Chapter 486 - 485: A Meeting

Chapter 486: Chapter 485: A Meeting

WHOOSH!

As everyone waited, a streak of rainbow light suddenly flashed across the void outside the Lingyun Sect.

The rainbow of light drew closer, finally revealing a flying chariot pulled by two giant golden serpents, heading right for them.

Though called giant serpents, horns were already sprouting from their foreheads. They were clearly on the verge of transforming into Flood Pythons, and the aura they radiated was comparable to the Nascent Soul Realm.

"They’re here!" Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd in the void as they caught sight of the flying chariot.

Immediately, all eyes turned to the approaching flying chariot.

The flying chariot moved with incredible speed. One moment it was a distant speck, and the next—in the span of a single breath—it had appeared right before them.

As the flying chariot arrived, its speed slowed.

Two figures could be seen seated regally upon the flying chariot.

One was the Great Tang Emperor, clad in a Dragon Robe, his bearing majestic. His sweeping gaze held the power to command heaven and earth.

A single glance was all it took for everyone to feel the unique aura he possessed.

It was the aura of a Monarch, far surpassing that of Sect Leader Yuan and Master Xuan Ji.

Seated beside the Great Tang Emperor was a woman in a Phoenix Robe.

The woman’s features were as perfect as a painting, her beauty unparalleled, enough to topple kingdoms. Yet, her expression held a steadiness as solid as a mountain, an aura capable of grasping heaven and earth. Her cultivation was not high—only at the Divine Wheel First Realm—but the presence she exuded made even cultivators at the Divine Wheel Second Layer, or even the Fourth Layer, extremely wary.

Even cultivators at the Divine Wheel Ninth Layer Realm felt an inexplicable sense of reverence upon seeing her.

It was as if they were facing a Monarch, a reverence that sprang from the very depths of their souls.

This woman was none other than the current Empress of the Great Tang, a member of the Wu Clan.

"Father! Mother!" The Eighth Prince, Li Heng, couldn’t help but exclaim as the two appeared before the crowd.

He looked overjoyed as he strode forward, walking through the void toward them.

The Third Prince, Li Xun, followed close behind.

Three other members of the Li Clan were with them.

’Let’s go.’ Behind them, Sect Leader Yuan, Master Xuan Ji, and the others exchanged a look before also moving forward.

"Your son pays his respects to Father and Mother!" Li Heng and the disciples from the Wu Clan bowed to the Great Tang Emperor and the Empress.

"Your son pays his respects to Father and the Empress!" the Third Prince also said, bowing deeply.

...

"Rise," the Great Tang Emperor said, his voice full of authority. He gestured with his hand after his sweeping gaze passed over the members of the Royal Family.

"Thank you, Father!" Li Heng and Li Xun rose.

The Wu Brothers stood respectfully to the side.

The Great Tang Emperor’s gaze swept forward. Upon seeing Sect Leader Yuan and the others approaching, he stepped down from the flying chariot, the Empress following at his side.

By this time, Master Xuan Ji, Sect Leader Yuan, and Sect Leader Wan had walked over.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Li, it has been many years. Your presence is even more magnificent than before!" Sect Leader Yuan said with a smile, cupping his hands in salute to the Great Tang Emperor.

’He recalled the last time he’d seen the Great Tang Emperor; the man had only just ascended to the throne of the Celestial Emperor back then.’

’Although the Great Tang Emperor had already shown great promise, he was a far cry from the man he was today, with an aura that could command heaven and earth.’

’It had only been a little over thirty years. Such a transformation left Yuan Huaitian and the others sighing with emotion.’

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, Master Xuan Ji, Fellow Daoist Wan, I trust you have all been well," the Great Tang Emperor said with a smile as he walked toward them.

"The Southern Wilderness is in grave peril. Your arrival, Emperor Li, is a blessing for all its people," Master Xuan Ji said, pressing his palms together to express his gratitude.

Behind him, the Elders of the Lingyun Sect all wore solemn expressions.

