Wu Yanhan took Xu Ming out of the Princess’s residence. The two got into a carriage and left Wudu.
Xu Ming sat in the swaying carriage, while Shen Shengsheng lay asleep on Wu Yanhan’s lap. Wu Yanhan gently stroked Shen Shengsheng’s head, her expression soft and tender.
That gentle demeanor made it hard for Xu Ming to look away for a moment.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Wu Yanhan raised her head and glared at Xu Ming playfully.
She had actually noticed him watching her for a while, but she hadn’t expected him to be so blatant about it, not even attempting to look away.
“It’s nothing.” Xu Ming was quite frank about it. “I just think you’d definitely make a great mother.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?” Wu Yanhan casually grabbed a pastry and tossed it at Xu Ming.
This time, he caught it.
Taking a bite, Xu Ming commented, “If you could stop randomly throwing things, that would be even better.”
Wu Yanhan narrowed her eyes. “Are you teasing me? Do you have a death wish?”Xu Ming sighed helplessly. “I’m not teasing you. I’m just stating the truth.”
“You—!”
“Alright, I won’t say anything then.”
“Hmph.” Wu Yanhan snorted softly and turned her head away.
“By the way, there’s something I wanted to ask you,” Xu Ming said.
“What is it?” Seeing his serious expression, Wu Yanhan knew it must be something important.
“It’s about Prince Shan,” Xu Ming said.
The moment those words left his mouth, Wu Yanhan’s heart skipped a beat, and her brows furrowed. “You dare to even say those two words?”
Xu Ming shrugged. “I don’t have much of a choice.”
Wu Yanhan narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
Xu Ming recounted the events of the previous night. “A swordsman snuck into the Xu residence, and judging by his behavior, it seemed more like he was testing me rather than trying to kill me. Then he invited me to join their rebellion.”
Wu Yanhan asked, “And?”
“I refused, of course.” Xu Ming spread his hands. “What kind of joke is that? Why would I go and rebel for no reason? I have no interest in turning against you. I just want to know—why are these people still so stubborn? Are they all obsessed or something?”
Wu Yanhan shook her head. “They’re not obsessed. It’s because Prince Shan’s descendants are still alive. They want to find them and help them claim the throne to repay Prince Shan for his kindness.”
“Was Prince Shan really that charismatic?” Xu Ming didn’t quite understand.
“I’ve never met him, so how would I know?” Wu Yanhan rolled her eyes at him. “But I’ve heard people say that Prince Shan was incredibly brave, just and fair, undefeated in a hundred battles, and always led the charge himself. He valued talented people and treated them with sincerity. Many who had nowhere else to go ended up serving under him.”
She sighed. “It’s hard to put his charisma into words, but in my opinion, if nothing unexpected had happened back then, the throne should have been his.”
“Can you talk about that unexpected event?” Xu Ming asked.
Wu Yanhan shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you—I simply don’t know. In fact, I even doubt whether my father knows the full truth. But one thing I’m certain of: the crown prince at the time—my great-grandfather—must have used some underhanded means.”
As she spoke, Wu Yanhan smiled faintly and looked at Xu Ming. “But those rebels are really strange, thinking of pulling you into their cause. Do they not know how much favor my father bestows upon you? Whatever they can offer, my father can give you just as well.”
Xu Ming almost wanted to say, Your father can even give me you, but they can’t.
But he figured saying that might get him beaten up, so he decided to keep it to himself.
Xu Ming shook his head. “Honestly, whether it’s what your father gives me or what the rebels offer, I don’t really care.”
Wu Yanhan was curious. “Then what do you care about?”
Xu Ming answered matter-of-factly, “Obviously, I care about you.”
“Nonsense.” Wu Yanhan stretched out her smooth, fair leg from under her dress and lightly kicked Xu Ming with the small embroidered shoe on her foot.
Xu Ming gasped, rubbing his knee.
This girl had no sense of restraint—his knee was definitely bruised.
“Serves you right!” Wu Yanhan glanced at him rubbing his knee, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and turned her head away. A faint, attractive blush crept up her cheeks.
Half an hour later, the carriage gradually came to a stop.
Wu Yanhan gently woke Shen Shengsheng.
The three of them stepped out of the carriage.
Before them lay a vast, open plain, surrounded by mountains.
However, the placement of these mountains seemed rather deliberate. They formed a natural array, channeling spiritual energy into the plain.
“This is a good spot,” Xu Ming remarked approvingly.
