357: The Grand Steward has murderous intentions, and the Empress has given the order!

The moment the Grand Manager spoke, his cold, sinister hand had already reached Young Master Guo.

Young Master Guo immediately activated the Earth Sovereign Qi, Fire Emperor Qi, Water Sovereign Qi, and the Earth Sovereign True Body barrier around him.

However, the moment that large hand approached, the barrier began to shake violently.

It was as if it was about to be torn apart.

When that large hand slammed into the first layer of the Earth Sovereign Qi barrier, the Earth Sovereign Qi glowed intensely with golden light.

It resisted for less than a second before exploding with a loud bang.

Then came the Fire Emperor Qi barrier and the Water Sovereign Qi barrier.

In total, in less than three seconds, the entire space shook violently due to the barriers’ shattering.

The residual waves they released caused the guards of the Heavenly Prison to retreat repeatedly.

"This Young Master Guo can hold out for so long against the Grand Manager? I'm not even his match!"

Situ Rui was stunned.

Previously, he had been extremely polite to Young Master Guo out of respect for his status.

But now, he discovered that Young Master Guo’s strength was actually superior to his own.

Just when he thought this was Young Master Guo’s limit, he suddenly noticed that the Grand Manager’s powerful sinister hand contained the rumbling sound of sinister lightning.

It was incredibly huge.

As it enveloped Young Master Guo entirely, streaks of sinister lightning exploded on Young Master Guo’s body.

The golden light of Young Master Guo’s Earth Sovereign True Body actually completely resisted them!

Only the deafening sinister lightning made his scalp tingle and his ears go completely deaf.

A destructive surge of sinister Qi poured into his body.

Fortunately, his Earth Sovereign True Body was incredibly powerful, directly neutralizing it.

"Hmm?!"

The Grand Manager’s expression suddenly changed upon seeing this.

His strength was that of a Ninth-Rank Seventh-Layer cultivator.

One must know that for every layer a Ninth-Rank realm cultivator advances, their strength undergoes a qualitative improvement.

The further one progresses, the greater the disparity, and the more difficult it is to overcome.

His Sinister Lightning Hand, seemingly a casual strike, was actually one of his more powerful divine abilities.

This Young Master Guo could actually withstand the bombardment of his Sinister Lightning Hand with a Ninth-Rank Second-Layer cultivation.

His gaze grew even more sinister.

His killing intent became even more obvious!

This child cannot be allowed to live!

"Since you insist on resisting, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Ninefold Great Sinister Lightning Palm Print!"

The Grand Manager roared, forming hand seals. In an instant, nine giant sinister lightning hands emerged before him.

Within these large hands, streaks of sinister lightning continuously rumbled.

Their momentum was more than twice as powerful as the previous Sinister Lightning Hand.

Moreover, he conjured nine large hands at once.

There was even a formation enchantment between them.

At once, the entire space was filled with the rolling power of sinister lightning.

Everyone couldn’t help but feel their scalps tingle.

As he spoke, he was about to unleash a deadly attack on Young Master Guo!

"I'm still not his match. Damn it, this Grand Manager isn't even pretending anymore. It seems the Empress is truly wary not of the vassal kings, but of the people around her!"

Young Master Guo suddenly realized.

The Empress orchestrating so many events, the real pressure didn't come from the rebellions in these fiefdoms.

Instead, it came from the disloyalty of powerful figures like the Grand Manager and the Imperial Relative!

He also frantically poured his Earth Sovereign Qi into his body as if it were worthless, pushing his Earth Sovereign True Body to its limit.

Vaguely, a solemn, human-headed, snake-tailed Earth Queen Houtu appeared behind him.

At the same time, his Minglong Spirit Blade was already infused with Fire Emperor Qi, Earth Sovereign Qi, and Water Sovereign Qi.

The Ninefold Thunder Strike Slash ultimate move was ready to be unleashed!

This place was filled with anti-flight power.

He only had to find an opportunity to repel the opponent and then escape for his life!

He could suppress a Ninth-Rank Fifth-Layer cultivator, but he was no match for a Ninth-Rank Sixth-Layer.

Against a Ninth-Rank Seventh-Layer, he would likely have to pay a huge price to escape from his hands.

Damn it!

The current situation was not what he had anticipated.

"They're really going all out!"

"It's a life-or-death battle!"

Everyone was also stunned.

Qin Tian couldn't help but frown, seemingly a bit conflicted.

