"Mother Consort, I don’t like it here!"
At this moment, the Third Prince glanced around with furrowed brows. He appeared to be five or six years old, yet he was very averse to studying.
Upon hearing this, Consort Lande could not care less about Zhang Jian and directed a stern gaze at Weizhen.
"My son, you have reached the age for learning. In no time, your father will arrange a tutor for you to begin your education. But if you can’t keep up, you’ll naturally fall behind your older brothers and younger siblings. At that time, your father certainly won’t be fond of you!"
Hearing this, the innocent Third Prince scrunched up his little face and asked, "Why doesn’t Father like me?"
Consort Lande shook her head and said, "Your father dislikes lazy people. If you work hard, only then will your father allow the Empress to visit you in the future!"
Zhang Jian, standing nearby, discreetly stepped back.
Zhang Jian was reluctant to interact with this Lady De, even though he was highly favored, but prolonged contact with the palace consorts might inevitably lead to accusations of misconduct, or worse, colluding with the consorts to overthrow the court, which could be a severe offense.
...
Inside Jingtai Hall
At this moment, Emperor Jingwu stood somewhat wearily in front of the Bodhi Enlightenment Painting. He didn’t know why he felt some fatigue recently, as if his energy had dwindled.
"Great Companion, do you think the leakage of Dragon Vein Essence has affected Me?"
Emperor Jingwu looked towards Chao Mu, standing beside him.
His spirits, at this time, were still quite intact.
The rebellion in Northern Lingwu County had been quelled, and the battle at Dong Shen Temple had greatly defeated the remnants of the Blood Evil Sect, boosting morale, which improved Emperor Jingwu’s mood considerably.
Chao Mu’s expression remained unchanged, though he sighed inwardly, confirming that the influence was undeniable.
The most critical problem wasn’t just the lightning strike on the Imperial Mausoleum damaging the Dragon Vein, but the major issues with the former dynasty’s Dragon Vein, causing the Daqian Dragon Vein to be contaminated.
The Resentful Fiend had burrowed into the Daqian Dragon Vein, causing a Sinful Dragon to manifest within.
Still, Chao Mu reassured.
"Your Majesty, rest easy. With us here, the Dragon Vein will not affect Your Majesty!"
Emperor Jingwu nodded.
Seeing Emperor Jingwu’s attention shift, Chao Mu worriedly watched him.
Although it wouldn’t affect Emperor Jingwu’s governance, the Daqian Dragon Vein’s backlash from the Shu Kingdom’s Dragon Vein Resentful Fiend would all befall Emperor Jingwu.
This would involve various aspects.
However, he couldn’t disclose this, merely trying his utmost to perform rituals and mitigate the backlash’s impact.
Chao Mu’s mind was flickering with methods for dispersing the Resentful Fiend, which could be somewhat redistributed, dispersing among a portion of court officials.
If Emperor Jingwu were to bear it alone, it would undoubtedly be overwhelming, but if numerous courtiers from the entire court helped, it would surely alleviate a lot.
Many of these officials bore the star formation, allowing them to help shoulder the burden.
"Then, how should the former dynasty’s Dragon Vein be handled?"
Emperor Jingwu brought up the Shu Kingdom’s Dragon Vein again, frowning.
The Shu Kingdom’s Dragon Vein was currently merely temporarily suppressed. The Dragon Vein Resentful Fiend hadn’t been released or refined, and if not handled well, could lead to natural disasters.
Hearing this, Chao Mu solemnly stated.
"This is also the reason for this old minister’s return to the Imperial Palace. Please, Your Majesty, issue an imperial decree inviting high cultivators from various Daoist Temples in Daqian to gather in Haojing, to hold a large-scale Peaceful Sacrificial Ceremony to purify the Resentful Fiend within the Dragon Vein!"
"Most of the Resentful Fiend in the Dragon Vein is formed from the war spirits of those who perished in the Shu Kingdom’s downfall, as well as the evil souls of the royal family within the palaces. Once they’re purified, it will conveniently resolve the issue with the Shu Kingdom’s Dragon Vein!"
Emperor Jingwu couldn’t help but ask upon hearing this.
"Couldn’t this task be given to the State Preceptor? Why trouble the people and deplete resources?"
Emperor Jingwu was somewhat reluctant to spend silver.
Chao Mu sighed: "Your Majesty, the National Preceptor Jingming has been severely injured and may not be able to handle this task alone!"
Sometimes, it’s not just about higher Dao practice or magical power but expertise in the Dao Scripture.
Specialization is key. In terms of summoning and worshipping deities, those professional high masters of the Daoist School may far surpass them because they spend their lives serving the gods, often conducting ceremonies and rites, and are more familiar with the deities.
However, inviting many high masters from various Daoist Temples in Daqian to Haojing does indeed require a leader to guide many Daoists in setting up a sacrificial altar, which necessitates a leading figure.
Chao Mu’s gaze fluctuated; the best choice for this leader was naturally the National Preceptor Jingming Daoist.
