Divine Transcendence

"The National Advisor wields tremendous influence in the capital, so I must feign weakness. If I were to reveal my Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, he would surely incite other high-level cultivators to move against me. Lin Junsheng wouldn’t just obediently stay in the capital either," Yuan Ming said as he drained the tea from his cup in one gulp.

"You’re right. Today, you slew Elder Yu of Changchun Temple, and soon the news will spread across all nations, bringing you fame, but also thoroughly offending the National Advisor’s faction. What are your plans for the future?" The young emperor asked with some concern, though he didn’t truly blame Yuan Ming.

"I’ll be leaving soon. The world is vast; where can’t I find refuge? Wandering as an unaffiliated cultivator can be quite carefree," Yuan Ming replied nonchalantly.

"It seems your trip to the Southern Border has matured you greatly. I too should seize the opportunity to travel with Loulan," the young emperor said with a hint of longing.

"I’m indifferent to my own fate, a lone wanderer, free to come and go. But my parents are in the capital, and if Changchun Temple seeks revenge for today’s events, I fear they won’t be able to withstand it," a trace of worry flickered in Yuan Ming’s eyes.

"Don’t worry about that. Your duel with Elder Yu was fair, and the outcome was left to fate. This matter will soon be known throughout Great Jin and even the neighboring cultivator realms. Changchun Temple has always prided itself on being a righteous sect; they wouldn’t retaliate against you and risk tarnishing their reputation. Besides, I will make proper arrangements to ensure the safety of Yuan Residence," the young emperor paused before adding, "The National Advisor’s faction has controlled court affairs for many years, monopolizing the best disciples. It’s time for a change. His attack on you violated the prohibition, and by publicly challenging and killing him, you’ve done my grandfather a great favor."

"How will your grandfather thank me?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Ensuring your safety is probably all I can offer," the young emperor replied. "Even so, you must be careful. It’s easy to dodge an open attack, but a hidden one is much harder to avoid."

Yuan Ming’s greatest concern was exactly this. Heaving a sigh of relief, he then asked, "Speaking of which, the Fiery Cloud technique Elder Yu used earlier was quite formidable. Do you know its origin?"

"To my knowledge, the Fiery Cloud secret technique is a unique and powerful art of Changchun Temple. It’s extremely difficult to cultivate, which is why it’s not well-known. Elder Yu likely only mastered the basics," the young emperor explained.

"Fiery Cloud secret technique? How does it differ from the technique you used to kill Lin Junsheng?" Yuan Ming casually inquired.

"The technique I used to kill Lin Junsheng is called the Explosive Flame Art, which is an introductory technique one practices before learning the Fiery Cloud secret technique," the young emperor said.

"With your talent, you should be able to learn the Fiery Cloud secret technique. It’s truly fearsome. If I hadn’t had a few decent mid-grade defensive artifacts, I would have been defeated long ago," Yuan Ming sighed.

"Yes, with my affinity for fire-based techniques, I will also cultivate this art after I enter the temple," the young emperor boasted.

After chatting with the young emperor for a while, Yuan Ming took his leave.

***

Passing through a garden, Hua Zhi emerged from the ground and began to mutter incessantly before even getting back into the spirit beast bag.

Yuan Ming paused, listening carefully, and realized Hua Zhi was complaining about him releasing the white ape during the recent battle.

"You seem to dislike the white ape? Why?" Yuan Ming asked, puzzled.

"I don’t know, I just find it annoying," Hua Zhi replied after a moment, communicating through spiritual consciousness.

"Alright, but what’s so annoying about it? It doesn’t even have spiritual intelligence," Yuan Ming said.

"I just find it annoying. Whenever I see it, I can’t help but want to tie it up and whip it," Hua Zhi rambled on.

***

Outside the palace gates, beneath a certain high wall, a carriage from the General’s Residence waited, with Yuan Zuochong inside.

Before long, Yuan Ming boarded the carriage. Yuan Zuochong, facing his son who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, was full of questions but was about to ask.

"Father, this is not the place to talk. Let’s discuss it at home," Yuan Ming whispered.

Yuan Zuochong nodded, glanced around, and then lowered the carriage curtain.

Neither father nor son spoke, returning to the General’s Residence in silence.

Inside the main hall of the General’s Residence, Yuan Ming’s mother stood with a grim expression, seemingly aware of the events that had transpired during the succession ceremony.

"Mother," Yuan Ming chuckled dryly, sheepishly speaking.

"Ming, you were too impulsive today. Although the National Advisor deserved death, you shouldn’t have struck him down publicly. This act will likely offend many, especially the cultivators of Changchun Temple, and could lead to serious trouble," Yuan Ming’s mother finally spoke after a long silence.

Yuan Ming didn’t argue with his mother. She was astute and correct, but as a non-cultivator unaware of the full context, she couldn’t understand.

Elder Yu was the National Advisor, revered and ensconced within the inner palace. If Yuan Ming hadn’t acted today, it would have been difficult to even see him again, let alone seek revenge.

Yuan Ming could have chosen to strike when Elder Yu was outside the palace, but that was uncertain and could take a long time. If discovered, he would become a true assassin, offending the entirety of Changchun Temple, and there would be no place for him in all of Great Jin.

By challenging him publicly, although he offended many, the incident was significant enough that those people had no overt justification to attack him, making it somewhat safer.

