People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 404, Unusual Movements in Xianyang

“Junior brother, there’s no need to feel pressured. With your talent, it’s only a matter of time before you complete your studies and reach the pinnacle of the Celestial Realm,” Chisongzi said, stroking his beard.

"Junior brother."

Seeing this, everyone began to encourage Xu Qing, worried that it would affect his state of mind.

"Senior brothers, there's no need to worry about me. I'm very open-minded. If I gain something, it's my fortune; if I lose something, it's my fate. Besides, my current situation is no different from that of a Celestial Realm expert. As long as it's not someone like my Uncle who attacks me, there's nowhere in this world I can't go," Xu Qing said with a smile.

He didn't really care whether he had actually entered the Celestial Realm. His current strength was enough for him. If he really wanted to challenge the limits of heaven and earth, he would have plenty of time to cultivate for the rest of his life.

If someone at the pinnacle of the Celestial Realm were to attack him, he could at least escape, if not defeat them.

As long as he is alive, he will surely let the other side know what the power of 100,000 Qin soldiers at their peak is. Moreover, He Guanzi is still alive, and Bei Mingzi is over sixty years old now, which is still the age for adventure.

"That's good. From now on, you should declare to others that you have only broken through to the Celestial Master realm, and never call yourself the Celestial Ultimate realm," Chisongzi reminded him.

“I understand,” Xu Qing nodded solemnly.

There is an unspoken rule among the various schools: those at the Celestial Realm are not allowed to attack those below the Celestial Realm. This rule was established by the various schools to protect their disciples and their lineage.

"It's getting late, let's head down the mountain. Tomorrow is the appointed time between the celestial beings and immortals, so you should get some rest, Junior Brother. Besides, many of your old friends have already gone up the mountain. Your wife and Wang Ben have been trying their best to find you these past few days."

Qing Xiaozi said with a smile.

Upon hearing that his old friends had arrived, a glint of light flashed in Xu Qing's eyes. He knew that it must be Zi Nu and Nong Yu who had come.

His dear older sister and sister-in-law both came, and the days that followed became quite lively. Xu Qing missed Zi Nu's warm and soft embrace terribly.

This enlightenment attempt was fraught with peril, and Zi Nu must comfort him properly.

After Xu Qing followed the others down the mountain, he went to Taiyi Palace with Chisongzi. As a participant in this battle of the Covenant between Heaven and Man, he was obliged to receive the guests.

This was not only a matter of hospitality, but also an opportunity for Tianzong to formally introduce him to the world of philosophies. Moreover, rumors about him were rampant on Mount Taiyi, and Tianzong had previously refrained from clarifying them to avoid further complications. Now that the matter was over, he had to step forward and clarify things.

Before long, Xu Qing and Chi Songzi arrived at the main hall of Taiyi Palace.

Inside the hall, representatives from dozens of sects, including Six-Fingered Black Knight and Tian Guang, as well as envoys from seven kingdoms, had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Xu Qing, everyone immediately turned their attention to him.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting. The mountain path on Mount Taiyi is difficult to traverse, which is why we were delayed for a while," said Chisongzi with a smile, stroking his beard.

"Xu Qing greets everyone. I have been in seclusion these past few days preparing for battle, which is why I have not been able to receive you all. Please forgive me," Xu Qing said, bowing to the crowd.

Six-Fingered Black Knight and the others looked at Xu Qing with gleaming eyes. They could tell that Xu Qing's aura was very different from before.

"It's alright, it's alright. The Imperial Physician has now reached a higher level of enlightenment. We haven't even had a chance to congratulate him yet, so how can we blame him?" Six-Fingered Black Knight said with a smile.

"I've long heard that the Imperial Physician is exceptionally talented, a true dragon among men. Now, at such a young age, he has entered the Celestial Master realm. Even after searching through countless historical records, there are only a handful of such individuals," Tian Guang followed up with his congratulations.

The others also offered their congratulations, to which Xu Qing could only respond one by one.

After the pleasantries were over, everyone fell silent, glancing furtively at each other's expressions, as if waiting for something.

Feiyan and Yueshen, standing in the crowd, looked at Xu Qing, who was unharmed, with a look of relief in their eyes. At the same time, they were also curious about Xu Qing's current level and what knowledge he had comprehended.
Xu Qing's enlightenment this time has attracted such a celestial phenomenon, so it is certainly not as simple as just breaking through to the Celestial Master realm.

For the Hundred Schools, what they cared about more than the level of martial arts skill was what kind of Dao Xu Qing had comprehended, since this was related to whether Xu Qing could write books and establish doctrines, and affected the competitiveness of the Heavenly Sect among the Hundred Schools.

Since Xu Qing and Chi Songzi didn't say it outright, they couldn't bring themselves to ask.

So everyone wondered if anyone would ask such a thoughtless question. However, those who could represent their sect to participate in the Covenant between Heaven and Man were all shrewd and sophisticated people. How could they possibly ask such a brainless question?

Xu Qing also saw through everyone's intentions, but he had no intention of revealing his own situation, so he laughed it off and said...
"Tomorrow is the Ceremony between Heaven and Man, and I still need to make some preparations. After tomorrow, my Heavenly Sect will prepare a small feast to express our gratitude for the lack of hospitality these past few days."

