The Imperial Seal

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor..."

The thunderous cries of "Long live the Emperor" echoed from the great hall ahead, startling both Xiao Ran and Guxin Hall.

But they had just walked in, and there hadn't been a single ghost in sight. Where had all these people come from??

Xiao Ran immediately swept the area with his mental power.

But the instant he released it, his head suddenly buzzed as if he'd slammed it into a wall. His vision darkened, and he staggered, nearly falling to the ground.

In an instant, all kinds of eerie whispers filled Xiao Ran's mind.

"Are you all right?!"

Seeing this, Guxin Hall hurriedly caught Xiao Ran. Xiao Ran shook his head, forcing himself to regain his senses, while activating the Soul Cultivation Technique to suppress the distracting thoughts in his mind.

"I'm fine. Quick, go see what's happening outside."

Xiao Ran got to his feet, his face frighteningly pale. Guxin Hall immediately headed out. Carefully circling behind the dragon throne, he peered down into the hall. It was still completely empty—not a soul in sight.

"Strange. There's nothing here at all??"

Guxin Hall found it utterly baffling, but he and Xiao Ran had both heard those cries loud and clear.

Just as Guxin Hall wondered what was going on and started to leave to take a look, a hand clamped down on his shoulder. "Don't move!"

Guxin Hall froze. Xiao Ran slowly poked his head out from behind him. "Look up."

Following Xiao Ran's voice, Guxin Hall slowly raised his eyes toward the ceiling of the hall. He hadn't known what to expect, but the sight made even a Tongxuan expert like him break out in goose bumps.

Above the hall hung one white noose after another,