The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 364 Connection, Discussion
Murong Longcheng finished speaking as darkness fell, and then got up to take his leave.

Zhao Ti said, "Senior brother, why are you in such a hurry? Please stay for dinner. I'd like to discuss the scene of casting spells in the dream with you, and then we'll go to offer incense to our master together."

Murong Longcheng agreed, and Zhao Ti ordered the preparation of wine and dishes.

Later, most of the people in the palace moved to the mansion, but a small number stayed behind, including several cooks.

They prepared a few simple dishes and took out three or five jugs of fine wine that had been stored in the Western Xia, and the two of them enjoyed a small drink.

Zhao Ti inquired in detail about the scenes of Murong Longcheng using Taoist magic in his dream, pondered and integrated them in his mind, and perfected each of the spells the other party had mentioned, both internally and externally.

The spells Murong Longcheng mentioned were diverse, ranging from small to large, and included both offensive and defensive techniques, many of which were even closely related to daily life.

For example, the "small cleaning technique" is used to remove dirt and grime from clothes.

Xiaomingwushu is the art of tidying up and cleaning rooms.

The Minor Thunderstorm technique is used to water flowers, plants, and vegetable gardens, and can also be used as a means of bathing.

The Minor Earth-遁术 (Minor Earth-遁术) is used to speed up travel.

These spells with small characters are all related to daily life. Although they are not offensive spells, they can be used for self-defense and to show off one's abilities in front of others. However, they can save a lot of time that is spent on trivial chores, making the time for cultivation more abundant.

Besides these, there are offensive and defensive techniques, all kinds, and all of them are incredibly powerful. Some of these spells are so wonderful that they are beyond comprehension. If you don't hear about them or practice them, you can hardly imagine them just by thinking about them.

There are even supernatural powers that cannot be used by those at the Qi Refining Realm, or even those at the Twelfth Floor Realm. Only those at the Supreme Dao Palace Realm can use them.

In Murong Longcheng's dream, he was at the Dao Palace realm.

The Dao Palace has nine realms. In his dream, he was already standing on the ninth palace, the Heavenly Court Palace, and he could wield quite a few supernatural powers.

Simpler techniques include transforming into rainbow light, using the Five Elements Escape Technique, and having three heads and six arms. More complex techniques include various transformations, creating things from nothingness, awakening divine arts, and manifesting extraordinary phenomena.

After finishing their meal, the moon was high in the sky, and both of them were slightly tipsy. Zhao Ti pondered and said, "Today, the imperial decree was issued, and His Majesty is summoning me back to the capital for military duties. I will be leaving Xingzhou in the next day or two."

Murong Longcheng said, "Junior brother, if you leave Xingzhou, what about your subordinates..."

Zhao Ti knew he was referring to Zhou Tong, Bai Zhan, and the others. After all, Murong Longcheng had gotten along well with these people since he came to Hexi, and their courtyards were close to each other, so they were practically neighbors.

Zhao Ti said, "I won't take everything with me, but Guangzu will be with me, and Senior Brother will also return to Tokyo with me."

"Back to Tokyo?" Murong Longcheng nodded: "I'll leave it to my junior brother."

Zhao Ti pondered, "After returning to the capital, I will definitely go north to take charge of military affairs. My senior brother can come with me and fight against Liao together."

Murong Longcheng paused for a moment, then said, "Very well, whatever Junior Brother says goes."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "Senior brother, follow me to achieve great things and recover Yan and Yun. At that time, history will surely record this, and it will be passed down from generation to generation, making you famous for all time."

Murong Longcheng blushed: "What merit do I have to be remembered for generations? I only have some crude martial arts and shallow Taoist techniques. I was able to follow you into battle and earn merits entirely thanks to my junior brother's guidance. It's all thanks to my junior brother's help."

Zhao Ti shook his head and said, "Senior brother, there's no need to belittle yourself. Now that this matter is settled, let's go offer incense to Master together."

As he spoke, he stood up, and Murong Longcheng followed. They walked out of the back gate of the military headquarters and headed towards a large hall inside the palace.

A moment later, we arrived at the front of the main hall, where we saw dragons painted on the eaves and phoenixes painted on the beams and pillars, a magnificent sight.

There were attendants on both sides of the palace gate. When they saw Zhao Ti bow, they slowly opened the door.

Inside the hall, bright jewels and jade were inlaid, and the lights and candles flickered, making it seem like daytime.

