Chapter 475: Gazing at Qi, Observing Fate (4K)

"Senior Sister Ji, Senior Aunt Snow Qiong!"

Before the gates of the Crown Prince's Palace, gazing upon the party from the Heavenly Intention Sect, Crown Princess Si Li'er smiled like a blooming flower.

The party from the Heavenly Intention Sect fixed their eyes upon this Crown Princess.

Si Li'er, they were naturally familiar with.

This was the heavenly prodigy daughter of the Si family, possessing an innate Dao body.

Yet now this Crown Princess radiated brilliance all over her body.

Ji Ziyu's beautiful eyes fell upon Si Li'er with some astonishment, and there were still ripples in the depths of her gaze.

Originally, I thought that if Si Li'er joined the Eastern Province Zhang clan, her cultivation would certainly be affected to some extent, but now it seems she has indeed been affected—only her progress has become even faster.

This caused some ripples in Ji Ziyu's heart.

Actually, the Ji clan had previously inquired about her wishes, but she had outright refused with a single word.

Now it appears that marrying into the Eastern Province Zhang clan may not hinder one's Dao path at all, but rather could allow one to hitch a ride on the Eastern Province Zhang clan's rising fortune, becoming the ancestral founder of a holy king's lineage.

The ancestral founder of a holy king's lineage naturally has an extremely great opportunity to achieve the Dao of immortals in the future.

Not to mention the possibility of gaining yet another innate emperor, with the holy king as a backing...

"Please, all of you, enter the palace for detailed discussion!"

Si Li'er and Zhang Zhao welcomed everyone with smiling faces, guiding them inside.

Inside the Crown Prince's Palace, after learning the purpose of the Heavenly Intention Sect's party, Zhang Zhao and Si Li'er quickly settled the specific preferential terms with them.

Even without seeing the main figure, or even upon seeing old friends, the Heavenly Intention Sect's party still did not linger long in the Crown Prince's Palace.

However, after leaving the Crown Prince's Palace, Ji Ziyu clearly noticed that You Jiang's expression gradually calmed.

Freed from worry, she became even more composed.

It was evident that she had already accepted the fact of soon entering the Great Xia Hou Ting.

In fact, given her current connections, marrying into the Great Xia Hou Ting was by no means a bad outcome.

Si Li'er is precisely such an example.

After marrying into the Great Xia dynasty, her cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds!

Observing Si Li'er's complexion, she has already smoothly stepped into the Yin God Venerable realm.

A Yin God Venerable around two hundred years old is astonishing even within the interiors of the major holy king clans.

Moreover, she has now lost the You family as her backing, and her days with the Heavenly Intention Sect have become increasingly difficult.

The innate Dao body is indeed splendid.

But it also requires taking sides; one can no longer easily maintain a transcendent position.

During these years, many true immortal clans, and even various holy king clans to varying degrees, have extended olive branches to her—though there has been no coercion or inducement yet, who knows what dangers may await her in the long run?

After You Jiang's heart felt relieved, she instead became enthusiastic and energetic.

This change of hers was seen by the cultivators of the Heavenly Intention Sect, each with their own expressions, silently sighing.

Ji Xueqiong's expression remained unchanged from beginning to end, but her heart kept questioning the "Great Master Venerable" within the Extreme Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram.

"Great Master, how is Si Li'er's fate? Could you possibly see through that layer of dynastic dragon aura?"

"This female cultivator of the Si family originally possessed unusually thick fate, blessed by the Eastern Province Zhang clan's fate, her entire fate vast and magnificent, her destiny's depths already revealing a phoenix fate—she is one with heavenly immortal fate, moreover seeing within her abundant purple aura, deep blessings, so she may yet in the future be honored as an ancestor!"

That female voice remained still plain and bland, without any trace of astonishment.

It seemed that such fate, to her, was merely so.

"Heavenly immortal fate?"

Ji Xueqiong's beautiful eyes deepened, ripples surging—this could indeed be called an extremely high evaluation.

Even as formidable as she, even having obtained the Extreme Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram, this special supreme treasure, she had received only such an evaluation.

