Chapter 744: Once the First Domain of Wanggu

Sun Mama’s words caused everyone at the banquet to lower their heads, concealing their expressions. Certain people were taboo and not to be mentioned. Princess Anhai’s eyes also gleamed with curiosity. She understood her wet nurse well, knowing that in her youth, the wet nurse not only had extensive connections but also possessed considerable skill. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for her to be the wet nurse for both Princess Anhai and the Fifth Prince. Nor would it have been possible for her to survive in the palace until now and even be granted retirement by the Human Emperor. All of this demonstrated the wet nurse's profound wisdom and unwavering loyalty to the Emperor. Thus, with her extensive experience, the wet nurse naturally knew that words were often both a weapon and a reflection of attitude. No statement carried only its superficial meaning. Therefore, uttering those words here undoubtedly held deep significance. Princess Anhai pondered, unable to resist glancing at the kind-faced wet nurse beside her. She had never found any trace of the wet nurse's background before entering the palace; it was impossible to know or investigate. She only knew that the wet nurse once had a daughter who died prematurely, after which Princess Anhai's mother petitioned for her to enter the palace and become her wet nurse. A royal wet nurse’s role was more than just nursing; it carried a special status. To prevent palace intrigue from affecting royal dignity, the royal family often used methods to dilute the bond between princes/princesses and their birth mothers. The wet nurse was a key part of this process. They were responsible for the daily lives of the princes and princesses, providing companionship, initial teaching, and guidance until adulthood. They served as a maternal figure, accompanying them day and night, thus influencing the formation of the princes' and princesses' worldviews and values. The wet nurse would directly influence a prince’s future demeanor and methods for handling affairs. Therefore, in the royal family, the wet nurse was effectively a mother.

As Princess Anhai was lost in thought, Sun Mama gently patted her arm. Princess Anhai quickly looked up, instinctively smiling as she gazed at Ning Yan. Ning Yan's expression became somewhat complex. Sun Mama’s words made him think of his mother, bringing with it a wave of melancholy and deeply buried memories. He could no longer clearly recall his mother’s appearance, and her name had become a taboo in the Imperial City, one no one dared to mention. In his memory, this was the first time anyone had spoken of her since her passing.

Ning Yan then took a deep breath, stood up, walked to Sun Mama, and bowed with cupped fists. Sun Mama smiled kindly at Ning Yan, beckoning him to stand beside her on the other side. She even placed Ning Yan's hand in her own, though inwardly she sighed. She naturally knew the purpose of Princess Anhai bringing Ning Yan here. However, after leaving the Imperial City, she was reluctant to get involved. After all, the death of King Tianlan and the Human Emperor’s decree hinted at an impending storm of succession struggles about to erupt in the Imperial City. Another key point was Ning Yan’s concealed history. Later generations might not know, but she had personally witnessed the rise of Ning Yan’s mother, her stunning talent, and the bloody tragedy that unfolded overnight, including the death of another prince. That was Ning Yan’s twin brother. Ning Yan had also been intentionally distanced by others since that day. Therefore, her previous coolness towards Ning Yan and Xu Qing was not malicious; they simply kept to themselves. However, the arrival of Emperor Lingxia changed everything. Although she would not go all-in, some appropriate care was still necessary. Her earlier words and current actions would surely be known by certain interested parties, as every person at the banquet had intricate connections to the Imperial City. This was enough.

The banquet continued until the bright moon hung high in the sky. Emperor Lingxia stretched, stood up, and departed. Xu Qing also rose to bid farewell to Sun Mama. Looking at Xu Qing, Sun Mama's eyes showed a hint of profound meaning. After a moment of thought, she simply took out three jade slips and handed them to Ning Yan, asking him to deliver them to three old friends on her behalf once he reached the Imperial City. Ning Yan instinctively looked at Xu Qing, who gave a slight nod. Ning Yan then took a deep breath, solemnly accepted the slips, and left with Jing.

On the way back to the teleportation array, under the moonlight, Ning Yan was clearly subdued, his emotions stirred by past events, as he silently followed beside Xu Qing. Halfway there, Xu Qing patted Ning Yan's shoulder. "It's alright. No matter what, you are the Sword Holder of Fenghai Commandery!" Xu Qing's words brought warmth to Ning Yan's heart. After a long exhale, he spoke softly, "Thank you, Boss!" "Actually, it's nothing; I just didn't want to embarrass you. As a prince, I have little status in the Imperial City; I'm marginalized, and no one interacts with me." "I know why. It's because my mother is a taboo in the Imperial City." "I originally had an elder brother, my twin. He was more decisive than me, smarter than me, better than me in every way. Though he was taciturn, nothing seemed to stump him. And he was extremely good to me. When I was little, I was a bit timid, and he always protected me. But he also died. The day after my mother died, he died, along with everyone else in the manor, except for me, the most useless one." "After that, I was lost and helpless in the Imperial City, forced to navigate the vast Imperial Palace carefully and alone," Ning Yan shook his head bitterly. "It wasn't until several years later that I received an imperial decree from my father, telling me to go to Fenghai Commandery, live there anonymously, and quietly record everything." "Then I met you, Boss!" Ning Yan looked at Xu Qing, revealing words he had never spoken to outsiders in the moonlit wilderness. "Because throughout this journey, I've unconsciously felt that you are becoming more and more like my brother!" Xu Qing looked up at the sky. No one knew whom he was thinking of... After a long moment, he reached out and patted Ning Yan's head, saying, "If you're not happy after going to the Imperial City, we'll return to Fenghai Commandery together." "Okay!" Ning Yan nodded vigorously. Xu Qing smiled and continued forward. Under the moonlight, they walked further and further until they disappeared into the horizon.

