Each with Their Own Goals

After attending the funeral of the former prime minister, Zhang Xuezhou returned to his residence and was able to arrange a 'festival' for Ren Anran's identity. He also smoothed things over with the Imperial Academy and even managed to get Dongfang Jia into the academy ahead of time.

The prime minister's official came to their door to handle their business, saving Zhang Xuezhou and others the trouble of running back and forth between various departments.

"Have you always been this fast at doing things?"

Listening to Wei Shao'er's incessant chatter, his face a mixture of envy and frustration, Ren Anran knew very well that what Zhang Xuezhou had accomplished so quickly was not easy to do. If Wei Shao'er compared it to the same thing, it would make him feel very frustrated.

"It was just a coincidence that I ran into the prime minister chosen by His Majesty!"

The new prime minister was not appointed by Palace of Peace and Happiness, nor was he related to Changxin Palace; rather, he was appointed by the new emperor to assume the position.

Although Xue Ze represents the old marquis system and is regarded as the leader by many marquises, Xue Ze will cooperate fully with the court in everything.

If I'm not mistaken, the court will be extremely stable for the next few years, no longer embroiled in internal strife, and can thus focus on external affairs.

Just as Prime Minister Fan Kun took over Xue Ze's duties, from now on, minor matters within the permissible scope will no longer need to be addressed by the new emperor; they can be resolved directly by contacting Xue Ze.

Zhang Xuezhou wasn't the only close advisor to the new emperor. Each of them had different responsibilities. Although they weren't as close to the new emperor as Zhang Xuezhou, the new emperor treated people similarly. Many people needed the new emperor's help, and Xue Ze's appearance saved the new emperor from being bogged down in trivial matters.

"His Majesty is very wise!"

Zhang Xuezhou explained several points in detail, Ren Anran praised him repeatedly.

The existence of the inner court meant that the government was clear-headed on important matters, while the control of the outer court ensured that government orders reached the people directly.

This model isn't new, but it allows one to control power at minimal cost, thus enabling them to do more important things.

"What more important thing does His Majesty want to do?" Ren Anran pressed.

"Perhaps it's to punish the Xiong State, or perhaps it's to Denggao our strength and thus directly confront the Nine Spirits Primal Sage!"

With only Nine Spirits Primal Sage remaining as the strongest being in the Northern Kuru Continent, the pressure on the new emperor was greatly reduced, and there was a possibility of defeating him. At this time, it was only natural to seize every opportunity to improve one's strength.

If Zhang Xuezhou's guess is correct, the Great Han Dynasty's attacks on the Xiong State in the coming years will be unprecedented, and the new emperor will inevitably seek opportunities to defeat the Nine Spirits Primal Sage.

"How strong is the Nine Spirits Primal Sage?" Ren Anran asked with interest.

"Great demons have three signature moves, Nine Spirits Primal Sage is no exception," Zhang Xuezhou said. "I have a friend named Divine Lord Zhenyuan who fought against him. He was bitten by Zhenyuan Shenjun while under the control of a half-step domain, and the poisonous blood almost crippled Divine Lord Zhenyuan's hand!"

"Then he possesses at least the power of a half-step domain," Ren Anran nodded.

"I was attacked once by the Nine Spirits Primal Sage when I was sealed in the tomb. His roar from over a hundred meters away almost made me vomit blood," Zhang Xuezhou said. "This ability is somewhat similar to the Moo Lan power of Changkong Luo Kongluo, but its power is at least ten times greater. Whether encountered in a sealed space or attacked at close range, it would be very difficult to deal with!"

"Looks like he still has a trick up his sleeve!"

"I don't know what his final trump card is; we'll have to let His Majesty try it out!"

"Aren't you afraid he'll get beaten to death?"

Ren Anran and Zhang Xuezhou discussed in hushed tones, while Wei Shao'er was acting erratically nearby, and Yi Shuo was somewhat dazed.

Zhang Xuezhou wasn't usually quiet; rather, the different directions of their discussions led to his taciturn nature.

This is related to individual strength, but many topics are not entirely limited to cultivation ability, but also involve each other's vision and ability to cooperate.

Knowing that Ren Anran was the person Zhang Xuezhou had mentioned he would bring to meet whenever possible, Yi Shuo was a little confused and at a loss.

Having served in Changxin Palace for seven years, Yi Shuo knew Grand Clarity Ren Anran. Moreover, she had held Ren Anran's hand before. Although Ren Anran appeared to be an ordinary person, he was actually a body formed from Yang Corporeal Soul.

