"To ensure his grandson becomes a stable ruler, this old monarch searched for esteemed scholars to assist him."

Cao Yi paused for the fifth time.

"The old monarch seemed to have planned everything."

Xiang Liang was thoroughly impressed.

"Not long after, the old monarch passed away; his grandson ascended the throne with the support of wise ministers, initiating a power reduction campaign, deposing seven uncles and executing three within a year."

Cao Yi paused for the sixth time.

"Such sorrow for the old monarch's efforts, and then what?"

Xiang Liang asked, having grasped Cao Yi's intention.

"The old monarch's most capable son, unwilling to accept defeat, rebelled, taking three years to overthrow the new ruler."

Cao Yi concluded his tale.

After a long three minutes of silence, Xiang Liang looked up at Cao Yi and said, "With the eloquence of Chu Long and your insights, I am like that old monarch, trying to cover all bases while ignoring the changes."

Insights?

Cao Yi's mouth twitched.

Xiang Liang turned to Xiang Yu: "Yu'er, you and Xiaochuan should head north together; in two years, we'll meet again in Xianyang, and I'll see how much you've progressed."

Xiang Yu suppressed his joy, cupping his hands: "I won't disappoint you, uncle."

Xiang Liang nodded, then turned to Cao Yi, a mysterious smile on his face: "I fear you won't stay either?"

As expected of a near-conqueror, he responded quickly.

Cao Yi admitted, "Indeed, I will accompany them north."

Xiang Liang sighed; from the start, he hadn't believed he could recruit Cao Yi, but his heart resisted admitting it.

"No need to worry, Sir; the world is never static."

Cao Yi said ambiguously.

Xiang Liang misunderstood, smiling: "When changes occur, please assist me."

Cao Yi nodded, silently adding, with me around, nothing will change.

After the meal, Cao Yi entered a well-organized hall and sat cross-legged on a soft couch.

He unfastened the gourd on his back, opened the lid of the purple-gold gourd as usual, and with a thought, blue smoke rose as Yelü Zhigu's figure came into focus.

"Today, no matter what, I must succeed in body refinement."

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Cao Yi set a flag.

There was no other choice; too much was at stake.

Cultivating the Golden Liquid Returning Pill Technique.

Various system tasks.

Such as altering the destinies of Xiang Yu, Su Su, and others.

Such as acquiring the Time and Space Treasure Box, and the Heavenly Star.

"Spiritual Communication Talisman."

With another thought, a fresh yellow talisman floated out from the purple-gold gourd.

Cao Yi grasped it, stood up, and approached Yelü Zhigu, pressing it against her smooth forehead in one fluid motion.

As usual, an icy chill emanated from Yelü Zhigu.

Cao Yi endured the cold, warming his hands and feet while Yelü Zhigu performed excellently.

"Step two: control from a short distance."

Cao Yi slowly withdrew his fingers from Yelü Zhigu's forehead.

Instantly, the connection with Yelü Zhigu became tenuous.

Cao Yi quickly retrieved the Sanqing Bell from the purple-gold gourd.

The sound of the Sanqing Bell not only suppresses zombies but also pairs well with the Containment Talisman and Spiritual Communication Talisman. Many zombie movies showcase the Sanqing Bell controlling zombies.

Cao Yi shook it, and a crisp bell sound rang out.

Yelü Zhigu's body trembled slightly.

Seeing it worked, Cao Yi moved a bit closer and commanded, "Attack the ground."

Yelü Zhigu hesitated for about two seconds before lifting her foot and stomping down hard.

Cao Yi underestimated Yelü Zhigu's strength.

With just one stomp, a massive pit resembling a giant basin appeared on the ground.

"Very good, now attack the jujube tree outside."

Cao Yi hoisted the gourd, shook the bell, and pointed outside.

Yelü Zhigu raised the axe and took a few steps before stopping.

Clearly, the distance was too great, losing control.

Cao Yi shook the bell more vigorously.

This time, Yelü Zhigu moved a few more steps.

"What's the issue?"

Cao Yi looked at the yellow talisman on Yelü Zhigu's forehead, then at the Sanqing Bell.

Suddenly, an idea struck.

"Let's try this."

This time, besides shaking, Cao Yi poured the energy from his dantian into the Sanqing Bell according to the method of the Golden Liquid Returning Pill Technique.

In just three seconds, astonishing changes occurred.

A strange clear light emanated from the Sanqing Bell.

Yelü Zhigu's body shook, striding toward a jujube tree, not stopping even after surpassing three meters.

"Indeed, it works."

Cao Yi immediately channeled a surge of spiritual energy.

Like waves, the clear light surged from the Sanqing Bell.

Yelü Zhigu's speed instantly increased, charging out like a mother leopard.

Then came two massive crashes as two jujube trees split in half, one of which fell towards the house.

The jujube trees were at least five to six meters tall; after losing over a meter, four meters still crashed onto the house, certain to collapse it.

"Don't let the jujube trees fall!"

Cao Yi commanded urgently.

Yelü Zhigu swung the axe, leaping high, her might earth-shattering.

The severed jujube tree was split in two, bringing the house down with it. In an instant, debris flew, and dust swirled—it was utterly chaotic.

"Zombies are zombies; even if body refinement succeeds, some things are still beyond reach."

Cao Yi shook his head, opened the gourd lid, and retracted Yelü Zhigu.

The village wasn't small, nor was it large.

Within ten minutes of the house being cleaved in half, a crowd had gathered.

Suddenly, the crowd parted, revealing Xiang Liang, Xiang Yu, and Yi Xiaochuan.

"Sir, what happened?"

Xiang Liang looked at the collapsed house, astonished.

"While I was performing, it accidentally collapsed,"

Cao Yi offered an excuse.

Xiang Liang glanced around, spotting the beam cleanly split in two—the evident work of a giant axe.

His mind raced back to what Yu'er had described about the creature, a chill running down his spine as he stepped closer and whispered, "Daoist Priest, are you sure you can completely control that fierce creature?"

This was the last bastion of the Xiang family; if they weren't careful and were wiped out, as a descendant, he would bear immense guilt.

"Rest assured, Sir; I was merely testing her strength."

Cao Yi modified his response.

Xiang Liang, suspicious as a wary leader, found himself doubting Cao Yi more when he spoke the truth.

For the first time, he hoped this unstable sage would leave the Xiang household quickly.

"Xiang Gong?"

Cao Yi called gently when Xiang Liang remained silent.

Xiang Liang snapped back to reality, gesturing, "Please, Daoist Priest, let's move to my residence."

Cao Yi nodded.