Linxiao Hall.

In the resplendent palace, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the crimson carpet.

The air was filled with the subtle fragrance of Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance, imposing and grave.

The Emperor, Zheng Yi, sat high on the Dragon Throne, wearing a bright yellow Dragon Robe. The golden dragon embroidery on the robe was vivid, as if ready to soar into the sky at any moment.

His sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes formed a stern visage, yet they could not hide the fatigue and worry in his eyes.

The eunuch Chen Hai walked hurriedly into the hall, his face careful and every step taken with extreme caution.

"Your Majesty, your servant Chen Hai has something to report." Chen Hai’s voice was sharp and respectful.

Zheng Yi slightly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Chen Hai as he calmly said, "Speak."

Chen Hai took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, General Xu Fengxiong has sent information that he and Senior Feng Yunzi have joined forces to exterminate the Du Family of Beimang Mountain. The He Family of Qingyun Mountain and the Zhou Family of Louguan Mountain have also been executed along with the Nine Clans."

Zheng Yi’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "Was this matter handled cleanly?"

Chen Hai quickly replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant personally dispatched people to oversee it, there’s absolutely no fish slipping through the net. However, such slaughter inevitably incites some public discussion."

Zheng Yi snorted coldly, "Discussion? In my realm, I do not allow these families to stir up trouble. If they had behaved themselves, I would have given them a way to live."

"It’s a pity, the insatiable nature of people likened to a snake swallowing an elephant, these Cultivation Clans truly deserve to die!"

Chen Hai hurriedly nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty is wise. However, this action has indeed caused some depletion of the Imperial Court’s military strength."

Zheng Yi slightly squinted his eyes and, after a moment of contemplation, said, "No matter, as long as it stabilizes my realm, a little depletion is nothing."

At this moment, a silence fell within the palace, broken only by Chen Hai’s light breathing.

Outside the window, a gentle breeze stirred, rustling the leaves of the trees outside the palace in a soft whisper.

Chen Hai hesitated for a moment before speaking again, "Your Majesty, there is another matter. Tributor Tianxingzi has sent word that the Tang Family of Xuelong Mountain wishes to pledge allegiance and asks Your Majesty to dispatch a tributor and the army to receive them."

Zheng Yi finally showed a slight smile, "This is good news indeed. If the Tang Family truly pledges allegiance, I shall treat them generously."

Chen Hai echoed, "Your Majesty’s magnanimity, the Tang Family will surely be grateful and serve Your Majesty. However, receiving them needs to be carefully planned to guard against any deception."

Zheng Yi nodded, "You are right. Convey my decree, let Xu Fengxiong proceed to Xuelong Mountain as swiftly as possible to receive the Tang Family."

Chen Hai respectfully responded, "Yes, Your Majesty. Your servant will make the arrangements immediately."

"Once the people of the Tang Family arrive in the capital, you shall oversee their arrangement."

"This..."

Chen Hai’s heart skipped a beat, quickly saying, "Your Majesty~ your servant has never undertaken such affairs, should there be any error that affects Your Majesty’s matters..."

"No matter."

Zheng Yi waved his hand, "The Tang Family has no Foundation Establishment Cultivators, just arrange any Spirit Peak for them."

"Once all Cultivator Clans of Great Yu are subdued, I have plans of my own."

"Understood...!"

"One more thing, I am about to go into seclusion, any trivial matters must not disturb me, understood?"

Chen Hai hurriedly said, "Understood! But Your Majesty, there is still one more matter to report."

"What is it?"

"It’s about the Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince..."

Zheng Yi directly waved his hand, "I am about to go into seclusion, do not disturb me with mundane affairs."

"Ji’er, as the Crown Prince, has Imperial Court appointees to assist him, if everything needs to be reported to me, what use are they!"

Chen Hai quickly knelt down, "Yes! Your servant complies!"

"Go down..."

"Understood!"

Chen Hai quickly retreated, at this moment, another little eunuch hastened in.

"When?"

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort requests an audience..."

"Qingying? Quickly tell her I’m not here..."

"Your Majesty!"

The voice came nearer and nearer, Zheng Yi waved his hand, "You all may leave now."

"Understood!"

The serving eunuchs and palace maids reverently complied and quickly withdrew.

Soon after, the Imperial Noble Consort Tuoba Qingying stormed in, visibly angry.

She was dressed in a scarlet palace gown, with large peonies embroidered on the skirt. The edges outlined in golden threads glittered in the sunlight.

Her hair was styled in a towering bun, a Phoenix Golden Step Shaker swaying in her hair, its brilliance moving with her steps, radiant and dazzling.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn waters, captivating but now burning with anger.

Her red lips tightly pressed, her face slightly flushed, adding a touch of allure.

She stormed straight to Emperor Zheng Yi’s chamber, the palace maids and eunuchs along the way all froze in fear, quickly making way.

Tuoba Qingying burst into the chamber, demanding loudly, "Your Majesty, why have you been avoiding me?"

Zheng Yi looked embarrassed, knowing well that he was in the wrong.

He had promised her she could freely journey and experience the world after two years, but now he kept avoiding her.

"Qingying, I think for your sake, hoping you can cultivate in peace and not involve yourself in worldly matters." Zheng Yi attempted to persuade her.

"I have cultivated in this palace for a long time, my heart yearns for the Martial World, and I am determined to travel." Tuoba Qingying’s attitude was resolute.

"Moreover, you promised me before, a ruler does not lightly break his word!"

"That was before."

Zheng Yi said helplessly, "Now that Star Island is attacking in force, all of Great Yu might be filled with spies from Star Island and the Earth Demon Race, if they were to..."

"Who are you fooling! Star Island is extremely distant from Great Yu, and there is a sea route in between. Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators would take years to cross the Endless Sea."

"The cultivators of Star Island and the Earth Demon Race coming to Great Yu is still a long way off!"

"What if..."

"I don’t care! A ruler does not lightly break his word!"