Taiyi Dao Fruit

[A woman looks best in mourning clothes.]

[This is indeed a golden truth.]

The next morning, several dozen new pages appeared in the Karma Collection, concluding with these two phrases, indicating that Jiang Li had spent a different yet fulfilling night.

First it was the Primordial Lord Rain Master, then Tianxuan and Gongsun Qingyue, allowing Jiang Li to experience different kinds of beauty. For a moment, he felt a king's laziness, neglecting his morning court.

'What a pity, all broken.'

Jiang Li wrapped his arm around the beauty beside him, glanced at the torn white cloth and tattered white garment at the bed's edge, and showed a look of regret.

Last night seemed a bit too intense.

At this moment, his senior sister was still in an infant-like sleep, her beautiful face full of tranquility after supreme joy. Master Tianxuan had her eyes lightly closed, a faint smile on her face, showcasing a rare ease.

However, since she fell asleep, it indicated that Tianxuan was also tired. Otherwise, with her cultivation, she wouldn't need sleep at all.

Seeing this, Jiang Li carefully withdrew his arm and got up off the bed.

The Innate Qi automatically swept over his body, removing some subtle, bizarre odors, while the Taixu Qi directly manifested a white robe, which clothed Jiang Li.

Then, without opening the door, he directly passed through it and went outside.

Having had no time for other matters last night, he had left the Primordial Lord Rain Master in a space he created. He needed to let her out this morning before anyone discovered her.

Almost the instant Jiang Li left the room, Tianxuan sensed it somehow and opened her eyes, waking up.

"This rebellious disciple didn't even wake me," Tianxuan frowned, slightly blaming.

She could sleep so soundly because Jiang Li was beside her. Without him, even with arrays and restrictions protecting the surroundings, Tianxuan would wake in alertness.

However tired she was, she could easily recover through meditation. For someone of her realm, sleep was long a leisure activity, not a necessity.

Even as she spoke, Tianxuan wasn't surprised that Jiang Li would leave quietly.

These are just trifles. There's much preparation to do before ascending the throne.

"Once Ji Lingguang advances, let her take on more state affairs to prevent her from being consumed by her emotional turmoil."

Tianxuan said, glanced at the still-sleeping Gongsun Qingyue, tried to close her eyes but couldn't fall asleep, so she got up to dress herself.

······

······

Jiang Li left the vicinity of Nanming Pavilion, shook his sleeves lightly, used the Eight Trigrams to open an array space, and a golden light flew out.

In mid-air, the Primordial Lord Rain Master floated in a petite dragon form, her dragon eyes twinkling with amusement as she glanced at Jiang Li, teasing, "Didn't expect your master-disciple trio to have such a complicated relationship. Calling out Master, Disciple, Junior Brother is one thing, even Father was called."

"If the Primordial Lord had joined last night, things would have been even more complex." Unmoved by the Rain Master's jest, Jiang Li replied calmly.

If the Primordial Lord had joined, Tianxuan could also call Jiang Li Master. She may not be a nominal disciple to Rain Master, but she is at times. Furthermore, once a master, always a father – such a relation makes it natural for Tianxuan to address Jiang Li a certain way.

Regarding Gongsun Qingyue, how should she be addressed from this perspective?

Jiang Li thought about it, and even with his extraordinary wisdom, found it hard to answer.

If another were added······

It's too chaotic.

Even the Primordial Lord Rain Master found the relationships complex. Her dragon eyes blinked twice as she said, "I only asked for Fellow Daoist's help in cultivation, no need to entangle in these relationships. It's not suitable, not suitable."

She repeated "not suitable," seemingly to express her determination.

Being Tianxuan's mentor, she couldn't reveal such a posture before her and disgrace herself like Tianxuan did before her disciple.

Though from last night's observation, Tianxuan didn't seem to feel humiliated, rather she used it to discourage her disciple Gongsun Qingyue, quite unlike Rain Master's perception…

Though proactive now, she didn't wish Tianxuan to know, similar to Tianxuan's initial reaction.

"Fellow Daoist, we had agreed beforehand, this is for the sake of cultivation and involves nothing else, make sure not to leak our matters."

Rain Master still felt uneasy and reminded Jiang Li.

