In the morning, the incident at The Imperial Ancestral Temple was immediately sealed off, but it was impossible to keep completely under wraps...

At least it was not something Ma Xiong could contain.

Not to mention that even he, amongst the many in Linyi City, was someone people could extract information from, and he dared not keep silent.

Those who knew first were naturally those with significant power within the Imperial City Inspection Mansion.

Individuals like Zhongxuan Sheng belonged to those closely connected to the parties involved.

The Li Family received the news not with the fastest group but they weren’t slow either.

Approximately an hour after Jiang Wang left, someone came in to report the news. Corroborating the information, it matched exactly with what Jiang Wang had said.

At that time, the Li Family’s old matriarch was leisurely drinking tea in the highest seat.

The contemporary Marquis of Destroying Cities, Li Zhengyan, and Li Zhengshu were discussing the matter.

Since Li Zhengyan firmly took the position of Family Head, the old lady rarely commented on family affairs anymore.

Apart from drinking tea, listening to operas, and occasionally using the dragon-head cane to hit Li Longchuan.

It was only when the people below mentioned that just before Jiang Wang went to the Marquis of Returning Spirits Temple and encountered the mishap, he had just come from worshipping at the ancestral shrine of the first Marquis of Destroying Cities...

The old lady couldn’t help but say again, "He really is a good child."

Li Zhengyan and Li Zhengshu exchanged glances and both smiled.

After leaving the Li residence, Jiang Wang went back to Xia Shan Villa.

No matter how much the situation in Linyi was in flux, how many people felt uneasy, his own cultivation was the basis of his standing. The results of the Yellow River Gathering were the steps to advancement.

Jiang Wang had always been clear-headed. He knew what he wanted and strove for it consistently.

He locked himself in his room to delve into the Fire Realm Art.

He had to admit one thing.

Although he had defeated Lei Zhanqian with ease, seemingly gaining an overwhelming advantage, his fire totem cultivation was actually far behind Lei Zhanqian’s thunder totem.

The power of the fire totem was not sufficient to balance with the Samadhi True Fire, even though he had already outlined the Fire Realm Art under his guidance and was forcibly suppressing the Samadhi True Fire.

The disparity in quality had to be approached through quantity.

Thus, during this time, Jiang Wang had to dedicate more cultivation time to the fire totem. After all, it was also a powerful cultivation technique from a different world, not so easily mastered thoroughly.

Fortunately, his fire totem was not merely a simple fire totem; it had long been linked with the Burning Fire Bone Lotus.

Unattributed star power could be transformed into any power, including the power of totems. Only with the support of both could he barely maintain some balance.

But to quickly meet the demands of the Fire Realm Art, it was impossible without putting in more effort in the fire totem.

From daytime to nighttime, time hurried through his practice periods.

Cultivation was of course strenuous.

While others flaunted flashy appearances, indulged in wine and pleasure, he was always buried in hard work, always enduring.

Enduring loneliness and isolation, combating the instinct for comfort.

Yet, being able to focus on cultivation was, in many instances, already a fortunate affair.

The matter at the Marquis of Returning Spirits Temple had already spread secretly throughout the capital.

This night in Linyi, countless people were sleepless!

The current Emperor Qi, attended the court almost every day.

From dawn till morning, four hours a day, rain or shine.

He rested only one day every ten days. To date, it had been fifty-five years.

His diligence was undeniable.

Under his rule, Qi Country had unquestionably become the Hegemon of the Eastern Region, commanding respect in all directions, its power reaching beyond the seas.

Dawn marked the start of the early court, so actually, just before then, officials attending the court had nearly all arrived. Imperial Court Advisers in the Political Affairs Hall had even pre-discussed today’s governmental affairs.

Even at the end of May, it was still dark before dawn.

The grand Linyi City hibernated through the lengthy night,

Outside the majestic Purple Pole Hall on the expansive plaza, civil and military officials moved like ants from all directions, slowly gathering together.

Then, in accordance with their rank and status, assembled quietly in lines, waiting for the bell of court hearing.

Over the past years, countless officials had crossed this plaza countless times.

But today was different.

If one were to look down from above, if the vision weren’t obstructed by the darkness of the night, one could see—

The "ants" gathering on the vast white stone plaza, regardless of their rank, all deliberately took a large detour, leaving a huge blank area on the plaza.

In the middle of the blank space, there was a tiny black spot.

A single ant.

As daylight gradually tore through the boundless night, welcoming the dawn.

Ding~

The court hearing bell atop Star Observation Tower had sounded.

This deep and prolonged sound, spreading throughout the three hundred miles of the Hegemony Country’s massive city, cleared the mind, awakened the spirit, and enlightened the soul.

With it, the grand city of Linyi awoke.

Two samurai, each taking one side, slowly pushed open the enormous doors of Purple Pole Hall.

Because it was still early and not bright enough, the Sun Pearl hanging from the dome of Purple Pole Hall was shedding its bright light.

The majestic hall was exposed to view.

The civil and military officials entered in silence, the lone black spot on the plaza remaining solitary.

Now, the day had gradually begun to brighten.

The world became clearer.

Letting one’s gaze drift lower, focusing further down,

One could see the increasingly distinct figure kneeling on the plaza.

A skinny figure, bare-chested.

Wearing only a single pair of trousers, with long hair scattered, he solemnly knelt outside the Purple Pole Hall on the plaza.