Chapter 450

The Grand Emperor and Grand Empress were getting on in years, and after the festivities, they no longer wished to remain in the bustling Eastern Palace.

Surrounded by a throng of palace maids and eunuchs, the two gradually returned to their sleeping chambers.

Naturally, a few richly dressed youths in princely attire and noble garments remained by their side.

These young men and women were the children born to Zhang Yi and Qi Ruolan over the past twenty or thirty years.

Nourished by elixirs and immortal medicines, the couple enjoyed robust health and a carefree, plump disposition, thus beginning to develop in this direction—these were still the offspring of Zhang Yi and Lady Zhang Qi.

Meanwhile, the princes born to Zhang Yi's other consorts and beauties were even more numerous.

On another side, Qi Yuanwu, Qi Yuansi, and the other Qi in-laws, upon seeing this scene, also smiled and stepped out of the main hall, yielding the space to those who enjoyed the liveliness.

Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuansi were both past sixty, even reaching the age of seventy.

Though the Qi family was a martial lineage, neither of them excelled in martial cultivation; had it not been for Zhang Jian frequently bestowing them with nourishing elixirs, they likely could not have withstood the erosion of time, burdened by a hundred ailments.

By contrast, Princess Qingfeng and Qi Wan Shi grew ever more youthful in appearance.

The two were dignified and splendid, chatting and laughing at this moment, attended by a group of palace maids and matrons.

Next came a series of lovely young women.

Most of these lovely young women were descendants of the Qi clan.

The majority had delicate features, and several were exceptionally beautiful, rivaling the famed Five Beauties of the Qi clan in their prime.

In the distance, Qi Yuhua witnessed this scene, standing beside Zhang Jian, her eyes also holding a smile—yet as she watched the unsteady steps of Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuansi, a faint sense of time's passage lingered in the depths of her gaze.

Unable to help herself, she gripped Zhang Jian's hand, and he gently patted hers in return.

He empathized deeply with Qi Yuhua's feelings.

Time had left deep marks upon others.

Fortunately, he had Qi Yuhua, and those around him.

"Mother!"

At that moment, beside her, Zhang Chang'an's lovely eyes followed Qi Yuhua's gaze to rest upon Qi Yuansi and Qi Wan Shi.

At this time, she was tall and slender, her features bearing a three-part resemblance to Qi Yuhua, equally refined and exquisite; standing together, they did not look like mother and daughter, but rather like sisters.

A look of sigh appeared on Qi Yuhua's jade-like countenance as she gazed at Zhang Chang'an and spoke.

"Chang'an, when you were young, your grandmother and great-grandmother once held you in their arms—they may not have much time left, and your visits are few, so do take a good look at them!"

Zhang Chang'an nodded slightly.

"Mother, I know!"

Behind them, within the Eastern Palace, Zhang Zhao was receiving guests, appearing at this moment as if he could drink a thousand cups without intoxication, his bearing composed, his face lit with a spring-like smile.

He rarely revealed his own emotions.

This was a rare display of his inner joy.

Clearly, he was very pleased with Lady Yi'er.

Zhang Jian and Qi Yuhua left the palace; Qi Yuhua was reluctant to part with Zhang Chang'an and Zhang Xian, so she summoned them to the Fengzhi Palace, where the mother and son prepared to speak privately.

Zhang Jian then stepped forward, heading out of the palace.

Tonight, there were equally distinguished guests within the palace who required his personal reception.

……

Yiyuan Hall

This grand hall was specially constructed for the Crown Prince's grand wedding as a reception palace.

The immortal terraces were lofty and towering.

At this moment, more than a dozen figures had already gathered within the hall, discussing Zhang Jian's suppression of the four true immortals of the Ji family.

From afar, Zhang Jian heard the voices of the Wuliang True Lord and the Fenghu True Lord; at this moment, he heard the Wuliang True Lord say:

"This time, the Ji family has gone too far—dispatching so many immortals, this conduct utterly disregards the dignity of our Tongshan Dao lineage; if we do not retaliate, they will claim we are easy to bully, and how then shall our Tongshan Dao lineage protect its disciples?"

