An Ruming tidied his clothes and then left.
Zhang Jian watched as An Ruming departed, surrounded by a silvery moonlight, his form disappearing.
He did not employ any secret technique to exert control.
For he was confident that as his Dao Practice grew, An Ruming would not escape his grasp.
In fact, even if a Secret Technique were applied, such a person would not be reliable and might still rebel at any moment.
It would also prematurely alert several Primordial Spirit Masters within the Daqian.
After gaining control over An Ruming, Zhang Jian did not reveal his True Body, as it remained hidden beneath the bright moonlight all along.
His figure quickly vanished into the forest.
...
Inside the West Mountain Temple
Jingyue Daoist had been standing before the Ancestral Hall of the Daoist temple, where the Dharma Aspect of Ancestor Xuanyang stood imposingly. Jingyue Daoist took this opportunity to meditate on a special Daoist Technique to harmonize the Golden Core Qi within her body.
Her presence exuded a cold and severe aura, unlike the usual fierce and solemn Thunder Technique of the Dong Shen Temple, heavy with heavenly might.
In fact, what she cultivated was not the ordinary Thunder God Dharma Aspect but the Electric Mother Dharma Aspect, born from Extreme Yin Thunder, as described in the True Inheritance "Grotto God Scripture" of Dong Shen Temple, focusing on Formless Yin Thunder.
Formless Yin Thunder is colder, shadowy, and impossible to guard against.
At this time, she utilized a Mysterious Technique to continuously stimulate the acupoints throughout her body, balancing her essence, energy, and spirit, thus strengthening her Golden Core Qi, with a faint black lightning flickering invisibly above her head.
Zhang Jian’s immense Divine Sense swept past, yet even the mighty Jingyue Daoist did not notice any trace of the vast presence of Yin Spirit Divine Sense.
But the next day, Jingyue Daoist was suddenly awakened by a Kun Dao from the West Mountain Temple.
"Observatory Master, Princess Consort Song is gravely ill!"
"Princess Consort Song?"
Hearing this, Jingyue Daoist opened her eyes on the meditation mat, looking at the green-robed disciple before her with some astonishment in her eyes.
She had some knowledge of Princess Consort Song’s illness, which was originally just a cold entering the lungs, causing a pulmonary disease. With some recuperation, there might be residual effects, but it wouldn’t be severe.
"What happened?"
Jingyue Daoist looked towards the Kun Dao in the green robe before her.
The Kun Dao quickly reported: "Observatory Master, it’s because Princess Consort Song refused to take medicine, worsening her condition. Moreover, she cries daily, is melancholy and withdrawn, often missing His Majesty, so..."
Upon hearing this, Jingyue Daoist’s gaze flickered, sighing: "Indeed, a pitiful person!"
Seeing this, the Kun Dao said: "Observatory Master, should we gather the disciples to use their Magical Power to activate her circulation and invigorate her blood?"
Jingyue Daoist calmly waved her hand.
"This is a heart ailment; without His Majesty coming, no one can save her. Whether she dies sooner or later, it’s all the same!"
Jingyue Daoist didn’t care; there were too many such concubines in West Mountain Temple.
"You should go to the palace gates and pass a message to the inner court for His Majesty’s decision. If His Majesty is unwilling, let the disciples save some Magical Power!"
This was how West Mountain Temple dealt with such gravely ill concubines.
The Kun Dao promptly hurried off after hearing this.
Jingyue Daoist paid no further attention and continued her cultivation.
...
Meanwhile, in the Divine Strategy Army camp, sitting in the command seat, An Ruming’s face was as if carved from ice. His stern and resolute demeanor remained unchanged, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
He also received the news of Princess Consort Song’s grave illness.
This was a plan devised by that terrifying entity known as Qinglian Celestial Venerable.
To shed one’s skin like a golden cicada and swap the cover of the sky.
As long as Princess Consort Song ’dies’ of illness and is resurrected, she could naturally reunite with him.
An Ruming had no doubt about the methods of a ’Primordial Spirit Master.’
He no longer worried about the outcome between himself and Princess Consort Song.
This affair might be of enormous significance to the two of them, but to the other party, it was probably something that could be done effortlessly.
What he contemplated now was how to escape the other’s control!
"Immediately report to the Court, asking several National Guardian Masters to act and eliminate them!"
This dangerous thought constantly flashed in his mind.
But after much deliberation, he suppressed it.
The affair with Princess Consort Song was a handle in the other’s hands.
If this matter got out, no matter his military achievements, Emperor Jingwu would not spare him.
For the Imperial Family, it would also be a monumental scandal.
Especially for Emperor Jingwu, who wished to surpass all previous emperors in both literary and martial accomplishments.
The best way would be to find a method to remove the other party silently and without a trace.
"General An, what are you thinking about?"
Just then, a figure silently appeared inside the military tent, a plump cultivator clad in a silvery Star Constellation Robe, with lively light in his eyes.
Upon seeing the Daoist appear, An Ruming’s eyes shifted, and he stood up from his command seat, smiling.
"Nothing much, just pondering how to break through to the Land Immortal Demon Realm. Ying Huo teacher came just in time; I was about to go to the Star Constellation Hall for guidance?!"
This Daoist was a cultivator from the Star Palace.
The Star Palace was a mysterious place, reputed to be powerful; they played an important role in perfecting the Star Martial Dao for the Daqian Army and were quite enthusiastic about it!
Upon hearing, the Daoist known as Ying Huo absorbed An Ruming’s demeanor, discerning his underlying concerns!
However, instead of exposing it, he replied in keeping with An Ruming’s statement.
"General, having reached the peak of the Celestial Human Realm not long ago, you might rush for the Land Immortal Demon Realm, lacking some refinement. I advise patience, as forceful attempts could harm your foundation!"
In response, An Ruming felt somewhat disappointed. Having one’s life controlled by another wasn’t pleasant.
"Then, Ying Huo teacher, is there a way to hone my Martial Dao intent and completely reach the Realm of Primordial Perfection?"
In response, the Daoist named Ying Huo gave a slight nod and smiled.
"It’s not difficult, as long as the general is willing to endure hardship!"
An Ruming nodded, a faint sharpness in the depths of his eyes.
...
Not long after, white banners were hung in West Mountain Temple, and a small coffin was carried out, taken along a lesser-known path out of West Mountain towards the city, to be interred in another cemetery outside West Mountain.
Princess Consort Song was not among the Four Concubines and had no offspring, lacking the privilege to be buried in the Consort Mausoleum, so a random Feng Shui Treasure Land was chosen for a hasty burial.
But shortly after, Princess Consort Song’s body was replaced by an ordinary female corpse, and her True Body was taken to a Separate Courtyard by Zhang Jian.
While he couldn’t easily manipulate An Ruming, he could do something with Princess Consort Song.
...
After arranging everything, Zhang Jian returned to his regular cultivation.
The fourth tribulation is named the True Realm of Enlightenment, unlike the previous Three Tribulations.
The first Three Tribulations, Ignorance Karmic Fire, Void Entwined Heart, and Monkey Mind all emerge from the Nine Netherworld, due to his gradual liberation from life and death, the rules of life and death naturally react. However, the fourth tribulation hails from the heavens’ backlash, its power surpassing the first three.
It can be determined that the source of this tribulation is related to the Celestial Heart Mark.
This tribulation and the following fifth tribulation are elusive and especially perilous.
Even one as strong as Zhang Jian must cautiously make some preparations.