Tianyi allowed Ming Xingyun to see her parents one last time before leaving. It was a pity that when Ming Xingyun appeared before them, her parents only thought she was the daughter of some rich and powerful man and begged for donations.
It was her last time seeing her parents, yet they couldn't even recognize her. Was it because she changed too much? No, it simply highlighted disregard for Ming Xingyun.
With no more shackles, Ming Xingyun boarded Tianyi's immortal boat with Ming Yayun, never to return.
Tianyi didn't plan on returning to the Buzhou Immortal Sect just yet. First, he planned on visiting the Xi Dynasty. If Tianyi wanted to, he could forcibly bring Ming Yayun to Jade Peak as a servant-disciple, but he didn't. He had two reasons. First, having his Emperor-Uncle can take care of Ming Yayun better than he could. Second, it was to motivate Ming Xingyun. Whether she wanted to bring Ming Yayun to the Buzhou Immortal Sect or find a way so that Ming Yayun will possess an imperishable life will be all up to her.
With no more fetters tying her down, Tianyi began to transmit the Nine-Five Scripture to Ming Xingyun. Contrary to his expectations, Ming Xingyun wasn't naturally talented in his self-created cultivation method.
In this matter, Tianyi was somewhat helpless. He and Ba Shifang were able to cultivate it because Tianyi created it, and Ba Shifang was part of him and had the experience. In terms of difficulty, the Nine-Five Scripture could be said to be easier than the Ten Heavenly Scriptures, but it could also be harder than the Ten Heavenly Scriptures at the same time.
Since Ming Xingyun had no fate with the Nine-Five Scripture, Tianyi planned on switching her cultivation method when she officially entered the Buzhou Immortal Sect. For now, Tianyi ordered her to cultivate the qi gathering portion of the Nine-Five Scripture. At least this way, Ming Xingyun would be able to build a better foundation and not waste time.
Tianyi began to peruse all the information concerning every cultivation method in the Buzhou Immortal Sect. For spiritual cultivation, Tianyi planned on letting Ming Xingyun cultivate the Earth Book of the Five Element Method. Sure, it was basic, but it was perfect for his disciple. What he had a headache over was what martial cultivation method should Ming Xingyun learn.
Ming Xingyun possessed the Condensed Mountain Physique, so focusing on spiritual cultivation was a colossal waste of her talents, something Tianyi would not ruin. After going through the list, Tianyi frowned. He could list several, but none of them felt right. 'Perhaps it would be best to wait till we return to the Buzhou Immortal Sect before selecting Ming Xingyun's martial cultivation method.'
Having made his decision, Tianyi wholeheartedly aided Ming Xingyun in building her foundation. He had just accepted his first disciple, so his interest was at its peak, to the point that he couldn't help but supervise Ming Xingyun twenty-four seven.
The immortal boat's speed could not be compared to Mengfei's or even Tianyi's speed when they controlled it, but it would have to do. Ba Shifang could drive it faster, but he was busy cultivating. While Tianyi was cultivating in the void space, Ba Shifang cultivated in the Temporal Void Domain, significantly shortening the time. Currently, he was in the late Core Formation Realm, just a hair's breadth away from the peak Core Formation Realm.
Including the detours taken to avoid the Anti-Heaven Alliance at the beginning and Su Bojing's speed, Tianyi, Ba Shifang, Su Bojing, Ming Xingyun, and Ming Yayun arrived in the Xi Dynasty after six months. Naturally, when the Xi Emperor learned of Tianyi's arrival, he held a grand banquet to welcome Tianyi. Ignoring Mengfei's influence, Tianyi was currently an absolute master under the Immortal Realm, far more powerful than the Xi Emperor himself. This was the prestige brought about by strength.
"Nephew Tianyi, how long do you plan to stay here?" The Xi Emperor asked.
