In the imperial court, no one had expected that Hua Ling would be so powerful that he could toy with Wu Yu, who was at the peak of the Three Heavens Realm, in the palm of his hand.
Most importantly, everyone could see that when Wu Yu used the Mountain Gate Broken Axe, Hua Ling's face was calm and composed. She did not use her full strength at all.
"Break!"
After three moves, Hua Ling clenched her jade-like fingers. A scarlet dress streaked across the sky and appeared before Wu Yu.
She was about an inch above Wu Yu, giving off a feeling of contempt. She stretched out her fingers and starlight opened and closed.
Bang!
Wu Yu was hit and his body trembled. In the next moment, he was sent flying hundreds of meters away and crashed into the wall of the imperial court. Even the defensive array created by a skilled craftsman was shattered.
"Haha, the Laoshan Sect's Sect Master is only so capable."
Hua Ling smiled mockingly. Since she had made her move, she would definitely not let Wu Yu go. After the first attack, she ambushed him again. Her jade-like hand was like a devil's claw. A sky full of purple flowers bloomed on her fingertips. She grabbed at Wu Yu's head.
Hua Ling's killing intent made Fang Heng's heart sink. Xiao Chong's face also turned pale. She shouted, "Save him. You can't let Wu Yu die. Otherwise, you will lose the support of the Laoshan Sect in the upcoming king election. You will be in a disadvantageous position."
Fang Heng knew this even without Xiao Chong saying it. He gritted his teeth and rushed between Hua Ling and Wu Yu. His hands opened a barrier that looked like an Eight Trigrams from his chest.
Boom!
Hua Ling was like a poisonous snake that directly hit the Eight Trigrams. Two extremely fierce spiritual powers rose into the sky and the remaining power directly cut a bottomless ravine where the two of them met.
Boom!
At that moment, Fang Heng's face darkened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. He had just broken through to the Four Heavens realm, and there was still an insurmountable gap between him and Hua Ling. However, he had a backbone, and he forced himself not to spit out blood. Subconsciously, he took half a step back and said, "Hall Master Hua Ling, Sect Leader Wu Yu has already been defeated. Why can't you let him go?"
"Hehe, what a joke. If I was the one who lost now, or the Qin Sect's sect leader, would he let us off?" Hua Ling's voice was extremely cold. He didn't respect Fang Heng at all.
Fang Heng's eyes were filled with coldness, but he did not dare to act rashly. He forced a smile and said, "Hall Master Spirit Flower, no matter what, this is the Imperial Palace. As the saying goes, even if you don't care about the Buddha, you should at least care about the monks. Why don't you do me a favor and let Sect Leader Wu Yu go?"
"Give you some face?"
Hua Ling snorted mockingly. "This is indeed the Imperial Palace, but logically speaking, Lin Yu is the Crown Prince. He is the master of the Imperial Palace. Even if I have to do you a favor, I will do it to him. What does it have to do with you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the imperial court all changed.
Xiao Chong's beautiful eyes narrowed. The meaning of Hua Ling's words was clear. Now, as long as Lin Yu spoke, she would immediately stop. But this also meant that they had acknowledged Lin Yu's status in the Imperial Palace.
This move could not be said to be unbelievably brilliant.
Fang Heng was so angry that his entire body was trembling, and he couldn't say a single word.
This stalemate lasted for roughly half a minute. During this half a minute, the entire imperial hall was deathly silent. It wasn't an exaggeration at all. At this moment, if a needle were to drop on the ground, it would cause a huge commotion.
Half a minute later, Lin Yu lightly smiled. He stepped forward and said, "Hall Master Spirit Flower, since you have spoken, as the master of the Imperial Palace, I naturally can't hide behind your back. The Laoshan Sect has contributed greatly to the Empire for the past thousand years. For my sake, please spare him."
"You!"
Lin Yu's words seemed to be pleading, but it was a harsh slap to Fang Heng's face. Fang Heng was instantly enraged and took a step forward.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he took a step forward, Hua Ling directly approached and grabbed Wu Yu's neck. A purple vine with thorns coiled around Wu Yu's body. "Why? Your Highness Fang Heng, do you think that what the Crown Prince Lin Yu said is wrong? Shouldn't you plead for Wu Yu?
In that case, I can make the decision for you and help you kill Wu Yu. Although the authority of the Crown Prince can't be challenged, everyone here knows that I, Hua Ling from the Xuan Hall, have always been doing things my own way. The Empire doesn't restrict me. "
Fang Heng froze on the spot before he could even stabilize his footsteps. He turned around and stared at Hua Ling with anger.
The authority of the Crown Prince can't be challenged? Hua Ling's words were clearly meant for him to understand that Hua Ling wasn't afraid of the Empire.
"Your Highness Fang Heng, say something. Do you want this person dead or alive?"
Hua Ling smiled again. Her hand was as fair as jade as she gently placed it on Wu Yu's neck. However, no one doubted that this hand, which was like a sugar cane that could be broken with a gentle pinch, could take Wu Yu's life at any time.
Fang Heng nodded his head fiercely. "Good, good, good. I, Fang Heng, admit defeat today. I hope that Hall Master Hua Ling will show mercy and let the Laoshan Sect Master live."
