Chapter 398 - 182: Great Xuan Human King, Grant Me the Dao - , Help Me Open the Purple Mansion, and Ascend to Daoist High Merit!

Chapter 398: Chapter 182: Great Xuan Human King, Grant Me the Dao Chapter, Help Me Open the Purple Mansion, and Ascend to Daoist High Merit!

’After all, in this era of Dividing the Land and Granting Titles, he too had a stake as one of the so-called ’Dukes’.’

’He might only heed deployment orders and not imperial summons, but at the end of the day, he was still involved, at least.’

’But no matter how you sliced it, with his identity, his status, his power!’

’He couldn’t possibly be inferior to some brat who hadn’t even become a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster, could he?’

’Why does the Emperor Monarch value him so highly?’

He, who had lived for so many years and rarely felt puzzled, was pondering the reason behind it all.

And in the next moment, he began to understand.

"If I can attain a Title and have the chance to help in the future, I’m naturally willing to stand on your side."

"Whether you’re the Great Xuan Emperor Monarch or just Jiang Li."

As Jiang Li’s lightly teasing words faded, Ji Xiu thought for a moment before speaking.

When he was done, he added another sentence:

"I’m serious."

Jiang Li had helped him a great deal since they met in Anning. Take the matter of the Spirit Summoning and Saint Manifesting General’s Divine Thought attempting Possession—without her, it would have been incredibly tricky.

And Ji Xiu never liked to be in debt.

At these words, the powerful being’s expression turned peculiar.

’Such a statement was, frankly, outrageously arrogant.’

’But for some reason, even with all his experience, he could not detect the slightest hint of pretense on the boy’s face.’

’Now this was interesting.’

’Which means...’

’This kid genuinely believes he’ll see that day, and isn’t just trying to curry favor with the Emperor Monarch?’

Jiang Li’s smile didn’t waver; she seemed to have known all along that Ji Xiu would say this.

"Oh?"

"Ji Xiu, We were joking with you before."

"But if you’re going to speak like that..."

"Then We shall have to be serious with you."

Her smile faded slightly, replaced by a hint of pressure.

"Do you have any idea who Our enemies are?"

"For a Hundred Years."

"Within the Profound Court, the blood descendants of those granted the title of King—in what’s called the ’Nine Dragons Contending for the Tripod’—are all backed by the Outer Dao. Their hearts are filled with treacherous schemes, all for four words: to be the Emperor."

"And yet, to this day, not a single one of them has been able to truly contend for the great tripod, to make the Divine Artifact change its master and earn the recognition of the ancestral line. The true throne has remained empty, and changing the false emperor several times has been of no use. Hah."

"And what have they done all these years?"

"They allowed the eighteen external Vassal Lords to establish their own state-level Vassal Towns, Dividing the Land and Granting Titles, heeding deployments but not summons."

"They’ve let the Ten Directions Celestial Pillar and the Nine Great Families attain unprecedented status, with everyone vying to win them over."

"They even made a truce with the Immortals and the Pure Land, allowing other Celestial Dao Lineages to infiltrate the Great Xuan Territory through the Realm Gates to spread their teachings and establish schools."

"Everything they’ve done is for a single purpose: to usurp Our authority as the Heavenly Patrol and ascend to the imperial throne."

"During this long time, my physical body, Divine Soul, and Dao Fruit have all been separated and suppressed. The factions that once supported me have long since crumbled."

"The Sword Dao Ancestral Court behind your School was one of Our supporters back then."

"And you’ve seen what has become of them now."

"If this is what happens to a Celestial Pillar, what hope does a single person like you have?"

"You will die, and your Dao will be extinguished."

She said softly.

Sealing King, Dukes, Celestial Pillar, Giant House, Outer Dao!

Each word fell with immense weight.

Even the being with profound Cultivation standing beside Jiang Li fell silent upon hearing this.

"Too many debts won’t crush you. I’ll just put it on my tab for now. What’s there to be afraid of?"

Ji Xiu smiled.

"Every sentence you said was so heavy, I don’t even know how to respond. But, knowing my personality..."

Rubbing his hands together, Ji Xiu pondered for a moment, then said half-jokingly:

"If there were another freezing, snowy night, and Her Majesty the Empress, having failed in her restoration, collapsed in the snow... even if it meant taking a risk, I think I’d still lend her a hand, right?"

"After all, even setting aside your status..."

Gazing at Jiang Li’s naturally flawless and beautiful face, Ji Xiu clapped his hands in admiration.

"A lady of such beauty... how could there be any reason not to save her?"

Jiang Li was taken aback for a second.

The mysterious being beside her was even more stunned.

’This kid...’

’What did he just say!?’

’He dares to tease the Emperor Monarch!?’

