In front of a majestic hall located in the eastern part of Yunfang City.
This hall was named Yunruo Palace, personally bestowed by the Great Zhou Emperor during Ning Tiance and Zhou Minruo's grand wedding.
Rumors said that this legitimate eldest princess of Great Zhou had suffered a severe injury in her childhood, resulting in the complete destruction of her heart meridians, and she preferred quiet.
Therefore, this palace appeared somewhat colder and more deserted compared to the other ancient halls in Yunfang City.
Of course, some also said that although the eldest princess was married to the War God Ning, their married life was not harmonious.
Whether it was War God Ning's physical inadequacy or some other deficiency in certain aspects remained unknown.
But in any case, this magnificent ancient hall seemed shrouded in an aura of decline.
"Who goes there?" Only when Ling Xiao approached the palace gates did two armored guards stop him.
"This humble Daoist comes from the Eastern Land. Seeing auspicious signs rising above this palace, yet shrouded by black clouds, I wish to meet the master of this palace and guide her to enlightenment." Ling Xiao smiled faintly, his voice deliberately low and hoarse, his entire being exuding an ethereal, immortal Daoist charm that seemed somewhat transcendent.
Ultimately, regardless of why Ning Tiance lived in obscurity here, he must have accumulated some resentment over all these years.
What Ling Xiao needed to do was precisely to stimulate that resentment, to make him completely break with Great Zhou.
Only then would there be benefits to reap.
As for Ning'er...
He had roughly guessed what Zhou Minruo was scheming, but some things still needed verification.
When the time came, husband and wife would turn against each other, and great things could be accomplished.
"An itinerant Daoist?" The two guards exchanged a glance, both revealing a trace of mockery in their eyes.
"You have three breaths to get lost. Otherwise, we'll send you to the west!"
Hearing this, Ling Xiao wasn't surprised at all.
After all, the path of immortality was complex, and human hearts were unfathomable.
Most of the Daoists who entered the world nowadays claimed they could divine fate, but how many truly had the ability?
Wasn't it all... relying on a glib tongue?
"Hmph." Ling Xiao frowned slightly. The immortal mist on his face grew radiant. Although not a trace of aura emanated from his body, a terrifying imposing manner descended like heaven itself, instantly causing the two guards to change their expressions.
Just kidding!
Although his cultivation was at the Divine General Realm, his soul had already reached the level of a Divine Emperor.
Moreover, with the Soul-Devouring Ghost Pearl and the Primordial Pangu Stone anchoring his Soul Sea, his soul pressure inherently contained a hint of supreme artistic conception.
"Divine Emperor!!!" Sure enough, feeling that terrifying heavenly might that made their hearts tremble, the two guards nearly knelt on the spot.
"Go tell your master that this humble Daoist can cure her heart ailment. If she misses today, all methods will come to nothing." Ling Xiao's voice held an authority that brooked no doubt.
The two guards finally didn't dare hesitate. One of them split off and rushed madly into the palace.
Divine Emperor experts, whether in the Eastern or Western Frontier, stood at the pinnacle of heaven and earth.
Even the Great Zhou Emperor would surely receive them with courtesy.
After all, who would complain about having more powerful experts under their command?
Such individuals would definitely not deceive the world for spiritual treasures, opportunities, gold, silver, or spirit stones.
So, what this Daoist said might be true.
"Sir, the Princess requests your presence!" Soon, when the armored warrior returned to the front of the hall, his face already bore a look of respect.
But Ling Xiao didn't even glance at him, stepping directly into the palace.
The demeanor of a supreme expert was fully displayed.
"Ning Tiance, how many times have I told you! Ning'er is physically weak and must not be exposed to slaughter and blood aura. How much blood is on your hands? Do you want to harm our Ning'er?"
"Slap!!" A sharp slapping sound suddenly came from the main hall in the distance.
"Ruo'er, it's been ten years. I haven't seen Ning'er for ten years. Can't I just look at her from afar?" Ning Tiance's voice was strangely subdued.
