Pei Daotong had just taken the Soul-Intimidating Bell when he felt something like veins and arteries beneath its surface. It was warm to the touch and pulsed faintly, making his heartbeat quicken for no apparent reason. His Primordial Spirit grew dizzy, as if it were about to leave his body and flee to the Pure Land.
"Grand Master Pei, I'll trouble you with this matter," The Current Emperor Xiao Xuan said with a nod.
Pei Daotong put the bell away and clasped his hands solemnly. "This humble subject will not fail Your Majesty's trust."
He turned with his head held high and walked away with his usual steady gait, showing not the slightest sign of haste or panic.
Shannan Province, Xianping Commandery Yamen.
The wind stirred in the high sky, clouds rolled, and the evening glow gathered, revealing the lean figure of Meng Qi, clad in a black Daoist robe. Blue-violet lightning danced in his eyes, reflecting every scene inside the official residence below.
Wang Yuanfu, Xianping Commandery Governor and Martial Cultivator, had survived one lightning tribulation. He had been Pei Daotong's student before Pei became Grand Tutor, and had remained unfailingly loyal, vowing to follow him to the death. Thus, even though he had devoted himself to an official career, Pei Daotong had helped him endure the trial of the lightning tribulation and gain supernatural powers.
Meng Qi was especially fond of targets who weren't very powerful themselves, yet could still deal a decent blow to Pei Daotong and Xiao Xuan.
The scene in his eyes shifted again and again, finally settling on Wang Yuanfu in his official robes. Meng Qi extended his right hand and pressed downward. A blaze appeared from thin air, transforming into a crimson Flame Pillar that crashed toward Xianping Commandery City.
The scarlet