Chapter 757: Have Purple Mystery, Calm Heart

The time for the meeting is the first hour of tomorrow morning, just six hours from now!

Meeting the Human Emperor is the most solemn occasion for the human race. Furthermore, humans place great importance on etiquette, with different protocols required for different occasions. This also applies to an audience within the imperial palace.

Therefore, along with the imperial decree, a set of court attire uniquely tailored for Xu Qing was also delivered!

The court attire was incredibly intricate, adorned with numerous patterns. It was embroidered with five-clawed profound dragons and bore runic markings. From head to toe, it comprised over a hundred pieces of various sizes. Without knowing the proper method, it would be extremely difficult to wear correctly.

Li Yunshan, Kong Xianglong, and the others stared at the court attire, utterly dazed. They had no idea how to don the court attire, yet they could sense that every single piece was extraordinary. Even the captain, who had experienced many lifetimes, now stared at the garments with wide, bewildered eyes.

However, he could sense a precious radiance emanating from the clothes. They far surpassed You Jing's former attire, imbued with swirling immortal aura. A subtle light shimmered from them; when assembled, they seemed like a mobile magic treasure!

"They're so rich!" the captain said, licking his lips enviously. He mused that he should also acquire a set, or his dignity as the senior disciple would be severely compromised.

Ning Yan also couldn't wear casual clothes for an audience, as he had his own distinct attire. However, he was equally bewildered by the officials' court robes, scratching his head and waving his hand in confusion.

"I don't know how to wear this either," Ning Yan said. "How about I send a message to Third Sister and ask her to come over?"

"No need!" Zi Xuan stated calmly.

"One must possess propriety to achieve enlightenment," Zi Xuan began. "Spring audiences are called 'Chao,' and autumn audiences are 'Ju.' The former is red, the latter is black. Golden dragons symbolize the Emperor, while five claws signify reverence. This is the attire of a regional Marquis from ancient regulations!"

"The Human Emperor has shown no discourtesy in the wording of the imperial decree or in the bestowal of this court attire. We must not be discourteous either!"

"As for how to wear it, the method follows the ancient art of refinement, aligning with the techniques of the Five Elements and Nine Palaces. Combined with the evolution of celestial stars, there are forty-nine different methods, each suited for distinct occasions and rituals!"

"Today, the Human Emperor is summoning Xu Qing, who represents the Saintly Wave Great Domain. Therefore, he must wear the attire designated for ancient feudal lords during imperial audiences. According to ancient custom, due to his current accomplishments in defending a region, he is exempt from kneeling during the audience. The Human Emperor will first bow three times and grant him a seat, and the Marquis will then bow deeply nine times in gratitude!"

As Zi Xuan's words resonated, Ning Yan, the captain, Li Yunshan, and the others all turned their gazes towards her, each feeling a profound sense of awe, even if they didn't fully comprehend everything. From their perspective, while Zi Xuan's extensive knowledge could be attributed to her vast learning, they vaguely felt there was more to it than simple scholarship.

While everyone was lost in speculation, Zi Xuan glanced at the black court attire. She raised her right hand and gently waved it, and instantly, the hundred pieces of the garment flew, scattering and encircling Xu Qing.

Xu Qing looked at the clothes. Given his background, he didn't fully understand these ancient rituals, yet his heart remained calm. This was because, in the entire imperial capital, perhaps no one understood the ancient imperial era better than Zi Xuan. Xu Qing even entertained the possibility that Zi Xuan might have personally participated in designing the method for creating this court attire.

"You all, wait outside!" Zi Xuan commanded, her voice clear and cold. At this moment, her words seemed to carry a distinct authority.

Li Yunshan and the others involuntarily bowed their heads and exited the main hall. As for the captain and Ning Yan, who already held a natural fear of Zi Xuan, they swiftly exited as well. Soon, only Xu Qing and Zi Xuan remained in the great hall.

"Court attire is very difficult to put on by oneself," Zi Xuan said softly. "Ah Qing, close your eyes, I'll help you."

Hearing this, Xu Qing took a deep breath and obediently closed his eyes. The next instant, with a wave of Zi Xuan's hand, Xu Qing's clothes instantly separated from his body. Xu Qing's body trembled as the court attire, following various arrangements, began to assemble itself, piece by piece, onto his body. As the attire was being donned, Zi Xuan's clear voice also echoed in Xu Qing's ears.

"The Marquis's court attire is primarily black," Zi Xuan explained. "Its form is dignified and upright, hence it's called 'Xuan Duan.' The headwear that accompanies the Xuan Duan is the 'Wei Mao.' In ancient times, the crown's ornamentation required bones from the Devouring Beast's body! Today, however, the Devouring Beast is extinct, replaced by Immortal Profound Jade. Because this court attire comprises both the Wei Mao and the 'Tian Xuan Duan' (Heavenly Profound Duan), 'Wei Duan' became the formal term for court attire during the ancient imperial era!" As Zi Xuan spoke, Xu Qing grew increasingly certain of his earlier speculation.

He could feel the clothes continuously assembling themselves around his body. Though seemingly numerous, they felt remarkably comfortable. Furthermore, the cultivation within his body subtly accelerated its circulation, and a sense of profound clarity spontaneously arose. It seemed to be greatly empowered under the influence of laws and rules.

"Alright, you can open your eyes now!" Zi Xuan's voice announced after a short while.

Hearing this, Xu Qing opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a hint of brilliance and admiration in Zi Xuan's gaze. Then, he raised his hand, and a mist of water rose and coalesced into a mirror, reflecting his own image.

