Chapter 666: Supplemental Exam

Chapter 666: Chapter 666: Supplemental Exam

Yang Xiusheng felt a bit unsettled; the tranquility he had maintained for many years seemed to be shattered in an instant after seeing the message hidden within that copper rod.

The Emperor would never reveal answers to you so easily and directly; he liked to listen first, then verify with the information he had in hand. This, Yang Xiusheng also understood—his royal brother acted the same way after inheriting the throne. It seemed to be a common trait of emperors.

"The Mingshan Sect and the Mountain of Ten Thousand Books have both once produced a generation of Celestial Pride who stepped into the Profound Sea Realm in just a little over thirty years." Yang Xiusheng didn’t think Yang Wenguang reaching the Profound Sea Realm thirty-three years ago was all that remarkable; those Celestial Prides in the sects were the true monsters. Besides, if one went by the numbers, thirty-three years ago Yang Wenguang had already cultivated for almost sixty years—not a short time either. Moreover, the differences between each layer of the Profound Sea Realm were immense; for many, just entering the Profound Sea was their limit, and those able to press beyond were exceedingly few.

Only those who haven’t reached the Profound Sea Realm would think that the gap between the First and Second Layers of the Profound Sea Realm wasn’t as great as with the previous realms. In actuality, the difference was as vast as heaven and earth.

The Emperor was clearly taken aback and let out a snort. "Just over thirty years? Tsk, tsk. So, Uncle, how long did it take you?"

"Sixty-five years."

"Then tell me, does Yang Wenguang’s talent really surpass yours?"

Yang Xiusheng shook his head; he knew exactly what the Emperor was getting at and spoke bluntly: "I understand your meaning. Among your generation, Yang Wenguang did possess the greatest talent, but if you ask whether I ever believed he’d one day reach the Profound Sea, I can’t say I was optimistic. Of course, if he was blessed by some providence, reaching Profound Sea within a hundred years wouldn’t be impossible."

"But Yang Wenguang didn’t take that long. Why?"

"It’s likely either he obtained the legendary ’Celestial Pill’, which can directly elevate one’s cultivation by a whole Great Realm; or he practiced some kind of magic technique that lets one forcibly break through their limits regardless of their talent in a short period of time."

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed. "A magic technique? What kind?"

"I don’t know. But such techniques do exist, and are usually in the hands of Evil Cultivators—methods both sinister and accompanied by a steep price."

"Does Fenghong Manor have any detailed record of these magic techniques?"

"No, nor could it. Those methods are considered top-tier even among Evil Cultivators, with origins shrouded in mystery; there’s no way to trace their heritage."

The higher the cultivation of an Evil Cultivator, the harder it is to capture one alive. Their mastery over souls lets them end themselves at any moment; even the strongest restraint methods like board locks are useless against top-tier Evil Cultivators. That’s why so many of their deepest secrets have never been revealed to outsiders.

The Emperor grunted in acknowledgment. What Yang Xiusheng had said was basically in line with what he already knew.

"Uncle, what do you think Yang Wenguang intends to do by returning now?" The emperor’s brows furrowed as well—he truly hadn’t expected Yang Wenguang to choose this moment to return from the City of Unjust Death. The purpose was likely far from simple.

"I don’t know, but most likely not just to bid you farewell. And I’m quite curious—since you located him years ago, why did you keep him alive?" Given Yang Xiusheng’s understanding of the emperor, he didn’t believe in ’enemies left overnight.’ Moreover, Yang Wenguang had been rescued all those years ago, introducing untold uncertainty; leaving him alive would only plant future trouble.

"Heh, heh. Just investigating someone inside the City of Unjust Death was already nearly impossible; to kill him would have been even harder. Besides, he was cultivating under a special power there—it was untouchable."

The Emperor did not hide the truth. Back then, he had indeed wanted to eradicate all threats at the root, but by the time he tracked down Yang Wenguang, it was already years after his own accession to the throne, and Yang Wenguang’s cultivation had advanced significantly. He found sanctuary within an untouchable power in the City of Unjust Death. And later, as Yang Wenguang’s strength grew, it became ever harder to monitor him—there were vast stretches of time, blank and unaccounted for. In fact, for most of the past thirty years, the information the Emperor had regarding Yang Wenguang was scant at best.

Even the news of Yang Wenguang leaving the City of Unjust Death this time was obtained only by coincidence.

Yang Xiusheng couldn’t help but worry; the Jingjiu Dynasty had become far too sensitive at this moment. The South was embroiled in a national war; internally, the Royal Family was undertaking its crucial Major Examination, and the upper echelons of the Civil Servant Group faced potential purges. Finally, the Emperor’s life was nearing its end—the ruler of this vast Empire would not last much longer.

And now, at such a critical juncture, another Prince had returned—probably already an Evil Cultivator, at Profound Sea cultivation... Not even ’a tangled mess’ would suffice to describe the situation.

"I think I’d better assign a few more people here. On Fuan Palace’s side and the Empress’s as well... The Princes too—some of our personnel must be planted by their sides. Even if we can’t help, at least don’t let others interfere with the Major Examination." Yang Xiusheng could only offer these suggestions, hoping the Emperor would heed them.

But the Emperor waved his hand and said, "With you by my side, plus a few eunuchs from the palace, there’s no concern over security. What of a Profound Sea Realm Cultivator? If he dares to come to the Imperial Palace, he’ll not return alive. But as for the Princes, yes, put men there—make sure their cultivation is high, but see they aren’t discovered. Especially around Yang Shu—let your best at stealth handle him. That’s the critical point."

"Why is Prince Ling’s side the key?"

"Yang Shu has somehow gotten in touch with a group of cultivators from the City of Unjust Death as his trump card. Five in total; their waist tokens are a match for those held in the palace—disciples of Nine-Life Zhenren."

"Nine-Life Zhenren? Yang Wenguang?! He wants to meddle in the Royal Family’s Major Examination?!" Yang Xiusheng now understood why the Emperor had brought up Yang Wenguang. So it was Yang Wenguang inserting his hand directly into the core affairs of the Dynasty.

"Exactly what he plans remains unclear, but that he’s interfering in the Royal Family’s Major Examination is obvious. What I’m truly curious about is—Yang Wenguang’s foundation is gone. Even if he meddles with, or disrupts the Major Examination, what does he stand to gain? Decades ago, he already lost. What is his purpose now, causing such a scene?"

This was the very thing the Emperor most puzzled over. One who survived great calamity to reach Profound Sea, now comes back after decades with sinister intentions to stir up trouble—surely it can’t be just ’revenge’? There must be some deeper motive, but as yet, it remains unfathomable.

"So you mean, just keep watch for now?"

"Precisely. My own men aren’t strong enough—adequate for scouts, but if something happens, they’ll be unable to cope. That’s why I need your people. As for Yang Wenguang, I only know he’s left the City of Unjust Death for the Imperial City, but his current whereabouts are unknown. I hope your agents can glean some information from those five disciples of his.

Also, I’ll notify Pang Ban separately about Yang Wenguang; he’ll investigate through Xuanqing Guard’s channels. Make sure your people don’t clash with them."

"Pang Ban? Very well, he’s trustworthy. Still, since you know Yang Wenguang hides in the shadows with bad intentions, why not simply kill those five disciples of his as a warning?"

At these words, the Emperor abruptly laughed: "A warning? Wouldn’t that just waste this once-in-a-lifetime Major Examination bonus round?"