Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 318: Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty
Thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones a year, that's nearly one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones in three years!
Such a large sum of spirit stones would not be easy for even the Ming Dynasty's royal family to use.

In order to control the Ming Dynasty, the "Shenxiao Daozong" forbids the royal family from possessing spiritual veins. Perhaps the royal family can obtain an extremely barren mineral vein through some means and secretly mine it.

However, it is absolutely impossible to obtain a spiritual vein rich in spirit stones.

The Ming Dynasty's cultivation resources came from the royal family's merchant caravans and its large population.

Some smaller sects, when they need laborers, can pay a certain price to ask the royal family to arrange manpower to go and do the work in order to earn resources.

Now, Zhu Hao's intention to pay such a large amount of spirit stones immediately made the other eight people hesitate.

"Is it too much?"

After a long while, someone asked in a low voice.

"Hey! What's so great about that! I'm afraid this guy won't be satisfied with just a few spirit stones! Don't treat the true disciples of the 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect' as some insignificant nobody! Li Yunjing isn't so easily dealt with!"

Zhu Hao glanced at the man with disdain and said without any politeness.

Seeing that everyone's expressions had changed and they were about to say something, the old man waved his hand and said, "Thirty thousand it is! Although this amount of resources is a lot, our royal family can still afford it if we are a little frugal!"

"Yes! Ancestor!"

The others had no choice but to nod in agreement.

"Furthermore, to ensure that Li Yunjing doesn't cause us any trouble, or even favor us! Your Majesty, your Third Princess is the most outstanding woman in our royal family in recent years. Have her get close to Li Yunjing and find a way to win his favor!"

The old man then gave further instructions.

"This……"

Upon hearing this, the emperor's expression turned sour.

Her own precious daughter, with unparalleled beauty and exceptional talent for cultivation, was now to be sacrificed, to seduce Li Yunjing with her looks?

The emperor was very dissatisfied with the ancestor's decision.

"Zhu Cunzhen! You must fulfill the ancestor's words unconditionally! Currently, our royal family is being suppressed by the 'Shenxiao Dao Sect'! If we can gain the friendship of a true disciple, perhaps our lives will be a little better."

Throughout history, imperial families have been the most ruthless, let alone those imperial families who cultivate immortality!

Emperor Zhu Cunzhen's father then issued the order, completely disregarding the sacrificed Third Princess and his beloved granddaughter!
Compared to the stability of cultivation, what does family affection matter?
"Okay! I'll make the arrangements!"

There was nothing he could do. Regardless of their cultivation levels, everyone present was Zhu Cunzhen's elder.
“Very good! Cunzhen, don’t think that Wanyun will feel wronged following Li Yunjing! After all, he is a true disciple of the Shenxiao Dao Sect, who is more noble than you, the emperor. If Wanyun can win Li Yunjing’s favor with her beauty, it will be a good thing for her and for our Great Ming Dynasty!”

Fearing that Zhu Cunzhen would be perfunctory, the elderly man in the head seat gave him another earnest reminder.

"Alright! Don't worry, Ancestor, I will do my best in this matter!"

Seeing the look on the Zhu family elders' faces that said, "You have to agree," Zhu Cunzhen nodded helplessly.

……

Soon, news of Li Yunjing, the new abbot of Shenxiao Temple, spread throughout Yingtian Prefecture.

Many families, powerful clans, nobles, and cultivators from various sects stationed in Yingtian Prefecture learned that the Shenxiao Dao Sect had sent a true disciple to the capital.

Instantly, undercurrents surged within the city.

Many forces speculated about the purpose of the sudden appearance of a prominent figure from the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" in the capital.
These forces, like royalty, harbored guilty consciences and feared that Li Yunjing had come to investigate something and that the investigation would lead back to them. This caused widespread panic and fear among many.

On this day, the Shenxiao Temple received many visitors, including some people with some power who tried to see Li Yunjing.

Of course, these people couldn't even get past Wang Heyun, Li Linzi, and Gu Wenzhuo.

The three men simply told everyone that tomorrow was the day of the handover of the abbot's position, and that the new abbot was very busy and would not be receiving guests for the time being. As a result, those who had hoped to benefit from the news could only leave the Shenxiao Temple disappointed.

