Chapter 170: The Scripture-Storing Hall, Rare and Peerless Arts

Lu Yuan's thoughts stirred, communicating with the Heavenly Book in his mind, and he received feedback:

【Supernatural Power Master】: Lu Yuan

【Mastered Arts】: -

Ingestion (Earth: 6%); - Guidance (Earth: 8%); - Invisibility (Earth: 3%); -

Staff Sending (Earth: 12%); - Medicine (Human: 43%); - Earth Travel (Earth: 1%); -

Generating Light (Earth: 2%); - Sword Technique (Earth: 1%); - Stone Boiling (Human: 31%); -

Pot Heaven (Human: 25%); - Great Strength (Earth: 1%); - Sprouting (Earth: 2%); -

Wind Control (Earth: 7%); - Obstacle Clothing (Earth: 1%); - Dream Grafting (Human: 2%); -

Body Immobilization (Earth: 5%); - Nightmare Prayer (Earth: 2%); - False Form (Human: 3%): -

Cloning (Earth: 1%)

【Luck Power】: 3026 units

After arriving in the Capital, aside from the previously upgraded Staff Sending, Obstacle Clothing, and other arts, he had also lit up the Clone Technique and upgraded it to the Earth Tier, which had revealed miraculous effects at the World Martial Arts Tournament.

Consequently, his Qi Luck was heavily consumed, leaving him with less than two thousand units.

However, after the Immortal appeared in the world to execute Xici, as the news spread and diffused, massive Qi Luck gathered, and this mere half-hour of time had increased his Qi Luck by over a thousand units!

This was only the beginning; once the news swept across the thirty-six provinces, the amount of Luck Power it could bring would likely be unimaginable!

"Over a thousand units in just this short while; in a day or two, wouldn't it be several thousand or even nearly ten thousand?"

Lu Yuan revealed an expectant smile:

"Following this trend, by the time the news spreads throughout the thirty-six provinces, the harvested Qi Luck will be at least tens of thousands. Not bad, not bad; it was worth the effort I spent."

Within the Heavenly Book, for an existing Earthly Fiend Art to advance from the Earth Tier to the Supernatural Power level, it only required thirteen thousand units of Luck Power.

And among the Heavenly Gang methods, the lowest-ranked ones like Nail-Head Seven Arrows and Bean-Spreading Soldier-Making only required ten thousand units of Qi Luck to be initially lit up.

Once the Luck Power was basically in place, he could truly begin to master the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Supernatural Powers!

At this thought.

He closed his eyes slightly and began to regulate his breath right there in the empty Jin Luan Dian.

The subsequent developments were basically proceeding according to Lu Yuan's plan.

Although the Xuantong Emperor was a puppet, the ministers like Yi Yunzheng, whose minds he had twisted and controlled using the Nightmare Prayer Technique, were real power-holders who truly wielded authority. After leaving the palace, they summoned the various levels of commanders of the Capital's Imperial Guards, as well as the civil and military officials, to stabilize the situation.

In reality, after the news of Xici's death reached Tianjing City, the vast city was not only boiling over but also filled with immense terror and chaos. Many ruffians, hoodlums, and criminals took the opportunity to loot, kill, and commit arson, turning the city into a complete mess.

Fortunately, the Prince Yi Yunzheng stepped forward in time to stabilize the Capital's Imperial Guards and the civil and military officials, and the yamen's soldiers quickly took to the streets to exert control, soon quelling the chaotic situation.

As for disciples like Chen Zhantang, friends and relatives like Li Junxian, and over a hundred members of the Jinjin Martial Arts Association led by Wu Yixian, they had also arrived outside the palace city early on and were then welcomed in by the palace guards who had received orders.

When everyone was brought into the Jin Luan Dian and saw Lu Yuan meditating on the dragon throne, which symbolized supreme power, everyone revealed expressions of shock and trance.

Especially Li Junxian, Xu Dahu, and Xu Erhu; all three had their mouths twitching, unable to speak.

