I come to see Bai Yujing today

Chapter 291 Duke Anguo's Heavenly Tower

Chen Zhian's memorial was like a stone sinking into the sea, receiving no response whatsoever.

Even at the court assembly the following day, Emperor Zhaofu did not mention the matter, as if Chen Zhian had never written a memorial about Wohuangqiu.

Chen Zhian learned about the plain from Li Yuanxin, the head of the Li family, and was not in a hurry.

One day, when Wen Lichu breaks free of her shackles and steps into the realm of creation, it will be noticed.

Chen Zhian only needs to accumulate strength, and Wen Lichu only needs to use the pills, battle formations, and armor provided by Chen Zhian to transform Wohuangqiu and make it no longer a gathering place for weak refugees.

Then... there's always a way out for Wohuangqiu, and it's very likely to become a significant asset to Chen Zhian.

The minor incident did not change Chen Zhian's life; he still spent his days cultivating and refining elixirs in his courtyard in Qinglian County.

By March, Chen Zhian had some more worries.

It's only because Princess Linglong has been gone from Xuantianjing for two months.

Two months passed without any news of Princess Linglong.

He also sent people to inquire, and it was said that the three thousand Zhenlong Army, General Jianlong, and Princess Linglong had already returned to Youlong Mansion.

But... it's unclear whether Princess Linglong lives a secluded life or simply doesn't want to socialize.

Surprisingly, no one in the Dragon Palace had ever seen Princess Linglong.

If the paper crane that Chen Zhian gave to Princess Linglong hadn't remained intact and hadn't occasionally emitted traces of Princess Linglong's life, Chen Zhian would have surely thought that something was wrong with Princess Linglong.

However, upon careful consideration, Chen Zhian realized that he might have been overthinking things.

She is of noble birth, being the daughter of Emperor Zhaofu, and a princess of the current dynasty!

Although Wei Liyang was somewhat eccentric, he ultimately understood the meaning of life and death.

If Emperor Zhaofu marries the princess to him, it would be utterly ridiculous if he couldn't protect her life.

"Moreover... I always felt that Princess Linglong was not in the Youlong Palace."

Chen Zhian pondered this in his heart.

Long ago, Princess Linglong mentioned to him that she did not want to stay in this deep palace and wanted to take off her shackles and regain her freedom.

Thinking about it carefully, he has indeed left Xuantianjing... but if he goes to Youlong Mansion, he will only be putting on new shackles.

If Princess Linglong was truly determined, she would have likely already made plans before leaving Xuantianjing.

Thinking of this, Chen Zhian took another deep breath.

He put away the paper crane in his hand and continued his meditation while sitting cross-legged.

The Purple Yellow Green Sheep True Scripture helped him improve, making his true essence more solid and accelerating the speed at which he refined Dao True Qi.

Once the third Dao True Qi is fully refined, one can absorb the fourth Dao True Qi and thus enter the Profound Pool Realm.

Chen Zhian has been diligently cultivating these past few days, even squeezing out most of his time for alchemy to refine the Dao True Qi.

The reason he was in such a hurry was that he would soon be traveling to the Great Qian Dynasty.

With the opening of the Immortal Palace under the Great Qian Dao, the young powerhouses who can enter must possess extraordinary strength.

In terms of talent, Chen Zhian ranks fifth on the Young Tiger Stele, making him a true prodigy in the world.

However, when it comes to cultivation level... even Zhou Chu, who ranked tenth on the Young Tiger Stele, had the Profound Mansion Realm. Compared to these figures, Chen Zhian's cultivation level was much weaker.

"The fifteen people on the Young Tiger Stele are probably all at the Profound Mansion Realm, while I only have the Profound Tower Realm. Ordinary Profound Mansion Realm experts are no match for me. In fact, after comprehending the Heavenly King Divine Power, I can even fight against ordinary Heavenly Palace Realm experts."

But the figures in the Xuanfu inscription on the Young Tiger Stele... are far from ordinary.

For this reason, Chen Zhian wanted to do his best to raise his cultivation to the Xuanchi realm before heading to Daqian.

Perhaps because he was too impatient, his cultivation progress did not accelerate much, and he was still some distance from the Xuanchi realm.

"In the path of cultivation, once you reach the Jade Palace realm, there is no longer any saying that diligence can make up for lack of talent."

If one has both insight and talent, one can make rapid progress.

If one only focuses on diligently cultivating to elevate one's cultivation level... that would be inappropriate.

Thinking of this, Chen Zhian opened his eyes, and the true energy flowing through his body gradually subsided.

He stood up, his bones cracking and popping.

"Compared to my true essence cultivation, now that I have many elixirs and miraculous medicines, my physical cultivation has become even stronger."

He shook his head and stepped out of the courtyard.

"Don't be impatient."

Chen Zhian muttered to himself, and as if possessed, he stepped into the void again, flying all the way to Xuantianjing.

He arrived at the banks of the Huanglong River.

Winter had arrived, and some glaciers in the Tianshan Mountains began to melt, making the Huanglong River even more powerful and roaring.

