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Chapter 443: The Chaos in Zhongzhou
Chapter 443: The Chaos in Zhongzhou
The dark and bitter seawater surged back, flooding the underground cavern where Chen Mu was in secluded meditation, quickly submerging the entire place and turning it into an underwater cave. The seawater engulfed Chen Mu's body, the cave, and the pool of Crimson Dragon's blood, along with the corpse of the Crimson Dragon.
However, this flooding had no effect on the situation inside the cavern.
Chen Mu's body remained seated in a cross-legged position beside the dragon blood pool, which continued to boil within the seawater, refusing to merge with it. Whenever the dragon blood came into contact with the seawater, it sizzled, causing the seawater to steam.
The entire underwater area gradually became quiet, and the demonic energy that filled the place began to fade as it was washed away by the power of heaven and earth. Chen Mu, however, remained motionless, still seated by the dragon blood pool.
Above his head, the blazing soul fire gradually dissipated, revealing a bright moon. This moon, however, was significantly smaller than before, and within it, a faint golden light flickered like a flickering candle flame. Despite the cleansing power of heaven and earth, this light remained unwavering, like true gold forged in a blazing fire.
The burning of the soul had immense side effects. Even a Heaven and Earth Master would never resort to such a method unless faced with a dire situation, as once used, it was difficult to reverse. The consequences could range from a drop in cultivation realm, preventing the maintenance of heaven-human unity, to the shattering of one's consciousness, leaving them in a semi-conscious state.
For someone like Chen Mu, whose soul had not yet reached the heaven and man realm, being entangled by the soul fire of a Heaven and Earth Master would likely result in irreversible soul annihilation.
However, Chen Mu's soul power was comparable to that of a Heaven and Earth Master, allowing him to withstand the tempering of the soul fire. As he was also undergoing the cleansing and tempering of heaven and earth's power, as long as a glimmer of his soul light remained, it would gradually recover with time.
Chen Mu's current situation was not as dire as it seemed. Although his soul power had been significantly diminished, the desperate gamble of Ji Yong Zhao had allowed Chen Mu to examine himself more clearly, gain a better understanding of his true self, and confirm that Ji Yong Zhao also cultivated the same Heaven and Earth Dao. The soul fire had brought about the most suitable soul tempering for Chen Mu!
As a result, after enduring the soul fire's tempering, Chen Mu's soul forged a glimmer of 'Immortality'!
The soul is incredibly fragile compared to the physical body. In this world, methods to heal the soul are extremely rare, and heavenly treasures capable of healing the soul are even scarcer. This was why, when Qin Meng Jun was ambushed during her attempt to break through the Blood Transformation Realm, and her soul was injured, countless people lamented her fate, believing that she had reached her limit.
For Qin Meng Jun to eventually heal her old wounds and repair her soul damage, it was not solely due to her own efforts and perseverance but also a combination of fate and good fortune.
Now, after Chen Mu condensed a glimmer of 'Immortality Light', his soul underwent a qualitative change!
He was Chen Mu!
Originating from another world, he had merged with this one, becoming irreplaceable and unique. Even if his soul was damaged, no matter how severe the injury, and even if he fell into a state of unconsciousness, as long as that glimmer of immortality light remained, his soul would gradually heal over time. Soul damage would no longer be irreversible for him!
It was after this glimmer of immortality light was fully condensed that the soul fire burning within Chen Mu completely dissipated, taking with it all traces of Emperor Xuan Ji Yong Zhao.
The lingering soul fire seemed to carry the lingering resentment of Yong Zhao, flickering as if attempting a final struggle, but it could no longer affect Chen Mu's soul. In the end, it vanished without a trace, leaving no existence behind.
Thus, the over two-hundred-year-old Emperor Xuan Ji Yong Zhao, who had ruled the Great Xuanyan Empire for over a hundred and fifty years, was reduced to ashes.
The extinction of a Heaven and Earth Master was not a trivial matter. Normally, the death of one such master would cause the heavens and earth within a thousand li radius to react, manifesting anomalies and causing all living beings to mourn.
However, at this moment, perhaps due to the attempt of Chen Mu's soul to devour and merge with his own, or for some other reason, the heavens and earth remained quiet, without a ripple or any sign of anomaly.
If Chen Mu's consciousness had been fully awake at this time, he would have soon realized that although Ji Yong Zhao was a Heaven and Earth Master and possibly the strongest in the world, he had already lost the recognition of heaven and earth when he cultivated the Soul Fusion and Body Seizure Technique, stealing the bodies and lifespans of others. In the eyes of heaven and earth, 'Ji Yong Zhao' had died long ago.
In fact, for the Great Xuanyan Empire, Ji Yong Zhao should have died long ago. The moment he cultivated the Soul Fusion and Body Seizure Technique, stealing the bodies and lifespans of others, he should have perished, as such methods had no place in the Great Xuanyan world.
