Chapter 816: Xia Yunxin

The capital of Grand Xia.

The streets were crowded with people. Small vendors were eagerly calling out their wares, and from time to time, the Valiant Saber Guards could be seen patrolling.

The old members of the Valiant Saber Guards had long since been replaced with fresh blood. The old members from decades ago had retired.

Fang Chen stood in mid-air, his gaze following the group of Valiant Saber Guards.

The strength of this new group of Valiant Saber Guards was impressive. At the forefront was a Heavenly Profound martial artist. Furthermore, all of his subordinates were at the Earth Profound Stage. It was clear that Grand Xia had been continuously strengthening its foundation during his decades of absence.

One man said, "Have you heard, the emperor personally led the troops to capture another city. Just a few days ago, the fool who lives across from me packed up his family and headed out to open up new lands."

Another man said, "I heard that too. Grand Xia is a top seventh-tier empire. We have even absorbed the once mighty Frost Water Empire."

"Who would've thought that the Supreme Emperor would return to power after so many years, bringing with him such great change? A few years ago, people from the palace came to us, asking us to go to the Ancient Valley to plant new rice. I was worried at first, but what happened? Not only did that new rice taste great, but after my little one ate it, he became much healthier. He is only seven but could carry a calf and run like the wind. A neighbor working in the Valiant Saber Guards told me that my child is now on par with the second realm of the Human Profound Stage, an Explosive Qi Stage martial artist."

"Long live Grand Xia! Ever since General Fang found a glimmer of hope for Grand Xia in its darkest hour, our lives have only improved."

"Speaking of General Fang, we haven't heard any news about him for years. There are rumors that he has become an immortal and ascended," remarked one person.

"Shh, don't speak recklessly. Speaking about General Fang behind his back could get you arrested by the Warlike Guards," another whispered.

The first person replied, "Come on, we're just speaking well of him. It can't be that serious...."

Fang Chen retracted his gaze. With a thought, he arrived in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the imperial palace.

At this moment, the court had adjourned, and the officials were leaving in an orderly manner. However, to his surprise, none of the faces were familiar.

The former head of the Grand Brilliance Bureau, the Fifth Prince, the Minister of Justice Jiang Yushu, the Minister of War Ye Dongming, and the Minister of Rites Tao Mingsheng were nowhere to be seen.

Decades had passed. If they were still alive, the oldest, Jiang Yushu, would be nearly 110 years old.

Fang Chen entered the hall and saw Xia Xuanji sitting on the dragon throne, seemingly lost in thought.

The nearby eunuchs and Valiant Saber Guards didn't dare make a sound.

Xia Xuanji looked the same as before, without much change. He seemed a little younger, if anything.

Suddenly, a chubby little girl, looking like she was carved from jade, ran in and threw herself into Xia Xuanji's arms. "Daddy."

Several palace maids were chasing after her. When they saw this, they were so frightened that they kneeled on the ground and repeatedly apologized.

Xia Xuanji gently rubbed the little girl's head and asked, "Why aren't you with your mother?"

The little girl pouted. "Mother said she was going back to the Southern Region, but she didn't want to take me with her. Daddy, please talk to her. How can she not bring Yunxin?"

Xia Xuanji smiled gently. "Because your surname is Xia. That's why your mother doesn't want to take you. Stay in here in the palace for now. Your mother won't stay there for long; she'll be back soon."

Xia Yunxin's face was full of innocence. She asked, "Why doesn't Mother want to bring Yunxin just because I have the surname Xia?"

Xia Xuanji sighed lightly. "There are many, many reasons for that. You'll understand when you grow up."

Watching this, Fang Chen furrowed his brows.

At that moment, a group of people entered the Hall. The leader of the group was majestic and dignified. Though she appeared somewhat aged, looking around forty, she was still beautiful and radiant.

"Yunxin, didn't I tell you? Your father is busy with state affairs. Don't disturb him," said Fang Cangyue calmly.

One of the palace maids nearby immediately understood the signal, walked up to Xia Xuanji, and took her away. Throughout this exchange, the maid showed no sign of fear or respect for the emperor.

