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Chapter 672: Utterly Heartless

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Ling Jian unleashed his movement techniques and his body seemed to be floating above the surface of the ground laterally as he carefully searched for the special tracking smell. This was something that Li Xue had come up with and it could be mixed with an individual's blood or smeared on an individual's clothes. It was colorless without smell and difficult to detect. But if the chaser applied a special medicinal powder on his nose, this odorless smell would then be extremely distinct even from a thousand miles away.

It would be extremely pungent!

After wiping the special medicinal powder on his nose, he could immediately detect the trail of the nine individuals. It was as though he was following a garbage man with a leaking garbage truck.

It can be imagined just how smelly the entire journey was!

Ling Jian felt as though he was walking in a large pool of shit. At the same time, he cursed Li Xue in his heart many times over. She was indeed a demoness and even the medicine that she created was so disgusting. However, he did indeed have to admit that this medicine did indeed have a mystical effect when it came to tracking someone. It was just… too smelly!

What Ling Jian did not know was that the 'medicinal powder' that he smeared on his nose was the feces of scorpions. It was also the only medicinal powder that was extremely pungent and was made especially for him. The powder that Ling Chi and the others smeared on their nose had a faint fragrant smell. Turning that faint fragrance into something so pungent required ten times the effort!

In order to accomplish this, Li Xue had put in a great deal of effort. She initially intended to let Ling Tian enjoy such a treatment but never expected that Ling Tian would slack off today… As such, she could only let Ling Jian enjoy such a privilege.

Ling Chi and the others naturally did not know about this. They only felt as though it was currently spring with the fragrance of flowers all around them. Tracking down the enemy suddenly seemed like a joyous event and they no longer felt any fatigue.

As compared to the other assassins who were searching for a 'fragrant beauty', the number one assassin in the world, Ling Jian, was searching for a stinky old man!

A short while after he gave chase, Ling Jian could clearly detect three pungent smells returning along the same road after making a round. This also meant that there were six others who were still out. All the assassins were pursuing the Yu Family members carefully. At this moment, the six had already left the city and went towards the east and south.

After a short distance, another three individuals made a large round before returning to Sky Bearing City. There were only three left.

Following that, after another 30 miles, the six assassins gathered together. At this moment, there were only two Yu Family members left. Furthermore, they were proceeding down the same path.

At this moment, Ling Jian's appearance was extremely miserable and he was already panting heavily from the odor of the tracking powder. Even with his perseverance, there were many times where he almost couldn't stop himself from puking. Looking at the other five assassins with a look of comfort on their faces as they took in deep breaths as though they were enjoying the scent, Ling Jian was extremely puzzled!

Why didn't I know that these brats have a fetish for something so stinky? What is going on?

Before Ling Jian could even ask anything, Ling Chi already felt that something was wrong. It was just far too obvious. The five of them seemed to be enjoying themselves greatly but Ling Jian looked as though he had just eaten a full bucket of shit!

"Brother Jian, is there anything wrong? Why is your face so ugly? Were you too hasty in your cultivation and your qi deviated to the wrong meridian?" Ling Chi asked with worry.

"Isn't it all because of this tracking powder!" Ling Jian cursed in frustration, "It is just far too smelly and unbearable!"

"Ah? Smelly? Unbearable?" Ling Chi gasped in shock, "How is this possible! Brother Jian, is there anything wrong with your nose?!"

However, after he tried the medicinal powder that Ling Jian used, Ling Chi was also thoroughly disgusted. He hurriedly took in deep breaths of his own fragrant powder to clear his nose of the pungent and unpleasant smell. The two extremes were far too frightening! Thinking about how Ling Jian had given chase all the way out of the city by following such a smell, Ling Chi looked at Ling Jian with a look of worship. "Brother Jian, I truly admire how you were able to be so persistent in the face of this unbearable stench! You are truly far too amazing! Ling Chi is full of admiration…"

Ling Jian almost fainted from anger.

He then used the fastest possible speed which he could muster to exchange the tracking powder for the one that Ling Chi and the rest were using. Only then did he fully understand the misery which he had just gone through. It was akin to the difference between heaven and hell! From the stench to the fragrance, it was like going from hell to heaven!

