So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

"There are quite a few varieties."

Qin Xiao shook his head.

They also took notice of the King of Wu's magnificent post station.

The sounds of string and wind instruments could be faintly heard.

Qin Hong was chatting with several wealthy-looking men with a beaming smile.

Their conversation revolved around romance, nature, and business dealings.

But after seeing the guests off...

His smile faded, and he whispered to the steward, "Prepare generous gifts. We'll visit a few more people tomorrow. Also, have our men speed up the acquisition of grain and fodder."

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow: "Oh, so you're playing dirty, huh?"

As they spoke, his divine sense swept over Chen Wang's residence.

The study was brightly lit.

More than a dozen upright officials, including Chen Wang and Zhou Mingtang, are still alive.

Everyone had a draft of the memorial laid out in front of them, debating the wording.

"The phrase 'Your humble servants, weeping with blood, submit this memorial' should be used here!"

"No, using the phrase 'risking one's life to report' better demonstrates our resolve!"

"If Your Majesty still refuses to heed our advice, we will remain kneeling here forever..."

Qin Xiao laughed when he heard this.

I almost couldn't resist giving them some feedback.

Finally, divine sense enveloped the secret chamber of the Prime Minister's residence.

"Those idiots, Chen Wang and his gang, are really asking for trouble!"

"Perfect! Their commotion will draw everyone's attention!"

"Our people are all arranged. We just need to wait for the Ninth Prince to appear on the day of the celebration, and then..."

Xu Guofu's triumphant voice rang out: "Alright, there's no need to discuss the details any further. Gentlemen, the day of success is just around the corner! At that time, you will all be heroes who have restored our Great Yong!"

Qin Xiao shook his head and continued to focus his divine sense on other places.

Conversations between envoys from some small, scattered countries were also captured.

"...With the Emperor of Dayong being so absurd, chaos is bound to ensue within the country."

"Alas, for small countries like ours, it's best to just wait and see. However, we might actually gain some benefits from it..."

"I've heard that the Kingdom of Yu has designs on the western border. Should we...?"

Countless whispers of conspiracy spread through the bustling capital city.

Betrayal, ambition, scheming...

Everyone has their own ulterior motives!

High above, Qin Xiao remained calm and composed. "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind? Ha..."

"I am the hunter who casts the net!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a thought crossed his mind.

The flying sword beneath his feet emitted a clear, melodious hum, carrying his figure silently into the deeper night.

It was as if it had never existed.

……

On the day of the celebration.

As the sun rises in the east, its rays spread far and wide.

This should have been a day of universal celebration and pilgrimage for all nations.

However, during the routine morning court session before the grand ceremony.

The dragon throne was empty.

Qin Xiao didn't come again!

All the officials in the hall stood solemnly.

But the discussions rose and fell like a tide.

"What an important day this is, yet His Majesty has..."

"Envoys from various countries, as well as princes and members of the royal family, are all waiting in the side hall. What kind of behavior is this!"

"Could it be that His Majesty is unwell?"

"Perhaps he overworked himself in some concubine's palace last night and can't get out of bed!"

At the front of the civil officials' line.

Chen Wang, Zhou Mingtang, and other upright officials all had ashen faces and gripped their official tablets tightly.

They had been preparing for a long time, intending to take the initiative at the morning court session today, presenting a joint memorial to seize the moral high ground.

But Qin Xiao didn't even show his face...

Their punch felt like hitting cotton, leaving them so frustrated they almost vomited blood!

"Incompetent! Hopeless!"

Chen Wang squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, his aged body trembling slightly with anger.

In the ranks of military officers.

Some generals loyal to the royal family also frowned and looked worried.

Qin Xiao's actions not only caused the Great Yong Dynasty to lose face.

What chilled these soldiers even more!

Xu Guofu stood at the forefront of the officials with his head bowed, unable to hide the smile on his face.

The more absurd an emperor is, the more he will be abandoned by his people.

The more advantageous it is for their future plans!

In the side hall, the envoys and vassal kings from various countries who were waiting for an audience naturally heard the news as well.

Qin Lie scoffed and said to his trusted aide beside him, "Look at this, this is the emperor of our Great Yong! Completely hopeless!"

Qin Yuan remained calm, but a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

Qin Hong smiled and spoke to Yu Fengling beside him, his tone tinged with helplessness: "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Your Majesty is still young and needs more time to grow."

Yu Fengling remained calm, merely nodding slightly without saying anything more.

But deep down, I was filled with anticipation for watching the spectacle.

……

Meanwhile, inside the Zichen Palace.

This place is peaceful and serene.

Qin Xiao was not wearing elaborate imperial robes.

He was still wearing loose-fitting casual clothes.

He leaned lazily against the soft couch.

Luo Qingluan leaned against Qin Xiao's chest.

I am not wearing armor today.

Instead, she was dressed in a light blue casual outfit, her dark hair casually tied up.

He lacked some of the general's dashing air.

It added a touch of feminine gentleness.

Luo Qingluan looked at Qin Xiao, unable to hide her worry: "Today's ceremony has attracted forces from all sides, and undercurrents are surging. You even deliberately let the Flying Phoenix Army take a break and changed their defenses. Won't something happen...?"

Before he could finish speaking...

Qin Xiao picked up a grape from the jade plate and gently placed it into Luo Qingluan's slightly parted lips, smiling, "Qingluan, don't panic, everything is under control. Just observe and see. By the way, have you mastered the method of manipulating divine sense that I taught you before?"

Luo Qingluan chewed on a grape: "Although I've practiced these past few days, I'm still quite rusty."

Thanks to Qin Xiao's dedicated help.

In just a few days, Luo Qingluan's progress was remarkable.

He has already entered the third level of the Qi Refining stage!

His actual strength far exceeds that of a ninth-level martial artist.

However, she has not yet fully adapted to the transition from martial arts master to cultivator.

"Give it a try."

Qin Xiao encouraged, "Concentrate your mind and calm your spirit, then slowly spread your divine sense outwards like ripples on water."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingluan obediently did as she was told.

Try to mobilize the 'airflow' that exists in the sea of ​​consciousness between your eyebrows, and carefully extend it outwards.

It was a bit slow at first.

But it quickly became smooth.

Perception instantly transcended the limitations of the naked eye, penetrating the walls of the palace.

Everything within a radius of over 100 meters...

The soft breathing of the palace maids standing outside the hall.

The faint sound of patrolling guards' armor rubbing together in the distance.

Even the dew rolling on the petals in the courtyard.

They all seem so close!

Further away, within a range of several hundred meters, it was as if veiled by a thin layer of gauze, blurry and indistinct.

However, one can still sense some general movement and atmosphere.

Luo Qingluan tried her best to direct her divine sense towards the direction of the Golden Palace.

The distance was too far, beyond the range of her keen perception.

All I could feel was a cacophony of noise.

It seems there's a heated argument, complaints, and anger going on...

"It's chaotic in the Golden Palace. There are many people talking, but I can't hear what they're saying."

Luo Qingluan looked at Qin Xiao and said.

Qin Xiao nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad. To be able to project your divine sense this far in just a few days, your talent is truly exceptional!"

"All right……"

Seeing Qin Xiao's calm demeanor, Luo Qingluan felt much more at ease.

More than the impending chaos, Qin Xiao seemed to care about her cultivation progress...