The Emperor summoned all civil and military officials to discuss important matters. Upon receiving the news, the officials immediately ceased their work and hurried to the Imperial Palace.
Those who also received the message were the commanding generals of the armies stationed at various fronts, and even Gongsun Rou, who was far in the Northern Territory.
Everyone realized that this important matter would not be simple, as the Emperor had never been so solemn before.
For a time, the common people in the imperial capital also became tense, discussing whether the Emperor was about to launch an expedition to the Demon Beast Mountain in the Western Regions, and unify the Great Desolation in one fell swoop.
The people from Earth, who were "international students" at the Great Qian Academy, were also affected.
Lin Wencheng watched the academy's dean rush to the Imperial Palace with a look of surprise. "Has something major happened in Great Qian? The Emperor is summoning all officials. This doesn't seem good!?"
During this period, he had been residing at the Great Qian Academy and had gradually integrated into life in Great Qian.
Furthermore, his granddaughter was the Emperor's concubine, so he received a lot of care. After nearly half a month of cultivation, although he hadn't reached the Qi Refining realm, his mental state had improved, making him look more than ten years younger.
On the other hand, his grandson, Lin Zihao, constantly boasted that the Emperor was his brother-in-law and had reaped significant benefits within the academy. Who would dare to refuse the Emperor's brother-in-law?
Therefore, relying on preferential resources, Lin Zihao had entered the Qi Refining realm yesterday. He was now happily entertaining himself by condensing spiritual energy into balloons.
Prince Jack and other Earthlings with Western features were also doing reasonably well. Their cultivation was proceeding as expected, and they had achieved some notable progress.
For instance, every morning upon waking, they now experienced a "pillar of strength."
This greatly excited them, and they shouted, "My youth is back!"
Later, they verified this by finding that they could urinate three meters far without any support, which further thrilled them!
Professor Sam responded to Lin Wencheng's words, "Perhaps it's another war? Great Qian just annexed the Great Jin Dynasty not long ago, and now they're likely targeting the demon race in the Western Regions."
Having been in Great Qian for almost a month, they had already understood the power dynamics of the Great Desolation.
"I fear they might be targeting Earth, not just the Demon Beast Mountain," Lin Wencheng said with a grave expression.
The consequences would be unimaginable if the Great Qian Dynasty were to invade Earth.
"It shouldn't be. The Great Qian Emperor has already reached a reconciliation with the countries on Earth and shown goodwill. They won't attack in the short term," Professor Sam speculated.
"I hope not," Lin Wencheng sighed faintly.
Now, he found himself in a difficult position, unable to side with anyone. He was an Earthling, and Earth was his homeland. However, his granddaughter had married the Great Qian Emperor and was now part of Great Qian. This made Lin Wencheng's choice very difficult.
Meanwhile, the commanding generals of the armies on the northern, western, and eastern fronts had received the news.
Without hesitation, they immediately set off for the imperial capital.
In the former imperial capital of the Great Jin in the Northern Territory, Gongsun Rou, clad in a phoenix-patterned official robe, put down her work, her brow furrowed. "You're saying His Majesty wants me to return for an important discussion?"
"Yes, my lady," the palace maid replied with her head lowered.
"Then I shall return," Gongsun Rou said without further ado and immediately prepared to head back to the Eastern Region.
"Wait, I'll go with you." A figure in white suddenly appeared. It was Bai Yue, the former Empress of Great Jin, who had abdicated.
Bai Yue no longer wore her white and gold dragon robe. Instead, she was dressed in a form-fitting, pale white dress without any patterns, very simple. However, it perfectly accentuated her voluptuous figure.
"Your Majesty... you are going to Great Qian?" Gongsun Rou bowed slightly, showing respect to the former Empress of Great Jin.
When she first arrived in the Northern Territory, she had worried that the former Empress of Great Jin might disrupt or obstruct her work in taking over Great Jin.
She had already prepared herself for potential obstacles, but she never expected that the former Empress of Great Jin would be completely indifferent to the Great Jin Dynasty.
She spent her days in seclusion, cultivating, and nothing else could capture her attention.
Occasionally, she would inquire about His Majesty.
Bai Yue's expression was cold. She nodded and then said, "I am no longer the Empress of Great Jin. You don't need to address me as such."
Gongsun Rou did not respond to this but reconfirmed if Bai Yue intended to go to Great Qian.
"Yes, I am going. What? Can I not go?" Bai Yue turned her head to look at Gongsun Rou.
"No, I was just a little surprised," Gongsun Rou said.
...
Four hours later.
Most of the civil and military officials had gathered in the Imperial Palace hall, their faces etched with tension. They wondered what important matter His Majesty had convened this assembly for.
"Lord Gongsun has arrived from the Northern Territory," someone exclaimed as they saw Gongsun Rou walk in gracefully, her demeanor impeccable.
Everyone's gaze turned, and they saw the woman walking beside Gongsun Rou, whose aura completely overshadowed Gongsun Rou's!
Although a woman, she possessed an imposing aura that commanded respect. A mere glance from her phoenix-like eyes caused the officials present to hold their breath, daring not to exhale!
Everyone was shocked!
Who was this person, possessing such a domineering and terrifying aura? They had only ever seen such an aura on His Majesty.
Thinking that she had entered with Gongsun Rou, everyone suddenly understood and gasped!
"The Empress of Great Jin!?" someone exclaimed before quickly covering their mouth, realizing their失态 (loss of composure).
Everyone present was greatly surprised, never expecting the Empress of Great Jin to come to Great Qian. This was an unexpected development.
Bai Yue ignored them and did not join the morning court. Instead, she went directly to find Xu Mo.
In his sleeping quarters, Xu Mo, upon learning that all officials had arrived, was about to head to the hall when he suddenly sensed someone intruding into his chambers.
Sensing the familiar aura, Xu Mo relaxed his brow and said with displeasure, "Has no one taught you to announce yourself and knock before entering someone's chambers?"
He turned around and saw Bai Yue, the Empress of Great Jin, in her white dress.
"Among cultivators, why bother with such rules?" Bai Yue replied coldly.
The moment she saw Xu Mo, she felt a surge of anger. Her supreme Dao foundation was still in Xu Mo's hands.
This made her feel as if something was missing from her body every time she entered seclusion, a sensation that was extremely strange.
"Don't care about these rules? Are you saying that I can also enter your chambers and bedroom at will?" Xu Mo said.
"Naturally. If you want to enter, then enter. What's the big deal?"
Bai Yue's answer was straightforward.
"Uh..." Xu Mo was speechless. He then realized that Bai Yue was a devout cultivator, and her bedroom was likely just a place for cultivation, with no concept of privacy.
"I won't argue about this with you. You came to find me, is there something you need?" Xu Mo asked, looking at her.