However…

Ling Jian's face was no longer bitter but thoroughly darkened. At the same time, killing intent gushed out from his body and Ling Chi was frightened silly without daring to open his mouth. At this moment, the person who opened his mouth would definitely be seeking trouble!

The path was dark and there seemed to be a small village before them. This village would not house more than 200 families and would have a population of 600 at the very most. Such a small village wasn't a rare sight around Sky Bearing City.

As the two Yu Family members arrived here, their figures disappeared and the faint fragrance was all over the city.

The entire surrounding was pitch black and Ling Jian could instinctively feel that something was wrong. Lifting his hand up, all six of them stopped giving chase.

On top of a small hill, Ling Jian thought to himself carefully. Why would this village give him such an odd feeling?

"It is too quiet!" Ling Chi said softly and pointed out the greatest oddity.

"After the two of them went in, there isn't even the sound of dogs barking!"

"Not a single animal sound could be heard."

"This village does not even have a single person snoring!"

All of the doubtful points were raised and the six of them looked at each other. Even with their experience, they could not help but have goosebumps! The village before them was far too strange! Just what kind of a village was this?! Why would there be such a deathly aura around it?!

"Brother Jian, based on our experience, there is only a single possibility." Flames of rage could be seen in Ling Chi's eyes as he came to a conclusion.

"Everyone is dead?" Ling Jian said softly. He also understood that this was the only reasonable explanation or such a scene.

"That's not all." Ling Chi grit his teeth and his eyes gleamed coldly. "Breathing can still be heard in the village and there is a faint layer of fog in the night sky. Such a scene can only appear if there are humans present. Furthermore, the village must be densely populated. Based on my estimates, not only are all the villagers dead, there are troops disguised as villagers living within this village."

"Furthermore, all of these troops are extremely well disciplined and definitely do not belong to an ordinary army. They are probably members of Above Heavens or the Yu Family!" Ling Jian nodded his head slowly, "This village is probably their little nest!"

"Massacring an entire village and not leaving behind even the animals!" Ling Chi said with a heavy tone, "They then seized the houses of others for themselves and did not even spare the young or old! How vicious!"

"But after killing so many people, there should be a dense smell of blood in the air." Ling Feng asked, "However, the surrounding area obviously does not have any bloody smell. How do you explain this?!"

"Time." Ling Jian spat out coldly and rage could be seen in all of their eyes.

Annihilating an entire clan was something that any one of these six individuals had done before. However, all of those they killed deserved to die! None of them had massacred an entire village of innocent villagers before!

Such an action was no different from being beasts!

"Since the entire village is our enemy, we would be too big a target if all of us enter." Ling Jian said softly, "All of you wait here for me and I will go in alone. Let me find out more before making further plans."

"Be careful brother Jian." Ling Chi and the others had no objections. Be it cultivation or movement techniques, Ling Jian was naturally the most superior and naturally the most suitable candidate!

Ling Jian's figure slid out and his shot forward like a bolt of lightning. After a couple of breaths, he was already at the outermost wall of the village. He then climbed up the wall like a lizard and the moment his head was above the wall, he slid down the wall like a snake without bones. He then infiltrated the village and followed the two faint sense of fragrance.

On top of an ordinary looking brick house, Ling Jian stopped and retracted all of his aura. At the same time, he extended his senses to the biggest possible range.

Nothing can go wrong at this moment!

After four powerful divine senses swept past his body, Ling Jian could not help but be startled! Their defenses were so tight! It was already close to daybreak but the people inside still kept their guard up so high!

The sound of soft chattering could be heard, "… the preparations are about to be completed. Rest assured…"

"… the faster the better! The time is arriving and nothing can go wrong."

"All of the herbs have been prepared and we are only waiting for them to be delivered. At that time, we just have to see the wind direction."

"Mmm, that's the best. We can begin our operation and we should cease contact for the time being. We only need to move according to the plan when the time comes."

"Do you need me to send you a couple of hands?"

"You do not need to worry about this. Just accomplish your own task well!"

…

As the conversation in the room finished, the sound of a rooster crowing could be heard and the east seemed to be getting brighter.

Two black figures drifted out from the room without anyone sending them out. A short while later, a couple of figures appeared from all directions. After looking around to make sure that nothing was wrong, they disappeared back into the darkness.

Ling Jian's figure disappeared like a gust of wind.

The next day, Ling Family Courtyard.

