What? Only Zhenbao and I can see the modern city? The offspring of previous generations of the Imperial Family and Tributor cannot see it?

Zhao Douan was stunned once again.

However, Xu Zhenguan, due to his joy, didn't notice his abnormality or understood it as a normal reaction to witnessing the mysterious city, and said:

"It seems either it requires royal bloodline, or this painting has changed over the past century, different from the past... You can't go deeper now, probably because your cultivation is insufficient, there's no rush.

As for what the world inside is, I also don't know... I once succeeded in visualization through the blessing of Dragon Qi and could enter it, but my stay was always short.

Moreover, that world is extremely peculiar, the language and characters are different from Great Yu, unheard of.

In there, my cultivation disappears, and it's taken me two years to barely grasp some of the language and the few rules of that world... unable to delve deeper...

Unfortunately, with the current rebellion, I also don't have the time to explore and investigate the method to ascend to a Human Immortal... You also lack the cultivation to enter.

Otherwise, I could take you to familiarize yourself, tour that peculiar world, and explain many strange things in there to you..."

At this moment, Xu Zhenguan was like an eager child wanting to share his treasures with his little friend...

With a look of "Too bad you can't go in now, otherwise you'd be greatly shocked."

Zhao Douan pursed his lips, not daring to make a sound, thinking to himself, luckily you haven't explored this world deep enough to come across "ancient poetry" and "history," otherwise my secret of plagiarizing would have been exposed...

It would be social suicide...

Well, but it seems that if the Eight Princes' rebellion ends and Xu Zhenguan has extra time, sooner or later, he will find traces of Zhao Douan's plagiarism in the mural...

However, Zhao Douan feels that by then, Zhenbao might be the one in for a big shock... Goodness, you are an Outer Heaven Demon, yet you shamelessly say you'll take me, a native, on a tour of Earth...

But, with countless points of ridicule in his heart, he swallowed them back down.

At this moment, he still doesn't intend to expose himself, even if the two are already companions in bed, the secret of being a transmigrator is too big, so prolong the concealment for as long as possible...

Anyway, Zhenbao isn't going to find out anytime soon...

"In that case, I look forward to that day." Zhao Douan said earnestly.

Xu Zhenguan smiled and winked:

"Then it's a deal. But what you've seen today, you must keep it a secret, not disclosing it to outsiders."

"Of course." Zhao Douan nodded, taking a deep look at the stone wall, "I will absolutely not mention it to outsiders."

Having reached an agreement, tonight's viewing of the painting should come to an end.

"Seeing you looking so weary, it must be due to continuous visualization, go back and rest." Xu Zhenguan looked at what seemed like the tired Zhao Douan.

Zhao Douan hurriedly forced his spirits up at the words: "I am energetic and willing to stay in the palace for the night."

Psh—Even Xu Zhenguan, accustomed to this guy's thick skin and glib talk, as well as having gone through three days of constant battle, still turned red, put on a stern face:

"Stop talking nonsense. Now that I've reached Heavenly Human, you're still thinking of bed matters, do you want your hard-earned cultivation to fall again?"

Zhao Douan's expression dropped, the situation he dreaded became reality, now their cultivation levels differ again, meaning if they were to Dual Cultivate, Zhao Douan would become the weaker party...

"I have a bold idea, what if we as lord and subject don't Dual Cultivate, just simply..." He pondered calmly for a moment, offering a suggestion.

Xu Zhenguan stared at him, seemingly amused, with a faint smile: "Can you suppress that Dragon Essence?"

Zhao Douan deflated: "Can't suppress it."

During those three days in Baihua Village, he discovered once engaged, the Dragon Essence automatically starts cultivation, initiating Dual Cultivation, and it can't be stopped.

Xu Zhenguan sternly said: "I can't suppress it either. Even though I am now a Heavenly Human, the Dragon Essence has a certain bloodline suppression over the Martial God Inheritance."

Zhao Douan, dispirited, although somewhat prepared, upon facing this harsh reality, he couldn't hide his disappointment.

Doesn't that mean the next time they want to be intimate again, he'll have to wait until he ascends to Heavenly Human? Well, if other means...

While he was entertaining sinful thoughts, Xu Zhenguan, noticing his dejected look, his expression softened, he hesitated for a moment, and suddenly said:

"I have asked someone to prepare a gift, and in the next couple of days, it will be sent to your home for a marriage proposal."

"Ah?" The despondent Zhao Douan instantly perked up: "Proposal?"

Under the lamplight, the Empress, hiding a blush behind her regal demeanor, turned her head away, dodged his eyes, raised her chin, and tried to speak with authority:

"As the Imperial Consort, it is only appropriate for me to send a proposal. However, due to the critical situation now, we can't conduct the ceremony, our marriage must be postponed."

Zhao Douan was extremely surprised, suddenly grasping her meaning:

The current situation simply doesn't allow for a grand wedding ceremony at this time.

But a proposal can solidify his identity as the Imperial Consort, officially confirming it, not just hinted at during the Grand Banquet Ceremony at the end of year.

"Zhen..." Zhao Douan, unable to suppress his emotion, spoke softly, in the ambiguous atmosphere, took a deep breath, and said seriously:

"So once the rebels are quelled, I shall..."

He thought of saying 'marry', but it seemed wrong; he thought of saying 'be wed', but it felt even more wrong… he was stumped.

"Go away." Xu Zhenguan, face flushed and heart pounding, urged him.

"Oh, oh." Zhao Douan grabbed a lantern and headed out, suddenly pausing, saying:

"By the way, about the Qingzhou Rebel Army outside the city, I plan to take the Divine Mechanism Camp to suppress them."

Xu Zhenguan was stunned for a moment, looked at him in surprise, seemingly guessing something: "How confident are you?"

"Ninety-eight percent sure."

"Then go ahead." Xu Zhenguan didn't hesitate.

Even though Zhao Douan had never led troops in battle before, as long as he proposed it, she agreed without question, as if failure wouldn't matter.

——

These few chapters have been setting up and digging pits, the progress is a bit slow, coming next, once wrapped up, we'll get into new plot arcs.