"The 'Imperial Extreme Scripture'..."

Li Shuo swallowed his saliva, gently stroking the yellowed ancient book. When he saw the small words on it, his eyes widened.

"Li Wuji... was left by Emperor Yuan!"

True Man Lu slightly raised his eyelids,

"That's right, passed down through the generations of the Qian Dynasty, only the true dragon bloodline, the current emperor, can cultivate it. If others practice it, they will surely meet an untimely death."

Only the emperor can cultivate it?

An eager light flashed in Li Shuo's eyes, and he tremblingly asked, "State Preceptor, does this cultivation skill... grant longevity?"

"Longevity is hopeless."

"But to be invincible in the world?"

"Though there is mana, no skills can be used."

Li Shuo was momentarily disappointed and awkwardly smiled, "Then... what's the use of practicing this scripture?"

True Man Lu closed his eyes,

"Practicing this scripture connects you with the national fate, making you the supreme of the Qian Dynasty, controlling the state. All state preceptors will assist wholeheartedly, and even those demons of the Four Caves and Five Water Mansions will not dare to insult lightly."

Li Shuo's breathing immediately became rapid, and he deeply bowed and cupped his hands, "I implore the guidance of the state preceptors!"

True Man Lu finally showed a faint smile at the corner of his mouth,

"Crown Prince, please step forward..."

As he spoke, with a wave of the duster, the floor suddenly glowed with a faint light, and a bronze pillar slowly rose, topped with a pure white Jade Seal, thick and majestic, with profound light rippling around it.

"The Heirloom Seal of the Realm!"

Li Shuo's eyes widened, and his voice trembled.

Subsequently, under the guidance of True Man Lu, Crown Prince Li Shuo placed his hand on the Jade Seal and began practicing the 'Imperial Extreme Scripture'.

He had also practiced Taoist skills before, but the previous bit of True Qi quickly vanished, and a domineering True Qi filled his meridians.

In a daze, Li Shuo saw the entire Haojing City from a strange perspective, feeling as if the entire land was under his control.

Is this the national fate...

Li Shuo no longer doubted in his heart. After finishing his cultivation, he gratefully bent deeply and cupped his hands:

"Shuo thanks all the state preceptors!"

A few tentacles on his face flashed by...

......

Zhang Kui rode the tiger back to Iron Blood Manor.

By this time, all the attendants had left, and the large manor appeared somewhat desolate. The chilly wind blew through, and the ancient trees on the mountain had sprouted tender green shoots.

It seemed like the beginning of spring, with everything coming back to life, but in Zhang Kui's eyes, except for around Iron Blood Manor, the entire mountain and beneath it were filled with countless tiny insect eggs, making one shiver.

"Damn it..."

Zhang Kui muttered, jumping off the tiger's back and arriving at the back yard, where he immediately heard someone chatting idly.

"Brother Cui's words truly opened my eyes..."

"Alas... it's a pity that a great disaster is imminent. Cui has no money and no strength to even restrain a chicken. I don't even know what I can do..."

Three people were sitting by the stone table: Old Liu, Cui Yebai, who was staying under his tutelage, and surprisingly, Yang Bai, the Captain of the Astronomical Bureau of Bozhou.

At this moment, he had taken off his official robe and changed into a long robe. Upon seeing Zhang Kui, he immediately stood up and gave a grand bow.

"Yang Bai greets True Man Zhang!"

"Haha, I'm no True Man..."

Zhang Kui laughed it off and glanced at Fatty Tiger.

Fatty Tiger twitched his ears and nonchalantly turned his head away.

Zhang Kui was somewhat speechless.

During their stay in Bozhou for a few days, who would have thought that this silly Fatty Tiger, happy with flattery, not only took in a little brother but also stealthily followed Yang Bai back to the family to bolster their prestige.

The reputation of a person is like the shadow of a tree. Although Zhang Kui seldom interacted with fellow cultivators, his fame was already remarkable. Additionally, after killing the Turtle Demon in the canal, the Yang Family dared not act recklessly.

Zhang Kui naturally knew, but after hearing about Yang Bai's actions and his uncle's character, he pretended nothing happened. Who knew this guy would come to the Capital City along the way.

This Yang Bai was a keen thinker. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "True Man Zhang, please don't blame Master Hu. If it weren't for Master Hu's righteous act, I would have long lost my life."

Fatty Tiger immediately shivered,

"That's right, after saving the whole city's people, he turned around and was punished by his family. What kind of logic is that? Of course, Fatty Tiger hates evil like an enemy, all thanks to my family's Taoist teachings."

"Alright, alright, what kind of act is this..."

Zhang Kui shook his head with a smile, "What brings you to the Capital City? Let me make it clear first, Old Zhang here has no time to deal with the Court's trivial matters."

