132: Emperor Yongchang

Zhou Tianming walked forward step by step, cold sweat pouring down his body.

At this moment, Zhou Tianming felt as if he was walking alone into an abyss, with a pre-arranged execution ground awaiting him.

After an unknown period, Zhou Tianming finally arrived before Emperor Yongchang. He immediately knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your humble subject greets Your Majesty."

Time passed bit by bit. Zhou Tianming remained prostrate, kneeling on the ground, his body maintaining that posture without the slightest tremor.

After an unknown period, Emperor Yongchang's somewhat cold voice finally rang out, "Rise!"

Hearing this, Zhou Tianming quickly scrambled to his feet, but he still kept his head bowed, awaiting Emperor Yongchang's reprimand.

Just then, Emperor Yongchang's imposing voice, which commanded respect without anger, spoke again, "Why did you let the Li Family escape?"

Zhou Tianming was startled and immediately knelt down again, hesitating in his heart about how to explain, fearing that one wrong word would cost him his life.

Thus, the great hall once again fell into silence.

Emperor Yongchang did not urge him, his 'Dragon Eyes' fixed on Zhou Tianming, awaiting his explanation.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Tianming gritted his teeth and finally chose to speak the truth, "Your humble subject, fears death!"

Emperor Yongchang, sitting on the Dragon Throne, was first stunned, then he chuckled in anger.

He had considered all sorts of excuses Zhou Tianming might give, but he had never expected him to so grandly declare his fear of death with such righteousness.

So, Emperor Yongchang rose from the Dragon Throne, walked down the high platform, and kicked Zhou Tianming to the ground, saying, "Keep talking, if you don't explain well, I will flay you!"

Hearing this, Zhou Tianming couldn't help but shiver, for he truly heard a chilling killing intent in Emperor Yongchang's tone, something he had never experienced before.

So, Zhou Tianming quickly got up and explained, "At that time, Ancestor Huanyu pulled Li Xiangyun into his Domain, and no one knew the situation inside, but in the end, Ancestor Huanyu's screams were heard."

"Your humble subject fears death, and even more so fears that the two imperial nephews might encounter misfortune, so I thought of retreating first. True Lord Hanyue was already on his way anyway, where could such a large Li Family run to?"

"I never expected that the mere Li Family would possess such an ancient Formation as a Teleportation Formation."

At this point, Zhou Tianming suddenly had a flash of inspiration and continued, "So, it's very likely that Ancestor Huanyu was defeated because that Fourth-Rank Alchemist made a move."

"Otherwise, how can one explain how Li Xiangyun, a mere Golden Core, could defeat Ancestor Huanyu, who is a Nascent Soul?"

Zhou Tianming's words were well-reasoned and also implicated Zhou Jingxing and Zhou Zhenyue.

He attempted to muddle through by using them.

After all, it was true that Zhou Tianming feared death, but he was also protecting your sons. Surely, that couldn't be wrong, could it?

Emperor Yongchang, however, did not speak directly. Instead, after returning to the Dragon Throne, he slowly sighed, "Fifth Brother, oh Fifth Brother~"

The voice was soft but carried endless helplessness, causing Zhou Tianming's body to shiver involuntarily, a bad premonition rising within him.

So, he quickly replied, "Your humble subject is here!"

Saying this, Zhou Tianming quickly crawled to Emperor Yongchang's side.

This was not an exaggeration. Although this was a cultivation world where imperial power was not absolutely supreme, many powerful cultivators could even destroy a nation by themselves.

However, in this Great Zhou Dynasty, Emperor Yongchang's words were almost supreme.

This was not only because of Emperor Yongchang's Nascent Soul strength but also because, with the help of the Great Zhou's Dragon Qi, he could unleash Soul Transformation strength within the imperial palace.

And it must be known that Soul Transformation was already the peak of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

This was also why Emperor Yongchang remained confident, even though the Great Zhou's Soul Transformation expert had already died.

Besides this, another reason why Zhou Tianming was so afraid of Emperor Yongchang was his ruthlessness.

After all, among those who could ascend to the throne, how many were truly benevolent?

Back then, Emperor Yongchang's maternal clan was not strong, merely a Golden Core Family.

