Chapter 80: Seeking a Breakthrough at the Limit |
“The first outer ring of the Fangcun space can accommodate a total of twelve open plots. I wonder what kind of wondrous transformation will occur once all of them have been fully unlocked.”
“It won’t be much longer now.”
In the real world, Li Shun had already stepped into the upper grade of the Mortal Physique Realm. Seven days ago, the Gate of Earth that had stood across his path of cultivation, the one connected to Jiang Chongguang, had suddenly vanished without warning.
He had broken through without encountering the slightest obstacle.
“Something must have happened on Jiang Chongguang’s side. No matter what it was, it can only be good news for me.”
With Fang Xun’s century of cultivation experience to draw upon, Li Shun’s path of cultivation would remain smooth and unobstructed all the way until the middle tier of the Spirit Resonance Realm.
“The only thing I truly need to worry about is the Gate of Heaven.”
The Gate of Heaven was the great obstacle every cultivator had to face when breaking through a major realm. Mysterious and intangible, it was as unfathomable as heaven’s will itself. Each person’s circumstances were entirely different. Even Fang Xun’s previous two breakthrough experiences offered Li Shun no useful reference.
Thus, Li Shun could only devote himself wholeheartedly to cultivation.
The blazing sun that had long hung high in the sky suddenly vanished without warning. The entirety of the Imperial Mausoleum was plunged into darkness.
However, because all local garrison commanders had already received prior notice, no panic broke out.
“Seven days without the sun, for the sake of inspection.”
Li Shun silently turned those eight words over in his mind, weighing the meaning behind them.
In truth, it was not merely the Imperial Mausoleum itself being inspected. Everyone within its confines, along with the material reserves of every settlement, underwent a rigorous round of interrogation.
And those conducting the inspections were not personnel from the mausoleum.
They were the Black-Robed Envoys, dressed in azure official robes.
Inside the Dongshan Town administrative office.
“Brother Zhao, it has been a long time indeed!”
Fang Xun spoke with visible emotion.
The middle-aged man named Zhao Cheng removed his mask, revealing a stern, cold-featured face.
“Back when we parted at Lengshan, I believed you and I would meet again in the Sacred Capital. Never did I imagine our reunion would take place here, within the Imperial Mausoleum.”
Zhao Cheng shook his head faintly, seemingly lamenting the unpredictability of fate.
“The Imperial Mausoleum is no benevolent place. Time flows differently here than in the outside world, and one cannot remain for long. Junior Brother Fang should think of a way to leave as soon as possible.”
His tone carried genuine concern.
Fang Xun let out a bitter sigh.
“Leave? Easier said than done.”
Then, as if recalling something, he asked with confusion,
“By the way, Brother Zhao, why are the Black-Robed Envoys handling this inspection? That seems rather improper according to protocol.”
“Mohism, Legalism, and the Militarian factions have all brought calamity upon the dynasty. At present, within the imperial court, only we Confucians remain dependable. Naturally, it falls to the Black-Robed Envoys to oversee matters.”
Zhao Cheng’s expression carried unmistakable pride.
Seeing that Fang Xun still looked puzzled, Zhao Cheng pondered briefly before flicking a thin foil-like sheet toward him.
Fang Xun caught it and glanced over its contents.
It detailed how Shentu Xin had set fire to the Imperial Mausoleum, spreading proclamations throughout the realm and throwing the imperial court into upheaval.
Fang Xun shot to his feet, his face changing drastically.
“How could something this disastrous happen without me, the garrison commander of Dongshan Town, knowing anything about it?!”
Before his words had even fully fallen, the foil sheet in his hand ignited without flame, turning instantly into drifting ash.
“The Imperial Mausoleum possesses its own undying laws. Though your body may remain unharmed, your memories are not necessarily preserved.”
Zhao Cheng spoke calmly.
Fang Xun immediately looked dazed, as if his soul had been shaken loose.
“Then... does that mean I’ve already died once?”
“That is precisely why I said the Imperial Mausoleum is no place to linger. Junior Brother Fang should leave as soon as possible.”
Seeing the other party repeatedly bring up this matter, clearly with some deeper implication, Fang Xun’s heart stirred. He quickly cupped his fists and said solemnly, “I ask Brother Zhao to enlighten me!”
Zhao Cheng flicked out a golden character, sealing off the surroundings against any possible eavesdropping.
Only then did he lower his voice.
