Free Web NovelChapter 63: Chapter 38: True Monarch’s Might
’If something really went wrong? What should I do?’
Shishi suppressed her unease and looked at Xuzhuang. He had also heard the entire exchange and was clearly deep in thought.
Shishi hesitated for a moment. Just as she was about to send a mental message to Xuzhuang, she saw his brow twitch as he murmured, "Qiao Feifeng?"
"What?" Shishi’s heart leaped in her chest.
A melodious bell toll, seemingly originating from the highest heavens, suddenly echoed, penetrating tens of thousands of miles into the deep sea. It carried a faint, clear voice: "Ao Lin, do you know your crime?"
"What?"
’Who is that? Such arrogance! To pass judgment on the Dragon Palace Crown Prince within the Dragon Palace itself?’
A sense of profound absurdity washed over everyone. They all looked up in unison to see a young Daoist with his hair tied up by a starry crown. He had sharp features and a slender build. He stood with his hands behind his back in the space above the Dragon Palace, an ancient bronze bell floating over his head. A boundless arrogance, an insolence that seemed to trample the very Dragon Palace underfoot, radiated from him without restraint.
"Qiao Feifeng?" Shishi turned her head to Xuzhuang. "Is that him? Qiao Feifeng?"
Before Xuzhuang could answer, Ao Lin shouted, "What are you, to pass judgment on me? Guards! Seize him at once!"
"Don’t waste your effort," Qiao Feifeng said coldly. "Under this bell, no one can use their Magical Power."
"What?" Everyone present was aghast.
Xuzhuang frowned. He found that while nothing seemed out of the ordinary within his body, trying to circulate his Magical Power was incredibly difficult. Even with all his concentration, he couldn’t move a single shred of it.
"What is this thing? A magical treasure?" Ao Lin’s eyes looked ready to split from their sockets as he roared, "You think you can cause trouble in the Dragon Palace just because you have a magical treasure?!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Qiao Feifeng boomed. "And why wouldn’t I dare? This is a magical treasure belonging to my master, Taixuan Profound True Monarch. Look around your Dragon Palace. Does anyone dare to even speak out? Get on your knees. Return with me to the Meteor Dojo and serve as a spirit beast for a thousand years. That might just atone for the sins you’ve committed!"
’Taixuan Profound True Monarch... It really is Taixuan Profound True Monarch! And here I was, wondering what Immortal had enlightened her! It’s over!’ Shishi’s brow furrowed, a sense of being caught completely off guard rising within her. ’Why didn’t the Zhenren foresee this? Of course... How could a being of supreme Pure Yang be caught in the webs of fate?’
Ao Lin roared, "What sins? What crime have I committed?"
"What sins?" Qiao Feifeng’s voice dripped with ice. "Are you aware that Junior Sister You is the closed-door disciple my master personally enlightened? You dared to capture and imprison her? And you even wanted to forcibly marry her? Not sentencing you to death is already a show of respect for your Dragon Monarch!"
"Taixuan Profound True Monarch!"
’What exactly did it mean to be a Pure Yang True Monarch?’ In the past, Xuzhuang had only ever read about them in Daoist Scriptures. A Pure Yang True Monarch was a being who had overcome the Three Calamities, refined their essence to supreme Pure Yang, and reached a cultivation level that was in a completely different league from a Primordial Spirit True Man. They were said to be capable of existing for eternity, with no upper limit to the growth of their Magical Power and Divine Techniques. The existence of every single Pure Yang True Monarch was a history more ancient and profound than that of any Heritage Dao Sect.
’But knowledge from books is shallow, after all. Just what kind of Divine Techniques did a Pure Yang True Monarch possess?’
’Enlightening a fish spirit and transforming it into a true dragon? A single magical treasure suppressing the entire Dragon Palace into silence!’ A look of incredible yearning appeared in Xuzhuang’s eyes as he muttered to himself, "Is this the might of a Pure Yang True Monarch?"
"A Pure Yang True Monarch... a great power who has endured thousands of calamities and disasters, whose lifespan is as long as the world itself!" Shishi sighed. "Why did it have to be the Taixuan Sect? Taixuan Profound True Monarch has only recently established his sect, and all of his disciples are like his own children. This is when he’s at his most protective. Everyone knows that right now, in the Profound Yellow Realm, the Taixuan Sect Members are the last people you want to provoke!"
"AHH!" Ao Lin frantically tried to circulate his Demon Fiend energy, faint scales appearing on his forehead. But he couldn’t even manifest his dragon form. He let out a piercing roar, "I refuse to accept this! You want to judge me? Do you dare to put away your magical treasure and fight me one-on-one!"
