If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1358 The Annual Meeting of the Kings

After learning about Grand Tutor Yu's needs, Ying Banli did not directly retrieve the books that had been looted from the Southern Demonic Sect for her.

Instead, he went to the "experimental document area" and picked out a book as big as a chopping board and as thick as a pillow.

"The books looted from the Demonic Sect are all quite incomplete and difficult to read. This 'Heavenly Demon Record' is a summary of the inheritance of Rahu's 'Heavenly Demon Sect' by the sorcerers and immortals under the late emperor after studying the Demonic Sect's books."

Grand Tutor Yu took the enormous book and frowned. "Is this a book made of human skin?"

Ying Banli nodded and said, "Human skin is used as the pages, the tendons of the left hand are used for binding, and then human bones and hair are used to make a brush, which is dipped in the blood essence of a living person to write on."

There was no other way; the demonic sect's techniques and secret teachings had to be recorded in this way.

If it were spirit jade or ordinary paper, the characters imbued with demonic energy could not be written on it.

"Alright, you can go back now. I'll look at it myself at my own pace," said Grand Tutor Yu.

After Ying Banli left, she waved her sleeve, and the power of the purplish-black nightmare enveloped the surrounding area for several miles.

She pulled the entire "Magic Gate Book Area" into a dream dimension, a dream world she had woven herself.

In a dream, billions of years may pass in the outside world, while only a moment may have passed. In a dream, a moment may pass in the outside world, while decades may have passed.

She now reads the scriptures of the Demonic Sect, without needing to comprehend the Great Dao of the Pangu World. Reading memories only requires time.

The next day, at 5 p.m., Grand Tutor Yu appeared on time at the Temple of Heaven atop Black Ice Terrace.

At this moment, the group of Qin Celestial Masters had already changed into their ritual robes and were arranging various utensils for the sacrificial ceremony.

"Hmm, Grand Tutor, you seem a little different today?"

Master Guan looked at Grand Tutor Yu with suspicion, "Have you been practicing powerful demonic arts these past two days, and have you even made some progress?"

Grand Tutor Yu was somewhat surprised and asked, "Is it that obvious? I have only studied the demonic sect's scriptures in depth and learned about the methods of the Southern Demonic Sect."

"He hasn't even started formal cultivation, yet he already has demonic energy emanating from him?"

Master Grey Crane also came over, carefully examined Grand Tutor Yu for a moment, and nodded, saying, "It is indeed quite obvious. The Dao and the Demon are incompatible, and we Daoists who cultivate the Xuanmen mental method are particularly sensitive to the demonic aura."

The Grand Tutor doesn't seem to merely study demonic scriptures; it's more like he's mastered demonic arts to a high level, and at this point, he can be considered a revered patriarch.

"Grand Tutor has long been practicing demonic arts, what are you all so surprised about?"

Yang Li's skills were insufficient; at most, he felt that Grand Tutor Yu appeared more dignified and awe-inspiring today.

Grand Tutor Keyu is dignified and awe-inspiring, isn't that normal?

"Your Dao energy is insufficient, and your Xuanmen techniques are not yet fully mastered. Because you have not cultivated 'celestial charm' in your soul through years of communicating with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, you have no feeling about it."

"The Grand Tutor's pupils are now adorned with demonic patterns, which all the immortals of the Xuanmen sect can see," said Master Guan.

Yang Li felt a little embarrassed and didn't dare to say anything out of line.

Grand Master Yu said, "Although I practiced demonic arts in the past, my demonic arts were self-created, and my demonic power only came from the 'otherworldly power' of the Chaos Demon God, not the authentic demonic power of the Pangu world."

This time, I found the demonic scriptures hidden in the room and studied them in depth in my dreams for two whole years.

He still possessed no genuine magical power, yet his cultivation level was approaching the 'Minor Luo Realm of the Demonic Sect,' so it was normal for him to exhibit some abnormalities.

"What is the Lesser Luo Realm?" Master Guan asked curiously.

