The three kingdoms of Chu, Han and Ming simultaneously had a major event happen. The imperial astronomical bureaus of the three kingdoms all predicted that a divine beast was about to be born into the world!
Since ancient times, whenever an auspicious divine beast descended from the heavens, it was always an omen of a wise ruler's prosperous era and unification of the realm. But this time there were three divine beasts that would each appear in one of the three kingdoms.
No need to fight or snatch over them, the emperors of the three kingdoms would each get a share!
The imperial astronomical bureaus predicted that within ten days at most, the divine beasts would arrive into the mortal realm.
Great Chu Imperial Palace-
Xiang Chong excitedly paced back and forth!
"The moment this emperor took the throne, a divine beast actually descended from heaven? Is this not Heaven acknowledging me and that I will become the sage ruler of my generation?"
Empress Dowager Li also repeatedly nodded. "My son is destined by Heaven. This is undoubtedly true."
The palace maids, eunuchs and guards attending by the side did not actually believe this in their hearts upon hearing it.
If all three kingdoms were having a divine beast descend, wouldn't that make all three rulers sage emperors?
"Your Majesty, capturing a divine beast is extremely difficult," Eunuch Chen kindly reminded. "Ever since ancient times, among the records of divine beasts at least descending into the mortal realm several tens of times, all the heroic rulers who managed to tame a divine beast did indeed accomplish great feats.
However, there were also plenty who failed to tame the divine beast. From then on, their fortune declined, nothing went smoothly for them, some even finally perished."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Chong erupted in great anger. "Eunuch Chen, what do you mean by saying this? Are you cursing your emperor!?"
"Uh... Your Majesty, this old servant is merely reminding you to make full preparations when trying to tame a divine beast. Do not feel delighted prematurely..."
Eunuch Chen sighed internally. This new master was truly difficult to serve. Why doesn't he listen to good advice?
Fortunately Empress Dowager Li was patient as she advised, "Do not get agitated Your Majesty. First listen to what Eunuch Chen has to say. He is knowledgeable and experienced about many matters that even I do not know about. I often have to ask him for teachings."
"Oh, I see." Only then did Xiang Chong restrain his anger as he glared at Eunuch Chen. "What else do you know about divine beasts? Hurry up and say everything!"
Eunuch Chen sighed. "Yes, Your Majesty. Ever since ancient times, the two most difficult points about taming a divine beast are strength and virtue. That is to say, one must either surpass the divine beast in strength and defeat it in battle, or make it submit through virtue. Achieving either one is the method to tame a divine beast."
Xiang Chong frowned as he listened.
What the hell is that?
An invisible and intangible thing. How can that possibly tame a divine beast?
He directly asked, "How strong can the divine beasts be? Can I defeat it?"
Eunuch Chen had long expected Xiang Chong to ask this. "The divine beasts descending from heaven are often still young. Their strength may not necessarily be too powerful. Based on records, the weakest may only be at the Unity Realm First Stage while the strongest can be at the Great Vehicle Realm First Stage. This mainly depends on the beast's race and grade..."
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"What!? You damn old fart, are you messing with me!? Even the weakest is still Unity Realm First Stage. How do you expect me to tame that kind of beast!?"
Xiang Chong only had the Nascent Soul Realm cultivation level. He simply didn't have the courage to face even the Unity Realm. He suspected that Eunuch Chen was either becoming senile or deliberately wanted him to go die!
The corner of Eunuch Chen's mouth twitched.
Divine beasts possess intelligence. If those words were overheard by the divine beast after descending, perhaps it would rather die than acknowledge Xiang Chong as its master.
"Your Majesty, beware your words... Please listen to this old servant's explanation, Your Majesty. After a heaven-descended divine beast arrives into the mortal realm seeking a master, as long as it finds someone it considers a possible master, then it will initiate a [Battle of Acknowledgment ].
This battle will be protected by Heaven's Way, forming a special space that only the two battling can enter.
When Your Majesty enters that special space with the divine beast, both your strengths will be adjusted by Heaven's Way to the same level of cultivation base, using the stronger side as the benchmark.
