Chapter 249: Gathering of the Leaders of the Hundred Schools

The instant he personally witnessed the image of the Outer God being forcibly torn apart by the pages of the book, Zhao Cheng was struck as though by a bolt from the blue. He abruptly threw his head back and let out a thunderous, anguished roar, sounding like a wounded beast.

The scene recorded within the sphere of light abruptly came to an end.

“He failed to pass even the first two trials.”

“Naturally, there was no longer any need for him to undergo the final tribulation of sealing.”

The old Daoist put away the sphere of light and spoke indifferently.

Li Shun fell silent.

After a long while, he finally asked, his heart heavy with emotion, “Then what will happen to Martial Uncle Zhao Cheng in the end?”

“Generally speaking, the Outer God’s corruption of the soul is irreversible. However, considering that Zhao Cheng devoted himself wholeheartedly to serving the imperial court for many years, and even once led an expedition beyond the boundaries of the world, perhaps there is still a sliver of hope for him.”

“For now, we shall suppress him beneath the Observatory Tower and order him to recite the classics of the sages day and night. Perhaps this will help cleanse his mind and purge his thoughts. We shall see what effect it has afterward.”

The old Daoist’s eyes narrowed slightly as he slowly announced Zhao Cheng’s fate.

“However, do not place too much hope in it. There are tens of thousands of evil beings suppressed beneath that tower. Not a single one has ever truly escaped the corruption of an Outer God.”

“Tens of thousands?”

Li Shun could not help but be startled.

He had never imagined that the Outer Gods’ corruption had already spread to such an extent.

The old Daoist merely smiled.

“Great Qian has stood for more than five hundred years. Naturally, as the years accumulate, so too does the number of those who have been corrupted.”

“Compared to the Outer Gods themselves, these people are hardly worth worrying about.”

With that, the old Daoist waved his hand.

A glowing doorway suddenly materialized within the secret chamber.

Li Shun followed the old Daoist through it, only to discover, to his astonishment, that he was still standing upon the vast snowy plains of Bing Province.

Only now, he was standing inside an enormous wooden structure floating high in the air.

Its style bore some resemblance to the mobile residence of the Marquis Changle from years ago. However, countless watchtowers and elevated pavilions stretched endlessly in every direction. Its scale was more than ten times greater.

Vaguely, Li Shun sensed that this enormous structure was far from deserted. Busy figures could be seen moving throughout its various sections.

“This is the Bing Province branch of the Directorate of Celestial Observation, the [Weishi Palace].”

The old Daoist clasped his hands behind his back and spoke in an indifferent tone.

“Come to think of it, this old man has yet to introduce himself.”

“Left Junior Siming of the Directorate of Celestial Observation, Ying Wuxiu.”

Li Shun’s expression immediately became solemn. He respectfully cupped his fists in greeting.

Then, with a trace of curiosity, he looked over the enormous wooden structure suspended in the heavens beneath their feet.

“[Weishi Palace]?”

Ying Wuxiu led Li Shun toward the very center of the complex while explaining,

“Great Qian has thirteen provinces, and each province has a Celestial Observation Office.”

“Under normal circumstances, they float above the Ninth Heaven, monitoring abnormalities beyond the heavens.”

“Ordinary people are completely incapable of detecting them. Only when a major incident involving an Outer God occurs will they descend and manifest themselves.”

“The thirteen Celestial Observation Offices each bear different names. The one in Bing Province is known as the Weishi Palace.”

…

The two continued conversing as they walked.

Before long, they entered the central hall of the Weishi Palace.

The hall was extraordinarily spacious, and there was not even a main seat at the very top.

After the two entered, Ying Wuxiu formed hand seals with all ten fingers and cast his technique.

One after another, images of light began to emerge throughout the hall.

“Reporting to the Right Chancellor.”

“The investigation into those who experienced the invasion of the Outer Gods in Bing Province has concluded. Li Shun’s mind is clear, and there are no signs that he has been corrupted. As for Zhao Cheng…”

Ying Wuxiu slowly shook his head.

At the highest point of the hall, the imposing phantom formed from the will of the Right Chancellor remained silent for a moment.