Ling Jian who had not slept for the entire night stood in front of Ling Tian brimming with energy.

Ling Tian's slender finger rapped on the table as he looked as though he was in deep thought, "Ling Jian, the entire village is filled with our enemies? There are many experts? Is this information accurate?!"

"I will not be wrong for sure! There are 500 people in the village at the very least and no less than 20 XianTian level experts. Furthermore, there are four top-notch experts at the very least." Ling Jian said solemnly.

"Mmm, you heard them mention something about herbs?" Ling Tian asked with a frown.

"Yes! In large quantities!"

"Alright, immediately arrange for manpower to spy on the village. Report to me the moment something is transported into the village." Ling Tian said softly with his eyes brimming with killing intent.

"Yes! Young noble, what about the manpower?" Ling Jian asked.

"At that time, me you, Ling Chen and Li Xue shall take action together! Ling Chi and the fifty of them shall all participate in this mission! Not a single person shall be allowed to escape!" Ling Tian's palm sliced down like a blade.

"Killing innocent villagers and massacring the young and old are actions not tolerated by the heavens!" Ling Tian stood up with his face solemn, "Those who kill shall be killed! Make sure to capture them alive and after burying the corpses of the villagers, we shall perform a living sacrifice with these culprits!"

"This matter must be carried out in secret and the members of the Yu Family in the city cannot find out about it!"

"Yes!"

Chapter 673: Rebuke in the Face

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

It was a starless night.

A shrill eagle's cry could be heard in the sky!

A black bolt of lightning swooshed down and as Ling Tian stretched out his arm, a black eagle with talons like metal landed on Ling Tian's arms. This was the eagle that Ling Tian had trained since it was young and it was used to send messages. This eagle before him was different from his ordinary messenger falcons. It was extremely intelligent and its speed was twice that of an ordinary falcon.

The eagle's little beak pecked Ling Tian's shirt in a friendly and loving manner.

A couple of years ago, Ling Tian went hunting in the mountains and found an eagle's nest with nine eggs inside. Being unable to find the parent eagle, Ling Tian guessed that the parent eagle must have been killed by the other hunters and thus he brought the eagle eggs back and tried to get a mother hen to incubate these eggs. Who would have thought that he would actually succeed and nine baby eagles were born? These nine eagles were now the trump card of Ling Tian's intelligence fleet.

Even up to now, Ling Jian and the others were still joking about an eagle flying out from a hen's nest. After Li Xue found out about this incident, she naturally mocked and criticized Ling Jian badly for it.

Only Ling Tian and Li Xue who came from the present day would know that apart from the mother eagle, the second-best alternative would be a mother hen. Even a phoenix would probably not be as effective as a mother hen! There were many scientific principles behind this and it was naturally too difficult for them to explain the matter. Even Ling Tian and Li Xue weren't completely sure of the scientific principal themselves, not to mention attempting to explain it to someone else!

Ling Tian smiled and stroked the feathers of the eagle. The eagle raised its head proudly as it let out a few cries. Ling Tian then untied a piece of paper from the leg of the eagle and unrolled it. Upon reading the note, Ling Tian's expression changed and he turned around. "Inform Ling Jian to gather all the appointed members. Prepare to leave!"

Ling Chen who was standing behind Ling Tian silently acknowledged the order.

Li Xue asked lazily, "Are they from the Yu Family or Above Heavens?"

Ling Tian shook his arm slightly and the eagle shot into the sky with a shrill.

Ling Tian then turned to look at Li Xue with a smile, "Surprisingly, they belong to both families."

Li Xue let out a sigh, "My heart is too soft and I really do not wish to kill them. Why do they have to force me to kill them? Could it be that they truly do not wish to remain alive? Why do they always have to make the kindhearted me kill?"

"Is it not so? Miss Li Xue is the most kindhearted person in the world!" Ling Tian played along and displayed a look of grief. "It is truly too much for them to force the kindhearted Miss Li Xue as such!"

"Why are your words so full of sarcasm? Is this miss not kindhearted?!" Li Xue glared at Ling Tian.

Ling Tian hurriedly replied, "Of course not. Everyone knows that Miss Li Xue's heart is the kindest and she is almost as kindhearted as Buddha himself!" After being tricked by Miss Li Xue again, how would Ling Tian dare to go against her? He would naturally agree with everything that Li Xue said!