’One must know, back in the day, she was the most stern and humorless of all. Although she has undergone a great change and her personality is now much more relaxed, still...’

But before he could finish his thought, he saw Jiang Li lower her gaze and stare at Ji Xiu for a long moment. Suddenly, her expression softened, and she broke into a radiant smile.

"You brat."

"To tease Us like that..."

"In all the world, you are the first."

She lifted her chin slightly, her long, phoenix-like eyes glaring at him.

"If this were the past, you’d be in for more trouble than you could handle. We would have hunted you to the ends of the earth to teach you the meaning of ’great punishment’!"

"But now..."

"We’ve changed Our mind."

Jiang Li laughed heartily.

"You are a descendant of the Sword Dao Ancestral Court. If you cannot shed that identity, then indeed, whether you stand with Us or not is no longer so important."

"In that case, We shall punish you. Your punishment is..."

"To keep walking this path, all the way to the end. Don’t look back."

"When you reach that point, you will become an even greater figure than the Primordial Ancestor of your lineage."

"Then, you can come and help Us."

"If you can’t make it, then don’t come at all."

"We also don’t need anyone dying meaninglessly for me."

Jiang Li gazed at Ji Xiu, each and every word she spoke resonating with force.

After speaking, she extended a finger from her sleeve.

"The Six Chapters of the Profound Monarch’s Secret Record was created through the painstaking efforts of the Profound Monarch, who studied the Six Heavens and comprehended the Secret Skills of the ’Immortal, Buddha, God, Saint, Demon, and Devil’ Outer Daos."

"We previously passed on to you the first half of the third Chapter, ’Refining Spirit,’ which is enough for you to resist foreign Divine Beings at the Qi Cultivation Grandmaster realm."

"Now, I see that your Dao Skill has taken shape, so I shall bestow upon you the first half of the first Chapter, ’Immortals’."

"After all, I can’t let you say all those sweet things to make your big sister happy and get nothing in return, can I?"

"This first half of the Immortal Chapter can be used to open your Purple Mansion and break through to Daoist High Merit. In the Daoist Merit rating system of the Immortal Dao Lineage, it is ranked highest, in the ’Chapter’ tier, above Achievement, Scripture, and Canon."

"Go, use it to forge the most Superior ’Purple Mansion.’ Infuse it into your Divine Soul and let it be your guiding light, ensuring your Martial Dao flourishes in the future!"

In an instant, Jiang Li pointed a finger, and it seemed as though an infinite Profound Mystery flowed into the spot between Ji Xiu’s eyebrows.

[Tutor has obtained a Dao Chapter Level Fundamental Daoist Skill, Six Chapters of the Profound Monarch’s Secret Record—Immortal Chapter (Part 1)!]

[After this advance, you may embark on the path of opening the Purple Mansion and ascend to Daoist High Merit!]

...

「In the state-level Vassal Town of Cangdu!」

This was where all the elites of Cangbei gathered.

Even a Grand Lineage that dominated an entire Prefecture was, in the presence of the hereditary Dukes and ministers here, nothing more than an Outer Sect Guest Minister or an External Branch, fit only for doing dirty work.

And among them all.

The most magnificent and opulent estate of all.

Was the residence of Chen Xuanque, one of the One State’s Vassal Lords!

On this day.

Beicang Marquis Xiao Pingnan, having just suppressed a World Gate Demon Calamity in Cangbei, arrived to report on his duties. Travel-worn and still clad in his Divine Armor, he strode in with the majestic gait of a dragon and a tiger!

But as soon as he entered Chen Xuanque’s residence, he heard from the Inner Guard that the lord had important business today. He had gone to a Prefecture City below to meet a person of great importance.

At this, Xiao Pingnan felt a surge of doubt:

’What kind of great personage could make Lord Chen, one of the eighteen Vassal Lords, personally humble himself to go and meet them?’

’Could it be that Xuanjing is making a move again...’

However, he didn’t dwell on the speculation, quickly putting it to the back of his mind. His thoughts turned instead to his daughter, Xiao Mingli, and a look of shame flickered in his tiger-like eyes.

’By my calculations, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen that child, Mingli. But a recent message on the Jade Talisman said that someone has inherited the ’Mountain and Sea Search’ Daoist Talisman and can provide her with a stable supply of Spirit Fish to supplement her deficiency...’

’It’s still just a temporary solution, not a cure, but it’s a method at least.’

’One day.’

’Your father will find suitable Celestial Materials to rebuild your foundation, and you will become a World Traveler for a Celestial Pillar Level power, relying on no one!’

Xiao Pingnan muttered to himself. He then removed his helmet, relaxed his hands, and gazed in the direction of Jiangyin Prefecture.

"The turmoil at the Realm Gate has subsided for now. It’s time I found a moment to go back and see her..."