Completing a grand cycle body forging, receiving the blessing of the Human Emperor.

Five elements descended as the punishment, rosy clouds arrived as the reward.

These were the things that had happened during Su Yu's advancement. It was a mere Skysoar advancement, but it had shocked all onlookers.

Everyone was waiting.

But before Su Yu could say anything, someone said, "Grand cycle body forging...Su Yu, you're the first human to have accomplished this since the ancient apocalypse. This is extremely important for humanity. Can you tell us if you have opened the source soul acupoint? And where is the location of the source soul acupoint?"

Su Yu looked at the source of the voice. It was too far away, so he couldn't get a clear look.

In the sky, Zhu Tiandao and a few other Sunmoons appeared.

With a calm expression, Zhu Tiandao said, "He does not owe anyone an explanation. Don't waste your time saying something this stupid. Each cultivator is entitled to their own choice when it comes to disclosing the matters concerning their cultivation. If you're feeling important, why don't you get all the Invincibles to disclose their cultivation secrets and share their treasures with the whole humanity instead?"

Zhu Tiandao did not give Su Yu the chance to say anything. He scanned the crowd and indifferently said, "Everyone, we understand if you're feeling envious after witnessing this breakthrough. But remember to not try to take something that is not yours. Do not invite suffering on yourself.

"Regardless of whether it is the grand cycle acupoints or the apertures, it is entirely up to Su Yu whether he wants to disclose them or not. Nobody can force him if he does not wish to share. Do not think that you can bully him because he's weak. Do you think that it is unfair that he's refusing to share? What if I ask the various large families to share their secrets to reaching the Invincible Realm? Are you willing to share?"

Su Yu raised his brow, but he remained silent. He wanted to say something, but he decided against it since Zhu Tiandao had spoken.

Someone said, "Prefect Zhu, I did not mean that. But the grand cycle acupoints and apertures are too important. I merely asked out of curiosity. We are still grateful for Su Yu's willingness to share his cultivation methods. But if he can share the grand cycle acupoints and apertures, his name will be remembered by humanity for eternity."

Zhu Tiandao smiled, "That makes a lot of sense. We will only be able to answer after a discussion. Also, why are you so sure that the source soul acupoint has been opened? Su Yu, did you succeed?"

"No." Su Yu shook his head, "I failed. Perhaps I don't have enough apertures."

That was the truth. But not everyone would believe him. Why would there be a heavenly punishment? It must be the source soul acupoint.

Su Yu did not care. He was in no mood to think or say too much. Since Zhu Tiandao was willing to be his voice, he was more than happy to let Zhu Tiandao handle it.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

With a regretful tone, Zhu Tiandao said, "I see. What a pity."

He looked at the crowd and said, "Everyone, it doesn't matter if the acupoint has been opened or not. There are things that can't be forced. This is all I have to say. We are all respectable people here. I believe you understand what I'm saying."

"We understand."

The first person who had spoken stopped talking.

A different person laughed and said, "Prefect Zhu, nobody is forcing anything. But Su Yu is here today to demonstrate the Source Soul Acupoint Opening Art. Previously, he had also released several cultivation methods that are useful to the human race. His name is already in the history books. But if he is willing to share the grand cycle acupoints as well, I believe his status will be elevated to the same level as the prefecture founders, commanding the respect of all humanity..."

They were placing him on a pedestal. They were not forcing him to release anything, but they placed him on a pedestal. If he agreed to share, they would continue flattering him. If he refused, he would turn into a selfish person.

Su Yu knew this trick very well. He didn't bother asking who that person was. He could do so later.

Zhu Tiandao did not bother giving a reply either. He transmitted his voice to the Great Ming Sunmoons, "This has created too big of a fuss. Even the natural laws of the Human Realm and the Ancient Emperor were triggered. It is unlikely that these people will give up..."

He would do the same in their position. He would definitely be tempted. There was no doubting that. He was only so calm about it because Su Yu was now a member of Great Ming. He was confident Great Ming would know the secret sooner or later. Meanwhile, those from the other prefectures were losing their patience.

Niu Baidao said, "This is very troublesome. We still can't offend them yet. There are too many hidden Sunmoons in the city. If we make a big fuss, these people will try to fish in troubled water."

If they could escalate the matter to involve more people, Great Ming would be hard-pressed to take action against so many people. Some might take advantage of the chaos to kidnap Su Yu.

Zhu Tiandao understood that. He said, "We need to chase them away. As for those in the city, we need to set an example out of someone. We can't drag this out. I wanted to handle this silently, but that won't be easy anymore. Those fellows are still staying outside. They are probably going to enter the city later. We need to deal with those hidden experts now or they will be given the opportunity to slip away."

"Prefect!" One of the Sunmoons suggested, "Why don't we let go of these cultists for now? If we act rashly and allow some to escape, chaos will ensue. They might be able to cause great damage before we can take them down. Also, killing too many Sunmoons will only create more enemies. We might attract the attention of the entire cult. At the moment, Great Ming should continue maintaining a low profile..."

