Grudges

Four others stood shoulder to shoulder behind the black-robed figure, men and women alike. They, too, wore black robes, prominently marked with the emblem of the Body Refining Altar.

All four bowed slightly, showing great deference to the black-robed cultivator leading them.

For some reason, however, their bodies looked somewhat transparent, as though they were not corporeal.

A figure stood to the Jing River Dragon King's right.

A layer of gray light shrouded this person from head to toe, making it impossible to discern their gender, let alone their build or features. They were deeply mysterious.

A wooden cross stood atop the altar, with someone chained to it.

The captive wore yellow robes and had imposing features, though his graying hair lent him an aged appearance. At that moment, however, he was sunk in a deep, unbroken sleep.

"Your Majesty!" Lu Huaming exclaimed under his breath when he recognized the man chained to the wooden cross.

"What? That's Emperor Tang! How did he end up here?" Shen Luo and Danyangzi were both startled.

"That is not Emperor Tang's physical body, but his divine soul," Ge Tianqing suddenly said.

At those words, Shen Luo studied the yellow-robed man on the cross. His figure was indeed somewhat transparent, rather than corporeal.

"Even if it is only His Majesty's divine soul, we cannot let it suffer any harm. We must find a way to rescue him," Lu Huaming said urgently.

Danyangzi and the Red-Handed Perfected Person both stiffened at his words.

"Brother Lu, we all understand what you mean. These are troubled times, and the safety of the realm rests upon Emperor Tang. Naturally, we should save him, but the Jing River Dragon King's strength far exceeds ours. We cannot recklessly rush in," Shen Luo said, hastily catching Lu Huaming by the arm.