Within Tianyi’s inner world, the three figures changed once more. Although the emperor appeared the same, the light of wisdom in his eyes could not be hidden. It was as if a man had been encased in stone and was slowly breaking out of its shell.

The figure on its right, although there was no change in form, flashes of lightning began to occur inside the clouds surrounding it as well as the occasional roar of thunder. The figure on its left was still a mass of clouds, but it was in the form of coiling rope or worm.

The space that contained them had expanded by a fair bit. Although the surrounding primordial clouds were still as dense and ever-changing as before, starlight could be seen through them.

Tianyi opened his eyes.

“Although the emperor changed when I absorbed the Dragon Emperor’s blood essence, the changes this time compared to that time are more evident. Is it because I upgraded my Spiritual Vein, or was it because I comprehended more about myself?”

Three Pure True Self Visualization Technique, Tianyi still didn’t know where the technique originated from except that it had appeared in his head when he began cultivating the Primordial Heavenly Scripture. Although Tianyi had apprehension about cultivating it at first but with the massive advantages it brought Tianyi, he was unable not to cultivate it.

As the name suggested, it generated three selves inside Tianyi, but Tianyi didn’t know what the three represented. Were they aspects of his character, possible future selves, or even representing his soul, mind, body? There was simply not enough information. Tianyi had a feeling that increasing the strength of his soul wasn’t the only ability the technique had.

Tianyi had already tried to investigate the origins of the visualization technique. When the words Three Pure came up, it naturally referred to the Three Pure Ones or the Three Pristines.

First was the Lord of Primordial Beginnings, the one closest to the beginning and associated with the primordial creation. The Primordial Heavenly Scripture Tianyi cultivated was said to be of his lineage.

The second was the Lord of the Numinous Treasure, the one most associated with Yin Yang principles.

The third was the Lord of Way and Virtues, said to be the founder of cultivation and said to be the teacher of all beings.

Aside from some basic information concerning their myths, Tianyi could not discover any detailed information concerning the Three Pure Ones. Rather it was the Jade Emperor and the Immortal Courts that had more records to the point that the Buzhou Immortal Sect had the Scripture the Immortal Court soldiers commonly cultivated in as well as secret realms that were related to the Immortal Court.

Dispersing his wayward thoughts, Tianyi reigned in the majesty of the tribulation essence within him. It had taken him only a day to heal from his injuries, he could have taken a few days to heal naturally with his own powers, but Tianyi just popped some pills like candy to aid in his healing.

Concealed Vitality Pill, although it wasn’t an Immortal ranked pill and was a spiritual pill instead. That didn’t mean it wasn't valuable. The Concealed Vitality Pill was something that even Unity realm Venerable would covet. The pill's medicinal power would flow throughout the body and gently heal the taker of the pill. What’s more, it could even be ingested early, and the healing properties would be concealed within the body only to erupt when the ingester becomes injured.

For Tianyi to pop even one to heal an injury that would need only a few days to heal naturally, those Unity Realm Venerables probably wouldn't be able to hold themselves from scolding at how much a wastrel Tianyi was.

Tianyi’s response? “So what if I’m a wastrel? My mother is the most powerful expert in the world right now. If I could take the effect of an Immortal rank pill, I would have eaten that instead.”

Tianyi stood up and gave his body a few stretches. Although his body wouldn’t be sore or rusty from sitting for long periods of time anymore, it was still a habit that Tianyi retained. “I’ve been consolidating my foundation for quite a bit. I should see mother for a bit.”

Then he looked up to see the giant hole in the ceiling. “Mother and Emperor-Uncle won’t blame me for destroying the ceiling, right?”

“Your highness, Sword Empress Xi and his majesty have ordered this slave to lead you to them once you exited.” Outside the door, a eunuch said.

Tianyi gave a stiff smile. They wouldn’t really blame me, right? Maybe they are just concerned about me, yeah that’s right.