"Is that so? Sure, sure."
Hua Ling smiled with satisfaction. She waved her hand in front of her chest and put the strange vine that was coiled around Wu Yu into her sleeve.
At this moment, the tense atmosphere in the court gradually dissipated. Many civil and military officials heaved a sigh of relief.
In this short period of time, many people's palms were covered in cold sweat. Everyone's mind was shaken, and they looked at Hua Ling. Hua Ling's cultivation was too terrifying. His title as the number one cultivator of Crimson Flame Sect was not undeserved.
Feeling the change in the atmosphere, Xiao Chong's beautiful eyes turned cold. She knew that she couldn't delay any longer. Otherwise, people's hearts would be disturbed. She hurriedly said, "In that case, everyone is dismissed. We will meet here in three days to elect a new king."
After Xiao Chong spoke, the civil and military officials left one after another. Lin Yu and Hua Ling didn't waste any time. Hua Ling walked to Lin Yu's side and gave Lin Yu a thumbs up. She said with satisfaction, "Haha, little guy, you're pretty smart.
Your performance just now wasn't bad. I have high hopes for you. "
"This is all thanks to Hall Master Hua Ling."
Lin Yu smiled awkwardly. In fact, he knew that Hua Ling didn't want to kill Wu Yu. She only did this to give him a chance to win people's hearts.
After the few people left, Xiao Chong's face immediately turned pale. When Fang Heng came to her side, she stared at him and said, "What did you learn from your fight with Hua Ling?"
"Very strong!"
Fang Heng only said two words, but it was enough to explain everything.
"If you fight with her in three days, what do you think your chances of winning are?" Xiao Chong clenched her jade-like hand and asked.
After a moment of silence, Fang Heng shook his head: "No, not even a tenth of a chance. When I fought with her just now, she did not use her full strength at all. If I am not wrong, this Hua Ling might have already touched the Thunder Tribulation Seal of the Five Heaven Realm."
"Five Heavens Thunder Seal?"
Even though Xiao Chong knew it, she still couldn't help but gasp when she heard it from her son. She clenched the corner of her clothes and said coldly, "It seems like I'll have to ask him to show up in the end."
With that, an unconcealable coldness flashed across her beautiful eyes, "Lin Concubine, you forced me to do this. Don't blame me for being ruthless. It's time for the Empire to be reorganized."
…
The stars moved.
On the other side, in the dense forest outside the Empire, almost a hundred phantoms flew past at lightning speed.
This group of people was Qin Shi, Lin Concubine, and the others.
On the way here, Qin Shi's speed was moderate as he was looking for the Lin Concubine. However, it was different now. With full speed, the few of them returned to the Imperial Capital in less than two days.
When they entered the Imperial Capital, dusk had just fallen.
When they passed by the guards of the Imperial Capital, they asked around and found out that the election for the new Emperor had been delayed. Hearing this, Qin Shi couldn't help but smile, "Haha, it seems like we're not too late. We can still join in the fun."
"Yes, but we can't let our guard down. Right now, the votes in the four regions are two to two. Xiao Chong knows this better than us. She must have some other plans." Lin Concubine was still worried about Lin Yu and said.
"It's fine. No matter how big of a wave she can make, I said that my brother, Qin Shi, will become an Emperor. He will definitely become an Emperor. No one can stop him."
A domineering aura rose from the corner of Qin Shi's mouth, causing the surrounding air to condense. "It's good to let others know that the words of Qin Sect's Sect Leader are true to his word. They aren't baseless."
After this action, many members of the Lin Clan, including Lin Biao, couldn't help but look at Qin Shi in shock. Lin Concubine was also shocked by Qin Shi. After these few days of interaction, she felt that Qin Shi was not ordinary.
"It's Yu 'er's honor to have a brother like you."
Finally, Lin Concubine smiled gratefully. After a moment of silence, she said, "Since you're back, tomorrow is the election day. Don't return to the palace today. I have a residence in the Imperial Capital. Stay there for the night and return to the palace tomorrow morning."
Qin Shi nodded. He understood what Lin Concubine meant. Lin Concubine didn't want the Lin Clan to expose themselves too early. After all, in this dog-eat-dog continent, who wouldn't want to leave a trump card for themselves?
Perhaps this move would become his last life-saving straw.
Furthermore, Qin Shi also had some matters that needed to be settled before tomorrow. This way, he would have more confidence in the final battle.
As soon as the few of them returned to Lin Concubine's residence, Qin Shi went into seclusion alone. With Yu Luocha guarding him, he could rest assured.
Until the next morning.
The first rays of the morning sun shone from the east. Like golden scales, they shone on the corner of the table through the window. Qin Shi opened his eyes indifferently.
The moment he opened his eyes, an indescribable halo spread out in all directions with him as the center. If anyone saw the scene in the room, they would immediately reveal a horrified expression.
The room that was still luxuriously decorated last night was now completely barren. The tables and chairs made from thousand-year-old sandalwood had now turned into yellow, rotten wood. The water on the ground seemed to have been sucked dry, turning into fine sand.