Afterwards, Wang Heyun visited Li Yunjing and told him about these things.

Li Yunjing was quite satisfied with Wang Heyun's performance. After all, in a "desolate" city like "Yingtianfu", where could there be any powerful figures worthy of Li Yunjing's personal audience?
Instead of wasting time, it would be better to stay at home, read books, and nurture the treasures in your hands.

At noon on the third day, the day of the handover of "Shenxiao Temple" arrived.

Li Yunjing, dressed in a purple Taoist robe, arrived at the main hall accompanied by Wang Heyun, Li Linzi, and Gu Wenzhuo.

Li Yunjing saw that the square was filled with disciples of the "Shenxiao Temple," including ordinary people, totaling nearly two thousand people.

Besides the people from Shenxiao Temple, many powerful figures from various factions in the capital came to the square to watch the ceremony, including Emperor Zhu Cunzhen of the Ming Dynasty.

The emperor, accompanied by many princes and princesses, dukes, and a host of civil and military officials, stood in the most conspicuous position among the crowd.

As for those old Zhu family members who held a meeting in the palace yesterday, they did not appear at this event. In recent years, the royal family has been showing weakness and acting in a low-key manner, unwilling to let the outside world figure out their true strength.

The people of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" are responsible for monitoring the royal family. Naturally, the experts from the Zhu family wouldn't be foolish enough to show up here and arouse the suspicion of the people of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

The true disciples of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" are high and mighty, so Li Yunjing naturally wouldn't give them any face. The entire succession ceremony was arranged by Wang Heyun, Li Linzi, and Gu Wenzhuo.

After Wang Heyun offered a prayer to heaven, just as Li Yunjing was about to fall asleep, the two finally began the handover.

Wang Heyun handed over the seal and magic sword, symbolizing the abbot of Shenxiao Temple, to Li Yunjing.

Li Yunjing took it in his hand, examined it briefly, and revealed a hint of surprise.

Unexpectedly, the sect attaches great importance to this place. Both the seal and the sword are top-grade spiritual weapons, which can be considered extremely precious treasures.

If Wang Heyun were to control these two treasures, even a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator at the fifth level in the cultivation world would likely be unable to do anything to him.

These two treasures, now in Li Yunjing's hands, can play a role and are not meaningless symbolic artifacts.

After completing this step, Wang Heyun went before the emperor and personally requested to resign from his position as Grand Preceptor of the Ming Dynasty.

The emperor naturally agreed to this.

Then, guided by Wang Heyun, the emperor came before Li Yunjing and read out the imperial edict of the Ming Dynasty, appointing Li Yunjing as the new national advisor of the Ming Dynasty.

The Grand Preceptor held a high position and wielded great power, ranking alongside the Emperor. He was not required to perform rituals or be subject to the control of the court. From the moment Li Yunjing became the Grand Preceptor of the Ming Dynasty, everyone from the Emperor to the officials had to obey the Grand Preceptor's decrees in order to ensure the Ming Dynasty's prosperity, good weather, and peace.

This whole affair amused Li Yunjing greatly. He never expected that the person who bestowed titles upon him would be subject to his control. This was extremely interesting.

Li Yunjing was determined to take the position of Grand Preceptor of the Ming Dynasty. Under the watchful eyes of the public, Li Yunjing gave the emperor ample face and accepted the appointment as Grand Preceptor.

"Hehe! Grand Preceptor, you are now the Grand Preceptor of our Great Ming Dynasty. Tonight, I will be hosting a banquet at the palace, and I urge you to attend!"

When the emperor faced Li Yunjing, he was extremely humble, even bowing slightly, and spoke in a gentle voice.

"okay!"

Li Yunjing thought about it and agreed. After all, the other party was an emperor, and he had to give him some face.

After the ceremony ended and everyone else left, Wang Heyun prepared to depart.

Li Yunjing, along with Li Linzi and Gu Wenzhuo, saw them off.

Once Wang Heyun's figure disappeared from sight, Li Linzi whispered, "Master, the emperor is hosting a banquet tonight, surely to offer you some benefits."

"Oh?"

Li Yunjing raised an eyebrow and said dismissively, "How much wealth could a mere royal family possibly have?"

