Meeting Ling Tian's Subordinates

For a time, war spread through the provinces and commanderies, the common people displaced and living in fear, only daring to curse in the shadows: "The Blood Wolf Group is about to rebel!"

Just then, the Yantian Sect also issued a public statement, announcing an alliance with the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group.

They claimed that the Imperial Clan was now intent on wiping them out, which was truly unjust, forcing them to rise up in resistance.

The Yantian Sect's open rebellion was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand layers of waves.

Governors of other provinces and commanderies mobilized their troops one after another, preparing to suppress the rebellion of the two major forces, yet secretly guarding against the war that might erupt.

However, just as the situation seemed clear, the Nine Nether Sect fanned the flames like ghosts in the shadows, seizing the opportunity to cause chaos, plunging the entire Ten Provinces into a quagmire of disorder.

Only Xinghui Academy, under the Dean's orders, organized students into a volunteer army, clearly supporting the Imperial Court in an attempt to maintain a shred of order amidst the chaos.

As for the vast Four Directions Merchant Association, they remained as usual, quietly watching the situation unfold.

At this point, aside from the Four Directions Merchant Association, which held back and endured, the other four top-tier forces had all been drawn into the storm.

That very day, across the Ten Provinces, beacons of war blazed everywhere, and the sounds of slaughter never ceased.

Some princes and marquises had long harbored resentment toward the Emperor's "Edict of Grace." They knew well that this was merely a prelude to the Emperor stripping them of their power—the so-called "killing the donkey once it's done grinding."

Now, they chose sides, aiding the tyrant and cheering on the rebel forces.

In the eyes of the common people, the Imperial Dynasty represented order and safety.

Now that peace was shattered, they instinctively directed their hatred toward the five major forces that had sparked the war.

Angry civilians spontaneously joined the fight, standing shoulder to shoulder with the army against those once-lofty sects and powers.

The four major forces, along with the scheming princes and marquises, all pointed their spears at the Imperial Clan.

The Yantian Sect and the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group specifically targeted the Second Prince within the sect, under the banner of "Clearing the Monarch's Side"—removing treacherous ministers from the Emperor's side.

With the Second Prince's name backing them, this rebellion seemed justified, and more discontents flocked to their cause.

In this upheaval sweeping the Ten Provinces, only King Zhenbei and King Zhenyao remained motionless, as if standing aloof from the world.

The Heaven Suppressing Division had also been thoroughly overrun by many rebels.

When Chen Lin heard these reports that very night, a cold, sharp smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and a glint of understanding flashed in his eyes.

"So, it seems this Imperial Lord still underestimated the Yantian Sect's resolve," he murmured to himself. "If it were just the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group rebelling, it would still be within control."

"But the Yantian Sect has also openly rebelled, and even under the Second Prince's banner to clear the monarch's side!"

"And the Yantian Sect suddenly jumped out to openly rebel, even using the banner of clearing the monarch's side to support the Second Prince!" A hint of mockery crept into Chen Lin's voice. "Well now, those princes who already harbored grievances against the Emperor have sniffed out an opportunity and started stirring, one by one jumping into the fray."

People's hearts yearn for change; once there's a lead sheep, and with that sheep (the Yantian Sect) and the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group being so powerful, it's not impossible to want to swap out the Emperor.

They might even covet the supreme throne themselves.

Although the Imperial Ancestor sits in the background, seemingly stabilizing the foundation, facing the combined pressure of several top-tier forces, he might have to tread carefully and compromise.

"But..." Chen Lin narrowed his eyes slightly, "this is much faster than I anticipated. Logically, there should have been a few months' buffer. It seems Black Tortoise's injury, combined with the push from the Shadow Assassin's recording, drove the situation to this point."

Ling Cangqiong certainly didn't expect the Yantian Sect to be so resolute, openly raising the banner of rebellion, even going so far as to drag out the Second Prince's name.

The Ten Provinces had completely fallen into a vortex of chaos.

But it had nothing to do with him—let them fight.

He knew the rebel forces couldn't reach the Imperial Capital's gates so quickly.

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After all, Ling Cangqiong had also taken countermeasures.

By the time they actually fought their way to the Imperial Capital, with his cultivation speed, his realm would likely be far beyond what it was now.

Of course, all of this depended on having enough resources on hand.

Hmm... A sharp gleam flashed in Chen Lin's eyes. It seemed it was time to gather some resources for himself.

That afternoon, Ling Cangqiong's face turned iron-gray from the sudden full-scale rebellion, nearly spitting fire.

He suppressed the rage boiling in his chest and gave a low, commanding order: "Minister of War, draft a thorough plan for complete suppression immediately, and notify the Divine Guard Army—now, right this moment—to quell the rebellion!" His voice carried an unyielding resolve.

As Chen Lin was lost in thought, Ling Tian's figure flickered, and he appeared inside the Scripture Repository.

His expression was grave as he spoke in a low voice: "Master, the outside world has completely fallen into chaos. Imperial Father summoned me tonight and ordered me to lead troops to suppress the rebellion tomorrow."

He paused, then continued: "The situation is urgent. It seems I'll have to meet with my subordinates today."

Chen Lin raised an eyebrow at this.

Having the Prince personally lead the suppression?

What was Ling Cangqiong thinking, and what was his assessment of the situation?

He pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Go ahead. First, head to the designated spot to gather your people. I'll follow shortly."

Receiving the instruction, Ling Tian dared not delay and quickly left the Scripture Repository.

Within the time it takes to finish a meal, he had already slipped out of Tianyan City and arrived at the prearranged meeting point—a secluded Taoist Temple.

A few disciples were still waiting inside the temple. Ling Tian said nothing, walking straight toward the tallest main hall.

The moment he stepped through the temple doors, Chen Lin's figure had also silently appeared beside him.

Chen Lin had left a clone to continue his watch at the Scripture Repository, while his true form had followed along.

Chen Lin wore a black robe, his aura obscure, as if he had merged into the shadows.

Ling Tian pushed open the temple doors, and Chen Lin swept his gaze across the room, noting that seven people were already standing inside, each of different bearing: some wore Daoist robes with an Immortal Aura, while others were burly men with bulging Muscles, exuding a fierce air.

The moment they saw Ling Tian, they immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

At the same time, all eyes instinctively turned toward the person behind Ling Tian—was this the mysterious Master who could save His Highness?

Among them stood the renowned Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master.

Ling Tian quickly raised his hand to signal them to rise, then introduced solemnly, "Everyone, this is my Master, the Myriad Law Heavenly Sovereign!"

Chen Lin gave a faint nod, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "This Seat, the Myriad Law Heavenly Sovereign."

As his words fell, his fingertips brushed almost imperceptibly, and a wisp of aura silently spread outward.

That single thread of presence caused the highest-cultivation Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master to change color instantly!

He himself was already an Expert at the seventh level of the Dharma Aspect Realm, yet at this moment, he felt as if he had been dragged into an endless abyss of darkness—the chill originating from the depths of his soul made his heart tremble with fear.

"Terrifying... no wonder he's the one who could save His Highness!" the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master thought to himself with a shiver.

As for the other Dharma Aspect Experts with relatively lower cultivation, the pressure they felt was even more intense, almost suffocating, and their gazes involuntarily filled with reverence—that was the instinctive submission to a true Expert.

They were all in the Dharma Aspect Realm and had lived long enough not to possess the bad habit of recklessly provoking trouble.