Transmigrating over ten thousand years late, I was forced to become a mighty presence

Chapter 493: Chapter 219 Causality Arises Again_1

The appearance of the Fengdu Emperor and his alliance with the Netherworld Alliance loosened the tight-lipped stance of the upper echelons on news of the Supreme Taoist. Various rumors have been spreading continuously over these three months.

Since there was no official validation, many harbored doubts about the news of the Supreme Taoist and were clueless about his real identity.

However, those who had previously made contact with Shen Yuan fully believed this claim and quickly pinpointed Shen Yuan with the existence of Xue Mingzhi.

During the flooding disaster at Lake Dongting, Shen Yuan beheaded the River Ji Prince at the lake to calm the waters. The Qing Province Governor, Liao Yuan, though he had never directly encountered Shen Yuan, was an eyewitness to the flood and could infer some of the causes and effects from various sources.

And in dealing with events at North Mang Mountain, the projects of excavating the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land included the participation of many local aristocrats from Luo Province. The newly appointed Luo Provincial Governor ascended to his position because of that event and was even more aware of the significance of the Supreme Taoist’s suppression of the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land.

Therefore, as soon as Xue Mingzhi’s Blazing Dragon Carriage appeared outside Jing Province, the major powers had already turned their attention to Xue Mingzhi and had been closely monitoring his movements.

The moment the Blazing Dragon Carriage brought Shen Yuan to the Xue family’s Manor, those elites who had had some contact with Shen Yuan immediately paid him visits.

These regional governors and provincial aristocratic families, even within the Imperial Capital, were influential figures not to be underestimated.

Yet it was the arrival of this seemingly quaint carriage that rendered all these eminent persons speechless.

Even the elders of the Xue family could hardly conceal the shock in their expressions at this moment.

If facing regional governors and local aristocrats they could still remain composed, in the presence of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s Superintendent’s name, the Xue family’s so-called status and pride were nothing but illusions.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s Superintendent, Zhong Buwen, the Great Xia’s Imperial Court’s foremost cultivator and Emperor Xia’s absolute confidant, was in charge of overseeing all of Qing Province.

Although he was not a minister or noble, the superintendent’s status was even above that of the 3 Dukes and 9 Ministers, with countless lords and nobles perishing under the Bureau’s scrutiny. He was hailed as the second most powerful figure in Great Xia’s Imperial Court.

Despite his powerful influence, the superintendent seldom appeared outside the court, and even the headquarters of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau in the Imperial Capital rarely saw his presence.

According to external rumors, the superintendent spent most of his time stationed in one of the grotto heavens that Great Xia possessed. Some even claimed that he was scheming to capture the Lang Huan Blessed Land to augment the foundation of Great Xia’s Imperial Court.

Regardless of the situation, one could not overlook the influence wielded by the superintendent. Even the high and mighty masters of the grotto heavens blessed lands showed him utmost respect.

Such a figure, akin to a calming factor for Great Xia, was now standing outside the Xue family’s Manor, expressing a respectful desire to meet Teacher Shen.

Even the local elites, who understood something of the name “Supreme Taoist,” could not help but be startled at this development.

They had only benefited from Shen Yuan’s favors and, through the fragmented records in ancient texts, speculated about the identity of the Supreme Taoist—reason enough to attempt forging ties.

However, the fact that the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s superintendent made a personal visit immediately made them realize that the snippets conveyed in ancient texts were far from the full picture.@@novelbin@@

At that moment, they wished they could turn around and return home, leveraging their connections to gather all possible information about the Supreme Taoist.

Time ticked away, yet stillness prevailed in front of the Xue family’s Manor.

One by one, the carriages drawn by Spirit Beasts voluntarily pulled to the side, giving the seemingly aged carriage the foremost position.

Whether it was the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s superintendent or the present local dignitaries and the Xue family members, all were awaiting a response.

Yet within the Xue family’s Manor, there was a profound silence, as if the words of the superintendent had not reached inside, leaving him hanging outside the Xue family’s Manor.

Behind Uncle Changyuan, an elder who previously had strong words against Shen Yuan couldn’t help stepping forward towards the carriage and said to the superintendent within:

“Teacher Shen must be preoccupied and did not hear you, superintendent. Perhaps you could enter the Xue family’s Manor first, and we will send someone to notify Teacher Shen, how about that?”

With this elder speaking out, the eyes of the other elders lit up, and they stepped forward respectfully:

“Elder Chang is right. We invite you, superintendent, to please enter the Xue family’s Manor.”

“The Xue family’s Manor is honored by the presence of the superintendent!”

Not just the elders, but many younger members of the Xue family also showed joy.

For the Xue family, the purpose of the superintendent’s visit was not crucial, but if they could use this occasion to establish ties with him, it would greatly benefit the entire Xue family.

Just one word from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s superintendent was enough to let a scion of the Xue family enter the Bureau’s headquarters—a place where the capitals’ chosen ones would break their heads to get into.

Once they became members of the Bureau’s headquarters, their treatment would be no less favorable than that of the Inner Sect Disciples in the grotto heavens blessed lands. They could even potentially be dispatched as an Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s envoy to inspect various provinces.

While many descendants of the Xue family awaited with anticipation, Uncle Changyuan’s forehead was tightly furrowed, and he seemed hesitant to speak.

Silence reigned in the quaint carriage, where the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s superintendent seemed not to hear the Xue family’s words at all, just sitting quietly within, waiting.

The location of the Xue family’s Manor, a hub for the capital’s elite, was already causing a stir with so many carriages gathered at the gate.

Several streets away, carriages pulled by dragon horses and bearing flood dragon markings sped towards the Xue family’s Manor, and the knowledgeable passersby swiftly made way, knowing that the owner must hail from the Great Xia Imperial Family, possibly even a Prince Xia.