But in this process, how many encounters and trials she had endured, only she herself knew.

Ji Xueqiong's expression turned thoughtful; she had previously seen Si Li'er.

Although Si Li'er was said to possess a precious innate Dao body, in her Great Master Venerable's mouth, the evaluation had not been so high.

Previously, her fate was at most merely a recorded green disc!

That is, the appearance of a true immortal.

To produce such a change in a short time, the cause need not be mentioned.

From one leaf knowing autumn, Ji Xueqiong could also estimate how mighty the fate of that innate emperor must be!

"Then, Great Master, what is the fate of that Eastern Palace Crown Prince?"

Ji Xueqiong again inquired about Zhang Zhao's fate.

In the Eastern Palace, the Eastern Palace Crown Prince Zhang Zhao, compared to the Crown Princess who possessed an innate Dao body, appeared considerably inferior.

His presence had always been low.

This time's reception of the guests was also centered on the Crown Princess Si Li'er.

"His fate is like seeing flowers through mist, his entire body covered by the great fate protected by the emperor stars, yet he still cannot escape my divine powers!

I observe that at the depths of his brow, purple aura penetrates the heavens—his son-of-heaven fate must already be formed, and deeper in his life palace, I see many more fate-heavenly pillars—he must indeed bear heavenly fate, his purple palace fate supreme and noble, moreover, hidden deep in his brow are concealed dragon and tiger, the three palaces of heaven already established—his achievements I fear may even surpass that little girl of the Si family, though exactly how, I cannot fully fathom!"

Speaking to the end, that voice carried a hint of solemnity.

This caused Ji Xueqiong's expression to feel slightly surprised.

The Eastern Palace Crown Prince appeared ordinary, merely somewhat handsome, yet unexpectedly turned out to be one of those who pretend to be pigs to eat tigers.

After a slight pause, that voice suddenly said.

"Moreover, I have discovered that in this Haojing City there seems to be an object that complements and completes the Extreme Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram, greatly aiding your path to the Dao!"

Speaking to the end, that voice became unusually serious.

"It appears that I am indeed deeply connected with this Haojing City!"

Ji Xueqiong's beautiful face showed a hint of complex emotion for the first time.

By now, she no longer resisted this marriage alliance.

Marrying a congenital emperor, or even a powerful one with hope of achieving the Sacred King Dao Fruit, was in no way a disgrace to her.

In ancient myth and legend, the consorts of those primordial Sacred Kings— which one did not gain great achievements alongside the Sacred King?

For example, the principal wife of Emperor Yu, the Tushan clan, likewise followed Emperor Yu in ascending to the Heavenly Gate and attained considerable accomplishments.

And the other consorts and concubines of the primordial Sacred Kings— most were able to leave virtuous names in myth, honored as ancestors.

……

Half a year later, the grand wedding proceeded as scheduled.

The scale of this wedding was not inferior to that of the previous crown prince's wedding.

The Ji family of Southern Divine Prefecture prepared an even grander display.

The bridal entourage surpassed that of the Yi family by one or two points.

The dowry alone stretched for dozens of li, including numerous precious heavenly treasures and spirit beasts, and eight colossal divine beasts were sent— among them the true dragon, qilin, yellow bird, biefang, white tiger, black tortoise, Chongming, and qingluan.

Such a spectacle instantly made the entire city of Haojing bustle with excitement.

It was truly a wedding worthy of immortals.

Moreover, numerous powerful members of the affiliated immortal sects and Daoist lineages were also sent as part of the dowry, to serve as support for the Ji clan in the Great Summer Hou Ting.

This was to prevent their daughter from suffering humiliation at her in-laws'.

Such a custom has existed since ancient times.

But in mundane marriages, the dowry consists of maidservants, or perhaps young manservants, or accountants, midwives, artisans, martial artists, and so on.

Only the Ji family could offer living divine beasts, primordial spirit true persons, and even true immortals as dowry.

This also shows how highly the Ji family values Ji Xueqiong.

