https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-437-The-Finger-that-Annihilates-the-Celestial-Beast/13027801/
Chapter 436: I Am the Heavenly Mandate
Chapter 436: I Am the Heavenly Mandate
"How could this be?"
Prince Ji Xuan Chu stood in a secluded courtyard, listening to his subordinate's report, his expression filled with astonishment.
Although the actions of Prince Xuan Fei of Han and Prince Xuan Zhen of Liang were meticulous, he was aware of some clues. However, the outcome was completely different from any of his predictions. With his estimation, the combined forces of the two princes were not to be underestimated. Even if Chen Mu managed to escape, it would still result in chaos.
By then, when the methods of Chen Mu, Prince Xuan Fei, and Prince Xuan Zhen were exposed, the other six princes could also intervene without haste. He could then sit back and watch the tigers fight, benefiting from the chaos.
After all, if there was one person among the eight princes who remained the most composed about Chen Mu's rise, it was him. His mother's clan and the Qin family of Yuzhou were once related, and Qin Meng Jun, a member of the Qin family, was Chen Mu's master. Although this connection was somewhat distant, there were still some intricate ties.
His only concern was whether Chen Mu, upon achieving supremacy and unmatched martial prowess, would have the ambition to usurp the throne and reshape the world. If that were the case, it would not bode well for him. After all, his status was already highly revered, and even if Chen Mu established a new dynasty, the best he could hope for was to be granted the title of a non-royal king. His status would never surpass what it was currently.
Therefore, he was also considering the pros and cons and had not taken any early action.
Moreover, although Chen Mu had previously possessed formidable strength, rivaling that of the Blood Replacement Realm, he was still stuck at the threshold of that realm. No one knew how many years it would take for him to successfully undergo the blood replacement process. Even if he truly entered the Blood Replacement Realm, there was still the Heavenly Human Realm above it.
No one knew how many years it would take Chen Mu to surpass these two realms. If several decades passed in the blink of an eye, the struggle for the throne would have long been decided. As the most senior among the eight princes, even if he had not reached the end of his lifespan by then, he would be approaching his twilight years. Thus, he had not considered such distant matters.
Who would have thought that Chen Mu's martial arts cultivation would advance so astonishingly, leaping across two realms and being able to challenge the Heavenly Human Realm with his Marrow Washing Realm cultivation!
"How did he achieve this?"
Prince Xuan Chu muttered to himself, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
As the first among the eight princes, he had cultivated both Yin and Yang to perfection and had been immersed in the Marrow Washing Realm for decades, ranking first on the Heavenly Master List for many years. Even when facing ordinary Blood Replacement Realm cultivators, he was confident in holding his own for a few moves, but that was his limit.
Even if he used some of his most powerful techniques and secret imperial treasures, he could only retreat when facing a Blood Replacement Realm expert. It was absolutely impossible for him to defeat one with his own strength, let alone rival a Heavenly Human Realm cultivator!
Compared to Chen Mu, where did he fall short?
How could there be such a vast difference in the same cultivation realm?
...
Han Wangfu.
In a secluded mansion, within a sturdy and thick purplewood-built pavilion, Prince Xuan Fei of Han sat on a yellow rattan chair, holding a green jade teacup. At this moment, his grip on the teacup was so tight that it shattered in his hand, causing tea and shards to splatter everywhere.
"How could this be?!"
The shattered green jade teacup in Prince Xuan Fei's hand was ground into powder in his palm, and his forehead was covered in bulging veins as he struggled to control his agitated emotions.
Chen Mu!
This person, who had suddenly emerged from some obscure corner, was previously not even worth his attention. Yet, in a short time, he had become so prominent that even after following the suggestion of his advisor and joining forces with Prince Xuan Zhen of Liang to take him down, they had failed. Seven Blood Replacement Realm cultivators had joined forces to ambush him, yet they couldn't defeat a Marrow Washing Realm cultivator!
Useless!
If he had known this would happen, he might not have listened to the Mystic Pavilion Master's instigation and hastily joined forces with Prince Xuan Zhen. It would have been better to play it safe and recruit a few more princes to ensure a foolproof plan.
Furthermore, there was no direct grudge between him and Chen Mu in the past. The conflict stemmed from the Mystic Pavilion, and he still had room to maneuver in that situation. However, now that he had taken this step, there was no turning back. The Mystic Pavilion Master had assured him that even if Chen Mu had incredible abilities, he would not be able to escape this ambush. After all, they were dealing with a dead man, and there was no need for excessive caution.