The ancient teleportation array in Tai'an Commandery activated. Several days later, Xu Qing and his group departed in a teleportation carriage, accompanied by others, including Princess Anhai. She arrived before the array activated to travel with Xu Qing and his companions to the Imperial Capital Domain. As the array's light faded, a vast expanse of land three domains away from the Grey Sea Domain was revealed. Within a massive array occupying a huge area, light shone brightly.

This array was far larger than any ancient teleportation array Xu Qing had seen so far, at least three times the size. Its materials were astonishing, crafted from top-grade spirit stones. Around the array, countless colossal stones stood, each inscribed with runes that emitted terrifying fluctuations. Further away, a military camp stood, its soldiers tasked with guarding the teleportation array, with Human Race soldiers constantly patrolling in all directions. Such arrays were not singular on this land; military camps with various destinations were also numerous here. As for this land, it resembled a ring, its vastness comparable to many smaller domains. However, the communities here were only a part of the Human Race Imperial Capital Domain. Within this ring-shaped land, separated by a void sea, there was another ring-shaped land, and even deeper, more existed, forming hundreds of concentric rings. Encompassed by these hundred ring-shaped lands, right at the center, was an enormous and breathtaking star. Even from a great distance, its outline could be faintly seen. It was not formed of soil but was gaseous, shrouded in swirling clouds, with occasional storm-like vortices appearing, accompanied by the thunderous roar of lightning. This was a massive, soul-stirring gaseous star, and its surrounding rings were a series of concentric ring-shaped continents. Below this great star lay a dark abyss.

This was the Imperial Capital Domain, which could actually be considered a suspended domain. Below it lay an abyss, bottomless, where few knew what truly existed within. However, there was a legend that it led to a place called Huangtian. The Imperial Capital Domain was once the First Domain of Wanggu, crafted by Ancient Emperor Xuanyou from an extraterrestrial meteorite, thus differing from ordinary domains. Its true form was an astonishing gaseous star, refined by Ancient Emperor Xuanyou from beyond the heavens countless years ago to serve as the ancient imperial capital. It was now the ancestral land of the Human Race. Even imperial descendants were not qualified to enter the gaseous star's interior; only the Human Emperor and the future Crown Prince were permitted to enter the star to perform ancestral rites. "The hundred layers of star rings surrounding this gaseous star are where our people reside. What we stand on is the outermost layer, which appears to be land but is actually a star ring solidified by divine abilities!" "These star rings, from outer to inner, signify progressively higher living requirements and social strata as one approaches the gaseous star. As for the innermost layer, that is the Imperial Capital of our Human Race!"

On the outermost ring of the gaseous star, as the teleportation array flashed, Xu Qing and his group appeared alongside Princess Anhai. The moment they materialized, Princess Anhai's voice resonated. Everyone from Fenghai Commandery was deeply awestruck by the vast scene before them. Even if their cultivation limited their immediate perception, Princess Anhai's words painted a vivid picture in the mind of every cultivator from Fenghai Commandery.

However, the Captain merely curled his lip, paying little attention. Zi Xuan, meanwhile, gazed at the star's silhouette, a look of bewilderment in his eyes. The others, though astonished, quickly suppressed their inner turmoil, recovering and falling silent. Xu Qing also withdrew his gaze, glanced at Princess Anhai, and gave a slight nod. Princess Anhai's expression remained calm, but she felt a deep sense of surprise inwardly. She knew the Human Race Imperial Capital Domain was the First Domain of Wanggu, forged by an ancient emperor, making it different from ordinary domains. It was difficult to remain composed upon first perceiving it. This was true even among the Fenghai Commandery cultivators, yet their recovery was remarkably swift. She quickly suppressed her astonishment and continued to accompany Xu Qing and his group.

Thus, several days passed. Under Princess Anhai's arrangements, they journeyed closer to the innermost ring, the Imperial Capital’s teleportation point. As they drew nearer, the enormous gaseous star became progressively clearer in their sight. On the cloud-shrouded star, as the mists flowed, they occasionally unveiled a vast and astonishing statue of Ancient Emperor Xuanyou, as if a veil were being lifted. The statue sat cross-legged on the star. Though an inanimate object, its presence was lifelike, radiating an awe-inspiring aura.