From a martial arts disciple to a god through countless trials and tribulations

Chapter 378 The Celestial Palace Decrees

Inside the palace, the atmosphere was tense.

The lamplight flickered, casting a cold light on the pillars of the hall. The carved Qilin beasts on them all turned their icy eyes, watching everything in the hall, sending chills down one's spine.

When Chen Xuan heard Emperor Ji's words, which carried immense weight, that the Ji family would engage in a decisive battle with the Immortal Palace before dawn to determine life and death, he was deeply moved.
Is this a joke?

This is no joke. The True Lord does not speak lightly. The Emperor Ji's word is as good as gold, and he would never speak nonsense in such a situation.

Inside the hall, everyone was shaken and felt a sense of absurdity.

Because Emperor Ji not only wanted to become an immortal, but also wanted to destroy the entire Immortal Palace... I've never heard of becoming an immortal and then taking down the entire Immortal Palace and all those Golden Core Immortals in one fell swoop!
Even the most radical True Lord in the world only dares to say that at worst he can reverse the fate of the Immortal Palace Immortals on his path of Immortal Qi.

"This..." The younger princes and princesses, including Ji Youbing, as well as the veteran emperor like Ji Huaisheng, were all dumbfounded and looked at the old emperor on the throne with astonished expressions.

This was the final choice of the old emperor of the Ji family?

This is insane! What is he trying to do?!

Even a demon like Xiaoming Wang Kong Xuan, who was unwilling to see the Ji family unite with other True Lords to do great things, looked utterly bewildered upon hearing these words.

Inside the main hall, there were originally dozens of True Lords' wills watching, but as Emperor Ji finished speaking, in an instant, more than half of the True Lords left as if avoiding snakes and scorpions.

“Brother Xuanji, you are too radical,” the True Monarch will of the Jiang family responded.

In the great battle to become an immortal, the Dao Lord of Xiaoqingtian, the Dragon Lord of Xiaolong Palace, and other sword cultivators and fire magic cultivators were all considered radicals among the True Lords, and they would inevitably participate in any major event.

The cultivators of the Tu De Ji family, Mu De family, Tai Yin family, and other lineages are mostly conservative, very stable, and rarely take the initiative to participate in major events.

The most direct point is that several True Monarchs have died in the Sword Inquiry Dojo, and even the Dao Lord has fallen in battle, but the Ji family has not lost a single True Monarch in external battles so far.

"I have thought about this for three or four months, and after much deliberation, I have finally concluded that this is the most conservative choice for the Ji family."

Emperor Ji responded in a deep voice, his tone as strong as metal, which made many people's eardrums throb.

Everyone stared blankly. What? Conservative? If this is considered conservative, are there any radical Qi practitioners left in the world?

"..." The remaining True Monarch wills fell silent.

Even the True Lords of the other three great divine dynasties, as well as the other emperors and True Lords of Zhongzhou, fell silent. They could help with other matters, but not this...

Even the most prestigious lineage could be severed because of this incident.

After all, regardless of the individual strength of the immortals in the Immortal Palace, their backgrounds as immortals are also quite remarkable. For example, the Earth Virtue Immortal who is said to be able to use the "Universe in the Sleeve" technique is from the Earth Virtue Zhenyuan Daoist Temple, where the entire sect ascended to immortality.

The brilliance of the ancient town's Yuan Dao lineage may not be much less than that of the Ji family. Moreover, this is a flourishing lineage that still managed to achieve the status of a first-generation immortal in the near-ancient era when all the supreme immortals had gone into hiding.

However, there are at least five such similar immortals within the Immortal Palace.

“The Golden Core Immortals of the Immortal Palace are not necessarily a united front. Some can be won over, and through alliances and counter-alliances, we might be able to break through one or two and have a chance to achieve an Immortal position. However, it is too hasty to do so in just one night,” a True Lord said solemnly.

Emperor Ji shook his head and said, "The Celestial Palace has been in the heavens for a million years. This time, if it doesn't give way, the Ji family will not stop."

"..." The True Lord then fell silent.

Without a doubt, the aging Emperor Ji has made his stance clear: the Ji family will definitely start a war tonight; either the Celestial Palace will descend, or the Ji family will perish.

"Is the Ji family emperor truly planning to usher in ten thousand years of peace before his death?" someone whispered.

Outside the palace, the sky was already covered with dark clouds, the thick clouds like a huge lead plate, pressing heavily on the imperial palace.