Who would have thought it would turn out like this!
Now, once Chen Mu cultivates to the Blood Replacement Realm and possesses unparalleled martial prowess, he will have the ability to influence the court and even reshape the dynamics among the eight princes, making it difficult for Prince Xuan Fei and Prince Xuan Zhen to oppose him.
Even during the court's heyday, the top-tier Heaven and Earth Masters were still treated with respect, not out of fear, but because their power could wreak havoc and be difficult to control if they turned rebellious.
Given Chen Mu's current abilities, once he enters the Blood Replacement Realm, his strength will undoubtedly rival the top-tier Heaven and Earth Masters. In the future, he might even comprehend Heaven-Human Unity and cultivate his martial arts to a level never seen before.
"No."
"We can't just sit and wait for death..."
A sharp glint flashed through the Han King's eyes.
Although Chen Mu has cultivated his Heaven-Earth Body to an unbelievable level, he has yet to pass the Blood Replacement barrier. Even with his extraordinary abilities, he will still show a weakness when he attempts to break through to the Blood Replacement Realm. If they can strike at that critical moment, they won't even need a Heaven and Earth Master; an ordinary Blood Replacement Realm cultivator could severely injure or even permanently hinder Chen Mu's path!
However, Chen Mu is surely aware of this, and when he attempts to break through, he will undoubtedly choose the safest location. Finding him in the vast Outer Sea won't be easy, but they can't just sit idly by.
The Mystic Pavilion has caused this disaster, and it's up to them to resolve it.
Additionally, the Liang King is not the only one in a hurry. The other Eight Princes are likely just as anxious, if not more so. Chen Mu's final barrier won't be easy to overcome!
...
Just as the Han King had predicted, when the other Eight Princes received the news from the Outer Sea, their reactions varied. Among them, not only Liang King Ji Xuan Zhen was anxious, but others were also showing signs of impatience. Before this, some of them had adopted a wait-and-see attitude because even though Chen Mu was powerful, he was still far from being a threat in the Marrow Washing Realm. But now, they couldn't sit still any longer.
Around the same time that the Eight Princes were reacting to the news, deep within the Imperial Court, in the restricted area of the palace.
"Your Majesty."
Wei He, the Chief Supervisor of the Imperial Household, quietly appeared in a quiet room, addressing the figure sitting cross-legged and draped in a dragon robe with a soft voice.
Dead silence.
The figure remained seated in the center of the room, almost imperceptible. He seemed like a living corpse.
As Wei He's brows furrowed and his eyes showed concern, he waited for a response. After a while, he prepared to quietly withdraw when the figure, who had been sitting motionless for what seemed like a decade, suddenly moved slightly.
Even though the movement was subtle, the slight tremor of the dragon robe was noticeable to Wei He, causing him to pause. On his face, which was wrinkled like a dried date, a look of surprise appeared.
"Your Majesty?"
"What's the matter?"
The figure in the dragon robe remained seated, but a voice filled with the weight of time and authority echoed through the room.
Wei He took a deep breath but didn't respond immediately. Instead, he bowed and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, the flowers in the Imperial Garden have bloomed."
"Then let's pick them all."
The figure in the dragon robe replied calmly.
Hearing Emperor Xuan's response, Wei He finally relaxed a little, his tense body loosening slightly.
It was at this moment.
In the 16th year of the reign of Emperor Xuan, the 9th month, a mistake was made in the printing of a book.
The figure in the dragon robe slowly stood up and turned around to face Wei He. His youthful face showed no signs of the 'dusk of life' that Emperor Xuan was known for.
As he stood, his body was filled with vibrant energy, strong and robust, unlike that of an elderly person. His inner vitality was so thick and vigorous that he seemed like a man in his forties or fifties, in the prime of the Blood Replacement Realm!
"No need to test me. I am still me. The integration was successful, and I appreciate your hard work in managing the court these years."
Emperor Xuan turned to Wei He and spoke softly.
Wei He, with his hunched back, bowed even lower. "To serve Your Majesty and share your burdens is not a hardship. Your safe awakening and the completion of your divine skill is a blessing for the world and the Great Xuan."
Emperor Xuan looked at Wei He and nodded slightly, feeling the vigorous energy flowing within him. He clenched his fist and said, "This Soul-Nurturing and Meridian-Opening technique is indeed extremely dangerous, especially the first step, which carries immense risk. If I had hesitated initially and attempted it when my life was almost over, I might not have awakened today. But now that I have awakened, the technique is complete, and the path ahead is clear. The longevity technique that my ancestors could not achieve is now mine."
