Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 847 Preparations for Ascension, Power Shift (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
"However, for a ruler, composure alone is not enough."

"One must have the wisdom to make decisions, the authority to govern subordinates, and even more importantly, the responsibility and strength to protect the country and its people."

"Your cultivation has reached the fifth level of the Nascent Soul stage. You should cultivate diligently and try to reach the peak of the Nascent Soul stage as soon as possible, so that you can truly awe those inside and outside the realm."

Emperor Huangze repeatedly gave his son his instructions...

"Your subject...will humbly obey Your Majesty's teachings!"

"I will do my utmost to live up to Father Emperor's trust!"

Ji Beichen kowtowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly, but carrying an even heavier weight of responsibility.

Emperor Huangze then looked at the Second Prince Ji Nanfeng and the Third Prince Ji Dongyang: "Nanfeng, Dongyang."

"My son is here!"

The two princes responded in unison.

"You two should do your utmost to assist the Crown Prince and protect the royal family."

"Brothers united are stronger than iron."

"If I were to find out that you harbor ambitions for the throne and that you are plotting against each other..."

Before Emperor Huangze could finish speaking, the chilling killing intent emanating from him sent a cold sweat down the spines of the two princes, who quickly declared that they had no ulterior motives.

Then, Emperor Huangze looked at the three royal princes: "Haoyun, Yonglie, and Yongchen."

"Chen is here!"

The three princes bowed.

"After I leave, within the royal family, the Crown Prince shall be the most respected."

"As the pillars of the royal family, you three should prioritize the interests of the dynasty, set aside personal interests, and work together to maintain the stability of the Ji family's empire."

"If there is an external enemy, we must work together with one heart; if there is internal strife, we must resolutely suppress it."

"Stability within the royal family is the cornerstone of a dynasty's stability."

……

"I will obey your orders!"

"I will do my utmost to assist the new ruler and protect the eternal foundation of the Ji clan!"

The three princes solemnly pledged that they knew the imperial family would face enormous challenges with the emperor's ascension and that unity was essential.

Finally, Emperor Huangze looked at the civil and military officials headed by the prime minister: "Prime Minister, my beloved ministers."

"I am waiting here!"

"I entrust the dynasty, the crown prince, and hundreds of millions of people to you."

Emperor Huangze's voice carried a rare touch of emotion, "I hope that you will all serve the new ruler with the same dedication you have shown to me."

"Civil officials govern the country, and military generals secure the nation; each performs their duties and together safeguards the peace and prosperity of the 'Emperor's Grace'."

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, and the Dynasty are all loyal to us to the death!"

Led by the prime minister, all the high-ranking officials knelt down in unison, their voices resounding.

"After I ascend to heaven, there will inevitably be tests and even provocations from the outside world."

After arranging the internal affairs, Emperor Huangze changed the subject and mentioned the external situation: "You must remember that my 'Huangze' has existed for hundreds of thousands of years and its foundation is still intact. We are by no means a group that can be easily manipulated."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Crown Prince Ji Beichen. He raised his voice slightly to ensure everyone could hear him clearly: "Furthermore, I have reached an agreement with Fellow Daoist Li Yunjing, the leader of the Shenxiao Dao Sect."

"After my ascension, the Shenxiao Dao Sect will be the most steadfast ally of the Huangze Dynasty."

"If faced with an irresistible external force, the Shenxiao Dao Sect will not stand idly by."

"Bei Chen, and all my beloved ministers, you should maintain close ties with the Shenxiao Dao Sect and regard Sect Leader Li Yunjing as if he were personally present. His promise is one of the greatest external guarantees for my Huangze!"

"Li Yunjing!"

"That newly appointed leader of the 'Shenxiao Dao Sect'?"

"How could he have gained such high regard and trust from the Emperor?"

"Why?"

"He's just a Nascent Soul cultivator..."

The people inside the hall were once again shaken.

Li Yunjing's name has spread throughout Tianlan Star in recent years, especially due to his role in fighting against the demonic calamity.

But his cultivation level is not high after all, so is he worth such high regard?

The details of the battle in the "Northern Mang Ghost Domain" have not been fully disclosed, and these people do not know how much effort Li Yunjing contributed when besieging the Nine Netherworld Cult Leader.

"You don't understand!"

Seeing the disdain of the crowd, Emperor Huangze shook his head and told them about Li Yunjing's destruction of the "Nine Nether Demon Sect" and the summoning of three immortal artifacts.

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

That's when I realized just how amazing Li Yunjing was!
Even the Imperial Advisor Tianzhenzi showed curiosity, clearly not expecting the previous battle to be so perilous.

Now that the Emperor himself has confirmed that Li Yunjing is the dynasty’s most steadfast ally, this weight is immense!
"My son understands!"

Crown Prince Ji Beichen immediately understood and solemnly replied, "We will certainly maintain a good relationship with Sect Leader Li and continue the friendship between the two sides!"

