Chapter 534: Chapter 534: Nine Enter the Underworld
"Indeed, it is the Path of Yin and Yang!" Zhong Shan no longer hid the truth.
"The Path of Yin and Yang? The Gate Between Two Worlds? Truly, everything you do is grandiose. If this becomes known, most of the Heavenly Extreme Realm experts will surely gather here!" Di Xuansha sighed deeply.
"Because this is the Great Zhen!" Zhong Shan simply replied. At this moment, false modesty would be hypocritical.
"The Great Zhen, what a Great Zhen indeed!" Di Xuansha nodded approvingly.
"You didn't come here just to ask about the Path of Yin and Yang, did you?" Zhong Shan asked.
"No, there is something I need your help with," Di Xuansha replied.
"Oh?" Zhong Shan was puzzled.
"Take Xianxian with you!" Di Xuansha said solemnly.
"Huh?" Zhong Shan was slightly taken aback.
"Without experiencing trials, one cannot become a supreme. I became the Wolf Clan supreme through slaughter, but Xianxian has not," Di Xuansha explained.
"Wouldn't it be better for her to stay in Shenzhou?" Zhong Shan pondered. Allowing Xianxian to grow was understandable, but what if she encountered danger in the underworld?
"Hehe, do you know about the primordial bloodlines of the demon clans?" Di Xuansha asked.
"You possess the primordial bloodline of the wolf clan. Only with a primordial bloodline can one sign the wolf clan contract," Zhong Shan mused.
"Hehe," Di Xuansha shook his head.
"Have you heard of the classification of zombies?" Di Xuansha continued.
Zhong Shan furrowed his brows.
"Zombies are classified into first-generation, second-generation, and so on, according to the purity of their bloodline. The higher the bloodline, the stronger the power, the better the talent, and even the ability to control zombies with lower bloodlines. It's similar to a hierarchy, with higher bloodlines being more noble and lower bloodlines being inferior," Di Xuansha explained.
Zhong Shan nodded.
"In fact, it's the same for the major demon clans. Is my bloodline a primordial one? No, my bloodline is the best, the highest in the entire wolf clan. All other wolf clan bloodlines are inferior to mine; I possess the primordial bloodline," Di Xuansha said gravely.
"Huh?"
"I attained my current primordial bloodline through cultivation, purifying and upgrading my bloodline. But I must tell you, among the wolf clan bloodlines in the Great Thousand World, there are still those more advanced and powerful than mine. As for Xianxian, her bloodline is naturally noble, far superior to mine!" Di Xuansha said with admiration.
"Huh?" Zhong Shan was shocked.
"Why is she the young mistress of the wolf clan? She is not my only descendant, but she was designated as the young mistress at birth due to her bloodline," Di Xuansha explained.
Sha Po, standing nearby, nodded.
"What about the Dragon Clan?" Zhong Shan seemed to think of something.
"The Dragon Clan? Hehe, that little girl, uh, Hao Meili, the little golden dragon by her side is one of the Dragon Clan's young masters. His bloodline was extremely high even in his youth, making him more noble than many dragon kings despite his low cultivation," Di Xuansha explained.
"How high can a noble bloodline go? If Xianxian's bloodline is higher than yours, does that mean as long as she grows, her future achievements will surpass yours?" Zhong Shan asked, staring at Di Xuansha.
Six months later, one day.
Zhong Shan sat at his desk in his study as the Mud Buddha entered.
"Your Majesty, the Yin-Yang Hall is complete, and the Yin-Yang Path formation can be activated at any time!" the Mud Buddha reported.
"Good! Excellent work!" Zhong Shan said excitedly.
"It is my duty," the Mud Buddha replied, bowing.
"Very well. In ten days, we will officially open the Yin-Yang Path," Zhong Shan decided.
"Understood!" The Mud Buddha nodded and left.
After the Mud Buddha departed, Zhong Shan informed his closest confidants of the news and then retreated into seclusion. His seclusion was not for intense cultivation but rather for the preparation of his two bodies.
To enter the underworld, Zhong Shan decided to send his shadow body, as it had more advantages in the underworld, while his true body would remain in the living world to govern the Great Zhen Dynasty.
In the secret chamber, Zhong Shan's true body took out a precious object—an obsidian talisman. This was a ghostly artifact, surpassing the level of a ninth-grade treasure.
The shadow body received it and integrated it into his body, storing it within his inner sanctuary. Being one person, the ritual of refining the obsidian talisman posed no obstacles.
As for other treasures, Zhong Shan chose not to distribute them further.
Zhong Shan's true body possessed: the Fangtian Seal, the Investiture of the Gods, the Nightmare Blade, the Eight Extremes Heavenly Tail, and the Red Luan Pink Lotus.
Zhong Shan's shadow body possessed: the Obsidian Talisman, the Bat Bag, the Undying Sword, Shadow Clones, and the Eyes of Reincarnation.
Ten days later, in front of the Yin-Yang Hall, all the guards and attendants were dismissed. Those remaining were Zhong Shan's closest associates.
The group selected to enter the underworld included Zhong Shan's shadow body, Wei Taizhong, Mr. Corpse, Lin Xiao, Xianxian, Sha Po, Hao Meili, and the Western Poison Emperor. This was Zhong Shan's final selection.
Wei Taizhong and Xianxian had been preselected, while Sha Po was chosen for his strength, essential for navigating the chaotic underworld. Mr. Corpse's familiarity with the underworld made his inclusion necessary. Lin Xiao was brought to help establish a faction within the underworld.
As for Hao Meili and the Western Poison Emperor, Zhong Shan included them out of necessity. Ao Sihai was surely watching them, and once they left Tianlang Island, they would likely be captured. Being a man of clear enmity and gratitude, Zhong Shan sought to protect them.
The group was both eager and curious about entering the underworld and found the sight of two identical Zhong Shans slightly unsettling. Though they knew of Zhong Shan's clone, seeing it in person was still bizarre. Even Tian Ling'er and the other women seemed hesitant to approach, afraid of touching the wrong Zhong Shan.
"Alright, let's enter the Yin-Yang Hall," Zhong Shan's shadow body announced.
"Wait a moment!" Mr. Corpse suddenly interjected.
Everyone turned their gaze to him.
With a flip of his hand, Mr. Corpse produced a small bottle and approached Zhong Shan's true body.
"Your Majesty, this bottle contains the Soul Condensation Elixir from last time. If you absorb it before death, your soul will solidify into a ghost. There are sixty drops in total. Keep them for use in the living world," Mr. Corpse explained.
This was a valuable item, the same elixir that turned Han Ji Guang into a ghost, enduring sunlight without ever moving on. With this elixir, Zhong Shan could create sixty ghosts, ensuring that the Great Zhen's top generals would serve even after death.
"Understood," Zhong Shan nodded, accepting the bottle.
Then, the nine entered the Yin-Yang Hall, and the grand doors slammed shut.