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Chapter 757: Plum Blossoms Brewed Wine Discussing Heroes

Inside the pavilion, Jian Ao slowly opened his eyes.

A gentle breeze blew from Jian Ao, sweeping the fallen plum blossom petals out of the pavilion.

"Hong\'er, take everyone out!" Jian Ao commanded.

"Yes, Father!" Jian Hong nodded and led the Netherworld Sky disciples away.

"Wushuang!" Zhong Shan looked at Liu Wushuang.

"Yes!" Liu Wushuang understood and also retreated.

Watching everyone leave the valley, Zhong Shan turned to Jian Ao.

"Please!"

"Hm!" Zhong Shan nodded.

He stepped into the pavilion and knelt on a mat opposite Jian Ao. Between them was a set of cooking utensils with a small stove heating some sake.

Jian Ao extended his hand, and dozens of different types of plum blossoms flew from the distant grove. As they neared, he plucked a petal from each and gently placed them into the boiling sake.

The plum blossom-infused sake emitted a fragrant aroma.

"It\'s been over a hundred years. Your cultivation has grown even deeper. Do you still hold onto your old ambition of \'defeating all the heroes in the world\'?" Zhong Shan asked with a smile.

With a faint smile, Jian Ao replied, "Of course, I\'ve never forgotten."

"Oh?"

"Thirty years ago, I had a significant revelation during a battle with the Qin Empire, which is why I invited you here," Jian Ao said.

"A battle with the Qin Empire?" Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow in surprise.

A battle with the Qin Empire? And who? If Jian Ao spoke of this battle so solemnly, it must have been a fierce one. Why hadn\'t Zhong Shan received any intelligence on it?

"It was a secret battle, purely a battle of the mind, so it\'s understandable that you didn\'t hear about it," Jian Ao explained.

"A secret battle? A battle of the mind?" Zhong Shan stared at Jian Ao.

"Indeed, neither of us used our hands. We fought by manifesting a world with our thoughts and battling within that mental realm," Jian Ao said.

"With whom?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Ying!"

"Ying?" Zhong Shan\'s pupils contracted.

"Yes, it was Ying. I lost, but his cultivation has long surpassed that of ordinary mortals. Even though I was defeated, I wasn\'t disheartened. One day, I will surpass that realm," Jian Ao said confidently.

"Ying\'s cultivation has surpassed that of ordinary mortals?" Zhong Shan\'s frown deepened.

"Indeed, in this realm, he is the strongest person I\'ve encountered," Jian Ao nodded.

"And he let you leave?"

"We agreed before the battle that it was merely a sparring match. Ying is domineering but keeps his word. After that battle, I haven\'t touched my sword for thirty years," Jian Ao said.

"Thirty years without touching your sword?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"That was the gain from that battle!" Jian Ao sighed.

"It seems your swordsmanship has broken through once again?" Zhong Shan remarked.

"Hm!" Jian Ao nodded.

Jian Ao lifted the plum blossom-infused sake from the small stove, pouring a cup for Zhong Shan and himself.

"In the past thirty years, I have forgotten my sword nine times, and my swordsmanship has surpassed what it once was. It\'s a pity I cannot have a battle with you," Jian Ao shook his head.

"With your natural talent, how can I compare?" Zhong Shan shook his head and smiled.

"No, if I say you can, then you definitely can. Your character determines your strength. There will be a battle between us eventually. There\'s no need to hide it," Jian Ao asserted.

Zhong Shan looked deeply at Jian Ao and finally nodded, "Please."

Zhong Shan took a sip of the plum blossom sake. Jian Ao, pleased with Zhong Shan\'s recognition, also took a sip with a smile.

"Why do you value me, Zhong Shan, so much?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Some people can be recognized as dragons and phoenixes among men, heroic figures, at a glance. Among the powerful in the world, who do you think deserves to be called a hero?" Jian Ao asked.

"Ying, eight thousand years ago, the number one person in the world, dominating the Divine Continent, unmatched. Eight thousand years later, he returns to the world!" Zhong Shan said.

"Ying is a hero. I cannot defeat him now, but one day, he will not be able to defeat me. Although that day is far off!" Jian Ao said with great confidence.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised.

"Who else?"

"Daoist Master Shen Ya, the master of the Realm of Longevity, wields the Immortal Severing Flying Blade and has never been defeated in his life!" Zhong Shan said.

"Daoist Master Shen Ya? Strong, indeed. Fierce, too. But not enough to be called a hero!" Jian Ao asserted.

"Not enough to be called a hero?"

"A hero holds the world\'s leadership, sets the example for the world, is revered by the world, and is the foremost among the powerful. Daoist Master Shen Ya cannot become the spiritual leader of the masses!" Jian Ao explained.

"Oh? What about Kong Lietian? A guest from the grand world, a descendant of saints, with various mysterious immortal techniques, dominating the west!"

"A hero is not measured by mysterious techniques!" Jian Ao laughed.

"What do you say, then?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"You, Zhong Shan, deserve the title of a hero, and not just any hero, but the hero among heroes!" Jian Ao affirmed.

"Me? You overpraise me! You, Jian Ao, are the true hero!" Zhong Shan shook his head.

