At the foot of the Celestial Longevity Mountain.

Lu Lin'er, Lu Xiangqing, Zheng Xuanyue, Wang Anshi, Li Changfeng, and others stared at each other in disbelief.

They never expected that while investigating auspicious omens, they would encounter an Immortal!

Moreover, this Immortal seemed to reside here, regarding it as a forbidden area.

Even Chen Liancang... an old eunuch from the palace seemed to be a cultivator!

Previously, there were always rumors from the palace about Your Majesty cultivating and about Immortals appearing, but most believed those were mere rumors.

Unexpectedly... it's true!

It's truly... astonishing!

Lu Xiangqing trembled and said, "Your Majesty is truly cultivating? What are we to do?"

Zheng Xuanyue hesitated and said, "Yes, with Your Majesty cultivating, disappearing for dozens of days at a time, what about the affairs of the nation?"

"Now, with the imminent battle in Xuzhou, we have some military orders that require Your Majesty's approval. If this continues..."

Wang Anshi suddenly said, "Gentlemen, have you forgotten where our Cabinet positions come from?"

"Your Majesty long established the Cabinet, appointing us to govern on behalf of the country for precisely this reason."

"It seems Your Majesty had the foresight that even if he goes into seclusion, the imperial decrees would still be smoothly issued."

"This is truly... an act of wisdom!"

Lu Xiangqing shook his head and said, "This statement is incorrect. While our Cabinet can manage the nation's affairs on behalf of Your Majesty, the entire Great Yu still needs Your Majesty!"

"Otherwise... the state will collapse!"

The expressions of the few changed drastically; such words were truly treasonous!

Wang Anshi frowned and said, "Lord Lu, be cautious with your words."

"With only us here, you can speak freely. But these words must never spread."

"I understand," the old man said.

Wang Anshi cupped his hands and said, "With Your Majesty in seclusion and Celestial Longevity Mountain being a forbidden area, I still have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

"I also have some matters, Elder Lu, farewell."

Zheng Xuanyue, Li Changfeng, and others also bid farewell and quickly left Celestial Longevity Mountain with their men.

Only Lu Xiangqing and his granddaughter Lu Lin'er were left.

"Grandfather, what should we do?"

Lu Lin'er covered her injured left cheek with a handkerchief, blood oozing out.

"We barged into Celestial Longevity Mountain and were wounded by the Immortal there. Your Majesty would surely be saddened."

"It's all right,"

Lu Xiangqing said, "Our actions were for the Great Yu Court, so Your Majesty will not blame us."

"At worst, put all the blame on me."

"Besides, I'm old, and it's time for me to retire."

"Grandfather...!"

"Don't worry, Lin'er,"

Lu Xiangqing said, "Even though Your Majesty is cultivating, the Great Yu still needs our Lu Family."

"Even if I retire, there will still be members of our Lu Family in the court, so you can rest assured."

"Yes, Grandfather!"

"There is one more thing."

Lu Xiangqing said, "You already knew about Your Majesty cultivating?"

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Then why..."

"I told someone to inform you, but you didn't believe it, Grandfather..."

Lu Xiangqing frowned and said, "Forget it, it seems it's true."

"Lin'er, can you inquire if Your Majesty would allow you to cultivate as well..."

Lu Lin'er awkwardly said, "I-I asked Your Majesty, but he said I don't have... Spirit Root, yes, without a Spirit Root, there's no way to cultivate."

"Spirit Root, hmm..."

Lu Xiangqing stroked his beard and said, "It seems the matter of cultivation is true, and our Lu Family should secretly search for a cultivator to become a guest."

"Grandfather?"

"Hmm."

Lu Xiangqing said, "All right, Lin'er, the matter of auspicious omens is minor, what you should focus on now is nurturing Ji'er well."

"Since Your Majesty is to cultivate, he will certainly neglect imperial matters for some time."

"And Ji'er is undoubtedly the most suitable choice."

Lu Lin'er's eyes lit up sharply, "Grandfather, are you saying..."

"Hmm."

Lu Xiangqing nodded and said, "Some matters should be planned early."