"For the next three months, I will no longer handle specific government affairs. The Crown Prince will oversee the country, assisted by the Minister of State, the princes, and other senior officials."

Emperor Huangze nodded slightly and said, "All procedures shall be carried out in accordance with ancestral rules and what I just said."

"I hope all of you will... take good care of yourselves."

Having said that, Emperor Huangze stood up, said no more, and with a flick of his sleeve, he turned and disappeared into the passage behind the "Chengtian Hall" amidst the complicated gazes of the crowd.

Emperor Huangze disappeared into the passage behind the Chengtian Hall, but the solemn atmosphere in the hall did not immediately dissipate.

The ministers, each with their own thoughts, were still reeling from the shock of the information about the Emperor's impending ascension and the astonishing strength of Li Yunjing, the leader of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

Just then, the Imperial Preceptor Tianzhenzi, who had been standing quietly at the head of the civil officials' line, wearing a mysterious star-patterned Taoist robe and exuding an ethereal and otherworldly aura, slightly raised his head.

A look of understanding and decisiveness flashed in his eyes, which seemed to hold the trajectory of the stars in the heavens.

He did not speak to the prime minister or any of his colleagues beside him. Instead, he nodded slightly to Crown Prince Ji Beichen, who was also somewhat stunned by the Emperor's departure, below the imperial steps. Then, his figure faded and disappeared silently, like ink merging into water. The next moment, he appeared at the entrance of the passage where the Emperor had left.

Tianzhenzi stepped into the passage, his steps seemingly slow, but in reality, he was able to shrink the distance between them and quickly catch up with the figure shrouded in the hazy imperial dragon aura.

"Your Majesty, please wait."

Tianzhenzi's clear and melodious voice rang out in the empty corridor.

Emperor Huangze paused, his dragon aura slightly receding. He turned around and saw that it was Tianzhenzi. There was not much surprise in his eyes. He simply asked calmly, "Is there anything else, Grand Preceptor?"

"Your Majesty has broken through the boundaries and ascended to the highest realm in pursuit of the supreme Dao. This is an unprecedented feat."

Tianzhenzi walked a few steps away from the Emperor, cupped his hands in a salute, and revealed a carefree yet inquisitive smile: "I just wonder, Your Majesty, would you mind having a companion on the road?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Huangze raised an eyebrow, carefully examined Tianzhenzi for a moment, and slowly said, "Does the Grand Preceptor mean... that you also want to break through the boundary?"

"Exactly."

Tianzhenzi readily admitted, looking up at the top of the corridor, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of palaces to see the endless sky. "In this realm, my mastery of array formations has reached its pinnacle, and it is difficult to make any further progress."

"Deducing the secrets of heaven, the path ahead is shrouded in mist. This realm... can no longer provide me with higher enlightenment on the art of array formations."

"Instead of wasting my lifespan here, I would rather accompany His Majesty to the Upper Realm to see a wider world and seek the origin of that formation."

He paused, looked at Emperor Huangze, and his smile became even more sincere: "If the two of us travel together, we can look after each other."

"Your Majesty rules over all realms, and is protected by the imperial dragon aura; I am well-versed in the art of formations, and may be able to set up an array to resist the heavenly tribulation and avoid the risks of the void."

"Complementary to each other, the chances of success will increase."

Emperor Huangze remained silent for a moment, as if weighing his options.

He had known Tianzhenzi for thousands of years, and they were both friends and confidants. He knew that Tianzhenzi's cultivation was unfathomable and his mastery of array formations was unparalleled in this world.

Having him by my side is indeed a great help.

More importantly, as Tianzhenzi said, once you reach that unknown place in the upper realm, having a familiar and equally powerful old friend to support you is far more secure than being alone.

"OK!"

Emperor Huangze broke the silence with a loud laugh, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, "To have the Imperial Preceptor accompany me is more than I could ask for!"

"As the Grand Preceptor said, the road ahead is unknown, but with you, a master of formations, by my side, I feel much more at ease."

"In that case, we both need to prepare early in March and get into our best condition."

He stepped forward and patted Tianzhenzi on the shoulder: "At that time, you and I will meet together at the top of 'Huangji Peak' to face the Ascension Tribulation and embark on this path to heaven together!"

"It's my wish, but I don't dare to ask for my ear."

Tianzhenzi smiled and clasped his hands in greeting.

The two powerful figures standing at the pinnacle of this realm exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

They walked side by side into the depths of the palace, their figures gradually disappearing at the end of the corridor, leaving only a faint imperial aura and the mysterious rhythm of the array intertwining and dissipating in the air.

Inside the "Chengtian Hall," Crown Prince Ji Beichen and a group of important officials soon learned that the Imperial Preceptor Tianzhenzi would ascend to heaven with the Emperor.

This was undoubtedly another heavy blow, making everyone's feelings even more complicated.

