Chapter 156: Shallow Insight
Everyone present didn’t understand what taboo truly meant, and they all speculated wildly, believing it must refer to someone even stronger than a Great Emperor.
Changtian, as the Lord of the Jidao Imperial Court, also pondered deeply.
He didn’t know what it signified, but he was certain it was beyond his comprehension.
Compared to witnessing such a phenomenon, he was more interested in meeting these monstrously talented individuals, which was the most crucial matter.
"Long Yan, immediately issue an order to seal off this area.
We absolutely cannot allow such talents to be poached by other sects."
Changtian’s voice reached Long Yan’s ears, and Long Yan immediately perked up, a token appearing in his hand, and he then disseminated the news of the lockdown.
In less than three breaths, Imperial Court Guards emanating terrifying power appeared, clad in yellow robes, with all their cultivation at or above the Earth Immortal Realm.
This awe-inspiring scene invigorated everyone, and people began to discuss.
Just then, Long Yan ascended directly into the sky, and a vast Heavenly Immortal might radiated outwards.
Then he said.
"Currently, peerless geniuses have emerged in my Jidao Imperial Court.
To retain these talents, our Lord of the Jidao Imperial Court specifically wishes to invite Li Qiye, Li Meng’er, Mo Zheng, and Tun Tian, who are of the taboo, to come forth.
My Lord of the Imperial Court has matters to discuss."
Upon hearing Long Yan’s words, the crowd instantly erupted into an uproar.
"How can this be? The Lord of the Jidao Imperial Court is clearly trying to snatch people!
Look, the Imperial Guards are guarding us front and back; we can’t get out at all."
"I see it now; he just wants to take all those geniuses for himself, he’s determined."
"Hmph, my Lord of the Jidao Imperial Court cherishes talent, otherwise he wouldn’t do this.
My Extreme Dao Emperor Lord’s reputation is famously good among the Five Great Lord of the Imperial Courts."
"Bah, don’t think I don’t know; your Lord of the Imperial Court might have ulterior motives.
I heard that in the past few years, your Jidao Imperial Court has consistently been at the bottom in the Five Great Imperial Courts competition, with very few talents emerging.
I bet this time, your Lord of the Imperial Court is also aiming for that spot, hahaha."
"Hmph, so what if he is? I can tell you’re just here to cause trouble."
The clamor and dissenting voices of the crowd were incessant.
Wang Yufan also heard some of it.
"Master, what should we do? It seems the Lord of the Jidao Imperial Court is forcing us to reveal ourselves," Li Qiye transmitted to Wang Yufan.
Wang Yufan smiled and said, "Then just admit it, what’s so difficult about that? It’s not some unspeakable secret."
Hearing Wang Yufan’s words, Li Meng’er was also a little surprised.
Isn’t it obvious? Someone just said it; the Lord of the Jidao Imperial Court’s purpose is very clear—to make them participate in some competition.
Wang Yufan’s nonchalant attitude also made it a bit hard for everyone to digest.
But looking at Wang Yufan’s mysterious smile, they felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
Just as Long Yan was about to continue speaking, Wang Yufan took a step forward and then loudly declared, "No need to search, we are right here."
The moment Wang Yufan’s voice fell, all eyes turned to him, looking at Wang Yufan and the others in surprise.
Seeing this scene, someone immediately said, "Hmph, another imposter.
The Lord of the Imperial Court just said it was four men and one woman, but now there are only three women and one man."
Hearing this, everyone else also nodded in agreement.
"That’s right, there’s no mistake in what he said.
These people are truly audacious, daring to impersonate someone on the Lord of the Imperial Court’s territory.
They must be tired of living."
Wang Yufan was momentarily stunned upon hearing the crowd’s discussion.
Didn’t these people see Little Black beside him?
They are indeed people of shallow insight.
After hearing Wang Yufan’s words, Long Yan did not rush to a conclusion.
Instead, he directly transmitted a message to Changtian.
"Lord of the Imperial Court, could this person’s words be true?"
Changtian pondered and said, "Judging by his tone and demeanor just now, he doesn’t seem to be faking it.
You can test him further."
Changtian had another thought he didn’t voice: he felt that what this person said was true.
Because the moment Wang Yufan spoke, he looked over and actually discovered that Wang Yufan exuded an aura of a superior being, stronger than his own.
He had never experienced such an aura, not even from Ye Lingtian, the Lord of the Tiandao Imperial Court.
One must know that Ye Lingtian is a Divine Emperor.
However, the superior aura emanating from Wang Yufan came and went quickly; Changtian only felt it for a second or two.
After that, he couldn’t sense it anymore.
This was also why he somewhat believed Wang Yufan’s words, which is why he asked Long Yan to continue probing.
At this moment, Long Yan stared at Wang Yufan and said, "What everyone just said is not wrong at all; such suspicion is normal.
Now, explain why there are three men and one woman among you, instead of four men and one woman, according to the ranking on the stone tablet."
Wang Yufan smiled and said, "I truly am impressed with you all.
We four men are standing right here; can’t your eyes see us?
Do I really have to spell it out?"
Hearing Wang Yufan’s words, everyone was stunned again.
Wang Yufan just said we four men, but there were clearly only three people.
Just then, someone suddenly realized and said, "He couldn’t be talking about that black dog, could he?!"
Hearing someone say this, everyone’s eyes turned to Little Black, who was panting with his tongue out at Wang Yufan’s feet.
"Hahaha, don’t make me laugh to death.
Can this black dog also be considered a genius?"
"Yeah, yeah.
This is just a black dog; how could it be one of those four people?"
Wang Yufan shook his head and said to Long Yan, "See? Someone saw it, didn’t they?
We are indeed four men; is that not allowed?
Who stipulated that demonic beasts cannot undergo the stone ladder test?"
Hearing Wang Yufan’s words, just as Long Yan was about to say something, Changtian’s voice came through.
"Alright, Long Yan, for now, believe what they say.
However, everyone present is forbidden from leaving this area within three days.
This is a rule.
Bring those three people to the Imperial Palace; I will question them personally."
After Changtian finished speaking, he disappeared from his original spot.
Long Yan repeated what Changtian had just said, and everyone showed angry expressions.
"As the Lord of the Jidao Imperial Court, to imprison us cultivators, what kind of logic is this?
I’m the first to disagree."
"I disagree too. I protest."
Such words rose and fell in succession.
After Long Yan conveyed Changtian’s words, he then ordered the Imperial Court Guards to execute the command.
Nearly a thousand Imperial Guards immediately formed a battle array, staring at the crowd.
The crowd’s voices were slowly suppressed by this power, with no way out.
Now, on the territory of the Jidao Imperial Court, they could only endure it.
After all this was done, Long Yan looked at Wang Yufan and said, "You few, follow me."