228: Storm

Three days later, the aftershocks of the Imperial City's turmoil continued to spread, with people of different statuses reacting in various ways.

The common people of the Imperial City had long since recovered from their initial panic, and discussions filled the streets and alleys.

Before a tea stall, a man in coarse cloth clothing slapped the table and exclaimed, "Immortal Revered Master Li truly eliminated harm for the people! When Emperor Yongchang was in power, the taxes were so heavy they crushed people. Now that he has been executed and the new Emperor has ascended the throne, life should surely be better in the future!"

An old woman at the alley entrance, holding her grandson, pointed towards the Imperial Palace and muttered, "With Immortal Revered Master Li from now on, those Demonic Path Cultivators will surely not dare to invade. We common folk can finally sleep soundly."

Even children chased after storytellers, clamoring to hear the tale of "Immortal Revered Master Fights the Emperor," and the entire Imperial City exuded a sense of relief from a heavy burden.

The Cultivator community's reaction was even more enthusiastic.

A Cultivator in green robes clutched his teacup, his tone barely concealing his astonishment: "Have you heard? Even a figure like Zhou Wuyai acknowledged Ice Peak True Monarch's combat power! To make the Imperial Family's Old Ancestor bow his head, the True Monarch's cultivation must have already touched the threshold of the Soul Transformation Realm!"

Another middle-aged Cultivator suddenly lowered his voice: "Even more terrifying is that the female Devil Head who kills without batting an eye is actually Ice Peak True Monarch's Disciple! Who would have thought before that the female Devil Head had such a background? In the future, no one will dare to provoke her again."

Finally, everyone's topic turned to the new Emperor, and their eyes instantly lit up: "Zhou Jingxing, who has now ascended the throne, is also the True Monarch's Disciple!

With Ice Peak True Monarch as its backing, our Righteous Path Cultivators no longer have to worry about the Demonic Path Alliance attacking.

Moreover, the front lines have always been suppressed by the Demonic Path Alliance. With the True Monarch as reinforcement, the Great Zhou army's might will surely greatly increase, and the disadvantage on the front lines will definitely be reversed!"

Meanwhile, inside a Demonic Hall, black Qi swirled, and four figures sat on stone chairs in the hall.

Xuan Sha, the Asura Sect Sect Master, played with a skull in his hand and spoke first: "That old fellow Zhou Wuyai didn't completely die. Thousands of years ago, he was at the Peak of Soul Transformation. To be able to live until now, he must have at least broken through to the Infant Transformation Realm, which is a bit troublesome."

The Blood River Sect Revered Master licked his lips, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity: "An Infant Transformation Realm Cultivator is enough to suppress a region. With him there, our plans to cause chaos during the Great Zhou's new Emperor's ascension will be much more difficult."

The Corpse Yin Sect Revered Master's hoarse voice sounded: "Zhou Wuyai is secondary. What's truly tricky is Li Xiangyun. That kid, with less than a hundred years of cultivation, was actually able to kill Emperor Yongchang, a Middle Stage Soul Transformation Cultivator, with his Late Stage Nascent Soul cultivation. His talent and combat power are simply terrifying."

The Soul Refining Sect Sect Master, who had been silent, suddenly clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white: "If this child grows up, he will definitely be a grave concern for our Demonic Path!

Zhou Wuyai has Infant Transformation strength, and Li Xiangyun's talent is Heaven-Defying. These two must be dealt with."

Xuan Sha's eyes sank, and black Qi surged within them: "We cannot wait! First, send people to try and probe Li Xiangyun's background.

If he is truly as strong as rumored, then we will set up an ambush in secret, eliminate this thorn in our side first, and then plot against the Great Zhou!"

"As for Zhou Wuyai, once the Restriction is completely removed, our Sect's Old Ancestor will deal with him."

The other three exchanged glances and all nodded in agreement.

The black Qi in the hall grew denser, and a conspiracy targeting Zhou Wuyai and Li Xiangyun quietly took shape amidst the secret discussions of the Four Demonic Sects.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Imperial Palace, Zhou Jingxing, clad in a bright yellow Dragon robe, sat on the Dragon throne he had once yearned for.

He heard footsteps, suddenly looked up, and the moment he saw Li Xiangyun, his eyes lit up. He quickly descended the steps and bowed respectfully: "Revered Master!"