"The various sects and my Great Tang all reside in the Southern Wilderness. Now that the Righteous Dao is in peril, how could I simply sit by and do nothing?" Emperor Li said, his expression serious and his gaze sweeping, tinged with a hint of worry. "With the Evil Dao invading, we must join hands to defend the Righteous Dao of the Southern Wilderness. We cannot allow those Evil Demons to bring ruin upon the people!"

"Emperor Li speaks true. In that case, please, let us speak inside!" Seeing Emperor Li’s firm stance, Yuan Huaitian felt a jolt in his heart and quickly gestured for him to enter.

"After you," Emperor Li said, gesturing as well.

The elders of the Lingyun Sect then parted to form a path, allowing Emperor Li to lead the way into the sect.

Ling Fei and the others followed behind.

’Is that the Great Tang Emperor?’

"This Emperor Li has such a powerful presence! He is like a True Dragon Emperor!" As Emperor Li strode into the Lingyun Sect, a tangible Dragon’s Might radiated from him. His gait, like that of a dragon or a tiger, was akin to a celestial sovereign on an imperial tour. The sheer force of his presence commanded respect and caused an immediate uproar among the disciples.

’Emperor Li’s presence seems even more powerful than that of a typical Divine Mansion Realm expert!’

The aura emanating from the Great Tang Emperor was clearly stronger than that of Sect Leader Yuan and the others. This sent a wave of excitement through the disciples of the Lingyun Sect.

The situation moments before had left them feeling utterly hopeless.

Emperor Li remained calm. As they walked, he conversed with the three Divine Mansion Realm Powerhouses, inquiring about the situation in the Southern Wilderness.

"Someone from the Kunpeng Race!" A flicker of light crossed Emperor Li’s eyes upon hearing this, and his expression turned grave.

"What is his approximate realm?" Emperor Li’s gaze shifted, landing on Lian Shuang, who was following behind them.

He had heard her story.

"This Kun Hai is likely at the Dao Palace Perfect Realm," Lian Shuang said. "However, he was wounded by heavenly retribution when he emerged from the Divine Demon Sea, and his cultivation plummeted at that time. But so many years have passed. I fear he has recovered a good portion of his Essence Qi. Moreover, he comes bearing a mission from the Kunpeng Race, so he certainly has a Supreme Treasure in his possession."

"An array has been set up near the North Spirit Mountain Range. He is likely trying to communicate with the Kunpeng Ancestor." She still had a fair bit of knowledge about the Kunpeng Race.

"’Daoist Palace Realm,’" Emperor Li murmured, nodding slightly as he fell into thought.

"Fellow Daoist Li, can you defeat him?" Yuan Huaitian couldn’t help but ask.

"If I go all out, a mere Daoist Palace Realm cultivator is nothing to fear. My only concern is what other tricks he might have up his sleeve," Emperor Li said, taking a deep breath.

His own foundations were profound; he had no fear of ordinary cultivators.

But if his opponent also held trump cards, it would not be so simple.

Hearing this, the cultivators from the various sects all grew solemn.

Clearly, not even Emperor Li was certain of the final outcome of this conflict.

"There is no need for any of you to worry. Since this has come to pass, we, as the top powerhouses of the Southern Wilderness, must naturally fight with all our might. We will defend the people to the death," Emperor Li said, his gaze hardening.

"Since Emperor Li is so determined, then so are we." Yuan Huaitian’s eyes lit up at his words.

He had initially been worried that Emperor Li would be unwilling to commit to an all-out battle.

Now that he had this assurance, he had nothing left to worry about.

"In that case, this humble monk thanks Emperor Li on behalf of all life in the Southern Wilderness!" Master Xuan Ji said, his face full of respect as he pressed his palms together and gave a slight bow.

"Haha, as the Celestial Emperor, this is simply my duty," Emperor Li said with an easy laugh, his tone casual. He did not seem to think his actions were particularly noble. "Although the Southern Wilderness Martial Arts World is not my Great Tang, we are neighbors. If the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold. If the Southern Wilderness Martial Arts World were to be destroyed, how could the people of my Great Tang remain unscathed?"

In his eyes, it was all just as it should be.

Listening from the side, Ling Fei felt a growing respect for Emperor Li.

’For the Great Tang to have such a Celestial Emperor is truly a blessing for all its people,’ he thought.