Imperial Clan Affairs Office Shaken

In the depths of the Imperial Clan Affairs Office's forbidden grounds.

This place was usually solemn and reverent, rarely opened except for major sacrifices or national crises.

However, at this moment, this forbidden ground, symbolizing the supreme power and foundation of the Xiao Clan Imperial Family, was brightly lit and bustling with voices.

In the outer areas, many younger generation royal descendants gathered in groups of three to five, their faces filled with surprise and unease, discussing in low voices.

"What on earth happened? Why were even some of the Imperial Granduncles and Granduncles who have been in seclusion for years alarmed?"

"I don't know. I was just listening to music at the Music and Dance Bureau when I was urgently summoned back."

"Looking at this lineup, could it be that enemy troops are pressing the border?"

"Impossible, if there were any border conflicts, the Ministry of War would have exploded already."

And in the core area of the forbidden grounds, the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy.

Gathered here were the true high-ranking officials and foundations of the imperial family.

Old men with white hair and beards, their auras as deep as the sea, sat or stood. Each of them exuded the majesty of long-held positions and powerful cultivation fluctuations.

Among them were princes and county princes who had retired for many years, Clan Elders in charge of the Imperial Clan Affairs Office and the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and even a few martial arts elders who were the pillars of the imperial family, constantly in seclusion to break through to higher realms.

Even the current Emperor of Wei, Xiao Zhengshan, had to show courtesy as a junior and dare not be negligent in front of these ancestors of extremely high seniority.

However, at this moment, these influential figures, who could shake Wei Kingdom with a stomp of their foot, rarely showed solemnity, and even a hint of... disbelief on their faces.

"Have you found out?"

"Is the matter confirmed?"

An old man in a purple robe embroidered with a coiling dragon, with an ancient face, the current Imperial Granduncle Xiao Tong, asked in a deep voice.

"Replying to Imperial Granduncle, it is absolutely true."

A middle-aged official responsible for managing the imperial family's formation hub knelt on the ground, his voice trembling:

"Just half an hour ago, in the 'Kun' position area of the Heavenly Prison's defensive formation, control was... forcibly seized.

The opponent's methods were extremely skillful, and their understanding of the formation's channels was... simply... simply inconceivable.

The three enshriners guarding the central hub joined forces to try and regain control, but... they couldn't even break through the opponent's defenses, and instead... instead suffered spiritual damage."

This statement shocked everyone present.

"What?!"

The old man in the purple robe abruptly stood up, his eyes shooting out sharp light:

"The Heavenly Prison formation is one of the cornerstones of our Xiao Clan's founding. It has been reinforced and perfected over hundreds of years and can imprison Grandmasters.

The control center is protected by layers of restrictions. How could control be so easily taken away?

Could it be... a Formation Grandmaster from another country has infiltrated the Capital City?"

"No... it doesn't seem like it."

The official was sweating profusely, "The opponent's control method... is unheard of and unseen. Moreover, judging from the energy fluctuations and spiritual imprints, the opponent... seems to be inside the Heavenly Prison."

"Inside the Heavenly Prison?"

The Clan Elders were shocked again.

The Heavenly Prison held only major criminals and death row inmates. How could there be someone with such divine formation attainments?

"Could it be... an old monster imprisoned there has hidden their strength?"

Someone guessed.

"No matter who it is."

A stern look flashed in the purple-robed elder's eyes, "The Heavenly Prison formation cannot be lost. If this formation goes out of control, not only could the major criminals in the Heavenly Prison escape, but it also concerns a link in the Capital City's defense system."

"Guards, immediately issue the order."

"First, seal the news. This matter must not be spread outside to avoid causing unrest in the court and the public."

"Second, mobilize the Imperial Guards and the Dragon Martial Guard to immediately surround the Heavenly Prison. Entry is allowed, but exit is forbidden. Those who trespass without a hand-token from the Imperial Clan Affairs Office will be killed without mercy."

"Third, invite 'Elder Xuan' out of seclusion. He is our imperial family's foremost formation expert and our only Grandmaster. Only he might be able to contend with that mysterious person."

"Yes!"

Everyone took the order in unison, and the atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.

At the same time, at the Jing Prince's Estate.

Xiao Jingfeng and Xiao Fenghua also received urgent orders and troop mobilization orders from the Imperial Clan Affairs Office.

"Father King, the Imperial Clan Affairs Office has issued an urgent order for us to immediately mobilize troops to cooperate with the Dragon Martial Guard in surrounding the Heavenly Prison, and no one is allowed to enter or leave."

Xiao Fenghua entered the study with the order, her expression solemn.

Xiao Jingfeng took the order and his face changed after a single glance: "Surround the Heavenly Prison? What happened? To use the highest-level troop mobilization order from the Imperial Clan Affairs Office?"

"I don't know. It only says there's a change at the Heavenly Prison, involving the safety of the imperial family."

Xiao Fenghua's delicate eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and the unease in her heart grew stronger, "Father King, I always feel... this matter might be related to... Zhang Yu."

"Zhang Yu?"

Xiao Jingfeng paused, then shook his head with a chuckle.

"Fenghua, I know Zhang Yu is mysterious, but you think too highly of him.

The Imperial Clan Affairs Office is making such a huge fuss, possibly even alerting those old ancestors. This concerns the very foundation of the entire royal family.

No matter how capable Zhang Yu is, he's just a young man in his early twenties. How could he possibly..."

He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing he saw an unprecedented seriousness and conviction in his daughter's eyes.

Xiao Fenghua took a deep breath and slowly said, "Father King, we were all mistaken before.

We never truly fathomed Zhang Yu's depth.

President Du's matter, Chen Dongpeng's matter, and his strange cultivation...

Now, with the Heavenly Prison incident happening at such a coincidental time, if I were to say he had nothing to do with it, I truly couldn't believe it."