Considering how you jumped into the imperial robe yesterday, it didn't seem solely for cultivation.

Jiang Li felt somewhat powerless to retort, thought for a moment, and then said, "As you wish, my lord."

Feeling assured with Jiang Li's agreement, Rain Master relaxed, intending to speak further when suddenly her eyes flickered with golden light, "Ling Guang is approaching, I shall leave first."

She had no interest in eavesdropping, and as she finished speaking, she transformed into a golden light, vanishing before Jiang Li's eyes.

Mere moments later, his sister-in-law, dressed in white mourning clothes, walked down the distant corridor.

Last night, the Princess hadn't returned to Nanli Palace, instead, she processed government affairs in the Great Ming Hall all night, without changing out of her simple white garments. Seeing her now, her austere aura complemented by her plain attire, presented a unique kind of beauty, distinct from Tianxuan and the others.

However, Emperor Jiang now was in Wise Man Time, and did not pay too much attention to this.

The Princess exhibited her usual indifferent expression, though it seemed overly detached, thus appearing deliberate.

"The Divination Order has picked some auspicious days; I'm here to ask which suits the enthronement ceremony."

The Princess spoke.

The new emperor had been confirmed at the imperial mausoleum before, yet the formal enthronement and heaven's sacrifice were pending.

The Emperor must conduct a sacrificial ritual at the Imperial City Altar, announcing the new emperor's enthronement, thus legitimizing his rule.

And naturally, an auspicious day is necessary for such a sacrifice.

Jiang Li, who was proficient in Yi Dao, had attainments far surpassing the Divination Order.

He heard the Princess's inquiry and without asking for specific days, directly stated, "No need to choose, let's set it for the Summer Solstice."

"Great Zhou's world is ruled by the Fire Element, and I too am destined with Fire, fitting the Summer Solstice. Additionally, it would be an opportune day for Sister-in-law's advancement, achieving multiple goals at once."

Conforming to destiny, fitting the Fire Element, and facilitating the Princess's advancement to bolster the new emperor's enthronement momentum – indeed the best choice.

"Alright, then the enthronement ceremony shall be on the Summer Solstice."

The Princess agreed without disagreement.

"Additionally, the emperor's sleeping quarters have been prepared. You should move in soon; don't allow your household to linger here, burdening me from returning to Nanli Palace."

"Understood," Jiang Li said, "I'm grateful for Sister-in-law's trouble last night; once I have time later, I will personally visit to thank you for your hospitality."

"Apart from someone's head, I'm not interested in any other gratitudes. If you bring me that head, I'll offer anything in return." The Princess stated plainly.

Initially composed, her last words revealed a killing intent and insanity, reminding Jiang Li of previous meetings.

Though her obsession seemed fanatical, her mind remained exceptionally calm, making her incredibly dangerous.

More dangerous than before.

However, in this state, there's no worry she'd be drawn towards the Great Venerable.

"Rest assured, Sister-in-law, I understand," Jiang Li replied.

...

...

In the days that followed, peace remained, with no action from the Heavenly Monarch, nor unexpected events.

The time swiftly approached the day of the Summer Solstice.

May 26th, Summer Solstice.

Jiang Li, donned in a twelve-chapter robe and a crown, led the civil and military officials to the altar in the Imperial City.

The altar's base, round above and square below, with 999 steps, symbolizing the intersection of heaven and earth, ascending the altar akin to standing in the clouds overlooking the Nine Provinces.

This was the Heavenly Monarch's prime chance to make a move; even if unsuccessful, it should at least hinder Jiang Li's momentum.

Yet, the Heavenly Monarch's methods never came to light, failing to stir any waves.

However—

The Heavenly Monarch arrived!

He stood before the altar's steps, seemingly there to greet Jiang Li.

Yet none could see him, as if he did not exist at all.

Except for Jiang Li!

Jiang Li's steps did not falter, continuing onwards with unchanged expression, reaching the altar, and said, "Master Uncle is here."

"Here I am," the Heavenly Monarch nodded, "to congratulate Nephew on his enthronement."

"Is that all?"

"That's all."

As the two conversed, they had climbed the steps, walking up the altar.