Yu Luocha felt as if she had been electrocuted. She hurriedly took a few steps back and shook her head, "Lin Concubine, you might have mistaken me for someone else. I have been trapped in the barren forests of the eastern region and have never met you before."
"I can testify for her on this point. Luosha has been trapped in the Desolate Forest for dozens of years. She only left with me in the past few months." Qin Shi felt that the atmosphere wasn't right, so he quickly exonerated Yu Luosha.
"Is that so …?"
The Lin Concubine purposely dragged out her voice as her sharp eyes scanned Yu Luocha from top to bottom as if she was looking for a flaw.
However, Yu Luocha quickly regained her usual coldness. She looked at the Lin Concubine with her calm eyes and nodded with a smile. "Yes."
The Lin Concubine furrowed her brows. Since she couldn't find anything, she shook her head in disappointment, "If that's the case, I might have mistaken you for someone else."
At this moment, a few members of the Lin Clan stepped forward and spoke to the Lin Concubine respectfully, "Princess, we're late and have frightened you."
"Don't worry."
The Lin Concubine changed the topic with the help of the Lin Clan, "How is my father?"
"Your Highness, he's doing well. He even asked me to tell you that no matter what happens, the Lin Clan will always support you. He also asked you to take care of yourself when you're outside. Now that the late Emperor Chi Yan has passed away, you can return to the clan if it's convenient."
The one who spoke was the leader of the Lin Clan, Lin Biao. He was a youth around the same age as Qin Shi.
Although he was young, his strength could not be underestimated. He possessed the cultivation of the Three Heavens stage. Even Qin Shi, who believed that he could sweep through the Three Heavens stage, felt a little shocked when he saw this Lin Biao.
The Lin Concubine nodded in satisfaction, "Mm. Once the empire's business is over and Yu 'er ascends the throne, I will return to the Lin Clan to visit him."
"Your Highness, what should we do with this guy?"
Lin Biao raised his hand and threw Zhao Yuanhe onto the ground.
Staring at Zhao Yuanhe, the Lin Concubine's face darkened and said coldly, "Kill him."
"Yes."
Lin Biao was very disciplined. After hearing Lin Concubine's order, he didn't ask another word. He exerted force in his palm and directly shattered Zhao Yuanhe's skull.
With a bang, fresh blood splattered into the forest. Qin Shi curled his lips in annoyance. "Hehe, letting him die so easily is really letting him off easy."
"There's no other way. We have to hurry back to the empire. Bringing him along will delay us. Xiao Chong is a vicious person. Even with the support of two large regions, I'm afraid that Yu 'er will still suffer in her hands." The Lin Concubine was still worried about Lin Yu.
After a moment of silence, Qin Shi agreed with the Qilin Concubine's suggestion. He and Yu Luocha packed up and flew toward the Empire.
Along the way, Qin Shi gradually understood that the Qilin Clan was still very influential outside the Empire. There were a hundred clans outside the Scarlet Flame Empire. Every single one of them had a foundation of a thousand years. The Qilin Clan was ranked third among them. From this, one could tell how powerful the Qilin Clan was. Especially the old patriarch of the Qilin Clan. It was said that he had already broken through to the Five Heavens Realm.
With such strength, would the Scarlet Flame Empire also want to marry him?
Of course, among the hundred clans, there was an iron rule. They didn't worship power. They only worshipped supreme strength. Their social status was very clear. This was also the reason why Lin Biao was very respectful to the Lin Concubine.
…
Crimson Flame Empire, Imperial City.
Today was the day of the Empire's election.
In the imperial court, the relatives of the Emperor, the civil and military officials, as well as the various clans and the overlords of the East, West, South, and West regions were all gathered here. There were more than a hundred people.
These hundred people could be roughly divided into two groups. One group was the Guanlong Clan led by Xiao Chong, the West region's Qing Luan Sect, and the South region's Laoshan Sect.
The other group was undoubtedly Lin Yu and the Profound Hall's Qin Zong.
