Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Inside the treasury, it was filled with gold, stones, and jade, just like four years ago.

Over the years, the Emperor had found better quality jade stones. Discovering that there had been no change in the treasury since the appearance of a certain jade thumb ring, he replaced them with more potent jade, leaving their position unchanged.

The replaced jade stones were prepared for activating the formation.

Xie Qingfeng's sacrifice for the country had consumed a large amount of jade stones. Although Daozhang and others were not low in cultivation, their talents couldn’t compare to Xie Qingfeng’s, making the activation of the formation even more challenging.

Fortunately, after four years, they found a shortcut that could achieve the desired effect, but they were uncertain about its success.

Daozhang and the others were already seated in a circle around the formation, according to the original plan.

Daozhang looked up at the Emperor, whose silence and authority had deepened over four years. The Emperor’s quietly lowered gaze exuded a natural dignity, enhancing the sternness and solemnity of his features.

Although they knew this day would come since four years ago, Daozhang still couldn’t bear to watch the Emperor take such a risk: "Your Majesty, have you thought this through? Even if we can activate the formation together and connect to the world where our junior brother now resides, our cultivation is not as advanced as his. Besides, junior brother had a unique talent and a fate that thrived in adversity. Your Majesty, on the other hand, is different. All kinds of possibilities may arise; you might end up like junior brother, with your body disintegrated into ashes, yet your soul still unable to cross over..."

Daozhang couldn’t continue, but everyone present understood the implications.

The other Daozhangs exchanged glances, remaining silent. They had advised him many times over the past four years, but the Emperor was resolute. Now, it was up to the eldest Daozhang to make the final plea, fulfilling their duty of loyalty to their sovereign.

The rest was left to fate.

The Jing Emperor was calm and resolute: "Once I have made a decision, I am prepared to face any risk."

The others sighed softly, choosing not to say more.

The Senior Daoist Master outlined the gravest possibility and then shared the other potential outcomes: “Apart from the risk of failure affecting both body and soul, there are three other possibilities if the array is successfully activated.”

“First, the Emperor’s body might turn to dust like the young disciple, while his soul successfully travels to the other world, but only existing as a spirit.”

“Second, the Emperor’s body disintegrates, and his soul, upon reaching the other world, occupies a recently deceased body. Then, the Emperor would have to live as that person, regardless of their gender, age, or health…”

The Senior Daoist Master hesitated, the thought of the Emperor’s current prestigious status and appearance changing so drastically was hard to articulate.

Sighing, he shared the last, most successful but improbable possibility. A month ago, he had divined for the Jing Emperor, finding only two optimal dates: one was today, the other ten years later.

The Jing Emperor chose today.

“The final possibility is what we most hope for, yet it's so rare that it might only happen once in centuries.” He laid out the details so clearly, hoping to prepare the Jing Emperor mentally for the less favorable outcomes.

The Emperor Jing had already reached the shelf. He picked up two jade rings, wearing one on his thumb and clutching the other tightly in his palm. He returned to the presence of the Taoist priests, resolutely entering the formation and sitting cross-legged, lifting his robe: "What's the last kind?"

The senior Taoist priest gazed at the indifferent man inside the array, sighing silently as if the one facing a life-or-death situation wasn't himself: "With the right time, place, and people, we can only help the emperor calculate the time and place. Now, not only do we need a chance, but also the right people. What does this mean? Someone whose birth chart is identical to the emperor’s, even down to the age and appearance. Moreover, that person must be willing to leave their own time and space, achieving a perfect match. At that moment, the emperor must also harbor such a thought. Using the array, their intentions will switch, and the emperor will become him, while the other will come here."

But such a possibility is almost unthinkable, requiring a perfect coincidence of everything. If it was just any other world, the chances might be higher, but the emperor specifically wants to go to the junior brother’s world.

Just finding someone of the same age and with the emperor's appearance...

Emperor Jing, having heard this, was the calmest among those present, gazing at the senior Taoist priest and gently rubbing the jade thumb ring in his palm: "I accept, regardless of life or death."

What else could the senior Taoist priest and others do? They exchanged glances, closed their eyes, and started to activate the array, waiting for the right moment.

***

The next morning, the Zhang family's driver came to the hotel to pick people up.

Xie Qingfeng and Hao Jixin got into the car, arriving at an old house not too far from the hotel after an hour and a half.

The car drove directly in, stopping after about fifteen minutes in front of a serene courtyard.

The antique-looking house, located right in the center of the estate, was tranquil and rustic, but could only be described as luxurious.

If Hao Jixin didn't have to maintain his master's reputation, he would have really liked to take out his phone to snap pictures and share them on social media, or even live stream the visit, but such actions would be disrespectful without the host's permission.

Speaking of live streaming, Hao Jixin remembered that he hadn't been online for many days since meeting his master.

But it didn't matter... his master was the most important, and his streaming was just a casual hobby.

