When he reappeared, he had already arrived at the Imperial Tombs.
The largest tomb among them wasnât for an emperor, but for a princess.
This princessâs tomb had become the ancestral tomb that every former emperor had to worship.
This was because, back then, when the prince from a small foreign nation married into the Tang Dynasty, it was naturally impossible for him to worship someone from another country.
Even if that person had founded the Baoguang Temple.
Li Miao walked along the path of the Imperial Tombs, heading towards the deepest part, where a towering ancient palace stood.
At this moment, a figure in black appeared in front of the ancient palace. Judging by the posture, it was a woman, seemingly young, yet with a commanding presence.
âLi Miao, what are you doing here?â
Few would dare to speak to the recently abdicated emperor in such a tone.
Li Miao didnât get angry. Instead, he calmly replied, âEven though I am no longer the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, the princessâs tomb is still the ancestral tomb of my Li family. I am here to pay my respects. Do I need to report to you?â
Seeing the other person momentarily speechless, he no longer paid her any attention and walked straight into the hall.
The hall was simply furnished, with statues and altars.
He first lit three incense sticks, respectfully bowed several times, and then turned to head to the rear hall.
It was dark and damp here, with occasional water droplets falling, creating a pleasant sound.
âGuardian of the Tomb, may I have the honor of meeting you?â Li Miao called out.
But there was no response.
The woman from outside the hall followed him in and said, âLi Miao, my master has gone to Mangshan Country. She said that if you want to take Sister Yi away, youâll have to get through me first!â
âHeheâŠâ Li Miao let out a strange laugh and slowly turned his head.
At this moment, his face had changed to a new oneâa withered face with black blood flowing across it. Countless venomous insects crawled upon it. His face had no features, only wriggling insects.
The woman, who had been so confident with her sword moments before, turned pale with fright. Before she could react, she realized that Li Miaoâs body had suddenly disintegrated into countless blood-red insects, like a blood mist, instantly engulfing her flesh.
âŠ
In just one day, changes unfolded in various places, one after another.
Especially in Taiâan City, the situation had become incredibly complex.
But for Wei Jiuxian, everything was calm.
He finally had a moment to sweep the snow from his front door.
âPass down the order: leave thirty thousand Imperial Guards to defend the imperial city. Six captains will be assigned to ensure the safety of the city walls and the interior. The rest will assemble outside the city!â
âInform Desire King that the new emperorâs enthronement cannot be delayed!â
âOrder Chang Feng to lead the vanguard troops to Mangshan Country to rendezvous with Number Ten. Someone there will tell him what to do!â
Standing at the threshold, Wei Jiuxian issued command after command. The dark figures behind him gradually disappeared.
Until only he remained.
By then, the sky had darkened.
Yet, in his eyes, there was light.
âFor the sake of the EmperorâŠâ
âFor the Tang Dynasty, for the countless citizens, this world needs to be cleaned up!â
Buzz!
At that moment, Wei Jiuxian appeared like a heavenly deity descending to earth, radiating light. With a single move, he pushed back the darkness and strode towards Mangshan Country, bathed in brilliance.
As for Taiâan City, if they lost this battle, there would be no need for its continued existence. But if they won, it would shine even brighter.
At the same time, in Baoguang Temple, the three Buddha statues erupted with a burst of light.
Master Mingjue, who had been silently reciting Buddhist scriptures, suddenly opened his eyes.
âTheyâre here!â
He quickly stood up and walked straight towards the rear hall. Bowing respectfully to two of the statues within, he said, âDisciple Mingjue greets the Arhats Eradication and Annihilation!â
âMingjue, why are you the only one here to greet us? Where are the others?â The two Arhats glared angrily, their expressions fierce and menacing.
This was in line with the Arhat status they had attained.
With hands clasped together, Mingjue explained, âAll the warrior monks of Baoguang Temple have been borrowed by Wei Jiuxian. He is a key figure in this Tribulation, and the True Immortal has instructed that, aside from Patriarch Fanxin, everyone is to obey Wei Jiuxianâs commands!â
âHumph, the so-called True Immortal? Heâs just someone who failed in his ascension. How dare he challenge Patriarch Fanxin?â
The two Arhats were full of disdain.
âYou two donât seem to respect my senior brother much!â
At that moment, another figure spoke. She had thick, green hair, and within her eyes lay a deep, indescribable killing intent.
In her presence, the two battle-hardened Arhats lost their luster.
Even Mingjue felt a deep unease. Compared to facing the two Arhats, he was more afraid of the green-haired woman before him.
She was the true master of slaughter.
âImmortal Fu Qingjian!â
In ancient times, she was a peerless sword immortal, renowned for her incredible might. She had slain over ten thousand gods in her time.
She hailed from the Upper Realm.
A supreme power from an ancient domain in the Upper Realm, she descended to this world because of the Divine Eye secret technique.
But once she descended to a lower world like this, her strength would be suppressed, and she would be bound by the laws of the heavens. Ascension would be nearly impossible unless a great opportunity presented itself.
Clearly, this sword immortal from the Upper Realm had missed the grand opportunity of ancient times, which was why she remained in the Red-Eyed World.
In this era of dwindling power, she chose to enter a deep slumber, only to be awakened by Patriarch Fanxin from the Northern Glacier and brought back to the Great Tang.
Her presence silenced the two battle-hardened Arhats.
Patriarch Fanxin was their masterâs master, yet the ruthless woman before them was even more powerful than their master.
Seeing the two Arhats fall silent, Fu Qing continued, âIt wasnât my senior brother who awakened me; it must have been Fanxin. Where is he?â
âMaster left Baoguang Temple in a hurry after meeting with two cultivators from the Jiang Kingdom. He mentioned that something significant would happen in Mangshan County soon and instructed me to assist Wei Jiuxian, along with the two Arhats, the True Immortal, and you, Immortal Fu Qingjian!â
Fu Qingjian frowned slightly. Her power was already limited, and every bit she used would deplete her reserves. She wouldnât have chosen to awaken unless it was absolutely necessary.
Now that Fanxin wasnât even here, and she had been summoned by a junior, she felt a surge of irritation.
She asked, âWhere is Senior Brother Xinghai?â
âTrue Immortal Xinghai went to Mangshan County!â Mingjue answered truthfully.
Throughout the conversation, Mangshan County kept coming up.
Clearly, all the answers lay there!
Ignoring the others, Fu Qingjian clenched her hand, and her ethereal form solidified. She now wore the same white and green robe as her spiritual form, with a divine sword strapped to her back. Her aura was even more menacing than before.
Without wasting any words, she broke through the void, flying into the sky, identified her direction, and headed straight for Mangshan County.
The three remaining individuals looked at each other. Eradication Arhat was about to say something to regain some dignity when he sensed a disturbance coming from the Northern Glacier.
âThat far away, and I can still sense it?â Eradication Arhat muttered. âAre those demon cultists doingâŠâ
Before he could finish, he remembered that Patriarch Fanxin seemed to be at the Northern Glacier too, and his expression immediately became serious.
âMingjue, you are responsible for guarding Baoguang Temple. Annihilation and I will head to Mangshan County!â With that, he solidified his form and broke through the void, leaving swiftly.