"By Imperial Decree of the Immortal Emperor!"
"Summon all court officials to the imperial audience!!"
Qing Xuan Immortal Dynasty.
The Grand Hall of the Sacred Emperor City, Imperial Palace.
"Zhu Lu Xian Yu, a nobody disciple, yet in a million years, he has reached the realm of Lesser Heavenly Venerate, becoming the new leader of Zhu Lu!"
"After the death of the Zhu Lu Sect Master, with the help of that old fossil Bu Xing, he usurped the Zhu Lu Sacred Sect, took his sect, and dared to establish a nation and proclaim himself Emperor?"
The Qing Xuan Immortal Emperor spoke with a weak voice, his face marred by dark blue patches. He looked listlessly at the invitation for the inauguration ceremony in his hand.
"Xian Yu establishing a nation and proclaiming himself Emperor is an unstoppable trend. The Heng Tian Immortal Dynasty has already announced its attendance at the inauguration ceremony to celebrate Xian Yu's enthronement!"
Prime Minister Cui Yangwen stepped forward with a grim expression, his voice heavy. Especially at this juncture, the Heng Tian Immortal Dynasty's invasion of the border had not ceased. What was even more terrifying was that the national fortune of Heng Tian remained prosperous. To the south lay Zhu Lu, and Xian Yu's proclamation of empire revealed immense ambition. More importantly, Xian Yu was young; he had ample time to realize his ambitions.
But their Qing Xuan Immortal Dynasty was different. The Immortal Emperor's lifespan was dwindling; he likely had only a few years left.
"Who from the Heng Tian Immortal Dynasty will attend?"
The Qing Xuan Immortal Emperor looked up.
"Crown Prince Miao Yang of the Heng Tian Immortal Dynasty!"
Cui Yangwen replied.
"Then what do you think we should do?"
The Qing Xuan Immortal Emperor's brow furrowed. The Heng Tian Immortal Dynasty's participation in the enthronement ceremony was a gesture of goodwill towards the Zhu Lu Immortal Dynasty. If the two dynasties allied, Qing Xuan's situation would become dire.
The grand hall was silent.
After a long while.
"We request the Immortal Emperor's sacred edict!"
King Zun Ye, Qing Ji, was the first to step forward, kneeling on both knees. Following him, all the civil and military officials prostrated themselves, their heads bowed low.
The Qing Xuan Immortal Emperor was old. His failed breakthrough had damaged his foundation, yet he remained the strongest in the entire hall.
"The balance between the three major powers in the Western Frontier must not be disrupted. Whether it was the former Zhu Lu Sacred Sect or the current Zhu Lu Immortal Dynasty, what we desire is for them to check the growing power of the Heng Tian Immortal Dynasty."
"Since the Heng Tian Immortal Dynasty wishes to interfere in this matter, we cannot simply stand by and watch."
"My health is failing, and the selection of the Immortal Dynasty's Crown Prince has not yet been finalized. Therefore, one person will be chosen from Prince Yu Xian Qing Wei, King Zun Ye Qing Ji, and King Zun Shuo Qing Yu to represent me at the ceremony. You ministers and nobles, if you have any opinions, write them in memorials and submit them. In seven days, I will announce my decision to all quarters!"
"I am weary, disperse!"
In less than half an hour, the Qing Xuan Immortal Emperor could no longer keep his eyes open. His limbs were weak, and his body had reached its limit just to hold on this long.
...
"The Immortal Emperor has proposed to select an observation king from among the three princes. This matter ultimately depends on you, Commander."
At the residence of King Zun Ye, Qing Ji.
"Of course, I will speak up. However, it still depends on whether Your Highness has the intention."
Sikong Heng Feizhou held his teacup, looking at the officials filling the room.
"This matter, I have contemplated it for many days, whether to participate or not."
King Zun Ye Qing Ji's expression was grave.
"Oh? What are Your Highness's concerns?"
Sikong Heng Feizhou inquired. The position of Immortal Emperor would undoubtedly be chosen from among the three princes. For the past decade, Prince Yu Xian Qing Wei had been forming factions in the court. As for King Zun Shuo Qing Yu, although he commanded the army far from the court, a few years ago, by imperial decree, the rising star of the army, Lan Yu, was assigned to Qing Yu's command.
