Chapter 319
"Although the old prince's health is not particularly robust, he has always been sturdy. If it weren't for the imperial advisor publicly bewitching the emperor in court, causing the emperor to abandon the old prince, how could the old prince have suffered a relapse of his hidden injury?"
"I know that the princess is an unparalleled genius and will surely avenge the old prince."
The steward of the Prince's mansion kowtowed and begged, his eyes bloodshot and he looked extremely haggard.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang was immediately startled, her delicate brows furrowing as she hurriedly asked, "Is this true? Has Your Highness really been angered by the Imperial Advisor and the Emperor to the point that your old injuries have flared up again?"
The steward of the Prince's residence kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Everything I've said is true. Three days ago, His Highness was perfectly fine before going to court, but upon returning, he said he never needed to go to court again. That afternoon, the court began a large-scale demolition of the temples and shrines dedicated to the princesses in the capital. After some inquiries, I learned that on that day in court, the Imperial Preceptor and the Emperor decided to dismiss the old Prince from his post..."
"His Highness has always been very kind to us servants. I really can't bear to see His Highness suffer such injustice and humiliation... Princess... Hasn't the Princess told you about this?"
The steward of the Prince's mansion said cautiously.
"I understand about this." Xiao Minghuang's eyes turned slightly cold. "I will make them pay the price!"
"Thank you, Princess!" The steward of the Prince's mansion was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.
Xiao Minghuang ignored him and turned to leave the Wu'an King's Residence.
On the way back, Xiao Minghuang walked and thought.
Xu Xiuer's account did not mention any interaction between the Imperial Preceptor and King Wu'an.
It now seems that Xu Xiuer was afraid that she would deliberately provoke the Daoist Siming because of this.
"Xiu'er should know me well. She's afraid I'll provoke Daoist Siming. Does that mean Daoist Siming's strength might be far beyond that of a Quasi-Emperor?"
Xiao Minghuang thought to herself.
However, Xiu'er had just suffered a great loss, and she didn't want to disturb her.
But regardless of the true strength of the Daoist Siming, she was destined to have a battle with him.
After returning to the Princess Mansion, Xiao Minghuang told her sisters the news of King Wu'an's passing.
"Sigh, he's actually a pretty good person."
Ye Ruoshui bowed in the direction of the Wu'an King's Residence, sighing with admiration.
Although Luo Qianhua and Su Miaomiao did not know King Wu'an, they still observed a moment of silence as a sign of respect.
Originally, Xiao Minghuang planned to rest for one night and then set off for Siming Mountain the next day.
But ever since she left the Imperial Palace, she has felt from time to time that someone is spying on her.
Moreover, this feeling grows stronger over time.
"The Daoist Siming should have already noticed my arrival."
Xiao Minghuang thought to herself.
She then left without lingering. After briefly explaining things to her sisters, she decided to head to Mount Siming.
However, Ye Ruoshui suggested that she go along.
Xiao Minghuang shook her head. "No, you can't go."
"Why?"
"You need to stay here. I won't feel at ease without you watching over everyone."
Clearly, she had given Ye Ruoshui an even more important task: to protect everyone in the Princess Mansion.
After all, after she left, who knows if the Daoist Siming might have accomplices who would take advantage of her distraction and destroy her home.
Now, Ye Ruoshui has reached the second level of the Saint Realm, and with the help of the rare treasures of the heavens, the Great Sun Radiance Pearl, she can unleash combat power comparable to that of a Saint King.
She was also the strongest among the sisters, besides Xiao Minghuang.
If a highly capable person needs to stay behind, then it must be Ye Ruoshui.
Having said that, Ye Ruoshui did not insist.
"Alright, Your Highness, please be careful. We'll wait for your return."
Ye Ruoshui said softly.
Don't worry!
After leaving those words, Xiao Minghuang vanished from the spot in a flash.
420. The Daoist Siming
A moment later, Xiao Minghuang appeared at the foot of Mount Siming.
In the past, a sect known as the Spirit Sword Sect was located on this mountain.
Later, the Daoist Siming came to this place, drove away the original members of the Spirit Sword Sect, and renamed the mountain Siming Mountain.
Six years have passed since then.
Mount Siming.
In an unassuming Daoist temple.
In the center of the main hall sat an elderly man.
The old man had white hair and eyebrows, but his face was like that of a teenager, round and smooth, like an old immortal with white hair and a youthful face.
He wore a loose-fitting blue robe, held a whisk in his hand, and exuded an air of elegance and freedom.
"I've waited so long, and you've finally come."
The Daoist Siming slowly opened his eyes, looked at Xiao Minghuang standing in front of him, sighed, and said.
"Since you knew I was coming, why didn't you run away?"
Xiao Minghuang countered with a question.
Why should I flee?
The Daoist Siming slightly raised his head, looked at the sky, and said, "Princess Xiao, we know you."
"Ten years ago, you left the Southern Border and entered the Holy Academy. Since then, you have risen rapidly in rank. In less than ten years, you have already entered the Holy Realm, and even the Burial King Supreme Being fell at your hands!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly and asked, "Who are you?"