Currently, Tianyi was sitting on the Xi Emperor's right in the banquet hall. The seating positions were much like when Mengfei came; only Tianyi replaced Mengfei. Below them, the hundred officials laughed and drank as they enjoyed the performance.
"For a while. I've hit a bottleneck in my cultivation, so I plan to stay here to relax my heart. Emperor-Uncle won't mind, will you?" Tianyi asked as he sipped a cup of wine. Then he sighed at Ming Xingyun, who was looking around like a curious dog with Ming Yayun doing her best to restrain her sister.
"W-We see," the Xi Emperor said. "How's our beloved sister?"
"Same as usual," Tianyi said as he scanned around. His eyes took on an inquisitive light for a brief moment unseen by his uncle. "Speaking of which, I wonder where my other cousins are?"
Tianyi openly looked around for his princely cousins. Although Tianyi was forgetful with names, that didn't mean he forgot their existence or faces. In such a grand banquet, the missing eldest prince was extremely noticeable.
"There is some trouble near the borders, so We sent them to quell the unrest," The Xi Emperor explained.
"Even the Xi Dynasty has been affected?" Tianyi said with some surprise. The increasing number of conflicts already affected forces like the Fu Dynasty, which was stronger than the Xi Dynasty. Logically, the Xi Dynasty could also be affected, but there was one critical difference: the backing of the Xi Dynasty was the peerless Sword Empress Xi. "Since that's the case, I'll have to stay until the unrest is quelled. Do not worry, Emperor-Uncle. We are family; I'll naturally help you."
The Xi Emperor's body stiffened for a moment before he gave a grateful smile. "Then we will thank Nephew Tianyi ahead of time."
Tianyi also smiled back, causing the atmosphere between the two to become warmhearted like the two were regular uncle and nephew. Su Bojing, who saw this scene, felt a chill crawl down his spine. There was just something off about Tianyi's smile that he could not pinpoint.
Not long after, Tianyi and his group retired to his room. Unlike before, they were given a whole palace within the imperial palace. Once inside, Tianyi had Su Bojing and Ba Shifang erect a formation, blocking any probes from outside.
Once that was done, Tianyi's face immediately turned cold, and a frosty air emanated from him. He currently couldn't use qi or spiritual sense at all, so this oppressive atmosphere was generated purely by his emotions.
"Y-Young Master, is something wrong?" Su Bojing had never seen Tianyi like this before, and it scared him like never before. Did the Xi Emperor offend Tianyi in some way?
"Emperor-Uncle never used the royal we when addressing us," Tianyi sullenly said. The us in his words were naturally Mengfei and himself.
"Perhaps the Emperor needed to keep appearances in front of his officials?" Su Bojing said. He was a cultivator, but he also knew how much rulers valued their pride and dignity, even in front of family members and people far more powerful than them.
Tianyi didn't say anymore and told Su Bojing to retire. Ba Shifang already noticed the abnormality, so Tianyi didn't need to explain. Tianyi's only worry was about Ming Yayun. He had the confidence to protect Ming Xingyun, but both her and Ming Yayun? Tianyi wasn't so sure.
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'Should I use my third to probe what is going on with Emperor-Uncle?' Tianyi thought but immediately dispelled the idea. He didn't know who would scheme against his uncle, but there were only two possibilities. One was a fearless fool who didn't know how high the heavens were, and the other was an expert who could contend with his mother.
Although Mengfei was proclaimed as the number one expert of the Huang Realm, Tianyi wasn't so foolish as to believe that. Tianyi was more inclined to believe the second possibility, and if he revealed his third eye, it might bring more trouble than help.
Tianyi's anger stemmed from his mother. His mother deeply respected his Emperor-Uncle, and anyone taking action against him was Mengfei's enemy, but Tianyi didn't want to risk his life for his Emperor-Uncle, who he met only a few times. Call him coldhearted, but Tianyi had no deep connection to his uncle at all aside from a few meetings.
