Chapter 81: Divine Will

The emperor helped the Noble Consort to her feet and turned to Bai Huan. "The Noble Consort's complexion has improved greatly. This is thanks to your efforts."

"I dare not take credit, Your Majesty. The improvement is due to the combined care of the imperial physicians, the Imperial Food Bureau, and the Imperial Medicine Bureau."

The emperor took his seat, with the Noble Consort settling beside him.

The Noble Consort offered her praise without reservation. "Bai Huan is virtuous and never seeks recognition for her deeds."

The emperor nodded. "I can see that my beloved consort is fond of Lady Bai."

The Noble Consort giggled softly. "Naturally, she is clever—"

Though the box was battered and decrepit, Luo Tian, armed only with a short sword, could not pry it open. Regretfully, he could only store the box in the spatial compartment of his post.

The moment the order was given, the entire city wall trembled. The violent shaking sent everyone atop the ramparts tumbling to the ground. Shen Bi and the others, lacking sufficient strength, slid helplessly to the earth, while the B-ranked powerhouses remained largely unaffected, calmly gazing outwards, awaiting the activation of the Sect’s Shield.

"So that’s why Mu Feng sent the students away back then? It seems he, like you, possesses abilities unseen by others." Just as Rozet was about to return to his perch among the branches and resume his dreams, a voice from the distance made his blood race.

As he stepped onto the great path, Chen Feng’s body erupted with a boundless sword aura. The dazzling radiance forced Xu Baike to shield his eyes, and filled him with a profound terror.

A thunderous crash sounded as the earth split open once more. A wild, violent cloud of dust rose from the barren ground, completely engulfing the area where the two stood.

The Ninth Elder glanced at Huo Mu again, and was startled to see a faint trace of blood at the corner of Huo Mu’s mouth.

Chen Feng strode slowly toward Zheng Qing. Having been struck down in a single move, Zheng Qing now dared not make another attempt against him.

"Tch, can’t stop it, can we?!" Huashan Yuan glanced back at the distance the scarlet python had covered. Its massive body had carved a long trench into the ground, stretching nearly two kilometers and shifting far from the previous battlefield.

Murong Yingxue fixed Murong Feng with a cold gaze, thinking, What nerve you have to ask me what’s happening.

"If you’re so eager to die, you can’t blame me!" With a shrill cry, the Thunderflame Python lunged at the giant ape again.

Thus, with Ying Qiong, Yu Ji, and Niu Kaishan—three Golden Core cultivators—holding Bamboo Mountain City, there was little to fear.

Indeed, she was worthy of being his longtime wife—she knew him too well. Yet for one in his position, such familiarity was also a dangerous thing.

After entering the inner court, Gu Xuanyuan always led the way within Tianmen, the sect founded by Lin Xiao and his companions.

The sudden turn of events left the onlookers dumbfounded. What on earth was this fellow doing, summoning thunder to strike himself down?

…Meanwhile, several hundred miles away from where Li Dalong and his companions carried out their mission, Fan Kong waited with a large force.

The young ladies, conscious of their status, had wished to refrain from indulging in food and drink, but when Bao Xin’s satisfied smile proved irresistible, they could not help but sample the pastries, one after another praising their flavor.

But no one offered them explanations or assurances, nor would the rules of the game change to accommodate their doubts.

Though she was afraid, she was not foolish. Yao Zhi knew the whole story—how could she ask about the events of those years?

Moreover, she knew the Xiao family would not rebel, for she had long been close to them. The emperor, however, had no such familiarity. To him, the Xiao family was like any other noble with military power: holding real authority and commanding strong forces. It was only natural for him to harbor suspicions.

She did not cry, only bit her rosy lips gently, her misty eyes fixed on him with such grievance that her silent suffering tugged at Lu Shiyu’s heart more than any tears could.

Other than her, there was hardly anyone at Chaoyun’s side who understood medicine, so she agreed to take her in.