The dynasty suddenly lost two pillars of strength at the Void Returning level!

From being the number one overlord of "Tianlan Star", it suddenly became an ordinary behemoth power!

The pressure, like an invisible mountain, weighed heavily on the shoulders of Crown Prince Ji Beichen and every core member of the dynasty.

Deep within the imperial city lies a secluded courtyard, designated as a forbidden area.

The spiritual energy here is so rich it's almost liquid; it was specially arranged by Emperor Huangze for Li Yunjing to heal his injuries.

The courtyard is surrounded by strong barriers that separate the inside from the outside, ensuring that no one will disturb the peace.

Inside the quiet room, Li Yunjing sat cross-legged on a futon, his body surrounded by faint chaotic lightning. His breathing was long and steady, but his face still showed a trace of the pallor after the fierce battle.

He slowly opened his eyes, a flash of lightning appearing briefly before returning to a deep, unfathomable gaze.

"This trip to the 'Ghost Realm of Beiman' was far more dangerous than expected."

Li Yunjing examined his own body internally, his divine sense sweeping over his dantian, meridians, and sea of ​​consciousness, carefully investigating his injuries and condition.

The backlash from directly confronting the will of the abyss, as well as forcibly drawing upon the source of lightning, caused numerous hidden injuries to his physical body, and his meridians also endured immense pressure, resulting in some cracks.

Fortunately, the Chaos Thunder Body has a solid foundation and extremely strong self-healing ability. In addition, with the nourishment of the Imperial Dragon Qi transferred in by Emperor Huangze, the injury is steadily recovering and is expected to be fully healed in a month or so.

Activating the "Thunderous Divine Mace" mark places a tremendous burden on the soul, and the sea of ​​consciousness still feels a faint stinging sensation.

This is the most serious part of the injury and needs to be rested for a while; it can't be rushed.

According to Li Yunjing's estimate, it would probably take at least a hundred years to fully recover.

As for burning a hundred years of his lifespan to deduce the whereabouts of the Nine Netherworld Master, Li Yunjing no longer cared.

This loss cannot be replenished by ordinary elixirs; it requires finding longevity-extending spiritual items or waiting for a breakthrough in cultivation to make up for it.

These are not easy things.

Li Yunjing: Head of the Shenxiao Dao Sect, owner of the Xingyue Trading Company, head of the Expeditionary Force, and deputy leader of the Tianlan Alliance.

[Cultivation Level: Early Stage of the Sixth Level of the Nascent Soul Realm]

[Spiritual Roots: High-Grade Heavenly Five Elements Spiritual Root, High-Grade Heavenly Thunder Spiritual Root]

[Divine Body: Chaotic Thunder Body (Fourth Level of Nascent Soul)]

[Divine Sense: Spiritual Manifestation (Radiating 720 Miles) Comparable to a Fifth-Level Nascent Soul cultivator]

[Magic Power: All the power of various laws is above the Nascent Soul stage, among which the power of thunder is almost comparable to the seventh level of the Nascent Soul stage]

[Spirit Stones: 4900 top-grade spirit stones, 4320 million high-grade spirit stones]

[Medicinal Pills: 12 "Ten Thousand Poisons Life-Snatching Pills", 3 "Nine Heavens Thunder Essence Pills", 3 "Mysterious Essence Gathering Spirit Pills", 8 "Nine-Turn Mysterious Yin Pills"]

[Talismans: 5 Exorcism Talismans, 5 Protection Talismans, 2 Escape Talismans, 5 Five Elements Divine Thunder Talismans, 28 Six Ding Six Jia Talismans, 4th-Tier Low-Grade Jade Brush and Mountain and River Grinding Stone, 1 Substitute Death Talisman]

[Formations: Mid-grade fourth-tier "Immortal Clouds and Misty Clouds Formation", Quasi-Immortal Formation "Nine Heavens Clouds and Thunder Formation", "Six Ding Six Jia Twelve Star Palaces Grand Formation", "Seven Star Dao Canon", Immortal Formation "Nine Heavens Demon-Suppressing Immortal Formation"]

[Magic Items: Tier 4 Superior "Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword", "Swift Wind Boots", "Five Dragon Wheels", "Heavenly Thunder Emperor Seal", "Five Poison Divine Needles", "Ten Thousand Poison Banner", Tier 4 Supreme "Ten Thousand Paths Glazed Furnace"; Tier 5 Superior "Yin Yang Treasure Mirror", Tier 5 Mid-grade "Purple Gold Gourd", Tier 5 Low-grade "Myriad Manifestations Lotus Lamp", Tier 4 Mid-grade "Heavenly Net", Mysterious Thunder Origin "Thunder Divine Mace", Tier 4 Superior "Mysterious Heaven Compass", Tier 4 Supreme "Dragon and Phoenix Yin Yang Heavenly Secret Pendant", Tier 4 Superior "Star Essence Bottle", Tier 5 Supreme "Bronze Ancient Bell", Tier 4 Supreme "Sky Patrol Ship", Ancient Fragmented Immortal Artifact "Tortoise Shell", "Star Constellation Robe" Quasi-Immortal Artifact, Immortal Artifact "Ten Thousand Demon Tower", Immortal Artifact "Divine Firmament Thunder Seal", Demon Artifact "Nine Nether Soul Devouring Spear"]

