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Pointing to a nearby sandalwood chair, he said, "Have a seat."

Monk Qing Miao, though he had lived in seclusion in the mountains, had heard of Gu Changjin's deeds and knew that he was once an excellent official, now appearing to be a good emperor.

But wasn't Prince Qiyuan, in his former days, also a fine crown prince and successor? Yet, in the end, he had carelessly taken lives.

Monk Qing Miao studied Gu Changjin's face intently.

This man had a broad forehead and a natural air of righteousness between his brows – the features of a wise ruler.

"I've heard," Gu Changjin said coolly, "that the Qing Heng Sect has been devoted to researching the art of time reversal for centuries."

"Indeed, the Qing Heng Sect is a major school of sorcery. I dare say, when it comes to such demonic arts, no other Daoist sect in this world has delved into it besides ours," replied the white-bearded monk as his eyebrows moved without any wind. Gazing at Gu Changjin with profound eyes, he asked, "Does Your Majesty wish for this old monk's assistance?"

Gu Changjin lifted his gaze to meet the monk's, asking, "In what way can you assist me, Daoist Master?"

Monk Qing Miao stroked his long brows and answered, "If one wishes to turn back time, it must be due to regrets from the past. Your Majesty is the ruler of the land, wealthy beyond measure, revered by millions. Allow me to venture a guess: are you seeking to reverse time to save someone? If that's the case, and if Your Majesty aims to alter someone's destiny, the sorcery I have learned would surely prove useful."

Gu Changjin neither agreed nor denied this, simply looking at the old monk calmly, encouraging him to continue.

"Yet, any act against the heavens comes with a price. For instance, the former crown prince used to capture boys and girls to activate formations with their blood," Daoist Qing Miao's lips curled up slowly. His piercing eyes held a hint of mockery. "The former crown prince killed so many innocent children, but in the end, he was afraid. What about Your Majesty? How far are you willing to go?"

If Wang Dehai were here, he would undoubtedly reprimand with a disdainful "How audacious!"

But Gu Changjin's expression remained unchanged.

He looked at Daoist Qing Miao and said calmly, "Venerable Daoist, rest assured, I won't sacrifice the lives of the innocent for my own desires."

Hearing this, Daoist Qing Miao was initially taken aback before raising an eyebrow.

Indeed, even if this emperor wanted to use the blood of children to activate a formation, Qing Miao would never agree to it, even at the cost of his life.

Sixty years ago, the Qing Heng Sect was hunted down by various Daoist sects who claimed the methods researched by the Qing Heng Sect were demonic and disruptive to people's minds, not true Dao.

Their master had sacrificed himself to create a path to survival for him and his fellow disciple.

From then on, his junior brother Qing Ping's personality underwent a drastic change. He delved into sorcery with an unorthodox approach, caring only about results, not distinguishing between right and wrong. The two brothers supported each other for decades, but eventually, they parted ways.

Qing Ping first helped several noble figures in the capital alter their fates. Then, using these nobles' influence, he entered the Eastern Palace to teach the principles of Dao to Crown Prince Qiyuan, gradually becoming the most trusted person by Qiyuan.

Qing Miao knew what his junior apprentice brother aimed to do: revive the Qing Heng Sect and make all the Daoist sects see clearly that their pursuit was also the path of Zhaozhao's Great Way.

Fifty Great Ways, forty-nine derived from them.

Why did they believe that the Path of Time Reversal was not a Great Way but a demonic art?

Qing Miao was aware that his junior apprentice brother intended to use Prince Qiyuan for enlightenment, yet he had strayed from the right path.

Smiling, Daoist Qing Miao said, "If one wishes to defy heaven, how can there be no cost? Does His Majesty not intend to pay with his own life?"

Master Qing Miao waved his palm fan. "Though His Majesty is the ruler of the world, with an esteemed destiny, it would not be sufficient to use only His Majesty's life."

Gu Changjin spoke calmly, "In the Great Way that Daoist Master pursues, what else besides one's life can be offered as a trade?"

Daoist Qing Miao paused slightly in his fanning. "Is His Majesty truly willing to exchange anything?"

Gu Changjin hummed. "Whatever I possess, I am willing to part with."

Daoist Qing Miao put down his palm fan.

The man before him had a clear and resolute countenance, with bright and piercing eyes. It was said that a king never jests; his words just now had been genuine.

The old Daoist felt a rare spark of curiosity. What could a ruler at the pinnacle of power possibly yearn for?

"Have you thought this through, Your Majesty?" Qing Miao asked, his expression turning serious. "You have the appearance of a wise king. If you were to establish an enduring legacy, your virtuous deeds in this life would ensure that you remain the most esteemed person in the world in your next reincarnation, with a smooth life, a beautiful spouse, and harmonious children. But if you insist on defying the heavens, you might not even have the chance to be reborn."

Attempting to reverse time solely by one's own strength was nothing but a foolish dream.

Unless that person carried great virtue, willingly sacrificing their countless lifetimes in exchange.

And yet, even that might not be enough to secure it.

Gu Changjin cared not for the afterlife.

If someone were to ask him if he believed in reincarnation, in the possibility of resurrection after death, or that time could flow backward—his former self would undoubtedly say no.

He had always been a rational man, with no faith in deities, Buddha, or karma.

These words from the stranger before him kindled a spark of hope within him.

Such hope was rooted in her.

Because of her, he was willing to believe in the unimaginable.

Like resurrection from the dead.

Or time travel back.

He knew he was being delusional.

But this illusory hope was precisely what he needed now.

If there truly was a reincarnation, even if he became the most exalted person in the world, he would no longer be Gu Yunzhi, and she would not be Rong Zhaozhao.

What use would such a life after death serve?

All he desired was this present life, this era where Gu Yunzhi and Rong Zhaozhao existed together.

"What should I do?"

Qing Miao Daoist fell silent for a few breaths.

"The former Crown Prince Qiyuan was just one step away from completing the formation," said Qing Miao slowly, lifting his gaze. "To complete the formation, dragon qi is needed as its focal point. Your Majesty, do you know where the most abundant dragon qi resides in this world?"

"It's within your own flesh and blood, Your Majesty."

Qingping asked Crown Prince Qiyuan to use the barely alive Emperor Jiande as the focal point of the formation. While Crown Prince Qiyuan dared to harm innocent children, he did not dare to kill his own father.