This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 231 The Emperor's Trump Card

People surging in from all directions like a tidal wave were ruthlessly blocked by the majestic gates of the Imperial Palace. Even those members of the Hanhai Chen family who tried to sneak in like eels were firmly stopped in every corner of the Imperial Palace.

This was the first time the world had witnessed the impregnable defenses of the Imperial Palace. With a command from the Emperor, a mysterious and unpredictable force swept through the entire palace like a whirlwind, swiftly eliminating all unsettling factors and restoring the palace to its former tranquility in the blink of an eye.

Before the assassins of the Chen family of Hanhai could even reach the final palace, they died on the spot like harvested wheat, making the face of the Chen family patriarch of Hanhai, who was watching all this from afar, turn even more ashen than a pig's liver.

For the first time, he showed a cautious expression as if facing a formidable enemy when he saw this imperial palace of the Martial Emperor. The figures that disappeared without a trace in the midst of the intermingling of people made his vigilance rise to the peak.

This is a power that the Martial Emperor has never shown to the world, like a giant beast hidden in the darkness, sending chills down one's spine.

When Xiao Xingchen rushed to the Imperial Palace, the Quasi-Saint had already been stopped. His anger erupted like a volcano, and he wanted to force his way in, but the person blocking the Quasi-Saint was like a bottomless abyss. Just by standing there, he exuded an aura that made people afraid to cross the line.

Xiao Xingchen stopped, and the Princess followed closely behind. The two exchanged a glance, both seeing deep horror in each other's eyes. They had never heard of or seen anything like these people who intercepted the Quasi-Saint.

"This is the Shadow Clan. They live in the shadows like ghosts. They are an extremely mysterious and large clan. Who would have thought that they would be subdued by the Martial Emperor?"

Xi Zhu's voice was like heavenly music, resolving some of their doubts. Xiao Xingchen re-examined Xi Zhu; this woman exuded a mysterious aura.

He asked impatiently, "What do you mean by Shadow Clan? You mean they really live in the shadows? How is that possible?"

"Everything has its reason for existing. In this world, there are humans, demons, spirits, immortals, and many other living beings. Although many ancient clans have disappeared into the long river of history as the wheels of history roll forward, the Shadow Clan has managed to remain untouched because they live in a kingdom of shadows, like a paradise, where others cannot even touch their existence."

"No way, people can survive in the shadows?"

Xiao Xingchen stared in astonishment at the shadow beneath him, which even trembled slightly, as if it were a ghost hidden in the darkness.

If a living person suddenly appeared under one's shadow, wouldn't that scare one to death?

"This is an ancient race, and this is the first time I have ever seen them. I never expected that they could still survive unharmed. Your Emperor Wu's schemes are truly astonishing."

Xi Zhu was full of interest, and even couldn't help but want to step forward and compete with these shadows, which greatly shocked Xiao Xingchen and Huangfu Lingxue.

This mysterious and unpredictable shadow was something that ordinary people could not contend with. However, in Xizhu's eyes, they could not see the slightest fear, which meant that Xizhu was... The two dared not continue to think about it and suddenly felt as insignificant as ants.

“There’s another person up there, who seems to have been standing here for quite some time. He might know something about the situation.” Xi Zhu’s gaze was like that of a hawk, looking up at the sky and immediately recognizing Chen’s father.

"There's someone else?" Xiao Xingchen strained to look up, but the sky was empty. He could only sigh helplessly, lamenting his own weakness.

However, to his even greater surprise, even the eldest princess shook her head, indicating that she had not seen anything.

"Are there any others?" Xiao Xingchen pressed on, unwilling to give up. Since Xizhu was easy to talk to at the moment and seemed to have unfathomable strength, he could take this opportunity to have her answer his questions.

"Of course there are. There are countless people in Yong'an City, and even more who are curious about Emperor Wu's actions." Xizhu looked around, finally fixing her gaze on the inner palace, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"There's an extremely repulsive aura inside, though it's faint..."

Although Xiao Xingchen couldn't understand Xizhu's words, he had his own judgment. At that distant highest point, he felt a familiar power, the power of stars, like a bright pearl, radiating dazzling light.

"Where is that place over there?"

He pointed to the observatory and asked,

"The observatory," the eldest princess replied after only a glance.

