The task of inspecting the Yu family and Wang Xifeng naturally fell to Song Yuzhi and Jia Yuanchun.
Yang Hong was too lazy to conduct the inspection himself. He would adjust the refinement of their [Su Nü True Qi] based on Song Yuzhi's and the others' evaluations.
If their evaluations were high, they would receive the same treatment as Jia Yuanchun and the other seven currently did.
If their character was lacking, they would be directly brainwashed with True Qi!
After breaking through to the Fusion Realm, Yang Hong's control over the "Su Nü Yang Gong" had become even more intricate and subtle.
He could now use his True Qi to brainwash females, potentially turning them into mindless puppets.
Of course, this was the simplest and most direct method.
However, it still required dual cultivation and rendering the woman unconscious before the brainwashing could commence.
Putting aside the matter of the two women, Yang Hong began preparing a birthday gift for Yang Zixuan.
It was also her capping ceremony gift.
Yang Zixuan was eighteen this year. According to the customs of the Taiyuan Continent, women could marry after their capping ceremony at eighteen.
Yang Hong had prepared a set of robes for Yang Zixuan.
A set of purple robes, a magical artifact that he had "found" on a mysterious female cultivator last year.
Not only the eight-piece set of robes, but also two hairpins, a bracelet, and a jade pendant.
Yang Hong had tested all these with his True Qi and confirmed they were magical artifacts, and of the highest quality.
For safety, Yang Hong spent three months using his powerful True Qi to alter the styles of these magical artifacts and robes, without affecting their inherent quality.
The original pink robes, refined by Yang Hong's pure True Qi, had indeed transformed into the pale purple that Yang Zixuan favored.
Although Yang Zixuan was eighteen, she was only slightly over 1.50 meters tall.
Her figure was only slightly better than that of the twelve-year-old Jia Chunchun, and even less developed than Song Yuzhi, who had begun to change slowly after obtaining the "true scriptures."
In short, she was still a little loli who hadn't fully grown.
Therefore, these robes and magical artifacts had to be refined anew, changing their colors and styles.
It was a pity that Yang Hong had not obtained a method for artifact forging. He could only use the True Qi refinement technique from the "Xuan Nü Gong" to first refine these magical artifacts as his own.
Then, he re-refined them according to Yang Zixuan's physique and appearance.
Of course, another reason was that Yang Zixuan was currently only at the Grandmaster Realm cultivation, and could not refine magical artifacts herself.
This was the primary reason why he had to spend three months on this.
"Phew~ Refining magical artifacts is really troublesome, and these artifacts are probably only third-tier.
If I have to refine higher-tier artifacts in the future, I wonder how much time it will take."
"Fortunately, the timing is just right."
Glancing at the time, Yang Hong let out a sigh of relief. He had almost missed Yang Zixuan's capping ceremony.
Yang Zixuan's birthday was on May 23rd, and by the time Yang Hong finished refining the robes and artifacts, it was already May 16th.
"Husband, you are truly good to Zixuan."
Song Yuzhi, who had already completed her Foundation Establishment, looked at the set of purple robes, then at her own light pink robes, with envy.
She had also received a set of eight-piece robes, but they were only second-tier magical artifacts.
Of course, as a lone wolf without a complete cultivation method, she could only refine second-tier magical artifacts for now.
"Hehe~ You don't need to rush. When you break through to the Fusion Realm, I will definitely prepare a set of third-tier robes for you."
Yang Hong embraced the slightly jealous Song Yuzhi and comforted her with a laugh.
Being jealous of one's sister-in-law was a bit excessive.
However, at Yang Hong's words, Song Yuzhi's expression became even more bitter.
She looked at Jia Yuanchun, who was meditating and cultivating on the other side, and her feelings of frustration intensified.
Although Jia Yuanchun hadn't received robes yet, Yang Hong had promised her a set of robes once she reached the Fusion Realm.
Currently, Jia Yuanchun's cultivation was at the fourth level of Foundation Establishment.
