"The Third Prince is titled Prince Xing!"
This series of conferments attracted the attention of many courtiers.
According to the protocol for conferring titles on the royal princes, drafted by Zhang Jian and various civil and military officials, the lowest title for a prince is Duke, followed by Prince, and then King.
This time, the Third Prince Zhang Xian is titled Prince Xing, the second highest rank among the titles.
Given Zhang Xian’s age, being conferred the title of Prince is quite normal.
After all, he has not yet come of age.
The Eldest Imperial Prince Zhang Yi, having already come of age, has been conferred the title of Prince Nan’an, clearly a royal prince rank.
However, it is surprising that the Second Prince Zhang Zhao was not conferred any princely title this time, indicating that the Great Xia Emperor has other considerations.
Yet, Zhang Zhao still follows Zhang Jian closely every day, not displaying any signs of having fallen out of favor.
This leaves only one possibility: the Great Xia Emperor harbors exceptional expectations for Zhang Zhao.
...
Inside the inner hall
At this moment, Zhang Zhao was leaning over a desk in front of the hall, attending to governmental affairs.
On the dragon throne, Zhang Jian, on the contrary, found leisure, having more time to integrate his Daoist techniques and temper his magical power.
With the establishment of the Great Xia, the fulfillment of Sheji sovereignty saved him a thousand years of arduous cultivation.
His Primordial Spirit Golden Body emanated an aura of complete harmony, and within his Innate Dao Embryo, mysterious Sheji Origin Power subtly formed, converging into the skill of Creation and Transformation, nurturing the advancement of his Primordial Spirit.
This was the Creation Spirit Light.
After consuming a flat peach, his accumulation of Primordial Spirit Magical Power at the Golden Body Stage was already complete, and his Dao Heart was solid. If he wished, he could forcefully break through the Creation Realm, integrating the Creation Spirit Light into the Primordial Spirit Golden Body.
However, Zhang Jian felt that such advancement would waste his previous thick foundation, so he chose to wait. It would be more appropriate to advance after the sovereignty was fulfilled with the founding of Great Xia.
This would allow the Sheji Emperor’s Primordial Spirit’s power to be unleashed to the greatest extent.
He had looked into relevant materials in the sect and consulted True Monarch Zhanmo.
For ordinary Primordial Spirit Masters, the Four Realms of the Primordial Spirit might be a long and arduous path.
But for Primordial Spirit Masters from large immortal sects like the Longevity Dao Lineage, it’s the best opportunity to expand their advantages.
After proving the Primordial Spirit, their solid foundation bursts forth.
In this stage of eruption, it is crucial to constantly expand one’s advantages to form an immortal and indestructible Dao Root.
The mysticism of the Creation Realm comes from the Creation Spirit Light contained within the depths of the Heaven and Earth Dao Laws.
Only cultivators at the Primordial Spirit Stage who have comprehended the Law of Heaven and Earth to a certain extent and have control over the authority within can harness a trace of creation, condensing the Creation Spirit Light into the Golden Body Primordial Spirit, laying the foundation for Harmonization in the future.
Now, with Zhang Jian’s ascension, his mastery over the Sheji Dao Laws and Emperor’s authority has gradually reached a certain realm, and the Creation Spirit Light naturally coalesced.
But Zhang Jian did not immediately choose to integrate it because he sensed it could be done even better.
He held mastery over multiple Heaven and Earth Dao Laws and numerous Primordial Spirit Immortal Techniques.
He could completely push other Primordial Spirit Immortal Techniques to the Creation Level, allowing more Creation Spirit Light to integrate into the Primordial Spirit, Lifebound Treasure, and even Primordial Spirit Immortal Techniques. By then, upon advancing, he might comprehend the Creation Dao Laws in the Creation Realm and reach the boundary of Harmonization in one perfect step.
Nine-colored light flowed deep in Zhang Jian’s brow, while the Map of Mountains and Rivers continuously absorbed Dragon Qi, Emperor’s Qi, and Earth Qi, resembling rivers flowing into the sea.
