Chapter 574: Connecting Mind and Traveling Together

In officialdom, Xiao Du had always been as steady as Mount Tai, never fearing anyone his entire life. For a long time in the early period, Xiao Du even believed that although Yin Zhaoxian's prestige was growing, he often had to rely on the Censorate and frequently used some of the Xiao family's policies to eliminate dissidents. It wasn't until he later sensed something was amiss and began to actively confront the Yin family himself that he truly experienced the immense pressure. The ease and satisfaction he once felt in utilizing the Yin family now corresponded to the overwhelming pressure he was under.

During Yin Zhaoxian's severe illness, many "anti-Yin factions" dared not make rash moves. However, as time went on, their confidence grew, especially after many secretly consulted imperial physicians, who all gave very pessimistic prognoses for Yin Zhaoxian's condition.

However, this world is home not only to mortals but also to immortals, demons, gods, and Buddhas. Given the current situation, even if all reports are mere street rumors, the possibility of Yin Zhaoxian being cured by a powerful expert is genuinely not small.

Xiao Du's deep, troubled frown only worsened his mood. After a long while, he finally instructed the old servant beside him.

"Continue to send people to gather information. Then prepare a carriage; I need to enter the palace immediately. Also, continue making arrangements for my son's wedding, and tell him to pay more attention to it himself."

"Yes, sir!"

After the old servant withdrew, Xiao Du returned to change into his official robes, then boarded the prepared carriage and headed straight for the palace. Although it was already time for lunch, Xiao Du clearly had no appetite.

A little over a quarter of an hour later, in the Imperial Study, Emperor Hongwu had just finished lunch and resumed reviewing memorials. In fact, ever since he witnessed the day turn into night, he had been distracted, only truly settling down to govern after finishing his meal.

He had only reviewed two memorials when Li Jingchun, the chief eunuch from outside, entered to report.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Censor-in-Chief requests an audience."

Yang Hao looked up, his brow furrowing slightly, and thought to himself, *Xiao Du certainly has a keen sense of smell.*

"Let him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Li Jingchun walked leisurely to the outside of the Imperial Study and spoke to Xiao Du, who stood calmly outside.

"Minister Xiao, His Majesty summons you inside."

Xiao Du cupped his hands towards the old eunuch, then stepped into the Imperial Study ahead of him. Li Jingchun followed slowly behind, his gaze at Xiao Du somewhat meaningful.

Upon entering the Imperial Study, Xiao Du first bowed to Emperor Hongwu.

"Your humble subject, Xiao Du, greets Your Majesty!"

"Hmm, Minister Xiao, there's no need for such formality. What brings you here?"

As Yang Hao spoke, his gaze returned to the memorial, and he carefully continued to review it with his brush in hand.

Although Yang Hao's impression of the Xiao family was not particularly good when he was a prince, it had been positive since he became emperor. To the Yang imperial clan, the Xiao family was considered "dutiful" and easy to manage. Therefore, even if Yin Zhaoxian recovered, and even if a purge was inevitable in the future, the Emperor was still willing to intervene and protect the Xiao family. However, in exchange, the Censorate would certainly have to cede a significant portion of its power. Without this power, he believed the Yin family would not completely annihilate the Xiao family.

Xiao Du ceased his bow, glanced towards the Imperial Study window, and spoke cautiously.

"Your Majesty, just now, there was a great change in the celestial phenomenon; day astonishingly turned into night. Furthermore, I have heard rumors among the common folk that a river of stars descended, seemingly in the direction of the center of Rong'an Street. Your humble subject fears this might be an omen and has specifically come to the palace to discuss it with Your Majesty. It would be best if Master Yan, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, could also come to deliberate."

Yang Hao looked up at Xiao Du. Although the old minister tried his utmost to appear calm, a trace of anxiety remained unconcealable.

"Minister Yan is currently at Prime Minister Yin's residence, so it would be inconvenient for him to come for a discussion."

Hearing that Master Yan was at the Yin residence, Xiao Du's heart skipped a beat. The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was not an imperial physician, nor had he heard of Master Yan having a close relationship with the Xiao family. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau typically remained outside factional struggles and held little real power. For him to suddenly visit the Yin family on a day like this was truly abnormal.