At that instant, Li Shun suddenly felt as though an invisible gaze carrying immense pressure, almost tangible in its intensity, swept across his body as if carefully examining him.

Then, the Right Chancellor’s deep and majestic voice slowly echoed throughout the hall.

“Although Zhao Cheng is one of the pillars of our Confucian school, now that his soul has been compromised, we absolutely cannot show favoritism or violate the law.”

“As for this Li Shun…”

A trace of undisguised approval entered the Right Chancellor’s voice.

“He has repeatedly faced Outer Gods directly, yet has still managed to maintain a clear mind. Excellent!”

“It has truly been many years since Great Qian’s imperial court produced such a promising young man with such resolute character.”

“Heh heh. It is merely a pity that his strength is somewhat lacking. Judging from his aura, he has only just entered the Grotto Mystic realm, hasn't he?”

At that moment, another slightly languid voice suddenly rang out from within the shadows of the hall.

It was the voice of a middle-aged woman.

Her tone was soft and alluring, carrying a natural temptation that made one's bones feel weak and one's body go limp.

The Right Chancellor was not bothered by her teasing. His voice remained calm and steady.

“Being able to resist the corruption of an Outer God, possessing such steadfast character and fortune, is far more important than one's cultivation realm at any given moment.”

“Great Qian has many experts in the Celestial Phenomena realm, and there is no shortage of powerful figures in the Creation realm either.”

“Yet when faced with the evil beings from beyond the heavens, how many people in the world can truly remain completely composed and confront an Outer God without changing expression?”

The middle-aged woman gave a soft laugh.

“The Right Chancellor has a point. What this servant means is that such a promising young man should simply be handed over to this servant for proper instruction.”

“Within ten years, he will undoubtedly have hope of reaching the Creation realm.”

The Right Chancellor’s expression darkened, and he let out a heavy cold snort.

“Ling Xuanji, after all these years, your frivolous and wanton nature as a demonic woman truly has not improved in the slightest.”

“If not for the enormous contribution your Yin-Yang School made in suppressing the Outer God infiltrators in Bing Province this time, how could you possibly have the qualifications to attend this Celestial Observation Hall today?”

Faced with the Right Chancellor’s stern reprimand, the Yin-Yang School expert known as Ling Xuanji merely giggled, completely unconcerned.

“Lord Right Chancellor, don't be angry.”

“This servant merely thought this young man was rather handsome and was only joking with him.”

Yet Li Shun could still feel the woman's burning gaze firmly fixed upon him.

Ying Wuxiu, meanwhile, ignored Ling Xuanji's wanton laughter and continued speaking.

“The [Myriad Ages Legacy Book], which has sealed two Outer Gods, will be personally escorted back to the capital by me.”

“Sealing two Outer Gods in a single operation consumed a tremendous number of its pages. There are now fewer than a hundred pages remaining, so they must be replenished promptly.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the imposing figure concealed within flowing radiance on the right side of the hall immediately responded.

“Junior Siming, you can rest assured on this matter. I will immediately arrange for the most elite direct disciples of our school to handle the replenishment of the pages.”

Before Ying Wuxiu could respond, Ling Xuanji once again chimed in with a teasing voice.

“Hehe, when all is said and done, isn't it simply because your own school has failed to live up to expectations?”

“After all these years, you still have to rely upon the legacy left behind by the sages of old.”

“If another Sage of the Heaven-Earth realm could emerge, why would everyone have to rely on that battered old book, which might fall apart at any moment, whenever something goes wrong?”

The figure representing the powerful expert of that school immediately became furious.

His aura fluctuated violently as he angrily retorted, “How difficult is the path of the sages!”

“If no Sage appears, do you think it is only our school that suffers?”

“How much better is your Yin-Yang School?”

Ling Xuanji immediately shot back, “I already told you. Just let this servant absorb all of you through dual cultivation, and I can certainly help you achieve the Heaven-Earth realm.”

“You are the ones unwilling.”

“So how can you blame this servant?”

…

A cold snort from the Right Chancellor interrupted the farce.