CHAPTER 494: CHAPTER 413 ENTERING THE PATH_2

So many people have gathered, and the food and entertainment are quite abundant.

Although the Interstellar Era is extremely prosperous, it lacks this pure ancient charm.

Currently, it’s New Year, and the Imperial Capital is filled with a festive New Year atmosphere everywhere.

Gao Xuan took Ye Jinxiu around to explore, feeling quite similar to how he used to escort Helen around. Only now, he’s more relaxed at heart.

As days passed one by one, more and more people came to visit Gao Xuan.

These people had various motives; some wanted to win over Gao Xuan, some wanted to test his depth, and some were dissatisfied with his reputation. All kinds of people.

Gao Xuan deftly navigated among them, responding to people from all sides with composure. During this time, he engaged in two bouts, defeating two well-known Innate Martial Artists.

Gao Xuan’s extraordinary and graceful demeanor also earned admiration from all quarters.

Spring has arrived, the snow hasn’t melted, and the wind is even colder. The festive noise of the New Year in the Imperial Capital is gradually dissipating.

Beside the Western Military Camp of the Imperial Capital, on Profound Yellow Mountain, the construction of the altar for the Xingtian Grand Ceremony has already begun. Tens of thousands of people are busy here.

The Xingtian Grand Ceremony has also become the focal point of attention for those up and down the capital.

Inside the Celestial Soldier Mansion, Mansion Master Sun Shangdao is playing chess with Grand Commandant Pang Tong. They are playing Chinese chess, employing strategies of attack and defense.

Sun Shangdao, with white hair and eyebrows, wears a simple black robe, exuding elegance. His chess play is also upright.

Hence, his nickname is Thunder Martial Saint. When he acts, it’s like the oncoming might of thunder, imposing with grandeur and righteousness.

The experts within the Celestial Soldier Dao are mostly high-ranking generals of the court.

This generation’s Sun Shangdao is also a Martial Saint, making the Celestial Soldier Dao even more formidable among the Six Paths and Eight Sects.

To maintain the balance of the court, Sun Shangdao, the Martial Saint, is not convenient to hold major positions, so he can only withdraw to the Celestial Soldier Mansion, while Pang Tong assumes the position of Grand Commandant.

Pang Tong, with a square head and face, appears rigid and serious. He is a serious man who dislikes jokes the most.

The chess game isn’t going well, and Pang Tong’s expression becomes increasingly grim.

Sun Shangdao smiles: "Stop looking, you’ve lost."

Pang Tong frowns and ponders for a long time before nodding: "Indeed, I’ve lost." He pushes away the chessboard, "Frustrating, I won’t play anymore."

"What, is there something unhappy in court again?" Sun Shangdao glances at Pang Tong and knows this person is in a bad mood.

Pang Tong asks Sun Shangdao: "What use is the Xingtian Grand Ceremony? It’s a waste of resources; wouldn’t it be better to allocate this money to the soldiers at the front?"

"You can’t say that. The Xingtian Grand Ceremony can enhance national prestige, rally public support, and boost morale. It deters surrounding countries."

Sun Shangdao says: "If it succeeds, it means avoiding warfare. It’s a great benefit for the nation and the people."

"What if it fails?"

Pang Tong counters: "If the opponent suddenly produces a Martial God, what should we do?"

"If they truly have a Martial God, what can we do? We can only admit defeat."

Sun Shangdao says: "In the frontlines, if a Martial God acts, our army would collapse."

Pang Tong disagrees: "That’s not right, a Martial God, however strong, is still human. In front of an army of thousands, what can a Martial God do?"

"Hehehe..."

Sun Shangdao chuckles, shaking his head: "You don’t understand. A Martial God is a god, much more powerful than a Martial Saint. There’s no comparison."

Pang Tong also shakes his head. He doesn’t believe Sun Shangdao’s words but can’t refute them either. After all, no one has ever seen a Martial God. If relying on ancient records, a Martial God can practically move mountains and fill seas.

But where in the world is such power!

Pang Tong doesn’t want an empty debate; such discussions are meaningless. He says: "Path of Non-Birth and Taiyi Dao are very dishonest, including the Ten Directions Dao. I see they’re closely associating with the princes, probably plotting something!"

"His Majesty is in his prime, incredibly wise. Supporting the princes at this time is seeking death."

Sun Shangdao says: "As long as we keep an eye on His Majesty, there’s no need to worry about the rest."

Pang Tong still shakes his head: "I’ll say something unpleasant; I find this Xingtian Grand Ceremony problematic. Zuo Bubei, Luo Tiangang, these two especially—"

Before Pang Tong finishes speaking, Sun Shangdao interrupts him: "The Martial Saint has intuition; don’t mention their names."

He pauses and adds: "In this world, we can only control ourselves; what others do is their business."

Sun Shangdao doesn’t want to discuss this further, and he also knows that in recent years, Taiyi Dao and Ten Directions Dao have been causing frequent troubles.

The Emperor feels these major sects do not engage in productive work but amass wealth without paying taxes, greatly undermining the court’s finances. Even damaging the court’s laws.

For several years, pressure has been constantly applied to Path of Non-Birth, Taiyi Dao, and Ten Directions Dao, becoming increasingly severe. These major sects have suffered losses and cannot directly counter the Emperor, inevitably resorting to behind-the-scenes tactics.

However, among the Six Paths and Eight Sects, only Path of Non-Birth, Taiyi Dao, and Ten Directions Dao spread teachings and recruit followers. It’s not easy for these three to stir trouble.

Sun Shangdao believes the Emperor completely controls the situation. Although Zuo Bubei and Luo Tiangang are Martial Saints, they can’t defy destiny.

Throughout history, conspiracy and trickery never achieve great things.

Sun Shangdao doesn’t want to discuss this further, instead saying: "Right, have you met Gao Xuan?"

"I encountered him at a banquet at Tie Yue’s home."

Pang Tong thinks for a moment and comments: "He has an imposing presence, quite extraordinary. A remarkable person."

"Oh."

Sun Shangdao is a bit surprised. Pang Tong is a very serious person; he wouldn’t joke. And he certainly wouldn’t randomly praise someone.

He’s known Pang Tong for decades, and there aren’t many who have received such high praise from him.

Sun Shangdao says: "Gao Xuan’s situation has been thoroughly investigated. He grew up in Copper City, learning the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training Method from Sun Yingping. Speaking of which, Sun Yingping is also a disciple of our Celestial Soldier Dao, and technically, he’s a generation older than me..."