281: Imperial Master Tang Zhenyuan

Thinking about it this way, he even had the impulse to go directly and kill the beasts and the cultist organizations. However, he forced himself to suppress it. The most important thing right now was the construction of the Sinkhole Base. As long as those super-weapons were forged, would he really have to worry about having nothing to kill?

"By the way, what about the corpses of those who died at the Feng Residence?"

He hurriedly called Qi Huaiyi to ask, only to find out that most of the corpses were still left out in the wilderness. Gu Fengyang and the others had only brought back the living cultists and Feng Lifeng's corpse... "The matters here have basically come to a close; it's time to head to the Southern Yue Sinkhole Base. I'll go collect those cultist corpses first..." Long Yuan thought of this and headed out into the wilderness that very night to collect the bodies.

When he arrived at the battlefield where the Southern Division and the Feng Residence had fought earlier, he found many mutated beasts fighting there. Among them, a pack of wolves had gained the upper hand and was frantically tearing at the corpses. Long Yuan couldn't help but smile. He hadn't expected the cultists' corpses to attract so many mutated beasts; he might as well take care of them all at once.

He directly condensed Soul Needles and silently harvested all the mutated beasts, then swept all the remains into the Heavenly Dao Space's devouring maw. Only then did he return to Nanming City and head straight for the airport... While Long Yuan was acting according to his plan, the situation in the Great Ming Empire was also undergoing changes. The main reason for this change was the major news that the three great powers—the Snow Eagle Country, the War Bear Country, and the Flying Lion Country—had announced the birth of Martial King experts within their borders over the past few days!

After this major news spread across the nations of Planet Blue, the entire world was in an uproar for a time. From the perspective of the Human Race, the fact that Martial King experts had finally been born among them was a sign that the Human Race was moving toward prosperity... However, while the common people could just enjoy the gossip, the high-level officials of other countries didn't see it that way. They were essentially facing a formidable enemy, secretly discussing how to deal with this sudden change. After all, judging from the videos showcasing the power of Martial King experts, it was entirely possible for them to wipe out small countries with the power of a single person. If they united, they could even sweep across the entire Planet Blue. Under the deterrence of such high-end combat power, what other countries should do became the most urgent problem to solve!

The Great Ming Empire was naturally no exception. Especially with the Northern Defense Line still suffering from the invasion of the War Bear Country, the fact that the War Bear Country had announced the birth of a Martial King put immense pressure on the Northern Defense Line!

If the War Bear Country's Martial King suddenly descended upon the northern battlefield at this time, what choice would the Great Ming Empire have to make?

To fight? Or to surrender?

At this moment, in a certain meeting hall within the Great Ming Imperial Court, countless high-ranking officials and important figures were gathered to discuss how to deal with this explosive and shocking news.

These figures were essentially the primary combat forces of the Great Ming Empire's various bases, as well as high-ranking officials or powerful experts guarding Shuntian Prefecture and Yingtian Prefecture. Having been summoned, they had rushed here within the last day or two. Among them were some of the Ten Swords of Great Ming, representatives from several super clans, first-class clans, and important non-governmental forces. After arriving at the meeting hall, they sat in their assigned seats and waited for the meeting to begin... The person presiding over the meeting was the current Crown Prince of Great Ming, Prince Rui, who was also the wielder of the Overlord Sword. Since the Emperor Ming was currently in the inner palace and had not made an appearance, and the position of heir to the Great Ming throne had not yet been finalized, Prince Rui naturally took the first seat according to the order of seniority. Of course, in his heart, he certainly hoped that this ranking would never change.

Sitting to his right was an old man wearing a golden crown. His face was ruddy, he had a slight beard, and he possessed a refined, otherworldly air. He was the current National Preceptor of Great Ming, Tang Zhenyuan. He was the thirty-second National Preceptor of Great Ming, a man of heavyweight status and reputation, naturally qualified to sit in that position.

To Prince Rui's left was another empty seat, reserved for another heavyweight figure of Great Ming, Prince An, the wielder of the Xuanhuang Sword. However, Prince An had not arrived because he was in secluded cultivation... Looking at the high-ranking officials and experts below, Prince Rui took a deep breath and said, "Since this meeting was convened somewhat hastily, Prince An is in secluded cultivation and cannot attend. Additionally, several Seniors have other matters and were unable to be present, so we will not wait for them any longer. Let us begin! First, I would like everyone to share their views on what has happened in the Snow Eagle Country, the War Bear Country, and the Flying Lion Country over the past few days, as well as what our countermeasures should be. Any thoughts or strategies can be shared. I ask all of you, the pillars of the Great Ming Empire, to pool your wisdom and strength to help our Great Ming pass through this trial!"

The people below looked at one another, none wanting to be the first to speak... Every one of these people was deeply calculating; they naturally understood the principle that the bird that sticks its head out gets shot. No matter what the first person to speak said, they would often become the target of everyone else's attacks. Of course, there were exceptions—for instance, if a member of the orthodox neutral faction, an official known to be wholeheartedly dedicated to Great Ming, who was also highly respected and recognized by everyone, were to start things off, it would be quite appropriate. And such a person did indeed exist. He was sitting to the right of the Crown Prince: National Preceptor Tang Zhenyuan!

As the Old Ancestor of the Tang Super Clan and the thirty-second National Preceptor of Great Ming, he was naturally qualified to be the first to speak on national affairs. He was also well aware of the role he had to play. He had to take the lead himself; otherwise, despite a room full of people, they would fall into an embarrassing situation where no one would speak... "Ahem... Regarding the matter the Crown Prince mentioned, this old man will cast the first stone in hopes of drawing out better ideas. I hope the gentlemen present can offer many opinions on my views! I will certainly consider them carefully and make corrections! Ahem... I believe this matter should be viewed from two perspectives. On one hand, the fact that the War Bear Country, the Snow Eagle Country, and the Flying Lion Country have announced their possession of Martial King-level experts over these few days is very likely for the purpose of increasing their own prestige and status, and to put continuous pressure on the land and sea mutated beasts of Planet Blue. At the same time, by doing this, they are also exerting pressure on other countries of Planet Blue, especially creating external pressure on our Great Ming, expanding their advantage on the northern battlefield. It is also possible that they are emboldening certain dark forces hidden within the Great Ming Empire, thereby instigating more internal chaos. This is something we need to pay close attention to!" Tang Zhenyuan said, stroking his short beard and swaying his head slightly.

"The National Preceptor speaks reasonably!"

"The National Preceptor's insight is profound!"

"The National Preceptor is far-sighted; it is beyond what we can reach!"

"The National Preceptor's gaze is sharp, and his words hit the nail on the head!"

"National Preceptor..."

As soon as his voice fell, a chorus of praise and admiration immediately rose from below. Everyone marveled at his incisive insights... Tang Zhenyuan narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression calm. He had long anticipated this reaction from those below. This transcendent state of being neither pleased by external gain nor saddened by personal loss was something perhaps only he could master with such ease...