From Princess in the Cold Palace to Empress in Heaven

The Sun Palace Master was frightened when he heard this, thinking that this little girl was really cunning. But then he thought, if she wasn't cunning, how could he go out and win face for her?

She thought for a moment and asked, "What do you think? Tell me and I will consider it."

Xiao Minghuang suddenly perked up. She went around in circles and finally heard this sentence.

"My disciple is now in the Spiritualization Realm. I think it won't be long before I am ready to break through to the King Realm. However, there are still many things I don't understand in my practice. I beg Master to give me some advice."

Xiao Minghuang said modestly and respectfully.

Hearing this, the Lord of the Sun Palace raised his eyebrows slightly. It turned out that he wanted her to help improve his cultivation. She was not confused by external things and focused on improving herself. This was a good choice.

In fact, ever since she noticed Xiao Minghuang, she had already planned to take him in as her disciple.

Therefore, she had already considered Xiao Minghuang's situation.

After a moment of silence, the Sun Temple Master said, "Your physique is a mixed spirit body. Although you have an advantage below the Saint Realm, the path after becoming a Saint is not about being good at many things, but about focusing on one path and concentrating on it, so that you can make greater progress. The way to practice is not about quantity, but about refinement. You should understand this principle, right?"

Xiao Minghuang nodded and said, "Disciple knows a thing or two."

The Lord of the Sun Palace said: "Therefore, the decision you have to make now is which path to take. Do you choose the Pure Yang Path or the Fire Path?"

"No matter which path you choose, you must give up the other one as soon as possible to clear the obstacles for building the Holy Palace."

Xiao Minghuang was also clear about what the Lord of the Sun Palace said.

Casting a Holy Palace means the first step towards becoming a saint. One uses one's own Taoism to cast a palace within one's own Purple Palace, with one's own Primordial Spirit high in the palace. One continuously radiates one's own Taoism outwards, gradually evolving the Purple Palace into a higher level cave or secret realm. This is then considered a sign of successful attainment of a saint.

Of course, sainthood is not just a characteristic of the Palace of Saints, but it is indeed the most important characteristic.

Ordinary cultivators may have to accumulate knowledge in the King Realm for a long time before considering the issue of the Palace of the Saints. That is because they themselves do not know whether it will be possible to impact the Saint Realm in the future. After all, the Palace of the Saints requires a large number of divine objects from heaven and earth, which are usually difficult for ordinary cultivators to afford.

But Xiao Minghuang is obviously different. With her talent, it is only a matter of time before she becomes a saint, so she should consider it in advance. Otherwise, when the time comes, she will not have collected all the divine objects of heaven and earth, which will delay her progress in cultivation.

Xiao Minghuang asked: "In your opinion, which path should I choose?"

The Lord of the Sun Palace responded, "If you choose the Pure Yang Path, then you can connect to the Taiyin Path, and the Yin and Yang will work together to build the Yin and Yang Palace. There are not many predecessors on this path, but each of them is a brilliant genius, and there are also great figures who have achieved enlightenment and become emperors. This will also guide your path, so that you won't be alone on the difficult road."

"So, what about the other one?"

"If you choose the way of fire, you can then connect to the ways of gold, wood, water and earth, and the five elements will intergrow and create the Five Elements Palace. There are many predecessors on this path, but not many have succeeded... or most have failed. After all, the possibility of collecting the five elements of heaven and earth divine objects of equal levels at the same time is not high. There was once a sage of the Holy Academy who overcame many difficulties but still fell in his ultimate leap to become an emperor... But if you choose this path, your teacher will do his best to help you."

Xiao Minghuang seemed to be thinking about something. Of the two routes, according to what the Lord of the Sun Palace said, the former seemed to be easy, after all, there were predecessors to guide her. The latter seemed to be a little more difficult, but the key point was that the materials in the Palace of Saints were scarce, so this did not seem to be a particularly difficult thing for her.

Therefore, no matter which of these two options she chooses, it is actually fine.

But she always felt that neither of these two paths was suitable for her.

