Chapter 547: Ennoblement (Extra update, two-in-one)

Yunzhou, Annan Marquis Prefecture.

After that day.

Li Rui left the Qinghe villa and moved into the Annan Marquis Prefecture.

"Brother Li, our Majesty is truly a restorer; he actually found Bai Yujing as a backer. Those cultivators are one more obedient than the other."

In the courtyard.

Nie Siming's loud laughter rang out.

After that night, the chaos he imagined did not happen.

Those familiar with the cultivation world knew that those immortal dynasties that could stand for millions of years either had deep foundations or were supported by powerful immortal sects.

Although the Yu Kingdom had a decent foundation, it could only be considered a third-rate immortal dynasty in the cultivation world.

Finding a good backer was crucial.

"I heard the Immortal Envoy from Bai Yujing is actually Master Jiang."

"For him, I truly admire him from the bottom of my heart; he can mix well wherever he goes."

Nie Siming said.

Li Rui listened with a smile on the side.

He had already obtained intelligence from the court.

With Bai Yujing's protection, the Great Yu would prosper for a millennium without question.

The reason Bai Yujing was willing to protect a secular dynasty that had just come from the Small Cave Heaven, besides the Immortal Tomb, was another big reason: Jiang Linxian.

I heard Jiang Linxian mixed very well in Bai Yujing and had even become a core disciple.

"Brother Jiang is truly a talent."

Li Rui thought in his heart.

In short.

With the protection of a behemoth like Bai Yujing, there was no surprise or danger.

Of course.

Bai Yujing couldn't monopolize it alone.

Those immortal sects could still establish subordinate sects just like before.

So apart from more and more cultivators coming to seek opportunities, there was almost no change.

For ordinary people, they knew nothing about everything.

Being able to be so stable.

Was inseparable from the Yu Kingdom's own foundation; this was all thanks to Li Rui's Private Secretary.

A Heavenly Human who proved the Dao through strength.

Could not be compared to ordinary Heavenly Humans.

A Heavenly Human ancestor was enough to protect a third-rate immortal dynasty; with Gao Tianxia in the Yu Kingdom, in terms of foundation, it wasn't actually bad.

As Nie Siming talked, he also chatted about the battle in East Sea City.

"Brother Li, your Private Secretary is truly overbearing; facing the Heavenly Human tribulation, he forced Huang Longzi to retreat step by step. Although Huang Longzi ran away, I'm afraid he will have to recuperate for at least sixty years before he dares to show his face."

Between his words, there was full admiration for that East Sea City Lord.

Li Rui was also yearning for it.

The reason Gao Tianxia didn't take action was because he was blocked by Huang Longzi.

Huang Longzi blocked the door with the Heavenly Human tribulation.

But his Private Secretary was even more wild, directly facing the tribulation and chasing Huang Longzi for thousands of miles.

Truly unreasonable.

Everyone who has cultivated knows that the tribulation is extremely terrifying.

It is so for the one undergoing the tribulation, and even more so for cultivators who accidentally enter the tribulation range, even more so.

In his Private Secretary's situation, the tribulation he endured was far beyond when he broke through back then.

Extremely dangerous.

Precisely because of this, the cultivation world had always circulated a story about a senior surnamed Ye who often brought the heavenly tribulation to chase enemies for fun.

Huang Longzi wanted to replicate it, but it was a pity Gao Tianxia was too fierce.

In the end, he ended up fleeing in a sorry state.

In short.

The current Yu Kingdom was peaceful and prosperous, quite like the scene during the founding of the country.

In history books, it was destined to be a major chapter that couldn't be bypassed.

Li Rui's days were busy.

Besides having to run around to suppress those unruly cultivators, practicing the Immortal Dao Evergreen Visualization Map was extremely mentally exhausting.

At this time.

Li Rui sat cross-legged, closing his eyes and focusing.

"To make the Valley Spirit immortal, one must rely on the Mysterious Female to establish the foundation; once the true essence returns to the Golden Chamber, a bright pearl will never leave."

