The Minor Sacrifice Concludes

"His Majesty did not wait for everyone to arrive before beginning the ceremony, Your Majesty..."

Mount Tai is nestled among a range of mountains, with Liangfu Peak being the site of the Fengshan ceremony.

This mountain is not particularly high compared to the surrounding mountains, but it is difficult to climb because it is located in the middle of Mount Tai.

As the Empress sat in her sedan chair, a hint of regret flickered in her eyes as she gazed at the figure beneath the sacrificial cauldron atop the mountain. However, when the shaman Chu Fu spoke, she remained composed and maintained her composure, showing no sign of losing her composure.

"Time waits for no one; once the ceremony begins, it begins," the Empress said. "His Majesty has not reprimanded us for arriving late; this is already an act of divine grace. To make further demands would be ungrateful!"

The empress's words were not entirely directed at herself; besides the empress, there were many others who did not participate in the sacrificial ceremony in time.

Some people were still on their way, while many others stood behind her, hoping that the Empress would come forward.

"Since you did not participate in the sacrificial ceremony this time, we can only wait for His Majesty to hold a formal ceremony later," the Empress said.

"Will Your Majesty still hold sacrifices in the future?" Chu Fu asked in a low voice.

"There are minor and major sacrifices. This time, only a hundred people have been mobilized, and the journey will only take a few days. This sacrifice is a minor one. When the major sacrifice is held, it will inevitably involve thousands or even several thousand people, and the journey will take at least three months," the Empress said. "The journey is too rushed, and my body is not strong enough to participate in the minor sacrifice. You all need to perform well in the future and strive to qualify for the major sacrifice!"

Some officials responded in unison, while others bowed their heads in agreement.

Wei Qing and his group could have reached Liangfu Peak if they had set off two days later, but many others would have found it difficult to endure seven consecutive days of travel by carriage and horse.

Both the carriages and the mountain climate were unbearable, and the mountains were also infested with wild beasts, mosquitoes, rats and snakes, and the mountain roads were rugged.

Some people couldn't bear the cold and desolation at the mountaintop, while others only dared to camp out where the guards surrounded them. Still others believed that the arrival of the new emperor would surely cause a stir, so they could follow him up the mountain without any delay.

Little did many people know that the sacrificial ceremony had already begun upon reaching the summit.

No one should intervene at the moment of the ceremony; no one can interfere at this point, and even standing aside is of no use.

"Your Majesty guided the priests in the initial stages of cultivating spiritual arts. Those skilled in this art can forge their own spiritual bodies without guidance, but spiritual arts are ultimately just an art; true talent and learning are still the most important factors!"

The Empress's words of comfort reassured some people, while the explanation of the royal family's understanding of the game further eased the anxieties of those who had not participated.

"What a pity I couldn't get a crash course!"

Chu Fu looked slightly regretful, not expecting that as the Empress's close attendant, he had been a step too late in reaping the benefits.

She gazed enviously at the many people beneath the sacrificial cauldron, feeling that she herself was only one step away from changing her fate.

The Empress's words were eloquent, but obtaining the scriptures related to cultivation techniques from the court would come at a price, and mastering cultivation techniques was no less difficult than transforming Demon Race into a human.

To be honest, Chu Fu not only envied her, but she was even a little jealous.

However, Chu Fu was also well aware that these emotions would not bring any benefit, and she even found it difficult to be jealous of anyone, lest she be unlucky if she clashed with these people.

"That... that Dongfang Shuo is really lucky, he's half-dead but still able to stand at the very front and receive the Emperor's grace!"

As she scanned the faces, Chu Fu not only memorized these people who evoked both envy and jealousy, but she also caught a rare glimpse of the male officials she could meet at the Shufang Palace.

Chu Fu and Zhang Xuezhou had no connection whatsoever; they had only met a few times. However, Chu Fu remembered Zhang Xuezhou and was amazed by his good fortune.

Her gaze swept over Zhang Xuezhou, then turned to Wei Zifu not far away, her expression becoming more composed.

"Your Majesty, do you think Lady Wei's mastery of cultivation techniques will threaten your position in the harem?" Chu Fu whispered.

"Her? A singer?"

The queen gave her answer almost without hesitation.

Marrying someone of equal social standing is a very simple principle, but too many people don't understand it. She was able to become empress not just because of her looks, while Lady Wei was able to enter the palace solely because of her looks.

No matter how hard Lady Wei tries or how ambitious she is, the other party cannot change his birth status and lacks sufficient power to support his position.

Without any support, Lady Wei poses no threat to her position. Even if she were to have a son, let alone one or two daughters, he would still be considered an illegitimate child.

All she lacked was the ability to give birth to a legitimate heir to the Great Han Dynasty.

The Empress directly rejected Wei Zifu's threat, but she couldn't help feeling a little pain in her heart, wondering why she still hadn't conceived after more than ten years.

She ate plenty of food, took good care of herself, and spent a lot of money trying various fertility methods, which even delayed her ongoing spiritual practice.

What exactly is making it difficult for me to get pregnant?

The new emperor's health is fine; otherwise, he wouldn't have had a child with Lady Wei.

The Empress felt that there was nothing wrong with her body; otherwise, all three hundred imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Academy would have been incompetent.

She should have had children, but she never gave birth to a single one.

"Should I cultivate the art of luck and see if I can improve my fortune?"

She reflected on her own actions and also prayed for a turnaround.

However, the shortcut she wanted to take was flawed because she didn't manage her time well. After much deliberation, the Empress could only grit her teeth and work hard to see if she could improve her skills through her own efforts, thereby securing her position.

"His Majesty has concluded the sacrificial ceremony!"

The Empress was filled with conflicting thoughts.

As she made up her mind, she heard Chu Fu whisper a reminder.

A glance revealed that the new emperor, who was standing before the sacrificial cauldron, had already taken back the imperial edict for the Fengshan ceremony and then affixed his imperial seal.

The new emperor's face was clearly very solemn, as if he had experienced some kind of trauma, making it difficult for him to smile.

"The ceremony is complete!"

The new emperor shouted and threw the ancient imperial edict into the sacrificial cauldron, prompting a chorus of cheers from the many participants in the ceremony.

Why did His Majesty burn the Fengshan scriptures?

The empress rose from her sedan chair, momentarily bewildered by the new emperor's act of burning ancient artifacts passed down through generations.

"His Majesty should publicly declare his stance, and from now on, prohibit the practice of magic arts among the people!"

Chu Fu guessed, and the Empress still felt a pang of heartache.

Rumor has it that the Fengshan Book contains profound mysteries, and those who comprehend it will attain great fortune. The Empress felt that the new Emperor's statement was a huge loss.

Although they couldn't glean any insights from the Fengshan Book, having it there was better than having nothing at all.

Perhaps one day someone will benefit from it, just as the Red Empyrean Sword, sealed for a hundred years, is recognized by a new emperor, and then it may unleash its infinite potential.

The sparks from the incense burning in the cauldron eventually ignited the Fengshan scroll, causing a burst of flames to rise.

Faintly, it seemed as if voices were chanting, sighing, and clapping from within Mount Tai.

The faint sounds continued, but if you listened carefully, all that remained was the echo of the wind.

The Empress listened intently for a moment, and after everyone finished their greetings and left, she was about to go and greet the new emperor. As the crowd continued to bow and disperse, there was no sign of the new emperor in the background.