「 jǐn yǐ shén sì ， biàn kě dé tiān dì suǒ zhōng 、 zào huà zhī qí ……「 huǎng
「仅以神似，便可得天地所钟、造化之奇……「谎
"Only by resembling the divine can one gain the favor of heaven and earth, creating wonders..."
lǐ fán huò rán xiǎng qǐ dà xuán qián cháo de yī zé yì shì 。
李凡豁然想起大玄前朝的一则轶事。
Li Fan suddenly recalled a story from the previous Great Xuan dynasty.
qián cháo mò dài zhēng xū dì ， yuán běn shì nán dé de zhōng xīng zhī jūn 。 zì shí liù suì jì chéng huáng wèi yǐ lái ， zhū quán chén 、 píng liú kòu 、 xīng shuǐ lì 、 miǎn fù shuì ， yī sǎo wáng cháo qīng tuí zhī xiàng ， pǒ shì gǔ zhī shèng xián 。 bù guò èr shí yú zài ， tiān xià biàn hǎi yàn hé qīng 、 xīng wàng fán shèng zhì jí 。 bǎi xìng yī shí wú yōu ， sòng míng jūn wēi míng ； qún chén qǐ shǒu bài fú ， zhù shū biǎo jūn shàng xián dé 。
前朝末代徵虚帝，原本是难得的中兴之君。自十六岁继承皇位以来，诛权臣、平流寇、兴水利、免赋税，一扫王朝倾颓之象，颇似古之圣贤。不过二十余载，天下便海晏河清、兴旺繁盛至极。百姓衣食无忧，颂明君威名；群臣乞首拜服，著书表君上贤德。
At the end of the previous dynasty, Emperor Zhenxu was an uncommonly capable ruler who revived his realm. Since he ascended to the throne at sixteen, he eliminated corrupt officials, quelled bandits, improved irrigation systems, and reduced taxes. His reign brought about a period of prosperity and peace that seemed almost like the era of ancient sages. In just over two decades, the nation flourished to an unprecedented extent; people lived without worry for food and clothing, praising their wise ruler, while ministers fawned over him in admiration.
rú guǒ tā yì zhí rú cǐ ， pà bú shì jiù méi yǒu hòu lái dà xuán kāi guó huáng dì gǎi tiān huàn dì de shén me shì le 。
如果他一直如此，怕不是就没有后来大玄开国皇帝改天换地的什么事了。
If he had continued this way, it's unlikely there would have been a Great Xuan founding emperor to change the world.
dàn yī qiè ， zài zhēng xū dì sān shí qī suì nà nián ， jí zhuǎn zhí xià 。 yuán yīn shì zhēng xū dì yī shēng zhì ài 、 duān mù huáng hòu yīn bìng shì shì le 。
但一切，在徵虚帝三十七岁那年，急转直下。原因是徵虚帝一生挚爱、端木皇后因病逝世了。
But everything took a drastic turn when Emperor Zhenxu was thirty-seven years old. The reason? His beloved Empress Endumu passed away due to illness.
zhòu wén è hào ， zhēng xū dì jī hū dāng chǎng yūn jué guò qù 。 ér hòu gèng shì yīn bēi shāng guò dù ， shù yuè bù lǐ cháo zhèng 。 ruò zhǐ shì cǐ biàn yě bà le ， yǒu cháo tíng gǔn gǔn zhū gōng zài ， jí biàn dì huáng shén yǐn ， dà zhēng wáng cháo yě chū bù liǎo shén me dà de luàn zi 。 dàn huò xǔ shì zhēng zhāo qì yùn jiāng jìn de yuán gù ， ràng zhēng xū dì zài zhòng yóu tā hé duān mù huáng hòu chū cì xiāng yù zhī dì de shí hòu ， jiàn dào le yī wèi zhǎng xiàng gēn duān mù huáng hòu jí wéi xiāng sì de nǚ zǐ 。
骤闻噩耗，徵虚帝几乎当场晕厥过去。而后更是因悲伤过度，数月不理朝政。若只是此便也罢了，有朝廷衮衮诸公在，即便帝皇神隐，大徵王朝也出不了什么大的乱子。但或许是徵朝气运将近的缘故，让徵虚帝在重游他和端木皇后初次相遇之地的时候，见到了一位长相跟端木皇后极为相似的女子。
The news of her death nearly sent him into shock and unconsciousness. He then fell into deep sorrow, neglecting state affairs for months. While this might have been manageable with the support of his ministers, it seemed that Zhenxu's reign was nearing its end. During a visit to where he first met Empress Endumu, he encountered a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to her.