[Cultivation Techniques: Nine Heavens Responding Thunder Scripture, Way of Sacrifice, Way of Death, Heavenly Poison Scripture, Fifth-Order Yin-Yang Harmony Scripture, Starfall Secret Manual, Profound Yin True Explanation, Four Symbols True Scripture, Fifth-Order Dragon Emperor Scripture, Nine Netherworld Yellow Springs True Scripture]

[Spells: Yin-Yang Five Elements Divine Fist, Thunder Tribulation Divine Fist, Great Zhou Tian Star Technique, Three Heads and Six Arms Great Divine Power, Samadhi True Fire, "Creation Divine Eye"]

Materials: "Fountain of Life", Fragment of the Three Lives Stone, Source of All Demons

[Puppets: 4 low-grade Tier 4 "Puppet Mechanical Beasts"]

[Tokens: Divine Firmament Token, Meteor Token]

[Secondary Positions: Fourth-Tier Advanced Talisman Crafting Grandmaster, Fourth-Tier Peak Array Crafting Grandmaster, Fourth-Tier Advanced Weapon Refining Grandmaster, Fourth-Tier Intermediate Puppet Master, Fourth-Tier Intermediate Alchemy Grandmaster, Fourth-Tier Advanced Celestial Mystery Grandmaster]

[Industries: Zixiao Cloud Palace, Qiwu Mountain Villa, Chaos Palace, Xingyue Trading Company]

[Spirit Beast: Little Yellow Peregrine Falcon (Golden Core Realm, Sixth Level)]

[Spiritual Plants: Blood Bodhi Tree, Five-Colored Flower]

After taking inventory, Li Yunjing had a clear plan in mind.

He closed his eyes again, swallowed several precious pills, and lightning rekindled around him, like a vortex greedily absorbing the rich spiritual energy in the meditation room, entering a deep state of meditation.

One month later, in a quiet room.

The chaotic lightning surrounding Li Yunjing had completely subsided, his complexion was rosy, and his aura was deep and long, showing no signs of weakness whatsoever.

The physical injuries have been completely healed thanks to the powerful self-healing ability of the Chaotic Thunder Body and the precious spiritual medicines provided by the royal family.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and intense. He scanned his body with his divine sense, confirming that his physical body and meridians had returned to their peak condition.

Only deep within his sea of ​​consciousness remained the faint stinging sensation caused by forcibly activating the "Thunderous Divine Mace," reminding him that the damage to his soul was not something that could be done overnight.

"Now that my physical body is mostly healed, it's time to deal with these magical artifacts."

Li Yunjing muttered to himself. This great battle made him deeply aware of the importance of the quality of magical artifacts.

If it weren't for the formidable power of the "Divine Firmament Thunder Seal" and the "Ten Thousand Demon Tower," he would have had no chance of winning against the Nine Netherworld Sect Master and the Will of the Abyss.

He first turned his attention to several commonly used magical artifacts.

"Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword", "Swift Wind Boots", "Five Dragon Wheels", "Heavenly Thunder Emperor Seal", "Five Poison Divine Needles", "Ten Thousand Poison Banner", "Jade Flower Heavenly Brush", "Mountain and River Grinding Stone"...

These magical treasures have been with him for a long time, but most of them are only of the fourth-tier high-grade, and they are gradually becoming unable to keep up with his needs for challenging opponents of higher levels.

With a thought, the "Myriad Paths Glazed Furnace" floated in front of him, its seven-colored glazed flames rising and radiating a mysterious aura that could melt all things and purify everything.

At the same time, Li Yunjing waved his hand and took out various top-grade materials selected from the "Nine Nether Demon Sect" treasury and his own collection.

"Ten Thousand Year Star Iron", "Void Crystal", "Essence of the Five Elements", "Lightning-Struck Wood Core", "Netherworld Cold Iron"...

A dazzling array of rare and precious materials, radiating brilliance.

He first put the "Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword" into the furnace.

With a divine sense as fine as silk, he precisely controlled the glazed flames, eliminating the finest impurities from the sword's body, while slowly infusing the "Ten Thousand Year Star Iron" and the "Essence of the Five Elements".

The sword floated and sank in the flames, emitting a clear and melodious hum. The Yin-Yang and Five Elements Dao patterns on it became increasingly clear and dynamic, and its aura continued to rise.

This was an extremely demanding process, requiring an incredibly meticulous understanding of the material properties, the inscription of the array, and the control of the heat. Li Yunjing was completely focused, fine beads of sweat gradually appearing on his forehead, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Time passed slowly as the weapon was being forged.