"There are people up there,"

"people?"

The eldest princess gazed into the distance, but was too far to see the specific details.

"That's an astrologer, but he seems to be seriously injured."

Xi Zhu once again hit the nail on the head, deeply moving Huangfu Lingxue. This distance was simply beyond the capabilities of a low-level cultivator. No matter how much human eyes were trained, they couldn't see that far. The only possibility was a divine eye, but a divine eye... that was an eye of divine power possessed only by those at the eighth level of the Heavenly Realm and above.

At this moment, she was trembling all over. She didn't dare to think about what would happen if an eighth-level expert was standing in front of her. Was this the beginning of the sky falling?

Perhaps sensing Huangfu Lingxue's unusual behavior, Xizhu turned her head, smiled slightly, and looked back towards the imperial palace.

Emperor Wu only slowly landed after confirming that everyone around him had been cleared away.

"It was my negligence; I didn't expect it to have such consequences. Are you alright?"

His voice was somewhat low. Wang Mang's reckless actions this time had left him furious but unable to vent his anger; he was like a mute swallowing bitter herbs. After all, Wang Mang and the Dragon Pattern Army were also an important trump card for him.

"A peerless expert is watching this place. If there's nothing else, leave as soon as possible!"

A very subtle voice rang in Emperor Wu's ears within the palace, startling him.

"Don't turn back. I can feel the Divine Eye observing the sky. Slowly retreat, as if nothing ever happened. Don't give any more attention or importance to this place. Your attention will only bring me unnecessary disaster."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Wu dared not make any outrageous move. He felt uneasy; when had such a person arrived in Yong'an?

He owes his success to the people in this palace. Without them, he would have been eliminated the moment he left the royal family. How could he possibly have the power to compete with the royal family?

He glanced at it out of the corner of his eye. He was familiar with the Zhou Tian Grand Formation. Seeing the blood seeping from all around the palace, he knew how serious his injuries were.

"I will secretly send more offerings!"

He said something indifferently and turned to leave. In the distance, Lou Yi wanted to approach but didn't dare, waiting until Emperor Wu stood before him.

"The Immortal Pavilion suffered heavy losses, but you need not be sad. I will grant you permission to perform the sacrificial ceremony!"

Emperor Wu spoke slowly, which made Lou Yi's eyes show disbelief. The opening of the sacrifice meant that he was finally going to walk that path, but this result was obtained at the cost of the entire Divine Tower. For a moment, he was at a loss.

"Get out of here! You are not to return!"

Emperor Wu vanished like a wisp of smoke, and the deep palace returned to its former tranquility. As for those who were blocked outside the palace, Emperor Wu refused to see any of them, not even the Quasi-Saints, who were turned away at the gate.

"Let's go. Entering this imperial palace without the Emperor's permission would be extremely dangerous. The matter inside is over, there's no need to stay any longer."

Hearing Xizhu say this, Xiaoxingchen understood that she wouldn't get any information here. Now she could only hope that Consort Xian could bring some news. What happened in the Imperial Palace today was truly baffling.

However, there are always those who don't believe in evil. Just as the three were preparing to return, Yun Xiyao suddenly flew into the imperial palace like a bird returning to its nest.

No one else noticed, except for Xizhu, who glanced back once and then stopped paying attention.

She also wanted to see if someone at the sixth realm could leave the Great Qian Imperial Palace unscathed. And that repulsive aura—that aura should never have been here.

At this moment, she was not entirely confident. If she was certain that such an existence existed inside, even if it would break the rules, she would certainly not let go of the opportunity to suppress it.

As the commotion within the imperial palace grew, everyone realized that someone had angered Emperor Wu, making the already turbulent and turbulent Yong'an even more restless.

Like snakes and insects after the awakening of insects, various forces began to stir and make their moves.

Even before the Poet Immortal Gathering was held, many cultivators had already gathered outside the ancestral temple.

As news of Yong'an continues to spread, whether it's the appearance of the Heavenly Sword or the great demon hidden beneath the Great Qian Ancestral Temple, every piece of news attracts those with some strength to this place like a magnet.

Especially for those powerful demons on their deathbeds, obtaining just one could elevate them to the heavens in one step. How could anyone else easily let such an opportunity slip by?

As a result, the number of people in Yong'an City increased, surging in like a tide.