The Huntian Divine Mirror spoke:

“You’ve already witnessed my abilities—I can silently capture a target’s primordial spirit and control their physical body through it, turning them into puppets.

“The great Sovereign relied on me back then to subdue many powerful demons. But now, I can only capture celestial souls, causing the physical body to slowly perish.

“However, if the target is an ordinary being or has extremely shallow cultivation, I can still control them. I don’t even need to be face-to-face to capture their celestial soul—you can forcefully control someone from ten thousand li away.”

Controlling someone from ten thousand li away—that’s as perverse as violating someone’s chastity from such a distance… Xu Qi’an couldn’t hide his surprise, finding it somewhat unreasonable.

The Huntian Divine Mirror added:

“The farther the distance, the weaker the control. From ten thousand li away, you can usually only control beings without much spiritual consciousness. In my current damaged state, I can no longer exercise this ability.

“The drawback is that the puppet state of those under my control cannot be concealed—those with high cultivation or experts in the realm of primordial spirits can recognize it at a glance.”

At too great a distance, it’s impossible to control even ordinary people.

Xu Qi’an finally understood.

“My second ability is to observe all across the Nine Provinces, regardless of distance. However, certain special places cannot be observed, such as the Buddhist holy mountain of Alanda.”

The Huntian Divine Mirror sighed: “I am but a broken vessel now, unable to observe all Nine Provinces. But within a radius of two thousand li should be no problem.”

“How do I use you—through a blood oath?” Xu Qi’an asked.

The Huntian Divine Mirror sneered:

“Don’t compare me to those low-grade magical tools. As long as I acknowledge and am willing to cooperate with you, you can use me. If I’m unwilling, even a blood oath would be useless.”

The Book Fragment felt insulted… Xu Qi’an made a noncommittal sound, suddenly wondering why the Book Fragment, also being an incomplete treasure, didn’t have self-awareness.

Only a two thousand li radius means he couldn’t see the situation in Cloud Province. Well, let me try it first. Xu Qi’an immediately asked:

“Can you see the Great Zhou capital?”

The Huntian Divine Mirror hesitated: “The Great Zhou capital has a Tier 1 martial artist and a Tier 1 术士 (Shushi). I cannot observe it.”

“No worries, that martial artist has been dead for hundreds of years, and the Tier 1 术士 probably won’t pay attention to you.”

Xu Qi’an patted the mirror’s surface, gesturing for it to proceed.

It seems unaware that those blessed by fate cannot achieve immortality. As Xu Qi’an thought this, the bronze mirror surface changed, its bronze material disappearing to become as transparent as glass.

The glass mirror reflected a magnificent, mighty city.

Having viewed the capital from above several times, Xu Qi’an immediately recognized it below as the capital.

“I sense someone observing me…”

The Huntian Divine Mirror transmitted this thought.

Must be the Supervisor… Xu Qi’an nodded, “Don’t mind him, he’s just an old codger.”

He silently added in his heart: I hope the Supervisor can’t hear this.

The Huntian Divine Mirror paid no more attention to it, saying proudly: “Now you know my power, right?”

The capital wasn’t even two thousand li away from here.

“Focus on the capital… move seventy zhang north, then another ten zhang… alright, alright, can you penetrate through buildings?”

After communicating, the mirror displayed the scene inside Shaoyin Palace, in Lin’an’s bedroom.

She wasn’t in Shaoyin Palace, having gone somewhere else.

“Can you save locations? Like, next time you can look directly at this place without me giving directions?”

“You seem to doubt my abilities.”

The Huntian Divine Mirror conveyed its displeasure, then said: “Need me to save the location of the bath? I know males like to watch females bathing.”

I’ll come back tonight to look… Xu Qi’an said solemnly: “Nonsense, I’m different from the males you know.”

The Huntian Divine Mirror asked in surprise: “You prefer watching males bathe?”

Are you trying to be funny?! Xu Qi’an then had the Huntian Divine Mirror locate the Xu Manor, and this time, it thoughtfully went straight to the bath.

Isn’t this Second Uncle and Second Aunt’s room… Xu Qi’an almost froze, angrily saying:

“No, we don’t need to save the bath location here. Are you a proper magical treasure?”

“So you do prefer males!” the Huntian Divine Mirror realized with sudden enlightenment.

