Chapter 240 Stirring Up the Storm
In the spring of the sixty-second year of the Daqian era, the city of Yujing was warm and flowers were in bloom. Amidst the green hills and clear waters, tourists thronged the area.
Many high-ranking officials, nobles, and scholars took advantage of the spring scenery to go on outings. Ordinary people in the city also took this opportunity to do some small business and earn some extra money to supplement their household income.
Everything was a scene of peace and prosperity during a golden age of the dynasty.
On the Bailang River that winds around the city, numerous pleasure boats and painted barges drift about, catering to high-ranking officials, nobles, and scions of prominent families.
The Bailang River is incredibly wide, with no view of the opposite bank. Even the largest tourist boats and pleasure boats would be nothing more than floating duckweed on it. Therefore, the river does not feel crowded and remains very wide.
Inside an exquisitely designed and elegant painted boat, the heads of the four great sage families—Fan, Wang, Sun, and Wu—are gathered together, discussing matters.
Fan Yuntao, who was sitting in the main seat, spoke first, saying, "The Jade Void Palace in the Western Mountains has been completed. I have received a telegram from that person; he will be arriving in Jade Capital soon. Everyone, please share your thoughts."
Wang Lingshan, the head of the Wang family and a "Duke of Lusheng" bestowed by the imperial court for generations, said, "Our Wang family only wants the seeds and cultivation methods of Dragon Tooth Rice."
This person has a square face, fair and translucent skin, a tall and slender figure, and eyes that reveal profound wisdom and exude a strong scholarly aura.
The heads of the Sun and Wu families also nodded in agreement.
The sage family has a long history and would never drag the entire family to fight to the death because of a momentary grudge.
This is the survival strategy of aristocratic families. Especially when facing powerful opponents, they will try their best to resolve grievances rather than let hatred fester.
Then, we wait silently, waiting for the day our opponent falls from grace. When that day comes, we'll naturally strike while the enemy is down, beating them mercilessly until they're dead. We'll nip it in the bud, leaving no future trouble.
Fan Yuntao suppressed the hatred in his heart. He had suffered the greatest losses in the last Yanfu Formation, but as the head of a family, he could never act impulsively. He nodded heavily and said, "Alright. This time, the four families will stand together and talk to that person."
…………
Jade Capital City, Scattering Flowers Pavilion.
The stunningly beautiful and peerless Supreme Daoist Saintess Su Mu was worshipping a magical artifact.
This magical artifact is a semi-circular object, surrounded by wisps of cloud-like mist, dark at the top and yellow at the bottom, round at the top and square at the bottom.
Heaven is black and earth is yellow; heaven is round and earth is square. This contains profound truths.
Buzz, buzz, buzz buzz...
The magical artifact suddenly vibrated, as if it were speaking or chanting. With a slight movement, it melted into the void, seemingly merging with the vast world.
"Mu! I have survived nine tribulations of lightning, which were extremely dangerous. My vital energy is weak, and I am currently recuperating in a world within the void turbulence. It will take at least a year, or even three years, to recover my vital energy."
During this time, you must maintain the balance of power in the world. I now bestow upon you our sect's most precious treasure, the Eternal Kingdom! This magical artifact is an unparalleled divine weapon, capable of reversing the course of destiny and mastering the laws of the universe. Only the Ship of Creation can contend with it!
Although you are currently weak and not strong enough to unleash the full power of this artifact, it is more than enough for self-defense. In this vast world, no one can harm you yet…”
"Yes, please rest assured, Sect Master. I will do my best," Su Mu said respectfully.
…………
A portal to the illusion appeared on the highest peak of the Western Hills.
Lin Yi stepped out of the door and looked down at the mountains and rivers below.
The foothills on the east side of West Mountain have undergone tremendous changes.
One after another, grand halls were built, mountains were leveled, and towering buildings were erected.
Lin Yi waved his hand, and nine Taoist priests appeared on the open ground beside him. Seven of them wore blue jade belts and purple robes. These were robes bestowed by the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, representing the status of a third-rank earl.
The other two Taoist priests were also dressed in Taoist robes and held white jade whisks in their hands. They looked like immortals in a painting, and their status was obviously higher.
These two individuals are Xiao Anran, the leader of the Fangxian Dao, and Zhang Boheng, the Grand Steward of the Zhengyi Dao.
Last time, under the orders of Emperor Qian, Yang Pan, he went to the overseas wilderness with Marquis Yang An to seize the Qiankun Bag. Later, he was defeated by Lin Yi and suppressed in the Taixu Cave Heaven. He was only released today.
Lin Yi said with a smile, "Please, everyone, don't forget what we agreed on."
Xiao Anran and Zhang Boheng bowed respectfully, then turned and strode down the mountain.
…………
The central city of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Imperial City, was built on the meridian line in the very center of Yujing, facing south.
Outside the imperial city was a vast moat, spanned by numerous white jade bridges, and the ground was paved with white stone, smooth as a mirror.
The city walls of the imperial city were towering twenty zhang high, all painted vermilion and topped with yellow tiles. Outside, the Imperial Guards patrolled in shifts day and night.
These Imperial Guard soldiers, each clad in iron armor, mounted on horseback with swords at their sides, bows on their backs and quivers at their sides, resembled iron-cast gods of war.
They guarded the area around the imperial city, revealing undisguised, chilling killing intent towards anyone who attempted to approach it.
Inside the imperial city were layers upon layers of grand halls, palace walls, and countless houses.
If you stand on high ground and look down at the imperial city, it is as if a palace in the heavens has flown down to earth. It is incredibly magnificent, majestic, rich, and grand. It is indeed the central place where the world is controlled.
In the Imperial Study, Emperor Qian, Yang Pan, with graying temples, wearing a dragon robe and a nine-dragon crown, was reviewing memorials when he suddenly raised his head and looked towards the western mountains outside the city.
The artifact that had snatched food from the tiger's mouth and stolen the entire Dragon Graveyard had reappeared. However, its location was unexpected.
Yujing City, the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty, is the most prosperous city in the vast world, the center of its economy and culture. If anything happens here, it will immediately spread throughout the entire world.
"Jade Void Palace, Qi Refining Technique. After all this hype these past few days, I really want to see what kind of person will emerge out of nowhere and stir up the storm."
Yang Pan had some information flash through his mind, then turned his gaze to the memorial in his hand.