There was a huge disparity between the numbers of these two groups. Since ordinary disciples weren't allowed to enter on the day of the election, Lin Yu only had Ling Xiao and Hua Ling by his side. The other hundred people were all on Xiao Chong's side.
Beside Xiao Chong was an extremely resolute young man. This young man had long purple hair and wore a golden embroidered dragon robe. He stood with his hands behind his back, giving off an indescribable sense of prestige.
This young man was Fang Heng.
Under the solemn atmosphere, Xiao Chong opened his mouth. "I think everyone knows the purpose of today's event. Since everyone is here, I'll skip the formalities. It's been several months since the previous Emperor passed away. As the saying goes, a country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. The birth of a new Emperor is imminent, so let's elect him today.
"As for the election method, I think everyone is clear about it. For thousands of years, the empire has been supported by the four regions. If it weren't for the four regions' hegemons, the empire would have long been conquered by the surrounding barbarians. The four regions' hegemons have made irreplaceable contributions to the empire, so I'll leave the right to elect the new king to the four of you."
At this point, Xiao Chong's gaze turned to Hua Ling, Ling Xiao, Mu Xin, and the Laoshan Sect's Sect Master, Wu Yu.
Mu Xin and Wu Yu naturally didn't need to say much. As soon as Xiao Chong finished speaking, the two of them immediately flattered. "Empress Xiao Chong is too polite. It's our honor to serve the Empire."
Xiao Chong nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, let's begin?"
"Hehe, isn't it a little inappropriate to start like this?"
And at this moment, Lin Yu suddenly stepped forward. Facing the hundreds of civil and military officials, he still revealed a calm expression and said, "For such a big matter, we should at least wait for my mother to return before we start. Furthermore, the Qin Sect's sect leader has yet to arrive. Although this Senior Ling Xiao has the right to speak on behalf of the Qin Sect, just like what Empress Xiao Chong said earlier, the hegemons of the four great regions have made great contributions to the empire. Out of courtesy, we should wait for his return.
Xiao Chong frowned, but she didn't say anything. She knew that such a matter wasn't suitable for her to say. There would naturally be someone else to replace her.
As expected, Mu Xin coldly said, "Then what if he still doesn't come?
Are we just going to wait like idiots? "
"Of course not. Just now, Empress Xiao Chong also said that the election of the new Emperor is imminent. How can we continue to delay it? However, whether we wait or not is a matter for the two of us."
Lin Yu's words were watertight. Hua Ling, who was at the side, couldn't help but sigh in admiration. After pausing for a moment, he then said, "Three days, let's wait for three days. After three days, regardless of whether the Qin Sect's Sect Leader arrives or not, the election of the new Emperor must be carried out. This way, we can be considered to have done our best. At that time, even if he has some complaints, he won't be able to blame us, right?"
Hearing this, many people revealed looks of displeasure.
Mu Xin unwillingly said, "No, the election of the new Emperor is an important matter of the Empire. How can we treat it as a game and delay it just like that?
Besides, it's Qin Shi who doesn't abide by the time. Why should we wait for him? "
"Heh, those words of yours are really ironic."
This time, before Lin Yu could speak, Hua Ling directly sneered, "According to what you said, all of you are people who abide by the rules?"
"Of course!" Mu Xin said confidently.
Hua Ling grinned and said charmingly, "Great. In that case, when the late Emperor was still alive, he made Lin Yu the Crown Prince. After the late Emperor passed away, the throne should be Lin Yu. What about the election of the new Emperor? All of you just have to follow it."
"You …!" Mu Xin's expression changed.
Tan?
Lun Ying?
Shock case??
"Enough!"
Xiao Chong couldn't help it at this moment. Hua Ling was obviously trying to incite people. He quickly interrupted, "Yu 'er is right. The election of the new Emperor will be delayed for three days."
Wu Yu's eyes turned cold and he said coldly, "Heh, we'll wait. It's best if Qin Shi comes back. I have some grudges with him. I won't let anyone who dares to hurt my Laoshan Sect's disciple off!"
