Chapter 130

In just a brief moment, aside from the many officials who left the Central Loft to collect students from the Martial Academy, the majority of those who stayed behind were tragically killed on the spot.

Qiu Zhiman slowly walked along the corridor of the loft, silently crossing several pathways and heading towards the top floor.

At the top floor.

The Princely Heir was there.

If this Princely Heir of the Great Zhou’s Duke of the State were to die, his master’s plan could be advanced by a step earlier.

Thinking so, Qiu Zhiman pulled his black hood down a bit.

As he proceeded with unhurried steps.

The surrounding officials were still fighting fiercely with the robed figures.

Even with their profound cultivation, without Qi, they were no different from an ordinary Martial Artist in the Physique Realm.

All along the way, there were continuous screams.

Continuous shouts of questioning.

Qiu Zhiman wasn’t affected by his surroundings and made his way to the top floor at an even pace.

When he pushed open the door to the top floor, that familiar and honorable silhouette was not there.

A breeze blew softly.

Only the curtains shattered by the sunlight swayed.

Had the Princely Heir left?

Qiu Zhiman was stunned for a moment.

Was he taken away by that Fox Tribe Saintess by his side?

Or was it Qian Siyuan who took him away?

Qiu Zhiman muttered to himself.

“Could this youngster have sensed something?”

“First he didn’t drink the tea I offered, and then suddenly he left the Central Loft without my notice…”

Murmuring so, Qiu Zhiman soon chuckled and shook his head, then looked up at the purple barrier above the sky.

“Impossible, the Bureau of the Lamp hasn’t noticed anything; what could a young lad like him possibly discern.”

“No worries, no worries, he can’t escape.”

“Even with Qian Siyuan protecting him, he won’t be able to leave the island. We will eventually find him.”

“It’s just Bai Shuxuan who’s a bit tricky, seems to be controlled by the Princely Heir. If not… find an opportunity to send her back to the Devil Region…”

As Qiu Zhiman spoke, his voice gradually faded to an inaudible whisper.

…

While Qiu Zhiman began his maneuver.

The moment the purple light barrier appeared over Crane-Crying Island,

Inside the Imperial Palace’s grand hall, there was no longer a trace of sound.

The projection in the sky was enveloped in a purple halo, obscuring the scene within.

But it was clear to anyone.

There had been an accident.

Emperor Zhou remained silent, expressionlessly staring at the barrier on the screen, eyes slightly closed as if sensing something.

In the eerily quiet great hall.

Besides the barely discernible sound of breathing, there was not a whisper to be heard.

“It’s either a ban from a Forbidden Artifact of Heavenly Grade or above, or if someone from outside attempts to break through forcefully, everyone within will die.”

“Zhihai, what has happened this time?”

After a moment, the Emperor’s majestic voice finally sounded, his gaze falling on the person closest to him below the dais.

Cheng Zhihai gazed at the purple light for a long time, pushing down the worry in his heart, and after bowing, he respectfully said:

“Your Majesty, according to the investigation by the Bureau of the Lamp, near Crane-Crying Island, the Heavenly and Earthly Qi seems even thinner than normal. To be precautious, I have already sent Qian Siyuan with a team of subordinates to the island.”

“The emergence of this prohibition may be related to this matter. Whether it’s a natural disaster caused by the descent of Different Treasures or a man-made disaster, we can only know after it ends.”

Emperor Zhou nodded slightly, acknowledging with a hum.

He didn’t ask further.

He trusted Cheng Zhihai.

Whatever he found, he would never conceal it. But for this current situation, even Cheng Zhihai did not know what had happened…

Could it really be a natural disaster caused by the descent of a Different Treasure?

Emperor Zhou couldn’t be certain, this Heavenly Grade ban from Forbidden Artifacts appeared neither earlier nor later, but precisely during the martial arts competition between Great Zhou and Great Wei.

More coincidentally, it appeared just on Crane-Crying Island.

Too coincidental.

Yet no one had any prior indication that this scene would unfold.

Emperor Zhou himself had not anticipated that anyone would dare to pull such a stunt right under his nose, almost making him laugh out loud.

Subsequently, as if suddenly remembering something, his gaze shifted to Cheng Zhihai.

“Guanger, that boy, is said to be on that island as well?”

Emperor Zhou didn’t care about the court officials or Empress Wei of Great Wei or any envoys from the smaller nations; he brazenly chatted with Cheng Zhihai about family matters.

Cheng Zhihai’s face showed concern, revealing his worry for his children, and he slowly nodded.

“Yes, I wanted him to join the Bureau of the Lamp, so I assigned him the task of investigating the Great Wei students, but I didn’t expect he would encounter such an incident.”

Cheng Zhihai did not conceal anything.

His Bureau of the Lamp was an intelligence organization. While monitoring all officials, it was normal to collect information from enemy states.

In essence, all four great dynasties, except for the rather unique Great Li Dynasty, had an organization similar to the Bureau of the Lamp.

Empress Wei of Great Wei heard this, but showed no reaction.

She had no interest in meddling in the casual conversation between Emperor Zhou and Cheng Zhihai, silently watching the barrier in the sky.

Within that barrier, the purple color was faintly dissipating a bit, making the scene slightly clearer. Perhaps before long, the situation on Crane-Crying Island would be crystal clear.

Empress Wei was unconcerned, continuing to watch calmly.

Meanwhile, Emperor Zhou continued chatting with Cheng Zhihai, and upon hearing that Cheng Guang was still on the island, he felt reassured.

“With Qian Siyuan there, there’s no need to worry about Guanger’s safety.”

As he spoke, Emperor Zhou seemed to remember something and, with a light tap on the tabletop, said, “After this matter is resolved, have Guanger come to the Imperial Palace for a visit.”