For Xu Qing, the audience with the Emperor this time came to a conclusion the moment he walked out of the palace gates.
However, the storm in his heart was still erupting. It was as though there was a wild beast hidden in his body, wanting to rush out of the cage of his mind and tear everything apart.
He could only try his best to control himself and try his best to be as calm as he looked on the surface. He lifted his head and smiled at the captain and Zi Xuan who were waiting outside the palace.
The captain's thoughts were clearly attracted by other things and weren't as meticulous as Zi Xuan's.
Zi Xuan only glanced at Xu Qing before leaving with him. As for the captain, he stayed behind and said that he wanted to wait for Ning Yan. However, Xu Qing saw the desire in the captain's eyes when he stared at the Ancient Sovereign Planet and knew that every time the captain did something major, he would need to collect all kinds of materials and information.
This gaze clearly showed that he was gathering information.
Hence, he let the captain stay behind. Xu Qing's gains from this audience were significant: the conferment, the convergence of fortune, the confirmation of the State Preceptor's identity, and acquiring the Emperor Sword.
However, Xu Qing felt that he hadn't done well enough. There were some issues in handling certain matters, and most importantly, he couldn't afford to let his mind stop spinning nor give himself any leisure time at the moment.
Once his thoughts stopped moving, the killing intent towards Crown Prince Purple Green in the depths of his heart would erupt like a flood breaking a dam.
Zi Xuan sharply sensed this. Even though Xu Qing was trying his best to hide it, Zi Xuan could still sense that there was… an extreme storm in Xu Qing's heart.
Hence, she grabbed Xu Qing's hand. Just like how Xu Qing had grabbed her hand in the Immortal Forbidden, she sent him her warmth.
"Let's go home."
In the moment when their eyes met, a gust of wind lifted their hair. Xu Qing remained silent for a few breaths, walking alongside as he softly recounted the details and process of his audience with the emperor to Zi Xuan.
Zi Xuan listened attentively all the way until they returned to Ning Yan's residence. In front of the lake, she spoke softly.
"The way you handled yourself when you saw Crow was already very good."
"I agree with your guess. It's impossible for the Human Emperor not to know Crow's identity. There must be a deal between them."
"The fact that the Emperor Sword remained unmoved by Crow doesn't signify much. This sword is selfless, how can it be used for personal reasons? It's more about sensing the changes in the fate of the human race and intervening during the critical moment to stop the disaster."
"Your shortcomings in this audience with the Human Emperor are all small flaws."
"The Human Emperor should be playing chess with Crow. Each of us will place a piece."
"As for your killing intent toward Crow, before you have the ability to kill him, protecting yourself and holding back your killing intent should be your focus."
"Our stay in the Imperial City is destined to be full of twists and turns. But, Qing, you must know, you are not alone. Whatever happens… I am with you."
"I will join you when the time to kill Crow comes!"
The surface of the lake rippled and the fish jumped, splashing into the water, forming ripples that swayed in the lake and also in the sea of their hearts.
Xu Qing looked at Zi Xuan and nodded.
"Alright, I know you came back early because you were worried about the pill refinement. Let's go take a look at your pill furnace." A gentle smile appeared on Zi Xuan's face. When the sunlight landed on her snow-white skin, it was as though it had transformed into a heavenly veil, complementing her beautiful figure like a blooming orchid.
It was peerlessly beautiful.
Xu Qing's heartbeat involuntarily sped up. He allowed Zi Xuan to hold his hand and lead him to the alchemy room.
Looking at the pill furnace that was being heated in the pill room and sensing that the medicinal pill inside was undamaged, the last stone in Xu Qing's heart was also put down.
As time passed, dusk arrived, and on this day, the sky was adorned with crimson hues.
The comprehension time on the Ancient Sovereign Planet was originally an entire day. However, because the second seal was opened, this time was shortened. Hence, it ended at dusk.
The news of the subsequent successful comprehension quickly spread.
After Xu Qing left, three more inheritors who had comprehended Heavenly Marquis inheritances appeared. In fact, someone else also obtained a Heavenly King's inheritance.
It was the Tenth Prince!
This matter caused quite a commotion.
As for Ning Yan… he gained nothing.
However, when he returned, Ning Yan didn't reveal any dejected expression. Instead, he held his head high and puffed out his chest. Clearly, Xu Qing's matter made him feel honored.
However, there was still some disappointment hidden in the depths of his eyes.
Proving himself in front of his father was something he had always yearned for.
Xu Qing had something on his mind and couldn't comfort him.
That night, many people in the residence couldn't sleep.
Xu Qing and Zi Xuan were refining the pill. The medicinal pill that Zi Xuan needed had reached the final moment. If it was successful, it would form in a night at most.
The captain was in deep thought. From time to time, he would take out a jade slip to record things. He even drew many patterns and began to study the Ancient Sovereign Planet he had seen today.
To him, this was a very rare thing. Previously, every time he did something big, although he would collect information, he rarely made any plans. It was fine as long as he forced past the obstacles.
However, this time was different. After all… he had died on the Ancient Sovereign Planet because of failure many times in the past.
