"Taboo?" Xiao Yunsheng's pupils shrank violently.
"Correct, a taboo."
Supreme Emperor's voice became increasingly low,
"Since ancient times, whenever a power has publicly used 'Immortal' in its name, it has invited unknown Karma and public outrage."
"At best, their Legacy is severed and their mountain gate razed; at worst, it involves Karma and the extinction of their Bloodline."
"Over time, this has become a red line that those ancient powers tacitly agree never to touch lightly."
Xiao Yunsheng felt a chill all over his body; he had never imagined that the Yaochi Immortal Palace would actually be involved in such terrifying Karma.
His voice was dry:
"Father, then you mean... this Yaochi Immortal Palace has already... violated the taboo?"
"It's more than just violating a taboo."
Supreme Emperor let out a long sigh,
"Daring to take 'Immortal Palace' as a name, they are either ignorant and fearless, not far from destruction."
"Or... their foundation and strength have already reached the point where they can ignore this taboo, or even... intentionally challenge it!"
He looked at Supreme Emperor, his eyes burning:
"Yunsheng, the Vice Palace Master Yun you described could wipe out a Nascent Soul with a snap of her fingers, and her Aura is unfathomable."
"That Elder Fu Shan, who hasn't shown his face, is a genuine Mahayana Stage demon king, yet he is willing to become an Elder."
"Do you think such a power would be ignorant?"
Xiao Yunsheng broke out in a cold sweat, his previous joy replaced by immense fear.
If the Yaochi Immortal Palace was truly challenging that ancient taboo, then was Xiao Ya joining it a blessing or a curse for the Great Yan Dynasty?
Would it bring about a catastrophic disaster?
"Father, then what... what should we do? Should we immediately send word to Ya'er and have her..."
Xiao Yunsheng said anxiously.
Supreme Emperor raised his hand to stop him, a flash of decisiveness in his eyes:
"No, quite the opposite."
"Huh?" Xiao Yunsheng was puzzled.
"Misfortune is what fortune depends upon; fortune is where misfortune hides."
Supreme Emperor said slowly,
"Our Great Yan Dynasty has been established for just over two hundred years, and our Legacy is limited; we cannot compare at all with those large countries with deep foundations nearby."
"Without a world-shaking variable, we will eventually decay and be replaced in time, just like the dynasties of past generations."
"Now, the variable has arrived, and the Yaochi Immortal Palace is this massive variable!"
"Ya'er being able to enter and become a Core Disciple is the greatest Opportunity for our Xiao clan, but also the greatest crisis."
He stood up, his hemp clothes moving without wind, and a decisive Aura of one who has long held a high position and experienced many vicissitudes of life naturally emerged:
"Pass down the order to exhaust the imperial treasury and prepare the most generous gifts. At the same time, take out that 'Lost Pearl of the Vast Sea'."
"The Lost Pearl of the Vast Sea?!" Xiao Yunsheng exclaimed.
That was a Medium Grade Earth Rank Magic Treasure, and it was also his father's greatest reliance when he swept through all directions and eventually founded the Dynasty.
Now his father actually wanted to take it out and give it away?
"Correct." Supreme Emperor nodded,
"I will personally go to Qingyang City. Not only to congratulate Ya'er, but more importantly, in the name of the entire Great Yan Dynasty and the Xiao clan, to express our intent to... submit to the Yaochi Immortal Palace."
"Father, you're going personally? And... submit?"
Xiao Yunsheng was completely shocked.
Not only was his father giving away the Magic Treasure, but he also wanted to give up their independent status and become a vassal of the Immortal Palace!
"Father, please reconsider!"
Xiao Yunsheng's voice was strained,
"Although our Great Yan is small, we still have four Soul Transformation Old Ancestors and a million armored soldiers. Why go this far?"
"Submitting... this will likely cause criticism throughout the court and the commonality. How can the Xiao clan's foundation..."
"Criticism? Foundation?"
Supreme Emperor interrupted him, his old eyes flashing with the sharpness of one who had weathered many storms and the clarity of one who had seen through the world.
"Yunsheng, what you see are Great Yan's territories, troops, and Soul Transformation Old Ancestors."
"But in the eyes of a true powerhouse, what do these count for?"
"The Feiyun Sect and Qingshan Sect—which one doesn't have a deeper foundation than our Great Yan?"
"Their mountain-protecting arrays—which one isn't sturdier than the imperial city's array?"
"And the result? Before that Elder Fu Shan, with just a punch or a kick, their Sect Masters were made to kneel and beg for mercy, their mountain gates trembled, and half of their foundations were lost in a single day!"
"And that was just an 'Elder'! And just a 'minor punishment as a warning'!"
Supreme Emperor's voice carried a chill that pierced the Soul:
"The news of our Great Yan Dynasty's princess becoming their Core Disciple has already spread today. It's impossible to hide. If we don't take a side in time."
"When a crisis arrives in the future, why would they care about our life or death?"
Xiao Yunsheng felt a chill run down his spine, and cold sweat soaked his inner garment.
His father's analysis stripped away the seemingly glorious facade and revealed the cruel reality underneath.
It was as if they already had half a foot on the boat; getting off meant death, but staying on might offer a slim chance of survival and a future.
