Zhang Jian silently cursed the old fellow’s sharp eyes.
Jue Ming Daoist smiled and said, "Junior Zhang is enlightened. Two generations of your family, three people have joined the Tongshan Dao Lineage. This will be talked about as a fine story!"
He then continued.
"Junior Zhang, rest assured. After the Third Prince joins my sect, I will not treat him poorly. Although my ability to teach disciples may not match your master, over thousands of years, we have produced seven or eight Primordial Spirit Masters, and a few Great True Masters!"
He appeared humble, but his eyes were clearly smiling as they rested on Zhang Jian.
Zhang Jian immediately played along, saying, "Master Teacher’s ability to teach is well-known in the cultivation realm. Naturally, I trust it. It’s just that my son’s aptitude is lacking and I’m afraid he may disappoint Master Teacher’s kindness!"
Jue Ming Daoist responded with a smile, "Junior Zhang praises too generously. The young men of your Zhang Family are all exceptional talents, and my little disciple has particularly good aptitude. The old man is not mistaken. In a few hundred years, I guarantee to nurture another Primordial Spirit Master for your family!"
Hearing this, Zhang Jian felt significantly relieved.
He didn’t think Jue Ming Daoist was boasting.
Achieving a Primordial Spirit is indeed exceptionally difficult for other Immortal Sects.
After all, a Primordial Spirit is akin to a living legend.
But given that Jue Ming Daoist has been leading the Tongshan Dao Lineage for thousands of years, standing firm in modern times, surely he possesses ample foundation.
Furthermore, with Zhang Xian’s special Innate Dao Body, cultivating a Primordial Spirit Master isn’t too challenging.
Zhang Jian nodded, deciding to dispatch a message to Fengzhi Palace immediately.
He himself accompanied True Monarch Zhanmo and Jue Ming Daoist on a tour in and around Haojing City, discussing ancient matters and taking the opportunity to seek advice.
He had testified to the Primordial Spirit in the earthly realm but lacked the experience and knowledge of these two, which prompted him to seek their guidance and complement his deficiencies.
He was also preparing for future travels for training.
Of course, Zhang Jian casually mentioned the captured "True Monarch Feng Yan," to which Jue Ming Daoist merely showed mild surprise and didn’t mind, suggesting Zhang Jian could handle it himself. Such True Monarchs are openly priced items in major sects, and perhaps some good stuff could be extorted.
...
In Fengzhi Palace
Qi Yuhua was taking a rare moment to entertain Lady Shun Country, Madam Qi.
Lady Shun Country, glancing around the lavish Danque Pavilion Garden, smiled and said, "Brother-in-law’s Dao Practice truly is divine, to make the palace’s flowers bloom against the seasons in such times. Even some Daoists from the Dong Shen Temple could never accomplish this!"
"I heard that when a certain princess was born, all the flowers bloomed together, but it was only for a night until they withered!"
Qi Yuhua sat before the palace, with the graceful Qu Lian and Yu Yao behind her, these two close maids now resembling matured beautiful women.
Time was silently passing, leaving marks like a chisel on mortal flesh.
The once vivacious sisters of the Qi Family now had distinct demeanors.
Like blooming peonies, one appeared regal and dazzling, her jade-like face emitting irresistible brilliance, commanding the world with phoenix majesty.
Although the other was downfallen, she still carried an air of elegance and charm, dressed in a pale yellow palace gown, with a loose collar revealing a glimpse of soft, full hue, white and jade-like.
This was their most beautiful time.
The Lady Shun Country looked at the scene with a hint of envy.
The Empress smiled faintly and casually inquired, "Any news of the former dynasty’s princess, whereabouts?"
Lady Shun Country sighed, "I only heard from an old matron in the palace, she reportedly disappeared!"
She turned to Qi Yuhua, "Possessing great power is indeed extraordinary, like you, Second Sister, with a Phoenix Destiny, you have ascended to the position of Empress of the Central Palace!"