Yang Bai immediately put on a righteous demeanor,

"True Man Zhang misunderstands. I have resigned from my official position to focus on managing my family. I came this time because a great disaster is impending, and I wish to join True Man Zhang's ranks to benefit the common people."

I don't believe a word of it...

Zhang Kui rolled his eyes. This person likes to flatter and curry favor, far from being a good man.

However, in the face of major issues, he can uphold his principles, which is more than many others can do.

But that's not the main point. Zhang Kui raised an eyebrow, "The Court is still under lockdown, yet you seem well-informed."

Yang Bai chuckled, "To be honest, with True Man Zhang, this Qian Dynasty has stood for a thousand years. The relationships between the court, local powers, and even among the National Guardians have long been entangled. The so-called lockdown is only for the common folk."

Zhang Kui nodded, not surprised, "What are the current movements of those aristocratic families and powerful clans?"

Yang Bai cautiously glanced at him, "They're all secretly hoarding grain and building forts. If not for the fear of causing unrest, the prices of grain in the market would have already increased by dozens of times."

"When I left, just in Bozhou alone, over ten forts were built overnight, and many are recruiting folk cultivators to seek self-protection."

Cui Yebai nearby was immediately enraged, "The human race faces a great disaster, yet these people still act so heartlessly and shortsightedly."

Zhang Kui chuckled, "Let them gather it. When the time comes, as the National Guardian True Man, I'll collect... no, requisition grain. Is there anyone who dares to object?"

Old Liu shook his head and sighed: "I witnessed a locust plague when I was young. It was truly catastrophic, the sky darkened, and not a single blade of grass grew. Starving people were everywhere, and that was just one province affected. Now, it's unimaginable."

"Master Kui, I've saved money all my life but was reluctant to spend it. It turns out it's meant for this. Today I'll start buying grain, and when the time comes, set up porridge stalls to save as many as I can..."

"Old Liu is noble-hearted!"

Yang Bai solemnly saluted, "My family has some surplus wealth as well and is willing to lend Old Liu a hand."

Scholar Cui Yebai, excited by hearing this, said, "Although I am but a poor scholar with no great skills, I can certainly handle errands and bookkeeping."

The three talked enthusiastically, even forgetting Zhang Kui's presence nearby.

Zhang Kui didn't mind, only felt joy in his heart, and without disturbing them, he shook his head and returned to his small courtyard, beginning to sort the medicinal herbs.

Grain is important, but if the root of the locust disaster isn't removed, everything will be in vain in the end.

Zhang Kui's plan was simple and straightforward, just like his personality, relying on strength to break the problem.

The first step is to elevate the Disaster Exorcism Skill to its full level.

Having had experience before, he knew that once it reached the full level, he would thoroughly understand this skill. By then, he hoped to help the common people of the world and eliminate this calamity!

......

The night deepened, stars filled the sky.

When Crown Prince Li Shuo emerged from the Grand Profound Lake, he couldn't conceal the joy on his face.

Just as he boarded the carriage, Great Scholar Situ Yan frowned, "What happened with the State Preceptors that made the Crown Prince so happy?"

Li Shuo smiled slightly, "Teacher worries too much. The State Preceptors are loyal to our Qian Dynasty, so there's no need to worry."

"Oh, if the Crown Prince has plans, then I shall not say more..." Situ Yan didn't seem the least surprised, slightly lowered his head, a trace of white glimmer flashing in his eyes.

After getting off the carriage halfway, Situ Yan returned to his residence, went alone to the study, lit a candle, and sighed, "Hua Niang, you guessed it right, the Crown Prince has indeed been controlled by the State Preceptor's Secret Skill."

In the flickering candlelight, a charming woman in a gauzy dress suddenly emerged from the darkness, smiling as she walked behind Situ Yan, massaging his temples.

"What about Professor Qin from the academy?"

"He's been secretly investigating the Astronomical Bureau. I've pretended not to know and already recommended him to the Crown Prince."

The woman's eyes glinted sharply,

"The remnants of the Square Immortal Road, it seems I was right. Under Haojing City is indeed that thing. Master should ignore it and just accomplish the task I mentioned."

"It's not easy..."

Situ Yan slightly shook his head, "Although the State Preceptor resides in Grand Profound Lake, there are still several National Guardian True Men in the Capital City, we can't fool them."

The charming woman gently smiled, "Rest assured, sir, those people will soon disappear forever..."

A green light flashed in the woman's eyes, and suddenly eight slimy, sticky arms extended from her back.

Situ Yan seemed completely unaware of the bizarre scene, closed his eyes enjoying himself, as the white threads from the woman's hands drilled into his nostrils and ears...

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