Supreme Emperor looked back at his silent son and sighed softly,
"Yunsheng, I suffered heavy injuries in my early years and now have little Lifespan left, but you still have time, and Ya'er has a boundless future."
"This is the only chance for our Xiao family, and the Great Yan Dynasty, to jump out of this pond and leap into the true ocean!"
"Father..."
Xiao Yunsheng's heart surged. Finally, he took a deep breath, the struggle in his eyes vanishing, and he bowed deeply to Supreme Emperor:
"I understand! I will follow all of Father's arrangements!"
...Three days later, Qingyang City.
The seven-day Spirit-Testing Ceremony finally came to a close.
During these seven days, over fifty thousand people came to be tested, coming from all over the Great Yan Dynasty, and even some from several neighboring small countries who had heard the news.
Ultimately, after preliminary screening and Heart-Nature observation, a total of one hundred people met the Yaochi Immortal Palace's outer disciple standard (five-star and six-star potential).
A total of fifteen people met the inner disciple standard (seven-star and eight-star potential).
For the Core Disciple standard (nine-star potential), besides Xiao Ya, an eight-year-old girl named Wang Zhaojun actually appeared.
As for ten-star potential, just as Gu Han had expected, it did not appear.
After all, such a peerless immortal seed was something that could be sought but not easily found.
In front of the Liu Residence, although most of the crowd had dispersed, many curious citizens and scouts from various powers still gathered.
They were all waiting—waiting for the Yaochi Immortal Palace's final arrangements for these lucky individuals, and also watching to see how the Great Yan imperial family and other powers would react.
A luxurious carriage drawn by eight fine horses, escorted by several Imperial Enshrined Experts with heavy Auras, slowly drove into Qingyang City and stopped in front of the Liu Residence's gate.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and the first to step down was the Ninth Princess Xiao Ya, who had received the news in advance and went to meet them.
Immediately after, an old man dressed in a gray robe also slowly stepped out of the carriage.
The old man did not intentionally release any pressure, but just by standing there, he possessed a steady and imposing air.
Everyone who saw him felt a shiver in their hearts and subconsciously held their breath.
"It's... the Supreme Emperor!"
"Hey, brother, who is the Supreme Emperor?"
"He is the ruthless man who single-handedly founded the Great Yan Dynasty two hundred years ago, the previous Emperor of Great Yan."
"It's actually him! I heard stories about him when I was a child. He actually came in person!"
"It seems the Great Yan imperial family also values the Yaochi Immortal Palace very highly..."
Among the crowd, some older Cultivators recognized the newcomer's identity and couldn't help but exclaim in low voices, causing a stir.
Liu Beihai and Liu Beichuan had already received the news and led the crowd to respectfully welcome them at the residence gate.
Facing this true master of the Great Yan Dynasty, even the Nascent Soul Stage Liu Beihai felt immense pressure.
"Junior Liu Beihai, along with the members of the Liu family, welcomes Senior!"
Liu Beihai bowed deeply.
Supreme Emperor showed a gentle smile on his face and personally supported him:
"Family Head Liu, there's no need for such formality. I am a guest today, visiting unannounced. I hope you don't mind."
His gaze, however, had already passed Liu Beihai and was cast deep into the Liu Residence.
"Senior Yun is inside. Please follow me."
Liu Beihai stepped aside to lead the way.
Inside the inner courtyard of the Liu Residence, in an elegantly decorated room.
Yun Yun sat in the main seat, listening to Liu Ruyan, who stood by her side, reporting the final statistical results of the spirit-testing.
"One hundred for the Outer Sect, fifteen for the Inner Sect, and two Core Disciples..."
Yun Yun nodded slightly, not surprised by this result.
In the Southern Region border region, Spiritual Qi and talent resources were far inferior to other places; being able to have these gains was already not easy.
Moreover, there were two good prospects, Xiao Ya and Wang Zhaojun.
At that moment, her expression moved slightly, and she looked toward the gate.
"Senior Yun, the Supreme Emperor and the Ninth Princess of the Great Yan Dynasty have arrived."
Liu Beihai's voice sounded outside the door, carrying a hint of tension that was not easily detected.
"Come in."
Yun Yun's voice was calm.
Liu Beihai led Supreme Emperor and Xiao Ya into the room.
The moment Supreme Emperor's gaze met Yun Yun's, his heart was shaken.
He couldn't see through her—he completely couldn't see through her!
The other party's cultivation was as deep as the abyss and as vast as the sea, her Aura was harmonious and natural, becoming one with heaven and earth. This feeling... he had only felt it from the Mahayana Stage Old Ancestor of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, a peak power in the Southern Region.
And the woman before him seemed to be even more profound and unfathomable!
"Junior Supreme Emperor, along with my granddaughter Xiao Ya, pays respects to Senior!"
Supreme Emperor did not hesitate and gave a deep bow to Yun Yun with the etiquette of a Junior, keeping his posture extremely low.
Xiao Ya behind him also followed with a respectful bow.
"There's no need for such formality. Please sit."
Yun Yun spoke indifferently, pointing to the seats nearby.
After the two of them sat down and Liu Ruyan served the Spiritual Tea after, Yun Yun then spoke:
"I presume you didn't come just to send your granddaughter to the sect?"
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