But since Jingming Daoist was seriously injured, he needed rest and should not exert himself.
However, it is possible to let Jingming Daoist recommend a candidate!
...
On the Observatory Platform, at this moment, Jingming Daoist’s entire body was surrounded by a layer of intense spiritual mechanism. He was rapidly absorbing the magnificent spiritual mechanism gathered around the Observatory Platform to restore his own magical power.
His emaciated figure was gradually filling out, his flesh beginning to burgeon, but the other two Daoists on the Observatory Platform knew that this was merely a facade.
The loss of essence blood could not be restored without decades of quiet recuperation.
Not even by tapping into the foundations of the Dong Shen Temple.
At this moment, a circle of azure thunder light was emerging from Jingming Daoist’s body. The thunder light contained a strong sense of vitality, crackling under his skin, with Creation’s Vitality flowing, merging into Jingming Daoist’s limbs and bones, allowing his magical power to recover.
Dongxiao Daoist and Dong Jue Daoist recognized it as an unrevealed secret treasure of the Dong Shen Temple, the Infinite Creation Golden Core.
This was a type of elixir personally refined by the Dong Shen Ancestor, said to have the power to revive the dead and restore flesh to bones—an unparalleled treasure medicine for healing injuries.
But even the Life Creation Golden Core could not heal Jingming Daoist’s Dao injuries.
Dongxiao Daoist used divine sense to communicate with Dong Jue Daoist, their words full of regret.
"It’s a pity for Jingming Shizhi’s immortal body and Dao bone to be bogged down by such mundane matters. The Sect Ancestor did mention that Jingming Shizhi’s chances of transforming the primordial spirit far exceeded those of the second and third senior brothers!"
He was referring to Dongzhen and Dongxuan.
At this moment, both were still in Lingwu County slaying the remaining cultivators, and had yet to return.
"Jingming has been blessed with profound fortune since childhood. I believe he can overcome this crisis!"
Dong Jue Daoist’s expression was different, as she gazed at Jingming Daoist with care. She had watched Jingming Daoist grow up, and they were as close as mother and son.
At this moment, Jingming Daoist was slowly refining the golden core’s efficacy within him, his gaze directed at the two Daoists.
"Do the two elders have any important matters to attend to?"
Upon hearing this, Dongxiao Daoist immediately handed over a letter, simultaneously speaking.
"Nephew Sect Leader, Elder Chao sent a letter saying there are important matters to discuss with you?!"
Upon seeing this, Jingming Daoist’s eyes moved. He reached out and took the letter, glanced at it, and immediately furrowed his brows.
"Inviting all the Daoist temples from Daqian to hold a Peaceful Sacrificial Ceremony to transcend the Dragon Vein Resentful Fiend..."
He furrowed his eyebrows. At present, he was indeed powerless.
As for recommending a leader to lead the High Master Daoists from all Daoist temples, that was not an issue. Although Dong Shen Temple focused primarily on cultivation, as the leading orthodox Daoist school in Daqian, it was not lacking in eminent Daoists proficient in ceremonial rituals.
The Dongxiao Daoist standing before him was an outstanding practitioner skilled in ceremonial rituals.
...
Mirror Moon Scripture
In the Champion Scholar’s Mansion, Zhang Jian, after returning from work, was gently patting Zhang Chang’an on the back with one hand to lull her to sleep, yet his gaze was fixated on an ancient text he had borrowed.
This "Mirror Moon Scripture" was floating in mid-air under his magical power control. His eyes had already memorized its contents completely. This was also a cultivation scripture written in Ancient Golden Script.
It was not a text of secret techniques or magic, but rather a classic describing various rituals related to mirrors and Taiyin.
These rituals were quite interesting, mostly used for communicating with deities, or using mirrors to exorcise evil, refine demons, or control demons.
However, the main focus was summoning.
According to the Mirror Moon Scripture, mirrors and the Bright Moon are indispensable in many summoning and transformation rituals.
Mirrors can penetrate many invisible Void Dharma Realms.
Zhang Jian found this rather intriguing.
From it, he perceived a unique summoning Dharma Gate that could randomly summon surrounding spirit ghosts and seize deities.
Zhang Jian named it the God-Catching Technique.
"God-Catching Photography!"
At that moment, as Zhang Jian intoned, a Taiyin Radiance above his head formed in his hand, transforming into a stream of light that fused into the body of a myna bird in the nearby birdcage. Instantly, it appeared in the sunlight, and the shadow of this myna seemed to be seized in his hand, as if with just a slight effort he could obliterate the myna’s body.
This was a very divine and profound magic.
Not only could it seize shadows, but even if he wished, gods from the Divine Office or ghosts hiding within the Void Dharma Realm could be effortlessly seized by this magic.
"It seems I’ve inadvertently comprehended another remarkable magic!"
And as rumors from the outside arrived, Zhang Jian also learned of Emperor Jingwu’s intention to widely hold a Peaceful Sacrificial Ceremony.