The Prince Can Do Divination

Chapter 241 - 181: The Great Virtuous Master’s Profound Dao Hui, The Princes’ Contest, An Audience with the Taoist Ancestor?

「In the Great Wilderness Tomb Canyon at this very moment.」

As Lu Mingyuan walked along the rugged mountain path with the main group, he was also controlling the thin Taoist, having him tell the story of Zhang Jiao.

"I was an avid learner from a young age... I followed an old Daoist in the mountains to study the Dao, only achieving some success at the age of eighteen. Unexpectedly, war and plague broke out in the Purple Palace Country, and the Court did nothing. I came to believe that Heaven and Earth are not benevolent; they treat all of creation like straw dogs. So, I founded the Taiping Dao. To my surprise, the Court took notice of me and invited me to the Demon Slaying Conference to broaden my horizons."

The many young scions of princes and dukes listened intently. Song Yan You of the Song Dynasty asked curiously, "What is the Taiping Dao?"

"The way of Taiping is this: The Azure Heaven is already dead; the Yellow Heaven shall be established."

Zhang Jiao said seriously, "The era of Taiping is coming, and with it, the great struggle. We oppose exploitation and hoarding. We advocate for helping the poor and aiding those in urgent need. The common people should all help one another. It is better to rely on oneself than on others. In the end, you can only count on yourself."

The Crown Prince of Great Sui, Cao Zongxi, sighed with emotion. "Daoist Master, what you say is reasonable. ’It is better to rely on oneself than on others.’ ’Heaven and Earth are not benevolent; they treat all of creation like straw dogs.’ Your Daoist wisdom is truly astounding."

Luo Qiufu, who was listening in, deeply agreed. "Ever since entering this Little World, we have been in constant peril. Just now, when we faced the Mountain and River Great Flood Dragon, we saw that all are equal before the Celestial Dao. We can only rely on ourselves. On this journey, strength reigns supreme. With Great Demons running rampant, only overwhelming power can save you."

Song Yan You sincerely cupped his hands. "An immense talent like you, Immortal Master, may be overlooked by the Purple Palace Country, but how could my Song Dynasty fail to recognize you? If you would not be offended by the offer, you could come to serve in the Song Court. With your attainments, the position of National Preceptor awaits. Why debase yourself in a minor country?"

No one expected Song Yan You to make such an astronomical offer to recruit him.

The Song Dynasty was a dynasty in a remote continent with very few Qi Cultivators and a majority of Martial Artists. Therefore, encountering a Qi Cultivator with profound Dao Practice was a rare and precious opportunity.

But this promise was simply too grand.

National Preceptor?

Did Song Yan You really have the authority to make such a decision?

A nation’s National Preceptor typically needed to possess world-altering abilities. Generally, only renowned figures who advocated for the faith of a specific school—sect masters, Great Scholars, Masters, or Arhats—would be invited to such a position.

This Zhang Jiao was merely a Ninth Realm Great Cultivator. How could he possibly be worthy?

Naturally, Lu Mingyuan couldn’t let Zhang Jiao go to the Song Dynasty to become a National Preceptor. He politely declined, "I was born for the Dao. What is mere empty fame? I cannot stand by and ignore the people of the Purple Palace. Please forgive me."

It was rather comical.

To think that the great and mighty Great Virtuous Master would one day be invited to become a National Preceptor.

As the group walked on, they passed a treasured grotto filled with lotus flowers.

"Ninth Brother, although you encountered quite a few Demons on your way, you managed to get through it all without any real danger. It’s truly fortunate that we could rendezvous safely."

Lu Yunqing, walking at the rear of the group and keeping an eye on the very back, said this to the fine-featured Lu Yunhuang.

"Isn’t that the truth? It was all thanks to Lord Qin Mo’s protection. Otherwise, I really don’t know how I would have escaped this fog-shrouded canyon," Lu Yunhuang replied, his tone still laced with fear.

Lu Yunqing, dressed in a dark cyan Python Robe, glanced over, his handsome face, as gentle as jade, revealing his clear perception. He had figured out the source of the familiar aura on the Prince of Silver Frost.

’Clearly, it’s a technique of the Confucian Family.’

’But the one who did it wasn’t Prince Jin.’

People often tried to get on Lu Yunqing’s good side, approaching him to chat. There was no shortage of men and women. The men were tolerable, but when some princess or another would size him up with a seductive gaze...

"Prince Chongwen, I am..."

Lu Yunqing said flatly, "Get lost."

There was only one woman in his heart, one with the surname "Ning." He paid no mind to any other.

Witnessing this, the Ninth Prince, Lu Yunhuang, secretly retracted his gaze and spoke to the remnant soul within him. "Teacher, how much patience would you say Lu Yunqing’s Wen Dan has left?"

An ancient voice mused, "It would shatter at a touch. Right now, what’s the difference between him and Lu Guangjing? On the surface, he vows not to become the kind of person he despises, but in the end, he is destined to become the very thing he once hated most."

"If the Sixth Prince was the beginning of his turn toward good, then the evil that naturally arises within him will create a violent conflict. Will the Lu Mingyuan of today still try to appeal to his emotions and persuade him with reason, like he did when they were children? Highly unlikely. Faced with the Emperor’s Throne, Lu Yunqing won’t change his current nature. The backbone of his Confucian Family beliefs won’t allow it. His master, Li Sheng, won’t stop him either; he’ll only encourage it. As for the Emperor of Great Yan, I imagine he feels the same."

Lu Yunhuang mused, "So, because Lu Mingyuan is in the Cold Palace, he doesn’t know how Lu Yunqing’s mentality has changed. If they were to face each other one day, he would probably ask Lu Yunqing, ’Why did you become the very thing you used to hate?’"

The ancient voice said with great interest, "This inquiry of the heart is practically a dead end. Just like the general state of the world, it cannot be changed. Even without my presence, this trap would exist naturally. Between the two of them, one must die."

"Lu Mingyuan might not understand the predicament Lu Yunqing is in. It’s just like the Eldest Prince back then—whether it’s execution or exile, the end is bound to be tragic."

「At this very moment.」

As Lu Mingyuan passed by the land of lotuses, a notification appeared before his eyes.

[Trait Triggered (Great Luck). You have obtained a Blue Opportunity (Hundred Treasures Level - Jade Pearl Lotus).]

[Jade Pearl Lotus]: Formed by inheriting a sliver of Pure Yang Qi from a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land. It is an extremely rare Spirit Medicine on the same level as the "Flesh Ganoderma," which can regenerate severed limbs. After being dried and made into an Incense Stick, it can be lit during seated meditation to dispel distracting thoughts from the soul. Furthermore, the Pure Yang essence within the incense can merge with one’s spiritual thoughts, strengthening the Primordial Spirit and reducing the obstructive thoughts and Heart Demons within the Divine Soul.