Lanling City.

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

The Emperor, Grand Secretary Ye Ze’an, and Military Affairs Grand Marshal Wenren Zheng, the three gathered together.

One is the Emperor, one is the head of the civil servants, and the other is the head of the military officers.

The gathering of these three could influence the destiny of the nation!

They had already received news from Ming Province, knowing that Qingxu True Monarch was planning a rebellion.

But none of them spoke at that moment, sitting quietly in their seats, seemingly waiting for someone.

With State Preceptor Yun Shu away, the only person qualified to discuss matters with the three of them was him.

Shortly after, footsteps approached from outside the Imperial Study Room.

The Emperor stood up from his seat first, followed by Ye Ze’an and Wenren Zheng.

A middle-aged man wearing a yellow python robe entered through the door.

“Uncle has worked hard.”

The Emperor stepped forward to meet him.

The man’s name was Qin Mingli. He was the Emperor’s uncle and was granted the title ‘Prince Li.’

This Prince Li was also the first powerhouse of the royal family, a Martial Saint among men!

Among the seven Martial Saints standing at the apex of the Martial Arts, two belonged to the court.

One was the Military Affairs Grand Marshal, the ‘Military God’ Wenren Zheng.

The other was Prince Li, who had just entered the Imperial Study Room.

“Your Majesty, you flatter me.”

Prince Li took the Emperor’s outstretched hand.

“Come, please take a seat, Uncle.”

“Your Highness, Prince Li.”

Ye Ze’an, who was standing to the side, bowed in greeting.

Wenren Zheng simply nodded slightly.

Having once given pointers on Martial Arts to Prince Li, he considered himself somewhat of a mentor, and so he was more informal.

Prince Li, realizing that the presence of these two meant the matter was probably grave, took a seat beside the Emperor:

“Your Majesty summoned me to the palace urgently in the dead of night. Is there an important matter?”

He was widely known as a Martial Arts enthusiast, completely engrossed in Martial Arts, indifferent to power and authority for years, seeking only to reach the peak in Martial Arts.

Eleven years after the current Emperor ascended the throne, Prince Li successfully broke through to the Realm of Martial Saints, becoming another Martial Saint among men.

Over the years, the Emperor naturally had worries about whether Prince Li might suddenly take an interest in the Dragon Chair.

After all, he was a Martial Saint with royal blood.

All these years had passed, and apart from Emperor Taizu, the Da Lan Dynasty had not produced a second Martial Saint Emperor.

So over the years, the Emperor merely supplied Prince Li with various resources needed for his cultivation but never asked him to do anything.

Tonight was the first time he had actively invited him to the palace.

“Grand Secretary, please explain to Uncle.”

The Emperor signaled to Ye Ze’an.

Then Ye Ze’an briefly told Prince Li about Qingxu True Monarch’s secret theft of the Dragon Energy and now rebelling in Ming Province.

Prince Li’s expression changed after hearing this:

“Qingxu is leading the Daluo Sect in rebellion? What is he aiming for?”

“The State Preceptor has already sent a long-distance message, telling me their motive.”

The Emperor’s face looked somewhat ugly, “Qingxu intends to establish a Tao Country in Ming Province!”

“Establish a Tao Country? On what basis?”

Prince Li found it unbelievable.

“Qingxu must have used some kind of secret treasure from the Daluo Sect, perhaps the true foundation of the Taoist. Combined with the Dragon Energy he stole and his preparations in Ming Province over many years, he indeed has some chance of success.

Once successful, he will be invincible within the Tao Country, and his power could be transferred anywhere within it instantly.”

After hearing what the Emperor had to say, Prince Li furrowed his brows.

If that was the case, this Tao Country would become a thorn in the side of the Da Lan Dynasty!

“But if he dies, this Tao Country will also be gone. Even the Daluo Sect and the entire Taoist lineage will be held accountable. What is he after?”

Prince Li still did not understand.

If Qingxu True Monarch’s Tao Country were established, it would indeed be powerful. However, the opponent would only be invincible within the Tao Country. Once outside, he could still be killed!

Moreover, he didn’t have enough power to expand outward. After all, it was only the power of the Daluo Sect and the territory of a single province.

Under such circumstances, the opponent could only defend.

And once Qingxu True Monarch died, this Tao Country would collapse instantly!

Then, the Daluo Sect and the Taoist lineage would pay a heavy price.

So Prince Li couldn’t understand what Qingxu True Monarch was after.

Was he after a lifetime of fame?

Was he certain it wouldn’t turn into infamy? Or become the sinner of the Taoist lineage?

“He must be pursuing a realm beyond the pinnacle.”

Wenren Zheng, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.

“Beyond the pinnacle?”

Hearing these four words, Prince Li’s eyes suddenly revealed a fanatical light.

He had been devoted to the Martial Arts his whole life, and even after becoming a Martial Saint, he had not slacked off for a moment, tirelessly seeking the path.

What he sought was a realm beyond the pinnacle!

Throughout a thousand years of Martial Arts history, at first, people could only crudely borrow the power of Implants, and the mortality rate was very high at that time–stepping into Martial Arts was a gamble with one’s life.

And the highest Realm they could achieve was only the Body Breaking Stage.

Later, as the manufacturing technology of the Implant became more mature, the refinement of Elixirs became more high-end, and the research on the human body went deeper, Martial Arts began to develop rapidly.

The mortality rate decreased, Innate Qi emerged, Force was harnessed, and with the cooperation of various Implants, the Martial Arts Foundation was established.

This process took less than a hundred years.

