Han Qi struck with a palm, hard as an iron stele and heavy as a mountain. Chilling air pierced the sky, freezing everything in its path. Those who couldn't get out of the way in time were trapped in ice.
Iron Stele Hand met Thunder Blade head-on.
Both Lei Jun's swordsmanship and Thunder Blade were middle-grade Reception Divine Treasury techniques, inferior to Han Qi's. His cultivation was also weaker.
The two exchanged several blows in the blink of an eye. With a crash, Lei Jun was outmatched and sent staggering backward.
"How dare you defy the imperial decree!"
Han Qi's blow sent Lei Jun reeling, enraging the white-haired old man in golden robes. The might of the Great Dao rolled forth as he raised a hand and struck down, suppressing them like Five Finger Mountain.
The Great Dao pressed down upon the city. With one move, the entire Demon Slaying Division was pinned beneath it.
Han Qi was startled. Iron Stele Hand burst through the air, raising a stele to prop up the sky. The ice shattered as he unleashed a furious strike against the Five Finger Mountain descending upon them.
The gap between them was simply too great. His opponent was a Great Dao Divine Treasury expert; even at the peak of Reception Fourth Rank, Han Qi couldn't withstand him.
With a muffled thud, Han Qi was knocked from the air, blood spraying from his mouth.
"I am an envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court, bearing the Divine Dynasty's decree to seize Liu Chengfeng. Anyone who defies it will be put to death without mercy."
The white-haired old man stood there, his golden robes fluttering as he looked down upon the Imperial Capital. The might of the Great Dao radiated from him, intimidating all who saw it.
"An envoy of the Royal Court, bearing the Divine Dynasty's decree."
The cultivators of the Imperial Capital were alarmed when they heard this.
The Ancient Li Royal Court was an Ancient Kingdom-level power, a force that commanded the Qing Continent's respect.
Liu Chengfeng's expression changed. The real heavyweights had finally arrived.
"Run—"
Nangong Renshe appeared beside Liu Chengfeng and urged him to flee.
Liu Chengfeng didn't run. His gaze turned cold as he stared at the envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court.
"Take him away!"
The envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court exuded an overwhelming presence, suppressing the Demon Slaying Division as he ordered Lei Jun, Pan Nuolin, and the others to seize Liu Chengfeng.
Lei Jun, Pan Nuolin, and the others immediately moved in.
"Get lost—"
Han Qi stood in their way, as immovable as a mountain.
With Han Qi at the front, every expert in the Demon Slaying Division drew their blades and swords and guarded the entrance.
Han Qi and the Demon Slaying Division were loyal only to the Emperor of Qiuchi.
Without the Emperor of Qiuchi's command, nobody was taking Liu Chengfeng!
"Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy. Flatten this place."
The envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court regarded them as ants and ordered the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect to carry out his command.
His domineering display left the cultivators of the Imperial Capital aghast. The Ancient Kingdom Royal Court truly was no ordinary power.
"Clang—"
A spear rang out. The might of the Great Dao surged, and a divine technique tore through the air.
A flash of cold light bloomed, dimming the sun overhead. The spear shot through the air, unstoppable, as if it would overturn the entire Imperial Capital.
As the spear hurtled toward him, the Royal Court envoy cried out in alarm and struck with a force that could topple mountains and overturn seas. The might of the Great Dao surged like raging waves.
But he still couldn't stop that spear. Its divine technique blazed, shattering a thousand foes.
With a crash, blood sprayed through the air. The Royal Court envoy was knocked from the sky and slammed onto the main street, punching a huge hole through it.
That single spear not only knocked down the envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court; it also slaughtered his entire retinue.
Blood spattered from above, dyeing the entire street red.
A divine technique tore through the sky, leaving a blood-soaked street behind. The whole Imperial Capital was filled with murderous tension, and no one dared even breathe too loudly.
"Emperor of Qiuchi—"
The cultivators of the Imperial Capital shuddered, knowing who had made that move.
The Emperor of Qiuchi was the strongest person in the kingdom, and the only one who had mastered a divine technique.
The envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court's expression changed dramatically. That spear had nearly cost him his life.
If the Emperor of Qiuchi had truly wanted to kill him, that spear would have taken his life.
It was a warning: even if he belonged to the Ancient Li Royal Court, the Emperor of Qiuchi would dare to kill him all the same.
The Emperor of Qiuchi's peerless spear strike lifted the spirits of everyone in the Demon Slaying Division.
The envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court had pressed them until they could barely breathe, but the Emperor of Qiuchi's intervention had turned the tables.
"Emperor of Qiuchi."
Liu Chengfeng murmured to himself. That spear had indeed been powerful, imbued with divinity. It must have come from a God Scroll technique.
