Chapter 786

“The Nine Cauldrons?” Zu An was momentarily stunned. “You mean the ones King Yu of Xia cast after dividing the world into nine provinces, ordering each province to contribute bronze to create the Nine Cauldrons, symbolizing the nine regions, and engraving the famous mountains, great rivers, and strange creatures of the entire nation onto their bodies?”

“Exactly,” Mi Li said, appearing in a red dress. Her eyes were fixed on the greenish-yellow alchemy furnace in his hand, her expression quite complex.

Zu An thought to himself, ‘No wonder she kept pestering me to buy her more dresses; they do look stunning on her. Wait, if she’s a soul entity and can wear clothes, doesn’t that prove she has some degree of physical form? I wonder what it feels like to touch her...’

In the end, he dismissed that reckless thought and returned to the main topic. “This small object is one of the Nine Cauldrons, which symbolize supreme imperial power? You’re not kidding, are you?”

In Chinese history, the Nine Cauldrons held legendary status. They were universally recognized as national treasures, commonly perceived as massive and majestic. How could this be a small, greenish-yellow, sleeve-sized furnace?

Mi Li looked up, her beautiful eyes gazing at the sky, a hint of remembrance in their depths. “When King Yu cast the Nine Cauldrons, King Tang of Shang overthrew the Xia Dynasty and placed them in the capital. After the Western Zhou Dynasty defeated Shang, they seized the Nine Cauldrons and displayed them to the world. Later, when the Qin Dynasty destroyed Zhou, the Nine Cauldrons were naturally moved to Xianyang. Unfortunately, after Qin unified the six states, the Nine Cauldrons went missing. There were rumors that they fell into the Si River. Ying Zheng, on his tour to Pengcheng by the Si River, once dispatched people to search for them underwater, but they found nothing. I never expected one to appear here.”

Zu An was puzzled. “Aren’t there supposed to be nine Nine Cauldrons? And each is incredibly heavy. King Wu of Qin, Ying Dang, coveted the Nine Cauldrons of the Zhou royal family and tried to lift the Yong Province Cauldron, representing Qin, only to be crushed to death by it. How could it be this small?”

Mi Li shook her head. “I’m not sure why it’s like this. The reason I believe it’s connected to the Nine Cauldrons is that I once entered the palace’s secret chamber, which was specifically for housing them. Although the Nine Cauldrons were already lost, their aura lingered there. That sensation was very unique, and now I feel the same aura emanating from this small furnace.”

She reached out and caressed the small furnace, her face also filled with bewilderment.

“So how do I use this thing? Even an expert like Shen Xuzi studied it for so many years and got nowhere.” Zu An frowned deeply. He was currently in dire need of an alchemy furnace. If he had known this, he would have chosen a different one.

Mi Li scoffed, “Short-sighted! The Nine Cauldrons were paramount national artifacts of our world. It’s perfectly normal for a mere Shen Xuzi to fail at comprehending it. But you’re different; you have a destined connection with this cauldron, so comprehending it shouldn’t be an issue.”

“I hope so,” Zu An said with a wry smile, not having an ounce of confidence.

Mi Li was about to say something when she suddenly frowned and let out a soft hmph. “That Qi Yaoguang’s judgment about your destiny was indeed correct: nothing but entangling peach blossoms.”

After saying this, her figure transformed into a wisp of smoke, clearly returning to the Tai’a Sword’s space.

Zu An was taken aback. He subconsciously looked around and saw a beautiful figure standing in the peach blossom grove not far away. Her long dress flowed gracefully, and a silk ribbon cinched her waist, making her figure appear even more curvaceous. Her pretty face, illuminated by the scattered peach blossoms, looked even more enchanting. Who else could it be but Crown Princess Bi Linglong?

Zu An was a little surprised. He walked over and asked, “Crown Princess, why are you here?”

Bi Linglong turned around, a perfectly feigned look of surprise on her face. “Oh, what a coincidence! What are you doing here?”

Zu An’s face also showed a hint of delight. Meeting an acquaintance, especially a beautiful woman, was hard not to be pleased about. “I had originally planned to visit the Libationer, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to see him. And why are you here, Crown Princess?”

“I came to meet an old friend, and then I saw how beautiful this peach blossom grove was and couldn’t help but stop to admire it. I never expected to run into you,” Bi Linglong said, her face betraying no emotion, as if she had no idea what had just happened with Zu An here.

“That truly is quite a coincidence,” Zu An mused. He suddenly felt a bit curious. When Qi Yaoguang looked into his destiny earlier, she saw peach blossoms everywhere. Could she have foreseen this exact moment?

“Are you heading back now? Shall we go together?” Bi Linglong asked, feigning casualness.

“Sure,” Zu An replied. With Chu Chuyan and others having left, he had been feeling quite lonely in the capital, so he welcomed the company of a friend.

Bi Linglong’s lips curled into a slight smile, but she quickly hid it, saying nothing more as she walked ahead.

Zu An had to admit that this woman always carried a hint of pride and an innate noble aura, possessing a truly unique charm.

They walked side by side through the peach blossom grove. A gentle breeze rustled, and countless peach petals drifted down from above, sprinkling onto them both.

Although the petals were light as air, they stirred ripples in Bi Linglong’s heart.

Women are, after all, romantic creatures, and this scene evoked an inexplicable feeling in her.

However, she quickly composed herself and asked, as if casually, “I seemed to hear a lot of commotion from the back mountain earlier. I heard that a master arrived at the academy who impressed the Libationer’s direct disciples. Do you know anything about that?”

Zu An felt a bit embarrassed. “It wasn’t that exaggerated. I just chatted with them and happened to know a few things about their respective fields of study, so they considered me a kindred spirit. I wouldn’t dare claim the title of ‘master’.”

Bi Linglong’s face was filled with surprise, her moist red lips slightly parted. “So you were that mysterious person!”

“Just a coincidence, nothing more,” Zu An said. Seeing her face full of shock and admiration in her eyes, Zu An found it particularly gratifying. It had to be said that a woman’s gaze of appreciation and adoration was the best motivation for a man.

Bi Linglong’s lips curved into a slight smile. “I didn’t realize you had such abilities. It seems you’re a bit underutilized in the Eastern Palace. I’ll certainly do my best to give you a bigger stage in the future.”

“Thank you, Crown Princess. I, too, will devote my utmost loyalty to you in the future, even unto death.” Knowing she was trying to win him over, Zu An cooperatively expressed his allegiance.

Bi Linglong’s face flushed slightly. ‘This fellow seems to be deliberately taking advantage of me.’

In the past, she would have been furious, but at this moment, she couldn’t muster any anger. She only felt her heart pounding wildly.

Looking at her side profile, flushed with shyness, Zu An couldn’t help but admire the delicate beauty of her face.

At that moment, Mi Li’s scoffing voice reached Zu An’s ear: “What a vixen.”

Zu An’s expression turned strange. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

“Pah! Would I be jealous of this yellow-haired little girl?” Mi Li immediately flared up.

Rage points from Mi Li +250 +250 +250…

After a moment, she continued, “To prevent you, silly boy, from being utterly played by her, I’ll kindly offer you some advice. This woman clearly knew from the start what happened to you at the academy, and she purposely waited for you here, yet she insisted on pretending it was a coincidental encounter.”

“Hmph, in my days in the palace, I’ve seen all kinds of seductive hussies and fake pure ‘white lotuses.’ This little girl’s acting is indeed good, but compared to those women, she still lacks experience.”

“Are you sure?” Zu An was somewhat surprised. Bi Linglong’s performance earlier had seemed very natural.

“Of course!” Mi Li retorted, displeased by his doubt. “Outside the Libationer’s residence earlier, I sensed her aura. She was actually witnessing everything that happened to you and deliberately acted this way. What kind of intentions does that suggest?”

To her surprise, Zu An merely laughed. “I actually find it more interesting this way. Men, you know, tend to like pretty women who are a little bit manipulative.”

Mi Li: “…”

“Go to hell!”

Rage points from Mi Li +666 +666 +666…

Then she vanished in a puff of smoke, no longer responding to anything Zu An said.