Chaotic World Book

As Tang Wanzhuang and Qin Dingjiang headed for the Imperial Study, at the other end of the Imperial Palace, beneath the Temple where Xia Longyuan had been in long-term seclusion, Xia Longyuan was resting with his eyes closed.

The battle at sea had cost him a fragmented soul. The injury to his main body wasn't too severe, but it wasn't light either.

It belonged to the type of spiritual injury, which significantly affected performance in the Imperial Realm; he couldn't bring his original strength to bear. Exactly what level it should be considered was difficult to assess.

In general, an ordinary Imperial Realm was sufficient.

Back in the Maitreya Secret Realm, Xue Wu was just an ordinary Imperial Realm martial artist. Though his Divine Soul was nearly recovered, he lacked a physical body and had to make do with occupying a Heavenly Girl's discarded vessel. It was all over the place, yet even then, it took a group from the Heavenly List and Earth List like Ying Wu, San Niang, Cui Wenjing, Yang Jingxiu, Gui Chen, and Yuan Cheng to join forces to settle him. Right now, Xia Longyuan was stronger than Xue Wu had been back then, so suppressing a world without an Imperial Realm martial artist was still sufficient.

Before this moment, the people of this world could not have imagined that Xia Longyuan, even one level lower, was still stronger than everyone else...

It was because he was so powerful that he held a disdainful attitude towards everything, and it could be said that there were only two people in the world he esteemed highly.

One was Zhao Changhe, and Xia Longyuan's fondness for Zhao Changhe was even stronger than for his own daughter. His expectations for Zhao Changhe's future were even higher than a blind man could have for Zhao Changhe—the way old players watch new players is like this, eager to give away everything they can't use themselves to the newcomers, too lazy to write an eight-hundred-word essay themselves, but able to write a lengthy guide for the newbie.

Unfortunately, this newcomer jumped ship. He didn't want anything else, just your daughter.

Damn it.

The other was Tang Wanzhuang. Tang Wanzhuang thought it was due to loyalty and gratitude for recognizing her worth, but in Xia Longyuan's heart, it was a kind of deep respect—nobody disrespects a truly loyal and good officer. Going back to ancient times and having a Marquis and Wu Mu beside one as an emperor was the stuff of dreams, the key being that you know people and find your own Marquis.

Xia Longyuan was not particularly good at discerning people, but Tang Wanzhuang, coughing up blood while giving it her all, was something everyone could recognize.

For Tang Wanzhuang, this great trust was, indeed, due to recognition of her great efforts.

Xia Longyuan's healing efficiency wasn't very high; Divine Soul injuries were always difficult to manage. Even with Zhao Changhe using Dual Cultivation Divine Skill and the Rejuvenation Technique, it would take several days; he had neither of these and could only rely on medicine to recuperate gradually. These days, he hadn't paid any attention to the changes in the outside world, as he couldn't afford to be distracted.

But at this moment, Xia Longyuan suddenly opened his eyes: "Who is disrupting Beimang and destabilizing the Dragon Energy?"

He suddenly made a move, pointing at the Underground Sky Dome.

It was as if he pointed at a location between Beimang and the Capital on a map, so a finger descended from the Void, striking the mountains.

A Taoist, sitting cross-legged in the mountains, made a salute with one palm.

Gentle Qi Force surged up, clashing and dissipating without a trace against the phantom of the finger.

The Taoist opened his eyes and smiled slightly: "I have made only this move, Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."

Kunlun Yuxu, fourth on the Heavenly List!

Xia Longyuan's expression became unusually grave: "You who are from beyond this world, why interfere?"

"We all reside in the human realm, what do you mean by beyond this world…" Yuxu laughed: "Your Majesty as an Emperor cannot ensure peace for your subjects, instead, you're the source of their unrest; as a Martial Artist, instead of promoting good and eradicating evil, you are the root of villains. You suppress the entire world, and everyone dares not make a move—it's like watching a misbehaving child in one's own home. But even the most patient family member has a limit... I think Your Majesty might as well come to Kunlun and have a drink with this old Taoist. I'd warmly welcome your company."

After speaking, he stood up and drifted northward: "This old Taoist will watch over Tie Muer; don't say those from beyond this world do not care for mountains and rivers, perhaps they care more than you."

"Boom!" Xia Longyuan was about to say more when suddenly the ground shook and trembled; the channel of the Temple Secret Realm inexplicably opened.

