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

Chapter 194 You'll Regret It
"Xu Zhengguang? Marquis Fu Guang!"

Hearing the voice coming from the clouds, Ao Yu's expression changed slightly, and a look of apprehension flashed in his eyes.

Then, he immediately leaned closer to Chen Qing and lowered his voice: "This person is a direct descendant of the royal family, from the same lineage as the current Holy Emperor, and can be traced back to the branch of the eldest brother of the Taiyuan Immortal Emperor. In terms of seniority, he is a nephew of the Holy Emperor, in charge of the Talisman Light Laws, and has great power and influence. He is an extremely difficult character to deal with."

Chen Qing's eyes flickered slightly as he grasped the key point: "The Taiyuan Immortal Emperor had no children, so the current Holy Emperor is both his disciple and the descendant of his elder brother?"

He thought of the eldest prince who sat on the chessboard, pointing out the direction of the world.

“Exactly.” This time, it was Princess Hongling who spoke. Her usual playful expression was gone, but she made no attempt to hide her thoughts: “The Holy Emperor has been in seclusion for many years, and the court is no longer a matter of one family’s opinion. The Five Sects and Six Religions hold power, and many members of the imperial clan are also unwilling to remain idle, each with their own ambitions. This Marquis Fuguang is one of the most powerful among them!”

Upon hearing this, the two armored guards' expressions darkened, their hands on their sword hilts tightened abruptly, and their sharp gazes swept towards Princess Hongling, about to reprimand her.

Princess Hongling, however, didn't care at all. With a flick of her wrist, a Crimson Phoenix Jade Talisman appeared before her eyes: "What? Xu Zhengguang is actually my cousin. Just because he did it doesn't mean I can't say anything about it?"

Before the two guards could respond, the majestic voice from above the clouds came again: "Little Red Spirit, it's been many years, and you're still as sharp-tongued as ever. Since you're here, come up and have a chat."

The two guards had no choice but to suppress their anger, bowed and said yes, then looked at Chen Qing again: "Your Majesty invites you to ascend the cloud ladder!"

Chen Qing looked up and saw the cloud ladder surrounded by celestial light and faint runes. He pondered for a moment and shook his head: "Going up there is nothing more than recruiting allies and getting entangled in power struggles. I have no interest in that. I just want to find a place to cultivate in peace. Farewell."

Having said that, he actually flicked his sleeves, turned around, and left.

The two guards could hardly believe their ears. They immediately frowned, their murderous aura rising: "Arrogant! How dare you be so presumptuous when invited by the Lord!"

"Hahaha! Good! You certainly have character! I admire straightforward people like you!"

The laughter from the clouds interrupted the guard's angry shout, and then the massive cloud ladder trembled slightly, disintegrated, and turned into rolling clouds that scattered in all directions!
Tiny specks of rosy light shimmered within!
"boom!"

The immense power of the law materialized, enveloping Chen Qing in all directions!

The space seemed to freeze. Under this oppressive force, even the souls of ordinary cultivators would be forced to kneel on the ground!

"Since Your Excellency is honoring us, you have no choice but to accept!" The head guard sneered upon seeing this.

Ao Yu's face turned pale, and his dragon aura instinctively erupted, but it was forcefully suppressed back into his body by the power of the law! Princess Hong Ling's expression also changed slightly, and the jade talisman in her hand flashed rapidly before she could barely stand.

Only Chen Qing stood in the eye of the storm, his blue robes fluttering, yet his figure remained as upright as ever, as if the overwhelming pressure was merely a gentle breeze.

He suddenly raised his right hand and gently pressed it against the suppressing clouds.

"Om-"

The clouds that had gathered the power of the mighty laws were scattered in all directions by his press, turning into countless fireflies and disappearing without a trace!
Magical spells and supernatural powers vanish into thin air before they can even get close!
The cold smiles on the two guards' faces instantly froze, turning into horror!

The laughter above the clouds abruptly stopped.

Chen Qing withdrew his hand, not even glancing at the dissipating clouds and rosy light.

"Not resistance, but the laws are completely ineffective against you?" The voice from the clouds suddenly rose, tinged with surprise, before turning into a loud laugh, "Hahaha! I know! You're the Hidden Star Ji Mingzi who keeps those old fogies of the Righteous Law Sect up at night? Good! Very good! Wait a moment!"

Before the laughter subsided, the clouds in the sky suddenly churned and a magnificent palace with carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold, broke through the clouds and slowly descended!
A shadow enveloped the vast pool of lightning, and the oppressive force cast upon it caused the lightning within to momentarily stagnate.

Chen Qing looked up and paused, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "I thought it was some kind of flying boat, but it turns out to be just a palace?"

As the palace drew closer, he realized that its base was not a foundation, but rather supported by nine ferocious fire dragons. The dragons' mouths spewed forth ethereal light, and the fluctuations of spiritual energy spread like the tide, maintaining the levitation of this colossal object!