Although he was controlled.

However, with his realm, he could naturally tell that Young Master Guo was in grave danger this time.

It didn't seem like an act!

"Forget it, if he's my Junior Brother, then my sin would be great."

Thinking this, he was about to speak to stop the Grand Manager’s attack on Young Master Guo.

"Grand Manager, stop! The Empress's oral decree has arrived!"

Just then, the Ninth Chief Eunuch’s voice came, and at the same time, a golden light flew over and enveloped Young Master Guo.

Boom boom boom!

The next moment, the Grand Manager indeed ignored the Ninth Chief Eunuch’s words and unleashed the Ninefold Great Sinister Lightning Palm Print with full force.

However, it was blocked by a Nine Dragons Fire Cloud Hood thrown out by the Ninth Chief Eunuch.

Deafening explosions echoed.

Dragon roars reverberated.

Causing the entire Heavenly Prison to shake violently, and even some of the formations sealing the entire prison were damaged.

But this Nine Dragons Fire Cloud Hood seemed incredibly powerful.

All of the Grand Manager’s attacks were completely blocked.

Although Young Master Guo’s ears were ringing from the shock, he did not suffer any substantial damage.

"Nine Dragons Fire Cloud Hood?"

The Grand Manager’s expression suddenly changed. This was one of the Empress’s treasures.

The Ninth Chief Eunuch using this Nine Dragons Fire Cloud Hood itself represented some of the Empress’s intentions.

"Grand Manager, the Empress's oral decree!"

The Ninth Chief Eunuch raised his voice.

"Yes."

The Grand Manager bowed, his face filled with trepidation, "I couldn't stop in time just now. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

He was deliberately making excuses.

However, the Ninth Chief Eunuch could not say anything, only stating, "I imagine Your Majesty will understand the Grand Manager."

He paused, "By Her Majesty's oral decree, Young Master Guo's punishment is concluded, and he is to be released from prison immediately. Although Qin Tian is guilty, considering the merit of Qin Xiang Duke actively engaging the rebel Guo Kang, you are temporarily released from prison and placed under Young Master Guo's supervision. If your attitude is good and you achieve further merits, you may be free! This is an imperial order!"

"What?"

The Grand Manager’s expression changed.

Young Master Guo also raised an eyebrow, not expecting the Empress to have him supervise Qin Tian. What was the meaning behind this?

Could it be—

The Empress sending him, Young Master Guo, to the Prison Punishment Division wasn't to give Mo Daoqing face.

Instead, it was deliberately to make him take the fall, to make him directly clash with the Grand Manager and the Imperial Relative.

To contain some of the forces opposing her?

Highly likely!

"The Empress has excellent methods! No wonder she can become the Emperor of the Yan Yang Empire, impressive!"

He understood this point, and although he had been schemed against, he wasn't overly angry.

Because the Empress was not familiar with him at all, and might even be an enemy.

They were just using each other.

However, the Empress also arranged Qin Tian by his side, giving him a powerful expert, perhaps also to drag Qin Wang City into the mess again?

And also to give Young Master Guo the confidence to contend with people like the Grand Manager.

The Empress’s brilliant move!

"Young Master Guo, Young Master Qin, are you not going to receive the decree?"

The Ninth Chief Eunuch asked with a smile, looking at Young Master Guo and Qin Tian, who was still in the prison.

"I receive the decree."

Young Master Guo nodded calmly.

Qin Tian also said, "This subject receives the decree."

"Mm."

The Ninth Chief Eunuch smiled and then looked at the Grand Manager beside him, "Grand Manager, since things have come to this, how about we return to the palace together?"

"Good!"

The Grand Manager responded, looking coldly at Young Master Guo, "Young Master Guo, we shall meet again."

As he spoke, he lifted the old man who had been bleeding profusely from Young Master Guo’s slash and left with the Ninth Chief Eunuch.

Young Master Guo also waved his hand and said to Situ Rui, "Yu Fa Chief, release my Nineteenth Senior Brother."

"Yes."

Situ Rui, having witnessed a grand spectacle, did not hesitate in the slightest and personally removed Qin Tian’s Soul-Locking Hook, releasing Qin Tian.

Young Master Guo didn't say much but led Qin Tian out.

Qin Tian walked behind Young Master Guo, thought for a moment, and said, "Young Master Guo, give me back that box from earlier!"

"What do you mean?"

Young Master Guo turned back, raising an eyebrow.