Although Jia Yuanchun and the others successfully converted their cultivation techniques and formed true qi, they encountered a common problem faced by all cultivators entering the Five Directions Dynasty: spiritual energy.
They were unable to absorb any spiritual energy from the air for their cultivation. The entire region of the Five Directions Dynasty was not merely scarce in spiritual energy, but devoid of it.
Yang Hong, with his灌顶 (Guàn dǐng) system, had no cultivation issues. Apart from Song Yuzhi, who could cultivate through dual cultivation with Yang Hong, the others were unable to practice.
Besides this method of cultivation, there was another way: eating spirit plants to cultivate. Spirit plants contained a considerable amount of spiritual energy, but Yang Hong had not yet cultivated enough of them. Jia Yuanchun and the others had initially cultivated with the help of the Qingyu fine wine Yang Hong had brewed previously.
Additionally, there was another valuable item that could be used for cultivation: tiger bone wine, tiger blood wine, and tiger meat feasts brewed from materials from tiger demons. However, Yang Hong was not prepared to use these items casually, as they were too rare and precious.
Although the female cultivator he killed earlier hadn't had a chance to speak, the cultivation introduction of the《素女采阳功》(Sù Nǚ Cǎi Yáng Gōng) mentioned that the spiritual energy in the Five Directions Domain was becoming increasingly thin, thus requiring the absorption of martial artists' vital energy for cultivation, replacing spiritual energy with the life force of martial artists. This was also the main reason why Yang Hong did not teach Song Yuzhi and the others the《素女采阳功》(Sù Nǚ Cǎi Yáng Gōng)—it was too wicked.
Therefore, Yang Hong now needed to understand the general situation of the Five Directions Dynasty and find out where spiritual energy could still be found, before considering moving. Coincidentally, Song Yuzhi, Jia Yuanchun, Zhou Fengzhi, and the others hailed from scattered regions. Sending them home to visit their families would be a perfect opportunity to survey the general environment of the Great Sui Dynasty.
The third day of the seventh lunar month was a dark and windy night, suitable for killing… Cough, wrong channel.
Yang Hong, who was resting by the Precious Lotus Pond, was entangled by Song Yuzhi. After their intimate session, Song Yuzhi made a request.
“Husband, are you really going to let Sister Zhou and the others leave?”
“Mmm~” Yang Hong had a look of unsatisfied desire, appearing somewhat listless.
“Husband, since you’ve decided, I won’t try to dissuade you any further. But before they leave, you must have them.”
“Heh~ Not interested.” Yang Hong sneered, viewing those women merely as tools to collect cultivation resources like spiritual energy and spirit plants. He didn't intend to give them his true feelings, nor even his emotions.
“Husband, have you ever heard a saying?”
“What?”
“The way to a woman’s heart is through her mouth, especially that lower mouth.”
“Mmm.” Although Song Yuzhi spoke euphemistically, those who understood, understood.
“Heh heh, no need. I gave them a new life. As long as they aren’t stupid, they won’t betray me. And women who can survive in the imperial palace until they reach the emperor’s bed are certainly not fools.” Yang Hong was not a lecher, never had been. Even his passion with Song Yuzhi only lasted for two months. After that, he began to retreat to the Precious Lotus Pond to cultivate. He was not particularly inclined towards female beauty; he preferred cultivation. Cultivation could increase lifespan, and reaching a certain level could even lead to immortality.
“Husband, although you have absolute confidence, don’t be careless. Everyone has emotions and feelings. Even if they don’t betray you, if they reveal something they shouldn’t, it will be a big trouble.”
“Husband, before I married you, I knew you had no cultivation, couldn’t cultivate, and were forbidden from cultivating. Even the Retired Emperor repeatedly instructed that you must not cultivate.”
“Once the news of your cultivation leaks…” Song Yuzhi gently persuaded Yang Hong.
Upon hearing this, Yang Hong no longer stubbornly refused. What Song Yuzhi said was not without reason. Although he had refined the bodies of the seven women with the true qi from the《素女功》(Sù Nǚ Gōng), instilling in them a good impression and considerable loyalty, this loyalty was still very different from Song Yuzhi's. Considering that the seven, apart from Jia Yuanchun, would be dispersed to different parts of the country, it was better to be cautious.
“Yuzhi, make arrangements. I will give the seven of them a simple wedding as a form of closure.”
“Also, do it one by one. I will spend three days with each of them.” Yang Hong had come to a realization. This world was a feudal society, and one with cultivators. He couldn’t measure morality by the standards of his previous life. Since he had decided to take those seven consorts, he would treat them well. Twenty-one days were not a waste he couldn’t afford, even if Song Yuzhi felt a bit jealous.
At the same time, upon hearing that Yang Hong had finally taken action with those concubines, Yang Zhong was very pleased and personally sent seven sets of betrothal gifts. Empress Dugu Galuo, for some unknown reason, sent seven sets of phoenix coronets and ceremonial robes. This nearly drove Yang Jian mad.
However, Dugu Galuo, in turn, sent seven beautiful women to Yang Jian, all of them stunning. This slightly soothed Yang Jian’s anger. Nevertheless, Yang Hong could tell from Yang Jian’s expression that he was in a very unpleasant mood. But Yang Hong let Yang Jian and Dugu Galuo fight their own battles.
“Good grandson, are you sure you want to let those people leave the palace?” Yang Zhong did not quite understand Yang Hong’s decision.
“Sure! Doing this has several benefits. First, it can promote the benevolence of the imperial family. Second, I want them to help promote the high-yield crops. Third, I want them to help me find some interesting seeds.” The reasons Yang Hong gave were all true and superficial.
“Good grandson, your idea is very good. Although the court is promoting high-yield crops, many aristocratic families are obstructing it. Your ‘visiting relatives’ initiative might have some effect.” Yang Zhong nodded in agreement after listening to Yang Hong. Although he had abdicated and was now focused on educating the imperial descendants, he still paid attention to court affairs. Therefore, he understood some of the court’s difficulties.
“Imperial Grandfather, this ‘visiting relatives’ trip should be kept low-key. Just a few palace maids and eunuchs should suffice, after all, apart from Yuzhi, they are all…” Yang Hong did not finish, but Yang Zhong understood his meaning.
“Hmph, I know this. Your father’s only flaw is that he’s afraid of his wife.” Yang Zhong snorted in dissatisfaction but said no more, as Dugu Galuo managed the harem impeccably and was a rare virtuous empress.
Finally, under Yang Zhong’s arrangements, ostensibly it was Song Yuzhi returning home to visit her family, with a grand procession. In reality, it included the entourage of the other seven women. In the end, each of the seven concubines only brought two maids to their homes, without any eunuchs or guards. Song Yuzhi had a more prominent status, bringing two maids, two eunuchs, and thirty-six guards.
The reason they only brought so few people was that all eight women possessed Heavenly Human realm strength. This level of power was enough for them to move freely in the martial world. Moreover, the sixteen maids were all genuine cultivators at the mid-stage of the Innate Grandmaster realm. With such strength, as long as they didn't actively provoke major sects, they would be in no danger.