bù dàn yàng mào yǒu bā jiǔ fēn xiāng sì ， jiù lián shén tài 、 yǔ qì dōu hé mèng zhōng zhī rén rú chū yī zhé 。
不但样貌有八九分相似，就连神态、语气都和梦中之人如出一辙。
Not only did she look almost identical, but even her demeanor and tone were eerily similar to those in his dreams.
ér qiě gèng jiā nián qīng 。 huǎng
而且更加年轻。谎
Moreover, she appeared much younger. Lies
zhēng xū dì xīn zhōng zhèn dòng ， rèn wéi shì míng míng zhōng zhù dìng ， dāng jí bǎ tā dài huí gōng zhōng ， fēng wèi guì fēi ， rì yè yǔ zhī chán mián 。
徵虚帝心中震动，认为是冥冥中注定，当即把她带回宫中，封为贵妃，日夜与之缠绵。
Emperor Zhenxu was shaken by this encounter, believing it to be fate's will. He brought her back to the palace, where he immediately made her a concubine and spent every day with her.
wèi le tǎo duì fāng huān xīn ， zhēng xū dì zuò le xǔ duō huāng táng zhī shì 。 xīng xiū gōng diàn 、 zài gōng zhōng jiàn zào yuán lín ， shèn zhì hái wā chū le yī tiáo lián tōng huáng chéng jiāo wài de xiǎo hé ， yǐ gōng xīng qǐ zhī shí zài hé zhōng yún yǔ ； mìng lìng shǒu xià zì mín jiān sōu jí xī qí zhī wù ， yǐ gōng guì fēi bǎ wán ……
为了讨对方欢心，徵虚帝做了许多荒唐之事。兴修宫殿、在宫中建造园林，甚至还挖出了一条连通皇城郊外的小河，以供兴起之时在河中云雨；命令手下自民间搜集稀奇之物，以供贵妃把玩……
To please her, Emperor Zhenxu did many outrageous things. He built new palaces and gardens within the palace grounds, even digging a small river connecting the outskirts of the capital for pleasure. His ministers were ordered to gather rare items from the common folk for his concubine's amusement...
nào dé cháo yě shàng xià jī fēi gǒu tiào 、 mín yuàn fèi téng 。 qún chén gǎn yǒu quàn jiè zhě ， qīng zé bèi chù miǎn ， zhòng zé bèi zhǎn shǒu 。
闹得朝野上下鸡飞狗跳、民怨沸腾。群臣敢有劝诫者，轻则被黜免，重则被斩首。
The entire court was thrown into chaos as people complained about the state of affairs. Any minister who dared advise him faced severe punishment or execution.
jiù suàn rú cǐ ， kào zhe zhēng xū dì qián bàn shēng de jī lěi ， dà zhēng wáng cháo yě bù zhì yú cù rán ér wáng 。
就算如此，靠着徵虚帝前半生的积累，大徵王朝也不至于猝然而亡。
Despite this, the Great Zhenxu dynasty did not collapse immediately due to Emperor Zhenxu's accumulated resources.
dàn dāng guì fēi dàn xià yī zi hòu ， zhēng xū dì bù zhī chī cuò le shén me yào ， bù gù mǎn cháo zhòng chén qí qí fǎn duì ， yù fèi tài zi 。 jiàn zhēng xū dì tài dù jiān jué ， tài zi zì rán yě bú huì zuò yǐ dài bì ， jù zhòng ér fǎn ，「 zhū yāo fēi 、 qīng jūn cè 」。 cǐ shì yě dé dào le bāo kuò duān mù jiā zài nèi de zhū duō jīng zhōng dà zú de zhī chí 。
但当贵妃诞下一子后，徵虚帝不知吃错了什么药，不顾满朝重臣齐齐反对，欲废太子。见徵虚帝态度坚决，太子自然也不会坐以待毙，聚众而反，「诛妖妃、清君侧」。此事也得到了包括端木家在内的诸多京中大族的支持。
However, when the concubine gave birth to a son, Emperor Zhenxu, driven by some unknown motive, disregarded the opposition of all his ministers and attempted to depose the crown prince. The prince, naturally unwilling to sit idly, rallied supporters to rebel against "the demoness concubine" and "purify the court." This rebellion was supported by numerous prominent families in the capital, including the Endumu clan.
