Chapter 459 - 156: Tantai Qing, Portent of the Demon Calamity, Relieving Worries and Solving Problems

’Is she planning to leverage the power of the provinces to gather fortune and help Qi Qingxuan develop? Or is she simply refining that Supreme Treasure of hers?’

In Fengcheng Hall, Jiang Lan used a wisp of Sheji Qi he had refined from the Emperor’s Qi, along with his Great Destiny Skill, to monitor the Sixth Prince Qi Qingxuan’s recent activities.

Compared to before, the fortune surrounding Qi Qingxuan had snowballed, growing by dozens of times.

With Emperor Xia taking the throne as a female ruler and marrying into the Prime Minister’s Mansion, a portion of the Dragon Fortune that originally belonged to her had mysteriously shifted to Qi Qingxuan.

The position of emperor was not one that instantly granted the blessings of Dragon Fortune and National Fortune just by sitting on the throne.

When the people’s hearts are loyal, the National Fortune will naturally prosper.

The same was true for the emperor. If one took the throne but could not command the submission of the ministers or win the loyalty of the people and the allegiance of the realm, one might mysteriously suffer a backlash.

The Destiny Dynasty Technique was not the same as an ordinary Cultivation Technique.

The strength and prosperity of the National Fortune lay not only in the nation’s power but also in whether the people were loyal and supportive.

Emperor Xia now ruled the realm, and while everything appeared stable on the surface, turbulent undercurrents were surging beneath. In the Court, countless ministers were secretly dissatisfied, and the same was true for the commanderies across the land.

A woman on the throne, while unprecedented, also came with unparalleled challenges.

However, if Emperor Xia could resolve these issues one by one, her cultivation and power would ascend to a terrifying new level.

This was also why Jiang Lan himself had no interest in being emperor. With Emperor Xia shouldering the backlash and Cause and Effect, he could reap the rewards for free. ’Why wouldn’t I take that deal?’

’That Ball of Grand Aspiration on Shang Mingyu is quite a treasure. It seems she’s already plotting to claim the opportunities within the Emperor’s Temple...’

’It contains numerous legacy treasures left behind by the Ancient Emperor, including the Thirty-Six True Methods of the Heavenly Cycle, the Celestial Book of Society and Country, and the Kunwu Immortal Ship.’

’The key to accessing the Emperor’s Temple lies in six Spirit Turtle Divination Shells. One is in the Royal Treasure Vault, one is in the hands of National Master Ge Qixing, and in the original story, Lin Fan obtained two while Xiao Teng got one by a stroke of luck...’

’With that Supreme Treasure in her possession, she holds all the advantages. She can deduce where various opportunities will manifest, allowing her to reap immense benefits in the coming great changes of the world.’

Jiang Lan had always coveted this Supreme Treasure, but unfortunately, the last time Shang Mingyu appeared in the Imperial Capital, he couldn’t just take it from her openly.

Shang Mingyu was very clever; she was now hiding in the shadows and wouldn’t reveal herself easily. Plotting to get his hands on that Supreme Treasure would require more effort on his part.

With this in mind, Jiang Lan took out a Communication Jade Talisman and gave Ye Shiyin some instructions. Her identity as a member of the Demon Race would prove very useful soon.

The last time he had contacted her was before the Southern Hunting. He had been keeping her well-fed and comfortable, even providing Demon Crystals for her cultivation. It was about time she made herself useful.

As Jiang Lan sorted through his numerous upcoming plans, he felt the weight of his responsibilities. The road ahead was long, and there was still so much to do.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling like he needed to be in a dozen places at once. There was so much to do, but unfortunately, he had very few people at his disposal. He had to handle most things personally.

"You’Er, take a trip to the Business Alliance and retrieve a few items for me..."

Jiang Lan ordered suddenly, simultaneously forming the list of items into a mental message and transmitting it into You’Er’s Sea of Consciousness.

You’Er acknowledged the command, her entire body transforming into a faint, ghostly shadow that melted into the Void and vanished.

She was becoming more and more adept at using the innate talents of the Ghost race.

Over dinner, Emperor Xia, cradling a white cat, told Jiang Lan what Xia Jin had discovered from their investigation.

There had indeed been strange phenomena near Immortal Ascension Island recently, possibly caused by a disturbance from the Demon Abyss.

She intended to dispatch a team to investigate.

Jiang Lan had already anticipated this, but he showed no reaction.

Then, Emperor Xia brought up the matter of the counterfeit Dragon-Suppressing Seal. She had already given up hope of reclaiming the real one from the Blood Immortal Sect.

Right now, they didn’t even know the location of the Blood Immortal Sect’s hideout. If she pushed them too hard, the sect could simply release the news, which would have a major impact on her current situation.

Since the Blood Immortal Sect wasn’t currently using the matter to threaten her, she had decided to soften her stance for the time being.

She also felt her position on the throne was not an easy one, as she needed to expend a great deal of energy dealing with both internal and external affairs.

Unless, of course, she was willing to become a puppet of the Prime Minister’s Mansion and hand over all state affairs to them to manage.

If that happened, would the people of Great Xia recognize her as their sovereign, or the Prime Minister’s Mansion?

And so, Jiang Lan continued to advise her, devising a plan.

Emperor Xia might not have intended to continue sending people to secretly reclaim the Dragon-Suppressing Seal, but how could he allow that sword hanging over her head to be so easily sheathed?

He was still counting on using this leverage to keep her under his control.

Therefore, Jiang Lan consoled Emperor Xia, telling her not to be so timid and to be more decisive.

The Blood Immortal Sect had gone too far, stealing her Dragon-Suppressing Seal and making her lose sleep over it. How could she possibly let them off so easily?

If she showed any weakness, the Blood Immortal Sect would only grow more audacious, thinking she was an easy target to bully.

At his "consolation," Emperor Xia’s fists clenched. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved and furious she became. She then shot him an icy glare, convinced he was just trying to get a rise out of her.

Seizing the moment, Jiang Lan put on a helpless look and offered further consolation, saying that he would help shoulder some of the burden regarding the Demon Abyss. That should be fine, right?

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xia immediately agreed, as if afraid he would take back his offer.

Jiang Lan maintained the appearance of someone who was completely helpless against her.

For the rest of the dinner, Emperor Xia was in high spirits, looking like she had just gotten the better end of a bargain.

「The next day.」 A massive Flying Ship descended, arriving in the Imperial Capital along with a Business Alliance cargo convoy. Inside a pre-arranged courtyard pavilion, Jiang Lan met the followers he had sent for.