Lotus Avatar, Xiao Yu, and the others stood outside the ruined Nine Central City, their expressions wavering with a sense that all had changed. After so many twists and turns over the years, they had somehow returned here.
Lotus Avatar and Xiao Yu were one thing; neither had originally been from Nine Central City. But Guan Yuehe, Xun Yangzi, and some of the other sword attendants had been born here. Looking at the ruins before them, they could not help feeling an inexplicable desolation.
A tremor rippled through the depths of the void. Golden light swirled, forming a circular portal more than ten zhang across.
"Greetings, Emperor!" Lotus Avatar recovered from his brief surprise and clasped his hands toward the portal wreathed in golden light.
"Greetings, Emperor!" Xiao Yu and the others bowed in turn.
A moment later, a dignified figure appeared amid the golden light. "Wuming, do you know your crimes?"
At the other's voice, which held a hint of anger, Guan Yuehe, Xun Yangzi, Xiao Yu, and the others turned pale. Cold sweat streamed down their backs.
The Sword Lord had rendered considerable service to Honghao Celestial Court, but at times he was not very obedient and maintained a fair bit of pride. Aside from some dealings with Immortal Lord Dongli, he rarely associated with other Immortal Lord-level powerhouses. He was quite an unconventional presence in Honghao Celestial Court.
Xun Yangzi and the others guessed the Heavenly Emperor was angry because the Sword Lord had been too lax in attacking the puppet army across the Xuanyong Battlefield. Their progress had been far slower than that of the other armies.
Now that the great battle had paused, it was only natural for the Heavenly Emperor to come and call him to account. But Guan Yuehe, Xun Yangzi, and the