Leaving this turbulent realm-river of void power, Zong Shou steered the Demon-Slaying Divine Shuttle, tracing the path toward the Cloud Realm. The spatial storm unleashed by the explosion of the Qin Emperor’s Tomb world was still raging nearby.

This storm significantly dragged down Zong Shou’s escape speed. It wasn't so dire as to be debilitating for ordinary cultivators, but the Demon-Slaying Divine Shuttle was affected nonetheless, as if plunged into the Sea of Illusory Nothingness.

This realization weighed heavily on Zong Shou; the spatial storm covered sixty worlds, and the Tianfang World was certainly within its range. Any attempt by Da Qian to mobilize troops to the Outer Domains would be impacted.

Only Earth-rank warships could traverse this spatial storm unimpeded. Thus, the speed of troop deployment and supply would inevitably be unsatisfactory.

One must remember that Da Qian possessed barely two dozen Earth-rank warships within the Cloud Realm in total. However, upon closer reflection, if the Night Demon race intended to invade here, they would likely face equal difficulties.

Temporarily relieved, Zong Shou then spotted two streaks of light speeding toward him across the void in the distance. One was Lin Xuanxuan; the other was Yuan Wushang.

As they closed in, Yuan Wushang laughed heartily, "I knew it! How could a figure as peerless as you, Zong Shou, fall in some insignificant Qin Emperor's Tomb?

Indeed, you are unharmed." Lin Xuanxuan’s expression, however, was grim. "Do you know how long the two of us searched for you in this expanse of void?" Shen Yuexuan had already rushed to the Tianfang World.

When the small thousand world of the Qin Emperor’s Tomb finally collapsed, Shen Yuexuan managed to secure at least twenty thousand uncontrollable puppet immortal soldiers. Regardless of where they were placed, this force could not be underestimated.

But with Shen Yuexuan gone, only she and Yuan Wushang remained to scour this area for Zong Shou’s traces. "It truly was unavoidable; the tale is long and complex!" Zong Shou shook his head, feeling a slight surprise.

"Did Li Xin not inform anyone of my location?" In his estimation, once Li Xin returned with his imperial edict, the Cangsheng Dao and the ministers of Da Qian should have known where to find him. "Li Xin?" Lin Xuanxuan offered a sweet smile.

"He said your situation was peculiar at the time, and he couldn't discern whom to trust. Therefore, he refused to speak, saying it was better to wait for the few of you to return on your own than risk revealing your whereabouts." Her expression then turned strange.

"This person should be that peerless general from the era of the First Qin. But he was supposed to be a formidable corpse puppet; how did he become flesh and blood?

And how did you bring him under your banner? Gaining the true loyalty of such a man seems no easy feat." "It was sheer coincidence!

I happened to possess an artifact capable of restraining him." Zong Shou smiled and offered a brief explanation, then his expression grew serious as he asked, "Has something transpired in the Cloud Realm? For the past few days, I have felt an inexplicable disquiet, unable to focus—" He had only uttered this when he saw Lin Xuanxuan’s expression turn subdued, tinged with apology.

Zong Shou’s heart plummeted with a sudden lurch; he knew the situation must be grim. Yuan Wushang merely sighed, rubbing his temple slightly.

"The Dark World Demonic Court has already breached the Tianfang World. Reportedly, they have taken ten military governorships.

That Yin Yu acquired the Twelve State-Guarding Bronze Men and even persuaded Li Biexue to serve as Da Qian's Imperial Preceptor. He has become quite arrogant lately.

But the main culprit is that idiot, Jin Buhui—" ※※※※ South of the Yangtze River, within Jinling City, directly to the east. Upon a wide, black-and-white Taiji stone altar, two figures sat opposite each other.

This was the newly established Altar of Heaven Worship in Da Qian's new capital. Jinling, as one of the subsidiary capitals of the Great Shang dynasty, already possessed imperial palaces and complete official residences.

