71: Burning Ruins Sacred Fire

Hearing Ji Ziyu's words, everyone looked at Nangong Yu.

Nangong Yu's small face was full of smiles, and he ran over in a few steps, "Imperial Grandmother!"

"Ah, Yuer is so well-behaved!"

Ji Ziyu picked up Nangong Yu and sat down, then looked at the others and said, "Everyone, sit!"

Everyone nodded and took their seats.

Ji Yuwei and the other two, however, gave Nangong Yu a strange look, then glanced at Nangong Jingqi, feeling a surge of curiosity.

It was one thing for the Prince of Zhenbei to be so favored by the Qingyou Emperor and Empress, but why was he also so favored by the Empress Dowager?

Nangong Jingqi was the Imperial Eldest Prince, yet he didn't receive such treatment. Why did the Prince of Zhenbei?

Although the three were puzzled, they wouldn't ask such a question in this setting.

Ji Yunshang gently rose, took out three gift boxes, and respectfully presented them, saying, "Aunt, my Imperial Brother Ji Bolin asked Yunshang to convey his regards to you. These are a small token of our filial respect to you. We hope you won't dislike them!"

Hearing this, Ji Ziyu's eyes narrowed slightly, and she smiled, "This Dowager Empress is an old woman who has lived in the deep palace for a long time; I can't do anything anymore. Is it worth it?"

"Aunt, what are you saying? This is our filial respect to you. It's been a long time since we last saw you, so we can only offer these small gifts as a token of our reverence!"

Ji Yunshang spoke with a composed smile, but she felt as if she had been seen through, making her incredibly nervous.

Ji Ziyu gave her a deep look, then waved her hand slightly, "Cui Zhu, since it's a Junior's filial respect to This Dowager Empress, accept it!"

"Understood!"

Cui Zhu responded, took the three gift boxes, and placed them behind the screen.

Ji Ziyu smiled slightly and looked at Ji Yuwei, saying, "This little girl is Yuwei, right? This Dowager Empress heard that you were discussing her marriage in the Hall of Supreme Harmony?"

Hearing this, the expressions of the few people present changed slightly. Ji Yuwei glanced at Nangong Yu, her small face showing some grievance.

Immediately, she rose and knelt, saying, "Grand-aunt, Yuwei is still young and doesn't want to enter into a political marriage. Please help Yuwei, okay?"

Seeing this, Ji Yunshang's expression changed slightly, "Yuwei, don't be mischievous. Your Imperial Father will decide this matter when we return. Don't trouble your Grand-aunt!"

Ji Ziyu gently waved her hand, and Ji Yuwei involuntarily stood up.

Then, Ji Ziyu smiled and said, "Jingqi, this Little Fellow, is quite good. You two can try to get to know each other."

"And This Dowager Empress also heard, just as your aunt said, that this is merely a proposal. The specific decision still awaits your Imperial Father's choice."

Hearing this, Ji Yuwei was somewhat disappointed but said no more.

Although she was young, she clearly understood that her Grand-aunt had refused.

This small interlude did not cause much change. Ji Yunshang and the others chatted with Ji Ziyu for a while longer, then the three left the palace.

In the following days, the Dongyan Empire and the other three nations signed alliances with Clear Serenity. Trade would gradually open up, and they would exchange goods and resources.

This news reached the Beichuan Empire, greatly angering the Beichuan Emperor, Tuoba Yelü, and his ministers.

But what made them even more despairing was that the Qingyou Empire seemed to truly know everything about their Beichuan Empire, once again severely damaging the Beichuan Empire's army!

Based on this, they advanced tens of thousands of miles further north, occupying a large area of Beichuan's southern territory.

Not only that, Beichuan Empire's other two hostile nations, the Fengsha Empire and the Fierce Tiger Demon Kingdom, also began to declare war on Beichuan, like wild beasts smelling blood.

In just half a month, the Beichuan Empire lost 30% of its territory, severely weakening the Empire's Origin Qi.

Finally, the Beichuan Empire sent a letter of surrender to the Qingyou Empire, requesting a ceasefire and offering compensation.

Furthermore, Beichuan was willing to pay annual tribute and requested the Qingyou Empire's protection, hoping it could persuade the Fengsha Empire and the Fierce Tiger Empire to cease hostilities!

In response, Nangong Aotian and the others deliberated repeatedly and accepted the letter of surrender, but demanded that Beichuan hand over those involved in harming the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu!

Tuoba Yelü, with a heavy heart, agreed to this condition!

At this point, all the main figures involved in harming Nangong Aochen, except for the Beichuan Emperor Tuoba Yelü, were executed!

Of course, one small rat was still alive, but the Divine Shadow Emissary had not yet found him, nor was he mentioned in the Jade Slip, so everyone thought he was dead.

The Beichuan Empire surrendered. Clear Serenity did not return the occupied territories and also received generous compensation.

However, the Qingyou Empire did not agree to mediate, so the Fengsha Empire and the Fierce Tiger Empire did not stop and continued to encroach upon the Beichuan Empire.

Nevertheless, the Beichuan Empire was still a strong nation. Without the cheat-like presence of Clear Serenity, although it was difficult to stand alone, it gradually stabilized... Shouxian Palace.

Nangong Yu sat in his courtyard, leisurely enjoying Qing Ling's shoulder massage.

He had been living here for almost a year, or rather, today was his birthday.

Nangong Yu's expression showed a hint of anticipation as his consciousness entered the Time-Space Merchant Guild.

Indeed!

The golden shelf had reappeared!

The golden shelf still had eighty-one grids, each holding a mysterious gift box emitting an enigmatic glow.

Seeing this, Nangong Yu couldn't help but show a hint of anticipation, "Last time I got the Yin and Yang Reversal Profound Pill. I wonder what good things I'll get this time?"

Nangong Yu didn't think much and directly said, "Nine-nine Perfection, then I choose the eighty-first gift box!"

As Nangong Yu's voice fell, the eighty-first gift box on the golden shelf flew before him, and the golden shelf disappeared.

Nangong Yu took a deep breath and directly opened the mysterious gift box in front of him.

After a dazzling flash of starlight, a cluster of seven-colored flames appeared before him.

The flames subtly exuded terrifying power, yet they seemed suppressed, appearing somewhat unremarkable.

Seeing this, Nangong Yu waved his hand, sending the flames to the white jade shelf, and quickly learned the flames' information.

[Furnace-Destroying Sacred Fire: In the Chaos of heaven and earth, when the world first opened, the first Spiritual Fire conceived in Chaos. It can burn all visible and invisible things, is the Supreme of all fires, and is avoided by all things!]

"Spiritual Fire?"

Nangong Yu's eyes narrowed, and a smile unconsciously curved his lips. There were many Spiritual Fires in this world, all born from heaven and earth.

These Spiritual Fires contain various attributes and abilities. Refining one is equivalent to possessing a powerful offensive method!

Furthermore, Spiritual Fire is a rare treasure that Alchemists and even Artifact Masters dream of but cannot obtain.

Among Spiritual Fires, there are also strengths and weaknesses based on their different attributes and birth times.

But even the weakest Spiritual Fire, as long as it's not restricted by a Cultivator's cultivation, is far stronger than a Saint Grade Alchemist's Pill Fire at its Peak!

Since the one before him could be called the Supreme of all fires, it must certainly not be an ordinary Spiritual Fire!

He seemed to have obtained something extraordinary again. As expected, luck was still on his side, or rather...