276: Farewell to Luo Qingwan! A pilgrimage!

The sky abyss sliced through the sky, heading north.

As it passed the cloud-shrouded, crane-filled mountain gate of the Questioning Dao Sect, the flying boat slowly decelerated and hovered in the air.

Luo Qingwan, having shed her Daoist robes, appeared before Li Shengyuan in a white dress, graceful as an immortal, her lips curved in a smile, her eyes clear and bright:

"Shengyuan, this is as far as I go."

Li Shengyuan had long expected this and smiled, "Won't you come to the Capital of Great Qian with me? If Her Majesty knows of your assistance, she will surely treat you with great hospitality."

Luo Qingwan gently shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of detachment: "The imperial court and the sect are, after all, different. My intervention this time was, firstly, due to my extreme dislike of the Demonic Cult's actions, and secondly..."

She paused, her eyes swirling before settling on Li Shengyuan, "You and I are friends. When a friend is in need, one naturally lends a hand."

Her words were frank, defining their relationship as "friends," which both clarified her stance and maintained their rare camaraderie.

Li Shengyuan's smile became more genuine upon hearing this. He nodded and said, "Very well. After affairs in the Capital of Great Qian are settled, if I have leisure, I will return to the Questioning Dao Sect to share tea and discuss the Dao with you."

He then shifted his tone, with a hint of casualness, "Or, next time you come to the Capital of Great Qian, there's no need to come as the Sect Master of the Questioning Dao Sect. Just come as a friend to find me, and I'll show you all the prosperity of the Capital of Great Qian."

Luo Qingwan's smile deepened in her eyes, and she nodded, "Good, it's a promise."

At this moment, light flashed at the mountain gate of the Questioning Dao Sect, and several elders appeared to see her off, among them Luo Yuzhu.

She stood behind the others, her gaze complex as she watched Li Shengyuan chatting and laughing freely with her master. She bit her lower lip slightly, but ultimately did not step forward to speak, only watching in silence.

After bidding farewell, Luo Qingwan transformed into a clear light and entered the mountain gate of the Questioning Dao Sect.

The sky abyss then restarted, accelerating towards the Capital of Great Qian, leaving the immortal pure land behind.

Several days later, the majestic and grand Capital of Great Qian was already in sight.

The flying boat did not enter the city directly but, according to protocol, hovered over the special reception plaza outside the Capital of Great Qian.

At the same time, deep within the imperial palace, in the Imperial Study.

Empress Mu Qingning, who was reviewing memorials, paused slightly with the vermilion brush in her hand.

The attendant female official immediately stepped forward and reported in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, news has come from outside the palace. Lord Li has arrived in the suburbs of the Capital of Great Qian with envoys from various overseas nations."

On Female Emperor Mu Qingning's majestic and beautiful face, it was as if an ice river had thawed, blooming into an irrepressible bright smile. The smile spread from the corners of her lips to her eyes, making her entire being light up.

"He's finally back..."

She murmured softly, put down the vermilion brush, and rose to walk towards her bedchamber.

"Your Majesty, the ceremony of the envoys' homage is scheduled for the afternoon..." the female official quickly reminded her.

According to protocol, the Empress did not need, nor should she, leave the city to personally welcome officials and diplomatic missions.

"I know."

Female Emperor Mu Qingning's steps did not falter, and her voice carried a hint of lightness, "I am merely returning to my palace to change."

She did not lead the civil and military officials to greet him, but upon returning to her bedchamber, she immediately summoned palace maids and meticulously selected dresses and ornaments.

She wanted to see her junior brother, whom she had been longing for, in her best state before his official audience.

In the suburbs of the Capital of Great Qian, the sky abyss slowly descended.

The cabin door opened, and Li Shengyuan stepped out first, followed by Ye Hangzhou, Coal Ball, as well as his parents, Shen Xinrong, Yue Xiyan, and other women.

Behind them were the overseas envoys, who, with a pilgrimage-like reverence, cautiously looked around.

The towering city walls of the Capital of Great Qian, the stern guards, and the pervasive atmosphere of prosperity and majesty in the air deeply shocked these foreign visitors, causing them to further restrain themselves and dare not show any disrespect.

Compared to the Capital of Great Qian, their island nations' capitals were truly like remote, backward places...

Officials from the Ministry of Rites were already waiting there to receive the diplomatic mission according to procedure, arrange their accommodation at the guesthouse, and prepare for the grand audience in the afternoon.

Li Shengyuan first sent his parents and the women back to the Lu Residence to settle in. He himself needed to immediately enter the palace to report to the Empress.

Imperial Palace, Chengtian Hall.

Bells and drums rang in unison, and officials stood in solemn array.

Empress Mu Qingning sat high on the dragon throne, dressed in an intricate and solemn nine-dragon court robe, wearing a beaded crown, her face majestic and serene, her gaze calmly overlooking the imperial steps below.

"Proclaim! Envoys from the various overseas nations, enter the hall for audience!!!"

Amidst the eunuch's long cry, the delegation, led by envoys from several major island nations, holding dazzling, treasure-radiating lists of tributes and gift boxes, walked step by step into this grand hall, which symbolized the highest center of power of Great Qian, with immense reverence.

They prostrated themselves on the ground, expressing their submission and allegiance to the Celestial Empire in the most humble language, offering tributes representing the most precious items of their nations.

Female Emperor Mu Qingning accepted their homage, her words gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority, expressing her approval of the nations' submission, and reiterating Great Qian's right to protect and govern the overseas territories.

The entire homage process was solemn and dignified, fully demonstrating the bearing of the Celestial Empire.

Having received Female Emperor Mu Qingning's affirmation, the island nation envoys finally breathed a complete sigh of relief.

Besides natural disasters like hurricanes and sea waves, the island nations were often harassed by sea demons and sea beasts.

Previously, they had the protection of Xuanqiong Immortal Island, but now that the Immortal Island was gone, without a Second-Rank expert to guard them, their lives would be very difficult.

But now, with the protection of stronger experts sent by Great Qian, they only needed to pay tribute annually as before, which was a good thing for them.

After the court session, Female Emperor Mu Qingning returned to her bedchamber, almost impatiently changing out of her heavy court robe into a lighter, more elegant palace gown.

She sat before her dressing table, looking at her cheeks, slightly flushed with anticipation in the mirror, and took a gentle breath, trying to calm her heartbeat and maintain the Empress's dignity.

Just then, a message came from outside the hall:

"Your Majesty, Lord Li Shengyuan requests an audience outside the hall."

Female Emperor Mu Qingning's eyes lit up. She immediately sat up straight, cleared her throat, and tried to make her voice sound steady and normal:

"Announce him."