novelraw Chapter 155: Choice
Chapter 155: Choice
All nine Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals were stored within the Ancestral Temple.
This place was also one of the safest locations in the Dayong Dynasty. Not only was it guarded by layers of Imperial Guards, but that Super Grade-1 expert personally oversaw its defense.
In the expectations of the successive past emperors of the Dayong Dynasty, if an enemy ever truly fought their way here, it would mean the Dayong Dynasty was on the verge of total collapse.
It would imply that rebel forces had likely already conquered the Imperial Palace.
Yet at this moment, Su Yuan stood alone outside the Ancestral Temple, a trail of corpses paving the ground behind him.
Rumble—
The grand doors of the Ancestral Temple slowly swung open.
An old man walked out from within.
It was none other than the Super Grade-1 expert who resided deep within the Imperial Palace.
"Pavilion Master Wu."The old man looked at Su Yuan, his expression complicated.
When he first heard that Su Yuan had infiltrated the Imperial Palace, he suspected it might be a trap or a diversionary tactic, so he never left the Ancestral Temple.
This was to prevent himself from being lured away, which would allow someone else to sneak into the Ancestral Temple and steal the Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals.
However, as the situation unfolded, the twelve Imperial Guard commanders were slain, and the numerous Imperial Guards within the Imperial Palace were utterly decimated. The seemingly impenetrable defenses of the Imperial Palace were like thin paper before Su Yuan.
A thought completely Beyond Comprehension surfaced in the old man's mind.
Pavilion Master Wu was truly prepared to storm the Imperial Palace entirely on his own.
He had fully intended to slaughter his way through the Imperial Palace single-handedly.
Su Yuan looked back at the old man, his face perfectly calm.
"May I ask what purpose brings Pavilion Master Wu here in person?"
After a moment of silence, the old man asked.
"The Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals," Su Yuan finally spoke.
"No problem."
"The Dayong Dynasty's Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals are yours to take, Pavilion Master Wu."
The old man stated immediately.
If Su Yuan had arrived at the Ancestral Temple in a heavily injured state,
the old man would have risked everything to fight him to the death, at least to preserve the dignity of the Dayong Dynasty.
However, from the moment he entered the Imperial Palace until now, wherever Su Yuan passed, not a single Imperial Guard could block even one of his moves. The same was true for the twelve Imperial Guard commanders.
Furthermore, from beginning to end, the old man had not sensed any sign of Su Yuan's aura weakening.
Under these circumstances, the old man naturally would not initiate an attack against Su Yuan.
How could he attack?
To be pierced to death by Su Yuan's spear, just like the twelve Imperial Guard commanders?
Although the old man considered his strength to be far above that of the twelve Imperial Guard commanders,
he did not believe he could survive under Su Yuan's spear. At most, he would last slightly longer than the commanders—perhaps enduring three or five thrusts before dying?
But that would be the extent of it.
Beyond five strikes, his death was absolutely certain.
When that happened, without a Super Grade-1 powerhouse like himself holding the fort, the Dayong Dynasty would inevitably descend into utter chaos.
"Alright."
Su Yuan gave a slight nod.
He had already anticipated the old man's choice.
It was completely natural. Not everyone could march to their death knowing it was inevitable, and dying by Su Yuan's hands would be completely meaningless.
"I wish to know, has Pavilion Master Wu's current strength already surpassed the Super Grade-1 realm?" the old man could not help but ask.
"Close enough."
Su Yuan nodded faintly.
In the Broken Void World, the Combat Bonus of a Super Grade-1 expert required reaching one hundred and fifty times. Currently, Su Yuan's Combat Bonus was approaching three hundred times. Saying he had surpassed the Super Grade-1 realm was quite accurate.
"As I thought."
The old man's eyes dimmed, though his heart was filled with extreme shock.
In the Broken Void World, the absolute strongest tier was naturally the Shattering-tier. However, the Shattering-tier was a state achieved only at the exact moment of shattering the void—merging with heaven and earth and borrowing the power of the world to shatter the very fabric of space.
