In the capital of the Xia Kingdom, in the South Town Fushi.
Generals from various provinces, including Xiao Jun, Liu Yuan, and Jiang Tao, had all gathered here, and nearly half of the generals from the eighteen provinces had arrived.
"Are you all here to see the emperor?" Upon seeing the generals, Ji Tianqi immediately asked without showing any surprise.
Ji Tianqi had already guessed the purpose of their visit — it was likely related to the new policies.
As a prince from the former dynasty, Ji Tianqi had no objections to the new policies. After all, he had managed to survive and hold an important position, which was a huge favor from the emperor.
He was still grateful for that.
"Yes," Xiao Jun replied in a low voice, "The emperor..."
"The emperor is in seclusion in the imperial city," Ji Tianqi answered. "However, the emperor has given orders. If any of you come to seek an audience, you may directly proceed to the imperial city to see him."
Xiao Jun and the others were momentarily stunned. Had the emperor already anticipated that they would come?
Suddenly, they felt a surge of unease.
"Then, forget it. Since the emperor is in seclusion, we shouldn't disturb him..."
Before Xiao Jun could finish speaking, Ji Tianqi had already stood up and started walking outside, saying, "Now, please follow me to the imperial city."
Xiao Jun and the others exchanged glances, suppressing the unease in their hearts. They could only helplessly follow.
The majestic gates of the imperial city had been repaired, and Xiao Jun and the others quickly noticed that a formation had been set up in the city to isolate the inner part from the outside world.
"Please enter. I will wait for you outside," Ji Tianqi said to the generals.
Reluctantly, Xiao Jun and the others had no choice but to step inside.
"Once we see the emperor, everyone stay calm. Don't be afraid. Be sure to express our requests clearly." Xiao Jun encouraged the other generals. "This concerns our vital interests, so no one should back down."
"Especially you, General Jiang, you're the one who has the closest relationship with the emperor. You must try to persuade him!"
Jiang Tao's face was grim, but he nodded, "I know what to do!"
As soon as they stepped into the imperial city, they immediately understood the purpose of the formation: it was to isolate the celestial phenomena caused by cultivation!
Above the imperial city, the overwhelming spiritual energy gathered in the sky, boiling like hot oil, blocking out the sun.
Just lifting their heads to look at the magnificent scene, the generals felt their minds shaken, and immediately released their own energy to counter the pressure from the heavens and earth in order to stabilize their hearts.
The celestial phenomena produced by the emperor's cultivation could shatter their will to cultivate!
After all, they were martial artists of the seventh realm, and this was simply too exaggerated...
"Let's continue," Jiang Tao gritted his teeth. Now that they were here, leaving would be a "great disrespect."
They continued forward and eventually saw the young figure of the emperor hovering high in the air.
They did not dare disturb him and could only wait in place.
At the same time, a notification appeared in the mind of Fang Yuan:
[After long and arduous training, you have successfully condensed the Lei Huo Dharma Image within your body, and the raging winds of the Eight Desolates are brewing inside you.]
[The Lei Huo Devouring Qi Body and Eight Desolates Wind Domain Body have been successfully cultivated!]
[You are now just one step away from truly mastering the heavens and earth as a Martial Saint!]
Fang Yuan opened his eyes, and for the first time, the power of wind and thunder gathered within his body. In an instant, the vast sea of clouds seemed to collapse like a mighty mountain, with destructive force cascading down.
Xiao Jun, Jiang Tao, and the others immediately felt a powerful and invisible pressure bearing down on them. One by one, they dropped to their knees and bowed deeply.
This was not only due to their reverence for their emperor but also because the shock from the heavens and earth made it impossible for them to stand.
This was the emperor's astonishing appearance when breaking through? Truly unprecedented!
"One step away, huh..." Fang Yuan sighed, casually waving his sleeve.
Boom!
Thunder rumbled as the winds and vast black clouds were instantly swept back a hundred feet, disappearing without a trace.
The sunlight once again shone brightly from the sky, as if the apocalyptic scene had never occurred.
Seeing this, Xiao Jun and the others felt an even greater sense of fear. Could their plan to meet the emperor go as smoothly as they had originally imagined?
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! The breakthrough in martial arts is indeed a blessing for our Xia Kingdom!" Xiao Jun was the first to speak, though his tone was filled with tension and hesitation.
Fang Yuan nodded slightly, "You have come today, what is your purpose?"
The generals exchanged glances before Xiao Jun finally gathered the courage to speak, "It is regarding the new policies..."
"Oh? How are the new policies being implemented?" Fang Yuan asked in return.
"The situation is acceptable," Liu Yuan answered. "But..."
"But what?" Fang Yuan asked, his smile fading slightly, and his tone growing somewhat oppressive.
"During the implementation of the new policies, we encountered many obstacles. Most of the officials have been passive, and there are many complaints from the people."
While speaking, the generals secretly glanced at Fang Yuan, but the young emperor's face remained calm, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.
"Go on," Fang Yuan said.
"Also, during this period, a children's rhyme has been circulating among the people," Xiao Jun continued.
"What rhyme?"
"..."
"Speak boldly, I pardon you for any offense," Fang Yuan said, seemingly understanding Xiao Jun's hesitation.
"It goes... 'The equalization of land, a chaotic law, will bring heavenly punishment...'" As soon as the words left Xiao Jun's mouth, he quickly lowered his head and dared not meet Fang Yuan's eyes.
Fang Yuan's brows immediately furrowed.
Xiao Jun hurriedly added, "Your Majesty, these are just ignorant people making things up. Please do not be angry, and spare their lives!"
At this point, all the generals turned their gaze toward Jiang Tao.
Jiang Tao sighed deeply, but in the end, he still mustered the courage to speak, "We believe that now is not the best time to push forward with the new policies. We respectfully ask Your Majesty to reconsider and delay their implementation!"
Facing such a domineering ruler, they couldn't confront him directly, but they could attempt to circumvent him.
By mentioning the people's grievances, they could express their objections to the new policies while avoiding angering the emperor directly.
Even if the emperor were to get angry, his wrath would likely be directed at the people, not them for disobeying orders.
However, their hopes were dashed from the very beginning.
"Is that all you have to say?" Fang Yuan's tone suddenly became playful.
"Your Majesty, that is all..."
"Good, then let me ask you, which of you... created this rhyme, 'The equalization of land, a chaotic law, will bring heavenly punishment'?"
Fang Yuan's tone suddenly became severe.
The generals were all shaken to their core, a wave of intense fear rising in their minds.
"It was definitely not us. It was a rumor spread by the people!" they quickly protested.
"Indeed, indeed! We were also outraged by this..." they all added.
"Heh, really just a rumor?" Fang Yuan's face showed a half-smile.
"Such a large Xia Dynasty, and I cannot oversee every single thing. How naïve you are... Xiao Jun, did you and your son speak these words? Could this also be a rumor?"
Hearing this, Xiao Jun felt as though he had been struck by a thunderbolt. The intense dizziness almost consumed him entirely.
Everything had turned out completely differently than they had expected. It seemed that the emperor knew everything!!!
Every move they made, every word they spoke, was under the emperor's watch!