The sixtieth year of the Shang Dynasty.

Sixty years have passed.

During Emperor Shang's reign, he led armies to conquer the four barbarian tribes, making all the feudal lords submit.

Moreover, Shang took hundreds of concubines and had over three hundred sons. His sons inherited his bravery and possessed various extraordinary abilities. Among them, Qi, Zhao, Ming, Hai, Jiao, and Tang were the most outstanding.

With the help of his sons, Shang defeated legendary beasts such as the Luo Fish, Ba Snake, Zhen, and Hu Jiao, bringing general stability to the realm and ushering in a period of prosperity.

The population of Shang City expanded to about ten million, making it the largest country under the heavens, empowering all lands.

...

Yin.

Within the magnificent Shang Royal Palace.

The young and handsome Tang half-kneeled on the ground: "Greetings, Father!"

There was no response from the high throne, making Tang feel as if a stone weighed down his heart.

In recent times, Emperor Shang's temper had become increasingly unpredictable, even executing several ministers and sons. Despite being a prince, Tang was still terrifed facing Shang.

"Rise."

After a long time, Tang finally heard a voice and stood up.

Only then did he see his father curled up beneath the dark black royal robe.

He looked so weary, his face full of wrinkles and age spots, his hair gray, his body hunched over…

Indeed, sixty years had passed, and Shang had aged.

The Divine Pill obtained from the Queen Mother of the West had not granted him longevity.

At this moment, Shang was nearing the end of his life.

And the closer a king is to such a point, the more erratic and unpredictable he becomes.

Watching himself grow older by each passing day, while seeing his sons in the prime of their youth, how could Shang not feel resentment and hatred?

These sons he once took pride in were quietly awaiting his death, eager to seize his power, just as… he had once done to his own mother!

A once-mighty hero finally found himself at a crossroads.

Shang's eyes grew dimmer, yet his heart was filled with a strong sense of unwillingness.

He hadn't lived enough!

"Your Majesty! Xia requests an audience!"

At this moment, another elderly man, Xia, arrived outside the palace. After receiving Shang's nod, he quickly entered, holding numerous bamboo slips: "Reporting to Your Majesty, after twenty years of compilation, the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' has finally been completed…"

Xia spoke in a trembling voice.

"Bring it here for me to see!"

Shang took a bamboo slip, casually opened it, and saw a line of Shang Wen— 'Gui Mountain, where the Meng River originates, flows south into the Yang River, abundant with yellow shells. Luo Fish, with a fish body and bird wings, sounds like mandarin ducks, and when seen, great floods will occur in its locality.'

Following the bamboo slip was a sketch, which, while not lifelike, unmistakably displayed the characteristics of the Luo Fish.

"Very good, Xia, you're truly my 'Chronicler'!"

Shang flipped through the scrolls, and upon seeing the last one, suddenly paused, his hands trembling.

'To the west of the Great Wilderness stands a Divine Mountain, known as Kunlun, where the Queen Mother of the West resides, possessing the Immortal Elixir that grants eternal life upon consumption!'

"This, this, this… could it be true?"

Shang stood up, panting heavily, and grabbed Xia.

Even though he was old, his valor and invulnerable body still remained!

In an ordinary army, he could still kill without fear!

"This… is merely a legend from several Western Barbarian Tribes, but… Kunlun does seem to exist."

Xia replied loudly.

"Haha! Haha! Good! Wonderful!"

Shang released Xia, his eyes bright: "Summon my warriors, and also my sons… have them prepare armor and horses… I will go west to Kunlun, obtain the Immortal Elixir, and live another life!"

"Father, why not let me bring generous gifts and visit the Queen Mother of the West at Kunlun Mountain…" Tang suggested: "To bring soldiers is somewhat disrespectful…"

"Haha, my son, have you not yet understood? The things a king desires can only be obtained through bronze knives and swords!"

Shang laughed in reply.

He was a lone wolf, only eating what he hunted himself, looking down upon discarded carrion on the ground.

This was also determined by his nature as a hero, which couldn't be changed.

After all, if the plan of delivering gifts was rejected along the thousand-mile journey to Western Kunlun, taking up arms would still be necessary, wasting too much time with back and forth.

Therefore, it was better to conquer with an army, offering gifts before drawing swords.

How terrifying is the will of an emperor?

Shang immediately summoned his 'Emperor's Six Divisions,' the standing army of Yin Land, equivalent to the imperial guards of the Great Song, totaling thirty thousand men, marching grandiosely, cutting through mountains and building bridges over rivers, defeating several tribes blocking their path, eventually arriving near Kunlun Mountain.

In fact, though the Emperor's Six Divisions were not merely for show, the true elite forces were comprised of Shang's sons forming the 'Son Corps.'

After all, Shang was created by the Divine Pill, and his sons inherited the bloodline, being Innate Gods and Demons, especially the second generation with the most concentrated lineage.

Any bloodline degrades with inheritance, decreasing in density until becoming merely ordinary.

Especially Qi, Zhao, Ming, Hai, Jiao, and Tang, each could climb mountains to fight tigers, dive into rivers to capture Jiao, and battle mythical creatures single-handedly, comparable to the young Shang!

At this moment, Shang brought his sons to the foot of Kunlun Mountain, looking at the vast majestic Divine Mountain, his face filled with awe,

"It is truly… magnificent beyond measure!"

Tang exclaimed: "I've heard the legends of Kunlun, but only today have I understood that the title of 'Ancestor of Ten Thousand Mountains' is well deserved!"

Ming laughed: "Only this mountain is worthy of our father. Why don't we drive away the Queen Mother of the West and make this place the palace of our father, shall we?"

"Mind your words!"

Xia, also bringing along his old bones with the army, held the saddle of Shang's horse and advised: "The Queen Mother of the West is the foremost female fairy, the deity of life! The king should show reverence, dismount, walk up the mountain, and present great gifts with humble requests…"

"Humph, do I need you to teach me?"

Shang tossed Xia aside, his face showing disdain.

But he didn't notice that Xia, lying on the ground, slightly curled his lips, revealing a faint, bizarre smile…

...

Just then, a maiden in a light gauze palace dress came down from the mountain and asked, "Who are you, and why have you come to Kunlun?"

"I am Prince Qi, and behind me is our Da Shang's Emperor. We have prepared Kun Mountain Jade and Sui Liu Pearls as tributes, wishing to meet the Queen Mother of the West."

Qi stepped forward and said.

"You should leave. Our mistress does not see outsiders!"

The Junior Fate Master replied with a smile.

"How insolent! Does the saying 'Under the heaven, all land belongs to the king' not exist for you?" Ming angrily retorted.

"Haha, just a bunch of mortal ants, dare utter such arrogant words?" The Junior Fate Master chuckled, "What place do you give to 'gods' like us?"

"What kind of gods are you? Everything recorded in the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' is but mythical creatures!" Jiao shouted angrily: "Father, let's take the Immortal Elixir by force!"

Shang pondered for a moment, looking at the proud Junior Fate Master, slowly drawing out his bronze short sword…

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