Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1182 - 402: Anomaly at the Grand Sacrifice

The next day, Emperor Jiang's decree was sent back to the Divine Capital, and the date for the grand sacrifice was set.

That afternoon, a Divine Travel Grand Protector made a thousand-mile rush, bringing back urgent news. General of Cavalry Yin Tulong had recently attacked and destroyed the Upper Pure Sect, and was in the process of consolidating the sect's heritage, scriptures, and escorting prisoners back.

For a time, both the court and the field rejoiced. The defeat of the Upper Pure Sect signified the complete end of the war, and the shadows of conflict were expected to lift.

In recent years, first there was a great drought in Yong Province, followed by the Red Eyebrow Army's rebellion, then a great disaster in Liangzhou Province causing the Taiping Sect's revolt, leading to the death or escape of many in Liangzhou. Subsequently, the great battle in Yong Province claimed countless lives, and shortly after its conclusion, an emperor ascended the throne. King Yue, Ji Wen, brought forward the Saintly Prince, Ji Jiji, to overthrow the usurping emperor.

Now that Ji Jiji has perished, the Three States have been pacified, the Upper Pure Sect defeated, the Nine Provinces finally united, the court and field can breathe a sigh of relief.

The people aren't like NPCs that refresh daily; once dead, they cannot be replaced in a short time. The combined casualties over the years, numbering in the billions, have put significant pressure on the court and field.

Now things have improved, with the Nine Provinces reunified. While not celebrating with songs and dances, the Divine Capital has visibly become bustling once more.

On the day before the grand sacrifice, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer rode a plain-looking carriage, passing low-key through the workshop outside the Divine Capital, his eyes half-closed, listening to the sounds of celebration outside the carriage, and whispered: "The people rest safely, after great chaos comes great order. The Emperor's reputation will reach its peak."

At such a time, even if the Emperor expressed a desire to marry his Master, it might just be a matter of jest among the people.

Of course, that's just a possibility.

The old man rarely indulged in gossip within his heart.

He had his own sources of information, and when Tianxuan and the Primordial Lord Rain Master were fighting, the old man had also watched from afar.

"If the Emperor could embrace the Heavenly Heart, that would be ideal," said Xiao Zhi, who was nearby.

After great chaos comes great order, and with the current Emperor's methods and abilities, even if the Great Zhou cannot be quickly restored to its former glory, at least it won't deteriorate. Alas... the Emperor has preserved his humanity through unknown means.

Even if the current Emperor is a wise ruler, there's no guarantee that he won't change.

Especially when faced with the Jiazi deadline, even the most brilliant individuals can become irrational before death.

In reality, even without the looming deadline of life's end, the current Emperor could still potentially become a corrupted ruler. When the span of time extends over a century, anyone can experience a change in their mental state.

Time is indeed a merciless entity.

The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer had always revered past emperors because they never committed acts that would harm the sacrificial altar. No matter how wise the current Emperor is, he cannot surpass past emperors in this regard.

Thus, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer had reason to oppose the current Emperor.

But what could he do about it?

Should he follow in the footsteps of King Yue, Ji Wen, and rebel?

The Heavenly Monarch was already defeated by the Emperor, let alone others. Who in this world could stop the Emperor now?

Xiao Zhi pondered this, looking at the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, but saw that his teacher remained always calm, unmoved as a mountain. Even if his life's great wishes were unfulfilled, no negative emotions were visible.

Such mastery of Qi cultivation naturally calmed Xiao Zhi as well.

"Calm the heart and focus the mind," the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer said calmly.

"Yes," Xiao Zhi nodded.

As the master and apprentice conversed, the carriage had already left the workshop and sped along the official road.

This particular grand sacrifice, due to the need to honor the heroic spirits and civilians who died, was inappropriate to hold within the Imperial City, and so it was conducted at the Huanqiu Platform outside the Divine Capital.

The circular aspect symbolizes Heaven;

The mound symbolizes Earth.

The Huanqiu Platform, also known as the Heaven and Earth Platform, is another significant sacrificial site outside of the Heavenly Altar.

When the carriage came within thirty miles of the Huanqiu Platform, it was already being checked by guards from the Forbidden Army, who conducted thorough inspections before allowing them to proceed to the Huanqiu Platform.

By then, officials had long been arranging the surroundings, and upon seeing the Feng Chang, or the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer in charge of the sacrifice, they came to pay respects and presented a memorial regarding the grand sacrifice.

The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer received the memorial while asking, "Has Your Majesty arrived?"

As he spoke, he glanced toward the Clothing Platform not far away.

There lay a small Golden Hall, where the Emperor would rest before the grand sacrifice and change into the Imperial Robe.

"Not yet," the officiant replied.

This meant that the Emperor was still at the Dinghu Sect, alongside the future Empress, and the Gongsun Family Master...

Knowing now that the Emperor has not lost his humanity, and aware of the complicated master-disciple relationship, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer suspected that the Emperor might become a tyrant sooner rather than later.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he reviewed the memorial, noting the inclusion of Mo Sect Master Mo Xuankong in the arrangements.

This Emperor clearly intended to quickly elevate the Mo School to rival the Imperial College.

The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer's expression remained unchanged, and after pointing out a few oversights, he instructed the officiant to continue with the arrangements.

Afterward, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer cast a distant glance at the Clothing Platform, noticing that there were red-dressed female attendants stationed there, presumably indicating that the Princess had arrived first.

Seeing this, he did not proceed to the Clothing Platform to investigate further but instead went elsewhere.

The Clothing Platform was merely a place to change attire, and with the Princess entering to presumably preemptively don her ceremonial attire, it was naturally impossible for the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer to go there, or even inquire about it.

In this regard, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer was particularly cautious.