Another voice rang out.

"Naturally, we must retaliate—I have heard that in several years, the Ji family's true heir, Ji Cang, will wed the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family; why not we also seize this marriage, an eye for an eye!"

This voice was not unfamiliar to Zhang Jian—it came from the Zijin True Lord.

Zhang Jian strode into the hall, only to see that the Tongshan Dao sectarians who had come to celebrate were indeed numerous, most of them familiar faces, including the Qingyun True Lord, the Wuliang True Lord, the Fenghu True Lord, the Zhuxing True Lord, the Zijin True Lord, and naturally, the Zhanmo True Lord, the Tiexin Daoist, as well as several sect elders, including the Chuan Gong Elder and the Chuan Fa Elder.

The Sect Leader, Youyuan True Lord, had also arrived.

Among the second-generation patriarchs were the Zidian Old Ancestor and the Qingyuan Old Ancestor.

Upon seeing Zhang Jian's arrival, all present wore smiling faces.

The atmosphere in the hall immediately grew lively.

Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon the Zidian Old Ancestor and the Qingyuan Old Ancestor as he spoke.

"Uncle Ancestor Qingyuan, Uncle Ancestor Zidian—had it not been for your full support this time, the Great Xia might not have smoothly overcome this crisis; I, the disciple, hereby offer my thanks first."

Zhang Jian immediately rose, lifted the wine goblet from the sandalwood table, and offered two cups to them.

The Zidian Old Ancestor waved his hand, indicating Zhang Jian need not observe these formalities, and said with a smile:

"I have already heard the specifics from your uncle ancestor—given your cultivation, you actually need no sect intervention; you are equally capable of handling the Ji family, the Qin family, and even the powerful ones of the barbarian wilderness!"

Zhang Jian laughed.

"Uncle Ancestor overpraises me—had it not been for your uncle ancestor stepping forward to block the Ji family's strong ones, I, the disciple, would also struggle to oppose the many with the few!"

Upon hearing this, the Qingyuan Old Ancestor gave a light chuckle.

With Zhang Jian's displayed divine authority, even adding one more Ji Ning, let alone several more, would likely pose no problem.

Such humble words, he naturally would not take to heart.

Though all present were shrewd individuals, and though only a few sentences were spoken, one could still sense the underlying danger.

However, since it was Zhang Zhao's joyous day, no one dwelled on such unpleasant matters.

The master arrived, and with Zhang Jian, who as the dynasty's emperor was naturally eloquent and persuasive, the atmosphere in the main hall quickly improved.

Until the moon reached its zenith, the cultivators still felt unsatisfied.

……

After many cultivators had left, the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor and the Slay Demon True Monarch remained.

The Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor and the Slay Demon True Monarch wore smiles; only to see the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor wave his hand, a bolt of purple lightning emerged from deep within his palm, and a small beast was held in his hand, trembling.

It was a beast resembling a deer and a qilin, its entire body red and white, covered in alternating red and white scales; at this moment its eyes were closed, appearing somewhat……cute!

"Uncle-Grandmaster, this demon is……?"

Zhang Jian's eyes twitched slightly.

He had already learned of the events inside and outside Haojing City through a third party.

His gaze fell upon this small beast surrounded by intense heavenly and earthly laws, and he already knew its identity!

The Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor shook the small beast once or twice, then casually handed it to Zhang Jian, saying.

"This is a disaster beast, born from heavenly and earthly calamities, an aberrant species; it originally held the authority of calamity, but I have already abolished it!"

"Take a look—this thing is preparing to cause you trouble, to ransack your household!"

Zhang Jian did not take it, merely glanced at it and said with a smile.

"Since it is your harvest, Uncle-Grandmaster, please handle it yourself!"

The Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor shook his head and said.

"This fellow has no sense at all, and I have no interest in him; coincidentally, your Eastern Palace Crown Prince is getting married today, and as an elder, I have prepared no gift, so I will use this demon as a congratulatory present, wishing the newlyweds eternal unity and everlasting harmony!"

Having said this, the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor, Zhang Jian accordingly took the disaster beast.

Beside him, the Slay Demon True Monarch laughed and said.

"Using a disaster beast is indeed a treasure—its entire body is valuable; its flesh, blood, and essence can be refined into special pills, its horns and bones can be forged into spiritual treasures and immortal treasures, but the origin of this disaster beast is quite a trouble!"

"Does your master know its origin?"

Zhang Jian's gaze swept over.

The Slay Demon True Monarch nodded, a faint sigh flashing in her eyes as she said.

"If I am not mistaken, he should be the state preceptor rumored to come from the Three Sacred States, and also the master of myriad beasts in the wilderness!"

Meeting Zhang Jian's slightly astonished gaze, the Slay Demon True Monarch spoke solemnly.

"This little state preceptor is also known as the Myriad Calamities Demon God, the Myriad Calamities Heavenly Demon; tens of thousands of years ago he stirred up a great catastrophe, a great calamity; had it not been for the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor's mention just now, I would not have recalled it—this Myriad Calamities Heavenly Demon actually fell into the hands of the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor, and was even beaten into this state!"

Upon hearing this, the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor slightly lifted his eyelids and said.

"I did not expect this little fellow to have such a great reputation?"

The Slay Demon True Monarch eyed the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor suspiciously—given his status, he should not be unaware of the origin of this Myriad Calamities Heavenly Demon?

Or perhaps the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor simply looks down upon this Heavenly Immortal Demon God!

Quite right—given the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor's seniority, it is normal for him to look down upon this Heavenly Immortal Demon God.

After all, he is an ancient relic who has lived from primordial times to the present, his years long.

What peerless talents among demon gods, or what powerful beings he has not seen.

It seems noticing the Slay Demon True Monarch's gaze, the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor merely curled the corner of his mouth slightly; his eyes remained calm as ever, and he was savoring the fragrant tea in his mouth with interest.

Beside him, Zhang Jian's expression was somewhat calm.

Yet in his mind flashed information about the Three Sacred States.

The state preceptor of the Three Sacred States dominates the myriad demon and alien forces in the wilderness.

He also considers himself orthodox among the wilderness demons.

The Three Sacred States have ancient origins; it is said they originated from three primordial demon sages of antiquity; after the three demon sages left this realm, the Three Sacred States produced several demon emperors who dominated their era.

Each of these demon emperors possessed extraordinary talents, once causing the ancient immortals of the Eastern Xuan Divine Continent, and even the entire great realm, to suffer headaches.

They not only governed the wilderness, but once commanded the demon clans of the entire Zhou Mountain Great Realm, nearly overturning humanity's dominant position.

Although the Three Sacred States no longer hold their former prestige, they still dominate the wilderness, and are an existence that many powerful demon clans must fear.

The Tongshan Dao Tradition seeks to unify the Divine Continent, but cannot bypass the demon clans of the wilderness.

Zhang Jian spoke softly.

"The demon plots of the Three Sacred States against my Great Xia Dynasty—I will surely repay them in kind when the time comes!"

A hint of coldness appeared in Zhang Jian's eyes.

He does not seek trouble from those wilderness demon gods; actively cleansing the demon clans, these demon clans should be burning incense in gratitude—yet these demon clans dare to actively provoke the Zhang Clan of Eastern Prefecture!

Naturally, he is preparing to take advantage of the Tongshan Dao Tradition's expansion to utterly pacify the wilderness in one fell swoop!

Zhang Jian did not refer to himself by imperial title, but speaking these words with his current cultivation, they carry their own weight.

The Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor smiled faintly; he also knew that with Zhang Jian's current power as a Divine Path Emperor, threats to him from the wilderness are limited.

The Slay Demon True Monarch gazed at Zhang Jian, then suddenly said.

"A Yu, hearing Qing Yuan Uncle-Master mention it, you captured four true immortals of the Ji Clan this time—do you know where they are now? Are they still alive?"

Zhang Jian's eyes twitched slightly.

"Naturally, they are!"

A smile appeared in his eyes.

"Actually, it is not only them!"

"During my seclusion in the Qingping Dragon Palace, a Ji Clan true immortal secretly used a forbidden technique to harm me, and I captured him! Now I have merely sealed him!"

Zhang Jian raised his palm; from deep within his palm, five divine lights flowed forth.

Within the Yin Yang divine light, five figures appeared, completely turned into solid ice.

Gazing at these five figures, the Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor slightly turned his head and smiled, saying.

"Ayu, I never expected you to be so proficient in the Great Dao of Taiyin!"

Zhang Jian said humbly: "I only understand a little bit!"

Zidian Laozu glanced at Zhang Jian, somewhat speechless.

This Taiyin cold air still contains a trace of immortal and indestructible divinity—this is certainly not just a little bit!

Zhenzhen Zhenjun stared at the solid ice, unable to help but say:

"Five True Immortals, Ayu, you're probably going to wipe out the Ji family's True Immortals in one sweep!"

Zidian Laozu said upon hearing this.

"One sweep may be an overstatement, but losing these five True Immortals will at least hurt the bones and tendons!"

He spoke with a hint of a smile.

Zhang Jian, upon hearing this, showed some surprise; from Zidian Laozu's words, the strength of the Ji family was somewhat unexpected.

However, since the Ji family could extend into the outer void and establish a foothold there, their strength naturally would not be so simple.

True Immortals are rare in heaven and earth, but the Ji family has been accumulating since ancient times, so they certainly would not be lacking.

Zhenzhen Zhenjun laughed and said:

"As long as it hurts the bones and tendons, that's fine. Qingyuan Shibo mentioned that each of these fellows is worth a fortune—don't let the God of Wealth slip away!"

Zhang Jian, upon hearing this, understood.

This is the Ji family sending people over to prepare for negotiations.

But he is currently not prepared to negotiate with the Ji family.

Zhang Jian's gaze, suddenly, he asked again:

"Master, any news from the You family?"

Zhenzhen Zhenjun shook his head and said:

"None!"

At this moment, Zidian Laozu's gaze fell upon Zhang Jian, and he smiled:

"Ayu, you have slain this You family Celestial Immortal—probably the entire You family, up and down, is now highly tense!"

Celestial Immortal-level powerhouses are nearly the ceiling of this ancient great realm.

Since the Middle Ancient Sacred King severed heavenly communication, many great powers either ascended to the heavenly realm or chose to leave; few remain.

Slaying one Celestial Immortal, even if it is the Sacred King's family, strikes at the root.

According to what Zidian Laozu knows, the You family currently only has one Celestial Immortal stationed.

With this Celestial Immortal slain, the You family is likely more afraid than anything.

Now, they are probably worried about when Zhang Jian will come knocking to settle accounts.

It is utterly impossible, unlike the Ji family, to still be actively planning to resolve this grudge.

……

The next day, in the Zichen Palace, early in the morning, Zhang Zhao brought Shi Lier into the palace to pay respects to Zhang Jian.

At this moment, Zhang Jian gazed upon the young Zhang Zhao and his wife, and a hint of joy appeared in the depths of his eyes.

At this moment, he finally understood the thoughts of Zhang Yi and his wife back then.

It was comfort, and also release.

This thought arose, and Zhang Jian felt that one of his obsessions had become harmonious; he clearly felt that his primordial spirit and Dao heart, at this moment, seemed to receive great feedback, like a full moon, appearing perfectly round in an instant, ready at any moment to break through to a higher level.