The Heavenly Oversight Pavilion's Open Scheme
Under the full moon, Feng Jiuxuan, dressed in snow-white robes, moved swiftly, his long hair at his temples gently swaying, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes as he glanced sideways.
Xu Yuan stared intently at the scene not far away.
phantom
wrong.
Compared to the illusory image, the "intention" that just brushed past Feng Jiuxuan's hair was more like something indescribable.
Xu Yuan was filled with excitement:
"Old Man Luo, I felt it just now."
The Saint's Remnant Soul snorted coldly:
"I borrowed your body to use my 'intention,' so you can naturally see it."
"What do you mean?" Xu Yuan frowned.
"Don't argue, he almost died."
Upon hearing this,
Xu Yuan was puzzled by what the other person had just said, but he still obediently did as instructed.
Watching himself battle against his uncle across the room under the "AI" control of Old Man Luo.
The moonlight was like a waterfall, and everything around was extremely quiet.
Xu Yuan quickly understood the meaning behind Old Man Luo's words.
He could only sense the "intention" manifested by the Saint's Remnant Soul controlling his body, but he never sensed the "intention" released by Feng Jiuxuan even once.
He couldn't see it himself just now; he was able to see it through the Saint's Remnant Soul.
Xu Yuan sighed slightly, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
The battle quickly turned one-sided after the Saint's Remnant Soul launched its counterattack.
Feng Jiuxuan stood still, gazing thoughtfully at the Saint's Remnant Soul opposite him.
However, the Saint's Remnant Soul controlled Xu Yuan's body, causing him to dodge and weave awkwardly.
Old Man Luo, you can't hold on much longer.
As Xu Yuan watched, he mentally complained:
"Hey, Old Man Luo, how can you be so embarrassing?"
"Shameful?" Old Man Luo replied irritably, "Why don't you give it a try, kid?"
Xu Yuan didn't care at all:
"I'm just a bunch of medicine bottles piled up at the Soul Condensation stage, how dare you compare yourself to me?"
"."
Old Man Luo paused for a moment, then coughed lightly:
"Well, this wouldn't be the case in our prime, but right now we're no match for you, my uncle."
Seeing that defeat was inevitable, Xu Yuan jokingly said:
"Knowing you're no match for them, why were you pretending so much earlier, old man?"
Old Man Luo took a breath:
"Boy, what was I pretending for just now?"
"I'd like to see just how strong these young men are."
"Yeah, we were just looking to see how strong it was, and now we've seen it."
"." Xu Yuan.
"Alright."
The Saint's Remnant Soul chuckled, "This old man can't stop you anymore, you can enjoy it yourself."
"." Xu Yuan.
Having regained control of his body, Xu Yuan immediately became fully alert, gripping the Clear Speech Sword in preparation for battle.
Then,
Then everything went completely black.
As it turns out, Xu Yuan was not a prodigy.
Awakening once again from that utter despair of death, Xu Yuan sighed and prepared to continue training.
Although the world is unfair in many ways, it is still relatively fair when it comes to becoming stronger.
To become stronger in a short period of time, one must endure pain that is difficult for ordinary people to bear.
Just like when I wanted to obtain the Blood Origin Heart-Fall Technique.
Just as he stood up and picked up the Clear Speech Sword that had fallen to the side, Feng Jiuxuan suddenly spoke, but his words were not directed at Xu Yuan, but at the Saint's Remnant Soul:
"Luo Daofan, come out, I have something to ask you."
Xu Yuan was taken aback upon hearing this.
After a moment of silence, the middle-aged scholar obediently floated out of the Soul Ring, seemingly knowing all along that the other party would call him out:
"Sword Saint, you can ask me directly."
Feng Jiuxuan's eyes scrutinized:
"Why are you able to use my nephew's body to release your 'intentions'?"
They stared at each other for a fleeting moment, separated by a distance of several dozen feet.
Old Man Luo sighed dramatically:
"My former disciples were all troublemakers. To help them solve their problems, I had to find ways to improve their ability to protect themselves. Ten thousand years is enough time for me to understand many things."
A glint flashed in Feng Jiuxuan's eyes, as if he understood something:
"Your intention just now seemed sluggish. Was it because you couldn't adapt to Changtian's body?"
Old Man Luo lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, speaking directly:
"Without practicing my old man's Cultivation Method, your precious little darling can't unleash my full potential."
Feng Jiuxuan narrowed his dark eyes, his voice indifferent:
No wonder you're so eager to find someone to inherit your mantle.
After a moment's pause, Feng Jiuxuan's fingertips pressed against the Clear Abyss Sword, carrying a strong killing intent:
"I remember Changge saying that you initially wanted to take Changtian as your disciple?"
"."
Feng Jiuxuan's intense killing intent seemed to solidify, and even though it wasn't directed at Xu Yuan, it still made him feel almost suffocated.
The Saint's Remnant Soul seemed to have already prepared an explanation, saying:
"It's just to protect myself; I wouldn't dare to possess him."