A fierce wind howled past, making the bells on the palace eaves jingle sharply and piercingly, as if the sky were roaring in anger. Occasionally, a flash of lightning would rip through the dark sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder, making one's heart involuntarily clench.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanji, please reconsider." A calm voice rang out from the Yao family area of ​​the Great Talisman. Immediately afterward, the azure sky dissipated, and the Yao family True Monarch chose to leave.

Chen Xuan glanced around and saw that the Great Fu Dynasty had made its statement, and a human supreme being of considerable stature had left the scene.

"If needed, young people can be sent to Dazhuan for refuge," Jiang Family True Lord then politely declined.

With enough divine travels and the right methods, there is a chance to overwhelm a True Lord, but it is impossible to defy the Immortals. The Ji family members below the True Lord are no different from cannon fodder.

Jiang Family True Lord has departed.

Immediately afterward, the True Lord of the Great You Dynasty departed, and on the other side, the sword cries in the Little Sword Pavilion area also completely subsided.

With these major powers in the Central Plains successively expressing their stance, the many human True Monarchs who had been observing no longer saw any need to linger.

Most of these True Lords certainly want to become immortals, but the problem is that their immortal positions on these few paths of immortal energy are likely vacant, so it's not worth risking the fate of their own lineage to go against the entire Immortal Palace.

Emperor Ji's gaze remained calm, and he did not try to persuade him to stay, having already anticipated this situation.

at this time.

Inside the hall, Little Ming King Kong Xuan spoke again: "Your Majesty, my father is currently a guest at the Celestial Palace. He has sent word that the Celestial Lords of the Celestial Palace have allowed one or two immortals to appear in this era when the Mountain and Sea Banquet is held... I hope you will think twice before acting."

These words caused an uproar in the entire hall, and everyone's breathing became rapid.

Clearly, although Kong Xuan's words were addressed to Emperor Ji, they were meant for others to hear. This was undoubtedly a bombshell, and in an instant, the already dwindling will of the True Monarchs in the hall scattered.

soon.

In the entire palace, only a handful of True Lords remained willing to stay.

However, the fact that these True Lords' wills have not yet left does not mean that they will support Emperor Ji. They may simply be curious about what Emperor Ji will do next.

“Only one or two out of ten True Lords and ancient lineages are still observing.” Chen Xuan observed the reactions of the others in the hall.

Ji Youbing and Ji Huaisheng once said that the Ji family's next choice is related to the degree of support from the various Dao True Lords.

"You are in the grand ceremony, in the imperial palace, the eternally immortal Emperor of the Ji family."

A True Lord sighed, "But after the grand ceremony, we went to the Immortal Palace... someone else's territory."

Just then, Chen Xuan saw the black sword in Su Fuyao's hand slightly unsheathed, and black sword energy appeared.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanji, what are you planning to do?" The old swordsman's voice rang out. In the current situation, it was undoubtedly a pipe dream for the Ji family to try to destroy the entire Immortal Palace.

However, due to the appearance of the Supreme God Ye Kui, the True Lord of the Sword Inquiry Dojo has not yet left.

The Emperor looked over, remained silent for a long while, and finally spoke:

"I, the Emperor, will attain immortality in the Imperial Palace tonight."

Without a doubt, this is Emperor Ji's response to the current situation.

Since the True Lords will not cooperate and the Ji family is powerless to attack the Immortal Palace, they will force the Immortal Palace to offer a grand tribute.

"This..." Upon hearing this, many people were shocked and found it unbelievable.

Lu Zhuan was astonished, spilling the tea from his teacup. He murmured, "On the Five Directions, no one can prove themselves to be an immortal. Even the Tai Xuan, who devoured the entire Southern Region, ultimately suffered a crushing defeat."

The other True Lords' wills fell even deeper into silence, and then they all departed, leaving none behind.

"Emperor Ji is old and delusional. He intends to devour all five of the other True Monarchs of the Ji family." A True Monarch sighed with certainty as he left.

soon.

After Emperor Ji left, everyone in the hall looked at each other, their hearts filled with indescribable emotions.

"Hey, what did I say before? The old emperor has arrived, so this banquet can't continue." A demon cultivator smiled bitterly, then said, "Everyone, before dawn, the Ji family will be wiped out from the Five Directions Land." "This place is dangerous, I'll take my leave first." Someone stood up and quickly left the imperial palace. Then, he was about to leave the capital and travel through Taixu.

