Chapter 1240: Chapter 81: Seat of the Sun
Half a month ago.
On the East Sea, about three hundred nautical miles from the coast, a white yacht was cutting through the waves.
Under a bright moon and sparse stars.
Inside the yacht, Su Zijun, dressed in a black dress, lifted a half-filled glass of deer blood, gazing at the pitch-black sea outside the window — beside her, Jessica appeared somewhat uneasy.
In front of the sofa, Ghost Baby had returned to his usual Mohican attire, holding a bottle of deer blood, waiting like a servant.
On the deck, an owl landed on Gui Qianyi’s arm. The old turtle, whose exact age was unknown to many, locked eyes with the owl for a moment before turning and walking indoors.
“Princess, the Xuanyuan Gate is about to open, please prepare yourself.”
Hearing Gui Qianyi’s words, Jessica felt a bit nervous. She knew she was about to step into a realm on the Divine Land, an ancient tribe.
It was nearly born with the history of China, through thousands and thousands of years, dynasties on the Divine Land replaced each other, only it remained constant — pared to this ancient tribe, the Michael Club she once belonged to seemed so young.
And the girl in the black dress before her, who granted her eternal life, was the princess of this ancient tribe.
Su Zijun, upon hearing this, placed the cup on the table, wiped her lips with the handkerchief brought by Ghost Baby, and casually remarked, “Even the taste of this Changbai Mountain snow deer has bee worse.”
Ghost Baby said nothing, just collected the things… this was already the best product available outside.
Gui Qianyi chuckled, “Two white peacocks at Luo Shuijian matured last year, I’ve had people fetch them for the Princess.”
Su Zijun glanced at him and calmly said, “Give her a share as well, this one isn’t used to drinking human blood yet. Drinking the blood of Exotic Beasts is also fine, otherwise, her weak strength embarrasses me.”
Jessica’s expression turned awkward upon hearing this.
After being such a strange creature as a ghoul, Jessica learned some differences between ghouls and vampires from Su Zijun. Both needed to consume fresh blood as a power source, but their dependencies on blood differed.
A vampire’s heart, like an engine, needed fresh blood as fuel to start. In contrast, ghouls required the essence and spirit contained within the blood… Ghouls, unlike vampires, were not afraid of sunlight when weak, nor were they as strongly dependent on blood.
However, ghouls grow much slower than vampires.
Yet upon hearing Su Zijun instruct Gui Qianyi to prepare some peacock blood for her, Jessica felt somewhat relieved. Since returning from abroad and experiencing the Penglai Treasury and the battle at Mount Tai, she hadn’t fed. Although ghouls weren’t as dependent on blood, she was still in a state of hunger, never reaching the limit, so she could endure.
She was even a bit afraid that Su Zijun would keep her starving, waiting for her to lose control of her instincts before allowing her to feed on human blood.
With her mind filled with chaotic thoughts, Jessica followed Su Zijun out of the cabin, up to the deck.
The icy wind whipped waves across the sea, and suddenly, a disturbance spread from the ship’s bottom. In the yacht’s sway, a huge whirlpool appeared on the sea ahead.
Soon, within the whirlpool, two golden columns entwined with dragons emerged slowly. Jessica strained her eyes, seeing warriors clad in Golden Armor, wielding broadswords, standing atop each spiral dragon column.
Their golden masks concealed the faces of the warriors, only their revealing gaze, as sharp as daggers, gave Jessica a chilling sensation of nearing death.
“They are the Gate Guards of the Xuanyuan Gate,” Gui Qianyi explained to Jessica, “Already the sixth generation of Gatekeepers. I heard you used to belong to some Michael Club or something? These Gate Guards are no less powerful than the club’s Divine Generals.”
The Twelve Divine Generals… Jessica knew what the Divine Generals represented in the club, the strongest force below the twenty-six seats.
