Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

Seeing the messy state of the dragon throne, Wu Mingkong couldn't help but reveal a hint of smugness on his face.

However, he quickly calmed down. After all, he was the emperor, and his composure was different from that of an ordinary person.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan's lips curled up slightly, and he gently patted the table, saying, "Mingkong, do you want to continue?"

After speaking, he couldn't help but recall Wu Mingkong's graceful figure.

Although the other party was his disciple, there was nothing that Li Xiuyuan could not refuse.

Wu Mingkong's heart softened upon hearing this, but remembering that he still had to attend the morning court session, he smiled and said, "Master, please let me rest for a while too!"

As she spoke, it became even more captivating!

Chapter 186 The Development of the Demonic Sect

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan smiled slightly and said, "Very well! I'll let you go this time! Where are Wanwan and the others?"

As he spoke, he was filled with curiosity. Although he could control their mental communication using the Supreme Heavenly Demon Scripture, he would never do so unless absolutely necessary.

This is because it is extremely mentally taxing, and the farther away someone is, the more difficult it is for Li Xiuyuan to control them.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zetian smiled and said, "Qingxuan is currently in the back garden. As for Sister Wanwan, she is cultivating in the Demonic Sect's headquarters, since she is the one in charge of the Demonic Sect."

Decades ago, after Li Xiuyuan finished reorganizing the Demonic Sect, Wanwan became the next Demon Lord, ruling over the two paths and six sects of the Great Tang Demonic Sect, and fighting against the Fairy Shi Feixuan.

With the rise of Bodhidharma, the demonic sect was suppressed. It wasn't until five years ago, when Bodhidharma entered the realm of human immortals and no longer concerned himself with worldly affairs, that the demonic sect was able to develop.

Back then, all of Li Xiuyuan's women were cultivating, and because Wu Mingkong and Shi Qingxuan had a good relationship, the two of them lived in the palace.

Moreover, Wu Mingkong would often have heart-to-heart talks with Shi Qingxuan, and rumors even circulated in the palace that His Majesty had a penchant for women.

But, if it's female style, then it's female style!

It was more acceptable to the ministers than for Wu Zetian to find another man.

Li Xiuyuan nodded upon hearing this and replied, "Well then, I'll go find Qingxuan first!"

As he spoke, he used his mental senses to head directly towards the inner palace.

Upon seeing this, Wu Zetian's lips curled up, her eyes seemingly filled with resentment, as if she had been abandoned.

But who told her to be the emperor! There was no time to linger.

Since Wu Zetian was an empress, there weren't many beauties in her harem. The journey was rather quiet, with only a few palace maids present.

As Li Xiuyuan arrived at the palace, he heard the faint sound of a flute. In front of him, a row of glazed tile roofs appeared, resembling a golden island.

The magnificent pavilions were surrounded by the waters of Huaqing Pool, where duckweed covered the ground, its surface emerald green and clear.

The two dragons on the eaves, with their golden scales and armor, are so lifelike that they seem ready to take flight.

It was a huge palace-like building, with golden glazed tiles that shone brightly in the sunlight.

Under the azure sky, the golden glazed tile roof of the palace looked exceptionally magnificent.

Li Xiuyuan arrived at the flower garden and saw a beautiful figure sitting on the blue stone.

She was dressed in a blue robe, and seemingly because she was in a garden, she was not wearing a veil or having her appearance altered.

Unconsciously, she revealed her most perfect side to Li Xiuyuan.

Her temperament was pure and refined, as if she were untouched by worldly affairs. Her beauty was beyond compare, her jade-like face was so stunning that it could shame the moon and flowers, and she possessed a captivating charm. Yet, she was so alluring that one dared not entertain any romantic thoughts, for fear of profaning her sacred elegance.

Shi Qingxuan is like a spirit of nature, like a lush, vibrant forest in early spring.

And those bright, colorful eyes on her stunning face suggest that she is not as cold and aloof as she appears; on the contrary, she is a somewhat charming and playful young woman.

Shi Qingxuan placed a jade flute between her lips and began to play it.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan's lips curled up. He did not go forward to disturb her. Since her father's death, this jade flute was probably the only thing the girl relied on.

Li Xiuyuan hadn't seen her for decades, and Yu Xiao was Shi Qingxuan's closest companion, whom she always carried with her.

The sound of the flute resonated deeply in Li Xiuyuan's heart. The music flowed like time itself between her fingers, breaking through the endless rain of the night. Everything was like a dream so intense it seemed to blur, as if the heavens were weeping for the flute's melody.

The flute music played by Shi Qingxuan intertwined with the night sky and the stream, creating a melancholic and ethereal melody that brewed a storm of melancholy and repression, making Li Xiuyuan feel as if he were in the long river of life.

The world is undergoing a transformation, sometimes towering and steep, sometimes gentle and soft, piling up to form Shi Qingxuan's monologue. She is surrounded by fate, her life is entangled, yet she also contains a breathtakingly serene beauty.

After a long while, the sound of the flute finally ceased.

Li Xiuyuan pondered for a moment and said, "Qingxuan, it's been many years since I've seen Xiao Yi improve so much!"

As he spoke, he appeared. Over the decades, Shi Qingxuan's Xiao Yi had not changed much overall. If one were not a person of this skill, it would be even more difficult to hear the difference.

Although Li Xiuyuan couldn't play the flute, he still had a knack for appreciating it. Compared to Shi Qingxuan back then, he now exuded a more ethereal aura, as if he were not a person of this world.