These structures were built during the zenith of Great Shang and had been reasonably well-preserved, frequently visited by Shang emperors over the years. Thus, they conveniently served the Da Qian dynasty, requiring only minor repairs without necessitating significant expenditure of wealth or effort.

This Altar of Heaven Worship was the same; it possessed immeasurably greater grandeur than that on Mount Qiantian. Moreover, its location was superb: ninety-nine zhang high, situated over a spiritual eye, and constructed entirely of premium stone.

From this vantage point, one could look over the outer walls and survey the scenery beyond the city—seeing warships crashing and fighting one another. Great barges were continuously ferrying the armies of Great Shang across the great river to land on the southern bank.

Within the entirety of Jinling City, the atmosphere was tense. Three hundred thousand troops held fast to the four city walls, while another hundred thousand were garrisoned throughout the streets, maintaining order within the city.

However, Kong Rui paid them little heed. Though the Shang army was strong, their core elites had been largely annihilated in the battle at the Plain of Fallen Gods.

The forces currently assembled were mostly newly recruited additions; attempting to breach a formidable city like Jinling in a short time was sheer fantasy. What preoccupied him now was the person before him.

"The Emperor Star shifts left—this is the Dragon emerging from the Abyss!" His spiritual consciousness mapped the celestial phenomena, and a flicker of excitement shone in Kong Rui’s eyes. He then looked toward the opposite figure with an inquiring gaze.

"I wonder, Elder Mingri Xuan, what are your thoughts on this?" Mingri Xuan let out a soft, knowing chuckle. "It seems His Majesty has broken free.

Congratulations are in order. In truth, Inspector Kong, you yourself are a master calculator of this age; why ask me?" Kong Rui smiled, then grew solemn.

"Since the day I was born, I have heard the name of the recluse Mingri Xuan. In the eyes of those of us who study numerology, while you may not be the progenitor of this path, you are certainly a figure who connects the past to the present, a true Grandmaster.

Therefore, Kong Rui seeks your counsel!" He then smiled slightly. "Why don't we wager?

How many years remain for the Great Shang dynasty, and what is the fate of Da Qian's fortunes?" "Is this a test?" A subtle change appeared on Mingri Xuan’s face. When did a junior separated by ten thousand years dare to pose a question intended to test him?

Yet, the man before him barely possessed the requisite qualification. He raised his head to gaze at the sky.

Within the Central Enclosure, one Emperor Star shone with exceptional brilliance, seemingly drawing nourishment, causing dozens of surrounding stars to dim into insignificance. Even the two stars that had faintly contended with it a month prior were now suppressed.

In reality, the celestial aspect was once again chaotic, obscured and scrambled by layers of overlapping power—he himself was part of that concealment. The starry expanse he currently observed was the result of Mingri Xuan meticulously discarding countless illusory images; whether it was accurate or not remained unknown, but it was the only basis upon which to judge the world's trajectory.

"The situation of 'Swallowing the Dragon' remains unresolved, yet the Dragon has already issued from the Abyss. This is a new celestial arrangement: the Dragon commands the Nine Heavens, stirring clouds and overturning rain.

How many years remain for the Great Shang? It is inevitable—a mere final flare before doom strikes.

As for Da Qian—" Mingri Xuan closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before opening them. "This portends a tiger consuming ten thousand li of territory!" His eyes held a trace of disbelief.

Deducing such a celestial pattern truly exceeded his imagination. Kong Rui also showed surprise.

He could only deduce up to the stage of the 'Dragon Commands the Nine Heavens' star pattern; anything beyond that exceeded his capability— Compared to this recluse Mingri Xuan, his cultivation still held a noticeable gap, did it not? After a brief moment of contemplation, Kong Rui smiled again.

"It seems heroes see eye to eye. However, others may not view it so clearly—" He then declared grandly, "Then we wager.

