In the Imperial Study, the Empress of the Western Palace, Madam Bai, and Ji were standing beside the Imperial Desk, looking down at a stack of special invitations made from various materials.
After three millennia of cultivation, the temperament of the two women had undergone significant changes.
One had an even more noble aura around her, as if she were a mother of the world. Her phoenix-like eyes exuded an intense sense of majesty. This majesty wasn’t merely that of a ruler’s dignity, but seemed to emanate from deep within her bloodline.
The other also carried a noble aura, but her presence was unpredictable, shrouded as if she were always hidden in veils of mist. Yet, her gaze would invoke a terrifying feeling of drawing out one’s thoughts upon eye contact.
Zhang Jian’s gaze fell on the two women, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Three thousand years of arduous cultivation, and the two women had made substantial progress over the years.
Ji had progressed the most, accomplishing what many ancient True Immortals could not, even in tens of thousands of years.
Her Dao Practice had advanced rapidly in these years, and she had just recently passed the Celestial Immortal Tribulation.
She had achieved the Celestial Immortal Dao Fruit in one leap.
The Empress of the Western Palace, Madam Bai, also had substantial accumulations, transforming a thousand years ago from a Profound Nether Dragon Carp into an Upper True Dragon of the Profound Nether Dragon Species.
Even as a Profound Nether True Dragon, her aptitude far surpassed that of Gao Lake Dragon Monarch, Bai Nu.
Whether in terms of inheriting the Dragon Race legacy, or the Dragon Body and Primordial Spirit aptitude, she was significantly superior.
However, although benefiting from the Profound Nether True Dragon body, her accumulation speed was swift, yet she still had some distance to the Celestial Immortal.
In this regard, she was still inferior to the Imperial Consort Ji.
Nevertheless, her accumulations were sufficient if she wished to undergo the Immortal Tribulation and achieve the True Immortal body.
But Madam Bai was evidently unwilling to cross each step this way, preferring to continue accumulating to await the moment when she could achieve and witness the Celestial Immortal status in one leap.
The greatest transformation was still Zhang Jian himself.
After more than three thousand years of rigorous cultivation, his aura gradually changed, as if he embodied the Heavenly Dao, with his aura vast and profound, like a tangible manifestation of the Great Dao in the mortal world. His presence radiated a majestic and immense divine power.
Madam Bai and Ji continued reviewing the invitations, sorting and summarizing them as they went.
Over the years, the Great Xia Dynasty has also been collecting intelligence on numerous forces in the Outer Heaven Realm.
If one intends to ascend to the Celestial Palace, they must have a destination in mind. A good destination could save the Great Xia Dynasty from unnecessary detours.
Momentarily, Ji pushed some of the ’invitations’ towards Zhang Jian.
"Your Majesty, over these years, we have received an overwhelming number of invitations, including from many powerful forces in the Outer Heaven Realm, as well as some weaker Heavenly Realms, but with no lack of strong Dao Lineages."
"Among these forces, I have selected some Heavenly Realms with apparent advantages and formed a list for Your Majesty!"
Ji thought for a moment and then added.
"The selection criteria are based on the relationship networks behind the Outer Heaven Realm’s Ji Family and the Tongshan Dao Lineage!"
Zhang Jian nodded.
His eyes fell upon the invitations before him, indicating for Ji to continue.
Ji’s beautiful eyes sparkled with a smile as she spoke:
"The most suitable for Your Majesty to visit is of course the Central Celestial Realm, followed by the Three Emperors Celestial Realm, the Ten Directions Celestial Realm, and the Nine Luminaries Celestial Realm!"
"For the Central Celestial Realm, Your Majesty should already know the reason; most of the core of the Celestial Court is located there. Currently, every department of the Central Celestial Realm has sent invitations, with the highest position offered being..."
With a slight pause, Ji glanced at Zhang Jian and continued.
"The highest is the Ling Yuan Emperor appointment directly conferred by the Celestial Emperor. Although this appointment is purely honorary, as an Imperial Monarch directly under the Central Celestial Court, it’s only one step away from a real authoritative position. Although it currently lacks power, it allows one to be present at court, and at any time enter the Inner Prognostic Secretariat, thereby obtaining a real authoritative Celestial Emperor appointment!"
Upon mentioning this, there was a hint of joy deep within Ji’s eyes.
"Although it might be challenging to get a real authoritative Celestial Emperor position in the Heaven Mending Realm, obtaining an authoritative Imperial Monarch appointment in another Celestial Realm should not be difficult at all!"
"Indeed!"
Sitting on the dragon throne, Zhang Jian’s expression remained unchanged, casually picking up a Fusangzi in front of him, gesturing for Ji to continue.
The matter regarding the Celestial Court intending to appoint him as Ling Yuan Emperor was something he already knew.
This issue had been discussed by the direct lineage Spirit Official under the Celestial Emperor with his Grandmaster, King Xia Yu, and some hints were already given.
As long as Zhang Jian was willing, upon ascending to the Celestial Palace, he could immediately hold the title of Ling Yuan Emperor.
The Ling Yuan Emperor naturally wouldn’t be considered powerful among the Celestial Emperors in the Celestial Realm, mostly akin to an honorary title like the Purple Gold Director of the Imperial Secretariat or the Crown Prince’s Grandmaster, Left Spring Pavilion Grand Scholar, or some Master of a Palace.
But this honorary title came with a clear advantage: its actual rank already fell within the middle-upper-level Immortal Official echelon.
As a Saint King, ascending into the mid-upper-level Immortal Official grade was undoubtedly surpassing many Immortal Gods.
Although a middle-upper-level Immortal Official currently has no real power, it is prestigious and noble.
His starting point upon future external assignments would be higher than others.
He can establish his own administrative office and organize his own cadre, unlike regular Celestial Immortals who ascend and may end up serving as a subordinate or subordinate official to another middle-upper-level Immortal Official.
Just like True Monarch Jue Ming, who ascended to the Celestial Palace and received a middle-lower-level Immortal Official position of Great Spirit Official of Fortune, but fundamentally, even his status was a step away from becoming an official under the Spiritual Observation Hall.
Ji further spoke at this moment.
"Secondly, there is the position of Rain Division, Cloud Movement, and Rainfall Celestial Monarch, which is a deputy palace position!"