Zhu Xuanji held the light letter in his hand, yet it felt scorchingly hot!
Although he wanted to discard it, recalling his return to the Royal Capital to report for duty and the subsequent audience with the Monarch, the latter had directly ordered him to represent the Zhu Family of the Southern Bean Royal Family in dealing with the matters of the Lava Fairy Palace.
But Zhu Xuanji always felt that he was being pushed to the frontline by the Monarch, making contact with the Son of Destiny!
Zhu Xuanji gritted his teeth and laboriously opened the letter, scanning its content with his Divine Sense—
Esteemed and wise elder brother Zhu Xuanji, greetings:
(Zhu Xuanji: Who's your elder brother? Stop calling me that!)
Since our parting, the ends of the earth have separated us, communications sparse, days and months swiftly passing, feeling like an eternity. The grace and presence of elder brother remain indelible in my memory, never forgotten even for a moment.
(Zhu Xuanji: Why remember all this so clearly? Forget about me!)
Recalling our times within the Lava Fairy Palace, we sailed the same boat and stood side by side. On the Mist Hidden Mountain, we weathered storms together and strategized; it was indeed the happiest time of my life. Brother's profound strategies and carefree manner deeply impressed me. Recalling those scenes fills me with a warmth still fresh in my mind. To continue our former connections would indeed be an opportunity bestowed by heaven.
(Zhu Xuanji: Who said we stood side by side? Weren't you plotting against me? This is not good at all! What does this kid want now? Seeking my help again?)
I have a small request. I have long heard of the National Cellar Love Wine from our Southern Bean Country, richly aromatic, indescribably exquisite—a worldly treasure. Though I have yet to taste it, my longing has persisted; I dare to ask elder brother to gift me a jar, to quench my thirst for this fine wine, and perhaps also to rekindle some old sentiments.
(Zhu Xuanji: Love Wine? This kid fancies drinking now? Take it, just take it, just don't bother me.)
Moreover, there was once an ancient sage known as the Five Elements God Master. I am immensely interested in him, yet my information is limited. Thus, I specially request elder brother to bestow some information, to dispel the confusions in my heart. Obtaining any tidbit would fill me with gratitude.
(Zhu Xuanji: The Five Elements God Master? That's a big name; seems I've seen it somewhere before. Seeking information from me? Eyeing the archives of the Divine Hunter Office, huh? Smart kid, he asked the right person. Take it, you can have it too!)
I hope that in your recent investigations, your mind is as fast as lightning, penetrating mysteries. May all difficult matters be clear as day, and may all go smoothly, achieving success early. If elder brother finds the time, I hope to invite you to the Ten Thousand Medicine Valley. The scenery is enchanting, vegetation lush—perfect for drinking fine wine, reminiscing the old times, and discussing new strategies.
Please take care, wishing everything goes well for elder brother, and hoping for an early reunion to share our grand aspirations!
This is sent with respect by
Ning Zhuo.
(Zhu Xuanji: Ten Thousand Medicine Valley? Oh, there is a large sect called the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect there. Asking me to go to Ten Thousand Medicine Valley? Ha, as if that would happen!)
Having finished reading the letter, Zhu Xuanji felt sweat forming on his forehead.
As for the Son of Destiny, the further he could stay away, the better.
Inviting him to the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect?
Not going!
Never going!
The Love Wine and information about the Five Elements God Master, take them, all yours.
Just don't bother me anymore.
"Wait, why does Ning Zhuo specifically seek information about the Five Elements God Master? What has he come into contact with now?"
"Don't think about it, don't think about anything."
"Why meddle with the business of the Son of Destiny?!"
Zhu Xuanji immediately cautioned himself in his heart.
He was fully on guard, personally checked the archives, looked up records, and extracted all information on the Five Elements God Master, creating a Jade Slip.
He also utilized his connections to take out centuries-old National Cellar Love Wine from the royal treasury.
Finally, he activated the privileges of the courier station for transportation, sending these items at maximum speed to Ning Zhuo.
Ten Thousand Medicine Valley.
