Inside the Heavenly Prison, Zhang Yu had to use a lot of words to barely appease Xiao Xuan, who was as resentful as a wronged wife.
"Zhang Xiaoyou,"
After State of Mind down, Xiao Xuan suddenly spoke:
"From what I see... it seems you're not unwilling to pursue, but rather... you're forced into it?"
Or perhaps, they are trapped by some kind of... restriction, which is why they cannot leave this Heavenly Prison?
Zhang Yu's heart stirred, but his face remained expressionless.
That old fellow is indeed shrewd and experienced; he noticed something was wrong so quickly.
Before Zhang Yu could explain, Xiao Xuan had already filled in the blanks in his mind, and a look of sudden realization appeared on his face.
He used a Voice Transmission, and his voice rang directly in Zhang Yu's mind:
Yes.
In my early years, I also heard some ancient secrets. It is said that some powerful beings Reincarnation and Re-cultivation and are cultivating again are often restricted by certain special rules or their own Dao Fruit during the critical period of unsealing their previous life's Cultivation.
Young friend Zhang, is it perhaps because of this that you are forced to remain in this Heavenly Prison?
Zhang Yu was stunned for a moment, then almost burst out laughing.
Xiao Xuan's imagination is truly remarkable; he even came up with reasons for him.
However... this misunderstanding was perfect, saving him countless words of explanation.
So, Zhang Yu, seizing the opportunity, replied telepathically with an air of profound mystery:
"Old Xiao is indeed very knowledgeable."
This matter... involves a great deal of issues and causes, so it is not appropriate for a junior to say more.
Senior, please just know that I am experiencing some inconvenience and need to stay here for a while.
He didn't directly admit it, but his words implied that he tacitly agreed with Xiao Xuan's guess.
"I understand, I understand."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan's eyes gleamed brightly, as if he had discovered some extraordinary secret.
Next, the cleanup work inside the Heavenly Prison began quickly.
Under the friendly watchful eyes of Xiao Xuan and Zhang Yu, the Four Great Military Marquises wisely chose to surrender, expressing their willingness to atone for their crimes and obey the Imperial Family's orders.
However, the calm was only superficial.
Soon, the scouts brought heart-stopping news.
Emperor Xiao Zhengfeng Xiao Xuan and Zhang Yu:
"Old Ancestor, Mr. Zhang."
According to reliable intelligence, Marquis Yong'a Zhang Jiuling and his father Zhang Yuanfeng will be able to bring their troops to the gates of the capital within five days at most.
Moreover... the rumored eldest daughter of the Zhang Family, Zhang Lingyu, who supposedly joined the East Green Mountain, has already reunited with them, and... she's brought two Grandmaster from the East Green Mountain with her."
"Two Grandmaster from East Green Mountain?"
Xiao Xuan gasped, his face, which had just begun to recover, turning even paler.
Jian Wuwei and Huichen almost overthrew the Imperial Family.
Now two more have arrived, and with Zhang Yuanfeng added to the mix, the opposing team now possesses a total of five Grandmaster- Combat Power.
"That's not all!"
Xiao Fenghua, who was standing to the side, added:
"Just now, before Zhang Heng fled, he boasted that they were the sons of the princess of the Northern Duke."
If this is true, Zhang Family has probably already colluded with the Zhao Kingdom in the north.
"With Zhang Yuanfeng's trip to the capital, his army... likely still harbors Grandmaster- level experts from the Zhao Kingdom."
"That means... at least five, maybe even six or seven Grandmaster?"
Xiao Xuan felt a chill run down his spine, and his fingers trembled slightly. "Moreover, the true Great Grandmaster from East Green Mountain is standing behind him."
He suddenly looked at Zhang Yu, his eyes filled with a final glimmer of hope:
"Young friend Zhang, when will your Cultivation finally be unlocked and reach the Grandmaster Realm?"
Or do you possess the means to deal with Great Grandmaster?
In his view, the current deadlock was almost unsolvable unless Zhang Yu, this reincarnated powerhouse, could immediately recover to the Combat Power of Great Grandmaster, or bring out Trump Card that could contend with Great Grandmaster.
Otherwise, the Imperial Family, along with Zhang Yu, would likely be doomed.
