Chapter 999 - Experts Enter the Imperial Palace

The proud descendants of the Ji Clan were currently shaken to their core.

“I have to admit, Zhang Daoling is quite the eccentric. Peerless Peak has existed for centuries, yet if you counted all its members—past and present—you wouldn’t even reach ten. But these people are all dragons and phoenixes amongst men, possessing extraordinary strength. Fighting those above their levels is as natural as breathing for them.”

The middle-aged man’s tone carried both admiration and respect.

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

“Then, Elder, now that the True Martial Academy’s Peerless Peak has gotten involved—”

The middle-aged man’s eyes revealed a meaningful smile. Before the woman could continue, he cut her off.

“Hanyou, you don’t need to concern yourself too much with these matters. All you need to know is that if you’re strong, all schemes and plots will be useless. Sovereign Zhuge Qingfeng could rule the Holy Spirit Ancient Nation for so many years not because of his political skill, but because of his absolute, unrivaled strength.”

Ji Hanyou bowed and nodded. “Hanyou understands.”

“Alright, we’re only here to deliver the wedding invitations. The upheaval has nothing to do with us. Just treat it as if we’re here to watch a good show. When it ends, we’ll just deliver the invitations. We do not need to stick our hands into this matter,” said the middle-aged man.

“

Mmm

.” Ji Hanyou nodded, then hesitated before furrowing her brows. “I heard that Zhuge Yan had once lost to Chen Fan, and it was a crushing defeat to boot. Now, he’s challenging Chen Fan to a life-and-death battle. Could it be that he has something up his sleeve?”

“Hoho, since Zhuge Yan dared to propose a life-and-death battle, I’m sure he has some confidence. With the Prince Jing Mansion and the Sun Moon Divine Sect backing him, they’ll spare no effort to push his cultivation to the next level. When the time comes, with the help of some powerful treasures, it won’t be impossible for him to kill someone in the ninth-level Manifestation realm.

“Although Chen Fan is a Peerless Peak freak and can skip levels and fight, I heard that his cultivation is only in the fifth-level Manifestation realm. In that case, Zhuge Yan has a very high chance of killing Chen Fan to wash away the shame he had suffered.

“But all of this is merely speculation. We’ll know the outcome in three days,” said the middle-aged man casually.

He didn’t elaborate further, instead lifting his gaze toward the imperial palace. His eyes seemed to pierce through space.

Apart from the Ji Clan, many other powerful forces, even the members of the royal family of other ancient nations had come to the Holy Spirit Ancient Nation’s imperial palace.

Naturally, Chen Fan remained unaware of these hidden undercurrents. He concealed his cultivation, still projecting the aura of a fifth-level Manifestation realm cultivator—though now at its peak.

In the sovereign’s palace:

Sovereign Zhuge Qingfeng was still lying on his bed as usual, but Chen Fan knew very well that the sovereign’s injuries were almost fully healed.

The reason he continued to feign weakness was clear—he was baiting the snake from its hole, deceiving Prince Jing and his allies into thinking he was still vulnerable.

Finally, the promised period of one month ended.

The morning sun rose high into the sky, casting golden light over the ancient imperial palace. Its radiance reflected off the towering structures, imbuing them with a sense of vigor and grandeur.

Outside the sovereign’s chambers, on top of the stairs, everyone raised their heads, gazing at the morning sun in the sky. The sun's warmth intensified, climbing higher with each passing moment.

They all understood—this was the calm before the storm.

Suddenly, A thunderous voice echoed across the sky above the imperial palace, booming like a celestial decree. The ground itself seemed to tremble as countless people lifted their heads, their hearts pounding.

“The Warring Nation’s Prince of the First Rank, Dawu, along with a prince of the Warring Nation, have come to greet the sovereign of the Holy Spirit Ancient Nation.” [1]

The Warring Nation was like the Holy Spirit Ancient Nation, also a ten-thousand-year ancient nation with immense strength. Prince Dawu was the Warring Nation’s lord with the greatest combat prowess.