Or, it is not impossible to choose two paths at the same time.

So she spoke her mind.

"Master, if I practice two paths at the same time, is it feasible?"

"Um?!"

The Sun Temple Master was surprised, then said solemnly: "Good idea, theoretically feasible. Some people have tried it before, but they all failed. I don't recommend you to do this. With your talent, you just need to make steady progress. Sooner or later you will reach my level. By then, you can accumulate slowly and within this era, you will have a great chance of achieving immortality."

Xiao Minghuang asked: "Master, I often hear people talk about saints, immortals, and emperors. Can you explain it first?"

The Sun Palace Master frowned and said, "Haven't you ever heard the elders teach before?"

Xiao Minghuang just smiled and didn't say anything. After she was admitted to the hospital, she was in seclusion every day. Apart from that, she was always fighting and killing. How could she have the time to attend classes?

The Lord of the Sun Temple sighed and explained, "Above the King of Life and Death is the Immortal Saint, and above that is the Immortal Supreme. In theory, the Immortal Supreme is on the same level as the Great Emperor and can compete with him, but reality is usually inconsistent with theory."

"The Great Emperor is the strongest in a world, and is recognized by the heaven and earth. In theory, no one in a world can defeat the Great Emperor, and it is even difficult to compete with him. However, no matter how powerful the Great Emperor is, he can only be recognized by the heaven and earth for one era. When the era ends, the heaven and earth will no longer recognize him."

"The Great Emperor cannot be re-elected. This is the highest and most essential law of the universe. No one can violate it, not even the Great Emperor himself!"

"But there is always a way out, there is still a glimmer of hope."

299. Sun God City

"Before the end of an era, the emperor can cut off his own body and sever his connection with the world to save himself. Although this can keep the emperor alive, he will also face many crises, such as revenge from past enemies, or the mutilation caused by self-cutting, etc...."

The Lord of the Sun Temple added: "Besides that, the heaven and earth will only recognize the Supreme Beings who have achieved immortality in this era, and the Supreme Beings in the previous era or earlier times will not be recognized by the heaven and earth."

"That's probably it. Is there anything else you want to ask?"

After hearing this, Xiao Minghuang thought for a moment and realized that the Lord of the Sun Palace still thought highly of her.

It is said that she can reach the immortal realm within one era, that is, within 129,600 years. In fact, it means that she will have the opportunity to compete for the emperor of the next era in the future.

Xiao Minghuang organized her thoughts. She did have a small problem.

"What would happen if the emperor died soon after attaining enlightenment?"

Upon hearing this, the Lord of the Sun Palace was speechless. He never expected that Xiao Minghuang would have such a question.

She said with a bit of disdain, "Impossible. In a world, no matter who it is, no matter how old the monster is, if he can survive a blow from the Great Emperor, he has great background. Even if a group of old monsters attack together, they can't defeat the Great Emperor, let alone kill him."

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang felt that she seemed to have some hidden meaning, but he did not ask any further questions. He said respectfully: "Thank you, Master, for clearing up my doubts. I understand."

Speaking of this topic, the Sun Temple Master seemed a little bored. She waved her hand and said, "As I said just now, you can go to the Wanbao Pavilion and choose a Saint King magic weapon. As for the Emperor's Scripture, Emperor's Art, etc., you can choose whatever you want. As for which path you want to take, you are not a child anymore. Just be responsible for yourself. Tell me when you have made up your mind, and I will definitely help you. I am leaving. With this order, you can freely enter and exit all places in the Sun God City except the Sun God Temple. Take care of yourself!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the figure of the Lord of the Sun Temple disappeared from the spot.

A fiery red token was suspended there, emitting a fiery aura, with two large characters written on it: Sun.

Xiao Minghuang picked up the token, smiled slightly, turned and left.

The Sun God City is the dojo of the Lord of the Sun Temple. It is located above the Inner Court in the Holy Academy and is the highest level that publicly accepts disciples. Disciples who can enter the Sun God City to practice are usually called disciples of the Two Palaces.

