Chapter 358: Qi Clan, Bai Clan

After the establishment of Great Xia, the capital remained Haojing City, the land where four dynasties rose.

However, the division of the imperial palace underwent some subtle changes.

The residences of the original empress, empress dowager, and even grand empress dowager of Great Qian were all demolished and rebuilt by skilled artisans versed in the arts.

Zhang Jian also took the opportunity to relocate the foundation of the Huangting Blessed Land into the rear court, firstly to suppress the qi of fortune, and secondly to prepare for the cultivation of princes and consorts.

Since his path is that of an ancient sage-king, he will gradually lift the dragon qi prohibitions on palace consorts and even court officials.

The Huangting Dharma Realm, which gradually evolved into a cave heaven, is an excellent place for cultivation.

Moreover, it can seize the Qian fortune!

However, Zhang Jian did not move any of the original items in the Zhang family residence; instead, he entrusted them to Zhang Fu for management.

Including that jujube tree which had already transformed into a spirit tree.

……

At this moment, deep in the inner palace, within a magnificent palace, Bai Liying swept her gaze over the interior and exterior; her bright eyes held something subtle, and even though a day had passed, there were still ripples in the depths of her eyes.

No matter how one looked at it, she had never imagined that Zhang Jian could have reached such a point.

Not only did he successfully manifest his primordial spirit in a short time, but he also overturned heaven and earth to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor.

At her side at this moment was Bai Nu.

Bai Nu gazed upon the vast palace before him; this place was the Western Palace, and Bai Liying's investiture as empress had already been settled.

Upon the founding of Great Xia, there would be two empresses: the Central Palace Empress Qi, and the Western Palace Empress Bai Liying.

The two palaces stood side by side, with the Central Palace Empress as principal, overseeing the affairs of the six palaces, while the Western Palace Empress was also a principal wife, but merely maintained a unique independence, possessing highly autonomous authority.

Bai Liying had no objection to this enfeoffment; although she had received the investiture as Western Palace Empress, she still wished only to wholeheartedly pursue the Dao and had no desire to concern herself with worldly affairs.

"Daughter, do you still wish to return to the True Dragon Dao Academy?"

Bai Nu looked at Bai Liying, his eyes holding a hint of questioning.

Bai Liying heard this, pondered slightly, then after a moment shook her head and said.

"Father, my cultivation has already reached the peak of Ce Ming; next comes the perfection of magical power, striving to condense a golden core—I intend to temporarily remain in Haojing City!"

Bai Liying's eyes held an expectant look.

Condensing a golden core is not merely a change in one's magical power and techniques, but also a tremendous transformation in lifespan and divine abilities.

She had originally been somewhat worried, fearing she could not condense a superior golden core, but now, having been invested as Western Palace Empress and receiving guidance from a primordial spirit true person, condensing a superior golden core is no problem.

Bai Nu nodded slightly and said.

"With His Majesty personally guiding you, condensing a superior golden core should pose no difficulty, but have you considered remaining permanently within the rear court..."

Bai Nu glanced at Bai Liying, then paused slightly.

He and Zhang Jian had also discussed this carefully; Zhang Jian, by walking the path of the ancient sage-king, must necessarily establish a sage-king's dynasty, and thus the court would naturally not be able to accommodate only mundane people, but also cultivators.

Great Xia will cultivate its own cultivators, even to the extent of forming a sage-king lineage.

If Bai Liying remains, as Western Palace Empress, during the allocation of resources she will certainly receive the utmost lavish bestowal.

After all, among the two palace empresses, the other has never cultivated.

Bai Liying, by walking the path of longevity immortality and also practicing the divine way, thus possesses a great advantage.

Bai Liying shook her head and sighed: "His Majesty has His Majesty's way, and I also have my own path to walk; compared to within the palace, I prefer the great rivers and lakes, where I can be more free and unfettered!"

"You..."

Upon hearing this, Bai Nu felt a faint sigh in his heart, also some helplessness.

However, he also knew Bai Liying had always been thus; she is a free and unfettered fish, and even after attaining human form, her nature remains unchanged.