Wei He stood respectfully to the side, not interrupting.
After Emperor Xuan finished speaking, he finally turned his gaze towards Wei He and calmly said, "Over the years, there must have been many events both within and outside the court. What's the general situation?"
Wei He bowed slightly and replied, "Following Your Majesty's instructions, I secretly guided the eight princes, and their conflicts have become irreconcilable, like water and fire. The court and the entire realm are divided into four factions."
If there were courtiers present, they would have been shocked by the conversation between Emperor Xuan and Wei He.
The Eight Princes' Rebellion had caused the entire Daxuan realm to fracture into four factions, nearly leading to its overthrow. The Ninety-Nine Provinces were in chaos, with sects vying for control and endless disputes. All of this... was manipulated by Emperor Xuan!
Emperor Xuan's appointment of the eight princes was a setup, and after he secluded himself to cultivate the secret art, Wei He took control of the court, implementing his own agenda. The resulting turmoil within the court was all according to Emperor Xuan's instructions!
However, both Emperor Xuan and Wei He maintained a calm demeanor.
Emperor Xuan, cultivating this unique longevity secret art, would often fall into a state of prolonged sleep and confusion. If the Daxuan court were to remain stable during this time, and the eight princes united instead of fighting, Wei He would lose control of the court. In the worst-case scenario, the united court might even force the emperor to abdicate!
Once removed from his position, the consequences of one of the eight princes ascending the throne would be unpredictable. Emperor Xuan, trapped in confusion and sleep, might never regain his power. He could even meet his end due to his longevity secret art.
Chaos was the only option!
The court was in disarray, and with Wei He's guidance, he could maintain his position at the top.
Nothing else mattered as long as he successfully cultivated the secret art, woke up, and easily regained control. After all, he was not only Emperor Xuan but also a Heavenly Human!
Holding the entire Daxuan's foundation and treasury, he was a top Heavenly Human expert, standing at the pinnacle of martial arts. Once he woke up, he could restore his youth, and his life force would no longer decline. He might even regain a lifespan of one or two hundred years, and there was a possibility of reaching the Divine Realm, a higher level beyond the Heavenly Human, which only existed in legends.
Let one of the eight princes inherit the throne?
He had never considered that.
If he failed to cultivate the secret art and couldn't wake up, or if he woke up but was no longer himself, Wei He would stop guiding the princes. He would ensure that they determined a winner among themselves within the shortest time, and the victor would inherit the throne.
Soon,
Wei He gave a detailed account of the current situation in Daxuan. Everything was as Emperor Xuan, known as Ji Yong Zhao, had expected, except when he heard about some of the princes' overstepping boundaries, a faint, profound light flashed in his eyes.
When Wei He finished speaking, Ji Yong Zhao said calmly, "During my absence from court affairs, they have indeed done quite a lot."
"We are waiting for Your Majesty to return and stabilize the court and calm the people's hearts," Wei He said respectfully.
But at this point, he paused briefly before continuing, "Your Majesty, there's one more thing to report..."
"Hmm."
Ji Yong Zhao slowly walked forward, leaving the quiet room and entering the spacious palace outside. He casually summoned a teacup from the table, and Wei He followed closely, pouring tea for Ji Yong Zhao while quickly reporting.
When Ji Yong Zhao finished listening, he was about to lift the teacup in his hand, but he paused, his eyes flashing with a faint light as he turned to Wei He. "Is this true? Can the intelligence be confirmed?"
"It's all true, Your Majesty," Wei He said gravely. "This child has already reached the Marrow Washing Realm and can cultivate to this level. If he enters the Blood Replacement Realm in the future, the threat will be immeasurable..."
Ji Yong Zhao looked at the clear teacup in his hand, at his reflection in the tea, and then gently shook the cup, causing ripples and waves on the surface. "Interesting."
"Using the Heavenly Earth Dao Entry to cultivate the body to this extent, his five viscera and six entrails must have reached an unprecedented level. I thought that for tens of thousands of years, no one in this land would reach that level. I never expected someone like this to appear, and he hasn't even entered the Blood Replacement Realm yet. It seems my awakening is just in time."
Ji Yong Zhao turned his gaze to the vast sky outside the palace, his eyes deep like an abyss. With a hint of mockery, he said, "Heavenly Mandate?"
"I am the Heavenly Mandate!"
(End of Chapter)
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