Taiyi Dao Fruit

"The Emperor Star has shifted..."

At the Astrology Platform behind the Tianxuan Hall of the Dinghu Sect, Elder Tianxuan gazed at the starry sky and noticed the peculiar star formation. "Judging the time, it's about right now. The Emperor ascended the throne sixty years ago; his lifespan is about to end."

"That may not necessarily be the case."

A fiery red figure ascended the Astrology Platform, clad in red hair, red clothing, and a red skirt, her trailing hem like the tail feathers of a phoenix, enveloping her stunning beauty and graceful figure. She stood there like a proud phoenix, a heavenly fire that could burn everything.

"It seems you know some secrets unknown to others,"

Elder Tianxuan remarked indifferently, slightly turning his body, with the fiery red figure reflecting in his eyes, "Ji Lingguang."

Ji Lingguang, the current Princess, elder sister of the Emperor, found herself here in the dead of night.

"Your Sect Leader is quite capable. The Emperor has been able to leave his bed recently and has even been gardening; he seems to be in good spirits and could live for a few more years," Ji Lingguang spoke in an equally light tone.

Their relationship had always been strained, with competitive efforts from their youth developing into irreconcilable differences. Although they weren't sworn enemies, managing even a smile between them was difficult for the two.

"Impossible."

Elder Tianxuan declared decisively, "Not to mention that the star formation has changed, the Emperor's lifespan absolutely cannot be replenished. The talk of extending life can only deceive those who are unaware."

"That is why I have come to you," the Princess spoke faintly, "Both of us know that the Emperor's Dao Fruit is mandated by Heaven, endowed with longevity and ever-lasting prosperity. Until his lifespan is exhausted, the Emperor should remain free from illness and in the prime of life. Because of this, the Emperor's lifespan cannot be restored, no magic or external object can extend his life."

"But now, the Emperor appears to have had his life extended, he even..."

"Even what?" Elder Tianxuan demanded.

"He has aged," the Princess gently uttered three words, yet they seemed to carry a tremendous weight that caused Elder Tianxuan to stiffen.

Before the end of his lifespan, the Emperor should maintain a prime of around forty years in appearance, up until the moment of death when the Dao Fruit leaves his body, and only then would he age.

This had been true for all emperors, without exception.

At least until this Emperor.

"Is this true?" asked Elder Tianxuan.

"Utterly truthful. Although he does not wish this to leak out, after all, even the majestic Emperor can't display an unseemly and decrepit form. Now, everyone in the palace knows the Emperor has suddenly aged decades."

The Princess locked eyes with Elder Tianxuan. "Extended life, aging, these are extraordinary matters. The Emperor was provided with extended life by your Sect Leader, you might know some clues, so I have come to you."

Unfortunately, the Princess would be disappointed.

"To extend the Emperor's life, since the appearance of the Emperor's Dao Fruit eight hundred years ago, there has been no precedent," Elder Tianxuan shook his head, "The Sect Leader went to the Divine Capital solely to treat the Emperor's injuries. Initially, we never thought extending life could be successful."

Broadly speaking, it was a matter of doing all one can and leaving the rest to fate. Everyone thought it was merely a symbolic effort, but unexpectedly the Sect Leader succeeded.

Considering this filled Elder Tianxuan's mind with complexity.

"The Emperor's extended life and aging should be good news, but...it defies normal reasoning."

She looked again at the sky, "The Emperor welcomes Heaven, the Emperor Star has shifted, this too follows normal reasoning, but now with the Emperor Star's shift, there are no signs of the Emperor welcoming Heaven, this also defies normal reasoning. Whenever there is an anomaly, a demon lurks."

"How big of a demon?"

"If it's not just a simple shift of the Emperor Star, then it is Ziwei breaking boundaries, and Beichen rising in the middle heaven with a new star taking position. Ziwei represents the Ji Family's Emperor, how big of a demon do you think it is?" Elder Tianxuan explained.