Deep in his sea of consciousness.

There was cyan Qi floating and gathering.

It was exactly what Li Rui was visualizing—Immortal Qi.

Different from before.

Before, there was only a wisp.

But now it was a sea of Qi!

When he got the incomplete version, Li Rui could only watch from afar, so his progress in the Immortal Dao seemed a bit slow compared to the Qingxuan Great Dao, but now that he had the complete Immortal Dao Evergreen Map, he could walk directly into the sea of Qi.

What he comprehended was naturally not to be mentioned in the same breath.

"Wonderful!"

Li Rui immersed himself in the sea of Qi, feeling incomparably refreshed.

The Immortal Dao Evergreen Map was worthy of being a visualization map exclusive to the Immortal Dao.

The Immortal Dao is naturally the path to becoming an immortal.

The first step is to transform one's spiritual energy into Immortal Qi.

This step is only possible for those great beings in the cultivation world.

And Li Rui was taking a shortcut.

What he visualizes is what he gets.

He only needs to visualize, and he can transform the spiritual energy in his body into true Immortal Qi; the efficiency is much faster than before.

Although his realm is insufficient to truly ascend on the spot.

But the benefits are extremely many.

Not to mention anything else, a wisp of Immortal Qi is worth countless spiritual energy; it is simply a dimensionality-reduction strike, whether refining talismans, activating arrays, or fighting others, regardless of quality or quantity.

It is all crushing.

More importantly... the complete Immortal Dao Evergreen Map can enhance the Immortal Domain.

This is undoubtedly a leap in Li Rui's combat power.

He had long since deeply experienced the power of the Immortal Domain.

Once the Immortal Domain is opened, it is the prohibition of all Daos.

Truly incomparably overbearing.

Just imagine, if he could open a hundred-mile Immortal Domain, that kind of phenomenon would be unimaginable.

According to Li Rui's plan.

As long as he visualizes it daily, in less than ten years, he can open a one-zhang Immortal Domain; at that time, he will have the upper hand when fighting others and remain invincible.

This day.

A group of special guests came to the Annan Marquis Prefecture.

"Young Master, may I ask if the Peace-Keeping Order, Li Hou, is in the Marquis Prefecture?"

The young man guarding the gate looked at the kind old eunuch before him, blinked, and then nodded: "Yes, he is."

Hearing this, Eunuch Zheng.

Immediately revealed a smile: "Please lead the way, Young Master; I am carrying the Holy Emperor's imperial decree and cannot delay."

Hearing it was an imperial decree.

The young man guarding the gate widened his eyes.

He dared not delay any longer.

However, he didn't lose his composure, but arranged for Eunuch Zheng and his party in the front courtyard with great courtesy, while he ran to find the commander.

Not long after.

Li Rui came to the front courtyard.

Accompanying him were Yuan An and several of Yuan Dingting's adopted sons.

As for Yuan Dingting himself, he was not in the prefecture.

Seeing Li Rui appear, the smile on Eunuch Zheng's old face grew wider.

He took the imperial decree from the small eunuch beside him.

He didn't even read it out, but placed it directly into Li Rui's hands.

This approach, although not in accordance with etiquette, was because he was the Holy Emperor's close attendant, and this act was to show intimacy on behalf of the Holy Emperor.

Looking at the entire Yu Kingdom.

Only a very small number of people could enjoy such treatment.

Eunuch Zheng said: "Li Hou, Grand Secretary Gu has already told the Majesty of your merits; the Majesty is even delighted and praised Li Hou as a pillar of the empire, who must be rewarded well to encourage the officials."

Halfway through speaking.

Eunuch Zheng slapped his forehead.

Saying apologetically: "It is my old muddle-headedness; I should call you Li Hou."

This was heard by the few people beside Li Rui, and they all gasped in unison.

Li Rui is to be ennobled as a Marquis?!!

"The Majesty remembers Li Hou's dedicated service to the Great Yu and specially ennobles you as Marquis Wu'an."

Eunuch Zheng spoke at the right time.