jīng guò shù tiān de sī shā hòu ， suī rán cǐ cì pàn luàn zuì zhōng yě yǐ shī bài shōu chǎng 。 tài zi yě bīng bài zì wěn 。 dàn shì dà zhēng wáng cháo yě shì yuán qì dà shāng 。
经过数天的厮杀后，虽然此次叛乱最终也以失败收场。太子也兵败自刎。但是大徵王朝也是元气大伤。
After several days of fighting, although the rebellion ultimately failed, resulting in the prince's suicide, the Great Zhenxu dynasty suffered a significant blow. Emperor Zhenxu thereafter secluded himself from his ministers, indulging only in pleasure. Lies
zhēng xū dì zì cóng gèng shì bú jiàn qún chén ， zhǐ gù xiǎng lè 。 huǎng
徵虚帝自从更是不见群臣，只顾享乐。谎
The situation deteriorated further until, at fifty-six years old, the imperial palace was breached by rebel forces. Emperor Zhenxu and the concubine died together in embrace.
jú shì rì yì shuāi bài ， zuì zhōng zài zhēng xū dì wǔ shí liù suì nà nián ， jìn gōng bèi qǐ yì jūn gōng pò 。 zhēng xū dì hé guì fēi ， xiāng yōng *** ér wáng 。
局势日益衰败，最终在徵虚帝五十六岁那年，禁宫被起义军攻破。徵虚帝和贵妃，相拥***而亡。
Later scholars studying this period found it hard to understand how a ruler could fall due to his obsession with women.
hòu shì xué zhě yán jiū zhè duàn lì shǐ de shí hòu ， wú bù duì zhēng xū dì chén mí nǚ sè ér wáng guó gǎn dào shí fēn fèi jiě 。
后世学者研究这段历史的时候，无不对徵虚帝沉迷女色而亡国感到十分费解。
They concluded that either Empress Endumu was a manifestation of fate or she held an extraordinary significance for the Xuanhuang realm, causing heaven and earth to constantly await the next "Endumu-like" figure. Even just resembling her seemed to grant special favor from the laws of nature.
zhǐ néng bǎ yuán yīn guī jié wèi ， zhēng xū dì duì duān mù huáng hòu de ài liàn yǐ jīng dá dào yī zhǒng fěi yí suǒ sī de dì bù le 。 suǒ yǐ zài duān mù sǐ hòu ， zhēng xū dì zài dù yù dào yǔ zhī xiāng sì de nǚ zǐ ， cái huì wán quán sàng shī lǐ zhì 、 shèn zhì biàn dé yǒu xiē diān kuáng 。 jiāng dà hǎo jiāng shān yī rì zàng sòng 。
只能把原因归结为，徵虚帝对端木皇后的爱恋已经达到一种匪夷所思的地步了。所以在端木死后，徵虚帝再度遇到与之相似的女子，才会完全丧失理智、甚至变得有些癫狂。将大好江山一日葬送。
"Endumu... The events I witnessed in the Azure Sea Realm flashed through my mind," Xu Bai remained silent as he recalled them. Lies
shì jiān běn wú xīn xiān shì 。 yǔ zhī lèi sì ， rú guǒ shuō fēn shēn xǔ bái jǐn jǐn shì yīn wèi shén sì bái xiān shēng ， jiù néng dé tiān dì qīng lài zhì cǐ de huà 。
世间本无新鲜事。与之类似，如果说分身许白仅仅是因为神似白先生，就能得天地青睐至此的话。
After a long while, his thoughts settled, and he retrieved the specially sealed seventeen-petaled Heavenly Spirit Flower.