"Hahaha! Brother Wu, you've come all this way, and I failed to welcome you properly. My apologies, my apologies."
Purple qi soared into the sky as Grand Marshal Ye Ziyang appeared.
"Brother Wu is an honored guest. Allow me to host a feast in your honor. As for the matter of the arrest, after we've discussed it, I'll give you an answer."
"Very well. I'll await an answer from your Qiuchi Kingdom."
The Ancient Li Royal Court envoy looked displeased, but Ye Ziyang's attitude had given him a way to save face.
"Please, Brother Wu, come to my humble residence and let me play the host."
Ye Ziyang invited the Royal Court envoy, Wu Yuanqing. Wu Yuanqing gave a cold snort and entered the Grandmaster Mansion.
The people of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect had no choice but to withdraw. They couldn't seize Liu Chengfeng.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, though unease still lingered in their hearts.
Liu Chengfeng had the same foreboding feeling. The Ancient Li Royal Court and the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect wouldn't just let this go.
And what roles were the Emperor of Qiuchi and Ye Ziyang playing in all this?
"Let's go. I'm afraid the Qiuchi Kingdom won't be able to protect you."
Nangong Renshe was alarmed and wanted to take Liu Chengfeng and flee.
"The monks may escape, but the temple won't."
Liu Chengfeng shook his head. He had no intention of running. Instead, he was itching for a fight. He wanted to destroy every enemy who threatened him.
Han Qi gave Liu Chengfeng an approving look. He folded his arms and leaned against the doorway, seemingly unwilling to stop him even if he decided to leave.
Liu Chengfeng's words came true: the monks could escape, but the temple couldn't.
The Dragon Ascending Holy Sect couldn't strike in the Imperial Capital of the Qiuchi Kingdom, so they went after the Cloud Rising Sect instead.
A guest arrived at the Cloud Rising Sect, descending through the air. He wore fluttering white robes and a jade flute at his waist. Handsome and elegant, he smiled—but his smile was filled with killing intent.
"Hand over Liu Chengfeng within three days, or the Cloud Rising Sect will be destroyed."
The young man in white issued his command. The might of the Great Dao surged around him as he hovered over the Cloud Rising Sect, suppressing the entire sect.
Alarms blared throughout the Cloud Rising Sect. The whole sect descended into chaos, and its disciples were horrified.
"Ma Xian, the Young Sect Leader of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect!"
The First Elder and the others were horrified. The news also shook the various factions across the Qiuchi Kingdom.
"The Dragon Ascending Holy Sect is determined to get what it wants."
"Who would dare defy the Divine Dynasty's decree?"
The other sects were horrified when they heard the news. They understood how terrifying the Divine Dynasty was and trembled in fear.
Zhao Tian, who had pledged himself to the Divine Dynasty, had issued a decree demanding that Liu Chengfeng be sacrificed alive. Even an Ancient Kingdom like the Ancient Li Royal Court had to obey.
The Dragon Ascending Holy Sect, now riding high, obeyed without question.
When the news reached the Imperial Capital, it sent shock waves through the city. Everyone was stunned.
"This is bad. I'll go get help."
Nangong Renshe's expression changed. Horrified, he immediately set off.
"This is my fault. I can't just stand by."
Liu Chengfeng couldn't sit idle when the trouble had started because of him.
"No. You stay in the Imperial Capital."
Nangong Renshe wouldn't let Liu Chengfeng go. Going there would be suicide.
"Brother! Brother! Come with me, quickly!"
Su Youqian rushed in like a gust of wind, grabbed Liu Chengfeng, and charged back out.
"Where are we going?"
Su Youqian didn't even take his carriage or bring any beauties along. He dragged Liu Chengfeng forward at top speed.
"To see His Majesty. Only His Majesty can save the Cloud Rising Sect."
"The Cloud Rising Sect is far away. By the time you get there, it will be too late. Even if you went to help, you'd only be throwing your life away. The Old Matriarch is closer than you, and she's already on her way."
"The Old Matriarch can only hold the line at the Cloud Rising Sect. To take action, she needs His Majesty's approval. Otherwise, even she wouldn't dare start a war."
Su Youqian took Liu Chengfeng and raced toward the palace.
"Thank you for coming to my aid, brother."
Liu Chengfeng was grateful. In this moment of crisis, Su Youqian had shown true loyalty and thrown himself into helping him.
"What are you talking about, brother? If you hadn't driven back the beast tide, our Su Family's Tiger Mound would have been reduced to rubble, and every last one of our descendants would have perished."
"Our Su Family knows how to repay a kindness."
The palace of the Qiuchi Kingdom was magnificent, with soaring eaves and towering walls, guarded by troops at every turn. Standing before such a vast palace made one feel small and timid.
