The opportunity for advancement? Zhao Douan was stunned, his heart skipped a beat at that moment: "Is Your Majesty speaking of... advancing to the Worldly Realm?"
Along the way, countless days and nights, he thought of quickly advancing.
Yet everything in this world carries its own pattern; haste makes waste, as they say. In this realm, the "Worldly" realm, considered within any faction, is indeed an absolute "master."
After all, there are only four Heavenly Humans on the surface.
Therefore, although he's stuck at the Divine Chapter bottleneck, wanting to truthfully cross this final step is incredibly difficult.
"Yes," in the peasant's small room, the Empress, dressed simply in a ru skirt and styled with ordinary women's hair, walked excitedly around the room, her eyes bright as she explained:
"To cross the Great Realm, there are generally several ways. The first is the meticulous effort, the cultivation day by day, the accumulation over years leading to a natural breakthrough."
No...I lack time; meticulous effort doesn't suit me...Zhao Douan frowned.
Xu Zhenguan continued to elaborate eloquently:
"The second is to break through in the face of life and death.
For example, Ma Yan, back in the Xuanmen Coup, when he was cut by several blades, almost facing death, was able to break through...But this method has a high failure rate, hence few but madmen would use it."
Indeed, I wouldn't use it either, since the success rate isn't high, what if one dies...Zhao Douan nodded.
"The third method is enlightenment, triggering celestial phenomena. Like when you transitioned from a mortal to the Divine Chapter, Eunuch Hai brought you—using this method, but...it relies on chance and is indefinable."
Xu Zhenguan sighed softly, saying:
"As for the fourth method, it involves using special Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to aid in the breakthrough.
However, such treasures are extremely rare. The Yin Yang Tree you described is among them, which has appeared several times in history, but was lost, unexpectedly landing in that Demon Path's hands!"
Zhao Douan's breath tightened: "Your Majesty, please tell me more!"
Xu Zhenguan, with a smile, said:
"This Yin Yang Tree must be planted by the fountain, nurtured by the earth's spring to blossom and bear fruit.
Based on your description, vibrant crimson flows through the leaves, indicating this object has been nurtured over years, amassing considerable 'medicinal power.' As long as one submerges in that spring water, breathing deeply, one can use this strange object to break through the bottleneck...
However, the tree's crimson radiance will constantly be consumed. Once it is absorbed completely, it can't be used until it continues to be planted for at least another ten years to restore somewhat..."
"Now it seems reasonable why that Demon Path chose this location for the treasure vault. Around Baihua Village, where flowers and plants thrive, the water and soil are exceptional, and using the earth's spring water to nurture it is fitting."
Zhao Douan listened increasingly excitedly:
"If this Yin Yang Tree is so magical, Your Majesty were to go into the spring water..."
Xu Zhenguan chuckled wryly: "Such strange objects are at most effective for entering the Worldly realm. For me, they are useless."
Oh, indeed, if this thing could push into Heavenly Human, that old Taoist would have used it long ago, wouldn't have bothered to hide it...Zhao Douan wasn't too disappointed:
"Doesn't this mean I can use it to break through?"
"Certainly!" Xu Zhenguan was invigorated: "If you can break through, the journey back to the Capital becomes much more secure!"
Yet Zhao Douan's eyes remained fixed on the Empress before him, unblinking.
The two locked eyes, the orange candle light swaying, with dogs barking gently outside, serene and quiet.
The atmosphere suddenly became strange!
Because both the ruler and the minister remembered the "alternative plan" they joked about before the Sealing!
If the Sealing fails, there's also Dual Cultivation, which could attempt to help the Empress break through to Heavenly Human again.
Originally, because Zhao Douan was stuck at a bottleneck, this plan was unfeasible, but the appearance of the Yin Yang Tree brought a turning point!
The court doesn't lack a Worldly realm, so Zhao Douan's breakthrough isn't significantly important.
With both at the same level, they can utilize "Dragon Essence" for dual cultivation, which is strategically valuable!
If dual cultivation succeeds, the Empress need not return to the Capital to regain her peak.
This is the best method to turn the tide and stabilize the chaotic situation of the Eight Princes' Rebellion.
"Your Majesty... I..." Zhao Douan instinctively moved closer, nearly able to feel each other's breaths.
Xu Zhenguan's cheeks suddenly flushed, her gaze evasive.
At that moment, Zhao Douan's ear twitched, and he stepped to the door, pulling it open quickly!
"Ah!"
Unbeknownst to him, a 'phony girl,' with twin braids and a bit of baby fat, cute and innocent, fell backward onto her hinds.
"Lily?" Zhao Douan looked dumbly at the eavesdropping little girl, amusement mixed with helplessness:
"What are you doing?"
The mischievous little girl peeked inside from the door crack, her thumbs motioning together, with exaggerated expressions:
"I came out to pee, saw brother and sister like this... Dad and mom are like this too..."
"..." Zhao Douan.
"..." Xu Zhenguan.
Almost forgotten, their shadows would reflect on the window paper.
"Lily? Come back now! Don't disturb our guests' rest!"
Liu Wangshi came out draped in clothes upon hearing this, and the man, Liu Qi, and she both blushed, awkwardly scraping their toes.
They awkwardly but politely smiled at the ruler and minister, pulling the little girl back into the house.
The phony girl protested: "Brother and sister aren't resting, they're about to...oo...oo..."
Bam!
Once the Liu family's trio closed the door, Zhao Douan turned back with a smile, seeing Xu Zhenguan seated sideways on the round stool by the table.