Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

"An Empress' Decree?" Marquis Yun's eyes brightened. "If we have the Empress' Decree, everything will be easy."

"In that case, we'll wait here for two days," Liu Changyang said, his gaze turning cold.

"Mm." The powerful experts exchanged a glance and retreated to the side, ceasing their attacks. It was clear they were waiting for the Empress' Decree to settle the matter.

Inside the academy, Han Beihai made a beckoning gesture. The Holy Decree transformed into a streak of rainbow light and flew into his hand like a True Dragon.

After retrieving the Holy Decree, he stood tall in the Void, his gaze fixed ahead.

The three Profound Pill Realm experts beside him, however, wore grave expressions.

"They've stopped," one of them said.

"I don't think they'll give up so easily. They must be waiting for an opportunity," Han Beihai said.

"An opportunity?" one of the Profound Pill Realm experts asked with a frown. "The Empress?"

"Most likely," Han Beihai replied. "For now, we can only hope Wan'Er succeeds in getting an audience with the Celestial Emperor. If she does, this matter will be resolved. Otherwise..." He couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. If she failed, they wouldn't be able to protect Ling Fei.

This was clearly not an outcome they wished to see.

...

The Marquis of Eatern and his men remained in a standoff with Celestial River Academy.

Time passed quietly.

In the blink of an eye, two days passed. It had now been five days since Shangguan Wan'Er had set out for the Imperial Capital.

Over the past five days, Elder Zhou and Shangguan Wan'Er had traveled day and night, flying a distance of over a hundred thousand li. At last, they arrived at the mountain range near the Imperial Capital.

Shangguan Wan'Er and Elder Zhou stood in the air on their Flying Swords. Gazing forward, they saw a majestic, sprawling city nestled within the mountain range ahead.

"The Imperial Capital is just ahead," Shangguan Wan'Er murmured, gazing into the distance.

Before her, the Imperial Capital was immense. Its walls stood a hundred zhang tall, resembling an ancient behemoth coiled among the mountains.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that the mountains encircling the Imperial Capital resembled a colossal, coiling dragon.

And the Imperial Capital itself was built right where the dragon's heart would be.

Even before they arrived, a vast and majestic aura washed over them, causing Elder Zhou to involuntarily slow his flight.

Faintly, an aura of Emperor's Qi lingered over the Imperial Capital, inspiring a natural sense of reverence and awe.

'If we can enter the Imperial Capital and get an audience with the Celestial Emperor, Ling Fei will be saved.' Elder Zhou gazed ahead. With a stir of his Heart Spirit, he urged the Flying Sword forward once more.

Shangguan Wan'Er's brow was tightly furrowed, her expression grave.

For some reason, her heart began to pound. A sense of unease, a dark premonition, washed over her.

"We're about to reach the Imperial Capital. There shouldn't be any more trouble," Elder Zhou said reassuringly. Yet, as his eyes scanned their surroundings, his expression was wary.

WHOOSH!

Like a rainbow streak, the Flying Sword carried Elder Zhou and Shangguan Wan'Er into the mountain range ahead.

Just as they rounded a mountain peak, they spotted a Flying Chariot suspended in the Void above the valley ahead.

The Flying Chariot was forged from Gold, its edges intricately carved with Flood Dragons. Seated upon a throne in the center of the chariot was a man dressed in a Flood Python King Robe.

The man was handsome and elegant, with a refined, noble air about him. He was leaning lazily against the throne.

A serving maid stood on either side of him. One was in the process of feeding him a grape as clear as crystal.

In addition, two men in brocade robes stood flanking the Flying Chariot.

Their gazes were as sharp as lightning, and they emanated a piercing aura, even more powerful than that of Marquis Yun.

These two were, shockingly, experts of the Profound Pill Realm.

"The Ninth Prince!" Shangguan Wan'Er's expression changed drastically upon seeing the Flying Chariot that had suddenly appeared before them.

The man on the throne was none other than the reigning Ninth Prince.

He was also the son of the Empress.

