"Oh? To think that Dragon Script can still be seen in this world."
Upon glancing at the characters on the paper, Fairy Lingyue's eyes revealed a trace of delighted surprise.
"Dragon Script?"
Xu Taiping looked over, puzzled.
"It's an ancient script used by cultivators, now only circulated among a few."
Fairy Lingyue explained briefly.
"What does it say?"
Xu Taiping inquired further.
"A poem."
Fairy Lingyue, while staring at the letter, recited the poem: "Spring whispers, night stretches long, blue skies and distant palaces share the same vastness. The soul of dreams, accustomed to no restraint, once again treads on willow flowers across Xie Bridge."
"Can a poem serve as a Dao seal?"
Xu Taiping was somewhat surprised.
"If the poem has a profound impact on cultivators, then naturally it can."
Fairy Lingyue wasn't too surprised, but then she frowned and said:
"But whose Dao seal could this be?"
Hearing this, Xu Taiping also furrowed his brow.
Based on the current intelligence, the Empress of White Tree Nation, the Sixth Princess, and the Emperor of Black Vulture Nation could all possibly be banished immortals.
And there was only one poem.
"Fairy Lingyue, to break the seal, do we just need to recite this poem?"
Xu Taiping asked Fairy Lingyue.
"You also need the right moment, such as facing a life-and-death situation, when one's grand ambitions are about to be fulfilled, or at the time of being honored on the golden rankings."
Fairy Lingyue shook her head.
"So, it seems we must wait for the Sixth Princess to enter the palace of Black Vulture Nation and meet the Emperor before we can try this poem."
Xu Taiping nodded in agreement.
"This would be the best opportunity, as long as one of them can awaken their past life's memories, the game can be broken."
Fairy Lingyue said.
Regardless, among the Sixth Princess and the Emperor of Black Vulture Nation, one must be the banished immortal.
Of course, even so, there were still many variables.
For instance, this poem might not be a Dao seal at all, or it could actually be the Empress's Dao seal.
But regardless, Xu Taiping and his companions had to try, as it was the only method to break the situation at hand.
"The problem now is, on the day the Sixth Princess meets the Emperor of Black Vulture Nation, how will you elude the surveillance of that oriole and infiltrate the palace?"
Fairy Lingyue pointed out another issue facing Xu Taiping.
Xu Taiping thought for a moment, then the corners of his mouth lifted as he said:
"Perhaps, I don't need to shake him off. I might even have him bear witness that I never entered the palace."
After saying this, his aura fluctuated violently, and strands of True Qi spilled from his body, converging beside him to form a figure identical to himself.
"Who would have thought, this clone technique could come in so handy."
Fairy Lingyue's eyes brightened upon seeing this, quickly understanding Xu Taiping's intention.
***
A month later.
At the gates of Black Vulture Nation's imperial city.
"Daoist Taiping, take good care of this half jade bracelet."
The Sixth Princess removed the half jade bracelet from her neck, which served as a token.
"Your Highness, there's no need to rush to give this to me."
Xu Taiping frowned slightly.
"It's fine, the escort mission is over, sooner or later it's all the same."
The Sixth Princess smiled.
Her eyes flickered as she spoke, hardly daring to meet Xu Taiping's gaze.
"Then I will wait for Your Highness tomorrow at the tavern across from the imperial city gates."
Xu Taiping pointed to a tavern opposite the palace.
"Mhm."
The Sixth Princess paused, then smiled and nodded emphatically.
At this moment, she was unaware that Xu Taiping already knew her true mission for this trip.
"Daoist Taiping, thank you for your protection along the way."
The Sixth Princess suddenly bowed deeply to Xu Taiping, then turned and, escorted by General Chu and Cao Qianhu, stepped into the imperial city.
According to protocol, the Emperor of Black Vulture Nation would meet with the Sixth Princess of White Tree Nation the next morning.
"Daoist Taiping, stop looking, she's already gone in. Come have a drink with me."
At that moment, the elusive oriole appeared out of nowhere, hooking Xu Taiping's shoulder and heading towards the tavern.
"Big Brother Oriole, do you really need to watch me so closely?"
Xu Taiping said somewhat helplessly.
"What are you talking about? After all this time, what's wrong with asking you for a drink?"
Oriole looked at Xu Taiping with dissatisfaction.
"But let me be clear, if you dare cause any trouble in Black Vulture Nation's capital, I won't hesitate to cripple you on the spot, understand?"
He then glared fiercely at Xu Taiping.
"Where would I dare? You are the genius of the second-ranked sect in the Nine Prefectures."
Xu Taiping sighed.
Recently, on the way to the capital, he had sparred with Oriole and was not only suppressed in terms of realm but also gained no advantage in martial skills or techniques.
"Tch, I don't want to be some genius. Don't you dare call me a genius again!"
Oriole warned Xu Taiping.
"Oriole, do you think Sixth Princess will be able to persuade the Emperor of Black Vulture Nation to withdraw his troops this time?"
Xu Taiping suddenly changed the topic and asked Oriole.
"No… no problem! Don't underestimate that girl's gentle appearance, she is actually very eloquent, and with the guidance of the Empress behind her, even if she can't make the two countries reconcile this time, at least she can achieve a few years of truce."
Oriole patted Xu Taiping on the shoulder and said.
Although the change in his expression was very subtle, Xu Taiping could still feel it, he also knew something.
At the same time, a doubt arose in his heart:
"If Nine Mansions knew about Sixth Princess's true intentions, why didn't they stop her, but instead welcomed it?"
He faintly felt that behind the Empress, there was an even bigger force at play.
"Big Brother Oriole, do you play chess?"
Xu Taiping suddenly asked Oriole.
"Chess? You've found the right person. My chess skills are at least in the top three within the Carefree Sect."
Oriole said confidently.
"Then tomorrow morning, I'll bring a chessboard to play a few games with you, Big Brother Oriole, while we wait for the Sixth Princess to come out."
Xu Taiping casually suggested.
"No problem."
Oriole agreed without hesitation.
"Come on, I've already ordered the food and drinks, just waiting for you to join."
He said, pushing Xu Taiping into the tavern.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas