In the Divine Domain, the capital of the Great Qin Empire.
On this day, within the Great Qin imperial palace, the bronze bell suspended atop the Ascending Heaven Tower suddenly tolled nine times without warning. This immediately shocked all the civil and military officials in the imperial capital.
The reason was that, since the founding of the nation, the bell had only rung twice.
Once, when Great Qin was established, it tolled nine times.
The other time was when the Prince of Zhenbei rebelled, leading a million troops south to besiege the Great Qin capital for over a month. That was the most perilous moment since the founding of Great Qin, and the bronze bell on the Ascending Heaven Tower rang six times.
Later, the assembled ministers learned that the great bronze bell was called “Heavenly Decree”. It had been left behind by the Human Emperor from the ancient era upon his ascension, and it could detect certain changes in the heavenly rules.
When the Heavenly Decree tolled of its own accord, it signified some great variable in the world, serving as a warning to the Qin imperial family.
This time, with the Human Emperor Bell tolling nine times once more, the sound spread throughout the entire Qin capital, truly frightening some of the Qin ministers.
Almost immediately, these ministers left their residences and hurried to the palace to ascertain the situation. However, as soon as they entered the outer city of the palace, they were stopped by a large group of imperial guards.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Get out of the way at once! We demand an audience with His Majesty!”
Blocked outside the inner city, several high-ranking powerful ministers grew displeased and immediately ordered the guards to stand aside.
“My lords, apologies. By order of His Highness, from this moment onward, the Great Qin imperial palace permits exit only, no entry. Therefore, I must ask the lords to return.”
Leading the imperial guards was a tall man clad in bronze armour, wearing a dog-headed mask, with a sword at his waist. At this moment, his sharp eyes gazed through the eye slits of the mask at the ministers, utterly unmoved.
“Xu Dog, His Highness has yet to ascend that throne. By what right does he bar us from entering the palace?”
“This old man is a founding veteran, former tutor to the Emperor, and holds the position of Junior Treasurer. Moreover, I possess the Dragon Grace Token bestowed by His Majesty in years past, allowing free entry and exit from the palace at any time. Even Emperor Qin dares to block me?”
From among the ministers, a white-haired elder stepped forward, gazing indifferently at Xu Dog. With a raise of his hand, a golden dragon token immediately appeared in his palm.
“With the Dragon Grace Token here, let us see who still dares to stop me!”
The elder snorted coldly, yet he found that the imperial guards ahead remained completely unmoved.
“Lord Junior Treasurer, you are mistaken. The one blocking you is not His Highness, but I.”
Xu Dog spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before settling on the elder’s face. He said evenly, “His Highness has stated that an extraordinary event is occurring within the palace at present. Therefore, without his permission, no one may enter. This naturally includes the temporary suspension of privileges granted by the Dragon Grace Token.”
“You…!”
The Junior Treasurer trembled with rage, pointing at Xu Dog as he fumed, “Outrageous! Utterly outrageous!”
“His Majesty is still alive. Since when does Emperor Qin give orders?”
“Is this rebellion?”
Xu Dog’s eyes narrowed slightly beneath the mask as he replied coldly, “Lord Junior Treasurer, mind your words!”
“Even as Junior Treasurer, you cannot falsely accuse His Highness without evidence!”
With that, Xu Dog turned to the assembled ministers and said gravely, “I understand everyone’s current feelings, and I can sympathise. However, what I wish to say is that this is not only His Highness’s command, but also His Majesty’s command!”
“Imperial guards, hear my order!”
“Present!”
As Xu Dog’s voice rang out, over a thousand guards clad in black armour and wearing masks responded in unison.
“Should anyone else cause unreasonable disturbance, take them down immediately!”
“Yes!”
Faced with the menacing imperial guards, the ministers exchanged glances, while the Junior Treasurer dared not say more for the moment, though his expression remained exceedingly grim.
“Hah! I would like to see who dares to stop me!”
At that instant, an indifferent voice sounded. Immediately after, a young man in a golden dragon robe, escorted by two cultivators, passed through the crowd and arrived before Xu Dog.
“It is Lord Chang’an!”
“Lord Chang’an has arrived!”
Upon seeing the newcomer, the ministers all reacted with alarm and fear, while the Junior Treasurer bowed respectfully to him.
Lord Chang’an, Emperor Ji!
Seeing the arrival, Xu Dog cupped his hands slightly. “Commander of the Imperial Guards, Xu Dog, pays respects to Lord Chang’an!”
“The Heavenly Decree has tolled nine times. It portends either great fortune or great calamity. Therefore, this lord must enter the palace for an audience with His Majesty to determine what has occurred!”
Emperor Ji spoke calmly, his gaze fixed directly on Xu Dog as a faint pressure emanated from him.