Taking a wait-and-see approach, Tianyi ultimately settled down in the capital of the Xi Dynasty. During this time, Tianyi sent Su Bojing to send a message to his mother concerning the abnormality of the Xi Emperor. Tianyi didn't send Ba Shifang because he feared that his clone would be eliminated. Of course, he didn't blindly hope that Su Bojing would be able to deliver his message. He also made Ba Shifang use a communication talisman to send nine messages to the sect.
While waiting, Tianyi immersed himself in cultivation. While condensing his inner cosmos, he also comprehended as many concepts as possible. He didn't deliberately comprehend any specific concepts but allowed the inspiration to flow into him.
'I didn't expect that I would comprehend the Concept of Thunder's Roar.' Tianyi thought for a moment before resuming his cultivation. The abnormality of the Xi Emperor provided an urgent sense of pressure for Tianyi, significantly increasing his cultivation speed. Perhaps it was Ming Xingyun's influence, the next concept Tianyi started on was the Concept of Mountain.
During this time, only Ba Shifang could accompany Ming Xingyun and Yayun. Ming Xingyun was still at the age where she was curious about everything, and perhaps because of her neglected childhood, she was exceptionally lively after leaving the village.
Tianyi only made Ming Xingyun spend half her time establishing her foundation, and the other half, she was allowed to tour the sights of the capital. Of course, this was only allowed if she finished the 'homework' Tianyi gave her.
"Mister Ba, Mister Ba, what exactly is Master doing? Isn't it uncomfortable sleeping like that?" Ming Xingyun asked one day. Aside from her sister, Tianyi was the one closest to her. After not seeing him for over a month, she began to grow lonely and worried.
"The Main Body is currently comprehending the various laws and concepts of the world," Ba Shifang answered with a shrug.
"What are laws and concepts?" Ming Xingyun asked, cutely tilting her head.
Ba Shifang had to resist the urge to rub the little lass's head. Aside from Tianyi, Ming Xingyun would move away from anyone else who did so, even Tianyi's clone. It was as if rubbing her head was Tianyi's exclusive privilege. This made Ba Shifang slightly depressed and made him think of taking a cute disciple too.
Still, Ba Shifang treated Ming Xingyun just as well as Tianyi. "Laws are the underlying rules that cosmos operates on, and concepts are fragments of complete laws."
"I still don't get it." Ming Xingyun said, confusion plastered on her face.
Ba Shifang sighed. "Forget it, wait till you're at least in the World Merging Realm or Soul Nourishing Realm before asking about this."
Ming Xingyun nodded. Since she didn't understand, she would no longer think about it, but Ba Shifang was different. 'Since Main Body is comprehending concepts, should I do as well? His cultivation will go smoother and faster the more concept he masters; shouldn't it be the same for me? Granted, there are differences, but both of us cultivate the Nine-Five Scripture. Besides, mastering more concepts won't hurt.'
Still, those were plans after Tianyi stopped cultivating or when Su Bojing returned. He was the only one who could watch over Ming Xingyun and Yayun, and he didn't dare to let the emperor's servants take care of two in case something happened.
It wasn't like Ba Shifang was idle while taking care of the two sisters. In contrast, he was very diligent, but simultaneously, he was gathering intel on the current Xi Dynasty. He wasn't very good at it and could only brute force it by eavesdropping on conversations by using his spiritual sense. Core formation and acupoint opening masters were still in the minority in the Xi Dynasty, so it was still relatively easy.
One of the first pieces of information Ba Shifang learned was that over twenty new masters had risen in the Xi Dynasty, immediately setting off alarm bells in Ba Shifang's mind. For the past thousand years, due to their shallow foundation, the Xi Dynasty only had around five Core Formation Masters, not considering the hidden force. Now there was suddenly twenty more in less than twenty years? Ba Shifang would have to be an idiot not to know something was wrong.
