For a time, war spread across the provinces and commanderies. The common people were displaced, everyone lived in fear, and they could only curse in secret: "The Blood Wolf Group is trying to rebel!"
Just then, Yantian Sect issued a public declaration, announcing its alliance with the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group.
They claimed that the Imperial Family was now determined to wipe them out, which was utterly unjust, leaving them no choice but to rise up and fight back.
Yantian Sect's open rebellion was like a massive rock tossed into a still lake, sending a thousand ripples across its surface.
The governors of the other provinces and commanderies mobilized their troops, preparing to suppress the rebellion of the two major forces, while secretly guarding against the possibility that fighting might break out.
Yet just as the situation seemed to be coming into focus, Nine Nether Sect fanned the flames from the shadows like a phantom, seizing the opportunity to stir up trouble. In an instant, the entire Ten Provinces seemed to sink into a quagmire of chaos.
Only Xinghui Academy, under its dean's orders, organized its students into volunteer militias and came out firmly in support of the Imperial Court, trying to preserve some semblance of order amid the turmoil.
The enormous Four Directions Merchant Association remained as it had always been, watching events unfold.
By now, apart from the Four Directions Merchant Association, which was holding back and biding its time, the other four top forces had all been swept into the storm.
That day, the land of the Ten Provinces was engulfed in smoke and flames, and the sounds of slaughter rang without end.
Some princes and marquises had long harbored resentment over the emperor's "Edict of Grace." They knew full well that it was merely the prelude to the emperor stripping them of their power—a case of "slaughtering the donkey once the millstone is ground."
Now they chose sides, aiding and abetting the rebels and cheering them on.
In the eyes of ordinary people, the Imperial Dynasty represented order and safety.
Now that peace had been shattered, they instinctively turned their hatred toward the five great forces that had sparked the war.
Angry civilians joined the fighting of their own accord, standing shoulder to shoulder with the army against the sects and forces that had once towered above them.
The four great forces, together with the treacherous princes and marquises, all turned their weapons toward the Imperial Family.
Yantian Sect and the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group went even further, directing their attacks at the Second Prince, who was within the sect. They flew the banner of "Clearing the Monarch's Side"—purging treacherous ministers from the emperor's side.
With the Second Prince's name behind them, the rebellion now seemed perfectly justified, and many more disgruntled people answered the call.
Amid this upheaval that had engulfed the entire Ten Provinces, only King Zhenbei and King Zhenyao remained unmoved, as if the turmoil had nothing to do with them.
The Heaven Suppressing Division had also been overrun by a great many rebels.
After hearing the news that night, Chen Lin's lips curled into a cold smile, and a glimmer of understanding flashed through his eyes.
"It seems the Imperial Lord still underestimated Yantian Sect's resolve," he murmured to himself. "If it were only that rabble from the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group rebelling, the situation would still be under control."
"But Yantian Sect suddenly rebelled in the open, too, and even flew the banner of Clearing the Monarch's Side in the Second Prince's name!"
"Yet Yantian Sect really did leap out of nowhere to openly rebel, even invoking Clearing the Monarch's Side and proclaiming the Second Prince as their ruler!" Chen Lin's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Well, now the princes who already resented the emperor have caught a whiff of opportunity. They're all itching to make a move, and one after another, they've joined the fray."
Once people began to turn, all it took was a leading sheep. With that leading sheep—Yantian Sect—and the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group both so powerful, replacing the emperor was hardly impossible.
They might even covet the throne for themselves.
Although the Imperial Ancestor sat in the Imperial Family's seat of power, making its foundations seem secure, facing the combined pressure of several top forces would surely give him pause and force him to compromise.
"Still..." Chen Lin narrowed his eyes slightly. "This has happened much sooner than I expected. By rights, there should have been several months to prepare. It seems Black Tortoise's injury, combined with the Shadow Assassin's image stirring things along, is what brought the situation to this point."
Ling Cangqiong surely hadn't expected Yantian Sect to be so resolute—to openly raise the banner of rebellion and even bring out the Second Prince as their figurehead.
The entire land of the Ten Provinces had fallen into a whirlpool of chaos.
But it had nothing to do with him. Let them fight.
He knew full well that the rebel army couldn't reach the Imperial Capital so soon.
After all, Ling Cangqiong had already taken measures in response.
By the time they truly reached the Imperial Capital, his cultivation would have advanced so far that he'd be a completely different person.
Of course, all of that depended on his having enough resources on hand.
Hmm... A glint flashed through Chen Lin's eyes. It seemed it was time to start gathering some resources for himself.
That afternoon, the sudden, full-scale rebellion left Ling Cangqiong's face livid, as if he were about to breathe fire.
He forced down his fury and ordered in a grave voice, "Have the Minister of War draft a thorough plan to crush the rebellion at once. And notify the Divine Guard Army: immediately, right now, put down the rebellion for me!" His voice carried an unyielding resolve.
While Chen Lin was pondering, Ling Tian's figure flashed into the Scripture Repository.
His expression was grave as he said in a low voice, "Master, everything outside has descended into chaos. Imperial Father summoned me by night and ordered me to lead troops to suppress the rebellion tomorrow."
He paused, then continued, "The situation is urgent. It seems we'll have to meet my subordinates today."
Chen Lin raised an eyebrow slightly.
The emperor was sending a prince himself to suppress the rebellion?
What did Ling Cangqiong mean by this? What was his assessment of the situation?
He pondered briefly, then nodded. "Go. Head to the designated meeting place and gather your people. I'll join you shortly."
Having received his instructions, Ling Tian didn't dare delay and quickly left the Scripture Repository.
In less than the time it took to eat a meal, he had quietly left Tianyan City and reached the agreed-upon location—a secluded Taoist Temple.
Several disciples were waiting inside. Ling Tian said nothing and headed straight for the main hall, the tallest building in the temple.
The instant he stepped through the hall's entrance, Chen Lin's figure appeared silently beside him.
Chen Lin left a clone behind to stand guard in the Scripture Repository, while his true body had followed Ling Tian here.
Chen Lin wore a black robe, his aura concealed, as if he had merged with the shadows.
Ling Tian pushed open the hall door. Chen Lin glanced around and saw seven people already standing inside, each with a different bearing. Some wore Taoist robes and had the air of immortals; others were burly men, their muscles bulging and their presence fierce.
The moment they saw Ling Tian, they bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."
At the same time, everyone's eyes instinctively turned toward the figure behind Ling Tian. Was this the mysterious master who had saved His Highness?
Among them was the renowned Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master.
Ling Tian quickly raised a hand, signaling for everyone to rise, then introduced Chen Lin solemnly. "Everyone, this is my master, Myriad Law Heavenly Sovereign!"
Chen Lin gave a faint nod. His voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority. "I am Myriad Law Heavenly Sovereign."
As he spoke, the tip of his finger swept almost imperceptibly through the air, and a wisp of an aura—barely perceptible—quietly spread outward.
That faint aura made Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master, the most powerful person present, turn pale!
He was already a Dharma Aspect Realm seventh-layer expert, yet at that moment he felt as if he had been dragged into an endless, pitch-black abyss. The chill rising from the depths of his soul made his heart pound with terror.
Terrifying... No wonder he was able to save His Highness! Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master thought, his heart filled with dread.
The other Dharma Aspect experts, whose cultivation was comparatively lower, felt an even more overwhelming pressure, almost enough to suffocate them. Awe filled their eyes despite themselves—the instinctive submission one felt before a true powerhouse.
They were all Dharma Aspect Realm cultivators who had lived for a long time. None of them had the foolish habit of provoking someone they shouldn't.
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