And at the same time, in the vast and populous Zhongzhou, the heart of the Great Xuanyan's ninety-nine provinces, the imperial court was situated.
Prince Consort Xuan Fei of Han and Prince Consort Xuan Zhen of Liang continued their discussions on strategies to deal with Chen Mu.
Prince Jin and Prince Chu, among others, were still contemplating how they could use Chen Mu to ascend to the throne.
Wei He, the Chief Supervisor of the Directorate of Ceremonial, remained in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, his face calm as he attended to his duties, concealing everything for Emperor Yongzhao. He awaited Emperor Yongzhao's return, hoping to restore order to the chaotic world once again.
...
No one knew about Emperor Yongzhao's death.
This ruler, who held the ninety-nine provinces of the Great Xuanyan in the palm of his hand, passed away quietly without causing any ripples or waves. The Great Xuanyan continued on its predetermined path, just as it had for many years.
It wasn't until about four months later that someone finally noticed that Emperor Xuan Ji Yongzhao was no longer in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. This revelation caused an uproar within the imperial court, and the various forces belonging to the Eight Princes acted in unison, attempting to capture Wei He, the key figure, to uncover the truth behind Emperor Xuan's disappearance. However, their efforts ultimately ended in failure.
And so, Emperor Xuan Ji Yongzhao, along with Wei He, the Chief Supervisor of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the only link between Emperor Yongzhao and the outside world for many years, both went missing. The already chaotic court finally descended into complete disorder.
Whether Emperor Yongzhao had truly disappeared years ago, or if Wei He had concealed the truth and seized power, causing chaos in the court for many years, or if something had happened recently, all these secrets were completely cut off after Wei He's disappearance.
Emperor Yongzhao's disappearance also marked the beginning of the Eight Princes' struggle for the throne!
A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day!
During Emperor Yongzhao's reign, even though rumors circulated about his cultivation of dark arts and his half-crazed state, and Wei He had usurped power, causing chaos in the court, no one dared to rebel. Even Prince Jin, the most powerful among the Eight Princes, only dared to secretly accumulate his own power, fighting and suppressing the other seven princes, but never daring to consider forcing the Emperor's abdication.
After all, Emperor Yongzhao had ruled for one hundred and fifty years, and his prestige and authority were unshakable. Even though he had not attended to state affairs for over a decade, none of the Eight Princes dared to force his abdication. As his sons, they were well aware of the terror of this 'Emperor.'
But now, Emperor Yongzhao had disappeared without a trace, his whereabouts and even his life or death unknown. Wei He, the only person who knew the truth, had also vanished, as if evaporated into thin air. The supreme position of the Emperor was now effectively vacant!
Regardless of the specific circumstances, at this moment, vying for that position would undoubtedly be the right choice. After all, they were not forcing the Emperor's abdication; even if Emperor Yongzhao reappeared, he could be honored as the Retired Emperor, and there would be no wrongdoing.
Even if Emperor Yongzhao was still alive, he had already reached the dusk of his life.
Although rumors claimed that he practiced longevity dark arts, no matter what, these dark arts were unlikely to last forever. One day, Emperor Yongzhao would eventually pass away, and whoever sat on the throne at that time would be the true new ruler.
Among the Eight Princes, Prince Xuan Fei of Han and Prince Xuan Zhen of Liang were the most eager for the throne. They had developed an unresolvable grudge with Chen Mu, even though they had never met him!
To challenge a formidable individual like Chen Mu, who relied on his personal martial prowess, one must ascend to that position!
Once they ascended the throne, with the supreme authority of the Emperor, ruling over the world, even a terrifyingly powerful martial expert like Chen Mu would not be able to resist the might of the imperial mandate.
For Prince Xuan Fei of Han and Prince Xuan Zhen of Liang, who faced the enormous threat of Chen Mu, this was undoubtedly the only way out, a path they would fight for with all their might!
And so, in the following months, the entire imperial city was shrouded in suppression, and a bloody storm was brewing.
The once-rare encounters between Grandmaster-level experts became almost daily occurrences in the imperial city, and one night, a renowned Grandmaster was found dead, his body pierced by a spear and hung on the city walls.
Not only Grandmasters, but even Blood Transformation Realm experts had frequent clashes and confrontations in the imperial city. However, as the battles between Blood Transformation experts were too loud and disruptive, they generally restrained themselves.
At this time, the entire Great Xuanyan, with its numerous provinces, had its attention focused on the imperial city in Zhongzhou, awaiting the outcome of the struggle for the throne.
In the 1691st chapter, a mistake-free version!
For a while, the spotlight on Chen Mu dimmed.
Even the Mystic Pavilion Master and the Blood Concealment Tower Master, who had been searching for Chen Mu in the outer seas to prevent his breakthrough to the Blood Transformation Realm, were recalled by Prince Xuan Fei of Han and Prince Xuan Zhen of Liang, and they all gathered in Zhongzhou, prioritizing the pursuit of the throne above all else.
