In practical terms, ever since the great battle at the Ten Thousand Dao Palace concluded, and the Ten Great Holy Lands were destroyed, the entire cultivation world had plunged into chaos. The subsequent revelation that advancing further to the Human Immortal realm would directly lead to ascension via celestial light from the Immortal Realm only poured more fuel on the existing fire.
From then on, anyone with even a sliver of common sense.
Basically understood that things were beyond control.
They could either choose to wait for the Age of Dharma's End to descend in the near future and perish along with the civilization of cultivation, or they could fight for the last vestiges of glory, attempt to break through the Human Immortal realm, and seek survival in the Immortal Realm.
There was no other way.
Thus, naturally, those who wished to gamble were desperately gambling, vying for the dwindling opportunities to achieve immortality. Those who felt they had no hope and couldn't compete, either sealed themselves in their caves, meditating on Daoist scriptures, or became mortals, lying low in anticipation.
Preparing to wait until this tribulation ended.
And then make plans after entering the Age of Dharma's End.
…
Qingyang Sect, Qixia Mountain Range
Previously, Ancestor Qixia had vied for several opportunities related to the River God's appearances. Therefore, he had already broken through his original Nascent Soul realm and reached the Tribulation Transcendence stage. This realm, with one more foray into the areas where the River God appeared, would allow him to directly break through to the Human Immortal realm and ascend.
Thus, Ancestor Qixia was naturally unwilling to simply wait for the Age of Dharma's End. However, he also knew that the journey would be fraught with peril. So, he decided to summon all the disciples and descendants of the Qixia lineage, distributed some of his possessions and assets amongst them, explained some matters,
And then sent them away.
It was essentially akin to a family business going bankrupt and settling its accounts.
Ding Yun and her two sons and one daughter were also among those being sent off. Ancestor Qixia bestowed upon Ding Yun a great deal of valuable resources, enough for their family of four to smoothly cultivate to the Nascent Soul realm. The corresponding price was that they would then be responsible for guarding the Imperial Secret Realm, continuing to protect the Liu Clan royal family.
This protection was to last until their lifespans ended.
Of course, in addition to Ding Yun and her three children, Ancestor Qixia had also made other arrangements.
These were all specifically to protect his descendants.
After all, in Ancestor Qixia's view, even if the Age of Dharma's End was to arrive, most cultivators would not instantly die. At most, as time passed, they would be unable to advance further, their internal spiritual energy would gradually dissipate, and they would age significantly faster than normal before dying of old age.
However, even so, with a not-low cultivation realm.
Living for another thousand to eight hundred years would certainly be possible.
Leaving his descendants a buffer of a thousand to eight hundred years would be sufficient for them to establish a firm footing and achieve new glories in the new era.
Ding Yun raised no objections to his arrangements. After all, even if he hadn't made them, Ding Yun was already planning to find an opportunity to leave Qingyang Sect and enter the mortal world to develop technology. With Ancestor Qixia's arrangements, she naturally went with the flow and returned to the capital.
And after attending the welcoming banquet.
She informed the Emperor that her children were still young and she did not wish to bring them along, preferring to live in the Imperial Secret Realm. There were no peers for them to play with. Following this, Ding Yun directly requested a fief and a villa for her use.
The Emperor, after some thought, readily agreed:
"Your request, True Monarch, is naturally no problem. The former Yang County Prince's mansion and its fief, along with several estates not far from the Prince of Yang's mansion, shall all be yours.
Since the passing of the Prince of Yang,
The imperial clan has kept them reserved for you!"
"The Prince of Yang has passed away?"
Hearing this, Ding Yun was somewhat bewildered, as she truly had no knowledge of this. After leaving, she had not bothered to concern herself with her nominal husband and mother-in-law. Furthermore, the ingrained belief that cultivators do not concern themselves with worldly affairs meant that the deaths of mortals were not specifically reported to relevant cultivators.
After all, if the cultivator was in a critical stage of cultivation,
Receiving the news might stimulate them and affect their cultivation.
Therefore, it was generally only when a cultivator inquired that relevant information would be reported. Thus, it was not unusual for Ding Yun to be unaware without specifically inquiring.
"Oh, I forgot to mention, the Prince of Yang and his mother passed away more than half a year ago. The matter is somewhat embarrassing and also has a slight connection to you.
Ever since you and your children fell into the river and gained celestial fortune,
Becoming Golden Core True Monarchs.
The Prince of Yang and his mother became somewhat obsessed and desperately wished to achieve immortality. They not only continuously jumped into rivers near the capital but also traveled great distances to jump into rivers where legends of the River God existed. Although they had elixirs to ensure they wouldn't die from catching a cold by jumping into the river,
That period was quite chaotic. Cultivators and demons were clashing everywhere, searching for rivers where the River God appeared. Encountering cultivators was fine; at most, they would be reprimanded or driven away with their spiritual power. However, encountering demonic cultivators was another matter entirely. Annihilating all life with a wave of their hand was commonplace. The Prince of Yang and his mother had bad luck.
During their search for the River God, they encountered demonic cultivators. All those who accompanied them perished, turned to ash and dust.
However, you need not worry about seeking revenge. That demonic cultivator was later exterminated by people sent by Qingyang Sect. I have also sent people to appease and compensate the families of those who perished while accompanying them in their search for the River God. The aftermath was handled very well."
After briefly explaining the preceding and succeeding events, the Emperor specifically continued, "Of course, if you dislike the original Prince of Yang's mansion, you may choose another."
"Oh, no need. The original Prince of Yang's mansion will suffice. I just didn't expect that in less than a year, we would be separated by life and death. Clearly, more than half a year ago, he and his mother were still contemplating taking concubines.
From now on, I will reside in the Prince of Yang's mansion.
Everything will remain as it was. If anything arises, you can contact me using this jade talismans. After all, compared to other ancestors residing in the secret realm, I am outside, making contact simpler. I will take my leave now. Farewell!"
After clarifying the situation, Ding Yun had no intention of delving deeper. She casually replied, gave the Emperor another jade talisman, and then flew away directly with her three children.
She flew to the Prince of Yang's mansion to take up residence.
The Emperor's follow-up was swift. As soon as Ding Yun entered the Prince of Yang's mansion and tidied it up a bit with some magic, the Grand Eunuch arrived with nearly a hundred palace maids and attendants. They were stationed one by one, and several governesses and stewards were also brought along, allowing Ding Yun to choose freely. If she was not satisfied, she could change them or find her own.
Ding Yun offered a few polite words.
And then accepted them.
She had officially resumed her residence in the Prince of Yang's mansion.
The next day, she declined all visitors and went to the villa to gather the farmhands, commencing the most basic agricultural reforms and industrial foundational development. She also took the opportunity to send people to find orphans and the like to conduct some basic education.
Her own three children were brought along.
Of course, mainly the eldest and second child. The third was still too young, not yet a year old, and there was no rush for learning.
It can be said that the technological enlightenment of this world.
Took root and sprouted for the first time in this villa.