The club had developed over several centuries on the European mainland, gathering countless talents and powerful individuals, but had only twelve Divine Generals — in this ancient tribe, just the gatekeepers had the strength of Divine Generals…
“Greetings to Her Highness, the Princess.”
On the golden columns, the two Gate Guards kneeled on one knee.
Su Zijun merely nodded, then glanced at Gui Qianyi; since she was returning to the Xuanyuan Palace, a princess needed to restore her regal demeanor.
“Thank you both for your efforts.” Gui Qianyi smiled, “Please trouble the Gate Guards to open the Xuanyuan Gate for Her Highness.”
“Yes!”
The left and right Gate Guards clasped their fists, then stood, drawing out their golden broadswords — in an instant, the two spiral dragon columns emitted golden light.
Jessica lost her sight for a brief moment under the flashing golden light — when her sight returned, and she looked up again, she saw a vast blue sky. The yacht had already left its original sea area, arriving on a tranquil lake surface.
“Miss Jessica, this must be your first time entering the Xuanyuan Secret Realm,” Gui Qianyi stroked his beard and smiled, “This is Red Maple Lake, the entrance to the Secret Realm.”
Jessica glanced around, seeing the water and the mountains tinted with maple red, resembling an earthly fairyland.
Meanwhile, Exotic Beasts emerged on the lake, and a flock of white cranes flew overhead.
Suddenly, the lake stirred with waves, and a gigantic figure burst from the water, curling up. It was an enormous creature, part python, part snake, blue and black, square-headed, with four claws and thin wings, menacing in appearance.
“That’s a Qiu, named Ao Hei, a branch descendant of the ancient East Sea Dragon Clan, though now very diluted.” Gui Qianyi’s voice timely resonated.
Jessica just listened; although she had studied Zhong Luochen culture because of Ye Yan, she didn’t know these ancient matters.
The creature named Ao Hei swirled around the yacht, lowering its massive head towards Su Zijun, displaying a docile demeanor.
Su Zijun, rarely smiling, stroked Ao Hei’s right-angled horn, smiling and saying, “Not bad, grown plump after over eighty years.”
Jessica could clearly see a trace of terror flaring in Ao Hei’s eyes, its body visibly trembled.
“Princess, it’s getting late, let’s head back to the palace.” Gui Qianyi helplessly reminded.
Ao Hei smartly dived into the water, swimming behind the yacht, then began pushing it swiftly toward the lake’s edge.
From a distance, the lake’s edge was bustling with people.
Jessica saw row after row of warriors in golden and silver armor, behind whom stood many elders, men, women, and children in ancient Han attire.
Amidst them were even some non-human-looking creatures with various animal features, and further away, ancient buildings spread in layers, streets crisscrossing, with a majestic, magnificent palace atop the mountain.
Jessica suddenly felt like she had entered an ancient palace film set.
When the yacht finally docked, she heard all the shore people kneel, “Wele back to the palace, Princess.”
“You may rise.” Su Zijun stood at the bow, waving a hand, her expression as cold as frost.
This was the first time Jessica saw Su Zijun in such a manner, the usually somewhat childish face displaying a rare touch of dignity.
What followed left Jessica utterly confounded, as a girl who grew up abroad, she had never experienced such intricate, ancient Zhong Luochen traditions, apart from occasionally seeing them in movies.
When she eventually snapped back to reality, she found herself in a corner of the majestic palace atop the mountain, attended by two maidens in palace attire.
Fortunately, Su Zijun considered she might be unaccustomed and sent Ghost Baby to acpany her.
Upon meeting Ghost Baby again, he had re-dressed, donning a long robe and dying his hair black again, resembling the refined demeanor seen during the time on Mount Tai.
Ghost Baby brought a palace ensemble and had the maidens help Jessica dress.
“Miss Jessica, stay here for the next few days. You are a direct servant of the Princess, with a noble status. If you need anything, just instruct them.”
“Is the mistress not ing?” Jessica instinctively asked.
