Chapter 436

He Pingsheng's gaze fixed on the map.

This was the map of the imperial palace's inner court.

Inside, densely packed, were countless buildings.

Tens of thousands of them.

The roads were innumerable, and this unremarkable Jingyan Pavilion lay buried among countless houses, not large at all.

Jiang Lan continued: "Long Yuan, though his cultivation is mediocre, is the Emperor's trusted confidant. He is both literary and martial—not only has he reached the Nascent Soul realm, but he is deeply versed in national history and excels in classical texts. Thus, Long Yuan is the Qimeng teacher for all the Imperial Princes and Princesses!"

"Every year on the first day of the sixth lunar month, the princes gather in the Jingyan Pavilion to hear Long Yuan expound the classics."

"There is still about a month left until the sixth day of the sixth month, when the exposition begins!"

"During this month, you must find a way to control Long Yuan!"

"Or…" Jiang Lan's eyes narrowed slightly, a sliver of killing intent flashing within: "Kill him!"

"Then use the Jinlan Treasure Robe's ability to transform yourself into Long Yuan's likeness and enter the Jingyan Pavilion!"

"Once you control these princes, everything will be manageable!"

"What do you think of my proposal?" Jinlan looked at He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng thought for a moment and said: "It's a good plan… but right now, we don't know where Long Yuan lives!"

"No rush!" Jiang Lan said: "I'll investigate."

"He's an outside minister—he won't live inside the palace. He must still reside outside."

"So leave it to me."

"Fine!" He Pingsheng said: "I'll perfect the final teleportation array's formation."

"Wait for my news." As he spoke, He Pingsheng handed over a Twinheart Talisman.

Jiang Lan took the Twinheart Talisman and said: "Rest assured—I'll have everything figured out within half a month at the latest!"

After a brief exchange with Jiang Lan, He Pingsheng departed.

It was not yet time to make concrete plans, as many details remained unclear.

He returned to the residence he had just purchased.

He Pingsheng's spiritual sense swept outward, scanning every corner of the courtyard, ensuring once again that no one was present.

Only then did He Pingsheng enter a subterranean space.

Yes, this courtyard had a basement!

And He Pingsheng's planned teleportation array was to be built underground—so that if anyone ever extended their spiritual sense toward the house, they might not think to look below.

After entering the underground chamber, he measured the space, then pulled out a Twinheart Talisman: "Xiaohe… begin setting up the array!"

Both the teleportation platform and the receiving platform began to be arranged simultaneously.

Since the formation plates had been prepared in advance, the subsequent setup was not overly difficult.

Several days later, He Pingsheng completed the final teleportation array.

On the seventeenth day of the fifth month, He Pingsheng finally received word from Jiang Lan.

The two met at a spiritual tea house somewhere in the imperial capital.

Two seemingly ordinary men sat together drinking tea.

Yet their spiritual senses silently exchanged information.

"Brother He…" Jiang Lan transmitted a silent message without moving her lips.

Silent transmission could only occur one-on-one and could not be overheard by others.

"Understood!" He Pingsheng nodded while sipping his tea.

"I've located Long Yuan's residence. The exact position and defense details are stored in this jade slip—study it carefully."

"Second, although the Qi Kingdom's imperial capital currently has only one Soul Transformation elder guarding it!"

"That is also the greatest problem."

He Pingsheng asked: "What problem?"

Jiang Lan said: "Spiritual sense… as Gold Core cultivators, you and I may not fully grasp the power of a Soul Transformation elder!"

"Even if you control the princes, I fear a single thought from that Soul Transformation elder could reduce you to ashes."

He Pingsheng said: "You mean a spiritual sense attack?"

"Exactly!" Jiang Lan nodded.

A faint worry lingered on her face.

He Pingsheng nodded as well.

This was indeed a major issue.

If he could be obliterated with a single thought, what use was any threat?

Even if he had the Purple Mansion Nine Shields Art to withstand one Soul Transformation spiritual sense strike, what about two?

What about three?

"This…" He Pingsheng hesitated a moment, then said: "This… what level is this Soul Transformation elder?"

Jiang Lan said: "Level one of Soul Transformation. I know this elder well—he lost his wisdom after breaking through to Soul Transformation!"

Upon hearing this, He Pingsheng was instantly delighted.

Soul Transformation was terrifying, but if he was only at level one, it might still be manageable.

Normally, a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator's spiritual sense spanned about fifty thousand zhang.

Due to his cultivation of the Spirit Refining Art, He Pingsheng's spiritual sense was nearly equal to that of a peak Nascent Soul cultivator—fifty-five thousand zhang.

A level-one Soul Transformation cultivator's spiritual sense spanned roughly one hundred thousand zhang.

Thus, the gap was only doubled.

Don't forget—when He Pingsheng activates the 【Heavenly Gang Three Transformations】, his combat power increases by fifty percent.

So too does his spiritual sense.

Under these conditions, his spiritual sense strength would reach over eighty thousand zhang!

Though still a gap remained.

But it didn't matter.

He Pingsheng possessed the 【Purple Mansion Nine Shields Art】, a spiritual sense defense technique.

This technique could withstand even double the strength—let alone one hundred thousand zhang.

That is, even if this elder's spiritual sense was stronger than normal, reaching one hundred fifty thousand zhang, it might still fail to break through the nine spiritual shields within He Pingsheng's mind sea.

Then it would be manageable.

"No problem!" He Pingsheng said: "Brother Jiang, don't worry about the level-one Soul Transformation's spiritual sense—I have my own countermeasures!"

"By the way!" he asked: "How many Soul Transformation elders does the Qi Kingdom have?"

"Three!" Jiang Lan said: "The Ancestor is at level eight of Soul Transformation, residing in the Dragon's Birthplace, guarding our Great Qi's national dragon vein."

"He does not interfere in worldly affairs or the imperial succession."

"As long as the throne remains in our Jiang family's hands, he turns a blind eye."

"The second elder is at level three of Soul Transformation and is currently traveling outside the realm."

"Only the third elder remains in the capital."

"Normally, both the second and third elders are present—you'd struggle to cope. But now, only the third elder is here. It's a heavenly opportunity!"

"Brother He, do you have any space-type magic treasure? If so, carry me with you— Guanjianshike, I might be able to assist you!"

Jiang Lan stared at He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng said: "You can stay out of this."

"Because if this fails, we'll likely die—if I die, you won't survive either!"

Are you willing to risk this?

He Pingsheng couldn't understand.

He took the risk because he carried the 【Inverting Yin to Yang Talisman】, which allowed rebirth.

Otherwise, he would never have taken this dangerous path.

Thwack…

He Pingsheng suddenly slapped his own forehead and blurted out: "Damn it!"