The sound wave was so immense it could be heard for nearly a thousand li!

Some of the Lifebound disciples of Dragon Tiger Mountain stationed in the city heard this sound as if a clap of thunder had exploded right next to them, and they dropped to their knees involuntarily!

WHOOSH!

In an instant,

not a single person at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain remained standing—commoners and disciples alike all knelt in submission to the imperial authority!

Just then,

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

A series of figures suddenly flew down from Dragon Tiger Mountain, landing before Zhao Rulong.

The one in the lead wore a Kasaya. His features were peaceful, and his brow carried an air of compassion.

It was none other than Zen Master Kong Ming.

Behind him stood Zhang Yunchuan, Ji Chuchu, and other high-ranking members of Dragon Tiger Mountain, but Wang Chongyang was nowhere to be seen.

Zhao Rulong was slightly taken aback to see Zen Master Kong Ming, then narrowed his eyes.

"The great calamity is approaching. Instead of staying put at Bodhi Temple, you’ve come all the way to Dragon Tiger Mountain. I’d heard that you and this Wang Chongyang were on good terms, Master, but I didn’t expect it to be true."

Zen Master Kong Ming chanted a Buddhist mantra.

"We merely study Cultivation Techniques together on occasion. Might I ask, Commander, what business brings you to Dragon Tiger Mountain?"

Zhao Rulong said coolly,

"As it happens, this imperial decree is also meant for you. Since you’re here, I might as well announce it all at once."

"His Majesty the Divine Emperor will soon emerge from seclusion! He commands Zen Master Kong Ming, Abbot of Bodhi Temple, and Wang Chongyang, Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, to report to the capital within one month for an audience to discuss the Heaven and Earth Calamity. There shall be no delay!"

Zen Master Kong Ming spoke.

"Commander, were only Master Wang and I invited, or were all Dao Realm experts summoned?"

Zhao Rulong said,

"You’ll find out when you get there. But if you choose not to go... Heh, I’m sure you can imagine the consequences."

After a pause,

he swept his gaze over Zhang Yunchuan and the others. "Where is Wang Chongyang? Why hasn’t he come down to receive the decree?!"

Zhang Yunchuan quickly replied, "Reporting to the Commander, the Celestial Master is not currently on Dragon Tiger Mountain. When he returns, I will convey His Majesty’s decree to him."

"Is he not here, or is he defying the decree?!"

Zhao Rulong’s gaze suddenly sharpened, fixing on Zhang Yunchuan like a drawn sword.

Instantly,

Zhang Yunchuan felt a ferocious pressure crash down upon him.

It shook his Heart Spirit violently, leaving him unable to control himself. Cold sweat poured down his face, and he was on the verge of collapsing to his knees.

Just then,

Ji Chuchu stepped forward, shouldering the pressure for Zhang Yunchuan, and said,

"Commander, my master is truly not on Dragon Tiger Mountain. Please do not make things difficult for my martial uncle."

"Hm?"

Zhao Rulong squinted at Ji Chuchu.

"You’ve got some skill. What’s your name?"

"I am Ji Chuchu. Greetings, Commander." Ji Chuchu cupped his fist in a salute.

"You say Wang Chongyang is your master?" A mocking look appeared in Zhao Rulong’s eyes.

"Yes."

"Good, good, good."

Zhao Rulong smiled. "The decree has been delivered. Now, let’s talk about another matter. Back then, your master, Wang Chongyang, killed three Tribulation Crossing Realm Cultivators from my Haotian Guard. He also colluded with the Quanxing Demon People and even took the daughter of one as his disciple. Since you’re Wang Chongyang’s disciple, you must know about this, right?"

Ji Chuchu’s expression shifted slightly. "I don’t know what the Commander is talking about."

’He knew the daughter of the Quanxing Demon Person Zhao Rulong mentioned was his junior martial sister, Yan Zhiqiu.’

However,

he would never reveal Yan Zhiqiu’s background.

"It doesn’t matter if you don’t know. This debt has to be paid by someone."

Zhao Rulong said coolly, "Back then, Wang Chongyang killed three Tribulation Crossing Realm Cultivators from my Haotian Guard. It wouldn’t be excessive for me to kill three of his in return, would it? Since you’re his disciple, you can be the first."

As he spoke,

he pointed to Zhang Yunchuan and another Tribulation Crossing Realm Cultivator. "And you two. That makes three. A perfect count!"

The moment his voice fell,

ROAR!

With a dragon’s roar,

a phantom image of a divine dragon seemed to flash into existence behind Zhao Rulong before vanishing.

The next instant,

he thrust out his hand, which seemed to transform into a dragon’s claw. It locked down the space around it as it lunged ferociously for Ji Chuchu’s head!

However, just then,

RUMBLE!

A thunderous sound surged forth.

An all-encompassing Palm Seal, its Seal Technique constantly shifting, shot out to meet Zhao Rulong’s dragon claw!

BANG!

The ground instantly caved in, and massive ripples spread through the void.

Zhao Rulong was forced back a step. He stared at Zen Master Kong Ming.

"Kong Ming, you dare to strike at me?!"

Zen Master Kong Ming chanted a Buddhist mantra.

"Amitabha. I have already promised Master Wang that I would protect everyone on Dragon Tiger Mountain during his absence. I hope the Commander will not make things difficult for this humble monk."

Zhao Rulong’s expression darkened.

"Kong Ming, you have always focused on your Buddhist Cultivation, upholding your vows and ignoring worldly affairs. I never imagined your relationship with Wang Chongyang was so profound that you would defy the Great Hao Divine Dynasty for his sake."

"But so what if I make things difficult for you? You’re an old man with one foot in the grave. What can you possibly do to me?!"

"I’ve changed my mind. I’m not just going to slaughter those three. I’m going to annihilate all of Dragon Tiger Mountain. Let’s see if you can stop me!"

He turned to Zhan Wushuang beside him. "Brother Zhan, this Kong Ming has defied the Great Hao Laws. How should he be handled?!"

"Kill."

Zhan Wushuang said, his face devoid of expression.

In that instant,

a billowing, blood-soaked aura surged forth from him.

Within it, one could even hear the clamor of clashing blades and charging warhorses!

Zen Master Kong Ming’s expression changed slightly.

He was confident he could block two Dao Realm experts.

However,

if these two Dao Realm experts were to fight him recklessly with no holds barred, he could not guarantee the safety of everyone around them.

As he hesitated,