It wasn't just the commotion in Zhongzhou that had caught everyone's attention, as the struggle for the imperial throne had become the focus of the entire world. Over the past half a year, not a single word had been heard about Chen Mu, and naturally, the discussions about him in the world had gradually faded with time.
...
Imperial City.
A vast and solemn area.
The white jade tiles on the ground were engraved with dragon patterns, symbolizing supreme authority. This thousand-zhang square was the epitome of extravagance.
There were no court guards in sight, and the open space was devoid of any buildings. The only structure was a tall platform made of green jade in the center of the white jade square. On the platform, six or seven people in gray robes sat cross-legged, their auras subdued and merging with the platform. Their expressions were solemn and dignified.
Sitting in the center of these gray-robed figures was a massive bronze cauldron! This cauldron was adorned with intricate patterns, featuring two ears and three legs, connecting with the heavens and the earth. Although it didn't emit any spiritual light, just approaching within a hundred zhang of it, one could feel a pressure from the heavens and earth, compelling one to kneel.
The Heaven Earth Cauldron! This was one of the Great Xuan Dynasty's divine weapons, not listed in the Spirit Armament Catalog, but even on its own, it was worthy of being ranked in the top three of the catalog. Now, this cauldron was the core of the entire Imperial Court's 'Heaven Earth Abyss Formation'!
The Heaven Earth Abyss Formation was the most advanced formation in the world, created by the Great Xuan Emperor who had pacified the chaotic world. Over a thousand years ago, he gathered formation masters from the Ninety-Nine Provinces and, after more than a decade, they finally established the formation to protect the Imperial Court.
Even the Seven Mysteries' Heaven Earth Dragon Lock Formation was derived from the Heaven Earth Abyss Formation.
This formation didn't possess offensive or defensive capabilities; its sole purpose was suppression. Even a Blood Transformation Realm expert, when faced with the fully awakened Heaven Earth Abyss Formation, would feel as if trapped in a formation, cut off from the heavens and earth. They wouldn't be able to draw upon the energy of the heavens and earth to replenish themselves, and their other abilities would also be greatly suppressed!
To be free from this suppression, one had to be of royal blood!
Every member of the royal family, whether prince or princess, had a drop of their blood infused into the Heaven Earth Cauldron at birth, thus gaining recognition and distinction from the Heaven Earth Abyss Formation. Outsiders, however, were not granted this privilege.
At this moment, the Heaven Earth Cauldron and the Heaven Earth Abyss Formation were not yet activated, and the formation's effect only covered the thousand-zhang white jade square. If fully awakened, it could envelop the entire Imperial Court.
"Is this the Heaven Earth Cauldron...?"
In the distance, a figure approached, clad in a mystic robe. His eyebrows carried a hint of illness, and as he gazed upon the massive bronze cauldron, he murmured, then suddenly coughed twice, revealing his weakness.
The figure in the mystic robe was none other than the Mystic Pavilion Master, Cheng Zu.
After suffering from the Heavenly Providence Backfire during his previous divination attempt regarding Chen Mu, Cheng Zu's injuries were severe. Even after half a year, his residual wounds` had not fully healed. The internal injuries had penetrated deep into his martial body's foundation, almost beyond healing. Now, he was merely suppressing the injuries, but as he stepped into the depths of the court and entered the range of the Heaven Earth Abyss Formation, the formation's suppression immediately revealed his weakened state.
Under the Heaven Earth Abyss Formation, not only was the energy of heaven and earth nearly cut off, but his power was also suppressed by nearly seventy percent!
It could be said that,
even a Blood Transformation Realm expert like him, within the Heaven Earth Abyss Formation, would struggle to defeat a Bone Marrow Washing Grandmaster, let alone prevail, and might even face a high chance of defeat!
"The Heaven Earth Abyss Formation is extraordinary, Brother Cheng. Your old wounds haven't healed, so don't push yourself too far."
Another deep voice echoed as a figure approached, none other than the Leaning Mountain Sect Master, Xiang Yuan.
Accompanying Xiang Yuan were several other Blood Transformation Realm experts and a man clad in a black python robe. His gaze was cold, and his aura was deep, unaffected by the Heaven Earth Abyss Formation as he stepped onto the white jade square.
Prince Consort of Han, Ji Xuan Fei!
Almost simultaneously with the appearance of the Han Prince, figures emerged one after another from various directions of the white jade square. Although affected by the formation's suppression, their auras remained thick and profound, each of them a top-tier expert in the Blood Transformation Realm. Among them were several figures in python robes, escorted by others.
The Prince of Jin, the Prince of Chu, the Prince of Liang... The Eight Princes of Zhongzhou were all present.
(End of Chapter)
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