Chapter 81: The Incident at Zhonghe Hall
Seeing that he was about to officially join the sect and even become a core disciple responsible for spreading its teachings, Jiang Li decided to drop the act.
He had gathered enough intelligence. He now understood the two conditions required to obtain the Power of Karmic Virtue: one was killing, and the other was absolute belief in the Sovereign. After listening to the storytelling session on the Mahākāśyapa’s Suffering Sutra, Jiang Li saw no reason to continue playing along.
“The Sect Leader? Why are you asking about that?”
“I admire the Sect Leader. If I can sleep well and dream of the Divine Repository Sovereign, I’d like to know what sleeping position he uses so I can try it myself.”
“Impudent!” Elder Feng bellowed, enraged that this man dared to disrespect the Sect Leader.
Before he could finish his sentence, he saw Jiang Li press his hand down lightly. The space around them froze. None of them could move—not even blink!
And it wasn’t just the few people in front of Jiang Li—the entire secret realm was frozen solid!
“Uncle Jiang, we haven’t joined the sect yet,” Ji Kongkong said, somewhat regretfully.
“If I let you join, your father would chase me down with a sword, then get beaten up by me in return. You wouldn’t want to see that, would you?”
Ji Kongkong blinked, picturing the scene Uncle Jiang described—it actually seemed kind of funny.
“Come on, let’s reverse time a bit. Where did the culprit go after arriving here?”
Ji Kongkong vanished and reappeared, his expression tense as he reported to Jiang Li, “I saw that person come to the grand hall, tear through space, and leave…”
Tore through space and left?
Jiang Li pondered. Ji Kongkong’s words made it sound simple, but this was no trivial feat. Tearing through space didn’t mean instantly returning to the Nine Provinces Continent—it required traveling a long distance through the void, enduring countless chaotic gales. Even a Tribulation Stage cultivator couldn’t safely return to the Nine Provinces that way!
There were only a handful of Tribulation Stage cultivators in the Nine Provinces, and Jiang Li knew them all. Who could it be? Or was there a Tribulation Stage cultivator he didn’t know about?
Breaking through from the Soul Formation Stage to the Tribulation Stage required experiencing a grand Heavenly Tribulation—something that would be felt across the entire Nine Provinces Continent. It was impossible for someone to have ascended unnoticed.
No… not necessarily. There was a way.
Jiang Li suddenly remembered—using the Power of Karmic Virtue, a Soul Formation cultivator could be directly elevated to the Tribulation Stage without undergoing Heavenly Tribulation!
The Heavenly Tribulation was a test for cultivators, while the Power of Karmic Virtue was a reward. The two could cancel each other out!
Just as Jiang Li grasped this realization, Ji Kongkong continued, “…Also, I saw the future—this entire place turns into a void.”
As he spoke, the entire secret realm emitted a cracking sound and suddenly split apart!
Not good!
Jiang Li instantly understood what was happening. He shielded Ji Kongkong, but before he could protect the other high-ranking members of the Divine Repository Sect, the entire secret realm shattered and vanished!
The collapse happened so quickly—not even enough time for a single thought.
Jiang Li only managed to protect Ji Kongkong. Everything else—people, objects—was exposed to the void. Before they could even scream for help, the chaotic gales tore them into shreds, leaving not even a trace behind.
Only the mystical statue of the Divine Repository Sovereign remained unscathed, drifting along with the void’s turbulent currents.
A secret realm was equivalent to a small world, incredibly sturdy. Destroying one instantly was beyond even a Tribulation Stage cultivator’s capabilities.
Unless the enemy had meticulously planned this and made extensive preparations!
Jiang Li held onto Ji Kongkong, his expression frighteningly grim. He wanted to return to the Nine Provinces, but his speed was severely hindered.
This was a scheme against him. If he were alone, returning would be easy. But now, he had to protect Ji Kongkong from the chaotic void storms, which slowed him down significantly.
The enemy had calculated that he would seek the Zhou family for help. Ji Zhi or Ji Kongkong—it didn’t matter. Either way, Jiang Li would have to protect them in the void.
