"Kunxu Mountain..."

In the Imperial City of the Divine Capital, Jiang Li suddenly looked in the direction of Kunxu Mountain, "A peak has disappeared. This location... is the peak where the Immortal Palace is situated."

The great battle had just ended not long ago, and the chaotic remnants of fate had yet to dissipate. After all, everyone, without exception, was involved, disrupting the course of fate. But Jiang Li’s current perception ability is not only limited to Yi Dao but also Dao Fruit.

["I am the nation"], this Dao Fruit Divine Power allows Jiang Li to merge himself with the nation’s body and territory, enabling him to introduce the national momentum into his body and simultaneously sense various natural changes within the territory.

In the past, whenever there was a major disaster, the Emperor would always have a premonition and would either send masters or personally intervene to prevent the disaster before it occurred.

Now, although Jiang Li has not yet become the Emperor, the deeper integration of the Dao Fruit has endowed him with this perception ability.

He sensed the disappearance of a mountain peak, much like detecting an ailment within his own body, and made a precise judgment about the disappearance of the Immortal Palace based on his memory of the Nine Provinces’ terrain.

The time spent moving the peak was not long, just a few breaths. Perhaps consideration was given to Jiang Li’s divine perceptive abilities.

However, as long as the peak needs to land on the ground, Jiang Li will inevitably sense it. With the deepening integration of the Dao Fruit, he might even sense it while it is in the sky.

To avoid detection, one must either leave Great Zhou and not enter the Buddha Country or be aided by someone.

And this helper cannot be weak.

In Jiang Li’s mind, besides the Great Venerable, it is the Heavenly Monarch. There are no other options.

According to Jiang Li’s thinking, someone must have assisted the Immortal Queen in this action.

Who could it be...

As Jiang Li contemplated, he looked at Zhu Hui’an sitting not far away.

He was currently in the Great Ming Hall of the Imperial City, seated directly in the position Princess Gongsun Qingyue usually occupied while handling documents. Below sat his imperial aide Palu Zhu Hui’an.

The upcoming matters could not proceed without Zhu Hui’an’s assistance; naturally, he needed to be informed.

"Mr. Hui’an, the former Emperor is about to be laid to rest. I must rely on you to make frequent strides in the court," Jiang Li said gently.

Zhu Hui’an’s stern face showed a rare trace of excitement. He was well aware of the implications of the former Emperor’s burial.

"I understand."

Zhu Hui’an promptly responded, then controlled his excitement and said, "Leave everything to me."

In this brief moment, Zhu Hui’an had already considered various strategies, or rather, he had long begun to foresee them.

Among them, not limited to classics like "It’s cold, Sikong, wear the imperial robe to warm yourself," borrowed from the streets, such as "Great Zhou rises, Jiang Li rules," and other tactics.

Overall, it’s about taking responsibility for Sikong’s rise.

It’s not that Sikong wants to sit in that position. It’s all our doing. If history needs a note, let it record us.

Though it’s merely superficial work, it cannot be overlooked.

In a mere instant, Zhu Hui’an devised dozens of preparatory plans. He didn’t forget to ask Jiang Li, "Sikong, there may be discord among the Ji Family. How do you intend to handle this?"

This question naturally sought guidance on the extent of action against the Ji Family.

If Jiang Li wishes to, even without discord, discord must be created. If he lacks such intent, the tolerance threshold can be raised.

"I still trust the Clan Elder of the Ji Family to take the overall situation into account," Jiang Li said gently.

As he spoke, Jiang Li sensed his dog, discovering it was already outside the Zong Zheng Residence.

Xiao Tian accompanied the Divination Order.

Previously, the Princess told the Divination Order to give them time to make decisions before the former Emperor was buried; otherwise, she would inform Jiang Li about the existence of the Map of Mountains and Rivers.

This was a lie.

When she said those words, Jiang Li was actually listening alongside, ensuring that if the Ji Family delayed their decision, Jiang Li would take immediate action.

He didn’t have much time for indecisive decisions. If it weren’t for a smooth transition, Jiang Li wouldn’t hesitate to intervene.

As for what happens after the transition, it depends on the Ji Family’s future actions.

"Let’s wait for now."

Jiang Li spoke, closing his eyes slightly, as he directly began to wait.

...

...

At the same time, Xiao Tian transformed into a gust of wind, entering the Zong Zheng Residence alongside the Divination Order.

The Divination Order continued without pause upon entering the Zong Zheng Residence, heading straight for the main hall, where three elders were waiting.

All three displayed signs of age, though still upright in posture, their bodies showed traces of life. Among them, one elder with snow-white hair and beard even dozed off.

These three were the remaining Clan Elders in the Ji Family.

The battle with the Jiang family back in the day nearly wiped out the Ji Family’s Ghost Cultivators, and the remaining elder generation, having endured the assassination by the former Zong Zheng and the rebellion of the Eldest Prince, leaves few who can claim authority.

After returning, the Divination Order reiterated the previous conversation at once, emphasizing the news of Earth Uncle’s death.

As for the affairs on the Buddha Country’s side, the Princess did not clarify, and the Divination Order was also unaware.

