fifth form

Chapter 3008 Strategic Détente

Tian Fen's cultivation level is quite incredible.

The fact that this level of cultivation was achieved under the guidance of the Empress Dowager makes it even more hard to believe.

No renowned teacher can guarantee that a cultivator will definitely reach the Divine Power Realm.

If even the Divine Power Realm cannot be guaranteed, there is no need to mention the Sole Self Realm and the True Self Realm.

But Tian Fen succeeded nonetheless.

Such cases even include Yi Shuo, who had attained the realm of supernatural powers.

This was not only something that amazed Zhang Xuezhou; the new emperor undoubtedly felt a bit of regret. Even though he was only one step away from the Sovereign Realm, he still felt a sense of uncertainty and fear.

“When I followed the Buddhist disciple Shi Gong, I heard some great cultivators explain the Realm of Selflessness. Compared to the Realm of Supernatural Powers, which evolves into one’s own path, the Realm of Selflessness is the middle stage of the last three realms, which is about firmly establishing one’s own path. Only by being extremely firm in one’s own self and running wildly along one’s own path of cultivation can one possibly break through this realm!”

"Oh?"

Zhang Xuezhou's communication with the new emperor wasn't just about telling stories to the very end; instead, he would expand upon the content of the story to engage in discussions.

In the narrative of the changing power dynamics of the three realms, he and the new emperor also discussed cultivation.

The new emperor instructed Zhang Xuezhou to become closer to the Empress Dowager at Changxin Palace, while Zhang Xuezhou advised the wavering emperor to persevere in his beliefs.

Zhang Xuezhou didn't understand Tian Fen's cultivation reaching its peak, nor could he study it, but he could ask Yi Shuo for information and then visit the Empress Dowager to try to figure out the mystery.

Zhang Xuezhou's cultivation experience did not originate from himself, but from the discussions between the Emperor and Empress. His own situation is not reliable, but the Emperor had seen and guided many cultivators throughout his long life, and the experience he gained was universal and applicable.

In the real world of ancient society, emperors controlled power, and the level of cultivation and strength did not have much of an impact. But this is a world of demons, immortals, gods, and humans, and emperors do need real strength to back them up.

The Empress Dowager of Changxin Palace, through the efforts of Tian Fen and others, created a powerful support system in a different sense, which also helped to reunite the court and give it a voice.

Only strength can unite people's hearts. The new emperor's hiding is beneficial to his own safety, but the inability to demonstrate his strength to the outside world also has some drawbacks.

Zhang Xuezhou understood the new emperor's anxieties about gains and losses. He wanted to be safe, thus using his own weakness to clearly distinguish between his ministers and dangerous elements, while also trying to control the power of the court.

But nothing is ever perfect. Not only was the new emperor like this, but Zhang Xuezhou was not spared either. This even included top-level cultivators such as the Emperor, the Jade Emperor, the Empress, Zhenyuan, Randeng, and Tathagata, as well as the deceased Empress Dowager and others.

Zhang Xuezhou has met many people, and none of them are perfect.

It is precisely because of the various shortcomings in their lives that they are able to overcome these shortcomings and keep moving forward.

Zhang Xuezhou felt that this was the real way everyone acted, and there was nothing he could do about outliers like Tian Fen.

In short, Tian Fen is a very small minority; most people in the world are like him.

"I have little contact with Western schools of thought, please continue!"

"You also accompanied the Buddhist monk Shi Gong to Kunlun and the Celestial Court?"

"I really envy you!"

……

As Zhang Xuezhou continued to explain, the new emperor felt as if he were listening to a story, the content of which unfolded before him like a scroll painting, depicting all sorts of people, gods, demons, and immortals. Zhang Xuezhou recounted many things, many of which the new emperor was familiar with, yet many others differed from what he knew.

Of what the new emperor knew, West Kunlun was an ancient power that was distant and gradually disappeared, the Western Religion was a top university sect that occupied Xiniuhezhou, the Immortal Court was a venomous snake hidden in the dark, and the forces involved in the Yedihe Holy Land and other forces were large and unfathomable schools of thought.