"I understand, Grandfather..."

...

Baiyu City Underground Palace, silent chamber.

Thick blood mists continuously poured out, and under Zheng Yi's spell, surged back into the Reincarnation Nine-child Fruit.

After an unknown length of time, the silent chamber returned to calm once more.

Upon picking up the Reincarnation Nine-child Fruit, as expected, fine strands of extremely thin blood appeared within.

Like a delicate crystal with a slight impurity inside.

But it's precisely this tiny impurity that makes the entire crystal more alluring.

"It seems when the Reincarnation Nine-child Fruit is fully charged with Essence Blood, it will be successfully sanctified."

"By then, who knows if it will grow?"

"Phew..."

After a long exhale, Zheng Yi glanced to his side.

There stood a figure draped in a black robe.

It was Puppet Xuan Ye!

At this moment, Puppet Xuan Ye stood still, showing no sign of breathing.

Yet Zheng Yi's eyes were filled with delight.

Because during this more than a month of seclusion, besides daily blood sacrifices for the Reincarnation Nine-child Fruit, he also used the method of refining Puppet Xuan Ye.

By this point, Puppet Xuan Ye had been entirely refined by Zheng Yi and could be freely controlled by him.

Unfortunately, this Puppet Xuan Ye could not act or fight due to the lack of Spirit Stone support.

Mid-grade Spirit Stone.

At least it has to be a mid-grade Spirit Stone to sustain Puppet Xuan Ye for fifteen minutes of battle.

As for independent movement, a low-grade Spirit Stone would suffice.

But the duration would be significantly reduced.

Anyway, there's now a treasure on hand to fall back on.

But the premise is... you need Spirit Stones!

After stretching his body, Zheng Yi then stood up and walked out of the quiet room.

The lamp indicating Liu Cheng'en's request for an audience had lit up countless times, but Zheng Yi was engrossed in the ritual of Puppet Xuan Ye and couldn't afford any distractions.

Now that the ritual was successfully completed, Zheng Yi finally had time to go outside and investigate.

"What did you say...?!"

Upon summoning Liu Cheng'en and learning about the recent events, Zheng Yi was compelled to exclaim in surprise.

"Anomaly at Celestial Longevity Mountain?"

"Spiritual Qi transformed into a phoenix?"

"The Empress forced her way into Celestial Longevity Mountain?"

"The Empress clashed with Xuan Jizi?"

"Chen Liancang blocked the Empress?"

News after news left Zheng Yi utterly shocked; he had never expected the Empress to involve herself.

"Where is the Empress?"

"In Kunning Palace."

"To Kunning Palace!"

"Yes!"

Soon, Zheng Yi arrived at Kunning Palace, where Lu Lin'er awaited with a group outside, having already heard the news.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty!"

"We greet Your Majesty..."

Lu Lin'er and her retinue bowed, and Zheng Yi gestured for everyone to withdraw.

It was then that Zheng Yi noticed a faint red line on Lu Lin'er's left cheek, almost imperceptible unless examined closely.

"Lin'er, what happened to your face?"

Lu Liner's expression changed, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "Your Majesty, you must seek justice for your concubine!"

"A few days ago, a phoenix apparition suddenly appeared over Celestial Longevity Mountain. The concubine and others thought it was a good omen and specially dispatched people to investigate."

"But unexpectedly, a woman blocked the way on the mountain and... injured your concubine..."

"Impudent!"

The word "impudent" scared Lu Lin'er into kneeling on the ground immediately: "Your Majesty..."

"I told you, Celestial Longevity Mountain is a forbidden ground, and no one is allowed to ascend without my order!"

Zheng Yi coolly remarked, "You dare to use the name of a good omen to lead people up the mountain, what are your intentions?"

Lu Lin'er quickly replied, "Your Majesty! The concubine's intentions were all for the prosperity of our Great Yu Realm."

"The omen could ensure favorable weather, abundant harvests, and demoralize the rebels. That's why the concubine discussed it with key ministers; everything I did was for Your Majesty's sake..."