Seven days later, the "Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword" was the first to be forged!
The sword light soared into the sky, the Yin and Yang energies circulated, the power of the five elements generated each other, and its sharpness surpassed that of the past, clearly having been promoted to a fourth-order top-grade magic weapon!

Without pausing for a moment, Li Yunjing began refining the "Swift Wind Boots" without stopping.

He incorporated "Void Crystals," greatly enhancing the boots' ability to escape through the air; he added the essence of "Phoenix Wings," further increasing their speed...

Ten days later, the "Swift Boots" were completed, surrounded by azure light and faintly accompanied by the sounds of wind and thunder. They were a top-grade fourth-tier item!
Next is the "Five Dragon Wheel," which incorporates a trace of the ancient dragon beast essence obtained from the Demon Nest and the "Essence of Geng Metal." The five dragon phantoms become more solid, combining offense and defense, and their power increases dramatically!

The "Heavenly Thunder Emperor Seal," this natal magic weapon, absorbed part of the "Thunderstruck Wood Core" and Li Yunjing's own pure chaotic thunder essence. The seal is covered with thunder patterns, and its majestic heavenly power is awe-inspiring. It has also stepped into the fourth-order top-grade level, and even has the prototype of the fifth order!

Even the unorthodox poison techniques "Five Poison Divine Needles" and "Ten Thousand Poison Banner" were skillfully enhanced by Li Yunjing with the addition of "Netherworld Cold Iron" and the essence of several rare poisons, elevating their quality to the fourth-tier top grade, making their toxicity even more unpredictable and difficult to defend against.

When the last commonly used magic weapon was finished, Li Yunjing did not feel tired, but rather felt a sense of exhilaration.

His understanding of the art of weapon crafting deepened and became more comprehensive through these repeated challenges to the limits of crafting.

All the knowledge of weapon crafting, the understanding of formations, and the insights into laws that I had learned in the past seemed to flow into the sea, converging into one heart.

"Buzz!"

The moment he completed the upgrade of all his magical artifacts, countless insights into the art of weapon crafting suddenly condensed in his sea of ​​consciousness, as if he had broken through some invisible bottleneck.

An unprecedented realization welled up in my mind: the nature and principles of all things in the world seemed to be within my grasp; magical treasures and restrictions, with their myriad variations, could all be created at will.

Fourth-tier peak Grandmaster of weapon crafting!
From then on, Li Yunjing stood at the pinnacle of the world in the art of weapon crafting, and was qualified to craft fifth-order magic weapons!

"happy!"

Li Yunjing stood up, feeling his own condition and the precious light surrounding him, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

His physical injuries have been fully healed, his commonly used magical artifacts have been comprehensively upgraded, and his secondary profession has even broken through to the peak of the Artifact Dao.

Although the damage to his soul will take time to heal, his overall strength has improved significantly compared to before entering the Northern Mang Ghost Realm.

"It's time to come out of seclusion."

Li Yunjing removed the restrictions on the meditation room, pushed open the stone door, and slowly walked out.

He did not deliberately conceal his aura. The harmonious aura he possessed after experiencing the baptism of a great battle, breaking through his cultivation level, and upgrading many magic treasures to the fourth-grade top quality naturally flowed out. Although it was still the magic power fluctuation of the sixth level of the Nascent Soul Realm, it faintly carried a terrifying majesty.

Almost the instant he stepped out of the courtyard, several powerful divine senses swept over him from all parts of the palace, carrying with them inquiry, awe, and a hint of tension.

The news that Emperor Huangze and the Imperial Preceptor were about to ascend to immortality had already spread. The movements of the sect leader of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," whom the Emperor himself recognized as the dynasty's most steadfast ally, were closely watched by countless people.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a figure in bright yellow arrived hastily, surrounded by several eunuchs and guards.

The newcomer wore a golden crown and a dragon robe, and his face bore a five or six-point resemblance to Emperor Huangze. He was none other than the Crown Prince Ji Beichen, who was in charge of the country.

"Sect Leader Li has been in seclusion for over a month, and today he emerges successfully, his demeanor even more impressive than before. This is truly a cause for celebration!"

Although he walked quickly, he was not flustered. His face showed just the right amount of enthusiasm and respect. From afar, he cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Beichen heard that the sect leader has emerged from seclusion, so I came to pay my respects. If I have disturbed you in any way, please forgive me."

He adopted an extremely humble posture, showing none of the airs of a future emperor.

Li Yunjing glanced over and saw that the Crown Prince had come in person and was very courteous, so he nodded slightly in his heart.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is serious."

He returned the greeting with a cupped hand and smiled calmly, saying, "I am here healing and refining weapons, and I am very sorry to have bothered you. I am grateful for your hospitality and protection."

"Your Highness's personal visit is an honor I cannot accept."