"Ming’er is still young, acting on impulse, and since it’s all over, let’s not mention it," Yuan Zuochong played the peacemaker.

Yuan Ming’s mother glared at Yuan Zuochong but said no more on the matter.

"Ming’er, when did you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage? You’ve only cultivated for three years, yet your progress is astonishingly fast," Yuan Zuochong changed the subject, trying to lighten the mood.

"I had some fortuitous encounters in the Southern Border," Yuan Ming naturally went along with his father.

He recounted some of his experiences in the Southern Border, attributing his rapid advancement in cultivation to elixirs and spiritual incense, without mentioning the Heaven-Defying Cauldron.

Although Yuan Zuochong had practiced some cultivation techniques, he was still entrenched in the secular court and not truly a part of the immortal path, lacking experience in genuine cultivator battles. He was curious about the life Yuan Ming described.

Yuan Ming’s mother was also captivated by his stories, and her expression softened considerably.

"Father, there’s no need for me to hide anything now. Here are some Qi refining elixirs and spiritual incense, along with a few artifacts for you to use. If it’s not enough, just let me know," Yuan Ming said as he handed a storage ring to Yuan Zuochong.

Yuan Zuochong looked at the ring in his hand, feeling the array of items within through his spiritual consciousness. He was heartened but also felt a complex mix of emotions.

"You’re only giving gifts to your father; what about me?" Yuan Ming’s mother extended her hand.

"Of course, I wouldn’t forget about Mother. This Clear Mind Pearl can regulate the internal organs and relax the muscles when worn close to the body. It also has some benefits for women’s beauty and skincare, making it perfect for you," Yuan Ming said as he handed over a white jade box.

Inside the box was a pale blue pearl, emitting a soft glow, quite beautiful.

He had searched several markets on his way back to Great Jin to find this gift suitable for his mother.

Yuan Ming’s mother happily took the pearl and began to admire it.

"Father, I killed Elder Yu today, and although it was a fair duel, the people of Changchun Temple might not let it go. I can’t stay at home; leaving is better for you and Mother," Yuan Ming cautioned, despite the young emperor’s assurance of safety.

"Right, Ming’er, go with peace of mind. Although I practice immortal techniques, I’m still a secular person in the court, with a prominent position. The people of Changchun Temple won’t dare to do anything to us," Yuan Zuochong reassured.

"That’s good," Yuan Ming nodded.

"Ming’er, are you planning to leave the capital alone?" his mother sensed something amiss.

"Changchun Temple won’t let things rest. If I stay in the city, it’s only a matter of time before I’m targeted," Yuan Ming sighed.

"But you’ve just returned from the Southern Border, and now you have to leave alone, with Changchun Temple after you. If something happens to you, how am I supposed to live?" his mother was on the verge of tears.

"Ming’er, your mother has a point. Changchun Temple is powerful; isn’t it more dangerous for you to be alone out there?" Yuan Zuochong also advised.

Yuan Ming felt helpless and was about to explain further to ease his parents’ worries when his mother, as if grasping at a lifeline, clutched his hand.

"The white jade ring you’ve worn since childhood, your grandmother said it’s a treasure passed down from Shengye Sect. If you run into trouble, you can use it to seek help from the sect in Leizhou City," his mother said, touching the ring on Yuan Ming’s hand.

Yuan Ming was taken aback, suddenly remembering the one-armed elder he met in Heiyan City of the Southern Border, who belonged to the Zhenling Pavilion, which also seemed to be a sect in Leizhou.

After pondering for a moment, he nodded, "That’s a good idea. I’ll follow Mother’s suggestion and seek refuge with Shengye Sect in Leizhou."

His mother was overjoyed, "Good, I’ll help you pack your luggage. You must bring more things to avoid hardship on your own."

"Let Ming’er rest at home tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for a team of elite guards to escort you to Leizhou," Yuan Zuochong added.

Yuan Ming nodded, not refusing his parents’ kindness. However, once he returned to his room, he secretly wrote a confidential letter and handed it to Hua Zhi to deliver underground into the palace.

***

The next day, before dawn, as the rooster crowed, Yuan Ming opened his door and donned a cloak of concealment, using an illusion to hide his figure.

Thus, he moved unimpeded through the residence, quickly reaching his parents’ bedroom.

His father, still in a deep sleep with furrowed brows, seemed to be having a nightmare, while his mother also looked worried, murmuring Yuan Ming’s name in her sleep.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming sighed softly, silently kowtowed several times, then left a letter he had written overnight by his father’s pillow.

The letter also contained a communication talisman he had purchased in the market, so his father could contact him if necessary.

After one last look at his parents, Yuan Ming turned and silently left the General’s Residence.

Outside, a simple carriage quietly stood in a corner.

Beside the carriage, a figure in a bamboo hat and black clothes anxiously waited.

Not far away, Yuan Ming, who had just left the residence, released his Soul Raven to quietly observe the surroundings. Confirming there were no others lying in ambush near the carriage, he approached, "I’m here."

"Get in the carriage first, then we’ll talk," the mysterious figure immediately pulled Yuan Ming onto the carriage, revealing himself to be the young emperor, Liu Tianming.

"Your Majesty, why have you come?" Yuan Ming asked in a low voice inside the carriage.

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