Aboard the Flying Chariot, the Ninth Prince shed his lazy posture. He lifted his gaze, a wicked smile spreading across his face as his eyes fell upon Shangguan Wan'Er.

"Heh heh, Miss Wan'Er, we meet again." The Ninth Prince chuckled, but his gaze drifted, either intentionally or not, toward Elder Zhou.

'Just an initial-stage Profound Pill Realm cultivator.' After a brief assessment, the Ninth Prince visibly relaxed, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes.

'The two men by my side are at the Profound Pill Great Success Realm!'

"To what do I owe the pleasure of the Ninth Prince's presence?" Shangguan Wan'Er asked, her expression indifferent.

"Heh heh, it's so rare for us to meet. I just so happen to have acquired a new Treasure Sword. I was wondering if you would be willing to join me at my residence to... discuss swordsmanship," the Ninth Prince chuckled.

"Discuss swordsmanship?" Shangguan Wan'Er replied. "My apologies, but I have urgent business to attend to. I cannot visit your esteemed mansion at this time. Perhaps after my business is concluded, I can join the Ninth Prince to discuss swordsmanship?"

"Heh heh, don't be so quick to refuse, Miss Wan'Er. While I spoke of discussing swordsmanship, it is actually my mother, the Empress, who wishes to see you," the Ninth Prince said with a smile.

"The Empress?" Shangguan Wan'Er's brow furrowed. 'This is bad,' she thought.

The Ninth Prince's appearance here was obviously deliberate.

Now that he had invoked the Empress, refusing to go would be a grave offense, an act of great disrespect.

A quick spiritual scan confirmed that the two Guards beside the Ninth Prince were powerful Profound Pill Realm experts. If she refused, they would likely attack without hesitation. Given the situation, it was clear that whether Shangguan Wan'Er wanted to go or not, she would be forced to. This entire ambush was, of course, at the behest of the Marquis of Eatern.

"It seems they were deliberately waiting to intercept us," Elder Zhou said, his expression darkening as he, too, sensed the gravity of the situation.

'I never thought... The Imperial Capital is right before my eyes, yet I can't get an audience with the Celestial Emperor. Is it heaven's will that Ling Fei is doomed?' Sadness filled Shangguan Wan'Er's eyes.

"If I were to unleash my full power, the resulting fluctuations might alert others. But I fear you would be caught in the aftermath," Elder Zhou said in a low voice.

Shangguan Wan'Er shook her head.

That might be true, but would the Ninth Prince have come here unprepared?

"What's this? Miss Wan'Er doesn't wish to come?" The Ninth Prince's gaze sharpened. He rose to his feet and motioned to one of his Guards.

At once, the Guard produced an Imperial Decree.

The moment the Imperial Decree appeared, a vast and powerful pressure permeated the area.

While this pressure couldn't match the might of the Celestial Emperor himself, it was still enough to make the very air in the Void seem to congeal.

"The Empress' Decree!" Shangguan Wan'Er's heart sank. She knew it was all over.

With the Empress' Decree in play, it would be useless even if Elder Zhou fought with his life on the line.

The power contained within the decree was enough to suppress even an expert of the Celestial Pill Realm.

"If you please." Aboard the Flying Chariot, the Ninth Prince extended a hand, a sinister curve playing on his lips.

Left with no other choice, Shangguan Wan'Er could only step forward.

"And this esteemed senior should also come be a guest at my Prince's Mansion," the Ninth Prince said to Elder Zhou with a smile.

Elder Zhou had no choice but to follow.

The Inscription Patterns on the edge of the Flying Chariot began to squirm, blooming with a dazzling light. They then transformed into two Flood Dragons that pulled the chariot toward the Imperial Capital.

But Shangguan Wan'Er, now seated within the Flying Chariot, felt her heart turn to dead ash. Her eyes held nothing but endless, desolate sorrow.

She was now under a form of house arrest, unable to seek an audience with the Celestial Emperor. Who now could possibly save Ling Fei?