At this point, Xu Yuan realized what the conversation between Old Man Luo and Feng Jiuxuan, as well as the meaning behind their previous battle across distance, represented.
The Saint's Remnant Soul had been with him for over half a year, and he had almost forgotten about it.
Old Man Luo was using this opportunity to ask the Prime Minister's Estate for payment.
Although it was semi-coercive at the time, ultimately the relationship between the Prime Minister's Estate and Old Man Luo was merely a cooperative one, not a superior-subordinate one.
Now, Old Man Luo has escorted his Third Young Master back to the capital as agreed, and has given him all the resources from the secret realm, but there has been no news from his father.
Even capitalists don't exploit people like this.
Thinking of this, Xu Yuan chuckled to himself.
Well, capitalists can't, but feudal dynasties can.
However, the fact that Old Man Luo brought this up at this time suggests that he sensed something was about to happen and was preparing to pack up and run away.
A gentle night breeze caressed him, Feng Jiuxuan suddenly glanced sideways at the direction of the Inner Court.
Then,
A middle-aged man in a black dragon robe with gold trim landed on the open ground in front of the Sword Pavilion, bathed in moonlight.
Xu Yinhe looked around and first focused his gaze on Xu Yuan, whose fingers were trembling slightly from just experiencing death.
A fleeting, almost imperceptible hint of concern vanished.
Without uttering a word of concern, Xu Yinhe silently gazed at Old Man Luo's semi-transparent soul, his voice steady and deep:
"I heard what happened just now. Don't worry, senior, I've already found the disciple you wanted."
Upon hearing this, Old Man Luo's soul form's eyes narrowed, then a smile appeared on his lips as he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:
"I knew the Prime Minister wouldn't forget this matter, but I wonder when this old man will be able to meet my future apprentice?"
Xu Yinhe did not answer immediately, but instead said:
"The emergence of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion has been announced to the world via the Communication Crystal. The envoy they have dispatched is already on its way to the capital to receive the imperial investiture. Judging from the information currently held by the Prime Minister's Estate, their strength and scale are considerable."
Old Man Luo's eyes changed, and he feigned confusion as he tested the waters:
"I wonder what Chancellor Xu means by these words?"
"Old Man Luo, can't you even figure this out? You're Saint Venerable of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion!"
Xu Yuan interjected at this moment, providing just the right amount of witty banter. "When Tianyan knew you were with me, and sent an envoy to the capital to receive your investiture, was there any possibility that he might have wanted to 'welcome' you back as well?"
"."
Old Man Luo didn't speak, but looked at Xu Yinhe. He knew that the Prime Minister's Estate was a place where this Chancellor Xu.
Xu Yinhe didn't say anything, but simply gestured with his eyes for him to talk to Xu Yuan about it.
Old Man Luo's heart sank, and he began to curse inwardly.
He had witnessed Xu Yuan's strange behavior along the way.
After saying goodbye to Ran Qingmo, on the way north to Beijing, there were three secret realms along the way. He wanted the kid to go there to search for treasures, and also secretly take some things he needed for possession as preparation.
Every time you offer a suggestion, Xu Yuan doesn't say anything, he just looks at you with a smiling expression.
It'll give you goosebumps.
This gave Old Man Luo the illusion that this kid understood his illusion even better than he did.
Thinking of this, the Saint's Remnant Soul glanced at Xu Yuan.
Xu Yuan winked at him and smiled shyly.
"."
The Saint's Remnant Soul twitched at the corner of his eye, his face ashen.
"I'm not talking to this kid."
Seeing this, Xu Yuan was about to speak when Xu Yinhe raised his hand slightly, so Xu Yuan had no choice but to shut up.
With Xu Yinhe sent the Soul Ring flying from Xu Yuan's fingertip into his palm.
"Since you are unwilling to discuss matters with Changtian, then please proceed to the main hall to discuss our business."
After saying that, Xu Yinhe nodded at Feng Jiuxuan:
"Brother, Wu Yuan will be visiting the Prime Minister's Estate tomorrow. Changtian needs to see her. What do you think about tonight or tomorrow?"
At night, most areas of the Prime Minister's Estate are quiet and peaceful, devoid of the daytime hustle and bustle.
Xu Yinhe walked steadily ahead, Xu Yuan walked quietly behind.
Ten days later, Xu Yuan, who had finally left the hellish Sword Pavilion Dojo for the first time, was not at ease. After carefully considering his words for a long time, Xu Yuan finally asked:
"Father, about that Heavenly Oversight Pavilion..."
Xu Yinhe seemed to have known all along that the three sons would ask this question:
"The delegation from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion will arrive in the Imperial Capital in about two months. It is said that their Holy Maiden will personally meet with the Emperor. You should know Changtian."
"." Xu Yuan.
After a moment's hesitation, Xu Yuan asked slowly:
"Isn't the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion afraid that the court will detain its Holy Maiden if it proceeds in this manner?"