Five days...
Zhang Yu did not answer Xiao Xuan's question immediately, but instead repeated the time in a low voice.
Breaking through from the Innate Peak to Great Grandmaster in five days?
Even if he had a system, five days was still too short.
But he was not entirely without support.
By repairing the Heavenly Prison Grand Formation and utilizing its Formation power, coupled with his increasingly powerful divine Divine Soul and True Qi, he might be able to put up a fight against Great Grandmaster.
Moreover, five days later would be the ten-day period for his Heavenly Prison, and the Martial Dao Divine Ability rewarded by the system should have arrived by then.
Just as Zhang Yu was deep in thought and weighing his options, Hu Qingxuan suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with resentment and a final act of defiance.
"Zhang Yu, as long as you drop our bet, I can try to mediate for you East Green Mountain Great Grandmaster seven Grandmaster, and even... make them back down."
She remained resentful about the bet with the "Maidservant" and refused to back down.
Seeing the situation was extremely precarious, he wanted to use this as a bargaining chip to exchange for his freedom.
Zhang Yu refused outright.
No need.
He's just Great Grandmaster; I have my own ways of dealing with him.
You... just wait patiently to become my Maidservant.
"You..."
Hu Qingxuan was speechless with anger, a blush rising on her beautiful face, whether from embarrassment or rage was unclear.
She hadn't expected Zhang Yu to remain so stubborn and arrogant even in such a desperate situation.
Du Jun, standing to the side, also looked worried and couldn't help but advise, "Brother Zhang, this matter is no small thing. East Green Mountain's power is immense; we cannot fight them head-on..."
It's alright.
Zhang Yu waved his hand and looked at Xiao Xuan: "I don't know much about that Great Grandmaster of East Green Mountain, could you elaborate?"
Xiao Xuan's expression was solemn as he introduced in a deep voice:
"That man from East Green Mountain is named Lian Juehai. He was already Cultivation Great Grandmaster hundred years ago."
Because of its existence, East Green Mountain was revered as Sacred Land of Martial Dao by the Eight Kingdoms of the Eastern Domain, and was on par with the Wenhua Academy, which was famous for its Literary Dao arts.
"Lian Juehai was already Great Grandmaster a hundred years ago, and now he has probably reached the Great Grandmaster Peak."
In recent years, he has lived a secluded life, spending most of his time in seclusion and arduous cultivation, all in an effort to break through to the Ethereal Ascension Realm.
Xiao Xuan paused, a strange light flashing in his eyes, and continued:
Before Zhang Lingyun, Lian Juehai had taken on five Direct Disciples.
These five individuals are all exceptionally talented and gifted individuals, and it is said that each of them possesses the potential to become Grandmaster.
"But strangely enough,"
Xiao Xuan lowered his voice. "These five prodigies have all disappeared one after another."
Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow, astutely grasping the suspicious point:
"All five prodigies have gone missing?"
How could someone with the foundation of Great Grandmaster simply disappear?
Xiao Xuan shook his head and said with a wry smile, "That's anyone's guess."
After a conversation, Zhang Yu gained some understanding of Lian Juehai. After seeing everyone off, he began to think about how to deal with the situation.
"The Heavenly Prison Grand Formation must be repaired and upgraded as soon as possible."
After pondering for a moment, Zhang Yu instructed the Imperial Family to begin preparing the materials for upgrading the Formation.
A moment later, everyone left one after another, leaving only Xiao Yun and Xiao Sheng, the two lackeys, and the newly appointed Maidservant Hu Qingxuan.
Not long after, Xiao Fenghua and Xiao Meier suddenly returned, looking at Zhang Yu with eager eyes.
Then, Xiao Fenghua glanced at Xiao Sheng and Xiao Yun and silently left, taking Hu Qingxuan with them.
Seeing the murderous glares in Xiao Fenghua and the other man's eyes, Zhang Yu swallowed hard and asked nervously, "What are you going to do?"
"Yes, of course we'll do it."
Xiao Meier was straightforward, her words carrying a double meaning.
Xiao Fenghua explained, "Today, facing Grandmaster- level expert, I deeply felt my own weakness. In order to quickly improve my strength, I offended him."