However, upon closer examination, it makes sense. If Shi Qingxuan did not reveal her cultivation of the Supreme Heavenly Demon True Scripture, no one would know that she was actually a demonic woman, and that ethereal feeling would only intensify.

Shi Qingxuan raised her head and looked intently at the person who had come to her. After recognizing the person, a flash of joy appeared in her eyes.

Shi Qingxuan said quietly, "What's the use of playing the flute so well if you're still all alone, guarding an empty room!"

I go!

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan was stunned. When did Shi Qingxuan become like this, living alone in an empty room? How could she say such a thing?

If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, you probably wouldn't believe that the fairy of yesteryear has become like a resentful woman!

Li Xiuyuan smiled slightly and said, "Qingxuan, now that I'm back, I will never leave you alone in an empty room."

As he spoke, a wicked glint appeared in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Shi Qingxuan blushed and spat out, "Pah! Scoundrel."

As she spoke, she punched Li Xiuyuan.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan smiled slightly and said, "Hehe, you can't escape even if you want to."

As I spoke, I had no idea when...

Chapter 187 The Imperial Palace

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan smiled slightly and said, "Hehe, you can't escape even if you want to."

As he spoke, he had already embraced her without realizing it.

Shi Qingxuan reached out and touched Li Xiuyuan's familiar face, as if she were dreaming.

Soon, the two began to reminisce in the most primal way!

After a long while, it finally stopped!

Li Xiu walked out refreshed, and took Shi Qingxuan back to her palace. Since Wu Zetian was someone she and Wanwan had watched grow up, the three of them had a very good relationship.

Even in the vast imperial palace, she had her own palace, and the officials of the Tang Dynasty regarded Shi Qingxuan as the emperor's favorite.

This situation is better. If Wu Zetian had another male favorite, those officials would be even more uncomfortable!

However, Wu Mingkong is now just one of the many women in Li Xiuyuan's vast harem.

After seeing the sleeping Shi Qingxuan, Li Xiuyuan, having nothing else to do, began to wander around the palace.

Shi Qingxuan was so exhausted from his antics that she was in a terrible state and could no longer move.

Layer upon layer of Qin and Han dynasty bricks and tiles, purple pillars and golden beams, all displaying the utmost extravagance. Standing to the left and right of the twin platforms are jade dragons and golden phoenixes.

The Zhang River flows long and deep, and the orchards flourish.

At the two corners of the platform in front of the hall, a sundial stands to the east and a measuring vessel is placed to the west.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan's lips curled up. It seemed that Wu Zetian was currently in the main hall. Why not go in and take a look? With his abilities, it would be a piece of cake for him to avoid being discovered.

Li Xiuyuan casually used a trick to walk into the main hall as if he were a person. He saw that the roof of the hall was covered with yellow glazed tiles with green trim, and in the center was a flaming pearl. Around the finial were eight iron chains, each connected to a strongman.

The main hall's pillars are round, with a carved dragon connecting the two pillars. The dragon's head extends beyond the eaves, and its tail extends into the hall, perfectly combining practicality and decoration, enhancing the imperial grandeur of the palace.

The pillars of the hall are square, and there are dragon heads spouting water under the balusters. The roof is covered with yellow glazed tiles with green trim.

The floor, paved with fine white jade, shimmered with a warm glow. In the distance, wisps of mist seemed to shroud the unreal palace. Phoenixes spread their wings as if about to take flight on the eaves carved from sandalwood. Floating windows were carved from green tiles, and walls were made of piled jade.

Li Xiuyuan entered the hall, which was decorated with colorful paintings. Inside, there was a throne and a screen; on both sides were incense burners, incense pavilions and candlesticks.

All the civil and military officials were gathered together, while Empress Wu Zetian sat on the dragon throne, her golden dragon robe exuding an air of nobility and a majestic aura that made people dare not look directly at her. And her exquisite beauty was beyond words!

Li Xiuyuan naturally didn't recognize any of the civil and military officials in the hall. The only person he recognized was Empress Wu Zetian, and no one else in the hall could see him.

A strange light flashed in Wu Zetian's beautiful eyes. She realized that Li Xiuyuan had actually walked in, but no one around him had noticed him, which made him seem to have supernatural powers!

At this moment, Wu Zetian was slightly distracted, only to hear the minister below her say loudly, "Your Majesty, an envoy from the Nanzhao Kingdom requests an audience. I wonder if you should grant him an audience?"

As he spoke, the man dressed in official robes bowed and began his report.

Seeing that Wu Zetian was handling affairs, Li Xiuyuan naturally didn't disturb her. He nodded slightly, and Wu Zetian, knowing his purpose, left him alone for the time being.

Even though Li Xiuyuan was right beside her, Wu Zetian quickly calmed down and said in a deep voice, "Granted!"

As she spoke, her tone was extremely authoritative, making the ministers below dare not underestimate her.

A eunuch's shrill voice rang out: "Summon the envoy from the Nanzhao Kingdom to pay homage!"

"Summon the envoy from the Nanzhao Kingdom to an audience!"

"Summon the envoy from the Nanzhao Kingdom to an audience!"

After the eunuch's voice rang out, the sound of footsteps came from afar, and then several people dressed in strange clothes walked in.

"The envoy from the Nanzhao Kingdom pays his respects to Your Majesty!"