"Taoist Zhang, sorry for not welcoming you from afar, I hope you can forgive me!"

When Zhang Kui arrived at the Capital City's Astronomical Bureau's Inner Treasury once again, the overseer Fatty Liu came out in a fluster and greeted him with a grand salute.

Zhang Kui shook his head with a smile, "I say, Old Liu, what game are you playing?"

Fatty Liu's face was full of flattery, showing no reservation, "The disaster in Bozhou, Brother Zhang, your reputation of consecutively slaying Celestial Tribulation Realm Old Demons has spread far and wide, can the position of National Guardian True Man escape you?"

Saying that, he sneakily leaned over and whispered:

"I heard that True Man Yuhua, True Man Helian, and Master Huoyu jointly recommended you, the petition has already been submitted, news should come down any day now."

"Haha, let's talk about it when the time comes..."

Zhang Kui smiled faintly, not inquiring further.

In fact, Elder Huayan had already hinted to him about this, and Zhang Kui hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

Having gone through so much, he no longer cared about the position of National Guardian True Man, but with chaos looming, having this title made things more convenient.

Seeing Zhang Kui not wanting to talk more, Fatty Liu quickly changed the topic, saying while walking: "Brother Zhang is here to exchange items, right? The big turtle shell you brought caused quite a stir among those guys at the Imperial Workshop."

"Oh, what happened?"

"Some want to dismantle it and form a Turtle Shell Talisman Shield, used jointly by dozens of Black-clothed Profound Guards, forming a Protective Grand Array during wartime. Others think dismantling is a pity and want to craft it into a Turtle Shell Ship for naval warfare."

"Both ideas are quite good..."

After entering the side hall of the Inner Treasury, Fatty Liu brought a catalogue and Zhang Kui carefully selected items.

The Merit Silver he earned this time was substantial; apart from that Celestial Tribulation Realm large turtle shell, saving citizens of Shanyang City, rescuing the National Guardian True Man, and thwarting the Jingjiang Water Mansion's plot all brought substantial rewards, totaling up to tens of thousands of taels.

Of course, the more important gains for him were the skill points.

This trip to the Ji Temple Secret Realm, if ordinary cultivators knew, they would probably be scared witless.

Even National Guardian True Man level entities, who could summon wind and rain outside, died successively in the secret realm like chickens.

On Qian's side, True Man Qiu Canzi died in battle, the Jingjiang Water Mansion suffered heavy losses, and even the unknown realm Immortal Wu nearly lost his life.

Not to mention those ordinary people's lives, as insignificant as grass...

As for Zhang Kui, upon entering the secret realm, he truly slew two Old Demons, gaining a total of forty-three skill points.

Alchemy still needed to be practiced, as it's a steady business that can save many skill points.

So he upgraded both alchemy skills, Eating Skill and Stone Boiling Skill, to level three, and this time he came to exchange for some herbs to refine the newly obtained pill formulas "Purple Mansion Spirit Nourishing Pill" and "Jinhua Powder."

Moreover, the "Disaster Beast" mentioned by Immortal Wu made him think of one of his skills:

Disaster Exorcism Skill: Also called Exorcism, using magic spells to dispel disasters, such as driving locusts, warding off plagues, etc.

This type of skill has examples in the Seventy-Two Demons Technique, like the Crisis Resolution Skill: rescuing from danger, chanting and blessing, eliminating disasters.

Since these types of magic require Grain Avoidance Realm to learn, with high mana consumption and somewhat elusive nature, Zhang Kui hadn't paid much attention.

This time, taking advantage of ample skill points, he tried clicking to learn and felt it was quite rewarding.

The Crisis Resolution Skill can remove curses, evil qi, nightmares, witchcraft, and other negative states.

In other words, if anyone curses him again in the future, he can reverse it with a snap, no more frantically searching for help.

Of course, it also depends on the enemy's cultivation and the power of the magic; high-level curses also require advanced Crisis Resolution Skills to resolve.

And the Disaster Exorcism Skill is even more mysterious, able to eliminate locusts, plagues, insect and rat disasters on a large scale.

Although Immortal Wu didn't specify what "Disaster Beast" refers to, Zhang Kui had a guess. It's a type of demon beast that can cause disasters; apart from locust demon, there might be plague demons, flood demons... and his Disaster Exorcism Skill might be their nemesis.

However, this kind of magic usually requires various means like a magic altar, rituals, and inviting gods to maximize its power.

Although learned muddle-headedly due to the skill transformation, its power is still tied to cultivation, thus greatly discounted.

Simply put, his level one Disaster Exorcism Skill can only eliminate insect eggs within a few hundred meters around Iron Blood Manor, while the range of this locust plague spans over most of Qian's lands.

He's not an immortal, not so capable.

Fortunately, Zhang Kui already has a plan to deal with it.

Also, the mysterious piece of white gauze that sealed the locust demon, after "Longevity" swallowed it, remains silent, with unknown changes awaited.

