Daqian Night Emperor

Chapter 273 Within three years, the Tao will reach the first level!
Although the birthday banquet was over, everyone's hearts were still not at peace for a long time.

Tonight will be the starting point for a turning point in the Daqian Dynasty.

The city of Kyoto, which has been silent for so long, is about to be hit by a violent storm. No one will be spared, and everyone will be caught in it.

Even Zhao Qi'an...can't remain immune.

"Time is running out for me. It seems I won't be able to wait for Dean An to enter the government."

Zhao Qian'an thought about this sentence silently in his mind, but he did not feel disappointed.

The situation had actually changed before the Wanshou Banquet.

He felt the urge to act, but reason forced him to suppress it: "Don't be impatient. At least... we need to find out what secrets are hidden in Mount Xumi."

This is very important to the direction of his decision.

……

After the banquet, everyone dispersed.

Zhao Qi'an was not in a hurry to leave, but sat at the table and drank wine with a calm expression.

He saw hundreds of officials surrounding Ji Wuchang and congratulating him, as if he was the moon surrounded by stars.

The little witch master, who was described as unruly by others, stood behind the eldest prince like a follower.

He saw that the Left Prime Minister Wu Yong was whispering something with the Second Prince Ji Haoyu, and the atmosphere was solemn.

When the Qilin Palace gradually became deserted, the Fifth Marquis came hurriedly.

"My Lord, His Majesty invites you to follow me to the Yangxin Palace."

Zhao Qi'an then put down his wine glass and stood up: "Thank you, Fifth Marquis, for leading the way."

The Fifth Marquis nodded slightly, then walked ahead of Zhao Qian'an and strode out of the palace gate with big strides.

Zhao Qi'an followed the Fifth Marquis out of the Rende Palace and walked along the palace path.

About a quarter of an hour later, they arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The Fifth Marquis turned around, glanced at Zhao Qian'an, and said, "My Lord, I need to remind you that His Majesty is in a bad mood today, so you need to be careful with your words and actions."

Zhao Qi'an's face became solemn, and he bowed and said, "Thank you, Fifth Marquis, for your reminder."

"go in."

The Fifth Marquis entered the Yangxin Palace first, followed closely by Zhao Qian'an.

When the two men walked around the screen and entered the hall, they saw Emperor Tianwu, whose exaggeratedly fat body was sitting on the imperial couch, and the long table in front of him was filled with a wide variety of food.

Zhao Qi'an was stunned for a moment, because Emperor Tianwu actually saw him in his true appearance today without using a screen to cover himself.

The Fifth Marquis frowned and shouted at the maids and eunuchs serving beside the palace: "What are you doing? Why don't you go and get the curtains!"

The palace maids and eunuchs all looked terrified, but they dared not move.

Emperor Tianwu sneered, "It was I who told them not to take it. Now that things have come to this, what is there to hide?"

He looked at Zhao Qian'an with a gentle attitude: "Haiqing, I saw that you didn't eat anything at the banquet just now. Sit down and eat something with me."

He did not give Zhao Qian'an a chance to refuse, and ordered the eunuch beside him: "Give the prince consort a seat, and go get some ordinary food."

Zhao Qi'an no longer refused and bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

After the eunuch brought a spring stool and placed it next to the long table, Zhao Qinan sat down confidently, sitting opposite Emperor Tianwu.

It was not until this time that he raised his eyes and glanced at Emperor Tianwu as if casually.

Even while talking to Zhao Qian'an, Emperor Tianwu did not stop eating. Several young eunuchs beside him kept handing food to him.

The white-haired imperial teacher, whose eyes were covered with silk, was sitting aside, flipping through a book in his hands. It was the book that Zhao Qi'an had just presented in front of the hall.

I don’t know how she could read the contents of the book in her current state.

Zhao Qi'an's gaze lingered on the two of them for only a moment, and finally fell on the Donghua Sword Immortal standing behind Emperor Tianwu.

The world's number one swordsman was still unkempt as he stood behind Emperor Tianwu, his eyes kept lowered as if he was distracted.

Earlier in the Qilin Palace, when Zhao Qian’an first met the Donghua Sword Immortal, he felt that there was an indescribable aura about him.

Looking at it again now, he was finally certain in his heart that what was emanating from the Donghua Sword Immortal was... a faint aura of death.

That is the breath of a warrior's blood and energy beginning to dry up and his life approaching the end!

But Donghua Sword Immortal is definitely not over seventy years old now. Even if he has not yet achieved the first level of Taoism, he is still in his prime and should not have fallen to this point!
Emperor Tianwu seemed to have noticed Zhao Qian'an's gaze and casually glanced at the Donghua Sword Immortal beside him.

However, he did not ask more questions. His gaze returned to Zhao Qian'an and he asked, "You have prepared a big surprise for me today. Where did you get those books about Ling Yuan?"

