Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 158 Departure for the Capital
At the foot of Black Wind Mountain, the morning mist, mixed with the smell of blood and burnt food, lingered for a long time.

The armored soldiers of the Broken Army Camp were expressionless, their movements perfectly synchronized as they piled up and burned the corpses of the evil cultivators, their skill so practiced it was chilling.

Not far away, the disciples of the Tianyan Sect were silently collecting the remains of their fellow disciples, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

Meng Xihong leaned against a giant rock, his five elements spiritual power and furnace true energy intertwining within him, and his two almost crippled arms were recovering at an astonishing speed.

The bones reconnected with a crackling sound, and new muscle tissue grew tenaciously beneath the charred flesh.

"Sect Leader Meng, your Tianyan Sect has made a great contribution in this battle." Xiao Beichen walked to his side, his voice filled with sincere praise.

"To withstand a Golden Core cultivator's attack with his Yi Jin body, and to fight a late-stage Foundation Establishment evil cultivator head-on with his mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, truly broadened my horizons."

His gaze swept over the Tianyan Sect disciples, who, though exhausted, still stood tall, and he slowly said, "In them, I see the hope for the future of my Great Li Dynasty."

Once this matter is settled, I will immediately return to the capital to report. You will accompany me to the capital.

"Go to the capital?" Meng Xihong was taken aback.

“Not bad.” Xiao Beichen nodded.

"The curse on your son is of great importance and can only be suppressed by the dragon energy of the capital city."

"Your elder brother is waiting for you. He wants to see for himself what kind of person this Sect Master of Tianyan, who stirs up trouble in Qingzhou and is willing to pave a new path for all mortals, truly is."

Meng Xihong was deeply shaken.

Go to the capital? To meet the emperor?

This is taking a far too big step.

His original plan was simply to take advantage of the dynasty's power to gain a foothold in Qingzhou and then gradually make his move.

But now, Xiao Beichen is going to take him directly to the heart of the Great Li Dynasty.

Is this appreciation, or... another form of testing?

"Your Highness, my injuries..."

"It's alright." Xiao Beichen seemed to see through his thoughts. "There are plenty of miraculous medicines in the capital. Besides, your son's matter cannot be delayed."

In one sentence, he precisely seized Meng Xihong's Achilles' heel.

He took a deep breath and nodded solemnly: "Alright, I will accompany Your Highness to the capital. Please wait a moment, Your Highness, while I return to my sect to make some arrangements."

Xiao Beichen nodded in agreement.

……

Half an hour later, in the inner sect's quiet room of the Tianyan Sect.

Meng Xihong told Yun Songzi everything about his trip to Beijing.

"Go, this is an incredible opportunity." Yun Songzi stroked his beard, a glint of light flashing in his old eyes.

"The dragon energy in Jinghua City is vast and powerful, which does have a suppressive effect on An'er's curse. As for the sect, with this old Daoist here, you can rest assured."

"Thank you for your trouble, senior." Meng Xihong cupped his hands and then said, "I captured a prisoner alive. He is the Blood Slaughter Envoy of the Annihilation Holy Sect. His cultivation has been destroyed, and I have handed him over to He Wen for safekeeping."

This person is a top secret; please keep a close eye on him, senior, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

Upon hearing this, Yun Songzi took a swig of wine and pursed his lips: "Don't worry, I will personally add another 'Righteous Lock' to his body, ensuring that he won't even be able to commit suicide."

"Speaking of which, it's a pity about that Blood Shadow. I just broke through to the next level, and my hands were itching. I didn't control my strength well and instantly destroyed his soul. He didn't even have time to ask me anything."

Meng Xihong's lips twitched. Why did Versailles sound so pleasant?

Yun Songzi changed the subject, his expression becoming slightly serious: "However, your sect is not monolithic. Shortly before you returned, I sensed a very subtle spatial fluctuation in the outer sect."

When I went over to check, one of the disciples responsible for sweeping had already committed suicide by poison.

The communication jade talisman he used was very special, with a unique array attached to it that could temporarily block spiritual detection—a very clever method. "It seems a rat has already infiltrated." Meng Xihong's face darkened.

He stepped out of the quiet room, where Ji Beichuan, Zhang Xianghua, and He Wen were already waiting.

"Sect Master, go with peace of mind! We'll protect the sect, and we guarantee nothing will go wrong!" Ji Beichuan said, patting his chest.

"That's right! Anyone who dares to cause trouble, I'll be the first to smash them to death with a brick!" Zhang Xianghua echoed in a muffled voice.

Looking at this group of simple and loyal men, Meng Xihong felt a warmth in his heart. He carefully gave He Wen a few more instructions on sect affairs before turning and heading towards his residence in the back mountain.

Inside the room, Bai Muyun was packing his luggage, her movements gentle, yet she couldn't hide the worry in her eyes.

"My lady, I need to take An'er to the capital."

Bai Muyun's delicate body trembled slightly. She stopped what she was doing, raised her head, and her eyes were full of worry: "I'll go with you."

“No.” Meng Xihong shook his head. “The capital is not like Qingzhou. It’s a mixed bag, full of dangers. I can only feel at ease if you stay in the sect.”

Hundred Herbs Peak cannot function without you; the sect's elixirs and medicinal baths all depend on you.

He held his wife's hand; it was a little cold. He could sense her unease.

"Believe me, An'er will get better when I come back."

Looking at her husband's determined eyes, Bai Muyun finally nodded helplessly.

"Dad! I want to go too!"

A clear and firm voice rang out, and Meng Yanqing walked over at some point, her eyes full of stubbornness.

“Third brother is weak, and you are injured; you need someone to protect you on the road. As the senior brother of the Body Refinement Hall, it is my duty to go with you!”

Meng Xihong looked at his eldest son, his brows furrowing slightly.

The trip to the capital was fraught with danger and unknown risks, and he did not want his children to be involved.

But when he saw Meng Yanqing's unwavering eyes, his heart stirred.

This kid is no longer the child who needed his protection; he has taken on his own responsibilities.

Meng Xihong's thoughts drifted away. His own path was to cultivate immortality, martial arts, and literature simultaneously, which was destined to be a lonely and arduous road to heaven.

He cannot be burdened by sect affairs forever.

The Heavenly Evolution Sect needs a qualified successor, someone who can steadily take up the mantle while he goes into seclusion to break through to a higher realm.

Judging from the personalities of these little guys now.

This person can only be his eldest son.

A towering tree cannot grow in a greenhouse; the future of the sect will ultimately be handed over to him.

This trip to the capital was not just about broadening his horizons, but also about laying the groundwork for Meng Yanqing's first lesson in imperial strategy and political maneuvering.

“Alright.” Meng Xihong pondered for a moment and slowly nodded. “You will come with me. But remember, once we arrive in the capital, obey my orders and do not act rashly.”

"Don't worry, Father," Meng Yanqing replied with delight, puffing out his chest.

Black Wind Mountain.

After finishing his instructions regarding sect affairs, Meng Xihong, along with Meng Yan'an and Meng Yanqing, met up with Xiao Beichen.

Xiao Beichen walked to the "Ten Thousand Miles of Universe Teleportation Array" that appeared out of thin air, and took out a token that was entirely red gold and engraved with a coiled dragon.

He infused the token with the dragon energy of humanity, and it immediately shone with golden light.

(End of this chapter)