“Huh?”

Master Fayuan instinctively looked forward, only to see a blood-colored flying insect suddenly appear in front of Zheng Yi, shooting towards him before he could react, reaching him almost instantaneously.

“Tch!”

A dull sound echoed as the Buddha beads in his hand suddenly emitted a radiant glow, forming a faint golden shield that protected him within.

“Spirit insect!”

He stared intently at the insect, dazed from the collision, with a surprised gaze.

“Didn’t expect spirit insects to appear here?”

“Taiyii Dao? Zhao Xizheng?”

“It’s a pity, though. Such as a mere Tier One spirit insect can cause only minor troubles for me. If there were more of them…”

Before he could finish, the sound of “chirp chirp chirp” reached his ears.

His expression changed immediately as at least ten blood-red spirit insects crawled out from Zheng Yi’s sleeve, rushing swiftly towards him.

“Chirp chirp chirp…”

“Chirp chirp chirp!”

Twelve or so Blood Moon Gu incessantly bombarded Fayuan, occasionally spitting out blood-colored Moon Blades, causing his protective shield to tremble.

“Damn it! Tier One spirit insects! Where did he get so many Tier One spirit insects?”

“Even if Zhao Xizheng spent all his fortune, he wouldn’t be able to raise so many spirit insects!”

Fayuan retreated swiftly, being only a Qi Cultivation Middle-stage Cultivator, he could easily slay one or two Tier One spirit insects.

Yet facing a swarm of over ten Tier One spirit insects, even he wouldn’t stand a chance.

As his figure flickered, a Demon-Slaying Pestle appeared in his hand, and a chant began; immediately, pale golden flames emitted from the pestle, forcing back the swarm of spirit insects.

Yet he did not leave and continued to guard his spot.

“I can’t leave! Two months ago, I discovered inexplicable Spiritual Qi fluctuations in the Capital City region, far exceeding Tianlong Temple of Lin’an Prefecture.”

“I originally planned to rely on Buddhist Dharma to persuade Emperor Zhengyong to appoint me as National Preceptor, but the Emperor wouldn’t even meet with me. Zhao Xizheng must be behind this.”

“He’s nearing his end. What good is occupying the Capital City’s optimal Spiritual Land?”

“If it were given to me, I might be able to break through to the Late-stage Qi Cultivation when the end comes.”

Saying this, Fayuan’s gaze fixed fiercely on the scroll floating mid-air, gritting his teeth, “Hold on for another incense stick’s time, Emperor Zhengyong will inevitably succumb to my Thousand Illusions Glazed Scroll!”

“At that time, the Emperor will be my follower, and the Innate Realm expert supporting him will be my sect’s Protector.”

“Hahahahaha…!”

He quickly mustered all his strength, the Buddha beads in his hand glowing brightly, blocking all the Blood Moon Gu outside.

Meanwhile, he urged the Demon-Slaying Pestle, unleashing large quantities of pale golden flames aimed to burn the Blood Moon Gu.

“Chirp chirp chirp…”

“Chirp chirp chirp…”

Just when he managed to burn two Blood Moon Gu, a sudden piercing shriek reached his ears.

“Huh?”

He looked up instinctively to find, at the opulent top of Baiyu City’s hall, spirit insects almost identical to those attacking him crawling out.

Blood Moon Gu!

Zheng Yi chose Baiyu City as the location for breeding and blood sacrificing the Blood Moon Gu.

This also explains why he seldom leaves Baiyu City.

With the protection of over a hundred Blood Moon Gu, even a Qi Cultivation Late-stage Cultivator wouldn’t return!

He once had Cui Xiabing test the might of these Blood Moon Gu; with her Flying Sword, she could only handle five of them.

Now within Baiyu City, there are as many as one hundred and twenty Blood Moon Gu!

“Chirp chirp chirp…”

“Chirp chirp chirp…!”

Under Fayuan’s horrified gaze, the over a hundred Blood Moon Gu cascaded down, enveloping him completely, forming a golden sphere glowing with blood-red light.

“Ah…!”

Meanwhile, in Zheng Yi’s mind, the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror merely trembled a bit, dispersing all illusions before his eyes.

Every illusory event dissolved into disappearance.

