The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

Outside the West Garden, Yan Shan's back was soaked with sweat.

Just now in the Longevity Palace, Your Majesty inquired about many details of the dream communication with Mr. Xu.

Ignoring the common people, he asks about ghosts and gods!

Your Majesty is too concerned with such matters.

Walking along the road, Yan Shan carefully reviewed the words spoken in the hall earlier.

Accompanying the Emperor is like accompanying a tiger.

Without anyone to guide him, Yan Shan has developed the habit of reviewing conversations with His Majesty out of sheer intuition.

In today's world, when it comes to understanding His Majesty's temperament, Mr. Xu is certainly first, but Yan Shan considers himself to be in the top five.

However, in such matters, he remains very low-key; besides Mr. Xu, no one can see his abilities.

In this respect, Yan Shan is self-taught.

But now, being in a position with little official power but significant real authority, he needs to remain low profile, cultivating secretly.

Upon returning home, Yan Shan hurried back to his study to make notes, then reviewed the contents several times before burning them in a brazier and scattering the ashes.

After completing these tasks, Yan Shan was very tired and fell asleep as soon as his head touched the desk.

…

…

"Mr. Xu!" Yan Shan jolted awake, finding himself in an empty space, with a figure suddenly appearing before him.

Needless to say, Mr. Xu had come to communicate through dreams again.

He couldn't even distinguish whether this was truly a dream, or if Mr. Xu had transported him to some peculiar Cave Heaven Blessed Land.

Well, judging by the bleak surroundings, it didn't resemble any Cave Heaven Blessed Land.

"This is your dreamscape. Weizhong, your spiritual life is too barren, which is why it appears so bare. Don't blame everything on me," Xu Qing yawned.

Seeing Mr. Xu looking so vivid and alive, if anyone were to claim Mr. Xu was dead, Yan Shan would be the first to disagree.

Too exhausting indeed!

When Mr. Xu was alive, there seemed nothing strange about it; after his demise, none could compare!

"Mr. Xu, what is your current state?" Yan Shan inquired curiously.

Xu Qing couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

The truth was hard to articulate.

As a Wenqu Star, a master of both the Quanzhen Dao and Xuantian Dragon Ascension Path lineage, he was clearly on the path of the Primordial Spirit Right Path, yet had become a Heavenly Demon.

To whom could he reason this out?

Moreover, his current condition was very unique, truly difficult to describe.

To say "Xu Qing" was dead would not be incorrect.

But as the "Heavenly Demon" Xu Qing had transcended the ordinary cycle of life and death.

His current consciousness could not be considered entirely free, still limited, only appearing in the dreams of those familiar with him who often thought of him.

It wouldn't be wrong to call it a dream communication.

Earlier, he even told the Grassland Martial Saint Fu Xuan that "persistent thoughts will eventually have a response," and unexpectedly so soon, the boomerang returned to hit him.

He wasn't sure how long this state would persist.

Fortunately, the current situation didn't hinder some of his minor manipulations.

Yan Shan was a decent tool person.

Xu Qing replied, mystically, "The heavenly secrets cannot be divulged."

Yan Shan was a bit bewildered; even if Mr. Xu revealed these secrets, he wouldn't understand.

But considering Mr. Xu's temperament, perhaps even he wasn't clear and so didn't explain.

Yan Shan instinctively pondered Mr. Xu's mindset.

"Don't let your mind wander," Xu Qing coughed lightly.

Yan Shan: "Mr. Xu, do you know what I'm thinking?"

"Do I need to know? Look around you," Yan Shan was suddenly rendered speechless, for his thoughts were directly manifested as words in the surrounding void.

"Dreams arise from the heart; this is essentially your inner world. It's hard not to know. Unexpectedly, you really don't even think of taking another concubine." Xu Qing clicked his tongue, amazed.

Yan Shan, throwing caution to the wind, replied, "You're the same."

Seeing Yan Shan's embarrassment turn to anger, Xu Qing couldn't resist smiling, "I'm complimenting you. Now, tell me what Your Majesty discussed with you today."

"Mr. Xu can enter my mind; don't you already know?"

"Do you want me to soul search you? It's not impossible, but frequent occurrences could turn you into an idiot. Let's skip it; I have another use for your pig brain."

