When the Emperor arrived, the Empress rose to greet him and asked, "Your Majesty, I heard something happened at court today?"
The Emperor nodded slightly. "The Holy Son of the Chongming Sect sent me a challenge."
The Holy Son of the Chongming Sect?
The Empress paused, then said, "The Holy Son of the Chongming Sect is a Ten-Thousand-Tribulation Spirit Transformation cultivator. Indeed, no one of his generation can match him. But to dare challenge Your Majesty is still far too presumptuous."
The Emperor replied evenly, "I have accepted the challenge. I have also ordered people to invite fellow cultivators from Yanxi City, Suzhen Heaven, the Cold Abyss Sword Sect, and Jiuyi Mountain to come and watch."
"Rogue Cultivators are welcome to spectate as well."
The Empress listened, her expression just as calm. "Pei Ling is a junior, still so young. Our dynasty has stood for ten thousand years, its reputation resounding far and wide."
"When the battle begins, Your Majesty could give him a few moves. It would be a fine opportunity to show the whole world our dynasty's magnanimity and majesty."
The Emperor nodded. "Good. Then I'll give him ten moves."
Then he asked, "Has Yue Ji still not returned?"
The Empress shook her head slightly. "No..."
※※※
Within the territory of the Chongming Sect.
High above the heavens, a gigantic flying vessel streaked swiftly through the air.
The vessel was pitch-black from end to end. Its mast, doors, windows, and battering ram... were all fashioned from bones. A thick, frigid aura poured from it, and the whole vessel was wrapped in a layer of gray-black corpse qi. The qi surged like waves, while countless Corpse Puppets darted through it, letting out shrill, venomous wails from time to time. It was like a realm of ghosts.
Wherever it went,