Shi Lang and Shi Ning spent one night in the Tian Imperial Palace as honored guests while the royal court worked tirelessly to alleviate the situation in the city. The few people close to the two families were also investigated and driven out of the capital. The entire city was combed for any and every reasonable rebel force.
The third queen had a common household, but her elders were strong experts, and she was their sole descendant, so if she was to suffer any misgivings, none could get away. This was why she was not subjected to any political conspiracy.
Shi Lang was sitting in the garden at night, wondering why the king was not keen on declaring the third prince as the heir to the throne.
Just when he was lost in thoughts, he sensed someone approaching him. He stood up and turned around, and bowed slightly in greeting. He said, "Greetings, Fourth Highness."
The visitor was Tian Longjian, and with were two beautiful women. At the same time, Shi Lang could tell that one of them was the Third Queen. The other lady had her face covered with a silk veil.
Shi Lang bowed and said, "I have seen the Queen."
The lady smiled gracefully and commented, "Young Friend Shi is wise. We apologize to have disturbed you at this hour."
Shi Lang shook his head and said, "You flatter me, Your Majesty. Please sit down."
The lady nodded, and Tian Longjian said, "Brother Shi Lang, this is my sister, third Princess Tian Lingxue."
Shi Lang greeted the lady with a subtle bow and asked her to take a seat. The girl replied to him with a nod. The terran did not sign her off as a snob because he could see her eyes were sincere.
After everyone sat down, Shi Lang called for Shi Ning, who prepared the tea for the guests. Tian Longjian wanted to say something when the Queen asked, "Young Master Shi, what I am about to say might make me seem shameless, but I still hope you can help me with it."
Shi Lang was surprised and then, with a smile, asked, "Please do not be humble, Your Majesty. If it is within my power, I will help you."
He used the word help because the Queen asked for it. Someone of her stature should not have mentioned something like this. However, since she has taken the initiative, he would not reject, but he still left him some room to maneuver.
The Queen nodded and said, "Lingxue is a disciple in the Spirit Heart Sect. I wanted to seek your advice on this situation."
Shi Lang was surprised and asked, "What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?"
Tian Longjian nodded and said, "They do not know her identity. My sister is shy but dreams of being a top expert like our grandmother. That is why she does not wish to seek any gains from her identity."
Shi Lang nodded; he understood what was going on here. He asked, "Actually, I think this situation can have two outcomes. If the princess falls out with the sect later, they blame her for stealing secrets. If she turns into a hegemonic expert, she can act as the bridge between the two powers."
The Third Queen nodded and said, "I hope for that. My Xue is kind, and kind people cannot go far on the path of strength."
Shi Lang shook his head and said, "I do not agree with you, Your Majesty."
The Queen asked, "May I ask why?"
The Terran sighed and said, "If you look at those in the Buddhist sects, do you think they are not kind?"
The Queen was surprised, but Shi Lang continued, "In this world, there are many ways to reach the peak of strength. Kindness can be one of them, and cruelty can be one of them too. What matters is the peace of mind. You can reach the peak as long as you know which is which. Your Highness, kindness can only be useful when you follow. You take it with a pinch of intelligence."
The girl nodded, and Shi Lang said, "Your Majesty, the path of dao starts from various origins, but all those paths lead to one truth. So it would be best if you did not doubt the possibilities. And your Highness, you need to steel your heart. Kind people bear the most burden."
The princess nodded again and said, "Thank you."
Her voice was so gentle that Shi Lang almost missed it. The Queen smiled and said, "Your words are similar to my grandmother's. However, the times are tough. Without help, no one can tread the path of the strong."
Shi Lang smiled and said, "Leaning over a shoulder on the way to the peak is not wrong, but make sure that the accounts of karma are always paid in full. Favors shall be returned one hundredfold, while enmity shall be returned by ten."
Tian Longjian nodded and so did Tian Lingxue. Shi Ning was listening to everything on the side. He smiled and said, "This is Shi Ning, my sister. She is a capable commander."
Shi Ning was yet to be introduced, she greeted the Queen before she said, "Big brother, do not praise me, I might fly."
Shi Lang smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty, please calm your heart. Whatever the future holds will eventually unfold, but the crux is to be mindful of our present."
The Queen nodded and said, "Young Master Shi, you are wiser than your age."
Shi Lang shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, you should call me Shi Lang. I am only the young master in name. It is my sisters who hold this designation in the family."
This shocked the three people and they all looked at Shi Ning who replied, "Big brother wishes to go to the central plains and fight demons. So he convinced the family to pass on the job to us."
The Queen was even more surprised, she asked, "Why did you do that?"
Shi Lang smiled and looked around, before he said, "Your Majesty, could you ask your guards to retreat? I do not wish for many people to know this."
The queen nodded with a calm face, but her heart was clenching in shock. She could not believe this young man to have noticed her shadow guards. Shi Lang spoke after he sensed the guards retreat, "I am an ascender."
The Queen stood up from her chair. Her face finally showed some changes. She asked, "Then why are you here? This is in contradiction to the rules of the realm."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "I slayed a demon minion who was blocking people from ascending. The entire demon kin was lingering around the ascension hall when I came here. So, Tian Long, I mean Immortal Emperor Tian Long made some arrangements for me. I need to get stronger and go to the central plains in time."
As he said this, his fists clenched and he stood up. The Queen asked, "You seem to be in a hurry."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "My wife and daughter will be the next ascenders, I cannot have them brave the dangers on their own. I need to break through the realm of immortal soul and go to the Spirit Heart Sect."
The Queen understood what was going on, and the Princess and the Prince were shocked at this revelation. Shi Lang clasped his hands and said, "I hope you do not tell anyone about this. It may attract unnecessary trouble."
The Queen nodded and said, "You have my word. This secret will not be known to anyone else. However, my Grandfather might know about you. He is an Immortal Soveriegn."
Shi Lang nodded and did not answer. After a few more things, the three guests left and Shi Lang said, "Ning, I will leave the palace and go to the valley where the Queen told me. Can you guard me?"
The young lady smiled and said, "How many times do I have to tell you not to be so polite?"
Shi Lang patted her head and they both left the palace. The third queen had a great influence in the palace and she had already informed the people earlier. It did not take long for the two of them to arrive at a desolate Valley. Shi Ning then channeled the spirit energy inside an array plate and said, "Big brother, I shall wait outside the array circle."
Shi Lang nodded and went to the center of the barrier. He closed his eyes and calmed his mind. A few minutes later, he opened his eyes and took out the stalk of purple bamboo. Streaks of lightning ran throughout the stalk. The young man took a deep breath and soon he began to refine the herb according to the technique he gained from the ruin.
His body was infused with strong lightning energy slowly. The rampant energy broke his body and headed towards the soul sea. Shi Lang beared all the burn. Gradually, the energy calmed down, and the young man channeled the lightning energy into his soul sea.
His soul began to calm down. Soon the sky was filled with dark clouds. Shi Ning watched everything from outside the array.
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