"Have you lost your mind? You want to be Emperor? You want to ascend to the heavens?"
Xing Hepu looked at Song Lin in disbelief.
Apart from the two brothers, Li Zhan and Li Ang, most other emperors were more or less ascended immortals.
Ascending immortal seed to be so kind of mysterious Feng Shui bureau.
Apart from the masterminds behind the scenes, presumably the duo of Yuann Tiangang and his disciple, almost no one knew what happened after an emperor ascended.
Even Xing Hepu was in the dark.
Fate was a hazy black mist, elusive and profound, as if intentionally shrouded in a veil, impossible to decipher.
For Song Lin to act now was undoubtedly extrely dangerous.
"No worries, Li Zhan!"
Song Lin shouted loudly, and Li Zhan, who had been in seclusion not far away, quickly flew over.
"Master, what are your orders?"
"Do you have any brothers?"
Song Lin disclosed his plan. Upon learning that his younger brother Li Yan’s life was hanging by a thread, Li Zhan’s eyes flared with anger, wishing he could drag out the mastermind behind all of this.
"If Master intends to impersonate the Emperor, you could consider pretending to be Imperial Uncle Li Chen. He suffered a severe illness as a child, leaving his mind sowhat clouded. Typically, no one pays him much attention."
If soone else had wanted to beco Emperor, Li Zhan would surely have believed they harbored sinister motives, seeking to usurp the Li family’s empire.
But when it ca to Song Lin, such doubts didn’t arise.
Everything Song Lin possessed was far more valuable than the title of Emperor. If he willed it, he could achieve deeds far surpassing even Taizong’s great accomplishnts.
"Li Chen?"
Song Lin pondered for a mont. Wasn’t this Li Chen the legendary Prince Guang from history?
This man feigned madness and foolishness for over twenty years. After ascending the throne, his character underwent a complete transformation, leaving behind his forr image. During his reign, he undertook many comndable deeds.
However, like the Emperors before him, he descended into debauchery and degeneration in his later years, ultimately squandering a promising situation.
Starting with Tang Emperor Xuanzong, the Great Tang had fallen into a peculiar cycle. Emperors were often exemplary and wise in their youth, yet beca muddled in old age. They failed to learn from their predecessors, each one leaping headlong into pitfalls, as if their minds had been tampered with.
Since arriving in this world, Song Lin had discovered the reason behind this. It wasn’t re coincidence but entirely a man-made disaster.
"In short, Old Xing, you make one final attempt to alter fate, redirecting the imperial destiny onto Li Chen."
Xing Hepu wore a bitter expression.
It had been over a hundred years since he last intervened, and now he was being asked to perform such a grand and divine act of reshaping destiny. It seed that the last century’s worth of conserving energy had been solely for today’s mont.
"Very well, this old man will make one more move." Xing Hepu made up his mind, then turned to Song Lin and said, "From this point onward, rember—you are Li Chen. Do not utter your original na. As for the real Li Chen, ensure he never shows himself again!"
"Understood. I will have Li Chen cultivate within the Upper Pure Pearl. A fool’s luck might lead to sothing exceptional on the path of cultivation, don’t you think?" Song Lin said with a grin.
"Let’s begin!"
Ten days later.
On his deathbed, Li Yan passed the throne to Li Chen. Upon ascending, Li Chen’s character changed dramatically; he beca incredibly astute and began tackling the court’s longstanding issues, putting an end to the Niu-Li partisan strife.
The tale of Prince Guang, the fool who beca Emperor, amazed the masses. To endure for over twenty years while concealing such ambition was almost unheard of throughout history. The citizens of Great Tang hailed Li Zhen as a mighty ruler, ready to resolve lingering problems and restore the nation’s forr glory.
Song Lin, upon taking center stage, implented bold and sweeping reforms. After all, only a ruler with uncompromising thods could achieve ascension.
Song Lin had to make his actions so compelling that they drew attention.
Unbeknownst to all, several years passed as the Great Tang defeated Tubo, stabilized the Northern Border, pacified Ann Nan, and reclaid Hehuang to strengthen its internal unity. Under his leadership, Great Tang regained a asure of its forr prosperity.
As Song Lin suspected, the Great Tang had not yet declined irretrievably. Its foundation remained intact, and as long as reform was intentional, the core could at least be preserved.
As for the vassal towns that pledged nominal allegiance but ignored imperial orders, Song Lin did not provoke open conflict. They could be treated as enfeoffed domains—as long as the Royal Family remained the strongest "vassal town," these factions wouldn’t dare rebel.
