We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 628: My Sect Master Is Waiting for Your Majesty

The next morning's court session.

Xiao Mo discussed the matter of the Confucian Academy with his officials.

Having heard the full account, the officials, too, found it nearly unbelievable.

They had already thought the terms offered by the Four Seas were extraordinary enough yet who could have imagined that the Confucian Academy, too, would favor the Zhou Kingdom?

For a moment, the officials looked at their own emperor with an entirely different regard.

"Could our own emperor truly be a once-in-a-millennium wise ruler? Could it be that, with His Majesty at the helm, the Zhou Kingdom's fortune is about to reach unprecedented heights?"

Beyond this explanation, the Zhou Kingdom's officials could think of no other reason at all but regardless, including Yan Zhen himself, every official felt the offer from the Confucian Academy should be accepted without hesitation.

After all, no matter how one looked at it, the Zhou Kingdom would pay no price whatsoever, this was entirely a one-sided gift from the Confucian Academy.

And maintaining good relations with the Confucian Academy would only benefit the Zhou Kingdom's own reputation, an opportunity other dynasties would eagerly seek but never obtain.

Xiao Mo, in truth, thought much the same.

Xiao Mo genuinely could not think of any reason to decline the Confucian Academy's offer.

It was simply that such generosity had come far too abruptly.

The very day the morning court session ended, Xiao Mo invited Shang Qi into the palace but just as Shang Qi arrived at the imperial study, and Xiao Mo was about to say "the Zhou Kingdom is willing to establish friendly relations with the Confucian Academy"...

Shang Qi spoke first, saying that the terms he had offered the day before were, in truth, rather modest.

He wished to return to the Confucian Academy first, to discuss the matter with the dean, and offer the Zhou Kingdom even better terms.

This left Xiao Mo utterly baffled.

Xiao Mo had encountered people who backed out of agreements at the last minute, tearing up treaties.

Xiao Mo had also encountered people who, having initially thought their offered price too high, tried to haggle when the moment came but he had never encountered someone who offered benefits proactively, then felt they hadn't given enough...

This felt rather like someone had held a blade to Shang Qi's throat the night before, threatening him to offer up even more but since the other party had spoken this way, what more could Xiao Mo do?

Naturally, he happily awaited the other party's further word.

Half a month passed without anyone quite noticing.

The Lord of the Four Seas, "Sizhu," had already departed. As the "Lord of the Four Seas," she truly could not remain indefinitely within another kingdom's capital but the Four Seas had left Yan Shuang behind within the Zhou Kingdom's capital, tasked with finalizing the alliance treaty with Xiao Mo.

In Xiao Mo's heart, he genuinely wished to sign an alliance with the Four Seas but before doing so, Xiao Mo needed to dissolve the Zhou Kingdom's vassal relationship with the Ten Thousand Swords Sect first.

And National Preceptor Jiang Rou had already left the palace, saying she needed to find her master, who traveled freely throughout the Four Seas, to arrange the details of her meeting with Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo, naturally, had no objection to this.

Only, once Jiang Rou had left, Xiao Mo found the harem seemed to have grown noticeably quieter.

Still, Xiao Mo felt genuine anticipation in his heart for the upcoming meeting with the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's master, Jiang Qingyi.

Though Xiao Mo still felt that everything was likely mere coincidence, that the Jiang Qingyi within the Book of a Hundred Lives and the real Ten Thousand Swords Sect master were not one and the same person yet Xiao Mo still felt uneasy, wanting to confirm it for himself.

"But what if the Ten Thousand Swords Sect master truly is Qingyi?"

This thought kept rising, again and again, within Xiao Mo's mind yet Xiao Mo found no answer within his own heart.

Perhaps, only by meeting her would he ever know...

And once Shang Qi of the Confucian Academy had left, Luo Yang did not depart.

Over the month following Shang Qi's departure, Luo Yang entered the palace numerous times, discussing swordsmanship with Xiao Mo, often sparring with him within the plaza before the imperial study's front hall.

Xiao Mo was, naturally, quite delighted by this.