Xu Qi’an couldn’t be bothered explaining to a mentally ill patient. He had the location set to the main hall of the Xu Manor.

“Oh? Ling’yin is going out? To school?”

In the scene, he saw Xu Ling’yin wearing a small cloth bag as a “schoolbag,” her hair in children’s buns, being reluctantly led out by Second Young Master Xu.

The second Aunt was beside them, giving instructions about something.

The Huntian Divine Mirror had no audio function, only showing images.

“Second Aunt still hasn’t given up on Ling’yin’s education. Such great maternal love—even after countless disappointments and embarrassments, she hasn’t abandoned her hope of her daughter becoming accomplished.”

After making this teasing remark and setting the location of the Xu Manor, he had the mirror locate Lingbao Temple next.

The scene changed to show an impressive Taoist temple, then focused on a quiet courtyard where, above a pond, an extraordinarily beautiful woman wearing feather robes and a lotus crown sat cross-legged in mid-air.

She was meditating.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes and looked toward Xu Qi’an.

The next moment, the image shattered, and the Huntian Divine Mirror cried out:

“I’m blind! I’m blind… That woman is a Mortal Immortal!”

It had suffered a backlash.

The Imperial Preceptor is another step closer to her tribulation, for even the Huntian Divine Mirror mistakes her for a Tier 1 Mortal Immortal… Xu Qi’an felt both joy and worry.

He was happy that her cultivation had advanced further, with Mortal Immortal status within reach.

But he worried that this shark was completely beyond his control—even if he recovered his cultivation, how could a Tier 3 martial artist control a Tier 1?

A fish in a pond would never have its day.

…

In the capital!

Second Young Master Xu specially returned home for a meal today because he needed to take Xu Ling’yin to study in the palace.

The situation was this: After finalizing the donation matters, the Yongxing Emperor summoned Second Young Master Xu to the Imperial Study, praised him highly, and expressed his intention to promote him.

He encouraged Second Young Master Xu to work harder and not disappoint the court’s expectations.

At the end of their conversation, whether intentionally or not, the Yongxing Emperor said:

“I hear that beloved Official Xu’s younger sister is just at the age for enlightenment education. She’s about the same age as several princes and princesses in the palace—why not let the young lady come study in the palace, taught personally by the Imperial Tutor?”

Second Young Master Xu immediately understood that the Yongxing Emperor was expressing goodwill and trying to win him over.

For an official’s child to enter the palace as a study companion was a great honor, usually reserved only for imperial clan princesses, heirs, and the children of certain noble families and important officials.

But Second Young Master Xu didn’t want this “favor” and hurried to decline.

The Yongxing Emperor became somewhat displeased and ignored Second Young Master Xu’s refusal, forcefully issuing the command.

How could an official refuse when the Emperor was showing favor and bestowing grace? Moreover, everyone knew who he was trying to win over through this superficial favor to Second Young Master Xu, so he didn’t care about Second Young Master Xu’s opinion at all.

Imperial orders cannot be defied, so Second Young Master Xu had to agree.

When he went home and told his mother, Second Aunt was overjoyed, thinking: Has my foolish daughter’s fortune finally turned around?

This Imperial Tutor was someone who taught princes and princesses—surely there would be no problem with him teaching Ling’yin to read and write.

Last time, because Ling’yin had beaten up the heir, she was expelled from the palace, which Second Aunt still regretted to this day.

In the carriage, Second Young Master Xu glanced at his sister sitting properly on the long bench and said:

“Once in the palace, no matter what the Imperial Tutor… the teacher asks you, just say you’ve never studied before and don’t understand anything, understand?”

Xu Ling’yin nodded vigorously:

“Mm!

“I’ll study hard and top the imperial examinations like Second Brother.”

No, I just hope you’ll spare the Imperial Tutor’s life… Second Young Master Xu muttered internally.

After thinking for a moment, he patted Xu Ling’yin’s head and said:

“If anyone bullies you, just beat them up. Big Brother will take responsibility for whatever happens.”

He quickly added: “But mind your strength, don’t use full force.”

That would be fatal.

“Oh!”

The little dumpling nodded somewhat foolishly.

Second Young Master Xu felt relieved. Under normal circumstances, Ling’yin was quite obedient. She had a good temper too and rarely got angry unless someone tried to steal her food.