Years of exploration led Song Lin to the conclusion that the entire Imperial Palace was so kind of Feng Shui array.
In Chang’an, Wannian County to the east and west spread like drawn bowstrings. Vermilion Bird Street resembled a divine arrow pointing directly at the heart of the palace.
Once soone entered this Feng Shui bureau, it was almost impossible to leave without breaking the array. Even moving out of the palace couldn’t escape its grasp.
Song Lin shared this discovery with Xing Hepu.
With this clue, Xing Hepu began his research.
"Brilliant! Using the court as the target, vassal towns, magicians, and demons as the power source, with Chang’an and Wannian as the bow, and Vermilion Bird Street as the arrow—this forms a Dragon Slaying Array that eradicates any sign of Dragon Qi resurgence. Simply ingenious!"
Stroking his beard, Xing Hepu chuckled with admiration.
A sand table lay before them, an intricate miniature of Chang’an displayed upon it.
"What can be done to break it?" Song Lin asked.
"This old man does not know!" Xing Hepu replied shalessly.
The bluntness of his answer left everyone speechless. If he didn’t know, why speak with such confidence, leading everyone to believe a solution was at hand?
"Can’t we just dismantle it?" Li Zhan asked in confusion.
"Impossible. Feng Shui bureaus are called so because you must follow their rules upon entering. Otherwise, the consequences may be even worse." Xing Hepu picked up his calculation rods. "Don’t disturb . This old man is starting his calculations."
In his private study, Song Lin held a bright, sparkling pearl in his hand, lost in thought.
Perhaps no one in the story world could decipher this, but the real world might hold the answer.
Not that the story world was weak—its limitations were simply set based on Song Lin’s predefined upper bounds.
"I’ll find an opportunity to visit Zhi Xin," Song Lin silently decided.
Afterward, he exited the Small Cave Heaven, allowing ti to pass more quickly, as he awaited the Taoist School’s notification of a reward ceremony.
Six days later.
The Yunzhou Society Commandery of the Taoist School sent word for everyone involved in the effort to quell the Blood Demon to gather at its headquarters.
Song Lin imdiately assembled his followers and proceeded to Xuantian Jade City’s Liangfeng Platform under the Taoist School’s domain.
In the levitating fortress’s seventh section stood the Yunzhou Society Commandery. Upon entering, one was greeted by birdsong and the fragrance of flowers—a true grotto heaven.
Amidst auspicious mist and colorful clouds, a man wearing a Purple Gold Crown, with a complexion as pure as white jade, approached.
"Greetings, Commandery Officer!"
This man was none other than Chuu Yuying, the Master of the Yunzhou Society Commandery—a prestigious third-rank position in the Taoist School, responsible for personnel matters in Yunzhou, ho to the millions under the Holy Might Taoist School.
The Chuu Yuying before them was likely an avatar. Showing no emotion, he formally announced the rewards, and Song Lin was granted the Secondary Fifth-Rank office of Governor of the Supre Middle Qi Right Leader Divine General—a promotion of two ranks, sparking envy among many.
Song Lin, however, was indifferent. It was rely a ceremonial post—its status mattered little compared to the Ninth-Grade Land God position he had previously held.
The last Land God title had been conferred upon Granny Huu.
As for Lu Mingyang, he looked utterly defeated. Today’s events would be recorded in the Taoist School’s annals, and his failed Scatter Bean Heavenly Soldiers technique ant his hopes for redemption were dashed forever.
Unconcerned about Lu Mingyang’s inner turmoil, Song Lin reviewed the reward list, comparing it to Shi Yinhua’s predictions, which were entirely accurate.
No, wait! Sothing seed to be missing.
"Sir! Why is there only two thousand acres of Yin Soil and just two-thirds of the Spirit Fish count?"
"Hmm?" Chuu Yuying glanced at Song Lin. "You didn’t know? Allocations from the third layer of the Taoist Temple must contribute an extra share to the collective coffers. Your Taoist personally sent a letter yesterday reminding us. Did your group not communicate internally?"
"I must’ve been muddled in seclusion. Understood."
Song Lin refrained from further argunt.
Indeed, such a rule existed. Fire Cloud’s eagerness to pre-divide profits before rewards were distributed was in poor taste.
Song Lin paid it little mind and, after leaving, headed straight for Mingxing Peak.
As his strength continued to grow, conflicts between the two sides would inevitably beco more intense.
Before departing, he received nurous invitations, as many sought to host him as a guest.
Most of these invitations ca from those practicing the Refining Soldiers Magic Vein. Song Lin realized that his erging reputation was beginning to yield tangible results.
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