Qingyuan Sect’s main hall had never been so lively. Imperial Commissioner Shang Cang sat in the position of the sect leader, looking composed and not at all nervous, though he was actually quite uneasy.
He thought about opening the Da Shang imperial mausoleum, fearing unexpected changes. This was why he consulted Shang Qin Qing and Li Mo about who they trusted enough to invite as protectors.
Unexpectedly, the entire Eastern Wilderness, Yunzhou, and South Border were thrown into chaos.
It was one thing for the Tongtong Trading Company to send people, but how did the Misty Rain Tower’s assassins get involved?
Now even selling candied haws and pancakes outside the mountain gate were done for free!
After exchanging pleasantries in the hall, everyone started worrying about Li Mo.
“What method does Qingyuan Sect plan to use? Do they have confidence?”
“If Sect Leader Shang has any requests, please speak freely.”
Everyone looked over with their eyes, as they didn’t know the actual situation well enough.
“Thank you all for coming from afar.”
Shang Cang first bowed to everyone, then spoke frankly:
“Perhaps some of you know a bit about Qingyuan Sect’s history, but due to the misdeeds of its descendants, it fell into decline until today.”
Some nodded; there were scattered records from the ancient divine and demonic era, and many historical documents recorded the previous dynasty’s situation.
Many knew that Ziyang Mansion was once the capital of Da Shang.
“Under Qingyuan lies the Da Shang imperial mausoleum,” said Shang Cang unexpectedly.
“Little Li needs the power of the masses, not just ordinary power.”
“So… we plan to extract our ancestors’ blessings and national fortune. This matter is significant. Qingyuan Sect has long been in decline, and we don’t know if it can withstand the storms brought by the emergence of national fortune. That’s why I boldly invited all of you here.”
There were many present who were seventh and sixth realm cultivators. Even if he didn’t say it, many would figure it out later.
It’s better to inform them in advance so they have a psychological preparation.
This matter isn’t light; if it goes wrong, it could be seen as rebellion.
“Da Shang national fortune?”
Everyone became serious.
The monster clan didn’t know what national fortune was, but seeing others being solemn, they also put on serious faces.
Only the Giant Whale Clan chief quietly asked, “Can it be eaten?”
“No wonder such a big commotion was made, gathering us all together.”
Gate Master Gang Dou let out a long breath.
“…”
The Qingyuan Sect elders exchanged glances.
Misunderstanding, only they didn’t expect Little Li’s influence to be so great.
“Hengyun Sword City will be here.”
“Yes, Young Hero Li’s breakthrough is like ascending to heaven. Since we came to witness the ceremony, there’s no reason to leave halfway through.”
“We’re prepared to watch his inner world transform, a spectacle that will astonish all the heroes of the world!”
“What is national fortune? Isn’t Young Hero Li in seclusion? I heard a rumor that he was injured, which is ridiculous.”
The people in the hall tacitly defined the nature of this meeting.
…
Qunyu Peak.
Following Xue Jing, Li Dalong and his wife arrived at a simple wooden house.
Just entering, they saw Shang Wu, rarely awake, sitting and resting with her eyes closed.
A graceful lady sat on the bed, like an ethereal orchid on the snow-capped Lingxu Mountain, noble yet cold, with gentle yet wise eyes.
Seeing Li Dalong and Gu Xueqin, she smiled brightly.
Gu Xueqin trembled when she saw her son’s injured body, struggling not to cry.
She never expected her son to become outstanding, only hoping he would be healthy and happy…
Such was the case, and she regretted listening to Li Dalong and sending her son to Qingyuan Sect for physical training.
“Little Bing, how is he? How much confidence do you have?”
Li Dalong, unlike his wife, was not at a loss, but his hand clenched tightly.
“Ten percent.”
“There is no such thing as perfection in the world. At least… snatch a share?”
Li Dalong suddenly realized, his sorrowful gaze turning bewildered.
“After breaking through, he will recreate his inner world. For him, this is a rare opportunity to turn disaster into fortune. After completing the imperial mausoleum, with the power of Da Shang’s national fortune, he can break through to the fourth realm.”
Ying Bing spoke softly, as if stating a fact.
Little Bing doesn’t lie.
Hearing this, Li Dalong felt half of the heavy stone in his heart fall away:
“What happened after the celestial trial?”
“After he ascended, he recast the Divine Sword of the Celestials and forced out the bl**d God inside…”
Ying Bing brewed tea for the two and told them about the events in Heavenly Phoenix Domain.
Gu Xueqin touched her son’s hand with a heart full of tenderness.
Li Dalong was moved, but his emotions were even more complex.
The child who used to need him for shelter and protection was now taller than him and unrecognizable.
No wonder so many famous people gathered at Qingyuan Sect. He couldn’t imagine how his son took that step that changed everything.
Silently listening to the end, he believed Ying Bing’s words with ten percent certainty.
“It’s almost time.”
Xue Jing suddenly stood at the door.
Shang Wu opened her eyes, smacked her lips, and instinctively reached for her gourd, but then reconsidered, only uncorking it to smell it before putting it back.
Tang Xiaobao ran in, carrying Li Mo effortlessly.
“I’m ready.”
Ying Bing nodded at the two.
She gently rubbed his head, her steps light as she walked out the door, revealing some heaviness, and then rubbed her waist with a large doll again.
Yes, it was ten percent.
But not twelve percent. Even at this moment, she still felt a bit tense.
Li Dalong and Gu Xueqin stayed behind. They knew they couldn’t help much and could only stand at the door and watch.
Rumble—
The ground began to shake.
Only to see that the area covered with broken statues and rubble, already overgrown with moss, slowly opened a door under Shang Wu’s palm, which glowed with fire.
A faint mist rose from below, as if there was light…
Bang—
An impatient fighter kicked the door open.
On the opposite side, it wasn’t a lifeless, dark imperial mausoleum, but rather a place connecting the yin and yang worlds.
There were many Guan Shen statues outside, but many more inside.
When they sensed someone entering, the statues, which were either terrifying, solemn, or imposing, turned to face the entrance.
As if they had come alive.
Not only did they seem alive, but they also didn’t appear friendly.
Who wouldn’t feel something was off when someone kicks down the door?
“Young ruffian, who are you?”
“Southern Ming Lord, with the body of the Vermilion Bird.”
“…”
The statues seemed to fall silent for a while, the silence so profound it could hear a pin drop.
After a long pause, the voice echoed again: “…… You may enter, but outsiders cannot.”
Many Guan Shen statues spoke simultaneously, exuding an ancient aura that left no room for doubt.
“Lord Southern Ming, please forgive me, this is my ancestor…”
“Oh, Lord Southern Ming, why bring me along?”
“To fill the cesspit. Recently, there are many people from Qingyuan Sect, and monsters too. Since you insist on being so stubborn, I don’t mind being a bit stinky myself.”
“……”
The statues were remnants of ancient sages with extremely weak spiritual awareness.
They wouldn’t doubt Shang Wu’s identity, even if her actions weren’t those of a Southern Ming Lord. They only recognized the Southern Ming Flame and the body of the Vermilion Bird.
Well, fortunately, they still had some spiritual awareness.
“…..”
“Welcome to the Da Shang imperial mausoleum.”
