Southwest region, Jiulian County
The vassal territory of Prince Zheng is within Jiulian County.
The Qian Dynasty inherited the old system of the previous dynasty in this regard, extensively establishing royal family members and grandly feudalizing, expecting to protect the royal society with feudal lords, considering it a matter of public interest for generations.
However, to prevent vassal kings from rebelling, all monitoring systems are also very complete.
Most vassal kings have had their military command rights revoked, only holding a small number of guards to control and restrain local officials with different surnames.
Aside from this, they also build cities and station troops.
But there are always exceptions, as some vassal kings in border regions apparently hold more power, having been granted military command rights to defend the frontiers.
Previously, Prince Zheng, Wei Chi, was restrained in Haojing City due to Emperor Jingwu’s distrust. It wasn’t until six years ago, after Empress Dowager Li’s intercession, that he was sent to his vassal land.
As a key figure under Emperor Jingwu’s constant surveillance, even in a border region like Jiulian County, Prince Zheng still could not command the army, possessing only around a thousand men in his guard team.
Additionally, a frontier general was assigned to closely monitor him, making it hard for him to maneuver.
At this moment, within Prince Zheng’s Mansion, a graceful figure gazes into the sky from afar, noticing a dim purple star.
"Evil Qi violates the taboo, Ziwei star stained with blood. It seems there’s another upheaval in Haojing City, but unfortunately, Jiulian County is too far for any first-hand news!"
The beauty wearing palace attire has a face like a lotus and eyes resembling stars.
She is Liu Rui, the Saintess of the Golden Maiden Sect.
Currently, she has taken the place of Princess Zheng.
"With the first change in the Ziwei star, it seems we must expedite our infiltration into Jiulian County to deal with Yang Kaishan, this old tiger, as soon as possible!"
Yang Kaishan is indeed the general defending Jiulian County!
...
Meanwhile, the anomaly of the Ziwei Star was noticed by numerous Great Cultivators with profound Dao Practice around the Daqian surroundings.
This change is quite intuitive.
The Ziwei Star represents Emperor Jingwu’s Life Plate, and once problems arise, it’s hard to conceal unless a highly advanced cultivator performs magic to cover it.
People with intentions were casting their gaze toward Haojing City.
At this time, within the Beichu Realm, several figures also gaze toward Haojing City.
The leading figure is the Grandmaster of Beichu. This imposing and burly cultivator emanated a heavy Evil Qi.
Grandmaster of Beichu, Tuoba Zhenwu.
"Before us lies a rare opportunity. The Qian Dynasty’s Dragon Qi has weakened, so have the Beichu spies expedite their investigation of the Qian Dynasty’s status. Such a good chance cannot be missed!"
With a wave of his hand, he instructed a disciple nearby to deliver a secret order.
"Additionally, take this opportunity to probe into the changes deep within the Haojing City’s Dragon Vein..."
Your enemy often understands you best.
Since its foundation, Beichu has been overtly and covertly contending with Daqian, trying not only to divide this fertile eastern land but also to complete an extraordinary enterprise by unifying the East Suspended Divine Continent.
Grandmaster of Beichu, Tuoba Zhenwu, had long sensed the hidden secrets in the Haojing City’s Dragon Vein and had tested several times, but each attempt came with significant costs and no gains.
This moment, as he saw it, presented an unprecedented opportunity.
With several Primordial Spirit Masters of the Qian Dynasty not at the Central Hub, and the Dragon Vein weakened, the Ziwei Emperor Qi was sufficient to shock the Central Hub, making it a time to try.
...
Within and outside Haojing City, as the Imperial City was under martial law, and the Emperor was in a coma, dark undercurrents surged.
Jingming Daoist hurriedly arrived outside the East Mausoleum, requesting to meet Tiangang Daoist.
Inside the East Mausoleum, Tiangang Master Yuan Geng opened his eyes, glancing at the celestial changes above the sky. How could he be ignorant of the upheaval in the Imperial City?
Stationed within the Dragon Vein, he could clearly sense that although he tried to seal the Dragon Vein, the Dragon Vein Qi continued to decrease annually. Firstly due to the Dragon Vein’s damage, and secondly, as that Supreme Treasure was further refining, it began absorbing the Dragon Vein Qi to accelerate its formation.
