Chapter 461: Achieving Mid-Level Cultivation

Chapter 461: Chapter 461: Achieving Mid-Level Cultivation

Upon returning to the Eastern Manor, the first thing Zhong Shan did was to refine the Millennium Fruit.

Nothing was more important than enhancing one's own strength. The Millennium Tree, a heavenly spiritual root, blooms once every thousand years, bears fruit once every thousand years, and matures once every thousand years. Each time, it only produces five Millennium Fruits, each containing miraculous transformative powers.

After consuming the Millennium Fruit, a surge of energy filled Zhong Shan's entire body. He meditated for a whole month.

Finally, after a month, he reached the first level of the Integration stage.

In the cultivation hall, Zhong Shan sat with his eyes closed, while his primordial spirit stepped out, wandered around the Eastern Manor, and then returned to his body.

The primordial spirit was still weak and couldn't leave the body for long. Zhong Shan was merely testing its effects. Unless faced with a life-and-death situation, he would never abandon his physical body.

At the same time, Zhong Shan began studying the Heavenly Thunder Transformation from the Sky Wolf Island.

Reading through the introduction, Zhong Shan realized it was an exceptionally powerful manual.

As he walked out of the hall, releasing his aura, a small thundercloud about an acre in size suddenly appeared in the sky. With a mere thought, the thundercloud acted like a lightning rod, absorbing thunder elements from the surroundings and then unleashing them in a devastating barrage against enemies.

An acre was small, but it didn't consume Zhong Shan's true essence. Due to his unique physique, he could activate it with minimal effort. This could cause significant disruption. Additionally, with each cultivation level increase, the cloud's size expanded tenfold.

At the peak of the Integration stage, the thundercloud would cover the sky, obliterating entire armies with a single thought.

Imagining such a scene, Zhong Shan couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. It was incredibly powerful!

That day, Zhong Shan visited a guesthouse in the Taigu Holy Capital.

"Father!" Zhong Zheng greeted respectfully.

"How have things been recently?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"The Darong Chamber of Commerce now has assets worth thirty billion top-grade spirit stones. However, I have reinvested all of it. Our industries are rapidly expanding in all directions, even extending towards the Taishui Dynasty. But it will take some time to establish a firm foothold there," Zhong Zheng reported.

"You did the right thing. Money will only rot if kept in hand. Investing it generates more wealth. Additionally, gather information on talented individuals across the world. Recruit them for the Dazun Dynasty," Zhong Shan instructed.

"Yes!" Zhong Zheng responded promptly.

"Good. Now, I have two tasks for you," Zhong Shan continued.

"Father, please tell me!"

"First, send someone to the East Sea and follow the method I told you last time to find 'Hao Meili.' Give her this note and ask her to come see me," Zhong Shan said, handing over a small note with only four characters on it: "Immortal Stele."

"Understood."

"Second, you personally go to Daming Temple and meet Tian'er. Convince him to persuade the abbot to come and assist me," Zhong Shan said.

"Father, is something big about to happen?" Zhong Zheng asked, sensing the gravity of the situation.

"Indeed, something major is about to unfold," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Oh?" Zhong Zheng looked slightly puzzled.

"We are going to annihilate the Pure Land," Zhong Shan declared.

Hearing this, Zhong Zheng was momentarily stunned. He knew Zhong Shan never spoke lightly, but the idea of annihilating the Pure Land was shocking. The Pure Land was a colossal entity; to annihilate it?

"Rest assured, Father, I will personally meet with my brother. Moreover, with the opportunity to destroy the Pure Land, the monks of Daming Temple will surely be eager to join. It promises immense merit," Zhong Zheng said with a smile.

"Mm!" Zhong Shan nodded with a smile.

In a bustling tavern, a man was animatedly recounting the story from that fateful day.

"Oh my, I can't stop laughing! It's killing me, hahaha!"

"My stomach hurts from laughing. Oh, that tragic Guiyuan Buddha, wasn't he supposed to be the top figure in the Pure Land? Hahaha."

"Heaven and earth, I am supreme? Turns out he was inviting them for a meal, hahaha, and porridge too?"

This joke was explosively funny yet oddly not funny to some. Some believed it was fabricated to tarnish Guiyuan Buddha's reputation. However, it wasn't long before it was confirmed that Guiyuan Buddha had indeed visited an imperial dynasty recently and had actually spoken.

Could it be true that this was how his silent meditation was broken? Poor Guiyuan Buddha, what bad luck!

During the Great Luo Dynasty's court session, this earth-shattering joke made its way to the court. All the civil and military officials' faces twitched, wanting to laugh but having to hold it in.

This Duke of the East, Zhong Shan, was too much! The court had barely digested the outrageous events in the Great Li Dynasty when a new joke arrived. Guiyuan Buddha inviting someone to a meal? And breaking his silent meditation in the process?

Hearing this, Gu Shentong was also quite surprised. Although the Zhong family army was Zhong Shan's private force, it wasn't difficult for Gu Shentong to place one or two of his own people there. The incident was quickly verified.

Gu Shentong silently mourned for Guiyuan Buddha, this tragic first Buddha!

"Duke of the East Zhong Shan, by spreading the might of our Great Luo Dynasty, is hereby promoted to First Class Duke of the East!" Gu Shentong declared.

At Gu Shentong's words, everyone was astounded. First Class Duke of the East? That meant a position in the middle ranks of the celestial order, with a tenfold increase in cultivation speed?

This Duke of the East, Zhong Shan, was rising in rank too quickly. In just a few decades, he had reached the status of a top-tier duke?

Before the eunuch could deliver the message, Zhong Shan in the Eastern Manor had already felt the influx of fortune. Vast fortune poured into him, granting him a middle rank.

With the fortune of the Dazun Dynasty added, his cultivation speed was now fifteen times the normal rate. Even with poor innate talent, this could make up for a lot.

However, Zhong Shan did not feel much joy but instead frowned deeply.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Mr. Shi asked, slightly puzzled.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan said, "The end of the Great Luo Dynasty is approaching faster than expected!"

Logically, this merit shouldn't have warranted an increase in his rank, but Gu Shentong had promoted him anyway. This indicated that the time for Zhong Shan to plan for the Shenzhou land was running out.

At the Eastern Palace

"Commander, outside are Hao Meili and the Western Poison Emperor requesting an audience," Liu Wushuang reported as she entered the Eastern Hall.

"Hao Meili? The Western Poison Emperor? Invite them in!" Zhong Shan instructed.

"Yes!" Liu Wushuang nodded and left.

Soon, Hao Meili and the Western Poison Emperor were led into the Eastern Hall.

"Zhong Shan, what do you want from me? Did you find it?" Hao Meili's arrogant voice rang out even before entering the hall.

"Welcome, Hao Meili, and the Western Poison Emperor. Please, have a seat," Zhong Shan said, remaining calm.

"You called me here for a reason. Did you find the Immortal Stele?" Hao Meili asked, her tone demanding and impatient.

Zhong Shan nodded. "I did find the Immortal Stele, but there is more at stake here. We need to discuss the upcoming battle against the Pure Land."

The mention of the Pure Land piqued Hao Meili's interest, and her demeanor softened slightly. "Alright, let's hear what you have to say," she said, taking a seat.

The Western Poison Emperor remained silent but observant, taking in the details of the room and the interactions.

Zhong Shan proceeded to lay out his plans and the imminent actions against the Pure Land, ensuring that both Hao Meili and the Western Poison Emperor understood the gravity and the potential gains of the situation.