Chapter 579 - 345: Birth of a Daughter, Purple Qi from the East, Auspicious Omen of the Divine Phoenix

"Wait, wait."

The old fortune-telling Daoist quickly stopped him, a wide smile spreading across his face.

"I can see your innate talent is exceptional. You’re prime material for martial arts and immortal cultivation. How about you come with me?"

"Not interested," Lü Feng replied flatly.

He had his instructions from Uncle Zhao to find a specific person, so there was no way he was going with this old Daoist.

Seeing his lack of interest, the old Daoist grew anxious and tried to persuade him.

"Can this relative of yours possibly compare to the Purple Palace Mountain that stands behind me?"

"I’ll be straight with you. I am actually the True Monarch Sect Leader of Purple Palace Mountain, the Three Eminences True Monarch of Purple Palace Mountain! Have you heard of me? I’m a figure of great renown even within the Taoist Sect. It would be your great fortune to become my disciple."

"Oh."

Lü Feng hadn’t studied the world’s powers, realms, or cultivation levels. He just treated it as the name of a place, his expression remaining perfectly calm. He gave a simple acknowledgment and kept walking.

The old Daoist continued his earnest plea, "Do you have any idea what a True Monarch Sect Leader is? What kind of status a True Monarch holds within a Dynasty? They are beings who have transcended the mortal world..."

"Hey, you with the stall. Do you have a business permit issued by the Government Office?"

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a squad of sword-bearing Guards in silver-dragon boots and Flying Fish Robes approaching them.

"It’s the Imperial Capital Brocade Clothing."

The old Daoist frowned.

"What’s the Imperial Capital Brocade Clothing?"

Lü Feng asked curiously.

"The Imperial Capital Brocade Clothing comes from the Bright Lamp Bureau. They’re Great Yan’s supervisory division. Even officials are afraid of them. They also serve as the Emperor’s Personal Guard, in charge of maintaining order in the Capital City."

After his quick explanation, the old Daoist muttered, ’Is security in the Capital City this tight because the Empress is giving birth today?’

Then, he put on a smile and went forward to greet them, cupping his hands in a fist-and-palm salute.

"Officers, this humble one has just arrived in the Imperial Capital and doesn’t know the rules. Please forgive me."

The Commander of the Bright Lamp Bureau paid no mind to his chatter, directly pulling out shackles and handcuffs. "The rules are the rules," he said coldly. "You’re coming to the Celestial Prison. You’ll be detained. Have your Sect Leader come and bail you out."

"The Holy Emperor has decreed that any Immortal Family from any sect setting up a stall in the Imperial Capital without a license is plundering Great Yan’s Incense Smoke and Destiny. It is considered an act of smuggling."

Lü Feng watched the fortune-telling Daoist’s fawning, subservient act and slowly shook his head. ’And he calls himself a True Monarch. He’s a total coward.’

Unexpectedly, the Commander of the Bright Lamp Bureau overheard him. His gaze immediately turned razor-sharp, piercing right through the old Daoist.

"You’re a True Monarch of a sect? Then we have all the more reason to investigate. Are you a spy sent from another Dynasty?"

Seeing how Lü Feng had thrown him under the bus, the old Daoist was both furious and panicked.

Seeing that he was about to be arrested by these members of the Imperial Capital Brocade Clothing, his expression changed instantly. He spoke with great solemnity:

"I am a True Monarch Sect Leader! How dare you mortals be so insolent!"

His voice carried a rumbling shockwave that knocked back all the men who were advancing with their swords drawn.

After roaring, the old Daoist didn’t waste a second.

He immediately took off running.

’These guys look weak, and few of them have much Cultivation, but behind them stands the entire Great Yan Dynasty.’

’The Destiny of the Great Yan Dynasty is currently world-reachingly powerful. It’s not wise to offend them.’

’If I do, it won’t end well for me.’

"In the Imperial Capital City, even if you are a dragon, you must lie down; even if you are a phoenix, you must coil up."

Just as the old Daoist transformed into a wisp of clear wind, about to leave the Imperial Capital City...

...a faint, ethereal voice suddenly echoed from within the Imperial City.

From the highest point of the Imperial Palace, it was as if a world-piercing rainbow unsheathed itself!

"ZING!"

And just like that, the heaven-piercing rainbow light struck the old Daoist down in an instant!

At some point, a one-armed, middle-aged man with a sword on his back had appeared in front of Lü Feng.

"Greetings, Left Tributor."

Seeing him, the members of the Bright Lamp Bureau’s Brocade Clothing all saluted.

The middle-aged Sword Cultivator said indifferently, "Take him to the great prison. For attempting to escape, handle it severely. His crime is now one degree more severe."

"Yes, sir!"

Not even the Bright Lamp Bureau dared to be disrespectful to this middle-aged man.

After all, he had been personally invited by His Majesty from the Taoist Sect to serve as a Tributor.

He was known as the number one Tributor of the Taoist Sect.

His power was unfathomable.

The old Daoist who had just claimed to be a True Monarch was cut down with a single blow.

This meant his strength was at least at the Immortal Realm, making him an Earth Immortal.