Ghost Baby said indifferently, “The Princess has to meet with the leaders of various departments these two days and handle some matters. It probably won’t be too peaceful… so just wait here.”
Vaguely, Jessica seemed to recall something… A few days ago on Mount Tai, there seemed to have been a rebellion within the Xuanyuan Palace.
…
At the main hall of Xuanyuan Palace.
Su Zijun sat upright on the couch, wearing a phoenix crown and a purple dragon robe, with her hands folded and placed on her lap, looking straight ahead.
Beneath her, the leaders of various departments of Xuanyuan Palace stood in order, Gui Qianyi dressed in ceremonial attire, standing at the right of the department leaders, while to the left was a man around forty years old, with a firm face, lean yet robust build, slightly graying at the temples, and an imposing demeanor.
At this moment, a solemn-looking man in his thirties was kneeling among them.
Gui Qianyi then spoke loudly, “Gongsun Qian, you indulged your son Gongsun Shiyu in participating in the chaos of the Tianxin Lineage, and even privately mobilized the Thirty-six Heavenly Gang Generals! For personal gain, you threw China into turmoil. Do you admit your guilt?”
“I, admit.” The bowed man said with a face full of sorrow.
Gui Qianyi glanced at the man on the left, seeing his calm demeanor, before continuing, “Gongsun Qian, you are sentenced! From today onwards, you are stripped of your deputy position of the Qian Department, stripped of your position as mander of the Heavenly Gang, sentenced to two hundred lashes, and fifty years of reflection by the Cold Pool.”
“I… accept the sentence.”
The bowed man’s voice contained a trace of bitterness.
At this moment, everyone in the hall remained silent, seemingly already aware of this oute… Gui Qianyi looked around before continuing, “Let this be a warning to all of you!”
The leaders below nodded in agreement.
From beginning to end, Su Zijun hadn’t said a word until now. She finally extended her left hand, and a maid came forward to support her, while another maid approached, lifting the long train of the dragon robe, and slowly departed.
Once Su Zijun left, the hall no longer maintained its silence, and the leaders approached Gui Qianyi.
Among the two major departments of Xuanyuan Palace, the Qian Department was led by the Gongsun Clan, with various human tribes like Youxiong, Shaodian, and Wei River of different sizes among them.
As for the Kun Department, it consisted of mountain spirits, sea monsters, and various beast species gathered over numerous years.
Gui Qianyi exchanged a few pleasantries with the beasts of the Kun Department before slowly walking up to the only man on the left, clasped his hands, and smiled, “Greetings, Lord Ghost Huangquan.”
This was the head of the Qian Department, the real power holder within Xuanyuan Palace; Gongsun Qian, who had been stripped of his position, was merely the third son of Gongsun Huangquan.
A slight smile appeared on the stern face of Gongsun Huangquan, “Mr. Gui has finally found the Princess. Truly, your contributions cannot be overlooked. I thank you on behalf of the Qian Department.”
“Oh, you’re too kind,” Gui Qianyi nodded.
Gongsun Huangquan then asked, “But why hasn’t the Princess shed her Hanba and restored the legitimate bloodline of Xuanyuan?”
Gui Qianyi said flatly, “Whatever the Princess wishes, as her courtiers, how dare we presume to guess?”
“Indeed.” Gongsun Huangquan nodded with a smile, stroking his beard, “Now that Gongsun Shiyu is dead, the position of Royal Consort Prince is vacant…”
Before he could finish, Gui Qianyi suddenly interrupted, “Lord Huangquan, with Gongsun Shiyu’s recent death, the Princess’s intention is that selecting another consort at this time does not conform to the rites. This matter can wait until later. Furthermore, as for the royal bloodline, of course, the Gongsun Clan has the strongest blood ties, so why hurry?”
“Exactly.” Gongsun Huangquan chuckled, squinting his eyes, “I was thinking the same, so why interrupt, Mr. Gui?”
“Ah, it seems I’ve acted like a petty person.” Gui Qianyi promptly apologized.