“Junior Brother Fang, on the surface, I’ve come this time as the leader of the Black-Robed Envoys to inspect the Imperial Mausoleum. But in truth, I came under my master’s personal orders.”
Fang Xun was startled. “Uncle-Master Duanmu?”
Duanmu Qiuche was none other than the one who had previously loosed an arrow from the distant Sacred Capital, helping Fang Xun capture Xiong Jin.
Though he no longer held any official position, he had rendered countless immortal merits during Great Qian’s founding war. His disciples and former subordinates were spread throughout both court and provinces.
Zhao Cheng paused, falling silent for a moment.
When he finally spoke again, his words were nothing short of earth-shattering.
“Master’s lifespan is nearing its end. He has no choice but to begin preparing for his breakthrough. One possible opportunity lies within the Imperial Mausoleum.”
Fang Xun appeared utterly shaken, repeatedly opening his mouth as though to speak, only to stop himself.
Zhao Cheng continued at an unhurried pace.
“Back during Great Qian’s war to destroy the Seven Kingdoms, Master used his divine bow to kill thirty-seven generals, shaking the world with his might. Once his bow was drawn and the arrow released, he never missed.”
“There was only one exception.”
“Lu Tinglan of Xiang Kingdom.”
Zhao Cheng slowly recounted an old story.
“This man was a high minister of Xiang Kingdom. Though he lacked imperial blood, his shamanic arts was nothing short of extraordinary. Master shot an arrow straight through his heart, yet even then, the true body of his Shaman God manifestation refused to disperse. Xiang Kingdom’s army was instantly invigorated, and the tide of battle turned at once.”
“That battle was one of Great Qian’s few defeats. And for all these years, it has remained a heart-knot Master has never been able to let go of.”
“To advance from Celestial Phenomena into Creation is unimaginably difficult. The chance is vanishingly small. Otherwise, Master would not have suppressed his breakthrough for so many years.”
“So no possible hope can be ignored.”
“In fact, the reason Master personally acted against Xiong Jin earlier was precisely because of his identity as a surviving Xiang royal.”
“After Xiang Kingdom fell, Lu Tinglan took his own life in martyrdom for his nation. As one of the Ten Great Generals, his body was made into a human effigie and placed beside the imperial coffin as an eternal attendant.”
Everything Zhao Cheng spoke of were hidden secrets from before Great Qian’s founding. Fang Xun had never heard any of it before.
After taking some time to process it, Fang Xun could not help but reveal a troubled expression.
“Could it be... Uncle-Master’s breakthrough opportunity actually lies with Lu Tinglan’s human effigie? This...”
Zhao Cheng chuckled.
“Junior Brother Fang, don’t overthink it. Lu Tinglan is already dead. What use would Master have for a corpse?”
“Besides, he is one of the ten burial generals accompanying the tomb, an important part of the mausoleum’s structure itself. How could anyone casually move him?”
“What Master needs is merely the armor Lu Tinglan wore back then.”
“With that object from the past, Master can use his divine ability, Revisiting the Old to Seek the New, to recreate the battlefield within his heart.”
“Perhaps in doing so, he may shatter his heart demon in a single stroke!”
Fang Xun began to understand.
“Lu Tinglan’s armor... was it also buried within the Imperial Mausoleum?”
Zhao Cheng nodded and pointed ahead.
“It lies within the central burial mound of the mausoleum.”
Fang Xun frowned.
“But how could it possibly be retrieved?”
“Master personally submitted a memorial to His Majesty, requesting permission to borrow Lu Tinglan’s armor for his breakthrough.”
“His Majesty has already granted approval.”
Though Zhao Cheng’s tone was light, the words struck Fang Xun like thunder.
“His Majesty... has appeared?” Fang Xun’s heart jolted.
“Not personally. The approval was conveyed by imperial handwritten decree.” Zhao Cheng shook his head.
“Although His Majesty has granted permission, the rules of the Imperial Mausoleum cannot be broken.”
“Once one enters the burial mound, there is entry but no exit.”
“And only the tomb-guardian clan may enter.”
“Junior Brother Fang, I heard you recently took in a new disciple?”
At last, Zhao Cheng revealed the true purpose of his visit.
Fang Xun nodded.
“Correct. His name is Li Shun. I met him back in Lengshan.”
Then, as though suddenly realizing something, he froze and stared blankly at Zhao Cheng.
“He... is from the tomb-guardian clan.”
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