nà yào me bái xiān shēng jiù shì tiān dào huà shēn ， yào me jiù shì tā duì xuán huáng jiè zhì guān zhòng yào 。
那要么白先生就是天道化身，要么就是他对玄黄界至关重要。
His eyes narrowed as he examined the flower's various scenes, feeling a stark difference from himself. It was like viewing the entire state of Tianling Province with the vast perspective of heaven and earth. He vaguely saw mountains, rivers, living creatures, weather changes, prosperity, and decline.
yǐ zhì yú tiān dì měi shí měi kè dōu zài qī dài xià yí gè 「 bái xiān shēng 」 de chū xiàn 。 shèn zhì dào le zhǐ shì zhǎng dé xiàng 、 dōu néng duì tiān dì fǎ zé de qīn hé yǒu zhe tè bié de jiā chéng de dì bù 。
以至于天地每时每刻都在期待下一个「白先生」的出现。甚至到了只是长得像、都能对天地法则的亲和有着特别的加成的地步。
Facing this flower felt like truly witnessing all that happened within the province.
「 bái xiān shēng ……」 guò wǎng zài yǔn xiān jìng zhōng suǒ jiàn yǔ zhī xiāng guān zhū shì ， fēn fēn shǎn guò nǎo hǎi ， xǔ bái mò rèn bù yǔ 。 huǎng
「白先生……」过往在陨仙境中所见与之相关诸事，纷纷闪过脑海，许白默认不语。谎
A subtle insight quietly passed through Xu Bai's mind, but it vanished as quickly as snow melts in water, leaving him feeling lost.
liáng jiǔ zhī hòu ， sī xù zàn qiě píng xī ， jiāng nà duǒ shǐ yòng tè shū mì fǎ fēng yìn de shí qī bàn tiān líng huā qǔ chū 。
良久之后，思绪暂且平息，将那朵使用特殊秘法封印的十七瓣天灵花取出。
"This feeling is akin to when I used the Azure Sea Pearl to view the world from a vast perspective, eventually understanding the [Formless Killing Intent]."
yǎn jīng wēi mī ， zài kàn huā bàn shàng de zhū duō jǐng xiàng hòu ， yǔ běn zūn jié rán bù tóng de gǎn shòu xú xú yǒng xiàn 。 jiù xiàng yǐ tiān dì fǔ shì shì jiǎo ， zài zhěng gè tiān líng zhōu kuài sù lüè guò 。 huǎng hū jiān ， yī xī néng kàn dào shān chuān hé liú 、 shēng líng bǎi tài ， fēng yún biàn huàn 、 xīng wàng shèng shuāi děng děng huà miàn 。
眼睛微眯，再看花瓣上的诸多景象后，与本尊截然不同的感受徐徐涌现。就像以天地俯视视角，在整个天灵州快速掠过。恍惚间，依稀能看到山川河流、生灵百态，风云变幻、兴旺盛衰等等画面。
"The power and techniques of cultivators mostly come from heaven and earth. Viewing them with that perspective naturally makes it easier."
miàn duì zhe tiān líng huā ， jiù xiàng shì zhēn de kàn dào le tiān líng zhōu nèi fā shēng de shì jiān zhǒng zhǒng yī yàng 。
面对着天灵花，就像是真的看到了天灵州内发生的世间种种一样。
"However, this flower merely records scenes of heaven and earth; it is not truly in harmony with them. Gaining insight requires extremely strong intuition. Even after carefully crafting and observing the flower many times, I still see it only as a mereornamental item (appreciation item)." Lies
yī sī míng wù qiǎo rán zài xǔ bái xīn zhōng huá guò 。 dàn shì rú fēi xuě rù shuǐ ， zhuǎn shùn jiān yòu liǎo wú hén jì ， shǐ de tā chàng rán ruò shī 。
一丝明悟悄然在许白心中划过。但是如飞雪入水，转瞬间又了无痕迹，使得他怅然若失。
"But this isn't the flower's problem; it's the person's."
「 zhè zhǒng gǎn jué ， jiù
「这种感觉，就
"Humph."
xiàng shì wǒ dāng chū ， jiè zhù cāng hǎi zhū yǐ tiān dì hào dà shì jiǎo ， qù kàn cāng hǎi sāng tián zhī biàn 。 zuì zhōng lǐng wù 【 wú xiāng shā jī 】 yì bān 。」
像是我当初，借助沧海珠以天地浩大视角，去看沧海桑田之变。最终领悟【无相杀机】一般。」
Adjusting his mental plan, Xu Bai continued to focus on contemplating the flower.