Tianyi quickly arrived in the Xi Emperor's study room, and inside the study room were his mother and his emperor-uncle. But what surprised Tianyi was actually the appearance of the girl who had reminded him of his time back on Earth also being there.

In battle, the one who has the initiative has the upper hand! I’ll strike first!

Before Mengfei or the Xi Emperor could say anything, Tianyi already cupped his fist and bowed. “My apologies Emperor-Uncle, while cultivating, I made a breakthrough accidentally triggering the Heavenly Tribulation. The ceiling was destroyed due to my negligence.”

As for asking for punishment? Hah! Tianyi naturally wouldn’t ask for punishment. He was just worried that because the palace belonged to his Emperor-Uncle, his mother might punish him. But if he apologized first before they blamed him, then it would hard for them to punish him. He was still a child right now, after all.

Both Mengfei and the Xi Emperor were stunned at Tianyi’s words. The thought of punishing Tianyi hadn’t even crossed their minds. But the Xi Emperor naturally felt happy, such a polite and well-mannered nephew. Disregarding his status and apologizing to him, who was on the lower end in status despite his seniority, naturally made Xi Emperor feel even greater intimacy to this nephew he had only seen a few times.

“Small matter, it’s a small matter. Do not put it to your mind. It was something that couldn’t be helped.” The Xi Emperor said with a laugh.

Tianyi gave an apologetic smile before turning to his mother.

‘Yi’er, what happened?’

Seeing that his mother was not asking about the ceiling, Tianyi released a sigh of relief. He replied to his mother using his spiritual sense. "Mother, last night I gained enlightenment on the nature of tribulation essence, and my Lightning Spiritual Vein mutated into the Tribulation Lightning Spiritual Vein."

Mengfei frowned. Back when she mutated her Heavenly Yin Spiritual Vein into the Heavenly Extreme Yin Spiritual Vein, there was no Heavenly Tribulation. Yet when her son mutated his Spiritual Vein, a Heavenly Tribulation occurred.

"Yi’er, is your body okay? Do you feel any aftereffects from the Heavenly Tribulation or your Spiritual Vein?”

"No, mother, I feel perfectly fine. In fact, the rate of absorption is even faster now, and I feel like I gained some insights into lightning type concepts."

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Xi Mengfei stayed silent. Perhaps it was because of the unique nature of Tianyi’s mutated Spiritual Vein that incurred the Heavenly Tribulation. But Mengfei couldn’t help but worry. She didn’t have the necessary knowledge, but perhaps the seniors back at the sect could.

"Mother, why do I feel Emperor-Uncle is especially shiny today?" Tianyi asked as his eyes roamed to his Emperor-Uncle. It was hard not to, especially with the flashy golden aura around him.

"Shiny? Is that light golden and seems to stick on Emperor-uncle like a second skin?"

Tianyi confirmed that it was.

"That is Karmic Virtue."

"Karmic Virtue?"

“Karmic Virtue is the blessing of living beings in the world. Karmic Virtue has many uses. The most basic and useful one is increasing one’s luck. I’ve said before that Emperor-Uncle is a good emperor. He has managed the Xi Dynasty well, preventing the deaths of millions of citizens allowing him to attain this much Karmic Virtue."

Tianyi nodded in understanding.

"But Karmic Virtue can only be detected by Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, who have started to harmonize oneself and heaven and earth."

Tianyi blinked.

"Then why can I detect it? The only change recently is my Heavenly Tribulation Lightning Spiritual Vein."

Mengfei was stumped as well.

"I do not know, but perhaps a senior at the sect will know. I cannot discern any harmful effects, so it should be fine as it is. Yi’er, if you encounter anyone with a heavy aura of Karmic Sin, you should be wary of that person."

Since Tianyi could detect Karmic Virtue, there was no reason he couldn't detect Karmic Sin. As for why Tianyi should be wary, there was nothing that needed to be said.