Yan Shan: "..."

What he didn't know was that Xu Qing hardly had the time to linger inside Yan Shan's mind. Moreover, as a Heavenly Demon consciousness now, appearing before the old Emperor was tantamount to playing with fire.

On the other hand, before coming here, he dragged King Lin into a dreamscape for a spar.

He couldn't help it; he was incredibly bored now.

Couldn't approach Feng Wu.

Because his wife was at a critical stage of her cultivation, if he entered a dream, it might cause her previous efforts to be wasted or even lead to a cultivation deviation.

As for Elder Fang?

Well, if not for the old man restraining his current Heavenly Demon Body, a supreme demon would soon emerge in the world.

At that time, it would be uncertain if Xu Qing could remain conscious.

Because the most potent aspect of a Heavenly Demon is acting on a whim. Once accustomed to this, demonization is natural and doesn't require losing reason.

Additionally, Xu Qing needed to create a unique Heavenly Demon Technique to eventually master his Heavenly Demon Body.

He had a hunch, but further verification was needed.

First, practice with Brother Lin, and when confident, test on others.

Xu Qing listened to the details of Yan Shan's conversation with the old Emperor.

He sighed faintly, "Ignoring the common people, he asks about ghosts and gods!"

Yan Shan: "Mr. Xu, I feel that Your Majesty misses you, yet doesn't really miss you."

Xu Qing: "Your Majesty doesn't long for me, but for someone who can devote themselves to cultivation while helping him govern the realm well. So whether that person is me isn't important, but whether such a person exists is crucial. Weizhong, you must strive!"

Yan Shan refused to be swayed by Mr. Xu's rhetoric, continuing, "Mr. Xu, what should I do next?"

Xu Qing sighed, "Prepare for Grand Secretary Liang's retirement."

"It can't be." Yan Shan felt struck by lightning.

Without Grand Secretary Liang standing in the way, how would he cultivate secretly and grow stronger?

Xu Qing: "Old Liang is slick. Having served as Grand Secretary and overseen reforms, he could rest on his laurels when I was around. Enjoying his role as a mascot, but without my assistance, Old Liang will likely choose to retire at the peak of his success. This way, his achievements and future evaluations won't be lacking."

Yan Shan thought carefully, indeed finding it to be so.

Grand Secretary Liang was reputed to be the Great Yu Dynasty's premier "non-stick pan."

Should Grand Secretary Liang step down now, even the Wang Family would owe him a favor, making him popular on all sides.

"But, if Elder Liang directly claims illness and retires, Your Majesty won't let him off."

"If the Emperor's southern tour encounters trouble, as the Cabinet Chief, it'll be normal for him to take the blame, isn't that an opportunity?"

"What should I do then?"

"Just do as I say." Xu Qing explained slowly.

Yan Shan was shocked by Mr. Xu's precise manipulations.

It seemed too outrageous.

Mr. Xu actually wanted him to support Huo Jing to become the Cabinet Chief.

What kind of against-the-heavens maneuver was this?

Everyone knew that Huo Jing was the most displeased with their Recovery Society.

In terms of seniority, Huo Jing indeed had a chance, though he wasn't a Cabinet Minister, ultimately the Emperor had the final say in matters of joining the Cabinet.

In terms of power and influence, Huo Jing, as the head of the Inspection Bureau, was more than qualified to join the Cabinet.

Currently, the Cabinet had three elders: Elder Liang, Minister of Revenue Chen Fu, and Minister of Rites Cheng Guang.

The latter two were cronies of Tai'a, essentially holding positions until Tai'a returned.

Originally, there were two other older Cabine elders, but they were kicked to the Military Affairs Office.

Military affairs were extremely complicated, the two old ministers couldn't compete with the younger, vigorous Minister of War, Hong Xuan, and were already in a semi-retired state.

Looking at it this way, if Elder Liang retired, Chen Fu and Cheng Guang couldn't possibly become the Cabinet Chief, or how would Tai'a return in the future?

If it's Wang Gong, the influence of the Wang Family would likely soar to the skies.

So quickly, among those qualified to be Cabinet Chief, Huo Jing was indeed the most suitable.

Xu Qing's intention was to have Yan Shan side with Huo Jing, backstab Elder Liang, and seize the opportunity to sneak into the Inspection Bureau.