Soon, the carriage entered the imperial city and was stopped at the palace gates.

After Second Young Master Xu explained the situation, the Imperial Guards went to notify the palace. Shortly after, a eunuch came out, bowed to Second Young Master Xu, and led Xu Ling’yin into the palace.

The place where princes, princesses, and noble children studied was called the “Upper Study.”

Xu Ling’yin looked around curiously. Although she had been to the palace once before, for children, once was not enough to satisfy their abundant curiosity.

As they walked, she suddenly saw someone in plain elegant robes approaching from afar.

“Sister! Sister…”

The little dumpling became excited, completely forgetting palace etiquette as she shouted and waved at the figure in plain elegant robes.

Huai Qing looked over at the sound and, seeing the round little girl, was slightly startled. She approached with a faint smile:

“You still remember me?”

“You came to our house when my Big Brother died,” Xu Ling’yin said loudly.

That statement sounded a bit odd… Huai Qing smiled and nodded:

“What brings you to the palace?”

Xu Ling’yin’s innocent face showed confusion: “What does ‘shen’ mean?”

“What are you here to do?” Huai Qing rephrased.

“To study! Mother sent me here to study.”

The little dumpling answered every question with pure innocence.

Huai Qing glanced at the eunuch, who explained:

“His Majesty specially permitted Miss Xu to study in the palace.”

Huai Qing then said: “I’ll take her to the Upper Study.”

The eunuch dared not refuse and retreated with a bow.

“Let’s go!” Huai Qing looked at the little dumpling with gentle eyes.

She had little interaction with the Xu family’s young miss, having only met her once at Xu Qi’an’s funeral, and hadn’t paid much attention afterward.

After all, no matter how good her relationship with Xu Qi’an was, or how much she appreciated Second Young Master Xu, it wasn’t possible to maintain attention on a six or seven-year-old child in their family.

She didn’t even know that Li Na had taken Xu Ling’yin as a disciple, much less know about the little dumpling’s extraordinary qualities.

Number One had always been aloof and unsociable—no one in the Heaven and Earth Society would chat with her about such daily matters.

“Sister, you’re so beautiful.”

The little dumpling walked beside Huai Qing, looking up as she spoke.

Huai Qing smiled.

“Sister, you’re so beautiful.”

After a while, she said it again.

Huai Qing lowered her head to see the little girl’s big eyes sparkling with a pleading look.

“What do you want to say?”

Huai Qing squinted, easily seeing through her little scheme.

“Can I come to your home to eat pastries?”

The little dumpling revealed her true intentions.

Huai Qing laughed: “You may.”

She had always appreciated clever people, and clever children were included in that. Moreover, this child was not only quick-witted but also brave.

Soon, the little dumpling followed Huai Qing to the Upper Study.

In the spacious hall, twelve desks were arranged with twelve children sitting obediently behind them, their attention focused on the elderly Imperial Tutor lecturing at the front.

The Imperial Tutor was nearly eighty years old, a veteran of three reigns, and the second-ranked scholar of the Zhende era. He had taught Emperor Yuanjing, Huai Qing, and Lin’an, and now was to teach the new generation of the royal family.

Back when Emperor Yuanjing neglected his duties to pursue cultivation, the Imperial Tutor stormed into the palace and cursed the benighted ruler outside the Imperial Study.

Afterward, disillusioned, he lived in seclusion in the capital.

After Yuanjing’s death, he was one of the few who knew the secret behind it, and thus resolved his inner conflict, returning to his beloved work to contribute his remaining energy.

“Imperial Tutor!”

Huai Qing brought the little dumpling across the threshold and gave a curtsey.

“Greetings, Princess Imperial.”

The Imperial Tutor bowed in return.

“Greetings, Princess Imperial.”

The dozen or so princes, princesses, and noble children rose to bow.

Huai Qing nodded slightly and looked at Xu Ling’yin:

“I trouble the Imperial Tutor with this child—she is Xu Qi’an’s younger sister. None of you are to bully her.”

She brought Xu Ling’yin over mainly to warn the younger generation of the royal family, lest this naive child be bullied here.

The Imperial Tutor smiled: “Princess Imperial need not worry, this child is quite formidable.”