Some of these statements are identical to Zhang Xuezhou's account, while others contradict Zhang Xuezhou's account.

"If the Kunlun Heavenly Court regains control of the cultivator forces outside the imperial court, then the Empress Dowager's strategy of sending Tang Meng to open up the western barbarian regions such as Yelang, Bo, Qiong, Zuo, Ya, and Mang was completely wrong!"

In the current court's strategy, the court maintains a stable confrontation with large powers such as the Xiong Kingdom, while using trade and conquest to gradually erode the Western Yi region and various countries that the ancient Heavenly Court once controlled, and to continuously reclaim the areas that were lost in the past. This includes containing the Jiangdu Kingdom and the Huainan Kingdom, allowing these two vassal states near the southern region to continuously supply strategic materials, and also making an example of the Nanyue Kingdom and the Minyue Kingdom.

If what Zhang Xuezhou said is true, this is a direct attack on the Kunlun Heavenly Court, and it has made the Kunlun gods truly understand what it means to be forgotten once someone leaves.

The strategy hadn't been in place for very long, and the new emperor took a deep breath.

He wasn't afraid that Zhang Xuezhou was lying; he was afraid that what Zhang Xuezhou said was true.

Even if the probability is only one in ten or twelve, the consequences could be severe.

Zhang Xuezhou's words obviously cannot be trusted by others, nor can the new emperor verify them. He cannot use them to persuade the Empress Dowager, much less stop her military strategy.

"How can I reconcile these conflicts and prevent them from escalating in the future?" the new emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, I know nothing about military affairs!"

Zhang Xuezhou spoke frankly, only recounting what he had seen and heard. As for how the new emperor would arrange and adjust things, that was the new emperor's business.

"You are eloquent and persuasive, and you will surely be able to get along with Tang Meng, thus easing the pace of the war," the new emperor sighed. "It's a pity that your cultivation has too many drawbacks, and your body is also inconvenient!"

“Your Majesty has many capable people around you, and they should all be able to get things done,” Zhang Xuezhou said.

"Wei Qing is preoccupied with managing the Northern Army but lacks the time and resources; Han Yan is inexperienced in combat and has other important matters to attend to; Sang Hongyang has gone to the border to trade with the Xiong people; Gongsun Ao is not qualified enough; Gongsun He holds the position of Grand Master of the Palace and cannot leave without permission; Mei Gao is talented but lacks real ability; Wuqiu Shouwang is obsessed with chess and doesn't understand interpersonal relationships; Zhuang Zhu is trapped in Kuaiji by his mother; Zhu Fuyan is too straightforward and difficult to get along with Tang Meng; Xu Le and Yan An..."

The new emperor murmured.

Among his many close advisors, only Zhang Xuezhou lived a carefree life; the others had all been assigned tasks.

Even the court entertainer Li Sheren was assigned to collect information on the Confucian school in Chang'an, leaving almost no one idle.

As for some prominent figures and officials, they cannot be arranged by the new emperor at will. These people would not only not go to Sichuan to oppose Tang Meng, but they would probably immediately become fraternal and humble with Tang Meng, making it difficult for them to complete the tasks entrusted to them by the new emperor.

"Are there no missing people on your side?"

The new emperor muttered to himself, glancing at Zhang Xuezhou from time to time, seemingly trying to persuade Zhang Xuezhou to go to Sichuan.

In the past, Zhang Xuezhou could go wherever he wanted, especially since he had the familiar Prefect Wen Weng in the Sichuan region. But right now, he was relying on the Demon-Revealing Mirror of the Dou family in his backyard for protection, so how could he possibly go to a place like Sichuan?

Seeing that the new emperor seemed to have some intention of making him do chores, Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but ask him a question.

After repeated questioning and reminders, the new emperor finally remembered that there was a Sima Xiangru in Chang'an who was lying paralyzed and not doing any work.

Regardless of whether Sima Xiangru's eyesight was poor or clear, the other party had to get up and work.