The group toured Taiji City for a while before quickly returning to the Taiji Sect.
Upon arriving at the Taiji Sect, Zhang Sanfeng naturally played host and even brought out his daily must-have, Maotai wine.
Everyone drank to their heart's content, especially Emperor Can Ye and the others. They were so captivated by the Maotai wine that they all latched onto Xia Feng, urging him to bring some for them next time.
After arranging everyone, Xia Feng set off from the Taiji Sect to rendezvous with the Lord of Ten Thousand Nether and Li Mo.
West Ming Continent.
Xia Feng arrived here to meet up with everyone.
"Greetings, Master."
After many days apart, seeing Xia Feng's arrival, everyone showed surprise and joy.
"Next, we will continue our travels through the Northern Profound Continent and the Neutral Continent."
Xia Feng felt his opportunities were still good. After all, these things were 'arranged' by 'himself', so he just needed to go out and explore.
He just wanted to quickly find the remaining two physiques: Boundless Spirit and Great Wisdom Like Foolishness.
The Heavenly Annihilation Physique and Blessed by Fortune were held by Li Mo and Pu Zaiye, respectively.
Now only two physiques remained.
"Master, during your absence, we learned of a coronation ceremony in the Great Xiao Kingdom on the Northern Profound Continent. We can head there to see it first."
As Xia Feng's servant, Lao Tiangou had to arrange the itinerary for him in advance.
"Coronation ceremony?" Xia Feng asked curiously.
"Yes, it's a queen's coronation," Lao Tiangou replied truthfully.
Each continent had cities, and cities had kingdoms. Wars did not occur between these kingdoms; territories were won through contests or bets.
Cities and kingdoms existed solely to better govern the common people. Without constraints, the world would descend into chaos.
For generally small cities, a Divine Lord could become a City Lord. For larger cities, it would be a Divine King. A Divine Emperor was the City Lord of the largest city.
Kingdoms were different; each kingdom was guarded by one or two Divine Venerables.
After all, in this world where strength was paramount, strength was the ultimate way.
When Xia Feng heard it was a queen's coronation, he immediately became interested and said with a smile, "Then let's go to the Great Xiao Kingdom first."
"Very well, as the Master commands," Lao Tiangou bowed.
With the plan confirmed, Xia Feng, along with the Lord of Ten Thousand Nether, Li Mo, Lao Tiangou, Pu Buqi, Mu Yunchen, and Gu Xinyi, directly headed to the Great Xiao Kingdom.
The Great Xiao Kingdom was located on the southernmost side of the Northern Profound Continent, occupying the second-largest territory among all kingdoms on the continent.
Territory represented the kingdom's strength. Although wars were not permitted, these territories were all obtained through their own contests.
Without strength and fortune, even in contests, one would not win territory and would instead lose more and more.
Great Salt City, the capital of the Great Xiao Kingdom.
Inside the royal palace, a woman dressed in a purple robe sat at the head. Her features could be described as divinely carved and exquisitely sculpted. Even a glance could ignite the most primal desires within a person.
Such beauty could no longer be described with adjectives; only one word could be used: truly, damnably beautiful.
"Your Highness, your coronation ceremony is in three days. The Crown Prince of the Tianming Kingdom is coming with five other kingdoms to offer congratulations. This congratulation is a pretense; their true intention is to challenge us. They want to exert pressure on us on the day of your coronation."
An old man spoke with a worried expression.
The Tianming Kingdom was the largest country by territory and the most powerful on the Northern Profound Continent.
With the Great Xiao Kingdom changing rulers and a woman inheriting the throne, they naturally had to come to 'congratulate' and, incidentally, spar with the Great Xiao Kingdom.
After all, on such a joyous occasion, it would be quite improper not to shed some blood, right?
Everyone harbored this objective: to make the newly crowned Queen Zi Ruolin bleed.
Upon hearing this, Zi Ruolin spoke calmly, "Everyone is aware of the Tianming Kingdom's wicked intentions. On the day of my coronation, their goal is to compete with us, making us bleed heavily."
Even a three-year-old child could understand this, but the key was how to defend against it.
"Your Highness, do you have a plan to deal with this? The Great Ming Kingdom has always been our formidable rival, their strength constantly suppressing ours. With five kingdoms accompanying them this time, I fear it won't be easy to handle," another old woman said worriedly.
"Summon all capable individuals from across the nation. Anyone willing to serve the country will receive generous rewards. Those who win the competitions will enjoy all the glory and wealth. The one with the greatest merit will be rewarded with a Venerable Pill."
Even before the coronation ceremony began, Zi Ruolin was already making significant expenditures.
The name "Venerable Pill" alone was enough to drive people to madness.
This was a pill that increased the chance of breaking through to Divine Venerable by 50%. This alone was enough to make cultivators at the Divine Emperor realm risk their lives for it.
As long as Zi Ruolin presented this pill, many powerful Divine Emperors would undoubtedly flock to her.
"Your Highness, the Venerable Pill is too precious. Please keep it for yourself in the future, it's not advisable," one of the elders quickly objected.
As he said, this item was extremely rare; once given away, it would be gone, and there would be no way to obtain it later.
Wouldn't it be better to keep it for oneself?
Even if some territory was lost temporarily, what did it matter?
Zi Ruolin shook her head and said, "I have just ascended the throne, and I cannot let the Great Xiao Kingdom lose face. Otherwise, my father's spirit in heaven will not rest in peace."
Seeing their still reluctant expressions, Zi Ruolin comforted them, "Whether I can break through to Divine Emperor is still unknown, and even if I do, it will be many years from now. Resolving the current trouble is the most important thing."
After speaking, Zi Ruolin looked into the distance, sighing inwardly.
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