Then, another voice shook the sky.

“The Heavenly Goldenrain Nation’s Princess Tianluan has come to greet the sovereign of the Holy Spirit Ancient Nation.”

“The Li Clan has come to greet the sovereign of the Holy Spirit Ancient Nation.”

“The Man Clan has come to greet the sovereign of the Holy Spirit Ancient Nation.”

One after another, mighty declarations rang through the heavens. Each name that thundered forth sent waves of shock rippling through the crowd, their pulses quickening with anticipation.

Several streams of terrifying might filled the air from afar. Lying on his bed, Sovereign Zhuge Qingfeng opened his eyes. A glint of sharp light flickered within them.

Then, he shouted, “Set up a banquet!”

As soon as his words fell, numerous figures outside the palace strode forward. No one stopped them anymore.

Each step they took carried an aura of majesty, their presence suffocating, as if an invisible force weighed upon the surroundings.

Meanwhile, outside the sovereign’s chamber palace, attendants swiftly descended onto the white dragon jade pathway that stretched along the stairs.

Tables and chairs were arranged with practiced efficiency. Precious fruits and the finest wines were continuously served, their fragrances filling the air. Soon, a grand banquet for hundreds had been prepared, set in two long rows along the pathway.

The middle was like a long corridor. People kept coming from far to near, standing on the long corridor, looking at the stairs ahead.

“I hope you’ll forgive me for coming to disturb Your Majesty.”

Though the words carried the pretense of courtesy, the tone lacked any true reverence.

“No matter. Please, take your seats, everyone.” Sovereign Zhuge Qingfeng’s voice rang out once more. Without hesitation, the representatives of various great powers settled into their places.

The soldiers from the sovereign’s faction in the surroundings were extremely tense. The sheer presence of these guests was enough to shake them. Each figure radiated an oppressive might, but none more so than the imposing middle-aged man seated at the forefront dressed in golden imperial robes. He was only sitting there casually, but the others could feel his overwhelming fighting spirit.

Wherever his gaze passed, very few people dared to meet his gaze. He was none other than the Warring Nation’s strongest lord, Prince Dawu.

Next to Prince Dawu was a handsome youth with an extraordinary temperament. Unlike the others, his eyes remained bright and fearless, undaunted even in the presence of the mighty figures around him.

He was a son of the Warring Nation’s sovereign.

His gaze fell on a woman on the opposite side, lingering for a moment. A bright light flashed across his eyes.

She was dazzling, and it seemed like she had a halo. Her beauty was so that many didn’t even dare to look at her closely. She was the Heavenly Goldenrain Nation’s Princess Tianluan.

Sitting next to her was a woman with an outstanding appearance, looking impressively mighty. She was the famed female general of the Heavenly Goldenrain Nation, Qingluan.

Below them were the Li Clan and Man Clan’s leading figures for this trip.

The people of the Man Clan were all tall and sturdy, giving others the impression that they were filled with strength.

Members from the Li Clan, on the other hand, all looked reserved. And that wasn’t just from their appearance; they all seemed gloomy and eerily calm.

“Prince Jing, Prince Qi, Prince You, Prince Han... have come to pay respect to Your Majesty.”

Several shocking voices came from afar.

In the distance, numerous majestic figures stepped into the imperial palace. In a split second, quite a few figures came as a group. The leading figures were all lords of the Holy Spirit Ancient Nation.

They stepped straight in before the sovereign gave the order. Everyone was well aware in their hearts why they were here today.

“Take a seat.” A voice came out from the sovereign’s chamber palace.

In the past, the princes conspired together. Aside from Prince Jing, the leader, most of them were hidden in the dark, but now, the princes had finally stopped hiding. They had openly come here to force the sovereign to abdicate.

The princes took their seats. Many people’s gazes fell on a youth beside Prince Jing: the Sun Moon Divine Sect’s peerless pride of heaven, Zhuge Yan.

1. Prince Dawu is a brother of their sovereign, and the other prince is a son of the sovereign. ☜