While the court was in a fervor of selecting concubines, within a secluded courtyard.
This courtyard was deserted, overgrown with weeds. A tall figure stepped into the grounds; her figure was beautiful and captivating, draped in a light veil.
Under the moonlight, she seemed like a sprite not of this world.
At this moment, within the courtyard, a silent and mysterious figure appeared, with a charming and handsome appearance emerging from the void, surrounded by eerie energies.
This was a man, exceptionally handsome with narrow, lively eyes.
Upon seeing the beautiful figure within the courtyard, his eyes lit up slightly, with a faint trace of admiration in his gaze. After a moment, he restrained his emotions and bowed respectfully.
"Saintess!"
A soft, pleasant voice sounded from beneath the wide-brimmed hat.
"How are the contacts with the Sinful Demon Sect?"
Upon hearing this, the figure promptly lowered his head.
"Saintess, everything is going smoothly; the Sinful Demon Sect has agreed to our terms and is willing to sell us five top-grade evil seeds!"
Upon hearing this, the graceful figure before him showed some surprise on her face.
Five top-grade evil seeds—this number was somewhat unexpected for the woman in front.
Each of those seeds is extremely difficult to obtain, requiring the Sinful Demon Sect to use special tripods and life plates to cultivate them, making them highly valuable.
Though the rewards given by the Golden Maiden Sect this time were generous, based on her estimate, three top-grade evil seeds would already be significant.
The Saintess frowned slightly, "Why are there two extras?"
Upon hearing this, the handsome man smiled, "The extra two are gifted; they heard we plan to act against the Daqian Royal Family and gifted them free of charge!"
Seeing the surprise in the bright eyes, Zhao Cheng laughed.
"Not long ago, the Yinsi master fled to the Two Realms Region and seized a precious treasure from a real master of the Sinful Demon Sect..."
The Golden Maiden Saintess nodded slightly upon hearing this.
The Sinful Demon Sect always avenges grievances; having its treasure taken by the Yinsi master, it wouldn’t let it slide easily.
This time, the Daqian Royal Family’s selection of concubines presents a great opportunity.
Sending in these seeds, if successful, would intrigue and trouble the Daqian Royal Family.
"Select the tripods for cultivating these seeds well; those beauties are soon arriving in the capital, and time is running short!"
The higher the compatibility of these seeds, the less likely they are to be exposed!
Zhao Cheng nodded slightly.
Since a choice must be made, naturally, those with the best bearing among the beauties should be selected; only then is there a chance to blend near Emperor Jingwu.
...
Observatory Platform
The Observatory Platform is the structure within Daqian Court handling extraordinary affairs, and within it are many cultivators.
Dong Shen Temple and various regional Daoist Academies annually send some of their trained disciples to supplement the Observatory Platform, from where they train throughout the country, alleviating the pressures on Daqian Court.
The Observatory Platform is also a link between the gods of Daqian and its mundane world.
Inside the Observatory Platform, a plump Daoist frowned slightly; appearing like a wealthy civilian official, he stood on the platform, using its Dao patterns to observe the Qi.
From afar, he saw a pervasive evil Qi looming over Haojing City’s outskirts, continuously emanating from the depths of the Dragon Vein, dispersing the clouds in the sky.
Leading to cloudless skies, prolonged drought.
He was quite worried.
In a moment, he glanced at a balding monk sipping from a cup nearby.
"Brother, if this continues, when deep winter arrives, many may freeze to death!"
Frowning deeply, this Daoist was the Observatory Platform’s accompanying Daoist Xue Dongming, observing Qi in Fengyang County.
"Brother, we should quickly request the Canal Dragon Monarch to bring rain to alleviate the drought!"
With disheveled hair, Yihe Daoist rolled his eyes at this, sipping lightly from his wine gourd, scoffing.
"The Dragon Monarch’s magical power is strong, but still insufficient to withstand Heaven and Earth’s backlash; the Old Dragon Monarch is also fond of life, why would he risk his life to help!"
"Brother, isn’t there any other way?"
Xue Dongming’s expression was solemn.
"Unless someone can resolve the evil Qi within the Dragon Vein!"
Yihe Daoist’s eyes were calm; he had sought out the Yinsi master regarding this.
But the Yinsi master warned him against meddling in matters concerning the Dragon Vein, lest he suffer the consequences.
The Daqian Royal Family had evidently been using the Dragon Vein for some veiled purpose.
Yihe Daoist had his suspicions about what the royal family might be hiding within the Dragon Vein deep down; the evil Qi was so terrifying, it even disrupted the operation of Heaven and Earth Law.
Such marvelous powers were earth-shattering.
Xue Dongming remained silent at this observation.
Sometimes, even with cultivation skills and magical power, facing certain celestial changes, cultivators remain insignificantly small.
Yihe Daoist patted his shoulder, gesturing him to sit.
He laughed, "No need to worry much, this concerns Daqian’s destiny; if natural disasters aren’t resolved, Daqian will plunge into chaos, which the National Guardian Masters won’t want to see. When the time comes, they’ll resolve it; we just need to do our own tasks!"
Xue Dongming sighed inwardly, realizing there was no choice.
Just then, he noticed, below the Observatory Platform, a group of eunuchs and female attendants appearing under the distant corridor eaves.
The two Daoists perked up, soon a Daoist hurriedly came to report.
"Director, the Empress Dowager has sent a decree, requesting that the Observatory Platform send several Dao brothers to the Imperial Court to ’cleanse’ the new beauties!"
"I understand!"
Yihe Daoist nodded gently.
"Xue, this time it’s up to you to take the trip!"
Xue Dongming nodded immediately.
Every time the palace selects beauties, the Observatory Platform is a necessary stage; the beauties must have no physical flaws, and their life plates must be checked through Qi Observation, eliminating stars of misfortune like the White Tiger Star, Sweep Star, and Heavenly Doom Lone Star.
The Imperial Family absolutely cannot let these Heavenly Doom Lone Stars enter the palace.
Besides, precautions are needed against any tampering with the beauties.
The last Jade Consort abduction incident burdened the Observatory Platform heavily, leading to a significant cut in resources for the next three years.
This time, no room for mistakes.
...
Champion Scholar’s Mansion
After the Prince Consort’s Mansion night banquet, Qi Yi took Qi Yuzhu to the Champion Scholar’s Mansion without lingering in the Prince Consort’s Mansion.
He seemed to have something to discuss privately with Zhang Jian.
Qi Yuzhu was quite interested in this.
Compared to the strict atmosphere of the Prince Consort’s Mansion, she naturally preferred staying with Qi Yu Hua, feeling anxious about entering the palace, hoping for some comfort from Qi Yu Hua.
Under the night sky, before the street where the Champion Scholar’s Mansion stood, a figure in black appeared.
He looked towards the direction of the Champion Scholar’s Mansion, knowing that within it resided one of the beauties.
Moreover, this beauty was closely associated with Princess Qingfeng, likely to hold a significant position once entering the palace.
Yet Zhao Cheng looked at the Champion Scholar’s Mansion with some trepidation.
Zhang Jian’s righteous aura was renowned, possessing a mystic aura; Zhao Cheng’s gaze was wavering, but he decided to try.
For missing this chance might mean losing any opportunity to make contact!
Within the mansion, Zhang Jian and Qi Yi were engaged in night talk, suddenly glancing towards outside the mansion, smiling at Qi Yi.
"Here comes someone on their own!"