“Mother, Emperor-Uncle, is there a reason for summoning me here?” After finishing the conversation with his mother, Tianyi asked.

Although the conversation took a few moments, it was still quite quick with how fast cultivators thought, especially with how much information could be conveyed through spiritual sense. Conversing with spiritual sense was actually much faster than just straight talking.

The Xi Emperor might have detected it, but he stayed silent and acted as if he hadn’t seen it, already guessing that it concerned some secrets or the Heavenly Tribulation. The Xi Emperor smiled and chuckled. “Nephew Tianyi, it is not we that have summoned you but your mother.”

Tianyi directed his look towards his mother and then at the girl standing next to her.

“Yi’er you are a growing boy, it is natural that you start noticing the opposite sex. Soon you will reach marriageable age.”

Tianyi stilted as he looked at the girl once more. He noticed that her face was a bit pale. Mother didn’t suddenly decide to find a girl for me to marry, right?

“I noticed you staring at this girl…” Mengfei paused as if not knowing what to say about her son suddenly being smitten by a girl.

“Jiang Daoyi, the third daughter of Duke Qi.” The Xi Emperor helpfully added.

“Jiang Daoyi, the third daughter of Duke Qi,” Mengfei repeated.

“...” Tianyi.

“It is fate that you share the same character in your name. So I asked Emperor-Uncle to bestow her unto you as a concubine.” Mengfei finished.

“...” Tianyi. His hands were slowly raised before he covered his face with them. “Mother, I’m not even twelve yet. Why of all things did you look for a concubine for me? Did you even ask if she was willing?”

Mengfei revealed confusion in her eyes. “I don’t know when I will enter secluded cultivation again. When I exit my next secluded cultivation, Yi’er may already be of age. If I don’t find a woman for you now, when will I? She is a subject, and we are the rulers. There is no issue.”

Tianyi took a few deep breaths. “Mother, right now, I just want to focus on cultivation. We, cultivators, have long lives, and eventually, I will reach Immortality. I feel that waiting a bit longer won’t change much. We are cultivators, not mortals.” Tianyi said but then added some more words after a moment. “I don’t want concubines, only a wife. I feel that having more than one woman is too tiring.”

“Which man doesn’t have three wives, four concubines. A man may say words of having only one wife or love like I will only cherish you this lifetime, but those are just words of passion. Emperor-Father was like this. Your Emperor-Uncle is also like this. This world is always more forgiving towards the fickleness of men.” Mengfei said.

Fuck! Why do I feel so stifled!? It should be my enemies and rivals making me feel stifled, not my own mother! Motherfu-...wait, Tianyi, don’t go there. That is your mother.

Tianyi’s eyes met with his Emperor-Uncles eyes, who just so happened to look over, just as quickly Emperor-Uncle averted his gaze, making Tianyi feel even more stifled. Goddammit! What are you feeling guilty for? You’re the goddamn emperor. If you did something, openly admit it! No one will rebuke you! And also, mother, even after almost a thousand years, why do you still have so many habits and common sense from when you were an imperial princess?

“Mother, although polyamory isn’t exactly uncommon in the cultivation world, most Dao companions are only comprised of two people.” Tianyi finally said as his hands slid down his face as he looked at his expressionless mother.

“Really?” Mengfei said, surprised.

“Mother, have you not attended any Dao Companion Union Ceremony or even weddings?” Tianyi finally asked, truly shocked at his mother’s lack of knowledge concerning this.

“I have received a few invitations, but on the day of the ceremony, I’m usually in secluded cultivation and missed it,” Mengfei said.

“All of them?” Tianyi asked, half in disbelief.

Mengfei nodded. “Eventually, I stopped receiving the invitations.”

Tianyi resisted the urge to facepalm once more. How is mother’s interpersonal relationship still this good despite all the mistakes she made? Mother’s master must have grown a lot of white hairs managing mother’s relationships with the other sect members.

