Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

"Excellent." The five elders of Celestial River Academy all nodded.

They also knew that the current Celestial Emperor was wise and held Shangguan Wan'Er in high regard.

Therefore, whether Ling Fei could be saved in the end would depend on Shangguan Wan'Er's situation.

"However, I fear it won't be safe for you to go to the Imperial Capital alone." Then, Zhou Zhunhe's gaze sharpened as he said, "Why don't I go with you?"

After all, it would be disastrous if the Marquis of Eatern sent people to stop them!

Those people weren't fools. They would most likely anticipate that Shangguan Wan'Er would go for an audience with the Celestial Emperor.

"That would be for the best!" Shangguan Wan'Er's face lit up with joy.

With a Primordial Pill Realm Cultivator accompanying her, not only would she be safer, but her travel speed would also increase.

This way, she could meet the Celestial Emperor in the shortest possible time.

"There's no time to lose. Let's depart now!" Zhou Zhunhe said.

"Alright!" Shangguan Wan'Er nodded. She, too, was eager to enter the Imperial Capital, have an audience with the Celestial Emperor, and resolve Ling Fei's troubles.

In a situation like this, even a moment's delay could be too late.

"In that case, everyone, I'll leave things here to you," Zhou Zhunhe said, looking toward the other elders beside him.

"You must travel day and night. Given the current situation, we can't hold out for too long. Only by meeting the Celestial Emperor as soon as possible can you turn the tide," Elder Dean Han said.

"I understand," Shangguan Wan'Er nodded.

As long as the Celestial Emperor spoke, everything would be easily handled.

Then, Shangguan Wan'Er and Elder Zhou stood up, preparing to set off.

"Wait for me. I will definitely help you resolve this crisis," Shangguan Wan'Er said, standing up and looking at Ling Fei with a determined gaze.

For her, this journey had to be a success.

Otherwise...

If she failed, Ling Fei might die.

And if Ling Fei died, what would she do?

She dared not imagine that outcome.

This was clearly not the ending she wanted to see.

"Alright!" Ling Fei nodded. He then gazed at the young woman before him with concern and said, "But you must be careful. Just do your best. Don't force things."

Clearly, Ling Fei was also afraid that the Marquis of Eatern would send people to ambush Shangguan Wan'Er.

After all, these people all knew of Shangguan Wan'Er's influence.

They knew she was a favored daughter of the heavens who could get an audience with the Celestial Emperor.

That being the case, how could they so easily let Shangguan Wan'Er have an audience with the Celestial Emperor?

"Father, I'm leaving," Shangguan Wan'Er bid farewell to Shangguan Hong. "Young Master Ling's safety is in your hands."

"Rest assured, I will also find a way to resolve this matter for Young Master Ling," Shangguan Hong said.

"Good!" Shangguan Wan'Er nodded.

Then, she and Elder Zhou departed, stepping onto a Flying Sword and heading into the distant Void.

"I hope Wan'Er can successfully meet His Majesty," Shangguan Hong murmured, gazing at the receding, indistinct silhouette of light.

However, his brow was furrowed with a deeper worry.

Because in the Imperial Capital, there was still the Empress!

"Ling Fei, you will enter the Sword Tomb and stay there for now. Do not go out during this time," said Elder Dean Han after Shangguan Wan'Er had left.

The Sword Tomb...

It was a Forbidden Land of Celestial River Academy. Without a special Waist Token from the academy, not even a Celestial Pill Realm expert could open it.

Therefore, by entering, Ling Fei's safety could be guaranteed, at least for the time being.

"Alright!" Ling Fei bowed to Dean Han and the others. "In that case, I will leave everything to you, seniors."

He was truly grateful to these people.

This matter had wide-reaching implications, and Celestial River Academy was taking a huge risk by sheltering him.

For the academy's elders to go this far for an outsider was truly rare.

Then, Vice Dean Zhou led Ling Fei to the Sword Tomb.

Shangguan Hong followed them.

"Lord Shangguan, this junior would like to trouble you with one more thing. Please keep an eye on my adoptive father's situation. If possible, try to help him leave the Empire. As for me... I am the one who caused this turmoil. Even if I die, it is a consequence I must bear. My only regret is that as a son, I have failed in my filial duty." On the long bridge to the Sword Tomb, Ling Fei turned back and spoke to Shangguan Hong, word by word. "I have no way to repay his kindness now. If there is a next life, I would want to be his son again."

At this moment, he was still worried about his adoptive father.

At the same time, he had prepared for the worst. His words were like a final testament.

"Rest assured, I will go find your adoptive father." Seeing this, Shangguan Hong felt an inexplicable sadness in his heart. He took a deep breath and said.

"Then, I'm counting on you," Ling Fei said, bowing deeply with his hands clasped.

Watching the young man bow so respectfully, Shangguan Hong couldn't help but feel his eyes mist over.

Even a hardened man like him was moved by the young man's filial piety.

People like him were truly rare.

'But can he survive this ordeal?' Shangguan Hong worried inwardly.

Vice Dean Zhou, who was standing nearby, sighed repeatedly, thinking with emotion, 'Is this a case of the heavens being jealous of a genius, to bring down such a trial?'

Ling Fei's talent had astounded Vice Dean Zhou.

His filial piety, even more so, had stirred a strange affection for this young genius within the Vice Dean.

He even felt a sense of resentment.

He resented his own lack of power!

'If only I were strong enough to protect this young man with my own power, how wonderful would that be?'

"Let's go," Vice Dean Zhou said to Ling Fei after a sigh.

Ling Fei nodded slightly and followed Vice Dean Zhou toward the Sword Tomb ahead.

"Stay here and cultivate in seclusion. We'll do our best to handle things outside, but the final outcome depends on the will of heaven. You need to be prepared for that." As the Sword Tomb opened, Vice Dean Zhou thought for a moment before speaking to Ling Fei. He said this because, while he desperately wanted to protect the young man, he had no absolute certainty of success.

He didn't want to give the young man too much hope now, only for it to end in disappointment.

That would be a second, cruel blow to him.

"Don't worry, Dean. I understand everything. 'Man proposes, God disposes.' No matter the outcome, I won't blame anyone. If I must blame something, I'll blame fate for not being on my side." Ling Fei took a deep breath, looked up at the sky, and said slowly. Even now, he did not regret his actions.

Because none of it was ever within his control.

Everything he had done, he had been forced to do. He'd had no other choice.

"Don't lose heart. Perhaps... there will be a turn for the better," said Vice Dean Zhou.

"Don't worry, Dean. I was already prepared for the worst when I came out of the Xiling Ruins. The fact that the academy is willing to protect me for now... I, Ling Fei, am endlessly grateful." Ling Fei gave a carefree smile, but his eyes were misty and held a deep sorrow. Yet, when he looked at Vice Dean Zhou, his gaze was filled with nothing but gratitude.

"Good child. I believe heaven will look after you," Vice Dean Zhou could only offer this comfort in the end.

"Mm," Ling Fei nodded, then stepped into the Light Sect.

With that, Vice Dean Zhou and Shangguan Hong departed.

Meanwhile, Ling Fei began meditating on the Celestial River Sword Technique inside the Sword Tomb.

He had now reached the Perfect Innate Realm and had achieved a certain level of mastery in Martial Arts, the Cold Dao Mystical, and Swordsmanship.

Now was the perfect time for Ling Fei to continue his study of the Celestial River Sword Technique and advance even further.

[Sixth update of the day is here. Asking for monthly tickets. I hope all my brothers and sisters can help Old Demon secure a spot on the monthly ticket leaderboard!]