Undying Life

Chapter 786: Chapter 786: The Fate Manipulator

Kong Xuan's left hand disintegrated into dust, vanishing completely.

With boundless rage, Kong Xuan pointed, and a beam of five-colored light shot towards the black-robed man at incredible speed, reaching him in an instant. Though the black-robed man had just used a powerful secret technique, it seemed his cultivation wasn't particularly strong. Kong Xuan's beam was too fast for him to evade.

However, the black-robed man threw the jade turtle in his hand. The jade turtle soared into the air and, as if it had locked onto Kong Xuan, shot towards him. Kong Xuan's eyes narrowed, and his figure flashed, but in that moment, the jade turtle transformed into a large Nine Palaces Turtle Shell Diagram, enveloping Kong Xuan.

As it enveloped him, the diagram rapidly shrank and was absorbed into Kong Xuan's body.

"Argh!" Kong Xuan spat out a mouthful of blood, his face instantly becoming gaunt and his entire demeanor wilting.

However, Kong Xuan's earlier beam of light had pierced through the black-robed man.

"Boom!" The black-robed man's chest and back burst with blood, and he fell straight backward.

"Courting death!" Despite his weakened state and severe injuries, Kong Xuan was still a peerless powerhouse. He was confident that his earlier attack had been lethal.

"Reincarnation Passage, open!" Zhong Shan roared. The massive Reincarnation Passage reopened, turning the surroundings blue once again. The immense power of reincarnation began to press towards Kong Xuan.

Having already endured the first Reincarnation Passage and two sneak attacks by the black-robed man, Kong Xuan was heavily injured. Now, with the Reincarnation Passage opening again, even though he still had fighting strength, he didn't want to take any more risks. Only Kong Xuan knew the extent of the damage from the black-robed man's attacks.

Seeing the Reincarnation Passage surrounding him, Kong Xuan gave Zhong Shan a deep look. This Zhong Shan was indeed very knowledgeable about him, having not used any of his own treasures up to now.

"Reincarnation!" Zhong Shan shouted coldly, charging forward.

"Open!" Kong Xuan roared, concentrating his Five-Colored Divine Light into a powerful rainbow beam that struck the Reincarnation Passage.

"Boom!" The Reincarnation Passage trembled and suddenly broke open a hole. Kong Xuan vanished in a flash.

With the passage breached, the Reincarnation Passage shattered completely.

Pale-faced, Zhong Shan watched the scene unfold and quickly grabbed the black-robed man, who had been pierced through the chest.

Kong Xuan had disappeared, leaving behind a battlefield filled with frustration and more injuries than necessary. Despite his overwhelming power, which could have easily annihilated Zhong Shan and destroyed the Lingxiao Heavenly Court, Kong Xuan found himself grievously injured, even losing his left hand to dust.

Kong Xuan had left, filled with immense frustration.

Exhausted, Zhong Shan removed the black-robed man's hood.

As expected!

"Father, your unworthy child apologizes!"

The man within the black robe looked at Zhong Shan with immense shame.

Zhong Shan reached out, took a bottle, and extracted a golden pill, placing it into the man's mouth. "Swallow it!"

"It's useless. I know this is the Five-Turn Golden Pill crafted by my foster mother, but even a Nine-Turn Golden Pill cannot save me from Kong Xuan's power," the man shook his head.

"Swallow it!" Zhong Shan insisted, pushing the pill into the man's mouth.

The man did not swallow. Instead, he shook his head with a nostalgic, bitter smile. "A month ago, I set up the 'Great Yan Life-Cutting Technique' array here. Kong Xuan's fate was already fragmented, and my array specifically targeted his fate, which is why he was severely injured. The jade turtle, our sect's treasure, also attacked his fate. Kong Xuan won't be able to leave the Longevity Realm for at least a hundred years!" the man explained.

"And your injuries?" Zhong Shan asked, his face showing a trace of anxiety.

"My injuries? It's useless. These are not physical or soul injuries; it's my fate. Kong Xuan shattered my fate, and I can feel myself dissipating," the man shook his head.

At that moment, Zhong Shan noticed that the man's body was continuously becoming lighter, his fingertips turning into powder and dissipating.

"Godfather, I'm sorry. Back then at the rooftop, I sought the Breaking Prohibition Pill from 'Uncle Master,' but he came on behalf of his master and disliked me, giving me no chance..." the man said weakly.

Holding his son, Zhong Shan's long-suppressed tears flowed once more. Facing death, his son sought not survival but redemption?

"Xuan'er, I never blamed you, never blamed anyone. To me, you have always been my third son, Zhong Xuan, my filial son!" Zhong Shan said with tears streaming down his face.

