Your Majesty, Do You Remember Little Meng Mountain

Han Qi swung his palm out, solid as an Iron Stele and heavy as a mountain; a frigid aura pierced the air, freezing everything in its path, and those who could not retreat in time were encased in ice.

The Iron Stele Hand met the Thunder Blade head-on.

Lei Jun's swordsmanship and his Thunder Blade were both mid-grade techniques of the Reception Divine Treasury, weaker than Han Qi's, and his cultivation level was also inferior to Han Qi's.

The two sides exchanged a few blows in the blink of an eye, and with a loud "bang," Lei Jun was outmatched, forced to retreat repeatedly by the shockwaves.

"How dare you defy the imperial decree!"

Han Qi's repulsion of Lei Jun enraged the golden-robed, white-haired old man, whose Great Dao might surged forth; he raised his hand and struck down, suppressing the area like the Five Finger Mountain.

The Great Dao pressed down upon the city, and the entire Demon Slaying Division found itself under the weight of that single strike.

Han Qi was startled; his Iron Stele Hand tore through the air, a single stele rising to hold up the sky, shattering the ice as it roared toward the descending Five Finger Mountain.

The disparity between the two was too great; the opponent was a powerhouse of the Great Dao Divine Treasury, and even at the peak of the Reception Fourth Rank, Han Qi could not withstand it.

With a muffled thud, Han Qi, who had risen to pierce the sky, was struck down, blood spraying wildly from his mouth.

"I am an envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court, bearing the decree of the Divine Dynasty to detain Liu Chengfeng; those who resist shall be executed without mercy."

The white-haired old man stood there, his golden robes fluttering, towering over the Imperial Capital, his Great Dao might intimidating all.

"An envoy of the Royal Court, bearing the decree of the Divine Dynasty."

Upon hearing these words, the god-cultivators of the Imperial Capital were struck with terror.

The Ancient Li Royal Court was an existence on the level of an Ancient Kingdom, a force that intimidated the entire Qing Continent.

Liu Chengfeng's expression shifted; a major figure had finally arrived.

"Run—"

Nangong Renshe appeared quietly by Liu Chengfeng's side, urging him to flee.

Liu Chengfeng did not run; his gaze turned cold as he stared at the envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court.

"Take him!"

The envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court possessed an overbearing aura; having suppressed the Demon Slaying Division, he ordered Lei Jun, Pan Nuolin, and the others to seize Liu Chengfeng.

Lei Jun, Pan Nuolin, and their men immediately closed in.

"Get lost—"

Han Qi stood in their way, firm as a mountain, refusing to yield even an inch.

With Han Qi at the front, all the experts of the Demon Slaying Division drew their blades and swords, blocking the entrance as well.

Han Qi and the Demon Slaying Division were loyal only to the Emperor of Qiuchi.

Without the order of the Emperor of Qiuchi, no one would be allowed to take Liu Chengfeng!

"Those who resist shall be executed without mercy and their homes razed to the ground."

The envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court viewed them as mere ants and ordered the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect to carry out the task.

Such a tyrannical display left the god-cultivators of the Imperial Capital aghast; the court of an Ancient Kingdom was truly extraordinary.

"Clang—"

A spear hummed, radiating Great Dao might as a divine skill tore through the sky.

Cold light bloomed, causing the sun in the sky to lose its luster; a single spear strike pierced the void, unstoppable, as if it intended to overturn the entire Imperial Capital.

As the spear arrived, the Royal Court envoy was horrified; he shouted and struck out with the force of a collapsing mountain and an overturning sea, his Great Dao might surging like a wild wave.

Yet, he still could not block the spear; the divine skill was dazzling, shattering all enemies.

With a "bang," blood splattered as the Royal Court envoy was knocked out of the sky, landing on the long street and punching a massive hole into the ground.

The single spear strike had not only brought down the envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court, but his entire honor guard had also been slaughtered by the same blow.

Blood rained down from the sky, staining the long street red.

The divine skill had pierced the void, leaving the street bathed in blood; the entire Imperial Capital was filled with a murderous chill, and no one dared to draw a full breath.

"The Emperor of Qiuchi—"

The god-cultivators of the Imperial Capital shivered, knowing exactly who had struck.

The Emperor of Qiuchi was the strongest person in the Qiuchi Kingdom and the only one in the nation to have cultivated a divine skill.

The envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court's face changed drastically; he had nearly lost his life to that single spear strike.

If the Emperor of Qiuchi had truly wanted him dead, that strike would have taken his life.

This was a warning; even though he was a man of the Ancient Li Royal Court, the Emperor of Qiuchi dared to kill him all the same.

The Emperor of Qiuchi's invincible spear strike invigorated the ranks of the Demon Slaying Division.

The envoy of the Ancient Li Royal Court had suppressed them until they could barely breathe, but with the Emperor of Qiuchi's intervention, the situation had been turned around.

"The Emperor of Qiuchi."

Liu Chengfeng whispered to himself; that spear strike was indeed powerful and possessed divinity—it must have been a technique from a God Scroll.

