Chapter 72

The dragon-and-phoenix mirror illuminated Lu Fang, golden destiny surging skyward.

“Ten zhang of destiny!”

Zhou Heng, supervisor of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, trembled with astonishment, his beard quivering.

Upon seeing Lu Fang’s ten-zhang destiny, the courtyard fell into dead silence.

“Is this normal?”

Lu Fang asked nervously.

Those words acted like a valve opening—sudden gasps and exclamations erupted from the silent rear courtyard.

“Did I see that right? The Marquis of Literary Crown has ten zhang of destiny?”

“His realm has also reached Seventh Rank, Second Stage.”

“Truly extraordinary!”

Wang Wu sighed bitterly: “The Marquis of Literary Crown is truly an oddity. When he first entered the Lesser Upper Realm, he was only Eighth Rank. I didn’t think much of him then—yet now he’s gained ten zhang of destiny!”

Wang Teng nodded: “Thanks to the Marquis of Literary Crown, the Clan Destiny Whale and the Ancient Land were saved. Otherwise, the outcome would have been dire.”

“Oh?” Wang Wu exclaimed. “What do you mean?”

He had been interrupted by those just teleported out and hadn’t yet asked Wang Teng about the specifics of the Clan Destiny Whale and the Ancient Land inside the Lesser Upper Realm.

Wang Teng smiled proudly, his voice not lowered at all—everyone present could hear clearly.

On the Clan Destiny Whale, the Marquis of Literary Crown first composed a Manifesting Poem, “Fu Zhuang Ci,” then used his extraordinary power—Shi Hou—to awaken tens of thousands of ancestral human spirits, aiding the Clan Destiny Whale in expanding its destiny.

Drunk, I lamp-light and gaze upon my sword; in dreams, I return to the sound of horns echoing through the camps. Eight hundred li of meat shared among the soldiers, fifty strings playing frontier tunes, autumn battlefield muster…

“Brilliant poem!”

Wang Wu cheered.

“What’s that?” Wang Teng puffed out his chest, radiant with pride—as if the poem weren’t Lu Fang’s, but his own.

“Song of Righteousness!”

Another Manifesting-level masterpiece.

Together, everyone chanted the Song of Righteousness, swelling the Clan Destiny Whale’s destiny—until the barbarian clan’s destiny whale, overwhelmed, began to plummet one by one.

Upon opening the Lesser Upper Realm, the Marquis of Literary Crown gained great destiny.

Traces of the ancient divine race and the human “Sui” in the Ancient Land transformed into countless bubble-like barriers; ancient divine arts allowed the Marquis of Literary Crown to slay three elite barbarian masters with a single strike.

Each tale he told drew applause and cheers.

Xiao Wanlin and his son both furrowed their brows, eyes fixed on the entrance to the Lesser Upper Realm.

Regardless, gaining destiny is good.

Another person was teleported out—Song Ce. His destiny was three chi long.

Immediately after, the entrance to the Lesser Upper Realm sealed shut.

Xiao Wanlin panicked, rushing forward: “Why has the entrance closed? Yunru hasn’t come out yet!”

Xiao Qi also cried out anxiously: “Is something wrong?”

Zhou Heng shook his head: “All who could emerge have already come out—otherwise, the entrance wouldn’t have sealed.”

“Impossible!” Xiao Wanlin staggered, saved from falling only by Xiao Qi’s support.

If he didn’t emerge, he was dead inside.

The once joyful Xiao family father and son could no longer smile.

Xiao Wanlin glared at Song Ce, the last to emerge: “What happened to my eldest grandson Yunru? How did he die?”

Song Ce shook his head: “When we gathered near the Clan Destiny Whale, I didn’t see Master Xiao Yunru… I don’t know.”

“Please accept my condolences,” said Zhou Heng. “To confirm whether Xiao Yunru is dead, return and check his Longevity Talisman.”

These words jolted Xiao Wanlin awake—he vanished from his spot in an instant.