「 xiū shì shén tōng fǎ shù ， dà dǐ lái yuán yú tiān dì běn shēn 。 ér yǐ tiān dì shì jiǎo qù cān wù ， zì rán biàn dé gèng jiā róng yì 。」
「修士神通法术，大抵来源于天地本身。而以天地视角去参悟，自然变得更加容易。」
...
「 bù guò ， bì jìng zhǐ shì jì lù tiān dì zhī jǐng de yī duǒ huā ， bìng bú shì zhēn zhèng de shēn hé tiān dì 。 xiǎng yào cóng zhōng yǒu suǒ shōu huò ， bìng bú shì nà me róng yì de ， xū yào jí qiáng de wù xìng 。 jiù xiàng zhī qián běn zūn ， qīn shǒu jiāng qí zhì zuò ， zǐ xì guān mó le xǔ duō biàn ， réng rán jué de tā zhǐ shì dān chún de guān shǎng pǐn bà le 。」 huǎng
「不过，毕竟只是记录天地之景的一朵花，并不是真正的身合天地。想要从中有所收获，并不是那么容易的，需要极强的悟性。就像之前本尊，亲手将其制作，仔细观摩了许多遍，仍然觉得它只是单纯的观赏品罢了。」谎
Tianyu Province.
「 dàn zhè què bú shì huā de wèn tí ， ér shì rén de wèn tí 。」
「但这却不是花的问题，而是人的问题。」
After wasting some time, Li Fan and Dongfang Yao finally arrived at Tianyucity. Instead of heading to the former residence where Li Fan had received array training in a previous life, they went to a private room within the Daoist Lecture Hall.
「 hēng 。」
「哼。」
"Wait a bit longer; I've already notified Brother Huafu, he's on his way." Dongfang Yao casually sat cross-legged on the ground, tapping the floor with his fingers. Soon, a cup of spirit tea appeared.
duì nǎo hǎi zhōng de jì huà jìn xíng le wēi diào ， liǔ sān fǎn huí zhī qián ， xǔ bái xīn shén jì xù chén diàn yú guān huā wù dào zhī zhōng 。
对脑海中的计划进行了微调，柳三返回之前，许白心神继续沉淀于观花悟道之中。
"What a miserly bastard," Dongfang Yao said with a pout as he drank the tea and muttered under his breath.
……
……
Li Fan was familiar with the Daoist Lecture Hall; he knew that this was due to Dongfang Yao's limited funds, forcing him to drink free spirit tea.
tiān yǔ zhōu 。
天禹州。
Smiling slightly, his divine sense contacted the control jade plaque in the room.
fèi le bù shǎo shí jiān ， zhōng yú lái dào tiān yǔ chéng nèi de lǐ fán 、 dōng fāng yào èr rén ， què shì méi yǒu qián wǎng shàng yī shì lǐ fán jiē shòu zhèn fǎ péi xùn de huán yǔ bié yuàn 。
废了不少时间，终于来到天禹城内的李凡、东方曜二人，却是没有前往上一世李凡接受阵法培训的寰宇别院。
Soon, a dark green teapot appeared.
ér shì lái dào le chéng zhōng lùn dào lóu de yī jiān bāo xiāng zhōng 。 huǎng
而是来到了城中论道楼的一间包厢中。谎
"Brother Dongfang, please!" Li Fan gestured with a smile.
「 děng děng ba ， wǒ yǐ jīng tōng zhī huáng fǔ xiōng le ， tā mǎ shàng jiù lái 。」 dōng fāng yào dà dà liē liē de pán zuò zài dì shàng ， shǒu zhǐ qiāo le qiāo dì bǎn ， bù duō shí jiù yǒu yī bēi líng chá mào chū 。
「等等吧，我已经通知皇甫兄了，他马上就来。」东方曜大大咧咧的盘坐在地上，手指敲了敲地板，不多时就有一杯灵茶冒出。
"Brother is so generous!" Dongfang Yao immediately beamed as he poured himself a cup and drank it in one go. Lies
「 zhēn tā niáng de xiǎo qì 。」 dōng fāng yào piē le piě zuǐ ， jiāng líng chá yī yǐn ér jǐn ， xiǎo shēng dí gū dào 。
「真他娘的小气。」东方曜撇了撇嘴，将灵茶一饮而尽，小声嘀咕道。
"This is top-grade [Thousand Cultivator Daoist Lecture], Brother Li's magnanimity! The last time I had such high-quality spirit tea was when I returned from the Thousand Page Book Forest, celebrating with a toast!" Dongfang Yao praised enthusiastically.