That had always been the norm for Great Ming. That was how they had conducted themselves over the years: maintaining a low profile.

Should they change that today? Zhu Tiandao started hesitating. The matter had escalated beyond even his wildest imagination.

Killing some lured enemies before selectively promoting their deeds could bolster their prestige. Killing these enemies openly with overwhelming force would achieve the same effect as well. But that would also expose Great Ming's strength before so many people.

He looked at Su Yu.

Grand cycle acupoints, divine arts, heavenly source qi, ancient Human Emperor...

Numerous thoughts appeared in his mind.

This was a moment of choice.

He was a prefect, the ruler of hundreds of millions of people. Should he deal with this through force? A short while later, he reached a decision.

He looked outside the city and said, "Everyone, let's put the matter concerning the grand cycle acupoints aside for now. The opening method is too new. Those from the Source Soul Research Center will naturally consider the dissemination of this method after perfecting their research. Su Yu loves the human race. You don't have to worry about that. He wouldn't have shared all his other cultivation methods otherwise."

Not giving anyone the chance to say anything, Zhu Tiandao said, "At this point, don't try to push us any further. It's pointless. You, yes, you from Great Shang. Stop trying to create trouble. Why are you trying to mislead the public? I know, I know, I killed an elder from Great Shang not long ago. But there is no need for you to make trouble for me here, right?"

Zhu Tiandao said, "Great Shang King is a top expert as well. And he is quite close with my old man. There is no need for the two prefectures to turn overly unfriendly toward each other. This isn't proper. Also, don't forget that cultivation methods have always been something secretive. Why are a bunch of Sunmoons forcing a young man to leak his cultivation method? So many eyes are watching. This won't be good for your reputation."

Administrator Hu sighed inwardly and said, "Prefect Zhu is right. Everyone, stop being so shameless. Prefect Zhu, this is naturally up to Su Yu."

What a pity. If Su Yu was still a member of Great Xia, they would definitely take an unyielding stance toward anyone trying to force the method out of them. Truly a pity.

Zhu Tiandao smiled and said, "Let the topic end there. Additionally, to prevent misunderstandings, avoid entering the city within one hour. Anyone entering the city within that period of time will be treated as an enemy. An hour later, I will personally welcome all of you into the city."

The visiting Sunmoons were confused. What was he doing now? Was he going to escort Su Yu back into the academy before letting them in? Wasn't that a tad bit too excessive?

Zhu Tiandao inhaled deeply and said, "Everyone, I've said a lot. I only hope that you can stay away out of respect for us. I might have a good temper, but my old man does not have a good temper."

That caused the expressions of many people to change. What was the meaning of that? The hidden experts in the city started feeling nervous as well. What was the meaning of that? Was Zhu Tiandao not going to welcome these Sunmoons into the city immediately? These were all big shots of their respective prefectures.

Zhu Tiandao continued sending his orders through voice transmissions.

At the moment, five Great Ming Sunmoons had been gathered in the city. And there were also five hidden Sunmoons in the city. As for the Mountainseas, there were fifteen of them. It was likely that more than half of the cult experts based in the area had arrived. This fishing operation was a success.

They were only worried that Lan Tian or the First Divine Sect master was here as well. That would complicate things.

Zhu Tiandao looked at the gathered onlookers inside the city and said, "The fun is over, and the cultivation method will start distribution soon. Everyone, are you happy with this?"

"Yeah. But Prefect, are there more shows to watch?"

"Nope." Zhu Tiandao said, "The Zhu Family has ruled Great Ming for hundreds of years. Over the years, I have never asked any of you to do anything for me. Is that right?"

The crowd was confused.

Someone laughed and said, "Prefect, what do you want us to do today?"

Zhu Tiandao said, "It's nothing big. I've been a prefect for seventy-seven years. Over the years, I have always been a casual person. But I also agree that customs should never be forsaken. Today, I wish to enjoy the treatment of a proper prefect as well. People of Great Ming, I am not asking for much. But do you still remember the customs of Great Ming?"

The populace blanked out slightly. After a moment, some of the elderlies recalled something. They laughed and did not hesitate to drop down on one knee. Thousands of people did so at the same time. The nearby youngsters blanked out slightly before doing the same as well.

It had been seventy-seven years. Over these years, Great Ming had never been big on formality. Only the older individuals remembered that according to Great Ming's customs, the people of Great Ming should drop down on one knee before the prefect to showcase their loyalty.

This was a way of proving their willingness to fight for Great Ming and the Zhu Family. Why should they be loyal to the Zhu Family? There was only one reason. Over three hundred years ago, Great Ming King had founded the prefecture and protected millions upon millions of humans.

With so many people in the area, it was obvious that some would hesitate. Some dropped after hesitating, some remained standing. It had been way too long. Some people still remembered that the Zhu Family was the reason they had enjoyed so many years of peace. But some had forgotten.

Zhu Tiandao did not mind that. He merely laughed and said, "Be at ease, everyone."