However, the Daoist Siming did not answer, but instead said to himself, "You have gained the favor of the Eastern Pole Emperor, who intends to make you his successor, and there is also an extremely ancient Innate Being who is on good terms with you."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang's heart stirred. If her previous resume was something that could be easily discovered with a little effort, then it was something that could be found out.
However, her interactions with the Eastern Pole Emperor and her relationship with A Yue were extremely secretive, and even her sisters around her were unaware of them.
Where did this Daoist Siming, who was in charge of destiny, get this information from?
"Who... who exactly are you?"
Xiao Minghuang asked coldly.
"Who we are is unimportant; what matters is that the bells of the Epochal Annihilation have tolled, and the destruction of eternity begins with you."
The Daoist Siming spoke slowly, his gaze deep and distant, seemingly able to see through the ages.
"The lifespan of the Eastern Pole Emperor is nearing its end. After him, no one should attempt to merge with the World Source. If they do, this world will only have twelve more epochs to live. But if no one merges with the World Source, this world can exist for at least a hundred more epochs."
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Xiao Minghuang asked again.
"I've already made myself very clear."
The Daoist Siming spoke calmly, his gaze towards Xiao Minghuang gradually turning cold, a chilling killing intent quietly emerging.
"You are the most likely person to reunite with the Source of the Realm right now. If you live, you will inevitably have to reunite with the Source of the Realm. If you die, this Realm can continue for hundreds of epochs. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
That's all.
Xiao Minghuang understood.
She laughed in anger, "So, you, or rather all of you, want me dead?"
The Daoist Siming flicked his whisk lightly, "Amitabha, the princess sacrificed her life to ensure the survival and reproduction of all living beings in this realm for hundreds of epochs. This is the greatest merit since the beginning of the era. Why can't she face death with composure?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang remained silent for a moment, then said, "What if I refuse?"
"Reject?"
The Daoist Siming shook his head. "No, because you have no other choice!"
He stretched out his right palm and reached out to grab Xiao Minghuang from a distance.
In an instant.
The overwhelming power of the supreme law swept through the entire hall, instantly spreading outwards and filling the sky.
The Daoist Siming is not a Saint Realm expert at all, nor even a Quasi-Emperor!
He is a true supreme being!
Xiao Minghuang's pretty face was solemn; she felt as if the world around her had frozen.
The next moment.
Suddenly, the Daoist Siming leaped up and stood in the void, surrounded by the sounds of devout prayers, chants, and recitations.
"Today, on the behalf of all living beings, I will slay you! In exchange for a hundred epochs of peace, this is my only recourse, and also your honor!"
Accompanied by a resounding voice, the Daoist Siming pointed a finger, and a golden light immediately shone forth.
The golden light rapidly expanded, transforming into a gigantic handprint that blotted out the sky, thousands of feet long, with terrifying destructive energy flowing across it, slamming down on Xiao Minghuang.
The void trembled and emitted a low rumble.
The entire world trembled!
"Daoist Siming, you keep talking about what all living beings desire, about peace under heaven, but all I see is you launching wars, causing immense suffering and countless families to perish in the flames of war. Is this what you call helplessness?!"
Xiao Minghuang glared angrily and let out a sharp shout.
Immediately, she unleashed a surge of immense magical power, with countless Great Dao Power surging forth and converging in her palm, condensing into a sword that symbolizes the Primordial Beginning and the Myriad Transformations Renewed.
She suddenly swung the sword, and a dazzling sword light ripped through the sky, carrying a sharpness capable of tearing apart everything, and slashed towards the Daoist Siming.
The two attacks collided, producing a deafening roar.
In an instant, the sky collapsed and the earth caved in, a storm swept out, and an unimaginable shockwave swept outwards.
In an instant, the entire mountain range began to collapse, affecting an area of hundreds of miles in radius, turning countless mountains, rivers, and vegetation into dust.
Thump!
Xiao Minghuang's delicate body trembled, blood spilled from the corner of her mouth, and she took several steps back before regaining her balance.
"So strong!"
Gazing at the tall figure in mid-air, Xiao Minghuang's expression grew increasingly icy.
Although they only exchanged one move.
She, however, deeply felt the terror emanating from the other party.
This is different from her past encounters with the Burial King Supreme Being.
That is Burial King Supreme Being the Burial King Supreme Being was already at the end of his life, and with A Yue helping him, his mind was constantly in a state of chaos.
Only then was she able to seize the opportunity to kill the Burial King Supreme Being.
But the Daoist Siming before her was clearly of unwavering resolve and would not be swayed by any external things; he was determined to kill her!
"Why is the princess hesitating so much, when she could exchange her life for a hundred epochs of peace?"
The Daoist Siming stood in mid-air, surrounded by dazzling golden light, like a true immortal or Buddha descending to the mortal realm.
Xiao Minghuang knew that the Daoist Siming to hold her hostage and force her to comply. If she refused, then she would be disregarding the lives of the common people.
But this reason is utterly absurd!
Why would she succumb to such petty tricks?
Xiao Minghuang remained unmoved, coldly saying, "I would not accept losing even a hair of my head for the benefit of the world, let alone my life. If you are so concerned about the common people, why not end it here and now? I, Xiao Minghuang that I will never harm the Origin of the Realm in this life. If I break this oath, may I be struck down by the heavens and the earth!"