Before long, everyone had left the palace, leaving only a desolate scene.

……

Not long after, Chen Xuan entered Guyao Mountain and informed Baicao Zhenjun about the grand ceremony.

Inside the pavilion, the music gradually stopped, and the peerless Bai Cao Zhenjun raised his face, revealing a thoughtful expression.

"I have heard rumors of a grand ceremony. Several months ago, Ji Xuanji actually gave up his obsession with becoming an immortal."

Bai Cao spoke softly, paused for a moment, and continued, "But now, there's no going back on the move. The Ji family has suddenly launched a major attack and announced it to the world, so everyone is forced to make a difficult choice."

Chen Xuan nodded slightly, then sighed, "The Central Plains are about to be plunged into chaos and devastation."

When the Supreme Daoist lineage stakes everything on the Immortal Palace with a resolute attitude, the so-called sinking of the Central Plains will no longer be a joke.

"Tonight, as soon as Ji Xuanji takes the first step towards becoming an immortal, the Immortal Palace will definitely make its move. You should start thinking about your escape route in advance," said True Monarch Baicao.

"I know what I'm doing." Chen Xuan stared at Bai Cao's flawless face. Clearly, True Monarch Bai Cao would stay out of it and had no intention of interfering in the grand ceremony.

"Most of the Golden Core Immortals in the Immortal Palace are from the demon race. Some of the demon True Monarchs' obsession with becoming immortals is far less intense than that of the human race," said True Monarch Baicao.

Chen Xuan nodded silently. The pressure that the Ji family would face next was not only from the Immortal Palace, but also from many True Lords who were still under the jurisdiction of the Immortal Palace.

For example, those so-called most skilled fighting demons actually showed the most restraint in the context of the great war to become immortals.

Even the remnants of the Doubu tribe, who are barely clinging to life among the human race, clamor all day long for immortality, but very few Doubu demons would utter such delusional words about becoming immortals.

“Young people from the direct lineage of immortals often get to deal with things that are too advanced,” Chen Xuan said with a smile and a shake of his head.

While those small-time practitioners and independent cultivators were vying for a chance in the deep mountains and forests, they were unaware that a great calamity that would affect hundreds of millions of lives had quietly loomed over the sky above them, a calamity they could never reach.

"Buzz!"

In the dead of night, the Earth Virtue Immortal Qi emitted a heart-wrenching lament throughout the four directions of heaven and earth, continuous and unending, like a mournful dirge.

The True Lord of Earth Virtue has fallen!

Immediately afterwards, wisps of white mist rose from the depths of the imperial palace.

"It has begun." In the Wan Guo Fang, some disciples of powerful forces who were still lingering couldn't help but let out a final sigh.

When Chen Xuan returned to Wanguofang, Jiang Muying and many other people he knew or had a relationship with bid him farewell, and then left Dali under the starry night.

"Emperor Ji, who was known for his kindness and gentleness, was so ruthless in his final moments," Jiang Muying sighed before leaving.

Without a doubt, Emperor Ji was "eating" his own True Lord.

The Ji family's will to become immortals will never change.

"Su Fuyao, why aren't you leaving yet?" Chen Xuan saw the Sword Fairy in front of his courtyard.

"You didn't leave either?" Su Fuyao retorted.

Dressed in white, with a black and white sword hanging at her waist, she stood in front of the courtyard wall, a pill brimming with spiritual energy in her palm, feeding the rooster on the top of the wall.

"..." Chen Xuan remained silent. Because the rooster on the day of the Rabbit had mentioned the matter of the mourning child, he was waiting for the Ji family to come to him.

Strangely, even though Emperor Ji has started seeking immortality, Da Li shows no sign of contacting him... Could it be that the one sealed in the coffin is not the mourning child?
"As long as the Supreme God hasn't left, my family won't leave either." Su Fuyao turned around and smiled, patting the black and white twin swords at her waist, and said nonchalantly, "When it comes to fighting, my family has never been afraid of anyone."

"Impressive." Chen Xuan couldn't help but give a thumbs up. Because of Wei Tianjun, the Sword Inquiry Dojo made its choice.

Although the sword cultivators at the Sword Inquiry Dojo are not exactly known for their pleasant personalities, being rather stubborn and unpleasant, they are indeed more trustworthy than others in crucial moments.

"Sword Fairy, what are you doing here with Lao Xuan again!" Not far away, Ye Kui walked over with his hands behind his head, a blade of grass in his mouth, head held high and chest out.

