The Battle Outside Tianyan City Approaches

The King Zhenbei Army guards the northern border, repelling the barbarian tribes; the King Zhenyao Army is stationed in Dizhou, intimidating the Demon Race.

The Divine Guard Army and the Nantian Army are more flexible, roaming across the Ten Provinces to quell rebellions, serving as the enforcers of the imperial dynasty's internal order.

During the empire's era of expansion and conquest, they were the vanguard charging into battle!

Even more terrifying is that all Four Great Armies possess unique Army Formations.

The King Zhenbei Army and the King Zhenyao Army's are slightly stronger.

Their commanders, King Zhenbei and King Zhenyao, are both at the ninth level of the Dharma Aspect Realm, peerless experts who intimidate entire regions.

Once they activate the army formation, that power is enough to match an ordinary Cave Reality Realm expert.

Although the Divine Guard Army and the Nantian Army lack the trump card to contend with Cave Reality Realm experts like the Zhenbei and Zhenyao Armies, they are more than capable of suppressing Dharma Aspect Realm eighth-level and below.

Unless the unfathomably powerful Deputy Sect Master of the Nine Nether Sect takes personal command, this force is sufficient to handle the situation.

Only after hearing Ling Cangqiong's words did the Thousand-Faced Illusion Lord fully relax.

After all, he could have died in this operation, and if the Nine Nether Sect discovered...

Ling Cangqiong's gaze was deep as he continued issuing orders: "You will now begin searching for the Ninth Prince's men, then disguise yourself and infiltrate..."

He paused, then added, "That Ninth Prince has some skill; it seems he's already won over the Grand Companion, a key figure."

The Thousand-Faced Illusion Lord nodded solemnly, accepting the command.

Yet inwardly, he felt a chill: As expected of an emperor—this chess game had been laid out for so long.

Before long, Ximen Qing and the Thousand-Faced Illusion Lord's figures had vanished from the spot, as if they had never been there.

Almost simultaneously, a shadow silently emerged—it was Shadow One.

"Your Majesty," Shadow One's voice was low and rapid, "regarding the Ninth Prince, various signs indicate a very high probability that he is that 'Divine Son.' As for the Divine Maiden, the clues are much fuzzier, making it difficult to determine for now."

Ling Cangqiong merely nodded slightly upon hearing this; the result was within his expectations.

"Additionally," Shadow One continued reporting, "earlier, when the Crown Prince was dealing with Cao Tian, the Daughter of King Zhenbei sought an audience and had a private conversation with the Crown Prince. Because she was protected by a Heavenly Artifact, your subordinate was unable to ascertain the specifics."

"And during the Thousand-Faced Illusion Lord's probing of Chen Lin, the Crown Prince appeared again at the Scripture Repository and had exchanges with Little Anzi and others..."

Upon hearing this, the calm on Ling Cangqiong's face was finally broken by a barely perceptible ripple.

He fell silent, his gaze seeming to pierce through Shadow One, looking toward a farther, deeper chessboard of power, weighing the possibilities in his mind.

Unnoticed, the sun outside the window had climbed high—it was noon. Chen Lin finally stirred awake from his deep sleep, feeling that his energy had recovered considerably.

Opening his eyes, he saw that Little Anzi had already prepared the meal, steaming hot, and in the spare moment, the boy sat cross-legged nearby, focused on cultivation.

Watching Little Anzi's diligence and hard work, Chen Lin shook his head helplessly, inwardly sighing that this kid really pushed himself.

He didn't dawdle, quickly wolfed down the meal, then got up and headed toward the Scripture Repository.

In truth, over this past month, quite a few members of the Imperial Family or young disciples had come to the Scripture Repository to borrow Martial Skills, but most were of mediocre talent and limited learning, not drawing much of Chen Lin's attention.

Now, he strode directly into the sixth floor of the Scripture Repository.

The Martial Skills here were numerous and varied, but Chen Lin had his own plan—he had already learned a bit of everything. Learning again now wasn't to master new techniques, but to find common threads, integrate them, or accumulate more diverse insights into the Martial Dao.

"Extract!"

[Randomly extracting...]

[Extraction complete!]

[Today's Great Perfection Earth-tier Martial Skill: Sky Splitting Mountain Breaking Palm]

In an instant, Lin Chen's sea of consciousness was struck like lightning, as a vast and overwhelming Martial Dao true intent descended!

The essence of the Sky Splitting Mountain Breaking Palm poured down like the Heavenly River, endless mysteries evolving in his mind—

He "saw" a giant phantom as majestic as a mountain, one hand raised to the sky, his entire body's force surging like rivers, sinews and bones coiling like slumbering dragons, blood and qi churning like molten lava. As that giant palm cleaved down, the entire world seemed to tremble, mountains collapsing before it!

The true intent of the palm technique instantly flowed through his body—how every muscle quivered, how every strand of inner breath circulated—all etched into his marrow like the most precise brand, crystal clear.

It was as if he had practiced this palm technique a thousand times in an instant; his bones and sinews spontaneously adjusted to the optimal stance for delivering force, and a faint power capable of splitting mountains and cracking stone began to coalesce in his palm.

With a mere thought, he perfectly commanded that "Mountain Breaking Force"—when fierce, it was like a thunderbolt from the nine heavens, devastating; when supple, it was like rivers deep within the earth, unending.

Between release and retraction, there was not a hint of stagnation.

At this moment, Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within. He casually clenched his palm, and a faint explosive crack sounded, the air slightly warping from the pressure.

"Mm, not bad."

Feeling the surging power within him, this palm technique not only deepened his understanding of force but also tangibly strengthened his physical body.

This was thanks to the constant tempering of that True Sun Fire. Although he only cultivated an Earth-tier technique, his physical strength had risen accordingly, ultimately reaching the level of an Earth Artifact.

This meant that only Dharma Aspect Realm experts could break through his defense.

Ordinary attacks could no longer easily destroy his body.

With his mind made up, Chen Lin lingered no longer and left the Scripture Repository with steady steps.

He turned, his gaze falling on Little Anzi not far away.

Little Anzi had already neatly gathered up the scattered bowls and chopsticks, rubbing his hands together as he stared at him expectantly, as if waiting for something.

Seeing Chen Lin emerge, Little Anzi immediately stepped forward, a hint of excitement and urgency on his face: "Elder Lin, I want to go see! Have you heard? Today, many young disciples from the noble families and sects in the city are heading to the city center, saying they want to witness the great battle between the two Great Sect Masters with their own eyes!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lin nodded faintly, his face showing no ripples: "Mm, go ahead. However, this old man, as the Elder of the Scripture Repository, has his duties and cannot abandon his post."

At these words, a smile instantly bloomed on Little Anzi's face, as if he had received long-awaited permission. He quickly bowed and said, "Yes! Then you rest, Elder Lin. This humble one will go join the excitement. Farewell!"

Having said that, without waiting for Chen Lin to say anything more, he turned and trotted away.