Ning Zhuo, having received the information, was quite surprised.
He remarked to Sun Lingtong, "Old Zhu is a capable and righteous man; I didn't expect him to handle this so quickly."
"For him, it might be a small matter, but it's a great help to me."
"Hmm, I should properly thank him in the future, and seek his help again!"
Sun Lingtong then said, "Now, your performance in the Lava Fairy Palace affair as a Ning Family is crucial in determining whether Fire Persimmon Immortal City falls into the hands of the Meng Family. This is extremely important for the Royal Family."
"Little Zhuo, now you are an important figure in the Ning Family, Zhu Xuanji will certainly take you seriously."
"It's just that I didn't expect that eventually, we and Zhu Xuanji would become friends. The twists and turns of fate in this world are truly unexpected."
"But are you still skeptical about investigating the Five Elements God Master?"
Ning Zhuo nodded, hmming: "I have thoroughly read poetry and history, yet never heard of the name of the Five Elements God Master. Such a powerful figure must be a person from ancient times."
"Living people have their lifespan, dead people have their netherworld-span. Life spans are limited, and so are netherworld spans."
"Logically, the ancient powers should have exhausted their millennia of netherworld-span by now. But I still feel the Five Elements God Master is vigorous and lively. This is abnormal."
"The biggest doubt is that after returning from the Mechanical Dragon, although I had sobered up from the alcohol, I still received the transmission of the Five Elements God Master's technique."
"I've mentioned this to Linghu Jiu, but he couldn't explain it either."
"There are many mysterious aspects to this. Receiving the transmission and obtaining the complete 'Five Organs Temple Spirit Divine Skill' seemed too easy. Moreover, my advancement in the Five Elements Realm is even more valuable than this technique."
"I might be young and lacking experience, but I've spent fourteen years painstakingly planning the Lava Fairy Palace affair."
"Suddenly receiving such a significant benefit, to be honest, it makes me quite uneasy."
Sun Lingtong shrugged, "What's there to be afraid of? Since you're not practicing this technique, and the Five Elements Realm is entirely yours—a tangible benefit."
"Lifespan in the Netherworld is limited, but how can we measure a great power like the Five Elements God Master with ordinary standards?"
"We are just two junior cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage, how could we possibly comprehend the mighty power of the Five Elements God Master?"
Ning Zhuo shook his head, "If we first conduct thorough investigations and understand the details, then in the future, I can study the 'Five Organs Temple Divine Skill' with peace of mind."
Sun Lingtong nodded, "Yes, being cautious like this is good. Let's see what the Jade Slip has to say."
Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong both projected their Divine Senses.
All the intelligence regarding the Five Elements God Master was known to them.
As Ning Zhuo had guessed before, the Five Elements God Master was indeed a figure from ancient times—
He appeared after the Blood Slaughter Dynasty, at the beginning of the Emperor Wu Era!
The Blood Slaughter Dynasty was the first dynasty in history.
A dynasty, that is an organizational force that unified the entire world and all its territories.
In the entire history of the world, there were only three dynasties. The Blood Slaughter Dynasty was the first.
At that time, the Human Clan Cultivators were not the main protagonists, and the presence of demons and devils was the most prominent feature of the dynasty.
After the collapse of the dynasty, various forces around the world fell into strife and slaughter, creating chaos.
Only when a mixed-blood man from the human, demon, and devil clans ascended the imperial throne did the world regain much of its order.
This man was Emperor Wu!
Historically, he was considered the second emperor.
And so-called empires, historically recognized, also numbered only five. One of the criteria for an empire is that the Cultivation Kingdom must occupy at least eighty percent of the world's territories, having a huge influence, being the main body of the world.
The relationship between the Five Elements God Master and Emperor Wu was very close, both friends and foes.
He had unparalleled talent and a strong style. Before Emperor Wu ascended to the throne, he fought alongside Emperor Wu against their enemies, sharing a deep camaraderie.
