In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

「Three days later.」

Xu Qing finally learned what had happened a month ago. The Empress Wu Zhao of the Central Tang Dynasty had passed away, which was the cause of all the commotion.

The Nine Great Sacred Lands, the major powers—basically every figure of any importance—all went to the Imperial Palace to attend Empress Wu Zhao’s funeral.

Moreover, she was interred in the Imperial Mausoleum of the Central Tang Dynasty.

SWOOSH!

「That day, at noon.」

Xu Qing was practicing the Three Thousand Swords of Shushan on the summit of Chixia Peak when he sensed someone approaching. He stopped, looked up, and saw his master, Xu Jingtian.

"Xu Qing."

Xu Jingtian arrived with his hands clasped behind his back, sizing Xu Qing up for a moment.

"This disciple, Xu Qing, pays his respects to Master."

Xu Qing bowed in salute.

"Mm."

Xu Jingtian waved his hand and said, "Although I am your master, I haven’t taught you much. I only passed on the Three Thousand Swords of Shushan to you. For the most part, you have done all the Cultivation on your own."

"It is as they say: a master can only guide you to the door; your Cultivation is up to you."

But Xu Qing said, "I am already incredibly grateful that you taught me the Three Thousand Swords of Shushan, Master."

"Xu Qing."

Xu Jingtian smiled and continued, "I have come here to take you to the Great Tang Imperial Palace in the Central Tang Dynasty. I’m taking you to meet the new Emperor."

"Huh?"

Xu Qing was taken aback, not quite processing what he had heard.

"Because the new Emperor has specifically requested to see you," Xu Jingtian said.

"Why?" Xu Qing asked.

"Do you remember the Great Zhou Martial Country in the Great Border Wilderness?" Xu Jingtian asked.

"I do."

Xu Qing nodded. "Of course I remember. I almost died because of what happened there. If Senior Brother Xu and the others hadn’t brought me to Shu Mountain, I might not even be alive today."

"Mm."

Xu Jingtian said, "That is precisely the reason. The fall of the Great Zhou Martial Country was caused by an ’Ancient Text.’ Emperor Yuanwu, Zhou Di, accidentally obtained an ’Ancient Text’ and was subsequently bewitched by it. He practiced the Divine Skills and Secret Techniques within it, but in the end, he summoned an indescribable existence."

"In the end, the entire Great Zhou Martial Country perished, becoming a land of death, devoid of all life. And you are the sole survivor of this ’Ancient Text Incident’."

"And in the many ’Ancient Text Incidents’ recorded by the Central Tang Dynasty, there has never been a single survivor. These incidents began to appear and occur about a thousand years ago. The Central Tang Dynasty has records of several hundred, if not over a thousand, of them."

"However, in all these many ’Ancient Text Incidents,’ there has never been a survivor. Yet you are the only one. After the new Emperor, Li Ji, ascended the throne, he specifically asked to see you. This is most likely the reason why."

"This..."

Xu Qing paused, then murmured, "So that’s how it is."

"It’s good that you understand."

Xu Jingtian nodded.

"Master, what should I do?" Xu Qing asked.

"You just need to tell the truth," Xu Jingtian said. "You are a disciple of Shu Mountain, after all. Even though you are only an Outer Disciple, not even the Emperor of Great Tang can harm you without reason."

"However, you must remember not to get complacent. After all, that is the Emperor of Great Tang. Although he has only just ascended the throne, he is protected by the Emperor Dragon Qi of the Central Tang Dynasty."

"Furthermore, right by the new Emperor Li Ji’s side is the Chief Eunuch, Zhao Gao."

"Yes!"

Xu Qing took a deep breath. "I understand."

In fact, when Xu Qing first entered Shu Mountain, he had already told Xu Jingtian everything and had even presented the Level 55 Mask of Fusion.

It was for this very reason that after Shu Mountain investigated and confirmed that there was truly nothing wrong with Xu Qing, Xu Jingtian took him in as a Shushan Outer Disciple.

Back then, when Wu Zhao inquired with Shu Mountain about Xu Qing’s situation, the sect told her everything. Since Wu Zhao felt there were no issues, she did not summon him.

But this time, the new Emperor Li Ji had ascended the throne. Because Xu Qing was the only survivor among hundreds of Ancient Text Incidents, Li Ji was also very curious and wanted to meet him and ask him about it in person.

Time flew by.

「In the afternoon.」

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Xu Qing followed Xu Jingtian to the Imperial Capital of the Central Tang Dynasty. It was incredibly majestic. The various buildings and palaces, as far as the eye could see, looked like one Celestial Palace stacked upon another.

It truly lived up to its name as the number one Human Race Dynasty in the Human Realm.

Its foundation was strong enough to suppress the entire Human Realm.

Xu Qing looked around, feeling overwhelmed by the sights. He even felt like a country bumpkin visiting the big city, leaving him utterly shocked and sighing in amazement.

"Let’s go," Xu Jingtian said.

"Yes, Master."

Xu Qing quickly followed.

Soon, Xu Qing followed Xu Jingtian onward until they reached the very center of the Great Tang Imperial Capital. This was also the highest level of the Great Tang Dynasty, the eighteenth and highest layer of heaven. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"The Great Tang Imperial Palace is just ahead."