Xia Longyuan put aside his concern for faraway Beimang and, looking at the emerging figure amidst the smoke, said slowly, "Ying Wu... Why meddle in worldly affairs instead of digging through soil and burrowing in holes?"

Ying Wu stood firm below the high platform, still with his usual obliging and friendly businessman's smile: "Ying here is just digging a hole, right? Your Majesty's hole seems pretty warm."

Xia Longyuan: "?"

Ying Wu: "..."

"I don't like jokes, especially not tacky ones," Xia Longyuan said slowly. "Ying Wu, even if the whole world opposes me, I don't think you should be one of them."

Ying Wu wondered, "Why not? Because you don't monopolize the Secret Realms, allowing me to search freely?"

Xia Longyuan said, "Isn't that the case? If not for my practice of not monopolizing resources, allowing each of you to have your own paths, would you, Ying Wu, have reached today's status?"

Ying Wu looked up thoughtfully for a while and sighed: "Your not monopolizing the Secret Realms is not out of benevolence. First, you don't want the Spiritual Energy to revive, and second, you stir up strife among the various families. It's not from any kind thought, no need to talk grandly about it. That sort of talk can only deceive your own loyal officials like Tang Wanzhuang, who would believe it's due to Your Majesty's magnanimity. To come back to it, even if you did monopolize, you could only cover clear places like Ancient Sword Lake, and it would be impossible to encompass all the hidden spots. For instance, my own rise began for the most part when I unearthed them amid the sands of the Northwest during my days as horse bandits, having nothing to do with you... On the contrary, your instigation has led me into fierce conflicts, and I've lost brothers to them."

Xia Longyuan said, "Is this your reason for opposing me? Your brother died in a fight with others and you blame me for it, how preposterous."

Ying Wu shook his head: "It can't all be blamed on Your Majesty. Let's put it this way... Your Majesty always thinks about monopolization... But Ying here has never said that my goal is to monopolize Secret Realms."

Xia Longyuan paused, then listened as Ying Wu continued: "My aim is merely to locate them... If there were an Emperor dedicated to this cause, Ying would even be willing to assist."

Xia Longyuan frowned slightly.

Ying Wu went on: "My target is a certain God Demon, whereas Your Majesty's targets are all God Demons. Theoretically, you and I should have the best foundation for cooperation, but regretfully, Your Majesty, you never gave any thought to these matters. Your vision is filled only with yourself, adding obstacles instead. Such as you... it is my personal recommendation that you shouldn't linger in the latrine without doing your business, it would be nice to step aside."

Xia Longyuan nodded and began to laugh: "Not bad. Step aside for whom? Wang Daoning? Come out and meet me."

From the darkness behind Ying Wu, a tower-like robust man stepped forward and made a salute: "I have seen Your Majesty."

Xia Longyuan chuckled: "Li Shentong... Wang Daoning actually didn't come? What's the point of hiding now? Are you still playing games with me?"

Li Shentong remained calm, "Wang Daoning has gone to kill Tang, the head of the sect... because nobody else is willing to lay a hand on the head of the sect, only he is willing. I won't hide it from Your Majesty, Wang Daoning has already made a breakthrough in the Imperial Realm. He might kill Tang very quickly, and still not delay coming back to face Your Majesty."

Xia Longyuan showed a slight change of expression for the first time, with a hint of anger in his demeanor.

Li Shentong sighed, "We have accomplices who quietly notified head Tang to evacuate behind our backs... Although we knew, we didn't stop them. We hope that Tang will truly evacuate, as taking action against her is not our wish. However, if she does evacuate, then there will be no one left to hold back Wang Daoning for Your Majesty, and Your Majesty might be in even more danger."

Xia Longyuan's face actually improved a bit, and he smiled slightly, "This accomplice... wouldn't happen to be Vermilion Bird?"

Upon saying this, despite the heavy atmosphere, a touch of mirth arose among all present. Ying Wu gave a bitter smile, "Indeed."

"Looks like everyone knows?"

"... Everyone knows, I think the only one who doesn't is the person involved."

Xia Longyuan said, "Do you think if I expose her during the fight, it might cut her fighting strength in half?"

Nobody answered, their hands clenched. Was this really the time to talk about this?

"Fine, then." Xia Longyuan wasn't really in the mood for jokes anyway and turned his head to ask Li Shentong, "There is something that I have always wanted to ask you..."

