xymnovel Chapter 1336 - 1245: The Mortal World Is Worth It (Part 2)
Chapter 1336 - 1245: The Mortal World Is Worth It (Part 2)
Such an existence naturally incites the jealousy and covetousness of the Imperial Family, but Jiuxuan is as mysterious and powerful as the Changsheng Hall of the Kangwu Dynasty’s era. Behind it stand the formidable participants of the God Slaying Battle; who dares to contend with them?
The Imperial Family and powerful people are aware of the Fallen God Mysterious Realm, but not to mention the entrance to it, even approaching the entire Realm of Nothingness would suffocate ordinary mortals, let alone attempt to force an entry.
Therefore, although that place is within the mortal world, for ordinary mortals unable to cultivate, it feels like a Heavenly Realm isolated from the world, giving a sense of two separate worlds.
The Imperial Family feels the same way. As more and more people pursue cultivation and grow stronger, they have already felt their imperial power becoming precarious.
The more people fear loss, the more they try to hold tight to their power. Faced with the threat of powerful cultivators, the Emperor wishes to reclaim military authority to guard against unforeseen events.
Compared to his predecessor Emperor Kangping, Emperor Yongyan, guided by notable teachers, has a decent character. However, as the world changes, so too do people. Having become a Saint, it is inevitable for Emperor Yongyan to develop the ailments of an emperor: suspicion and defensiveness.
Though he appreciated beauty, unlike the solitary Emperor Kangping, his concubines were chosen carefully, and he fathered numerous sons and daughters. Discounting those who died young, there were about twenty surviving children. With many children, the power struggle naturally intensified. Emperor Yongyan served as Emperor for only eighteen years before his Dragon Body weakened and perished. The new Emperor was not the legitimate prince but the Third Imperial Prince, who changed the era name to Qian Ning.
Just as Emperor Kangping, Qi Qian, once said, a dynasty’s realm doesn’t last forever. Whether it endures depends on fortune, and the fortune of the Qi Family began to decline starting with the Yongyan Dynasty.
Emperor Kangping had barely managed to govern Da Feng towards prosperity, but under Emperor Yongyan, the vast harem incurred great expenses. Later, during the struggle for succession, dissatisfaction arose with the powerful Quan family or the Yue Family, leading to disharmony. Emperor Yongyan was less frugal than his father and indulged in luxury. Fortunately, with the recovery of spiritual energy and fewer natural disasters, local production wasn’t poor; otherwise, disaster might have struck.
Yet, endless wealth cannot sustain prosperity if not used productively. Under Emperor Qianning, the situation worsened, as he was more reckless than his father, stubborn and suspicious, trying to consolidate military power through sheer force. He viewed the Marquis Mansion holding military power and genuine military households as eyesores, adversaries to be removed, leading to fiery relationships.
"...The Qi Family’s fortune is nearing its end, but fifty years of wealth is already a substantial feast for them." Feng Xiu muttered about the world outside as he leaned against the tombstone, stroking the place where Qin Liuxi’s name once was. "Even if a stroke disappears each year, it’s only twenty-six years; I’ve already given several extra years, yet you still haven’t returned. Are you stuck or lost? Should I come and fetch you, at least to point you in the right direction?"
Since Teng Zhao brought his only disciple, Changdu, to meet the Grandmaster and said he saw her, this tombstone’s letter lost a stroke each year, they speculated that when her name completely faded, she would reappear.
But Qin Liuxi’s name has disappeared from the tombstone for years, and she has yet to materialize, nor have the Karmic Fires in hell ignited.
Time has passed, and it’s been fifty years since she left.
Unable to get a response, Feng Xiu sighed, took a sip of wine, and transformed into his true form, curling up before the tombstone.
The emergence of the Secret Realm is no coincidence.
Other cultivators cannot stay here long, but he can, not by accident, but due to some protective selfish intent.
She will undoubtedly find her way back; time is all it takes.
...
In the twelfth year of Qian Ning Dynasty, during the last month, a grand temple fair was held at the Nan County City God Temple to celebrate the City God’s birthday, hosted by local gentry.
Over the years, with the protection of the City God, this area of Nan County experienced good weather and abundant talents. Many scholars and talents emerged, and the people believed it was the spiritual manifestation of Lord Nan’s protection, thus worshipping the City God fervently.
However, when outsiders came to join the temple fair, they found the City God Temple notably rustic, and the idol merely an ordinary bronze statue covered with an old rune silk cloth, like an ancient relic from a forgotten corner.
This puzzled them.
Clearly, the believers here are devout, and incense offerings are prosperous. With many nobles emerging from Nan County, surely there would be someone willing to commission a golden statue for Lord City God to repay divine blessings?