If you force me to take the blame, I'll spend a day in jail and gain a year's worth of spi

The Imperial Clan Court, deep within the forbidden area.

This place is usually solemn and quiet, and is rarely opened except for major sacrificial ceremonies or times of national crisis.

However, at this moment, this forbidden area, which symbolizes the highest power and foundation of the Xiao imperial family, is brightly lit and bustling with people.

In the outer area, many young members of the royal family gathered in small groups, their faces filled with surprise and unease, whispering among themselves.

"What on earth happened? Why were even our uncles and great-uncles, who are usually in seclusion, alerted?"

"I don't know. I was just listening to music at the music academy when I was urgently summoned back."

"Judging by this force, it seems like a large enemy army is pressing in."

"Impossible. If there were war on the border, the Ministry of War would have been in an uproar long ago."

In the core area of ​​the forbidden zone, the atmosphere was so heavy it was suffocating.

This place is a gathering place for the true elites and the core of the royal family.

One by one, the elderly men, with their white hair and beards and auras as deep as the sea, sat or stood, each exuding the majesty of someone who had long held a high position and powerful cultivation fluctuations.

Among them were princes and dukes who had retired for many years, elders in charge of the Imperial Clan Court and the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and several who were pillars of the royal family and martial arts veterans who spent years in seclusion to break through to higher realms.

Even if Emperor Xiao Zhengshan of the Wei Kingdom were to personally visit, he would still have to show the respect due to a junior in front of these highly respected ancestors, and would not dare to be negligent in the slightest.

However, at this moment, these important figures, whose mere stomp could shake the entire Wei Kingdom, showed an unusual solemnity on their faces, even a hint of disbelief.

"Have you found out?"

Is the matter confirmed?

An elderly man with a simple and ancient face, dressed in a purple dragon robe, asked in a deep voice, "Imperial Uncle Xiao Tong."

"Reporting back to my Imperial Uncle, it is absolutely true."

A middle-aged official in charge of the royal array's central control knelt on the ground, his voice trembling:

"Just half an hour ago, control of the 'Kun' position area of ​​the Heavenly Prison Defense Array was forcibly taken away by someone."

The opponent's methods were extremely sophisticated, and their understanding of the formations was simply... simply unbelievable.

The three elders stationed at the central command joined forces in an attempt to regain control, but... they couldn't even break through the enemy's defenses; instead... their divine senses were damaged.

These words shocked everyone present.

"What?!"

The purple-robed elder suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light:

"The Heavenly Prison Formation is one of the foundations of my Xiao Clan's nation-building. It has been reinforced and perfected over hundreds of years and can trap Grandmasters."

The control center is protected by multiple layers of restrictions, so how could anyone easily take control of it?

Could it be... a master of array formations from another country has infiltrated the capital?

No...it doesn't look like it.

The official broke out in a cold sweat. "The other party's manipulation methods... are unheard of and unseen before. Moreover, judging from the energy fluctuations and traces of divine consciousness, the other party... seems to be inside the Heavenly Prison."

"Inside the Heavenly Prison?"

The elders were once again shocked.

The prison is filled with serious criminals and death row inmates. How could there be someone with such divine skill in array formations?

"Could it be... that some imprisoned old monster is hiding his true strength?"

Someone guessed.

"No matter who it is."

A fierce glint flashed in the old man's eyes. "The Heavenly Prison Formation cannot be lost. If this formation is out of control, not only might the most serious criminals in the Heavenly Prison escape, but it will also affect a part of the capital's defense system."

"Someone, give the order immediately."

"First, keep the news under wraps. This matter must not be leaked to avoid causing unrest in the government and among the public."

"Second, mobilize the Imperial Guards and the Dragon Guards to immediately surround the Heavenly Prison. Entry is permitted, but exit is not. Anyone who trespasses without an order from the Imperial Clan Court will be killed without exception."

