Lord Shenxiu

Seven Luminaries Heaven.

Imperial City Changluo.

It was the annual Lantern Festival, where every household hung lanterns and decorations. Among the twelve blocks of Changluo, sky lanterns rose into the air one by one.

Clad in a white robe, Zhong Shenxiu stood in the liveliest part of the long street, gazing at the bustling human world before him.

"I searched for her in my dreams again and again, but when I turned around, she was by the dimming lights..."

He laughed, looking towards a woman in a red dress wearing a fox mask and teasing her.

"Has my husband guessed it was me?"

The fox in the red dress smiled and removed her mask, revealing herself to be Lord Qingyuan.

Suddenly, Lord Qingyuan felt that something was not quite right with her husband opposite her.

His aura... seemed to have become even more ethereal.

Zhong Shenxiu stretched out his hand and caught a key in the void, seemingly composed of countless rays of light.

The next moment, the key exploded with a roar, turning into sparkling lights that merged into his body.

His Dharma Body seemed infinite in size for an instant, then as though condensed to a single point, changing nine times in a blink.

Then, all his vital energies went into dormancy.

All this took place in secret, perhaps perceivable by an Imperial Family member with a corporal body disintegrate Immortal but now, nothing was sensed.

'The second layer of Dharma Body has been passed, completely perfected, plus having assimilated the sole divinity, I can break through to ancient Immortal at any time... But the disturbance will definitely be huge, it can be delayed... With my current strength, taking down an ordinary corporeal disintegrate Immortal is no longer a problem.'

A Dharma Body True Monarch, having completely mastered the unique divinity, could even defy Immortals!

"My husband."

Lord Qingyuan grabbed Zhong Shenxiu's arm, as if afraid he would run away: "Qingyuan is so happy today."

"The lantern fair is indeed wonderful, with thousands of homes lit up..."

Zhong Shenxiu playfully stroked Qingyuan's nose and smiled: "Do you have any other wishes for today?"

"A wish? I wish that the human world could always be like this moment..."

After Qingyuan spoke, she laughed at herself: "I'm too greedy..."

This intelligent woman had probably already sensed the changing court politics and the rapidly deteriorating situation of the entire Second Yan Han Empire.

"Rest assured, I will ensure that the Yan Han does not fall."

Zhong Shenxiu now had the confidence to say these words.

At the same time, he was also analyzing his own feelings.

For the Seven Luminaries Heaven's Second Yan Han Empire, his emotions were somewhat softer than those for Fangcun Spirit Mountain and Xuanming Sky.

'This isn't just because I occupied Su Daoshi's body at the beginning but rather because I have lived here for so long, grown from weakness... and have naturally developed feelings?'

'Compared to Fangcun Spirit Mountain and Xuanming Sky, the rise and fall of the Seven Luminaries Heaven concern me more...'

'This place isn't my homeland, but it can be considered my second home now... That being said, Fangcun Spirit Mountain is quite tragic. Sometimes, it's not just about suitability, but merely the timing that can lead to missed opportunities...'

Zhong Shenxiu felt a sense of poignant loss.

At that moment, a little eunuch approached them and said in a low voice, "The Emperor invites the County Lord and True Monarch to the Fengxi Tower for a gathering!"

During the Lantern Festival, even the Emperor would join in the festivities with the people and ascend Fengxi Tower to appreciate the lanterns together.

Sometimes, this was also an occasion to symbolically release some palace maids and the like.

In reality, many of them would end up being taken away by someone at night...

Zhong Shenxiu and Lord Qingyuan, dressed in casual attire and there to truly enjoy the festival with the people, exchanged a smile upon being noticed by the Emperor and followed the little eunuch up to the tower.

"The fire trees bloom silver flowers, turning night into day; let us all revel together!"

Emperor Shenwu was toasting with his court and consorts when he saw Zhong Shenxiu approaching, and he couldn't help but smile, "My sister and brother-in-law have arrived."

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Zhong Shenxiu performed a salutation.

"Come, speak with me by my side..."

