Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"Indeed, who could have thought that of the First Emperor's bloodline, only they remain now," the old man said, a touch of despondency in his voice.

Bound by the vows once made by Qi Cultivators that none but the descendants of the Ying clan may claim kingship, even though the world has fallen into such disarray, Qi Cultivators could not alter the will of Heaven. This made many disheartened, hiding in the mountains, disengaged from worldly affairs.

The two, heavy with thoughts, set off towards the Capital City. At that moment, the old man suddenly widened his eyes, staring intently at the sky not far away, and urgently said, "Ah Niu, stop for a moment."

At these words, Ah Niu reined in his steed—a process that was smoother than silk, a testament to his skill.

"Master, what is it?" Ah Niu turned back to look at the old man, only to discover that the usually composed man appeared exceptionally agitated at this moment.

"I am not mistaken, Fortune and Destiny shine like a canopy, alternatively taking on the forms of dragons and tigers. This is the aura of an emperor!" the old man murmured to himself.

"The aura of an emperor? Wasn't it said that the Emperor's days were numbered? How could it still be here?" Ah Niu looked around, for with the Emperor's temperament, his Scouts would have been all around for hundreds of miles if he were traveling.

"He, worthy of such imperial Fortune and Destiny?" the old man said disdainfully.

The old man's eyes were blazing as he continued to stare at the sky nearby, excitedly saying, "This is the true symbol of an emperor. Since the twelve generations of Great Qin, this aura has never been seen. Its emergence now could only mean one thing."

"What reason?"

"That is, a purer lineage of the First Emperor has appeared in this world," the old man said with a long sigh.

"Master, you must be joking. Can this bloodline just emerge from thin air?" Ah Niu was incredulous. The Imperial Bloodline was well-documented, and in this world, the members of the Imperial Family had waned, leaving behind only a few undesirables. It would be impossible for an illegitimate child to emerge.

The old man laughed heartily and said, "That is where you are unaware. The bloodline of the First Emperor in this world has indeed dwindled, but outside this world, the bloodline continues. If my guess is correct, a descendant of the First Emperor from the outside world must have come here, otherwise, this part of the sky would not be so jubilant."

"Hurry, I must meet this future Emperor," the old man urged Ah Niu.

Reluctantly, Ah Niu drove the carriage, muttering, "You don't even know what his character is like, and yet you're already decided on making him Emperor."

"What do you know? To perceive a man by his Fortune and Destiny, a person with such a fate cannot be ordinary. At least he must be stronger than those few men," the old man retorted with a pursed lip as he let down the carriage's curtain and whispered.

The carriage turned this way and that and soon arrived at Zhao Pu's hiding place. The old lady was still moving firewood in the yard, for as the weather cooled, if one did not prepare in advance, how could they survive the cold nights ahead?

When she saw the imposing carriage approaching, she involuntarily rubbed her eyes and muttered to herself, "Ah, to be old, to see my eyes deceive me so. How could such a carriage appear in this desolate village?" She knew well that such a grand carriage could only be boarded by those of significant status.

Ah Niu reined in the steed and leapt down in front of the old lady, bowing and asking, "Old mother, may I ask if the master of this house is in?"

Only then did the old lady realize her eyes were not deceiving her, that indeed nobles had come to her door. Puzzled by Ah Niu's question, she responded, "This is the old woman's home, whom are you looking for?"

Ah Niu turned to look at the carriage, only to see the old man supporting himself down from the carriage and coming up to the old lady with a smile, "Old mother, is there a young person here?"

The old woman turned her head and saw an elderly man with completely white hair and beard, wearing a Feathered Garment and a Feathered Crown. His whole presence emitted an imposing aura that involuntarily made the old woman recall the Qi Cultivators she had once seen.

"Who are you?"

"I am Huan Xingzi!" the old man stated softly, as if merely stating something insignificant.

On the contrary, the old woman was suddenly taken aback and then asked with disbelief, "Are you the Master Huan Xingzi who once prayed for rain in the Capital City?"

Huan Xingzi gently stroked his long beard and said, "I did not expect anyone still remembered my name."

"It really is you, Master! When you prayed for rain in the Capital City, my family owed you their lives for the kindness you extended." The old woman spoke earnestly.

"I hardly deserve such praise; I merely exerted a trivial effort. You are still working at such an age, where has your family gone?" he asked.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the old woman's expression darkened, and after a long pause, she finally said, "I am the only one left in my family now!"

Her voice was soft, yet it cast a silence over the two, further solidifying Huan Xingzi's resolve.

At this moment, Zhao Pu in the room also heard the commotion and, worried about the elderly woman, struggled to his feet and went out the door, only to see the ethereal Huan Xingzi.

At the same time, Huan Xingzi also saw Zhao Pu, and with one look, he knew he had found his man, because Zhao Pu bore a striking resemblance to the First Emperor.

"We have finally met. I specifically came here for you!" Huan Xingzi greeted Zhao Pu with respect.

Zhao Pu quickly dodged and waved his hands, saying, "Please don't bend the knee to me, old sir, we have never met before, what urgent matter brings you to me?"

"I want to invite you to the Capital City to inherit the throne!" As soon as Huan Xingzi finished speaking, the faces around them all showed shocked expressions.

"Old sir, please don't joke; what does the throne have to do with me? You must have the wrong person," said Zhao Pu, smiling, but assuming a case of mistaken identity.

"Although I am old, my eyes are not yet clouded. You are indeed the man I'm looking for, and there is no other in this world with a purer bloodline than yours," Huan Xingzi stated firmly.

Zhao Pu was silent for a moment, secretly thinking it must have something to do with his bloodline. He looked at Huan Xingzi, unsure if he could be trusted. If only Chenxiang and others were by his side now, he would feel more confident about going to the Capital City.

"The current Emperor is incompetent and wicked, and his three sons are even worse. If they ascend to the throne, the common people of this land will suffer unimaginably. I hope you, young man, will take it upon yourself to care for the people of this world. Join me in going to the Capital City, and I will coordinate with others of my sect to support your claim to the throne. I only hope you can rejuvenate Great Qin and bring peace and prosperity to the people."

Zhao Pu was still hesitating, but the old woman beside him suddenly pulled him out and said, "I have lived for many years and suffered enough in this world. If you can truly rescue the common people, I would die content."

Looking at the sorrow-stricken face of the old woman, Zhao Pu finally nodded firmly.