Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 210 - 171: After Years Apart (Part 2)

"In just a few years, the Five Elements Secret Realm will open, causing a whirlwind across the entire Da Li territory. Who will care about a small Haihe Association like us?"

Upon hearing these words, Master Cang'er realized suddenly:

"Yes, I almost forgot about the Five Elements Secret Realm…"

After exchanging a few casual words with him, Zhang Yao took the opportunity to gather many Foundation Establishment masters and publicly explained the long-term seclusion arrangements.

Their reactions were much as he had expected; few were worried about the Haihe Association's situation, but there was much discussion about the Five Elements Secret Realm, with everyone ambitious and quite excited.

Once everything was prepared:

Zhang Yao also officially sealed his cave mansion and temporarily handed over control of the Haihe Association to Peng Yue Xian, then entered into a long-term period of seclusion himself.

Inside the cave mansion:

"Whew…"

Zhang Yao let out a long breath, feeling slightly relieved.

To put on this act, he had to expend quite a bit of thought, but for now, it was only half successful.

To make Old Peng, Master Cang'er, and the others outside believe he was still in the cave mansion in seclusion, he at least needed to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and trigger celestial phenomena.

"No time to delay, it's best to break through early."

Thinking of this, Zhang Yao turned his hand and took out the crystal bottle.

Ever since he learned about Yu Wen Tai's secret, an unconscious sense of urgency arose in him, wanting to quickly improve his strength.

"This feeling of gaining and losing is one I haven't experienced in a long time."

He laughed at himself, casually unsealed the magic ban on the crystal bottle, and tilted his head to pour the Spiritual Liquid into his mouth.

The pale golden Spiritual Liquid fell into his stomach and instantly transformed into a warm current that flowed throughout his limbs and bones, continuously converting into exceptionally pure Spiritual Qi.

"Boom…"

The vast Spiritual Qi gathered into a torrent, flowing throughout his body and then all converging into the Dao Foundation.

During this process, the Spiritual Qi was entirely self-operating, enhancing cultivation, nurturing the Divine Soul, strengthening the physique, all three merging, even slightly refining the Dao Foundation.

"Indeed, miraculous!"

Zhang Yao praised in his heart, then fully manipulated the torrent of Spiritual Qi within his body, operating the magic skill from the Scripture of All Transformations and True Nature to collect and refine.

Until seven days and nights later:

"Boom!"

Once the Magical Power had accumulated to the limit, it naturally burst through the invisible dam.

The bottleneck of the late stage of Foundation Establishment was broken, the Magical Power soared like a bird bursting from a cage, like a fish leaping into a deep pool, swallowing and absorbing the surrounding Spiritual Qi, wildly increasing, unstoppable.

The elevation of the Magical Power realm instantly triggered changes in the celestial phenomena, a Spiritual Energy vortex as large as fifteen acres reappeared over the Cangjiang Water Vein.

"So fast!"

"Yes, it's just been a few days since we last broke through, and now another breakthrough!"

"Kunyuan Spiritual Liquid… tsk tsk, really enviable, even a bit jealous!"

Old Peng, Fairy Lichen, and others looked at the Spiritual Energy vortex above the Water Mansion, discussing among themselves, their eyes full of envy.

Within the entire Da Li territory, those qualified to enjoy Kunyuan Spiritual Liquid were few and far between, this being their first time seeing it.

The effect of boosting cultivation out of thin air was too powerful, somewhat more useful for young Foundation Establishment cultivators than extending life by decades, as it effectively elevated their cultivation level by a layer, saving decades of hard work.

Half an hour later, the Spiritual Energy vortex in the Water Vein gradually dissipated, and Old Peng and others also dispersed.

They all understood—

From today on, to control the sudden surge in Magical Power and consolidate the vastly expanded realm, Lord Qingxu would need to remain in seclusion for at least ten years.

......

A month later.

Thanks to the strong presence of the Path of Array Refining and Body Integration, Zhang Yao had already initially mastered the increase in Magical Power and realm.

His physique strength, Divine Soul strength, and total Magical Power were far stronger than those of normal cultivators of the same stage of Foundation Establishment, which was his greatest advantage, allowing him to seize the initiative.

Zhang Yao estimated that within two or three years, at most, he could completely digest the increased Magical Power and realm and solidify the foundation.

However, he couldn't wait that long.

"The longer the delay, the more changes occur, best to return early."