The disciples of the two halls are not necessarily the disciples of the two hall masters, but more often they are the disciples of the elders in the two halls, or they are not even the disciples of the elders. They can only pretend to be in the two halls and have no real master.

Being able to become a disciple of the two halls means that one has almost reached the pinnacle of the younger generation. The next level up is to become a saint and compete for the qualification of being a candidate for the emperor.

That is not exclusive to the younger generation, but it is a struggle with the older generation of saints, even the Great Saint, Saint King, and even the Quasi-Emperor!

Just like the Lord of the Sun Palace himself, she is a very powerful person who ranks very high among the candidates for the title of Emperor.

Xiao Minghuang took a rough look through the token and found that Sun God City was a big city with all kinds of facilities. There was also a branch of Wanbao Pavilion, and there was an extremely convenient teleportation array that could teleport to the headquarters. There was no need for her to make a separate trip to the Wanbao Pavilion headquarters.

She would first go to select the Holy King's magic weapon and the Emperor's Scripture, and then it would not be too late to formally report to the Sun God Palace.

...

Following the guidance of the token, Xiao Minghuang headed east.

After three days of flying, she saw a huge city cluster in the distance.

The city cluster is arranged in a circular shape with no end in sight. There are no city walls around it. Countless pavilions and palaces are built on the mountains, towering into the clouds.

In the center of the city stands a giant tree with luxuriant branches and leaves, and countless leaves emitting sparkling golden light. On the highest branch stands a splendid palace, like a huge sun, illuminating the world.

Xiao Minghuang raised his eyes and looked up. After just a glance at the palace, he felt a stinging pain in his eyes, as if they were burned by flames.

"This should be the Temple of the Sun..."

The residence of the Lord of the Sun Temple is not open to outsiders.

Xiao Minghuang looked away, took out the token and checked the map of Sun God City stored in it, found the address of Wanbao Pavilion, and rushed over.

On the way, she saw all kinds of buildings in the city, dazzling and lined up.

The whole city is very prosperous, like a country, and there is a smell of bustle in the air.

"so many people!"

Xiao Minghuang couldn't help but be amazed.

There are so many people gathered here!

Before coming here, she thought there were only disciples from the Two Halls here, but now she realized that there were other disciples as well. Many of them came here to run shops, or work, or engage in other livelihoods, all of which revolved around the disciples from the Two Halls.

As one goes deeper into the city, the number of monks with low cultivation levels gradually decreases, while the number of young monks with temperaments that are clearly different from ordinary people increases, and they are followed by many attendants and maids.

There are many such cultivators, but when Xiao Minghuang appeared, everyone looked at him sideways.

Because she is so beautiful!

Especially when she was wearing bright yellow clothes, she was pure and elegant, with skin as white as snow and delicate features. She exuded nobility and elegance, like a fairy walking out of a painting, attracting countless people's intentional or unintentional gazes.

There were even many monks, both male and female, who came forward to make friends with him, but were all politely rejected by Xiao Minghuang.

She was new here and unfamiliar with the place. She didn't want to make friends with anyone, nor did she want to make enemies with anyone.

In response to these people's goodwill, Xiao Minghuang only responded politely and was not willing to make close friends with them.

Soon, Xiao Minghuang arrived at Wanbao Pavilion.

There are so-called Danding Pavilion, Baiwen Pavilion, Wanbao Pavilion, and Yunzhuan Pavilion in the world. Their tentacles are spread across every corner of Dongji and Zhongtian. Even in remote places like the Southern Border, they have branches.

But these four forces are actually subordinate institutions of the Holy Academy.

In the City of Sun God, Wanbao Pavilion covers a large area. It is a complex of numerous buildings with a magnificent scale.

Each building is made of special materials, and its surface is rippling with the silver glow of flowing water, revealing a hint of powerful strength that is amazing.

The avenue leading to the entrance of Wanbao Pavilion is paved with jade. Every ten steps or so, there is a huge statue. Among them, there are ancient strange beasts that are lifelike, as if they were alive, giving people a strong shock.