The decline in Dragon Vein Qi naturally led to backlash.
"The request of that friend is too defiant, involving a broad range, making the devastation of living beings unavoidable!"
Tiangang Master sighed, but no matter what, the Qian Dynasty couldn’t face any issues.
Otherwise, not only would efforts be in vain, but the massive backlash from the Dragon Vein might force their several Primordial Spirit Masters to suffer greatly.
Emperor Jingwu’s wisdom and decisiveness were also pivotal in stabilizing Daqian, and no trouble could arise.
"Come in!"
Tiangang Master invited Jingming Daoist in.
"Greetings to Master Tiangang!"
Within the East Mausoleum, observing the Feng Shui Grand Array surrounding him, Jingming Daoist’s expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly performed a grand salute.
"Uncle Master, how could the Dragon Vein be like this..."
What he saw was numerous thin cracks on the walls deep within the East Mausoleum, a sight that seemed shocking.
Tiangang Daoist said indifferently.
"As you can see, the Dragon Vein already has problems. Years ago, the counterattack from the previous dynasty’s Dragon Vein wasn’t what you witnessed. Though most Resentful Fiends had been converted, some parts have blended into the Dragon Vein alongside the previous dynasty’s Dragon Qi, now intimately intertwined, fiercely consuming the Dragon Qi within the Dragon Vein, which is the root cause of the Emperor’s affliction!"
Yuan Geng did not mention the Supreme Treasure beneath the Dragon Vein because it was beyond what Jingming Daoist could address.
Jingming Daoist quickly asked, "Uncle Master, how can this disaster be resolved?"
Tiangang Daoist’s expression fluctuated as he replied.
"It’s simple yet difficult, find the direct descendants of Former Shu’s Emperor Ai, gain their ’forgiveness’, and borrow a few drops of their essence blood to conduct a ritual, which will dispel the malevolence within the Dragon Vein!"
"Former Shu’s descendants?"
Upon hearing this, Jingming Daoist’s expression changed. Emperor Ai of Shu had fallen over four hundred years ago, and when Shu Kingdom’s Imperial Palace was breached, most of Shu’s descendants perished in battle. While a few were taken by cultivators, who knows where they are now.
Tiangang Master seemed unconcerned as he calmly replied.
"A while ago, Brother Chao had already retrieved a drop of heart blood from that Demon Empress and has been searching since then, a clue will likely emerge!"
Upon hearing this, Jingming Daoist’s eyes flickered before he breathed a sigh of relief.
"So the two Masters already had contingency plans, it was unnecessary for the junior to worry!"
Tiangang Master responded with a wry smile.
"You are not overthinking. Brother Chao might not necessarily find Emperor Ai of Shu’s descendants, you should still consider alternative methods, finding another Dragon Vein would be the best, as harnessing the power from another Dragon Vein might suppress the Emperor’s ailment..."
"Uncle Master, Dragon Veins are not easily found..."
Jingming Daoist showed a bitter smile, but then his eyes gleamed.
"Unless..."
Seeing Jingming Daoist’s enlightenment, Tiangang Master’s eyes revealed a hint of approval, "Indeed, isn’t there an existing one in Beichu?"
Upon hearing this, the corner of Jingming Daoist’s mouth twitched.
The Beichu Dragon Vein is indeed strong, but how could it be easily plundered?
Moreover, the Beichu Royal Family is powerful, and it has close ties with numerous Demon Dao sects in the Two Realms Region, who knows how many strong figures are hidden within.
To rob Beichu’s Dragon Vein would appear as sheer fantasy.
Seeing Tiangang Daoist’s jesting manner, Jingming Daoist felt helpless and decided to contact the Cave God Sect Ancestor afterward to see if a solution could be found!
...
Champion Scholar’s Mansion.
Currently, the news within the Imperial City was sealed off, so Zhang Jian could only observe the situation quietly.
At this moment, he focused his attention on the newly acquired "Yellow Court Blessed Land Technique".
The last True Intent of Qiankun was contained within, and Zhang Jian felt the accumulation was almost sufficient.