I Accumulate Spirit Roots for My Next Life

As soon as Gongsun Zhi’s invitation was extended, a sudden space fluctuation occurred at the scene.

The four women, Hong Luan, changed their expressions instantly; such a space fluctuation was not something that could be provoked by the Late Stage of Nascent Soul.

Almost instantly, they all returned to the carriage, placing Li Jizhou in the center for protection.

“Sisters, worry not, it’s someone sent by my father.” Gongsun Zhi’s face showed a smile as he comforted them.

In the next moment, the space at the scene calmed down, and a Gate of Void mysteriously appeared.

Compared to the gate opened by the five demon heads of the Demon Sect that Li Jizhou saw in his previous life in the Southern Domain when destroying the Golden Corpse, this one was more stable and closer to the rules of the space origin.

“Father, why did you come personally?” From the Gate of Void, one person strode out, greatly surprising Gongsun Zhi.

“How is it? Were you harmed? Wen Lao’s transmission was affected, trapped in an unknown place; luckily I had a Secret Skill communication with Wen Lao, but I still arrived late!” Grand General Gongsun Dang’s tiger eyes widened as he stepped in front of Gongsun Zhi, carefully checking him.

“No harm, thanks to this virtuous brother and the four ladies.” Gongsun Zhi nodded upon hearing, understanding why his guardian didn’t arrive immediately.

Then he briefed on the events that happened just now with a few words.

Gongsun Dang rose during the national war between the Jiuli Dynasty and the Great Xia Dynasty three thousand years ago, and to this day is unmatched in Jiuli’s fifteen provinces.

However, ever since Gongsun Zhi was born, his temperament changed drastically, with almost all his heart set on his son.

He once perceived that the Dragon Aspect intended to overpower the ruler, fostering suspicion from the Saint Emperor, and incited him to act first, leading to intensified conflict with the Dragon Aspect.

However, the Dragon Aspect acted cautiously, with no evidence found; coupled with the Saint Emperor’s technique to balance with the Grand General and the Dragon Aspect, he could never capture the Dragon Aspect.

And the Dragon Aspect was constantly watching him.

Upon learning the Dragon Aspect intended to persuade the Saint Emperor to hold the Grand General’s son hostage in the Imperial City, he had to make Gongsun Zhi pretend to be unruly, causing slight displeasure from the Saint Emperor, preventing Gongsun Zhi from being held hostage in the Imperial City.

This time Gongsun Zhi met with an accident, he was deeply enraged.

After hearing Gongsun Zhi’s concise account, Gongsun Dang then carefully looked towards Li Jizhou in the carriage.

“Father, this virtuous brother saved me from peril, I promised to give him a hundred thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones, now there’s still ninety thousand short…”

Seeing Gongsun Dang look at Li Jizhou, Gongsun Zhi continued to speak.

“Your Highness? This humble servant pays respects to Your Highness.”

Yet, in the next moment, Gongsun Zhi was shocked to see his usually rugged and vigorous father actually clasp his fists and bow in greeting to Li Jizhou.

“Unexpectedly, it was Your Highness who saved my son, this grace, this humble servant will remember!” Despite facing a Prince, Gongsun Dang’s status remained calm, only shocked that it was the Seventh Prince who saved his son.

“Grand General, rise, this palace happened to pass by without much reliance during inspection, sensing Nascent Soul Late Stage fighting from afar, originally intending to temporarily retreat and avoid calamity, then notify local government,

but the maid reminded maybe it was the Grand General’s son, considering the Grand General’s protection to my Dynasty, and the extraordinary sword techniques given when my palace was bestowed kingship…

Thanks to the four maids’ seamless cooperation, otherwise today my palace and Brother Gongsun might have been in danger!” Facing a Grand General who might influence Crown Prince selection, Li Jizhou thoroughly fostered goodwill.

Instead of a nonchalant smile, he stated clearly the actual circumstances of him initially being weak but forcing himself to act for the Grand General, even taking big risks.

Considering the Grand General’s doting on Gongsun Zhi, this favor, Li Jizhou must seize.