Holding his wine cup, Emperor Shenwu made his way to the highest floor of Fengxi Tower, leaning against the railing and gazing into the distance, he suddenly sighed deeply, "This magnificent land, after all, shall fall into ruin under my reign..."

"Your Majesty should not belittle yourself."

Zhong Shenxiu consoled him.

"Ha... The Unity Ancestor has already investigated the west and found them sharpening their weapons and feeding their horses; the invasion is imminent... And within my empire, even the three Daoist sects are moving out..."

Emperor Shenwu, guarded by a high personage and not wanting others to overhear, could now speak freely, even shouting without the distant officials and consorts hearing a word, "True Monarchs actually should flee... Relying on the three Daoist sects, establishing themselves overseas wouldn't be difficult."

"If we flee without even fighting, it doesn't align with my Dao Heart."

Zhong Shenxiu smiled, "Besides, I may have a solution to the concerns Your Majesty harbors... For instance, the previous visit to the six paths of the Demon Sect."

Times had changed indeed.

Before fully assimilating the unique divinity, Zhong Shenxiu did not want to wander recklessly in front of the Immortals undergoing corpse transformation.

But now, having fully mastered the Key of the Heart, he was the highest battle force of the Second Yan Han Empire, capable of moving unchallenged!

"What? Is True Monarch willing to be this envoy?"

Emperor Shenwu showed a face full of delight.

"Not so, Your Majesty should possess the vigor of the Emperor of the Yan Han Empire, all immortals and spirits in the world should serve us... Why not issue an imperial decree next, commanding all sects under the heavens, including the six paths of the Demon Sect, the Buddhist Sect, Loose Cultivators, all to come to Changluo for a Dharma assembly to discuss military affairs, how about that?" Zhong Shenxiu suggested.

"This... I fear some might not come, and the Imperial Family's dignity would be compromised... And with so many high personages gathering, would Changluo and the Imperial Palace be safe?" Emperor Shenwu hesitated.

"If there's any problem, I will take full responsibility."

Zhong Shenxiu waved his hand, displaying great confidence.

At first, the Imperial Family had an Immortal undergoing corpse transformation sitting in position, exerting tremendous pressure across the land.

And now, the foundation had been nearly supplemented by him as well.

A Dharma Body comparable to the Immortals undergoing corpse transformation was the greatest assurance!

Thus, it was entirely possible to summon all Cultivators under the heavens for Yan Han's use, just as the old emperor had done when offering sacrifices to the heavens!

"True Monarch is considerate."

Emperor Shenwu looked deeply at Zhong Shenxiu, as if making a firm decision, "Then please, True Monarch, go ahead with it... In Changluo, we have great formations, ancestral relics, and two old ancestors... Even if an Immortal undergoing corpse transformation comes, we shall not fear!"

He was, in a way, revealing some secrets.

Zhong Shenxiu felt that this meant they wouldn't fear much if one Immortal undergoing corpse transformation came, but if two came, perhaps, it would be time to kneel!

Thus, when facing the six paths of the Demon Sect, it would be necessary to show some flexibility.

"I understand the priorities."

Zhong Shenxiu nodded in agreement.

Afterward, the sovereign and subject continued to enjoy the lanterns, guessing riddles, and feasting throughout the night until the dawn of the next day.

...

Above the Nine Heavens Gang Wind.

Zhong Shenxiu stood in the void, beginning to consider the matter of convening the Dharma assembly.

"Aside from our three Daoist sects, the cultivation forces of Yan Han also include the Yellow Spring Demon Sect, No-Life Killing Sect, Blood Sea Sect, Five Lotus Sect, Witch Sect, and the six paths of the Demon Sect represented by demons and fiends, plus representative Loose Cultivators from Penglai and Yingzhou, as well as the Buddhist Sects of Tuo Mi and Diamond..."

"In reality, Loose Cultivators can be disregarded, their highest being Dharma Body, irrelevant to the grand scheme... When I annihilated Fangcun Spirit Mountain, it was like playing a game... Without the power of an Immortal undergoing corpse transformation, that's just how tragic it is."