……

Fengzhi Palace

Qi Yuhua listened to the commotion ahead, a ripple in the depths of her eyes, but she did not take it to heart.

Not that she was not jealous, but she knew her time to accompany Zhang Jian was already limited.

She had already accompanied Zhang Jian for nearly a full sixty-year cycle.

Ordinary couples perhaps long ago had nothing left but two lonely graves.

Yet she still stood in Fengzhi Palace, with children by her side— what more could she possibly lack?

Zhang Jian had previously discussed with her that in a few years he would seal her lifespan in ice, prematurely sink into slumber, to await the day the entire household lifts residence and ascends.

"Mother!"

At this moment, Zhang Zhao stood behind her.

Not far away stood Zhang Xian, whose visage bore several similarities to Zhang Zhao's.

Qi Yuhua turned back, looked over, and said with a smile: "Quite lively— you two go take a look, no need to worry, Empress!"

Zhang Zhao's gaze fell on Zhang Xian, who waved at him.

"Crown Prince Brother, you just go— out there, you're definitely needed, otherwise the court up and down won't know how to gossip about you two!"

Zhang Zhao glanced once more at Qi Yuhua, then stepped forward and left Fengzhi Palace.

After Zhang Zhao departed, Zhang Xian laughed and said.

"Empress Mother, I want to eat some crispy meat!"

Qi Yuhua gazed at him with a touch of indulgence and said.

"Good, Empress Mother will prepare it right away!"

The two female attendants nearby watched this scene, their expressions faintly smiling.

Probably only the Prince of Xingjun could make the Empress Qi reveal such a smile.

……

Meanwhile, in the Western Palace.

Bai Li Ying also saw this scene, a faint hint of melancholy hidden in the depths of her beautiful eyes.

In the distance, Zhang Yi closed his eyes, sitting cross-legged, countless qi and blood surging through his body, azure-black dragon scales appearing on his skin.

Zhang Yi likewise was not overly enamored with the outside festivities; instead, he seized the opportunity to devour a white jade spirit fruit, refining it directly in the Western Palace, thereby tempering his inner bloodline.

Watching this, Bai Li Ying secretly shook her head, then stepped forward and left the palace gates.

After Bai Li Ying departed, Zhang Yi opened his eyes, glanced, and secretly shook his head.

He also did not know how to handle this matter.

……

One emperor, two consorts, simultaneously bowing in marriage— the Great Summer Emperor's fortunate fate was for a time the talk of the court.

The beauty of the Ji and Yi women needs no further comment.

Many officials and nobles who had seen the Qingyan dignitaries, when they mentioned the queen consorts and ladies after a long interval, still expressed great admiration.

Not long after the Ji clan entered the court, they were ennobled as Imperial Noble Consort, rank equal to the Vice Empress.

Residing in the Jixian Palace.

The Yi clan as Noble Consort, residing in the Lan Garden.

The two women marrying into the Great Summer Hou Ting undoubtedly brought considerable impact to the Great Summer dynasty and to the many civil and military officials under its rule.

Zhang Jian also kept his promise, releasing part of the Yi clan's strong ones, though they remained confined in a specific environment, awaiting pardon.

The marriage alliance between the Eastern Prefecture Zhang clan and the Ji and Yi clans did not affect the overall situation of the Eastern Divine Prefecture.

Three months later, the Tongshan Dao Tong and the Great Summer dynasty jointly issued a notice: the Great Summer dynasty would begin truly accepting the vast territories under the Tongshan Dao Tong's rule.

The Si family of Guyi Prefecture was the first to respond to the announcement of the Tongshan Dao Tong, declaring that the Great Yu Dynasty would recognize the status of the Great Xia Dynasty as the suzerain state.

And they announced that the many subordinate forces under their five hundred prefectures would also obey the laws of the Great Xia Dynasty and honor the Great Xia Dynasty as the suzerain state.

One stone stirred up a thousand waves!

This was only the beginning, as many prefecture Dao Tong, immortal sects, and secular dynasties under the Tongshan Dao Tong successively announced their incorporation into the territory of the Great Xia Dynasty, obeying the edicts of the Great Xia Dynasty and acknowledging the rule of the Eastern Great Xia Dynasty.