Zhao Qi'an pondered for a moment and replied, "This is what I got in my dream."

"In a dream?"

"Yes, since I was young, I often dreamed at night that I appeared in another world. In that world, I have other family members, friends, and different life experiences. I fell asleep overnight, but in the dream, it was a long few years..."

These experiences were naturally not what he had experienced himself. He was transferring the experiences of his seventh adopted son Zhao Wang to himself.

Zhao Qi'an had no intention of exposing Zhao Wang's existence to the public.

Be it Emperor Tianwu or the Imperial Preceptor, Zhao Qi'an always maintained a trace of caution.

This is his nature. He is so cautious towards people who cannot be absolutely controlled by him.

Zhao Qi'an's experience was naturally unbelievable to others, and they even had to suspect whether Zhao Qi'an had hysteria.

But Emperor Tianwu and the Imperial Preceptor looked at each other with solemn expressions.

Emperor Tianwu asked: "Hai Qing means that there is another 'you' in Lingyuan now?"

Zhao Qi'an replied, "Perhaps it was just a dream of mine. I can only remember two or three tenths of what happened in the dream after I woke up. I don't know why I decided to memorize this information about Ling Yuan in my heart. After I woke up, I only remembered these. I dare not delay and only dare to write it down on paper."

His explanation helped Emperor Tianwu to resolve his doubts. He suddenly realized, "I know you are not a mediocre person, but you have done nothing in Kyoto City over the years. So you have been busy recording what you saw and heard in your dreams all these years?"

Zhao Qi'an was stunned when he heard this.

But soon, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty is indeed very discerning."

Emperor Tianwu sighed, "So that's how it is. I thought you had been hiding something all these years, operating in secret and waiting for the right moment to do something that would shock the world!"

He glanced at Zhao Qian'an and said casually, "I thought you were waiting for the day I died."

Zhao Qi'an still kept his head down, but his fists clenched slightly tighter without being noticed.

"I... am not that capable."

"Not that capable? No, no, no, your ability is so amazing that even I am surprised!" Emperor Tianwu pointed to the bookcases in the corner of the Yangxin Palace and said to Zhao Qian'an, "Do you know how much these things you presented to me today are worth?"

"The Well of Two Worlds has not yet been opened, and we know almost nothing about Lingyuan. The little information we know was obtained at the cost of many lives!"

"With these, I finally have a deep understanding of Lingyuan, and I also know what we are facing."

"The birthday gift that moved me the most at today's banquet was not the Nine Brahma Pure Lotus, nor the Golden Dragon Offering Pearl... Even the 'gift' presented by Wuchang, in my eyes, is not as good as the dozen boxes of books you presented to me!"

His voice gradually became louder and echoed throughout the Yangxin Palace, which was enough to show the restlessness in Emperor Tianwu's heart at this moment.

He looked at Zhao Qian'an with a complicated expression: "In my eyes, you are now more important than any other pillar of the country."

Zhao Qi'an bowed again: "I am afraid and dare not stand shoulder to shoulder with the national pillar."

Emperor Tianwu shook his head and said, "Don't belittle yourself. In fact, I am not very willing to take you to Mount Xumi. First, Mount Xumi is too important. If spies sneak in, the consequences will be disastrous. Second, Mount Xumi is full of dangers. You have no cultivation at all, and you are powerless to protect yourself. Your life may be in danger at any time."

Zhao Qi'an was surprised and said, "Your Majesty, Mount Xumi is the holy place where your Majesty and the Imperial Master practice, how can it be dangerous?"

Emperor Tianwu shook his head and said, "There are some things that you can only know after you enter Mount Xumi."

His Majesty the Emperor was still somewhat wary of Zhao Qi'an and did not reveal everything.

Although Zhao Qi'an had expected this, he was still a little disappointed.

He had many doubts and hoped to hear the truth from Emperor Tianwu today, but now it seems hopeless.

He thought for a moment and asked cautiously, "If I enter Mount Xumi, what do you need me to do?"

Emperor Tianwu smiled and said, "You are probably not able to help me now. But it doesn't matter. I know you are extraordinary. Although I don't know why you didn't follow the path of martial arts in recent years, after entering Mount Xumi, you don't have to be afraid of anything. Even if it is the influence of the Wheel of Heaven, there are people in Mount Xumi who can suppress it for you."

"You only need to do one thing, and that is to practice martial arts with all your heart and soul, and enter the realm of heaven as soon as possible... Only when you enter the realm of heaven can you be of any help to me."

"The cultivation resources of Mount Xumi are beyond your imagination. Don't think that your Donghai Zhao family is rich. There are some things that you can't buy even if you spend all your wealth."

In the eyes of Emperor Tianwu, allowing Zhao Qian'an to enter Mount Xumi was a reward for him.

