When noon arrived the next day, everyone saw two figures flying towards the Jin family headquarters.
These two figures were the Zi Emperor and Ling Xiao.
Everyone’s hearts tightened, their gazes fixed on the pair.
The Jin family members were especially tense, desperate to know the Jin Emperor’s fate.
At this moment, Ling Xiao glanced at Jin Zhi, then swept his gaze over the crowd and said, “The Jin Emperor has been successfully killed by us.”
“What?” The Jin family members’ hearts trembled. Their Martial Emperor had fallen?
Wouldn’t that mean the Jin family would plummet from a Martial Emperor-level force?
Without the Jin Emperor, wouldn’t their vassal forces start to defect one by one?
Without the Jin Emperor, wouldn’t the forces the Jin family had once suppressed begin to rebel?
The Jin family members’ expressions froze, their hearts struggling to accept this. Originally, the Jin family was poised to produce two Martial Emperors, a time for grand ambitions.
Now, not only had they failed to produce a second Martial Emperor, but they had lost the one they had.
From this day forward, the Jin family would have no Martial Emperor to hold the fort…
Lin Xiao was also shocked. The Jin Emperor had truly been killed.
The fall of a Martial Emperor was a monumental event.
“Elder Jin Zhi, this is the Jin Emperor’s storage ring, its contents untouched,” Ling Xiao said, tossing a storage ring towards Jin Zhi.
“Old Patriarch, your vengeance is fully settled.”
Upon hearing of the Jin Emperor’s fall, Jin Zhi’s expression seemed to sink into a complex emotion. He reached out to catch the storage ring, almost as if by instinct.
“Swish!” At that moment, a towering aura erupted from Jin Zhi, a terrifying Martial Emperor’s pressure enveloping the heavens, awe-inspiring and soul-shaking. A fearsome wave surged from him, spreading across the sky.
Instantly, the heavens changed colour, and clouds churned.
Though Lin Xiao and Ling Hu were some distance away, they were pinned in place by the overwhelming pressure.
This was merely an unintentional aura, showing how terrifying the pressure was.
Moreover, the unintended waves were even more fearsome. Had the Zi Emperor and Ling Xiao not flashed forward to block them, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
“He broke through? The Grand Elder broke through to the Martial Emperor realm?”
In that instant, the Jin family members were dumbfounded, stunned by this sudden turn of events.
The Jin Emperor had fallen, and their family’s power was about to plummet. Yet, in the next moment, Jin Zhi broke through to become a Martial Emperor, restoring a Martial Emperor to their ranks.
The change had come too quickly.
The Zi family members were equally stunned, as were the Zi Emperor and Ling Xiao.
“Jin Zhi broke through to the Martial Emperor realm?” Seeing this, Lin Xiao was shocked.
Breaking through at such a moment was truly unexpected.
Yet, he couldn’t help but admire Jin Zhi.
In most families, the position of Grand Elder, second only to the patriarch, wielded immense power. Many were cunning and ambitious, coveting the patriarch’s seat.
But Jin Zhi was different. Beyond his shrewdness, he had a filial heart, willing to disrupt the Jin family’s Martial Emperor plan to avenge the old patriarch.
Yet, he remained loyal to the Jin family, acting in its interest. After sabotaging the family’s emperor-making plan, he felt guilt.
He also requested the Zi Emperor and Ling Xiao to protect the Jin family, willing to sacrifice himself.
After the Jin Emperor’s fall, his heart’s knot was fully untied. Simultaneously, his guilt for the Jin family’s lack of a Martial Emperor and his strong sense of responsibility pushed him to cross the Martial Emperor threshold, achieving the realm in an instant.
Lin Xiao could see Jin Zhi’s state of mind. Though it seemed like an instant breakthrough, it was likely the result of years of inner torment.
From yesterday to today, the shift from relief to complete release, coupled with acceptance of life, death, and complex guilt, was far from calm on the surface.
Thus, crossing the Martial Emperor threshold to become a true Martial Emperor was no accident.
“Congratulations, Brother Jin, for finally taking this step,” the Zi Emperor said joyfully.
“Congratulations, Elder Jin!” Ling Xiao offered sincere congratulations.
“Congratulations to the Grand Elder for breaking through to the Martial Emperor realm!” The Jin family members shouted in unison, their faces brimming with joy.
Jin Zhi nodded, clasping his hands towards the Zi Emperor and Ling Xiao: “Brother Zi, Ling Xiao, regarding today’s events, I assure you the Jin family will not seek revenge for the Jin Emperor. I hope the Jin family can maintain good relations with the Zi family and the Ling family.”
The Zi Emperor and Ling Xiao both nodded. At this moment, saying more would be inappropriate.
The Zi Emperor then looked towards the city wall, where a mass of white whiskers was, and said, “Little Mao, release the Jin family elders.”
“Ugh, what a pity. If I could devour these people, I could break through another realm,” a childish voice replied, laced with reluctance.
Then, the white whiskers retracted instantly, revealing the figures of dozens of Martial Sovereigns.
Soon after, a petite figure was the first to flash towards them.
Everyone found it hard to believe that the one who trapped dozens, even hundreds, of Jin family Martial Sovereigns was such a small girl.
Of course, they knew this wasn’t a real human but a spirit beast in human form.
“Brother Jin, the Jin family likely needs your reorganisation. We won’t disturb you further. Let’s discuss other matters another day,” the Zi Emperor said calmly to Jin Zhi, then led the Zi family members onto the Sky-Controlling Boat.
At this moment, Lin Xiao, Ling Hu, Little Mao, Mei Tianmo, and Ling Xiao hadn’t boarded the Sky-Controlling Boat, making the scene slightly awkward.
“Brother Ling, the Martial Emperor realm may be unfamiliar in some aspects. Why not return to the Zi family with us to discuss it in detail?” the Zi Emperor said to Ling Xiao.
From the Zi Emperor’s address, it was clear he no longer saw Ling Xiao as a junior.
Strength reigned supreme, and at the Martial Emperor realm, they were equals.
“Alright!” Ling Xiao nodded. Having just entered the Martial Emperor realm, he was indeed unfamiliar with many aspects, and discussing with the Zi Emperor would be beneficial.
Seeing Ling Xiao agree, Lin Xiao, Ling Hu, and the others boarded the Sky-Controlling Boat.
The Sky-Controlling Boat could hold up to ten people. With two boats originally at full capacity, adding Ling Xiao left one spot short, creating some awkwardness.
The Zi Emperor had planned to fly back to the Zi family with Ling Xiao, but to avoid this, Lin Xiao had Little Mao transform into a furball and stored it in a storage ring, freeing up a spot. Then, the group boarded the Sky-Controlling Boat and sped towards the Zi family headquarters.