Ziwei breaking boundaries, the Ji Family's Emperor being displaced, what kind of demon? A demon that could change dynasties.

"Eight hundred years of the Great Zhou, so difficult to maintain, could there really be something that could shake the Great Zhou?" Ji Lingguang frowned.

"It is the realm that is difficult to maintain, not the hearts of people," Elder Tianxuan stated solemnly.

"Don't talk about distant events, let's talk about recent ones, such as the Taiping Sect, which has been active in Yong Province. The tender grass you've been eating is also now in Yong Province - you better tell him to be careful."

Princess Ji Lingguang, elder sister to the Emperor, was nearly a hundred years old. Because her cultivation was profound, her appearance betrayed little of her age, allowing her such grace and poise.

As for that Long Prince Consort, according to the observations of Elder Tianxuan, he should be just over forty...

But are these things that can be openly discussed?

"You are seeking your own death!"

That night, over Dinghu, there were red glows swirling and fiery clouds surging.

...

...

Similarly, on this night, countless people's thoughts were adrift.

At the Divine Capital Imperial College, atop a tall building, a Confusian Scholar wearing a tall coronet was observing heavenly phenomena late at night and casually inquired, "Is Shen Xiu still traveling in Yong Province?"

Not far behind him, a young man holding a scroll respectfully replied, "Yes. According to messages from Divine Travel Grand Protector, Senior Brother Zhong slew a Jiao in White Mountain Black Water a few days ago and has been traveling westward since, seemingly intending to leave toward Buddha Country to debate doctrines with Buddhist Practitioners."

"Who else is in Yong Province?"

"Princely Heir Ji Chengye and Imperial College Scholar Ming Yang are also in Yong Province, currently trying to resolve the drought there."

"Send a message to Shen Xiu to stay in Yong Province temporarily and meet up with Prince Heir of King Lu to monitor the movements of the Taiping Sect."

The Confusian Scholar looked up at the starry sky, his voice ethereal as if coming from the ninth heaven but carrying an unmistakable firmness, "Zhang Zhixuan has been delaying his entry into Divine Capital, and Yong Province, affected by the actions of the Taiping Sect, may become a land of chaos. Let Shen Xiu act according to circumstances, and if necessary, authorize him to kill."

Upon hearing this, the young man's heart grew stern, and he immediately replied, "Yes."

After speaking, he hastened down the tower without a care that it was the middle of the night, to send the message through Divine Travel Grand Protector.

...

...

In Bing State, where grand mountains stood imposingly, one mountain rose seven hundred zhang high. Halfway up its side there were two thatched cottages within a fenced enclosure, presenting a scene isolated from the mundane world.

That same night, a young Daoist was practicing his breathing techniques on a green stone outside the cottages when he suddenly heard someone approaching from behind.

He turned around and saw a middle-aged Daoist looking at him with a smiling gaze.

"Do you need something, Master?" asked the young Daoist, curious.

The man, known in his day as "Daoist Lord," gently said, "You've followed me in cultivation for more than ten years; it's time for you to travel around. It happens that the youngsters in the Sect down the mountain seem to be stirring up trouble. Go there and join them for a walk."

"Where to?" asked the young man.

"Yong Province."

Daoist Lord gazed toward the northwest and said slowly, "With the auspicious star falling in Yong Province, where winds and clouds gather, it's an excellent opportunity for you to see the world and observe this era's talents. I grant you permission to reveal what you've learned to the outside."

"Including the Nine Heavens Demon Suppressing True Technique?"

"Do you have any other skills that should not be lightly revealed?"

"I understand, Master."

The young man calmly responded, then closed his eyes slightly to continue his breathing exercises.

Suddenly, he inhaled gently, drawing a thread of spiritual energy into his body from the surrounding atmosphere thick with the Five Vile Qi; the qi mechanism around his body swirled with yin and yang energies, forming the shape of a dragon and tiger.