My Longevity Simulation Chapter 1128: Heavenly Emperor Qi as Anchor
Previously on My Longevity Simulation...
Luckily, Li Fan had long surpassed the state of that ordinary Grand Preceptor who first stepped into the realm of cultivation.
Through countless cycles of rebirth, he had uncovered a vast array of hidden truths within the cultivation domain.
Memories from bygone eras surged swiftly in his thoughts, leading him quickly to a practical way to respond.
"To reduce the risk of alerting the Faceless True Immortal, it's ideal if my personal cultivation level avoids any major shifts. Yet I must boost my power to the fullest extent, meaning my 'presence' within the mortal realm..."
"Heavenly Emperor Qi Classic."
A forbidden scripture from beyond the Xuanhuang Realm suddenly materialized within Li Fan's mind sea.
This stood as an unparalleled method retrieved by Senior Stone Tablet from the depths of the Fishing Pond.
At that moment, Senior Stone Tablet displayed zero curiosity toward it and simply handed it over to Li Fan without a second thought.
But in this dire moment, it emerged as Li Fan's ultimate salvation.
By mastering the Heavenly Emperor Qi Classic, a person could rise as an emperor of the world, gathering the qi fortune from the populace and the ruling dynasty. Devoid of traditional cultivation, one might ascend to a mighty force rivaling the Longevity Immortal Realm.
Attaining the pinnacle of a Longevity Immortal through this path demanded centuries of relentless toil across more than ten generations, but Li Fan harbored no plans to pursue the supreme heights of the Heavenly Emperor Qi Classic.
All he sought was to amass the collective qi fortune of the people to weather this pressing ordeal.
"The time to act is now. With late Foundation Establishment cultivation, I can already dominate the entire world."
Perched atop Jieli Mountain, Li Fan peered far off toward the grand Xuan Capital City.
His silhouette floated lightly, disappearing in a blink.
...
In just three days, shocking news ignited across the vast territories.
The Great Xuan Emperor ruled with confusion and cruelty, drawing the fury of heavens and mortals alike.
Thankfully, the Heavenly Mandate Holy Emperor arrived from above, executing the despotic ruler and his scheming advisors, ushering in a radiant era and reshaping the heavens and earth.
The proclamation rang with heavenly splendor, yet the scholars and folk of Great Xuan instantly recognized it as a full overthrow of the throne.
Though the upheaval shook the foundations of the land, calm soon returned after a brief storm of turmoil.
Since time immemorial, the emperor's decree rarely reached the countryside. Regardless of who seized the crown, the true rulers of the realm stayed unchanged.
This belief held firm among Great Xuan's inhabitants at first.
However, the remarkable traits of this Heavenly Mandate Holy Emperor soon started to unfold.
In a single night, immense towers erupted throughout the domains of Great Xuan.
Mystery shrouded how these colossal hundred-zhang edifices had arisen, but the entities dubbed "Holy Emperor Bases" utterly revolutionized the administrative framework of the Great Xuan Empire.
For these Holy Emperor Bases possessed the ability to cast the likeness of the Heavenly Mandate Holy Emperor upon the vast sky.
Every citizen, no matter how isolated in distant wilds, could receive the Holy Emperor's wisdom via the Holy Emperor Bases dotting the empire.
What struck deeper fear into regional governors was the Holy Emperor Bases' capacity to link directly to the central seat of power.
In Qing Province, famine gripped the region, turning fields to dust for three months and piling bodies from hunger everywhere.
But mere moments after erecting the Holy Emperor Base, soldiers of the Imperial Forest Army poured forth from it, hauling endless stores of food to aid the stricken.
While rescuing myriad souls, the incident broadcast instantaneously empire-wide via the Holy Emperor Base.
Furthermore, envoys of the Holy Emperor stepped out successively from the Holy Emperor Bases, calling forth local leaders. Such actions further confirmed the legitimacy of the aid.
