"Xiaoyao Gongzi of the Huangtian Sect arrives! All members of the imperial family of the Great Qin Empire, come out immediately to welcome his exalted presence. Otherwise, bear the consequences yourselves!"
Just as everyone was looking up in shock at the majestic carriage suspended high in the sky, a voice, lofty as that of a Heavenly God, descended from the heavens, sweeping through the entire imperial capital.
This voice was arrogant, unrestrained, and supremely condescending!
"What?! It's someone from the Huangtian Sect, one of the Great Sects of the Eastern Region!"
Immediately, everyone within the entire imperial capital felt a tremor of dread emanating from the depths of their bloodlines and souls.
The Huangtian Sect was far too terrifying to the Great Qin Empire—a colossal entity towering high above.
"Our Great Qin Empire is located in such a remote area. Why would someone from the Huangtian Sect come here?"
"Have you forgotten? Chancellor Xiao's eldest son, Young Master Xiao Wushang, became a disciple of the Huangtian Sect a few years ago."
"So it means Young Master Xiao Wushang has likely returned!"
...
Within the imperial capital, countless people whispered in hushed discussions.
"Hahaha...! Chancellor Xiao Tiande of the Great Qin Empire, and Grand Marshal Sima Ling, leading all civil and military officials of the court, have come to welcome the grand arrival of Xiaoyao Gongzi of the Huangtian Sect!"
Suddenly, a loud laugh rang out.
Then, two figures with fierce auras were seen soaring into the air, flying up before the giant carriage and bowing respectfully.
These two men were none other than Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima of the Great Qin Empire.
"Father."
From atop the carriage, a handsome man in yellow robes looked towards Chancellor Xiao and spoke.
This man in yellow robes was indeed Chancellor Xiao's eldest son, Xiao Wushang!
Xiao Wuhen, who was killed by Ye Yunfei, was his biological younger brother.
On the carriage, there were over a dozen other young people, each with a coldly arrogant expression and transcendent bearing. They stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, their gazes indifferent, not deigning to give Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima a proper glance.
Among them was a young man dressed in white, standing centrally. He could be considered handsome and divine, his aura transcending the mundane, with eyes that shone like gems.
This white-robed young man, hands clasped behind his back, gazed skyward, seemingly indifferent to all matters around him, none of it worthy of entering his sights.
"Haha, my child Wushang, I am immensely gratified that you have been able to acquaint yourself with Xiaoyao Gongzi and these outstanding inner disciples of the Huangtian Sect. For you all to grace our Great Qin Empire with your presence is a great honor for all of the empire's subjects!"
Chancellor Xiao's attitude was extremely humble.
"For all the young elite geniuses of the Huangtian Sect to condescend to grace our Great Qin Empire is truly the empire's fortune! Young Master Wushang, you are the pride of our Great Qin Empire!"
Grand Marshal Sima quickly chimed in, his tone obsequiously flattering.
Every single one of these young people before them were inner disciples of the Huangtian Sect!
Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima wouldn't dare show them anything less than utmost respect.
Moreover, Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima had previously received a sound transmission from Xiao Wushang explaining Xiaoyao Gongzi's identity.
He was ranked seventh among the inner disciples of the Huangtian Sect!
One must understand that the Huangtian Sect was a major sect of the Eastern Region, recruiting disciples from the entire region. The number of its inner disciples was well over ten thousand!
For Xiaoyao Gongzi to be ranked seventh among them—what terrifying genius he must be! How noble his status!
"All court officials of the Great Qin Empire pay their respects to Xiaoyao Gongzi and all the young geniuses of the Huangtian Sect!"
Suddenly, a collective roar erupted from a plaza in front of the imperial palace within the capital.
It could be seen that the plaza before the palace was packed with a group of ministers, all bowing respectfully towards the carriage high above the imperial city.
Every single civil and military minister of the court had come out to welcome them!
It must be said, the showmanship of these Huangtian Sect disciples was far too great!
For a moment,
the entire imperial capital fell deathly silent.
Everyone gazed up at the giant carriage floating high in the sky.
All looks were filled with envy, reverence, and longing.
"Why is your emperor not here to welcome us? Could it be that the emperor of this measly little kingdom does not even deign to take the Huangtian Sect seriously? It seems to me he need not remain an emperor."