Zhang Yao got up, leaving the Quiet Chamber, heading towards the Array Core within the cave mansion.

This time returning to Lu Kingdom, his first aim was to uncover Yu Wen Tai's true background, and secondly to avoid disaster.

With Yu Wen Tai hidden so deeply, the Golden Core Ancestors collaborating with him probably harbored even bigger ambitions and plans; ultimately, no matter the outcome, it would inevitably lead to irreconcilable conflict.

Even with the abundant legacy left by the Five Elements Wanderer, it was ultimately limited and couldn't satisfy everyone.

Under the fallen nest, no egg remains intact; if a full-scale war broke out, hiding in the Water Mansion in seclusion likely wouldn't guarantee evasion.

"For minor chaos, hide in the city; for major chaos, hide in the countryside."

"This Da Li looks set to reenact a major war among the Five Sects, I'd better hide in my rural hometown…"

Zhang Yao cast several spells and simultaneously performed the Tunneling Earth Technique, secretly penetrating the Array protection, stealthily leaving the Cangjiang Water Mansion from underground.

As the Water Mansion's master, he controlled the Array Core, naturally avoiding alarming anyone, directly departing from Cangjiang through subterranean routes.

He concealed his Escape Light and carefully hid, making a low-profile journey south.

After half a month, Zhang Yao traversed through various kingdoms and crossed several Desolate Zones to return to his long-separated hometown.

"Finally, back again…"

In the sky, Zhang Yao stood with his hands behind his back, using Divine Thought to sweep over Shangjing City below.

It had been several decades since he had left Lu Kingdom territory, with the chaotic times long over, and the Xin Dynasty firmly established for many years now.

"Hmm?"

Zhang Yao paused, showing a hint of interest:

"Didn't expect to meet old acquaintances…"

His figure flickered, then disappeared from the spot.

......

Central Shangjing City, within the Imperial Palace.

Zhao Hechu set aside the memorial in his hand, rubbing his brow, showing a trace of fatigue.

As the founding monarch of Da Liang, he was over sixty but still vigorous and flourishing, looking little different from a man in his early thirties.

Due to his exceptionally abundant vitality and the challenging experiences of his youth, he had developed a strong dislike for the bureaucratic system; though he had no choice but to use it, he abolished the Cabinet system that extended over thousands of years, allowing him to exclusively hold power.

But without the Prime Minister and Cabinet Elder, power was indeed highly centralized, yet the vastly complex affairs across the nineteen provinces, the ceaseless mental and physical toil, began to weigh down on even this Martial Dao Grandmaster.

"I am a Martial Arts Grandmaster, my vigor far surpassing ordinary people by more than tenfold, no matter how wearing the labor is, I can bear it."

"But the younger generations born into nobility, living in luxury, pampered and privileged, can't endure the hardship of training through the bitter cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer."

"Perhaps it won't take more than one generation before figures like Cabinet Elders and Grand Scholars reappear, and the bureaucracy's collapse is almost certain."

Zhao Hechu sighed helplessly upon reaching this thought.

This issue wasn't something he could solve—

Even the Imperial Family of the previous dynasty, allegedly supported by the Immortal Family, the Yuwen Family couldn't address it.

What he could do was merely to consolidate power during his reign, establish a relatively mature and perfect system, striving to extend the nation's existence by decades or even a century.

"Your Majesty, please take the Spirit Pill."

A nearby elderly eunuch presented a silver tray holding a red elixir pill.

"Hmm."

Zhao Hechu responded, expertly picking up the red elixir pill, swallowing it, then drank a cup of Ginseng Tea, shaking his head:

"These homemade elixir pills, no matter how refined, will never match the Immortal Family's Spirit Fasting Pill."

Hearing his words, the purple-robed chief eunuch remained silent, daring not to respond rashly.

Throughout Da Liang's nineteen provinces, everyone was aware that the founding emperor had orphaned origins and relied on encountering an Immortal at Bai Bo Lake to cultivate remarkable martial arts and build a vast empire.

Yet, despite being the revered sovereign and invincible Martial Arts Grandmaster, he was ultimately just a mortal; hence he continually reminisced about life on the Immortal Island, occasionally expressing nostalgic reflections, to which those around him had long since become accustomed.

"Let's go."

The hem of Zhao Hechu's dragon robe swayed as he stepped forward:

"I'm going to pay respects to the Immortal Master…"