Morning court.
The Golden Throne Hall.
Civil and military officials stood in ranks on either side of the hall. As before, representatives of various powers were also present, and this time their caliber was even higher.
There were three Ascension Realm Great Cultivators alone, one each from the Azure Talisman Grotto-Heaven and the Spirit Emperor Blessed Land, along with a familiar face from the Grand Hua Jade Heaven Sect, Wangyou True Person.
After all, word had it that both the Great Heng Emperor and the Great Heng Empress would attend this morning court after their long seclusion. Both were Great Cultivators whose strength exceeded the peak Ascension Realm, the true faces of the Great Heng Dynasty.
With powerhouses like these attending, sending juniors would hardly be appropriate.
"The time has nearly come. Why haven't His Majesty and Her Majesty arrived yet?"
"Indeed. Not just His Majesty and the Empress-the Eldest Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince, and the other princes and princesses are absent too. How strange."
"By the way, have you heard? Apparently, some powerful cultivator came to cause trouble in the Imperial City last night. Half the city collapsed."
"Did we need to hear about it? With all that commotion last night, who in Heaven-Reaching City could have missed it?"
The civil and military officials whispered among themselves.
Ever since Tan Yuming had taken charge of the court, he had arrived early for nearly every morning session. Why was he so late this time?
They also discussed the commotion in the Imperial City the night before.
"His Majesty arrives!"
"Her Majesty the Empress arrives!"
As the two announcements rang out, everyone in the Golden Throne Hall looked toward the entrance.
Four figures appeared.
The two in front wore imperial robes and crowns, while the two behind them were