For his tribulation, Xu Ming needed a place rich in spiritual energy. Only with an abundant supply could he absorb energy quickly to heal his injuries.
The location also needed to provide some level of protection.
This place naturally formed an array that could weaken the power of heavenly tribulation.
“Of course.” Wu Yanhan folded her hands in front of her. “This place used to belong to a sect, but they moved away.”
“They voluntarily moved?” Xu Ming raised an eyebrow.
“That sect was too close to Wudu. My father didn’t like it, so he sent five thousand troops from the Blood Asura and five imperial consecrators here to ask whether they wanted to move or not. In the end, they ‘voluntarily’ left,” Wu Yanhan explained.
Xu Ming: “…”
“Wait, this place isn’t ready yet.” Wu Yanhan quickly stopped him, fearing he might rush into his tribulation.
Xu Ming frowned. “What preparation?”
Wu Yanhan turned around and bowed slightly to the carriage driver. “Grandpa Huang, I’ll have to trouble you.”
Xu Ming looked at the old carriage driver.
The driver grinned, revealing yellowed teeth. “Rest assured, Your Highness.”
As the rain began to fall, the driver removed his bamboo hat and took several array flags from his storage pouch, planting them around the plain. A lightning warding array gradually took shape.
Additionally, he drew an intricate formation in the center of the plain.
Xu Ming couldn’t tell what kind of formation it was, but he could faintly sense the presence of lightning energy.
Once everything was set up, the driver clapped his hands together and bowed slightly toward Wu Yanhan and Xu Ming. “Your Highness, Prince Consort, everything is ready.”
“Many thanks, Grandpa Huang.”
“We appreciate it, Senior.”
Wu Yanhan and Xu Ming both expressed their gratitude.
“There’s no need to be so polite. I, Old Huang, will be waiting outside the mountains. If anything happens, just call for me.”
Calling himself “Old Huang,” the elder left the plain, standing guard outside to protect Xu Ming.
“This senior is an imperial consecrator?” Xu Ming guessed.
He couldn’t discern the old man’s cultivation level, which meant he was likely at the Immortal Realm.
Wu Yanhan nodded. “Grandpa Huang has guarded the imperial palace for 150 years.”
She then took out a small pouch and handed it to Xu Ming. “This is for you.”
Xu Ming took the pouch—it was a storage bag.
“I knew you’d be facing tribulation, so I consulted Grandpa Huang and prepared some things for you.
“These Nine-Turn Pills will replenish your spiritual energy. But don’t take too many, or they’ll damage your spiritual veins. Only take one if you’re truly at your limit.
“This mirror is called the Lightning Mirror. It can reflect spells and even heavenly lightning, though I’m not sure to what extent.
“There’s also a set of clothes inside. Go change into them. It’s called Purple Firmament Robe—it was once my father’s dragon robe, but after it got old, I used it to make this. It carries the fortune of the nation. Since you are the top scholar and an esteemed minister of Wu, the robe’s fortune will recognize you and naturally protect you.
“And also—”
Wu Yanhan introduced each item to Xu Ming one by one.
The storage pouch contained at least twenty different magical treasures and elixirs, all carefully prepared to aid Xu Ming in his tribulation.
“You really have so little faith in me?” Xu Ming looked at Wu Yanhan with a smile.
He felt like a student about to take the imperial exam, with his mother fussing over him, making endless preparations.
Wu Yanhan rolled her eyes at him. “I’m just afraid you’ll die!”
Xu Ming chuckled. “Don’t worry, I won’t die. I still haven’t seen you ascend the throne and put on the dragon robe.”
“Then make sure you stay alive.” Wu Yanhan’s tone was indifferent, but her eyes betrayed her concern. “Come, Shengsheng, let’s wait elsewhere. Your Brother Xu is about to undergo his tribulation.”
“Oh…” Although Shen Shengsheng didn’t quite understand what a tribulation was, seeing the serious expression on Sister Yanhan’s face, she instinctively knew it wasn’t a trivial matter.
“Good luck, Brother Xu!” She clenched her little fists and cheered him on.
“Don’t worry.” Xu Ming ruffled her hair. “With you and Sister Yanhan watching, I won’t embarrass myself. Otherwise, your Sister Yanhan will mock me for a lifetime.”
“Shengsheng won’t laugh at Brother Xu,” the little girl said earnestly.
“Shengsheng is the best.” Xu Ming playfully pinched her nose.
Then, he turned and stepped into the formation that the imperial consecrator had drawn.
Wu Yanhan took a deep look at Xu Ming, then pulled Shen Shengsheng along as they moved to a nearby mountain peak to observe his tribulation.
