Shen Gongbao, though eager to enter the palace, found the royal stronghold not easily breached. Furthermore, Kunlun had its rules for cultivators, forbidding them from using magic on mortals!
As Di Xin was the Human Emperor, meeting him was no simple matter!
Shen Gongbao knew he couldn't use Daoist arts on mortals, but it didn't say he couldn't use them on himself.
With this thought, Shen Gongbao cast an invisibility spell on himself and swaggered towards the palace!
Upon entering the palace, Shen Gongbao had assumed meeting Di Xin would be effortless. Yet, he found himself lurking in the imperial court for days without catching a glimpse of Di Xin!
During this time, Shen Gongbao also learned from the ministers about Di Xin's capricious nature, his work habits being like "three days fishing, two days drying nets."
Hearing this, Shen Gongbao was beside himself with anger. He hadn't expected all his efforts to be in vain. If he couldn't meet Di Xin, why had he bothered sneaking in?
The more he thought about it, the angrier Shen Gongbao became. He resolved that he *must* see Di Xin!
So, Shen Gongbao turned and left the imperial court, heading straight for Di Xin's inner palace!
As Shen Gongbao walked deeper into the palace, he found himself dazzled by the extreme luxury of the palaces he encountered.
Before meeting Yuanshi, Shen Gongbao had been an orphan, never having seen such opulence. After joining Kunlun, the mountain only had the Sanqing Palace and the Shangqing, Yuqing, and Taiqing Palaces. While these four palaces were decent in Shen Gongbao's eyes, they were merely "decent," far from the extravagance of the imperial palace!
Everywhere Shen Gongbao looked, there was gold, jade, glazed pottery, and agate. If he took just one item, his life would be secured without worry, so why endure such hardship?
Once this thought arose in Shen Gongbao's mind, it refused to leave. He only snapped back to attention when he reached the magnificent Star-Picking Tower and sensed the surrounding demonic energy.
Daji, who was currently frolicking with Di Xin in the Star-Picking Tower, also sensed Shen Gongbao's arrival. She gently blew a breath towards Di Xin, and he fell into a deep slumber!
Daji leisurely tidied her clothes before slowly speaking, "May I ask which esteemed Daoist friend has graced my presence? Mei'er greets you from afar!"
Seeing that he had been detected, Shen Gongbao withdrew his invisibility spell and slowly emerged from the void.
"Bold demon, how dare you bewitch the Human King! What crime do you deserve?"
Su Mei'er chuckled upon hearing this and looked at Shen Gongbao as she slowly replied, "Daoist priest, what are you saying? I merely seek worldly riches. Is your heart for fame and fortune any less than that of a little fox?"
Shen Gongbao, his inner thoughts exposed by Su Mei'er, was instantly enraged.
"Hmph, I underestimated you, fox demon. However, since I have encountered you today, you can only blame your short life!"
As Shen Gongbao spoke, he prepared to attack Daji. Seeing this, Daji's expression changed, and she immediately shouted, "Stop! Daoist priest, your divine abilities are immense, and this little fox admits defeat. However, Daoist priest, you should think carefully. Though this little fox is no match for you, I can still wake the King under your very eyes. If the King sees his beloved concubine being disrespected by Daoist priest, do you think you will still have a place in this world?"
Shen Gongbao's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this. "Are you threatening me?"
Su Mei'er responded with a charming smile, "Daoist priest, what are you saying? I adore you too much!"
Shen Gongbao frowned and snorted, "You slutty fox, you'd best restrain your wantonness, or else, hmph!"