The northern cold wind and death had been replaced by hope and vitality.
After Tang Xiaoqi confirmed the Snow Plains Giant Wolf tribe was initially stabilized, the sacred core also began slowly recovering and could independently gather positive thoughts from northern life forms, he no longer lingered. He declined the tribe's sincere and generous gifts, only taking a northern specialty "Heart Thought Ice Crystal" containing pure ice and hope aura as a keepsake, then transformed into an azure streak, embarking on the return journey.
During the return, he didn't hurry. Instead, he slowed his pace, consolidating the new insights gained in the north while observing the landscape and mortal life along the way. The profound understanding of "purification as hope" changed his perspective on the world. He no longer focused merely on obvious demonic energy remnants or negative energy points, but paid more attention to sensing those stubborn flickers of human radiance and anticipation for the future amid hardship.
Several days later, the familiar mountain range shrouded in nurturing spiritual energy and auspicious atmosphere of Qingxu Temple entered his view. Unlike the northern desolation and grandeur, this place brimmed with order, vigor, and flourishing development. The endless stream of cultivators coming and going at the mountain gate, the discussions emanating from the Ten Thousand Phenomena Pavilion, disciples' rhythmic chanting from the Heart-Illuminating Academy, and the faint bustle rising from Qingxi Town at the foot of the mountain—all composed a picture of flourishing supremacy.
However, just as Tang Xiaoqi landed his escape light on the main peak, Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng, who had been waiting, immediately approached, his face carrying an unavoidable worry, somewhat incongruous with the surrounding prosperous scene.
"Xiao Qi, you're back." The senior brother's voice remained steady, but the gravity in his brow was obvious. "I received your transmission about the northern matter—well done. Just... these few days since you left, something new has come up in the Central Region. I'm afraid you'll need to personally make the decision."
Xiao Qi's heart tightened. He knew that if it could make the senior brother this expression, it was definitely no small matter. He led the senior brother into the meditation chamber, set up sound-insulation prohibitions, and said solemnly: "Senior Brother, what's so urgent?"
The senior brother produced a jade slip radiating faint dragon qi and golden light, handing it to Xiao Qi: "This is classified intelligence from within the Central Region imperial court, and a summary of reports from our agents embedded in the capital. The old emperor... I'm afraid he won't hold on much longer."
Xiao Qi took the jade slip, his divine sense immersing. After a moment, he raised his head, a flash of understanding and gravity in his eyes.
The Central Region Imperial Dynasty, as a massive entity governing billions of mortals and maintaining close ties with the cultivation world, its stability directly affected the entire Central Plains and even the Three Realms' structure. Although the current elderly emperor was not a ruler of extraordinary talent, he was sufficient for maintaining the status quo. During his reign, relations with major powers in the cultivation world, especially with Qingxu Temple, were relatively harmonious, maintaining a delicate balance.
However, the demon calamity had weakened the imperial forces considerably. The elderly emperor, advanced in years, was further devastated by this ordeal. Now he was at death's door.
The problem lay precisely in this power succession.
The old emperor had many sons, but few were capable. Currently, the main contenders with strength and ambition were three princes.
The Crown Prince was born of the empress, legitimate and proper. He had the backing of ancient families centered around the empress, was steady and prudent in his actions, but somewhat conservative and had lukewarm relations with several sects close to the cultivation world.
The Third Prince was wise and decisive. During the demon calamity, he led troops to assist Qingxu Temple's defense, earning military achievements. He enjoyed considerable prestige among military and some younger civil officials, and had relatively close relations with forces like Qingxu Temple and Tian City. However, his maternal family's power was slightly weak, and his style of conduct seemed overly aggressive to some old-guard factions.
The Fifth Prince was the youngest, but his concubine mother came from a newly risen, commerce-based emerging noble family, wealthy and powerful. It was said they secretly had dealings with some overseas cultivators and even western alien tribes, acting covertly and ambitiously.
Now with the old emperor gravely ill and bedridden, the three princes and their backing factions had begun overt and covert struggle. At court, attacks flew constantly; within the capital, undercurrents surged. All sides were actively courting cultivation factions, attempting to use extraordinary power to increase their leverage. It was said emissaries sent by princes had already begun contacting sects not particularly harmonious with Qingxu Temple.