Moreover, this state could not be maintained permanently, because immediately after, the person would shatter the void and ascend.
Beneath the Shattering-tier, the Super Grade-1 realm reigned supreme.
"All of you, disperse."
The old man glanced at the surrounding Imperial Guards and waved his hand.
"Yes, sir."
"Understood."
The numerous Imperial Guards were already trembling in fear. Upon receiving the old man's order, they immediately scattered and retreated.
"Pavilion Master Wu, please enter."
The old man stepped aside, gesturing toward Su Yuan.
Su Yuan did not hesitate, striding right into the Ancestral Temple.
"Is Pavilion Master Wu not afraid of an ambush inside the Ancestral Temple?" The old man was stunned by his boldness and could not resist asking.
An open attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is difficult to guard against.
"Would you dare?"
Su Yuan replied.
In truth, Su Yuan had already used his gray mirror to perceive the layout within the Ancestral Temple. He knew clearly that there were no ambushes.
Su Yuan cast a fleeting glance at the old man.
Given Su Yuan's strength, killing this ultimate powerhouse of the Dayong Dynasty would not be difficult.
After all, the old man's Combat Bonus had barely crossed the two-hundred-times mark. Facing Su Yuan's three-hundred-times bonus, even escaping was an extravagant hope.
But there was no need for that.
If the old man died, the Dayong Dynasty would undoubtedly plunge into global chaos.
Global chaos would be a good thing for ordinary Players, as they could fish in troubled waters and reap immense benefits.
But for Su Yuan? For the Azure Wave Pavilion?
It would not be a good thing at all.
The Azure Wave Pavilion was already the most powerful Player faction in the Broken Void World. Complete anarchy would only cause the Azure Wave Pavilion to lose its grip on various regions, reducing its influence rather than expanding it.
As for taking it a step further? Overthrowing the Dayong Dynasty? Establishing his own dynasty?
It was not that Su Yuan did not want to, but the administrators of the Broken Void World simply would not allow such a thing to happen.
The true purpose of the Broken Void World was to guide the evolution of all Imperial Citizens, not to serve as fodder solely for Su Yuan's personal growth.
Therefore, the strongest power in the Broken Void World had to remain in the hands of the Native Residents. Only a faction led by Native Residents could treat every Imperial Citizen Player equally.
If Su Yuan ever decided to overthrow the Dayong Dynasty's rule, the Nine Provinces, along with the barbarian tribes from the four corners and even the overseas powers, would all unite in a crusade against him.
This was the limitation placed by the game administrators on any Imperial Citizen Player who sought to conquer the Nine Provinces.
Because of this,
the old man could not die. Or rather, his death would bring Su Yuan no advantages, only detriments.
'The current strength of the Azure Wave Pavilion has already reached the maximum limit permitted by the administrators. Any further expansion will trigger pushback from the Broken Void World itself,'
Su Yuan thought to himself.
This pushback from the Broken Void World would manifest as increased difficulty for Azure Wave Pavilion members trying to obtain Martial Arts Manuals, and the Dayong Dynasty actively favoring other Player factions, among other things.
All in all, the game administrators, and even the Canglan Cosmic Human Empire by extension, would absolutely never allow the Broken Void World to become the private domain of any single Player or faction.
It was an evolutionary world designed for all citizens.
Within the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Damn it, why hasn't the grand army stationed outside the Capital City entered to protect the emperor yet?"
The Dayong Emperor's expression was frantic. According to the intelligence he had just received, that Pavilion Master Wu was already extremely close to the Ancestral Temple.
Once Pavilion Master Wu dealt with his Uncle Ancestor, the next target would undoubtedly be himself.
Therefore, the moment he learned of the deaths of the twelve Imperial Guard commanders, the Dayong Emperor had unhesitatingly issued an order to the army of millions stationed outside the Capital City, permitting them to enter the city.
An army of millions! And an elite, well-trained army at that.