The battle that made the Five Elements God Master famous was against the Jiao Demon of the Black River. At that time, the Five Elements God Master ventured alone into the Black River, turning it red with the blood of his enemies, and eventually fought the Jiao Demon for three days and nights, defeating it. With his strength alone, he swept away a major demon force, shaking the world.
The pinnacle battle of the Five Elements God Master was against the Blood Sea Demon Lord. He led a large army, besieged the Blood Sea for years, and ultimately trapped and killed the Blood Sea Demon Lord with the Five Elements Demon Extermination Array. After this battle, he was recognized as the top figure below Emperor Wu.
The last battle of the Five Elements God Master was the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Campaign. Emperor Wu led a large army, sweeping across the world, forcing the demons to gather at Ten Thousand Demons Mountain.
With the demon forces gathered, and Emperor Wu unable to overcome them, the Five Elements God Master took command in the crisis and charged into the fray. His Five Spirits manifested, divine light soaring, engaging in a life-and-death battle with the demons.
In the end, Emperor Wu's army captured Ten Thousand Demons Mountain, reducing this once highest peak to ruins, and the Five Elements God Master also fell on the battlefield.
All of the above is from official history.
However, according to many clues collected by the Divine Hunter Office, summarized from archaeological findings, there is also an unofficial history.
The unofficial history speaks of a love triangle involving two men and one woman.
The two men were Emperor Wu and the Five Elements God Master, and the woman was Jingyu Immortal Princess.
In their early years, the former two traveled the world together and met the latter, both developing feelings for her. But eventually, Jingyu Immortal Princess married Emperor Wu.
However, Emperor Wu had many wives and was focused on his great cause, neglecting the emotions of Jingyu Immortal Princess.
The Five Elements God Master and Jingyu Immortal Princess frequently met in secret, eventually being discovered by Emperor Wu.
Emperor Wu then schemed, causing Jingyu Immortal Princess to be captured by demons and taken to Ten Thousand Demons Mountain. The Five Elements God Master, without regard for his own safety, went to rescue her, and both ultimately died in battle there.
It is also because of this that, after achieving his great cause, Emperor Wu personally ordered the eradication of all records, attempting to bury the affair of the Five Elements God Master and Jingyu Immortal Princess in the river of history, unknown to later generations.
After reading, Sun Lingtong said, "So, that's the kind of man Emperor Wu was. Tsk tsk tsk!"
Ning Zhuo pondered, "No wonder I have not heard of this person's name before. On one hand, he is from ancient times, and on the other hand, many records have been deliberately erased, leaving very little to be passed down."
The information was reviewed, but it did not explain why the Five Elements God Master still existed to this day, passing on his legacy to Ning Zhuo in the Netherworld.
"Ten Thousand Demons Mountain, Myriad Demons Cave, Ten Thousand Medicine Valley, Ten Thousand Medicine Sect... I didn't expect that this mountain valley was once the highest peak in the world. Once a sacred mountain where myriad demons gathered, now it is just an ordinary medicinal sect's headquarters. The world changes indeed," Sun Lingtong exclaimed.
Ning Zhuo furrowed his brows tightly, "Something doesn't feel right, there seems to be something strange."
"Boss, I need to drink the Netherworld Wine again."
Sun Lingtong said, "You can drink, just stay away from the Spirit Hidden Willow."
"Of course, I know that," Ning Zhuo nodded.
He left the Mechanical Dragon and let Sun Lingtong steer it to a corner of the Cave Mansion, keeping distance from Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo sat on the cushion, solemnly sipped the Netherworld Wine.
Nothing happened.
He took a few more sips.
All was calm!
Ning Zhuo frowned deeply, pondered for a while, then called for Hua Guzi.
"Young Master Ning Zhuo! You finally summoned me!" Hua Guzi's eyes sparkled, extremely excited.
Ning Zhuo waved his hand, "Check this wine."
Hua Guzi used various methods to test it, eventually tasting a sip, and spat, "This wine is crudely made, the recipe is contradictory, it's fake!"
"Young Master, tell me quick, who tried to fool you with this thing? I'll take care of him, avenge you!"