That dismissive attitude made Li Linzi and Gu Wenzhu smile wryly.

The difference between the rich and the poor is too obvious!
If the emperor had invited them, the two of them would have been overjoyed and in high spirits.

Look at the contemptuous expression on the face of that true disciple; it deeply stung the hearts of the two of them.

"Master, don't underestimate the royal family; they still have some lucrative opportunities!"

Gu Wenzhuo had no choice but to offer one explanation.

"Fine! I'd like to see what kind of resources the Ming Dynasty royal family has to corrupt me!"

Li Yunjing sneered, turned around and walked towards his palace. His voice echoed in the ears of Li Linzi and Gu Wenzhuo: "From now on, I will leave all matters, big and small, of the Shenxiao Temple to you. In short, I don't want to see you bothering me!"

"Yes!"

Li Linzi and Gu Wenzhuo watched Li Yunjing's retreating figure and whispered a reply. Only after Li Yunjing had completely disappeared did the two exchange a wry smile.

Back when Wang Heyun became the abbot, the three of them were scheming and fighting for power. Now, this true disciple doesn't care about the power of "Shenxiao Temple" at all, and has just thrown it to them like trash.

This made the two of them feel somewhat uncomfortable...

As evening fell and the lanterns were lit, countless palace maids were busy preparing the main hall in a palace of the imperial palace to receive the esteemed Imperial Preceptor, Li Yunjing.

Almost all members of the royal family were present.

The emperor, empress, princes and princesses, and at the very least, some powerful and influential people were present at the banquet.

When Li Yunjing appeared at the palace, a member of the royal family, a woman of unparalleled beauty, was already waiting to greet him at the entrance.

The woman smelled wonderful, a blend of various fragrances, which invigorated Li Yunjing.

"Your Excellency, the Imperial Preceptor! You have arrived. I am Zhu Wanyun, the Third Princess of the Ming Dynasty. I have been specially ordered to come here to welcome Your Excellency."

Zhu Wanyun's voice was clear and melodious, which was very pleasant to Li Yunjing's ears.

This beauty was as lovely as jade, with unparalleled beauty and exquisite features that were already flawless. Coupled with such a beautiful voice, she was truly a feast for the eyes and the palate.

"Thank you, Your Highness! Shall we go in now?"

Faced with such a beautiful woman, Li Yunjing's icy expression softened somewhat, becoming a little warmer.

After all, having such a beautiful woman to guide you and accompany you is a very happy thing.

"Imperial Preceptor, please come with me!"

Zhu Wanyun smiled gently, her pearly white teeth gleaming. This woman stood beside Li Yunjing, her steps light and graceful, her figure slender and elegant.

"Thank you!"

Li Yunjing nodded, but he didn't do anything out of line.

After all, Li Yunjing was a seasoned veteran; what kind of stunning beauty hadn't he seen?
Zhu Wanyun's charm only slightly surprised Li Yunjing; it didn't arouse any desire in him.

"Your Excellency, you come from the Shenxiao Dao Sect, a true disciple of a great immortal sect. This is truly an extraordinary achievement."

Zhu Wanyun seemed completely at ease, appearing calm and composed.

"Hehe! Being a true disciple in the 'Shenxiao Dao Sect' is indeed a pretty good achievement. However, there are many true disciples in the sect. With my strength, I can only be ranked in the middle. It's nothing special."

Upon entering the imperial city, a luxurious carriage drawn by four fine horses pulled up in front. Li Yunjing looked at the carriage and casually remarked.

"Your Excellency, the Imperial Advisor, you are too modest!"

Zhu Wanyun chuckled, then extended her jade-like arm, gesturing for them to proceed. "The Welcoming Hall is still quite a distance away; why don't we take a carriage?"

"All right!"

Li Yunjing nodded and immediately walked towards the carriage.

In front of the carriage, eunuchs knelt down, forming a human ladder, waiting for Li Yunjing and Zhu Wanyun to step on their backs and board the tall carriage.

Li Yunjing shook his head slightly, choosing not to belittle the other party. He lightly landed on the carriage, and Zhu Wanyun, seeing this, also floated up and followed Li Yunjing into the carriage.

The carriage was very spacious, enough to accommodate seven or eight people.