The pain of losing a child, although perhaps inappropriate to say, was undeniable. The deep bond of family within Zhong Shan's heart could never be erased.

"Father!" Zhong Xuan smiled brightly, as if death meant nothing to him.

"Quickly, tell me, is there any way to save you? Even if it's just to preserve your soul, even if there's only a slim chance!" Zhong Shan's voice was hoarse.

"There is no way. I am a 'Fate Manipulator,' the only one in Shenzhou. I know my condition. With my mortal body, once my fate is destroyed, it's over. However, as a Fate Manipulator, I swore an oath on my life. My lineage originates from the Great Thousand World. Though I am dying, there is a one percent chance of revival in the 'Fate Manipulation Tower' of the Great Thousand World. Don't worry about me, Father!" Zhong Xuan's body grew increasingly transparent, fading into a shadow.

A one percent chance of revival? That was almost the same as certain death!

"You used your life to save me, was it worth it?" Zhong Shan's tears flowed uncontrollably.

"My life was given by you, Father. I've lived in regret all these years, wondering why I couldn't be as carefree as my eldest brother. Now, returning my life to you, I have no regrets. I've calculated your fate, Father. After this great tribulation, you will rise triumphantly in this world, creating a new heaven and earth! Long live, long live, long live!" Zhong Xuan said with unparalleled ease.

As he finished his words, Zhong Xuan completely turned into dust and vanished into the air.

The surrounding space had returned to normal, and the officials saw Zhong Shan holding a piece of clothing, bewildered by the scene.

"Ahhhhhh!!!" Zhong Shan let out a heart-wrenching howl towards the sky, filled with intense grief and anger.

In his grief, Zhong Shan's anguished cries echoed throughout the court. No one dared to disturb him as he howled for nearly the time it takes to burn an incense stick, trying in vain to release the sorrow and bitterness that filled his heart. The pain of an elder burying a younger is a sorrow only he could truly comprehend.

The entire court, both civil and military officials, stood bowed at the Southern Gate, not daring to approach. Yi Yan, observing Zhong Shan's unstable emotions from the Southern Gate, furrowed his brow and turned to Tian Lao. "Tian Lao, the emperor's emotions are quite unstable. Please bring the empresses and the crown princes back from the underworld now."

"But the emperor said..." Tian Lao hesitated.

"The great enemy has left. We need not worry too much about the safety of the empresses and crown princes. Besides, when the emperor sent them to the underworld, they probably didn't understand the situation. They must be anxiously waiting in the Yin-Yang Hall now," Yi Yan insisted.

"But..." Tian Lao still seemed concerned.

"I'll take full responsibility for any mistakes!" Yi Yan said firmly, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes!"

When the empresses and crown princes returned from the underworld, they were initially displeased with Zhong Shan's actions. However, seeing his current emotional state, their hearts softened. They gently consoled him with kind words.

Zhong Shan, inherently a resolute person, had only lost control due to the overwhelming grief and frustration. With the comfort of the crown princes and empresses, his mood improved significantly.

Two days later, Zhong Shan had almost fully recovered. He buried the sorrow deep within his heart and took out the Investiture of the Gods list.

Under Zhong Shan's command, a new line of text appeared on the list.

Crown Prince, Zhong Xuan!

The Dazhen Empire's third crown prince, although recognized late, was fully acknowledged by Zhong Shan in his heart.

Bao'er, seeing this, massaged Zhong Shan's shoulders and asked, "My lord, should we also write Nineteen's name on it?"

"No, Xuan'er is different from Nineteen. Let's wait a bit longer," Zhong Shan replied, taking a deep breath.

"Alright," Bao'er nodded. A few days later, on a vast square in Lingxiao Heavenly Court, Zhong Shan, accompanied by several important ministers, empresses, and crown princes, approached the square.

On the square stood Ni Pusa, Corpse Sovereign, and Wang Kulu, who had returned. Behind them was a massive purple coffin, ten zhang long, already sealed with nails.

"What is this?" Zhong Shan asked, looking at the enormous coffin.

"Reporting to the emperor, this is what we brought back from the Longevity Realm. We haven't opened it yet due to the need to conceal it from heavenly observation, which caused some delay," Ni Pusa replied solemnly.

"Kong Xuan was guarding this coffin?" Zhong Shan squinted his eyes.

"Yes, it is this," Ni Pusa confirmed with a nod.

As they gazed at the giant coffin, a vast aura emanated from it, infusing everyone with a sense of infinite solemnity. It was an unspoken mourning, a feeling of silent reverence that compelled them to remain quiet.

What was inside this giant coffin? Zhong Shan's heart raced. Who lay within? He had a premonition that this coffin held a great secret, one that could stir the world into turmoil, a secret that would be of immense significance even in the Great Thousand World.