With Jiang Rou gone, Xiao Mo had been worried about having no one to practice sword with and every individual's understanding of the Dao of the sword differed, every technique offering something valuable to learn.

Through his sparring sessions with Luo Yang, Xiao Mo genuinely gained considerable new insight.

The treatise on sword insight Luo Yang had given him proved genuinely excellent as well.

Xiao Mo found considerable enlightenment in reading through it.

And Xiao Mo felt an immediate rapport with Luo Yang, and after their sword practice, the two of them would drink together and chat, finding remarkable common ground, feeling as though they had known each other for a lifetime already.

It was through this that Xiao Mo learned that Luo Yang had, in fact, once belonged to the Confucian Academy, but had later been expelled from it.

As for the reason behind Luo Yang's expulsion from the Confucian Academy, Xiao Mo did not ask.

After all, everyone held their own secrets, and there was no need to pry too deeply but Xiao Mo knew that Luo Yang had traveled extensively throughout the world, even journeying to the demon race's territory, residing there for many years.

This left Xiao Mo genuinely curious, and he asked Luo Yang about the differences between the demon race's territory and the Ten Thousand Laws Realm, whether there were any particular customs unique to it.

Did the demon race there appear beast-like, or did they retain some human characteristics as well?

"Within our Ten Thousand Laws Realm, customs vary from village to village. This is even more true within the demon race's territory."

Facing Xiao Mo's questions, Luo Yang answered with a smile.

"Every dynasty, tribe, and clan within the demon race's territory has its own customs, and every race, too, maintains its own way of life."

"As for appearance, that depends largely on a demon's cultivation level. Generally speaking, the higher a demon's cultivation level, the more they resemble an ordinary human. But regardless, demons will always retain some trace of their beast-like characteristics, as a means of distinction."

"I see." Within the imperial study, Xiao Mo poured himself a cup of wine. "How do the beauties of the demon race compare with our own human race, then? Are they more open and wild, perhaps?"

"Well, each has its own particular charm."

Luo Yang smiled, seemingly finding some genuine interest in the topic, after all, regardless of one's identity or cultivation level, beautiful women remained an eternal topic among men.

"The women of the demon race's territory are, indeed, considerably wilder, though not entirely so. Take, for instance, women of the cat clan. Though they possess a certain temperamental quality, they're extraordinarily gentle and tender as well. Whereas women of the tiger clan, most men simply cannot handle them, cannot keep up with them at all."

"I've heard that there's a beauty within the demon race's territory, one such as appears perhaps once in ten thousand years?" Xiao Mo asked once more.

"Indeed. The current foremost beauty throughout the demon race's territory is that ruler of the Nine-Tailed Kingdom, said to be utterly enchanting to all who behold her, so that anyone who catches even a single glimpse of her could never forget it for the rest of their life. This ruler's cultivation level, moreover, is at the Ascension realm, her territory vast beyond measure, with countless vassal kingdoms and sects."

"Oh, and what of her husband, then? What kind of man could possibly earn the favor of such a woman? He must be quite extraordinary indeed." Xiao Mo asked with curiosity.

Luo Yang shook his head, “This ruler of the Nine-Tailed Kingdom has never married."

"Never married." Xiao Mo felt a note of surprise. "Though, come to think of it, that makes sense. This ruler's standards must be extraordinarily high, and I suppose no man has ever managed to catch her eye."

"..."

Hearing Xiao Mo's words, Luo Yang found himself, for a moment, at a loss for words, only looking at Xiao Mo silently.

"What is it, Brother Luo?" Xiao Mo asked.

"Nothing." Luo Yang smiled faintly. "Come, let's drink."

"Let's drink."

Xiao Mo raised his cup, draining it in one go.

Time passed, day by day, and before anyone quite noticed, another month had gone by.

During this period of sword practice with Luo Yang, Xiao Mo felt his own cultivation within the Cave Mansion realm showing faint signs of an early breakthrough.

