He spent half a day with Xiao Jiu. Ultimately, he was only able to get out of bed after she used her Spiritual Power to help regulate his body.
By the time Wei Er returned, everything in the room had returned to normal. Being a Cultivator certainly made daily life convenient.
After pouring a cup of tea for both Shen Yun and Wei Er, Xiao Jiu stood obediently behind Shen Yun.
"I can't help but feel..." Wei Er looked the relaxed Shen Yun up and down. "You seem different somehow."
"More confident, right?" Shen Yun took a sip of tea and chuckled softly. "There's always an adaptation process. With my strength, what's wrong with being confident?"
"True." Wei Er didn't dwell on it much, nodding with deep resonance instead. "Back when I was first appointed as the Director of the Special Service Bureau, I also lacked confidence. But look at me now, I'm doing a great job. People of our generation are no longer the ordinary mortals we used to be."
"Spare me the arrogant talk and hand it over," Shen Yun said, stretching out his hand.
Wei Er was straightforward and directly opened the suitcase he had brought with him. Inside lay their harvest from this expedition. According to their prior agreement, Shen Yun had first pick of items like Spirit Pills and Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. Even for Array Inheritance Jade Scrolls and Enlightenment Jade Scrolls, he had the priority to inspect them, though he had to return them to the Bureau for safekeeping afterward.
"Tsk, tsk. The harvest from these short few days is more than what we've gained from our efforts over the past two years." Looking at the chest full of spoils, Wei Er sighed with some emotion. He had come to this Otherworld back when he was only at the Divine Thought Stage. At that time, he truly had to tread carefully with every step.
"There will be even greater harvests in the future."
Shen Yun took a rough glance. Following Xiao Jiu's reminder, he directly took all the Inheritance Jade Scrolls containing knowledge. Then, he picked out a few crystal-clear fruits and waved his hand, gesturing for Wei Er to pack up the remaining items. Just as he had said, this was merely the beginning. The true bumper harvest would arrive once China's power developed in this Otherworld—or rather, once Luo Ying ascended to the throne as Empress.
"The people we sent to other areas have also mostly started to return. In another five days, it will be time for us to truly establish a firm foothold in this Otherworld." Wei Er suddenly let out a long sigh. "For us, the timing of this opportunity couldn't be more perfect. It's the most opportune moment in thousands of years."
Shen Yun remained silent.
It really was exactly like that. The Chinese nation of today had only recently awakened from a century of humiliation. They lacked any sense of arrogant megalomania, yet possessed an unparalleled thirst for great rejuvenation. They also understood the importance of prioritizing concrete interests and the big picture. Whether it was the revival of Spiritual Qi or the discovery of this Otherworld, appearing in this era was just right.
"You still have at least five hundred years to live. Let's just look forward to the future," Shen Yun finally said, shaking his head as his expression turned serious. "In five days, we'll be meeting the other de facto rulers of this world. Have you made ample preparations?"
"Don't worry. All the procedures and weapons are fully prepared." Wei Er nodded solemnly. "Although the probability is extremely low, if there really is an emergency, your strength should be enough to escape... and that is enough."
According to the intelligence they had gathered so far, the Azure Emperor had stayed in the Imperial Capital at the War King's estate for several consecutive days. However, they had also done their utmost to win over the Sword Emperor. Furthermore, they had prepared a massive stockpile of heavy weaponry—enough to wage a war against a nation—and had even transported ten supersonic fighter jets over. It might not be absolutely foolproof, but it was practically a guaranteed success!
"Since that's the case, I can wait with peace of mind." Shen Yun smiled, feeling reassured. He stretched lazily. "Alright, meeting adjourned. I need to get some rest with Xiao Jiu."
"Damn it, can you show some consideration for an older, divorced man like me?" Wei Er glanced at the blushing Xiao Jiu, filled with intense envy and jealousy. But he had no choice but to leave obediently, silently cursing Shen Yun to eventually suffer from kidney deficiency. However, thinking of the other party's peak Golden Core Cultivation... he decided he'd better just go back to work.
Happy days always passed by quickly.
In what felt like the blink of an eye, the most important day in this Otherworld had arrived.
The Title-Granting Ceremony!
As early as two days ago, various family factions and second-rate sects had been arriving one after another at the foot of the mountain where the Jiuzhou Sect's branch base was located. They didn't ascend the mountain; instead, they set up camp at the base. This was the first newly ascended peak Grandmaster in a hundred years! Moreover, according to reliable sources, they were an ancient, great sect! Although they had offended the Azure Emperor immediately upon their appearance, the Azure Emperor was, after all, getting old. Allocating some nominal branch members to invest in this new power was the fundamental strategy these families relied on to develop to their current state.
Not to mention, even the Imperial Family had sent an important Prince over. The Eighth Prince had broken through to the Divine Thought Stage while only in his thirties. Even without the backing of a peak Grandmaster, he was a strong contender for the throne. His purpose for this trip was self-evident.
When the sky was just barely beginning to brighten, the representatives of these various factions had already gathered at the foot of the mountain, standing before the only path leading up. Everyone was extremely tense, for they all knew that today was destined to be a storm of bloodshed.
They didn't have to wait long.
At the end of the mountain path, a fairy in white clothes flew down.
Holding a light silk fan embroidered with white orchids, her slender waist bound by a jade belt that danced with heavenly gauze, Miao Yun, dressed in ancient attire, exuded an otherworldly aura. Her bare, tender white feet were particularly eye-catching. Coupled with her graceful figure that curved like rolling mountains and her crystal-clear, snow-white skin that was full of youthful elasticity, she could truly be called an unparalleled beauty of the world.
Most importantly, she was a Grandmaster! Including the Eighth Prince, the gazes of several young men were already completely entranced.
"Everyone, the mountain gate is open. Please proceed up the mountain."
Hovering before the crowd, Miao Yun's soft and delicate voice made their hearts flutter even more. This was a Grandmaster! A Grandmaster with a lifespan of five hundred years, who could soar through the skies and traverse the earth, and who could guarantee the prosperity of a sect for centuries!
At this, even some of the older men couldn't help but breathe a little heavier. The lofty, unattainable status of a Grandmaster, combined with such a gentle and timid temperament, gave Miao Yun a fatal attraction.
However, feeling these familiar gazes, Miao Yun immediately felt somewhat distressed and annoyed. She wished she had declined this task; she had originally just wanted to see if the people of the Otherworld were any different. She felt that Mr. Shen was much better. Miao Yun simply turned around and accelerated her flight away, as if she had only come down to deliver that single sentence.
As the beauty departed, the crowd finally snapped out of their daze. One by one, they couldn't help but secretly curse their own discourtesy just now, realizing they had missed an opportunity to make a good impression. The Eighth Prince felt equally remorseful, and even a bit infatuated. He had never imagined that there could be such a Grandmaster in the world. Compared to this fairy, all the so-called beauties he had possessed before seemed like mere mundane objects of the mortal realm.
"Your Highness, remember that you must not act frivolously!" an old man beside him warned, his tone grave.
"Rest assured, Teacher. Luo Mu understands." The Eighth Prince took a deep breath. But within his heart, an uncontrollable ambition swelled. Among his supporters, he didn't have a single Grandmaster!