Chapter 582 The Selection of the People to Explore the Lost Desert

Starry Sky Pavilion, Deluxe Room.
What?
"So you're ready to explore the Lost Desert so soon?"
Receiving a letter from Zhu Youji, Murong Nan showed a trace of surprise.
Regarding Zhu Youji's decisive behavior, Murong Nan was somewhat caught off guard.
He turned his gaze to his sister Yuxi, casting an inquiring look at her.
After a moment of silence and contemplation, Yuxi spoke, "Brother, I think we should quickly gather a team and bring the experts from the last expedition to the Lost Desert to Yijing, and hire them at a high price for a second exploration."
“I think the reason why Liu Yun keeps his promise is because of the experience of the last exploration team.”
“In a dangerous desert, the importance of a safe passage far exceeds everything else.”
"Liu Yun is well-read in poetry and books, and is also a great Confucian scholar. He definitely understands this principle."
"Murong Nan nodded slightly, agreeing with his sister Yuxi's point of view: "Yes, you're right. For the current plan, we must quickly gather manpower. In Liu Yun's letter, he mentioned that the Empress seems to be interested in this matter as well, and has dispatched a team from the Xuantian Guard to assist from the side."
"We must seize the opportunity and insert our people in."
"I will go too." Yuxi looked at Murong Nan and said in a deep voice.
"Yes?" Murong Nan frowned and decisively waved his hand to refuse, saying, "No, sister, this is too dangerous. Even in the Transcendent Realm, it is dangerous to disappear in the Secret Chamber Desert. Your cultivation is still shallow, and you cannot take the risk."
"I will arrange for someone else to go."
Yuxi shook her head and explained, "Only I can go in order to maximize the benefits."
"Under the heavens, besides my all-seeing eyes, are there other supernatural abilities that can identify all things and synchronously analyze and access information?"
"I have an eidetic memory since childhood and have memorized all the books in the world, so to some extent, I can be considered omniscient. It is because of this that I know the value of that metal ball is worth far more than what Liu Yu paid for it."
"But, after so many years, we haven't been able to make the metal ball show any difference, while Liuyun is a special person, he can do it."
"I want to follow him and see what secrets he has hidden."
Upon hearing his sister say this, Murong Nan frowned and become conflicted. After a long moment of silence, he spoke up: "I will arrange for someone from our family to protect you."
"Hmm." Yu Xi showed a hint of gentle smile.
……
Dafeng Imperial Palace, the imperial harem.
"Zhenyuan, how is your cultivation going?"
The Empress, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, walked steadily into Princess Zhenyuan's Xuri Palace.
Princess Zhenyuan, who was meditating and practicing her skills, suddenly opened her eyes. Her fiery red dress floated in the surging air, creating rippling waves.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Princess Zhenyuan's cold and proud face showed a rare bright smile and said, "Empress sister, you have come?"
"Hmm." The empress made a soft sound and looked at Zhengyuan, who had returned to her maiden-like state, and said, "Judging from your appearance, you should have completely digested the branches of the Fusang divine tree."
Princess Zhenyuan laughed and hugged the Empress's arm very affectionately, saying, "Not yet? Empress sister."
"You, don't lean so close to me, it's so uncomfortable." The Empress showed a look of disdain and helplessness.
"Don't go, Emperor sister, it's been so long, come and visit me." Princess Zhenyuan clung onto the Empress and acted coquettishly.
Usually, Princess Zhenyuan has a very lofty attitude and is extremely cold to outsiders. But now she is showing this kind of expression?
It's really amazing!
"Okay, stop pulling and tugging."
The empress was also helpless towards her little sister, and could only sternly reprimand her.
"Okay, okay, I got it." Princess Zhenyuan stuck out her tongue and let go of her hand.
Princess Zhenyuan let go of her hand, and the empress also breathed a sigh of relief, asking, "Hasn't it been digested? What's the problem?"
"No problem, it's just that the time was too short."
Zhenyuan Princess shook her head and explained, "After all, it is an ancient divine tree. It is rumored that even the gods, such as the Golden Crow, have perched on it. Even if it's just a branch, it's not easy to refine. However, although I haven't completely refined it, I have already completed the initial fusion and can control the branch of the Fusang divine tree."
Speaking, Princess Zhenyuan raised her hand and a dark red branch appeared in her palm. It had three branches and its leaves were golden, as if made of solid gold. Although it was just a branch with leaves, it still emitted a faint glow like a divine object in the sky, beautiful and radiant.
As soon as the branches appeared, the surrounding temperature began to gradually rise.
"Is this the sacred tree borrowed from the land of Western Sichuan by the Yin Yang School?"
"Indeed, it is extraordinary."
The empress's eyes were shining as she gazed at the mysterious Phoenix tree, and she couldn't help but exclaim.
"Empress sister, if you want it, it's yours." Princess Zhenyuan generously reached out her hand and handed the Phoenix tree branch to the empress.
Upon seeing this, the Empress shook her head and smiled, "How could I compete with Zhenyuan for things?"
"The branch of the Divine Wood Tree in Fusang is not easy to obtain."