"Brother Wu has traveled a long way, and I have failed to welcome you properly. My apologies, my apologies."

With a hearty laugh and purple energy soaring into the sky, Grand Marshal Ye Ziyang stepped forward.

"Brother Wu is an honored guest. I shall host a banquet to wash away the dust of your journey, and as for the matter of the arrest, we shall discuss it after and give Brother Wu a proper explanation."

"Very well, I shall wait for an explanation from your Qiuchi Kingdom."

The envoy from the Ancient Li Royal Court wore an ugly expression, but Ye Ziyang's attitude had at least given him a way to step down.

"Please, Brother Wu, come inside my humble abode and allow me to fulfill my duties as a host."

Ye Ziyang invited the Royal Court envoy Wu Yuanqing, who let out a cold snort before entering the Grandmaster Mansion.

The members of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect had no choice but to withdraw, unable to take down Liu Chengfeng.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, yet their hearts remained filled with unease.

Liu Chengfeng had the same premonition; the Ancient Li Royal Court and the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect would not let the matter rest here.

Within all of this, what roles were the Emperor of Qiuchi and Ye Ziyang playing?

"We must leave quickly; I fear the Qiuchi Kingdom cannot protect you."

Nangong Renshe was alarmed and wanted to take Liu Chengfeng and flee.

With the decree of the Divine Dynasty, the Ancient Li Royal Court acting under orders, and the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect carrying them out, such a massive force meant that the Qiuchi Kingdom, a power only at the grandmaster level, could not possibly protect Liu Chengfeng.

"You can run from the monk, but you cannot run from the temple."

Liu Chengfeng shook his head. He had no intention of fleeing; instead, he was eager for a fight. He wanted to destroy any enemy that posed a threat to him.

Han Qi cast an appreciative glance at Liu Chengfeng. He stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the door, as if he wouldn't have stopped Liu Chengfeng even if he had tried to run.

Liu Chengfeng's words proved prophetic; you can run from the monk, but you cannot run from the temple.

Since the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect could not strike within the Imperial Capital of the Qiuchi Kingdom, they struck at the Cloud Rising Sect instead.

A guest arrived at the Cloud Rising Sect, descending from the sky. Dressed in fluttering white robes with a jade flute hanging at his waist, he looked elegant and refined, yet his face wore a smile filled with murderous intent.

"Three days. If you do not hand over Liu Chengfeng, I will annihilate the Cloud Rising Sect."

The young man in white issued his command. The might of the Great Dao rolled forth as he sat suspended above the Cloud Rising Sect, suppressing the entire sect.

Alarms blared throughout the Cloud Rising Sect, throwing the place into chaos as the disciples were struck with terror.

"Ma Xian, the Young Sect Master of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect!"

The First Elder and the others were horrified, and the news shocked all parties within the Qiuchi Kingdom.

"The Dragon Ascending Holy Sect is determined to succeed."

"Who dares to defy the decree of the Divine Dynasty?"

Other sects learned of the news and were filled with dread, realizing the terror of the Divine Dynasty and trembling in fear.

Zhao Tian, who had joined the Divine Dynasty, had passed down the decree to sacrifice Liu Chengfeng alive, and even an ancient kingdom like the Ancient Li Royal Court had to accept the order.

The rising power of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect was even more unconditionally obedient.

When the news reached the Imperial Capital, it stirred up a massive storm, and everyone was shocked.

"This is bad, I am going to fetch reinforcements."

Nangong Renshe's expression changed drastically, and in his panic, he immediately left.

"I am going back—"

Since the matter originated with him, Liu Chengfeng could not sit idly by.

"No, you stay in the Imperial Capital."

Nangong Renshe would not let Liu Chengfeng go; going back would be suicide.

"Brother, brother, come with me quickly, come with me!"

Su Youqian rushed in like a gust of wind, grabbed Liu Chengfeng, and bolted outside.

"Where are we going?"

Su Youqian didn't even take his own carriage, nor did he bring any beauties; he pulled Liu Chengfeng along and sprinted forward at top speed.

"To see His Majesty. Only His Majesty can save the Cloud Rising Sect."

"The Cloud Rising Sect is far away; you cannot quench a fire with water from afar. Even if we go to save them, it is just suicide. The Old Matriarch is closer than you, and she has already set out."

"The Old Matriarch can only hold down the fort at the Cloud Rising Sect. To take action, we need His Majesty's nod; otherwise, even the Old Matriarch wouldn't dare start a war."

Su Youqian led Liu Chengfeng toward the Imperial Palace.

"Thank you for the rescue, brother."

Liu Chengfeng felt grateful in his heart. In this time of crisis, Su Youqian was showing true loyalty and providing all the support he could.

"What are you saying, brother? If you hadn't repelled the beast tide, our Su Family of Tiger Mound would have long since become ruins, with thousands of our kin dead."

"We of the Su Family still know how to repay kindness."