Meng Chong, Nie Siming, and the others were all shocked.

Marquis Wu'an!

The Yu Kingdom values etiquette, and the title of this Marquis is extremely particular. The Holy Emperor alone cannot decide it; it requires the scholars of the Wenyuan Pavilion to cite classics and then determine it based on his life's deeds.

The whole process is extremely cumbersome.

But precisely because of this, Meng Chong and the others were even more confused: where did the two words "Wu'an" come from?

"Words can soothe and raise soldiers, battle must be won, and the people are settled, hence the name Wu'an."

To put it bluntly.

These two words, Wu'an, are only appropriate for a military general.

Well.

Although Li Rui came from the Annan garrison, judging from his resume, it is true that he is a military general, but in fact, he has never fought a single battle, let alone the three words "battle must be won."

Based on their understanding of Li Rui.

He has only taken action a handful of times, let alone leading troops.

So these two words "Wu'an" are even more worth pondering.

Li Rui had already opened the imperial decree.

Looking at the two words "Wu'an".

He was also muttering in his heart.

Above, "Clearing out rebels, stabilizing the nation" referred to his slaying of Zhou Tong.

He didn't expect.

When Gu Changsheng took away Zhou Tong's Spirit Embryo, he said he would claim credit for him, but he actually asked for a Marquis!

Truly beyond expectations.

You must know.

In eight hundred years, the Yu Kingdom has only ennobled two living Marquises; one is Yuan Dingting, and the other is him.

Calculated this way, isn't he directly shoulder-to-shoulder with the Yuan Military Saint?

Status soaring!

At this moment, the small characters on the panel appeared on time.

【Congratulations to the host for completing the high-level plot achievement of becoming a general and minister—Marquis.】

【For an official, being ennobled is the most gratifying thing in life; congratulations to the host for becoming Marquis Wu'an after more than ten years as an official. Please continue to work hard!】

【Completing the mission "Marquis", reward settlement in progress...】

【Mission rating: B.】

【Obtained 30 achievement points!】

【Name: Li Rui】

【Age: 30】

【Talent: Superb Comprehension, Wisdom Eye, Great Dream Immortal Travel, Demon-Suppressing Victory, Innate Immortal Martial Dao Embryo】

【Technique: Eternal Evergreen Technique, True Martial Nourishing Soldier Technique, Vast Sea Green Lotus Visualization Map, Immortal Dao Evergreen Visualization Map】

【Item: Spirit-Ascension Book】

【Achievement: 50/100】

How long has it been since the last reward? The progress is more than half again!

Who said good things don't come in pairs?

That logic doesn't apply to Li Rui.

"Thank you, Eunuch; I have set up a table at the Jufu Tower in the city, please move there."

For this internal official beside the Holy Emperor.

Li Rui was still very polite.

Although with his relationship with everyone in the Annan Marquis Prefecture, setting up a banquet in the Marquis Prefecture would be fine.

If it were a normal day, he might have really done so.

But he is now Marquis Wu'an.

He is on par with the Annan Marquis; doing so would inevitably be suspected of being a guest who usurps the host's role. With Li Rui's way of handling things, he naturally wouldn't leave people with gossip.

At dusk.

Li Rui and Eunuch Zheng appeared on the top floor of the Jufu Tower.

The entire Jufu Tower, except for this room, had been cleared.

It wasn't because Li Rui had great official prestige.

But because Eunuch Zheng's identity was too special; if seen by others, it would inevitably lead to trouble.

Even if Eunuch Zheng himself didn't care, Li Rui, as the host, had to consider it.

This is the art of human relationships.

Doing things to the finest detail.

Li Rui had long since mastered this.

Drinking a cup of wine.

Eunuch Zheng then laughed and said: "Li Hou is truly the Ziwei Star descended to earth; I am so envious I can't even begin to describe it."

The Ziwei Star governs official luck.

If it is said that an official's Ziwei Star is moving, it means they are about to be promoted.

How many years has it been for Li Rui?