As the reincarnation of an immortal, the Heavenly Mandate Holy Emperor had unveiled numerous miraculous powers in the royal court. Word of these wonders spread like wildfire in no time.
"All folks may beseech the mighty Heavenly Mandate Holy Emperor via the Holy Emperor Bases. As for bungling or greedy officials, upon confirmation, they face ruthless justice without exception." Thus spoke the Holy Emperor envoy to the masses of Great Xuan.
"Don't imagine death ends your woes. The Heavenly Mandate Holy Emperor's techniques surpass mortal comprehension. Over a hundred bloated swine bound at the Xuan Capital's market gate are the old officials who preyed on the people. They still scribble daily confessions with their trotters on the dirt. I've arrived to escort you for a firsthand view." Such was the Holy Emperor envoy's stark admonition to officials throughout Great Xuan.
Once Great Xuan's administrators toured the Xuan Capital's market gate en masse, they slunk back with ashen, lifeless expressions.
Back in their domains, they transformed into paragons of integrity and rigor almost overnight.
Xuan Capital City.
Hovering high over the city, Li Fan observed the dynasty's qi fortune gradually turning from murky black to brilliant azure, offering a subtle nod.
"Through the Holy Emperor Bases enforcing iron-fisted unity, the Great Xuan Dynasty achieved swift renewal. The path ahead lies in steadily winning the loyalty of the hearts and lifting the Qi fortune higher."
Li Fan inspected his physical form.
The more than one hundred million inhabitants of Great Xuan now bound solely to him.
This formed a massive "anchor," anchoring his being firmly in the world.
His shape ceased its ghostly flickering and fading.
Though it would sporadically slip back into ethereal vagueness.
Evidently, full solidity remained elusive.
"Nothing critical to worry over. Provided Great Xuan avoids setbacks and thrives endlessly, within three more years, I can fully dispel the 'Intangibility' drawbacks."
"That merely handles the aftermath. To break free from the True Immortal's snare for good, my journey to the Dark Realm awaits to trigger [Truth].
Li Fan threw a casual punch ahead.
Foregoing his own Foundation Establishment spiritual energy, he channeled purely through the Heavenly Emperor Qi Classic, summoning the dynasty's amassed qi fortune.
A sharp howl ripped the skies as far-off white clouds split apart.
Vaguely, a spectral azure dragon coiled in the heavens, lifting its head in a thunderous bellow.
"White, azure, scarlet, purple, gold."
"The five stages of the Heavenly Emperor Qi Classic: in merely one month, I've advanced to the second tier."
"Matching a typical late Golden Core expert now. This swift ascent stems, firstly, from Great Xuan's sturdy base; one might dub it a golden feudal epoch. Secondly..."
Li Fan glanced downward at the soaring Holy Emperor Base.
"Immortal arts deliver total dominance over a secular empire. After purging a slew of rotten officials and quelling calamities nationwide, broadcasting every triumph via the Holy Emperor Bases fused the people's allegiance in a flash."
"A standard mortal lord would require ten years at minimum to match this, all while battling resistance from courtiers and regional forces."
"Such concerns evade me entirely."
With these musings, Li Fan drifted downward from the skies into the imperial halls.
"Hail, Holy Emperor!"
"Hail, Teacher!"
The palace guards in the yard dropped to their knees at once.
"Stand." Li Fan lifted his hand, raising them effortlessly.
The youths' cheeks burned with fervent thrill.
Handpicked by Li Fan himself from every corner of Great Xuan, they guarded the palace while chiefly rooting out corrupt officers in far-flung areas, cowing the wicked, and ensuring the Great Xuan Dynasty's qi fortune bloomed in eternal vigor and triumph.
Among their ranks, the one calling Li Fan Teacher was the gifted lad Sun Erlang from Jieli Mountain's base, joined by Wang Xuanba.
They carried a weightier charge.
"Erlang, what strides have you made in the Sitting Immortal Art I passed to you?"
After sending the rest away, Li Fan faced Sun Erlang with solemn inquiry.