Chen Zhian stood on a bridge in the western suburbs, looking down at the Huanglong River.

The Huanglong River flows swiftly, passing through twenty-seven prefectures along its course.

I remember when Chen Zhian first came to Xuantianjing, he stood on the banks of the Huanglong River, observing the flow of the Huanglong River, and thus improved his swordsmanship.

Nearly a year has passed, and the Yellow Dragon River is still there. In fact, nothing has changed in Xuantianjing or even in the vast Dayu.

"The power to hold the seal, in the end, still depends on my cultivation level."

Chen Zhian glanced at the Suspended Palace without showing any emotion.

He had no idea what Zhao Fuhuang, who seemed to be in a drowsy state in the Xuantian Palace, was planning.

All he knew was that... Emperor Zhaofu currently did not impose any restrictions on him.

This probably means that...Emperor Zhaofu still needs to do some things himself.

For example, he could travel to the southern Nine Provinces, wreak havoc, and deflate the arrogance of the powerful clans and aristocratic families.

For example, he killed forty members of powerful families in Xuantianjing, letting these families know that their people would also be beheaded.

"But I don't know what kind of help my actions have provided to the court and to Emperor Zhaofu in the Taiyuan Palace."

"Should the six clans of Dayu go to Emperor Zhaofu to plead for their lives...? If they do, it would mean they have to compromise with the court."

Thinking of this, Chen Zhian smiled slightly.

"In these chaotic times, one must demonstrate one's value in order to preserve oneself."

"However, no matter how talented I am, my value as an individual can never surpass the six families of the Great Yu Dynasty or the noble families of the world."

"So the day I lose my value is the day Emperor Zhaofu gets what he wants."

Even...because of my words and actions, I might incur the wrath of Emperor Zhaofu.

Facing the wind and water vapor from the surface of the Huanglong River.

Chen Zhian's thoughts became increasingly clear.

“There are countless powerful figures in Xuantianjing. Many of them just sit in high positions and watch us fight and joke around. To this day, they have never made a move or revealed their true strength.”

For example, Prime Minister Song, the God of Literature of the Great Yu Dynasty, the Imperial Preceptor... or even the Duke of Anguo.

With this thought in mind, Chen Zhian turned to look north.

There are two pavilions standing there!

A pavilion hundreds of feet high, brightly lit, so high that one could pluck the stars, was the Star Gazing Palace!
The other pavilion was also extremely tall; among the countless buildings and pavilions in the vast Xuantianjing, it could be considered the second tallest.

This pavilion is the Chitian Tower!

"Prime Minister Song once said... Duke Anguo is like a dark cloud covering the entire world of Yu, with ferocious beasts dwelling in the cloud, eyeing this world with predatory intent!"
However, I have been in Xuantianjing for a year, and Duke Anguo has remained aloof from the vast majority of affairs in the world.

His connections with the six powerful clans of the Great Yu Dynasty were not particularly close. Such a person… seemingly unremarkable, yet also renowned throughout the land—that's rather strange.

He thought of the Duke of Anguo's two children.

Wei Liyang's favorite thing to do is to paint on human skin, and he also has to peel and dry the skin himself. If others heard about it, they would probably be horrified.

Wei Lingyu was arrogant and domineering, and had little cunning. After Chen Zhian cut off her hand, Wei Lingyu disappeared without a trace, and the Duke of Anguo's mansion did not take any action, as if they did not care about this princess at all.

"And the Imperial Advisor... Consort Jiang..."

Chen Zhian carefully considered the situation and felt that the dark clouds covering the sky above Xuantianjing and the undercurrents deep within the clouds were just like the Yellow Dragon River at this moment.

"And then there are the six surnames of the Great Yu... The heads of the families who preside over the affairs of the six surnames are not the strongest among the six surnames."

The six clans also have clan elders and clan heads...

Especially those at the clan chief level—let alone my small-time antics, even when my father single-handedly defeated several powerful figures, they didn't show up.

Chen Zhian was in turmoil.

"There are many kingdoms in the world, as well as numerous mystical sects and countless powerful figures."

However, since the collapse of the Great Xi, the Great Yu has always been known as the second strongest country in the world, even more powerful than the Dali with its iron cavalry and cloud cavalry, and the Jiusi with its many demons.

Where exactly does this "powerful" quality lie?

Chen Zhian stared intently at the Chitian Tower in the distance...

A few moments later, a sudden surge of emotion welled up in his heart.

As if guided by some strange force, Chen Zhian strode toward Chitian Tower.

Night had fallen.

The night was thick and dark, enveloping the capital city.

The Duke of Anguo's mansion, like a wild beast lurking on the earth, faced the city gate with a hint of predatory intent.

Unbeknownst to him, Chen Zhian had arrived at the gate of the Duke of Anguo's mansion. He looked up at Chitian Tower, but with his current eyesight and cultivation, he could not see the slightest flow of true essence in the tower, nor could he see any life force on it.

It's as if there isn't a single living person in this towering, cloud-piercing structure.

What exactly is inside this pavilion?

