Chen Changsheng's words plunged Zuo Xinghe into a moment of silence.

After a while, Zuo Xinghe spoke, "Since you understand my father's thoughts, what do you think he will do next?"

"What else can he do? Of course, he'll consider whether he can accept the price I'm offering!"

Hearing this, Zuo Xinghe looked at Chen Changsheng in surprise.

"Sir, do you really have a way to enter the Ancient Forbidden Zone?"

"I have a little bit of a chance, but not much, only about five percent."

"But don't underestimate this five percent chance. If you want to buy the five percent chance I hold..."

"Even if your father traded the entire Xuanwu Pavilion for it, it would be a huge profit."

With that, Chen Changsheng waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, you can leave now. I want to read in peace."

"Also, remember to have someone copy all the texts from the Xuanwu Pavilion for me. I'll read them slowly later."

Faced with Chen Changsheng's demand, Zuo Xinghe's mouth twitched, but he said nothing.

Because he knew this matter was beyond his control.

After Zuo Xinghe left, Chen Changsheng went to the historical records of the Xuanwu Nation and began to read them slowly.

And Chen Changsheng read for an entire month.

During this time, the Xuanwu Nation sent many cultivation resources every day, all of which Chen Changsheng accepted without exception.

Yet, Chen Changsheng never mentioned anything about the Ancient Forbidden Zone.

...

"Crunch!"

Taking a bite of the spiritual fruit that countless people dream of, Chen Changsheng lay on a page larger than a bed, reading carefully.

His leisurely demeanor was truly enviable.

"You really have patience."

A voice came from the side, and Chen Changsheng turned to see that the Left Emperor had arrived at the Xuanwu Pavilion at some unknown time.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Chen Changsheng saluted the Left Emperor, but the Left Emperor ignored him and instead glanced at the historical records of the Xuanwu Nation.

"In a month's time, you've read this much. It seems you really like reading."

"Your Majesty is indeed perceptive. I have no particular hobbies, but I do love books."

"Because books bring me endless knowledge."

Hearing Chen Changsheng's words, the Left Emperor gently stroked the books in front of him and said.

"The Xuanwu Pavilion is yours, you've become the national teacher, and you've accepted all the resources sent to you."

"Despite gaining so many benefits, you remain insatiable. Do you really think I don't dare to kill you?"

After speaking, the Left Emperor looked at Chen Changsheng with cold eyes.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng grinned and said.

"Your Majesty, that's not quite right. Although I've taken many things, these aren't what I truly want."

"A fair trade is essential; forceful buying and selling won't do."

"Your Majesty's strength is undeniable, and my life and death are but a thought away for you."

"But I'm quite certain, Your Majesty won't kill me, nor force me to do anything."

"Hmph!"

The Left Emperor snorted coldly, "What makes you so confident?"

"Because of the Ancient Forbidden Zone!"

"The terror of the Ancient Forbidden Zone is clearer to you than to me. In such a perilous place, there can be no accidents."

"This means that the people Your Majesty takes must be absolutely loyal."

"If you force me to help, I'm sure Your Majesty would feel uneasy."

Faced with Chen Changsheng's fearless confidence, the Left Emperor paused and said.

"Name your terms."

"I'd like Your Majesty to help me kill someone. As for that five percent chance, Your Majesty will obtain it in the process of killing that person."

"Interesting. With your strength and wisdom, you can't kill this person. They must be no ordinary character."

"Even though you've switched to the cultivation techniques of the Xuanwu Nation, I still sense another path in you."

"If I'm not mistaken, you should be from the Royal Dynasty, three thousand miles away."

"Xinghe has always praised you highly. Are you interested in sharing your past?"

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "p𝑎wread.com".

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng smiled slightly and said, "Since Your Majesty wants to hear it, I'll tell you."

"This story begins eighty years ago..."

Chen Changsheng recounted his story with the Transcendent Realist in full detail.

However, while telling the story, Chen Changsheng omitted his relationship with Ikkyu and the others.

Facing someone nearing the end of their life, he didn't want to reveal that he had already achieved immortality.

...

"After the battle in the Forbidden Zone of the Nightmoon Kingdom, I fled to the Xuanwu Nation and have been here for forty-three years."

After hearing the whole story, the Left Emperor couldn't help but feel a bit curious about Chen Changsheng.

Because he increasingly couldn't see through what kind of person Chen Changsheng was.

Traversing thousands of miles, risking life and death, just to bury an old friend.

Logically, such a person should be extremely loyal and righteous, yet when Chen Changsheng spoke of his sect's tragic fate, his eyes were filled with calm.

Such a situation was simply contradictory.

Thinking of this, the Left Emperor spoke, "You risk offending me to ask me to kill your Master Ancestor."

"What is your purpose in doing this, revenge?"

"Not at all. Asking Your Majesty to act is merely for a promise made long ago."

"When I left the Nightmoon Kingdom, I said I would bury him. Naturally, I must keep my word."

"Hahaha!"

Faced with Chen Changsheng's earnest expression, the Left Emperor laughed.

"Well said, keeping your word."

"According to you, there are eighteen bronze ancient halls, and there should be some connection between them."

"And one of these bronze ancient halls appeared in the Ancient Forbidden Zone, which is the source of your five percent chance, isn't it?"

"That's right."

"You've told me the secret of the bronze ancient hall. Aren't you afraid I'll use the ominous power beneath it like your Master Ancestor?"

To the Left Emperor's doubt, Chen Changsheng calmly replied.

"As I said, I don't concern myself with this ominous power."

"The reason I'm searching for the bronze ancient hall is that someone dear to me disappeared there."

"I just want to confirm her safety, that's all."

After speaking, Chen Changsheng quietly awaited the Left Emperor's response.

"I must say, your request is hard to refuse."

"The Ancient Forbidden Zone is fraught with danger. Even a slight increase in the chance of success is something I won't pass up."

"Prepare yourself. We set out tomorrow. My time is running short."

With that, the Left Emperor turned to leave.

"Your Majesty, my Master Ancestor reached the pinnacle of Divine Transformation fifty years ago. Are you truly confident?"

Hearing this, the Left Emperor paused.

"How vast is the Xuanwu Nation?"

"Even combined, the Nightmoon Kingdom and the Royal Dynasty barely make up half the area of the Xuanwu Nation."

"The Ancient Forbidden Zone, would your so-called pinnacle of Divine Transformation dare enter?"

"The terror of the Ancient Forbidden Zone is beyond words. Not to mention the pinnacle of Divine Transformation, even those beyond it might not dare to covet it."

"The Xuanwu Nation wasn't always large; its current achievements are all my doing, bit by bit."

"I've destroyed two nations like the Royal Dynasty. What those beyond Divine Transformation fear, I dare to do!"

With that, the Left Emperor's figure vanished completely.

After the Left Emperor disappeared, the vast Xuanwu Pavilion was once again left with only Chen Changsheng.

Looking towards the direction of the Royal Dynasty, Chen Changsheng murmured to himself, "Master Ancestor, after fifty years, your disciple is finally coming to fulfill his promise."

"You'll be quite surprised, won't you?"