Chapter 25

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

News of the Yuanmeng Empire’s ambassador envoy entering the capital had spread across the entire Zhou Kingdom in a short time.

The Three Great Sects of Heavenly Dragon Temple, Cloud Abode, and Chaos Origin Path did not react to it. Instead, they just watched on the sidelines.

The relationship between the sects and the kingdom had always been special.

It was neither good nor bad, with things maintaining a balanced state.

There were conflicts of interests and territorial fights between factions that could not be solved in a short time.

However, after the battle of Yongxue Pass, the Zhou Kingdom showed weakness and the Yuanmeng Empire had the upper hand.

This time, with an envoy into the capital, it could be seen as some form of signal or test.

Many were watching, trying to analyze what the Imperial Preceptor of the Yuanmeng Empire planned.

A few days later, at the Black Dragon Altar courtroom…

Shadow Guardian Commander Zhou Wen passed a stack of intelligence reports and laid them across the desk, saying, “The two leading the envoy into the capital are both leaders of the Eight Divisions from the Great Boundless Palace.

“The fierce-looking muscled man is called Moro, the King of Yakshas. He’s at the seventh Mortal Stage, the Titan Stage.

“He practices the Vajrayana martial arts of Seven Chakra Diamond Scriptures. It focuses heavily on the training of the physical body. He is very well trained in respect to brute strength.

“Rumor has it that this person has immense strength. One day, he was blocked on his way out of the city and threw an elephant aside using his bare hands, which created quite the story around him.”

The pale and weak Eagle Guardian Commander Ji Liang frowned deeply and said, “If he’s capable of throwing an elephant, then his strength is not to be taken lightly!”

As the person with the highest cultivation stage among the four Guardian Commanders, he naturally knew how terrible that strength was like.

Someone at his cultivation stage would probably die after receiving one punch.

“The Vajrayana cultivation method is different from those in the Divine Continent’s Central Plain,” the Wolf Guardian Commander Jiang Gong added.

“If the King of Yakshas opened all seven of his chakras, he would be nigh indestructible. He’s among the top experts even within the Great Boundless Palace.”

The martial arts of the Divine Continent revolved around training one’s muscles, skin, and bones to thoroughly train the body to develop its potential.

It then moves onto the profound stage of refining one’s apertures and spirit.

The Vajrayana method was different. They would only cultivate one’s meridians and chakra, nurturing one’s life force.

Unblocking the seven chakras to be indestructible.

Connecting the three meridians to be one with the world.

The legendary Imperial Preceptor was at the stage where his seven chakras were opened and two meridians connected.

He was only one final step away before reaching enlightenment.

“The other one, the Gandharva, is the only female master in the Great Boundless Palace.”

The Shadow Guardian Commander then continued, “We have little information on her. By my guess, she should be at the sixth Mortal Stage of Qi Refinement, just one stage lower than the King of Yakshas.

“However, the martial art practiced by the Gandharva is extremely strange. We must be careful.

“This woman can charm one’s mind and trigger one’s lust in imperceptibly mysterious ways!”

The few talked as they perused the intelligence reports, going through all the information they had on those two people.

After a moment, the Zhen Guardian Commander Zhu Jian slammed on the table and declared coldly, “They’re up to no good. The Yuanmeng Empire is really set in their ways!”

If the two of them were treated as rebels, the Black Dragon Altar could do whatever they wished to them.

They could use ranged weapons and iron chariots to charge at them, wearing them down to their last breath.

In that aspect, the cavalry under the Eagle Guardian’s wing was very well experienced.

As long as one was willing to sacrifice enough lives, there would always be a chance of success even if the opponent was an expert at the Spiritual Transformation Stage.

However, the other party came over as an ambassador envoy, which affected the alliance between the two nations.

For such a serious matter, they could not act rashly.

“I just received news that the ambassador envoy had entered Yongxue Pass three days ago. They’re on the way to the Sixteen Prefectures and Yan and Yun, and will arrive Tianjing City in half a month.”

The Shadow Guardians under Zhou Wen’s command were in charge of reconnaissance and had an excellent information network.

Along the way, spies and scouts were keeping a close eye on the Yuanmeng Empire’s ambassador envoy.

“So fast?”

The Wolf Guardian Commander Ji Liang was rather surprised.