Chen Zhian suddenly had a thought, and he felt an urgent desire to go into the pavilion and see what was hidden inside.

Such thoughts, like a tornado, swept over the mind in an instant.

Chen Zhian swallowed hard, took a few steps forward, and arrived outside the towering walls of the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

Inside the courtyard wall lay the tall building that filled him with irrepressible curiosity.

"Perhaps the Duke of Anguo isn't among them," Chen Zhi'an thought to himself. "I'll just go and take a look; that should be alright, right?"

This thought instantly took root in his mind, and then took root and sprouted completely.

Chen Zhian looked up at Chitian Tower, took a deep breath, and even slightly bent his knees, wanting to become stronger overnight and go up to that tower to take a look.

Just at this moment...

In his mind, Nan Liujing's brilliance suddenly burst forth.

The intense and brilliant light seemed to pierce through space and land on his primordial spirit, clearing away his mind and thoughts.

Chen Zhian's expression changed instantly, and his eyelids twitched wildly.

He straightened up, still looking up, but his body was covered in a layer of cold sweat.

Chen Zhian's physical strength is so formidable that he can easily suppress ordinary cultivators from the Jade Palace Heavenly Gate with just his physical prowess.

But at this moment, he was indeed sweating profusely!

"What method is this?"

Chen Zhian recalled the day: "I was cultivating in the courtyard when, by some strange twist of fate, I wanted to come and see the banks of the Huanglong River. After seeing the Huanglong River, I was again reminded of the Duke of Anguo."

At that moment, I actually wanted to quietly climb over the courtyard wall and go to the Chitian Tower!

"Moreover... even Nan Liujing didn't notice this completely normal change in my thoughts until I wanted to climb this tall building!"

"Incredible."

Since he opened the Jade Capital Map in the heavens and acquired the White Jade Capital... there are actually not many things in the world that can surprise Chen Zhian.

Until this very moment!

"eccentric."

As the light from Nanliujing slowly faded, Chen Zhian was unwilling to linger in front of the Duke of Anguo's mansion and was about to turn around and leave.

A deep voice suddenly came from above.

"Lord Chen, since you've come to my courtyard, why not come upstairs for some tea?"

Chen Zhian's expression froze, and he looked up.

But then I saw a familiar figure!

The man was dressed in a black brocade robe, embroidered with a lifelike dragon pattern, its body winding and twisting.

He looked to be in his early forties, not old at all, and not very tall.

This person was standing on the sixteenth floor of the Chitian Tower, in front of the railing, looking down at Chen Zhian.

He stood there, exuding an unimaginable aura, as if carrying the power of heaven and earth, or bearing dragons and tigers on his back, like a god descending to earth!
"Duke Anguo!"

Chen Zhian had met Duke Anguo many times before.

On the Star Gazing Palace, in the Taiyuan Hall.

Only today did he sense the aura emanating from Duke Anguo, an aura that was far too powerful and terrifying.

Even if Chen Zhian visualized two divine figures, even if he had an extremely profound foundation, even if he was the young prodigy on the Young Tiger Stele, and even if he was the most powerful and highest-ranking among the younger generation of the Great Yu Dynasty.

But when he faced Duke Anguo, and faced Duke Anguo's unimaginable aura, Chen Zhian's blood began to flow faster, his hair stood on end, and even the radiance emanating from Xuanlou's primordial spirit appeared extremely dim.

"I just happened to be passing by, so I won't come up for tea."

Under unimaginable and astonishing pressure, Chen Zhian gave Duke Anguo a stiff smile and then tried to turn around and run away.

"General Chen, please don't stand on ceremony, I'll help you up." The Duke of Anguo's voice came again.

Rumble…

An astonishing aura condensed in an instant, and terrifying divine power was unleashed in that instant.

Duke Anguo lowered his eyes and looked down. A light suddenly shone in the depths of his pupils. The void around him trembled for no reason, and countless mysterious seal characters seeped out from the void, turning into two chains.

One of the chains with seal script had pierced through the stone slab beneath Chen Zhian's feet.

The bluestone bricks remained undamaged, but the chains seemed to emerge from the netherworld, wrapping directly around the neck of Xuanlou's primordial spirit.

Chen Zhian's true energy felt as if he had fallen into a quagmire, and the protective true energy condensed by the Purple Yellow Green Sheep True Scripture melted away like spring snow meeting the sun.

The second chain descended from the top of Chen Zhi'an's head, and the cries of a million wronged souls echoed in his ears, each wail shaking his very soul.

"Come up." Duke Anguo lightly tapped the railing with his finger, and the two chains suddenly tightened to a tighter angle.

The space around Chen Zhian peeled away like pieces of glass!
When he opened his eyes again, he saw wisps of tea smoke rising from the sandalwood table.

Suddenly, a thunderclap boomed outside the building, and Chen Zhian abruptly realized that he was sitting upright in a carved rosewood chair, holding a warm teacup in his hands.

Not far away, Duke Anguo sat upright, watching Chen Zhian.

"General Chen, please have some tea."

(End of this chapter)