As for Ning Yan, he spent the night in the ancestral hall. He sat there cross-legged and looked at his mother's portrait. In a soft voice, he recounted the events after his mother's departure, with every sentence devoid of the term 'missing,' yet they were imbued with longing.
Kong Xianglong was also silent. He had heard about Xu Qing's matter today and seen it from afar. While he blessed him inwardly, he also made a goal for himself.
He couldn't allow himself to be left too far behind.
Only the carefree Wu Jianwu lay there that night, too lazy to cultivate, and slept soundly.
The night passed in silence.
When the sun rose into the sky and a new day arrived, everyone's thoughts disappeared with the departure of the night. Ning Yan was in high spirits as he walked out of the ancestral hall and began to cultivate.
The captain beamed with joy and ran out to continue observing.
Xu Qing also welcomed the completion of the pill. As the pill furnace was opened, a blood-colored pill with golden patterns floated in front of him and Zi Xuan.
Zi Xuan took a deep breath and her eyes were filled with anticipation. She lifted her jade-like hand and waved it, taking out a compass.
She had forged this compass during this period of time and it could help her enhance her sensing. After she took it out, the blood pill floated down and landed in the central slot of the compass.
The moment it was embedded, the blood pill shone and the compass trembled violently as it began to move. Zi Xuan was also extremely solemn. She sat down cross-legged and pressed her hands on the compass, spreading out her sensing power.
In an instant, her perception was enhanced on a large scale. Everything in the world disappeared in her mind. Only the fated lantern… became clearer.
Xu Qing also sat down cross-legged. While protecting Zi Xuan, he was thinking about what to do next.
'Helping Zi Xuan find that lantern is one of the goals.'
'Also… I'll make a trip to Imperial Academy.'
Imperial Academy was the highest institution of learning for the human race. During the days Xu Qing had been in the Imperial City, he had heard about it more than once. Regardless of whether it was the princes or the officials, they all had the experience of learning from Imperial Academy.
In fact, many heaven chosen of super sects wanted to have the qualifications to study at the Imperial Academy.
To a certain extent, it was just like a sect. It was a sect established by the orthodox human race. There was no family status there, and all cultivation arts and knowledge could be learned.
"On the way here, the third princess mentioned the Imperial Academy. She said that it emphasizes schools of thoughts… There are thousands of different schools, each with its own doctrine, system, and understanding of the world and cultivation."
"Use different methods and explore different directions to find the most suitable path for the human race's cultivation to rise."
"There is no barrier to enter any school of thought. As long as one has the qualifications to study in the Imperial Academy, they can join any school they want. This is for better exploration and learning, regardless of one's background."
"This is because the Imperial Academy is located in a special space. Those who enter there will wear the Imperial Academy Daoist robe and mask that can hide all their auras. It is also forbidden to reveal one's identity. Only at the instant of graduation can they reveal their true self.'
"Therefore, if one has the ability in Imperial Academy, they can also create their own school of thought. The prerequisite is that they can attract students and make them acknowledge their ideals…"
"After the Human Emperor Mystic War ascended the throne, he went against everyone's wishes and established the Imperial Academy. Over the years, it has produced countless techniques and nurtured many outstanding individuals."
"That place is the place where the human race's ideology is revived, where diverse opinions flourish, and everyone can expound their own beliefs…"
The third princess' words appeared in Xu Qing's mind. Coupled with the audience with the Human Emperor, he couldn't understand this Human Emperor Mystic War.
"The clay fox mentioned that the Human Emperor is doing something major. What exactly is it…"
Xu Qing pondered. At the same time, another thought rose in his mind.
"Also, is what the clay fox mentioned necessarily true… After all, She is the god of the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race."
While Xu Qing was pondering, his expression suddenly changed. He lifted his head and looked at Zi Xuan in front of him. Zi Xuan's eyes also opened at that moment, revealing a hint of confusion. After a long time, she spoke softly.
"Qing, I think I've found that lantern."
…
Ancient Sovereign Planet.
After the seal was opened and the comprehension of the inheritance ended, the clouds and fog there spread out again, covering everything. It became like before, flowing slowly.
Below the clouds and fog, in the interior of the Ancient Sovereign Planet, land masses floated one after another. They moved with the fog and drifted around the planet.
In the depths of the core, between the clouds, there was a palace that couldn't be seen clearly. It was enveloped by fog and was faintly discernible.
Only the vast pentagonal altar above it held thin clouds…
On the altar, five huge golden coffins would be seen placed on various corners. Every coffin emitted a terrifying imperial qi that contained supreme might.
Moreover, they each held shrines standing on them.
There were no statues enshrined in the shrine, only spirit tablets.
They were respectively written as the Eastern Triumph, Holy Sky, Mirror Cloud, Dao World…
As well as the last one, Mystic War.
This scene was like a heaven-shattering and earth-shattering mysterious ritual.
And in the center of these five coffins, there was an ancient lantern.
This lantern was completely made of purple stone, like a blooming redbud. On it rested a purple phoenix. Its wings were spread out and it was lifelike.