Upon the appearance of this announcement, many deities sensed that above Haojing City, there was, as if substantial, dragon qi and imperial qi, and the magnificent imperial qi manifested into a magnificent Imperial Dao Star.

The radiance of the imperial qi gradually rose to the zenith, suffusing the entire Eastern Xuanzhou Divine Prefecture.

Beneath the radiance of the Imperial Star, countless dragon qi dharma prohibitions, along with each major power and even secular dynasties acknowledging the rule of the Great Xia Dynasty and willing to bow as subjects, saw the power of dragon qi suffusing these prefectures.

Yet within the dragon qi dharma prohibitions, the power of Zhang Jian's Mountains and Rivers Statecraft Diagram was pervasive.

Haojing City, the Hall of Containing the Origin, upon the imperial throne.

A magnificent emperor, his entire body entwined with intensely brilliant purple-yellow divine light.

At this moment, as Zhang Jian focused his thoughts, his primordial spirit seemed to merge with the Eastern Xuanzhou Divine Prefecture beneath his feet, and the power of the magnificent divine state's earth gradually came under his control.

Zhang Jian's gaze swept toward one direction in the void.

In that direction, he sensed a magnificent divine dao will, which firmly held a portion of earthly authority, approximately occupying one-third of the Dongxuan Divine Prefecture.

"State Altar Divine Dao?"

Zhang Jian's gaze perceived this scene, and his pupils flickered slightly.

The State Altar Divine Dao is the divine dao orthodoxy recognized by the heavenly realm's celestial court; the other party had never been hostile toward him, and even after he revealed a portion of the State Altar Emperor's authority, they still took no action.

What the other party was thinking, he did not know!

But since the other party had shown him courtesy, he would not act to display hostility.

At this moment, the rolling divine prefecture's earthly authority merged into the innate Emperor's authority, and Zhang Jian could clearly perceive the advancement of his own State Altar Emperor's authority.

The Mountains and Rivers Statecraft Diagram merged with the earthly qi of the Eastern Xuanzhou Divine Prefecture, and countless new heaven-earth runes began to proliferate.

The "Heart of Dimension" further melted.

It was evolving toward the fourth stage of immortal arts.

At this moment, its power surged dramatically!

Zhang Jian clearly sensed that, in this transformation, most of the Eastern Xuanzhou Divine Prefecture's territory gradually became his divine domain and divine administration.

And this was also what the several ancient immortals of the Tongshan Dao Tong had sought.

With Zhang Jian, this innate Emperor, in control of the entire Eastern Xuanzhou Divine Prefecture, any calamitous qi arising on the earth could possibly be sensed in advance by him and thus dispelled at its inception.

Within the imperial qi, even with Zhang Jian's Dao heart at this moment, he could not help but reveal a trace of joy.

Although some areas remained uncovered by the Nine Cauldrons Boundary, this was merely a matter of time.

Compared to the growth of the Great Xia Dynasty's dragon qi and imperial qi, Zhang Jian at this moment was more concerned with one other matter.

That was to continue the ancestral sacrifices.

Now that the Eastern Xuanzhou Divine Prefecture was fully unified, taking this opportunity to enter the ancestral temple and "shear wool" would surely yield great returns.

……

In Haojing City, at the moment when that purple-yellow imperial star condensed and took shape, manifesting in the world.

Within the imperial city, many cultivators also sensed this magnificent change.

"Truly a matchless power!"

In the Jixian Palace, Ji Xueqiong twirled her hair into an elegant noblewoman's coiffure, her wondrous eyes perceiving the changes in heaven and earth, and her jade-like countenance also showed some color shift.

At this moment, a voice came from within a dao diagram deep in her primordial spirit.

"It is this power!"

Ji Xueqiong's eyes twitched.

Her great master had previously mentioned to her that within Haojing City, there existed a power that complemented and completed her innate immortal treasure, and now it appeared that this power resided upon the body of the Great Xia Emperor.

This, conversely, made things simple!