My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

Above the vast sky of the Tang Dynasty, clouds drift and gather.

Today's Chang'an can no longer be measured by the standards of an ordinary capital city.

As the Tang Dynasty's iron cavalry and immortal cultivation legions waged wars everywhere, countless surrounding minor worlds were forcibly pulled in and swallowed up, completely integrated into the Tang Dynasty's territory.

The profound potential of this place is increasing at a terrifyingly rapid pace.

Look up.

The nine-clawed golden dragon of fortune that hovered above the Taiji Palace was so large that it blotted out the sky.

The golden scales were almost tangible, each shimmering with a dazzling humanitarian glow.

The fortunes of the Tang Dynasty were at this moment like oil being poured over a raging fire, so abundant that it was suffocating.

"Buzz—!"

The last array rune of the star defense line outside Chang'an City slowly closed and disappeared into the void.

King Li Chen of Qin let out a long breath.

He rubbed his slightly sore temples, a hint of weariness showing in his deep eyes.

Ever since searching the soul of that demonic monk Bianji at the royal temple, I learned that an old ancestor in the Buddhist kingdom was attempting to break through to the immortal realm.

Li Chen has been working non-stop these past few days.

He personally led the team to reinforce the Tang Dynasty's defensive formation three times over.

"The defenses are temporarily secured."

Li Chen glanced at the sky. "That old monster from the Buddhist Kingdom could emerge from seclusion at any moment. This is a huge matter, and we must discuss countermeasures with Old Li immediately."

With that thought, Li Chen flashed and transformed into a streak of purple-gold lightning, heading straight for the Taiji Palace.

In his memory, Li Shimin had just announced a few days ago that he would "go into seclusion."

It is said that the fortunes of the Tang Dynasty are soaring, and he wants to take this opportunity to break through the shackles of the Nascent Soul stage and step into the Void Refinement stage.

"Old Li's seclusion this time is of great importance. If we interrupt it rashly, it may backfire on him."

Li Chen walked along the long corridor of Taiji Palace, secretly making plans in his mind.

"However, the immortal's emergence from seclusion is imminent. If all else fails, we will have no choice but to forcibly awaken him."

Li Chen lightened his steps and silently passed through the many palace gates, arriving at the depths of the Imperial Garden where Li Shimin was in seclusion.

This is the place with the richest spiritual energy in the entire palace, and also the core area with the most stringent protection of the Tang Dynasty's array formation.

Li Chen had expected this place to be a solemn scene with booming formations and raging spiritual energy.

however.

As he stepped through the moon gate of the Imperial Garden.

A very subtle yet extremely rhythmic sound drifted into his ears on the breeze.

"Crunch... crunch..."

That's the sound of wood rubbing together when it's being shaken.

Along with this strange sound, a faint fragrance of chilled fairy tea filled the air.

Li Chen was stunned.

He subconsciously stopped and suspiciously peeked half his head out, looking inside along the flower path.

next second.

This was the Prince of Qin of the Tang Dynasty, who had just finished setting up the star defense line and whose mind was filled with thoughts of life and death.

He felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and froze on the spot.

His eyes began to twitch uncontrollably.

In the deepest part of the Imperial Garden, beneath that enormous, ancient Bodhi tree.

There was no array or shield, nor any spiritual energy vortex.

There is only one custom-made rocking chair, crafted from rosewood, which is extremely spacious and comfortable.

Emperor Taizong of Tang, a great emperor throughout history, was known as Li Shimin, who was said to be in "seclusion".

At this moment, she was wearing a loose and breathable silk shirt and was sprawled out on a rocking chair without any regard for her image.

He wore a pair of exaggerated black sunglasses.

In her hand she held a crystal-clear glass cup filled with chilled, top-grade fairy tea.

On either side of the rocking chair.

Two beautiful palace maids were holding exquisite round fans woven from ice silkworm silk.

She gently and slowly fanned the emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

"Slurp—"

Li Shimin slowly took a sip of iced tea.

