122: Reactions from all parties

"Useless thing! Tell me, how long has that emperor wus final edict been out in the world?"

Ignoring the fear in Yuan Jingyi's heart, the old man stood up from his reclining chair and stared coldly at Yuan Emperor while questioning him.

Seeing this, Yuan Emperor also immediately snapped back to his senses and said tremblingly:

"To answer Second Ancestor, that emperor wus final edict was snatched by our Great Yuan Dynasty's Dragon Guard from another First-Rank Martial Artist."

"According to the reports, that emperor wus final edict was likely in the hands of that Dragon Guard for about five months. As for the other First-Rank Martial Artist, it was only with him for a few days, and a few more days have passed since then."

"So, this emperor wus final edict should have appeared a little over five months ago."

"Phew! It's been out for over five months, then that's fine."

Hearing this, the old man let out a long sigh of relief. His expression returned to one of indifference as he slowly lay back down on the reclining chair.

"Since the emperor wus final edict has been out for over five months, based on the rule that one must enter the Martial Emperors Relic Palace six months after the emperor wus final edict appears, Lin Yi will have to enter the Martial Emperors Relic Palace in less than a month at most."

"And according to you, that Lin Yi was just a mere Second-Rank Martial Artist over a month ago. Although he has now made a Breakthrough to First Rank, with less than a month left, it is absolutely impossible for him to achieve an Innate Breakthrough."

"As long as he doesn't achieve an Innate Breakthrough, if he wants to enter the Martial Emperors Relic Palace, then let him!"

"Second Ancestor, why is that?"

Seeing the old man's reaction, Yuan Emperor first felt a sense of relief, but then asked in confusion:

"Although I know that when a Martial Artist enters the Martial Emperors Relic Palace, generally the stronger their strength and the higher their cultivation, the greater the benefits they receive."

"But Aptitude also provides a slight bonus to the effects of entering the Martial Emperors Relic Palace."

"And this Lin Yi already has a Prodigy's Aptitude. If he is allowed to enter the Martial Emperors Relic Palace, even if the benefits he gains don't match those of an Innate, it will still be a great Opportunity for him. It will inevitably make him grow faster and become even more difficult to deal with."

"Furthermore, an emperor wus final edict would also be of immense help to our Great Yuan Dynasty."

"If Second Ancestor acts to seize it and bestows it upon a Genius of the Innate True Essence Realm in our Great Yuan Dynasty..."

"Then, even if he doesn't reach Second Ancestor's level in the future, there is great hope for him to become one of the top few on the Heaven Rank. This would be an extremely important combat power for our Great Yuan Dynasty."

"Indeed!"

On the reclining chair, the old man nodded slightly and said:

"What you say does have some merit. The emperor wus final edict is indeed very important."

"However, that old fellow from the Heavenly Mountain Sect is not to be trifled with! Although his strength is average, his life-saving abilities are extraordinary."

"If we wanted to capture or kill him, even if Third Ancestor and I joined forces, we wouldn't be certain. Eldest Brother himself would have to take action."

"And Eldest Brother is currently in seclusion, attempting to charge into that incredible Realm. He must not be disturbed unless it is a matter of utmost importance. An emperor wus final edict, which appears in quantities of one to nine every few decades or century, is not enough to disturb him."

"Moreover, battles at our level have too great an impact on the Nine Provinces Continent. Any slight carelessness could trigger a war across the entire Nine Provinces Continent."

"Currently, our Great Yuan Dynasty's foundation is not yet sufficient. It is not yet the time for us to act."

"Therefore, let the Heavenly Mountain Sect have this emperor wus final edict!"

"Yes! Second Ancestor!"

Hearing this, Yuan Emperor nodded respectfully and then cautiously withdrew from the courtyard... Yong Province, this was a major province ruled by the Buddhist Holy Land, the Great Chan Vajra Temple.

In every prefecture, every commandery, and every county within the province, magnificent Buddhist temples were built, and the incense offerings were incredibly flourishing.

The citizens of Yong Province, from octogenarians to young children, were all loyal followers of Buddhism.

Yong Province, Benshan Commandery, inside the largest Buddhist temple in the entire commandery city, "Wan'an Temple."

The Mahavira Hall was filled with golden light. A plump monk, wearing a cassock and looking like a living Maitreya Buddha, sat smiling on a prayer mat.

Opposite him, a member of the gentry in purple robes stroked his beard and said hesitantly:

"Great Master, can donating money to craft a golden statue truly ensure my peace and prosperity?"

"Naturally!"

