After hearing Shen Lian’s explanation, Li Yuanliang could not help but felt worried for the Sacred Nun. His uncle-master and master might have contrasting characteristics, but both of them were Daoists who were unshakeable once they had made up their minds. Coupled with their extraordinary prowess, their opponents would be most unfortunate.

　　Shen Lian caught sight of his expression. Shen Lian asked him, “Are you worried about her?”

　　Li Yuanliang looked down shamefully, “You are right, Uncle-Master. For some unknown reason, she seemed very familiar to me, but actually, she is as pure and wonderful as the clouds in the waters, yet so unreachable.”

　　Shen Lian explained, “This is not caused by your lack of determination. It is exactly the traits of her cultivation, also a result of training by the Xia hierophant over the span of ten years. The vital force from the laws of heaven had penetrated into her, which was why the barbarians of the south worshipped her so religiously. Although you are from the Asura, your actual cultivation still follows the authentic ways of Daoism, so some of her aura that comprises elements of nature is rather irresistible to you. Any Qi cultivator lacking the experience will be at a disadvantage facing her.”

　　Shen Lian sighed in his heart. Evidently, the hierophant was totally loyal to the Xia emperor. She not only trained Yun to fight Shen Lian, she was also the mortal enemy to all Qi cultivators in Yinshang. Sadly, this sort of cultivation also cut off Yun’s path as a Daoist, which would be a squander of a good talent like hers.

　　After hearing Shen Lian’s explanation, Li Yuanliang finally understood the reason for his emotions. Even so, he could not harbor any ill feelings towards the beautiful impressions he had of her.

　　After a while, Shen Lian ordered Li Yuanling and the rest to go to Xi Liang Kingdom and assist Chen Qing momentarily. With their combined strength and the Killing Formation of Four Divisions taught by Shen Lian, they would be as strong as the earthly immortals, who could have provided some resistive strength too.

　　As for Shen Lian, he did not plan to return to Xi Liang just yet. He had one thing left to do: recruit the cook of his own disciple, Lei Jing.

　　This person was the key person for him to form his own empire, and also to hit on the national fate of Yinshang. If he served for Yinshang, the difficulty for Shen Lian to overturn the destiny would be amplified.

　　Emperor Xia had returned to Mount Meng earlier but without the head of Shen Lian. So, most of the people understood that this ruthless Daoist of Qing Xuan had really escaped from the Emperor Xia’s pursuit, who also injured Guan Longzi badly and destroyed the Lantern of Life and Death.

　　Although the Xia army’s grand victory against Dongyi was worthy of a big celebration, the incident with Qing Xuan Daoist had casted a dark shadow over this conquest.

　　However, as if not noticing a thing, Emperor Xia gave the order to wed Meixi of Youshi, and increase his exploitation against various clans of Dongyi.

　　All the clans of Dongyi were furious but speechless because even though Emperor Xia might not be unmatchable, there were very few who could go up against him.

　　When Emperor Xia wedded Meixi as his concubine, Yunyang never appeared. His reputation had plummeted. Even if he was the son of the White Emperor, his numerous letdowns made the people of Dongyi felt disappointed in him. Moreover, Meixi who initially had a marriage agreement with him was now being married to Emperor Xia.

　　Emperor Xia spent a lot of resources to build a temporary imperial residence in Mount Meng for this wedding with Meixi. The palace was at the peak of Mount Meng, surrounded by clouds, planted cloud pines and all sorts of exotic plants. At every sunrise, all the clouds created a colorful and magical scene.

　　All the high officials of Xia Kingdom knew very well that Meixi would definitely be highly favored by Emperor Xia, the only reason being was none other than her strikingly identical appearance as the Hierophant. She would be the king’s exclusive favorite.

　　Guan Longzi was locked up in the underground dungeon of the palace. Only Lei Jing could visit him in the dungeon. In the meantime, Guan Longzi had passed on all teachings in the Lianshan literature to Lei Jing without reservation.

　　He was now covered in white hair and all skinny. The damage from Shen Lian had injured him badly. But this did not kill Guan Longzi’s mentality, as he looked quite contented. Lei Jing was worried for him, so she asked Ah Heng the cook to change his menu daily. However, for some unknown reason, Guan Longzi had eaten lesser and lesser even though he was at ease. He was not cutting his diet for his Qi cultivation, but he actually could not eat any food.

　　This time, when Guan Longzi finished teaching the Lianshan scripture, he never gave Lei Jing time to meditate. He said, “Lianshan originated from Xiangshan. Once in use, all four seasons are used as guidance of prosperity and poverty; Liu Jia is used to differentiate between fortune and misfortune.

　　At this point, it was different from the five elements of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth in terms of quality. This is also the difference in study between your master and I. Let’s not discuss who is better, but he learned too much to the intent to learn about everything, and finally simulated the development of all things in this universe, so he can understand the past, present, and future and transcend time. His concept was never as pure as mine.

　　This is also why he never achieved Taiyi. However, he will understand this sooner or later. My little selfish request is that you do not tell him the essence of Lianshan to slow down his advancement.”

　　Le Jing answered, “If master asked me, I cannot reject him. But as long as he did not ask, I will tell him voluntarily. Since you have already passed the Lianshan to him, why would you not want him to understand its essence now?”

　　Guan Longzi smiled bitterly, “I consider myself a righteous person, but I still did one trick against your master. I passed the Lianshan to him as a bait to attract him towards the path of Yi. This path of Yi comprises a wide scope, so it would distract him and deviate his attention from reaching the realm of Taiyi.”

　　Lei Jing felt sad hearing this. She knew Guan Longzi as a proper gentleman, and she understood that his trick was actually an act of loyalty towards his uncle, which was why he had to do something against his own principles.

　　Someone as intelligent as her master would find find out about the trick in no time, which was also why their relationship had finally broke.

　　As of now, Guan Longzi did not get the reward he deserved despite his efforts. Her uncle had not pardoned him yet.

　　Lei Jing had then decided, no matter what, she must ask her uncle to pardon Guan Longzi.

　　At that moment, a neat set of footsteps could be heard. An eunuch arrived at the prison cell accompanied by a group of guards. As the eunuch saw Lei Jing, he greeted her, “Miss Jing, His Majestic has a royal order for you.”

　　Lei Jing nodded and paid respect to receive the order.

　　The eunuch’s expression turned serious, “Female Lei Jing, has contributed much to the society, I hereby reward you the surname of Si, and be part of the royal family.”

　　Since the development of Xia kingdom, rewarding of lands were on very rare occasions. Even the royal members had rarely been given a reward of land. This reward of the royal surname, Si for Lei Jing and inclusion into the royal family was really a heavenly reward. After changing her surname to Si, she would be added into the royal bloodline, and in line to inherit the kingdom.

　　Although there was no precedence of a female king in Xia kingdom, she did have the opportunity according to the law and constitution.

　　Moreover, the Emperor only had one son who was assigned to guard the borders near the northern Barbarians for a long-term period, evidence that he was not favored by the king.