As the rocking chair swayed, he let out a long, blissful sigh that struck straight to his soul.

"Ah, that feels so good..."

A gentle breeze rustled through the branches and leaves of the Bodhi tree.

Sunlight filtered through the tree canopy, dappling Li Shimin's body.

comfortable.

Lazy.

This is a salted fish that's so bad it's difficult for it to even turn over!

Li Chen stood outside the moon gate, stunned for a good dozen breaths.

He looked at his sleeves, which were covered in dust from setting up the formation.

Then look at the emperor's father, lying in a rocking chair, enjoying being fanned by palace maids.

An indescribable sense of absurdity and anger surged straight to the top of Li Chen's head.

Good guy!

I'm working myself to the bone outside, risking the life and death of the Tang Dynasty.

Didn't you say you were going into seclusion to break through to the Void Refinement stage?!

This is your seclusion?!

Li Chen took a deep breath, his face dark, and strode into the Imperial Garden.

"Ahem!"

Li Chen coughed heavily twice, shattering the peaceful tranquility without any hesitation.

Upon hearing the noise, Li Shimin, who was in the rocking chair, slowed down his swaying.

He didn't even sit up.

He simply stretched out a finger and pulled down the black sunglasses on his nose, revealing a pair of sleepy eyes.

"Oh, it's Chen'er."

Li Shimin smacked his lips, seemingly still savoring the sweetness of the iced tea.

"What are you doing in the palace on such a hot day, instead of staying at the Prince of Qin's residence?"

Li Chen was so angry that he laughed. He rushed to the rocking chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

Looking down at Li Shimin, his fingers trembled slightly.

"Old Deng!"

Li Chen pointed at Li Shimin's vacation-like attire, his voice suddenly rising eight octaves.

"This is what you told the entire court officials about... closing yourself off in seclusion?!"

"How dare you speak to me like that?"

Li Shimin showed no shame at being caught red-handed; instead, he frowned in disgust.

He slowly picked up the glass cup and poured out a piece of Immortal Spirit Tea that he had been chewing.

With a "pui" sound, it accurately spat into the white jade spittoon next to it.

Li Shimin then pushed his sunglasses back up on his nose and adjusted to a more comfortable lying position.

She raised her chin confidently, even with a hint of arrogance.

"How can this not be considered seclusion?"

Li Shimin retorted with conviction.

"I am now the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty! The Great Tang has swallowed up so many small worlds, and its fortune is surging like a tidal wave."

"My so-called seclusion is merely to find a quiet and comfortable place to digest this enormous imperial fortune."

Li Shimin patted the armrest of the rocking chair, his tone exuding an air of invincible Versailles.

"I am the ruler of the Tang Dynasty. If the Tang Dynasty is strong, then I will naturally be strong."

"I don't need to be like you normal ascetics, having to go to dark and damp caves and sit there for decades or even centuries, trying to comprehend the laws of heaven and earth."

Li Shimin spread his hands, with an irritating expression that said, "I don't want it to be this easy, but my strength won't allow it."

"As long as I lie here, the luck will naturally push my cultivation level up."

"Since I can become stronger just by lying down, what's wrong with me enjoying life?"

This is a fallacy that is sophistry and yet impossible to refute.

It was like a heavy hammer blow that slammed into Li Chen's chest.

Li Chen opened his mouth, wanting to refute.

But sadly, it turned out that everything Old Li said was the truth!

As the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, as long as the Tang Dynasty's territory continues to expand and the country is peaceful and prosperous, his cultivation level will soar like a rocket.

Seclusion?

For him, sleeping in a different place is indeed a form of seclusion!

"you……"

Looking at this stubborn, unyielding person, Li Chen felt utterly exhausted.

He let out a long sigh, and the anxiety and tension he had been feeling suddenly vanished without a trace.

If you can't beat them, then join them.

Li Chen silently walked to the rocking chair and reached out to push Li Shimin's shoulder.

"Move over a bit, make some room for me."