He has transformed from a small Yunzhou military officer into the most powerful Marquis of the Great Yu.

Eunuch Zheng has been in the palace for so many years and has only seen three such people.

Grand Secretary Zhang, Marquis Yuan, Grand Preceptor Gu.

And the Li Hou before him is also extremely likely to become one of these great figures who can turn hands to clouds and cover hands to rain.

Such status.

The Ziwei Star moving isn't enough; it has to be the Ziwei Star descended to earth.

Li Rui laughed loudly: "Eunuch Zheng, you flatter me."

After three rounds of wine, the guests were happy.

Eunuch Zheng was a bit drunk.

Of course, it wasn't just because the wine Li Rui served was brewed from spiritual medicine and was very easy to get drunk on; as a close minister to the emperor, he could best understand what it meant to accompany the emperor like accompanying a tiger.

Don't look at how he has been with the Holy Emperor for a hundred years; he still has to be cautious, fearing a single wrong step.

Getting drunk is almost impossible.

The reason he got drunk today was just because the person drinking with him was Li Rui.

Taking advantage of the wine's excitement.

Eunuch Zheng dipped his finger in the wine and drew a circle on the table, lowering his voice: "Li Hou, I have another matter for coming here this time."

"Oh?"

Li Rui leaned in a bit closer.

He couldn't see it before; all the previous things, including the Marquis title, were for the matter in Eunuch Zheng's mouth now.

Those who are well-versed in officialdom know.

The fewer the people, the bigger the matter.

Eunuch Zheng: "Li Hou, you left the capital, so some things haven't reached your ears yet; Bai Yujing has sent people, wanting to move Shenxiao City to our Yu Kingdom."

Li Rui's eyebrows lifted slightly.

This matter is not surprising.

The Jin Ting Small Cave Heaven landed, and Li Rui doesn't know how the various big shots played their games, but the final result is that the Yu Kingdom is protected by Bai Yujing.

Since that is the case.

The Shenxuan Sect and the Wanfa Hall have established subordinate sects.

There is no reason for Bai Yujing not to.

Shenxiao City is coming, isn't it?

Li Rui didn't speak, just listened quietly.

Eunuch Zheng quickly used wine to draw another circle inside the circle on the table: "Bai Yujing invited Mr. Gao to be the Vice City Lord of Shenxiao City, and Mr. Gao has already agreed."

"Shenxiao City needs people to help manage it; the Majesty looked around and felt that you, Marquis, are the most suitable."

"Don't worry, Marquis; going to Shenxiao City, you will at least be an Elder."

"Cannot wrong you, Marquis."

Eunuch Zheng's words were watertight.

Li Rui chuckled.

He just said, one Zhou Tong could be exchanged for a Marquis title; no matter how you look at it, it was too impatient.

Now it seems.

The Holy Emperor's move is paving the way for him to go to Shenxiao City.

Bai Yujing's Twelve Towers and Five Cities are the most core group of people besides the sect's own Elders and disciples.

Let alone going to Shenxiao City to be an Elder, even if it were just a Deacon, it would be something countless cultivators would flock to.

A good job that others dream of has fallen on Li Rui's head.

This is naturally not luck.

But it is thanks to his Private Secretary.

But you must know, his Private Secretary is not a King or Marquis of the Yu Kingdom, so the Yu Kingdom must send another person, and Li Rui is undoubtedly the best choice.

But since they are sending someone.

Then the status cannot be bad; this concerns the Yu Kingdom's first impression on the cultivation world, so those most pedantic old scholars in the Wenyuan Pavilion also loosened their mouths.

Giving the extremely heavy two words "Wu'an" to Li Rui.

All for the sake of not losing the Yu Kingdom's majesty.

When going out, one must always have a good status so that things can be done easily.

After Eunuch Zheng finished speaking, he looked at Li Rui with some unease.

Coming to Yunzhou this time.

Delivering the imperial decree was a small matter; this matter was the big one.

In Eunuch Zheng's expectant gaze, Li Rui nodded with a smile: "Then I will go and take a look."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 548 =====