Xiao Minghuang went straight to the entrance of Wanbao Pavilion.

Two maids stood at the entrance of Wanbao Pavilion. They were beautiful and slender, wearing the same green dress. They stood gracefully with a professional smile on their faces. They asked softly, "What does the fairy need?"

Xiao Minghuang waved his hand and revealed his sun token. "I won the Tiangang Competition and came here to claim my reward. Can you lead the way?"

The two maids were slightly stunned, then their attitude became more gentle, and they bowed and said, "Please wait a moment, Fairy."

After saying that, one of them hurried into the Wanbao Pavilion to report.

300. Origin of Ancient Characters

Xiao Minghuang waited for a while, and soon a middle-aged man who looked like a steward came out. He glanced at her and said with a smile, "Fairy, I've been waiting for a long time. I'm He Jin, the head of the Sun City branch of Wanbao Pavilion. First of all, I congratulate you on winning the Tiangang Small Meeting. However, this matter is not a joke, and I don't disbelieve what you said. Can I take a look at the token?"

"Of course!" Xiao Minghuang waved his hand and the token flew in front of He Jin.

He Jin took out a magic weapon that looked like a mirror from his sleeve and scanned it over the token. Some information about Xiao Minghuang appeared on the mirror, confirming what she had just said.

"I am sorry for being disrespectful just now. Fairy, please come in and bring a small gift to express your apology!"

He Jin smiled respectfully, and a storage bag flew out of his sleeve and hung in front of her.

Xiao Minghuang naturally had no reason to refuse. She accepted the storage bag and said, "Please lead the way, Master."

"Fairy, please follow me."

He Jin led the way in front.

Xiao Minghuang followed behind him and walked forward.

The Wanbao Pavilion is decorated lavishly and extravagantly. The top-grade refining materials that are rarely seen in the outside world can only be used as floor tiles here. The tables and chairs are all made of divine gold. The walls are engraved with mysterious runes one after another, which are extremely extraordinary, and seem to be some unknown ancient characters.

He Jin turned his head and saw Xiao Minghuang looking at the runes on the wall. He explained, "These characters are copied from extremely ancient original characters. Each rune is manifested together with the thing it represents, representing the most ancient and original appearance of a character."

He pointed to a vertical character engraved at a very high place, which was shaped like a long sword.

"That is a copy of the ancient Chinese character 'sword'. As time changes, no one uses this type of writing, and the true meaning contained in it gradually separates. This type of writing also gradually loses its power and becomes a mere collectible."

“I heard that there are some ancient characters of origin that have retained some power despite the passage of time. It’s a pity that I have never seen them.” He Jin sighed.

Xiao Minghuang nodded and continued walking towards the depths of Wanbao Pavilion.

However, among all the words just now, there was one that left a deep impression on her. It was exactly the same as the one written by Saint King Qingkong before.

"Excuse me, Master, what does that word mean?"

He Jin looked at the place Xiao Minghuang pointed and explained, "This is an extremely ancient character named 'empty'. It is said to be one of the origins of the Way of the Void. However, over the years, the concept of emptiness has changed several times, either increasing or decreasing, and this ancient character has lost its power."

After hearing this, Xiao Minghuang seemed to understand a little.

The so-called ancient characters of origin are the written form of the things they represent. Because they can fully describe the things they represent, they possess the power of the things they represent.

However, the word "empty" given to her by Saint King Clear Sky seemed to have no power.

He Jin took out a booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Minghuang with both hands very solemnly: "It's rare that someone wants to learn about this declining left-wing sect. I happen to have some knowledge of ancient characters, otherwise I wouldn't have engraved these ancient characters on the wall."

Seeing He Jin's attitude, Xiao Minghuang knew that this book was extraordinary.

"This book was written in my spare time. It is called "Origin of Ancient Chinese Characters". If you don't mind, you can take it and have a look."

"In that case, thank you for your kindness, I will keep it properly."

Xiao Minghuang hesitated for a moment, reached out to take the booklet, but did not look at it and put it into his storage bag first.