<h4>Chapter 60: Three Ethereal Pearls</h4>


    Eight enemies, all dead.


    Inside the Zhong mansion, Zhao Suoxiang held the brocade, his eyes flickering uncertainly. Suddenly, he turned to Zhongshan and said, "Zhongshan, I can''t go to Bamen Mountain. I must rush to the Iron Spear Sect immediately."


    "Now?" Zhongshan asked.


    "Yes, now. I didn''t expect toe to Xuan City at such a critical time. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have known about the drastic changes in the sect. Compared to the life and death struggle of the sect, the matters of Bamen Mountain are insignificant. I must hurry back," Zhao Suoxiang exined urgently.


    "Alright. Steward, prepare the horses," Zhongshan called out to the courtyard.


    Zhongshan knew the situation was urgent, so without hesitation, he gave the order.


    "Yes," came the obedient response from outside.


    Zhongshan escorted Zhao Suoxiang to the gate with Tianling''er, and the steward quickly handed over a token. Zhongshan took it and handed it to Zhao Suoxiang, saying, "The city gate is closed, but with this, it will be opened for you."


    "Thank you," Zhao Suoxiang nodded, mounted his horse, and galloped away without stopping for a moment.


    "Zhongshan, why did you let those two go?" Tianling''er asked as she watched Zhao Suoxiang ride away.


    "Let go? Hehe, let''s go inside first. We owe this sess to you," Zhongshan smiled at Tianling''er.


    "Mmm," Tianling''er''s face lit up with excitement upon hearing Zhongshan''s praise.


    The courtyard was being cleaned up by others, and Zhongshan led Tianling''er to another courtyard.


    At this moment, Yinn ran over and hugged Zhongshan''s arm, saying, "Grandpa, did I shoot in time?"


    Watching Yinn and Zhongshan being affectionate, Tianling''er frowned, her previous excitement turning into a pout.


    "Of course, don''t forget who you are, Yinn," Zhongshan chuckled.


    "Grandpa, did that Zhao Suoxiang leave?" Yinn asked immediately.


    "Yes, the sect is in trouble, he must go back," Zhongshan nodded, a hint of worry shing in his eyes for Zhao Suoxiang, but he couldn''t apany him. Despite defeating Qian Lao earlier, Zhongshan was well aware of his own capabilities.


    "What treasures did those three leave behind that made you let them go, Grandpa?" Yinn asked.


    "Ethereal Pearls," Zhongshan replied, exining their use.


    Upon hearing Zhongshan''s exnation, Yinn''s eyes lit up with excitement. "Grandpa, give me two. I want storage essories too, and I want to possess spiritual treasures."


    Looking at Yinn, Zhongshan shook his head seriously. "You haven''t reached the innate stage yet. These three Ethereal Pearls are crucial for me. I''ll get them for you another day."


    Seeing Zhongshan''s dilemma, Yinn nodded obediently. "Alright. But Grandpa, you have to get them for me soon."


    "Okay," Zhongshan nodded in satisfaction, feeling very pleased with Yinn''s obedience, and affectionately ran his hand through her hair.


    "Hmph," Tianling''er pouted angrily on the side, feeling both annoyed and not understanding why she was annoyed.


    "The major threat has passed. Let''s go have a drink to celebrate. What''s wrong with you, Linger?" Zhongshan turned to Tianling''er.


    "No, I''m sleepy, I''m going to sleep." Tianling''er immediately turned and ran to her own residence.


    Watching Tianling''er leave, Zhongshan furrowed his brows and fell silent for a moment.


    When Tianling''er ran back, for some reason, tears burst out uncontrobly. She locked herself in her room, hugging her nket and crying for half an hour until the bedsheet was soaked. Only then did Tianling''er feel some relief after venting her emotions.


    After crying for half an hour, Tianling''er felt much better. But she couldn''t help but wonder, what''s wrong with me? Why am I feeling so sad? I haven''t cried like this since my mother passed away. But why am I feeling this way now? What''s wrong with me? Why does it hurt to see Zhongshan being close to other women?


    Could it be what Mother said, that I''ve fallen for someone? Do I like Zhongshan? No, that''s not it. I like Senior Brother, not Zhongshan. But why do I feel this way? Although, Zhongshan is not bad. He even knows how to carve wood.


    Tianling''er took out the figurine that Zhongshan carved for her and slowly touched it, a smile appearing on her face that she didn''t even realize was there.


    If Tianxingzi saw his daughter crying andughing like this, he would surely be incredulous. This is just too unbelievable.


    After spending some time with Yinn, Zhongshan sent her away. Then, the aftereffects of the Demonic Body Tempering Technique acted up again. Zhongshan quickly returned to his room to rest.


