Chapter 2954: Smoothly Beyond Imagination

The female official took the jade bottle: "Follow me."

After saying that, she walked back in the opposite direction of the imperial garden, moving with light and swift steps.

No one was seen along the way back, only the soft murmurs of insects.

But no one being present does not mean there is no power guarding this place. For example, the Crescent Gate they had just passed— the two dragon beasts carved on the gate lifted their heads to glance as they walked beneath it, then withdrew upon sensing the female official's aura.

These two are called Chi Cocoons, guardian beasts driven by the lingering souls of Chi, recognizing only a limited number of auras; once they detect an intruder sneaking in, they instantly transform into massive beasts to block the path.

If Xiao Yu had not been following beside the female official, no matter how many times she had come here before, she would immediately be judged as an intruder and attacked.

This is merely one part of the defenses of the Vaulted Palace; similar measures exist in dozens of other places. The Vaulted Palace at night appears tranquil and peaceful, but in truth it is truly a dragon's pool and tiger's den— outsiders cannot take a single step inside.

The female official's privilege to move freely here was earned through her own sixty-plus years of loyalty.

She did not take the main road, but instead took a side path circling to the left of the imperial garden, until she stopped before a massive camphor tree.

This tree stands twenty zhang tall, its vast canopy covered in pink-white blossoms, exuding a strange fragrance.

The female official stopped: "This is the place.

"7

She knew there were still some restrictions in the grove, but they only sensed her aura and did not activate.

"This?" Xiao Yu wondered aloud, "Is this the route the Emperor must take?"

Though it is a side path, the flowers and plants along the way have been meticulously trimmed to extraordinary neatness, and the pebble path is spotless.

Having been in the palace for a long time, she knows servants love to slack off, and places the master rarely visits are often neglected. But this side path is spotless, with not a single pebble missing or damaged— certainly someone important passes through regularly.

Is it the Emperor who frequently comes and goes?

But how does the female official confirm that he will definitely pass through here tonight?

"The Emperor has recently reached a critical stage in his cultivation; every night before practicing, he must come here to drink rootless water as a primer for taking pills." The female official pointed to the camphor tree, "This tree originally stood in the Ganquan Palace; the rootless water drawn from its leaves has the miraculous effect of opening apertures, protecting the mind, and repelling evil. The entire Ganquan Palace was built for it. After the Grand Preceptor Qingyang died, the Demon Emperor had it transplanted here, and since then rarely returns to the Ganquan Palace."

"The Demon Emperor dislikes anyone standing beneath this tree, so there is not a single guard here." The female official produced the jade bottle, "He always relaxes completely beneath it, and the path from here to the main hall is lined with pavilions and towers, with no trees left— perfect for us to set up a surprise."

She clearly understands that her actions today relate to the Divine Descent Plan of the Lingxu Holy Venerable, to the relationship between Beijia and the Lingxu multitude, and also to the future of the entire heavenly realm.

In short, it is of great importance; she cannot afford to make a mistake.

Xue Nao had been waiting ahead for a quarter of an hour when he saw the female official return, her steps indeed much lighter.

Afterwards, the two led the servants away from the Vaulted Palace, each going their own way.

From now until the Emperor returns to the palace, the entire Vaulted Palace will be in a sealed state. Only a small number of guards will be on duty, strictly forbidding idle people from wandering about, and even the female official herself may not enter alone.

After finishing today's work, she still must walk over three thousand steps back to the Ganquan Palace, and must hurry to sleep, for after the Dragon God Festival, the female official must return to the Vaulted Palace to attend the Demon Emperor.

But after walking only a few dozen steps, she turned back to look at the entrance of the Vaulted Palace, her expression and gaze completely different from before.

"The show is about to begin." She stretched, then asked the palace maid beside her, "How long have I been asleep?"

"Seventy-eight years."

The female official blinked slightly: "This time, it really was long enough."

"Among all the incarnations of the Xinying God, you are the one who has slept the longest, and also the one closest to the Demon Emperor." Xiao Yu said, "Most other incarnations have only hidden for less than thirty years; some have already completed two or three cycles of reincarnation."

"After dawn, I too should return. The life of mortals is truly dull— this woman has spent her entire life serving others, yet even takes pride in it." The female official yawned again, then slowly walked back to her residence.

Using this aged body really feels ineffective.

At evening sunset, the festival began on schedule, with civil and military officials lined up.

The Dragon God's sacrificial ceremony of the dragon clan is unlike others, held at sunset and continuing until past the chou hour of midnight before being declared complete.

This is because in the stillness of deep night, the emperor can better communicate with ancestors and comprehend the will of heaven.

Including Nie Xiaolou and the Xiaoguo State Preceptor, all relevant personnel kept their nerves taut, strictly guarding against unexpected incidents.

Although Lingxu City is the Demon Emperor's domain, is it not also the heavenly god's earthly palace? The heavenly palace has operated here for over six hundred years, nearly infiltrating every major clan, standing in the homes of officials on mountain peaks— one could find few who do not revere the gods.

But officials participating in the rites are also an essential part of the ceremony; it is impossible to drive them out, which directly relates to turmoil in the Wang Ting.

Therefore, only security can be heightened, made so strict that not even a fly can fly in.

And as required by the Demon Emperor, during the festival, no divine power fluctuations may occur within ten li of the Dragon God Temple! Once detected, General Qingwu and his troops will mercilessly move forward to seize people—

They truly did seize seven or eight people, but under interrogation, found none were assassins.

—

The atmosphere at the sacrificial site, more solemn and grave than solemnity itself, was one of grass and trees seeming like enemies.

The heavenly palace also sent a Chief Du Yun Envoy, accompanying the observation. He is naturally a key focus of General Qingwu's attention, but he stood far from the Demon Emperor, made no extra movements throughout, only responsible for standing still and performing rites.

Until the chou hour, the Demon Emperor emerged from the Quiet Contemplation Chamber of the Dragon God Temple, ending his meditative state.

The sacrifice ended, peacefully and without incident.

Only then did everyone finally exhale in relief, letting go of their tension.

Afterwards, the Demon Emperor once again rode auspicious clouds, returning to the palace city amidst countless crowds.

This round trip took five hours, smooth and untroubled, with not a single setback.

After seeing the Demon Emperor off, the officials also had to disperse. The Xiaoguo State Preceptor immediately said to Nie Xiaolou: "Smoothly beyond imagination."

She was somewhat surprised. This sacrifice was guarded with extreme strictness, yet it was truly the best opportunity for the heavenly gods to act against the Demon Emperor— if they had the will.

But the heavenly gods showed no movement at all, and the sacrificial process went very smoothly, which instead made the Xiaoguo State Preceptor feel strange.

General Qingwu Hong Chenglüe also asked in a low voice: "Could it be that they truly sincerely wish to reconcile with the Emperor?"

After all, the Lingxu Holy Venerable has said many times, and it is very reasonable:

Relying solely on the heavenly gods' small numbers is insufficient to govern the human world. Even if the myriad gods descend, Beijia still has much to contribute.

The two state preceptors glanced at each other, both shaking their heads.