Chapter 468: The Battle Begins

Chapter 468: Chapter 468: The Battle Begins

"Father!" Zhong Tian called out as soon as he entered the hall.

Zhong Shan nodded in satisfaction. Beside Zhong Tian, the old blind man bowed slightly towards Zhong Shan.

Seeing this, Ao Chuang raised an eyebrow.

"Ming Tai?" Ao Chuang frowned.

"Ming Tai greets General Zhong, and the Dragon King Ao Chuang," the old blind man said softly.

When the old blind man spoke, he placed Zhong Shan before Ao Chuang, which displeased the Dragon King, though he said nothing.

Ming Tai? Anyone who could command Ao Chuang's respect was no ordinary figure.

"With a heart like a bright mirror, reflecting the dust to achieve enlightenment. You must be Ming Tai, the abbot of Daming Temple?" Zhong Shan asked.

"With a heart like a bright mirror, reflecting the dust to achieve enlightenment? General Zhong's words are rich in Zen meaning and deeply align with Buddhist principles. But I am not the abbot of Daming Temple," the old blind man replied.

"Uh?" Zhong Shan was taken aback. Zhong Tian had previously mentioned that the abbot of Daming Temple was a Bodhisattva named Ming Tai. How could it not be him?

"Father, I am now the abbot of Daming Temple," Zhong Tian said.

Hearing this, Ao Chuang's eyes filled with disbelief. This 'Little Pudding' was the abbot of Daming Temple? Daming Temple was an ancient temple, predating even the Land of Ultimate Bliss. And now its abbot was this young man at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage?

Zhong Shan was also surprised. How could this be? How had Tian'er become the abbot? Had he revealed the '卍' symbol amulet bestowed by the Buddha? Zhong Shan narrowed his eyes, casting an inquiring glance at Zhong Tian.

Zhong Tian, understanding his father's question, shook his head.

Seeing Zhong Tian's response, Zhong Shan turned his gaze back to Ming Tai Bodhisattva. The man appeared ordinary, slightly gaunt, and completely blind.

Completely blind? Zhong Shan's mind raced. Seeing without eyes meant seeing with the mind. With this thought, Zhong Shan looked at Ming Tai Bodhisattva again, realizing that he was no ordinary person.

"Father, we brought three thousand monks from Daming Temple. They're waiting outside," Zhong Tian said.

"Very well, let's set out!" Zhong Shan nodded and immediately gave the order.

The army once again marched towards the Land of Ultimate Bliss. But this time, the Zhong family army was not the same as when they had first left the ancient capital of the Sacred Dynasty.

Their military presence was overwhelming and powerful.

No other vanguard could match Zhong Shan's formidable force.

Along the way, Zhong Shan met with Zhong Tian privately.

"Tian'er, how did you become the abbot of Daming Temple?" Zhong Shan asked.

"That day, when I returned, it was as if Grandmaster Ming Tai saw right through me. He merely encouraged me a bit and then handed over the entire Daming Temple to me. He even resigned from his position as Bodhisattva in my favor. So now I hold the Bodhisattva rank, though for some reason, he still retains his Bodhisattva status. Therefore, Daming Temple currently has two Bodhisattvas," Zhong Tian explained.

"Have you tested him?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Yes, he bears no ill will towards me," Zhong Tian replied.

"That's good," Zhong Shan nodded.

The army continued for another five months.

"Yes!" Nian Youyou replied, keeping her head down, suppressing the pain in her eyes so her master wouldn't see it.

"Go now. I have other matters to attend to. I will check on your progress later," the woman said.

"Yes, Master," Nian Youyou responded with a hint of bitterness.

The woman vanished in a flicker, leaving Nian Youyou behind. With a touch of reluctance, Nian Youyou patted the small creature on her shoulder, 'Xiao Qing,' and sped towards the eastern side of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Eastern Ten Thousand Mountains

Starting from the East Sea, Zhong Shan led his forces, advancing with overwhelming momentum. The million-strong army moved as one, with Shui Wuhen commanding the troops, Zhong Tian leading three thousand elite monks from Daming Temple, and Ao Chuang directing the million dragons. It was not entirely accurate to call them dragons, as many had not fully evolved. Nevertheless, these colossal serpents possessed terrifying defenses and could devour enemies whole.

"Did you see the banners and the projections of the strong? Exterminate them all. Spread out in the Three Talents Battle Formation," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes!" the generals responded immediately.

Ao Chuang smirked coldly, not opposing the strategy. With Zhong Shan leading, the army's performance would undoubtedly be exceptional.

The army spread out, forming a hundred-mile-wide net as they advanced.

Giant serpents slithered across the mountains, creating a thunderous roar. The synchronized march of the soldiers overshadowed even the noise of the mixed army of dragons and serpents.

"Faster, faster, faster!" Hao Meili exclaimed in excitement.

After two days of marching, the enemy finally appeared.

It was an imperial dynasty, with the emperor himself leading the troops. A large banner bearing the character "Ming" stood prominently.

The Daming Dynasty?

The Daming Dynasty's army also heard the thunderous roar in the distance. At that moment, a scout rushed back to report.

"Your Majesty, ahead we discovered a million-strong army and a million dragons and serpents approaching rapidly," the scout reported.

"A million-strong army? A million dragons and serpents? Dragons? How is that possible? Why are the dragon clan involved?" a strategist beside the emperor exclaimed.

"What is their banner?" the emperor asked.

"Zhong," the scout replied immediately.

"Zhong?" The emperor was puzzled.

"Your Majesty, it's the demon from the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, the Duke of the East, Zhong Shan!" the strategist exclaimed, labeling Zhong Shan as a demon.

"Zhong Shan?" The emperor's heart tightened, but he still looked puzzled.

"Yes, Your Majesty. When Zhong Shan first led an army, he allied with the dragon clan, diverting the waters of the East Sea to flood twelve coastal cities of the Dayu Empire. Zhong Shan commands his troops like a deity. We cannot defeat him. We really cannot. Your Majesty, we must flee," the strategist urged in fear.

"Nonsense! How can I flee without a fight? Notify all regimental commanders to prepare for battle," the emperor ordered.

"Yes!" The subordinates quickly waved their small flags, issuing military orders.

The strategist, however, was filled with anxiety, looking at the emperor with desperate eyes. Zhong Shan's reputation was too fearsome.

"Alright, also send word to the other imperial armies for reinforcements," the emperor said, deciding to seek aid while preparing for battle.