"Oh? Very well. I will give you this chance." A look of utter contempt appeared on Qiao Feifeng’s face as he said disdainfully, "I can retract the magical treasure. However, I advise you—and everyone else—to remember not to do anything unnecessary. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what will happen to you."
He then bowed to the bronze bell above his head and said respectfully, "Martial Uncle, please retract your Divine Techniques."
The bronze bell swayed, and with another melodious toll, everyone present suddenly felt their bodies lighten. Their Magical Power was mobile once more.
"ROAR!" The moment the bell’s Divine Techniques were retracted, Ao Lin let out a furious roar and abruptly transformed into a golden dragon. He shot straight up, making no attempt to flee, and swiped a claw toward Qiao Feifeng.
Qiao Feifeng’s figure flickered to the side, dodging the attack. Suddenly, a jade ruler flew out from his body and slammed down hard on Ao Lin’s head, sending the dragon tumbling. Qiao Feifeng sneered and shouted, "Again!"
"AAAAAAAGH!" Ao Lin was on the verge of madness, whipping his tail frantically in a series of strikes. Qiao Feifeng weaved back and forth, easily dodging them. A golden light began to flash in the dragon’s mouth as he prepared to breathe an attack. But Qiao Feifeng suddenly pointed a finger. The jade ruler flashed, reappeared above Ao Lin’s head, and struck down with immense force! The blow forced Ao Lin’s mouth shut. With a muffled grunt, the golden light exploded inside his jaws, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.
"HAHAHAHA, again!" Qiao Feifeng shouted.
CRASH! At Xuzhuang’s table, the large man with shark gills suddenly stood up. In that instant, Xuzhuang felt a profound, unseen ’gaze’ from the bronze bell lock onto their location. The big man swallowed hard and slowly took a single step toward the exit of the hall.
Nothing happened. The man suddenly broke into a run, fleeing outside. In an instant, with a great RUSTLE and commotion, a huge crowd of people rose from their seats and rushed for the exit.
Xuzhuang looked toward Shishi and saw a flash of joyous surprise in her eyes. She whispered, "My lord, there’s still a chance!"
Xuzhuang’s brow twitched in surprise. "What chance? That Dragon Maiden is Taixuan Profound True Monarch’s closed-door disciple. Even in the one-in-a-million chance that Ao Lin escapes this disaster... he can’t possibly continue with the wedding feast."
"My lord, listen to me. The Dragon Palace is in total chaos right now. The other Crown Princes and Demon Venerables are all staying behind closed doors. This is the perfect opportunity."
Shishi took out the "Five Demons Transport Map" scroll from her embroidered pouch, placed it in Xuzhuang’s hands, and said solemnly, "My lord, please hold onto this map."
"I have a certain treasure that specializes in breaking restrictive spells. I will leave first in a moment and find an opportunity to open the restrictions on the Dragon Palace Treasure Vault..."
A look of surprise crossed Xuzhuang’s face. "You mean...?"
"That’s right," Shishi said with determination. "This treasure is of utmost importance. I must ask for your help, my lord. Afterward, in addition to that one magical treasure, there will be another generous reward."
Xuzhuang pondered for a moment. "What do you need me to do?"
Shishi said, "Please wait here for my signal, my lord. Once I open the Dragon Palace Treasure Vault, you must open the Five Demons Transport Map. They will automatically steal the item I need."
"When I open the Dragon Palace Treasure Vault, it will definitely attract the attention of the vault’s guards. You can use the chaos to leave, my lord. Once you are out of the Dragon Palace, we can find a chance to meet up again."
Xuzhuang thought for a moment, then accepted the Five Demons Transport Map. "Alright! But how will you contact me, Miss?"
Shishi smiled faintly, took out a Stone Talisman, and said, "My lord, please take this."
Xuzhuang asked, "What is this?"
Shishi replied, "It’s just a minor art of the Demon Sect." From behind her veil, her red lips parted slightly as she chanted something. The Stone Talisman buzzed. Shishi smiled. "I only need to chant the incantation, and no matter how far apart we are—to the ends of the earth, or separated by any restrictive grand formation—this talisman will respond."
Xuzhuang took the Stone Talisman and played with it in his hand. "Oh? That is quite amazing."
Shishi smiled faintly and said, "My lord, I’m going now."
Xuzhuang nodded and cupped his hands. "I wish you swift success, Miss."
Shishi gave a slight nod. Without further delay, she stood up and followed the stream of people heading out of the hall.
