The Crown Prince once again crushed several treasured teacups, while Emperor Xia "accidentally" smashed a precious jade ruyi scepter.
Especially for Emperor Xia, he now deeply regretted his actions.
Before, it would have been possible to suppress Xia Yunqiu by endangering the dynasty’s fate.
But now, favored by humanity’s fate and ascending fortunes, Emperor Xia knew that any forced suppression would come at a great cost and might even trigger a karmic backlash, inciting a dispute over the imperial throne.
In such circumstances, Emperor Xia could only hope to resolve this disaster through indirect means.
Shen Yuan’s eyes shimmered with starlight, seeming to encompass the entire Imperial Capital at a glance.
Inside the Imperial Capital, currents flowed secretly between Great Xia’s Imperial Court and the noble families.
Outside the Imperial Capital, the majority of the 36 Little Grotto Heavens and 72 Blessed Lands had already aligned themselves, with only a few grotto heavens and sacred grounds, like the Lang Huan Blessed Land, not showing up due to collapse, lack of foundation, or other reasons.
Even of the 10 Great Grotto Heavens Sacred Lands, five had already stationed themselves outside the city of the Imperial Capital.
At this moment, Shen Yuan could clearly sense that the situation in the Imperial Capital was in a delicate balance, ready to be disrupted at the slightest misstep.
"The opportunity is nearly upon us,"
Shen Yuan murmured softly to himself.
Just then, a figure entered the Lang Huan Garden; it was Xue Mingzhi.
"Master, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s Superintendent has come again."
After a slight pause, Xue Mingzhi added,
"The superintendent holds an extraordinary position within Great Xia’s Imperial Court and is even connected to several unique blessed lands. Perhaps Master could consider meeting him?"
Shen Yuan glanced at Xue Mingzhi with a trace of curiosity,
"When did you also start playing the role of a negotiator?"
Xue Mingzhi showed an embarrassed expression:
"I just think the superintendent is sincere and may have some important matters to discuss with Master.
Plus, I have collected quite a bit of information about the superintendent these days, confirming from various sources that he indeed is a person worthy of respect..."
"It is precisely because he is a respected individual that I do not wish to engage with him."
Shen Yuan casually took a seat at a stone table in the courtyard.
Thanks to Xue Mingzhi’s deliberate arrangements, the layout of Lang Huan Garden matched the Courtyard Secret Realm quite well, which pleased Shen Yuan.
Observing the puzzled Xue Mingzhi, Shen Yuan shook his head and said,
"If a virtuous and highly esteemed cultivator, who relieves suffering and aids the distressed, were to ask for your help, would you agree to his request?"
"Yes."
"But what if that cultivator’s request conflicts with your own goals, what choice would you make then?"
Xue Mingzhi hesitated.
After a moment of pondering, he replied earnestly:
"No!"
"I would not waver in my own objectives because of others, not even for a respected true cultivator."
The moment the words left his mouth, Xue Mingzhi immediately understood that Shen Yuan’s remarks referred to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s Superintendent.
"If a rejection is inevitable, then why meet at all?"
Shen Yuan’s eyes were deep.
He had never met the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s Superintendent; their only encounter, laced with coincidences, occurred during the incident at Lake Dongting where the superintendent tried to trace Shen Yuan’s whereabouts. By accident, he triggered the Heavenly General Great Divine Power, and Shen Yuan caught a glimpse of him from across the boundaries of reality.
Although the superintendent had suffered a significant loss from that encounter, tracing the Heavenly General Divine Power had showcased his extraordinary abilities.
Were it not for the uncompromising matter of the will of heaven and earth’s guidance, Shen Yuan would have been interested in discussing the Tao with the superintendent.
"It’s just a pity..."
A deep sigh echoed from his mouth.
The next moment, Shen Yuan’s gaze sharply focused, his eyes dazzling like stars as if gazing across thousands of miles toward the vast land outside the Imperial Capital.
It wasn’t just Shen Yuan; at that moment, all the high-ranking officials and powerful Spirit Transmutation experts within and outside the Imperial Capital turned their gaze toward the territory outside Jing Province.
As an ancient city gate was slowly opened, a sky full of dark clouds began to invade the heavens above Jing Province.
Within the chilling grey mist created by water monsters, terrifying figures crossed the city gate, stepping onto the land of Jing Province.
Those were the Spirits in the phase of Spirit Transmutation, their aura fluctuating wildly, and on a rough glance, there appeared to be upwards of a hundred.
Clad in dark Hell’s armor and wielding weapons, a Spirit Transmutation Peak Ghost General opened the path ahead; in the center, two prison beasts pulled along one white and one red chariot, their wheels roaring with thunderous sounds.