Yet, he, relying on his talent and ruthlessness, carved a bloody path among numerous competitors, being the only one of his age group to survive.

If Zhou Tianming had not pledged allegiance to Emperor Yongchang early on, he would probably have died hundreds of years ago.

Then, Emperor Yongchang said with great reminiscence, "Fifth Brother, do you remember that many people were not optimistic about me back then? You were the first to pledge allegiance to me."

"To be honest, I was very touched at that time and swore to share prosperity with you."

"Over these years, you tell me, how many resources have I invested in you? Yet you have never been able to Breakthrough to Nascent Soul. Many Old Ancestors already have opinions about you."

"But now, you have disappointed me too much!"

Emperor Yongchang's expression, a mix of heartache and helplessness, made Zhou Tianming's heart tremble.

So, he quickly kowtowed like pounding garlic, saying, "Imperial Brother, your humble subject knows his mistake."

"But Li Xiangyun's strength is truly too terrifying."

"He not only mastered four types of Dao Intent but also possessed a spiritual flame. He is truly too much of a Prodigy."

"Moreover, over these years, your humble subject has not been without progress; I was just waiting to fully succeed before telling Imperial Brother."

Saying this, Zhou Tianming spread his hand, and a small Vermilion Bird phantom churned in his palm, its scorching flames causing the Void Realm to tremble.

Emperor Yongchang's eyes lit up at this sight, "Domain prototype!"

"It seems you have made some progress over these years. If that's the case, Imperial Brother can also account to the Old Ancestors."

"Alright, you may rise now!"

With that, Emperor Yongchang's expression finally softened, and he helped Zhou Tianming up.

Hearing this, Zhou Tianming breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had passed this hurdle.

As one of the earliest to pledge allegiance to Emperor Yongchang, Zhou Tianming deeply knew that so-called kinship was worthless in Emperor Yongchang's eyes.

To survive, one had to demonstrate value. A Golden Core Peak combined with a Vermilion Bird battle Formation could unleash Nascent Soul strength, let alone a Nascent Soul itself.

Therefore, Zhou Tianming chose to retreat.

After all, he had already comprehended the rudimentary form of a Domain and would soon Breakthrough to Nascent Soul. There was truly no need to take risks.

What if he was a coward? As long as he could Breakthrough to Nascent Soul, he could live freely for another thousand years!

"All thanks to Imperial Brother's guidance!" Zhou Tianming flattered, carefully standing up.

After another round of sincere greetings and well-wishes, Emperor Yongchang dismissed Zhou Tianming.

Thus, the dim great hall returned to silence.

Just then, Zhou Huanyu's voice suddenly rang out from the darkness, "You promised this one!?" His voice was filled with anger and questioning.

"Are you questioning me?"

Emperor Yongchang sat upright on the Dragon Throne, gently rubbing the dark green ring on his finger.

The next second, an extremely terrifying pressure rose, gradually taking on the shape of a Dragon, clawing at the dim walls.

"You..."

Zhou Huanyu was somewhat exasperated, but his tone weakened considerably, "Don't forget I am an Old Ancestor of the Zhou Imperial Family."

"Hmph!" Emperor Yongchang snorted, "If not for that identity, just for your Possession of Baishui, I would have already executed you, let alone helping you find a new body."

"Don't worry, I will help you find a new body, but Zhou Tianming is not an option!"

Originally, Emperor Yongchang had indeed considered letting Zhou Huanyu possess Zhou Tianming. After all, letting the Li Family escape had truly infuriated Emperor Yongchang, and True Lord Hanyue's coercion further solidified this idea.

But fortunately, Zhou Tianming once again demonstrated his value. After all, a Golden Core Peak and a Nascent Soul, even if only one Realm apart, had vastly different values.

Of course, the most crucial point was that Zhou Tianming was obedient enough, which was one of the reasons Emperor Yongchang ultimately decided to keep him.

"It better be so!" Hearing this, Zhou Huanyu snorted and vanished into the darkness.

Emperor Yongchang paid no attention to this. Instead, he continued rubbing the ring on his finger, his gaze deep as he looked into the distance, softly murmuring, "Li Xiangyun..."

"It seems I still underestimated you..."