"The sect leader is a distinguished guest of my 'Huangze' sect, and an ally appointed by my father. How could you say that you are bothering us?"

Ji Beichen smiled sincerely and gestured, "This is not the place to talk. I have prepared tea in the Yangxin Pavilion. If the sect leader does not mind, would you like to move here for a chat?"

"Your Highness's hospitality is too kind for this humble Taoist to refuse."

Li Yunjing nodded in agreement.

The two walked side by side, with attendants following at a distance.

As they traveled, the palace guards and maids all bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince, their gazes filled with curiosity and awe when they fell upon Li Yunjing.

Clearly, the Emperor's words in the "Chengtian Hall" a month ago had already spread among the higher-ups.

Inside the Yangxin Pavilion, the aroma of tea wafts through the air.

After dismissing everyone else, only Li Yunjing and Ji Beichen remained.

Ji Beichen personally poured Li Yunjing a cup of spiritual tea, his expression turning solemn as he said, "Sect Leader Li, my father and the Imperial Preceptor will ascend to heaven soon, and I presume you already know this."

Li Yunjing picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said, "Your Majesty and the Imperial Preceptor possess the Great Dao and bravely forge the path to ascension. I admire you greatly."

"To be honest, my father and the Imperial Preceptor are the pillars of my 'Huangze'."

Ji Beichen sighed, a look of worry on his face: "Once the two emperors leave, although the dynasty will still have its foundation, the internal and external pressures will inevitably increase sharply."

"Beichen knows that he is not very talented and has little knowledge. He is afraid that he will fail his father’s trust and be ashamed of the millions of people."

"Before his departure, my father repeatedly instructed me, saying that the sect leader is a man of integrity and that the Shenxiao Dao Sect is the most reliable ally of my Huangze."

He looked at Li Yunjing with utmost sincerity: "Today, Beichen has taken the liberty of confirming this alliance with the sect leader again."

"If 'Huangze' faces the danger of collapse in the future, we hope that the sect leader and your sect can lend a helping hand!"

"The entire Huangze Dynasty will forever be grateful for your great virtue and will maintain eternal friendship with the Shenxiao Dao Sect, advancing and retreating together!"

As he spoke, the Crown Prince, who was in charge of the country, stood up and bowed deeply to Li Yunjing.

"Your Highness, please rise."

Li Yunjing put down his teacup, but did not immediately help him up. Instead, he calmly looked at Ji Beichen and slowly said, "I have a prior agreement with the Emperor, and a promise is a promise. There is no reason to change it."

"The Shenxiao Dao Sect and the Huangze Dynasty fought together against the demonic calamity, and their friendship is extraordinary."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable power: "After the Emperor ascends to heaven, as long as I remain on 'Tianlan Star' and as long as the lineage of 'Shenxiao Dao Sect' continues, I will abide by this agreement."

"If there are any blind fools who want to harm 'Huangze' or cause the dynasty to face a crisis of survival, I, Li Yunjing, and 'Shenxiao Daozong' will definitely not stand idly by."

"With the Sect Leader's words, Bei Chen feels reassured!"

Upon hearing Li Yunjing confirm it again, Ji Beichen's eyes flashed with excitement and relief. He straightened up and solemnly said, "Please rest assured, Sect Leader, 'Huangze' is by no means an ungrateful person. In the future, 'Shenxiao Daozong' will do its utmost to help whenever it needs anything, as long as it does not violate morality and the foundation of the dynasty!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, as if a huge weight had been lifted from their hearts.

What Li Yunjing needs is a stable and friendly "Huangze Dynasty" as an ally, not a mess that is beset by internal and external troubles and requires constant firefighting.

Crown Prince Ji Beichen needs a clear statement from Li Yunjing, a powerful ally, to stabilize morale within the organization and deter external threats.

The conversation that followed was much more relaxed, and the two sides exchanged preliminary views on possible future cooperation, information sharing, and resource exchange.

Crown Prince Ji Beichen maintained a humble attitude throughout, fully expressing his respect for Li Yunjing and the sect behind him.

After several rounds of tea, Li Yunjing got up to take his leave, saying that he needed to see Emperor Huangze and Tianzhenzi, as he was curious about what ascension was all about.

As for returning to the "Shenxiao Dao Sect"?
This isn't urgent!
Even the most important matters must wait until Emperor Huangze and Emperor Tianzhen ascend to heaven before we can discuss them!
The Crown Prince personally escorted Li Yunjing to the outside of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Only after Li Yunjing's figure disappeared did he slowly straighten up, and the humility on his face gradually transformed into the composure and decisiveness of a future emperor.

"Pass down the order: from this day forward, all those under my 'Huangze' shall treat the 'Shenxiao Daozong' sect leader as royalty and shall treat Sect Leader Li with the highest courtesy."

He turned to his trusted attendant and said in a deep voice, "All dealings with the 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect' shall be given the highest priority!"

