Chapter 541: The Heavenly Emperors Aid

Chapter 541: The Heavenly Emperor's Aid

In a small garden on Mt. Kunlun in the Sieve of Heaven, Yu Fuli sat by the side of a small pond, fishing in a relaxed fashion. Behind him stood Xiao Nanfeng, Zhang Lingjun, and Ao Zhou.

"That was what happened, Your Majesty," Xiao Nanfeng reported.

The moment he had returned to the Imperial Court, he had received a summons from the Hall of Martial Aspects. However, rather than head there immediately, Xiao Nanfeng brought Zhang Lingjun and Ao Zhou to seek an audience with the Heavenly Emperor first.

Xiao Nanfeng revealed everything that had happened on Thousand-Spirit Island without any exaggeration.

"A minor Buddha alone possesses the strength of a Golden Immortal? The Buddhas of Three Aspects really are recovering quickly," Yu Fuli said calmly.

"It's true, Your Majesty. If a minor Buddha alone bears such strength, what about the major Buddhas? What about the Present and Future Buddhas? The Buddhas of Three Aspects won't be easy foes," Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

"Are you afraid?" Yu Fuli gave him a faint smile.

"Not quite, Your Majesty, but the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost's death has made me realize that I need to be cognizant of how the Hall of Martial Aspects is holding me back. I'd like to nominate Ao Zhou for the newly open position of Martial Aspect. Having another Martial Aspect's help will surely help me out," Xiao Nanfeng replied. This was why he had sought an audience with the Heavenly Emperor.

Yu Fuli glanced at Ao Zhou. "He possesses an ancestral dragon's blood, doesn't he?"

Ao Zhou's eyes widened as he turned to Xiao Nanfeng, but Xiao Nanfeng shook his head, indicating that he hadn't revealed that information to Yu Fuli.

"He did, Your Majesty," Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "In the Eastern Sea Draconic Palace, he was recognized by an ancestral dragon's specter and received the blood there."

"In that case, he does have adequate potential for the position." Yu Fuli nodded.

"Your Majesty, when Ao Zhou accompanied me to subjugate Thousand-Spirit Island, the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost's wounded soul tried to possess him. Ao Zhou retaliated in self-defense, but some Martial Aspects now bear him deep enmity. It's a particularly dangerous situation for him, Your Majesty, so I'd like to request your protection on his behalf."

Yu Fuli replied calmly, "Ao Zhou has done nothing wrong, and no enmity is warranted. Be at ease."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ao Zhou immediately echoed.

With Yu Fuli's promise, the Hall of Martial Aspects would hardly dare press the matter in public. Yôur favorite stories at novelhall.com

"Lingjun, have you any other concerns?" Yu Fuli continued.

Zhang Lingjun was silent for a moment before she ventured, "Your Majesty, now that I know my mother was wronged, I want to claim her possessions and avenge her."

"Don't be too anxious. I promise none of the culprits will be able to escape," Yu Fuli replied.

The Martial Aspects all stood up in a huff.

"Martial Aspects, please calm down. The notice from the judiciary bears the imperial seal of the Heavenly Emperor," the official continued.

The Martial Aspects' anger was abruptly reined in. All the Martial Aspects choked; they were suddenly struck by a coughing fit.

If the Heavenly Emperor had made a pronouncement, then none of them would be able to question his will. The Martial Aspects hissed, frustrated beyond belief.

With the Heavenly Emperor protecting Ao Zhou, who among them would dare to kill him?

"It must be Xiao Nanfeng's fault. He ignored the Hall of Martial Aspects' summons and rushed off the see the Heavenly Emperor instead. He must be responsible!" Ao Shuai declared.

The other Martial Aspects snarled.

"Ao Zhou, innocent? Very well, then. Innocent though he may be, I'm sure he'll be all alone at some point," a Martial Aspect murmured.

The others nodded. Even if they couldn't take Ao Zhou down publicly, they were still able to assassinate him. He surely wouldn't last long, no matter what.

"The Eastern Aspect also said that all substitute Martial Aspects are to compete for supremacy in the Palace of the Moon for a month," the official continued.

"In the Palace of the Moon? Starting when?" Ao Shuai's eyes lit up.

He intended to claim that opening for himself.

"Three days later," the official replied.

"Master, if you want to become a Martial Aspect, we'll all send our subordinates to join you and help you rise up," a Martial Aspect said.

Ao Shuai nodded in glee, but the next moment, he frowned. "No, something's wrong. Why is this contest happening in the Palace of the Moon?"

"What do you mean, Master?" a Martial Aspect asked.

"Severe restrictions have been imposed on the Palace of the Moon. Only True Immortals or below may enter, and Ao Zhou has become a True Immortal. Not only that, Xiao Nanfeng managed to trick Father into giving him a recommendation to induct a substitute Martial Aspect, and he can appoint Ao Zhou as one. The Palace of the Moon contains countless purple-furred monsters that pose a tremendous problem for us, but Ao Zhou can borrow Zhang Lingjun's Palace of the Moon token. He's going to have a decisive advantage!"

"Ao Zhou? Not only did he kill the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost, he's trying to claim his position! We won't let that happen!" the Martial Aspects declared.

Ao Shuai narrowed his eyes. "If Ao Zhou were to become a Martial Aspect, we wouldn't be able to make a move against him. Keep a careful eye on him. Make sure to search Ao Zhou's body carefully. You can't let Xiao Nanfeng's black fog cursed effigy follow it in, and you definitely can't allow Ao Zhou to become the new Martial Aspect."

The Martial Aspects nodded.