Right at this moment, one of the young men on the carriage slowly spoke. His voice was utterly detached.
"Hehe, Senior Brother Zhang, you are not fully aware. The emperor of our Great Qin Empire does indeed tend to look down on everything."
Xiao Wushang said with a laugh.
Just then,
"His Majesty has prepared a banquet to welcome and cleanse the dust for all the young geniuses of the Huangtian Sect. Please, all of you, enter the palace!"
An elderly eunuch with graying hair walked out from the imperial palace and declared in a clear voice.
"Humph!"
Suddenly, Xiaoyao Gongzi gave a cold snort, displeasure showing on his face.
Given his status and position, coming to a minor kingdom like the Great Qin Empire was equivalent to a heavenly god descending to the mortal realm, his nobility beyond description.
Who would have thought that the emperor would not come out personally to welcome him? This was simply unthinkable, sacrilegious audacity!
With the sound of his cold snort, Xiaoyao Gongzi flicked his finger. A pressure of spiritual power, like a cannonball, descended from the sky and blasted towards the old eunuch.
Poof!
Before the old eunuch could even react, his body directly exploded, instantly transforming into a rain of flesh, blood, and bone fragments that splattered everywhere.
This eunuch had possessed strength at the Late Stage of the Earth Realm, yet Xiaoyao Gongzi had killed him from afar with a single flick of his finger!
This scene caused many to secretly suck in a breath of cold air.
Indeed, the disciples of the Huangtian Sect possessed astonishing strength and methods bordering on the supernatural!
"Xiaoyao Gongzi, do not be angry. I will summon the emperor immediately to welcome you personally."
A trace of fear showed on Chancellor Xiao's face as he spoke hurriedly.
In reality, his heart was brimming with excitement.
"He dares to slight Xiaoyao Gongzi? Qin Shenghuang, you need not remain emperor any longer. And you, Empress Dowager, you wretch. Even if that little bastard Ye Yunfei cured you and restored your cultivation, let's see how you deal with these Huangtian Sect disciples this time!"
Chancellor Xiao thought venomously in his heart.
His gaze flicked secretly towards Grand Marshal Sima. The two exchanged rapid eye contact, seeing the gloating satisfaction in each other's eyes.
They had long schemed to use this opportunity to pull the emperor down from his throne and change the imperial dynasty of the Great Qin Empire!
Then,
Chancellor Xiao turned and looked towards the imperial palace.
"We request His Majesty to come out and welcome Xiaoyao Gongzi of the Huangtian Sect and all the young geniuses!"
Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima both spoke in unison, roaring towards the direction of the palace.
Immediately after,
"We request His Majesty to come out and welcome Xiaoyao Gongzi of the Huangtian Sect and all the young geniuses!"
The ministers standing in the plaza before the palace also shouted in unison at the top of their lungs.
Within the imperial capital, no one dared to speak. Everyone watched this scene unfold.
Everyone understood inwardly that the emperor was in an unfavorable situation.
Under the leadership of Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima, all the civil and military ministers of the court were clearly showing great disrespect towards the emperor, carrying a flavor of coercion.
At this moment.
Inside the Golden Palace of the imperial palace.
"What outrageous audacity!"
The emperor's face was flushed with rage as he slammed a palm onto the table before him. The table, made of Xuan Iron Wood, exploded into pieces on the spot.
"I never imagined that over these years, Xiao Tiande and Sima Ling have won over so many court ministers. The Qin Family's authority has practically been hollowed out!"
The Empress Dowager's beautiful face also turned icy as she spoke coldly.
"Imperial Mother, what should we do now?" the emperor asked.
"Today's events are undoubtedly orchestrated by Xiao Tiande and Sima Ling. Even if we kneel and sue for peace, it would likely be useless. Let's go out and see. Remember, there's no need to bow and scrape. Our Qin Family has its own dignity, having established this Great Qin Empire for several centuries. At worst, you will not remain emperor. I will take you away to seek development elsewhere. I have recovered my strength now. Even if I cannot defeat them, ensuring our safe departure is something I can manage."
The Empress Dowager thought for a moment before speaking.
"Good. I shall do everything as Imperial Mother says."
The emperor clenched his teeth and nodded.