71: Wang Xu, the founder of the School of Diplomacy

Deep in the starry sky.

A giant meteorite floated quietly.

A fair, chubby baby lay on the meteorite, eyes wide open, looking around blankly.

Suddenly, ripples appeared in space on a rock pile not far behind the baby, and two figures emerged silently.

Di Yan smoothed his dragon robe, a faint smile on his lips.

Behind him, Ji Qingying's face was flushed pink as she looked down to straighten her slightly disheveled dress.

She gazed at Di Yan's tall, straight back, biting her lower lip lightly, her eyes full of obsession.

This cold tyrant was truly irresistible.

No wonder she had fallen in love with him in this life.

That feeling, even after existing for a million epochs, made her sink deep into intoxication, unable to pull herself out.

Di Yan cleared his throat and glanced sideways at her. "Behave yourself. You're a mother now, yet you're still acting like this."

Ji Qingying gave him a flirtatious glare. "Can Your Subject be blamed for this? It's all because Your Majesty was too unrestrained."

Di Yan's lips curled slightly as he stepped forward to take the baby into his arms. He turned to Ji Qingying and said, "Return to the Five Evolutions True Realm."

Ji Qingying nodded obediently. The two turned into streaks of light and flew toward the distant Five Evolutions Great Thousand World.

Silence returned here.

Shortly after they left.

A thin crack suddenly appeared on the giant rock where Di Yan and Ji Qingying had stood.

Immediately after, the crack spread rapidly, covering the entire meteorite in an instant.

Boom—!

The meteorite exploded with a roar, turning into countless fragments that flew in all directions.

Di Yan and Ji Qingying, about to step into the Five Evolutions True Realm, turned back at the same time.

Ji Qingying had a strange expression and muttered softly, "Twenty-eight thousand, three hundred and fifty-five."

Di Yan coughed lightly. "Beloved Consort, why don't we remove all the beds in the Qiying Palace? I see that the floor is sturdier than the beds."

Ji Qingying nodded with a subtle expression. "Your Subject obeys. I will inform the sisters to remove the beds when we return; we will all sleep on the floor from now on."

Di Yan pondered for a moment. "Forget it. I'll search the Five Evolutions True Realm later to see if there are any reclusive Great Emperors skilled in Artifact Refining. I'll capture one to refine three thousand Dragon Beds at the level of extreme dao emperor weapons for me."

"If word got out that my Beloved Consorts were sleeping on the floor, people would think I couldn't afford to support you."

Ji Qingying glanced at the meteorite fragments flying past and said softly, "Your Majesty, with your cultivation speed, by the time those three thousand extreme dao emperor weapon Dragon Beds are gathered, you will likely have already achieved Immortal Ascension."

"Your Subject thinks it would be better to just replace them with Immortal Artifacts."

There was another sentence she didn't say.

In a small place like the Five Evolutions True Realm, there isn't even a single Great Emperor. Where could one find a Great Emperor who can refine extreme dao emperor weapons?

Even if found, not just anyone can refine an extreme dao emperor weapon with a hundred percent success rate.

Unless an Immortal Artifact Master can be found, it might be possible.

Thinking of this, she shook her head secretly.

Even if an Immortal Artifact Master were found, the Five Evolutions True Realm likely wouldn't have a single material capable of refining an extreme dao emperor weapon.

It seems I must find a way to help Your Majesty.

Ji Qingying made a secret resolution in her heart.

Shortly after, the two returned to the Taiyan Imperial Palace.

Di Yan personally escorted Ji Qingying and the child back to the Qiying Palace, then turned to head to the Imperial Study.

"System, use the lucky draw chance," Di Yan thought to himself.

Inside the Imperial Study, the System notification sounds rang out one after another:

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining one of the Nine Tripods of Mountains and Rivers—the world forging tripod!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining one character summoning card!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining one hundred Stars!]

Light flickered as an ancient and heavy three-legged bronze tripod floated before Di Yan.

The body of the tripod was carved with patterns of mountains, rivers, and the veins of the earth, faintly connected to the Luck of the entire Dynasty.

It was indeed the world forging tripod.

This tripod could stabilize the territory, regulate the earth's veins, ensure favorable weather and abundant harvests, and lay a solid Foundation for the Emperor Dynasty.

Immediately following, a hundred figures appeared silently within the Imperial Study, each with a profound aura; even the weakest was at the Quasi-Emperor Realm.

Among them, the three leaders were particularly prominent, all in the Great Emperor Realm:

Star Gazing Envoy: An elderly man in a starlit robe, his eyes containing the endless starry sky, capable of observing the flow of national fortune and predicting good and bad omens.