Gongsun Huangquan then said calmly, “For this internal crisis within the Qian Department, forgive me for not acpanying you. I must return and rectify things… Farewell.”
“Farewell, Lord Huangquan.” Gui Qianyi called out loudly.
Gui Qianyi watched as Gongsun Huangquan slowly left the hall, acpanied by the heads of the Qian Department. Only when Gongsun Huangquan disappeared did he sigh and say, “This old ghost is really patient…”
After this, Gui Qianyi summoned the department heads, “Though Gongsun Shiyu caused chaos and is now dead, his acplice Gongsun Zhishui is missing. Relay this mand and capture Gongsun Zhishui to bring him to justice with all effort!”
…
…
In the sea area of Hua Country’s South Sea, far from the East Sea, a helicopter slowly landed on a small island.
As the helicopter landed, a group of men in white uniforms, holding modern weapons, came to wele them. A man with a severed wrist disembarked from the helicopter.
The man with the severed wrist, acpanied by the white-clad soldiers, quickly moved through the forest and entered a facility built into the mountain.
After passing through a long metal corridor, they entered an elevator and ascended. Soon, the man with the severed wrist arrived at a courtyard.
The courtyard was topped with glass, and the man with the severed wrist walked to the center of the courtyard.
There was a man with long black hair, dressed in white training clothes, sitting cross-legged with closed eyes… The man with the severed wrist slowly approached and softly called, “Shiyu.”
“You’re back.” The black-haired man… Gongsun Shiyu, slowly opened his eyes, “Good job, Zhishui.”
The man with the severed wrist… Gongsun Zhishui was silent for a moment before saying, “News came from Xuanyuan Palace, the Princess has returned to the palace and immediately punished Master Qian, sentencing him to a century of reflection in the Cold Pool.”
Gongsun Shiyu responded indifferently, “Gongsun Qian was obsessed with power and has made no progress for years. This century of reflection might not be a bad thing, hopefully, he can cultivate himself and make a breakthrough.”
Gongsun Zhishui said nothing, taking a deep breath, and retrieved a blood-red jade pendant from his person, pushing it into Gongsun Shiyu’s hands.
The blood jade lightly fell into Gongsun Shiyu’s palm. After feeling it for a moment, he smiled, “Originally, I thought Experiment No. 19 was just an arrogant fellow, and I didn’t expect much, but it actually led to bloodline evolution… not bad.”
After this, Gongsun Shiyu directly crushed the blood jade in his hand, and a beam of bloodlight integrated into his body.
At this moment, a massive aura emanated from Gongsun Shiyu’s body, causing Gongsun Zhishui’s heart to race… Only after a long time did this aura slowly calm down.
“I can summon fifty percent of Xuanyuan·God Slayer’s power now…” Gongsun Shiyu exhaled slowly, “Who’d have thought that No. 19’s bloodline evolution would grant me an additional twenty-five percent summoning capability… very good indeed.”
“Congratulations.” Gongsun Zhishui smiled slightly.
“Go and get your severed wrist restored.” Gongsun Shiyu looked at Zhishui, “Experiment No. 20 will be plete soon… Since, in the eyes of Xuanyuan Palace, I’m already dead, let’s not use Gongsun Shiyu’s identity anymore.”
“Where are we going?” Gongsun Zhishui asked with a frown.
“I have plans of my own, you go heal first.” Gongsun Shiyu said indifferently.
“Alright.” Gongsun Zhishui nodded, then turned to leave… Shortly after, Gongsun Shiyu stood up, walking into the depths of the courtyard, and came to a Bodhi Tree.
Standing beneath the Bodhi Tree, the trunk suddenly split open, and a black screen slowly emerged. Gongsun Shiyu pressed a button on the screen.
An electronically synthesized voice slowly rang out.
“Honorable ‘Sun,’ you have three messages, respectively from ‘The Fool,’ ‘The Chariot,’ and ‘The Priestess’…”
User Comments
0 comments from readers