It was Li Junxian and the dozens of people from Jinjin who first reacted, stepping forward quickly and bowing excitedly:

"We pay our respects to the Immortal!"

Lu Yuan opened his eyes, scanned the crowd, and couldn't help but smile:

"Everyone, there is no need for this. I, Lu Yuan, cannot yet bear the title of Immortal; all friends and relatives may continue to use their previous forms of address."

He knew his own situation best.

Although immortals and gods had vanished from this world, he truly didn't have the audacity to call himself an Immortal while only at the mid-stage of Refining Essence into Qi.

"Hall Master Lu flew through the sky using Wind Control, manifested divinity in the mortal world, and executed the evildoer Xici; if you are not an Immortal, then what are you?"

Wu Yixian and the others, who were accustomed to great storms and waves, were still surging with emotion and were incredibly excited:

"To be able to see the legendary Immortal descend to the world and reshape the mountains and rivers is truly the fortune of our lives!"

"May I ask Hall Master Lu, the Xuantong Emperor and those princes and ministers, they?"

Facing the probing gazes of the crowd, Lu Yuan said slowly:

"I did not kill them. Xici is dead, and the collapse of the Jin Dynasty is a foregone conclusion, but returning the nation and the state must also avoid violent turmoil in the world. These princes and ministers are major figures with real power; I have already ordered them to summon the civil and military officials to stabilize the situation in Tianjing."

"Once the situation is stabilized, they will notify the thirty-six provinces. Each province will select three representatives from political, military, commercial, and even civilian groups, totaling twelve Han representatives, to come to the Capital to rediscuss the national system. What do you all think?"

Wu Yixian and everyone present were surging with emotion:

"This method of having Han representatives from political, military, commercial, and civilian circles is excellent, truly excellent!"

"In this way, our Han mountains and rivers can be restored, and the land of Shenzhou can finally return to orthodoxy!"

Li Junxian came back to his senses and asked subconsciously:

"What does this 'rediscuss the national system' mean? Is it a change of dynasty, or?"

Lu Yuan smiled slightly:

"Of course, it means abolishing the imperial system. In this world, no one is born to be a master, and no one is born to be a slave. Things like emperors, generals, and ministers, or 'acting on behalf of Heaven to shepherd the people,' are even more ridiculous and should be swept into the dustbin of history."

Abolish the imperial system!

When these words were spoken by Lu Yuan, everyone's hearts were shaken violently.

Shenzhou had nearly ten thousand years of recorded history. From ancient times, the first unified dynasty appeared, followed by generation after generation of dynastic changes and the rotation of the country.

No matter which dynasty, at the beginning, it was inevitably a monarch who was enlightened, governed diligently, reduced taxes, strictly managed officials, and allowed the people to recuperate and live in peace and contentment.

But after at most one or two hundred years, by the middle of the dynasty, various problems would emerge: the emperor would be muddled, treacherous officials and powerful ministers would steal high positions, and problems like corrupt officials, exorbitant taxes, and land annexation would arise, until all problems intensified step by step, making it impossible for the people of the world to survive. Then there would be angry uprisings, the whole world would rebel, and heroes would fight for territory.

Until in the chaotic times, another wise ruler would appear, sweeping across the world to overthrow the previous dynasty and recreate the universe.

But then it would return to the starting point, still unable to jump out of the vicious cycle of dynastic periods, repeating the cycle of dynastic changes over and over again.

Of course, the vast majority of the people present had limited knowledge and did not understand the so-called cycle of dynasties. They only knew that from ancient times to the present, Shenzhou had always had a Son of Heaven and an emperor as the common master of the world, so they couldn't help but ask doubtfully:

"Hall Master Lu, the land of Shenzhou is so vast; with this abolition of the imperial system, how will the government rule the mountains and rivers and govern the people?"

"'Acting on behalf of Heaven,' the Son of Heaven ruling the people on behalf of Heaven—it has been like this throughout the ages."

"The Shenluo Empire has kings and queens, the Sha'e has a Tsar, and the Rizhao has an Emperor; in the current world, every powerful nation is a monarchy. If this were to be abolished, I fear the world would be left without a leader."