"Corresponding to the Great Luo Golden Immortal of the Xuanmen. Alas, the demonic sect of the Pangu world is indeed pathetic. Both have attained the Dao, yet the difference is so vast."

I didn't cultivate the Southern Demonic Sect's techniques at all. I only followed their philosophy and slightly sensed Rahu's Dao, and I showed signs of attaining the Dao. The threshold was too low.

"It's as if the Great Dao of Rahu is begging me to merge with it," said Grand Master Yu.

Venerable Mixin was not lying.

The Southern Demonic Sect did indeed imitate the Xuanmen's "Great Luo Path" and created the "Demonic Sect's Method of Merging with the Dao".

But the Demonic Sect's path is too narrow.

When Pangu separated heaven and earth, he encountered three thousand chaotic demons who tried to stop him.

Most of the Chaos Gods were instantly killed by the Heaven-Opening Axe and became nourishment for the growth of the Pangu World.

For example, the rotten demon eye that Xiaoyu encountered in Western Shu, and the half-demon head that she picked up at the edge of a dream.

However, some of the Chaos Gods survived.

After they survived, they came across an unclaimed Pangu world and naturally couldn't resist the urge to enter it and claim it for themselves.

Both Demon Ancestor Rahu and Hongjun Ancestor are surviving Chaos Demon Gods.

They were like street thugs fighting over territory, perhaps with helpers; the two groups were hacking and slashing wildly with watermelon knives.

If Rahu had won back then, the Pangu world would now be ruled by the demonic sects.

That great battle was the second "Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth" after the "Ancient Calamity" of the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin.

The reason it is second, rather than first, is because the dragon, phoenix, and qilin are "innate native gods," born with the power to control heaven and earth and the power and responsibility to protect the Pangu world.

Only after the three native "world security guards"—Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin—fighted each other and crippled themselves, did outsiders dare to sneak into the community and seize the residents' houses.

Rahu was killed, and the Pangu world became Hongjun's. As a result, the Taoist sect flourished, while the demonic sect declined.

The Heavenly Dao of the Pangu World was divided into 100 equal parts, and Hongjun Laozu obtained at least 51% of the shares.

After Rahu died, his demonic soul transformed into the Dao in the Pangu World—becoming the Great Dao Laws of the Pangu World.

By acquiring shares in this way, "Magic Avenue" obtained less than 1% of the equity.

Hongjun's lineage is called "Xuanmen" (Mysterious Gate), while the lineage left by Luohou is called "Zhengzong Momen" (Orthodox Demonic Gate).

The chaotic demonic origin that Xiaoyu "picked up" did not come from Rahu. It was only because it was different from the native power of the Pangu world that it became "demonic power".

It bears the stigma of "magic" for nothing, yet it lacks the authority of a legitimate demonic sect—the ability to align itself with the path of Rahu.

Unable to resonate with the rules of the demonic path in the Pangu world, Grand Tutor Yu possessed profound demonic power but lacked "demonic charm."

The term "demon charm," "Taoist charm," or "celestial charm" is synonymous with "divine charm."

At the very least, the power of the rules must be challenged in order to achieve "spirit".

Time was of the essence, so Grand Tutor Yu didn't waste any more time chatting with Master Guan and the others.

First, they offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, the Three Pure Ones, the Heavenly Emperor, and the gods of the four directions. Then they went to the Temple of Earth to help the Ying clan worship their ancestors.

At this moment, worshipping the ancestors of the Ying clan is more effective than worshipping Heaven and Earth and the Jade Emperor.

Because Heaven has decreed that the Qin Dynasty has lost its Mandate of Heaven, the Jade Emperor, the Three Pure Ones, and the gods of the four directions will only protect this Mandate of Heaven and will not heed the Qin Dynasty's demands.

When the ancestors of the Ying clan were worshipped, the former kings of the Ying clan received ten parts of power from the national sacrifice. They wished they could give twelve parts of that power to the Qin Dynasty and bless the Qin Dynasty with good weather, abundant harvests, and peace and prosperity.

Even though they knew that worshipping the Three Pure Ones and the Jade Emperor was useless, they still placed them first.

