Ling Cangqiong's Stratagem

Just after midnight, Ling Cangqiong walked out of the Imperial Mausoleum with a smile on his face and a light step, heading straight for his palace within the Imperial Palace.

"The Old Ancestor agreed to me!" Ling Cangqiong muttered to himself, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement.

With the Old Ancestor's approval, he felt he had no more worries, no restraints, and was completely confident, daring anyone to challenge him.

Thinking this, Ling Cangqiong couldn't help but nod secretly, thinking to himself:

Good, this way, the situation will be greatly in our favor.

However, just as Ling Cangqiong settled down, Li Fan appeared below him like a ghost, kneeling on one knee with a solemn expression.

"Your Majesty, we just received urgent intelligence. People from the Netherworld Pavilion have made a move in secret, ambushing Shadow One. Shadow One has unfortunately perished..." Li Fan's voice was low and hurried, each word hitting Ling Cangqiong's heart like a heavy hammer.

Netherworld Pavilion!

That was a notorious assassin organization in the Northern Profound Region, feared by all who heard its name.

They had carried out countless assassinations with ruthless methods, and even powerful cultivators in the Cave Reality Realm had met their end under their surprise attacks.

Upon hearing the devastating news of Shadow One's demise, Ling Cangqiong's joyful expression instantly froze, then turned to shock and anger, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Shadow One had accompanied him for many years, ever since he was the Crown Prince, always by his side, like his left and right arm. Now that he was suddenly gone, how could Ling Cangqiong not be heartbroken?

"Damn Yantian Sect, Nine Nether Sect, and that Blood Wolf Mercenary Group!" Ling Cangqiong gritted his teeth, hatred surging in his heart.

He knew well that these forces must have played a role in Shadow One's death.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" Li Fan said cautiously, afraid of further provoking Ling Cangqiong's wrath.

"Hmph!" Ling Cangqiong took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and quickly regained his composure and decisiveness as an emperor.

"Issue my decree: instruct the Four Directions Merchant Association to fully support the royal family's campaign. After this matter is concluded, the Four Directions Merchant Association will officially become the recognized merchant association of the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty, and the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty will fully support their business expansion everywhere. I want them to understand that cooperating with the royal family brings endless benefits."

"Additionally, notify Xinghui Academy. If they assist the royal family with all their might, Xinghui Academy can be promoted to a national academy after the war. From now on, all those who enter officialdom must first study at Xinghui Academy. This will not only improve the overall quality of court officials but also bring unparalleled glory to Xinghui Academy. I believe they will wholeheartedly assist us."

"Also, inform King Zhenbei and order him to immediately mobilize twenty thousand of the King Zhenbei Army for support. The King Zhenbei Army and the King Zhenyao Army total two hundred thousand troops, so a force of twenty thousand is not difficult for King Zhenbei. Tell him that protecting the country is his undeniable duty."

Although the King Zhenbei Army and the King Zhenyao Army numbered two hundred thousand, they were distributed across various strategic locations, guarding the border defenses of the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty.

However, given the current critical situation, Ling Cangqiong knew he had to mobilize the power of the King Zhenbei Army to have a better chance of dealing with the various threats.

At the same time, he would draw out the wicked and evil elements!

"Then, have fifty thousand of the Nantian Army continue to resist the enemy forces on the front lines with the Divine Guard Army, and simultaneously mobilize ten thousand troops to secretly come to Tianyan City under imperial decree."

"Ensure the operation is kept secret and do not alert the enemy."

Li Fan took the order and was about to withdraw to convey the decree when Ling Cangqiong spoke again: "Closely monitor the movements of the Nine Nether Sect, Yantian Sect, and the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group, and find out who gave the mission to the Netherworld Pavilion!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Li Fan responded respectfully and quickly turned to leave, carrying out the series of orders given by Ling Cangqiong.

Ling Cangqiong watched Li Fan's retreating back, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

He secretly vowed to capture all these forces attempting to overthrow the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty and make them pay a heavy price for their actions.

At this moment, he knew the situation was dire, but as an emperor, he would never back down. He would lead the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty through this difficult time and restore the empire's glory.

After Li Fan left, Ling Cangqiong sat alone in the palace, lost in thought.

Shadow One's demise was just the beginning. The battles to come would be even more brutal and difficult. It was uncertain if even the First Protector would suffer the same fate.

"Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince has once again slain a major enemy on the front lines." Shadow Two's figure silently appeared beside Ling Cangqiong, his expression stern and his tone calm as he reported.

Hearing this, Ling Cangqiong's lips curved into a cold smile. "Hmph, I truly don't know how far they intend to elevate Old Ninth."

In his heart, Old Ninth, as a pawn planted in the royal family by the Nine Nether Sect, was now frequently slaying major enemies, undoubtedly to deliberately enhance his own reputation.

Thinking of this, Ling Cangqiong narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing within them. "Pass down my order to Ximen Qing. Instruct him to secretly contact the Thousand-Faced Illusion Lord and find out what Old Ninth's ultimate plan is."

Ling Cangqiong already had the worst-case scenario in mind – a rebellion.

The enemy was highly likely to use some unforeseen event to have Old Ninth lead an uprising, thereby legitimately launching a rebellion.

After all, with the Second Prince acting like this, and now the Ninth Prince...

This was not!

Just like the rumors, Your Majesty has treacherous officials around him.

Previously, Ling Cangqiong had already informed the royal family's Old Ancestors of this suspicion.

Upon hearing this news, one of the royal Old Ancestors was furious.

To deal with this complex and dangerous situation, he specifically sent an Old Ancestor at the Ninth Level of the Dharma Idol Realm to the battlefield.

This powerful cultivator would, on one hand, secretly monitor the development of the battle, and on the other hand, coordinate with the First Protector, working together.

Shadow Two nodded immediately upon hearing this and replied in a deep voice, "Yes. According to reports, in ten days, a secret realm left behind by a Cave True Realm expert will appear in Yunzhou."

Yunzhou was the gathering place for many civil official families in the court. Prime Minister Li Fan's family was also among them.

Ling Cangqiong's expression was stern, his eyes conveying unquestionable authority. He indifferently ordered, "You will go personally. If you find any resources in the secret realm, bring them all back."

He paused, his tone becoming even colder. "At the same time, convey my decree: order the civil official families to deploy all the cultivators they have secretly harbored onto the battlefield. Those who dare to disobey will not be forgiven. I will make an example of them first, and their entire families will be exterminated!"

Shadow Two's kneeling form trembled slightly.

"This... I receive the decree."

Before the words had even fallen, Shadow Two's figure had already dissipated into black mist.

On the border of Yanzhou, a thousand miles of scorched earth.

Ling Xiao held a Gilded Dragon Spear, the blood dripping from its tip searing wisps of smoke on the charred ground.

Behind him, three thousand soldiers formed into the 'Heavenly Dipper Battle Array,' a mobile wall of steel. Wherever they passed, the corpses of cultivators piled up like mountains.

"Your Highness!"

"The Yantian Sect's 'Burning Flame Guard' has appeared on the east flank!" The deputy general pointed his blood-stained saber towards the horizon.

In the distance, a hundred cultivators clad in crimson flame armor were charging fiercely in formation. Wherever they passed, the air seemed to boil, distorting violently.

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