"Yes! Your Highness!"

With this order, Li Yunjing and the "Shenxiao Dao Sect's" status within the "Huangze Dynasty" was officially established.

After bidding farewell to the Crown Prince, Li Yunjing, respectfully led by an old eunuch, passed through layers of palace restrictions and arrived at the entrance to a secret realm deep within the imperial palace, shrouded in the misty imperial dragon aura and mysterious array patterns.

This place is called the "Imperial Extreme Secret Realm". It is where the Emperor Huangze of all generations secluded himself to break through to the highest realm. It is also the place where Emperor Huangze and Tianzhenzi adjusted their state and prepared for ascension.

The old eunuch stopped and bowed at the entrance to the secret realm, not daring to take another step forward.

Li Yunjing stepped alone into the entrance where the light flowed.

The scene before me suddenly opened up, not the palaces and pavilions I had imagined, but a small world that was all its own.

The sky was a pure azure, dotted with auspicious clouds. Below, the mountains and rivers were magnificent, with spiritual veins like dragons, and the rich spiritual energy almost materialized into spiritual rain.

In the center of this world, a majestic mountain, seemingly carved from white jade, pierces the clouds. That is the projection of "Huangji Peak" in this secret realm.

At the summit, two figures sat facing each other at a stone table. On the table was an unfinished game of chess, with black and white pieces scattered about, but not in an ordinary way. Instead, it contained the ultimate principles of heaven and earth and the trajectory of the stars in the celestial sphere.

It was Emperor Huangze and Tianzhenzi.

Sensing Li Yunjing's presence, the two turned to look at each other simultaneously.

"Fellow Daoist Li has arrived."

Emperor Huangze smiled slightly, waved his sleeve, and a stone bench appeared beside him. "Please sit down."

Tianzhenzi nodded with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Li Yunjing before praising, "Sect Leader Li is indeed extraordinary. In just over a month, his cultivation has become even more refined and perfect. It seems he has gained a great deal this time."

"I have gained some insights, but I dare not accept the undeserved praise of the Imperial Preceptor."

Li Yunjing bowed in greeting, sat down calmly, and said with a smile, "As for you two, your auras are as deep as the sea, faintly in harmony with this world. It seems that your time to ascend is near, and your condition has been adjusted to its peak."

Emperor Huangze nodded, gazing at the heavens with a hint of longing and emotion: "Indeed, the three-month deadline is approaching. The Imperial Advisor and I are fully prepared, waiting only for the opportune moment to trigger the heavenly tribulation and break through the boundary."

"Your Majesty, Imperial Preceptor, I apologize for my boldness, but there are many rumors in the world about ascension, but most of them are vague and unclear."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Yunjing asked the question that had been on his mind for a long time: "I wonder what this ascension is like?"

"What are those heavenly tribulations and the upper realm like?"

The Shenxiao Dao Sect caused a calamity, and since no one has ascended to immortality for hundreds of thousands of years, very little is known about them.

Li Yunjing wasn't sure what ascension really meant.

Emperor Huangze and Tianzhenzi exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of a smile in each other's eyes.

At their level, there are few people who can discuss the secrets of ascension with them. Although Li Yunjing's cultivation is not yet up to par, his potential, strength, and temperament are enough for them to treat him as an equal and share some secrets with him.

"Since Fellow Daoist Li has asked, I will tell you."

Emperor Huangze picked up a white chess piece and gently placed it on a certain spot on the chessboard, immediately causing a subtle fluctuation in the surrounding spiritual energy. "The so-called ascension is essentially when the cultivation of beings in this world reaches the limit that this world can contain, thus attracting the perception and guidance of the laws of a higher level of world, while also being accompanied by the rejection and test of the laws of this world."

"The process can be roughly divided into three steps."

Tianzhenzi continued, his fingertips swirling with starlight as he sketched a simple image above the chessboard, "The first step is 'Sensing and Inducing Ko.'"

"When a cultivator's cultivation level, state of mind, and comprehension of the laws all reach a critical point, they can vaguely sense the existence of the upper realm and actively trigger the 'Ascension Tribulation' using their own Daoist aura as a guide."

In the image, a small figure sits cross-legged, his body radiating a powerful aura that stirs the clouds and thunderclouds in the sky.

"The second step is to 'transcend the tribulation'."

"This tribulation of ascension is not a single tribulation of thunder."

Emperor Huangze's expression grew more solemn. "Their form varies from person to person, but they usually include the 'Five Elements Tribulation,' 'Inner Demon Tribulation,' 'Bifeng Tribulation,' 'Heavenly Thunder Tribulation,' and even the more bizarre 'Cause and Effect Tribulation,' etc."

"Its power is immense, far exceeding the tribulations that ordinary cultivators undergo. It is a comprehensive test of the ascendant's foundation, character, and fortune by the laws of the upper realm."