Luo Yang, too, found himself surprised at the pace of Xiao Mo's cultivation advancement and so he began deliberately restraining his own cultivation level to the early stage of the Dragon Gate realm, ceaselessly feeding Xiao Mo challenging techniques to practice against.

Another month passed.

Xiao Mo was now merely a single step away from the Dragon Gate realm.

"I have traveled extensively throughout this world, visiting countless places, meeting countless people, and yet those who could surpass Your Majesty number, at most, no more than five."

This day, once the two of them had finished sparring, Luo Yang said to Xiao Mo with genuine reflection.

"I suspect that, within no more than two months' time, Your Majesty will surely break through into the Dragon Gate realm."

"Then I'll take your auspicious words to heart, Brother Luo." Xiao Mo took a deep breath, settling the sword-qi swirling around him.

In truth, Xiao Mo, too, sensed that within a month, he would likely break through into the Dragon Gate realm.

"But it's a pity that I likely won't be able to witness the moment Your Majesty breaks through into the Dragon Gate realm." Luo Yang bowed. "This time will likely be my last practicing sword alongside Your Majesty."

"Oh? Are you leaving, Brother Luo?" Xiao Mo asked.

"Indeed." Luo Yang nodded. "In truth, my coming to the Zhou Kingdom this time was also with the intention of establishing a sect here myself, founding my own school of thought. I wonder if Your Majesty would grant permission for this?"

"Of course!" Xiao Mo's eyes lit up. "Should Brother Luo establish a sect within the Zhou Kingdom, that would truly be Great Zhou's own good fortune!"

Xiao Mo agreed at once.

Though he did not know Luo Yang's true cultivation level.

Anyone capable of founding their own sect could not possibly hold a low cultivation level, surely at least the Nascent Soul realm and with the sect established within Great Zhou, its founder would surely prioritize recruiting disciples from among Great Zhou's own common people, thereby further strengthening the kingdom's own fortune.

Xiao Mo could ask for nothing better.

"My thanks to Your Majesty." Having received Xiao Mo's permission, Luo Yang bowed once more, solemnly.

"It is I who should thank Brother Luo instead." Xiao Mo looked at Luo Yang, a note of reluctance in his eyes. "Since Brother Luo is about to depart, I must hold a banquet, to see you off properly! Brother Luo, don't you dare decline!"

"Since Your Majesty insists, I shall drink myself to oblivion with Your Majesty!" Luo Yang said with a smile. "Though, might we drink outside the palace instead? No officials present, please, I'm not particularly skilled at formal socializing."

"Ha ha ha, just the two of us, then. Brother Luo, please."

"After you, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Mo and Luo Yang left the palace together, calling upon his wife Wang Yue as well, heading to the largest tavern in the Zhou Kingdom's capital for a farewell drink.

The next day, Luo Yang formally bid Xiao Mo farewell.

Xiao Mo personally saw Luo Yang out of the city.

Luo Yang promised that once he found a blessed cave-heaven suitable for establishing his sect, he would send word to Xiao Mo immediately.

Xiao Mo, in turn, gave Luo Yang a jade token, with which he could call upon local officials for assistance whenever needed.

Once Luo Yang had left, Xiao Mo began attempting his breakthrough into the Dragon Gate realm.

To Xiao Mo, advancing his cultivation level was not merely about establishing himself more firmly within this world.

With each advancement in cultivation level, the strength of Xiao Mo's soul grew as well and with this, the memories held within the Book of a Hundred Lives would gradually unlock further.

Should everything within the Book of a Hundred Lives prove to be real then, with these memories, Xiao Mo felt he might handle matters considerably better going forward.

Of course, Xiao Mo still hoped the Book of a Hundred Lives was not playing such an enormous joke on him.

"ROAR!"

One day, a resonant dragon's roar echoed through the rear palace of the Zhou Kingdom's imperial grounds.

Above the Dao Inquiry Platform, the fortune of mountains and rivers intertwined with Xiao Mo's own spiritual energy, at last condensing into a golden dragon, coiling ceaselessly through the sky.