"That's more like it. However, all of these people are also too foolish. Isn't it just surrendering? They only need to kneel on the ground and kowtow a few times in order to save their lives. Why can't they understand that?" Li Xue frowned and continued her act.

"The Buddha is merciful." Ling Tian lowered his head and chanted solemnly.

Li Xue finally could not hold her laughter back in and burst out into chuckles. As she rolled her eyes at Ling Tian, Ling Tian was entranced by her beauty and could not help but be tempted in his heart. "Beauty, are you ready?"

"I am always ready! What do you mean by whether or not I am ready?" Li Xue asked doubtfully before seeming as though she was enlightened. "Isn't it just killing a few scum? Do I really have to get ready to deal with them?"

Ling Tian stammered for a moment before chuckling, "I am asking, are you ready for something else?"

"Almost ready. Eh? How did you know?" Li Xue answered instinctively before looking at Ling Tian with her eyes widened. I prepared this matter in secret and was about to give him a surprise. How does he know about it?

"Err?" It was Ling Tian's turn to be puzzled as he rubbed his head, "I know about what? Do you have something else you are hiding from me? What is it!"

"Then why did you ask me if you are ready? Don't tell me you don't know?" Li Xue asked with doubt.

"Err… I am saying, if you are ready, I shall go to your room to spend the night!" Ling Tian laughed like a lecher. "How about that?"

"You! You… go and die!" Li Xue's face flushed red and she grabbed a piece of flesh on Ling Tian's arm. She then formed the shape of scissors with her fingers and threatened, "If you dare to come, I shall snip it off! You can try it if you don't believe me!"

Ling Tian immediately felt his back turning cold as he felt a gust of cold air blow past his thighs, "No no no, I wouldn't dare."

"I also think that you wouldn't dare!" Li Xue snorted. But for some reason, she also felt an uncomfortable feeling in her heart when she heard that Ling Tian did not dare.

Noticing Li Xue's emotions, Ling Tian suddenly said boldly as though he was ready to sacrifice his life in battle, "Who says that I don't dare to? Hmph hmph, just wait! This young noble shall see who comes out on top!"

Li Xue's face turned red and she grunted before falling silent. She suddenly felt as though her whole body was burning up. As an individual who cultivated the Divine Ice Formula, this was an extremely rare phenomenon.

In order to cover up her embarrassment, Li Xue asked, "How do you intend to deal with all of them after this incident?"

Ling Tian replied indifferently, "They massacred countless innocent villagers without even sparing the animals. Such an action cannot be tolerated by the heavens! I naturally do not plan to leave anyone alive! I shall kill them all as living sacrifices to the dead!"

"Kill them all as living sacrifices?" Li Xue asked and she forgot about her previous embarrassment, "Are you just going to kill them so easily? Don't you have any other special means?"

Ling Tian was taken aback and he looked at Li Xue, "What do you mean?"

Li Xue let out a sigh and said, "Young noble Ling. You are going to be the ruler of the world in the future, how can you not understand such a simple logic? You could naturally do as you wanted in the past without thinking of anything else. However, the war for hegemony is about to come to an end soon. After wiping out Above Heavens and fighting a final battle with the Yu Family, the entire world will be in your hands. Why are you still acting so recklessly based on your own personal whims?"

Ling Tian took a couple of steps forward and asked, "You want me to use this incident to deal a blow to Yu ManLou?"

"Not just Yu ManLou." Li Xue said with a tinge of exasperation, "You should be considering the will of the commoners at this moment! For the Yu Family to perform such an act that cannot be tolerated by the heavens, wouldn't it be a waste to just settle for killing them? You will be helping the Yu Family to silence all of the culprits! You should catch them all alive and announce this matter to the public during the ceremony! At that time, whether or not you want to behead them or skin them alive will be up to you. While the outcome will still be their deaths, we would be able to make use of this incident to deal a blow to Yu ManLou and incite the rage and compassion of the commoners. We would also be able to display how our Divine Prefecture Empire cared dearly for the commoners and will punish any lawbreakers with thunderous methods. The benefits from this would be far greater than just killing a couple of fellows. Not to mention the fact that these experts are from the Yu Family. Even if they weren't, you must blame the matter on the Yu Family! Your political sense is just too greatly lacking!"