"Of course, of course. Even so, we will not disturb you any longer."

Seeing that Xu Qing had said this much, the others said no more, bid farewell to Xu Qing and Chisongzi, and left one by one.

After seeing everyone off, Xu Qing said goodbye to Chi Songzi and then left as well.

After leaving Taiyi Palace, Xu Qing went straight back to his residence, where Yan Lingji was already waiting for him.

When Yan Lingji saw Xu Qing return, a look of surprise flashed in her icy blue eyes, and she walked towards Xu Qing.

"You rascal, you didn't even leave me a letter before you went into seclusion! I've been living in fear these past few days!"

Yan Lingji pouted slightly, her face full of sorrow, and one small hand gently slid across Xu Qing's clothes. She had naturally seen the strange phenomenon at the top of Mount Taiyi earlier, and at that time she guessed that it was caused by Xu Qing. While she was surprised and happy, she was also worried about Xu Qing.

After all, enlightenment is not 100% guaranteed. Failure can result in serious injury or even madness.

Fortunately, Xu Qing returned safely.

"I was suddenly struck by inspiration and didn't have time to leave a letter. It was my fault. Don't be angry. I'll apologize to you properly after the covenant between heaven and man is over."

Xu Qing took Yan Lingji's small hand, pulled her into his arms, and said with a soft laugh.

Yan Lingji nestled in Xu Qing's arms, her small face pressed tightly against his chest, and whispered...

"How have you reached your current level?"

"I'm at the halfway point of the Celestial Realm. What I've comprehended is still a little lacking, but it doesn't matter."

Xu Qing recounted his situation in a soft voice, and Yan Lingji listened silently. After Xu Qing finished speaking, she broke free from his embrace.

Yan Lingji looked Xu Qing up and down, a smile suddenly appearing on her solemn face. She leaned forward slightly, her ample breasts brushing against Xu Qing, one hand on her hip and the other poking him.

"You're so handsome, reaching the pinnacle of the Celestial Realm before you're even twenty! I'll have to trouble you to protect me from now on~" Yan Lingji said softly, blinking her charming eyes.

"With me here, I'm sure nothing will happen to you," Xu Qing said with a smile.

Seeing Xu Qing's smug expression, Yan Lingji's smile gradually disappeared. She suddenly stepped forward and bumped into Xu Qing, ball and all.

Grabbing Xu Qing by the collar, Yan Lingji stood on tiptoe, staring at Xu Qing with hostile eyes, and said...

"Now that you've broken through, shouldn't you explain to me the matter of Dongjun and Yueshen of the Yin-Yang School?"

Although Xu Qing and Dongjun Yueshen were only debating, Yan Lingji knew all too well what Xu Qing was thinking. With two stunningly beautiful women in front of her, she didn't believe that Xu Qing had no other ideas.

Seeing Yan Lingji's sudden change of attitude, Xu Qing felt a little guilty, but forced himself to remain calm and said...

"Strictly speaking, the two are my patients, and I am innocent with them. I'll talk about the plot when I get back. I still need to go and discuss tomorrow's details with my senior brother, Chishongzi."

Before Yan Lingji could speak, Xu Qing broke free from her hand, turned around, and strode quickly toward the door.

Seeing Xu Qing flee in panic, a smile appeared in Yan Lingji's eyes. Her charming eyes curved slightly, and her pretty face was as bright as a blooming rose.

"So what if you're at the pinnacle of the Celestial Realm? You still have to flee in defeat!"

Yan Lingji snorted, revealing a smug look.

Xu Qing had just escaped from the courtyard when Wang Ben took the initiative to come forward.

“Great Minister, we have failed in our duty, and we beg you to punish us,” Wang Ben said solemnly.

"It's not your fault. Even I didn't expect to suddenly achieve enlightenment. This has nothing to do with you," Xu Qing said, waving his hand.

Despite the truth of the matter, Wang Ben still felt somewhat guilty. Regardless of Xu Qing's thoughts or actions, failing to protect Xu Qing at all times was a dereliction of duty on their part as guards.

This was not Wang Ben's wishful thinking, but rather the Qin soldiers' adherence to and dedication to their orders.

Looking at Wang Ben, whose expression remained serious, Xu Qing thought for a moment, then patted him on the shoulder and said...
"Alright, while I was in seclusion recently, did anyone come looking for me?"

"Yes, the Right Chancellor came looking for you earlier, inquiring about your whereabouts from his subordinates. Since his subordinates did not know either, they could only report the truth. Before leaving, the Right Chancellor instructed his subordinates to find you and convey that there had been changes in Xianyang," Wang Ben said solemnly.

"There has been a change in Xianyang? Did he say what specific things happened?" Xu Qing asked with a furrowed brow and a serious expression.

"No," Wang Ben said, shaking his head.

"Tell the Right Chancellor to come find me after the Covenant between Heaven and Man concludes," Xu Qing said in a deep voice.

Lao Ai will surely cause as much trouble as possible while he is away from Xianyang, but with Lü Buwei around, he is not worried.

His real worry was about Zhao Ji; he feared that this brainless woman might do something foolish for Lao Ai.

"Yes," Wang Ben said.

After giving the order to Wang Ben, Xu Qing headed down the mountain to see Zi Nu and Nong Yu, as he missed them both very much.

(End of this chapter)