"Hehe, is that so?"
Hua Ling spoke again and chuckled, "In that case, my Xuan Hall also killed a few of your Laoshan Sect's disciples???
Sending the Emperor to fight in a hurry?
Wild.
Handsome.
"I … You!" Wu Yu opened his mouth and his eyes suddenly turned red, "Hua Ling, don't go too far!
Even if you have the Four Heavens Realm, my Laoshan Sect might not be afraid of you! "
Hua Ling didn't care. Her personality was like this. She was fearless and said, "No one said you're afraid of me. Why are you so nervous? You said you want to find the person who killed your Laoshan Sect's disciple to settle the score. I'm just telling the truth. If you want to settle the score, I welcome you anytime. Why don't we do it now?
With so many people here as witnesses, I'll let you have three moves first. "
This was a blatant humiliation. It was a slap to Wu Yu's face in front of all the influential people in the Red Flame Empire.
Wu Yu was immediately infuriated, "Fine, I've long heard that the Xuan Hall Master is extraordinary. Today, I, Wu Yu, will experience it for myself!"
Boom!
With that, an oppressive aura of three heavens spread from the imperial court.
Once Wu Yu was angry, the surrounding people immediately took a few steps back. Only Hua Ling sneered indifferently. She pressed her jade-like hands together and the spiritual pressure formed an indestructible barrier.
Rumble!
The power of the Four Heavens Realm caused the facilities in the court to tremble. This time, Fang Heng Ming showed some displeasure, but just as he was about to stop Xiao Chong, Xiao Chong stopped him and said, "Don't rush, let Wu Yu test Hua Ling's skills first. Right now, in the Crimson Flame Empire, the only person who can compete with you is Hua Ling. Watch carefully, it will be good for you."
Xiao Chong said. Fang Heng frowned and didn't say anything more. He stared at Hua Ling fiercely, wanting to control her cultivation, but he was disappointed again.
Wu Yu's strength at the peak of three heavens was indeed outstanding in the Red Flame Empire, but it wasn't worth Hua Ling using her full strength.
Peng!
Hua Ling kept dodging like a ghost, not giving Wu Yu any chance to get close to her. After the first move, Hua Ling opened up a distance of 100 meters from Wu Yu. When Wu Yu got close to her for the second move, Hua Ling had already leaped into the air like a butterfly, causing Wu Yu's violent spirit pressure to sweep up the black tortoises in the sky. With one palm, she opened up a huge hole in the wall of the court.
After two moves, Wu Yu couldn't even touch Hua Ling's clothes. This inevitably hurt his self-esteem. He raised his head and said angrily, "Hua Ling, you're courting death! Mountain Gate Broken Axe!"
Buzz!
Indifferently, a manic light shot into the sky like a cannonball. The intense light dimmed the lights in the imperial court. Shortly after, the light gathered and formed a mountain that was 1,000 feet tall. A giant axe suddenly gathered under Wu Yu's arms and fiercely chopped down.
"This is … the inherited martial art of the Laoshan Sect?" Many people became serious and opened up a barrier in front of them.
Peng!
The giant axe broke through the mountain, and the spiritual pressure gathered into 100 rays of sword energy. The sword energy rotated around the tip of the giant axe, and the ground under the imperial court cracked into countless spider webs.
"Is that all you have?"
However, at this critical moment, Hua Ling remained calm and composed. Her seemingly soft and powerless hand gently gripped the giant axe.
Kacha!
The moment her hand grabbed the blade of the giant axe, a clear and inexplicable sound rang out. The giant axe that could split open a mountain was actually frozen in the air?
Everyone was stunned by this scene.
Whether it was Xiao Chong or Fang Heng, they couldn't help but widen their eyes. Hua Ling's move was far beyond their imagination. The number of people present that could block the broken axe was definitely less than five, and no one could come out unscathed. Even Fang Heng had to admit that he couldn't do it.