Compared to the hesitation of the majority, disciples like Chen Zhantang and Zhao Shuhua, who had received a modern education, voiced their strong support:

"The Book of Changes says, 'When dragons have no leader, the world is auspicious!' The world today develops with each passing day; how can we still view problems with the perspectives of the past?"

"The kings and queens of the Shenluo Empire hold no real power and are merely symbolic existences, yet that does not prevent Shenluo from being the world's leading power today."

"Since the Pavilion Master is reshaping the landscape, establishing a new dynasty is merely repeating the thousands of years of history in Shenzhou. Only by completely overthrowing this feudal monarchy and establishing a new national system can it be considered a true renewal of the world!"

"Only in this way can we create an unprecedented era of prosperity, where everyone has food to eat, everyone has books to read, everyone has work to do, and everyone has dignity!" The words of Chen Zhantang and Zhao Shuhua immediately stunned those whose thoughts were slightly more antiquated, while Lu Yuan nodded slightly and smiled:

"That is exactly right. Just because something has been a certain way from ancient times to the present does not mean it is correct. While the status, circumstances, and backgrounds of all living beings in the world may not be equal, everyone is equal in personality. There is no need for a so-called Emperor to press down on everyone's heads, even in my case."

"There is no use in saying more now; let us wait until the representatives from each province arrive in the capital to discuss it further. At that time, everyone present can participate and deliberate together."

Although it was difficult to digest such a massive change in an instant, everyone felt only infinite reverence and respect for Lu Yuan, who had single-handedly laid the foundation for the collapse of the Jin Dynasty, and they immediately bowed in salute:

"We obey your command!"

It was clear that everyone still viewed him as an Immortal, a different species altogether, but Lu Yuan could not be bothered to correct them and simply said:

"I will be staying in this Imperial City for some time. Most of you are likely here for the first time, so you may stay for a few days if you wish."

Wu Yixian immediately cupped his hands and said:

"Many thanks for the kindness of Pavilion Master Lu. With great changes imminent, we must return to Jinjin as soon as possible to contact all parties and make preparations, so we will not linger here."

Lu Yuan nodded, and shortly after, the nearly one hundred people from the various factions of Jinjin, including Wu Yixian, respectfully took their leave and departed from the Jin Luan Dian.

Within the great hall, only disciples like Chen Zhantang and Zhao Shuhua remained, along with Li Junxian, Lin Xingchao, Gu Kanshan, and the others.

In front of Chen Zhantang and the others, Lu Yuan still used his previous forms of address, which moved them deeply.

Perhaps out of concern for Lu Yuan's safety while alone in this Imperial City, or perhaps out of curiosity about this place, they ultimately chose to stay for a few days.

Lu Yuan also found himself in a rare mood and immediately summoned the commander of the Imperial Guards, a Golden Clan member named Babelhai, intending to have them take Li Junxian and the others for a tour of the palace.

This man was nearly fifty years old, hailed from the Upper Three Banners, and possessed not only a noble background but also strength that had reached the Six-Level Baodan Realm, commanding two thousand elite Imperial Guards protecting the Imperial City.

Upon receiving the summons, he walked into the Jin Luan Dian with a long saber at his waist, bowing respectfully and kneeling on one knee:

"Babelhai is here, awaiting the orders of Immortal Master Lu!"

That this Imperial Guard commander was so respectful and submissive was naturally because Lu Yuan had already used the Nightmare Prayer Technique to control all ten or so high-ranking commanders of the Imperial Guards; with his Dharma Power, they would remain in this state for at least a month, obeying his every command.

Lu Yuan immediately instructed:

"Select a few quiet places within the Imperial Palace to serve as residences for my friends and family; they will be staying here for a few days."

Babelhai replied submissively:

"Yes, this subordinate will go and arrange it immediately!"