"If one cannot overcome this obstacle, one will die and one's cultivation will be extinguished, and ten thousand years of arduous cultivation will be in vain."

In the image, the little man struggles to survive amidst various terrifying natural disasters, illusions, and the bombardment of wind and thunder.

"The third step is 'breaking the boundary and ascending'."

"If you can successfully overcome all the tribulations, you will be guided by the 'light of ascension' to break through the barriers of this world and enter the 'ascension passage' to a higher level of world."

Tianzhenzi's fingertip starlight transformed into a pillar of light, enveloping the little man and piercing through the clouds. "However, even at this stage, it is not without its risks."

"The ascension passage is not a smooth road; there are often spatial turbulence, void beasts, and even other unknown risks."

"One needs sufficient strength and means to safely reach the upper realm."

In the end, the little figure disappears at the end of the beam of light, heading towards a more vast and radiant world.

"What is the upper realm like?"

Li Yunjing listened, his mind reeling, as if he had witnessed firsthand the magnificent yet perilous path to ascension. He took a deep breath and asked, "Is there any connection with 'Tianlan Star'?"

"I know little about the specifics of the Upper Realm."

Emperor Huangze shook his head: "The records in ancient books are scattered and mostly speculation."

"All that is known is that it is a world that is countless times more vast than 'Tianlan Star', with complete laws and a higher level of spiritual energy, and is called 'Spirit Realm', 'Upper Realm', or 'Great Thousand World'."

"As for contact... perhaps there is, but it is by no means easy to communicate with each other."

"Otherwise, ancient books would not only record ascension but also describe descent."

"According to my deduction, after ascending, it would be extremely difficult to return to this world, and one would have to pay an unimaginable price. Perhaps only by reaching a very high level in the upper realm can one find a way back."

Tianzhenzi added: "Therefore, in most cases, ascension means a permanent farewell to relatives, friends, and foundations in this world."

After these words were spoken, all three of them fell silent for a moment.

This means that Emperor Huangze and Tianzhenzi will almost certainly never return.

"The great path leads alone, and nothing more."

Emperor Huangze finally broke the silence with a carefree smile, "To be able to glimpse the mysteries of a higher realm, even if the road ahead is thorny, the Imperial Preceptor and I will have no regrets."

"I admire the Emperor and the Imperial Preceptor's Daoist heart."

Li Yunjing praised sincerely.

"After your ascension, do you two have any further instructions for the 'Huangze Dynasty' and the 'Shenxiao Dao Sect' of this world?"

He thought for a moment and then asked, "Or rather, in the Upper Realm, is it possible for us younger cultivators to hear your names again?"

"I have entrusted the dynasty to Beichen and to you."

Emperor Huangze looked at Li Yunjing with a deep gaze: "As for the Upper Realm... if any of you younger generations can truly reach this realm and ascend to the Upper Realm, perhaps you will hear the names of 'Huangze' and 'Tianzhen' in some corner of the world."

"At that time, we old friends will be reunited."

"Master Li is a prodigy; he will surely amount to something extraordinary in the future."

Tianzhenzi also laughed and said, "Perhaps it won't be long before we can drink and chat in the Upper Realm and discuss the Great Dao again."

These words carry encouragement and expectation, and also imply a promise.

"Thank you for your kind words."

Li Yunjing solemnly cupped his hands and said, "If I am fortunate enough to set foot in the Upper Realm in the future, I will definitely seek out your traces."

The three talked for a long time at the top of Huangji Peak. Emperor Huangze and Tianzhenzi shared with Li Yunjing some details about the ascension tribulation, the dangers to be aware of, and their unique insights into the Great Dao without reservation.

These experiences are invaluable to any cultivator aspiring to the Great Dao.

Li Yunjing did not get up to take his leave until the sun set and the moon rose.

The final moment is approaching; it is not advisable to disturb them any further.

Before leaving the secret realm, he looked back and saw that the two figures on the top of Huangji Peak were still sitting opposite each other, bathed in starlight and moonlight. Their aura gradually merged with the entire secret realm and with the mysterious Heavenly Dao, waiting for that earth-shattering moment to arrive.

The secrets of ascension, the arduousness of the Great Dao, and the vastness of the road ahead all left a deep impression on Li Yunjing's heart.

……

The news that Emperor Huangze and Tianzhenzi were about to ascend to heaven together stirred up a huge wave in the most elite circles of Tianlan Star, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

This was not just a simple rumor, but an official notification from the "Huangze Dynasty" to the other beings standing at the pinnacle of this realm, delivered through special channels.

The entire leadership of "Tianlan Star" was shaken.

For hundreds of thousands of years, someone has finally taken this step again, and it is two Void Returning Great Powers joining forces!
This undoubtedly gave a shot in the arm to all the supreme beings who were trapped at the peak of this world and whose future was uncertain, and also ignited the long-suppressed desires deep in their hearts.

(End of this chapter)