Chapter 2297: Chapter 2296: Two Major Upheavals

So many cultivators visited Chang’an Academy, some were loose cultivators, but more were disciples from famous sects.

Li Chunfeng couldn’t keep everyone out, so he simply let the disciples maintain order and made sure to entertain whoever came.

Ci’en Temple became temporarily famous in the Capital City.

Unfortunately, none of these people saw Long Fei appear, so after staying a day or two, they left disappointed.

Only Princess Taihua asked Li Chunfeng to find a courtyard for her and the other woman to stay in, where they ate and slept daily.

They wandered around Ci’en Pagoda without purpose, checking if Long Fei had emerged.

Wang Xiaoya calmed her mind and followed Princess Taihua to the Scripture Pavilion daily to pass the time.

There, she discovered a discourse on the Phoenix Nirvana Technique by a predecessor.

This journal wasn’t some secret cultivation law, hidden away in an inconspicuous corner, seemingly written by an unknown Daoist.

The handwriting was graceful and should belong to a woman as well.

After cultivating the Phoenix True Blood, she inadvertently experienced death once.

Upon awakening, she found not only was she unharmed, but her cultivation level had also broken through a layer.

She seemed to have had an epiphany and started to delve into the Phoenix Nirvana Technique.

This Nirvana wasn’t about casually cutting one’s throat, hanging, or drinking poison, but rather a secret technique pursued by the Phoenix Clan for the great Dao.

The Phoenix Nirvana is reborn from the flames.

The key lies in the word "fire."

Records from later periods described this divine bird as the first feathered creature born from the Yin Yang Five Elements at the dawn of heaven and earth.

It was androgynous, with the male being Feng and the female being Huang.

From it, tens of thousands of Yu Clan members were born.

People cultivating this method only knew how to extract and refine bloodlines, making no progress even in old age.

If one comprehended the true meaning of the words "phoenix," they would have enlightenment.

The Feng is the Yang Fire, and the Huang is the Yin Fire.

These two fires grow within the body and eventually become incompatible.

When the two flames collide and reach their peak, they will incinerate the body to ashes.

The rebirth occurs from these flames.

Through continuous practice with this method, one can restore the ancestral bloodline of the Phoenix.

The journal mentioned examining various documents and understanding the Phoenix Bloodline and Yu Clan.

This method might have nine layers, with the Nirvana occurring nine times until seeing Feng Zu.

This journal only contained methods for three layers.

At the end of this journal, it specifically warned that those lacking perseverance and afraid of death should not practice it.

Wang Xiaoya was greatly inspired after reading it.

She used to be muddled, cultivating the way of humans rather than the way of the phoenix.

The human way cultivates the spirit, the phoenix way cultivates the physical body.

Her body and bloodline, apart from absorbing some Phoenix Blood, some Great Roc, and Peacock, among other divine bird bloodlines, had little else of value.

This journal seemed to illuminate a path for her.

In these days of Long Fei’s unclear life or death, she had also settled herself in the Scripture Pavilion.

In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

Major events occurred in Chang’an City, starting with the opening of the Starry Ancient Path at Hangu Pass.

Batches of cultivators left from there, aiming to follow in their ancestors’ footsteps and see the ultimate place.

It is said to be the ruins of the Ancient Heavenly Court, filled with countless heavenly treasures.

The second event was the sudden death of the New Emperor, Emperor Gong, the eldest son of the Filial Emperor, Li Shihong, during a visit to Luoyang.

Since he was accompanying Empress Wu, rumors spread among the people that he was killed by her.

The country could not go a day without a ruler, so Empress Wu quickly summoned all the ministers and appointed her third son, Li Shiru, as the New Emperor.

This caused an uproar, as the public could not understand why Empress Wu did not choose the wise Second Prince Li Shixian as emperor.

Instead, she gave the throne to the meek and untalented Third Prince.

Princess Taihua left due to this matter, leaving only Wang Xiaoya in Chang’an Academy.

Outside, the struggles continued, yet Long Fei of Chang’an Academy seemed forgotten. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

People said he defeated the Five Clan Elders purely due to luck and the blessing of Buddhist Law.

He exhausted his life to win the victory in the end.

As a result, he won the victory but lost his life.

Many enemies secretly celebrated, especially the descendants of the Five Clans, who never wanted to submit to Long Fei.

Now that he’s dead, their hearts bloomed with happiness, mocking his overestimation of himself, like striking a rock with an egg.

He was like a meteor passing over the Great Tang Empire, cutting a streak of light through the dark night sky, but soon vanished without a trace.

In just three months, he had been forgotten.

The most talked-about topics were the Starry Ancient Path and the royal changes.

As usual, Wang Xiaoya got up early, sat beside Ci’en Pagoda for a while, and talked to the pagoda as if to herself.

The monks were already accustomed to her; she would talk, while they meditated and chanted as usual.

Some of her words, however, made the monks blush.

After she finished her murmurs, Monk Zhi’an came over, clasped his hands together, and sighed, "Saintess, you still haven’t given up?"

Wang Xiaoya smiled and said, "Why give up? My husband didn’t die. I know he is still alive."

Monk Zhi’an couldn’t bear to deceive her and said, "To tell you the truth, I can communicate with the Ci’en Pagoda through Buddhist Law. Besides a few tower slaves busy with their routines, I don’t see a trace of Patron Long. I know it’s hard for you to accept, but this is the truth. I don’t want to deceive you anymore."

Wang Xiaoya was not shocked at all, still wearing a smile on her face, she said, "Thank you, Master Zhi’an, but I know my husband is not dead. He will emerge, perhaps today."

"Amitabha!"

Zhi’an shook his head and said no more.

Wang Xiaoya bade farewell and left, intending to go to the Scripture Pavilion, but was stopped by a group of people coming towards her.

This group had been watching her for some time, led by Wu Chengzong, the head of the Enforcement Hall.

He wiped the drool from his mouth with a lewd smile and said, "Miss Wang, where are you heading to?"

"To the Scripture Pavilion!"

Wang Xiaoya furrowed her brow.

Wu Chengzong laughed loudly, "Why go to the Scripture Pavilion? Come to my courtyard, I’ll tell you some good news."

"Master Wu, you are crossing the line!"

Wang Xiaoya’s expression turned cold.

Wu Chengzong became more impudent and said, "Oh my, this little beauty’s words are so pleasant. But I’m no longer Master Wu, you should call me Chief Wu. The Empress Dowager issued an edict, appointing me as the Vice Minister of Military Affairs, a fourth-rank official. If you’re willing, you can be my lady!"

Today was a good day for Wu Chengzong; the Imperial Court finally transferred him away from here.

He was promoted rapidly, directly entering the Ministry of Military Affairs, becoming a fourth-rank official.

Many climbed through the imperial exams step by step and couldn’t get such treatment.

Early on, when Long Fei and Wang Xiaoya first came here, Wu Chengzong had taken a fancy to Wang Xiaoya’s beauty.

It was hard to find women with such an immortal aura throughout the Great Tang Empire.

The more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t stop imagining.

He didn’t expect Long Fei to have an accident at this time.

He felt it was a gift from heaven, that he could take such a stunning woman back with him before leaving Chang’an Academy.