Chapter 162

Fortunately, it seems the Third Princess's miraculousness kept them from being discovered, and they smoothly left Treasure Dragon Land following the retreat route.

Upon returning to the imperial palace, Yan Buji found that the place he appeared in was not where he had just been, but a room inside the cold palace.

Zhao Zhen also appeared here, and the two exchanged a glance.

"Hu Yanfeng, just who are you?" Zhao Zhen looked at him curiously.

Yan Buji looked outside and suddenly said, "It's late; Third Princess, you should return to your quarters to rest."

Zhao Zhen looked outside and nodded: "I think we'll meet again."

"I hope so."

After Zhao Zhen left, Fang Kun and the others soon came over, sweating profusely as they looked at him and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Old brother Hu Yan, you've finally returned—what delayed you so long?"

"I don't know either." Yan Buji shook his head.

Fang Kun furrowed his brows, but still said nothing.

"Let's go report to His Majesty first."

"All right."

Everyone went straight to Ninghe Palace, where they saw Emperor Baocheng sitting in his original spot, appearing remarkably calm, as if he weren't worried that anything might happen on this trip.

Yan Buji raised his eyebrows, feeling that he had previously underestimated him a little.

"Your Majesty, we've finished the tasks you assigned us!"

"Nothing unexpected happened, right?"

Emperor Baocheng gave him a meaningful look, and Yan Buji chuckled: "Your Majesty, after thinking it over, I still need to tell you. On this trip I met the Third Princess, which delayed my return a bit."

"Ah?!" Fang Kun widened his eyes, staring at him in disbelief.

"Why didn't you say so just now?"

Emperor Baocheng sighed: "Everyone else, withdraw."

"Yes."

Fang Kun and the other two looked puzzled at Emperor Baocheng and Yan Buji, not understanding when the Third Princess had entered Treasure Dragon Land.

After the others left, Emperor Baocheng rose from his desk and asked, "Hu Yanfeng, do you know what background Zhen'er has?"

"Huh?"

Yan Buji froze for a moment.

"What, it's not your offspring?"

"Zhen'er was born with an exquisite heart, but though six of her seven apertures are open, one remains blocked. She is not naturally suited for cultivation; otherwise I could have sent her to the Profound Gate to train." Emperor Baocheng sighed.

So Emperor Baocheng knew Zhao Zhen had?

Yan Buji wondered: "I'm even more curious about what identity the Third Princess truly has. Your Majesty, since you know she's somewhat extraordinary, why did you still let her come along to Treasure Dragon Land?"

Emperor Baocheng chuckled: "Because I knew you would bring her back."

Hmph.

Yan Buji snorted coldly inside, but on the surface he clasped his hands: "Well then, since that's the case, I'll head back first."

"No rush—you went to Bloodcloud Peak today; did you see that hall?"

"I did…. The Third Princess said inside there are still dragon bones that can be refined into Dragon‑Exchange Pills."

Emperor Baocheng looked at Yan Buji in surprise: "She even told you this, Hu Yanfeng—don't you have something else you haven't told me? Like what happened between you and her in Treasure Dragon Land?"

"Your Majesty, rather than that, why don't you first tell me what the Third Princess's true identity is?"

Emperor Baocheng smiled: "She is a reincarnation of a great cultivator from the Profound Root Sect."

Ah?

Yan Buji widened his eyes; he had only asked casually and never expected the emperor to actually say it.

The key question is, is this true?

Yan Buji stared for a moment, then looked at him hesitantly.

Emperor Baocheng chuckled: "No matter what, in this life she is my daughter; she knows what I intend to do but has not interfered much. Do you understand what I mean?"

"You mean that what you intend to do and what she intends to do don't conflict, even if it involves the Profound Gen Dao?" Yan Buji asked.

"You're truly a smart person; I like talking to smart people. So tell me, why did you deliberately come here concealing your identity as a cultivator?" Emperor Baocheng spoke frankly.

Yan Buji took a deep breath and fell silent.

Should we make a move?

Since the other side already discovered it and even dared to say it to my face, I'm not afraid to act.

So he can be sure I'm not from a major power?

Yan Buji's eyes shifted, and he suddenly thought of Li Dao Ren.

"I was entrusted by Li Dao Ren to find the Third Princess. I just happened to run into Your Majesty, and I never expected you to have such grand ambitions, seeking to gain some advantage." Yan Buji said directly.

Emperor Baocheng furrowed his brows: "Li Dao Ren… it's really him—he's still alive?"

"Does he bear a grudge against Your Majesty?"

"Hmph, a mere clinging‑to‑life waste. Hu Yanfeng, I don't know what benefits he promised you, but if you work for me, I won't shortchange you."

Emperor Baocheng looked at him: "First, tell me what happened to Li Dao Ren."

"He has undergone aberration."

Emperor Baocheng wore a "as I thought" expression: "Looks like you really did run into him. Since you know he's aberrated, that means…. it's useful. Heh, you came for Zhen'er—could it be for her six‑aperture exquisite heart?"

Yan Buji nodded: "That's correct. However, I see that Your Majesty and the Third Princess are not easy to deal with, so my promise to Li Dao Ren naturally falls through."

"Then aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

"Your Majesty, why would you resort to force?" Yan Buji countered.

Baocheng Emperor narrowed his eyes, suddenly thinking of something: "You are now a Magical Cultivator, you don't have Martial Dao True Origin, right?"

Huh?

Since Baocheng Emperor can discern his own magical power cultivation, why can't he discern my Martial Dao True Origin?

In that case......

Yan Buji nodded: "Indeed. I luckily broke through to the Heaven-Human Realm; to advance further I abandoned Martial Dao and turned to Magical Cultivation, and after all these twists I have only reached the third layer of Qi Refining."

Qi Refining third layer... enough, enough, Huyan Feng, I will assign you another task. From today onward, you will help me gather news of those cultivation forces within Lingyu; whenever there is any sign of movement, send word back.

Yan Buji raised his eyebrows: "This..."

I'll give you thirty thousand Spiritual Stones as funding; is that enough?

Enough.

Then that's good.

Yan Buji saw Baocheng Emperor take out a Spiritual Stone bag and directly took it.

Your Majesty, what information do you mainly want me to gather?

Baocheng Emperor hesitated a moment, then said: "Take a look, among the cultivators who have recently entered the Ascension Immortal Assembly, how many are foreign cultivators. Furthermore, how many secret connections do these cultivators have with the local cultivation forces?"

Yan Buji nodded: "Good."

After Yan Buji left, Baocheng Emperor sat at the desk.

Zhao Zhen suddenly came out from behind and stood at his side.

Father Emperor, you really entrust Huyan Feng? I estimate you don't even know his true name.

Hehe, being favored and sent by Li Dao Ren for your Six Apertures Exquisite Heart, I don't believe such a person would abandon greater benefits for petty gains." Baocheng Emperor smiled lightly.

Zhao Zhen made an indifferent gesture: "Then I can only wish Father Emperor not to end up with nothing to show for it, so others won't take advantage."

Fellow Daoist Zhao, there's no need for that; we are both grasshoppers on the same rope, cooperation brings mutual benefit. Could it be that Fellow Daoist Zhao's reincarnation to this point is solely for the Human Dao inheritance of the Eight Dao Mystic Gate?

Zhao Zhen showed a shallow dimple, smiling very brightly.