"Currently the situation is controllable, but once the old emperor passes, none of the three princes will yield, leading to conflict." The senior brother's tone was heavy. "Once the Central Region falls into civil war, flames of war spread everywhere, the first to suffer are the billions of common people. Then refugees flee, voices of complaint fill the air—that is precisely the best breeding ground for demonic hearts. Secondly, imperial instability will inevitably affect supply and circulation of basic resources like spirit stones and medicinal herbs, impacting the cultivation world. More troublingly, if a prince, seeking quick victory, doesn't hesitate to invite wolves into the house, drawing on outside forces or even... certain dark forces, the consequences would be unthinkable."
Xiao Qi nodded silently. The senior brother's analysis hit the key points. The Central Region Imperial Dynasty's stability was a crucial link maintaining the current Three Realms peace framework. Once trouble started here, the chain reaction would probably be more complex and far-reaching than the Western Frontier Sun Clan pressing the border.
This wasn't merely a mortal dynasty's power transition, but a matter concerning billions of living beings' well-being and the cultivation world's stability. He recalled what he saw during his mortal practice in Wang Gui Town—the common people's hardship from war and displacement, and the Annihilation Cold Tide formed from the convergence of despair in the north. If the Central Region fell into chaos, the negative energy produced would probably far exceed one corner of the north.
"How does the Alliance view this matter?" Xiao Qi asked.
"Opinions differ." The senior brother said. "Some advocate strong intervention, supporting the Third Prince, whom we favor, to quickly stabilize the situation. Others advocate strictly maintaining neutrality, not interfering in mortal internal affairs, only ensuring the cultivation world's interests aren't damaged. Some even think we can use this opportunity to further weaken imperial power and expand cultivation sects' influence over the secular world."
Xiao Qi stood and walked to the window, gazing at the distant clouds rolling. The Central Region matter was indeed thorny. If Qingxu Temple, as the righteous leader, handled it improperly, it could easily be drawn into the vortex, giving others ammunition, even being labeled as interfering in mortal affairs with hidden schemes. But if he sat by and did nothing, once chaos erupted and beings perished, demonic hearts sprouted, what right would this "World Purification True Lord" have to purify the world?
This was undoubtedly a new challenge, more complex than facing a clear enemy, requiring supreme political wisdom and the art of balance.
After long contemplation, he turned to the senior brother:
"Transmit my decree. In the name of the Alliance Chairman and Qingxu Temple's Master, issue an official note to the Central Region Imperial Dynasty, expressing concern over the old emperor's illness and reaffirming the Alliance's stance of maintaining Central Region stability and ensuring the common people's peace. The wording must be rigorous, impartial."
"Secondly, secretly contact the Third Prince's side, expressing our concerns, urging them to prioritize the greater good, maintain restraint on the succession issue, seek a peaceful transition. May appropriately hint that a stable, prosperous Central Region serves all parties' interests; the Alliance would welcome that."
"Finally, strengthen the Alliance's monitoring of Central Region borders and important resource points. Secretly investigate the other two princes' contacts with outside forces, especially evidence of the Fifth Prince colluding with external powers. Also, order Zhao Tiezhu's Body Cultivation Academy and sects friendly to us to secretly prepare, just in case."
His gaze sharpened: "What we must do is not directly interfere in the imperial succession, but create an environment where the Central Region dares not descend into chaos, cannot descend into chaos! And through diplomatic and intelligence means, guide the situation toward a direction favorable to stability. If a prince truly is stubborn and evil, wishing to bring outside forces to harm the common people..."
Xiao Qi didn't finish, but the cold light flashing in his eyes said everything. When necessary, he didn't mind employing some "thunderous measures" to eliminate hidden dangers.
The senior brother accepted the order, admiration showing in his eyes. Xiao Qi's handling maintained a transcendent posture while containing hidden deterrence and guidance, maximally avoiding direct involvement, yet controlling the situation in his hands.
"I'll arrange this immediately." The senior brother bowed and withdrew.
In the meditation chamber, Xiao Qi was alone once more. He gently touched that "Heart Thought Ice Crystal" from the north, feeling its faint yet resilient hope fluctuation.
Just resolved the northern crisis, and the Central Region's challenge came pressing on. Indeed, there was never true peace in this world. But his dao heart was firm, fearless. Whether the despair cold tide from nature or the power struggles from human hearts, both were trials he must face on his "World Purification" path.
And this time, he would employ the wisdom just comprehended, using hope as guidance, force as deterrent, to dissolve this potential world-shaking storm.