Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

At that moment, Light Patterns flickered in the distant Void. The Celestial Emperor's Dharma Aspect reappeared in the sky near Celestial River Academy.

His previously shattered palm was now perfectly intact.

This was a Dharma Aspect formed from willpower; Elder Ling's earlier strike had not truly harmed him.

Such were the wonders of a Dharma Aspect.

The Celestial Emperor's Dharma Aspect appeared in the nearby sky, his expression grim as a terrifying pressure began to gather around him.

The very sky above Celestial River Academy seemed on the verge of collapsing under the weight.

"You killed my Dukes. Do you think I am someone to be trifled with?" the Celestial Emperor's low voice boomed as a terrifying pressure crashed down.

The pressure converged on a single point, causing the very space around Elder Ling to distort.

Such power was enough to instantly obliterate a Celestial Pill Realm Cultivator, turning them to dust.

Though the Celestial Emperor had not physically attacked, the might he now displayed was clearly even greater than his earlier strike.

This was an attempt to overwhelm with sheer presence, a test of Elder Ling's true strength.

However, Elder Ling remained fearless. His white hair whipped about, his aura no less imposing. A wave of Dao Patterns manifested and enveloped him. Shangguan Hong and Xue Xi felt no pressure at all. This scene left Shangguan Hong utterly shocked. 'From the looks of it, Elder Ling really can contend with the Celestial Emperor!'

Once the Dao Patterns had enveloped Shangguan Hong and Xue Xi, Elder Ling looked up, his gaze fixed on the Celestial Emperor's Dharma Aspect Body.

"Your Dukes tried to kill my son. Do you think he is someone to be trifled with?" Elder Ling's tone was unyielding. "I have resided in your great nation for more than ten years, never meddling in worldly affairs. If Your Majesty truly insists on a battle, I don't mind making rivers of blood flow across this land. Anyone who dares harm my son—even you—shall be executed."

As his final words fell, Light Patterns flashed in his eyes, forming what looked like a Yin Yang Tai Chi, a whole world seeming to rise and fall within their depths.

A heaven-shaking aura erupted from him, instantly shattering the intangible pressure bearing down from the Celestial Emperor.

BZZZT!

The sky rippled, and the Celestial Emperor's Heart Spirit trembled.

"Yin Yang Tai Chi..." The Celestial Emperor's gaze filled with apprehension as he stared at the Dao Pattern phenomenon in Elder Ling's eyes. 'Could he be from the Divine Wilderness...?' At this thought, the Great Tang Emperor's expression grew incredibly solemn. 'This old man's strength is unfathomable; even I cannot see through him. If we truly fight, there's no guarantee he doesn't have a hidden ace up his sleeve.'

This was true even though he possessed a unique, heaven-sent advantage within his own Empire.

But the experts from the Divine Wilderness possessed Heaven-Reaching abilities and could not be underestimated.

If they truly fought with all their might, it might very well cause rivers of blood to flow across the land.

This was clearly not a result he wished to see, nor were the consequences something he could afford to bear.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has a matter to report!" Seeing the sudden apprehension in the Celestial Emperor's eyes, Han Beihai's own eyes lit up, and he immediately bowed.

"Speak, my dear minister." At this, the Celestial Emperor's gaze shifted to Han Beihai.

"Your Majesty, the matter is quite complex. Please allow this old minister to explain in detail."

Han Beihai raised his head slightly and said, "This matter began a month ago, with the sudden appearance of a strange phenomenon at the Xiling Ruins..."

He then briefly recounted the events at the Xiling Ruins. "Ling Fei only killed in self-defense. However, those Clan Members, seeking to claim glory for themselves, hunted him relentlessly, causing the situation to escalate... Finally, the Marquis of Eastern came to kill him, and Prince Long even arrived bearing the Empress' Decree..."

As the Celestial Emperor listened, he would at times frown, and at others, his brow would furrow in anger.

"Just now, Ling Fei was victorious in three consecutive matches, but these people went back on their word and tried to kill him. It was fortunate that Elder Ling arrived, otherwise he would already be dead."

As he spoke of this, Han Beihai's face filled with grief and indignation.

If Elder Ling had not intervened, that exceptionally talented young man would have met a tragic end.