"Minister Xiao, I have good news for you. Today's sudden celestial phenomenon, under the illumination of a heavenly star, has led to an improvement in Prime Minister Yin's condition. The imperial physicians reported this news earlier, and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau officials went to the Yin residence precisely to investigate this heavenly star."

"Oh, is that so? Uh-huh, ha-ha-ha... It is truly a blessing for our Great Zhen that Prime Minister Yin can recover! This humble subject should indeed visit him soon to offer congratulations!"

Xiao Du's first half-sentence was choppy due to his shock, but he quickly regained his composure, making it sound as if he was genuinely delighted to hear of Yin Zhaoxian's recovery.

"Do you have anything else, Minister Xiao?"

Xiao Du promptly replied.

"Since Your Majesty is already aware of the celestial changes and has even dispatched the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to investigate, then your humble subject has nothing further to report."

"Very well, you may withdraw."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Du slowly retreated, then walked out of the Imperial Study with heavy steps. Outside, without the warmth of a brazier, the cold wind swept over his sweating face, giving him a brief moment of coolness. Judging by the Emperor's calm reaction, it seemed the Yin family truly had the assistance of a powerful expert, and the Emperor might even have known about it all along.

In the Tongtian River, the old turtle lay dormant in the river's heart, in a state of semi-sleep, semi-wakefulness, and semi-cultivation. In his mind, he pondered the meaning of "Wandering in Absolute Freedom" (Xiaoyao You), which he had heard years ago. He also recalled some old grievances: thinking of the scholar surnamed Xiao from back then, whose descendants, now generations removed, were surely still prominent and powerful in Great Zhen. Yet, he, the old turtle, had almost been dragged down, his path of righteous cultivation nearly ruined. To say he had completely let go of it was quite impossible.

'Heh, never mind. Others' fortunes and misfortunes are determined by heaven and have nothing to do with this old turtle anymore! I wonder what Mister Ji wants from me... If there's an opportunity, I'd also like to meet the descendants of the Xiao clan, just to see what kind of people they are...'

The old turtle reconciled with himself, drawing upon the artistic conception he had grasped years ago while listening to "Wandering in Absolute Freedom," and combining it with some aquatic cultivation methods taught by the Righteous God of Chunmu River. His cultivation was now truly on the right track, both physically and mentally. Although his progress wasn't exceptionally fast, it wasn't a blind stumble through a fog but a broad, open road revealing distant, beautiful mountain scenery.

Just as he was in quiet contemplation, the old turtle suddenly had a peculiar sensation. He slowly opened his eyes, and the slightly dim and murky view of the riverbed came into sight, though nothing seemed particularly special. His gaze shifted again, and then, he suddenly saw a figure standing beside him. After a closer look, the old turtle was horrified and turned pale with shock.

"Mister Ji!? This old turtle, Wu Chong, greets Mister Ji!"

Bubbles escaped his mouth, stirring the water. The old turtle on the riverbed quickly rose and bowed to one side, causing the sediment on the riverbed to muddy the water. But upon closer inspection, Ji Yuan's figure was gone, as if it had been an illusion.

This... why was this happening?

"When the mind is free, the spirit is also free; when the spirit is stirred, wandering is also free."

Ji Yuan's faint voice unexpectedly echoed in the old turtle's mind, making him momentarily stunned. He immediately realized that what he had just experienced was definitely not an illusion, though it might not have been seen with his physical eyes. Although he lacked Lu Shan Jun's exceptional comprehension abilities, his centuries of diligent cultivation meant he was no ordinary being. Hearing the voice in his mind, he immediately settled back down onto the riverbed and entered a state of meditation.

One breath, two breaths, then ten, twenty breaths. A moment later, that sense of effortless freedom arose again. This time, the feeling was even stronger than when he had been cultivating alone, so much so that the old turtle Wu Chong felt a lightness, as if he were about to float up and become an immortal.

At that moment, the old turtle found himself seeing Ji Yuan again, still standing beside him, nodding slightly in his direction.

"Do not resist. I will take a wisp of your spiritual consciousness, and we shall travel together."