“Don’t you dare die…” Wu Yanhan bit her lip, her delicate fingers unconsciously clenching into a fist.
In the open plain, Xu Ming changed into the Purple Firmament Robe, then retrieved a table from his storage pouch.
One by one, he took out offerings—chicken, duck, beef, and lamb—placing them carefully on the table.
Finally, he brought out an incense burner.
Lighting the incense, Xu Ming bowed three times toward the sky. “With Heaven as my witness, I, Xu Ming, undergo my tribulation here today. May the Dao grant me its guidance.”
Boom!
The moment he placed the incense into the burner, thunder rumbled across the heavens.
Dark clouds gathered at an alarming rate, and fierce winds swept across the land, carrying the power of the Dao.
Shen Shengsheng clung tightly to Wu Yanhan’s leg, her wide eyes filled with worry for her Brother Xu.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning struck down, obliterating the altar Xu Ming had just set up—leaving not even a trace of ash behind.
It was as if Heaven itself was questioning him: Are you certain, boy?
Xu Ming cupped his hands in salute toward the sky, releasing his full cultivation. “I humbly seek your guidance, Lord of Heaven!”
Boom! Boom!
The deep blue lightning crackled within the roiling clouds above, surging with terrifying power, as if it sought to reduce everything below to scorched earth.
—
At the imperial palace, Emperor Wu stood at the highest pavilion, his gaze fixed on the distant storm clouds.
Listening to the faint echoes of thunder rolling across the sky, he knew—Xu Ming’s tribulation had begun.
“Your Majesty, Minister Xu is blessed with great fortune. This mere Dragon Gate tribulation is nothing to him,” Wei Xun, the Grand Eunuch, reassured.
“Let’s hope so…” Emperor Wu sighed. “To be honest, I don’t know whether I should be pleased or concerned that Xu Ming is a cultivator.”
Wei Xun fell silent. He dared not respond to such a statement.
Because a cultivator in the imperial court—no matter how loyal—would never serve for long. Their very lifespan was constantly being consumed.
Most cultivators who entered government positions only served for about ten years, rarely exceeding twenty.
Their goal wasn’t wealth or power—it was to borrow the empire’s fortune of the land to help them break through their cultivation bottlenecks.
If they succeeded, the years they sacrificed in government service would be insignificant.
For example, a Sea Observation Realm cultivator could live for 500 years. If he served in court for ten years, he would lose 100 years of lifespan.
But if he successfully broke through to the Dragon Gate Realm, he could live up to 800 years.
Compared to the additional 300 years he would gain, the 100 years lost in court service would be a trivial price to pay.
The Top Scholar would not remain in Wu forever—he was bound to leave one day.
If that weren’t the case, why would His Majesty be laying the groundwork for Princess Yanhan, preparing for her to become the first Empress in the history of the mortal dynasty?
Of course, in Wei Xun’s opinion, what His Majesty truly wished for was something else—he hoped that before Xu Ming left Wu, he would leave behind an heir, preferably several.
That way, Princess Yanhan wouldn’t have to take the throne, and His Majesty could focus on grooming his grandchild instead. It would save him a great deal of trouble.
Moreover, if Wu had Xu Ming’s descendants, then when Xu Ming eventually ascended to the Great Dao, he would surely watch over his bloodline—and, by extension, Wu itself.
If Xu Ming ever reached the Ascension Realm…
That would be an enormous safeguard for Wu.
—
“What do you think of Xu Ming’s attitude toward Yanhan?” Emperor Wu asked.
This, Wei Xun could answer without hesitation.
“In this old servant’s eyes, the Top Scholar definitely has feelings for the Princess. Anyone with eyes can see it. Not to mention, I’ve heard that ever since he returned to the capital, he has been visiting the Princess’s residence quite frequently.”
“And what about Yanhan’s attitude toward Xu Ming?” the Emperor asked again.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, he chuckled to himself.
“I must be getting senile,” he mused. “If Yanhan didn’t like Xu Ming, with that girl’s temper, she would have turned the world upside down the moment I annulled their betrothal.”
“But I just don’t understand young people these days.” Emperor Wu sighed.
“It’s rare enough for two people to fall in love… Even rarer for that love to be mutual…
“So why aren’t they together?”
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Do we still have any Spring Breeze Pills left?”
Wei Xun hesitated. “Your Majesty, you’re not planning to—”
“After Xu Ming finishes his tribulation, have him and Yanhan come to the palace for a meal.”
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