"Third, please ask Elder Xuan to come out of seclusion. He is the number one expert in formations in our royal family, and also the only grandmaster in our royal family. Only he might be able to compete with that mysterious person."

"yes!"

Everyone answered in unison, and the atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.

Meanwhile, at Prince Jing's residence.

Xiao Jingfeng and Xiao Fenghua also received an urgent order and troop mobilization order from the Imperial Clan Court.

"Father, the Imperial Clan Court has issued an urgent order for us to immediately mobilize troops to cooperate with the Dragon Guard in surrounding the Heavenly Prison. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

Holding the imperial edict, Xiao Fenghua walked into the study with a solemn expression.

Xiao Jingfeng took the imperial edict, glanced at it, and his expression changed immediately: "Surround the Heavenly Prison? What happened? They actually used the highest-level troop mobilization order from the Imperial Clan Court?"

"I don't know, they only said there was a change in the imperial prison, involving the safety of the royal family."

Xiao Fenghua frowned, her unease growing stronger. "Father, I have a feeling... this matter is probably related to... Zhang Yu."

"Zhang Yu?"

Xiao Jingfeng was taken aback, then shook his head and chuckled:

"Fenghua, I know that Zhang Yu is mysterious and unpredictable, but you think too highly of him."

The Imperial Clan Court's mobilization of such a large force may have even alarmed the ancestors, as it involves the very foundation of the imperial family.

No matter how capable Zhang Yu is, he's just a young man in his early twenties. How could he possibly…?

He paused mid-sentence, for he saw an unprecedented solemnity and certainty in his daughter's eyes.

Xiao Fenghua took a deep breath and slowly said:

"Father, we misjudged you before."

We never truly understood Zhang Yu's true nature.

The matter of Chairman Du, the matter of Chen Dongpeng, and his strange cultivation level...?

The timing of this upheaval in the prison is so coincidental; it's hard for my daughter to believe it has nothing to do with him.

Xiao Jingfeng fell silent, his expression shifting between light and dark.

He also recalled the incredible scenes his daughter had described seeing in the prison.

"Regardless of whether it's him or not, military orders are absolute."

Xiao Jingfeng finally said in a deep voice,

"Immediately mobilize troops to surround the Heavenly Prison."

Remember, do not act rashly without my order.

If it really is Zhang Yu... then this kid is terrifying.

We...must reassess our relationship with him.

"I understand, daughter." Xiao Fenghua nodded, a complex light flashing in her eyes.

Soon, a large number of elite Imperial Guards, Dragon Guards, and Prince Jing's personal guards surged out like a tide, completely surrounding the Ministry of Justice's prison.

The people of the capital, seeing this scene from afar, were all filled with fear and speculation, thinking that something earth-shattering had happened.

Inside the prison, Zhang Yu's "single cell".

The turmoil in the outside world and the encirclement by a large army seemed to have no effect on Zhang Yu.

He remained seated cross-legged, his expression calm.

In his divine sense, the probing and attacks from the royal array's central core came wave after wave like a storm.

The opponent had clearly deployed more manpower and stronger forces, attempting to overcome his skill with brute force and forcibly break through his defenses.

However, Zhang Yu's mastery of "god-level formations" is no ordinary skill.

His divine sense, like that of a supreme commander, orchestrated the complex "battlefield" of the Heavenly Prison Formation, skillfully guiding, dividing, and neutralizing every attack from the enemy.

The opponent's strength was like a fist hitting cotton, or like a flood rushing into his carefully arranged maze, being consumed and dispersed, never able to reach the core.

He could even sense that an even more powerful being (Elder Xuan) had joined the opposing camp, whose manipulation techniques were sophisticated and whose understanding of the formation was deeper.

Unfortunately, it's still not enough compared to the god-level formation skills rewarded by the system.

"That's interesting, but... not enough."

Zhang Yu thought to himself.

He did not launch a full-scale counterattack, but only passively defended.

He was waiting, waiting for the right opportunity, waiting for a chance to completely intimidate the royal family and make them dare not provoke him again.