Xu Jingtian said, gesturing with his head.

"This..."

Xu Qing looked over, his mouth falling open in astonishment. What entered his sight was a cluster of unbelievably majestic palaces built upon the clouds, truly resembling the Celestial Court from myths and legends.

It was truly a breathtaking sight.

Next, upon entering the Imperial Palace, Xu Qing felt a faint but pervasive pressure suppressing him from all directions, completely sealing his Power.

He had been reduced to a complete mortal.

"This..."

Xu Qing felt his scalp tingle.

"You feel it?" Xu Jingtian asked.

"Mm."

Xu Qing took a deep breath.

"You’ve completed tasks from the Shushan Task Tower before, right?" Xu Jingtian said.

"Yes, Master," Xu Qing said.

"Then you should know that when you visit other Dynasties, their Emperor Dragon Qi can’t completely suppress your power?" Xu Jingtian asked.

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded.

"That’s because those are merely Lower Grade Dynasties," Xu Jingtian continued. "Shu Mountain’s Sword Dao Technique cannot be suppressed by the mere Emperor Dragon Qi of a Lower Grade Dynasty. Only the Emperor Dragon Qi of the Central Tang Dynasty is capable of suppressing it."

"However, once you step into the Fifth Realm, not even the Emperor Dragon Qi of the Central Tang Dynasty will be able to suppress your Sword Dao. But you are currently only in the Fourth Realm, which is why your Cultivation was completely suppressed upon entering the Imperial Palace."

"And when you come face-to-face with the Emperor of the Central Tang Dynasty, even if you have the Cultivation of the Fifth Realm, you will become an ordinary person in his presence."

"Unless you can step into the Sixth Realm."

"I... I understand..."

Xu Qing nodded.

"The Central Tang Dynasty suppresses the Human Realm; it is the number one Dynasty in the Human Realm for a reason. It’s not as simple as it sounds. Although the Emperor of Great Tang is an ordinary person, when empowered by the Emperor Dragon Qi, he can unleash a might that even our Sect Leader of Shushan would have to retreat from," Xu Jingtian added a reminder. "So, in front of the Emperor of Great Tang, you must not be insolent, and you absolutely must not overstep your bounds."

"Yes, I understand."

Xu Qing nodded again.

"Good."

Xu Jingtian nodded as well.

「Half an hour later.」

After entering the Imperial Palace, Xu Qing and Xu Jingtian went straight to a hall and waited quietly outside.

After about another half an hour...

CREAK!

Suddenly, the hall doors opened.

Xu Qing raised his head and saw a white-haired old man dressed in the robes of a Chief Eunuch. It was none other than the Chief Eunuch of the Central Tang Dynasty, Zhao Gao.

"You two, His Majesty has summoned you. Come in," Zhao Gao said in a rather sharp voice.

"Mm."

Xu Jingtian nodded. "Keep up."

"Yes!"

Xu Qing quickly averted his gaze.

Just now, a single glance at Zhao Gao had given Xu Qing the feeling of looking upon an insurmountable existence. He couldn’t describe the sensation; it only made him tremble uncontrollably.

Terrifying. Truly terrifying.

Actually, in recent times, Xu Qing had fought many times, cutting down his enemies as if they were vegetables. It had given him a sense of invincibility and arrogance, as if no enemy was a match for him.

But today, coming to the Great Tang Imperial Palace had taught him a harsh lesson, instilling in him a sense of reverence. At the same time, his desire to grow stronger became even more intense.

*Phew...*

Xu Qing took a deep breath and quickened his pace to follow Xu Jingtian into the hall.

Soon, Xu Qing saw the new Emperor of the Central Tang Dynasty, Li Ji.

"Your Majesty," Zhao Gao clasped his hands and bowed. "The men have arrived."

"Good, good."

The new Emperor, Li Ji, had just finished a piece of calligraphy. He nodded in satisfaction, set down his brush, and looked up. His gaze swept past Xu Jingtian and landed on Xu Qing.

BOOM!!!

ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!!!

In that instant, Xu Qing’s mind reeled. From just a single glance, a tremendous roar erupted in his mind, and the roars of countless dragons echoed in his ears.

BUZZ!

The next moment, a stream of light flashed across the Encyclopedia of All Things in Xu Qing’s mind.

Instantly, Xu Qing’s consciousness returned to normal.

"..."

Xu Qing quickly lowered his head.

In fact, Xu Qing had just seen that the new Emperor of the Central Tang Dynasty, Li Ji, was not old at all. He was in his twenties at most, yet he was already the Emperor.

"Not bad."

A flash of surprise appeared in Li Ji’s eyes. "Not bad indeed. Worthy of a disciple from Shu Mountain, to be able to regain your senses so quickly under Our draconic might."

"Your Majesty is too kind," Xu Jingtian said.

"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty."

Xu Qing bowed.

"Xu Qing."

Li Ji asked directly, "We have heard that the reason you were able to survive the ’Ancient Text Incident’ in the Great Zhou Martial Country was because of a special item?"

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded.

"Let Us see it," Li Ji said.

"Please, Your Majesty, have a look."

Without hesitation, Xu Qing took the Level 60 Mask of Fusion from his robes and respectfully handed it to Li Ji. "This is the special item."