That was the most crucial reason he decided to act.

Gongsun Dang, having listened, showed overflowing gratitude in his eyes.

He hadn’t paid much attention to the Seventh Prince before.

Especially having heard about his issues with temperament, he hadn’t considered him.

Moreover, he was consistent in supporting the Crown Prince’s ascension.

However now, with the Crown Prince’s incident, it is clearly no longer possible.

Power transition often accompanies major cleansing.

Since the Saint Emperor is mature and experienced, having measures to balance with the Dragon Aspect.

But if power shifts, given the Saint Emperor’s lifespan, a young prince ascending, easily influenced by the Dragon Aspect.

Then he would be at great risk.

Thus, he has been considering alignment issues.

“Your Highness?” Gongsun Zhi frowned slightly, somewhat displeased.

More so, somewhat worried.

After all, the core reason for pretending to be unruly was to avoid royal concerns and being stirred by the Dragon Aspect.

Now discovered by the Seventh Prince, consequences are unpredictable.

“Brother Gongsun, pardon me, my palace is touring the world for Dao Foundation, by rule, not to reveal identity.” Li Jizhou sensed Gongsun Zhi’s change in attitude, smilingly explained.

Without waiting for Gongsun Zhi’s response, he continued: “Moreover, Brother Gongsun seems to have endured many years to avoid persecution from the Dragon Aspect, on this matter, my palace wishes to make a solemn oath to keep it secret for Brother Gongsun.”

Hearing this, Gongsun Zhi raised his eyebrows, involuntarily looking at Gongsun Dang.

Gongsun Dang had been observing Li Jizhou.

His perception of the Seventh Prince was being reconstructed.

Just from a few brief exchanges, Li Jizhou, now a king, still called himself the palace, not the king, indicating ambition for the throne.

Further hearing his tone regarding the Dragon Aspect’s deeds, seemed to know quite a lot, and bore some hostility.

And his attitude towards Gongsun Zhi caused Gongsun Dang’s heart to stir.

The powerful divine thought was no longer concealed, directly scanned Li Jizhou completely.

Li Jizhou did not resist at all, instead very cooperative.

“Your Highness! Great gratitude and virtue, the Gongsun family will surely repay!” Not long after, Gongsun Dang, amid Gongsun Zhi’s surprised expression, knelt towards Li Jizhou.

“Father!” Gongsun Zhi was in disbelief.

As he clearly knew his father’s disposition.

To avoid being framed by the Dragon Aspect, he almost never got involved in Crown Prince matters, even openly supporting the Crown Prince.

Facing all royal members, except the Saint Emperor, always the same stance.

Yet now, he was bowing towards the Seventh Prince.

His stance seemed very clear.

“Grand General, quickly rise, you are the nation’s pillar, my palace doesn’t deserve this.” Li Jizhou’s eyes flickered with a smile, promptly stepping forward to lift him.

Gongsun Dang clasped his fists again, saying no more.

Clever people need not say much.

“Grand General, do you know if the matters in Liangzhou are true?” Li Jizhou also timely changed the subject.

Choosing not to immediately disclose the suspected Dragon Aspect’s conspiracy, mostly due to questioning the Grand General’s wisdom, still requiring assessment.

Additionally, now with many eyes present, it’s inappropriate.

“Your Highness, I humbly report, this humble servant is on orders from the Saint Emperor to go to the great tomb in Liangzhou, though yet unseen, there’s a guards’ report, it’s highly likely to be true!” Gongsun Dang transmitted.

“A real Celestial Venerable Tomb?” Li Jizhou slightly paused.

“Indeed, this humble servant’s trusted aide excels in divination, glimpsed at Dao Fruit, barring accident, it should be.”

“Really a Dao Fruit?” Li Jizhou immediately delighted.

With Jiuli Dynasty’s Grand General personally guarding, it could be said to be within reach.

Dao Fruit is useless to the Saint Emperor, now truly needed by the Ninth Prince and him, he being nearest to seize it, indeed an enormous surprise.

“Do you know what kind of Dao Fruit?”