Li Yunjing and Zhu Wanyun were sitting inside the carriage, so there was no question of crowding.

"Tattoo..."

After the two were settled, the carriage moved forward smoothly under the driver's control.

Inside the carriage, there was a pleasant fragrance, a mixture of the carriage's incense and Zhu Wanyun's natural scent. The two sat very close, almost touching, and could feel each other's body temperature.

Zhu Wanyun seemed very curious about Li Yunjing, and often asked him questions about things in the cultivation world.

With a beautiful woman by his side, Li Yunjing was happy to exchange a few words. However, even with such beauty before him, Li Yunjing's words were a mix of truth and falsehood, and he was never truly captivated by her.

"Is the royal family planning to use their honey trap on me? That's ridiculous!"

Li Yunjing thought to himself, of course he would never say it out loud and offend the beauty, otherwise wouldn't the journey be extremely awkward?

It's important to understand that once you choose to travel by carriage, given the size of the imperial city, this is not a short distance.

If you embarrass the beauty, wouldn't the whole journey be incredibly boring?

"I came to welcome the Grand Preceptor this time on the orders of the royal family, and I was somewhat helpless. However, ever since I met the Grand Preceptor..."

"I deeply admire the Grand Preceptor's demeanor. I no longer feel the aversion I had before we met. On the contrary, I am flattered to be able to converse with such an important figure as the Grand Preceptor."

Zhu Wanyun's bright eyes shone with admiration as she turned to look at Li Yunjing and spoke softly.

"Hmm? Is this a game of feigned indifference?"

Li Yunjing was surprised. How much of Zhu Wanyun's words were true and how much were false?

Even a seasoned womanizer like Li Yunjing couldn't discern a single clue from Zhu Wanyun's stunning beauty.

This woman was considered the most beautiful woman in the royal family, and her temperament was also top-notch. She was truly stunning and captivating.

Fortunately, Li Yunjing's four beauties were all exceptionally beautiful, and Li Yunjing had a strong resistance to them, so he remained unmoved.

Regardless of whether it was true or not, whether this woman was sincere or just using a tactic, her candid expression of her inner thoughts impressed Li Yunjing, making him acknowledge her extraordinary nature.

"haha, really?"

Knowing that too much talk leads to mistakes, Li Yunjing was unwilling to reveal his thoughts and simply smiled faintly.

As for whether it was true or not, Li Yunjing didn't really care.

Anyway, he had no intention of having anything happen between himself and the third princess of the Ming Dynasty.

After all, this woman's cultivation level was rather low.

With only the sixth level of Qi Refining Realm cultivation, he was considered an insignificant figure in the "Divine Firmament Dao Sect," so how could he be qualified to walk with him?
If this weren't the imperial palace, even the emperor would be nothing more than an ant in Li Yunjing's eyes, unworthy of any interaction with him.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency, I lost my composure just now. Without realizing it, I revealed a lot of my innermost thoughts!"

Zhu Wanyun smiled, her expression still unfathomable.

"Hehe! It's okay. Everyone has pressure. It's human nature to confide in others. I'm happy to be the one who gets to confide in others."

Li Yunjing smiled; only he knew whether it was true or not.

The carriage moved quickly, and along the way, Li Yunjing learned some things about the inner workings of the imperial city from Zhu Wanyun.

Of course, this information is not difficult to find and is not considered a secret.

However, this information was enough for Li Yunjing to gain a basic understanding of the royal family.

After a quarter of an hour, the galloping carriage finally slowed down, and the "clattering" of the horses' hooves also changed from rapid to slow.

Li Yunjing knew they had arrived at their destination.

With a sweep of his divine sense, he saw the emperor and a group of royal family members, important nobles, standing at the entrance of a grand hall ahead, waiting for his arrival.

After getting off the carriage, Li Yunjing and Zhu Wanyun walked side by side.

Upon arriving at the entrance, the emperor stepped forward, speaking warmly and politely, and invited Li Yunjing to be the first to enter the main hall.

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty!"

Li Yunjing had a somewhat favorable impression of this "kind" emperor. After a polite remark, he stopped refusing and strode into the palace.

After Li Yunjing went in, the Emperor and Zhu Wanyun accompanied him on either side as he walked inside.

(End of this chapter)