The Tian family of Daze has been guarding the Seven Star Tower for two hundred years, with returns gradually becoming less than before—there have been quite a few empty-handed returns. However, this time, it's said that the starlight is exceptionally brilliant, a Year of Radiance. Among the treasures is a life-extending treasure. The news is half true, half false, coming from within the Tian family itself, with fifty percent reliability..." Chongxuan Sheng leaned back in his specially made large chair, saying quite seriously, "That's the situation."
Given the vast territory of the State of Qi, cultivation resources are abundant, and various secret realms are also quite impressive.
For instance, the Tianfu Secret Realm is completely under the control of the Qi court. In fact, Tianfu City was built based on this location.
And the Seven Star Tower is also one of Qi's famous secret realms. However, this secret realm belongs to the Tian family of Daze—it can be said that the Tian family rose to prominence relying on this secret realm.
After years of struggle and compromise, the Seven Star Tower still belongs to the Tian family today, but they must open most of the slots, allowing others from Qi to participate.
Throughout history, the Seven Star Tower has a period every few years or decades when treasures appear in concentrated bursts, which is called the "Year of Radiance." However, there is no pattern to it.
Recent openings have yielded mediocre results, and the Seven Star Tower's attractiveness is much diminished.
This year's "Year of Radiance" is said to have been divined by a mysterious fortune teller. The Tian family tried every means to conceal it, but the news eventually leaked out.
The so-called life-extending treasures are actually not remarkable among the "Year of Radiance" harvests, because while the Seven Star Tower's treasures are diverse, there has never been any outstanding life-extending items heard of before.
What truly attracts attention is actually the appearance of treasures related to Outer Tower secrets. But what exactly they are, whether they truly exist—no one can say for certain. In any case, the rumors are spreading wildly, with all sorts of information flying everywhere.
Undoubtedly, for Jiang Wang currently, life-extending treasures are extremely attractive. Especially life-extending treasures beyond the Longevity Fruit and Youth-Nourishing Pill. He desperately needs life-extending treasures to complete his lifespan, make up for regrets, and thus stride forward powerfully.
The trip to the Withering-Flourishing Court made him aware of his regrets, and for the sake of his long-term path, he had been paying close attention to news in this area recently. Chongxuan Sheng had also been helping him collect information, but such things are rare and hard to come by.
"Only fifty percent reliable..." Jiang Wang thought for a moment. "There's no need to make a trip."
Chongxuan Sheng glared at him. "Who can say for sure what might appear in the Seven Star Tower? Fifty percent reliability is already quite stable."
"If no one can say for sure..."
"I know what you're thinking." Chongxuan Sheng interrupted him. "Did you really think that without you, this Young Master couldn't manage? Are you getting too full of yourself, surname Jiang? With your weight, no matter how much you swell, you still won't reach my level!"
Jiang Wang felt both moved and amused. "Yes, yes, yes, of course you can manage. You're so round—one spin and you'd go ten or so times around!"
Chongxuan Sheng was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but look at Fourteen. "Look at him now. Where did that honest, reticent young man go? Now he's just strolling through gardens, spending silver, and arguing all day long."
"Humph," he said indignantly. "Xu Xiangqian is truly a black sheep, causing no end of trouble!"
Jiang Wang was about to retort, "Isn't that learned from you," but Chongxuan Sheng had already preemptively used Xu Xiangqian to shut him up. His bickering skills were truly impressive.
Jiang Wang wondered if Xu Xiangqian was sneezing right now.
"Blame him, blame him." Jiang Wang gave up trying to win the verbal battle and got serious. "Are you really okay?"
Chongxuan Sheng smiled confidently. "Go to the market entrance now and chat with any auntie there. She can remind you that the Treasure Alliance is about to collapse—absolutely don't buy their products, lest these people go crazy before their end. Tell me, do I have a problem?"
Jiang Wang looked at Fourteen again. Fourteen's expression was forever hidden beneath his heavy armor, but he gave a slight nod.
The Treasure Alliance had been "coming alive" recently, being very active in various areas. But those truly influential connections all "wisely" maintained silence. Those remaining who were swayed by great profits were also suppressed by the joint efforts of Chongxuan Sheng and the Four Seas Trade Alliance.
Wang Yiwu had expressed his confidence in the Treasure Alliance multiple times, but he himself was not good at management and had not provided any substantial resources to support the alliance. A mere declaration was of no help at all—it would be more like having War God Jiang Mengxiong make such a statement—and that was absolutely impossible.
If Jiang Mengxiong were willing to make such a statement for Wang Yiwu, Chongxuan Zun might have already controlled the Chongxuan family, and it wouldn't have been Chongxuan Sheng's turn to rise. The current situation wouldn't have occurred at all...
In short, in the competition between Chongxuan Zun and Chongxuan Sheng, aside from the identity of being War God's disciple that he couldn't shake off, Wang Yiwu couldn't use any resources from the Grand Marshal of the State's mansion.
Setting these matters aside.
When rumors become "consensus," the collapse of the Treasure Alliance shows signs of beginning.
...
A stone is thrown into the lake—that sound quickly passes, but the ripples it creates tremble for a long, long time, far, far away...
The Great Qi royal palace is magnificent and towering, covering an immense area.