Hearing this, the monk's smile deepened. He tapped the Karma box and said:

"The opening of this box is so bright; it is the light of Buddha polished by virtuous thoughts. Look at the flame of the ever-burning lamp beside you; its color is turning green and it's flickering unsteadily. That is a sign that the incense oil is almost exhausted and your blessings are difficult to sustain!"

"However, if a virtuous person like yourself fills it with 'golden oil' and the lamp is relit, wouldn't your Luck be like this flame, soaring and flourishing?"

"Yes! The Great Master is right! In that case..."

Seeing this, the purple-robed gentleman hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and finally reached into his robe, taking out a stack of Silver Notes and placing them in the Karma box:

"I shall follow the high monk's advice and pray for the peace of my household."

"Amitabha! Excellent, excellent!"

"Benefactor is indeed sincere. With such sincerity, the Buddha will surely protect you. I believe that in a few days, all your calamities will naturally vanish."

Seeing this, the fat monk folded his hands with a smile, the grin on his plump face growing even wider. He looked like a weasel that had successfully stolen a chicken, his eyes narrowing into slits.

But at that moment, a ripple appeared in the Void Realm, and a voice suddenly entered the fat monk's ears.

"Oh? That peerless Genius of the Heavenly Mountain Sect, Lin Yi, actually obtained an emperor wus final edict?"

The smile on the fat monk's face froze for a split second, but then quickly recovered as he chuckled and praised:

"This little fellow truly has good Luck! It seems that peerless Prodigies have always been favored by heaven and earth! It was so for that person from Great Yuan back then, and it is the same for Lin Yi of the Heavenly Mountain Sect now!"

"Forget it! Since this emperor wus final edict has been obtained by him, and the Heavenly Mountain Sect will be a major force for us to oppose Great Yuan in the future, then let him have this emperor wus final edict! Our Great Chan Vajra Temple does not need to compete for it!"

"Yes, World-Honored One!"

As soon as the fat monk finished speaking, a respectful voice immediately rang out and then vanished without a trace.

Yet, no one in the entire hall, not even the gentleman standing next to the fat monk, noticed anything at all, as if nothing had ever happened... Shu Province, Baihai Prefecture.

The peaks were ten thousand fathoms high, standing in the south. From afar, they looked like green jade pillars reaching toward the sky, connecting the earth and the heavens.

Up close, the mountain body appeared dark black, with rugged rocky bones the color of sunken iron, shifting between light and shadow amidst the clouds.

This was the number one peak in the Nine Provinces—Zuowang Peak. It was also the Holy Land of the Daoist sects in the Nine Provinces and the base of the Zuowang Daoist Sect!

At this moment, atop Zuowang Peak, outside a magnificent golden hall.

A young Daoist priest in Daoist robes slowly paced to the outside of the hall and spoke in a clear voice:

"Daoist Sovereign, news has come from Qing Province that an emperor wus final edict has appeared within the borders of the Nine Provinces recently."

"After changing hands several times, it has now been obtained by the Heavenly Mountain Sect Disciple Lin Yi. May I ask, Daoist Sovereign, if our Zuowang Daoist Sect should send someone to compete for it?"

"No need!"

As soon as the young Daoist's voice fell, a faint voice rang out from within the golden hall:

"Since this emperor wus final edict did not appear within the borders of Shu Province, then it has no fate with our Daoist Sect."

"As long as this emperor wus final edict is not obtained by the Great Yuan Dynasty, our Zuowang Daoist Sect does not need to interfere. Continue your cultivation!"

"Yes, Daoist Sovereign!"

Hearing this, the young Daoist nodded slightly and then left directly... Besides the three major powers of the Great Yuan Dynasty, the Great Chan Vajra Temple, and the Zuowang Daoist Sect,

other forces capable of competing for the emperor wus final edict, such as the Wanxiang Tower and the Shanhai Sect, also expressed their positions and withdrew from the competition.

In particular, the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce's president even spoke out in support, claiming that anyone who dared to seize Lin Yi's emperor wus final edict would be an enemy of the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce.

Thus, the treasure that Lin Yi thought would be enough to cause a "Heavenly Change" in the Nine Provinces dissipated into nothingness under the powerful strength of the Heavenly Mountain Sect.

Soon, all the forces on the Nine Provinces Continent qualified to compete gave up their pursuit, leaving the emperor wus final edict to the Heavenly Mountain Sect.

Unfortunately, while the external forces gave up, a massive wave was currently being stirred within the Heavenly Mountain Sect because of the emperor wus final edict...