Chapter 874 - 704: Advancement, Land of Emptiness (2)
Emperor Xuanwu fell into contemplation, then nodded and asked, "How are the local government offices and other departments handling this?"
Recently, he had received some reports, mostly from small counties, and the issues presented by these counties were precisely the recent locust plagues.
Almost every year, the Daqian Kingdom would face some natural and man-made disasters, and locust plagues were quite normal.
Although lately Emperor Xuanwu had been focusing on enhancing the national strength of the Daqian Kingdom, he would not neglect the livelihood of the people.
Thus, he now intended to allocate funds from the treasury to provide relief for the affected areas.
The Prime Minister nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty, this year’s locust plague is harsher than in previous years. It may affect the development of Daqian Kingdom’s national strength while allocating the funds. I hope Your Majesty can be prepared."
For matters like this, Emperor Xuanwu only needed to make a decision, and the Prime Minister would carry it out on his own.
However, this year’s locust plague seemed larger, so the Prime Minister suggested Emperor Xuanwu prepare himself mentally.
After all, it might affect the enhancement of national strength, and the Prime Minister was unclear about Emperor Xuanwu’s attitude on the matter.
He needed to clarify things to know how to proceed specifically.
Emperor Xuanwu paused slightly and nodded, "Very well, I understand. Go ahead and carry out the plan. While enhancing national strength is important, the livelihood of the people is equally crucial. If we can’t ensure the well-being of the people, then enhancing national strength would be in vain."
Their struggle against the Heavenly Demon was to ensure the safety of the people, which is why this topic was brought up.
The Prime Minister said no more, agreed with a nod, and got up to leave the room.
At that moment, a knock on the door echoed, followed by Qin An’s voice from outside.
"Your Majesty, I have something to discuss with you."
Emperor Xuanwu returned to his senses and nodded, "Come in."
He didn’t expect Qin An, who had been in seclusion in the Daqian Imperial Palace, to suddenly emerge today.
Nevertheless, it was a good thing Qin An emerged. Emperor Xuanwu was curious about his urgent matter.
The Prime Minister contemplated briefly before deciding not to leave. He stayed until Qin An opened the door and entered, then slightly bowed, "Greetings, Mr. Qin."
Qin An now had a status and position in the Daqian Kingdom that allowed him to sit alongside these high-ranking officials.
Not to mention everything else, Qin An’s strength alone was not beneath theirs.
Thus, the Prime Minister treated Qin An with manners fitting an equal rank.
Qin An nodded slightly before speaking, "Am I interrupting an important discussion between Your Majesty and the Prime Minister? If so, I can wait until you two are finished before entering."
The Prime Minister shook his head slightly, "Not at all, I have concluded the matters with Your Majesty, merely resolving the frequent locust plague recently."
"Locust plague?" Qin An rubbed his chin, "I have heard a bit about it, but it seems this year’s locust plague is quite severe."
While cultivating tirelessly in the Imperial Palace, he wasn’t cut off from outside information.
He was aware of various happenings outside, including news about the locust plague.
The Prime Minister nodded and said, "The responsibility for exterminating the locusts will be handed to the local government offices, while we must allocate funds from the Daqian Kingdom’s treasury to ensure these people can live without worry in the meantime."
"Once the locust plague is eradicated, the affected areas can gradually return to normal."
Qin An nodded, "That’s good."
Without expertise in these matters, he naturally refrained from saying much.
The Prime Minister didn’t elaborate further and soon took his leave.
In no time, only Qin An and Emperor Xuanwu were left in the room.
Emperor Xuanwu pushed the cup on the table toward Qin An, "Sit, I am quite curious about what brings you here in person?"
Qin An didn’t stand on ceremony, took a seat opposite Emperor Xuanwu, picked up the cup of tea, and took a sip.
Afterward, Qin An spoke out his thoughts without hesitation.
"Your Majesty, I wonder if you know how to cultivate the supreme foundation for the Celestial Human Realm?"
His visit was for this purpose,
He wasted no words, directly posing the question.
Emperor Xuanwu furrowed his brow, "Are you indicating you want to break through to the Celestial Human Realm? You’re just beginning to understand the Manifest Saint Realm; breaking through to the Celestial Human Realm will require time, so don’t be too ambitious."
He hadn’t expected Qin An’s purpose for the visit to be this matter.
However, he was well-acquainted with Qin An, knowing that Qin An had cultivated supreme foundations all along, so wanted to cultivate one for the Celestial Human Realm seemed perfectly normal.
Yet, he saw that Qin An was only just beginning to comprehend the Manifest Saint Realm, still some way from perfection in that realm; thus, he reminded Qin An.
Qin An nodded and replied, "Your Majesty is right, I am indeed quite a distance from the Celestial Human Realm, but it’s better to prepare well ahead than to hastily act when it’s almost time."
"From Your Majesty’s remarks, it seems you know how to cultivate the supreme foundation for the Celestial Human Realm, please tell me, as I am ready."
Though distant from the Celestial Human Realm, his speed meant this distance wasn’t a significant obstacle.
His current challenge was to cultivate the supreme foundation before it,
Having cultivated supreme foundations all along, failing to do so now would be a regret.
Moreover, from Emperor Xuanwu’s words, he seemed to know how to cultivate the supreme foundation for the Celestial Human Realm.
With these words, the Imperial Study fell silent, so quiet that a pin drop on the floor would be crystal clear.
Qin An furrowed his brow and asked, "Your Majesty, judging by your expression, it seems difficult and dangerous?"
Emperor Xuanwu did not withhold anything, nodding, "Indeed, it’s not only difficult but dangerous. Have you ever heard of the Land of Emptiness?"
Upon hearing this, Qin An furrowed his brow slightly, then shook his head:
"I have not heard of it. What is the Land of Emptiness? I do not know."
Considering his Scholar Profession had grown considerably, he should be knowledgeable about such things, and as someone in the Manifest Saint Realm, he had unparalleled memory.
Therefore, he should be familiar with the Land of Emptiness.
Upon Emperor Xuanwu’s mention, Qin An was clueless,
proving it might be an extremely significant yet mysterious place.
Emperor Xuanwu took a deep breath, "It’s normal that you’re unaware. Only I know of it; I once attempted to forge a supreme foundation in the Land of Emptiness but failed, as it’s exceedingly dangerous. A single misstep can cost your life."
"Even with my strength, entering it would pose risks. What I want to tell you is, if you cannot cultivate a supreme foundation there, it’s better not to. Considering all the supreme foundations you’ve cultivated so far have already made you immensely powerful; even upon stepping into the Celestial Human Realm, you’d be considered top tier."
Emperor Xuanwu’s persuasions further attested to the increasing dangers of the Land of Emptiness.
According to his words, even someone at his level facing it would encounter risks.
Qin An, upon hearing this, was momentarily silent and then raised his head, saying, "Your Majesty, you must tell me what exactly the Land of Emptiness is. Only then can I decide whether to go or not."
No matter how risky, he should first understand the nature of the danger and if it’s applicable to him before daring the venture.
Emperor Xuanwu gathered his thoughts, and without delay, began to explain.
"The so-called Land of Emptiness is the most tainted place within the Dragon Vein of the Daqian Kingdom, a forbidden ground for all beings. Its tainted nature is due to it being the burial site of numerous remnants from the previous dynasty."