Yet, to still uphold one's resolve in the face of such fortune and opportunity is also a good thing.

Bai Liying again turned her gaze to Bai Nu and asked.

"Father, your cultivation should also have been completely restored; you are likely on the verge of transforming into a dragon—how certain are you?"

Bai Nu's eyes were calm as he smiled: "If His Majesty had not yet founded the state, I would have had less than thirty percent certainty, but now I have at least sixty percent!"

Cultivating in secret within the dragon veins, drawing upon the power of the Red Dragon Pearl, this supreme treasure, he has gained immensely—not only recovering from his injuries, but also purifying his bloodline, allowing his bloodline concentration, and even his flood dragon destiny, to be reborn anew.

Moreover, now protected by the nation's fortune, by this means suppressing his heart demons, the various conditions for passing the tribulation have already been fulfilled; furthermore, with the protection of the Great Xia Emperor, naturally his certainty has greatly increased.

Bai Liying, upon hearing this, felt joy in her heart for Bai Nu.

After cultivating for thousands of years, finally obtaining the opportunity to transform into a dragon—this is the lifelong wish of all flood dragons.

Moreover, possessing the support of Great Xia's national fortune, once Bai Nu succeeds in transforming into a dragon, he may even have the chance to awaken a somewhat stronger dragon bloodline, as well as a true dragon destiny.

The earlier Bai Nu breaks through, the more, as he finds his footing, he will be able to accomplish something in Great Xia!

After the father and daughter had discussed a few matters, just as their footsteps hesitated, they saw in the distance a strong and vigorous youth pacing outside the palace, somewhat hesitating.

That youth was tall and sturdy, with a faint sword mark at the corner of his eye, a valiant air about him, and thick brows and large eyes.

His cultivation was not high, merely at the late stage of Foundation Establishment after Ce Ming.

Upon seeing this youth, Bai Liying immediately felt something in her heart.

Bai Nu, seeing this, smiled and said.

"He is Yi Er!"

At this moment, Zhang Yi also saw Bai Liying, his expression complex.

……

And just as Bai Liying and her son were reunited.

In Fengzhi Palace, Qi Yuhua and her daughter also gathered together.

During this founding of Great Xia, the elders of the Guangling Immortal Sect were also on the invitation list, especially the master and disciple of Yuxiao True Lord.

After eight years apart, Zhang Chang'an has already grown into a tall young lady; she is slender and graceful, her features exquisite, and her person exudes an air of ancient liveliness and quaint charm.

After eight years apart, mother and daughter also have endless words to say to each other.

"Chang'an, if this time you don't comply, just stay in Haojing City. Your father is also a Primordial Spirit Grand True Person; with his guidance, you certainly won't be worse off than under your master!"

In the palace, Qi Yuhua held Zhang Chang'an's hand, her eyes full of reluctance.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chang'an hesitated somewhat; she had only just cultivated her magical power, and although the Jade Flute True Lord allowed her to return this time, she could not stay long, as the Jade Flute True Lord had arranged many trials for her afterward. She had promised the Jade Flute True Lord and was unwilling to break her word.

She immediately turned her pleading gaze toward Zhang Zhao beside her.

Seeing her predicament, Zhang Zhao helplessly said: "Empress, didn't you prepare Chang'an's favorite crispy pork for her? How could you forget?"

Qi Yuhua suddenly understood and quickly ordered Yuyu and Qu Lian to prepare beside her. She glanced at Zhang Zhao, who was exceptionally sharp-witted—how could she not know Zhang Chang'an's dilemma?

Qi Yuhua also did not wish for Zhang Chang'an to be overly troubled.

And almost simultaneously, the formal investiture decree for the Hall of Supreme Harmony arrived.

"Investiture: appointing Consort Qi as Empress in the Central Palace, appointing Grand General of the Imperial Guards Qi Yuan si as Imperial Son-in-Law, and bestowing upon him the title of Duke Dingguo!"

"Investiture: appointing the eldest imperial daughter as Princess Anping!"

"Investiture: appointing Consort Bai as Empress of the Western Palace, appointing the eldest imperial son Zhang Yi as Prince of Nan'an!"