“Yi’er you sure you don’t want this girl as your concubine? You were staring at her in a daze at the banquet.” Mengfei asked once more.

Tianyi felt his face pale and redden at the same time. I wasn’t staring because I gained a crush, okay? “Mother, at this moment, I absolutely do not want a concubine at this time...or any time, really!”

Although the allure of a harem is great and all, but for a person like me, it sounds like too much work reaching out to so many people.

Mengfei didn’t show any expression at Tianyi’s rejection and instead nodded. “If it is your choice, very well. Emperor-Brother, please send this girl back.”

At this moment, the Xi Emperor coughed into his fist. “Actually... we sent out an imperial decree for the third daughter of Duke Qi. As you know, an emperor’s decree cannot be easily rescinded, and if she were to be sent back like this, her reputation would be ruined, and she would likely never be able to marry in this life.”

Tianyi only had two words in his head right now. Pig Teammate!

“This…” Tianyi saw the unconcerned look on his mother’s face and internally sighed. “How about this, how about we test Miss Jiang’s Spiritual Veins. If they are good, we can bring her back to the Buzhou Immortal Sect with us.”

And suppose Jiang Daoyi’s Spiritual Veins were unsuited for cultivation. In that case, Tianyi could only ask Emperor-Uncle to take extra care of her and reimburse his Emperor-Uncle for rescinding his decree. Well, his mother will. It wasn’t his fault this happened in the first place.

It was all his mother’s idea.

The Xi Emperor nodded. In truth, he felt that Jiang Daoyi’s Spiritual Veins would not be too outstanding. Otherwise, Duke Qi would have already allowed his third daughter to cultivate. Her results should be even more outstanding than Jiang Qingwa if she had the potential to be accepted into the Buzhou Immortal Sect.

“Eunuch Mu, go retrieve and Spiritual Vein Testing Orb.” The Xi Emperor said to his personal eunuch.

“No need,” Mengfei said as she held Jiang Daoyi’s wrist in her hand and sent a wisp of her immortal qi into her. Mengfei’s eyes furrowed a bit before relaxing again. “Heavenly Water Spiritual Vein.”

Tianyi was happy when he heard Heavenly Spiritual Vein, but when he heard the word water afterward, his face immediately turned solemn.

“This…” Tianyi didn’t know what to say.

“Impossible, I have Pentad Spiritual Veins.” Jiang Daoyi finally spoke. Tianyi felt his ear twitch at the pleasant sound of her voice.

When Jiang Daoyi was young, she too thought of gaining status by cultivating. Unfortunately, she tested for the most useless Spiritual Veins. She could only accept her fate of being an invisible person in her own home.

As for martial cultivation? The noble family of the Great Xi Dynasty did not allow their children to cultivate the martial way unless they had good Spiritual Veins first.

“Her Spiritual Veins were hidden by a spell.” Mengfei simply said. “Someone must have cast it on her before she was tested.”

The Xi Emperor thought for a moment. “I heard that the Duke Qi once had a concubine who was a former Core Formation realm Master, but her core was shattered, severing her Immortal path.”

Tianyi sighed. “Mother, how about you accept Miss Jiang as your disciple? I feel that Jade Peak is a bit lonely. It’ll be good to have a junior sister to liven it up.”

Mengfei thought for a moment before nodding.

The Xi Emperor couldn’t help but be slightly jealous of Jiang Daoyi. He has asked his sister to take his son as her disciple, but she refused and said that with his Spiritual Vein, getting accepted was almost a sure thing. As for his future accomplishment, it would be all up to him.

And now Jiang Daoyi, who would have likely been turned into a Living Pill if her Spiritual Veins were to be leaked out, had her fortunes reversed.

“Emperor-Uncle, please keep Miss Jiang’s Spiritual Veins a secret. After all, we don’t want those of ill intent to get any needless thoughts.”

“Naturally,” The Xi Emperor replied.