The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1432 737: The Flood Approaches (Part 2)

It seemed as though he was merely a projection standing there.

The true essence was connected to some mysterious, obscure place.

Earth Immortal? Unlikely…

Yin criminal? The Hook Paper showed no signs…

What kind of old monster is this?

"Young Hero Li is here, please sit."

Zhao Wujiong's voice was hoarse and deep, pointing to an empty seat beside Yuan Feng.

Li Yan calmly cupped his hand in greeting, "Greetings, Mr. Zhao."

He sat down as instructed, looking straight ahead, though his mind was highly focused, secretly pondering the depth and intentions of his counterpart.

This Zhao Wujiong was a eunuch in charge of the Ritual Supervision, wielding immense power, and was a trusted aide of the Emperor, visiting personally must mean significant business.

And that indescribable non-human feeling sensed earlier…

Could it be related to some court secret technique?

"Director Yuan," Zhao Wujiong skipped the pleasantries, directly looking at Yuan Feng, diving right into the matter as if time was extremely tight, "Our family has noticed that the True Monarch Sui Lun Golden Body Dharma Image is initially full of divine grace and dignity, it surely is an auspicious token for our dynasty."

"But may I ask, when can it achieve completion and be moved to the National Ancestral Altar to receive the tribute of the masses?"

Yuan Feng hurriedly bent forward, "Responding to Mr. Zhao, the main body of the Divine Statue is completed. There are still several Mystical Craft secret techniques yet to be conferred such as 'Opening the Eyes', 'Enlightenment', and 'Gang Qi Communication'.

"This is determined through joint calculations by the tributes from the Mo Sect and the Mystical Sect. They hope to utilize the opportunity of the artifact gaining spirituality by following the celestial timing, geographical advantage, and human benevolence, for optimal stability. It's estimated that it will take another month."

"A month?"

Zhao Wujiong's gray eyebrows seemed to lift slightly, though his face's withered wrinkles didn't change, the air in the hall suddenly seemed to freeze for an instant as though clenched by an invisible great hand.

This wasn't the surge of Qi, it felt more like a suffocating sense of spiritual oppression, fleeting.

"Too long."

Zhao Wujiong slowly stood, his voice remained calm yet carried an icy firmness, "It must be completed within two days. Before the Post-Heavenly Hour, the statue must enter the main hall of the National Ancestral Altar, the Emperor himself must preside over the initial sacrificial inauguration."

"Two… two days?!" Yuan Feng's expression changed dramatically.

Yan Jiuling exclaimed, "Mr. Zhao, this is absolutely impossible! Gang Qi Communication is not a task of overnight, forcing it may tarnish the Divine Artifact, even risk foundation damage…"

Zhao Wujiong's gaze slowly swept the anxious Yuan Feng and the shocked Yan Jiuling, finally landing on Li Yan whose eyelids drooped, seeming calm yet heart was in turmoil.

Both Yuan Feng and Yan Jiuling, at this moment, were flushed with anger.

They hadn't expected Zhao Wujiong to make a move on the True Monarch Sui Lun upon arrival.

This was the foundation for the Academy's future standing.

The two had secretly resolved to head to the Imperial Palace to file a complaint once the old Yin Yang man left, they wouldn't let him act recklessly.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Li Yan remained silent for a moment, cupped his hand, and said, "The time for the statue's relocation, the Emperor knows as well, may I ask Mr. Zhao, is there any reason for the sudden change of plan?"

Zhao Wujiong unhurriedly lifted the blue porcelain bowl, using the lid to skim away the surface foam, sipping a mouthful of tea, his tone flat, "Director Yuan, Mr. Yan…"

"Your concerns are understood by our family. But circumstances wait for no man!"

"In these few days, Heavenly Master Zhang of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, True Person Yu Chanzi of Wudang Mountain, Daoist Qiu Changchun of Zhongnan Quanzhen… as well as sect leaders from Qingcheng, Emei, have all left the mountain, racing towards the Capital in the night…"

He lifted his eyes as he spoke, "Do you know why they are coming?"

Upon hearing this, all three exchanged glances.

For a moment, the side hall was eerily silent.

Li Yan paused in thought, a glint flickering in his eyes, "The leaders of various Mystical Sect branches are moving! Are they coming for the True Monarch Sui Lun?"

He knew many things, it was merely two or three days since the appearance of True Monarch Sui Lun, yet the various sects of the Mystical Sect were already moving upon hearing the news, with leaders heading to the Capital.

No matter how fast news spread, it couldn't instantly propagate across the Divine State.

A formation like this only occurs at the founding of a country or at times of national chaos.

Unless... there is a higher order!

Surely from the Daluo Law Realm!

No wonder, he was only told to temporarily hold on, turns out there's another plan...

"Precisely!"