Su Fuyao glared at the other party and said angrily, "You little rascal, Master Wei must be blind to have taken in such a thing as you."

Chen Xuan greeted Ye Kui with a smile, and then invited him with great interest, "Ye Kui, you must have made great progress recently. Let's have a little spar."

In the realm of combat, the Supreme God is unmatched by anyone in the world.

A Doubu Zhenjun once lamented that the level of Doubu martial arts in the world is as high as that of the Jidao Shen (Extreme God).

Now, Ye Kui has ascended to godhood and, after more than a year of refinement, has undergone a complete transformation. While he may not be able to sweep aside those of the same realm in combat, he is definitely among the top-tier individuals. Even those with near-perfect fighting immortal seeds might not be able to compare to him.

"Hey pretty girl, come over here!" Ye Kui didn't respond to Chen Xuan's challenge, but suddenly waved and called out to the distance. He had sharp eyes and saw Yan Yushu coming towards them alone.

Yan Yushu possessed unparalleled beauty, her black dress billowing, her skin radiating divine light, like a goddess descending to earth, leading a spirit monkey.

"Why don't you leave? Don't you know how dangerous the capital is?!" Chen Xuan asked, frowning.

“The True Lord of Heaven has summoned Lu Zhuan away, but I saw you were still here, so I came to check on you,” Yan Yushu said.

"Haha, the three heroes who once dominated Peach Blossom Spring have now reunited in the capital. How wonderful!" Ye Kui exclaimed with satisfaction.

"Huh?" Yan Yushu was slightly taken aback, but he didn't have much of an impression of Ye Kui. However, since the other party was a chosen one and also a fellow Daoist Chen Xuan, he gave him a polite but distant smile.

Everyone knows that the greatest achievement of the Chosen One, the Supreme God of the Extreme Path, was his repeated defeats at the hands of the Venerable of Ten Thousand Worlds during the Mountain and Sea Banquet, where he was like a stray dog ​​on the roadside. Apart from that, he had no other fame.

The group entered Chen Xuan's courtyard.

Soon after, Ji Youbing and his siblings, along with a group of princes and princesses, arrived. They all wore sorrowful expressions. The imperial palace was now a forbidden area, and they could not approach it. They could only wander around the capital city and eventually arrived at this place.

"The ancestral emperor has devoured all the True Lords in the family." Ji Youbing sighed, his gaze towards Chen Xuan filled with confusion and a hint of complexity.

"Didn't you go to the Jiang family for refuge?" Su Fuyao asked Ji Yaojia.

“Sister Sword Fairy, it’s all or nothing. If we, the descendants of the Ji family, perish, how will others believe in the unwavering will of our ancestor, the Emperor?” Ji Yaojia replied softly.

"Hey, Brother Niu, I'm quite curious. There's a True Lord of Earth in the Celestial Palace, so how come your Emperor was able to take the first step towards becoming an immortal?" Ye Kui asked in confusion.

"I don't know, surely the emperor and his ancestors had their own methods?" Ji Yaojia replied softly, her expression also bewildered.

The gathering of these young prodigies was undoubtedly a small grand event. Even though the situation in the capital was critical and the atmosphere was tense, like a desperate situation, the impact on them was actually quite limited. Soon, everyone started chatting and discussing various topics.

"boom!"

Soon after, what was bound to happen still happened.

A powerful True Lord arrived via the Great Void. Above the capital, countless gaps in the Great Void appeared one after another, accompanied by lightning and thunder. An overwhelming aura of the True Lord poured down without any concealment.

The Great Void connects to the mortal world. The enormous figure, shrouded in the radiance of the Dao, has an ape head and reaches to the heavens and the earth. Standing in the dark Great Void, its pair of fierce eyes, like the sun and moon, overlook the entire imperial capital.

It has been countless millennia.

For the first time, a True Lord from another realm has arrived in the capital of Dali with such disdain!
This was the pressure of a True Monarch. Even though his true body was still in the Great Ruins, the sheer pressure alone was enough to overwhelm many cultivators in the capital, causing countless people to uncontrollably prostrate themselves in worship.

The power of the True Lord is irresistible!

The demon race True Monarch who had appeared spoke, his booming voice echoing down from the Great Ruins, saying, "By order of the Immortal Palace, the Great Ceremony will be wiped out tonight. Xuan Ji, come out and meet us!"

(End of this chapter)