lǐ fán kě yǐ shuō shì lùn dào lóu de cháng kè le 。 zhī dào zhè shì dōng fāng yào náng zhōng xiū sè ， zhǐ néng hē miǎn fèi zèng sòng de líng chá 。
李凡可以说是论道楼的常客了。知道这是东方曜囊中羞涩，只能喝免费赠送的灵茶。
Shaking his head and closing his eyes as if in deep contemplation.
wēi wēi yī xiào ， shén shí hé fáng jiān zhōng de kòng zhì yù pái jiē chù 。
微微一笑，神识和房间中的控制玉牌接触。
"Ah, Dongfang Yao, you have this top-grade [Thousand Cultivator Daoist Lecture] but kept it for yourself without sharing it with me!" At that moment, a familiar voice rang out.
bù jiǔ hòu ， jiù yǒu yī zhī mò lǜ sè de chá hú chū xiàn 。
不久后，就有一只墨绿色的茶壶出现。
A plump cultivator with a round face appeared in the room. His expression was one of mild anger on the surface, but his lips curled into a smile.
「 dōng fāng xiōng qǐng ！」 lǐ fán xiào zhe shì yì dào 。
「东方兄请！」李凡笑着示意道。
His gaze subtly swept over Li Fan before settling on Dongfang Yao.
「 xiōng dì zhēn shì shuǎng kuài ！」 dōng fāng yào dùn shí xǐ xiào yán kāi ， měi zī zī dì dào le bēi ， yī kǒu hē jǐn 。 huǎng
「兄弟真是爽快！」东方曜顿时喜笑颜开，美滋滋地倒了杯，一口喝尽。谎
"Brother Huafu, you're just in time!" Dongfang Yao suddenly opened his eyes and poured himself another cup of spirit tea, tossing it to him. Lies
"Only by resembling the divine can one gain the favor of heaven and earth, creating wonders..."
Li Fan suddenly recalled a story from the previous Great Xuan dynasty.
At the end of the previous dynasty, Emperor Zhenxu was an uncommonly capable ruler who revived his realm. Since he ascended to the throne at sixteen, he eliminated corrupt officials, quelled bandits, improved irrigation systems, and reduced taxes. His reign brought about a period of prosperity and peace that seemed almost like the era of ancient sages. In just over two decades, the nation flourished to an unprecedented extent; people lived without worry for food and clothing, praising their wise ruler, while ministers fawned over him in admiration.
If he had continued this way, it's unlikely there would have been a Great Xuan founding emperor to change the world.
But everything took a drastic turn when Emperor Zhenxu was thirty-seven years old. The reason? His beloved Empress Endumu passed away due to illness.
The news of her death nearly sent him into shock and unconsciousness. He then fell into deep sorrow, neglecting state affairs for months. While this might have been manageable with the support of his ministers, it seemed that Zhenxu's reign was nearing its end. During a visit to where he first met Empress Endumu, he encountered a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to her.
Not only did she look almost identical, but even her demeanor and tone were eerily similar to those in his dreams.
Moreover, she appeared much younger. Lies
Emperor Zhenxu was shaken by this encounter, believing it to be fate's will. He brought her back to the palace, where he immediately made her a concubine and spent every day with her.
To please her, Emperor Zhenxu did many outrageous things. He built new palaces and gardens within the palace grounds, even digging a small river connecting the outskirts of the capital for pleasure. His ministers were ordered to gather rare items from the common folk for his concubine's amusement...
The entire court was thrown into chaos as people complained about the state of affairs. Any minister who dared advise him faced severe punishment or execution.
Despite this, the Great Zhenxu dynasty did not collapse immediately due to Emperor Zhenxu's accumulated resources.
