Within Qianyuan Hall

Qianyuan Hall contained a space of its own, more than ten times larger than it appeared from the Outside World!

Those permitted within Qianyuan Hall were all high-ranking ministers of Great Qian, Aristocratic Families and Powerful Clans, and heirs of major sects.

Any one of the people within Qianyuan Hall, if thrown outside, would be a figure of immense power, revered by tens of thousands.

The Dugu Family had originally lacked the qualifications to enter Qianyuan Hall, but Dugu Sheng had a fine daughter who had become the Empress of Great Gan and enjoyed the current emperor's deep favor.

Thanks to Empress Dugu, the Dugu Family had developed rapidly over the years, and its status had risen accordingly!

Thus, the Dugu Family had also gained the right to enter Qianyuan Hall.

The people in Qianyuan Hall were broadly divided into three factions. One consisted of high-ranking court ministers, who wielded immense authority, with any decision they made capable of affecting countless people.

Another faction was made up of aristocratic families, noble for generations, with deep-rooted family traditions and influence stretching across all of Great Qian.

The final faction consisted of major sects. Their inheritances were ancient, and many could be traced back to antiquity. They had countless disciples, and powerful figures emerged from them without end!

Within Qianyuan Hall, the three factions each had their own circles, clearly divided from one another.

They even regarded one another with hostility.

This was precisely the situation the current Great Qian Emperor wished to see.

If the three factions truly got along harmoniously, the current emperor would not be able to sleep peacefully.

"Fellow Daoist, I heard that your White Lotus Sect has really spared no expense this time. You even brought the World Purifying White Lotus."

A Sect Master from the Mysterious Heaven Sect spoke with a genial smile.

"His Majesty is like heaven, under which all things flourish. Our White Lotus Sect bathes in the imperial grace, and everyone in the sect is deeply grateful.

"By chance, it is His Majesty's three-hundredth birthday. The most precious item our sect could offer is none other than the sacred World Purifying White Lotus."

The Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect spoke softly, her expression calm.

"Our White Lotus Sect is but a humble sect. We cannot compare to the lavish generosity of your Mysterious Heaven Sect.

"I heard that your Mysterious Heaven Sect prepared an Earth Qilin Inner Core this time?"

The Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect returned the question.

"The White Lotus Sect, repaying kindness with gratitude?"

The Mysterious Heaven Sect's Sect Master did not answer the Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect. Instead, he offered a mild but pointed mockery.

Everyone knew the White Lotus Sect specialized in rebellion. If they were not rebelling, they were preparing to rebel. If someone said the White Lotus Sect repaid kindness with enmity, everyone would believe it!

But if someone said the White Lotus Sect repaid kindness with gratitude, then they had to be joking.

The Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect's tranquil state of mind was nearly shattered by the Mysterious Heaven Sect's Sect Master.

She shot him a vicious glare, then closed her eyes and ignored everyone else.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

An Old Eunuch abruptly appeared above the hall. His voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears with perfect clarity.

"Gasp!"

"This Old Eunuch's cultivation is terrifying!"

"I didn't even notice when this Old Eunuch appeared!"

"Terrifying. This Old Eunuch is probably a figure on the level of a major sect leader!"

"Great Qian truly runs unfathomably deep. Even an unknown Old Eunuch from the inner palace possesses such strength!"

Everyone in Qianyuan Hall fell silent. They returned to their seats, yet their hearts remained unsettled.

"Your servants greet Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years without end!"

The emperor and empress took their seats above Qianyuan Hall, while everyone below fell to their knees.

At that moment, whether they were high-ranking court ministers, great aristocratic families, or supreme sects, before the Great Qian Emperor, they could only submit!

"Rise, my dear ministers. Today, I shall celebrate alongside you all. There is no need to be overly restrained."

There was not the slightest trace of majesty in the Great Qian Emperor's tone. At a glance, he seemed no different from an ordinary middle-aged man.

Yet this ordinary-looking middle-aged man, with no imposing aura around him, was the Great Qian Emperor!

This emperor had reigned for two hundred and forty years. During that time, he had brought Great Qian's National Strength to its peak, expanded its territory dozens of times over, and suppressed countless major sects and aristocratic families within the realm!

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Only after the emperor spoke did everyone rise and take their seats.

