Chapter 1856: Fortunes Rise and Fall

When she sensed the bone-piercing chill of the Soul Reaping Chains and all of her cultivation being sealed, Zhao Xiaodie finally reacted. She struggled frantically and said, “No, there has to be some kind of misunderstanding here! How could father possibly do something like that? Ninth Grandpa, there must be a mistake somewhere!”

After all, her father was practically number two in the entire empire, as well as the one who had the highest chance of succeeding the imperial throne. The emperor was already close to heaven and man deterioration, so why would he take such a risk and do something like that?

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Furthermore, even if he really would do such a thing, he would definitely only carry out such a plan when it was absolutely safe. How could this kind of situation possibly appear?

King Yan scowled and said, “This is how things are. Xiaodie, you just need to cooperate with the investigation.”

“No, I want to see my father!” Zhao Xiaodie exclaimed in shock.

King Yan didn’t reply. He waved his hand, gesturing for his subordinates to bring her away. He didn’t give her a chance to say anything else.

Zhao Xiaodie was left in complete despair. Something had definitely happened to her father, or else there was no way this would happen. She couldn't help but give the distant Zu An a look.

I actually let him see such a sorry side of myself.

Her status as a princess was probably the only thing she could be proud of in front of that man, but now, she didn’t even have that anymore. Her usually spirited eyes immediately lost their luster.

“Master!” Zhi Yin exclaimed in alarm when he saw that.

Even though he liked his goddess Chu, who wouldn’t like a cute and pretty junior sister like Zhao Xiaodie? Besides, they had fought together through life and death in the secret dungeon, so his impression of her had become better and better. He naturally didn’t want to see her be taken away. Unfortunately, he was seriously injured, so he could only ask for his master’s help. However, Guan Chouhai’s expression was grim, as if he didn’t notice at all.

King Yan said to Guan Chouhai, “Brother Guan, I must ask you to comply with the investigation as well.”

Guan Chouhai’s eyes moved slightly. He gave King Yan a look, then glanced at Guerilla Warfare General Zhao Yuan with his intimidating elite troops. In the end, he sighed and didn’t go against it. After all, perhaps there would still be a way to turn things around if he complied. If he acted up here, his identity as a traitor would be set in stone. At that point, forget about him, all of the Heavenly Sorrow Sect would be involved.

The soldiers quickly rushed forward to lock up Guan Chouhai and Zhi Yin. The others’ eyes all widened when they saw that. They never could have expected even someone of Guan Chouhai’s status to be locked up. He was a glorious grandmaster, someone these disciples all normally looked up to!

Wu Xiaofan walked over and said, “I pay my respects to the king. May I ask what happened here and why Golden Peak became like this? Do you perhaps know where my master is?” He was the representative disciple of the Righteous Sun Sect, and pretty much another master of this place. He naturally had the right to speak up.

“Your master?” King Yan sneered and immediately waved his hands, commanding, “Arrest him!”

The surrounding soldiers immediately rushed over.

Wu Xiaofan’s expression changed. He reflexively wanted to resist, but he didn’t dare. He could only urgently ask, “May I ask what crimes I have committed for the king to arrest me?”

King Yan didn’t respond, as if there was no need to because Wu Xiaofan’s status was too low.

Zhao Yuan replied, “What crimes? Wang Wuxie is suspected of colluding with outsiders to turn Violet Mountain into an assassination location for his majesty! Forget about you second generation disciples, even the peak masters have already been locked up and are currently being investigated.”

Wu Xiaofan and Zhang Xi immediately felt a chill run down their spines. They knew what kinds of consequences there would be if they were really convicted of such a crime. Forget about them, even the Righteous Sun Sect could be reduced to ash.

Wu Xiaofan protested, “There is no way that could be true! Master has always been loyal to his majesty. How could he possibly do something like this?!”

Zhao Yuan remained expressionless and said, “That is why we need to investigate all of you. What, are you going to resist and start a rebellion? According to the law, we can kill you on the spot!”

Wu Xiaofan and Zhang Xi’s expressions changed. They thought about drawing their weapons several times, but in the end, they didn’t do so. Afterward, Soul Reaping Chains quickly wrapped around their bodies. Their cultivations were immediately sealed.

The remaining daoist disciples all gathered and looked at them vigilantly. Even though the daoist sects were normally unhappy with how close the Righteous Sun Sect was to the court, and they even mocked Wang Wuxie for being the court’s dog in private, they still felt sympathy when they saw Guan Chouhai being taken away, followed by Wu Xiaofan and the others. They didn’t know what was happening at all, and just assumed the court was using the situation as a pretext to get rid of the daoist sects. As such, they banded together against a common enemy.

When he saw them reflexively shift their hands to their weapons, Zhao Yuan remarked with a scowl, “What, are you all going to rebel too?”

A fight was on the verge of breaking out when two figures suddenly flew over and said, “General, please be lenient!”

