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Chapter 578: The Divine Capital
A tense atmosphere loomed the Imperial city. The nine provinces had fallen under the Nether Sect’s control.
Many eunuchs and palace girls in the palace had fled. The internal attendant did not know where the Emperor’s confidence came from. However, when he recalled the two academies had been supplying the palace with leaf-sprouting pills for the past six months, a thought appeared in his mind. ‘Could it be that His Majesty has a game plan?’
The internal attendant dared not dally and left the room respectfully at once. He exited the Imperial city and made his way to the Big Dipper Academy. Then, he went to the Sky Conduct Academy to pass on Liu Gu’s decree.
The academies were located near the Imperial city, after all. How could they ignore a summon from the Emperor?


In the afternoon.
20 elders from the Big Dipper Academy and the Sky Conduct Academy, escorted by guards, entered the Imperial city. Then, a few eunuchs led them past several places to the Evergreen Palace.
One of the eunuchs said, “Everyone here is a core member of their respective academies. I’m sure His Majesty has something important to discuss with all of you. I humbly implore that you refrain from going against His Majesty’s wishes, dear elders. These are exceptional times and circumstances. That’s all I can say.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Chen.”
The 20 elders followed the eunuch into the Evergreen Palace. Ten elders of the Big Dipper Academy entered from the left while ten elders from the Sky Conduct Academy entered from the right. As soon as they entered the palace, they saw Liu Gu, the Emperor, seated on the throne as though he had been waiting for them.
The 20 Elders kneeled in unison.
“All hail Your Majesty!”
Perhaps, Liu Gu had been cultivating in seclusion for a long time, he was no longer as strict about etiquette. He rose to his feet and descended the stairs. “Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The 20 men rose their feet.
Liu Gu walked to the other end of the two rows of elders before he turned around and walked to the other end. He stared at them intently before he nodded and lightly asked, “Do you know why I summoned you here?”
The 20 elders shook their heads.
Liu Gu said in a clear voice, “Under the vast heavens, there isn’t a single cultivator who isn’t fearful of the Divine Capital. This is because the entire Divine Capital is under the protection of the Ten Terminal Formation. The rebellious armies of the Fiend Path are wreaking havoc across the lands. You shoulder the responsibility of activating and keeping the Ten Terminal Formation up and running. Without all of you, the Ten Terminal Formation is meaningless. I want to guarantee your safety.”
“Your Majesty
 This matter should be discussed in the Imperial court. There are many elites in the Divine Capital that’s defended by the Imperial guards. Under normal circumstances, there’s no need for the Ten Terminal Formation to be activated,” the first elder on the left said.
Liu Gu’s eyes fell on the elder immediately. “You think there’s no need to activate the Formation?”
“I merely believe in the Imperial guard’s abilities.”
“If the Imperial guards are useful, why is it that only two of the eight great generals are alive?” Liu Gu asked.
“Uh
”
Liu Gu spread his arms and said, “I’ve summoned you here
 not to ask for your advice.”
Swoosh!
The Magistrate Brush on the table shone with a red light and flew out, slashing the first elder’s neck. He did not stand a chance to fight back at all.
As the dead elder fell, the expressions of the other elders changed drastically. They shuddered inwardly as they looked at their fallen comrade.
“Anyone else has any questions?” Liu Gu’s gaze shifted back and forth between the remaining 19 elders.
The Evergreen Palace was as silent as a graveyard. The atmosphere was so heavy that it was difficult to breathe.
“You’re my officials, but you’re inclined toward the rebels?” Liu Gu said coldly.
This accusation was so severe that the others were frightened until they fell to their knees.
“We dare not!”
Liu Gu looked at the kneeling elders and took several steps forward. He said, “Just because there’s a Nine-leaf cultivator in the Evil Sky Pavilion?”
The others shivered. They dared not say anything.
Liu Gu flipped his palm. There was a resonance of some unique power. A miniature avatar appeared before him. Eight shining golden leaves could be seen spinning under the avatar.
The 19 elders’ eyes widened in shock and an expression of incredulity appeared on their faces when they saw Liu Gu’s avatar. The numbers of leaves were clear despite the glaring light.
The Emperor, the master of the Imperial City and the person with the highest authority in Great Yan, had successfully recultivated to the Eight-leaf stage after severing his lotus!
What an amazing speed!
Liu Gu pulled his palm back. His avatar vanished as well. He was pleased with the intimidating effect he had. He looked at the shaking elders who were too afraid to speak and said in a gruff voice, “Soon
 I’ll be at the Nine-leaf stage as well
”
The elders said in unison, “All hail Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!”
“All Hail Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!”
“All Hail Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!”
They chanted thrice.
Liu Gu chuckled, sounding slightly terrifying to the ears. It
 it seemed like his prolonged cultivation in seclusion had caused some changes in his personality as well.
“Men!”
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The Imperial guards gathered outside the Evergreen Palace.
Liu Gu ordered, “Take these elders away. Make sure they’re safe. They’re not allowed to leave.”
“Understood!”