If you offer sacrifices to them, they will not pay attention to you; but if you do not offer sacrifices to them, ignore them, and anger them, they will trample on you severely.

After all the rituals were completed, three hours had passed, and the Taoist priests who had not yet become immortals were already somewhat exhausted.

The most important matters of state are sacrifice and war.

Offering sacrifices to heaven, earth, and spirits consumes a tremendous amount of spiritual energy every single moment.

If one's mind wanders and one is unable to communicate with the "heaven" in the unseen realm, how can one seek protection through sacrifices?
Grand Master Yu was the one who expended the most mental and physical energy among all the Celestial Masters. However, her cultivation was high enough that she summoned the Nine Cauldrons, placed the headless Ancestral Dragon inside them, communicated with Heaven and Earth, offered sacrifices to the Three Pure Ones, and pleaded with the Jade Emperor for the request from the Great Qin Dynasty—please do not use natural disasters to torment the Central Plains next year.

Even after the sacrificial ceremony was completed, the celestial masters did not disperse.

They stayed at the Temple of Heaven to observe the stars and assess the effects of the recent sacrificial ceremony.

"The effect is very good! The disaster situation next year will be about the same as this year," Master Guan said with delight.

Last year he was frowning and worried. This year, in the same year, he is unusually happy.

Grand Tutor Yu smiled and nodded, saying, "It should have been worse, but it didn't. This shows that in the past year, we haven't lost the favor of Heaven; on the contrary, we've gained a lot of Heaven's blessing."

The fate of the Qin Dynasty is like the national debt of a certain country in her previous life.

The national debt was 31 trillion yuan the year before last, 33 trillion yuan last year, and 34 trillion yuan this year, increasing year by year until the country is completely finished.

As a result, Daqin's debt of 31 trillion yuan last year remains at 31 trillion yuan this year.

Not only did the debt come to a screeching halt, but the interest was also paid off, which means there's a huge surplus this year!

"It's all thanks to the Grand Tutor's wise leadership!" the Gray Crane Taoist exclaimed.

"Yes, Grand Tutor has been in office for a full year, and our Great Qin almost turned the tide. Grand Tutor's contribution is truly great."

"Grand Tutor is amazing! He single-handedly played a grand game against numerous Great Luo Immortals and even defied the heavens, yet he actually won!"

The Celestial Masters were all smiles, celebrating their achievements, and sincerely flattered Grand Tutor Yu.

"I dare not take credit for it. This achievement is all thanks to everyone's concerted efforts."

Grand Tutor Yu was modest in his words, but there was an undeniable hint of pride on his face.

"Next year, we will definitely continue our efforts, adhere to the ten-year policy of benevolence without wavering, and strive to make the Qin Dynasty great again!"

After offering a word of encouragement, Grand Tutor Yu led the assembled Celestial Masters back to the Imperial Observatory to hold a grand celebration banquet.

Upon receiving the news, Ziying and other ministers of Qin were both worried and happy.

This year's "debt" problem hasn't gotten worse; in fact, it's improved, which is certainly cause for celebration. However, the Qin Dynasty already had too much debt, a huge hole that seems impossible to fill!
Grand Tutor Yu is truly extremely busy.

After the Imperial Observatory's year-end banquet for its staff ended, around 1 a.m., she entered the dream dimension again and first wove a dream of a "Year-End Summary Conference of the Kings".

Then she pulled one by one into the "Dream of the Meeting Hall" from Xingyang, the eastern capital, including Hu Hai, the Prince of Lieyang, Li Si, Feng Quji, and the feudal lords who had been enfeoffed.

Of course, there's a major prerequisite for her to attract people—the other person must already be asleep.

At one o'clock in the morning, when ordinary people should have already gone to bed, some people are practicing martial arts, and some princes are full of worries.

Therefore, Grand Tutor Yu was unable to immediately assemble the "high-ranking officials of the Great Qin".

Those who fell asleep first have already entered the venue and started chatting.

"Big brother, you're here!"

"Brother, please take a seat."

"Brother, I'm here to greet you!"