Although she didn't know what level that was, when they sparred among themselves, even with all seven of them combined, they couldn't put any pressure on Jia Yuanchun.
One against seven, Jia Yuanchun alone could defeat all seven of them.
Needless to say, Jia Yuanchun would be the fastest to acquire the third-tier artifact robes.
"No more comparisons, it's enough to make one die of jealousy!"
Song Yuzhi immediately changed the subject and asked,
"We want to go out of the palace to prepare some gifts for Sister Zixuan. May we?"
"If you wish to go out, then go.
The Emperor and the Retired Emperor no longer restrict our movements out of the palace. We just need to inform them."
Although Yang Zhong and his son protected Yang Hong closely and didn't want him to leave the palace easily, they had no restrictions on these concubines.
In fact, these concubines had gradually taken on the task of procuring seeds for Yang Hong.
Yang Zhong and Yang Jian were both happy to see them go out.
...
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was May 23rd.
Yang Hong and Song Yuzhi attended Yang Zixuan's capping ceremony.
Although the proceedings were similar to Yang Hong's own coming-of-age ceremony, the number of attendees was larger.
The scene was more lively, grander, and also more tedious.
So tedious that Yang Zixuan's little face was almost creased with distress.
In fact, this was the normal procedure for a royal family member's capping ceremony. Yang Hong's earlier ceremony had been a greatly simplified version.
The capping ceremony began at the hour of巳 (9 AM) and lasted until the first quarter of the hour of未 (1 PM), spanning over four hours.
Just as Yang Zixuan changed back into her casual clothes and the banquet was about to begin, uninvited guests suddenly descended upon the imperial palace,
directly hovering above the main square in front of the [Eagle Hall].
The word "descended" was used because the newcomers flew from the sky and slowly landed in front of the [Eagle Hall].
The visitors were three cultivators, all female cultivators at the Fusion Realm.
"Greetings, Immortal Masters~"
"Greetings, Divine Masters~"
"Greetings..."
Before Emperor Yang Jian could speak, the palace maids, eunuchs, guards, and musicians in the square had already knelt to pay their respects.
In the Five Directions Dynasty, flying immortals were legendary beings.
Seeing live "immortals," all the commoners knelt down.
In nearly four hundred years, the mortal population had gone through ten generations.
The concept of cultivators had become a myth.
Only those well-read civil officials and martial artists whose cultivation was at the late Grandmaster stage, who knew of higher levels of power, did not kneel.
Because they were educated, they knew more. They knew these people were not gods, but people,
merely cultivators who were more powerful than ordinary individuals.
However, they too looked at the cultivators in the sky with envy.
This included Emperor Yang Jian and the Retired Emperor Yang Zhong.
Only Yang Hong looked disdainful.
'Mere early Fusion stage, and they act like big shots?'
'Aren't they afraid of running out of True Qi and falling to their deaths?'
Within a radius of 200 Zhang, Yang Hong could clearly sense the cultivation of the three individuals in the air.
One was at the late Fusion stage, and the other two were definitely beautiful female cultivators at the early Fusion stage.
It was said that cultivators, through the process of constant purification of their bodies, became more beautiful as they cultivated,
and it was rare to encounter an ugly one.
"I am Xuan Yin Shang Xian from Xuan Yin Mountain, and I am here to experience the mortal world."
"I have set my sights on this Great Sui Imperial Palace and intend to cultivate in this palace.
All you mortals, be gone."
"The Emperor of this palace shall remain. I have a task to assign, and I will also grant you some benefits."
The leading beautiful female cultivator stated in a condescending and unquestionable tone.
"Yes~"
"We respectfully obey the Divine Master's command."
Before Emperor Yang Jian could issue any orders, half of the guards, a large portion of the maids, and almost all the eunuchs left.
Some of the civil and military officials present also left, though their numbers were smaller.
Yang Jian, the Son of Heaven, had completely lost face at this moment.