After Zhong Shenxiu's marriage, his days were filled with drinking, merry-making, and the pleasure of painting eyebrows, seemingly leisurely and unconcerned with court or sect affairs.
This attitude left the Unity True Monarch of the court and the Nine Spirit Dragon Mother Primordial Monarch speechless but also somewhat reassured, believing that Zhong Shenxiu was wholeheartedly devoted to cultivation and would not abuse his status to interfere with the Imperial Family's internal affairs.
However, these two True Monarchs were soon tied down by the warfare that consumed half of the realm and could no longer afford the distraction of other concerns, even occasionally having to secretly leave Emperor City Changluo to request Zhong Shenxiu's help in suppressing the Imperial Palace.
Since the disappearance of the Corpse Dissolution Immortal, the Imperial Family's strength had dwindled to its limits.
Inside the Imperial Palace, the constant presence of two Dharma Body True Monarchs was now the minimal requirement.
Otherwise, it was feared that even a minor attack by the Demon Sect could lead to the destruction of Changluo...
Zhong Shenxiu, thus, lived his days as a carefree idler, not particularly concerned with the wars raging in the west and in the Central Plains.
Because he knew well that to quell the chaos and put an end to the disturbances between the east and the west, one needed the status of an ancient immortal to speak with any confidence.
Only when he attained the realm of ancient immortality could he discourse with the deities of the west, and even snatch back the dominion over the Seven Luminaries Heaven!
Another day of leisure.
After enjoying a court evening banquet, Zhong Shenxiu looked at Lord Qingyuan, who had fallen into a deep sleep beside him, then stood alone, donned a white silk robe, and entered the training room.
As a cultivator, the quiet training chambers in Donghua Prefecture were of utmost importance, originally built under the direct supervision of Zhong Shenxiu who also had the Imperial Treasury deliver many precious items.
It could be said that even cultivators of the Primordial Pill and Primordial Spirit would be dumbstruck and marvel at the opulence.
He entered the meditation chamber, closed the door firmly, and set a barrier.
Immediately, in his hand appeared an ancient key, seemingly composed of thousands of starlights.
"Hope tonight I find a decent world..."
Zhong Shenxiu murmured softly and used the key to open a mysterious portal in the void before him.
In an instant, his consciousness extended infinitely, as if connecting to a bizarre universe, revealing one brilliant star after another.
Each point of light, like a star, was a vast world!
"Every time I witness this scenery, I still find it utterly astonishing..."
Zhong Shenxiu, moved by the sight before him, yearned to climb to higher realms and enjoy even more vistas!
During this period, he explored the Gates of Myriad Worlds every night and discovered some worlds, though none completely met his criteria.
Or rather, several Medium Thousand Worlds barely met the requirements for being playgrounds, but he had yet to determine a main stage world.
'I need a main stage world that at least has advanced technology, flourishing civilization, and a booming gaming industry, easing understanding without needing too much initial effort to explain...'
'Then, ideally, it should be a world either without magic or with minimal magic... That would facilitate the collision of different worldly orders...'
'Lastly, it needs to be highly secretive, though being destroyed wouldn't cause me much damage, it wouldn't be great to have wasted efforts...'
Zhong Shenxiu, looking at the mystical portal and the universe beyond it, suddenly smiled gently, plucked a strand of hair, and blew a breath.
That black strand of hair instantly split into several segments, each turning into an incarnation, entering the Gates of Myriad Worlds and venturing into different worlds to explore and discover...
Time unknowable passed, and suddenly, Zhong Shenxiu's eyes lit up: "Found it, this world shall be named... Grotto Heaven!"
On a azure blue planet.
"Energy dead and silent, almost a world devoid of demons, is this what it feels like?"
Zhong Shenxiu stepped out from the shadows, looking at the attire of the pedestrians on the street, his clothes automatically changed.
White shirt, casual pants, and his hair also turned into a neat short cut.
"This world... It's somewhat peculiar, almost making me think I've seen a parallel space similar to Earth..."
Gazing at the bustling street scene, Zhong Shenxiu's expression was slightly dazed.
Immediately, he quickly collected his thoughts and blended into the crowd...
Various private cars sped across the road, it seemed to be the afternoon, the season leaning towards summer, the climate was extremely hot.
In front of a large building, a huge screen was broadcasting news.
The female anchor in blue formal attire announced with a sweet and formal tone, "March 14th, the Imperial Prime Minister concluded his half-month national visit and officially returned to the country..."
"The Imperial Senate elections will conclude on the 19th, with the Royalist Party securing 77 seats, effectively ensuring a victory..."
"Following is the international news..."
Zhong Shenxiu watched the news, his expression serious.
Beside him, many people glanced at him strangely, then walked past as if nothing had happened.
Looking at him, modern people rarely take interest in street news, unless it's particularly important.
And acting as if nothing had happened, these predominantly office workers, had their edges worn down in the big city, becoming very indifferent.
As long as it doesn't interfere with themselves, even if an accident occurred, they wouldn't necessarily stop to look more—after all, they were in a hurry to get to work.
Being able to help by making a call for an ambulance would already be considered quite good.
To Zhong Shenxiu, all of these were nothing major, and learning the language and writing of this world only took a mere moment to complete.
The script of this country was also block characters, very similar to Chinese, making Zhong Shenxiu's expression even more bewildered.
"That guy is really handsome!"
Suddenly, a voice reached his ears.
He turned his head and saw two fashionable young girls, one of them with earrings, who on seeing him look over, showed no signs of shyness but instead stepped forward, extending her right hand, "Handsome, let's get acquainted, my name is Luo Xiaoyi..."
Zhong Shenxiu shook Luo Xiaoyi's cool little hand, then looked towards the other woman beside her.
She wasn't particularly stunning, but her features were well-matched, wearing glasses, with a scholarly vibe, and her demeanor was quite appealing.
"This is my bestie, Lin Chenxi!" Luo Xiaoyi's eyes twinkled, "Are you very interested in politics?"
Zhong Shenxiu answered modestly.
"Compared to the Western Huanxing Federation, the Empire still has many shortcomings..." Luo Xiaoyi was very talkative, easily chatting with Zhong Shenxiu about politics, a topic many girls aren't well-versed in.
However, in the end, she didn't ask for Zhong Shenxiu's phone number, showing a look of disappointment as she left with Lin Chenxi.
After walking a distance, Lin Chenxi was still complaining, "Xiaoyi, don't be so infatuated... It's really awkward for me."
"Oh dear, don't mind these little things, after all, good men are nearly extinct in this era, why not find one that's pleasing to the eye?" Luo Xiaoyi's carefree voice carried through.
They both thought Zhong Shenxiu couldn't hear them.
Zhong Shenxiu silently touched his face, sighed, and said, "This society that judges by looks... But... I like it!"