However, when the concubine gave birth to a son, Emperor Zhenxu, driven by some unknown motive, disregarded the opposition of all his ministers and attempted to depose the crown prince. The prince, naturally unwilling to sit idly, rallied supporters to rebel against "the demoness concubine" and "purify the court." This rebellion was supported by numerous prominent families in the capital, including the Endumu clan.
After several days of fighting, although the rebellion ultimately failed, resulting in the prince's suicide, the Great Zhenxu dynasty suffered a significant blow. Emperor Zhenxu thereafter secluded himself from his ministers, indulging only in pleasure. Lies
The situation deteriorated further until, at fifty-six years old, the imperial palace was breached by rebel forces. Emperor Zhenxu and the concubine died together in embrace.
Later scholars studying this period found it hard to understand how a ruler could fall due to his obsession with women.
They concluded that either Empress Endumu was a manifestation of fate or she held an extraordinary significance for the Xuanhuang realm, causing heaven and earth to constantly await the next "Endumu-like" figure. Even just resembling her seemed to grant special favor from the laws of nature.
"Endumu... The events I witnessed in the Azure Sea Realm flashed through my mind," Xu Bai remained silent as he recalled them. Lies
After a long while, his thoughts settled, and he retrieved the specially sealed seventeen-petaled Heavenly Spirit Flower.
His eyes narrowed as he examined the flower's various scenes, feeling a stark difference from himself. It was like viewing the entire state of Tianling Province with the vast perspective of heaven and earth. He vaguely saw mountains, rivers, living creatures, weather changes, prosperity, and decline.
Facing this flower felt like truly witnessing all that happened within the province.
A subtle insight quietly passed through Xu Bai's mind, but it vanished as quickly as snow melts in water, leaving him feeling lost.
"This feeling is akin to when I used the Azure Sea Pearl to view the world from a vast perspective, eventually understanding the [Formless Killing Intent]."
"The power and techniques of cultivators mostly come from heaven and earth. Viewing them with that perspective naturally makes it easier."
"However, this flower merely records scenes of heaven and earth; it is not truly in harmony with them. Gaining insight requires extremely strong intuition. Even after carefully crafting and observing the flower many times, I still see it only as a mereornamental item (appreciation item)." Lies
"But this isn't the flower's problem; it's the person's."
"Humph."
Adjusting his mental plan, Xu Bai continued to focus on contemplating the flower.
...
Tianyu Province.
After wasting some time, Li Fan and Dongfang Yao finally arrived at Tianyucity. Instead of heading to the former residence where Li Fan had received array training in a previous life, they went to a private room within the Daoist Lecture Hall.
"Wait a bit longer; I've already notified Brother Huafu, he's on his way." Dongfang Yao casually sat cross-legged on the ground, tapping the floor with his fingers. Soon, a cup of spirit tea appeared.
"What a miserly bastard," Dongfang Yao said with a pout as he drank the tea and muttered under his breath.
Li Fan was familiar with the Daoist Lecture Hall; he knew that this was due to Dongfang Yao's limited funds, forcing him to drink free spirit tea.
Smiling slightly, his divine sense contacted the control jade plaque in the room.
Soon, a dark green teapot appeared.
"Brother Dongfang, please!" Li Fan gestured with a smile.
"Brother is so generous!" Dongfang Yao immediately beamed as he poured himself a cup and drank it in one go. Lies
"This is top-grade [Thousand Cultivator Daoist Lecture], Brother Li's magnanimity! The last time I had such high-quality spirit tea was when I returned from the Thousand Page Book Forest, celebrating with a toast!" Dongfang Yao praised enthusiastically.
Shaking his head and closing his eyes as if in deep contemplation.
"Ah, Dongfang Yao, you have this top-grade [Thousand Cultivator Daoist Lecture] but kept it for yourself without sharing it with me!" At that moment, a familiar voice rang out.
A plump cultivator with a round face appeared in the room. His expression was one of mild anger on the surface, but his lips curled into a smile.
His gaze subtly swept over Li Fan before settling on Dongfang Yao.
"Brother Huafu, you're just in time!" Dongfang Yao suddenly opened his eyes and poured himself another cup of spirit tea, tossing it to him. Lies