Cultivating one’s divine soul was a fascinating affair.
The next day, within the Inspiration Realm, Wang Ping’s divine soul encountered a Spiritual Creature resembling a gecko. It had pitch-black eyes and, unlike the rude Faceless Monster from the day before, it rely watched from a distance. Then, it suddenly grabbed hold of the Spiritual Energy surging through the space and vanished.
Then, Wang Ping discovered that his divine soul had begun to absorb Spiritual Energy on its own, just as his physical body absorbed Spiritual Qi.
"You’re a true genius! Your divine soul can absorb Spiritual Energy the mont it leaves your body!" Yu Lian’s divine soul appeared beside him, gesturing for him to look down.
Below, his physical body was beginning to twist again.
Wang Ping imdiately returned to his body and cleared out the excess Spirit Veins within.
"I suddenly feel like the Spirit Veins in my body have a consciousness of their own. When my divine soul is inside my body, they don’t dare act up because they fear its power. But as soon as my soul leaves, they start causing trouble."
Wang Ping voiced his thoughts.
"That’s right!"
"Then how can I keep my divine soul out of my body for extended periods?"
"I don’t know. It might require you to form a Primordial Spirit. As long as you’re just a divine soul, the Spirit Veins in your body will always cause trouble after you leave it. However, when your divine soul becos powerful enough, even if half your body gets assimilated, you’ll be able to purge the changes in an instant!"
"So, cultivating the divine soul is the path to the future?"
"I’m not sure!"
Wang Ping lowered his head in thought. His original plan was to practice leaving his body once today, then travel to Jinhuai Prefecture to ask Daoist Zi Luan whether what he was experiencing truly counted as his soul leaving his body.
But now, he changed his mind.
’I’m not in a rush; ten years is nothing. Since I’ve already decided on seclusion, I’ll just wait until it’s over. Besides, the sensation of my soul leaving my body is quite pleasant, and trying it every day feels novel.’
...
Ti passed in a blur of cultivation.
Wang Ping had outlived another Emperor. In the second month of the new Emperor’s reign, he ended his seclusion. By now, his divine soul could roam the Inspiration Realm for four hours at a ti.
His physical body also seed to have grown accustod to the mischief of his Spirit Veins. Even when more than two-thirds of it was assimilated, he could reverse the process in an instant.
As was customary, the new Inner Courtyard Director, Zhao Wan, ca respectfully to the small courtyard on the second day after Wang Ping’s announcent to report on the events that had transpired in Zhongzhou over the past twenty years.
Overall, nothing major had happened. The only exception was the situation in the Northwest, which had beco unstable as many of the current heads of the great aristocratic families had passed away. Nurous people had eagerly tried to get involved, but they were quickly suppressed.
"Princess Xia Yao’s power has surpassed that of the Minister of Political Affairs. We have reliable intelligence that when the new Emperor ascended the throne, a portion of the nation’s destiny fell upon her."
"Reliable intelligence?" Wang Ping seed to mutter to himself. ’Twenty years ago, when the last Emperor ascended the throne, it was only a rumor. Now, after just one reign, Princess Xia Yao can already claim a share of the nation’s destiny. This is happening much faster than I imagined.’
"Yes, the intelligence is reliable. One of our Internal Affairs Disciples saw it with his own eyes. He was an Imperial City Guard on duty at the ti," Zhao Wan replied, head bowed, seemingly choosing each word with extre caution.
Upon hearing this, Wang Ping fell into thought for a long ti before finally asking, "Is there anything else?"
"The Outer Realm Demon is about to spawn new Demon Soldiers. Wenyang Taoist has already secretly sent people to collect them."
"Mm, you can handle that as you see fit." Wang Ping was unconcerned. "Anything else?"
"The Earth Spirit has generated a Spirit Vein, and a Water Spirit is about to be born as well..."
"You can decide that for yourself. If you’re worried about gossip, just hold an Inner Courtyard competition and let the most capable person have it." Wang Ping had no desire to listen to such trivial matters.
