The Surging Tide of the Times; Civil and Military Merit Rewarded Separately

Prince Ding's Residence, annex courtyard.

Daoist Flying Tiger sat cross-legged. On the ground before him, an unpredictable phantom twisted and shifted, ceaselessly releasing an earth-element aura, yet it was pinned down by a talisman and unable to break free.

On the other hand, with the Prosperity Capital Will suppressing it and Dragon Qi blanketing it, this small trace of earth-element aura had been weakened considerably, as though it could vanish at any moment.

Yet the core of this earth-element phantom was remarkably tough. Though suppressed, it still refused to be destroyed, radiating a wild, vicious aura aimed directly at Daoist Flying Tiger nearby, making him feel an intense hatred.

"Do not blame this poor Daoist. If I had not stopped you, and you truly went to trouble that Qiu Yan, destruction would have been your only path. You are earth-element essence accumulated over more than a century; it would be far too regrettable for you to perish just like this..."

Daoist Flying Tiger shook his head and spoke calmly as he watched the phantom before him, but halfway through his words, he abruptly stopped.

Rumble!

Thunder boomed through the Void!

Flying Tiger's expression shifted slightly. A trace of the Way of Knowledge and Action circulated within his heart, making him inexplicably raise his head toward the sky. A glimmer flashed through his eyes and covered his pupils. Though Prosperity Capital could suppress divine abilities, minor techniques could still be used.

With this glance, his gaze traveled through time and space, revealing a scene within the Void: raging waves, flashing lightning, and rolling thunder stretching on without end, surging into the distance like a rushing river.

Their overwhelming force even seemed poised to shatter the barriers of the Void, descend into the mortal world, and ravage the Imperial City!

"What is