He looked at Zhao Qi'an and said, "You may not understand the significance of entering Mount Xumi. Let me put it another way. If Nie Xiuyuan beside you enters Mount Xumi, within three years, he will be able to enter the first-grade Yangxian with his own way!"

Zhao Qi'an widened his eyes and looked at Emperor Tianwu in disbelief. Only one thought emerged in his mind -

How can this be? !
Elder Nie's cultivation level is roughly between the middle and upper realms of creation.

If he is willing to follow the path of his predecessors and attain enlightenment through the "Ashura Way", then he will have a chance to achieve the highest level of enlightenment in his lifetime.

But if Nie Xiuyuan wants to find his own "Tao", then the time for him to achieve the first level of Taoism... will be a long time coming.

Perhaps for the rest of his life, he will be stuck in the second level of creation realm, unable to take another step forward.

At this point, even Zhao Qi'an could not provide any help.

But Emperor Tianwu said that if Master Nie entered Mount Xumi, he would be able to achieve the first level of Taoism within three years?
Such arrogant words, but whether it was the national teacher Shui Yuexian or Donghua Sword Immortal beside him, they all looked calm after hearing it, as if this was a matter of course.

Zhao Qi'an realized that perhaps there was a bigger secret hidden in Mount Xumi than he had imagined!
And the next moment, Emperor Tianwu dropped a bombshell:
"Originally, I intended to give this year's quota to Ding Bo Hou, but now that you have made great contributions by presenting the book, I can allow Nie Xiuyuan to enter Mount Xumi with you."

If what Emperor Tianwu said was targeted, then that means... Nie Xiuyuan's chance to become a first-class Taoist is right before his eyes?
If Elder Nie can break through to the first-grade Yang Immortal, then Zhao Qi'an's Yuantai purple pattern... may be able to reach perfection!

At this moment, Zhao Qian felt his heart begin to pound.

There are very few things in this world that can make him so emotional.

But now…his breathing became a little faster.

Emperor Tianwu observed Zhao Qi'an's reaction and finally showed a satisfied smile: "Go back and arrange everything. One month later, follow me and the Imperial Master to Mount Xumi!"

One month later, the time has come to decide who will be the crown prince.

As expected, Emperor Tianwu had to wait until after that before returning to Mount Xumi.

But Zhao Qian, who was originally a little uneasy, gradually regained his composure and even frowned with a serious look on his face.

He bowed to Emperor Tianwu and said, "Your Majesty, I have a question."

"explain."

"If I agree to go to Mount Xumi, can I enter and leave it at any time?"

Emperor Tianwu looked at Zhao Qi'an meaningfully, shook his head and said, "Of course that's not possible."

Zhao Qi'an asked: "Can this minister contact the outside world?"

Emperor Tianwu continued to shake his head: "Of course not. There are many secrets in Mount Xumi that cannot be leaked."

Zhao Qi'an calmed down instantly, pondered for a moment, shook his head and said, "In this case, I don't want to go."

As soon as he said this, everyone in the hall looked at Zhao Qian'an in surprise.

Even Emperor Tianwu had a look of surprise.

If anyone else heard these conditions, they would probably wish to enter Mount Sumeru as early as possible, fearing that something unexpected would happen if they were late.

But this Zhao Qian...he is unwilling to go?

Emperor Tianwu couldn't help but remind him: "Think carefully, if you miss this opportunity, you will never get it again."

Zhao Qi'an's face was calm as he replied, "I hope your majesty will forgive me. I still have many worldly affairs to attend to. If I cannot leave Mount Xumi for several years, I will find it hard to accept."

Just at this time, Wu Hou Qiansui walked up to Emperor Tianwu and whispered something.

Emperor Tianwu nodded, then looked at Zhao Qi'an and said, "This time, I'm afraid it's not up to you, unless you want to disobey my order..."

Zhao Qi'an's brows gradually frowned, and his heart became heavy.

But the next moment, Emperor Tianwu said: "But... I am not an unreasonable person. After I allow you to enter Mount Xumi, before you become a celestial being, you can leave the mountain three times to handle worldly affairs."

"If you can enter the heavenly realm through martial arts, you can enter and exit Mount Xumi on your own."

"In the meantime, I grant you an imperial gold medal, which you can give to your close confidants. If you have any important business, you can bring the gold medal into the palace to find Wu Hou Qiansui, and he will bring the news to Mount Xumi and convey it to you."

"What do you think?"

Zhao Qi'an felt a little relieved.

Entering Mount Sumeru completely cut off all contact with the outside world, which he could not accept.

But if this is the condition offered by Emperor Tianwu now... Zhao Qi'an would not find it unacceptable.

At the very least, he had already mastered martial arts to the level of a celestial being. If there was an emergency, he could display his strength at any time and enter and exit Mount Sumeru freely.

After Zhao Qi'an figured this out, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I obey your order."

(End of this chapter)