Ripple after ripple of spiritual energy shook outward, centered upon the Dao Inquiry Platform.

As the golden dragon gradually dissolved, Xiao Mo slowly opened his eyes.

"So this is the Dragon Gate realm."

Xiao Mo turned his awareness inward, examining his own body.

Whether in quality or quantity, his spiritual energy now far exceeded what he had possessed at the Cave Mansion realm.

The Dragon Gate realm.

The carp leaping through the Dragon Gate, nothing could capture it better.

[The host has reached the Dragon Gate realm, the strength of the soul has increased, capable of carrying more memories. The host's memories of the second and third lives within the Book of a Hundred Lives will gradually unlock.]

[However, to protect the host's soul, these memories will initially remain somewhat hazy. Various factors within reality may accelerate the unlocking of the host's memories. Please be mindful of the burden this places upon the host's soul.]

Just as Xiao Mo was still sensing the realm he had achieved within his body, the voice of the Book of a Hundred Lives rose within his mind.

Right after, Xiao Mo felt a searing pain shoot through his head.

"Xiao Mo..."

"Xiao Mo..."

Beside Xiao Mo's ears, a voice both unfamiliar and yet strangely familiar called out his name ceaselessly.

Right after, within Xiao Mo's mind, the image of an injured, frail little white snake rose up.

Before long, the little white snake vanished, replaced by the hazy figure of a young girl.

The girl gradually grew up, blossoming into a graceful young woman.

She stood within a courtyard, raising her head, gazing outward, staring fixedly down the single narrow path leading to the courtyard.

Waiting for someone, though who, he could not say...

"Whew..."

An incense stick's time later, the pain in Xiao Mo's head gradually eased, and he drew a deep breath.

Xiao Mo felt as though he had just experienced a dream.

Now awake, he seemed to remember that dream, and yet, at the same time, could recall nothing of it at all.

It was like a well filled with water, yet covered over with silt and sand. Should that silt be cleared away, the water would surely come gushing forth.

"Your Majesty..."

Sili's voice came from beyond the Dao Inquiry Platform.

"Come in." Xiao Mo rose to his feet, straightening his robes.

Sili pushed open the platform's door, hurrying to Xiao Mo's side, “Reporting to Your Majesty, that young woman from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect named Qiuye has arrived, wishing to see Your Majesty. She is waiting outside the gate."

"Qiuye?"

Xiao Mo thought for a moment, recalling that when Elder Huang of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect had once visited the Zhou Kingdom, he had brought along two disciples on their training journey, one of whom, it seemed, had indeed been named Qiuye.

"Quickly, invite Miss Qiuye in." Xiao Mo said.

"Yes."

Sili bowed, withdrawing.

"Qiuye greets Your Majesty!"

Before long, Ten Thousand Swords Sect disciple Qiuye walked into the Dao Inquiry Platform with easy confidence, bowing while embracing her sword.

Looking at the man before her, Qiuye felt no small measure of astonishment in her heart.

The last time Qiuye had seen Xiao Mo, he had been nothing more than an ordinary mortal yet who could have known.

Under the great Dao's law that "an emperor's cultivation cannot exceed the Foundation Building realm," this ruler of such a small kingdom had, remarkably, reached the Dragon Gate realm.

And having just witnessed the unusual phenomena and the intense sword-qi accompanying his breakthrough upon her arrival at the palace, she already understood that this emperor's mastery of the Dragon Gate realm was surely no ordinary achievement either.

"There's no need for such formality, Miss Qiuye." Xiao Mo smiled genially. "I wonder what business brings Miss Qiuye here?"

"Might I ask if Your Majesty has some free time these days? Might Your Majesty be able to leave the Zhou Kingdom?" Qiuye looked at Xiao Mo, asking earnestly.

"What does Miss Qiuye mean by this?" Xiao Mo's brow furrowed slightly, already sensing, vaguely, what she might be about to say.

"My own sect master is already waiting for Your Majesty, at Black Bee City."

Qiuye spoke slowly, word by word.

"I ask that Your Majesty accompany me there."