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This approach is actually easy to understand. Based on the lessons learned from past calamities, everyone knows that the essence of a calamity is to weaken the number of cultivators. Every sect has to suffer, so it's better to recruit more cannon fodder to fill the gaps. Even if they can't fill the gaps, they can still increase the sect's strength to some extent.

It's not just small sects that do this; even large sects do it, like Tianyang Palace.

Tianyang Palace didn't lower its standards too much, but relaxed them a bit and increased the number of times it recruited disciples. In the past, it was basically one recruitment every three to five years, and each time it recruited disciples from different prefectures and counties. But recently, it has been one recruitment per year. It's not just those few prefectures and counties that come in rotation, but the entire Great Ling is involved, regardless of prefecture or town.

It can be said that Tianyang Palace has sent out all the people it can. It is worth mentioning that even so, Dongqing was not released.

The reason is that many sects have joined forces to force Tianyang Palace to resign, and the target is Dong Qing. The most mainstream opinion is whether Bai Dong Qing can shoulder the responsibility of Tianjian.

When Bai Qingyu heard this news, he thought it was outrageous. What does the Heavenly Sword of the Heavenly Yang Palace and the disciples of the Heavenly Yang Palace have to do with you? Even if the Heavenly Yang Palace broke the Heavenly Sword, it would have nothing to do with them. If you want to talk about the great calamity, then all I can say is that you can't live without the Heavenly Sword.

If you really have that much power, why bother targeting the Heavenly Sword? Why not go and cause trouble for the Demon Sword and have it nipped in the bud?

It was these reports that made Bai Qingyu increasingly disdain these guys.

He's not very capable himself, but he makes one demand after another of others.

That same year, Bai Qingyu received some less-than-good news.

Xu Yuanqing suddenly wanted to talk to her about something, and insisted that she go secretly.

Xu Yuanqing was full of clever ideas, and Bai Qingyu knew something was wrong as soon as he delivered the message to her.

The next day, he used his luck to conceal himself and rushed to the capital, instantly appearing inside Xu Yuanqing's Imperial Preceptor's mansion.

It was early morning, and Xu Yuanqing was still sitting in the courtyard drinking tea when he saw Bai Qingyu suddenly appear opposite him. He couldn't help but spit out all the tea in his mouth, which was blocked by the barrier that Bai Qingyu had raised halfway.

Seeing Bai Qingyu frown, Xu Yuanqing quickly stood up. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, Your Highness, I really didn't know you would come at this time."

Bai Qingyu sat in his seat, flicked his finger, and the barrier flew into the flower pond not far away.

"Stop talking nonsense, what happened?"

Xu Yuanqing put down his teacup with an embarrassed look and sat back down.

"Well, to be honest, Your Majesty, I have something very important to tell you. His Majesty's condition suddenly worsened the night before last. I have personally visited him, and I'm afraid he won't live for more than two years."

The message was brief, and Bai Qingyu frowned deeply.

Xu Yuanqing had said before that the Human Emperor was in relatively good condition, but he could only live for a maximum of ten years. She thought that since he was the Human Emperor, there should be no problem even if the longest lifespan was ten years. But she did not expect that the Human Emperor was so weak that he could not last for so many years.

The problem is that Xiaoya is only sixteen years old, and she will only be eighteen two years later.

If she lives for ten years, Xiaoya will be twenty. She thinks it's too early to take the position at twenty, let alone in her teens.

Is there any way to save them?

Bai Qingyu didn't want the Emperor to die so soon; she hoped he would live another five or eight years, giving her and Xiaoya some time.

Xu Yuanqing shook his head. "There's nothing we can do. Everyone from Tianyang Palace has come to see His Majesty about his illness. His lifespan is almost over, and no one can save him or dares to save him."

He was, after all, the Human Emperor. No matter how incompetent or foolish he was, his status was what it was. Bai Qingyu didn't believe that the people of Tianyang Palace couldn't extend the lifespan of a mortal; they were just afraid of divine retribution.

Interfering with the Human Emperor is interfering with Heaven, something even Mahayana practitioners dare not do, for it would be divine punishment if something went wrong.

She had experienced divine punishment before, and that time it was only with the tacit approval of the heavens. It was probably just a token gesture; if it were to be serious, she probably would be gone.

"Two years is too short."