After just this one sentence, the old turtle experienced a peculiar sensation: he could feel his true self still cultivating, yet at the same time, it was as if he was slowly rising, breaking through the water's surface, and following Mister Ji as they stepped on waves and chased after them. If he had had a moment to look down, he might have seen his turtle body still in the river, but there was no time now.

The chapter on "Dream Wandering" is intrinsically linked to "Wandering in Absolute Freedom." The old turtle being in a state of cultivation made it more convenient for Ji Yuan; he could guide a wisp of the old turtle's spiritual consciousness to wander with him without expending too much mental effort.

Even without drawing a sword or employing other methods within the dream, the art of dream wandering was still incredibly taxing on one's mind. Aside from attempts at improvement or moments of relative necessity, Ji Yuan would not use it casually for mere amusement. At this moment, however, it was both another form of experimentation and, from the perspective of karmic connections, somewhat necessary.

This experiment, perhaps due to the old turtle's cultivation drawing upon "Wandering in Absolute Freedom," truly allowed Ji Yuan to guide a wisp of his spiritual consciousness to wander. All that remained was a matter of karmic connections.

Ji Yuan had the old turtle come to the Imperial Capital region, perhaps with the intention of helping the Yin family break free from their predicament, but this factor was very minor, certainly not the main reason. The greater reason was for the old turtle Wu Chong's cultivation. Ji Yuan had never inquired about the Yin family's plans, but he knew that the Xiao family would most likely suffer a great defeat in this power struggle, and by then, the Xiao family might well cease to exist. Perhaps the current juncture was the old turtle's opportunity to resolve his grievances with the Xiao family from nearly two hundred years ago.

Regardless of whether this was the most opportune moment, it was uncertain if such an chance would arise again in the future. Since Ji Yuan had come across it, he might as well act, considering it a way to help the old turtle conclude a karmic connection or destiny.

Among all sentient beings Ji Yuan had encountered, the old turtle Wu Chong had left a deep impression on him. The turtle was truly dedicated to the Dao, though he had unfortunately taken many detours and endured a difficult and rugged path in his cultivation. However, his devotion to the Dao had never wavered, and his inherent good nature was rare; no matter how challenging, he was always willing to follow the righteous path, which earned him Ji Yuan's appreciation.

At this moment, the old turtle saw that even though his physical body remained still, he could move with Ji Yuan, stepping onto the river and walking ashore. However, this was fundamentally different from a demon soul leaving its body. Thinking he had manifested his primordial spirit, he couldn't help but ask cautiously.

"Mister Ji, am I currently traveling with my primordial spirit?"

The primordial spirit is a spiritual product born within the spiritual platform, formed when a cultivator's mind, divine sense, and consciousness solidify to a certain extent. It transcends the soul and conscious mind, capable of illuminating one's true nature, and is superior to both the soul and the physical body. The stronger one's mind and spirit, the stronger the primordial spirit. It holds significant importance for cultivators, especially those on the righteous path.

Manifesting the primordial spirit is actually not difficult, at least for a cultivator of the old turtle's cultivation level. It also allows one to perceive heaven and earth from another dimension. However, without the protection of the physical body and soul, the primordial spirit becomes much more vulnerable. If a cultivator with shallow attainment rashly allows their primordial spirit to escape, even a gust of cold wind could harm it. Therefore, "primordial spirit manifestation" is mostly a figure of speech; even highly accomplished cultivators rarely allow their primordial spirit to detach and wander far throughout their lives, primarily focusing on cultivating the physical body and soul.

Hearing the slight trepidation in the old turtle's voice, Ji Yuan smiled.

"Manifesting your primordial spirit is too dangerous; how could I casually allow you to wander like that? This is merely a wisp of your spiritual consciousness, connected to your main awareness. There's no need to worry; even if it dissipates, you'll only feel momentarily fatigued, with no serious harm."

"Thank you for clarifying, Mister Ji. Then, where are you taking me this time?"

Ji Yuan led the old turtle onto land and journeyed forward into the distance, his gaze fixed on the city of the Imperial Capital region, whose outline was now visible.

"We're going to meet the descendants of your old friend and see if they can still sleep soundly in these turbulent times."