Tripod Inscription Master: A steady middle-aged man, proficient in tripod runes and mountain-river veins, capable of maximizing the power of the world forging tripod.

Earth Vein Master: A simple-looking woman with a keen perception of the earth's Spiritual Veins, skilled in regulating Earth Qi and nourishing all things.

The remaining ninety-seven were Stars, serving as the basic members of the Bureau of Astronomy.

The System jokingly called them: Low-level beasts of burden.

But every one of them had a Quasi-Emperor cultivation; in the outside world, they would be super-powerful figures who could intimidate an entire region.

"System, use the character summoning card," Di Yan thought again.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for summoning the genius of the ages—Master of the Ghost Valley!]

In the center of the Imperial Study.

A brilliant pillar of light lit up, and as the light dissipated, an elderly man with a thin face, wearing a cyan robe, appeared.

Holding a whisk, he bowed to Di Yan. "Your Subject, Wang Xu, greets Your Majesty."

A golden light flashed through Di Yan's eyes:

[Name: Master of the Ghost Valley (Wang Xu)]

[Title: Progenitor of the School of Diplomacy]

[Realm: Perfected True Immortal]

[Abilities: Maneuvering and Diplomacy, Military Strategy, Astrology and Divination, Universal Education, Formations and Qimen]

Looking at this extraordinary man who combined diplomacy, military strategy, astrology, and education, Di Yan felt greatly reassured.

With Master of the Ghost Valley presiding over the Bureau of Astronomy, not only could he perfectly command the hundred newly acquired Stars, but he could also maximize the effectiveness of the world forging tripod.

Di Yan spoke loudly, his voice echoing in the Imperial Study. "Wang Xu, the Bureau of Astronomy bears the heavy responsibility of observing the national fortune, regulating the earth's veins, and predicting good and bad omens."

"I now appoint you as the Director of the Bureau of Astronomy, a first-rank official, overseeing the Star Gazing Envoy, the Tripod Inscription Master, the Earth Vein Master, and all the Stars."

"And on my behalf, you shall wield the world forging tripod to organize the mountains and rivers, stabilize the Foundation of the state, and perceive the secrets of heaven!"

Master of the Ghost Valley bowed again. "Your Subject accepts the decree and expresses gratitude. I will surely do my utmost to help Your Majesty stabilize the Dynasty, ensuring our national fortune flourishes and remains firm for ten thousand generations!"

As Master of the Ghost Valley accepted the command, his Luck became linked with the national fortune of the Dynasty, and the position of Director of the Bureau of Astronomy was officially established.

The Star Gazing Envoy, Tripod Inscription Master, Earth Vein Master, and all the Stars in the hall bowed in unison. "Greetings, Lord Director!"

Di Yan nodded with satisfaction.

With the Master of the Ghost Valley, this Sage of Strategy, in charge of the Bureau of Astronomy, the Foundation of the Dynasty would be as stable as a rock.

He could already foresee that under the light of the world forging tripod, the Taiyan Territory would have favorable weather, clear earth veins, and a daily flourishing national fortune.

And the wisdom and ability of this new Director were certainly not limited to the Bureau of Astronomy.

"Follow me to the Bureau of Astronomy."

Di Yan stood up and, leading Master of the Ghost Valley's group, arrived in an instant at the Star Gazing Platform of the Bureau of Astronomy, located at the highest point in the due south of the Tai Yan Imperial City.

This was something he had arranged to be built long ago.

Unfortunately, he had not found a suitable candidate all these years, leaving the Bureau of Astronomy vacant for over ten thousand years.

The Star Gazing Platform was vast, paved with Star fragments and surrounded by mist, as if one could reach out and pluck the Stars.

This was the core location for communicating with the Luck of heaven and earth and observing the lifeblood of the Emperor Dynasty.

Master of the Ghost Valley's gaze swept over one of the nine Array Eyes reserved in the center of the Star Gazing Platform, and he nodded slightly. "Your Majesty, this place is perfect for placing the world forging tripod; it can activate the core of the Taiyan earth veins and radiate in all directions."

With a thought from Di Yan, the world forging tripod floating beside him buzzed and turned into a streak of light, landing steadily in the Array Eye.

The moment the tripod's feet touched the ground.

"Buzz!"

A tripod chime, sounding as if from ancient times, echoed throughout the entire Taiyan Territory.

With the world forging tripod as the center, a majestic wave, invisible to the naked eye, instantly spread to every corner of the Taiyan Territory.

The great transformation of the Dynasty begins now!