"Your Yin-Yang Technique, the Great Sun Wheel Seal, has greatly benefited me and is the key to your reaching the third level of the Control Mind Curse in Yin-Yang Technique."
"You must seize this opportunity."
At these words, Princess Zhenyuan smiled and said, "Yes, thank you, Empress Sister."
"Hmm..." The Empress made a soft sound of agreement and casually looked around the room, without saying anything further.
Empress knows about the Princess Zhenyuan's habit, that no one is allowed to enter the inner court while she is practicing.
It is precisely because of this that the Empress only scolds her and does not forcefully push her away when she acts coquettishly.
Empress is aware of the habits of her younger sister, Princess Zhenyuan, and Princess Zhenyuan, in turn, is well aware of the habits of her elder sister, the Empress.
Princess Zhenyuan's eyes flickered slightly, and she had already made up her mind. Taking the initiative, she said, "Empress, I plan to go into seclusion recently to refine the branches of the Fusang Divine Tree. I may not appear for a while."
"Yes?"
Princess Zhenyuan's sudden words took the empress by surprise, causing her to unconsciously put her hands behind her back and calmly ask, "How long do you plan to stay in seclusion?"
"It could take anywhere from a month to half a year." Princess Zhenyuan looked at the Empress's small movements and inwardly chuckled, having already understood her purpose for coming. On the surface, she remained calm and professional as she spoke.
"Alright, we understand," the Empress nodded slightly and pointed to a white jade bottle, saying, "A set of white jade tea utensils has been sent from a foreign country, which matches well with your white jade bottle here. We'll have someone send it to you later."
“Well, thank you, Your Majesty,” Princess Zhenyuan laughed lightly and said.
“Hmm, I still have some official duties to attend to, so I'll take my leave,” the Empress said, walking towards the door with her hands behind her back.
Watching the Empress's departing figure, Princess Zhenyuan suddenly chuckled and said, "Alright, I was not in seclusion. Your Majesty, just tell me what's on your mind."
The Empress paused, as if she had realized something, shook her head, turned around, and looked back at Princess Zhenyuan, saying, "You've also picked up some bad habits."
"Isn't it because Your Majesty taught me well?"
“Hehe.”
Princess Zhenyuan smiled slyly, looking very mischievous.
At the next moment, Princess Zhenyuan imitated the Empress's manner, hands behind her back, and said calmly, "Hmm, I understand."
When the Empress saw the appearance of Princess Zhenyuan, she was not angry but asked: "Where did I give away my flaws?"
"Come on, Empress sister, I never drink tea, okay?" Princess Zhenyuan shook her head, looking defeated, and continued: "I came all the way here just to be given a set of white jade tea set. Empress sister, can't we show a little sincerity, even if it's fake, at least make it seem a little authentic."
“敷衍，也敷衍的好些。”
“你这样，就显得我很呆。”
“谁都知道你是无事不登三宝殿的人，今天主动来看我，肯定目的不纯。”
Upon hearing this, the empress fell silent for a moment before saying, "I have indeed been neglectful of you, I apologize, Princess Zhenyuan."
"Empress sister is busy with so many affairs, how can I blame you?" Princess Zhenyuan put away her smile and spoke seriously.
"I do have something to tell you," the empress hesitated for a moment, but decided to speak.
Princess Zhenyuan nodded, not interrupting, waiting for the empress to continue.
The empress revealed the agreement with Zhu Youji: "The great scholar Liu Yun intends to go to the Lost Desert to search for clues about the former dynasty's Grand Preceptor Yu Wen Tuo. He is the heir of the Kunlun Mirror and the descendant of the Yellow Emperor's lineage. His whereabouts can help us find the ancient artifact - the Kunlun Mirror."
"Legend has it that the Kunlun Mirror has the magical ability to shuttle through time and space. The appearance of the demon king and the mysterious figure in those years almost affected the establishment of the Great Feng Kingdom. If it were not for the intervention of the sages of Confucianism and Taoism, it would have caused a great chaos long ago."
"This kind of divine artifact cannot fall into the hands of others."
"Therefore, I want you to lead a team of Xuantian Guards to follow Liu Yun into the Lost Desert. If there is any discovery, you can handle it completely."
"The Kunlun Mirror?" Princess Zhenyuan's expression became serious, and after a brief moment of thought, she agreed: "Alright, for the sake of Da Feng, for the sake of His Majesty, I'll go."
“This journey is extremely dangerous, what are your thoughts?”
The Empress nodded slightly and asked, "Or perhaps, do you need any items? Let me know as soon as possible, I will do my best to fulfill your needs."
"I carry the top-level Yin Yang technique of Yin Yang family—[Great Sun Wheel Seal], and I also have the branches of the Fusang Sacred Tree as weapons and means of attack. I am not lacking in attack methods for the time being, but I lack a strong enough life-saving equipment and an item for escaping in dangerous situations," Princess Zhenyuan also did not hold back, and said directly.
"Ok, I'll prepare it for you. Besides these two things, what else do you need?" The empress agreed directly.
"I don't need anything else for now. I need a few days to consolidate my cultivation. Let's wait for another seven days before setting off." Princess Zhenyuan thought for a moment and said.
"Okay, I'll have someone notify Liu Yun," the Empress nodded.