There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 12 Landslides and Tsunamis: A Mysterious Encounter

"When did the princess return to the city?"

The news of Princess Xiyao's return sent a chill down Chen Qing's spine.

“Three days ago,” Xu Zhaoying said, a shadow crossing her brow, “this trip was quite unsuccessful, resulting in the loss of several retainers.”

Chen Qing noticed the regret in her voice and the sorrow in her brows; her usual carefree demeanor had diminished somewhat.

"Let's not talk about that," Xu Zhaoying suddenly changed the subject. "Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), the princess will summon those who have performed well in the evaluation at her residence. If your idea of ​​dividing the Yellow Court Realm into four levels is perfected, this is the perfect opportunity to present it. As long as you are appreciated, you will no longer have to worry about being sent back to the Xuanyu Prison."

Chen Qing's eyes flickered slightly.

Cultivating in dreams has many advantages, but what I seek is not cultivation level, but experience, knowledge, and visualization diagrams. If I gain the princess's favor, I may be able to access more advanced cultivation techniques and resources.

It can be done.

Then let's do it seriously.

"Thank you for sending the message, Fellow Daoist Xu." He bowed in thanks. "I wonder what topics the princess prefers? I'd like to prepare accordingly."

Xu Zhaoying's smile vanished, and she raised an eyebrow slightly: "What? General Chen, whose spirit bone was destroyed, has also learned to flatter people? When I talked to you, I didn't see you being polite at all. Every time you pointed out a mistake, you were straightforward and merciless."

Chen Qing was taken aback. After recalling for a moment, he said, "If you point out mistakes in a roundabout way, it will not have the effect of making people aware of them."

"Don't be nervous," Xu Zhaoying said seriously again, "The princess hates sycophants the most. You have real talent and learning, so speak frankly." After saying that, she turned to leave, but stopped at the door and said, "The solution to the bone stony spots has indeed worked. I will remember this favor."

After Xu Zhaoying left, Chen Qing immediately sat cross-legged and entered a meditative state, both to prepare himself for meeting the princess the next day and to familiarize himself with the changes in his dream body.

The flow of Taihe Qi circulates through the meridians, like a clear spring washing over them.

Unlike the stagnation experienced during cultivation in the real world, the spiritual energy in the dream world was so abundant that it was almost extravagant. With each breath, spiritual energy would spontaneously flow in, and one's cultivation level would increase as the energy circulated throughout the body.

"No wonder my progress in the dream was so rapid." He sighed to himself, "Even with talent and a solid foundation, it would be difficult to make such progress without such spiritual energy from heaven and earth."

But he quickly shook off his distracting thoughts. His immediate priority was to use this opportunity in the dream to improve his strength in order to deal with the crisis outside the dream. Thinking too much would be useless.

As night fell, Chen Qing remained seated, adjusting his breathing, both to rest and to reflect on his experiences over the past year and a half.

When he woke up from his dream earlier, he was only focused on cultivating his memories and had to rush through the conversation because of Xu Zhaoying's visit. Tomorrow, when he meets the princess, he must be able to answer fluently if asked about the details of his past, so as not to cause any trouble.

Memories come flooding back like a tide—

Since the last time his consciousness left his body, his dream self has been diligently cultivating in this secluded courtyard, gradually earning the reputation of a "cultivation fanatic".

Half a year ago, on a rainy night, I suddenly felt something and integrated the "combination of strength and gentleness" principle of the "Haiyue Fragment" into the "Taiyue Manual". I drew the spiritual energy of the earth veins and the energy of Taihe to merge. This fused energy spontaneously arose and circulated through the twelve meridians nine times, cleansing the marrow and guiding the Qi, and I broke through to the middle stage of the second realm in one fell swoop.

At that time, spiritual energy turned into rain, enveloping the courtyard, and the strange phenomenon startled everyone.

After personally inspecting the site, Lü Han exclaimed, "Truly a genius! To have made such progress even with one's spiritual bones destroyed is something I've never seen before in my three hundred years of life."

Since then, Xu Zhaoying's visits have increased significantly.

What started as a question-and-answer session gradually evolved into regular discussions. As a result, the woman was open-minded and spoke of the "Vast Scripture" without reservation, which greatly benefited Chen Qing. He took notes of the key points, and the two became much closer.

"I never imagined that my dream body would actually manifest itself in front of people and even encounter a beautiful woman discussing the Dao..." Chen Qing was speechless. Then he thought again that since it was a dream, it was alright for his dream body to make some noise. As long as he gained some insights and comprehended the cultivation method, it would be a real gain.