Upon opening his eyes, Zheng Yi was startled by the scene before him, which then sparked immense rage.

Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Before him stood over twenty Embroidered Uniform Guards, with many Imperial Guards waiting outside the hall.

The numerous Embroidered Uniform Guards and Imperial Guards surrounded a humanoid corpse crawling with blood-colored insects, standing ready with blades.

“What happened!”

Zheng Yi asked, prompting the Embroidered Uniform Guard with their back to him to quickly turn around.

“Your Majesty! I, Embroidered Uniform Guard Ding Qiu, greet Your Majesty.”

“We were guarding outside, when we heard a scream inside the hall, fearing for Your Majesty’s safety, we rushed in.”

“How could we know that inside the hall was a mob of red insects assailing Master Fayuan.”

“Master Fayuan!”

Zheng Yi gritted his teeth and fixated his gaze on Fayuan who was besieged by Blood Moon Gu.

This Fayuan must harbor hostility towards him.

Otherwise, the Blood Moon Gu, aligned with his spirit, wouldn’t attack him for no apparent reason.

Over a hundred Blood Moon Gu, Fayuan couldn’t endure even a dozen breaths before the protective Magical Shield was breached.

Even his Protective Magical Artifact was destroyed, leaving him unconscious after being bitten.

“Everyone aside from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, withdraw!”

“Yes!”

The Imperial Guards retreated like a tidal wave, while the Embroidered Uniform Guards lined up on either side, still targeting Fayuan sprawled on the ground with their Brocade Spring Sabers.

In the darkness, a dozen little eunuchs’ figures appeared.

Shadow Guard.

“Elder Chen?”

“Please forgive me, Your Majesty. The old servant was also drawn into the illusion realm by Fayuan’s artifact, if not for the spirit insects Your Majesty possesses…”

Chen Liancang’s tone was filled with fear, with a trace of anger and murderous intent.

If because of him, Zheng Yi had passed away or been injured, he would live in dread for life.

Zheng Yi nodded slightly, his decision to meet in Baiyu City was precisely for the Blood Moon Gu’s guardianship.

This Fayuan acted recklessly, daring to confront him within Baiyu City; he’s courting death!

Fortunately, all he tried was using illusion to control him; any attempt on his life wouldn’t succeed.

There were always more than a dozen Blood Moon Gu protecting him.

Even if Zhao Xizheng wanted to kill him, it would require some effort.

Zheng Yi took a deep breath, and with a thought, over a hundred Blood Moon Gu immediately flew up, concealing themselves again throughout Baiyu City.

On the ground, besides Fayuan’s corpse, there were seven or eight Blood Moon Gu corpses killed by him.

In addition, there was a gold-colored scroll lying quietly on the ground.

“Someone, go see if he’s dead!”

“Yes!”

Ding Qiu responded, holding the Brocade Spring Saber, slowly approaching.

“Wait!”

Chen Liancang emerged from the darkness, saying in a low voice, “Your Majesty, let this old servant go.”

“Elder Chen…”

“Your Majesty was frightened; it’s this old servant’s fault. Please allow this old servant to atone for this mistake.”

Zheng Yi pondered, then gently nodded, “Alright.”

Chen Liancang immediately approached Fayuan, bending down to examine him.

Soon, he stood up and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Fayuan is not dead yet, only seriously injured and unconscious.”

“Not dead…?”

Zheng Yi murmured, “Embroidered Uniform Guard, withdraw.”

“Yes!”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard retreated, Zheng Yi said, “Elder Chen, imprison Fayuan and see what information can be extracted from him.”

“Don’t let him die too easily!”

“Yes!”

“Also, summon Noble Consort Cui.”

“Noble Consort Cui? This old servant understands…”

Summoned by Zheng Yi, Cui Xiabing was filled with doubt, yet followed the old eunuch towards Baiyu City.

“Eunuch Chen, I wonder what matter His Majesty has summoned me for?”

As one of the only two cultivators in the Imperial Palace, Cui Xiabing knew Chen Liancang’s identity.

And Chen Liancang was also aware of Cui Xiabing’s identity.

He whispered, “Your Highness, the abbot of Tianlong Temple, Fayuan, intended to harm and bewitch His Majesty but was defeated by His Majesty’s Spirit Insect, and is now trapped in Baiyu City.”