The second piece of information was that two ducal families were under house arrest, one of them being Duke Qi. Ba Shifang would gloat since he shared Tianyi's likes and dislike, so he naturally disliked the Jiang Family that mistreated Daoyi, but in this case, Ba Shifang couldn't feel any joy. The Four Dukes were crucial to the Xi Dynasty as they were the second-tier powers of the country, but now half them were sealed.
Ba Shifang and Tianyi, who learned of this, were conflicted on whether or not to contact them. Even if the Qi Ducal Estate didn't have much relationship with Daoyi anymore, this blood connection was still valuable. Before contacting them, Tianyi wanted to gather more information, and the more he learned, the grimmer his expression became.
Starting ten years ago, the Xi Emperor began to conscript citizens to join the army. Not only that but the taxes had been increased several times. It wasn't just a single occurrence of this happening, but several times in the past ten years.
Tianyi could understand that conscription was necessary to deal with trouble at the borders and within, but the number of conscription was way too high. The biggest warning sign was that the Xi Emperor forcibly took over all the mercantile companies headquartered within the Xi Dynasty.
For an emperor that his mother praised as good for the people, the discontent within the nation was growing. How did Tianyi know? The residents of the capital were whispering it! If the people of the capital were already saying it, Tianyi didn't need to guess how bad it was everywhere else.
Hell, there were even rumors that the emperor was secretly sacrificing his people in order to forge a treasure. Tianyi scoffed at the notion. Whatever treasure could be created from that would be drowned in karmic sin and wouldn't even be good as the weakest artifact Mengfei had.
Finally, after a year, Tianyi couldn't sit still anymore and ordered Ba Shifang to sneak into the Jiang Family. Not only were the words on the street worrying, but Ba Shifang had yet to receive a reply from the communication talisman, and Su Bojing had yet to return. Even with Su Bojing's speed, he should have arrived at the Buzhou Immortal Sect with the immortal boat. Once there, with his mother could instantly come over with her Heaven, Earth, Man Unity Palace above the Huang Realm.
For the communication talisman, that was easy to explain. The message had been intercepted or extinguished, which wasn't uncommon. But for someone to do that to a Buzhou Immortal Sect's communication talisman, they would have to be in the Immortal Realm at least.
Tianyi had Ba Shifang say Mengfei's name in order to alert her, but it was all for naught as there was no reaction. There were certain conditions in order to alert the Sword Empress just by saying her name: the greater the relationship, the greater the attention.
Logically speaking, Tianyi speaking his mother's name would be the best condition, but he was hidden from causality, so even if he said it, Mengfei would not notice. Ba Shifang was Tianyi's clone, so there was enough connection to summon her, but there was no response. This meant that something was disrupting her powers.
Su Bojing's disappearance was harder to explain. There were two possibilities. Su Bojing had been attacked or killed on his way towards the sect, or his mother couldn't come to him. The first was most likely, but if it was the latter...
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Ba Shifang jumped over the walls of the Qi Ducal Estate and made his way to the main hall according to Tianyi's memories. Naturally, he was wearing a cloak-shaped artifact that hid his presence so that no one would notice his actions. Most would still think he was in the side palace allocated to Tianyi.
Ba Shifang saw Daoyi's father with a deep frown on his face inside the main hall. After ensuring that no one else was present, the clone revealed his presence, scaring Duke Qi into a defensive position.
"Who are you!" Duke Qi demanded.
"You don't have to know." Ba Shifang replied. Are you kidding? Tianyi didn't want to reveal too much, even if he was asking Daoyi's family. At most, their ancestor was a Core Formation Realm cultivator, which was worth fart to an immortal. "All you have to do is answer my questions. If you obediently answer my questions, good for you. If not..."
Ba Shifang left Duke Qi to fill in his unsaid words, causing the man to sweat in fear. "You!"
Just as Duke Qi was about to erupt in rage and call the guards, an echoing voice was heard. "Please forgive my son's rudeness, Your Highness. If you would follow my son, I will answer all your questions."