"However, in the real world outside the dream, to break through from the early to the middle stage of the second realm, one needs to use a peach wood heart struck by lightning to guide the earth's spiritual energy, circulating it nine times through the twelve meridians, and then supplement it with a marrow-cleansing herb to soothe the meridians, only then is there a certain possibility of success. But in this dream world, it is achieved naturally simply because of the abundance of spiritual energy!"

Before entering the dream, he had actually planned to use the medicine prescription that could help him advance in the real world as a bargaining chip to exchange for opportunities in this world. But now he felt bored and lost his concentration. So he went to the bookshelf, took out a notebook, and read it to calm his mind.

This notebook contains a simple diagram of meridian circulation and marks the key points for tempering each acupoint. It is a fragment of the "Haomiao Jing" written after discussing the Dao with Xu Zhaoying. The theory of water transformation in it can be perfectly integrated into the sea-themed meaning of the "Haiyue Fragment".

"All rivers flow into the sea, all streams converge into their source; water is the softest of all, yet even a drop of water can wear away stone..."

Chen Qing chanted incantations, and the Taihe True Qi within his body flowed with the sound. The glistening water droplets that had condensed on the surface of his skin traveled along mysterious paths and finally converged into the Yellow Court. In an instant, the Qi within his body surged like a river, and a hazy mist emanated from within a foot around him, like a rising haze.

"This vast scripture is water that flows into the sea, and the Taiyue Manual is a mountain. Can we combine them to form the incomplete Haiyue Scroll and complete this technique?"

With a thought, the true meaning of mountains and rivers from the "Taiyue Tongtian Jue" also rose and fell in his meridians, as heavy as a mountain, unmoving and immovable.

The two techniques, one soft and one hard, one like the sea and one like the mountain, should complement and enhance each other. However, at this moment, because their operation methods are not yet fully harmonized, they are subtly clashing with each other!

"Well--"

The meridians suddenly feel like they're being pierced by needles!

The surging waves collided violently with the towering mountains, unleashing an unprecedented power that caused a burst of spiritual light to appear on Chen Qing's body, the patterns on the rocks and the water mist to intertwine, and his aura to surge!

boom!
At Chen Qing's feet, water shimmered and the ground cracked!

The violent shockwave swirled around, blowing everything in the room to its sides and shattering it into pieces!

"Such explosive power! If this continues, the meridians will be damaged!"

Chen Qing was startled and immediately became alert. Although the accidental collision between mountains and seas could temporarily boost combat power and even unleash a terrifying attack, it damaged the very foundation of his meridians.

He immediately focused his mind and guided the two forces back to their origin.

After regulating his breathing, he wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and carefully contemplated the changes he had just experienced, a look of excitement flashing in his eyes.

“The mountains are imposing and the sea is surging. When the two collide, it is like a raging storm. Although it cannot last, it can unleash power far beyond one’s own level in an instant!” He patted his chest. “In a critical moment, this move, ‘Mountain Collapse and Tsunami,’ although only for a moment, can unleash potential and fight beyond one’s level. It is not bad to be a trump card.”

But then Chen Qing thought about it again.

"This move is only suitable for use in a dream. In the real world, the physical body is weak, and forcing it may damage the foundation."

The path of cultivation emphasizes gradual progress, especially the physical body in reality, which needs to lay the foundation for longevity and should not be easily damaged.

As he pondered, he entered a meditative state again. This time, he no longer forced a fusion, but instead carefully studied the profound mysteries of the two scriptures, seeking the balance between strength and gentleness. "The 'Haiyue Fragment' emphasizes 'the mountain's form concealing the sea's essence.' Using this as a bridge, perhaps the two techniques can truly merge..."

As dawn broke, Chen Qing had already changed his clothes.

He chose an indigo robe, which was neither impolite nor overly deliberate.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, are you ready?" Xu Zhaoying's voice came from outside the door.

"coming."

Before leaving, Chen Qing hid several martial arts manuals and his notes in a personal storage pouch, a gift from Lü Han, which contained a space of about three feet square.

Upon opening the door, the female cultivator was still dressed simply and plainly.

Chen Qing bowed and said, "Thank you for leading the way, fellow Daoist."

Xu Zhaoying looked him up and down and said with a smile, "Let's go, don't keep the princess waiting."

As the two walked through the streets and alleys, Chen Qing suddenly sensed something was amiss in the city. There were twice as many guards at the city gates as he had seen in the fragments of his memory. There were few pedestrians in the streets and alleys, and a faint smell of rust and blood lingered in the air, like the sea breeze mixed with the scent of blood.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, has something happened in the city?" he asked in a low voice.

"Three days ago, the princess was attacked on her way back to the city." Xu Zhaoying continued walking, her voice barely audible. "The city is searching for the remaining accomplices."

Chen Qing frowned slightly.