Three days later.
The sun rose in the east. A thick mist hung over the river. When the sunlight pierced the mist, the human settlement seemed to be covered by gauze.
Outside the settlement, huge trees covered in snow extended for miles.
On a certain beaten path in the forest, rows of chariots traveled toward the Divine Capital.
Above the forest, a huge black flying chariot could be seen flying slowly. The deck of the flying chariot was full of cultivators. There were 1,000 thousand cultivators flanking the flying chariot as it advanced.
On the flying chariot, Yu Zhenghai was seated in front as he surveyed the land below.
As the sun higher, the mist receded.
Soon enough, the Divine Capital appeared before Yu Zhenghai’s eyes.
At this moment, Hua Chongyang reported the Nether Sect’s situation to Yu Zhenghai. “Sect master, there are 200,000 men at the western side of the Divine Capital. They’re led by the branch masters Ning Jinshui, Qian Hu, Meng Jueshan, and Gong Feng. On the southern side, there are also 200,000 men led by the branch masters Ran Zhe, Lu Yun, Tian Quan, and Feng Wenzhe. On the northern side, 15,000 men are led by the branch masters Shi Haicheng, Tang Jijun, Tao Ruo, and Ke Qinghao. On the eastern side, there are 15,000 men led by you and Mister Seventh.”
After listening to the report, Yu Zhenghai nodded. “Very well.”
“Sect master, we’re about to attack the Divine Capital. What should we do with the neutral cultivators?” Hua Chongyang asked.
There were many elite cultivators in the Divine Capital. There were crouching tigers and hidden dragons here. Talented cultivators from all over the land were gathered here. Nobody could say for sure how these neutral cultivators would choose
 Who knew if they would stab the Nether Sect in the back without warning, maintain their neutral position, or fight the Divine Capital with the Nether Sect?
Yu Zhenghai said, “Tell them that they are to run for their lives. They have two hours. Anyone who remains in the Divine Capital will be treated as an enemy. Everyone in the Imperial city will also be treated as our enemies.”
“Yes, sect master.”
Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!
The Nether Sect members advanced majestically.


The Divine Capital.
On the city walls.
The soldiers defending the Divine Capital saw the horde of Nether Sect members marching toward them so they immediately sounded the horns.
As the alarms blared, clouds of smoke that indicated the presence of hostile forces rose from the city walls as well.
The cultivators inside the tea shops, taverns, and brothels in the Divine Capital stopped what they were doing when they heard the sound of the horns that were laced with Primal Qi in the distance.
The sound of the horns rolled forth in soundwaves, alerting everyone in the Divine Capital of the Nether Sect’s impending arrival.
Chaos descended on the Divine Capital immediately.
Many elite cultivators disregarded the no-flying rule in the Divine Capital and flew on their swords to leave the city.


The Nether Sect’s flying chariot hovered outside the Divine Capital’s gates. It remained 1,000 meters in the air.
Everything was quiet at this moment. The area ten miles around the Divine Capital was shrouded in a rich killing intent.
The Nether Sect’s flag flapped in the air.
Two hours later.
1,000 meters away from the eastern gate of the Divine Capital, a Seven-leaf avatar appeared from the Nether Sect’s flying chariot. The avatar that had a Seven-leaf Golden Lotus under its feet was 90 feet tall

Boom!
Several palm seals struck the city wall.
This signaled the start of the battle of the Divine Capital.
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