The Imperial Palace of the Qiuchi Kingdom was magnificent and opulent, with soaring eaves and high walls, and guards standing in strict formation. Standing before such a massive palace made one feel small and timid.

Outsiders are forbidden from entering the Imperial Palace, and seeing the Emperor of Qiuchi is even harder.

Su Youqian is the heir to the throne and is deeply favored by the royal family, so when he brought Liu Chengfeng rushing into the Imperial Palace, no one dared to stop them.

Deep within the palace, Su Youqian led Liu Chengfeng to the front of a grand hall.

The hall was imposing and solemn, surrounded by palace buildings and towers, as if it were the very center of the Imperial Capital.

Su Youqian lightened his footsteps, took a deep breath, and straightened his attire, not daring to be reckless or disrespectful.

"Brother, wait for me here."

Su Youqian instructed in a low voice before heading inside.

After a long while, Su Youqian came out and told Liu Chengfeng to go in.

"His Majesty wants to see you."

Liu Chengfeng took a deep breath and slowly walked inside.

Liu Chengfeng entered the hall and stood before the Red Terrace, where a jade table was placed and a person sat high above.

"You have finally come."

A voice drifted down from behind the jade table; it was melodious, like gold and stone, yet filled with majesty.

"It's you—"

Liu Chengfeng was dumbfounded when he saw the person sitting behind the jade table.

The person sitting high above was actually a woman, dressed in a dragon robe, with a curvaceous figure and a face as cold as frost that could not hide her peerless beauty.

With willow-leaf eyebrows and phoenix eyes, her imperial aura was intimidating.

Liu Chengfeng was stunned; he had seen this person before.

At Little Meng Mountain, in front of the God Tomb, the woman in the Phoenix Feather Dragon Armor was the very woman before him.

Liu Chengfeng's scalp went numb; he had never imagined that the woman in the Phoenix Feather Dragon Armor was the Emperor of Qiuchi!

Back at the God Tomb, he had even teased her, touched her cheek, and called her "little lady."

At this moment, the Empress of Qiuchi's face was as cold as frost as she looked down at Liu Chengfeng, her imperial pressure weighing heavily upon him.

Liu Chengfeng took a deep breath, met the Empress of Qiuchi's icy gaze, and bowed to her.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

What else could he do? He had to bite the bullet; he was the one asking for help now.

The Empress of Qiuchi did not speak, her frost-like gaze fixed on him, her imperial aura making it hard for him to breathe.

Since things had come to this, Liu Chengfeng accepted his fate, meeting her icy gaze without fear.

"You want to save the Cloud Rising Sect?"

"Yes, I ask for Your Majesty's assistance."

Liu Chengfeng composed his mind; this concerned the survival of the Cloud Rising Sect, so he could not treat it as a joke.

"Very well."

The Empress of Qiuchi agreed instantly, which surprised Liu Chengfeng so much that he thought he had misheard.

"Your Majesty, please state your conditions."

Liu Chengfeng did not believe there was such a thing as a free lunch in this world.

"Go and retrieve the Li Fire for me."

"Li Fire?"

Liu Chengfeng immediately thought of the Ancestral Hall and the Li Fire River.

"That's right, the Li Fire from the Li Fire River."

The Empress of Qiuchi saw through Liu Chengfeng's thoughts.

Liu Chengfeng was even more curious; although the Ancestral Hall was located in the Grandmaster Mansion, it was still under the control of the Emperor of Qiuchi. Why would she need him to retrieve the Li Fire?

"If you go and retrieve the Li Fire, Lady Chen will take action, and if you return successfully, I will reward you with cultivation manuals."

The Empress of Qiuchi offered extremely generous terms.

The more generous the terms, the more Liu Chengfeng felt that something was wrong.

If the Li Fire were so easy to retrieve, a single word from the Empress of Qiuchi should suffice.

"And I can receive cultivation manuals as well?"

Liu Chengfeng did not believe that pies would fall from the sky.

"That is correct. As long as you retrieve the Li Fire, I can give you the Sage Scroll manual."

"Are there no other conditions?"

Liu Chengfeng was suspicious; there was no way such a good thing existed.

"If you pledge your loyalty to me, the rewards in the future will be even more generous."

"Forget it."

Liu Chengfeng refused point-blank. He was willing to negotiate terms to save the Cloud Rising Sect, but pledging his loyalty to anyone was absolutely out of the question.

"One matter is one matter. I will go retrieve the Separation Fire, and I ask Lady Chen to take action."

"But—"

The Empress of Qiuchi nodded in agreement.

Without another word, Liu Chengfeng turned and walked away.

"What if I don't return alive?"

Reaching the doorway, Liu Chengfeng paused and looked back.

"Lady Chen will still repel the enemy."

"Good. Wait for my triumphant return. A mere Separation Fire—I shall take it with ease."

Liu Chengfeng burst into laughter, his spirit soaring and fearless, as he strode out.

The Empress of Qiuchi watched Liu Chengfeng's bold and fearless back, remaining silent for a long time.