A secret meeting of the highest level of the empire was held. Shang Shujue was also present during the meeting. He carefully explained Qing Shu's identity to the bigwigs and finally listed three solutions in a clear, logical and well-founded manner.
1. Permanently seal the opponent until someone reaches the Spirit Transformation Stage and can contend with them; 2. Enter the opponent's spiritual space and communicate with their divine sense with sufficient sincerity; 3. Force a contract and sign a master-servant agreement with the opponent, but this is extremely risky.
After listening to his words, most people chose the first option, which was the safest way. After all, cultivators at the Spirit Transformation Stage were indeed a very dangerous presence for Huaxia, whose current capabilities were not yet sufficient.
Seeing that everyone had expressed their thoughts, Shang Shujue simply stared silently at the object before him, his eyes lowered, deep and unfathomable, lost in thought.
Shang Shujue's fingers rubbed together unconsciously. For some reason, his intuition told him that Qing Shu wouldn't hurt him, and that she might have left behind a wisp of divine thought just to wait for him. However, he couldn't make any boastful remarks on such an important occasion.
After everyone put their hands down, they all looked at the person sitting in the first seat, waiting for him to make his statement.
No one spoke; a moment of silence fell. Shang Shujue also looked up but remained silent.
"How confident is Xiao Jue in persuading Mr. Qing Shu to join us?"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone turned their attention to Shang Shujue, since he was considered one of the strongest cultivators registered globally.
Taking his advice is always the right thing to do. Besides, he's the first genius with a spirit artifact, so he'll be fine no matter what.
A hint of surprise flashed across Shang Shujue's eyes. He seemed not to have expected the other party to take his opinion into consideration. He paused for a moment, but quickly recovered and tried to express his thoughts, but he was not rash and his words were sincere.
"If we use the second method, I'm at least 70% confident of success. Cultivators have appeared in various places now, but there are no shortage of troublemakers who are unruly and unwilling to be under the system."
"They are not registered, and their cultivation levels are highly variable. Any rebellion would be a disaster for ordinary people. However, if we have a cultivator whose cultivation level is high enough that their divine sense can cover all areas, it would be like having a stabilizing force."
" Little Tangyuan seems to have some connection with Qing Shu. If I take it with me to communicate, the chances of success will increase significantly."
"Moreover, other countries seem to have discovered something different as well. They will inevitably enter the cultivation world sooner or later. Before that happens, we must seize the initiative, so..."
Everyone present was intelligent; there was no need to spell out what was left unsaid. They already understood everything. If they could add a great general to their ranks with minimal risk, it would naturally be an excellent choice.
"Since you're confident of success, then give it your all. Feel free to make any requests. Your safety is our top priority. Be careful throughout the journey."
With that settled, no one said anything more, and the matter was settled.
After three days of preparation, Shang Shujue stood before that rock once again. Around him were cultivators ready to provide assistance, all on high alert.
" Xiao Jue'er, if you encounter a situation where you can't reach an agreement, withdraw your spiritual sense. Don't confront it head-on. Be careful in everything you do."
Daoist Qingfeng gently squeezed his young disciple's arm, offering some worried instructions, fearing that something might happen to him during the process. This was his most prized disciple.
"Don't worry, Master, I know what I'm doing."
Shang Shujue nodded slightly. After speaking, he walked to the stone, placed his hand on it, closed his eyes, and used his spiritual sense to summon Little Tangyuan.
The Little Tangyuan then transformed into a tiny, exquisitely carved boy, the size of a palm, protecting Shang Shujue's spirit as they entered Qing Shu's spiritual space together.
Shang Shujue opened his eyes. He had thought this place would be a vast expanse of white, devoid of anything, but to his surprise, he was greeted by a vibrant sea of colorful flowers.
In the center of the sea of flowers stood a pavilion, beneath which stood a man in blue robes, his back revealing loneliness and desolation. He seemed to hear a noise, and suddenly turned around, revealing a handsome face calm and expressionless, his eyes gray and dim, as if veiled by a thin gauze.
Shang Shujue stared at his eyes, stunned for a moment before realizing that the divine sense left behind by Qing Shu was actually that of a blind person who could not see anything in the world.
Although he was blind, he was not blind in his mind. With his cultivation level, he must have been able to see everything around him clearly, otherwise he would not have been able to discover him, the intruder, so easily.
"You've finally arrived... Your Highness..."
Before Shang Shujue could say anything, Qing Shu stepped in front of him and, before he could react, knelt on one knee before him, clasping her hands in a respectful gesture.
Qing Shu Shu's voice was hoarse but not deep; instead, it was clear and gentle, like the sound of a clear spring, melodious and pleasant. It sounded a bit hoarse now, most likely because she hadn't spoken for a long time.
"Senior Qing Shu, please rise. The karma is too great; I cannot bear this kneeling."
Shang Shujue was startled for a moment, then quickly stepped aside and bent down to help Qing Shu up. However, Qing Shu did not get up, but stubbornly remained kneeling on one knee facing him.
"Your Highness, I have guarded this place for millennia. Just as it was about to vanish, I finally sensed your presence. That's why I fought with all my might to survive, just so I could see you again when the spiritual energy is restored. You don't remember me, but I remember you."
Qing Shu raised his eyes and looked straight at Shang Shujue. Although he could not see anything, his heart saw it. The person in front of him was the offspring of the Azure Emperor, the reincarnation of the Holy Prince.
As he thought this, a ray of inspiration gathered and entered his mind. In that instant, Shang Shujue felt as if he had transmitted some memory into his mind, and many bizarre and fantastical images appeared in his mind.
Shang Shujue covered his head and took a half step back, his face slightly pale. Although Little Tangyuan did not sense Qing Shu's malice and hoarseness, he still immediately stood in front of his master.
"Master, the Holy Son he's referring to, could he be the only son of the Azure Emperor Immortal Lord Fujue? Do you and Immortal Lord Fujue have some connection?"
Shang Shujue had already seen the memories in his mind: the only son of the Azure Emperor, Immortal Lord Fujue, who was showered with love and favor, followed the natural way, and was uniquely blessed by heaven.
He was the most powerful cultivator below the Azure Emperor, deeply favored by the Azure Emperor, possessed excellent character, was a benevolent deity in the Three Realms, and was trusted by the Azure Emperor's disciples. He was also the Azure Emperor's only Holy Son and successor...
However, Immortal Lord Fujue sacrificed himself for the common people in the great war, and a fragment of his soul fell into reincarnation. After countless lifetimes, he finally restored his divine soul. He is one of Immortal Lord Fujue's reincarnated bodies, so it is normal for Qing Shu to call him His Highness the Holy Son.
"Your Highness, I sealed myself in this place because I foresaw that your reincarnation would come here, which is why I have waited here for millions of years. Now, I have finally waited for you."
Qing Shu sensed that Shang Shujue had lowered his hand and that his gaze was no longer unfamiliar, so she reverently grasped his hand, cupped her hands together to her forehead, and became somewhat emotional.
"Senior Qing Shu, there's no need for this. Please get up. Since we have a deep connection, would you be willing to listen to what I have to say?"
Shang Shujue learned the whole story, but he couldn't accept Spirit Transformation Stage cultivator kneeling. He pulled him up and quickly changed the subject, revealing his purpose.
"Your Highness, please give me any orders. I am willing to give my life for you..."
"..." Oh, is Qing Shu this passionate?