“I know, but there’s no other way, Your Majesty. This is what I’m thinking: let the Ninth Princess come back first. I didn’t expect His Majesty to give up so quickly. There’s really not enough time, but I have to get her back and pave the way for her.”

Xu Yuanqing had no choice. He had originally planned for Xiaoya to become the Human Emperor as soon as she returned. Even if that didn't work out, he could have her make an appearance in the capital for half a year and have her status arranged, like gilding her. That way, it wouldn't be so difficult for her to ascend to the throne.

This sudden incident meant that Xiaoya had to come back.

No matter how powerful he is, or how much prestige and power he has in the court, he cannot make a newly appointed ninth princess the emperor.

If he were to be parachuted in, he could definitely get the position; he has plenty of ways to do it. The question is, he's got the position now, but what about later?

Xu Yuanqing is meant to assist Xiaoya. If he were to take a hard line, he would ruin his reputation and make everything he does afterward very difficult.

After Xu Yuanqing explained things to Bai Qingyu, he waited for Bai Qingyu's reply.

Bai Qingyu pondered for a while before saying, "Two years won't do. I'll send Xiaoya back next year. You don't need to worry about my concerns. I trust Xiaoya."

There's nothing I can do about it; my cultivation can't be neglected. One year is the maximum I can manage.

·

Volume Two: Journey Through the Demon Book - Chapter Sixty-Three: Xiaoya Returns to the Capital

"One year..."

Xu Yuanqing still looked somewhat troubled. A year was indeed too short a time. Of course, it was possible, but the price would be much higher. However, since Bai Qingyu had said so, he could only agree. After all, it was her decision.

"A year it is then, Your Majesty. What are your plans?"

The Emperor won't last much longer; two years is the limit, which is also the most likely time for his death according to Xu Yuanqing's calculations. It is indeed disrespectful for him, as a subject, to think about these things. If the Emperor finds out, he will be in big trouble.

But there was no way around it. To be honest, Xu Yuanqing had been planning this for a long time. He was not serving the emperor, but the common people, just as his master had told him.

If possible, he also wanted to find a capable and competent emperor to ascend the throne. This would not only make things easier for him as the national advisor, but it would also be a good thing for the people. The key to cooperating with Bai Qingyu lies with Bai Xiaoya, the ninth princess.

He was taking a gamble. He had already looked at the other princes and princesses, and they were all destined for mediocrity. Not only were they unlikely to achieve anything, but some of them even had the potential to become tyrants or incompetent rulers. If one of them were to ascend the throne, the whole world would be doomed.

As for the Ninth Princess, it's less about trusting Xiao Ya and more about trusting Bai Qingyu's character. She believes Bai Qingyu wouldn't raise someone who would betray his own people, nor would he raise a brainless emperor. Besides, as the chosen one, with Bai Qingyu's careful nurturing, he's bound to achieve great things.

Bai Qingyu pondered, "In this year, you should continue to do what you were doing. After a year, I will send Xiaoya over. I know what you are worried about, but it's okay. Just trust her. She won't leave you to fight alone like the current emperor does."

To put it bluntly, Xu Yuanqing was worried that if he forced Xiaoya to go up, it would affect his reputation in the court and thus affect his ability to help Xiaoya later.

His reputation wasn't great in the past, but that was against some scum that needed to be cleaned up. Now, after so many years, those who needed to be cleaned up have long been cleaned up, and what's left are all trustworthy and honest officials. If he loses his reputation and prestige in the eyes of these people, Xu Yuanqing is afraid that the court will have big problems.

Those who remain may not be old foxes, but they all definitely have a heart for the country and its people, and the more so, the more easily they get carried away with passion.

They absolutely could not tolerate the Emperor becoming a puppet, and even less could they tolerate Xu Yuanqing's act of placing a puppet on the throne.

Because of his current high status and great power, others are very sensitive to his every move.

Bai Qingyu chatted with Xu Yuanqing for a while longer, offering him suggestions. Xu Yuanqing kept saying that her plan was very good, but his eyes were darting around, clearly indicating that he already had a solution. Seeing this, she simply didn't linger any longer and quietly disappeared from Xu Yuanqing's Imperial Preceptor's residence.

Xu Yuanqing looked solemn, preoccupied with her own thoughts, and she was no different.

Her worries, besides the position of the Emperor, also lay with Xiaoya herself.