"Yes!" ’Zhao Wan is even more cautious than Yang Hou was,’ Wang Ping thought. ’As this position is passed down from one generation to the next, the sense of distance between us grows stronger.’
"If there’s nothing else, you’re dismissed."
"Yes!"
Zhao Wan bowed and cautiously backed out of the courtyard.
Yu Lian watched him go, then said, "He holds nothing but awe for you."
"That’s enough."
After replying, Wang Ping looked up at the sky.
Zuo Xuan’s figure descended swiftly. After they exchanged a look, Zuo Xuan cupped his hands. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist. Your cultivation has advanced yet again."
Wang Ping looked at the largely unchanged Zuo Xuan. "You’re looking well, too."
As he spoke, a shrunken Yu Lian made a fierce gesture at the Calico Cat on Zuo Xuan’s shoulder, causing its fur to stand on end. The two Spirit Pets then tumbled into a playful fight.
"It’s mainly because this place of yours is so nice."
Zuo Xuan had been smiling as he spoke, but his expression turned serious. "But many people covet such a nice place. Soone in the Daoist Scripture Hall has been saying that you occupy too much land with your two prefectures."
"Who’s been saying that?"
"So Loose Cultivators. Over the past twenty years, Nanlin Road has seen forty-two new Entering Cultivators."
"That many?"
"The trade routes are clear, the Spiritual Qi is abundant, and resources are plentiful, so of course more cultivators are reaching the Entering stage." Zuo Xuan smiled. "They’re just insignificant clowns. You mustn’t get entangled with them. The most important thing for you right now is to maintain your montum for advancent."
"Understood." Wang Ping nodded.
"If the need arises, just say the word. My assassination skills are still quite good, as long as Daoist Zi Luan is willing to turn a blind eye."
"I’ll keep that in mind."
Their conversation was more of a casual chat, lasting no more than half an hour.
Afterward, Wang Ping went to see Yu Cheng Taoist. The master and disciple spoke for a full day and night, with Wang Ping primarily sharing his recent cultivation insights. They also chatted for a while about the situation in Zhongzhou.
After his conversation with Yu Cheng Taoist, Wang Ping flew straight toward Jinhuai Prefecture.
He needed Daoist Zi Luan to introduce him to the Xiao Shan Lord so he could obtain the Secret Technique from the latter half of the third volu of the *Taiyan Talisman*.
Daoist Zi Luan remained in his small courtyard, as steadfast as ever, playing the part of the master strategist. When Wang Ping arrived, Zi Luan greeted him at the courtyard gate as usual.
"That martial nephew of yours, Zhang Xinghuai, is a truly great talent. According to his plan, the detachnt of the Imperial Guard that the Court stationed in the Northwest will likely be completely devoured by the ti the next Emperor ascends the throne!"
These were Zi Luan’s first words after welcoming Wang Ping into the main house, and they stunned him for a mont.
In the next mont, however, understanding dawned on him. ’The Northwest is a juicy piece of at dangled by the Court—and that includes the Imperial Guard detachnt. The goal is to draw everyone’s attention, buying the Court ti and space to resolve its own internal problems.’
’To be more specific, it’s a reward from Princess Xia Yao!’
’That’s why all sides have compromised. With the added support of the True Yang Sect and Lishui Prefecture, the situation in Zhongzhou has beco what it is today.’
’The only problem is that this setup will be difficult to break in the future.’
’The plan he and his master had laid out was no longer much of a secret after their deal with the Xiao Shan Lord. All that remained was Li Yan and dividing the spoils in the final chaos.’
Once the two were seated, Zi Luan carefully sized up Wang Ping before asking, "Fellow Daoist, how is your divine soul cultivation coming along?"
"I was just about to ask for your guidance, Fellow Daoist..."
As he spoke, Wang Ping ford a Spell with his hands, and his divine soul materialized. His soul then took a subordinate position and cupped its hands in a salute to Daoist Zi Luan.
Upon seeing this, an expression of utter disbelief appeared on Zi Luan’s face, as if he had just witnessed sothing truly incredible.
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