Chapter 6

Hearing Zhang Han knelt on one knee, lowering his head.

"It's no matter; perhaps they've hidden too well—keep investigating."

"Believe me, with the Heavenly Dao Golden List exposed, they won't be able to hide much longer."

Ying Zheng waved his hand, not showing anger.

"Yes, your servant takes his leave!"

Hearing Zhang Han bowed respectfully and withdrew.

005–Bu Liang Ren, someone from Qinglong Shanzhuang has arrived!

"Is the Sunflower Manual really this powerful?"

The Sui Imperial Palace.

Yang Guang, half-reclining on the Long Yi, slightly narrowed his eyes.

He then turned his head toward the court.

"Shi... Pei Qing, what do you think?"

At these words.

All the ministers in the hall turned their gazes toward the leading middle-aged man.

"Cough... As the Heavenly Dao Golden List states, only self-created techniques can lead one farther."

"Yet, if we set aside high-end combat power, this technique's rapid cultivation effect is still very impressive."

"I cannot guarantee others, but reaching the Grandmaster Realm should be no problem."

"Moreover, if one has exceptional talent, even the Supreme Grandmaster Realm is not impossible!"

Shi Zhixuan, disguised as Pei Ju.

Seeing Yang Guang's inquiry, he did not conceal anything.

He spilled out his views all at once.

As the most renowned genius of Zuoweimo Sect.

He still had this much insight.

Of course.

When he saw the Heavenly Dao Golden List mention self-created techniques.

His heart was deeply shaken.

Because, over half a year ago, he had already felt the first stirrings of creating his own technique.

He simply never acted on it.

Now, spurred by the success of the Kuihua Ancestor, his heart grew eager to try.

"If so, is there any minister willing to go to the Song Dynasty to copy a copy back for me?"

Yang Guang nodded slightly.

His gaze, calm as a still well, swept lightly over the court.

"Your servant, the Yuwen Clan, volunteers to go!"

Yuwen Shang stepped forward from the ranks and bowed deeply.

Before his words ended, two more voices rang out in the hall.

"Your servant, the Li Clan, volunteers to go!"

"Your servant, the Dugu Clan, volunteers to go!"

In an instant.

Aside from the absent Song Clan.

Three of the four great clans of Sui volunteered.

Seeing this, Yang Guang's eyes flickered with a faint sneer.

To the surface, he feigned an agonizing indecision.

He hesitated for a few moments.

When the three clan lords began to grow restless, he tentatively spoke.

"For now, I truly don't know whom to send. How about this?"

"Each of you three may act as you see fit—whichever of you obtains it shall claim the credit, how?"

The three heard this.

They looked at him deeply.

Though their hearts brimmed with discontent, their faces remained respectfully courteous as they bowed.

"We humbly obey Your Majesty's command!"

"Good, don't delay—act swiftly."

Yang Guang waved his hand, signaling they could take their leave.

Inside, he sneered twice.

He understood their intentions perfectly.

They merely wished to use this technique to build power among their subordinates.

Anyone with eyes could see that.

So, would Song Huang really give such a tool so easily to an enemy?

In Tang, within the palace.

After finishing today's memorials.

Wu Zetian shook her slightly aching right hand and stretched lazily.

"Wan'er, how is the matter of the Mingyu Art progressing?"

"Your servant is incompetent; so far, I have gained nothing."

Shangguan Wan, who was attending nearby, heard the question and wore an expression of shame.

"Did the Fengluan Guard encounter resistance?"

Wu Zetian raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing her refined cheeks.

She had always trusted Shangguan Wan's ability to get things done.

To have gained nothing at all was truly unexpected.

"I could not locate Hua Xi or the Qinglong Society; even if I had, the Fengluan Guard's strength could not threaten them."

"Therefore, I dispatched the Fengluan Guard to the Great Ming's Yihua Palace."

"At first, things went smoothly—until Yao Yue and Lian Xing appeared; the Fengluan Guard could not prevail and had to withdraw temporarily!"

Shangguan Wan fell silent for two breaths.

She organized her thoughts, then spoke in a measured tone.

"Oh? What realm are they in?"

Wu Zetian pressed.

"Lian Xing, the Second Mistress of Yihua Palace, is late-stage Grandmaster."

"Yao Yue, the First Mistress of Yihua Palace, is peak Grandmaster—she has already touched the threshold of the Transcendent, only half a step away from breaking through."

Shangguan Wan answered quickly.

After speaking,

she felt uneasy inside.

Afraid the Empress would rage.

"Fine, I understand."

"Issue my order: send the Bu Liang Ren to go there and bring back the Mingyu Art at all costs!"

Having learned the full account,

she knew it was not Shangguan Wan's fault.

Wu Zetian did not blame her excessively.

Yet in her tone, there was an unmistakable determination to obtain the Mingyu Art!

But upon reflection, it was understandable.

Which woman does not love beauty?