Ji Xiang had considered where this audacious prince might reside, perhaps even within the Forbidden City of Ying Tian Fu, to flaunt his status. If the Wan Li Emperor in the north was to be the sun of the realm, then he would be its moon.
Sun and moon, they are light.
However, it seemed Prince Lu did not possess such audacious courage. Of course, it was also possible that, as a prince aiming to divide the world, he needed to follow certain procedures, a sense of ritual.
"I thought the Prince would be in the Southern Forbidden City."
Crown Prince Lie Jie glanced in the direction of the Southern Forbidden City: "That city... it makes no difference whether the Prince is there or not."
"He does not enter the city simply because he has not yet completely ascended to immortality."
"In Ying Tian Fu, the divine position above the Southern Forbidden City prohibits the dragon aura of feudal princes from entering. Upon sensing it, they would be expelled. Of course, the Prince's aura is not merely that of a feudal prince; by using the wishes of the populace, he can obscure that divine position."
"Therefore, he can enter, but deceiving a divine position without self is simple. However, to sit on the golden throne under the watchful eyes of the many ministers of Ying Tian's Six Ministries, he cannot do so for the time being."
"This inability refers to legality."
Ji Xiang chuckled.
Rebelling, and yet concerned with legality?
Crown Prince Lie Jie clearly understood Ji Xiang's thoughts and also laughed: "This legality is not about the legality of dividing the world. It's that even with the influence of the populace's wishes, many people and officials still know there is only one emperor."
"It is reasonable for a feudal prince to appear in Ying Tian, but if a feudal prince becomes emperor in Ying Tian, that is unreasonable and illegal."
"Even if people are influenced by wishes, they will still know that having two emperors is an act of rebellion. Therefore, if he were to enter the Southern Forbidden City too early, he would be in an embarrassing situation where his true colors are revealed, an incident the Prince wishes to avoid before the Ascension Assembly."
"But after ascending to immortality, his control over wishes can be deepened. Then, it will be different. Sitting on that empty dragon throne in Ying Tian at that time will not be seen as problematic by anyone."
Ji Xiang uttered an "Oh," signifying understanding.
The Qinhuai River was brightly lit.
But the path ahead for Crown Prince Lie Jie began to blur.
"The path is blurring. I've seen similar tricks before."
Ji Xiang's eyes narrowed slightly.
When Lord Fire entered the Forbidden City, it was like this. One step was like a thousand, a special method of travel that combined illusion and obscuring techniques.
"This is a 'Wei Tu' (畏途), a method of travel used by deities. 'Wei Tu' refers to a difficult and perilous road that mortals dare not tread, hence only deities can learn it. It signifies that life and death are decided in an instant, describing the speed of this method."
"A path opened with this sorcery can greatly shorten the time to return."
"However, it is a pity that 'Wei Tu' is a fixed route. Once constructed, it cannot be changed at will. Although there are ways to enter this path anytime and anywhere, the path itself cannot change its location. To go to a new place, a new 'Wei Tu' must be constructed. Therefore, this sorcery can only be used for returning, not for moving forward."
Around the blurred path were illusions formed by incense. The affairs of the mortal world floated and sank within them like bubbles, and the sights were distorted external scenes. Once inside the 'Wei Tu', mortals could no longer see many people. Under the gaze of others, these few individuals seemed to vanish into thin air from their original spots...
"Thus, mortals will fear this change and leave this place, which is also why 'Wei Tu' got its name."
Soon, Ji Xiang, along with the other three, emerged from the 'Wei Tu'. Crown Prince Lie Jie guided them, and they appeared before a grand and magnificent temple. However, the temple's name was thought-provoking.
Great Retribution Temple.
"Are we in the netherworld?"
Ji Xiang raised an eyebrow. As Crown Prince Lie Jie was about to answer, Shen Yu, one of the three behind Ji Xiang, spoke, "This Great Retribution Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Ying Tian Fu."
"Who is the Great Buddha enshrined here?"
"The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva of the Six Realms, and the Invincible Wisdom King."
Shen Yu looked at the plaque of the Great Retribution Temple: "Especially this Wisdom King, it is said to be the wrathful manifestation of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva."