The enemy wasn’t trying to kill him. They were just stalling him from returning to the Nine Provinces!
—
“The Edict Against Yu Yin? Now this is an interesting piece of writing, Minister Zhao.”
Empress Yu Yin of Tianyuan sat high upon the cold throne, gazing indifferently at the gathered court officials. Her pale face was expressionless—neither joy nor anger could be seen.
A few hours ago, the Minister of Rites had issued an order in Yu Yin’s name, summoning the court officials to Zhonghe Hall.
The Minister of Rites had always supported the former Tianyuan royal family. This order couldn’t have come from Yu Yin—it was clearly orchestrated by the former royal family.
Everyone knew today would mark the final showdown. Victory or defeat would be decided here.
Great General Che Wu was dead, but the army he brought back was still being commanded under imperial orders by other generals. The only question was—were those orders genuine?
This so-called “imperial assembly” was actually just a forced declaration of allegiance.
Sure enough, the moment the court convened, the Minister of Rites stepped forward, reporting that citizens across the empire had spontaneously posted the Edict Against Yu Yin and loudly read it in the streets. He even read it out in the hall himself, concluding with a call for Empress Yu Yin to comply with the people’s will and return the throne to the royal family.
Not the former royal family—just the “royal family.”
“Empress of Tianyuan, please follow the people’s will and return the throne to the royal family.”
“Empress of Tianyuan, please follow the people’s will and return the throne to the royal family.”
Once the Minister of Rites finished speaking, several officials echoed his words in unison. Others hesitated at first but soon joined in. The empress’s weakness was obvious to anyone with eyes.
Of course, some remained silent, coldly observing. They believed that if the empress survived this rebellion and recovered from her injuries, she would only emerge stronger.
They didn’t care who ruled Tianyuan. They only wanted to serve the strongest.
“Zhao Nian! Are you planning a rebellion?!” The Minister of Personnel stepped forward, angrily reprimanding the Minister of Rites. “The former royal family was weak and indecisive—do you want that kind of ruler back on the throne?!”
“It’s not about what I want. This is the will of the people,” the Minister of Rites replied smoothly. “The empress is cruel and unjust. The throne should belong to Prince An, who balances strength and compassion.”
“The will of the people?” Empress Yu Yin chuckled softly, coughing slightly—a sickly yet oddly enchanting sight. But no one had the mind to appreciate it.
The Minister of Rites grew more confident. If this were any other time, speaking such words would have gotten him executed on the spot.
“You do not speak for the people. And I do not care for the people’s will.” Yu Yin’s voice remained calm. “The Tianyuan Dynasty has ruled the Nine Provinces for over ten thousand years. Strength alone decides who holds power—when has it ever been about the people’s will?”
At that moment, a young man clad in golden armor strode into the hall. The guards at the entrance did nothing to stop him.
This was the man who had been barred from court sessions—the former royal family’s figurehead, Prince An.
“Minister Zhao, I told you the empress wouldn’t fall for this nonsense. We might as well resort to force.”
“Prince An speaks the truth,” the Minister of Rites said respectfully, bowing and stepping back.
“You’re not worthy. Who else?” Yu Yin waved a hand dismissively at Prince An, unimpressed with a mere Soul Formation cultivator.
Prince An’s face darkened. “If that’s what Your Majesty desires, then Kang An shall obey!”
At his command, several figures emerged, standing beside him.
“Grand Elder of the Five Thunder Orthodox Sect greets the Empress of Tianyuan.”
“King Qiongqi of the Baize Dynasty greets the Empress of Tianyuan.”
“Sect Leader of the Vast Sky Sect greets the Empress of Tianyuan.”
“Lord of Yunmengze greets the Empress of Tianyuan.”
“General Shenwei greets the Empress of Tianyuan.”
Empress Yu Yin rose from her throne. A faint flush colored her pale, breathtaking face. Was she angered by their betrayal—or excited by their arrival?