Chapter 722: Dividing the World

Chapter 722: Chapter 722: Dividing the World

Outside Heaven's Peak, Di Xuansha had already dealt with Sima Ce. A celestial? No big deal! The realm is just one aspect of strength. Some fierce individuals, regardless of the circumstances, are always formidable. Their potential is limitless, and their power defies common sense. Di Xuansha was undoubtedly one of these fierce individuals. In the past, he had just reached the Heavenly Extreme Realm and already managed to drive away Ao Lie. Today, he had torn apart Sima Ce with his eleventh-level Heavenly Extreme Realm strength, a natural result.

As Tian Lao paid his respects to Tian Ling'er, the others looked at Zhong Shan.

"Tian Lao, do you swear eternal loyalty to the family head?" Zhong Shan asked on Tian Ling'er's behalf.

"Yes!"

"Tian Ling'er is my wife and the Empress of the Da Ling Empire. Tian Lao, will you join Da Ling?" Zhong Shan asked again.

Tian Lao looked at Zhong Shan, then at Tian Ling'er.

"Would you be willing?" Tian Ling'er asked tentatively.

Tian Ling'er had not yet adapted to her role as the family head. Another person would have commanded Tian Lao to join Da Ling. But because of her tentative question, Tian Lao saw the family head's amiable nature. Thinking of Tian Shenzi, Tian Lao responded with utmost firmness, "Yes, I am willing to join Da Ling!"

"Very well, from this day forth, I officially appoint Tian Lao as the Deputy Chief of the Astronomical Bureau of Da Ling!" Zhong Shan decreed.

Mud Buddha was the Chief of the Astronomical Bureau, a long-time follower of Zhong Shan. Naturally, he remained the chief, with Tian Lao serving under him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Tian Lao nodded.

"Your first task is to transport Heaven's Peak to the Lingxiao Heavenly Court," Zhong Shan commanded.

"Yes!" Tian Lao responded.

After assigning tasks to Tian Lao, Zhong Shan turned to the others.

Except for Di Xuansha and Xuan Yuan, everyone bowed slightly to Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan looked at Di Xuansha, who nodded, indicating that Sima Ce was dead and his soul had dissipated. Zhong Shan nodded in satisfaction.

Xuan Yuan looked at Zhong Shan and spoke, "Zhong Shan!"

"Hmm?"

"I wish to take my leave," Xuan Yuan said.

"Leave? The Creation Divine Palace remains wherever you are. Are you not content in the Lingxiao Heavenly Court?" Zhong Shan asked, frowning.

"No, I am grateful for your hospitality during this time. I am not leaving the Lingxiao Heavenly Court but preparing to leave this small world," Xuan Yuan said earnestly.

"Leave this small world?" Zhong Shan frowned.

The others also looked at Xuan Yuan, thinking of the mysteries of the Creation Divine Palace. If Xuan Yuan could traverse between the realms of Yin and Yang with a secret technique, he might also have a way to leave this realm.

"Yes, my constitution is special and can grow more in the Grand World," Xuan Yuan explained.

"Are you sure?" Zhong Shan asked, looking deeply at Xuan Yuan.

Xuan Yuan nodded firmly, "I am certain."

Seeing Xuan Yuan's resolve, Zhong Shan sighed lightly, "Very well, take care."

"We will meet again in the Grand World," Xuan Yuan said.

"Indeed," Zhong Shan nodded.

After saying his goodbyes, Xuan Yuan disappeared from sight.

Watching Xuan Yuan leave, Zhong Shan sighed again, collected his thoughts, and turned to the others.

In the distance, Zhao Suoxiang flew over.

The shocking news hit the officials of Dayong hard. Why did Tian Lao rebel? The reason soon spread: Tian Lao's rebellion was due to the desecration of his ancestral tomb. Hearing this, many officials felt disheartened.

Tian Lao had been crucial since the time of Gu Shentong, having made great contributions to Daluo and then to Dayong. For Gu Zhengyi to disregard the emperor's promises for an outsider?