From the borders to Tianjing City, it would take them at least one month even when pushing the horses at full speed.

Moreover, with a large number of people in the Yuanmeng Empire’s ambassador envoy, it should slow the journey further.

“The Great Boundless Palace tamed a type of huge monster bird called the Spiritual Vulture. It can be ridden and flies at great speed,” explained the Shadow Guardian Commander Zhou Wen.

“The loss of Yongxue Pass was due to their wolf riders flying in on Spiritual Vultures to open the gates, then launching a surprise attack.”

The Zhen Guardian Commander Zhu Jian had also heard of the matter. He swept a glance at Ji Liang, who had the highest martial arts cultivation among them.

In terms of raw power, the four commanders of the Black Dragon Altar might not be able to fend off the leaders of the Eight Division from the Great Boundless Palace.

They were an official martial cultivation sect while the Black Dragon Altar side were imperial court ministers.

It was only normal for them to have a difference in power.

However, ministers in the government would always favor managerial abilities and authority.

As for the personal cultivation stage, it was not so important.

“I’ll invite the head of the Heavenly Dragon Temple’s Prajna Hall, Master Yuanhui; The eldest disciple of the Cloud Abode, Song Qingshan, nicknamed Thunder Sword; The Sect Master of Lianyun Mountain, Song Hezi… They are all peak experts in the world of martial arts with decent cultivation levels.

“With these people around, I don’t think those two barbarians from the plains can start up a commotion!” The Zhen Guardian Commander Zhu Jian scoffed.

Some sects viewed the Black Dragon Altar as the imperial court’s dogs and hated them.

However, some sects wanted to latch onto them to ride on their coattails.

It was advantageous to side with the powerful after all.

No matter free and aloof the experts in the world of martial arts were, they would not be free from their basic needs.

In terms of the supplies of material goods, who else other than the Six Sacred Grounds could hope to compare with the nation?

“Are we not thinking of some ways to have the Grand Commander take action?” Wolf Guardian Commander Jiang Gong asked.

“I think the Great Boundless Palace sending over two experts from the Eight Divisions is surely trying to test us.”

The Zhen Guardian Commander Zhu Jian said in a firm tone. He then rejected the suggestion saying, “The Grand Commander is studying the martial Dao and is at the verge of breaking through. There’s no need to disturb him over such trivial matters!”

The dull-looking Wolf Guardian Commander shuddered. He quickly kept his mouth shut as though he just realized something.

The other two commanders were expressionless. They kept to themselves, as though agreeing in silence.

His Majesty was very happy when he heard the news that the Grand Commander Guardian was alive.

However, to Zhu Jian and the others, that might not be a good thing.

Authority was an interesting thing. Once someone had it, it would be difficult for them to let go.

The Grand Commander went into closed door cultivation for several decades and the four commanders held the authority in their hands.

It could be said that they were only second to the emperor.

Right then, with the sudden appearance of someone above them, they could not help but feel a little unhappy.

“Guys, we must handle this visit from the Yuanmeng Empire’s ambassador envoy flawlessly!”

Zhu Jian looked around the room, then said in a low voice, “We must not let those barbarians from the plains embarrass us!

“We must let His Majesty witness that the Black Dragon Altar can handle things just fine without the Grand Commander around!”

The other three nodded together, agreeing with the Zhen Guardian Commander’s words.

When it came to martial arts cultivation, there was an impassable chasm between them and an Innate Grandmaster.

However, in terms of managing an organization, politics, and pulling strings…the Grand Commander might not be their match.

“Commander Zhu is right. The Grand Commander had been in closed door cultivation for so many years, but we’ve carried out our duties all the same and never made a mistake!”

Zhou Wen took out a folded fan and started fanning himself.

“As the saying goes, a strong dragon can’t match with a local snake!

“Those two barbarians from the plains would have to lay low even if they were powerful beasts!”

…

Half a month later…

‘You’ve arrived at the inner courts. Acquired Thirty-Six Heaven Defying Miracles!’

‘Would you like to imprint?’

Zhao Mu opened his eyes and nodded slightly.

After that, just like a ghost, he quickly traveled through the corridors without touching the ground.

“Both the Primordial Yang and Mysterious Yin Qi are completed. It’s about time to breakthrough.”