But just the news of Earth Uncle’s death was enough to make the three elders perceive the situation.

After hearing this, the three revealed a despondent look. One of the elders turned to the old man with white hair and beard and said, "Brother Chang Feng, you are now the Zong Zheng. What do you plan to choose? If we hand over the Map of Mountains and Rivers, we might not have the ability to reclaim the Emperor’s position after sixty years."

Another elder interjected, "I received a secret message from King Yue some days ago, claiming that more than half of the southern kings have submitted to the Heavenly Monarch, and even that Daoist Shen Hou from Yuxu Temple has pledged allegiance. You know well the power of the God-beating Whip in Shen Hou’s possession, Brother Chang Feng, and Yue King hopes we support the Heavenly Monarch in secret."

"How about we hedge our bets on both sides?" the first elder thought for a moment and suggested.

Hedging bets on both sides means no loss regardless of the victor; it’s an old tradition of the families, and although the Ji Family is royalty, it is also a family.

The current Zong Zheng, Ji Changfeng, opened his slightly closed old eyes, glanced at the two, and spoke slowly, "Hedge our bets, hand over the Map of Mountains and Rivers, or secretly support the Heavenly Monarch. You want me to choose?"

The two nodded.

"Then I’ll tell you, there’s no choice. Choices are given by others, and the selection is not ours to make."

Ji Changfeng chuckled sarcastically, "I know Ling Guang’s temperament. She acts decisively and won’t beat around the bush. Since she has already made a choice, she won’t hide the existence of the Map of Mountains and Rivers. Jiang Sikong must already be aware of this. Giving time is actually to see who in the royal clan has ties with the Heavenly Monarch."

"Now, Ling Guang might be outside, listening to our words."

As his words fell, the two elders turned pale, especially the one who was secretly in contact with King Yue, Ji Wen.

"Brother Chang Feng, this joke isn’t one to make," he forced a smile while sending out Divine Thought.

"At this point, how can I be in the mood for jokes," Ji Changfeng, unfazed, slowly said, "What people need most is an awareness of their limits. What we should do now is preserve our clan’s roots, not dream of blooming elsewhere. The greed for more often leads to losing everything."

The elder forcing a smile felt cold sweat on his forehead, ready to wipe it, but suddenly noticed the sweat had evaporated into vapor.

His body began to heat up, emitting steam, as the True Qi within him seemed to ignite into a frenzy.

"This...

As his mouth opened and closed, a Sudden Flame Flow burst from his seven apertures and ignited from all his orifices.

His True Qi and blood transformed into fuel, and in an instant, he was reduced to ashes.

"Swish!"

The ashes fell onto the chair, scattering everywhere but not affecting the chair in the slightest. The flame flow vanished like an illusion, with only the ashes proving its occurrence.

A vermilion figure appeared at the entrance of the main hall at some unknown point, her Phoenix Eyes slowly scanning the remaining three inside.

"Zong Zheng was right; I do want to see who in the clan has ties with the Heavenly Monarch."

The Princess entered the hall, speaking indifferently, "Handling this myself can still control the situation. If it were someone else, it might not be so straightforward. It’s better to surrender control of Cave Heaven and hand over the Map of Mountains and Rivers."

Her words were calm, but the veiled killing intent accompanying her speech clearly indicated her stance.

As her words fell, Ji Changfeng and the others simultaneously felt a scorching heat, as if a fire burned within them.

"That’s why there’s no choice."

Zong Zheng Ji Changfeng revealed a bitter smile, slowly getting up, "Your Highness, I’m willing to hand over the spell. I only ask one thing: Is it true Jiang Sikong has accepted the Emperor Dao Fruit?"

Though this question seemed unclear, considering the special nature of the Emperor Dao Fruit, it explained itself.

Although the Emperor Dao Fruit has significant flaws, it’s credible regarding fairness.

Emperors throughout history were most just individuals; the Former Emperor had his faults, but without the Heavenly Monarch’s meddling, he could likely have maintained his dignity till the end.

Jiang Li was rumored to have embraced the Emperor Dao Fruit, slightly redeeming his tarnished reputation.

As for Jiang Li’s redemption, the Heavenly Monarch’s image fares slightly worse.

Those aware of the Heavenly Monarch’s manipulations don’t trust him. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

It’s even said Jiang Li’s previous reputation was better than the Heavenly Monarch’s.

"He truly accepted the Emperor Dao Fruit," the Princess confirmed.

Ji Changfeng’s face noticeably softened at her words.

Perhaps Jiang Li never imagined he’d win in this manner one day.

It seems, compared to the Great Venerable or the exposed Heavenly Monarch, Jiang Li’s ethical baseline could lower further with room to spare.

Regarding Jiang Li’s immunity to the Emperor Dao Fruit’s binding, there’s no need for further discussion.

Xiao Tian quietly retreated from the main hall’s entrance, never expecting his master to gain a good reputation one day.

Of course, It’s not ruled out the elder had no choice but to believe in Jiang Li.

Either way, this task is settled; quickly return to report.