"Hmph, as long as Ning'er's health isn't fully recovered for a single day, don't even think about seeing her! Ning Tiance, I truly can't understand. Since you care for Ning'er so much, why won't you hand over that immortal warfare art to Father Emperor? Now our Great Zhou's national situation is unstable, the borders are reporting crises repeatedly. Do you really want to watch Great Zhou perish?"
"Ruo'er, how many times have I told you! I don't have any immortal warfare art! Why won't you believe me!"
"Hehe, fine then! Think it over yourself! I think you just miss the border, your killing intent hasn't been eradicated at all! The imperial physician said people like you are most likely to frighten Ning'er. Get out! Don't harm my daughter!!"
"Alas..." A long sigh, containing myriad bitterness.
Immediately after, Ning Tiance's figure walked out of the hall and headed towards the rear palace.
But the moment he turned, his expression suddenly froze.
He saw Ling Xiao standing in the distance, looking at him with a seemingly smiling, yet not quite smiling, expression.
Although the latter's face was veiled by immortal mist, making it hard to see clearly, he... felt somewhat familiar.
In the end, Ning Tiance didn't say anything more and left.
In this Yunruo Palace, he was nominally the master, but he was no different from a prisoner.
But he didn't blame Zhou Minruo.
Because he knew his wife was also forced into this.
Born into the imperial clan, a woman's marriage was merely a matter of vested interests.
Moreover, Zhou Minruo's heart meridian injury was originally suffered for his sake.
In this life, he had not failed the Emperor's grace, not failed the common people, not failed his generals, but he had unfortunately failed this beautiful woman.
So, he was willing to stay by her side, laying down all his glory.
"Princess, the old immortal elder has arrived!" The guard bowed, not entering the hall.
"Old immortal elder?" Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly. You want me to believe that if I remove the mist from my face, it wouldn't scare you to death?
"Come in." A weak female voice came from the hall, seeming to contain countless worries.
Ling Xiao smiled faintly and stepped into the hall. He saw a woman in golden robes, with a sickly yet charming face, sitting quietly in the center of the main hall.
Although not a trace of aura emanated from her, she unconsciously exuded an imperial majesty.
This was a... very ambitious woman.
With just one glance, Ling Xiao discerned Zhou Minruo's temperament.
"The old immortal elder comes from the Eastern Land?" At this moment, she also looked at Ling Xiao with interest. White clothes, Daoist charm—he did have the bearing of an immortal.
"Princess, it seems you have some troubling matters on your mind?" Ling Xiao nodded calmly, suddenly extending a finger and lightly pinching and twisting it.
"Hmm, your fate is not long. You were destined to be a female emperor, wholly devoted to the court, yet you will not meet a good end."
"Oh?" Hearing Ling Xiao's soliloquy, a look of astonishment instantly flashed in Zhou Minruo's eyes.
But it quickly calmed down again.
"Hehe, immortal elder, you jest. I am merely a woman, afflicted with an incurable disease. How could I possess the bearing of an emperor? Now, this princess only hopes to live peacefully. Living a moment longer is already a blessing."
"The princess is overly pessimistic. Your child is not by your side, is she?" Ling Xiao suddenly laughed, instantly causing a flicker of killing intent to appear in Zhou Minruo's eyes.
"Oh? What does the immortal elder mean by that? My daughter, Ning'er, is right here in this palace. Could it be... the immortal miscalculated?"
"I have heard that Great Zhou possesses a heavy treasure called the Imperial Vein Spirit Jin, bestowed upon you by the Great Zhou Emperor to accompany you. If the princess can part with it, this humble Daoist cannot only prolong the princess's life but might also help the princess obtain that thing you desire." Ling Xiao shook his head and smiled, his tone extremely calm.
The best hunter, of course, disguises himself as the prey.
Being desireless and wanting nothing instead easily makes people wary.
As for the Imperial Vein Spirit Jin, he didn't care about it at all.
What he cared about... was gaining the trust of the princess before him.