Xu Yinhe glanced at him:
"The vast majority of sects in the two Southern Frontier continents did not object to the emergence of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, and many previously hostile sects also put aside their disputes."
Xu Yuan tentatively asked:
"Are you saying that the Southern Frontier Continent is already under the actual control of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, and that the infighting between those sects is just for show?"
The sect's influence extends across all the states, but not to the area near Di'an City. This is the result of decades of effort by Li Yaoxuan and his father.
The description of this war of suppression of the imperial clan in Cangyuan is very vague, but from the general details, it can be seen that the court basically fought from north to south.
Just as unification was near, the Prime Minister's Estate collapsed due to a plot device.
Therefore, the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, which occupies the two Southern Frontier continents, must have indeed contributed a great deal.
Xu Yinhe continued walking along the lakeside, where the full moon was reflected in the water.
"Yes, the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion sent people to the capital this time, ostensibly to accept the imperial investiture, but in reality to put pressure on the imperial court's military operations in the Northern Border."
"Pressure?" Xu Yuan murmured.
Xu Yinhe narrowed his eyes, his expression meaningful:
"The Heavenly Oversight Pavilion would never side with the imperial court. Their stance, interests, and motives are all against it. Their presence here to exert pressure is a way of offering a pledge of allegiance to the sects of the world."
"A pledge of allegiance?" Xu Yuan frowned. "The sects' attitude towards the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion is unlikely to be very good. Will they accept a pledge of allegiance?"
A sect is both an individual entity and a collective entity.
The sudden emergence of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, the elder brother from ten thousand years ago, to join the sect as a whole will inevitably create conflict with the current elder brother of the sect. Whether or not the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion will be accepted is still unknown.
In the previous storyline, the Sword Sect was wiped out as soon as the war started.
A sect needs a leader, so the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion has plenty of room to cause trouble in the shadows. But the Sword Sect is still fine, and Ran Jianli is still the State Preceptor. Now that the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion has emerged, it will inevitably cause a split within the sect.
One faction favors the Sword Sect, while the other favors the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion.
Given this situation, the imperial court has a great deal of room for maneuver.
Xu Yinhe sighed, turned to look at Xu Yuan, and calmly uttered a sentence:
"Changtian, what if the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion uses the pretext of a calamity?"
"."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan's eyes widened slightly.
A myriad of thoughts suddenly flooded my mind, chaotic and disorganized.
Because of the unique nature of the Yantian Art, the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion holds a very awkward position, and it can even be said that it is naturally opposed to any other force.
Its words and attitude will not attract many sects to follow it.
But if it benefits the sect, then it's a different story.
Regardless of whether the statement about impending calamity was actually compiled by the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion Master, the sects would unanimously confirm it.
Xu Yuan frowned and walked more than ten feet away:
"If the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion were to arrive in the capital for an audience, the calamity would cause the court to lose its righteous cause in occupying the territory."
The concept of righteousness can seem useless, but it can also be extremely useful.
Today, the Great Yan is still a unified entity. Within the rules, righteousness serves as the pretext for action, enabling it to win the hearts of the people and stabilize the morale of the army with legitimacy, making it impossible for people to openly oppose it.
Now, the Great Yan Dynasty's military campaign against the Barbarian Tribe is based on absolute righteousness.
Although the sects were unwilling to see this, at most they could only use their mouthpieces to remonstrate in court about the "waste of manpower and resources," or obstruct it by using the previous method of "self-destruction." They could not openly oppose it at all.
But disaster struck.
The top sects of the Great Yan should be aware of calamities; even if they weren't, those sects that were aware would have sent a message to notify them.
In this way, using the calamity as an excuse to preserve the strength of the Great Yan in preparation for the impending calamity would become a greater cause than wiping out the alien races.
Xu Yinhe stood still, gazing southwards with a deep, melancholic look in his eyes:
"To make the imperial court lose its sense of righteousness in exchange for a pledge of allegiance to the sect, that Heavenly Oversight Pavilion Master has quite the cunning."
Xu Yuan stroked the Sumeru Ring on his fingertip:
"Such an open scheme is difficult for the imperial court to handle unless they completely break off relations, but it's not the right time for us to break off relations with the sects."
Xu Yinhe nodded, then suddenly asked:
"Changtian, do you have any plans to deal with this?"
Without a second thought, Xu Yuan uttered a single word:
"Drag."
"Drag?"
Xu Yinhe murmured, understanding dawning on her, and looked at Xu Yuan with a smile in her eyes, "Why?"
They looked at each other.
Xu Yuan spread his hands, his voice tinged with laughter:
"Your Majesty has been living in the palace for a long time, and Father, you are busy with state affairs. Even if the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion spreads the word of the calamity throughout the world, it is inevitable that some treacherous villains will deceive Your Majesty and Father."
"Neither of you will know about this matter until the delegation from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion arrives."
Unfulfilled promises become shackles.
send.
or?