449: Chapter 449 The Mandate of Heaven

The audience was completely dumbfounded. How could someone be so ignorant of the consequences, daring to smash a cup right in front of the Princess of Zhenbei!?

One must know that not only was the prestige of the Prince of Zhenbei at its zenith, but Xiao Qingxuan, as his wife, was also highly regarded throughout the Northern Territory.

Whether it was during the early days of the Zhenbei Army fighting the barbarians, or later when she managed the rear and dealt with the plague on the front lines, Xiao Qingxuan had contributed both effort and toil.

Therefore, the common people held Xiao Qingxuan in high esteem; they never regarded her as some useless vase.

"How bold! You dare to disrespect the Princess? Are you courting death!?"

"You bastard! You don't know what's good for you!"

In an instant, the scene was filled with curses.

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong, Zhu Ming, and others all wore grave expressions, as they noticed that Emperor Hong's expression was cold and ruthless, clearly acting without fear.

Lin Xiao, however, took a sip of wine and cast his gaze towards the towering mountains to the west.

At the peak of a steep mountain, a figure wearing a pitch-black robe and a hood, with hints of dark blue hair visible, was looking down at everything in the valley.

On several lower hills below him, four figures dressed like eunuchs, holding various weapons, stood with grim, murderous expressions.

"The time has come. Leave no one alive."

"As you command!"

The Four Great Supervisors turned into four streaks of light, rapidly sweeping towards Xinghua Village.

At the same time, The Tomb Guardian leaped up, took a few steps in mid-air, and darted into the clouds!

Inside Xinghua Village, Hua Nongying said with a cold, stern face, "Guards! Take this fellow who offended the Princess away!"

Several guards maintaining order stepped forward, preparing to take action against Emperor Hong.

"Presumptuous!"

Sensing the movement of the Four Great Supervisors in the valley to the west, Zheng Yangwei no longer restrained himself and leaped directly onto the stage.

He drew a supple, slender soft sword from his waist, resembling a willow branch, and slashed at the two guards.

Seeing that the two guards were about to have their throats slit, Hua Nongying was quick-witted and agile; she pulled the two guards backward, dodging the fatal blow!

"Good skills!"

Zheng Yangwei sneered, "I've long suspected that you women of Xinghua Village aren't from legitimate backgrounds. You're probably assassins, aren't you?!"

"Cut the crap! Daring to cause trouble in Xinghua Village and wielding blades—you must be enemy assassins!"

Hua Nongying shouted, "Everyone, disperse first! Catch the assassins!!"

Reminded by her, the audience at the scene hurriedly scattered and fled.

But at this moment, a fierce wind suddenly arose in the valley, and the clouds in the sky rapidly gathered, blocking out the sunlight!

One moment it was bright and sunny, and the next, it felt as if night had fallen!

Panic erupted at the scene, descending into chaos.

"Daoist, this..." Marquis Xie Shang looked at Taoist Master Cangshuzi beside him, finding the situation ominous and feeling somewhat uneasy.

Taoist Master Cangshuzi stared fixedly at the sky, his expression grave.

"Immeasurable Heavenly Worthy... such dense yin-evil energy..."

Just then, Emperor Hong, who was being protected behind Zheng Yangwei, let out bursts of laughter.

"I am the Son of Heaven! You bunch of treacherous rebels want to humiliate me? Wishful thinking!!"

His shout left many people stunned.

"What did he say? He said 'I'?"

"Is he crazy? Does he think he's the Emperor?"

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong stood up and said righteously, "How bold! Who are you to dare impersonate the current Emperor!?"

Once the current Chancellor Yang spoke, those who were unaware felt relieved.

Chancellor Yang met with Emperor Hong every day; surely he wouldn't fail to recognize him?

Emperor Hong was not surprised; he had long expected that this group intended to play dumb to the end.

"Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong, Zhu Ming, Marquis of Linyuan, and all of you traitorous, shameless wretches who abandon righteousness for profit..."

"Today, even if I have to sacrifice my life, I will drag you all to the grave with me!!"

Li Sihong's voice was hysterical!

Since the decree of bestowing favors, Emperor Hong had been feeling stifled for over a year. Now that the Great Gan Dynasty was at a life-or-death juncture, how could he not be aware of it?

