The altar on Profound Yellow Mountain has already been set up. A statue of Xingtian stands over ten zhang tall on the altar.

Below the altar is a gigantic platform made of solid wood. This platform is the arena prepared for the Xingtian Grand Ceremony.

At that time, heroes from all over the world will compete under the watchful gaze of the Xingtian statue, each displaying their abilities.

Zuo Bubei, dressed in a Profound Yellow Monk's Robe, stood on the platform overlooking the mountain. From this position, he could just see a corner of the Celestial Soldier Mansion.

"What are you looking at, Daoist brother?"

Luo Tiangang, dressed in a black-and-white Taoist robe and holding a duster, had white hair and beard, yet his features remained eternally youthful, like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old. His graceful and transcendent demeanor really made him look like an immortal.

Zuo Bubei, with a face full of wrinkles and a dim gaze, appeared like an old monk burning his candle at both ends, seemingly not long for this world. Compared to the immortal-like Luo Tiangang beside him, he looked even older.

Zuo Bubei glanced at Luo Tiangang and said, "Daoist brother, you seem to be getting younger."

Luo Tiangang chuckled heartily, "The body is like the boat for crossing the tribulation; naturally, it needs taking good care of."

"I can sense subtleties from the Celestial Soldier Mansion. It seems someone has become a Martial Saint..."

Zuo Bubei lightly sighed, "It's truly a convergence of storms, and at this moment, yet another Martial Saint appears. It should be that Gao Xuan who has become famed in the Capital City."

He shook his head slightly, "Such a talent at such a young age, his future is boundless."

Luo Tiangang waved his duster and said indifferently, "Never mind one Martial Saint, even with ten more, we will surely win."

Zuo Bubei said, "This young one poses no threat now, but later on, who can say? Let's take this opportunity to eliminate him."

"Alright."

Luo Tiangang responded casually; it was, after all, a trivial matter.

He asked again, "What about Mengtu?"

"Mengtu has obtained the Primordial Spirit Ancestor Divine Staff, achieving the Human Immortal realm. We can't kill him."

Zuo Bubei sighed again, "Mother of Non-Birth is not up to the task, far inferior to Mengtu."

This time, the Path of Non-Birth, Ten Directions Dao, and Taiyi Dao joined forces because the current Emperor, Hong Yi, opposed their propagation, ordering the three paths to retract their influence, pay taxes, and stop spreading beliefs and developing followers privately.

This move cut off the foundation of the three paths, which they absolutely couldn't tolerate.

Zuo Bubei and Luo Tiangang, due to their own fortunes, broke through to the Martial God Realm. They colluded with Meng Country and Yun Country, causing frequent border conflicts.

At the same time, they urged the Emperor to hold the Xingtian Grand Ceremony.

Creating such complexity was actually these two sect leaders' plan to eliminate the Emperor at the Xingtian Grand Ceremony and intimidate the world's heroes.

Secretly killing the Emperor wouldn't suffice; how else could they make the world respect them?

Luo Tiangang asked again, "What about Liu Sheng Wu Jian of Yun Country?"

"He obtained the Sword God Five-Ring Saber from a thousand years ago and also comprehended the Five Rings Technique. If not mistaken, he too has become a Martial God."

Zuo Bubei said, "Yun Country is at the far east, separated by the vast blue sea, posing no real threat. Liu Sheng Wu Jian is very wise and won't act recklessly."

Luo Tiangang couldn't help but sigh as well, "Fate in this world is indeed wondrous; we've become Martial Gods, and both Liu Sheng Wu Jian and Mengtu have also broken through."

"Without such balance, the two countries would have been destroyed long ago."

Zuo Bubei was indifferent, "The rise and fall of dynasties has nothing to do with us. We only need to preserve the sect's legacy and educate our followers..."

"That's true."

Luo Tiangang said, "Dynasties last only a few hundred years, but our sect can continue indefinitely, passing down unbroken..."

As the two spoke, more and more people gathered on Profound Yellow Mountain.

In May, with gentle breeze and bright sunshine, the weather was perfect for hiking and picnicking on the mountain.

Today was also the Xingtian Grand Ceremony, a large-scale celebration not seen in decades. Those with time would surely come to see the commotion.

The Court had deployed heavy troops, so idlers could only stand below the mountain slope and watch from afar. Only those with invitations could enter the altar.

In front of the altar, soon gathered thousands of people. They were all experts from various sects, delegations from different countries, nobles and wealthy tycoons, and so on.

At noon, the Emperor's procession arrived in front of the altar. Naturally, the Emperor's outing was immensely grand.

Banners fluttered ahead as iron cavalry paved the way. The luxurious and grand golden traveling carriage was surrounded by maids holding golden melons and phoenix banners and other ceremonial implements as it moved along.

The long convoy stretched for over ten miles; by the time the Emperor's carriage reached the altar, the end of the convoy was still at the mountain's foot.

The Emperor of Daqian, Hong Yi, era name Xuan Yuan, was merely fifty-five this year. He wore a golden Dragon Crown and a grand yellow Dragon Robe, his visage dignified and his eyes sharp.

At the beginning of Emperor Xuan Yuan's reign, his governance was lenient, and the praises resounded up and down.

But as his authority grew stronger, he found the Six Paths and Eight Sects increasingly intolerable.

Particularly the Ten Directions Dao, Taiyi Dao, and Path of Non-Birth; they deceived their followers and paid no taxes, becoming a complete parasite to the nation.

He must eliminate these national parasites within his lifetime to ensure the Daqian Dynasty's imperial lineage endures perpetually.

Hong Yi also knew this move would inevitably provoke retaliation, and he had prepared for it. Not to mention Sun Shangdao, Qi Donglai, there were also experts within the palace.

Anyone daring to act would be terminated with thunderous force.

Hong Yi alighted from the carriage, with Chief Eunuch Wang Qing following closely at his side.

Seeing Hong Yi step down from the carriage, everyone in front of the altar knelt in succession. It was a respect due to the Venerable Emperor.

Amidst the kneeling crowd, the delegations from Yun Country and Meng Country did not kneel. Luo Tiangang, Zuo Bubei, and Mother of Non-Birth didn't kneel either. The three of them bowed and saluted.

Hong Yi's cold gaze swept over these three people but said nothing. Wang Qing whispered beside him, "These three are getting increasingly arrogant, disrespecting our Lord. By law, they should be executed."

"Let them be insolent for now."

Hong Yi snorted coldly and ascended the high altar under the guidance of the officiating official from the Ministry of Rites.

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