At the very back was a large altar, the air thick with the scent of sandalwood incense, veiled by gauze curtains. Hanging on the wall behind the curtains was a portrait of a celestial mountain, with landscapes and halls, and in the very center was an oval-shaped mass of interwoven gold and white. This mass was predominantly white, swirling and seemingly constantly shifting, like rolling clouds, filled with mystery and giving one a hazy, ethereal feeling.

Within the mass of energy, there was a figure, its face unseen, only its form visible. Chaotic primordial energy surged within it, making the figure appear both real and ethereal, enveloped in a hazy halo. It seemed unfathomable and transcendent, inspiring awe in all who beheld it. It was none other than the image of the Hongjun Ancestor.

Zhao Ti and Murong Longcheng bowed and offered incense before the shrine, their faces filled with reverence and piety. Murong Longcheng's feelings were no longer as skeptical as when he first drew the portrait. Now that he had gained more Taoist techniques in his dream and was able to cultivate them, he was already convinced that the dream was about his past life, and that his master, junior brother, and others were real.

After offering incense, the two stood silently in the hall for a long time before turning to leave.

Murong Longcheng returned to his residence, while Zhao Ti left the palace and returned to his mansion.

At this time, Azi had not yet rested. The lamplight flickered, and several figures moved around in the room. Zhao Ti could tell from afar that Mu Wanqing and Azhu were teaching her to write.

Zhao Ti watched for a moment, then saw Ruyi carrying a teapot to deliver water. He called her over, gave her a few instructions, and then went to his study.

After reading for a while in the study, Mu Wanqing and Azhu arrived together.

"Young master, Ruyi said that you have something to tell us?" the two women said in unison.

Zhao Ti nodded: "How is Azi?"

The two girls exchanged a glance, and Azhu said, "My sister is well-behaved and obedient, and she hasn't been naughty."

Zhao Ti shook his head: "You're obviously looking out for her, and you're downplaying the issue with your words. If she were just a little mischievous, that would be fine, why would I bother to discipline her?"

Upon hearing this, a mischievous glint flashed in A'Zhu's eyes. She stuck out her tongue and glanced at Mu Wanqing.

Mu Wanqing smiled and said, "Sister Azhu is right. Azi really hasn't caused any trouble. She's very well-behaved in her work and studies."

Zhao Ti glanced at the two women and said, "You two, as the older sisters, should protect her. I can keep her in check while I'm here, but if I leave, she'll be climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles. Let's see what you can do then."

Azhu asked in confusion, "Is the young master leaving Xingzhou to return to Wulahai?"

Mu Wanqing asked, "Are we about to launch a military campaign against the northwestern grasslands?"

Zhao Ti shook his head and recounted how Zhao Xu had sent someone to deliver the imperial decree. Then he said, "I will return to the capital to see the Emperor first, and then head north to take charge of military affairs. Now that the northern expeditions of the two armies are blocked, we cannot delay any longer."

A'Zhu asked in surprise, "Does the young master intend to reclaim Yan and Yun?"

Zhao Ti remained silent for a few moments before saying, "I don't know what His Majesty is thinking either. This campaign to conquer the sixteen prefectures was a bit hasty. After all, we have just destroyed the Western Xia and occupied the Hexi region. We should have been able to rest and recuperate for a while, but instead we continue to wage war. Initially, I predicted that His Majesty would personally lead the campaign, but I didn't expect that he would ask me to take charge of this matter."

Mu Wanqing asked, "When will you depart, young master?"

Zhao Ti said, "The matter is urgent, and we will leave tomorrow. I have nothing else on my mind in Xingzhou, but I am worried about Azi, so I called you here to discuss it."

Azhu said, "Your Highness, please rest assured, we will definitely take good care of Sister Azi."

Mu Wanqing also said, "With so many of us here, we can definitely keep an eye on my sister and help her to change her ways and turn to good from now on."

Zhao Ti said, "You must remember this: if there is a time when you can't control her, find a way to subdue her and send her to me at the front. Don't let her escape on her own."

The two women nodded in agreement. Zhao Ti pondered for a moment, then gave some more details and told the two women to go back and rest.

He then began writing letters to Zhekeshi, and after finishing them, he ordered someone to send them out of the city overnight to Wulahai.

The following day, Zhao Ti, along with Zhou Tong, Bai Zhan, and Murong Longcheng, led three thousand imperial guards towards Tokyo.

(End of this chapter)