Among them is Shouning Palace, where the Empress of Great Qi resides.
He Fu received the summons and didn't dare delay for a moment, entering the palace hastily. He is the current Empress He's own younger brother, and the empress's only relative outside the palace. The siblings had been very close before.
Entering the hall, He Fu first paid his respects with utmost propriety, the entire process impeccable. Even with protocol officials present, it would be difficult to find any fault.
The empress also sat on her phoenix chair to receive the bow, remaining silent.
One bowing, one sitting. One subject, one ruler.
One younger brother, one elder sister.
The sister still retained her youthful appearance, but the younger brother already had many white hairs.
After completing the formal ceremony, the empress raised her hand and ordered, "Grant a seat."
Two palace maids brought out a chair and placed it at the side position below.
He Fu bowed in thanks and then sat down.
The empress waved her hand again, and the palace maids withdrew one after another, the entire process without making a single sound.
Only a personal female official remained, standing nearby to attend.
"I wonder what the empress has summoned me for?" He Fu asked.
At this point, the empress's voice finally held a hint of warmth. "It's been so long since I've seen my brother. Is everything well at home? Is Zhen'er still filial?"
"He has no accomplishments to speak of, so he can only be filial," He Fu's voice sounded somewhat sullen.
There was a hint of resentment in these words.
Given the He family's current status, if He Zhen wanted to have some accomplishments, it would certainly not be difficult. He didn't need any talent at all. In fact, the empress didn't need to do anything either.
She just needed to not block it, to tacitly allow it.
But the empress had blocked it.
Her attitude was very firm.
To the extent that He Fu, despite being the imperial uncle, currently held no position whatsoever. In his younger days, he still had some ambition, hoping to make something of himself, but after being dissuaded by the empress, his enthusiasm faded. After all, wealth was never lacking, food and clothing were assured, so he just endured.
But his son He Zhen, now thirty-six years old, had also accomplished nothing.
He could get used to these things, endure them. But after enduring for so long, his son still had to be the same way.
This matter gave him great resentment. In the past, he would visit the palace every now and then to see the empress, never missing gifts during festivals, always caring about his sister's preferences.
After that, he gradually visited less and less, even coming only when summoned.
Compared to He Fu, who was already aging, Empress He's face looked like she was only in her early thirties, maintaining her youth well and cultivating an air of dignified elegance.
Hearing the imperial uncle speak like this, she merely smiled gently and said, "For the younger generation, filial piety is the greatest accomplishment."
These words were ultimately reasonable—one can only understand them after becoming a parent.
Moreover, with his sister speaking gently in her capacity as empress, the younger brother couldn't remain cold for long.
He Fu softened his expression and said, "Sister is right. The Crown Prince is filial and respectful, which is known throughout the world. If Zhen'er could be half as good as his cousin, I would be content."
"Zhen'er is also a good child..." The empress paused, then said, "As his aunt, I have wronged him."
He Fu was moved and said, "If sister can say this, he hasn't been wronged."
The empress nodded, then said as if casually, "Under your command, isn't there someone named Cao Xing?"
He Fu was startled. "Yes... has he done something wrong?"
That damned Cao Xing—what trouble had he gotten into? To reach the empress's ears, even she knew about it!
His heart immediately churned with turmoil, unable to hide his alarm.
"Not really," the empress said softly, looking at her brother's already aged face. "He seems to hold a position in the Treasure Alliance?"
"...Yes."
Cao Xing was an honorary elder of the Treasure Alliance. In terms of cultivation, talent, or methods, he had nothing particularly noteworthy about him.
But the reason he could become an honorary elder of the Treasure Alliance was precisely because he represented He Fu, represented the imperial uncle of Great Qi.
"Have him resign," the empress said.
Although he had already anticipated it, when he actually heard these words, He Fu still instinctively gripped the armrest to prevent himself from losing composure too much.
To avoid suspicion, no one in the He household held any official position.
As imperial relatives, it was natural that they lacked nothing in food and clothing. But in the noble circles of Linzi, was mere sufficiency in food and clothing enough?
What didn't require expenses? How could money be saved?
Silver flowed like water.
It was no exaggeration to say that Cao Xing alone was responsible for more than half of the He household's expenses.
"So the rumors are true? His Majesty really intends to..." towards the Treasure Alliance..."
The empress raised her hand to stop his words. "How can you or I fathom His Majesty's thoughts?"
He Fu grew anxious. "But!"
"There are no buts," the empress's voice remained gentle, but now carried an unquestionable authority.
She was He Fu's sister, but she was also the Empress of Great Qi.
Seeing He Fu's face full of disappointment, Empress He softened slightly. "Wuhua is your own nephew. You must consider him more carefully. Not the slightest risk can be taken."
"You... Your Highness... couldn't you put in a word?"
The empress looked at him quietly, not answering.
Silence was the most resolute answer.
"But, Your Majesty," He Fu said, his face ugly. "This path was something I worked so hard to secure. In the future, the entire household will eat and the horses will feed—what will we do? The entire State of Qi will belong to Wuhua in the future. Should his cousin and uncle have to live frugally?"
"People can continue eating, but the horses don't need to feed. If you say frugal, then live a bit more frugally."
The empress said this.