Moreover, continuous peach essence Qi was merging into the Creation Spirit Light deep within the Innate Dao Embryo, transforming into Creation Primordial Qi, accumulating to strengthen it.
The larger this Creation Spirit Light, the greater the benefits Zhang Jian would receive after advancement.
This opportunity to expand his advantage was something Zhang Jian certainly wouldn’t miss.
At this time, Zhang Zhao, having finished attending to all governmental affairs, set down the Vermilion Brush in his hand and exhaled in relief, though his brows showed some weariness.
Seeing this, Zhang Jian signaled for a few nearby Little Yellow Sect members to bring forward some spirit fruit on a tray.
At the same time, he smiled and said:
"Zhao’Er, I am preparing to establish a cabinet, and once it’s gradually completed, you won’t be so overworked."
"A cabinet?"
Zhang Zhao’s expression stirred, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Father, will it be similar to the cabinet of the Former Shu, composed of many civil servants?"
Zhang Jian nodded.
"Something like that, but it can’t be entirely composed of civil servants. It should be formed by a combination of certain civil and military ministers, and ’expert’ talents from all various Court categories, collectively establishing a Sheji Academy to assist you in handling state affairs. With specialists in various fields for consultation, many problems will be easier to resolve!
The efficiency of having you handle various state affairs alone is too low, and it will also delay your cultivation!"
Hearing this, Zhang Zhao thought for a moment and then said, "I will do as Father advises!"
With Zhang Jian’s hands-on practice, Zhang Zhao was also acutely aware that if the Zhang Family were to achieve the ascension of the Saint King, ’individual martial strength’ would be more essential!
If the martial strength is not outstanding enough, he might not be able to command respect even if he is conferred as the Crown Prince in the future.
Moreover, his brother Zhang Yi and his sister Zhang Chang’an have both joined the Immortal Dao Lineage, and he couldn’t fall behind.
Regardless, he cannot become the one left behind.
Thinking about it, Zhang Zhao brought up another thorny question.
"Father, how should Aunt and Madam Li be dealt with?"
He referred to the Empress Dowager Qi of the Qian Dynasty and Grand Empress Dowager Li.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian’s expression remained indifferent.
"Madam Li is to be relocated to the West Mountain Temple, and the Black-clothed Guards shall keep a close watch to ensure she does not leave a single step!"
"As for your aunt, she will be titled First-Grade Lady Shun Country, and a mansion for Lady Shun Country shall be built in front of Jade Capital Street for her residence. As for Wei Xian, he will be given a quota for entering the West Hua Daoist School!"
Hearing this, Zhang Zhao nodded.
"It seems too lenient for that Madam Li!"
All this time, Madam Li had been stirring up trouble, even secretly trying to contact former ministers of the previous dynasty’s royal family.
Killing intent had long arisen in Zhang Zhao’s heart.
Zhang Jian glanced at Zhang Zhao, this son of his was full of vigor and not lacking in murderous intent.
Wasn’t he the same? However, considering Madam Li’s old age, being incapable of causing much trouble, and not wanting to tarnish his own wise name, he chose to show clemency.
If Madam Li still failed to appreciate his kindness, she would have to "die of old age" quietly!
After all, as she aged, a natural death from illness wouldn’t arouse suspicion.
After dealing with various trivia, Zhang Jian’s eyes moved as he gazed towards the depths of the Imperial Palace.
He sensed the descent of a majestic Tribulation Qi.
Phoenix Spirit had begun its tribulation and nirvana!
At the same time, he sensed several malicious gazes approaching in the void.
He had already noticed this long ago; since Phoenix Spirit manifested its true form, quite a few cultivators had been eyeing it with ill intentions.
Divine Phoenix Essence Blood and Phoenix Essence are invaluable treasures for extending life, refining high-tier elixirs, and crafting spirit treasures, naturally attracting covetous gazes.
"In the end, I cannot avoid doing it myself!"
Zhang Jian mused silently.