After spending all the Merit Silver and exchanging for a large amount of medicinal herbs, Zhang Kui left the Astronomical Bureau and rode the tiger out of the city.

Along both sides of the street, tea houses, taverns, butcher shops, brothels... all kinds of shops bustling with activity, pedestrians, porters, peddlers, mules and horses clamorously vibrant...

In early spring, the ancient city of Haojing seemed to be awakening with the spirit of spring, bustling with more life.

After riding the Fatty Tiger a few times, people in the Capital City had grown accustomed to this evil Daoist riding a fierce tiger, with various rumors spreading mysteriously.

If a temple were to be opened now, it would surely flourish.

After walking for a while, a procession was encountered head-on. Silver Armored Knights led the way on horseback, with various ceremonial arrangements in neat lines, exuding an extraordinary aura of nobility.

"The Crown Prince?"

Zhang Kui frowned and stepped aside, not wanting to engage, as he had no good impression of the future Emperor of Qian.

However, Li Shuo, now the Crown Prince, lifted the curtain of his carriage as he passed by, revealing a genial smile,

"Taoist Zhang, how have you been? Recently, a renowned chef from the East Sea came to my Prince Mansion, with exceptional skills in preparing fish dishes. How about I host a meal another day and have Taoist Zhang come and enjoy?"

Zhang Kui chuckled, "We'll see. I've been busy lately, and the thought of potentially having to eat locusts in the future dampens my appetite, Old Zhang has none."

The Crown Prince Li Shuo's expression froze, awkwardly nodding, "Taoist Zhang certainly knows how to joke."

Having said that, he lowered the curtain and instructed the convoy to continue, heading towards the Grand Profound Lake.

Zhang Kui frowned slightly,

Why is he going to the Astronomical Bureau?

He had long realized that although Qian had an Emperor, the status was not as revered as it seemed. At least, figures like the National Guardian True Man and the State Preceptor were only superficially respected, merely maintaining order among humans.

Forget it, it's none of my business anyway.

Zhang Kui shook his head, continued riding the tiger, muttering to himself as he went, "Damn, Old Zhang's reputation for gluttony must be all over the streets..."

On the other side, the Crown Prince Li Shuo lowered the curtain, his previously genial face turning dark, "Hmph, ungrateful!"

"Crown Prince, before the great task is accomplished, you must restrain your anger..."

The Great Scholar Situ Yan was also in the carriage, sitting cross-legged, his face calm as he spoke.

"Teacher, you are right."

Li Shuo obviously respected Situ Yan a lot, reverting to a genial smile, though the hint of joy in his eyes was impossible to conceal.

"Every Emperor of Qian needs the support of several State Preceptors to take the throne, and now that True Man Lu invited me to the Lake Heart Island of the Grand Profound Lake, it seems the situation is set."

The Great Scholar Situ Yan slightly raised his eyes, still speaking in an indifferent tone, "Why does the Crown Prince appear to be so overwhelmed with favor, as if this land is not of the Li Family, but of the Astronomical Bureau and the State Preceptors?"

Li Shuo's expression gradually calmed, respectfully asking, "Teacher, what guidance do you have for me?"

"The State Preceptor's position is revered, unsurprisingly because they control the National Guardian Divine Artifact; this can only be pursued gradually."

There was a glimmer in Situ Yan's eyes,

"Recently, a Qin Instructor from Dianzhou came to our Qiongshan Academy, skilled in Ancient Skills, currently nurturing many students. The National Guardian True Man cannot be moved, but the Astronomical Bureau can indeed be influenced."

"If one of our academy's disciples could become a National Guardian True Man, and then we devise a way to seize the Divine Artifact, only then will the Crown Prince truly have hope of gaining ultimate control."

"Alright, let's do as the teacher says!"

Li Shuo's face was full of determination.

The Crown Prince's entourage reached the Grand Profound Lake Heart Island, where all others were stopped at the perimeter, leaving only him brought to a hall in the Seven Stars Pavilion.

Seeing the seven State Preceptors sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, and the National Guardian Divine Artifact floating behind them, Li Shuo's heart pounded, bowing deeply,

"Li Shuo pays respect to all the State Preceptors."

True Man Lu slightly raised his eyelids, "Crown Prince, the Emperor's condition is worsening and is expected to pass in the coming days, you must be prepared."

Li Shuo was ecstatic inside, but raised his head with a face full of sorrow,

"Father is still in his prime, how could he suffer such a terrible illness? It pains me deeply..."

As he spoke, he lowered his head and wiped his eyes.

True Man Lu remained expressionless, "Crown Prince, do you know what gives the Emperor of Qian the power to command us and control the nation?"

"What is it?"

Li Shuo raised his head, his heart pounding, even forgetting to wipe away his tears.

A tattered ancient book slowly floated before him, and Li Shuo eagerly received it, his eyes shining,

"The 'Imperial Extreme Scripture'!"

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