Beside the chariots, Ghost Objects held aloft massive banners, which bore the inscriptions ’Ancestor Spirit Seven Prohibitions Heaven Palace’ and ’Gansi Lianwanlu Heaven Palace’!
"The dark Netherworld, Mount Luofeng 6 Hell Deities!"
Outside the Imperial Capital, the powerful experts from various grotto heavens sacred ground caught sight of the procession of demons and water monsters upon the Earth, and immediately inhaled a cold breath.
The gods of the Mount Luofeng 6 Hell Deities had started to spread their influence in the world following the Netherworld’s chaos, but this was the first time the symbolic figures representing Netherworld’s authority were witnessed on a parade.
Before the chaos in the Netherworld, this was the equivalent of two Netherworld Commanders arriving in the Imperial Capital.
"So the gods of the Mount Luofeng 6 Hell Deities have truly come, could what Emperor Xia said about the alliance be true?"
"True or not, what difference would it make? Before the Netherworld’s troubles, we of the Blessed Lands might have had to fear them, but during the chaos, the 10 Netherworld Commanders fell by nearly half. How could they compete with our grotto heavens sacred ground?"
"With just the followers of ’Ancestor Spirit Seven Prohibitions Heaven Palace’ and ’Gansi Lianwanlu Heaven Palace,’ there are nearly a hundred Spirit Transmutation powerful experts.
It’s hard to imagine how terrifying the Netherworld would be at its peak."
"With two gods of the Mount Luofeng 6 Hell Deities arriving, we must change our strategy."
"Why not go together to the grotto heavens sacred ground’s camp and discuss in detail with the representatives from the Grotto Heavens Sacred Land?"
Unlike the turmoil outside the Imperial Capital, Emperor Xia’s elderly face within the court could not conceal his smile.
"My loyal ministers have returned. Arrange for someone to go and welcome them!"
Down below in the great hall, someone immediately coughed dryly and replied:
"Your Majesty, those two are no longer the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s Envoys but gods of the Mount Luofeng 6 Hell Deities from ’Ancestor Spirit Seven Prohibitions Heaven Palace’ and ’Gansi Lianwanlu Heaven Palace.’
If we confuse their position, it might well provoke the dissatisfaction of the Netherworld."
Emperor Xia’s expression turned serious, and he nodded in agreement, "That is certainly true, certainly true.
However, given the identity of the two gods of Mount Luofeng’s 6 Hell Deities, let the superintendent go in my stead to welcome them."
"To report to Your Majesty, the superintendent has gone to visit the Supreme Taoist again and will find it difficult to leave for a while."
At this news, Emperor Xia’s expression tightened.
The superintendent’s frequent visits to the Supreme Taoist in the Imperial Capital was not a secret, and Emperor Xia was fully aware.
Emperor Xia felt considerable discontent with such actions of the superintendent, whom he considered a close confidant, but the superintendent’s loyalty and status still earned him considerable tolerance.
Yet on such an important day, the absence of the superintendent from his post stoked the flames of Emperor Xia’s anger.
His gaze fell upon one of the court ministers below, and Emperor Xia said in a cold voice:
"Since that is the case, let Minister of Ceremonies Xu act on my behalf and leave the Imperial Capital to welcome the two deities of Mount Luofeng 6 Hell Deities."
Xu YanKuan stepped forward, "Your servant obeys!"
In the midst of the army shrouded by water monsters, the White Tiger, sitting within the chariot, looked around, unimpeded on the territory of Jing Province.
Behind him, the Marquis Champion who commanded the 36 fortresses in Jing Province led three thousand riders escorting the Netherworld’s supernatural beings.
All the way, officials lined the path to greet them, with a respectful and humble demeanor free of any faults.
Feeling the treatment received after entering Jing Province, the White Tiger couldn’t help but speak aloud to the Vermilion Bird in another chariot:
"The former Envoys of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau were typically of low position but with heavy responsibilities, tasked with thankless jobs like confiscating properties and overseeing officials. Never did they receive such treatment.
With the current attitude of Great Xia’s Imperial Court, it feels somewhat like returning home in glory."
Vermilion Bird’s icy voice came from inside the chariot.
"You are no longer the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s Envoy. Your every word and action now represent the dignity of the Netherworld."
The White Tiger, unconcerned, laughed and said, "I am well aware of the distinction, no need for your reminder."
While speaking, the White Tiger took out a sealed letter from his bosom, glanced at its contents and his smile grew even more pronounced.
"I hear that there’s an Enlightenment Pavilion in the Imperial Capital, which seems to have records of our Netherworld’s Soul-Luring Life-Snatching Divine Power. As deities of Mount Luofeng, it’s our duty to inspect it."
After a long pause, a cold reply finally came from the other chariot.
"Agreed!"

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