Crown Prince Lie Jie smiled: "Indeed, Scholar Zheng is correct. During the day, the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva of the Six Realms is enshrined, which are the six manifestations of Ksitigarbha: Tan Tuo, Bao Zhu, Chi Di, Bao Yin, Ri Guang, and Chu Gai Zhang. At night, the Invincible Wisdom King is enshrined. However, no matter which of them it is, they are all manifestations of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, representing Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's good intentions, and... retribution."
As Crown Prince Lie Jie spoke, he led them in. The temple gates slowly opened, revealing an incense-filled courtyard. In the main hall ahead, the second plaque was displayed before the main hall, bearing the four intensely black characters: "Five Turbid Worlds."
The characters were written with ink, so naturally they were black, but Ji Xiang discovered that this black substance was not ink.
It was dried blood.
There were no monks in the temple; the monks had already rested after nightfall. The aura of Buddhist teachings was extremely strong from all directions, and countless Buddhist chants and meditative songs filled every corner of the place.
Upon entering, one's mind could be calmed, and all anger would dissipate. Even the Yuqing demonic energy within Ji Xiang himself was somewhat affected.
This place was like a solemn pure land, a sacred Buddhist temple.
In the main hall, the statues of the Six Realms Ksitigarbha were arranged on both sides, with a giant Wisdom King statue in the center. The person waiting there was not Prince Lu.
"Master Yao, I have invited the Celestial Being."
"Ah, good."
Mr. Yao, who had been waiting in the main hall for a long time, looked at Ji Xiang and the others. He was adorned with copper coins and wore festive golden-red clothing. He had a square head and large ears. Although his appearance was ordinary, his eyes shone like torches, and a surge of wealth shot straight up to the heavens from his head, appearing even more radiant in this sacred Buddhist ground.
"The Great Retribution Temple is honored by the presence of the Celestial Being."
"It is just that the Prince has some matters and cannot get away for the moment, so he has asked me to discuss cooperation matters with you."
"My surname is Yao, and my given name is not worth mentioning. You have seen the divine position I hold; I am the Official of Prosperous Transactions, a follower of the God of Wealth."
Mr. Yao introduced himself briefly.
"The Official of Prosperous Transactions is the North Road God of Wealth among the Five Roads of Wealth. No wonder this Great Retribution Temple has become the largest temple in Ying Tian; it turns out there is a deity managing wealth and fortune."
Ji Xiang and the others entered the hall and got straight to the point: "I will be direct."
"If you want to cooperate with me, you must show genuine sincerity. Do not offer empty promises; I will not agree to that."
"Furthermore, do not trouble these individuals accompanying me anymore."
Mr. Yao smiled: "Naturally. I am the Official of Prosperous Transactions, specializing in buying and selling. If I wish to find companions, I must first treat them with integrity."
"The Sun Essence is ready and is here. Please, Celestial Being, inspect it!"
Mr. Yao produced a small copper box containing a crystal bottle. It was crystal clear, and a dense, vast solar aura churned within, condensed into a liquid form, appearing to be about ten drops.
"This is Sun Essence, also known as the essence of the sun. Without the help of a dew-collecting plate, it would take one hundred and twenty years to naturally condense one or two drops in a place with dense solar energy."
"As for your other requests, Celestial Being, we can fulfill them. However, we also have a small request, and we hope the Celestial Being will listen."
Ji Xiang looked at Mr. Yao. Mr. Yao respectfully said, "This Sun Essence, please have the Celestial Being consume it publicly at the Ascension Assembly."
"I see."
"You wish to use my consumption of Sun Essence to create momentum for this Ascension Assembly?"
Ji Xiang chuckled, and Mr. Yao also smiled: "The Celestial Being's wisdom is indeed profound. It is precisely so."
"This essence of the sun can restore youth, bring the dead back to life, and elevate one's innate immortal bone talent by another level, which is called 'feathering'."
"Among the ten classes of creatures, only under the sun do they dare to feather and ascend. If they encounter阴绵 (yin-mian - damp and overcast) weather, their wings cannot extend, and there is a risk of premature death. Cultivation is like the ten classes of creatures completing their transformation. However, when consuming it, one will also experience immense pain during the feathering process, just like the ten classes of creatures. But once the feathering process is complete, you will witness the precursor to ascension."
"However, it is difficult to complete the transformation by consuming Heavenly Marrow once or twice. With your innate talent, Celestial Being, I believe at least thirty drops of Sun Essence will be needed to complete the feathering transformation."