Yan Shan wanted to say, "Does this double agent have to be me?"

Xu Qing insisted, "It's got to be you!"

Mr. Xu, being a dignified person, earnestly weighed the pros and cons for Yan Shan.

Yan Shan had no room to refuse.

Xu Qing was about to continue providing guidance when he suddenly changed expression, muttering, "Why the rush, I'm not a criminal, it's like I'm being watched on parole."

Then, the dream dissipated, Yan Shan awoke from the dream, and looked at the drool on the desk.

He took out a handkerchief and wiped it.

Then started to write a sincere secret letter.

...

...

Fang Mansion.

Xu Qing opened his eyes and saw an old man's face appear in his blurry moonlit vision.

His current Heavenly Demon Body was completely immovable.

Fortunately, his gaze could still communicate with old Fang.

"You've reversedly cultivated the Purple Mansion Primordial Sect to this extent, Chongyang Zi and Zhang Ziyang would be enraged to death if they were revived." Elder Fang couldn't help but grumble.

He seemed indifferent to everything, but actually made distinctions between people.

In private, Elder Fang still had the demeanor of an elder and was a bit mischievous.

"I didn't reverse cultivate, it was all proper cultivation." Xu Qing retorted.

Heaven and earth can attest, he hadn't been reckless.

But the Purple Mansion Primordial Sect followed the Primordial Spirit Dao, which directly points to one's true mind.

He indeed cultivated by directly pointing to his true mind!

At the same time, Xu Qing was sensing the bronze mirror within his consciousness.

This thing had already merged with his consciousness.

The bronze mirror also played a role in his cultivation of the Heavenly Demon Body.

On that day, it was the bronze mirror that safeguarded Xu Qing's Divine Soul, just like before when he was trapped inside the bronze mirror prior to his rebirth.

However, this time, Xu Qing didn't regain a physical body, but instead directly cultivated his Divine Soul into the Heavenly Demon Body.

In the eyes of Ji Changxi and the others, Xu Qing's physical body appeared to be a transformation of his Divine Soul.

In reality, only Elder Fang discerned that this was a Heavenly Demon Body.

The Heavenly Demon excels at transformation.

To be precise, it's the Heavenly Demon Transformation!

Xu Qing's Heavenly Demon Body was mistaken for a physical body because of the "Heavenly Demon Transformation of Xu Qing."

This is a characteristic of the Heavenly Demon's "Heavenly Demon Transformation."

It can also be understood as another form of ever-changing transformations.

"This time the Emperor plans to personally enter the fray, eliminating all Martial Saint level existences outside of the Court, this matter is related to you, isn't it?" Elder Fang stated plainly.

"Mm."

"A single misstep in this matter could plunge the world into chaos. And you say you're not a Heavenly Demon."

"I've set up a workshop for the Fang Family, now under the name of Duke Wei Mansion, so no matter what great changes occur in the future, the Fang Family won't starve."

"Nonsense, we Fang Family don't need these things."

"I've found a teacher for Brother Fang to teach him physics, he's very interested in this area."

"No wonder that kid hasn't been seeking me much recently." Elder Fang muttered.

"I've also arranged for someone to teach Brother Fang's eldest son medicine, and it's truly curative medicine."

"If one doesn't become a good minister, then become a good doctor. If successful in medicine, it's never a bad thing." Elder Fang wasn't incapable of these things, but this way easily entangles one in karmic ties, stirs trouble, and incurs debts of gratitude.

Alright, whether Elder Fang thought of it or not, Xu Qing thought of it for him.

Elder Fang could only be thankful he retired early, Xu Qing's schemes even the True Gods couldn't bear.

"Thank you!" Elder Fang patted Xu Qing's abdomen.

Xu Qing felt as if his insides were burning.

Is this really how you thank someone?

Alright, although very painful, he did feel that his condition seemed to be improving.

Old Fang was indeed quite something!

Xu Qing's consciousness simmered inside the Heavenly Demon Body for a while, then took the opportunity while old Fang dozed off, to escape again.

He had had enough of this, and now prepared to torment King Lin.

...

...

East Island, King Lin propped his eyelids open with two steel needles, but still couldn't resist the sudden surge of drowsiness.

"Damn it, I'm not sleepy!"