That is to say, once you do battle with the divine beast, Your Majesty's cultivation level will temporarily rise, at minimum to the Unity Realm First Stage, possibly even directly to the Great Vehicle Realm."
Speaking to here, Eunuch Chen revealed an envious expression.
"Your Majesty, this is a heaven-bestowed opportunity. No matter victory or defeat in the battle, being able to experience a cultivation realm you have never reached before at least once will be extremely beneficial to your future cultivation. It can help you avoid many detours."
Xiang Chong was delighted to hear this. "So it turns out to be . I will definitely be able to defeat the divine beast and my cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds daily!"
Eunuch Chen respectfully said, "Your Majesty, what divine beasts value most when choosing their master is potential. Divine beasts do not mind if the master is weaker than itself, as long as he has unlimited future potential. Hence the same level [Battle of Acknowledgment] will occur. As long as you can defeat the divine beast, you will gain its approval for having unlimited potential."
Xiang Chong was already excited to the point his entire face was flushed red. "Potential? Of course, I naturally have unlimited potential! Back then in the Blazing Fire Sect, everyone in the sect praised me for being a once in a century genius! Hahahaha!"
Eunuch Chen gaped, rendered speechless for a good while by this argument.
The Blazing Fire Sect?
Every year when Xiang Chong had still been cultivating back then, Empress Dowager Li had provided the sect with large amounts of exotic tributes. With the sect poor yet having to put on appearances, Xiang Chong had naturally received exceptionally good treatment there.
What's so unusual about them exaggeratingly praising him a few times? Who would actually take those words seriously?
"Ahem! Anyway, it would be best for Your Majesty to diligently practice more and prepare carefully for the battle. No artifacts or weapons can be used during the Battle of Acknowledgment. It will depend completely on personal ability."
Within Rivers and Mountains Pavilion, Fan Li was handling government affairs.
"Great Ming plans to mass purchase large amounts of Great Chu's specialty product, spirit iron ore. Their offered purchase price is close to double that of last year's price. Should we approve exporting massive volumes of spirit iron ore to Great Ming?"
Fan Li directly marked one word - Disapproved!
"Is the Jiajing Emperor doing this intentionally?"
"Our Great Chu happens to be replacing our old and worn armaments this year. We urgently require massive amounts of spirit iron ore. If we sell all the ore to Great Ming, then our Chu troops will have no new equipment to change into. Just the difference in armaments alone will be enough to sway the scales of victory if both nations go to war."
"Furthermore, Xiang Ning is still detained in the Brahma Sound Pure Land with the false emperor presiding over court. It is not suitable for our nation to launch military campaigns."
"If I become greedy for petty profits, it will give the Jiajing Emperor the opportunity to invade our weakness. Only by rejecting this trade will Great Ming realize Great Chu still has defense preparations completed, forcing them to cautiously consider using troops. The common people of both nations can also avoid the fires of war."
Fan Li had gradually become used to handling government affairs alone and muttering to himself.
While he was grumbling to himself, a small fellow frolicked over from who knows where. Glancing down for a closer look, Fan Li saw it was actually a snow white little kitten looking extremely cute.
"Is this one of Yuehua's new pets that wandered here to my Rivers and Mountains Pavilion from her manor?"
Fan Li reached out to stroke it. Surprisingly, the little fellow didn't seem to mind at all. It allowed Fan Li to pet it while its eyes remained staring intently at the official documents on the desk.
"Oh? Can you actually recognize words?" Fan Li couldn't help laughing.
The little guy let out a cry. Its meow didn't sound like a cat nor a dog, but was still silly and cute.
Fan Li laughed even more cheerfully. "This lord marquis happens to be handling government affairs right now. Don't cause trouble here little one. Otherwise you'll face military punishment!"
He half-jokingly said this, yet the little white cat glanced back at Fan Li before actually proactively making space for him by pushing itself to the edge of the table. It really ensured Fan Li had ample room to continue working at his desk without affecting him!