It truly exudes an ethereal aura and is incredibly luxurious.

The palace hovered steadily above the Thunder Pool, with auspicious wisps of energy descending and transforming into steps.

Two teams of golden-armored warriors filed out and stood solemnly on both sides, their auras deep and concentrated, all possessing the cultivation level of the Golden Core stage.

Immediately, a middle-aged man with a dignified face, dressed in a robe with dragon and cloud patterns, slowly stepped out.

He had three long wisps of beard under his chin, exuding an air of elegance and nobility, and his eyes gleamed with a subtle light.

Fu Guanghou, Xu Zhengguang.

His gaze fell on Chen Qing, and a smile appeared on his face: "Since you are unwilling to ascend to heaven, then I will have no choice but to come down and invite you in person."

"call--"

As the voice fell, a heavy, mountain-like pressure spread out, its weight and majesty far surpassing any Nascent Soul cultivator Chen Qing had ever seen before!

Chen Qing felt a chill run down his spine, and a faint warning appeared in his Niwan Palace: "This person's cultivation is unfathomable! His Nascent Soul stage is no ordinary one; he has probably already condensed seven or even eight stages! He is probably only one step away from the legendary Dharma Aspect stage!"

For a member of the royal family of such stature to personally descend and deliberately recruit someone, what they seek is certainly not an ordinary guest, but rather a fierce general or henchman to charge into battle!

Upon realizing this, Chen Qing's desire to leave intensified, but his face remained impassive. He simply said, "Your Excellency's presence is truly invaluable." Xu Zhengguang stood with his hands behind his back, scrutinizing Chen Qing with undisguised admiration in his eyes: "I have long heard of a remarkable person in the North who disregards the laws of the Immortal Dynasty. I have been curious, and seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved. Fellow Daoist Jiming, would you be interested in joining my ranks? Wealth, honor, and secret cultivation techniques are all at your disposal."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing shook his head: "I am used to being idle and cannot stand being restrained. I have no intention of getting involved in trouble. I'm afraid I will disappoint you, my lord."

"Oh?" Xu Zhengguang raised an eyebrow, his smile unchanged, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Such a decisive refusal? Won't you reconsider? You should know that in this Immortal Dynasty, those who refuse my goodwill often meet with a bad end."

As soon as the words fell, the surrounding air froze instantly. The nine fiery dragons supporting the palace let out a deep roar, and the killing intent of the golden-armored warriors seemed to tangibly intertwine with it.

The pressure has increased dramatically!

Ao Yu and Princess Hongling's expressions changed drastically, and they subconsciously took two steps back.

But Chen Qingru was oblivious, still shaking his head, his tone unchanged: "I am focused on cultivation and have no interest in power struggles. If Your Majesty insists on forcing me, I will fight."

"So you're actually a fanatic obsessed with cultivating the Dao?" Xu Zhengguang narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in them. Then he changed the subject: "If I could send you to a mortal paradise to cultivate, would you be willing to change your ways?"

"A paradise on earth?" Chen Qing's eyes flickered slightly.

Memories of my past life surged forth, and the sea of ​​clouds over Xuandu Mountain seemed to appear before my eyes.

In his view, what could be called a paradise on earth was naturally a Taoist temple like Xuandu Mountain in his previous life. However, this time, as "Li Qing," he returned to the Immortal Dynasty and had never heard of any Taoist temples still existing in the world. As for the Taoist temple of Xuandu Mountain, he heard that its spiritual energy had long since dissipated and it had become an ordinary landscape.

“Not bad.” Xu Zhengguang observed his expression and said slowly, “Since the implementation of the Spirit Reduction Strategy, wandering immortals have almost disappeared from the world. The small universes left behind by their fall contain the essence of immortal spirits and form their own world! They are called the immortal realms on earth. Cultivating in them not only allows one to advance by leaps and bounds, but also may awaken ancient divine powers! You have reached the seventh level of the Core Formation at the very beginning, which is rare in ancient and modern times... Hmm?”

He paused abruptly, his aura slightly hardening, and carefully examined Chen Qing, his face showing surprise: "Eighth level? That's right, fifty years of time, with your talent, it's reasonable!"

Immediately, Fu Guanghou clapped his hands and laughed, "In that case, you will need a fragment of the Gate of Mysterious Female to complete your mission! But fragments are rare, and those that are compatible are even rarer! The Hidden Star Sect's foundation is not strong to begin with, and it has been gradually declining in recent years. How much support can it provide you? In the Human Immortal Realm, there is a 'True Seed of Dao Principle' left behind by a Loose Immortal, which is the most superior legacy of the Mysterious Female! If you study and cultivate beside the Dao Seed and comprehend the wonders of the Mysterious Gate, the Gate of Nine Revolutions will open on its own!"

"There's actually such a saying..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing's mind raced.

