"I’ve already had someone prepare the registry to record his Daoist status,"
the blue-robed Daoist child replied respectfully.
"It seems that the Emperor and the Sword Sect still maintain close connections, cherishing old ties.
There are rumors that before he ascended the throne, he once drank and made merry with Kou Qiuyue, regarding each other as confidants. Perhaps it is true?"
The young man with lightly golden brows slightly furrowed, showing some displeasure.
The Meridian Sword Sect’s plot concerning the Fallen Immortal Mansion has violated the taboo of the Dragon Court.
Moreover, Kou Qiuyue’s previous alliance with Turbid Tide and inexplicable descent into madness caused this Upper Sect’s reputation to plummet, facing severe suppression.
"There are similar rumors about Prince Yong and Kou Daozi. After all, at that time, the Sword Sect Daoist was too prominent, his sword power suppressing all heroes on Simurgh Platform, and was designated by the Observatory Tower as a seed of immortality.
Having good relations with him would always be correct."
The blue-robed Daoist child cautiously joined the conversation.
"Prince Yong... is he soon arriving in the capital?"
The young man squinted his eyes slightly.
"He’s already on his way. Three days ago, he just passed by Runan Prefecture."
The blue-robed Daoist child was well-versed in the messages regularly received by the North Study.
"The Emperor should be worried,"
the young Daoist official chuckled.
It was known to all that although Prince Yong’s position as Crown Prince was abolished, he had not lost the sacred favor and still received grace.
The current Emperor was able to ascend the throne only because Empress Dugu defied all opposition, forcefully supporting him.
"At the time, Prince Yong was exiled from the capital, the Emperor succeeded to the throne. Now that Prince Yong is decreed to return to the capital, chaos seems inevitable."
As an envoy of the South Study and a confidant of the young man, the blue-robed Daoist child could afford to be a bit more audacious in speech and behavior.
Any other Daoist official endowed with purple and blue talismans would never dare to recklessly discuss such secrets, for fear of being overheard by any passing Ear Reporting Deity and losing favor without cause.
"With that prince overseeing matters, who could cause disorder? However, regarding the position of the Emperor, indeed, there are changes.
You may not yet know that the Supreme Emperor issued two decrees from the Golden Pavilion: one verbal and one written.
The former summons Prince Yong back to the capital, the latter... intends for Prince Yong to move into Wude Hall within the Inner Court."
The face of the blue-robed Daoist child changed drastically; the Emperor’s residence is known as Taihe Palace.
To the east lies the Eastern Palace of the Crown Prince, and Wude Hall also located on the eastern side, subtly suggesting the existence of a second Eastern Palace.
Prince Sui, backed by Empress Dugu, emerged victoriously among the numerous princes and once resided in Wude Hall for a time.
It was only when Prince Yong was abolished that he entered the Eastern Palace.
Later, the Supreme Emperor secluded himself in the Golden Pavilion, bequeathed the great treasure, thus Prince Sui ascended the throne.
"Is the Supreme Emperor intending... a confrontation between two dragons?"
The blue-robed Daoist child lowered his voice, his throat tightening.
"Divine will is unfathomable, how could I clearly fathom it?
Even though esteemed as the most exalted, the Emperor is ultimately still beneath the heavens. What our Supreme Emperor seeks is..."
The young man pointed his finger upwards, raising his head to say:
"To replace the Heavenly Lord, taking control of the family affairs."
...
...
"Master, I’ve used my sword to cut down the Grand General of the Celestial Water Prefecture, a grand figure of divine power. Am I at risk of being penalized?"
In the Inheritance Hall, Bai Qi completed today’s session of the Sword Nurturing Skill and saw the Master watering that eight-inch-long Withered Revive Wood.
"Do not panic. In another three to five days, your fame will have spread far and wide, and the jade token conferring your Daoist status by the Dragon Court and the news of your promotion to the true transmission of the Upper Sect should be delivered together to Yihai Prefecture.
Zhao Pijiang is still a notable figure and would not make things difficult for a junior like you.
Even if he holds a grudge, this account should be attributed to the Meridian Sword Sect.
You wielded the Nanming Li Fire and also had Chunyu Cultivator by your side, there’s no need to elaborate on your origins."
Chen Xing leisurely remarked.
Slicing away that strand of Zhao Pijiang’s divine intent would surely incite a cosmic response. Moreover, he had not deliberately concealed his grand-disciple’s aura, and the Chaotic Bell and Elephant List of the Dragon Court’s Simurgh Platform were most adept at capturing the fluctuations of spiritual energies and manifestations of anomalies, making it impossible to overlook Bai Qi.
At this moment, Bai Qilang’s name ought to be known to the North and South Studies.
"As Treasure Pearl and Gold Jade, it’s hard to conceal its brilliance, and hiding it in a private residence inevitably attracts the attention of thieves.
But if it appears in the Dragon Court Imperial Palace, who would dare to covet it?
Just as you know which Upper Sect and Daoist Sect Mountain Gate possess the six Profound Mysterious Divine Soldiers governing the spiritual forces of the world, but what can you do?"
Chen Xing put down the watering can, his tone gentle.
"Sword Slash Divine Technique, this tremendous renown is enough to earn you the attention of the Dragon Court’s Dharma Eye. The Meridian Sword Sect will no longer feign ignorance, even if Zhao Pijiang bears a grudge, there is the old man Yan Xin to bear it for you. Should the sky fall, he will stand firm beneath it."
The Master indeed strategizes brilliantly, calculating every step!