Immortal Zuo Ren’s gaze fell upon Lü Feng. He saw the sword box on his back, and a reminiscent look appeared in his eyes before he spoke.

"You’re from the Northern Realm?"

"Yes."

Lü Feng knew this person was likely someone important in the Court, so his tone immediately became more polite. "Yulu Pass, Qingping Town."

Immortal Zuo Ren seemed to understand, as if he could see the whole story. He nodded. "I see."

"I’ll take you to see someone."

Lü Feng was a bit hesitant. "My uncle told me to wait at a place called Qingzhu Hall."

Hearing this name, Immortal Zuo Ren smiled faintly.

"Come with me. You’ll understand when we get there."

Lü Feng followed the middle-aged Sword Cultivator forward, gradually approaching the Imperial City. Seeing the many patrolling Black Armored Imperial Guards, he couldn’t help but ask curiously:

"Senior, what day is it today? Why is the atmosphere so tense?"

Immortal Zuo Ren explained, "Today is the day the Empress gives birth. The nation’s Crown Prince may well be decided today, and His Majesty places great importance on this matter."

If it were an ordinary person, he would never have bothered explaining any of this.

But Lü Feng was different. His identity was far too special.

"Oh... I see."

Lü Feng nodded thoughtfully.

At this moment, inside a great hall in the Imperial Palace, a crowd of Palace Maids and midwives had gathered.

A remarkably handsome young man in a Dragon Robe paced back and forth behind a curtain, wringing his hands, his heart filled with anxiety.

"Your Majesty needn’t be anxious," a palace maid with beautiful almond eyes and purple robes consoled him. "The Empress’s Cultivation is high and her constitution is strong. There shouldn’t be any complications."

"Zi Yun, that’s easy for you to say. How many moments like this does one get in a lifetime? It’s perfectly normal for His Majesty to be nervous," another woman, who looked like a maid in red palace attire with a beauty mark by the corner of her eye, said with a light smile.

The woman in red had a slender figure, a waist that could be encircled by a single grasp, and exceptionally long legs that seemed like they could be admired for a long time.

The Dragon Robe Youth patted the woman in red on her rear and said with a playful scolding, "Zi Yun, Hong Wan, you two... gossiping as always. If you were in the birthing hall, you wouldn’t be talking like this."

"What a pity. We’re not fated to carry the dragon’s seed," Zi Yun’s voice was still delicate and gentle, with a hint of a sweet, milky tone.

"His Majesty is so busy with his affairs, he barely has a moment to spare. I’m afraid he’s already forgotten about us," Hong Wan said, putting on a pitifully moving, grief-stricken expression.

Although these were just jokes, Lu Mingyuan took them seriously. He reflected for a moment, then said with a straight face, "Once I get through this busy period, I’ll be sure to spend some quality time with you both."

Zi Yun and Hong Wan exchanged a glance, each seeing the surprise in the other’s eyes. It was clear they were both a little touched.

"Just knowing Your Majesty has the heart for it is enough for us."

「In the past.」

The Eastern Palace Mansion had four great Maids. Each possessed high Cultivation and unwavering loyalty, a story that was widely told and considered a fine tale.

There wasn’t a man in the world who didn’t envy him.

But now, with only Zi Yun and Hong Wan by his side, Lu Mingyuan felt that he had not yet reached the time to enjoy domestic bliss and the comforts of a lover’s paradise.

As the three of them were chatting idly...

"WAAH!"

...it seemed they heard the clear cry of a newborn baby.

Soon, a graceful and noble-looking beautiful woman walked out of the birthing hall, exclaiming with delight, "The baby is born!"

"Mother, is it a boy or a girl?"

Lu Mingyuan asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"It’s a girl."

Wang Zhaoyan said with a smile.

The words had barely left her lips when Lu Mingyuan tried to enter the hall to see what his daughter looked like.

In that instant, thunder rumbled across the sky, and a startling clap echoed out.

It gave everyone a huge fright.

Lu Mingyuan released his Sacred Consciousness and discovered that, at some unknown point, a massive Five-Colored Divine Lotus had coalesced in the void.

The Five-Colored Divine Lotus quickly burst apart, transforming into countless streams of dazzling purple qi that surged forward, forming a pillar of energy that shot directly into the grand hall.

"Is this a phenomenon?"

Seeing this, Wang Zhaoyan was dumbfounded, her mouth agape.

"My granddaughter’s birth has been accompanied by a phenomenon from the Celestial Dao! She will surely become an extraordinary figure in this life!"

Wang Zhaoyan shouted excitedly.

Lu Mingyuan narrowed his eyes and gazed up at the sky.

’Such terrifying Destiny... Could this auspicious sign be the result of her inheriting the combined Destiny of myself and Mu Xue?’

He saw the surging purple qi transform into a phantom. A majestic phantom of a Divine Phoenix lay sprawled over the entire Imperial Capital, looking down upon all living beings, its massive head staring at the place where his daughter was born.

On this day, purple qi came from the east, auspicious light shone for ten thousand zhang, and a Divine Phoenix descended upon the world.

...