She sighed, "The Emperor Jingwu of the Qian Dynasty spent his entire life seeking the Phoenix Destiny. I originally thought that if the Phoenix Destiny could achieve something, others might also do it, yet it turns out human effort cannot overcome Celestial Destiny!"
The Empress glanced at Lady Shun Country and smiled, "My husband often said, Heaven’s Will may account for seven parts, but three parts depend on oneself, and these three parts can even determine the course of Heaven’s Will!"
The Empress then looked at Lady Shun Country and sighed.
"Yu Zhu, Xian’Er is already so grown, have you thought about another marriage?!"
Lady Shun Country sighed and shook her head.
"Sister, who would dare marry someone with my ill-fated life?"
She mocked herself slightly.
There were many rumors about her in the land, including how she was said to have doomed her first husband to death before marrying, and now even her second husband, the Emperor, was considered cursed.
The Empress was momentarily speechless.
Although she believed it was a coincidence, others might not believe it, since even Emperor Jingwu was considered cursed.
Sometimes, the Empress herself also harbored suspicions, wondering if Qi Yuzhu really was possessed by some misfortune spirit.
Lady Shun Country didn’t mind, just said, "Second Sister, all my hopes are on Xian’Er now, just hoping for a good future for him!"
"Sister, Xian’Er is your nephew too; I hope you can forgive him this once!"
She couldn’t help but kneel gracefully.
The Empress slightly knitted her brows, looking somewhat troubled.
Wei Xian’s identity was quite sensitive; he was the legitimate son of the former Emperor Jingwu, the only one from the Central Palace’s Empress.
To save his life already meant the Great Xia Emperor showed clemency, considering his future or allowing him to cultivate was out of the question.
Zhang Zhao had personally visited Fengzhi Palace, requesting that she absolutely mustn’t interfere, to avoid potential future troubles for the Zhang Family.
The Empress didn’t want to speak; even though she was very close with Qi Yuzhu, how could she bear to see her descendants harmed one day.
She glanced at Yu Yao and Qu Lian beside her.
The two understood and quickly stepped forward to help Lady Shun Country up.
"Alas, Madam, why do you do this!"
"You know the Empress has already quarreled with the Emperor and Erlang to protect you and Wei Elder Brother, and has suffered tremendous pressure for it...!"
At these words, Lady Shun Country was taken aback, about to cry and plead again when a palace maid hurriedly arrived.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has told you to prepare, he has found a teacher for Prince Xing!"
Hearing this, the Empress was stunned!
"Has His Majesty prepared to send away my Xian’Er again?"
Her eyebrows arched instantly, her eyes filled with intense anger, and without even minding to bid farewell to Lady Shun Country, she hurried towards Hanyuan Hall.
...
Within Hanyuan Hall, Zhang Jian was currently gathering military generals to discuss the matter of conquering Chu.
Now that Great Xia had officially established its nation, there was no reason to let go of such a tasty piece of land.
Zhang Jian also needed a great victory to enhance the people’s sense of belonging to Great Xia.
Zhang Jian and the ministers only had a brief discussion before deciding on the general of this expedition.
It was still Marquis Zhenbei, An Ruming.
After the establishment of the kingdom, many military generals received rank promotions, but An Ruming’s title remained Marquis Zhenbei, although Zhang Jian had increased his stipend.
He did not further promote his position or confer the title of Duke.
An Ruming had no dissatisfaction because Zhang Jian bestowed upon him the cultivation technique for the Star Body stage of "Star Martial Dao."
The Star Body stage of "Star Martial Dao" corresponds to the Yin Spirit stage, and once the Star Body and Star Monarch Dharma Aspect are formed, one can attempt to advance further to testify to becoming a Star God.
The Star God corresponds to the Primordial Spirit stage.
The Star Monarch corresponds to the Immortal God stage.
With a chance for longevity, An Ruming naturally bore no resentment, but instead devoted himself wholeheartedly.
He immediately accepted the assignment when called to lead.
"I assure Your Majesty that I will not disappoint. This time, I will surely sweep over Beichu and expand the territory for Great Xia!"