He recounted her previous feat.

Huai Qing looked at the round and adorable little girl in surprise and smiled:

“I was overly concerned.”

The Imperial Tutor said meaningfully:

“Your Highness has become too distant from palace affairs.”

Huai Qing smiled without further comment and took her leave.

The Imperial Tutor beckoned, having Xu Ling’yin come forward, and asked:

“Last time you left the palace before I could test you. Where did you begin your studies before coming here? Who was your enlightenment teacher?”

The little dumpling tilted her head in thought and answered honestly:

“I forgot.”

? The Imperial Tutor was stunned—forgot her enlightenment teacher, or perhaps she hadn’t begun her education yet?

He pondered for a moment and said: “Can you recite the Three Character Classic?”

“Yes, yes!”

Xu Ling’yin nodded excitedly.

The Imperial Tutor’s expression softened as he nodded with a smile: “Recite it for this old man.”

…

After leaving the palace, Huai Qing went to the Hanlin Academy to relay Xu Qi’an’s instructions to Second Young Master Xu.

The Yongxing Emperor was very wary of her and her blood brother, the Fourth Prince, so this matter had to be handled by Second Young Master Xu.

If the Yongxing Emperor learned of Xu Qi’an’s close contact with her in private, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

With a new emperor ascending the throne, it was the most sensitive time, and Huai Qing didn’t wish to invite trouble.

“Ah, deep ice doesn’t form in a single day.”

Xu Xinnian sighed deeply.

“Governing a country is like cooking small fish—it requires a gradual approach. But if the country is terminally ill, how should it be treated? Neither His Majesty, nor Prime Minister Wang, nor the various court officials have experience with such matters.” Huai Qing said calmly:

“Lord Xu, do you remember the wager we made during our game that day?”

Xu Xinnian’s expression turned solemn, hesitating for several seconds: “Of course I remember.”

Huai Qing nodded: “Let us wait and see.”

After a pause, she changed the subject: “In three days will be the Heaven Worship Ceremony, where His Majesty will call for donations. How much silver does Lord Xu plan to donate?”

Xu Xinnian knew she was reminding him and said:

“Your Highness need not worry, I’ve already discussed this thoroughly with my brother.

“I will donate three months’ salary, while my brother will donate five thousand taels of silver.

“This way, I won’t be impeached for donating too much, nor will anyone accuse me of promoting donations while being stingy myself.”

A mere Hanlin Academy scholar donating five thousand taels of silver would cause trouble.

But not donating would invite a storm of criticism.

“That’s good then.”

Huai Qing was relieved, then said: “I met Lord Xu’s sister in the palace earlier.”

Hearing this, Second Young Master Xu’s face filled with worry as he sighed:

“If Your Highness has no other matters today, could you perhaps keep watch at the Upper Study?”

Huai Qing smiled: “Is Lord Xu afraid she’ll be bullied?”

I’m worried about the Imperial Tutor’s safety… Second Young Master Xu sighed again and reported the little dumpling’s glorious deeds one by one, saying helplessly:

“I had already declined His Majesty’s offer, but His Majesty insisted, alas.”

Huai Qing was stunned by what she heard.

Making the masters of Mount Qingyun avoid her on sight, making Li Miaozhen gnash her teeth in frustration, making Chu Yuanzhen’s face turn ashen, and even making the talented Wang Simu cry in distress…

“Could it be that your sister is pretending to be stupid and just doesn’t like studying?” Huai Qing suggested.

“If she were pretending to be stupid, the academy’s teachers, Daoist Li, Brother Chu, and Simu wouldn’t be so frustrated and discouraged, even crying from feelings of failure.”

Xu Xinnian smiled bitterly.

It was precisely because she truly couldn’t learn that they felt they had failed and were unworthy to be teachers.

This led to intense self-doubt and self-denial.

If Ling’yin were just pretending to be stupid, they would have laughed it off and wouldn’t have become so invested.

Huai Qing was half-believing, half-doubting as she returned to the palace. No sooner had she stepped into the palace than she received the news:

The Imperial Tutor had suddenly fallen ill and was bedridden!

Huai Qing was shocked—the Imperial Tutor had been fine just moments ago, how could he suddenly fall ill…

She recalled Second Young Master Xu’s earlier words, her heart suddenly sinking, and immediately rushed to visit.

