Chapter 524: Chapter 232: Enter the Game!_1

    All ministers and nobles, supernatural beings from the Netherworld—all eyes converged upon Xia Yunqiu.

    “Are these words true?”

    Before the Vermilion Bird could respond, the White Tiger scrutinized Xia Yunqiu with a skeptical gaze.

    “The Secret Realm Square-Inch is an incomparably precious treasure, if we were to place it ten thousand years in the past, even powerful experts who had not reached the True Monarch Stage might not have had the qualifications to even know of the secret realm.

    You’re merely a Qi Transformation cultivator, can you really produce a method to enter the Secret Realm Square-Inch?”

    “As for the Hoe Family of the Heaven Traversing Sect you mentioned, although their heritage is long-lasting, ten thousand years ago, the Hoe family was not notably famous—normally, they should not have had the qualifications to come into contact with such a secretive matter.”

    The words of the White Tiger naturally expressed the thoughts of most of those present, adding a discerning scrutiny to the collective gaze upon Xia Yunqiu.

    Xia Yunqiu’s expression remained unchanged, and without hesitation, she said:

    “Ten thousand years ago, the Hoe Family of Heaven Traversing Sect indeed had an inconspicuous reputation because, at that time, the Hoe family had another name—the branch of the ancient constellation astrology, once on par with the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, the Tianyun Sect!”

    As she spoke, Xia Yunqiu’s right hand slowly raised, and the power of Yin God converged in her palm evolving into a miniature celestial chessboard, shrunk countless times.

    Shimmering stars were placed on the chessboard, enacting the Profound Dao’s charm.

    “To use the stars as pieces and deduce all things is the unspoken secret of the ancient constellation astrology!”

    “The Hoe Family of Heaven Traversing truly relates to the ancient constellation astrology?”

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    “The Tianyun Sect might seem obscure, but the Heavenly Secret Pavilion indeed was one of the 72 Blessed Lands ten thousand years ago, a powerful Tao Doctrine once helmed by a Taoist Doyen.”

    Although the ministers and nobles of the Imperial Court didn’t possess the deep roots of the various grotto heavens and blessed lands, they controlled the most substantial resources during the early stages of the Spirit Energy Tidal Surge in the contemporary world.

    These were not just spirit stone ore veins and heaven-and-earth treasures, but also the records passed down through generations from the previous era of cultivation.

    After being organized by many professionals, quite a number of ministers could also understand a corner of the flourishing age of cultivation ten thousand years ago through the records.

    The words of these ministers hence affirmed the truthfulness of Xia Yunqiu’s statement, and the True Word Talisman in Vermilion Bird’s hand also indicated that what Xia Yunqiu claimed was not false.

    Vermilion Bird stared intensely at Xia Yunqiu, and after a long silence, he finally said:

    “The ancient constellation astrology is an Upper World Constellation Bureau Tao Doctrine’s heritage and is associated with the Donghua Emperor, who presides over the Sun Star. Indeed, it would have the qualifications to know about the Secret Realm Square-Inch.”

    As the words of the Vermilion Bird fell, the authenticity of the Secret Realm Square-Inch was thoroughly confirmed, and everyone’s look towards Xia Yunqiu took on a slightly different hue.

    The initially skeptical gazes of the ministers softened, and the questions they wanted to raise were swallowed back into their throats.

    Even the most severe generals of Great Xia, at this moment, looked at Xia Yunqiu with a trace of admiration in their eyes.

    Every minister and warrior understood well that for cultivators, the value of the Secret Realm Square-Inch far exceeded faith and the position of a City God because it represented an opportunity that could lead directly to the Great Dao.

    The faith from the seven states, and the position of City God of lands across five states seemed precious, but even if wrested from the Netherworld, they would still belong to Great Xia’s Imperial Court, not an individual.

    This was equivalent to trading one’s chance at enlightenment for the future of Great Xia; even the most loyal subjects would not dare to say they could do this.

    Yet, Xia Yunqiu did precisely that, using what could have ensured her exclusive right to the secret realm to negotiate with the Netherworld to give up their claim to faith and the City God position.

    Even the State Dukes belonging to the Crown Prince’s faction admired Xia Yunqiu at this moment.

    The atmosphere briefly became stagnant; Vermilion Bird and White Tiger’s eyes flickered, already engaging in a silent exchange through spiritual communication.

    Ministers maintained a facade of calm on the surface but were already utilizing their official seals and Divine Sense to communicate in secret.

    “Who would have imagined this 9th Princess would possess such audacity.”

    “I am ashamed of my own inferiority.”

    “If Xia Yunqiu were a prince, perhaps she would become another strong contender for heir to the throne.”

    The ministers almost unanimously affirmed Xia Yunqiu’s performance.

    Amidst a chorus of praise, however, a discordant voice suddenly arose.

    “Could it be that the Netherworld’s supernatural beings and Xia Yunqiu have conspired to put on a play?”

    All the ministers and nobles were stunned for a moment, then their glances shifted to the origin of the spiritual message.

    The speaker was clad in armor, but his complexion was pale and his body insubstantial, even the Qi Transformation cultivation that he possessed seemed unstable—in stark contrast to all the other ministers.

    Marquis Haichang, Zhao Yuanlun, was one of the high-ranking nobles with real power in Great Xia, a noble family with a three-thousand-year heritage.

    And Zhao Yuanlun held another identity—that of the sister’s husband of the current Crown Prince, his sister being the Crown Princess Consort.

    On seeing that it was Zhao Yuanlun, everyone immediately revealed a look of understanding, their eyes filled with undisguised disdain.

    Despite his prestigious status, Zhao Yuanlun was known in the Imperial Capital as the epitome of a profligate son, thus, it was within reason for him to utter such thoughtless speech.

    Prime Minister Wenn, the leader of the three Excellencies, spoke outright:

    “How did such an intelligent and valiant Marquis Haichang, and a Crown Princess Consort so gentle and virtuous, end up with a descendent like you, who is such an imbecile?”

    Zhao Yuanlun, taken aback, instinctively wanted to lash out in retort, but when he realized that the speaker of the spiritual message was none other than Prime Minister Wenn, he swallowed the words he was about to spit out.

    Prime Minister Wenn, the leader of the three Excellencies with students and former officials all over the world, second only to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s Superintendent, is a figure even the Crown Prince did not dare to offend, let alone an entitled second-generation heir like him.

    Yet, defiance still shone in Zhao Yuanlun’s eyes, as though he believed his statement was without fault.