Han Zongwang waved a hand. "I am unharmed, and I was not deliberately misleading the court. These past few days, my spirit wandered beyond the heavens as I pondered certain questions. I have made you all worry."
Seeing their puzzled looks, Han Zongwang stroked his beard. "There are rumors that those who break through to the Great Grandmaster realm will no longer be tolerated by the Heavenly Dao and must suffer divine retribution. Great Grandmasters cannot become too involved in worldly conflicts, or the Heavenly Dao will visit punishment upon them...
"They say the renowned general Xu Chilong swept across the six directions and annihilated nation after nation, shedding so much blood that the Heavenly Dao punished him. In the end, he vanished without a trace..."
Outside the hall, the rain grew heavier. Water poured from the eaves, and wind carrying the earthy scent of soil blew inside. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
"Then... does that mean Commander Zong is constrained by the Heavenly Dao?"
Zhu Shifu frowned in thought, then suddenly his brow cleared and he exclaimed delightedly, "Could it be... Commander Zong, have you now surpassed the Great Grandmaster realm?"
"The Heavenly Dao..."
Han Zongwang gave a cold laugh and said contemptuously, "Nothing but a means of keeping the masses ignorant!"
"Father, that pot of wine you just drank... do you feel unwell anywhere?"
Han Zhan asked urgently, concern written all over his face.
"They thought a mere pot of poisoned wine could take my life? The court... has underestimated me!"
As he spoke, Han Zongwang opened his mouth. A crystalline stream of liquid shot out, becoming an arrow of water that struck the ground outside the hall. Amid the torrential rain, white vapor billowed and the ground hissed. Even the paving stones were corroded into honeycombs.
Everyone shuddered