It would have been another tragedy for Celestial River Academy.

"I see." Hearing this, the Celestial Emperor's expression darkened. "I had no idea so much had transpired while I was in seclusion."

"Originally, Wan'Er traveled to the Imperial Capital to seek an audience, hoping Your Majesty would personally intervene. Unfortunately, she is most likely in danger herself at this very moment," Han Beihai said.

The Celestial Emperor had seemed unaware of this, which meant Shangguan Wan'Er had not succeeded in gaining an audience with him.

"Wan'Er is in the Imperial Capital!" The Celestial Emperor's gaze sharpened, and his Heart Spirit stirred.

「In the Imperial Capital.」

The Heart Spirit of the Celestial Emperor's true body spread out, blanketing the entire Imperial Capital.

Finally, his Heart Spirit locked onto the Ninth Prince's Mansion.

There, in a pavilion, he found the figure of Shangguan Wan'Er.

"Heh, Miss Wan'Er, in a few more months the Major Sects will come to the Imperial Capital to select their disciples. I wonder, which Sect do you wish to join?" the Ninth Prince asked with a laugh.

"Ninth Prince, I have been in your mansion for a full day. Please allow me to leave." In the courtyard pavilion, Shangguan Wan'Er's beautiful face was cold, but her eyes were filled with anxiety and worry. She had been under house arrest for a day, with no idea what had happened at Celestial River Academy. All day her mind had been in turmoil, robbing her of sleep, haunted by a feeling that something terrible was about to happen. She was burning with anxiety and had no patience for a chat with the Ninth Prince.

"Heh, after a little more time has passed, I will naturally let you leave," the Ninth Prince said with a laugh.

"You... Have you already sent people to Celestial River Academy?" Hearing this, Shangguan Wan'Er's face fell. Although she had long suspected as much, the Ninth Prince's demeanor confirmed her fears. At that moment, her heart twisted with even greater anxiety for Ling Fei's safety.

"Wan'Er, he is merely a disciple from a Humble Family. Is he truly worth your concern?" the Ninth Prince frowned. "I possess the Five Elements Spirit Body, the Five Virtues Body. I am the son of the Empress, the Prince with the best chance of becoming the Crown Prince. If you marry me, you will one day become the mistress of this entire land."

"I'm sorry, my heart is set on the path of Martial Arts. I have no interest in such things," Shangguan Wan'Er refused.

"If you marry me, you can still pursue the Path of Longevity!" the Ninth Prince said. "The Royal Family's Path of Longevity is in no way inferior to those of the Sects."

He was completely confident in this.

In the Southern Wilderness, not even the Sect Leaders of the various Sects could necessarily compare to his imperial father.

If he ascended the throne in the future, he too could become an expert with Heaven-Reaching abilities.

"Old Jiu. Good. Very good," the Celestial Emperor's voice rang out just as the Ninth Prince's face was filled with smug satisfaction.

His tone was clearly seething with fury.

The voice was like a clap of thunder, making the Ninth Prince's very soul tremble in fear.

"Imperial Father!" The Ninth Prince shivered in fright and scrambled to his knees, prostrating himself on the ground.

"Your Majesty!" Shangguan Wan'Er, on the other hand, was overjoyed. She quickly rose and bowed toward the open air.

"Wan'Er, there is no need for such ceremony. You have been wronged," the Celestial Emperor said.

"Your Majesty, I came because I wished to..." Shangguan Wan'Er began, eager to explain Ling Fei's situation.

"I am already aware of the matter. The young man is safe," the Celestial Emperor said. "Come to the Imperial Palace. Let me see what progress you've made in your Cultivation lately."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shangguan Wan'Er said.

Then, with a wave of the Celestial Emperor's hand, a rainbow of light descended from the sky, enveloping Shangguan Wan'Er and carrying her toward the Imperial Palace.

'It's over... it's all over. Imperial Father is furious. Will he refuse to make me Crown Prince because of this?' The Ninth Prince watched, utterly devastated, as Shangguan Wan'Er was taken away. 'He obviously heard everything I said. If he takes it seriously, he could charge me with the crime of defying the throne itself.'

Even if the punishment were light, he would still be ostracized.

In that case, his position would become precarious.