Huai Qing lifted her skirts and ran to the Upper Study, finding the Imperial Tutor lying on a small couch with several imperial physicians examining him.

“Princess Imperial.”

The imperial physicians bowed in greeting.

Huai Qing waved her hand, her cold and beautiful face full of gravity:

“How is the Imperial Tutor’s condition?”

One physician said: “Princess Imperial need not worry, the Imperial Tutor is fine, just suddenly experiencing symptoms of headache and dizziness. A few days of bed rest will suffice.”

Another physician added: “But during this time, he must not be stimulated further and needs quiet recuperation.”

In more colloquial terms:

The Imperial Tutor was fine, he just had a spike in blood pressure!

Huai Qing walked to the bedside and, looking at the weakened Imperial Tutor, gently probed: “What happened to the Imperial Tutor? What did you encounter?”

The Imperial Tutor said weakly:

“Help this old man up. I’m still able. I cannot believe there exists such a fool in this world.

“Today I must teach her to recite the Three Character Classic, or I will have wasted a lifetime of studying the sages’ teachings.”

Huai Qing was moved, holding the Imperial Tutor’s withered hand: “Imperial Tutor, this is too difficult for you.”

The Imperial Tutor said excitedly:

“No, even if I die, I must teach her to recite the Three Character Classic.

“I have taught the late emperor, taught Your Highnesses, I cannot lose my dignity in my final years.”

That’s unnecessary, that would be too worthless a way to die… Huai Qing didn’t know how to console him.

At this moment, the Imperial Tutor’s eyelids fluttered, and he fainted.

…

In Xiangzhou!

Eastern Wanrong rode in a grand palanquin through the streets, escorted by dozens of disciples from the East Sea Dragon Palace.

Beside her sat Eastern Wanqing, identical in appearance but cold in temperament.

“Master, we have collected eight Dragon Qi hosts. Should we send them back to Jingshan City?”

Eastern Wanrong asked.

“No need!”

Nalan Tianlu’s voice sounded in her mind, speaking gently:

“Dragon Qi has the property of mutual attraction. The more scattered Dragon Qi we collect, the more it will attract other Dragon Qi hosts.

“If we send them back to Jingshan City, we’ll lose this magnet for finding needles in the ocean.”

Eastern Wanrong nodded, then asked:

“Why don’t you just possess the body of a Dragon Qi host? They’re all fortunate ones with deep karmic blessings.”

Nalan Tianlu laughed:

“What deep karmic blessings do they have? In the eyes of supernatural realm experts, they’ve merely lucked into some small benefits. For this master to possess someone, they must at least be of the supernatural realm.

“If nothing else, peak fourth-tier would do, like yourself.”

Eastern Wanrong giggled: “This disciple is willing to sacrifice for Master.”

Nalan Tianlu shook his head: “Glib tongue.”

Peak fourth-tier practitioners might be rare, but they weren’t hard to find—there was no need to possess a disciple.

Moreover, this disciple was female, and Nalan Tianlu had no desire to be revived in a woman’s body.

Eastern Wanrong thought for a moment and asked curiously: “What about possessing Xu Qi’an? That would truly be deep karmic blessings, wouldn’t it?”

“…” Nalan Tianlu shook his head with a laugh:

“That fellow is wrapped in karma. This master would rather exist as a wandering ghost than possess him.”

After a pause, he continued:

“In all the Nine Provinces, as far as this master knows, only the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox of the Myriad Beasts Nation can create a perfect physical body with their spiritual essence.

“If we could trade with her, this master wouldn’t need to possess anyone.”

The aftereffects of possession were severe—the physical body and primordial spirit would reject each other, taking hundreds of years to reconcile.

In other words, for hundreds of years, his cultivation would hardly advance.

Eastern Wanrong pondered:

“We’re collecting Dragon Qi hosts, the Buddhist sect is collecting Dragon Qi hosts, and there’s that Xu Qi’an.

“Master, do you think all parties might meet at some moment, at some place?”

Nalan Tianlu gave an affirmative answer:

“We will, and it will be spectacular.

“When the time comes, this master will lend you aid.

“Wei Yuan captured Jingshan City and killed my son. I shall kill his valued younger generation and settle this karma.”