"Brother Canghai, I'm planning a trip," the Shura Emperor said suddenly.
"Oh? Where are you headed, Brother?"
"The Imperishable Celestial Capital." The Shura Emperor paused. "Some time ago, the Master of the Celestial Capital sent me a formal invitation card. I've been pondering the Master's intentions ever since, but I simply cannot figure them out."
"Oh? There's such a thing?" Emperor Canghai was taken aback. "Where is the invitation?"
The Shura Emperor flicked his sleeve, and a formal invitation card appeared in Emperor Canghai's hand. Emperor Canghai took it and read it, but his brows furrowed. "The tone of this invitation is sincere enough, but there's no real substance to it. It only invites you to visit the Celestial Capital — what do you suppose it means?"
The Shura Emperor said flatly, "I've been scratching my head over it too. But there doesn't seem to be any ill will in the invitation."
Emperor Canghai mused for a moment. "Brother, given your current situation, it's difficult to gain much leverage within Liuli Royal City. Perhaps stepping outside could indeed bring some pleasant surprises."
"That's true. Perhaps it really is time to change my approach. Oh, and Brother Canghai — now that the Panlong Patriarch has ascended to the rank of Emperor, there will certainly be a grand celebration. I have no desire to attend, so I plan to leave within the next day or two. When that time comes, just tell people I've already gone off wandering." The Shura Emperor was in no mood to attend the Panlong Emperor's coronation festivities.
Emperor Canghai understood the Shura Emperor's sentiments well enough. "Don't worry, Brother. Leave all of that to me."
……
The Panlong Patriarch's ascension to the rank of Emperor, the opening of his new mountain gate, the establishment of his dojo, along with the coronation ceremony and various celebratory events — it all took a full month or two before things settled into a proper routine.
The emergence of a new Emperor-level power was no small matter. Without decades or even centuries of accumulated heritage, it was nearly impossible to immediately stand on equal footing with other Great Emperors.
But having ascended to the rank of Emperor, the Panlong Emperor's say in matters had grown enormously. Even if he couldn't yet sit at the table as a true equal, there was no question that he had gained a voice that could no longer be ignored.
That was something no one could erase.
Having ascended to the rank of Emperor, the Panlong Emperor's dojo could no longer be established within the city of Liuli Royal City — it had to be set up somewhere far more secluded. However, the Panlong Great Clan's estate, serving as a transitional base for the Panlong Emperor, had not yet been dismantled.
After attending the Panlong Emperor's coronation ceremony, Jiang Chen prepared to depart for Pill Fire City.
The Young Master's manor still could not do without Huang'er's management. So this trip to Pill Fire City, Jiang Chen decided to go alone.
"Huang'er, the Young Master's manor can't function without your stewardship. Besides, if Elder Shun returns from the Abyssal Islands, he'll come to Liuli Royal City. You're staying here at the Peacock Sacred Mountain — I'm afraid I've put you through an inconvenience."
Huang'er was a woman of great understanding. She knew full well that apart from herself, no one else at the Young Master's manor was truly capable of managing such a sprawling household.
Whether it was Gouyu or Xue Tong, though both were clever and hardworking, managing a household of this scale was simply beyond their capabilities.
It wasn't that they lacked ability — it was simply that they came from a small place like the Eastern Kingdom. Managing a minor household would have been perfectly within their reach. But the Peacock Sacred Mountain's Young Master's manor had grown to a size that exceeded their scope.
Jiang Chen knew that if he was away, the only person who could manage both the internal and external affairs of the Young Master's manor was Huang'er.
Everyone else fell just a little short in terms of poise and tact.
"Don't worry, Brother Chen. Huang'er will keep the Young Master's manor running in perfect order. Go and come back quickly, and please take care of yourself. When things get difficult, remember that we're all here at the manor waiting for you — don't take unnecessary risks," Huang'er urged.
"Relax. I still have so many things left undone and so many debts of gratitude left unpaid — I fully intend to keep on living," Jiang Chen said with a smile.
"Mm. Huang'er trusts Brother Chen."
After settling all affairs at the Young Master's manor, not even the servants knew that Jiang Chen was planning to leave. Only Huang'er and a handful of his personal guards were informed.
Everything was prepared, and Jiang Chen intended to depart Liuli Royal City early the next morning.
That evening, however, a visitor came to the Young Master's manor.
This time, it was Third Young Master Ji. Since leaving Liuli Royal City, the fellow had been in closed-door cultivation the entire time — he hadn't even emerged to attend the Panlong Emperor's coronation ceremony.
Who would have thought he'd come out now?
"Brother Ji, congratulations on emerging from seclusion! Your strength has improved tremendously." Jiang Chen took one look at Third Young Master Ji and could instantly tell that his power had increased dramatically.
"Heh, isn't that all thanks to you, Brother! Speaking of which, I heard you comprehended nine of the Liuli Stelae — but in the end you didn't receive the Heavenly Position Decree or the Heavenly Position Relic transmission. What a waste! It makes me indignant just thinking about it." Third Young Master Ji slapped his thigh and sighed.
"Weren't you close to comprehending all nine stelae yourself?" Jiang Chen laughed.
"To be honest, I wasn't really that close. I only said 'almost' to save face. In truth, under the overwhelming pressure of the ninth Liuli Stele, my consciousness nearly collapsed on the spot. Even if I trained for another ten years, I probably still wouldn't be able to withstand it."