Iron Pillar Temple was located to the west of Dragon Abyss Lake, under Longevity Mountain.
The temple occupied a vast area of over fifty acres, featuring six halls, six pavilions, twelve towers, three corridors, seven doors, and eighteen chambers, making its scale considerable even among the ranks of Mystic Sect.
However, what Iron Pillar Temple was most famous for was the towering iron pillar on the Immortal Connection Platform behind it.
So said that the iron pillar of Iron Pillar Temple suppressed the water veins of Dragon Abyss Lake to prevent water disasters; others claid that the pillar was a sky-reaching relic, symbolizing the first generation temple master’s intention of reaching the heavens through his cultivation.
Various theories abounded, and given the temple’s na, "Iron Pillar," it further fueled much speculation.
When the flying boat approached the rivers near Longevity Mountain, Jiang Li and his two companions imdiately noticed the mountain-like iron pillar, as well as the dozen armored guards who ca surrounding the boat upon spotting it.
Jiang Li, seeing this, raised his eyebrows slightly.
These guards were all cultivators. The fact that even in seclusion, the Fourth Prince had so many guards with him did not seem to suggest he was a man uninterested in power.
Noticing this, Zhang Daoyi explained, "Recently, there have been mysterious rumors outside the Divine Capital, believed to be demonic people from the Devil God Sect lurking about. The Fourth Prince is, after all, a royal noble, so the palace dispatched so guards to accompany and protect him during his travels."
That did seem plausible, but...
Why did Jiang Li feel that Zhang Daoyi seed rather too familiar with the Fourth Prince? Logically, shouldn’t it have been ng Xiwu doing the explaining?
As Zhang Daoyi finished speaking, a swift blue shadow flickered. A pale, beardless, and effeminate middle-aged man silently appeared on the shore, lightly waving his hand, causing the gathered guards to disperse imdiately.
He must be an eunuch, or in other words—a eunuch.
Following that, the eunuch clasped his hands together and said respectfully, "Daoist Zhang, Young Master ng, and Young Master Jiang Li, His Highness the Fourth Prince invites you all to et him."
When he ntioned the three, he placed Zhang Daoyi first, implicitly showing their status in his or his master’s heart.
Moreover, being able to directly na Jiang Li showed that Zhang and ng had certainly discussed their purpose with the Fourth Prince before leaving.
Jiang Li suspected his earlier guesses were wrong, or that Zhang and ng had concealed sothing. It was not just ng Xiwu who had connections with the Fourth Prince; Zhang Daoyi did as well.
And indeed, Zhang Daoyi’s relations with the Fourth Prince seed even deeper than those of ng Xiwu.
With that in mind, it was no wonder that the Fourth Prince was said to lack interest in power. In Great Zhou, any prince who had ties with the Three Pure Ones Sect was undoubtedly cutting off any possibility of ascending the throne and even his future ennoblent would be limited.
Even if he were to beco a prince one day, he would not hold real power like Lu King, but would be relegated to the edges of the power center, becoming a marginal figure.
Zhang Daoyi and ng Xiwu, upon hearing the eunuch’s words, looked towards the right. There was a wooden corridor leading to a fishing platform by the lake, where a bright yellow figure was looking in their direction.
Jiang Li followed their gaze, his exceptional eyesight easily catching a handso and upright face.
The Fourth Prince, nad Ji Chengyuan, appeared to be in his thirties, wore a mustache similar to Lu Xiaofeng’s, had well-ford features, exuding amiability and elegance.
Seeing Jiang Li looking his way, the Fourth Prince nodded from afar in greeting.
Then, Jiang Li looked at the middle-aged eunuch and said, "Please relay to the Fourth Prince that I appreciate His Highness’s kindness. However, I have important matters to attend to and must decline the eting."
Whether it was a lack of interest in power or keeping a low profile, Jiang Li was uninterested in getting involved in the princes’ matters.
Especially since this Fourth Prince had connections with Zhang Daoyi. Even if he truly had no intentions of competing for the title of Emperor, his re existence posed a complication; even the slightest association would be of no benefit to Jiang Li.
"Young Master Jiang."
The middle-aged eunuch’s voice dropped slightly, a hint of sternness filtering through his effeminacy, "The Jiang family, as it stands, does not have the standing to refuse a prince. I advise you to reconsider your decision."
As he spoke, a subtle Qi emanated from him, soft yet concealing sharpness.
A caged phoenix is inferior to a chicken; perhaps in other places, the Jiang family might hold so sway, but in the Divine Capital, the Jiang family hardly had a foothold, much less the liberty they enjoyed in Yong Province.
In the Divine Capital, no one would intervene on behalf of the Jiang family’s troubles. Within the court, the Jiang family had no allies.
And even if there were any, they dared not reveal themselves.
Fortunately, Jiang Li had already considered this.
"Is that so?"
He replied indifferently, retrieving an item from his sleeve.
An invisible aura spread out, and upon seeing what was in Jiang Li’s hand, the middle-aged eunuch hurriedly bowed deeply.
Yet he still asked in disbelief, "How could you possibly have the Authority Seal? How could you possibly use the Authority Seal?"
At that mont, Young Master Jiang Li was holding a White Jade Seal in his hand, his True Qi stimulated, revealing the prestigious aura of the Authority Seal in an intangible form.
The middle-aged eunuch sensed this aura almost instantly and subconsciously paid his respects, not daring to show the slightest disrespect in his ceremonial manners.
