Jixia finished his cultivation, and night had fallen. He summoned Guan Xi to prepare a meal and instructed Jing Ye to call several key ministers of Taisang into the palace.
Although Jixia's physical body and cultivation allowed him to go over ten days without eating, the rice from the Ten Thousand Grain Treasure Bottle was exceptionally delicious. Thus, he indulged himself without being overly austere.
Soon, the palace was filled with many of Taisang's top ministers: Ministers Ze and Qing, Chief Minister Lu Yu, Chronicler Zhao Qu, Ji Qianqing, Bo Xian, and Marquis Ronglou of Taicheng were all present.
Jixia, seated at the head of the table, casually ate the meal Guan Xi had brought him. He remarked with satisfaction, "The rice from the Ten Thousand Grain Treasure Bottle tastes far better than any grown in the fields."
Marquis Ronglou of Taicheng laughed, "It's more than just a bit better. Though it's the same rice, the taste is worlds apart. The common people, after eating this rice, say they can no longer stomach the old kind."
Chronicler Zhao Qu expressed concern, "It's easy to go from frugal to lavish but hard to reverse. We must not spoil the people of Taisang."
Jixia waved dismissively, "A mere improvement in the taste of rice cannot spoil the people of Taisang. They've suffered enough hardships. The days ahead will only get better."
He had hidden a mysterious spiritual seed in the Chengtian Net, one with extraordinary properties and high yields. However, due to its demanding cultivation conditions and the cost of the spiritual essence required, he had temporarily set it aside. When the time was right, he planned to sow this spiritual rice in Taisang's fields, further improving their sustenance.
After finishing his meal, Jixia wiped his mouth with a handkerchief that Guan Xi handed over. He then addressed the ministers seated below:
"Honorable ministers, I've called you here to inform you that tomorrow, I will journey to Dafou to witness the grandeur of a great nation."
The room fell silent. The ministers stared at Jixia in disbelief, their expressions a mix of astonishment and concern. Even Ji Qianqing, known for her icy demeanor, showed a hint of confusion.
Feeling slightly awkward under their gaze, Jixia coughed lightly and explained, "I'll return in about twenty days, barring unexpected delays, and no later than the Winter Solstice. During my absence, announce to the court and the people that I've gone into seclusion due to a bottleneck in my cultivation. This will spare them unnecessary worry."
"Nonsense!"
Minister Ze's expression darkened. He slammed his wine cup onto the table and reprimanded Jixia sternly:
"Jixia! Normally, no one dares oppose your decisions because your talents surpass all of ours. You are a once-in-a-millennium ruler, under whose leadership Taisang has thrived and prospered under the protection of the Great Wind God!
"But today, you've completely lost your senses! You are the monarch of Taisang, the pillar upon which our officials and citizens rely. How can you so easily leave our borders, let alone venture to Dafou, a place where the weak are treated as ants? This is pure recklessness!"
In the royal palace, Minister Ze, as Jixia's uncle and the elder brother of the previous king, was the only one with the authority to rebuke Jixia directly.
Jixia, seeing his uncle's agitated expression, remained calm. Rising from his seat, he approached Minister Ze and poured him a cup of tea. In a soft voice, he said, "Uncle, has there ever been a time when my decisions have faltered? Rest assured, I know precisely what I'm doing."
Chronicler Zhao Qu interjected anxiously, "Your Majesty, please reconsider—" But the sharp look Jixia gave him silenced his plea, forcing him to lower his head.
Chief Minister Lu Yu observed the scene and thought to himself, It seems His Majesty has made up his mind. Only Minister Ze can sway him; the rest of us have no chance to persuade him otherwise.
Minister Ze, still fuming, ignored Jixia's reassurances and growled, "If something happens to you in Dafou, what will become of Taisang? Without you, who will stand against calamities?"
The other ministers shared Ze's sentiments. Though initially skeptical of Jixia's ability to rule, his achievements had won them over completely. They believed that as long as Jixia was present, no challenge could topple Taisang.
Seeing his uncle's fearful expression, Jixia understood his concerns. However, he remained resolute. His demeanor grew serious as he swept his gaze across the ministers and asked:
"Have you grown complacent?"
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances.
"Have you become content after repelling the Jiujian Clan and driving out Zhouqing? After providing the people with food?" Jixia's voice carried a note of disdain.
"Well, I have not!"
"Since ascending the throne, I've driven out enemy forces, executed Qing Furen personally, alleviated the famine, annihilated the Jiujian royal clan, and returned the remains of our fallen heroes.
"But I've never been satisfied!
"Taisang is currently free from crises, but can you guarantee that Dafou or another powerful nation won't one day destroy us as easily as they did Zhouqing?"
The ministers fell silent. Even Minister Ze looked pensive.
"My journey to Dafou serves one purpose: to establish connections with its rulers. This will ensure that when the day comes, Taisang has room to maneuver."
Jixia's voice was resolute. "If we continue to act as though the slumbering tiger beside us will never awaken, we're courting disaster. Once that tiger notices us, all efforts will be futile!"
A hushed silence fell over the hall. After a long pause, a clear voice broke through:
"I support the king's decision," Ji Qianqing declared.
Rising to her feet, she looked around at the ministers. "From the day the king returned the remains of our heroes, I vowed to support his every decision. Moreover, you are overly pessimistic. The king's abilities rival those of divine power users. In Dafou, even divine power users hold exalted positions. With his resourcefulness and unparalleled talent, he will surely return safely!"
Jixia couldn't help but smile wryly. The sole voice of support came from Ji Qianqing, who had initially been one of his greatest critics.
After further deliberation, Minister Ze sighed deeply. "Do as you must, but prioritize your safety. Without you, Taisang will lose its vitality."
Jixia beamed. "Rest assured, I'll return before the Winter Solstice."
Ji Qianqing then offered, "If the king permits, Bo Xian and I will accompany you—"
"No." Jixia shook his head firmly. "The two of you, as the only divine power users of Taisang, must remain here. Besides, traveling with too many people will only draw attention. A group of divine-level humans is bound to raise suspicions."
With a mischievous grin, he added, "Besides, your cultivation levels are too low to keep up with me."
Ji Qianqing raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Bo Xian smirked. "Your Majesty, while you are powerful, you're hardly leagues beyond us—"
Before they could finish, an overwhelming aura surged from Jixia, far surpassing anything they had felt during previous encounters. It enveloped Ji Qianqing and Bo Xian like a net, immobilizing them.
As they struggled against the suffocating force, Bo Xian murmured in awe, "The king truly is a genius. His strength has grown immensely again!"