"Aren't we heading directly to the Black Vulture Nation's Imperial Palace?"
Xu Taiping was somewhat puzzled.
The letter from the Qingxuan Sect had made no mention of this, only instructing him to escort the Sixth Princess to meet the Emperor of the Black Vulture Nation.
"When the peace talks were first agreed upon, the Emperor of the Black Vulture Nation set forth three extremely harsh conditions."
The Sixth Princess sighed, a wry smile on her face as she continued, "First, the negotiator must be chosen from among the princes and princesses, without bringing any other high officials, only three hundred guards. Second, the journey to the Black Vulture Nation must pass through several cities he designated. Third, one must defeat Fan Qi at the Wrath Fist Manor's life-and-death arena and bring his head before entering the Imperial City."
"This is clearly sending you to your death."
Xu Taiping frowned.
He suddenly understood the meaning behind Elder Yunye's parting words.
"Yes, just getting here, most of the Imperial Guards responsible for my protection have already been killed or injured. If it weren't for meeting you, Daoist, I fear we all would have perished at the Manduo Villa."
The Sixth Princess's expression was tinged with sorrow.
"Knowing this, why agree to it?"
Xu Taiping asked, puzzled.
"With hundreds of thousands of Black Vulture Nation's troops stationed at the border of the White Tree Nation, we had no choice but to agree, no matter how harsh the terms. As long as I am alive, the Emperor of the Black Vulture Nation cannot renege on his word before the world and attack the White Tree Nation. At the very least, I can buy the people of the White Tree Nation a year's time to flee."
The Sixth Princess said with a calm smile.
Hearing this, Xu Taiping had a general understanding of the situation and also made a judgment in his heart.
However, he did not rush to agree to help the Sixth Princess but posed a question to her.
"Does Your Highness know? According to the rules of the Nine Prefectures Immortal Law Enforcement, we cultivators of the mountain cannot interfere with the affairs of the secular world."
Xu Taiping looked at the Sixth Princess calmly.
"The Nine Prefectures Immortal Law Enforcement has such a rule?"
The Sixth Princess was taken aback, somewhat at a loss.
Although she was of royal blood, she was not the heir apparent and had no knowledge of the rules that bound the mountain's cultivators. Even the matters of the mountain were only understood by her during this journey.
"Then, what should we do, Daoist?"
Seeing her last lifeline slipping away, the Sixth Princess, no longer concerned with decorum, leaned forward anxiously, bracing her hands on the table as she asked Xu Taiping.
"Don't worry."
Xu Taiping shook his head.
"I have a way to circumvent this rule, but even then, I may not necessarily be able to defeat Fan Qi in the life-and-death arena. So, Your Highness, you must be prepared."
"What… what way?"
The Sixth Princess was still visibly anxious.
"By not using any cultivator's methods, only martial skills to fight Fan Qi, the Immortal Law Enforcement will not intervene."
Saying this, Xu Taiping stood up.
"Not using any cultivator's methods?"
Upon hearing this, the Sixth Princess was first stunned, then stood up quickly, shaking her head repeatedly:
"Daoist, this won't do. My mother said that Fan Qi is a natural-born warrior, unbeatable in martial arts. You'll die on the arena, Daoist. Let's think this through more carefully and find another way."
From every angle, she did not want to see Xu Taiping throw his life away needlessly.
"Your Highness, if possible, please compile a dossier on Fan Qi's life and the martial arts he practices and have it sent to my residence in two hours."
Once Xu Taiping had made his decision, he would not change it.
After saying this, he did not explain further to the Sixth Princess but headed straight for the residence he had chosen.
It wasn't that he intentionally neglected or belittled the Sixth Princess; it was simply time for his daily meditation and practice, which could not be delayed.
As for the possibility of dying on the arena.
He wasn't foolish enough to not use magic to escape if he truly couldn't win; at most, violating the Immortal Law Enforcement's rules would result in a few years of confinement.
***
Two hours later.
"Whew…"
After circulating the Danxia Scripture for three complete cycles, Xu Taiping exhaled a long breath.
Having drunk a cup and a half of Dragon Gall Wine today, he felt as if he had been drenched in a downpour, his body soaked through and through.
He circulated some True Qi, and with a "boom," all the sweat was expelled, leaving him completely dry.
"A cup and a half of Dragon Gall Wine, two hours, three complete cycles, and in such a mundane environment, your cultivation speed should barely keep up with the Black Spirit Bone now."
Fairy Lingyue evaluated Xu Taiping's progress for the day.
"The spiritual energy of the secular world is too impure, requiring more time to refine."
Xu Taiping silently nodded in agreement.
"Moreover, I feel as though my body has become much heavier, as if something is pressing down on me."
He stretched his limbs while sharing his experience of cultivating in the secular world with Fairy Lingyue.
Fairy Lingyue naturally knew that turbid energy was heavier than spiritual energy.
In some chaotic realms filled only with turbid energy, an ordinary person's body might be crushed just by entering.
"Wait, turbid energy weighing down…"
Fairy Lingyue suddenly thought of something.
"Taiping, do you want to try the Emperor's body tempering technique ahead of schedule?"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at Xu Taiping.
"Hm? Didn't you say we'd practice it when we return to the Seventh Peak, Sister Lingyue?"
Xu Taiping was surprised and sought confirmation from Fairy Lingyue.
"This body tempering technique of the Emperor, also known as the 'Yan Emperor's Furnace Scripture,' consists of three parts: the Bone Hammering Chapter, the Acupressure Chapter, and the Heaven Lifting Chapter. The breathing technique you use, which is akin to carrying a heavy iron ship, comes from the Bone Hammering Chapter. What I'm about to tell you comes from the Acupressure Chapter."
Fairy Lingyue explained to Xu Taiping.
"Does the Acupressure Chapter have something to do with turbid energy?"
Xu Taiping asked curiously.
Fairy Lingyue smiled and nodded, then continued:
"One section of the Acupressure Chapter is called 'Turbid Energy Suppresses the Seven Acupoints.' Through the guiding techniques described in this section, a cultivator can safely allow turbid energy to enter certain acupoints, then use the weight of the turbid energy for acupressure.
"An acupoint filled with turbid energy can subject your mind and acupoint to the equivalent of three thousand jin of weight, far surpassing the effect of using heavy iron weights.
"Moreover, the weight generated by the turbid energy acupressure is imperceptible to others except for you and your body.
"If you wish to lift the restriction of the turbid energy acupressure, it's simple: just open the acupoint and guide the turbid energy out of your body."
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