adversaries, had to reconcile with the fact that Zhong Shan and his allies were far from ordinary. The Pure Land would need to be prepared for future confrontations with these formidable foes.

"last time I was trapped for more than ten days. This Zhong Shan is too cunning. If I see him again, I will surely capture and kill him to avenge the multiple humiliations I've suffered," Perfume Bodhisattva said with a hint of ruthlessness on her face.

Guiyuan Buddha remained silent, only nodding slightly and waving his hand to dismiss everyone.

The frustration within Guiyuan Buddha was something only he understood. The Silent Meditation, which he had practiced for nearly five thousand years, was on the verge of completion but was ultimately broken because of a misunderstanding involving an invitation to a meal. The frustration of five thousand years of effort being undone in such a manner was beyond what ordinary people could comprehend.

Guiyuan Buddha stared at the blue lamp before him, and, almost unconsciously, a single tear of bitterness rolled down his cheek.

Two Years Later, Great Luo Dynasty

One day, Gu Shentong suddenly issued a proclamation to the world.

"Gu Shentong, Acting on Heaven's Behalf, Declares War on the Pure Land"

This proclamation detailed the deep-seated enmity between the Great Luo Dynasty and the Pure Land. The declaration was filled with passionate words that stirred the hearts of people everywhere.

Starting from the Taigu Holy Capital, the populace erupted with fervor.

The Great Luo Dynasty declaring war on the Pure Land? Such an announcement sent shockwaves throughout the land.

The Great Luo Dynasty had just quelled all surrounding rebellious empires and was at the peak of its military strength. Now, suddenly, its military might was directed at the Pure Land?

The Pure Land, one of the four great holy lands, had, in the past millennium, seemingly surpassed the other three holy lands, becoming immensely powerful and prosperous.

And now, the Great Luo Dynasty was challenging the Pure Land?

From the proclamation, it was clear that the Great Luo Dynasty was determined. This was a fight to the death.

Many were stunned.

A celestial dynasty waging war on a holy land was unprecedented in history. Such an event hadn't been seen in millennia, or even tens of millennia. When the dynasty had crushed nearby empires, it hadn't been this shocking. But now, this proclamation left everyone in disbelief.

Two different cultivation systems harboring such deep hatred?

Gu Shentong, acting on heaven's behalf to punish the Pure Land?

The proclamation quickly spread across the world with alarming speed.

Almost simultaneously, another earth-shattering event occurred in the Great Li Dynasty. A similar proclamation was issued.

"Nie Fancheng, Acting on Heaven's Behalf, Declares War on the Pure Land"

This proclamation also caused a massive uproar in the Great Li Dynasty. The Great Li Dynasty was going to war with the Pure Land?

The proclamation declared to the world, with the military might of the Great Li Dynasty directed at the Pure Land.

Of course, the people of the Great Li Dynasty were unaware that the Great Luo Dynasty had issued a similar proclamation, which would soon reach all corners of the land.

Two proclamations, filled with endless fighting spirit.

But there weren't just two proclamations—there were three.

"Ying, Acting on Heaven's Behalf, Declares War on the Pure Land"

The third proclamation came very suddenly, issued simultaneously by five imperial dynasties in the central Shenzhou region. The coordination and decisiveness were striking.

Ying? The people of these five dynasties were puzzled. Who was Ying, that the five imperial dynasties would all write such a proclamation?

The Five Imperial Dynasties' Emperors? Clearly not. And it couldn't have been coordinated so perfectly otherwise.

The people speculated but dared not believe it. Could it be that all five imperial dynasties had submitted to someone named Ying? How was that possible?

No matter the circumstances, the three proclamations officially represented the declaration of war against the Pure Land by three of the most powerful figures. These proclamations spread rapidly across the Shenzhou continent, radiating in all directions.

Monks and Arhats from the Pure Land who were traveling abroad quickly returned to report the earth-shattering news to their Buddhas.

Within the Pure Land

The three Buddhas convened once more, standing before a group of Arhats and Bodhisattvas.

"Gu Shentong? Nie Fancheng? Ying?" Amitabha Buddha exclaimed in surprise.

"The Great Luo Dynasty, the Great Li Dynasty, and the Great Qin Dynasty?" Guiyuan Buddha said gravely.

"They've finally made their move," Jinchang Buddha said, frowning deeply.

"Notify all Bodhisattvas and Arhats of the Pure Land who are abroad to return immediately. Inform all allied sects and dynasties to gather at the Pure Land quickly to defend against the foreign invaders!" Guiyuan Buddha ordered.

"Yes!" the Bodhisattvas and Arhats responded immediately. Everyone knew the gravity of the situation.

Two great dynasties, no, three dynasties including the one led by Ying, were joining forces to attack the Pure Land?

Messages spread quickly in all directions, rallying all the forces and influences of the Pure Land to converge and prepare for the oncoming storm from the three dynasties.

Great Luo Dynasty, Eastern Manor

Zhong Shan, dressed in his battle armor, addressed his assembled generals.

"Wuhen, muster the troops and prepare for departure at the second hour tomorrow!" Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes!" Shui Wuhen responded immediately.

"Prepare the army. We march against the Pure Land!" Zhong Shan declared.

"Roar~~~"

The generals let out a unified roar before quickly leaving to organize the troops and ready them for battle.

After most had left, Lin Xiao asked with a hint of curiosity, "Commander, why declare to the world now? Doesn't this give the Pure Land time to prepare?"

"There are two reasons. First, to reverse the will of heaven. We must have a righteous cause. The Pure Land holds great merit, while a dynasty holds fortune. War between the two usually ends up fruitless. Thus, we need a justified cause to reverse the will of heaven. After defeating the Pure Land, the heavens will grant us immense fortune. Second, the Emperor did this deliberately to force the Pure Land to recall all their people. The Emperor's goal is not just to annihilate the Pure Land but to exterminate every single person within it," Zhong Shan said, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"Exterminate every single person?" The generals were stunned. Such deep-seated hatred?

"Hatred fulfilled signals the arrival of the heavenly day," Zhong Shan explained.

Hatred fulfilled signals the arrival of the heavenly day? Did this mean Gu Shentong aimed to vent his final anger and then face the heavenly might? The realization hit everyone, leaving them in a mix of understanding and shock.

"Report! Commander, Mr. Shui Jing requests an audience outside the manor!" A messenger quickly entered the hall to inform.

Shui Jing? Mr. Shui Jing?

Zhong Shan's eyes flickered with curiosity. "Invite him in," he commanded.

A moment later, a refined-looking man in scholar's robes entered, his demeanor calm and wise.

"Mr. Shui Jing, what brings you here?" Zhong Shan asked, greeting him with respect.

"Commander Zhong, I bring urgent information and seek to offer my assistance in the upcoming campaign against the Pure Land," Mr. Shui Jing said, his voice steady.

Zhong Shan nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. With the addition of Mr. Shui Jing's insights, the strategy against the Pure Land would only become more formidable.