“His Majesty summoned you, likely related to this matter as well.”

“Fayuan?”

Cui Xiabing exclaimed, “He’s a cultivator?”

“Yes…”

Chen Liancang said, “This man, as a cultivator, hides within the Buddhist Sect and even uses Buddhist bewitching techniques to confuse the common people. Now he aims at His Majesty, truly deserving death!”

“It’s just unclear what other secrets he holds, and His Majesty wants Your Highness’s assistance.”

“I understand.”

The two walked one behind the other and soon arrived at Baiyu City.

Curiously, they didn’t head to the second floor but, under Chen Liancang’s guidance, opened a hidden wall, revealing a secret passage leading to the underground palace before Cui Xiabing’s eyes.

Cui Xiabing’s eyes were filled with surprise, clearly indicating it was her first time discovering another underground passage beneath Baiyu City.

She followed closely behind Chen Liancang, walking through the underground passage for roughly the time to brew tea, before feeling the terrain smooth out.

As they walked, Chen Liancang explained, “Your Highness, this place was originally built by the previous emperors as an underground palace, personally transformed into a secret chamber by His Majesty, and today is its first use.”

Cui Xiabing looked around in surprise; this place was better described as an underground prison than an underground palace.

Each large iron gate room was equipped with various torture devices, and many buckets whose contents were unknown.

Some parts were water prisons, eerie and dark, with strange silhouettes occasionally passing by.

“Those people are Shadow Guards who have lived here since childhood, absolutely loyal to His Majesty, and cannot betray him!”

Chen Liancang continued, “Your Highness, be careful, we are almost there…”

After turning a corner, a large prison appeared before Cui Xiabing.

Inside the prison stood two thick iron pillars, over a dozen chains suspending a figure in mid-air.

Under the wavering firelight, Cui Xiabing could see this person had a shiny bald head.

This is… Fayuan of Tianlong Temple?

Inside the prison, besides the Shadow Guards, there was another figure.

Zheng Yi.

“Your Majesty” Cui Xiabing paid her respects.

Zheng Yi nodded and said, “Beloved Consort has arrived~”

Turning his hand, he beckoned Cui Xiabing over, and she obediently approached.

Zheng Yi self-deprecatingly said, “I originally built this ‘Immortal Prison’ for the Fire Spirit, but unexpectedly, the first to be imprisoned is the abbot of Tianlong Temple!”

“Had it not been for the protection of the Blood Moon Gu, I might now have become an Emperor devoted to Buddhist Dharma, or perhaps, a puppet of Tianlong Temple or Master Fayuan?”

Cui Xiabing didn’t speak but listened quietly.

“Beloved Consort…”

Zheng Yi grasped Cui Xiabing’s small hand, whispering, “Do you know, at that time, I was quite fearful!”

“What I feared wasn’t death but that, if Fayuan controlled me, what would happen to you, Beloved Consort?”

“Since Fayuan, being a cultivator, secretly attacked me, what if he found out your identity… I truly don’t dare to imagine!”

Hearing Zheng Yi’s words, Cui Xiabing felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

It seems, in His Majesty’s heart, I am the most valued!

“Rest assured, Your Majesty!”

Cui Xiabing’s beautiful eyes teary, resolutely said, “Your Majesty is the True Dragon Emperor, how could you be harmed by despicable persons?”

“Hasn’t Fayuan already been defeated… and if, by any chance, Your Majesty were harmed by vile people, I would surely avenge Your Majesty!”

“And I, and I will follow Your Majesty even in death!”

“Beloved Consort~!”

Zheng Yi embraced Cui Xiabing, deeply inhaling her fragrance, though his gaze was somewhat cold.

“To discern Fayuan’s true intentions, and whether there are other forces behind him, I have no choice but to rely on you, Beloved Consort!”

Cui Xiabing said, “Your Majesty, a cultivator’s body, nourished by Spiritual Qi, has a purely physical strength far surpassing that of ordinary martial artists. Regular torture devices are indeed ineffective against a cultivator.”

“What should Your Majesty do? I, Your humble servant, will follow Your Majesty’s instructions!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep