Five months later. Zhong Shan led the army to the border of the Daluo Heaven Dynasty.
The army continued to advance.
"Reporting!"
A scout quickly flew over from afar.
"Reporting to the Grand Marshal, we've discovered an army of millions ahead. The army is orderly and waiting. The Grand Marshal's banner is Taizong," the scout immediately reported.
"Taizong? The Third Prince, Emperor Taizong? "Shui Wuhen was slightly surprised.
"He's waiting for us?" Lin Xiao was slightly puzzled.
"Waiting for us?" Shui Wuhen looked at Lin Xiao, somewhat puzzled.
"To be precise, he should be waiting for the Grand Marshal," Lin Xiao said.
Zhong Shan looked into the distance, thought for a moment, and said to the scout, "Lead the way!"
The army slowly advanced toward the so-called Emperor Taizong's camp.
Not long after, Zhong Shan saw the army of millions spread out on a plain, quietly standing there with strict military discipline. In front of the army was a huge palace, which was Emperor Taizong's tent.
In front of the palace stood Emperor Taizong, dressed in military attire, and a group of generals closest to Emperor Taizong. They were waiting in an incomparably grand and solemn manner.
Zhong Shan walked closer.
"Zhong Shan pays his respects to the Emperor and the generals!" Zhong Shan bowed to the crowd.
"Dongfang Gong is too polite. Dongfang Gong is still as energetic as before. I wanted to invite Dongfang Gong to my Taizong City so that we can have a long talk. However, I know that Dongfang Gong has important things to do and I am afraid that I will delay your journey. Therefore, I moved the palace here to see you off." Taizong Wang smiled like a spring breeze caressing his face. Moreover, he very affectionately grabbed Zhong Shan's arm and pulled him along. Together, they walked to the side of the palace.
Zhong Shan frowned slightly, secretly praising Emperor Taizong in his heart. Not in terms of cultivation, but in terms of conduct. Such a grand ceremony, just to send him off?
"You're too polite, Your Highness," Zhong Shan could only say modestly.
Behind them, Lin Xiao, Shui Wuhen, and Liu Wushuang organized the army outside, while Mr. Shi and Zhihuo followed closely behind.
The hall was filled with delicacies.
"Duke Dongfang, Wen Raging the Heavens, Operation Heaven's Collapse, Imperial Court's Wisdom Equals the Heavens. Every time I think about it, it makes me sigh with emotion. There are such mythical figures in the world." Emperor Taizong boasted after inviting Zhong Shan and the other two to sit down.
"Your Highness is exaggerating. Zhong Shan was just lucky." Zhong Shan immediately said modestly.
"Luck? Haha, how many people in the world could be so lucky? I wonder what kind of sect could produce such a world-shaking talent like Dongfang Gong? "Taizong Wang stared at Zhong Shan and laughed.
Zhong Shan frowned. Did Taizong Wang not know that he was from the Kai Yang Sect?
"Haha, a small sect. It's just a joke to mention it. It's better not to mention it!" Zhong Shan shook his head and laughed.
Seeing that Zhong Shan didn't want to mention it, Taizong Wang changed the topic. During the banquet, Taizong Wang didn't mention a word about Zhong Shan's attempt to rope him in. They only talked about those interesting anecdotes and didn't touch on politics at all. But because of this, Taizong Wang was brilliant. They chatted happily without leaving any traces, but also planted a seed in Zhong Shan's heart, waiting to be plucked when it matured.
During the banquet, Taizong Wang prepared some songs and dances. Although it couldn't compare to Nian Youyou's Golden Sand Dance, it was still valuable. The singers and dancers were all peerless in their generation.
Mr. Shi and Zhihuo didn't speak from beginning to end. They sat on the side and tasted the dishes. About two hours had passed.
"Your Highness, two soldiers of the A Battalion are holding Your Highness's token. They want to see Your Highness." At this time, a person came up to report.
"Oh? My token? "Taizong Wang was slightly puzzled at first.
"Remove the song and dance. Invite them in!" Taizong Wang seemed to have suddenly thought of something and immediately said.
"Huh?" Zhong Shan was slightly puzzled. Soldiers? Soldiers under Taizong Wang? Why was Taizong Wang so serious?
"Yes!" The person who reported immediately walked down.
Soon, two men walked in from outside the hall.
The two of them had already taken off their military uniforms and changed into pure white clothes. They each carried a long sword on their backs. One in front and one behind, like a master and servant.
The moment the two of them stepped into the hall, Zhong Shan's pupils constricted and a look of surprise flashed across his eyes. Because Zhong Shan just happened to know these two people. It had been more than twenty years since they parted at Heavenly Wolf Island.
Jian Ao! In the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, Jian Ao, who had competed with Zhong Shan in martial arts and fought to a draw with Zhong Shan! Jian Ao, who wanted to defeat all the heroes in the world with a long sword! And Chu Jiu, who had always been protecting him!
Jian Ao! Chu Jiu!
Jian Ao stepped into the palace, and a gentle breeze surrounded him. If one looked closely, they would realize that it was not a gentle breeze, but a sword Qi that surrounded Jian Ao's body. Countless small sword Qi were like a gentle breeze that surrounded Jian Ao.
Chu Jiu still stood respectfully behind Jian Ao.
When Jian Ao entered the hall, he also saw Zhong Shan. However, he merely glanced at him. He did not pay any attention to Zhong Shan, only sword intent in his eyes.
"Jian Ao, why are you here?" Taizong Wang asked. Then, he waved his hand, and the subordinates at the table beside him quickly gave up their seats for the servants to prepare new dishes.
"Gu Taizong, I entered your camp to sharpen my sword techniques. Today, I have comprehended everything I need. I am here to thank you and bid you farewell," Jian Ao said gravely as he looked at Gu Taizong.
"Farewell? Although you have been in the camp for the past twenty years, this king has yet to play host. Why don't you come with this king to Taizong City to make up for this king's regret? "Taizong Wang asked.
"There's no need. If fate wills it in the future, this Jian owes you a favor," Jian Ao said while shaking his head.
After obtaining Jian Ao's promise, Taizong Wang smiled faintly and said, "Since that is the case, this king will not force you. If you need this king's help in the future, just ask."
Jian Ao bowed slightly before leading the silent Chu Jiu out of the room.
Seeing Jian Ao leave, Taizong Wang frowned slightly. However, he did not show any emotion.
"Your Highness, it is getting late. We need to hurry," Zhong Shan said as he stood up.
"Huh? Alright, I'll send you off! "Taizong Wang did not try to keep them. Instead, he sent Zhong Shan off in a carefree manner.
After leaving the hall, Taizong Wang sent them off for fifty kilometers.
At the summit of a mountain, Taizong Wang led a group of subordinates as he watched Zhong Shan's army leave.
"What do you think?" Taizong Wang asked someone behind him.
"He lives up to his reputation!" a white-clad strategist behind Taizong Wang said with a sigh.
"How is the investigation going?" Taizong Wang asked with a frown.
"I can't find anything. This Zhong Shan's origins extend to Princess Qian You's guard. There are no other traces. "the white-clad strategist shook his head.
"No traces at all? That's impossible. He must have been wiped clean. In this Great Overarching Heavens, who can wipe out Zhong Shan's origins completely, such that even the people of my Heavenly Policy Hall can't find out? "Taizong Wang narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
"His Majesty? Your Highness, you're saying that His Majesty wiped out Zhong Shan's origins? "the white-clad strategist's pupils constricted.
"Yes, His Majesty wants to use this person. Furthermore, he did it so thoroughly. Pass down my words. Withdraw everyone and stop investigating Zhong Shan," Taizong Wang said.
"Yes!" the white-clad strategist immediately replied.
Zhong Shan led the army towards the northeast.
Five nights later, the army rested in a hidden valley. In the main hall of the army. It was brightly lit and no guards were allowed to approach within a hundred feet. Furthermore, an array was used to isolate the sound.
This was because the Zhong Family army had two important guests. Jian Ao and Chu Jiu.
There was only some tea prepared in the hall.
"Jian Ao, you can't be thinking of sparring with me again, right?" Zhong Shan smiled.
Jian Ao looked at Zhong Shan and said, "It's not the time yet."
"Oh?" Zhong Shan looked at Jian Ao in confusion.
"My sword technique is not perfect yet and you are still growing. I need to do my best in a battle. Now is not the time," Jian Ao said.
"Have you been practicing your sword on the battlefield for the past few decades?" Zhong Shan asked.
Zhong Shan would not beat around the bush when it came to Jian Ao. This was because Jian Ao was the most direct.
"I've always been a soldier leading the charge. I'm only doing it for my sword technique, not my cultivation," Jian Ao said.
"I'm only doing it for my cultivation!" Zhong Shan smiled.
"Then your cultivation is too slow!" Jian Ao suddenly said something shocking.
"Slow?" Zhong Shan's eyes were filled with shock. He was slow?
"You are only at the third tier of the Nascent Soul Realm. You are no different from the commander!" the Fiery Wolf General said, unable to stand it.
"But Young Master was only at the first tier of the Golden Core Realm half a year ago," Chu Jiu said proudly.
"Huh?" Zhong Shan was surprised. First tier of the Golden Core Realm? Half a year? Rising thirteen tiers in a row? Was he still human?
"In order to sharpen your sword technique, you purposely suppressed your cultivation until you comprehended what you needed before increasing your cultivation?" Mr. Shi said in shock.
Jian Ao nodded.
Zhong Shan was speechless and sighed. What was a good constitution? The difference was like heaven and earth.
"Are you taking this path to the Pure Land of Bliss to participate in the Great Quiescence Pageant that happens once every thousand years?" Jian Ao suddenly asked.
"Great Quiescence Pageant?" Zhong Shan raised his eyebrows and suddenly remembered.
Nine years ago, when the Golden Cicada Buddha gave him the purple cotton kasaya, he also gave him a token to allow him to participate in the Pure Land of Bliss's pageant ten years later. Yes, it was the Great Quiescence Pageant.
"Could it be that you want to go to the Pure Land of Bliss?" Zhong Shan asked.
Jian Ao flipped his hand and took out a token. The design of the token was exactly the same as Zhong Shan's token.
"He gave me an invitation token, but I don't want to go. If you want to go, I'll give it to you," Jian Ao said with a carefree smile. Then, he threw the token to Zhong Shan.
Pa!
Zhong Shan reached out and caught it. He took out his own token and compared it carefully. It was exactly the same.
"Pure Land of Bliss?" Zhong Shan looked at the token with narrowed eyes.
"Only eighty-one tokens are given out each time. They are given to people who have accumulated good karma in the divine continent. Only one person is allowed to participate. Rumor has it that every Great Quiescence Pageant is a great opportunity for Buddhist cultivators. Could it be that you don't want to go? "Jian Ao said with a smile.
"I want to go, but I don't know the way!" Zhong Shan looked at Jian Ao and said. (To be continued, if you want to know what will happen next, please go to www.qidian.com, there are more chapters. Support the author, support the original reading!)
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