"Brother, would you like some tea? Although this is a dream world, it feels more real than the human world."

This is the grandeur of the eldest prince, Fusu.

Upon his arrival, apart from Li Si being slightly embarrassed, the other feudal lords were exceptionally respectful and very enthusiastic.

After the Second Emperor was established and many princes were enfeoffed, the feelings between the princes became purer, and their respect for their elder brother returned.

"My brothers, you're too kind," Fusu said with a smile, earnestly returning the greeting to his brothers.

This was completely different from the desolation and depression he felt when he first arrived in Xianyang and met Grand Tutor Yu.

The Qin state is in a bad situation, and its fiefdom of Zhao is not peaceful either, but his spirits are obviously very good, and he has even gained a little weight.

Just as Fusu was warmly greeting his brothers, Emperor Huhai made his appearance.

A moment of silence fell over the room.

It's not just because of the special and profound feelings for Emperor Huhai, but also because of Emperor Huhai's image and temperament at that time.

"Big brother, you've arrived~~" Upon seeing Fusu, Huhai felt a little embarrassed and flustered.

"The Prince of Zhao pays his respects to His Majesty the Second Emperor!" Fusu regained his senses, rose, and bowed to Huhai.

"Greetings to His Majesty the Second Emperor." With him taking the lead, the other princes and princes without titles also suppressed their emotions and bowed to Huhai.

Seeing his elder brother and the other princes behave this way, Hu Hai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Elder brother, and all my royal brothers, please rise, no need for formalities."

"Tomorrow is the New Year, and I have been missing my brothers. My father has used the magic of dreams to bring us all together, which perfectly fulfills my wish. Excellent!"

Hu Hai's expression was natural, his tone sincere, and his laughter hearty, making the princes feel quite unfamiliar with him.

Even during the period before Hu Hai ascended the throne, when he was "pretending to be an honest child," the persona he cultivated was that of a cautious, diligent, low-key, and shy individual.
Now he is almost two meters tall, with dark and smooth skin, looking just like a black ox that has just emerged from the water in summer.

He inherited his mother's oval face, but now it has become a square face as big as a chopping board, with strong and heroic features, and bulging muscles.

The key is his temperament; he has completely lost his gloom and sullenness, and looks like a cheerful 18-year-old boy.

To put it simply, if Xiaoyu were to play the young Qiao Feng in "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," his image and temperament would require absolutely no acting skills.

To be honest, if this dream gathering hadn't been organized by Grand Tutor Yu, and if Li Si and Feng Quji hadn't acted quite normally upon seeing Hu Hai, many feudal lords would have suspected that Hu Hai had been possessed by someone.

"It's been half a year since we last met, and His Majesty has changed quite a bit," Fusu said, voicing everyone's concerns.

Hu Hai looked down at himself and smiled smugly, "That's because I've already achieved a minor mastery of divine skills. You don't know, do you? The day before yesterday, I took up a long spear, left the protection of the army formation, and challenged Wu Guang outside Xingyang City alone."

I single-handedly defeated twenty-eight of Wu Guang's fierce generals.

None of them could last ten rounds against me.

Haha, the people all praise me as the 'Black Ox Emperor'!

He is really happy.

After Wu Guang led his troops close to Xingyang City, he was no longer able to go out of the city to win the people's faith as usual.

The "False Holy Emperor's Divine Skill" immediately began to backfire on its master, causing him to suffer so much that he wanted to commit suicide.

It's better to die in battle than to die in agony.

He, who was usually timid and had always practiced escape techniques in Xingyang, actually bravely rushed to the front line.

Then something amazing happened.

Upon seeing the Second Emperor dare to go to the battlefield, the soldiers on the battlefield immediately felt admiration and excitement.

The people's beliefs surged forth, and Hu Hai was so excited he almost reached orgasm.

Thus, Emperor Huhai, having discovered a new path, began to race along it.

When he mustered his courage to go out and fight for the first time, fueled by his belief, his courage surged like a raging river, unstoppable.

Because he discovered that he was more powerful than he had ever imagined.

(End of this chapter)