    The next day, besides the storage bracelet brought back by Yin Qu from killing Qian Lao, the storage bracelets of the other three individuals were also delivered to Zhongshan. Zhongshan destroyed them, leaving behind a pile of Wishful Stones.


    Yin Qu had a unique ability. When he transformed into a shadow, he could also transform objects within five inches of his body into shadow form, just like the Undying Sword that pierced through Qian Lao. He could store them as shadows.


    However, he couldn''t transform too many or too thick objects into shadows. Now, with the storage bracelet, things were different. The five-inch radius would certainly include the storage bracelet.


    At night, Zhongshan entered a dark room alone. Yin Huang was sitting cross-legged, having been hit by two arrows. Although the injuries were not severe, they still needed some adjustment.


    "Master," Yin Huang greeted Zhongshan as soon as he saw him enter.


    "Please, have a seat. Thanks to you this time," Zhongshan said immediately, crossing his legs and sitting opposite the Dark Emperor.


    "No, serving the master is an honor for the Dark Emperor," the Dark Emperor replied respectfully.


    Since the decision to found a nation, Zhongshan had no intention of correcting the Dark Emperor''s title again. In the future, when he bes the ruler of the nation, he would have to ept this title again.


    "Well, next, I may need you to stay in Zhongfu for a while," Zhongshan said.


    "Hmm?" The Dark Emperor looked at Zhongshan with surprise.


    "I''ll be leaving Zhongfu soon. During this time, without a Peak Innate Realm expert in Zhongfu, I''m afraid there may be some troublemakers," Zhongshan exined.


    "Master, rest assured, I will guard Zhongfu well," the Dark Emperor nodded.


    "Well, these two are Spirit Gems. When Yinn asked me for them, I didn''t give them to her. Keep them as storage bracelets and for your own treasures," Zhongshan said.


    Upon hearing Zhongshan''s words, the Dark Emperor frowned slightly. Although he was somewhat eager for the Spirit Gems, he still said, "Let''s leave them for Miss Yinn. I don''t need them for now. I can always take themter."


    "Don''t be silly. I''m giving them to you, so take them," Zhongshan insisted, pushing the two Spirit Gems into the Dark Emperor''s hand.


    Silently contemting the Spirit Gems in his hand for a moment, the Dark Emperor nodded solemnly. "Alright."


    Seeing the Dark Emperor ept them, Zhongshan nodded and handed over the remaining half of the Wishful Stones. "I''ve already told you how to use these Spirit Gems. Take care of your injuries. We''ll leave tomorrow, so I won''t say goodbye to you again."


    "Yes," the Dark Emperor replied, taking the Wishful Stones with a serious expression.


    With a nod at the Dark Emperor, Zhongshan turned and walked away.


    This time, when Zhongshan went to Bamen Mountain, not only did his original body go, but his Hidden Body also followed closely behind. Because what Zhongshan would face this time would be the most powerful group of cultivators he had ever encountered in his life.


    The next morning, Zhongshan called the two girls.


    "This is the Gale Boots that Ling''er gave me. As my cultivation increases, my true qi exceeds the maximum tolerance of the Gale Boots. For me, its usefulness will diminish. This time we head to Bamen Mountain, and your cultivation is the lowest. Wear them," Zhongshan handed the white Gale Boots to Yinn.


    Seeing Zhongshan giving her own gift to Yinn, Tian Ling''er frowned, feeling unhappy.


    Two nights ago, Zhongshan noticed the change in Ling''er''s emotions, realizing that there was some discord between Yinn and Ling''er. Last time, Ling''er''s emotional instability led to her being calcted by Zhongdi and falling into the valley. This time, heading to Bamen Mountain would be even more dangerous, so the three must stand united. Ling''er was straightforward, so as long as Yinn retreated a bit, everything should be fine. Therefore, Zhongshan gave Yinn a lesson in ideological education.


    Yinn was also a sensible person. Although she was unwilling, when Zhongshan spoke, Yinn immediately agreed.


    "Thank you, Sister Ling''er," Yinn suddenly called out to Ling''er.


    Looking at Yinn, Ling''er was surprised that Yinn addressed her like this for the first time. However, it was also the first time someone called her "sister", so Ling''er''s initial difort immediately dissipated.


    "Well, you''re wee," Ling''er said.


    Seeing Yinn''s simple address dissolve the estrangement between the two girls, Zhongshan gave Yinn an approving look, and Yinn confidently showed a bright smile.


    However, calling Zhongshan "uncle", calling Ling''er "sister", and being friends with Ling''er, it was quite confusing.