The black Xuan Duan, though formal and upright, exuded a sense of vastness. The five-clawed profound golden dragons on it seemed alive, gliding across his body as the robes swayed, with faint roars seemingly echoing. The tips of his boots curved upwards in three rounded sections. He wore a Profound Jade Crown, beneath which was a jade cloud ribbon, and a complete set of jade pendants adorned him. Combined with Xu Qing's inherently extraordinary appearance, the overall effect was an astonishing aura.

"Excellent," Zi Xuan said, a smug smile blooming on her face. "We shall face the Human Emperor with proper etiquette. If the current Human Emperor doesn't understand, it merely shows his limited knowledge. This reveals the quality of our presentation!"

Xu Qing blinked, unsure how to respond.

After Zi Xuan surveyed him from head to toe, she approached Xu Qing again to make final adjustments. Finally, fully satisfied, she linked her arm through his and led him out of the great hall, presenting him before the waiting crowd.

Seeing Xu Qing in such attire for the first time, everyone's hearts stirred. Li Yunshan felt a slight daze; his immediate impression of Xu Qing in the court attire was one of immense gravitas. This wasn't merely due to his cultivation but rather the profound significance represented by the court attire itself. The captain's breathing quickened slightly, and his yearning for such court attire intensified. Kong Xianglong took a deep breath and bowed his head respectfully.

Ning Yan, too, was momentarily stunned. He inwardly mused that with his 'boss' in this attire, he would undoubtedly make the hearts of all female cultivators in the imperial capital flutter. He even speculated that if his 'boss' took an interest in any female cultivator, even his Sixth Imperial Brother would have to concede defeat. Although cultivators generally didn't prioritize appearance, Ning Yan wondered how such a monstrously beautiful face could exist. Was his 'boss' truly human?

Xu Qing paid no mind to the reactions of others; he was focused on feeling the active changes in his cultivation while wearing the court attire. Although he had never worn such grand attire, which made him feel a bit uncomfortable, he had to admit that this set of court attire was remarkably comfortable.

An hour later, after Ning Yan had also changed into his imperial prince's robes, the group departed from Ning Yan's residence and headed towards the imperial palace. The sky was still dark. As it was autumn, the night wind was somewhat chilly but not biting.

There were few pedestrians on the streets in the dead of night. Half an hour later, as a faint glow emerged in the distance and early risers gradually appeared, Xu Qing and his group had already arrived at the Rainbow Bridge, located behind the Sword-Wielding Emperor's statue, via a teleportation array.

This bridge could only be ascended by qualified officials during court assembly hours. Normally, it was rarely used, with access granted only to those summoned by the Human Emperor. Therefore, Zi Xuan and the others from Feng Hai County could not accompany them.

This particular audience was a court assembly, so when Xu Qing and Ning Yan appeared on the Rainbow Bridge, their gaze fell upon numerous figures moving forward along the shimmering rainbow. Each of those figures was dressed in court attire, both male and female, their expressions solemn. The cultivation fluctuations emanating from their bodies were all impressive. Most of their clothes were blue, with occasional red ones. As for black, Xu Qing only saw seven individuals. These seven individuals all possessed cultivation at the Fourth Stage of Returning to the Void. Some walked alone, while others were surrounded by attendants, making them visually prominent.

As Xu Qing observed others, their gazes also scrutinized him. His black court attire was equally conspicuous to everyone else. However, being unfamiliar with each other, they merely exchanged glances without engaging in conversation.

Xu Qing's gaze fell further into the distance, where, at the very end of the rainbow, an imperial palace seemed to float in the void. It merged seamlessly with the Ancient Emperor Star behind it, vast and boundless, profoundly awe-inspiring. Its grandeur was equally magnificent, shimmering with golden light.

As Xu Qing gazed upon the palace, he flew along the rainbow. Ning Yan followed closely behind him, growing more nervous with every step closer to the imperial palace. However, feeling Xu Qing's composure, his heart settled somewhat.

As the two drew closer, the imperial palace became increasingly clear. It was adorned with carved beams and painted pillars, showcasing jade halls and towering pavilions, with grand halls rising and falling in intricate succession. Outside the main gate, two golden-armored giants stood, holding great swords, their piercing gazes sweeping over every entrant.

When Xu Qing and Ning Yan appeared outside the imperial palace gate, the two golden-armored giants cast their gazes upon them. Offering no obstruction, they allowed Xu Qing and Ning Yan to enter.

Walking across the Immortal Inheritance Plaza and looking up, they saw a magnificent great hall atop a vast, wide stairway with ten thousand steps. At this moment, hundreds of people stood waiting on the Immortal Inheritance Plaza. Xu Qing and Ning Yan's arrival drew their attention. A moment later, as the sun rose in the distance, precisely at the first quarter of dawn, a solemn voice echoed from the top of the stairs.

"All officials, attend court!" As the voice resounded, the sky swirled, and golden dragons flew out from the clouds, circling in all directions and each emitting a powerful roar. Furthermore, all the statues in the imperial capital emitted auspicious light, transforming the world into a colorful and serene landscape.

All human cultivators on the Immortal Inheritance Plaza began to ascend towards the great hall, categorized by the colors of their attire. As Heavenly Kings were not required to attend court assemblies, those wearing black were the first to ascend, followed by red, then blue, and then green.

Seeing dozens of individuals in black court attire fly out, Xu Qing took a deep breath, his expression solemn. He, too, leaped over the steps, seeing the open doors of the great hall and, within, the Human Emperor seated on the distant dragon throne.