Zhao Wujiong gently placed the teacup back onto the tray, a light "clack" pierced through the silence, especially clear.

"They claim to protect the True Monarch and stabilize the Divine Court's name…"

Zhao Wujiong's voice grew lower yet carried a chilling air, his eyes turning cold, "In truth, you all understand."

"The opportunity for Human Dao transformation has come, the court and Mystical Sect, whoever controls the new divine authority is critically crucial, the Emperor's wisdom sheds light, the sects of Mystical Sect cannot be allowed to wield artifacts against the Temple?"

Zhao Wujiong's pace accelerated suddenly, carrying an unquestionable determination.

"This is a national heavy weapon, an ancestral divine artifact, it must belong to the court, be tributed at the National Ancestral Altar, no external entities shall touch it by any means!"

He paused, his gaze once again swept over the three people, that gaze felt like substantial pressure, causing Yuan Feng and Yan Jiuling's foreheads to sweat coldly, also caused Li Yan's heart to skip a beat.

"Hence, the work must be expedited!"

"At all costs!"

"Court tributes, Royal secret treasury, Capital garrison, all can be mobilized. If manpower is insufficient, immediately draw the finest craftsmen from the Inner Court Workshop and the Five Armies Commander's Mansion!"

"If spiritual materials are scarce, immediately draw them from the Grand Warehouse!"

"No matter what secret techniques, side doors, or even lifespan-costing forbidden techniques…our family only wants the result!"

He looked at Yuan Feng, his gaze fierce, speaking word by word, "Before the Post-Heavenly Hour, the True Monarch Sui Lun Golden Body Dharma Image must be enlightened and entered into the altar, standing within the National Ancestral Hall."

"This matter concerns the rise and fall of national fortune, connects the sequence of worldwide Human Dao transformation!"

"Think carefully how to choose…"

The hall was deathly silent, only Zhao Wujiong's hoarse and cold words echoed around.

So, it's because of this...

Yuan Feng and Yan Jiuling exchanged a glance, together stepped forward and cupped their hands, "It concerns the court's ancestral standing, please rest assured, we will live up to the holy expectation!"

This time's opponent, is the entire Mystical Sect.

No wonder Zhao Wujiong came personally instead of informing through Luo Mingzi.

Though they simulated relations with Mystical Sect, regardless of whether Mo Sect or the Sea Opening Sect backing Yan Jiuling, interests are deeply tied to the court, sharing glory and sharing loss, naturally striving to prevent this event.

Zhao Wujiong nodded, then turned his gaze to Li Yan, "And you, Young Hero Li?"

Li Yan was stunned, "Such a major matter, what relation does it have with me?"

Zhao Wujiong's eyes were cold, "Not going to beat around the bush, the Twelve Primordial Spirits have deep connections with the Mystical Sect, must be guarded against. Frankly speaking, the defense of Qiankun Academy is fully managed by the Captain Bureau, with Capital garrison protection, led by Grandmaster Huo Yin."

"According to our family's view, you should leave, but the Emperor states you may be born of the pugilistic world, yet are a person concerned with the world, therefore sent our family to inquire."

Li Yan was silent for a moment, nodded and said, "Mr. Zhao is overthinking, regarding Divine State's Qi Fortune, if the transformational heavy weapon is controlled by Mystical Sect, it could easily lead to disaster, when it comes to such significant matters, I can discern right from wrong."

To be honest, if told to leave, he didn't want to leave either.

This matter not only concerns Divine State, but also his Heavenly Official mission.

Anyway, as long as the Heavenly Court's directive ensures the safety of True Monarch Sui Lun, who ultimately obtains it is not up to him.

"That's good!"

Zhao Wujiong gave him a deep look, "If this matter succeeds, the court will not treat Young Hero Li unfairly."

After speaking, he rose and strode out.

And outside on the grand hall square, unknowingly, dense crowds from the Captain Bureau had flooded in, just the Divine Fire Gun Team alone counted over a thousand.

Atop the distant grand hall stairs, Huo Yin also revealed his figure.

Inside the Academy, those originally from the Law Enforcement Hall, were all sullenly invited out, even the Alchemy Grandmaster Wang Jingxiu left grumbling, carrying his belongings.

Yuan Feng and Yan Jiuling, seeing this, quickly walked out of the side hall.

One went to persuade positively, the other to make arrangements.

Although there was a court order, one mustn't chill the hearts of Academy's people.

Gazing upon the chaos before him, Li Yan shook his head, looking towards the towering Divine Statue in the distance.

He seemed to see a new era, centering around it, swirling up an unstoppable storm vortex.

Now, it's just beginning.

And his identity as the living Yin messenger, the Twelve Primordial Spirits traveling immortal role, is likely to be wedged between these two oncoming torrents…