Then, his gaze turned to Li Hentian behind Li Xiangyun, and he cupped his hands, calling out: "Senior Sister."

Li Hentian merely glanced at him indifferently, nodded expressionlessly, and offered no extra words.

Li Xiangyun looked at Zhou Jingxing before him, feeling a bit guilty.

If he hadn't insisted on executing Emperor Yongchang that day, Zhou Jingxing wouldn't have lost his father. He opened his mouth, about to apologize, but Zhou Jingxing spoke first.

"Revered Master need not worry," Zhou Jingxing's tone was calm, with no hint of resentment in his eyes, "My Imperial Father had many princes. My mother passed away early when I was young, and I was greatly neglected in the palace, the least favored one, so I never had much affection for him.

He committed the grave mistake of regicide and harming living beings, so his execution was well-deserved."

Li Xiangyun was stunned for a moment, not expecting Zhou Jingxing to think this way.

He looked at Zhou Jingxing's candid expression, and the guilt in his heart lessened slightly, but a bit more heartache arose: "You've suffered."

Zhou Jingxing shook his head and chuckled: "To be able to become Revered Master's Disciple is my good fortune. Now that I have ascended the throne, I will definitely not act like my Imperial Father. I will treat the common people well and protect Cultivators, not letting down the expectations of Revered Master and the Old Ancestor."

Li Xiangyun looked at the determination in his eyes and slowly nodded: "Good, Revered Master believes you. If you need anything, your Senior Sister and I, as well as the Li Family Cultivators, will all help you."

Although Li Hentian on the side did not speak, she also nodded slightly, implicitly agreeing with Li Xiangyun's words.

After a moment of hesitation, Zhou Jingxing finally stepped forward, his tone carrying a hint of earnestness: "Revered Master, although the court is temporarily stable, the Demonic Path Alliance's offensive on the front lines is growing fiercer.

This Disciple's heart is always uneasy, and I wish to ask Revered Master to act and help the Great Zhou stabilize the situation."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangyun's brows furrowed slightly. After a moment of silence, he slowly shook his head: "Jingxing, this matter is not simple. Both the Demonic Path and the Great Zhou Dynasty have the shadow of external Cultivators behind them.

I need a few days to sort out the intricacies and cannot act rashly."

Seeing a hint of disappointment flash in Zhou Jingxing's eyes, Li Xiangyun changed the subject: "However, the Li Family and the Great Zhou can form an alliance.

In the future, if you encounter a life-or-death crisis or need Cultivator support, your Senior Sister and I, as well as the Li Family Cultivators, will definitely come to your aid."

Zhou Jingxing's eyes lit up again, and he quickly bowed: "Thank you, Revered Master! With the Li Family as reinforcement, the Great Zhou will surely overcome this difficulty."

After walking out of the main hall, Li Xiangyun looked at the flowing clouds outside, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to help Zhou Jingxing; it was just that after this incident, he had a complete understanding.

Although the Great Zhou Dynasty's territory was vast, it was like a hot potato.

The Li Family, even with a generous estimate, only had him and Deng Qi, two Nascent Soul Cultivators. Most of their other Disciples lingered in the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Realms, completely lacking the strength to control a Dynasty.

More crucially, the Restrictions around the Great Zhou were about to dissipate.

At that time, not only would the Four Demonic Sects be restless, but unknown external forces might also pour in. If the Li Family were to get involved in the Great Zhou's conflicts now, they would only be attacked from both sides.

"The most urgent task is still to stabilize the territory of the Misty Swamp," Li Xiangyun muttered to himself, "First, let the Disciples focus on Cultivating to expand the Foundation of the Li Family Cultivators. Once our strength is sufficient, then we can deal with future changes."

Moreover, the Great Zhou Dynasty still had an Infant Transformation Cultivator, Zhou Wuyai... Through Bai Ze, he had already learned that Zhou Wuyai's Realm was Late Stage Infant Transformation. This strength, in the current Great Zhou Dynasty, was not an exaggeration to call invincible.

Yet, even he had not acted to deal with those Demonic Path Cultivators. Why should Li Xiangyun rashly make a move?

At the same time, Zhou Jingxing did not seek help from Zhou Wuyai but came to him.

This matter also made him ponder deeply.

Was it that he couldn't be contacted, or...?