Zheng Yi shook his head, "I have said before, I rule by heavenly mandate, ever prospering."

"Our Great Yu is under Heaven's favor, its fortune enduring, so why be so surprised over a mere omen?"

"Moreover, did you really ascend the mountain to investigate the omen?"

Celestial Longevity Mountain contains not only the Grand Ancestor's Mausoleum but also the Zheng Family Treasure Vault, Three Great Arrays, the ongoing excavation of Emperor Wen's Mausoleum, and many secrets.

If discovered by Lu Lin'er or Lu Xiangqing and others, rumors would undoubtedly spread.

Who knows how many speculations and prowling it would incite.

Lu Lin'er quickly replied, "Your Majesty, it's absolutely true, we were truly investigating the omen. Please, Your Majesty, judge righteously!"

Zheng Yi eyed Lu Lin'er carefully, thoughts swirling, then said, "Lin'er, it's not that I don't trust you, but Celestial Longevity Mountain holds many of my secrets, vital to Great Yu's prosperity."

"I'm concerned you might be deceived by others."

"Your Majesty..."

Lu Lin'er raised her tear-streaked face, "Every action I take is for Your Majesty and Great Yu. Since it's like this... then the concubine will confine herself to Kunning Palace and not venture out anymore..."

"That isn't necessary."

Zheng Yi helped her up, saying, "You are the Master of the Harem, and since you've committed no serious offense, how could I punish you?"

"Here's what we'll do, you should remain in the Harem. Without my order, you shall not leave the palace, understood?"

Lu Lin'er bowed her head, "The concubine obeys Your Majesty's command."

"Very well, I have urgent matters to attend to; Lin'er, you should rest now."

"Farewell, Your Majesty!"

As she watched Zheng Yi's retreating figure, Lu Lin'er murmured, "Your Majesty, you haven't told me how to deal with that madwoman..."

She unconsciously touched her left cheek, muttering, "The injury on the concubine's face, is it worth nothing?"

Zheng Yi hurriedly arrived at Celestial Longevity Mountain to meet with Chen Liancang and Xuan Jizi.

The moment he saw them, he asked, "What exactly happened at Celestial Longevity Mountain?"

Chen Liancang shook his head, "Your Majesty, this old servant doesn't know, but perhaps Elder Xuan Jizi might be aware of something."

Xuan Jizi nodded, "Indeed, I have speculated, but the exact situation is still uncertain."

"Oh? What might be the reason?"

"Spiritual Qi surging, transforming into sound, signifies... a Spirit Vein emerging at Celestial Longevity Mountain!"

"But as to where this Spirit Vein is located, how to excavate and utilize it, I truly have no idea."

Xuan Jizi chuckled bitterly, "If Daoist Master Tianxingzi were here, it would be straightforward."

"Tianxingzi?"

Zheng Yi asked doubtfully, "Who is this person?"

"Tianxingzi..."

Xuan Jizi admired wholeheartedly, "Daoist Master Tianxingzi is a descendant of the Celestial Secret Sect, one of the Righteous Sects from over three thousand years ago. The sect has few disciples, yet each excels in divination, spell healing, and even in glimpsing the Heavenly Dao, pressuring others with their influence. They are especially skilled in Celestial Star Feng Shui and Array Dao, first-class figures indeed."

"Once we conversed by the Canglong River, I learned he has also arrived at the Capital City."

"If Daoist Master Tianxingzi could be found, the issue of the Spirit Vein would be readily resolved!"

"Oh? Daoist Master Tianxingzi is in the Capital City?"

Zheng Yi's eyes gleamed, "Elder Chen, quickly mobilize the Shadow Guard and Embroidered Uniform Guard to search for Daoist Master Tianxingzi..."

"Report...!"

Just then, a figure from the Embroidered Uniform Guard hurried over, reverently saying, "Your Majesty! At the foot of the mountain, an old Daoist calling himself 'Tianxingzi,' holding a letter from the Elder Celestial Master of the Taiyii Dao, seeks an audience with Your Majesty!"

"Daoist Master Tianxingzi? Please welcome him immediately!!!"