Chapter 757: Plum Blossoms Brewed Wine Discussing Heroes

Chapter 757: Chapter 757: Plum Blossoms Brewed Wine Discussing Heroes

Zhong Shan landed in front of the small pavilion in the valley.

"Your Majesty!" Jian Hong bowed slightly to Zhong Shan. The disciples of the Netherworld Sky also bowed slightly but remained silent.

Inside the pavilion, Jian Ao slowly opened his eyes.

A gentle breeze blew from Jian Ao, sweeping the fallen plum blossom petals out of the pavilion.

"Hong'er, take everyone out!" Jian Ao commanded.

"Yes, Father!" Jian Hong nodded and led the Netherworld Sky disciples away.

"Wushuang!" Zhong Shan looked at Liu Wushuang.

"Yes!" Liu Wushuang understood and also retreated.

Watching everyone leave the valley, Zhong Shan turned to Jian Ao.

"Please!"

"Hm!" Zhong Shan nodded.

He stepped into the pavilion and knelt on a mat opposite Jian Ao. Between them was a set of cooking utensils with a small stove heating some sake.

Jian Ao extended his hand, and dozens of different types of plum blossoms flew from the distant grove. As they neared, he plucked a petal from each and gently placed them into the boiling sake.

The plum blossom-infused sake emitted a fragrant aroma. Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

"It's been over a hundred years. Your cultivation has grown even deeper. Do you still hold onto your old ambition of 'defeating all the heroes in the world'?" Zhong Shan asked with a smile.

With a faint smile, Jian Ao replied, "Of course, I've never forgotten."

"Oh?"

"Thirty years ago, I had a significant revelation during a battle with the Qin Empire, which is why I invited you here," Jian Ao said.

"A battle with the Qin Empire?" Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow in surprise.

A battle with the Qin Empire? And who? If Jian Ao spoke of this battle so solemnly, it must have been a fierce one. Why hadn't Zhong Shan received any intelligence on it?

"It was a secret battle, purely a battle of the mind, so it's understandable that you didn't hear about it," Jian Ao explained.

"A secret battle? A battle of the mind?" Zhong Shan stared at Jian Ao.

"Indeed, neither of us used our hands. We fought by manifesting a world with our thoughts and battling within that mental realm," Jian Ao said.

"With whom?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Ying!"

"Ying?" Zhong Shan's pupils contracted.

"Yes, it was Ying. I lost, but his cultivation has long surpassed that of ordinary mortals. Even though I was defeated, I wasn't disheartened. One day, I will surpass that realm," Jian Ao said confidently.

"Ying's cultivation has surpassed that of ordinary mortals?" Zhong Shan's frown deepened.

"Indeed, in this realm, he is the strongest person I've encountered," Jian Ao nodded.

"And he let you leave?"

"We agreed before the battle that it was merely a sparring match. Ying is domineering but keeps his word. After that battle, I haven't touched my sword for thirty years," Jian Ao said.

"Thirty years without touching your sword?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"That was the gain from that battle!" Jian Ao sighed.

"It seems your swordsmanship has broken through once again?" Zhong Shan remarked.

"This duel at Meishan, how do you see it?" Zhong Shan asked again.

"The duel at Meishan is to settle some matters and primarily to have this discussion on heroes with you and leave some instructions," Jian Ao said.

"Leave some instructions? Are you about to ascend?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Yes, the situation in Shenzhou is becoming clearer, and the opening of the heavens is inevitable. The world is about to be unified, and my Netherworld Sky will no longer exist in this world. So I plan to take the disciples of the Netherworld Sky and break through the void to ascend to the grand world," Jian Ao said.

"The disciples of the Netherworld Sky? Ascending together?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised.

"The location of the Netherworld Sky might already have visitors, just like during your Black Sea duel, someone went straight to the Netherworld Sky," Jian Ao smiled.

"Oh? You knew?" Zhong Shan was slightly surprised. Even matters in the underworld were known to Jian Ao?

"I have activated the Netherworld Sky. When we ascend to the grand world, the disciples only need to stay inside, and I can take them out!" Jian Ao confirmed.

"Hmm," Zhong Shan nodded.

Although Jian Ao inherited the title of Lord of the Netherworld Sky from Nangong Sheng, Jian Ao had been the Lord of the Netherworld Sky in his previous life, making him more familiar with the Netherworld Sky than Nangong Sheng.

"And your cultivation?"

"On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which is tomorrow, during the full moon, I will reach the peak of mortal cultivation and break through the void," Jian Ao said confidently.

"Then congratulations in advance!"

"Meeting you before my ascension is one of life's great pleasures. I know you have ambitions to compete for the world, so I give you this as my parting gift," Jian Ao said.

Saying this, Jian Ao took out a scroll and placed it on the table before Zhong Shan.

The scroll was made with ten-thousand-year-old purple sandalwood and bound with purple gold cloud silk, looking very ancient.

"What is this?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"The method to create the Taiji Diagram," Jian Ao said.

"Oh?"

"The Taiji Diagram's method was lost in my previous life. I rediscovered it in a manuscript when I activated the Netherworld Sky," Jian Ao explained.

"The Taiji Diagram? The method of refining it?" Zhong Shan frowned at Jian Ao.

"When you obtained that Taiji Diagram in the past, you must have known its wonders. The Taiji Diagram was once the supreme treasure of the Taishang Saint in the grand world. After the Taishang Saint fell, the Taiji Diagram exploded and scattered. One fragment fell into this small world and was acquired by the first Lord of the Netherworld Sky, who comprehended the method of refining the Taiji Diagram. This is a saint's treasure, left to you to deal with the world of Shenzhou," Jian Ao said.

"The refining method of a saint's treasure? I cannot accept it without merit," Zhong Shan shook his head.

"No, you have merit. Jian Hong was able to return all because of you. Jian Hong is worth a hundred times more to me than the method of refining the Taiji Diagram. Because you revived Jian Hong, you deserve this method. Moreover, this is only a handwritten copy," Jian Ao said.

After deeply looking at Jian Ao, Zhong Shan nodded, "Then I will accept it with gratitude."

Jian Ao nodded, and Zhong Shan did not open it but put it away.

"Before our duel, staying alive is enough!" Jian Ao smiled.

"Alright, I definitely will. Cheers!" Zhong Shan raised his plum blossom sake with a smile.

"Cheers!"

Although Zhong Shan and Jian Ao had only met a few times, they seemed like old friends with a deep connection. They talked for a day and a night.

The Next Day

Under the watchful eyes of countless experts, four figures suddenly flew from the southwest direction.

Daoist Master Shen Ya, Ye Qingcheng, Shen Qitian, and Toad Lai!

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the duel at Meishan began!