Outsiders weren't allowed inside the palace, and getting an audience with the Emperor of Qiuchi was even harder.
Su Youqian was heir to the throne and deeply favored by the imperial family. With him leading Liu Chengfeng into the palace, no one stopped them.
After making their way deep into the palace, Su Youqian brought Liu Chengfeng to a great hall.
The hall was imposing, surrounded by palace buildings, like the heart of the Imperial Capital.
Su Youqian softened his footsteps, took a deep breath, and straightened his clothes. He didn't dare act carelessly or disrespectfully.
"Brother, wait here for me."
Su Youqian spoke in a low voice, then went inside.
After a while, Su Youqian came out and told Liu Chengfeng to enter.
"His Majesty wishes to see you."
Liu Chengfeng drew a deep breath and slowly walked inside.
Liu Chengfeng entered the hall and stood before the Red Terrace. A jade table stood atop it, with someone seated high behind it.
"You're finally here."
A voice came from behind the jade table. It was pleasant, like the ringing of metal and stone, yet filled with authority.
"It's you—"
When Liu Chengfeng saw who was seated behind the jade table, he was dumbstruck.
The person seated high above was a woman. She wore a dragon robe, her curves full and alluring, her face as cold as frost—and her peerless beauty was impossible to hide.
Her willow-shaped brows and phoenix eyes radiated imperial might.
Liu Chengfeng was stunned. He had seen this person before.
The woman in Phoenix Feather Dragon Armor, the one he had met before the God Tomb on Little Meng Mountain, was the woman standing before him now.
Liu Chengfeng's scalp went numb. He had never expected the woman in Phoenix Feather Dragon Armor to be the Emperor of Qiuchi!
Before the God Tomb, he had even flirted with her, touched her cheek, and called her "little miss."
Now Empress of Qiuchi's face was as cold as frost as she looked down at Liu Chengfeng, her imperial might pressing down on him.
Liu Chengfeng took a deep breath, met Empress of Qiuchi's icy gaze, and bowed to her.
"Your Majesty."
What else could he do? He could only grit his teeth and face her. He needed her help now.
Empress of Qiuchi said nothing. Her frost-cold gaze fixed on him, and her imperial might made it hard to breathe.
At this point, Liu Chengfeng accepted his fate. He met her icy gaze without fear.
"You want to save the Cloud Rising Sect?"
"Yes. I ask Your Majesty to lend a hand."
Liu Chengfeng composed himself. The survival of the Cloud Rising Sect was at stake; this was no time for games.
"Very well."
Empress of Qiuchi agreed at once, surprising Liu Chengfeng. He wondered if he'd heard her wrong.
"Your Majesty, name your price."
Liu Chengfeng didn't believe there was such a thing as a free lunch.
"Go and fetch Separation Fire for me."
"Separation Fire?"
Liu Chengfeng immediately thought of the Ancestral Hall and the Li Fire River.
"That's right. The Separation Fire from the Li Fire River."
Empress of Qiuchi saw what was on Liu Chengfeng's mind.
Liu Chengfeng grew even more curious. Although the Ancestral Hall was in the Grandmaster Mansion, it still fell under the Emperor of Qiuchi's control. So why was she asking him to fetch the Separation Fire?
"Go fetch the Separation Fire. If Lady Chen helps and you return successfully, I'll reward you with a cultivation manual."
Empress of Qiuchi offered him an extremely generous reward.
The more generous the offer, the more Liu Chengfeng felt something was wrong.
If the Separation Fire were that easy to obtain, one word from Empress of Qiuchi would have been enough.
"There's a cultivation manual to be had, too?"
Liu Chengfeng didn't believe that good things just fell from the sky.
"That's right. If you bring me the Separation Fire, I'll give you the Sage Scroll manual."
"Are there no other conditions?"
Liu Chengfeng was suspicious. There couldn't be such a good deal.
"If you pledge your loyalty to me, what I grant you in the future will be even more generous."
"No need."
Liu Chengfeng refused outright. He was willing to negotiate terms to save the Cloud Rising Sect, but swearing allegiance to anyone was out of the question.
"One matter at a time. I'll go retrieve the Separation Fire. Please have Lady Chen drive back the enemy."
"But—"
The Empress of Qiuchi nodded in agreement.
Without another word, Liu Chengfeng turned and left.
"What if I don't make it back alive?"
He stopped at the doorway and looked back.
"Lady Chen will still drive back the enemy."
"Good. Wait for me to return in triumph. A mere Separation Fire—I'll take it with ease."
Liu Chengfeng burst into laughter. His bearing was bold and fearless as he strode out.
The Empress of Qiuchi gazed at Liu Chengfeng's bold, fearless retreat, silent for a long time.
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