Starting as the young master of a medicine shop, he practiced swordsmanship for twenty years.

Chapter 425 The Sun and Moon Emperor's Doubts! He proposes Lu Xuan as the Empire's Grand General!

Lu Xuan seemed oblivious to the stares of the crowd below.

He hovered in mid-air, his clothes fluttering in the gale, and the purple starlight in his eyes gradually intensified.

"Rumble--"

The entire plain suddenly trembled violently, and the earth undulated like waves, centered on the abyss fissure.

A sickening scraping sound came from deep within the crack, as if countless sharp claws were tearing at the rock layers.

The first to emerge were thousands of pangolin-like monsters.

Their backs are covered with jet-black carapaces that gleam with an oily sheen in the light.

Each one looked as big as a calf, with countless crimson eyes flashing with a mad light.

The most terrifying thing is their enormous mouths filled with sharp teeth, which constantly drip corrosive slime, scorching the ground and sending plumes of white smoke into the air.

Following closely behind was a spider-like monster unlike any seen before.

Its eight segments are like sharp sickles, leaving deep marks on the ground with each step.

Their bellies swelled, and they would occasionally spray out sticky spider webs. Several soldiers who couldn't dodge in time were instantly wrapped in cocoons, letting out shrill screams.

Just then, a burst of brilliant purple light erupted from the abyss rift.

The crimson monsters charging at the forefront seemed to have crashed into an invisible wall, their black shells rapidly cracking and peeling off in the purple starlight.

They writhed in agony, trying to retreat, but could only turn into ashes in the purple light.

The spider-like monsters frantically swung their scythe-like limbs, but in the end, along with the spider webs they sprayed, they vanished before everyone's eyes like burning scraps of paper.

The intense fluctuations of stellar energy caused the earth to tremble continuously, forcing everyone present to circulate their internal stellar power just to barely maintain their footing.

The commander of the Fifth Guard Regiment—that weathered old woman—could no longer maintain her usual composure.

She stared intently at the figure shrouded in purple light in the air, her wrinkled face filled with disbelief.

"You broke through?" Her voice trembled slightly, clearly in a state of extreme shock.

"Star Domain Realm!!!"

These three words struck like a thunderbolt, resounding in the hearts of every member of the Fifth Guard Regiment.

Star Domain Realm – this is the ranks of the strongest in the Sun and Moon Empire, each one a unique existence.

Whether it's the seven councilors of the Imperial Court or the ten Sun and Moon Divine Guards, these transcendent and supreme powerhouses are all at the Star Domain Realm level.

The elderly female leader and the beautiful deputy leader beside her exchanged a glance, both seeing the same shock in each other's eyes.

They knew all too well what this news meant.

Lu Xuan, the deputy commander of the Ninth Guard Regiment, a genius who was only forty years old, actually took that step.

One can imagine the sensation this news would cause when it reached the Sun Moon Empire.

How shocked the high and mighty figures of the Sun and Moon Imperial Court would be! Even His Majesty deep within the Sun and Moon Temple might personally appear to bestow blessings.

After all, the birth of each Star Domain Realm expert means that the empire's high-level structure will undergo new changes.

The beautiful deputy leader unconsciously clenched her fists, her long, wine-red hair fluttering in the aftershocks of the energy.

Looking at the figure standing above the clouds, she felt a complex mix of emotions that were hard to describe.

At this moment, the abyss in front had shattered into fragments, automatically covering the gap, and the crimson monsters were eliminated one by one.

Lu Xuan nodded slightly to the two ladies as a greeting, then his figure transformed into a purple rainbow and disappeared into the sky in an instant.

Once the dazzling purple starlight had completely dissipated, the old woman leader immediately resumed her usual decisive and efficient manner, turning to give orders to the beautiful female leader.

"Ren Cheng, immediately lead men to patrol the surrounding area. Once it is confirmed to be safe, rest in place. The entire army will withdraw one day later."

"understand!"

With her long, wine-red hair, Ren Cheng quickly composed herself and gave a crisp military salute.

As she turned, her gold and white battle robes, adorned with the sun and moon, fluttered, and her long, white-stockinged legs traced clean arcs in the sunlight. She then began to efficiently command her military troops to execute orders.

For the next month, Lu Xuan frequently appeared in the wasteland outside the various safe zones.

This newly promoted Star Domain Realm expert deviated from his usual practice, no longer guarding the Ninth Safe Zone, but instead ventured alone into the Fallen Zone, annihilating the crimson monster horde wherever he went.

This unusual behavior quickly attracted the close attention of the high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Empire.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the council hall of the Sun and Moon Imperial Court was completely different from the peaceful atmosphere of the past.

The seven highest councilors sat on a white jade platform, while hundreds of officials from various security zones and important ministers of the empire gathered on the seats below.