Lan Yu was ruthless. Although his cultivation was not high, his skill in commanding armies was greatly praised by King Sheng Xiao Qing Han. With Lan Yu's assistance, King Zun Shuo Qing Yu's influence in the military grew rapidly.
"Whoever assumes the position of Observation King will be the heir to the Immortal Emperor's throne. However, it is not yet time for me to contend. I worry that if the Immortal Emperor's health can be extended for a few more years, during these years, I will inevitably face fierce suppression from other factions, and being in the spotlight will make me vulnerable."
"Then what is Your Highness's intention?"
Sikong Heng Feizhou's eyes flashed, and he instantly understood King Zun Ye Qing Ji's meaning.
"Recommend Second Brother, Prince Yu Xian Qing Wei, to be the Observation King!"
Qing Ji's face flickered with a hint of murderous intent.
"Your Highness, if we are to recommend someone, it should be King Zun Shuo Qing Yu. Recommending Prince Yu Xian, wouldn't that strengthen his power, and then...?"
A minister stood up agitatedly.
"Foolish!"
Qing Ji reprimanded, "Fifth Brother Qing Yu has been in the military for a long time and does not heed court orders. His power in the army is vast, but it is merely due to his princely status. Although he has Lan Yu's assistance, it is difficult to achieve great things in a short period."
Sikong Heng Feizhou nodded. Qing Ji was right. Lan Yu was still young, and his cultivation was not high. Perhaps in a few hundred years, he might have some influence, but at present, he was still too inexperienced.
"Second Brother, Prince Yu Xian, is different. He deeply understands the shortcomings of the Immortal Emperor's policies and has implemented benevolent governance to compensate for the court's flaws. In just a few hundred thousand years, he has accumulated considerable prestige. His popularity among the court and the populace is the highest, especially among the Imperial Clan, who place great hope in him!"
"If this person is not eliminated, it will be difficult for me to ascend the throne!"
Qing Ji analyzed to himself, his brows filled with hatred for Qing Wei.
"Your Highness is correct. Recommending Prince Yu Xian Qing Wei as the Observation King to journey to the Zhu Lu Immortal Dynasty, where the Heng Tian Immortal Dynasty harbors deep enmity with our dynasty, the journey may be fraught with peril. Even if he returns unharmed, he will inevitably be suppressed by the forces of King Zun Shuo Qing Yu."
"Then we will add fuel to the fire and seize this opportunity to eliminate Prince Yu Xian Qing Wei's cronies!"
"Thus, the great matter can be accomplished!"
Sikong Heng Feizhou said excitedly.
"Sikong is correct. Then let us submit our memorials one by one, recommending Prince Yu Xian Qing Wei to be this Observation King!"
Numerous ministers rose to their feet.
...
"I truly did not expect the Divine Emperor to agree to our army's offensive this time. Ten years have passed. If not for General Tian's persistent memorials, we would likely have no chance to lead an army into battle!"
"The Xuan Wu Legion has been dormant for far too long since its establishment!"
Chu Li Ji gazed at the border of Ziyun Mountain.
Beside him, Fu Hao, gripping her axe, looked excitedly at the distant city. With the order for the Xuan Wu Legion to march, the five Sacred Lords of Ziyun Mountain all suppressed the border, blocking the Han army.
At Chu Li Ji's command, hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the Xuan Wu Legion launched their assault. In mere dozens of breaths, they had already approached the enemy city!
"In this battle, I will ensure that Ziyun Mountain is utterly buried by the Xuan Wu Legion!" Chu Li Ji said coldly, gripping the long sword at his waist.
In the sky, Chu Li Ji drew his sword. Instantly, a dark sword energy flashed through the void. In the eyes of the five Sacred Lords of Ziyun Mountain, the erupting sword energy pierced towards the city-protecting formation!
"Break!"
On the other side, a cold roar. Fu Hao, wielding an axe, raised the military formation of the Xuan Wu Legion, transforming it into a black spear. The dark energy shook the heavens, shattering the void within a radius of tens of miles.