As he rose to leave, Lin Xingchao suddenly spoke up:

"A Yuan, the ambush set by Xici at the International Martial Arts Tournament must have mobilized all the Grandmasters of the Golden Clan. Have you been to the Bao Yao Ju or the Scripture Hall in the palace, or have you ordered them to be guarded?"

Lu Yuan's heart stirred:

"I have not."

Lin Xingchao could not help but become excited:

"These two places must not be missed. In the Scripture Hall, the Jin Dynasty broke into mountains and temples to confiscate thousands of sect manuals, many of which are divine arts and peerless techniques, not to mention various ancient texts; the Bao Yao Ju is even more of a collection of all kinds of rare pill formulas and heavenly treasures from across the world, specifically for Xici..."

"Ahem."

Gu Kanshan could not help but cough to interrupt him:

"Xingchao, these so-called divine arts and rare pill formulas are not worth mentioning in the face of the Immortal Spirit Dao; you should stop talking."

Lin Xingchao only then realized, and his face immediately showed embarrassment.

Lu Yuan, however, became somewhat interested:

"The Bao Yao Ju can be set aside, but where is this Scripture Hall?"

There was no need to mention the Bao Yao Ju; he possessed the Boiling Stone Technique and the Shenxian Fue Danshi Lianyao Fa, and any mundane pills could not compare to them at all.

As for the Scripture Hall, while the martial arts were of little use to him, he had yet to see anything related to the cultivation of Daoist Arts, and he felt quite interested.

Babelhai immediately replied:

"The Scripture Hall is in the northwest corner of the palace. It was previously guarded in rotation by the two Great Shamans, Cang Jige and Bu Tiansuo, but today both of them have gone out with the Empress Dowager, so it should only be guarded by ordinary Imperial Guards now."

Lu Yuan stood up immediately: "Then take us to see it."

"Yes."

Not another word was said.

The brainwashed and loyal Babelhai immediately agreed, then personally led Lu Yuan and his group out of the Jin Luan Dian, walking through rows of palace halls.

During this process, they encountered many eunuchs and palace maids, all of whom knelt in terror to show their respect, even more fearful than when they saw the Emperor or the Empress Dowager.

Although these eunuchs and palace maids were not qualified to be controlled by Lu Yuan's Nightmare Prayer Technique, they already knew that the palace had undergone a sudden change, that an Immortal had descended, and that the Empress Dowager was dead. Facing this mysterious figure whom even the Xuantong Emperor, the princes, ministers, and the Imperial Guard commander treated with such respect, they could only go with the flow and leave their fate to Heaven.

Soon, the group arrived at a slightly remote but magnificent hall, guarded everywhere by highly elite Imperial Guards. However, when these men saw Babelhai leading Lu Yuan and the others, they looked at each other in dismay, and no one dared to block their path.

At this moment, the heavy red wooden doors of the hall were tightly shut, and a massive copper lock was clamped onto them. Lu Yuan simply flicked his finger casually, and after a flash of golden light, the copper lock snapped and fell to the ground.

Then, Lu Yuan flicked his sleeve lightly, and a gust of wind surged out, slowly pushing the hall doors open.

The Scripture Hall was clearly divided into inner and outer halls; the outer hall was empty, with nothing but furnishings.

Upon reaching the inner hall, it was a different world entirely. Four walls were lined with huge bookshelves, and on every shelf sat densely packed jade boxes, with something marked on them in the language of the Golden Clan.

Fortunately, apart from Babelhai, the commander of the Golden Clan Imperial Guards, everyone present—Chen Zhantang, Li Junxian, Lin Xingchao, Gu Kanshan, and the others—could read the language of the Golden Clan. They rushed forward in excitement, scanning the jade boxes one by one:

"Great Diamond Subduing Demon Art! This is the sect-protecting technique of the Diamond Temple of the Jing Dynasty!"

"Look quickly, it is actually the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Steps of Longhu Mountain! This rare and peerless technique has actually fallen into the hands of the Jin Dynasty!"

"Primordial Spirit Awakening Soul Technique... hiss, this seems to be a supreme Daoist Art passed down from the Primordial Spirit Palace of the Middle Ages!?"