"I am, and so are you. We are different types of heroes. After our battle long ago, I saw this in you. I have always wanted to have another battle with you, but unfortunately, it has never happened. My cultivation has recovered extraordinarily because of my past life memories, so fighting now would not be a fair battle. Such a pity!" Jian Ao lamented.

"Is that so? To be honest, having a battle with you is also Zhong Shan\'s wish!" Zhong Shan said seriously.

This was the truth from Zhong Shan\'s heart. He was indeed a warrior at heart. Men find spiritual satisfaction in fierce battles, and Zhong Shan was no exception. However, due to his larger goals, he had buried this fighting spirit deep within. But when the time came to fight, this spirit was never suppressed.

"Good, I\'ve been waiting for you to say that. In my several lifetimes, you are the second person I have truly wanted to fight," Jian Ao said with a long sigh of relief.

He poured another cup of plum blossom sake for both Zhong Shan and himself.

"The second? Who was the first? Ying?" Zhong Shan asked.

"No, he has already left this small world. It was someone I knew in my past life, a peerless hero. I faced the wall and prepared for battle for a hundred years to fight him. But when the decisive day came, I discovered a flaw in my swordsmanship. Since then, I haven\'t had the chance to fight him. He entered the grand world, and only when I reach the grand world can we continue our battle," Jian Ao sighed.

"Those who cultivate virtue are always more carefree than those of us who seek fame," Zhong Shan shook his head wistfully.

"Each has their merits; it\'s just a difference in paths," Jian Ao said.

"Indeed, different paths," Zhong Shan agreed with a smile.

"So, we are destined to have our duel in the grand world?" Jian Ao asked.

"Agreed."

"This duel at Meishan, how do you see it?" Zhong Shan asked again.

"The duel at Meishan is to settle some matters and primarily to have this discussion on heroes with you and leave some instructions," Jian Ao said.

"Leave some instructions? Are you about to ascend?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Yes, the situation in Shenzhou is becoming clearer, and the opening of the heavens is inevitable. The world is about to be unified, and my Netherworld Sky will no longer exist in this world. So I plan to take the disciples of the Netherworld Sky and break through the void to ascend to the grand world," Jian Ao said.

"The disciples of the Netherworld Sky? Ascending together?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised.

"The location of the Netherworld Sky might already have visitors, just like during your Black Sea duel, someone went straight to the Netherworld Sky," Jian Ao smiled.

"Oh? You knew?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised. Even matters in the underworld were known to Jian Ao?

"I have activated the Netherworld Sky. When we ascend to the grand world, the disciples only need to stay inside, and I can take them out!" Jian Ao confirmed.

"Hmm," Zhong Shan nodded.

Although Jian Ao inherited the title of Lord of the Netherworld Sky from Nangong Sheng, Jian Ao had been the Lord of the Netherworld Sky in his previous life, making him more familiar with the Netherworld Sky than Nangong Sheng.

"And your cultivation?"

"On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which is tomorrow, during the full moon, I will reach the peak of mortal cultivation and break through the void," Jian Ao said confidently.

"Then congratulations in advance!"

"Meeting you before my ascension is one of life\'s great pleasures. I know you have ambitions to compete for the world, so I give you this as my parting gift," Jian Ao said.

Saying this, Jian Ao took out a scroll and placed it on the table before Zhong Shan.

The scroll was made with ten-thousand-year-old purple sandalwood and bound with purple gold cloud silk, looking very ancient.

"What is this?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"The method to create the Taiji Diagram," Jian Ao said.

"Oh?"

"The Taiji Diagram\'s method was lost in my previous life. I rediscovered it in a manuscript when I activated the Netherworld Sky," Jian Ao explained.

"The Taiji Diagram? The method of refining it?" Zhong Shan frowned at Jian Ao.

"When you obtained that Taiji Diagram in the past, you must have known its wonders. The Taiji Diagram was once the supreme treasure of the Taishang Saint in the grand world. After the Taishang Saint fell, the Taiji Diagram exploded and scattered. One fragment fell into this small world and was acquired by the first Lord of the Netherworld Sky, who comprehended the method of refining the Taiji Diagram. This is a saint\'s treasure, left to you to deal with the world of Shenzhou," Jian Ao said.

"The refining method of a saint\'s treasure? I cannot accept it without merit," Zhong Shan shook his head.

"No, you have merit. Jian Hong was able to return all because of you. Jian Hong is worth a hundred times more to me than the method of refining the Taiji Diagram. Because you revived Jian Hong, you deserve this method. Moreover, this is only a handwritten copy," Jian Ao said.

After deeply looking at Jian Ao, Zhong Shan nodded, "Then I will accept it with gratitude."

Jian Ao nodded, and Zhong Shan did not open it but put it away.

"Before our duel, staying alive is enough!" Jian Ao smiled.

"Alright, I definitely will. Cheers!" Zhong Shan raised his plum blossom sake with a smile.

"Cheers!"

Although Zhong Shan and Jian Ao had only met a few times, they seemed like old friends with a deep connection. They talked for a day and a night.

The Next Day

Under the watchful eyes of countless experts, four figures suddenly flew from the southwest direction.

Daoist Master Shen Ya, Ye Qingcheng, Shen Qitian, and Toad Lai!

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the duel at Meishan began!