Another nearly hundred years passed, and humanity ushered in Great Grandmasters, and Martial Saints!

Afterward, over the centuries, no new breakthroughs were achieved in the highest realms of Martial Arts.

The development of Magic followed a similar path, reaching the peak at the Realm of True Monarch, and then stagnating.

Because these two realms had been unattainable for so long, Martial Saints and True Monarchs gradually came to be regarded as the epitome of cultivation.

Yet, without exception, those who had reached the pinnacle of strength all believed that the Dao did not end there!

This handful of the strongest among humans, all firmly believed there were paths above the pinnacle, and even higher realms!

“Establishing a Tao Country, becoming a Monarch of the Dao, gathering more Emperor’s Dragon Qi to break through to higher realms–this must be what Qingxu True Monarch is seeking.”

Wenren Zheng’s eyes were deep and profound as he slowly spoke.

Though he was not a Magician, the Dao ultimately leads to the same destination through different paths.

As a top-tier powerhouse, he more easily grasped the pursuits of Qingxu True Monarch than others.

“The Taoists have always been in pursuit of longevity. Legend has it that if someone can break through above the realm of True Monarch, they can affirm everlasting life. It seems that Qing Xu is seeking what lies above the pinnacle; he desires immortality, to be invincible forever!”

Prince Li murmured, a look of yearning appearing on his face.

If Qingxu True Monarch could truly achieve immortality, then the Tao Country he established would naturally be able to exist forever.

From then on, the status of the Taoist would undergo earth-shattering changes!

Imagine, if there truly were someone in the world who achieved immortality, how many fervent believers and seekers that would attract?

At that time, Qingxu True Monarch simply needs to ensure that his Tao Country exists indefinitely.

A hundred years, two hundred years…

Over time, who in the world wouldn’t believe in the Dao?

Such a grand vision, that is the shared dream of Qingxu True Monarch and True Man Qingding.

It is the belief that True Man Qingding is willing to uphold, even after death.

He wishes to see such an eternally existing Tao Country!

“Ambitious foolish dreams of a madman!”

The cold voice of the Emperor brought Prince Li back to reality, “The things that even Emperor Taizu couldn’t achieve, does he actually think he can?”

Prince Li was startled.

He was obsessively devoted to martial arts, not a fool; he could glean the hidden meaning in the Emperor’s words:

If one possessed the status of a monarch, the Emperor’s Dragon Qi could allow a breakthrough above the pinnacle.

Had Emperor Taizu, who ruled the entire world, possessed more vast territories and more Emperor’s Dragon Qi, wouldn’t he have already succeeded?

But after all, Qingxu True Monarch walks the path of Magic Dao, and Emperor Taizu walked the path of Martial Arts.

Emperor’s Dragon Qi is the most suitable casting material for Magic Dao; a Martial Saint with Emperor’s Dragon Qi does not compare to a True Monarch with Emperor’s Dragon Qi.

Therefore, what Emperor Taizu didn’t achieve doesn’t mean Qingxu True Monarch has no chance.

The Emperor’s words ostensibly addressed Qingxu True Monarch but were actually a wake-up call to Prince Li:

If even Emperor Taizu couldn’t do it, do you think you can?

Do you think your Realm is higher than Emperor Taizu’s? Or do you think today’s Da Lan Dynasty is more prosperous than when it was founded?

Prince Li quickly composed himself and looked at the Emperor, saying with solemn respect:

“Your Majesty, what do you need your servant to do?”

….

Outside Chong City.

Watching Yun Shu depart on the wind, Li Fei felt somewhat sentimental.

On the way here, he had a communication through Void Thought with True Man Qingding, inquiring why Qingxu True Monarch would not simply have the Blood Sacrifice conducted within several cities.

After all, with Qingxu True Monarch’s Dharma Form residing in the cities, others would not be able to intervene in time.

And the combined population of those cities was far more than a million, surely sufficient in number.

To this, True Man Qingding replied:

“For establishing a Tao Country, the Emperor’s Dragon Qi is key, relating to the spirit of the people. Furthermore, the size of the territory is also crucial because, for a nation, the two most important aspects are the people and the land.

Therefore, the site of the Blood Sacrifice must meet certain criteria, requiring coordination with the Big Array set up by Qingxu True Monarch at strategic points to complete the Blood Sacrifice, which might then encompass Ming Province in its entirety and fulfill the requirements for establishing the Tao Country.”

The Chong City that Yun Shu and the others hastened to was one of these strategic points, and the three cities where he sent the three Martial Arts Masters are also key locations.

If they could prevent the Blood Sacrifice at these strategic points, it would impact the establishment of the Tao Country!

Li Fei had all these confirmed through True Man Qingding.

The reason for his sentimentality lay right here.

He thought that by having the True Soul of True Man Qingding, he could discern the key to Qingxu True Monarch’s plans and might become a pivotal figure in this affair.

What he realized was that Yun Shu alone could identify the key factors, showing that he had underestimated these top figures.

I should just do what I can.”

Li Fei turned to look toward Chong City.

The State Preceptor, Yun Shu, had given him a death order–the people stay if the city stands!

So, his next steps were quite straightforward:

Defend Chong City!

To the public, this was the State Preceptor’s command, and unless he planned to no longer serve in the Da Lan Dynasty, he had no choice.

Plus, it was an excellent opportunity for merit.

Privately, he found the idea of Blood Sacrifice repugnant!

He never wished to be a saint.

But as a human being, there are some lines he will never cross!

“Into the city!”

Li Fei said to the officials from the Zhi Ge Pavilion, then led the charge toward Chong City.

…

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