The ascension of Xi Miaohua was witnessed by many cultivators, and as the news spread through word of mouth, the tales of a celestial being appearing in the Great Sui Dynasty became more widespread and exaggerated.
Yang Hong paid little heed to these rumors.
Because of them, the rogue cultivators and members of minor sects entering the Five Regions domain became much more obedient, indirectly saving Yang Hong a lot of trouble.
Therefore, he simply let the rumors evolve into outright falsehoods.
Xi Miaohua's sudden ascension, coupled with the death of that wicked beast, brought a temporary peace to Budong Temple.
However, they maintained their encirclement of the Eight Great Daoist and Immortal Sects, merely surrounding them without attacking. As long as no high-level cultivators emerged from within, they paid no attention to cultivators below the fourth rank.
With the Ten Great Immortal Sects ceasing their hostilities, the Demonic Sect having just been subdued by the Immortal Sects, and the major sects taking sides in secret while smaller sects dared not make a sound for fear of annihilation, the entire Taiyuan Cultivation Realm was, for a time, engulfed in a strange sense of peace.
This peaceful atmosphere was naturally favored by Yang Hong, a seasoned homebody.
After sending Xi Miaohua off, he had been somewhat annoyed by Li Lizhi and the others constantly pestering him for dual cultivation to improve their cultivation.
So, he employed the cultivation technique of the "Immovable Joyful Buddha," rapidly helping them to improve their cultivation. In just ten years, all seven of them reached the late Nascent Soul stage of the fifth rank.
To advance further would no longer be a matter of spiritual energy, but of comprehending the Dao and the rules of the universe.
This required not only comprehension but also fortune.
However, at the Nascent Soul stage, the women no longer had any complaints. After all, all of them had broken through to the late Nascent Soul stage before the age of 200, which was already incredibly prodigious.
At the very least, they were unparalleled among their peers.
With their cultivation reaching this level, they once again began to worry about the issue of progeny.
Yang Hong was also worried.
After ten years of continuous sowing, with no sprouting, he had the urge to travel back to his previous life for a full physical examination.
"Husband, could it be that we are too frequent, which causes this problem? I heard mortal doctors say that whether for men or women, too much frequency can lead to infertility."
One day, as Yang Hong lay in Zhu Yuyan's embrace, gazing at the white clouds, Zhu Yuyan suddenly said.
"There is a possibility. We should reduce the frequency and number of times from now on. It's not like you all don't compete to be the first each time."
Following Zhu Yuyan's words, Yang Hong recalled some knowledge from his previous life. It seemed there was indeed some truth to that.
"Then... I will go back and discuss a schedule with my sisters."
"Mm, definitely not more than once every seven days."
Yang Hong added another instruction, and only then did Zhu Yuyan dress and leave.
He himself continued to lie at the summit of Qingfeng Mountain, lost in thought, until the next morning.
The rising and setting of the sun left a profound trace in Yang Hong's heart, and an ancient aura of the Dao slowly emanated from him.
When the sun rose on the third morning, the light around Yang Hong seemed to warp, and shadows flickered erratically.
The clothes beneath him began to slowly wither and even decay.
The flow of time around him inexplicably accelerated by an unknown degree.
*Crack*
With a dull thud, the stone beneath Yang Hong actually decayed. Pressed by him, it had broken apart.
"Alas, what a pity."
With a sigh, Yang Hong awoke from his profound enlightenment and immediately checked his attributes.
Yang Hong: Sixth Prince of the Great Sui Dynasty.
Daily灌顶 (Guàn Dǐng -灌顶) count: 20/20
Lifespan: 180/6000
Cultivation: Ten Million Years of Spiritual Power (Integration Stage): Strength 90 million jin, Divine Sense 22,000 li.
Cultivation Techniques: Top-tier Breath Control Art 599 layers, Top-tier Body Tempering Art 102 layers.
Martial Skills: A Serious Punch, A Casual Saber Strike, A Serious Sword Strike.
Spells: Sweet Rain Technique (Mastered), Salvation Demonic Sound (Proficient)...
Domain: Time (7%)
Special Ability: Soul Enhancement.
He discovered that this enlightenment had only taken him a little over a year, and nothing else had changed, except that the "Artistic Conception" attribute had disappeared and been replaced by a new attribute, "Domain."
He had gained a preliminary understanding of the Time Domain. Although it was only 7%, he had made a start and could gradually perfect it, as he had plenty of time.
Wasn't there always the saying in the cultivation world, "Time reigns supreme, Space is king"?
He had now touched the threshold and would slowly enter it from now on.
"It's just that the range of my current domain is still a bit small, only nine inches."
As Yang Hong stood up, he awkwardly realized that the influence range of his domain was rather limited. At the same time, he found that all his seven-rank treasure-level magical artifacts had been corroded away.
"It seems the time acceleration function of my domain is quite potent?"
Yang Hong was about to start experimenting, but as soon as he exited the state of enlightenment, he found he could no longer use his domain.
However, all the artistic conceptions he had learned were still there, and he could still use them.
With a reasonably good mood, Yang Hong descended the mountain.
"Husband, you're out of seclusion? That's wonderful, we were all worried about you."
After walking only a short distance, Yang Hong encountered Wanwan, who had come up the mountain to check on him.
With a small hop, she flew over and hugged his arm.
"I'm so powerful, what is there to worry about? It's you, the troublemaker, who makes people worry."
Yang Hong playfully tapped her forehead and said dotingly.
Since gaining Yang Hong's affection, Wanwan had become more childlike, like a little girl who would never grow up, acting mischievous and playing pranks everywhere.
Yet, her strength was formidable, and no one could control her, allowing her to indulge her true nature even further.
Fortunately, she was inherently kind and had never truly harmed anyone.
"I'm not a troublemaker, I'm punishing evil and promoting good."
Wanwan frowned displeasantly and nudged Yang Hong's finger away with her forehead.
"Is everything okay at home?"
"Yes, everything is fine."
"That's good."
They walked back, chatting and laughing, when suddenly the ground shook violently. The two quickly flew into the air.
But soon, they noticed something was amiss.
"What is this? Are we rising?"
"We're not rising, the ground is rising! We're rising with the ground."
As he spoke, Yang Hong unleashed his divine sense with all his might.
The ground was not only rising but also widening.
"Not good! The Five Regions Seal!"
Realizing what was happening, Yang Hong abandoned Wanwan and teleported away alone.
When he reappeared, he was already in the Guangming Hall of the Great Sui Imperial Palace.
Yang Guang, whom he had not seen for over two years, now sat on the dragon throne with a benevolent expression, his head a shining bald pate, gazing downwards.
However, he had no life force, no soul essence, only an empty shell.
"Alas... why bother?"
Yang Hong had already guessed some possibilities, perhaps even the truth.
But now that it had come to this, with the Five Regions Seal broken, he would not blame Yang Guang.
If anyone was to blame, it would be those detestable bald monks.