Mid-stage Core Formation!
Sensing Emperor Ji’s cultivation level, the ministers were all inwardly shocked, never having expected that Lord Chang’an’s cultivation had advanced once again.
“Lord Chang’an, by His Majesty’s decree, from this moment onward, no one may enter the inner city of the imperial palace. I must therefore ask for your understanding.”
Xu Dog showed no intention of yielding, meeting Emperor Ji’s gaze steadily, neither servile nor overbearing.
Emperor Ji, however, did not grow angry. He merely said calmly, “Since it is His Majesty’s decree, then why is Emperor Qin permitted entry?”
“His Highness, as the current Crown Prince, is naturally permitted!” Xu Dog replied.
“Hah! The current Crown Prince?”
“We are both sons of His Majesty. If Emperor Qin may enter, then naturally I, Emperor Ji, may enter as well!”
As Emperor Ji’s words fell, a powerful aura burst from him, attempting to force Xu Dog back.
Yet Xu Dog did not budge an inch. He likewise released a powerful Core Formation-stage aura that clashed with Emperor Ji’s.
“Lord Chang’an, do not make this difficult for me!” Xu Dog said evenly.
“What are you? How dare you block this lord’s path?”
Emperor Ji snorted coldly, then declared gravely, “The Heavenly Decree tolling nine times foretells a great calamity. Emperor Qin’s order for you to surround the palace raises suspicions of usurpation. Today, even at the risk of execution, this lord will enter the palace to ensure His Majesty’s safety!”
“Anyone who blocks me shall be guilty of treason and executed without exception!”
“Stand aside!”
As Emperor Ji’s words concluded, the two escorts at his side struck instantly, attacking Xu Dog.
“I said, no one may enter!”
Xu Dog roared in fury, immediately extending both hands to meet the palms of the two escorts.
After the exchange, Xu Dog was forced back several steps. Just as the two escorts prepared to press their advantage, the surrounding thousand-plus imperial guards acted in unison, striking towards the pair.
While fierce battle raged in the outer city of the Great Qin imperial palace, the inner city remained eerily silent.
Within a secluded deep palace hall, Emperor Qin sat beside a bed, gazing at the Great Qin Emperor who had just fallen asleep. He then turned to the black-robed elder at his side and asked, “Sir, how is my imperial father?”
“His Majesty has merely suffered a recurrence of old wounds. For now, there is no great danger. However…”
The black-robed elder hesitated.
“However what?”
“His Majesty’s injuries strike directly at the root of his life source, damaging his foundation. I fear that even if he endures this crisis, his days are numbered. This old minister suggests employing supreme spirit marrow to seal and stabilise His Majesty’s dragon body. This might delay the spread of the source injury, allowing time to seek a solution in future for proper treatment.”
“That is the only option…”
Emperor Qin sighed, a trace of hidden worry in his eyes. He then asked, “What exactly does the nine tolls of the Heavenly Decree signify?”
“This old minister has already divined it. This instance of the Heavenly Decree tolling nine times arises from the manifestation of heavenly rules.”
“From the deduction, purple qi surges vast in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and literary qi soars to the heavens. It should mean that a figure with the potential of a sage has emerged among the demon race in response to the times!”
…
Beyond the Great Qin capital, a dust-covered youth drove an ox cart slowly along the official road.
He looked up at the enormous plaque above the city gate bearing several large characters, a glimmer of hope appearing in his eyes.
“Heavenly rules have manifested anomalies. From this point, the fortunes of the world have shifted once more. The rise of the demon race is now inevitable, while the fortunes of the human race converge entirely upon the character ‘Qin’!
Perhaps this is also my opportunity, Du Fanchen!”
“Master, if you have knowledge in the underworld, I hope you can aid me in encountering the sage lord!
This unworthy disciple lacks ability. In future, I can only bathe the entire demon race in blood to avenge you!”
…
In the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
Deep within the Fire Phoenix Palace.
The red-clothed woman who had been in deep slumber suddenly opened her eyes and murmured, “Heavenly rules manifesting… and surprisingly at Black Wind Mountain? Interesting!”
Immediately after, a wisp of red light overflowed from between her brows, and she soon vanished into the secret realm.
Not long afterwards, an old crone leaning on a staff arrived hurriedly, bowing respectfully to the red-clothed woman.
“Little Sparrow, that adopted grandson of yours is likely in trouble. Go on my behalf as a saint king, and consider it repaying the favour he once did.”
Having spoken, the red-clothed woman waved her hand, and a fiery red long sword immediately flew before Granny Sparrow.
“Take this sword with you!”
This is…
An immortal sword!
Granny Sparrow’s eyes widened in shock!
