As the various Dynasties were contemplating their plans with Blood Sun Human Emperor's initiation of the Human Emperor Codex, Ling Xuan and her two companions once again headed to the Vermilion Bird Gate of the Imperial Palace in Chang'an City to seek an audience with King Han, Yang Hao.
"Miss, we have neither a summons from King Han nor the recommendation of any of the Ministers. We cannot enter the Vermilion Bird Gate," Liang Er tugged at Ling Xuan's clothes, pouting with reluctance.
"The Ling family patriarch's election is imminent. Besides seeking help from Great Han, what other options do I have?" Ling Xuan's eyes were red from crying. "Yes, Great Han's territory is vast, and its resources are abundant. Our commerce has also developed rapidly. But I am still a member of the Ling family, and my father is still under the soft confinement of those people. If I lose my eligibility, it doesn't matter if I die, but what about my father!"
"Miss, I would risk my life to save the Patriarch!" Li Shang, gripping his long sword, unleashed his Spiritual Venerable strength in anger.
Upon hearing Li Shang's words, Ling Xuan managed a faint smile. "Liang Er, Li Shang, you are not of the Ling family. You have already done enough for me, and this is not something that you and I can resolve on our own."
"Currently, besides the King Han inside, who else can help me? A few days ago, the Great Elder's grandson, Ling Lan, purchased a Grade Four peak pill in the Great Yun Dynasty. The selection for the Ling family patriarch is now beyond doubt; with this Grade Four peak pill, it is enough for the Pill Azure Pavilion to entrust all the pills of the Holy Origin Dynasty to Ling Lan."
"I no longer hold any illusions about becoming the Ling family patriarch. I only wish to rescue my father from the Ling family's clutches!"
"Miss, Miss!"
"Look, look! Isn't that Minister Changsun!" Liang Er suddenly exclaimed with joy. Among the civil and military officials of the Great Han Dynasty, they had the most contact with Changsun Wuji, the Minister of Personnel. The last time they had successfully met King Han Yang Hao was when Changsun Wuji personally led them into the heavily guarded Imperial Palace.
"Miss!" Li Shang followed the sound and confirmed it was indeed Changsun Wuji. He looked at Ling Xuan with overwhelming joy. Seeing the usually busy Changsun Wuji at this place, the three of them instantly broke into smiles.
...
"Minister Changsun, I have poured immense effort into the matter you entrusted me with. I have utilized all my connections and conducted thorough comparisons to finally complete this map of the southwestern region of the Eastern Desolation!"
"Hehehe, sir, what do you think?" A merchant from the Holy Origin Dynasty, with a fat head and big ears, smiled broadly, his eyes almost disappearing.
"Hmm, not bad. This is your promised reward!" Changsun Wuji examined the map in his hand. This was the tenth map he had received. These ten maps were largely similar, with only minor discrepancies in a few places. After a thorough cross-referencing, it would undoubtedly be a detailed map of the human territory in the southwestern region of the Eastern Desolation.
"Thank you, sir, thank you!" The merchant, beaming, accepted a bag of pills and cheerfully disappeared into the crowd.
Changsun Wuji put away the map and was about to move when he heard, "Minister Changsun, are you looking for a detailed map of the human territory in the southwestern region of the Eastern Desolation Continent?"
Changsun Wuji looked up and saw Ling Xuan and her two companions approaching. He smiled, "Indeed!" There was no need to hide this; Great Han's strength was comparable to that of a Dynasty, and it was time to broaden their horizons and understand the various dynastic powers.
"If Minister Changsun needs a map, you should ask my Miss. The map my Miss has is the most detailed," Liang Er said, smiling until her eyes curved like crescent moons.
"Minister Changsun, please take a look!" Ling Xuan produced a map, densely marked with the ten Dynasties, various local powers, and important cities. It even included some fringes of the Ancient Desolation Land.
"Not bad, this is much more refined than the maps I've received these past few days!" Changsun Wuji observed closely, his expression suddenly changing. "Miss Ling Xuan is not at her shop at this hour, but here at the Vermilion Bird Gate of the Chang'an Imperial Palace. You must have something to see my King, correct!"
"Indeed, this humble girl has a matter for which I wish King Han to lend his aid!" Ling Xuan's spirit became taut to the extreme, her eyes fixed on Changsun Wuji, a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
"Since that is the case, with this map alone, it might persuade His Majesty to act. Very well, I am on my way to the Imperial Palace to see King Han. You shall accompany me."
Changsun Wuji, smiling, took the map and turned towards the Vermilion Bird Gate. Upon hearing this, Ling Xuan was overcome with joy and hurried to look around, quickly following Changsun Wuji's steps.
As they arrived at the Vermilion Bird Gate, Xu Chu stood in the center of the gate tower, holding his Blazing Sun Blade. As Great Han was not currently engaged in any foreign wars, Xu Chu had been assigned by Yang Hao to the Imperial Palace.
"Minister Changsun!" Xu Chu bowed his head with a rough cupped fist. Changsun Wuji nodded slightly, a smile on his face. The group passed through the Vermilion Bird Gate without any hindrance and entered the Imperial Palace.
Upon entering the palace gates, the vast square returned to its former solemn and majestic atmosphere. Stern-faced Great Han soldiers patrolled the surroundings. This was significantly different from their last visit; all the Great Han soldiers were at the Grandmaster realm.
In the center of the square, the ancient existence from the Prison Spirit Abyss, Bi Xi, still bore a colossal stone tablet on its back, meditating with closed eyes, standing motionless in the center of the square.
However, Bi Xi was no longer at the peak Spiritual Sea realm. After the Human King Stele had absorbed faith value several times and suppressed the national destiny, which in turn nourished Bi Xi, it had undergone months of absorption and stabilization. Its cultivation realm had long since advanced to the Spiritual Venerable realm.
As the group approached, an immense pressure emanated from the Human King Stele, bearing down upon them.
It was difficult to imagine the weight of the Human King Stele; just this aura made their hearts tremble and their blood churn.
At this moment, the carved human figure of King Han Yang Hao on the stone tablet still had its eyes closed!
"Bi Xi greets Minister Changsun!"
As if sensing the arrival of Changsun Wuji and the others, Bi Xi opened its eyes and spoke softly, its voice deep and resonant like muffled thunder.
Changsun Wuji nodded slightly and, leading Ling Xuan and her two companions, bypassed Bi Xi and ascended the thousands of steps leading to the Xuanzheng Hall.
"Minister Changsun!" At the entrance of the Xuanzheng Hall, Wei Zhongxian stood bowing and spoke softly, intercepting them.
"Eunuch Wei, I trouble you to announce that Ling Xuan of the Holy Origin Dynasty, bearing a detailed map of the human territory in the southwestern region of the Eastern Desolation, requests an audience!"
Changsun Wuji spoke softly, directly paving a straight path for Ling Xuan to the Xuanzheng Hall.
"Pray excuse me, please wait here for a moment!" Wei Zhongxian glanced at Ling Xuan, then turned and gently pushed open the door to the Xuanzheng Hall, stepping inside slowly.