Having been assassinated in her own fiefdom, the princess's situation seems more delicate than imagined, making the situation in the Immortal Dynasty even more unpredictable.

Turning the corner of the long street, a dark blue mansion stands majestically, shaped like a crouching beast.

The twelve lion statues perched on the eaves appear at first glance to be decorations, but upon closer inspection, one can see that their eyes follow the movement of passersby.

“This is a divinely bestowed Panni.” Xu Zhaoying noticed Chen Qing’s gaze. “It was forged using the essence and blood of a Suanni as its core, and each one possesses the cultivation of the third realm! In critical moments, burning the essence and blood can also enhance combat power!”

Chen Qing felt a chill run down his spine.

There were twelve guards outside the mansion, each equivalent to a third-level cultivator. The princess of the Immortal Dynasty's resources were indeed unfathomable!
Before the mansion gate stood an old man in a black robe with silver patterns, his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering even without wind. He was none other than Dingbo Jun, who had chosen Chen Qing in the Xuanyu prison all those years ago.

"Chen Xu, how have you been?" The old man's eyes relaxed into a smile, a stark contrast to his appearance in prison. "I've studied your first realm insights seven times; they're quite good. In your year of secluded cultivation, have you filled in any remaining details?"

As Chen Qing performed the ceremony, his gaze shifted slightly, and the sunlight illuminated the faint scales behind the old man's ears.

A mix of races!

"Most of the oversights have been repaired." Chen Qing remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was surprised that this princess's confidante had alien blood. Considering the tenth princess's Qingqiu bloodline, he immediately realized that the situation was probably quite complex.

"Good! Good!" Dingbo Jun suddenly clapped his hands, his voice booming like a bell. "Study this carefully. If you gain the princess's favor, not only will you be free, but it won't be impossible for you to even revive the Chen family!"

Hearing Dingbo Jun's words, Chen Qing thought to himself, "If I were really Chen Xu, I might have some thoughts about it, but unfortunately, right now I only want to cultivate."

But halfway through the thought, he suddenly paused, realizing the identity of the body in his dream.

"Could it be that it was truly thanks to this princess that the sect was able to rebuild and its lineage revived?"

At this moment, Xu Zhaoying suddenly spoke up: "Dingbo Jun, I suddenly remembered that I have important matters to attend to, and I am afraid I cannot accompany Fellow Daoist Chen to meet the princess."

Dingbo frowned and asked, "What is so urgent?"

Xu Zhaoying replied, "A batch of ancient books was transported from Yujing and arrived just in time. The princess asked me to inspect them personally."

After pondering for a moment, Dingbo Jun waved his hand and said, "Since it is the princess's order, you may go. Chen Xu will follow me."

Xu Zhaoying nodded in praise, and before leaving, she whispered to Chen Qing, "Remember to be careful later. There are other forces inside. Be careful of them." After saying that, she turned and left, disappearing around the street corner in the blink of an eye.

Chen Qing felt a chill run down his spine.

Xu Zhaoying's parting warning came abruptly. Could there be another reason for today's summons?
"Let's go." Dingbo Jun flicked his sleeves and turned to walk into the mansion.

Chen Qing followed closely behind. As soon as he stepped over the threshold, he suddenly felt thousands of icy needles pierce through his body, the chill penetrating to his very bones. His expression remained unchanged, but his fists clenched slightly in his sleeves. He looked up and saw a wide-open space before him!

Twelve dragon pillars stood tall, each entwined with a living dragon, some as small as an arm, others as thick as a bucket. As Dingbo Jun passed by, they all bowed their heads in respect.

“These are all spirit pets kept by the princess,” Dingbo Jun explained casually. “They are responsible for guarding the mansion on weekdays.”

Chen Qing was secretly alarmed. The aura of those several water bucket-thick dragons was so oppressive that it made him feel breathless. They must have already reached the third stage of cultivation!

"As expected of a dream world, even a major sect wouldn't have such luxurious facilities in reality. In reality, any one of these dragons would be enough to establish a sect in a small place, yet here they're only fit to guard the house?"

At the end of the corridor is a large bronze gate, engraved with a pattern of animals paying homage.

Dingbo Jun stood in front of the door, took out a jade talisman and pressed it into the groove in the center of the door.

The bronze door opened, and the scent of sandalwood wafted out.

Behind the door was a spacious circular hall, where four bronze crane lamps held pearls and emitted glowing light. In the very center, behind a white jade table, sat a woman in palace attire with her face covered by a light veil.

The woman was dressed in plain white, with only her clear, cold phoenix eyes piercing through the gauze curtain.

Xi Yao, the tenth princess of the Immortal Dynasty.

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(End of this chapter)