"Consort Shou, how does the new palace feel?" m..oΓg
The Wanli Emperor arrived at the backyard of the New Forbidden City. Since this ancient city had ascended to a Dharma Realm, the palace seemed to be gradually developing a small universe within. Grandmaster Zhang had also inspected it, noting that the Forbidden City had gained many new "rooms," as if connecting to other worlds.
Grandmaster Zhang had told Emperor Wanli that this was a precursor to the Dharma Realm spawning blessed lands.
There were countless Dharma Realms, impossible to count. Each Dharma Realm had a specific holy title corresponding to it. Only by reciting specific incantations could the Dharma Realm be connected, and these incantations were passed down through generations within various sects. Of course, there had been instances in the past where Dharma Realms suddenly descended and communicated with people's primordial spirits, signifying the birth of a new method.
Within the Dharma Realms, the scenery varied. Buddhist Dharma Realms might have oceans of lotuses and halls of thunder, while Daoist Dharma Realms might possess palaces among the clouds and divine trees of the East Sea... These divine objects and sacred scenes were born along with the Dharma Realms. If a Dharma Realm fell to the mortal world, these things would transform into blessed lands.
Although different from the Great Caves that could communicate with the inner mountains and rivers, they also possessed various marvels, making them highly sought after by cultivators.
At this moment, within a certain palace, there was the embryo of a universe. Consort Shou, the successor of Emperor Jiajing, was imprisoned within. When Emperor Wanli had ordered her to be confined here, she had offered no resistance. In Emperor Wanli's view, she might have been wary of Grandmaster Zhang's methods.
After all, no matter how good the successor's title sounded, like a regent, if their own strength was weak, what great deeds could they accomplish before an immortal?
Consort Shou had changed into a Daoist robe, looking like a girl of sixteen. Compared to when she last met Ji Xiang, she had become younger, transforming from thirty to sixteen years old.
This was rejuvenation.
And this phenomenon could only occur under one circumstance!
"Consort Shou, you were in the deep palace. When the Forbidden City ascended to a Dharma Realm, and the great changes occurred in Shuntian, you were not affected. It's strange. You should have lost your magical powers and entered the twelve years of innate cultivation. Why is your palace preserved so perfectly..."
"And why are you gradually rejuvenating?"
Emperor Wanli was no longer the novice cultivator who was chased around by fire demons. He now understood some things.
Consort Shou smiled gracefully, "Your Majesty already has something in mind, why not state it openly?"
"If I say that I am not simply cultivating innate energy, but that I am exceptionally talented and have entered the Solar Refinement stage ahead of time, would Your Majesty believe me?"
"Your Majesty has been watching for many days, and now you are finally certain?"
Emperor Wanli opened his eyes and remained silent. At this moment, Consort Shou's appearance began to change.
At the age of sixteen, she was a girl so tender that water could be squeezed from her. Now, her age began to decrease further, her figure shrinking, gradually transforming into a maiden in her prime.
Thirteen years old.
And this was precisely the age when she was enfeoffed as a consort by Emperor Jiajing!
"It is indeed the Sun Essence! You have a connection with Prince Lu!"
"Why does Your Majesty say that? Is it not true that only Prince Lu in the world possesses the Sun Essence?"
Consort Shou stood up. The sixteen-year-old clothes had become somewhat loose on her. The young girl waved her large sleeves and chuckled, "I still prefer this appearance. This was my appearance when I first entered the palace."
"My best years were wasted in the deep palace, but it is not a loss to have stepped into the path of cultivation. Now that I have the chance to rejuvenate, am I not allowed to return to my past appearance?"
Her words were filled with a sense of nostalgia for the beauty of youth.
"Then, what is your current state? I know something about Solar Refinement. Solar Refinement only takes three hundred days, and you have not yet achieved the innate realm..."
"What is so strange about that? Your Majesty, isn't that how the True Man of the North Pole achieved the sun?"
Consort Shou's words were astonishing, and Emperor Wanli was suddenly startled, "You have seen him?"
"Never, but even though I am within the deep palace's Dharma Realm, locked within the universe, I can discern all major events in the world."
"This is a divine ability. Your Majesty, do you want to learn it?"
Consort Shou, in the guise of a little girl, spoke with an old soul.
Emperor Wanli's expression turned serious, "All methods in the world originate from Dragon and Tiger. Grandmaster Zhang is my close friend. Are there any methods or divine abilities in the world that I cannot learn? It is merely because my own talent is not high. Compared to this so-called divine ability, I am more concerned about the Sun Essence in your hands!"
"Since you say you have no connection with Prince Lu, then with which Heavenly Palace are you involved?"
Consort Shou said softly, "Your Majesty, have you ever considered something?"
"Why did I give the Jin Jizi to the True Man of the North Pole back then?"
Emperor Wanli remained silent. Consort Shou continued, "In fact, this matter happened less than two years ago."
"And back then, it didn't matter who received the Jin Jizi, as long as that person had cultivation. The True Man of the North Pole had just appeared, and was still a Daoist priest praying for blessings in the Longde Hall."
"He was just a coincidence. But I never expected him to be an ancient immortal reincarnated. I can only say that the world is full of wonders. Being lucky enough to encounter him, I don't know if it's good luck or bad luck."
"I originally intended to borrow the hand of a cultivator to nurture the Jin Jizi. The true purpose of this national artifact is neither to strike wooden fish or bronze bells, nor to kill people with it as a hammer."
Emperor Wanli raised his voice and suddenly emphasized, "Stop playing coy. I already know. This item requires the Jade Divine Pan to function fully. It can allow people to comprehend the Heavenly Dao. Do you think I don't recognize treasure!"
"Hahaha, so Your Majesty already knows."
Consort Shou was taken aback, then burst into laughter. The little girl hopped twice in place and suddenly stopped.
"Then, does Your Majesty know three questions?"
"What questions?" Emperor Wanli narrowed his eyes.
Consort Shou spoke first, "Before the three questions, I have a small question. Since Your Majesty knows of the Jade Divine Pan's existence, do you know whose it is?"
Emperor Wanli: "The Heavenly Venerable Lingbao. The True Man of the North Pole told me."
Consort Shou raised three small fingers:
"Where is the Heavenly Venerable Lingbao now?"
"How did Emperor Jiajing enter the inner mountains and rivers?"
"Why was the national artifact handed over to a cultivator?"
"Finally, there are less than three hundred days left until my death."
Consort Shou's smile gradually became eerie.
All arrangements in the world were in place.
Although some things were ahead of schedule, it did not hinder what was about to happen.
Emperor Wanli's expression suddenly changed:
"Comprehend... Heavenly Dao."
"Which Heavenly Dao is it?"