Even if they had to bury him under a mountain of corpses, they could overwhelm and crush that Pavilion Master Wu to death.
"Your Majesty, the four main gates of the Capital City have been seized! They are currently blocking the army from entering," an Imperial Guard rushed in to report.
"Damn it!"
The Dayong Emperor grew even more anxious. "Quickly! Send men to retake the four main gates!"
"Your Majesty."
At that moment, another Imperial Guard hurried in to deliver a report.
"What is it now?"
The Dayong Emperor's face was fraught with impatience; he had never been so terrified in his life.
Since ascending to the throne, he had never faced such an intense, looming threat of death.
"Your Majesty, the old ancestor ordered us to stand down. He personally welcomed Pavilion Master Wu into the Ancestral Temple..." the Imperial Guard quickly reported.
"Uncle Ancestor allowed that Pavilion Master Wu to enter the Ancestral Temple..."
Upon hearing this, the Dayong Emperor instantly fell silent.
There was only one possible reason for his Uncle Ancestor to act this way—he had yielded.
"In that case... I suppose this is the best possible outcome," the Dayong Emperor muttered to himself, collapsing heavily into his seat.
Within the Ancestral Temple, an air of profound serenity lingered.
The massacre outside seemed to have completely bypassed this sanctuary.
After entering the Ancestral Temple, the first thing Su Yuan saw was the ancestral tablets of the successive past emperors arranged neatly in the center.
'Over there...'
Su Yuan shifted his gaze toward the left.
Nine wooden boxes were arranged there in a neat row.
'The Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals.'
Guided by the gray mirror, Su Yuan naturally knew that the items resting inside those wooden boxes were the exact Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals he desired.
"Pavilion Master Wu, these are the Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals."
The old man walked up to the wooden boxes as well and explained in a low voice.
In the face of absolute strength, the old man harbored no ulterior motives. He obediently offered up the genuine Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals.
"Mm."
Su Yuan stepped up to the wooden boxes and looked at the first one on the far left.
The effectiveness of a Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manual in comprehending Cosmic Force was five to ten times greater than that of a Superior-grade Martial Arts Manual.
This meant that even among Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals, there were differences in quality. The Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manual studied by the previous pavilion master of the Azure Wave Pavilion had been the weakest of the bunch, offering only five times the comprehension effect of a Superior-grade Martial Arts Manual.
Naturally, the Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manual Su Yuan was selecting now was the one with the best effect.
After taking the Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manual he wanted, Su Yuan cast another glance at the remaining eight Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manuals.
However, he received a game prompt stating, 'You may only select one.'
This was another restriction placed on Imperial Citizen Players by the game administrators. Any Player could only obtain and comprehend a single Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manual.
Su Yuan let out a soft breath.
Su Yuan withdrew his gaze and looked down at the Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manual in his hand.
'Cannot be comprehended while under a Red-Tier Wanted Order status...'
Su Yuan's expression showed a look of understanding.
In truth, as long as one was on the Dayong Dynasty's wanted list, an Imperial Citizen Player would not only be unable to comprehend Martial Arts Manuals, but they would also be barred from trading and opening their inventory.
Want to erase the wanted status? The only way was to die and re-enter the game.
The previous pavilion master of the Azure Wave Pavilion had used the method of suicide to escape the wanted order's effects, ultimately comprehending his Shattering-tier Martial Arts Manual successfully.
Thus far, this was the only method Imperial Citizen Players had discovered to shake off a wanted order.
Of course, Su Yuan naturally knew of other avenues to remove the wanted order's effects.
The wanted order was issued by the Dayong Dynasty. Thus, to be removed from the wanted list, one method was death; once a wanted Player died, their name was naturally scrubbed from the list.
The second method was to force the Dayong Dynasty to voluntarily retract the bounty.
"Make the Dayong Emperor revoke the wanted order on me," Su Yuan instructed, glancing at the old man standing beside him.
"Understood," the old man nodded immediately.
At this point, the so-called wanted order was nothing but a joke to Su Yuan.