"General Cao Wei! These hundreds of thousands of troops will require you to dispatch a general to sweep through Jian Gong Daozhou later!"
In Tianlan City, Commander Chuli Ji, with hundreds of thousands of Xuanwu Army soldiers, had already begun their assault on Ziyun Mountain. Tian Dan, as the commander of the Xuanwu Army, stood beside Cao Wei and spoke.
Tian Dan glanced at Cao Wei, then reached out and lightly drew a line in the void. A ethereal passage materialized, and Tian Dan stepped through it.
"General Tian Dan has finally achieved his wish. However, the Xuanwu Army's conquest of the battlefield has only just begun. The Great Han Divine Dynasty's Ten Great Legions will certainly not be lacking in one!"
Cao Wei watched the void seal itself and then ordered, "Inform Li Jilong and command him to lead the remaining Xuanwu Army soldiers in Tianlan City to attack Jian Gong!"
...
Jian Gong, located about fifteen Daozhou lands southeast of Tianlan City.
BOOM!
Above the location where Jian Gong was situated, a violent tremor suddenly erupted. A spatial rift, thousands of zhang long, exploded open, and numerous smaller cracks began to extend in all directions!
In an instant, the entire Jian Gong was suppressed by a vast divine power. Countless palaces and pavilions trembled faintly amidst this roar!
BOOM!
Another deafening boom echoed. From within the rift, it seemed as if a colossal beast was frantically battering against space. Each terrifying vibration extended and widened the original thousand-zhang rift infinitely, slowly stretching to the limits of what the beings of Jian Gong could see. Across the entire Daozhou where Jian Gong was located, an immeasurable spatial rift tore through!
"What's happening?!"
"Is the Great Han Divine Dynasty's powerful army attacking us?!"
Within Jian Gong, countless disciples looked up at the sky, gazing at the endless cracks and shouting frantically.
Ten years ago, the Great Han Divine Dynasty had swept through the four major powers of the Demon Sea Marsh with overwhelming force. Its might had suppressed Jian Gong for ten years, leaving them afraid to utter a sound. Even ordinary beings of Jian Gong skirted around the Great Han Divine Dynasty's border cities, with some even not daring to travel or train within the Great Han's territory.
For ten years, with a powerful enemy at their doorstep, the disciples of Jian Gong, from top to bottom, lived in constant apprehension.
In an instant, several Great Saint realm powerhouses surged forth from Jian Gong. Their eyes scanned the heavens, and waves of divine sense probed outwards.
"Sword Formation!"
"Rise!!"
Within Jian Gong, Tai Shang emerged. He pointed his right middle and index fingers towards the sky. Instantly, the entire Jian Gong emitted ten thousand sword cries. Countless sword energies erupted from all directions of Jian Gong and converged at the apex of the sky.
Immediately, the innumerable sword energies fused together, forming a massive blue great array that firmly protected the entire Jian Gong!
"That... that's fire!!!"
"Quick!!"
"Fire from the heavens!!"
Half an hour after the sword array protected Jian Gong, the endless cracks grew larger and larger, especially directly above Jian Gong, where a massive opening formed, as if it could swallow Jian Gong whole.
Countless beings looked up, observing carefully. Suddenly, a faint glow appeared within the ethereal cracks – red!
At that very moment, the temperature above Jian Gong began to rise.
Suddenly, countless fire dragons shot out from the rift. Heavenly fire descended, scattering everywhere with thunderous roars.
Giant fireballs, large as mountains, plummeted from within the rift, carrying terrifying flames, streaking across the sky. They had no specific targets, flying and bombarding indiscriminately.
"Divine Power!!!"
"Who dares to sneak attack our Jian Gong?!"
Tai Shang detected that both the fire dragons shooting out and the fireballs plummeting down bore traces of divine power.
This aura was powerful and unfamiliar!
...
"Today's court session is primarily to discuss the matter of Zhu Lu inviting Xianyu to ascend the throne!"
"The Crown Prince of Hengtian Immortal Dynasty has stepped forward, we cannot fall behind!"
"I have decided to select one of my three sons to represent me at the founding ceremony of Zhu Lu Immortal Dynasty. I have already informed you all a few days ago, and I have carefully reviewed the memorials you submitted!"
"Qing Yao, do you have anything to say?"
The weary Emperor Qing Xuan sat on his imperial throne and said softly.
Prince Xuan You, Qing Yao, raised his head. Although the appearance of princes seemed like a state affair, everyone in private knew it was the Emperor's family matter. Whichever of the three princes you nominated, you would offend the other two.
Although he was the current Emperor's brother, his position was far inferior to King Sheng Xiao, Qing Han.
The Emperor did not trust him much, so why was he suddenly asking him?
"Your Majesty, your humble brother believes that Grand Tutor Zhong Lan is well-versed in state affairs, unlike your humble brother who spends his days not attending to politics. Your humble brother believes it would be best to hear Grand Tutor Zhong Lan's opinion!"
Qing Han clasped his hands in a salute, bowing his body.
"You speak correctly. However, you are naturally unrestrained and live a life of ease, unlike me!"
Emperor Qing Xuan shook his head. "Zhong Lan, what do you think?"
"Your Majesty!"
Zhong Lan stepped forward and bowed. "Your humble servant believes that the choice of envoy represents Your Majesty and showcases our Immortal Dynasty's heritage. Therefore, your humble servant recommends Prince Yu Xian, Qing Wei!"
"I request His Majesty's judgment!"
"The Grand Tutor speaks wisely!"
"Your Majesty, this son believes that firstly, Second Brother is renowned for his virtue and deeply embodies His Majesty's demeanor. He has always handled state affairs within the palace, assisting Your Majesty in resolving difficulties. Secondly, Second Brother possesses extraordinary cultivation talent, having already reached the Small Heavenly Venerate realm. Regardless of his virtuous reputation or his cultivation, Second Brother is undoubtedly the best choice!"
"Therefore, this son recommends Prince Yu Xian, Qing Wei!"
Prince Zun Ye, Qing Ji, stepped forward and said.
"Prince Zun Ye speaks correctly. We, your humble servants, believe Prince Yu Xian, Qing Wei, is the optimal candidate!"
Officials from Prince Zun Ye's faction stepped forward one after another.
This sudden turn of events left Qing Wei somewhat bewildered. However, seeing numerous ministers recommend him, he was overjoyed.
"Oh?"
Emperor Qing Xuan was somewhat surprised. He knew his three sons best, so he looked towards Qing Yu, who had remained silent.
The battles and trials on the battlefield had forged his fifth son's rough personality, so why was he so quiet now?
"Qing Yu, speak!"
"Your Majesty!"
Qing Yu looked up, repeating in his heart the words Kui Tong had given him, fearing he would misremember even a single character.
"This son believes that Second Brother is diligent and has always been by Your Majesty's side, handling state affairs. Both publicly and privately, this son has always believed that Second Brother is the best candidate to represent Your Majesty at the Zhu Lu Immortal Dynasty!"
"I request Your Majesty's sacred judgment!"
After Qing Yu finished speaking, he knelt on both knees, lowering his head.
Upon hearing this, the others naturally didn't think much of it. From beginning to end, no one had paid much attention to Prince Zun Shuo, Qing Yu. Even Qing Ji, who was the most cunning, merely glanced at Qing Yu and didn't think further.
In his eyes, those from the military were simple-minded. What made him so decisively dismiss Qing Yu was that he knew this younger brother, who had grown up in the army, the best.