A low murmur of discussion echoed beneath the gilded dome, with everyone's conversation unanimously focusing on the same name.

Without a doubt, this rare council meeting was convened for Lu Xuan, the newly promoted Star Domain Realm expert.

Immediately afterwards, a royal minister dressed in magnificent court attire stepped forward, his voice resounding throughout the entire parliament hall.

"Everyone, Lu Xuan disregarded imperial laws, broke away from the control of the imperial court, and carried out so-called 'cleansing' outside the safe zone," he deliberately emphasized.

"This minister urges the seven councilors to immediately inform His Majesty and order them to return to the Imperial Court and cease these meaningless actions!"

These undisguised accusations sent a chill down the spines of everyone present. After all, the person being discussed was a true Star Domain Realm expert, a supreme being of the Sun Moon Empire.

But this noble minister, born into a prominent family, was already blinded by jealousy—why? Why could a commoner warrior break through that barrier that countless nobles dreamed of?
These scions of noble families, who were born with the best resources and the noblest bloodlines, are trapped in the Blazing Sun Realm and can hardly move an inch!

“Minister Yunxing is absolutely right!” another noble official immediately chimed in, stroking his meticulously trimmed beard as he spoke with righteous indignation.

"As a key member of the Imperial Guard, Lu Xuan should have been dutiful and responsible, not abandoned his post and wandered recklessly outside the safe zone. This is not only disloyal to His Majesty, but also contemptuous of the Imperial Council!"

Before he could finish speaking, another minister eagerly added, "Since Lu Xuan has managed to break through to the Star Domain Realm, he should hand over all his insights on cultivating the power of the starry sky for us to study."

This is the only way to demonstrate his loyalty to the empire, and also to help us, his colleagues, avoid detours on our path of cultivation.”

These words immediately drew echoes from many noble councilors.

They appear respectable on the surface, but they cannot hide the greed and jealousy in their eyes.

These pampered nobles could never accept that a martial artist from a common background could be the first to break through the realm they so desperately wanted.

This is the inherent weakness of human nature—no matter what situation one is in, the first thing one always considers is one's own desires and greed.

The life and death of others are nothing more than bargaining chips in the eyes of these imperial nobles.

If the benefits are great enough, they are even willing to guide the Crimson Monsters or Crimson Fallen.

These aristocratic families, who occupy the top echelons of the empire, have long regarded the nation's vital resources as their private property.

The nobles monopolized various cultivation resources in groups, held key military and political positions, and each of them was extremely wealthy and powerful.

Ordinary people struggle to survive on the edge of basic needs, while countless others deemed "worthless" are abandoned outside the safe zone to fend for themselves. To the nobles who control everything in the empire, the world outside the city walls is merely a buffer zone to consume the Crimson Monsters.

The lives of those exiles were not even worth as much as a bottle of fine wine at their banquet.

"Shut up, you idiots!!!"

A majestic female voice boomed down from the high platform, its sound waves echoing through the vast council hall, causing countless glass lamps to hum.

The noble councilors who had been shouting the loudest moments before suddenly fell silent, their pampered faces turning purple and then gradually turning as black as the bottom of a pot.

They clenched their fists, their nails digging deep into their palms, but dared not make a sound.

Indeed, if anyone else had dared to reprimand them in this way, these spoiled nobles would have already attacked them en masse.

But at this moment, they didn't even dare to breathe.

The one who spoke was none other than the one seated in the very center of the seven councilors—Sun and Moon Pivot.

This woman is not only the backbone of the parliament, but also the eldest daughter of the current emperor and the empire's princess.

Her status was extremely high, second only to the emperor, and could not be compared to that of so-called nobles.

"This meeting is to give Lu Xuan, the deputy commander of the Ninth Guard Regiment, an important position."

"After discussion, I and the six councilors have unanimously agreed to promote Lu Xuan to Imperial General. You may vote now."

The cool, clear voice of Riyue Yingshu echoed in the hall, each word carrying undeniable weight.

This appointment was clearly already agreed upon among the seven councilors, and the vote at this moment was merely a formality.

The next moment, Riyue Yingchu calmly swept his gaze over the councilors below, whose expressions varied, and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, awaiting the vote whose outcome was already predetermined.

"what!"

An elderly nobleman with white hair and beard suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his gold-embroidered robe fluttering in the air.

He extended a trembling finger and spoke angrily, his voice filled with unbelievable fury.

"The position of Imperial General has always been reserved for those not from aristocratic families! This is a rule established since the founding of the nation! How can a commoner with no background be entrusted with the imperial military command?"

"I second the proposal!"

Another obese nobleman staggered to his feet, fine beads of sweat glistening on his forehead: "The Grand General commands the three armies, and his fate is tied to the safety of the empire."