This means that Ren Anran's Yang Corporeal Soul Incarnation level far surpasses that of the Empress Dowager, and it also means that Ren Anran has a different background, and Zhang Xuezhou is not infatuated with Ren Anran's body's detoxification ability.

Various speculations swirled in her mind, making it difficult for Yi Shuo to see the future of her small family.

"Yi Shuo, try to spend as much time talking to An Ran as possible in the future, so that she can get used to communicating in Chang'an City as soon as possible!"

"OK!"

When Zhang Xuezhou stopped talking and looked at Yi Shuo, Yi Shuo quickly stood up and responded.

"Don't worry about Changxin Palace. Your future advancement to the Sole Self Realm will likely be related to An Ran!"

Zhang Xuezhou pointed at Ren Anran, indicating that the fortuitous opportunity for Yi Shuo lay with Ren Anran.

Zhang Xuezhou's words were not just empty boasting or making connections; Ren Anran did indeed possess relevant abilities, and Zhang Xuezhou was even relying on Ren Anran.

Yi Shuo's cultivation reaching the Sole Self Realm will not make her more ruthless and combative, but Yi Shuo medical abilities will definitely improve. Not only will she be able to combine alchemy and medicine making, but her ability to cure Zhang Xuezhou's physical ailments will also increase.

If Yi Shuo can develop a medical technique to remove the binding Law Power of the Locked Yang, Zhang Xuezhou might be able to make a move on the Locked Yang near Duanhun Ridge in the future.

As a family member who stabilized Zhang Xuezhou's rear, Yi Shuo was extremely important, and Yi Shuo also had the potential to be cultivated and promoted, unlike A Qiao, who found it difficult to advance as she grew older.

"Then I will go to the palace tomorrow to resign from my post before the Empress Dowager!"

Yi Shuo nodded in agreement. Her purpose in entering Changxin Palace was to seek guidance from the Empress Dowager on her cultivation, and it was Zhang Xuezhou who directed her there.

Now that Zhang Xuezhou has changed direction, Yi Shuo has no regrets about the position of Grand Physician she obtained at Changxin Palace.

Moreover, Yi Shuo trusted Zhang Xuezhou's guidance, just as she had in previous years.

"What about me? What about me? Is there any hope left for me? Can you guide me to the fortuitous opportunity to attain True Self Realm?"

There is almost no guidance to be given when entering the Divine Ability Realm, let alone the Sole Self Realm.

Wei Shao'er lamented the different fates of people and regretted the difficulties he had faced in sending Huo Qubing to the Imperial Academy.

Hearing Zhang Xuezhou point out the Yi Shuo fortuitous opportunity, she couldn't help but shudder.

Zhang Xuezhou's few words of guidance to Yi Shuo may not seem unusual, but Yi Shuo entered the Divine Ability Realm with his guidance, and Wei Shao'er was also a beneficiary.

Ever since Zhang Xuezhou placed Liu Xuan by her side, Wei Shao'er has stumbled into the Sole Self Realm.

Although her Sole Self Realm was born from a ritual, it was still a genuine realm, thus avoiding the direct suppression and killing by the True Self Realm cultivators.

At this moment, Zhang Xuezhou is guiding the opportunity to Yi Shuo Realm of the Sole Self Realm, Wei Shao'er also wants to obtain the opportunity to attain the Realm of the True Self Realm from Zhang Xuezhou.

"I haven't even reached the True Self Realm myself, how could I possibly have the ability to guide you like that!"

Zhang Xuezhou scoffed, indicating that Wei Shao'er was being delusional.

"Instead of urging me, you should urge Qubing to work hard in his cultivation. If he can cultivate to the Sole Self Realm,' we will be able to remove the emptiness of your ' Sole Self Realm and thus lay a stable foundation for the realm of 'True Self Realm, '" Zhang Xuezhou said.

"You mean the opportunity for me to enter the realm of my True Self Realm lies in the sick child?"

Wei Shao'er had some doubts, but Huo Qubing was indeed accelerating his progress, not only arranging for teaching at the Imperial Academy, but also involving cultivation in the secret Shanglin Garden, and the Empress Dowager's frequent summons to Changxin Palace for testing.

The young Huo Qubing could not endure such endless and tedious training. He did not skip school, but he would go out and indulge himself whenever he had free time.

If Wei Qing and others hadn't ordered Huo Qubing to remain in his original body before entering the Divine Ability Realm, Wei Shao'er felt she would have been very likely a grandmother.

"To be honest, I'd also like to meet the young genius you once mentioned!"

When Zhang Xuezhou communicated with Wei Shao'er and others, he translated several sentences. Ren Anran was immediately intrigued, especially by the mention of Huo Qubing that Zhang Xuezhou had previously made.