"Please speak, Your Majesty."

"Your martial prowess is no less than mine. I've asked Wanzhuang about the current decline of Ba Shu. Your faction with those muscle-bound men who only know how to polish rocks and drink have no good ideas. Because of your rampant slaughter of the Aristocratic Families, even the scholars who could advise you are nowhere to be found. The territory is a mess, not much better than when Zhai Muzhi was in charge." Xia Longyuan said with a smile, "So tell me, is your uprising personal or for the public good?"

"While everyone feels overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of issues, at least we are no longer humiliated," Li Shentong said indifferently. "When I rose up, I didn't actually think about how it should be done, nor did I think about being able to replace Your Majesty."

"Then what is it for?"

"Merely the rage of the common man, blood splattered within five steps, the world draped in mourning—nothing more," Li Shentong said. "Zhai Muzhi was merely a trivial matter. Only the battle that we face now truly matters."

Xia Longyuan suddenly seemed a bit lost in thought.

Ying Wu asked curiously, "What is Your Majesty thinking?"

Xia Longyuan sighed, "I used to like this saying when I was young... I just never thought that it would be used by someone who wants to kill me."

There was silence all around.

Xia Longyuan said, "Just the two of you aren't enough. Li Gongsi, Yang Jingxiu, come out as well, I'm not in the mood to speak to each of you individually."

Both heads of the Aristocratic Families stepped out from the darkness with their swords, silent.

Xia Longyuan was somewhat astonished, "Your swords... have revived?"

Yang Jingxiu sighed, "With the Sea Emperor fallen, his energy was masterless. Brother Daoning shared with us some methods to transfer and absorb the energy of the Sea Race to restore our Sword Spirits—indeed, our Sword Spirits have recovered."

Xia Longyuan was silent, saying nothing. The plundering of the Sword Spirits was the main reason the families had abandoned their wavering stances and openly opposed him—there was nothing more to be said.

Yang Jingxiu said, "Actually, I know why Your Majesty took the Sword Spirits. It's not that you coveted those things, but rather it was your bloodless method of weakening the Aristocratic Families. From Your Majesty's standpoint, we understand, but unfortunately, our positions differ."

Xia Longyuan nodded, not saying anything else, "Aside from the Vermilion Bird and Wang Daoning, is everyone here? If it's just you few, it's still not enough."

Yang Jingxiu slowly drew another sword, "Brother Cui also asked me to send his regards to Your Majesty."

Xia Longyuan murmured in a low voice, "Qinghe..."

Cui Wenjing, despite being wounded and bedridden, had expressed his break with Xia Longyuan in this manner. His Cui Family was clearly in a life-and-death struggle with the Wang Family, yet they found unity in their stance toward Xia Longyuan.

The appearance of the Qinghe Sword was more than just an issue of attitude.

As Yang Jingxiu pulled out the Qinghe with the accompanying mountain range, the always silent head of the Li Family, Li Gongsi, also drew another sword, the Sea Suppressing Sword of the Wang Family.

Together with Li Family's own sword, the four swords suddenly spread out, automatically positioning themselves at four corners of the platform.

These four swords, representing the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas of humanity, converged to form an array, symbolizing a very potent message.

Everyone present could feel a sense of the Dragon Energy and the landscape's spirit being severed. The surrounding mountains and rivers no longer recognized their sovereign; atop the platform was but a lone figure.

"From the grand scheme of the world to the Qi Veins of Beimang, to the Sword Arrays of the Aristocratic Families, step by step, you have cut off the foundations of my cultivation," Xia Longyuan said lightly. "Your approach is correct, but you are a bit too hasty... To remove Great Xia from the hearts of the world's people, you're still lacking..."

Li Gongsi said in a low voice, "Your Majesty always overlooks some inconspicuous people, but they might bring you harm that you never anticipated."

At that moment, the impostor in the Imperial Study issued the decree for the extermination of the Tang family.

The Dragon Energy suddenly vanished; the landscape stood isolated.

Though surrounded by the Imperial Palace and the Temple's star-gazing platform, Xia Longyuan in the center seemed like he was on an isolated island, hidden from the world. Under the heavens, no one recognized him as Emperor anymore.

Xia Longyuan's expression subtly changed. Everyone present could clearly feel his energy, which had once blended with this place, becoming distinctly separate; it was incredibly clear.

If Zhao Changhe were here, he might have described this phenomenon as... exposing the health bar.