In the Great Zhou, the hierarchy was strikingly clear. It might not be as apparent among the sects and Jianghu, but within the court, the stratification was rigid and insurmountable. Despite his disbelief, the mont the eunuch saw the Authority Seal, he felt compelled to offer his respects.
Regardless of to whom the Authority Seal belonged, even if it was so out-of-favor Prince or Princess, officials absolutely could not afford to be disrespectful, as that would be considered overstepping their bounds.
"You shouldn’t be asking about this," Jiang Li said indifferently, holding the Authority Seal, "Now, do I have the right to refuse?"
I intended to interact with you normally, but since you decided to involve the Prince, I am not holding back anymore.
Let show you the status of the Gongsun Family’s affiliated son-in-law.
What Jiang Li held was indeed the Authority Seal that belonged to Gongsun Qingyue. Due to certain past deeds, Jiang Li too could stimulate the Authority Seal. Thus, before departing, his senior sister deliberately arranged for the Authority Seal to be handed over to Jiang Li, enabling him to move around the Divine Capital at his convenience.
"You and Qingyue have reached the stage of True Qi Dual Cultivation?" The Jade hairpin emitted a faint light, and Tianxuan’s voice erged beside his ear.
Carrying a sense of Old fond relief.
It appeared that his eldest disciple was not utterly useless after all; at least at this stage, it could be announced that Jiang Li was spoken for.
The Kunxu Immortal Palace still thinks it can snatch the Gongsun Family’s son-in-law? No chance!
Holding the Authority Seal, Jiang Li floated up from the Flying Boat like a drifting cloud and landed ashore.
The closeness enhanced the clarity of the aura, and the middle-aged eunuch involuntarily stepped backward, feeling the oppression.
Although he hadn’t, like so local officials, harbored an Earth God Dao Fruit and thereby been restrained by the Authority Seal, his spirit was thoroughly tad into a servant of the Ji Family. Not just him, but also the surrounding guards, all felt the sa.
As the capital of Great Zhou, under the feet of the Emperor, the Divine Capital was the region most tightly controlled by the Emperor, especially since these eunuchs and guards were still considered servants of the Emperor, naturally preventing any disloyal conduct.
The spiritual submission made the middle-aged eunuch refrain from any hindrance, even from making further inquiries about the origin of the Authority Seal. When Jiang Li approached closely, holding the Authority Seal, the eunuch stood still, allowing Jiang Li to pass by him and head towards the Iron Pillar Temple.
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Passing along the corridor, Zhang Daoyi and ng Xiwu t the Four Prince shaking his head helplessly.
"It seems, the rising star of the Dinghu Sect does not wish to be associated with ."
The Fourth Prince used no titles demonstrating his status, but simply employed the first person singular, saying, "It seems I am fated not to discuss the Dao with him this ti, although Daoist Zhang holds him in high esteem."
Not only refraining from using lofty self-designations, the Fourth Prince also respectfully addressed Zhang Daoyi as ’Fellow Daoist,’ which demonstrated his inclination toward the Dao.
Perhaps this was why Zhang Daoyi had established a relationship with him.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang has a unique understanding of the Unity of Heaven and Man, imagining what others could not. Even I currently dare not claim to surpass him in terms of Dao cultivation," Zhang Daoyi humbly said.
"Truly?" ng Xiwu exclaid, "Daoist Zhang’s Nine Heavens Demon Suppressing True Technique is now quite renowned, coveted by those of fourth-rank and even third-rank power. I think that while the outco in terms of power might be uncertain, in terms of Realm, Daoist Zhang is definitely above that Jiang Li."
"I dare not claim that," Zhang Daoyi remained modest. "The only aspect I am confident in, perhaps, is the ntal State of Unity of Heaven and Man."
He couldn’t comprehend the peculiar Unity of Heaven and Man practiced by Jiang Li, indicating that Jiang Li might see a perspective that he could not, which alone made Zhang Daoyi reluctant to claim a higher Realm than Jiang Li.
However, when it cos to the ntal State... Zhang Daoyi’s Unity of Heaven and Man, harmonizing Heaven and Earth, was his true forte.
"Exactly," the Fourth Prince applauded, "The Dao Fruit of Pure Yang True Man is closely related to the ntal State, and Daoist Zhang has already gained a slight advantage."
"Indeed, I am hereby offering my heartfelt congratulations to Daoist Zhang for his assured success," ng Xiwu said with a smile.
His face bore sincere happiness, genuinely rejoicing for Zhang Daoyi.
However, as his gaze drifted back, ng Xiwu inadvertently showed concern.
anwhile, as Jiang Li walked on the spacious marble road, he pondered, ’Zhang Daoyi is not one to make baseless claims. If he says he has an advantage, he must be sowhat confident. In his view, the advantages he has over probably lie in the special aspects of the Nine Heavens Demon Suppressing True Technique, certain skills possessed by disciples of Daoist Lords, and... the ntal State.’
In Jiang Li’s view, Zhang Daoyi wasn’t likely to rely on external forces; besides, if Zhang Daoyi had external forces, so did Jiang Li. The most probable factors were the Nine Heavens Demon Suppressing True Technique and the ntal State.
While contemplating, Jiang Li could already see the grand gate of the Iron Pillar Temple. In that mont, a vague sensation seized his heart.
It was illusory and indistinct; the surroundings seed to shift slightly, and amid the hazy vagueness, Jiang Li heard so familiar voices.
Sothing was erging from the depths of his mory; the fog-like scenery spread all around, evolving into a bizarre and otherworldly vista.
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