If even such important positions can be arbitrarily granted to commoners, where does that leave the ancestral laws? Where does that leave the safety of the empire?

"Oppose! We vehemently oppose!"

One after another, nobles rose from their seats, their excited voices echoing beneath the dome of the hall.

Their faces were a mixture of shock, anger, and fear, as if this appointment was not a selection of generals, but an attempt to shake the very foundations that held their power as nobles.

Several young nobles had even placed their hands on their swords, despite knowing that drawing a sword in Parliament was a serious crime.

The entire noble seating area was in complete chaos, like a pot of boiling water.

Imperial Grand General – This position means having direct supreme command over all legions of the Sun Moon Empire, a position of unparalleled prestige, second only to the Emperor and the seven Grand Councilors.

Since the death of the newly appointed general fifty years ago, this position has remained vacant.

For fifty years, the various noble factions have been vying for power, each trying to place someone from their own faction in this position.

It was precisely because they hindered each other and neither was willing to give in that this important position remained vacant for half a century.

Now, this position, which all noble families have been eyeing, is about to be taken by a commoner martial artist with no background.

How could these self-proclaimed noble families accept this?
Sun Moon Pivot completely ignored the few clamoring noble councilors, his cold gaze slowly sweeping across the entire room.

She announced again, "The vote begins."

The next moment, the hall was suddenly illuminated with dazzling golden starlight—a beam of golden light shot up from each councilor's seat, symbolizing a vote of approval.

In a short while, except for fewer than ten noble councilors who were still stubbornly opposing, the entire parliament hall was enveloped in a magnificent golden starry sky.

Princess Riyue Yingshu nodded slightly, showing no surprise at the outcome.

What a joke! You actually voted when I asked you to?

Didn't they see that Her Highness the Eldest Princess had already spoken, clearly stating that this was a joint decision by the seven councilors, and that the so-called vote was merely a formality?

Who would dare to actually oppose it? Wouldn't that be courting death?

Which of these noble councilors in the hall isn't a shrewd and calculating person?

Most of the people immediately and wisely voted in favor. The few who still wanted to hold out turned around and saw that even their most steadfast "own people" had raised their hands in agreement, and they froze on the spot.

They looked at each other, their faces turning pale and then red, like a group of clowns pushed onto the stage—the stage had been removed, leaving them alone to put on airs.

"Proposal approved, meeting adjourned!"

After Sun and Moon Pivot finished speaking, a burst of dazzling golden starlight flashed, and he disappeared completely.

Outside the gates of the Sun and Moon Temple, ten guards responsible for watching the gates quickly stepped aside upon seeing Sun and Moon Ying Shu appear.

The palace doors closed again, revealing an incredibly vast inner hall with dozens of palaces nestled within. The Sun and Moon Pivot ignored each member of the royal family and proceeded directly to the main hall.

"come in."

An aged yet dignified voice came from inside the hall. Upon hearing this, Riyue Yingshu casually straightened his robes and slowly walked in.

Deep inside the main hall, an elderly man dressed in a royal robe embroidered with gold thread stood quietly.

The pattern of the sun and moon shining on the robe shimmered under the light of the pearls and dazzling lamps, which was none other than the supreme ruler of the Sun and Moon Empire—the Sun and Moon Emperor.

“Father,” Riyue Yingchu bowed slightly, “the council has passed a resolution and Lu Xuan has been appointed Grand General of the Empire, but… is such a promotion a bit too hasty?”

It turns out that the resolution that was passed unanimously by the seven councilors was due to the personal instruction of the Sun and Moon Emperor.

"Whether we are acting too hastily remains to be seen." An enigmatic smile appeared on the aged face of the Sun and Moon Emperor. "I would like to observe for a while longer. The actions of this Lu Xuan truly puzzle me."

“It is indeed strange.” Riyue Yingshu frowned slightly. “His clearing out of the crimson monsters outside the safe zone seems brave, but in reality it is just a meaningless battle.”

This is precisely the shared confusion within the Sun and Moon Imperial Court.

According to the established strategy of the Sun and Moon Empire, it would be sufficient to eliminate the threat of the Crimson Monsters within a thousand miles of the outer perimeter of the safe zone.

As for the more distant wastelands, some of the crimson monster hordes were fighting and devouring each other, while others wandered aimlessly, having no time to invade the ten safe zones established by the empire.

More importantly, these crimson monsters seem to be impossible to kill—even if they are wiped out, they will inexplicably reappear from some corner soon afterward.

Therefore, in the eyes of the Sun Moon Empire's high command, Lu Xuan's laborious expedition to exterminate the enemy was simply a waste of his precious star power.

(End of this chapter)