The rise and fall of dynasties is an ancient law, but who would be willing to be the ruler of a fallen nation?

Therefore, today he had completely broken free from his shackles to fight to the death!

If he won the gamble, he might just find a way to survive from the brink of death!

And at this very moment, that figure who had remained motionless slowly stood up...

"You petty thief... you want to impersonate the current Son of Heaven?"

Under the expectant gaze of everyone, Lin Xiao stood up.

"Since I began governing the Northern Territory, I have had no regrets towards the imperial court above, and no regrets towards the hearts of the people below. My loyalty is pure, and heaven and earth can bear witness!"

"You bunch of jianghu sorcerers, using some crooked tricks and evil arts, want to come to the Worlds Number One Wine Festival to spread rumors and deceive the public!?"

"My Northern Territory will not tolerate your demonic evil!!"

Each sonorous and powerful word shook the hearts of everyone in the valley!

Everyone felt as if they had been ignited by the Prince of Zhenbei's words; their hearts surged, and their blood boiled!

That's right, with the Prince of Zhenbei, this War God, here, what did they have to fear!?

Never mind a fake emperor; even if the real Emperor Hong were here, what would there be to fear!?

"Hum!!——"

Just then, above the entire valley, it seemed as if a dragon's roar echoed!!

Above the sky, brilliant, precious light gathered, and a thick beam of radiance descended from the heavens, enveloping the main stage!

With Lin Xiao as the center, it seemed as if a giant, golden-shining Buddha, with benevolent brows and eyes, had opened its wisdom eyes, soothing all the uneasy hearts!

People saw that the dark clouds in the sky were dispersed by this golden light.

Light descended upon the world once more, and many people were so excited that tears rolled down their cheeks!

"An auspicious sign from heaven!!"

"Prince of Zhenbei! Destiny's Mandate!!"

Accompanied by cheers like mountains collapsing and seas roaring, countless people knelt below, and the valley constantly echoed with praises for the Prince of Zhenbei!!

Fear? Panic? Completely gone!!

Even Taoist Master Cangshuzi, Zhu Ming, Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong, and other knowledgeable figures were dumbfounded at this moment!!

They did not understand how that man, whose body seemed protected by divine light, who had become the sun that illuminated the world, had achieved this!!

Emperor Hong's eyes were wide with rage and disbelief; he could not believe what he was seeing!!

What he found even more unacceptable was that, deep in his heart, a trace of an urge to submit had emerged!?

Zheng Yangwei's face was as pale as yellow paper, trembling with fear, "This... Prince of Zhenbei, what kind of realm is he in!?"

If it weren't for the fact that he knew he couldn't escape, he would have wanted to abandon Emperor Hong and run away immediately!!

The reason this scene occurred was because, just moments ago, Lin Xiao had added all 1.3 million Comprehension Ability points he had saved up since the night before last into his progress bar!!

He could have actually advanced earlier, but he was waiting; he was waiting for this very moment!!

[Ding! Host's realm has advanced, reaching the "Heavenly Immortal" realm! All attributes and skills have been improved!]

[Ding! Obtained achievement "Flying Immortal from Beyond" (immortal grade), prestige +10000]

In an instant, Lin Xiao's divine sense, perception, and various senses of the world had all gained new understanding.

The mountains were still mountains, and the water was still water!

But he was no longer the same person he was a moment ago!!

His temperament, which appeared as calm as water, now exuded a transcendent and otherworldly aura. His profound and indescribable majesty, like an immortal descending to the mortal world, made the surrounding crowd unable to resist the urge to kneel and worship.

Looking at the next Mysterious Immortal realm, which required 4 million Comprehension Ability points, Lin Xiao was somewhat speechless.

However, having advanced to the Heavenly Immortal realm and gained a lifespan of over a thousand years, he was in a very good mood.

Since he still had tens of thousands of Comprehension Ability points on hand that he had tricked out of people using his "literary talent," he might as well add some cultivation to his commonly used techniques.

[Ding! Indestructible Golden Body +5000 years of cultivation!]

[Ding! Zhu Xian Sword Formation +5000 years of cultivation!]

[Ding! Blood Shadow Divine Skill +1000 years of cultivation!]