Xiao Qi followed right behind.

“Brother, you’re safe—let’s hurry home. I’ve prepared a full table of your favorite dishes.”

Lu Ling happily pulled Lu Fang away.

Along the way, people greeted and congratulated him everywhere—ten zhang of destiny ensured the Marquis of Literary Crown’s future was boundless.

Watching Lu Fang depart, Song Ce walked up to a military officer and said: “Father, I didn’t bring you shame.”

Song Shuozi gave a slight nod: “Good. You dared to face the barbarian alliance, bolstered the Clan Destiny Whale, and aided the Zhenbei Army…”

Song Ce stammered: “I didn’t go near the Clan Destiny Whale.”

After learning the truth, Song Shuozi flew into a rage, swept his sleeve aside, and stormed off, exasperated: “You’ve disappointed me deeply!”

Zhang Shi gripped Song Ce’s wrist, soothing him: “Ce’er, you’ve done well enough. Your father is just too rigid. Come, let’s go home—I’ll have them prepare…”

A divine voice whispered, seductive: “Is she your mother? Your mother died twelve years ago—killed by her.”

Song Ce roared inwardly: “You can see my memories!”

The spirit: “Of course I can. I know everything about you. You’re pitiful. Do you remember your mother’s dying words? She begged you not to defy Zhang Shi or your father—she was hinting…”

Song Ce: “My mother died of illness!”

The spirit: “Do you believe that?”

Song Ce said nothing. His face darkened; he pushed past Zhang Shi and walked away swiftly.

…

The first snow of winter fell, turning the imperial capital into silver-white.

By imperial grace, the Marquis of Literary Crown was granted ten thousand taels of gold and ten chests of silk, brocade, and East Sea jewels.

Marquis of Literary Crown’s Mansion.

Parlor.

“Young Master, so much gold and jewels!”

Xiao Tao crouched before the ten large chests, clutching a handful of jewels, her eyes sparkling.

“Brother, I’ll hold onto these gold and jewels for you.”

Lu Ling smiled sweetly.

Lu Fang sat at the table, studying a Great Zhou map. He looked up, smiled at Lu Ling, and said: “You may decide on these matters, sister.”

“Marquis of Literary Crown, congratulations!”

Before the visitor even entered, a shrill voice rang from outside the courtyard.

Led by Chen the steward, He Zixuan waddled into the hall, his rotund body swaying. Seeing the map beside Lu Fang, he chuckled: “Marquis, what’s this?”

Lu Fang smiled: “Choosing a fiefdom. There are many options—I can’t decide yet.”

He Zixuan shook his head: “No rush. Take your time. As for what you asked me to tell my father—I’m afraid it won’t work.”

Lu Fang frowned. When he exited the Lesser Upper Realm, he had specifically asked He Zixuan to speak with the Chancellor about spreading the Great Zhou Gazette to all nineteen provinces.

He thought such a thing should be easy.

“Why not?”

Lu Fang asked, puzzled.

He Zixuan looked helpless: “The northern border has expanded due to the barbarian desolation zones—the Zhenbei Army has grown significantly, requiring massive military funding. Meanwhile, the southern border has seen minor barbarian movements, and the Zhenan Army is also expanding…”

Lu Fang knew the southern border was tense—Chen Ji had joined the southern army a month before Lu Fang entered the Lesser Upper Realm and left him a letter.

“So the imperial treasury can’t afford to expand the Great Zhou Gazette?”

Lu Fang asked anyway.

He Zixuan nodded: “Yes.”

Lu Fang fell silent. If the Great Zhou Gazette couldn’t spread to all nineteen provinces, his Literary Fragrance would be drastically reduced—this was the worst possible news.

Though he gained ten zhang of destiny in the Lesser Upper Realm, no one knew how severe the Dao’s restrictions would be when his realm advanced further.

Only with more Literary Fragrance could he face the coming crises with calm.