On that last point: If what the recluse says proves true, Kong Rui is willing to submit a memorial to His Majesty, petitioning to bestow upon you the title of State Preceptor of Da Qian." Mingri Xuan was momentarily stunned. He had come here merely holding onto a sliver of hope, expecting at most to gain Kong Rui’s understanding and perhaps acquire the honorary title of Protector of the Nation from Da Qian to gather more vital energy for himself.

He had never expected Kong Rui to exhibit such lofty magnanimity. The ancient lineage of Qi Refiners cultivates by 'Qi'; if Qi flows smoothly, progress is swift; if it is obstructed, it is like rowing against the current.

Therefore, the title of 'State Preceptor of Da Qian' was, in the eyes of a Qi Refiner, equivalent to the world's most supreme immortal treasure. Qi is like a stream; if too much is diverted, the water thins, thus it must be cherished.

Kong Rui was clearly from the lineage of Qi Refiners, achieving the Immortal Rank in just a few short years with the aid of his position as the Director of the Imperial Observatory. It was hard to imagine this man would willingly give up the readily obtainable position of State Preceptor.

Though surprised, Mingri Xuan’s reaction was immediate. "Why such a gesture?

Recluse Mingri Xuan has no such intention." "Recluse, you are being overly modest? As fellow Qi Refiners, Kong Rui understands your heart's desire." Kong Rui smiled faintly.

"Kong Rui’s daughter serves as a Marshal in Da Qian, and is also a consort to His Majesty—our bloodlines are connected. If Kong Rui wishes to avoid celestial retribution, it is better to yield the position of State Preceptor to another." Saying this, Kong Rui added with a smile, "Besides, Kong Rui has one more matter requiring the Recluse’s assistance!" Mingri Xuan considered this carefully; it was indeed true.

But the State Preceptor of Da Qian? It was certainly tempting, though it warranted further deliberation.

He then pondered what matter Kong Rui required aid with, and moments later, he understood. "Is it concerning the Battle of Baisheng Pass?

I heard that battle is personally overseen by Noble Consort Kong Yao?" Kong Rui nodded expressionlessly. "Precisely!

Kong Rui wishes to invite the Recluse to perform a ritual with me, to summon wind and call rain." Mingri Xuan knew well that Baisheng Pass was currently besieged by the Fire Crow Demon Lord. To counter this being’s methods, only a massive aggregation of water vapor would suffice.

He also understood that this was Kong Rui’s true condition. To secure the title of State Preceptor, he would first need to perform some service for Da Qian.

Having made up his mind, Mingri Xuan still smiled. "It is currently the seventh month, the height of summer drought.

To summon clouds and call rain at Baisheng Pass at this time is to defy heaven's way." "Not just Baisheng Pass, but the entirety of Jiangnan. As for defying heaven's way?

Since the Recluse has already calculated that Great Shang is no longer a threat, whether this action defies heaven or follows the natural course is debatable." Kong Rui’s expression was placid, utterly unmoved. "Years ago, I divined the fate of Kong Yao and calculated that after altering her destiny, her life would be free of calamity!

A smooth existence—" As he spoke, Kong Rui suddenly paused, his gaze turning cold as he looked into the city. In that instant, over a dozen structures within the city burst into great, soaring flames.

The formerly silent streets erupted with the panicked flight of countless people; the entire city descended into clamor. Kong Rui showed no surprise, only letting out a soft sigh.

"They court death! What a pity to implicate the people of this city—" With Zong Yuan responsible for the defense and the veteran general Hu Qianqiu present to assist, such minor chaos would not escalate.

Mingri Xuan smiled without comment, now fully grasping why Kong Rui needed to bring heavy rain to the Jiangnan region. Only such a measure could slow down activities everywhere.

And at that very moment, a light laugh suddenly drifted across. "In this Marquis’s view, Mr.

Kong Rui, perhaps you are the one courting death!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.) to cast recommendation votes and monthly passes.

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