"I have heard that, for my birthday, all of you have racked your brains. I wonder what treasures you have found? I am rather curious myself. Why not bring them out and let me broaden my horizons?"

The Great Qian Emperor acted entirely as he pleased. He did not care whether saying such words would damage his imperial dignity, and he spoke with a smile.

Those below were already accustomed to it. This Great Qian Emperor's actions were always unexpected.

"Your Majesty, the White Lotus Sect presents the World Purifying White Lotus. We wish Your Majesty an endless lifespan and Great Qian flourishing national fortune!"

The Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect rose from her seat, bowed to the Great Qian Emperor, and spoke.

A snow-white lotus flower appeared in the Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect's hand. The lotus was constantly withering and blooming, repeating the cycle without end!

A gentle radiance enveloped Qianyuan Hall. Beneath its light, everyone could feel their bodies—and even their innate talents—improving!

"Oh? The White Lotus Sect has put some thought into this."

The Great Qian Emperor smiled without smiling as he offered a word of praise, then gestured for the eunuch beside him to put it away.

"People say that the White Lotus Sect harbors wicked intentions and takes causing chaos throughout the world as its duty.

"Now it seems that people have greatly misunderstood the White Lotus Sect."

The Great Qian Emperor's few casual words made the Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect's expression shift repeatedly, her heart filled with unease.

"Your Majesty sees all clearly. Under the current sect leader, our White Lotus Sect has completely turned over a new leaf. With but a word from Your Majesty, everyone in the White Lotus Sect is willing to die in Your Majesty's service!"

The Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect hurriedly fell to her knees. Her voluptuous figure was fully revealed, her hips tracing a perfect curve.

The Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect, who had once seemed like a celestial maiden untouched by worldly dust, now spoke with nothing but terror in her voice.

One hundred and thirty years ago, Great Qian had attacked thirteen nations at once, leaving the country vulnerable within. The White Lotus Sect's sect leader at the time believed the opportunity had come. He coerced the people of an entire province and attempted to rebel, intending to throw the world into chaos.

Then they were finished!

At a single command from the Great Qian Emperor, the Marquis of Haihun led thirty thousand Divine Martial Army soldiers in directly breaching the White Lotus Sect's Mountain Gate. Countless heads rolled, and blood stained White Lotus Mountain red!

That battle had utterly broken the White Lotus Sect. The White Lotus Sect, with its inheritance of thirty thousand years, had suffered a devastating blow. Even after more than a century, it had yet to recover.

If not for an ancient monster from the White Lotus Sect, invincible in his era, awakening from his seal, the White Lotus Sect would likely have been wiped out completely.

The surviving disciples pleaded guilty before the Great Qian Emperor and presented countless rare treasures from the White Lotus Sect's hidden treasury. Only then did the Great Qian Emperor cease pursuing the remaining White Lotus Sect disciples.

At the time, court ministers had advised the Great Qian Emperor to completely exterminate the White Lotus Sect, lest it rise again from the ashes and bear a grudge over today's enmity.

The Great Qian Emperor had laughed heartily upon hearing this, utterly unconcerned. He declared that anyone in the world with sufficient strength was free to rebel!

Not only that, after a failed rebellion, if one was captured, as long as one could offer a price that satisfied him, one could still be pardoned!

The continued existence of the White Lotus Sect was proof to the world that his words were no empty boast.

"Rise. Seeing the White Lotus Sect's transformation today greatly pleases me."

The Great Qian Emperor's eyes roamed lecherously over the White Lotus Saintess kneeling on the ground. Stroking his chin, he could not help but consider whether he should summon this woman into the palace.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The White Lotus Saintess rose and returned to her seat, faint beads of sweat appearing at her temples.

"Your Majesty, the Mysterious Heaven Sect presents one Earth Qilin Inner Core. May Your Majesty's lifespan equal Heaven's!"

The Mysterious Heaven Sect's Sect Master rose. A Jade Box appeared in his palm, crystal-clear and transparent enough to reveal an irregularly shaped inner core floating within.

The inner core was pitted and uneven, like an ordinary lump of earth.

There was not the slightest trace of anything extraordinary about it.

But when the Mysterious Heaven Sect's Sect Master opened the Jade Box, the phantom of an Earth Qilin immediately leaped from the inner core and roared soundlessly!

Everyone could feel a suppressive force emanating from deep within their bloodlines!