When those present turned to look at the source of the voices, they saw that the ones in the lead were none other than Jadefall Palace’s Wan Tongtian and Elder Huo Ling.

The two both bowed toward King Yan and Zhao Yuan before saying, “King, general, our Jadefall Palace has already been investigated, and both Wan Guiyi and Pei Mianman entered the secret dungeon before the events happened. They do not know anything about what happened, so we hope that the two sirs can be generous.”

The daoist disciples were shocked. Even Jadefall Palace had been investigated? Just what had happened?

King Yan and Zhao Yuan were both suspicious, but Wan Tongtian bowed and said, “We will take them back and examine them carefully. If there is anything else you need, we can bring them over for questioning at any time.”

When he saw these glorious grandmasters, individuals with extraordinary status in the daoist sects, bowing down and speaking so courteously to him, King Yan felt amazing. He quickly supported Wan Tongtian up and said, “Sect Master Wan speaks too seriously. I trust your character, so you can bring your people away. However, do not leave the range of Violet Mountain for now.”

Wan Tongtian’s strength couldn't be overlooked. He didn’t want to give up on this opportunity to earn some favor.

“Thank you, respected king!” Wan Tongtian replied, overjoyed. He quickly waved to Wan Guiyi and Pei Mianman, saying, “Guiyi, Manman, hurry and come over!”

Wan Guiyi naturally didn’t hesitate and immediately ran over. On the other hand, Pei Mianman was a bit hesitant. She didn’t want to leave Zu An’s side. She reflexively glanced at him.

Zu An secretly sent a voice transmission, saying, “Since you have a chance to get out of this, follow them for now.”

“What about you guys?” Pei Mianman asked, feeling extremely worried.

“Don’t worry, I have a way to get out of this too,” Zu An replied. He sounded completely calm, as if this absolute calamity for the daoist sects didn’t exist for him at all.

Pei Mianman figured that was true as well. He was a man who could even win against Zhao Han, so how could he be troubled by such a small matter? She said before reluctantly approaching Elder Huo Ling, “Alright, then I’ll look for you later.”

Elder Huo Ling’s eye twitched. She thought, The heart of this disciple of mine has long since flown away. This lass really doesn’t know what’s good for her. What’s so good about men? Isn’t cultivation more interesting?

Several other sect representatives also greeted King Yan respectfully and said, “Respected king, we have also been investigated, and our disciples do not know anything. Can we bring them away?” They were Supreme Mystery Cave Master Mu, Purity Temple’s Vice Lord He Yuan, and Mount Luofu’s elder.

King Yan felt incredible right now. These guys normally had their noses upturned arrogantly at the sky, and yet now, they had to bow their heads to him. Of course, he didn’t let his true feelings show, and instead took the chance to obtain favors from them. He allowed them to bring Shi Dingtian, Qiu Chanzi, and Luo Dongjiang away.

Emptiness Isle’s Elder Peng looked around. She wanted to take her disciple with her, but she didn’t see Peng Wuyan at all. She immediately panicked and asked the other sects’ disciples, “Where is my Wuyan? Did you see her along the way?”

“Peng Wuyan unfortunately passed away in the secret dungeon,” Qiu Chanzi said with a sigh. “The secret dungeon was extremely dangerous, and I almost perished myself.”

Those present had already realized that it wasn’t just these individuals who had gone in; there were quite a few second place group stage winners as well. And yet, apart from Zhao Xiaodie and Zhang Xi, not a single other person had come out. Furthermore, they all had injuries, so it was easy to see just how dangerous the secret dungeon was.

“My Wuyan!” Elder Peng immediately howled in grief.

The other sect leaders offered some condolences, but none of them wanted to stay in this unlucky place for fear of being involved. They left one after another.

Liang Ling and Lou Wucheng’s expressions changed, because the others were brought away by their elders, but their sect leader was nowhere to be seen.

Liang Ling couldn't help but ask, “May I ask the respected king and general if you know where my master is?”

“I was about to ask you that,” King Yan replied. He wasn’t so polite to these young juniors. He waved his hand and commanded, “Bring them away!”

“Respected king and general, what exactly happened?” Liang Ling asked. He was shocked and angry, but he didn’t dare to resist in such a situation. Unfortunately, no one replied to him.

Zu An silently watched the situation. He had witnessed Liang Ling’s performance on the stage. He was actually a youngster with quite excellent temperament. He wondered how that Xuan Bajing had ended up producing a decent disciple. However, there would be no danger to Liang Ling’s life in the short term, so Zu An merely planned to break him out later.

Now, Lou Wucheng was the only representative disciple left. He looked at Yan Xuehen and cried, “Sect master, save me!”

King Yan also walked over. He had an ambiguous smile on his face as he looked at Zu An. He thought, Fortunes really do rise and fall quickly! This brat ended up in my hands so quickly!