Bai Qi secretly sighed in admiration.
In the future, before taking action, he should also find someone to take the blame or shield himself from trouble.
Only by avoiding causal entanglements can one sail a steady ship for ten thousand years!
"How is the consolidation of your Third Cultivation Realm progressing?"
Chen Xing asked with concern.
Holding the Nanming Li Fire, Bai Qi slayed that wisp of divine intent of Zhao Pijiang, fusing Bai Qi’s qi and blood with the divine intent, directly refining the dragon bone in his body, and achieving the Mercury Blood Silver Marrow.
Taking this step steadily allows for the completion of the Water and Fire Immortal Robe and Circulation of Qi, all reaching full mastery, with divine intent and qi abundant.
"The qi and blood have already gathered in the organs. Just endure a bit longer, and I can ’build temples’."
Bai Qi operated his true skills, and the "Ten Dragons and Ten Elephants Prison-Suppression Skill," which once heavily burdened his whole body’s tendons and bones, now flowed effortlessly, power coursing through his sinews like rivers without obstruction.
In every gesture, he faintly emitted the roaring sound waves of dragons and elephants, an imposing aura indeed.
"Very good. Golden Flesh and Jade Veins nourish the tendons and muscles, Mercury Blood Silver Marrow refines the bone and blood. Achieving these two perfections allows better mastery of true skills."
In Chen Xing’s eyes, there was a look of admiration; the essence of true skills is to grasp the "divine" of all things in heaven and earth, then comprehend and condense one’s own "intent."
Only when divine intent is intertwined can there be resonance with heaven and earth.
Only with mastery at the tendon and bone level can one achieve more profound true skills with increasing divine intent.
This is a closely kept secret in martial arts practice.
Usually kept as a hidden advantage.
The method of achieving the Four Great Trainings’ perfection is often only taught to one’s direct disciple.
"Master once said, only Tongwen Hall can teach me this Four Great Trainings’ perfection, and indeed it’s invaluable."
Bai Qi pondered secretly, thinking that throughout Yihai Prefecture, perhaps only the Pai Bang of the Nu Yun River could have the means to achieve this Four Great Trainings’ perfection?
Even among the largest factions of the Thirteen Firms, they may not necessarily achieve it.
"Master, are you really the Chi Yang Sect Leader?"
Bai Qi held back for two days, seizing the opportunity to finally ask.
"Yes."
Chen Xing did not deliberately cover it up, accepting it openly.
Since he had brought his apprentice into this muddy water, there were some things that naturally couldn’t be kept secret.
Besides, Bai Qi wasn’t a dull person who was late to realize; sooner or later, he would find out.
No need to hide it and make the apprentice feel disheartened.
"Master does not know?"
Bai Qi asked again.
"Hai Chan... I never explicitly told him, but he should know that I have another identity."
Chen Xing sighed lightly.
If Ninghai Chan had set his mind on joining the sect, with his extraordinary talent, he might have already broken through the Divine Passage Barrier by now.
That Fallen Immortal Mansion was intricately involved in world affairs.
If you are not a divine power giant, it is hard to get involved and become a player.
"Ahem, so, Master, do I count as a disciple of Tongwen Hall or a member of Three Yang Sect?"
Bai Qi asked quietly.
He couldn’t exactly be a fence-sitter.
When the time comes, it would be hard to explain to Master Ninghai Chan.
"Hmm, from now on in Yihai Prefecture, you’re considered part of Three Yang Sect; when you return to Black River County, then you’re a direct disciple of Tongwen Hall.
Anyway, your master can’t enter the County City; in this place, what he says doesn’t count."
Chen Xing pondered for a moment and quickly provided a solution.
Old ginger is indeed spicier; though Master’s fists are strong, they cannot match Master’s strategic foresight.
Bai Qi marveled.
He continued to play the part of an obedient apprentice, silently waiting for Master’s further words.
"Ah Qi, now that things have come to this, Master won’t deceive you either.
The Three Yang Sect is not some rebels or great bandits; truly, in terms of origin and qualification.
We are the true lineage of the main doctrine of the Red County Divine Land, said to be receiving the mandate of heaven!"
Chen Xing said solemnly and with candor.
"Thus, each leader of the sect throughout history has assassinated the emperor, disrupted the government, and overturned those who declare themselves as solitary rulers.
The reason is simple: to us, they are all petty thieves of the nation, usurpers ruling alone."
Hiss!
Bai Qi couldn’t help but take a deep breath; hearing Master’s words, why did it seem like transforming from a rebel into a remnant of a former dynasty?
If the Three Yang Sect were to rise, by lineage, wouldn’t he also count as half a "Crown Prince"?
This pirate ship seems worth boarding!
"Master, did our... Ancestor ever become the Emperor? Do we hold the Heirloom Seal of the Realm?"
Bai Qi was curious about what right the Three Yang Sect had to claim they were commanded by heaven.
"The so-called imperial throne is nothing but the culmination of power, never something permanent.
Before the Way was lost, there were emperors who cast the Nine Cauldrons to settle everything under heaven, but can you still see those nine cauldrons today? They have long been rusted, fallen into the annals of history.
Only the ’Way’ remains unchanging throughout time.
The Three Yang Sect transmits the sole true doctrine of the Red County Divine Land."
Chen Xing stood proudly, as if under the Celestial Lord, he was the only one most exalted.
Higher, nobler, surpassing even the Dragon Court Emperor who ruled over all lands and whose might reached across the seas and the eight extremes.