Xie Qingfeng and Hao Jixin were the earliest to arrive and were first welcomed into the courtyard, led through several corridors before finally stopping outside a guest hall, where they were respectfully ushered in.

There was no hint of skepticism about their young age; throughout, they were treated with utmost courtesy and politeness.

After being served tea and asked to wait for a moment, Hao Jixin sat there, looking around in amazement.

Although the Hao family was wealthy, they were nouveau riche who had only risen to affluence in recent years, unaccustomed to such grandeur.

He had initially thought the Zhang family might look down on them due to their youth and had mentally prepared for various cold responses, but it turned out he was overly concerned.

It was truly fitting for the Zhang family; no wonder their family business had stood strong for a century.

After looking around, Hao Jixin turned his attention to Xie Qingfeng, and seeing the master sipping tea calmly with downcast eyes, he tried to mimic him.

He patted his face, feeling the need to not disgrace himself, and observed his master, who maintained an unwavering focus throughout.

Xie Qingfeng wasn't truly indifferent; he had glanced around upon arrival. Although the place had some age, having lived in the palace for many years and seen grander and more majestic buildings, he found this quite ordinary and felt no need to give it a second look.

Soon, five of the other six renowned experts arrived.

These five individuals, summoned from various places, seemed unfamiliar with each other but had heard of each other’s reputations and quickly started greeting one another.

Among them were three Taoist priests and two Buddhist monks.

The three Taoist priests included an elderly man in his seventies, with white hair and beard, exuding an air of a sage, known as Daoist Bai.

Another, a bit plump and around fifty, was named Li; and the third, a skinny and tall man in his thirties, came in place of his master, surnamed Wang.

Both Buddhist monks were over fifty, exhibiting an aura of high virtue and respect.

With their arrival, it became apparent that they were indeed the youngest there, not even in their twenties.

One was eighteen, and the other was just a month shy of twenty.

After the five had greeted each other, they noticed two people were missing.

"Why haven't the other two friends arrived?" The youngest among them, Daoist Wang, curiously asked, eventually turning his gaze to Xie Qingfeng and his companion, wondering if they could be the ones but feeling doubtful.

The elderly Daoist Bai spoke gently, "Daoist Cui arrived at the Zhang family last night and should appear later with Elder Zhang."

The 'Daoist Cui' he mentioned must be the master known to the Zhang family.

"And the other one?"

"Perhaps they haven't arrived yet..."

Hao Jixin, realizing they had to speak up, cleared his throat, "Actually, it’s us…" Despite his belief in Xie Qingfeng's abilities, their young age did seem to lack conviction.

As expected, their revelation caused the other five to look over in surprise, "You two... are representing your master?"

Hao Jixin quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, this is our Master Xie. His master is a reclusive expert who prefers not to be involved in worldly affairs, so he sent Master Xie in his stead. As for me, I'm just an assistant, here to take care of the master."

The five turned their attention to Xie Qingfeng, especially the exceptionally young and handsome one who looked more like a celebrity: Is he... even of age?

The five wore complex expressions, but considering the Zhang family had invited them, they must have some abilities, right? Even if this young man didn't, his master certainly must be formidable.

The plump Daoist asked curiously, "May I know the name of your esteemed master?"

Hao Jixin promptly raised his hand, "Our master has long retired from worldly matters and prefers to remain anonymous."

Seeing their reluctance to elaborate, the five had no choice but to suppress their curiosity.

Perhaps... they just looked young? After all, their composed demeanor was not to be underestimated.

But any lingering doubts were set aside when they were informed that Elder Zhang was slightly delayed with some matters, so the butler personally led them to the dining hall for breakfast, insisting they eat first.

The butler prepared an exceptionally lavish breakfast for everyone.

Perhaps out of concern for not being hospitable enough, there was a wide variety, each serving small, allowing guests to choose and keep a few items.

The first five esteemed guests, preoccupied with the reason the Zhang family had invited them, had little appetite and only kept a few items.

However, when it came to Xie Qingfeng, having cultivated the night before and woken up early, he was genuinely hungry.

Seeing that each portion was small, he decided to keep them all.

Hao Jixin followed suit, keeping everything as well.

Once everyone had left, the spacious room, capable of seating over twenty people, sparsely seated just seven.

In front of the five guests were only a few items, while Xie Qingfeng and Hao Jixin had their plates full.

The contrast was quite stark.

Initially preoccupied with wondering about Elder Zhang's issues, the five esteemed guests spent the next hour watching the two alleged 'disciples of a high personage' continuously eat.

So... were they really here for serious matters?

Just as the five were lost in thought, Xie Qingfeng and Hao Jixin finally finished eating. At that moment, the butler hurriedly came in, "The master is occupied with matters; please follow me."

Everyone immediately got up and headed outside, with Xie Qingfeng and Hao Jixin following behind.

As the group hurried along, Xie Qingfeng suddenly felt his heart throb and his spiritual energy stir, especially a brief but distinct sensation from the small treasury.