Reaching the ninth stage is merely a process; the true purpose is to lay the foundation for the Nascent Soul path.

In fact, in his view, the best choice is to use the mysterious "false gate" in his heart as a foundation to forge all kinds of laws. Its path is vast and boundless, far beyond what a fragment with fixed attributes can compare to.

But the prerequisite is to understand the characteristics of that door and be able to fully master it!
Chen Qing originally planned to gather relevant information through Qiao Bujue and Xuan Yu. Now it seems that this paradise on earth may also be a way to gain insights. However, he would never join a noble family and be driven by them for this reason.

With this thought in mind, Chen Qing was about to refuse again.

"Special envoy of the Celestial Dynasty, Shen Nanting, Junior Supervisor of the Jingtian Division, hereby proclaims the imperial decree!"

A crimson gold official seal pierced through the air, disrupting the tense atmosphere.

Then, a man in a dark blue official robe with a slender face walked in on light and bowed slightly to Xu Zhengguang: "Lord Fuguang, I have come by imperial decree to summon Jimingzi of the Hidden Star Sect to receive his title."

Xu Zhengguang's face darkened: "Shen Shaojian, your timing is perfect. I just mentioned recruitment, and you come to deliver the imperial decree?"

Shen Nanting smiled, neither humble nor arrogant: "It was precisely because I learned that you, my lord, were here that I had to come in haste. I fear that you two might act rashly and start fighting, and the situation would be difficult to control! You should know that neither of you are bound by the laws of nature. If your supernatural powers collide, the remnants of your power will pollute the earth's veins, causing harm to future generations, which is not what the court wants to see. Therefore, although there are still many details to be discussed regarding Fellow Daoist Jiming, I have come to deliver this message in haste."

"What a hasty summons! Since the Holy Emperor's disappearance, you have abused your power for personal gain, acting recklessly and wantonly, which has led to the decline of the Celestial Dynasty's authority!" Xu Zhengguang said calmly upon hearing this, but then paused, realizing the implication in the other party's words. He then changed the subject, "No, according to you, Shen Shaojian, you believe that this Ji Mingzi is qualified to fight against me, and may even bring disaster to the ley lines?"

At this point, his gaze suddenly turned to Chen Qing. His anger at being repeatedly rejected vanished instantly. After a few moments of scrutiny, he nodded and said, "It seems I was truly blind to your abilities. I failed to see that you truly possess the foundation to contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator! Those rumors were not actually the Hidden Star lineage creating a show of support for you!"

Seeing this, Shen Nanting secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said to Chen Qing in a serious tone, "Real Person Jiming, please receive the imperial decree."

As soon as Shen Nanting unfurled the scroll in his hand, a stream of pure energy flowed around it, shimmering with a faint light. It contained the true text of the laws and decrees of the Immortal Dynasty, which would terrify even ordinary cultivators.

He coughed lightly, his throat gathering an official tone, and was about to recite aloud...

"No need to read it, I have no interest in it."

Chen Qing suddenly spoke, abruptly cutting off the emanating official and ethereal aura that was about to spread!
Shen Nanting's breath hitched, his posture of proclaiming the decree froze halfway, and he looked astonished. He had been in charge of the Jingtian Division's decree-proclaiming affairs for many years. Wherever the immortal envoys arrived, all the cultivators bowed their heads. He had never seen such a direct interruption before the decree was finished.
Xu Zhengguang, the Marquis of Fuguang, who was standing to the side, had already narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he was about to say something. Upon hearing this, he was first taken aback, and then he clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "The decree of the Celestial Dynasty, the ladder to heaven that so many people yearn for, you treat it like trash, and you don't even want to listen to it to the end? You have guts! You're a tough nut to crack!"

His laughter subsided, and he looked at Shen Nanting, saying, "Shen Shaojian, it seems you haven't done a good job on this mission."

Shen Nanting was not angry. Instead, he smiled and said, "That is Fellow Daoist Jiming. He does not yet know what this matter is about!"

Upon hearing Shen Nanting's words, Xu Zhengguang frowned slightly, somewhat unsure of his true intentions.

Shen Nanting then said to Chen Qing, "Master Jiming, this is a grace from the Celestial Dynasty, a decision made by the central officials. It is not a trivial matter. Do you know what the consequences will be if you refuse to obey the decree?"

Chen Qing glanced at the scroll as if it were just an ordinary silk book, and said, "I have already told Marquis Fu Guang that my ambitions lie elsewhere. You may bestow this favor of the Celestial Dynasty upon others. I, Chen, only wish to find a place to cultivate in seclusion and avoid disputes. Whether I listen to this decree or not, accept it or not, makes no difference."

Upon hearing this, Shen Nanting laughed and said, "Then you must remember what you said and not regret it! Don't wait until you know what position you've been given and then try to fight for it again."

(End of this chapter)