The betrayal of such a key figure like Tian Lao, who had been loyal and dedicated, was a significant blow. The ramifications of this upheaval were far-reaching, casting a shadow over the Dayong Dynasty's stability.

In the capital of the Dayong Dynasty, inside Gu Zhengyi's study.

"Your Majesty, the army led by King Zhan Tian, along with two Earth Immortals, has been completely annihilated. The Great Qin army is advancing like a hot knife through butter!"

"Your Majesty, Sima Ce was torn apart by Di Xuansha!"

"Your Majesty, Tian Lao has joined the Da Ling Empire!"

"Your Majesty, the Tiger Clan has betrayed us!"

"Your Majesty, the Da Ling army is being commanded by Shui Wuhen and Yi Yan!"

"Your Majesty, Shen Qitian is missing!"

"Your Majesty, the lords of eight cities have surrendered to the enemy!"

"Your Majesty, our army's morale is too low; we are retreating continuously!"

...One piece of bad news after another was reported.

Gu Zhengyi waved his hand, dismissing everyone, leaving only Prince Taizong in the hall.

Gu Zhengyi closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, while Prince Taizong sighed.

"Your Majesty, this time you really made a mistake. You intended to use Sima Ce, but he was too arrogant. Not only did you fail to use him, but you also offended Tian Lao. Our decline this time is due to mishandling Tian Lao. One wrong step leads to another. Do you remember the words of the first sage? You must not be eager for quick success. Even the first sage, Gu Shentong, never sought to unify the world, despite being the number one in Shenzhou. The waters of this world are too deep, and yet you... Alas!" Prince Taizong sighed deeply.

Gu Zhengyi stood up, his figure disappearing from the study, leaving Prince Taizong behind, sighing again.

In the eastern part of Shenzhou, at Gu Shentong's grave, Gu Zhengyi suddenly arrived.

"Long live the Emperor!" The guards immediately bowed in respect.

Gu Zhengyi waved his hand, and everyone withdrew.

Staring at Gu Shentong's tombstone, Gu Zhengyi remained silent for a long time.

"Father, hahahaha, Father!" Gu Zhengyi's emotions seemed unstable.

"Everyone says I resemble you, that I am like you, but I don't want to be like you. I am me, I am Gu Zhengyi, not Gu Shentong. Under your mighty rule, I always suppressed myself, but I succeeded. I achieved the Dayong realm. My Dayong will be the strongest, unparalleled by anyone!" Gu Zhengyi roared.

"Why are you always right, and I am always wrong? I want to prove to you that my way is correct!"

"But why? Why not give me a chance? Why? Yin Luori betrayed, the Tiger Clan betrayed, Tian Lao betrayed, why is Great Qin so strong? Why are the Celestial and the ten Earth Immortals so weak? Why don't I get a chance?"

Gu Zhengyi raved madly.

The bitterness in Gu Zhengyi's heart ran deep, very deep. Why did it turn out this way? Such a perfect plan, now full of flaws. Why? Why was Gu Shentong always right, and he was wrong?

Gu Zhengyi's eyes were bloodshot, filled with unwillingness and resentment.

"This time I lost. Just watch, someday I will make the whole world acknowledge me, to know I am Gu Zhengyi, not just the one most like Gu Shentong. I will do it!" Gu Zhengyi stared at the tombstone.

Ten years later.

The Dayong Dynasty completely collapsed, divided between the Da Ling Empire and the Great Qin Empire. As the armies besieged the capital of Dayong, Emperor Gu Zhengyi, Prince Taizong, and several important members disappeared.

The world's balance shifted again, with Da Ling and Great Qin dividing Dayong's lands. Infinite fortune gathered into the clouds of these two empires, creating an unprecedented amount of fortune, surpassing even that of ancient celestial dynasties.

Thus, Da Ling, Great Qin, and Taishui divided the world. Da Ling and Taishui each occupied three-tenths of the land, while Great Qin controlled four-tenths.