Fang Chen couldn't help but get emotional.

If he remembered correctly, his aunt, Fang Cangyue, should be over seventy by now. Yet, she still seemed youthful. There was even a subtle divine light in her eyes. She had evidently become a cultivator, and her cultivation was quite impressive. She was at the Foundation Building Realm.

Fang Chen's gaze shifted to Xia Yunxin, and a grim light flashed in his eyes.

This little girl is Xia Xuanji and my aunt's daughter?

Things have gotten more complicated.

Xia Xuanji said lightly, "Why do you keep going to the Southern Region? The Fang Family has been absent from Grand Xia for many years, and Fang Cangyou is just a nuisance. What else can he do? Your nephew and niece aren't here either. Even your father has disappeared without a trace."

Fang Cangyue said faintly, "The old officials of Grand Xia are all in the Southern Region now. Does His Majesty forbid me from going there?"

Xia Xuanji paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Then take Yunxin with you. She just came over to complain about you."

"Mother, please take me too. Otherwise, Yunxin will miss you so much," pleaded Xia Yunxin.

Fang Cangyue smiled and said, "Stay here in the palace. The Southern Region is too far. The long journey would be too exhausting for you. Besides, without your cousin's approval, I wouldn't dare take someone with the surname Xia back."

Xia Yunxin frowned. "But where is cousin? Why have I not met him?"

Fang Cangyue gave Xia Xuanji a glance and didn't explain much to Xia Yunxin. She turned and left with her people.

Xia Xuanji thought for a long while, then suddenly chuckled, falling into deep contemplation again.

Fang Chen observed him carefully. Xia Xuanji's cultivation now felt odd. He appeared to be at the Golden Core Realm but had an extremely dangerous aura about him.

"Xia Ji once said that the King of the Western Continent, the Corrosion Dragon King, looks exactly like Xia Xuanji and took Xia Ji as his adopted son... Is it possible that this Xia Xuanji is his split soul?" Fang Chen wondered thoughtfully.

However, there was one inconsistency. Once a cultivator reached the Fusion Realm, these split souls had to merge into one. Otherwise, they cannot break through to the next level.

The Corrosive Dragon King had long been an Immortal King, a cultivator in the Ascension Realm, and had already surpassed the Fusion Realm.

Fang Chen glanced at Xia Xuanji deeply. He was about to turn and leave when he heard him mutter softly to himself, "It wants to replace the Central Continent. How many cultivators will die in this battle?"

Fang Chen paused, then turned back to look at Xia Xuanji. At that moment, Xia Xuanji had already gotten up and left. In just a few moments, the Hall of Supreme Harmony was left empty, with only Fang Chen remaining.

Fang Chen frowned. "It wants to replace the Central Continent?"

What does this mean? Which second-tier empire wants to replace the Central Continent? Or is Xia Xuanji planning to replace the Central Continent himself?

However, Xia Xuanji wanting to replace the Central Continent was a pipe dream. It was unlikely. The Central Continent had five First Rate Sect Leaders. Grand Xia was not even a speck of dust in comparison.

"If a second-tier empire wants to replace the Central Continent, a First Rate Sect Leader must be presiding over it at the very least. This was the only way for them to have confidence. Xia Xuanji must know something, but even if he truly is the Corrosive Dragon King, he wouldn't be the one leading such an event."

Fang Chen's frown slowly relaxed as he turned to leave the hall.

This matter was similar to the situation in the Lixiao empire, where an ancestor sought to ascend to the Immortal King. This wasn't something he could intervene in with his current cultivation realm.

After leaving the imperial palace, Fang Chen walked through the entire capital. He saw only a few familiar faces, and Xia Yuan and the others were nowhere to be found. Most likely, they were in the Southern Region.

Just as he was about to head south to investigate, he noticed a dense gathering of Yin Qi ahead. A path to the Yellow Springs began to emerge slowly.

In the distance, there was the Forgotten River, and a grand bridge stood magnificently. On the bridge, a figure seemed to be standing, gazing directly at him.