Xiaoya is clever; she must have already guessed that she was going to be made empress. However, there is another matter: the question of her background.

Xiaoya calls her "Mommy" every day and treats her like her own mother. If she knew that she was not her biological mother but only her adoptive mother, how would Xiaoya feel?

Bai Qingyu didn't know, and even dared not think in that direction.

She was also afraid that Xiaoya would harbor resentment because of this.

Before I knew it, I was at my doorstep.

In the courtyard, Xiaoya was still cultivating in her usual spot, while everyone else was busy with their own things.

After returning from the Ten Thousand Mountains, apart from her cultivation level, Xiaoya didn't change much.

This child is mature enough now, and she knows enough. The changes are no longer as sudden as they were a few years ago, when she seemed like a completely different person.

"mother."

Seeing Bai Qingyu approach, Xiaoya got up from the futon and walked over with a smile.

The spiritual energy in Shenhuang Residence is very abundant. With the spirit-gathering array that Bai Qingyu built at great expense, the spiritual energy available for cultivation in the center of the courtyard every day is not much different from that in the secret realms of some sects.

Bai Qingyu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

A year is really not a long time. If we don't say it now, when will we?

We need to give Xiaoya some time to react.

"Um, Xiaoya, I have something to discuss with you. Let's go to the backyard."

Bai Qingyu suddenly spoke up, and Xiaoya, though somewhat puzzled, followed him.

The backyard scenery is similar to the front yard. Originally, there was a large flower pond, rockery, flowing water, and lotus flowers, making it a very nice place. Later, it was transformed into a sea of ​​red spider lilies by the owner. Recently, a touch of green has been added to this red sea of ​​flowers, which was planted by the grass.

Sitting on the grass, Bai Qingyu patted the spot next to her.

"Come, Xiaoya, sit down."

Xiaoya blinked, sat down next to Bai Qingyu, and tilted her head, saying, "What's wrong, Mother? You seem strange today. Where did you go this morning? Did something happen? If possible, maybe I can give you some advice."

Xiaoya is sixteen years old now, no longer a little girl but a young woman. She has learned all of Bai Qingyu's gentle and elegant temperament, and selectively removed some of Bai Qingyu's bad traits, such as her frequent coldness and the feeling of keeping people at a distance with a cold face.

Outside, Bai Qingyu is often more ruthless than gentle. Whether it's killing people or demons, she never hesitates and is ruthless in her actions.

"Xiaoya, it's like this, there's something your mother has always wanted to tell you, but I've never had the chance. Now that you're older, I think it's time to tell you..."

After Bai Qingyu finished speaking, he was still organizing his thoughts and thinking about how to bring it up when Xiaoya spoke first.

"Is Mother referring to the matter of making me emperor, or the issue of my birth?"

Xiaoya wore a heartwarming smile as she looked up at the sky and said, "Actually, I know everything. I've seen everything my mother has done for me. I'm not stupid, how could I not know anything? My mother wants me to be the emperor, so she's been cultivating my knowledge in this area since I was little."

"As for my background... my mother is a demon, and I am human, so how could I not know?"

Bai Qingyu was taken aback by what he said.

She seemed to have forgotten something.

Yes, Xiaoya isn't the clueless child she used to be. She knows she's a demon and she's human. With a little thought, she can figure out how a demon's child could possibly be human.

"this......"

I was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Xiaoya shook her head. "Mother, don't worry about that. In my opinion, the bond of raising and nurturing is far greater than the bond of blood. In my heart, Mother will always be my own mother!"

This sentence was really simple. In fact, Xiaoya hugged Bai Qingyu and gently comforted her, reminiscing with Bai Qingyu about a series of unforgettable things that happened when she was a child.

It was only at this moment that Bai Qingyu realized something.

It wasn't Xiaoya who had the unresolved issue; it was Xiaoya herself who was troubled.

Bringing Xiaoya to the backyard for a heart-to-heart talk didn't resolve Xiaoya's inner conflict, but rather Bai Qingyu's.

"I'm so sorry, Xiaoya."

Kneeling on the ground, Xiaoya rested her head on Bai Qingyu's lap. Upon hearing Bai Qingyu's voice, she opened her eyes.

"What's wrong, Mother?"

"That's right. It was indeed my idea to make you the Human Emperor. This morning, I went out, not to the Ten Thousand Mountains, but to the capital."