Northern Yan, the great hall of the Imperial Capital.
Crack!
Emperor Jingyuan hurled the fine porcelain bowl in his hand to the floor.
"Useless! Every last one of you is useless! You suffered such a crushing defeat at the hands of a mere Divine Form cultivator! What use do I have for you?!"
Overcome with emotion, Emperor Jingyuan's normally pale face flushed crimson as he roared.
Below the throne, Xiang Kong, clad in moon-white monk's robes, and several other Grandmasters stood with their eyes lowered, gazes fixed on their noses and minds fixed inward, saying nothing.
Two paces ahead of them stood a slender, fair-skinned man. His features were exquisitely delicate; if not for the prominent Adam's apple at his throat, anyone would have mistaken him for a peerless beauty.
Yet no one dared underestimate him, especially the Grandmasters of the Sky Rainbow Pavilion.
For this fair-skinned man with a woman's beauty was none other than Wu Hui, master of the Sky Rainbow Pavilion.
He was also acknowledged as the strongest Grandmaster in Northern Yan apart from King Zhao Hongzhang of Yan, surpassing even Xia Houqi and Prince Ping.
"Please quell your anger, Your Majesty. This young man's peerless talent has reached an inconceivable level. In a very short time, his cultivation has surged once again. His combat strength can no longer be judged by ordinary standards. That is why I ordered the Grandmasters stationed across the country to return to the Imperial Capital."
Wu Hui's voice was neither servile nor overbearing. He paused before continuing.
"First, this will prevent further losses among our Grandmasters. Second, it will protect the Imperial Court and keep Your Majesty from danger."
At the words of the influential master of the Sky Rainbow Pavilion, some of the anger faded from Emperor Jingyuan's face. He