Source of Chaos

Seeing that Zhang Yang didn't explain what it was about, the Third Prince didn't press further. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he suddenly remembered something and asked in a low, mysterious voice, "Master, I heard that the Azure Cloud Sect is suppressing Demon Lord. Is that true?"

"Hmm?" Zhang Yang frowned and asked, "Where did you hear this news?"

Could it be that the Heavenly Profound Sect passed this message to the Cloud Mountain Empire?

"I don't know!" The Third Prince shook his head. "This matter has spread throughout almost the entire upper echelons of the empire. It's causing widespread panic, and Father and the others are still discussing how to deal with it!"

"When did this happen?" Zhang Yang asked.

"This only happened in the last half month. The news is quite detailed, claiming that the Azure Cloud Sect is suppressing countless Demon Lords. If these Demon Lords were to be released, they would surely destroy our continent. Therefore, if we want to be safe, we can only flee to other continents." The Third Prince told him what he had heard. "Even the Imperial Preceptor has returned to his sect and hasn't shown his face in the empire for many days, which is very rare."

In addition, the number of Rogue Cultivator in the empire has also decreased significantly.

The Emperor has summoned his ministers to discuss this matter for several days now, but there has been no definite solution yet.

Zhang Yang's eyes narrowed involuntarily; he sensed that something was amiss.

When Heavenly Profound Sect received news about those Demon Lords, it was already seven or eight months ago. At that time, many other sects went to the Azure Cloud Sect to verify the information, only to be reprimanded by Azure Cloud Master.

If the news came from these sects, does it mean that something has happened to them recently?

He was truly furious with his elders, who were completely unaware of what was happening outside. With such an obvious change occurring, they would probably still be in the dark if he hadn't personally come to the Cloud Mountain Empire.

"You can help with this matter." Zhang Yang looked at the Third Prince seriously. "Investigate where this information came from. Also, what are the attitudes of the surrounding cultivators and your father, the Emperor? Act quickly; now is the time to see how much power you can mobilize."

"Yes, Master!" The Third Prince was very excited.

He finally has a chance to help his master, and his master will probably teach him a few more tricks then.

Although what he had been taught before had already benefited him immensely, who would complain about having too many skills?

While the Third Prince was investigating the situation, Zhang Yang was also pondering the relevance of this news.

He wasn't afraid that more people would know about the Azure Cloud Sect's suppression of the Demon Lord, because this matter would eventually become known throughout the world as the Azure Cloud Sect clashed with those major sects.

However, he had just mobilized the forces to unify the entire continent when this news arrived, hindering his plans.

Thinking of the actions of those major sects, his heart sank. Could it be that these major sects knew his intentions and sabotaged him in advance?

If these major sects were to disrupt the morale of the people on the Azure Cloud Continent, it would be extremely detrimental to the future of the Azure Cloud Sect.

"Let the Third Prince investigate the matter first, and then I will personally go to talk to the Emperor!"

Zhang Yang made a decision in his heart: this matter could only be resolved with the help of the Cloud Mountain Empire, or even the Cloud Soaring Empire.

When he went to see the emperor, his identity would certainly be exposed. However, things have changed, and he has no choice but to do so.

Then, he waited patiently for the Third Prince's investigation.

Three days later, the Third Prince returned to his residence and said to Zhang Yang, "Master, I've mobilized all my resources and finally made some progress. There were three sources spreading this news initially. One was the Heavenly Profound Sect, and the other two were the Seven Treasures Sect and the Falling Blossoms Sect. Around the same day, they all had people spreading the news in the Imperial Capital. These people had been to the Imperial Capital before, so it's impossible for anyone noticing them."

Zhang Yang found it strange; Heavenly Profound Sect wanted to spread the news, why didn't they do it half a year ago, but instead did it now?

"What kind of forces are the Seven Treasures Sect and the Falling Blossoms Sect?" Zhang Yang asked.

The Third Prince laughed and said, "They are all third-rate sects, with only two Nascent Soul Cultivator holding them together. If they hadn't pledged allegiance to the Empire early on, they would have been wiped out by us long ago."

Zhang Yang's eyes sharpened. "They're spreading rumors in the empire now, why not just wipe them out?"

He sensed something was wrong and needed to figure it out first.

"Kill them?" The Third Prince was taken aback. "They're spreading rumors; this is indeed an opportunity. Master, please wait a moment; we still need to consult Father about this."

If he wants to take action against these two sects, he can only use the Flying Dragon Army.

That's the emperor's treasure; you can't do it without asking the emperor's permission.

Zhang Yang nodded and instructed the Third Prince, "You must persuade your father to take down the people from both sects, and you must find out the source of this information."

He was now helpless; the prestigious Azure Cloud Sect could only rely on a mortal prince to gather information.

This was a disciple he had taken on a whim at the Azure Cloud Sect; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to find out anything about her now.

The Third Prince went to the palace to see the emperor.

"Father, recently someone has been spreading rumors in the Imperial Capital, which may be detrimental to us. I sent people to investigate carefully and found that it was the work of the Seven Treasures Sect and the Falling Blossoms Sect. The two sects deliberately spread rumors at this time to cause panic and disrupt the order of our court. Their intentions are despicable!"

"I beg Your Majesty's permission to lead the Flying Dragon Army to punish them." The Third Prince looked earnestly at Emperor Li Shiqing, appearing utterly loyal. "Furthermore, I implore Your Majesty to quell the rumors. If this matter causes unrest, it will only make things more difficult for our court."

The emperor glanced at the Third Prince and nodded. "Granted!"

He already doted on this son, and now that the Third Prince had proposed something feasible, how could he refuse?

Besides, eliminating these sects would allow him to use their resources to train the Flying Dragon Army. He had wanted to do it for a long time, but he lacked sufficient justification.

Now that he had a good reason, he naturally didn't hold back.

Immediately afterwards, the Third Prince led the Flying Dragon Army to attack the two sects.

When they arrived at the two sects, both sects were deserted, and the entire site was spotless, without even a single spirit medicine left behind.

Having missed his target, the Third Prince returned to the Imperial Capital with a grave expression.

He sensed something terrible was about to happen.

Otherwise, why would the two sects run away?

He went to the palace first to see the emperor, and said with a troubled expression, "Father, they knew their sins were grave and fled beforehand. Now it seems that these two sects were indeed plotting all along."

Emperor Li Shiqing frowned; he too sensed something was amiss.

Could it be that the news about the Azure Cloud Sect is true?

He gestured for the Third Prince to leave, as he was deep in thought about the matter.

If the Azure Cloud Sect truly has Demon Lord, how should their Cloud Mountain Empire position itself?

The Third Prince, having left the palace, immediately found Zhang Yang and said with a grave expression, "Master, they've escaped!"

"They ran away?" Zhang Yang was stunned.

"They took all the sect's disciples and all its resources! Besides, it's said they also took some newly recruited disciples." The Third Prince looked at Zhang Yang with a serious expression. "Master, will those Demon Lord really escape?"

Zhang Yang took a deep breath and said, "Don't worry about what happens next. I'm going to see your father first."

He left the Third Prince's residence and flew directly to the Imperial Palace.