"While it wouldn't be auspicious to kill during the ceremony, this is only one way of putting it. Another way of putting it would be to use the blood of our enemies as a sacrifice for the flag of our Divine Prefecture Empire! This would also serve the purpose of exciting the public! With war imminent, no one would question our behavior for sure! Besides, with your dictatorial personality, I don't think anyone will dare to say anything!"

"It is best for you to spread this matter out and create as large of a commotion as possible! At that time, the Yu Family will lose the heart of the commoners and when battle breaks out, our Divine Prefecture Empire will be far superior to the Yu Family when comparing the foundation in the commoners. We can then declare to the world that Yu ManLou is cultivating an evil martial art right before the battle and announce that we are seeking justice for the world. At that time, while it would still be a war between two empires, Yu ManLou would be the evil entity of the world. Together with this matter in the background, the Divine Prefecture Empire would naturally be on the righteous side! Such a benefit is something that you should probably understand."

"Furthermore, another benefit of revealing Yu ManLou's evil martial art would be to force Beyond Heavens who always claim that they are the protectors of the world to stand on our side. With the aid of Beyond Heavens and the Heaven Splitter in your hands, you can come up with any story you like! Uniting the world would be something that you can look forward to! If you continue to kill and fight as you wish, when will the war come to an end? The outcome may be the mutual destruction of both empires only to benefit a third party! How foolish!"

Ling Tian was greatly enlightened by Li Xue reprimanding him. "Right right right, Xue'er is extremely right. I am truly too foolish! Your plan is truly wonderful!" He then took a step forward and grabbed Li Xue's hands and said while stroking them, "Gaining such a lover is akin to gaining a brilliant strategist to aid me in my conquest! If I am able to unite the world and win the war of hegemony, my lover would definitely have the biggest merit. For a man to gain such a wife, what else do I have to ask for in life?"

Ling Tian muttered nonsense while trying to take advantage of Li Xue.

Li Xue initially thought that Ling Tian was truly moved by her words. However, upon seeing Ling Tian grab her hands like a lecher, she could not help but fly into a rage and snatch her hands out from the devil's grasp. "Didn't you think of all this already? You are intentionally making me say it. Are you using me for your amusement again?"

"Errr… of course not. I do not have the foresight and wisdom of my dear Xue'er." Ling Tian immediately replied. He truly wasn't faking it this time. While he had a vague idea of all this in his heart, since he had already given the order to have them all killed as living sacrifices, he did not think about it any further. Li Xue did indeed remind him of something extremely important.

"Then you…" Li Xue glared at Ling Tian angrily. She originally wanted to come up with a good idea hoping that Ling Tian would feel as though he was enlightened so that she could feel a sense of accomplishment. However, she never thought that Ling Tian's reaction would be to take advantage of her instead.

Somethings not right, Li Xue suddenly thought to herself. Since she could think about it, Ling Tian should have been able to think about it with his wisdom. But why didn't he make such a decision? Why was he still fooling around after she mentioned it?

There was only a single reason. Ling Tian wasn't willing to do so!

Li Xue's face turned solemn and she looked at Ling Tian with sharp eyes. "Ling Tian, are you still treating the war for hegemony as a huge game? A game that you want to continue playing?"

Ling Tian fell silent and did not say a single word.

Li Xue took two steps forward and said with a heavy tone, "Before this, perhaps it was reasonable for you to treat the war for hegemony like a game. But at this very moment, it would be a huge mistake if you want to continue doing so! Right now, there is a chance for the entire world to be united because of your presence. Regardless of what your initial intention was, it is no longer important. It is now time for you to take responsibility for the commoners of the world! Ending the war earlier would mean less suffering for the commoners! So…" Li Xue glared at Ling Tian coldly, "stop treating this as a game!"

"Even if your soul does not belong to this world, you can no longer return! Even if your thoughts and knowledge are from beyond this world, you no longer have a choice. It is time for your thinking to change! If not, even if you become the ruler of the world, you would not be concerned about the suffering of the commoners and would only be a cruel ruler! You would only leave a disaster for future generations!"

Li Xue looked at Ling Tian and said, "You are very selfish! You have always been until today! However, it is time for you to make a choice! For the world!"

Ling Tian looked at the entire world and fell silent.

Li Xue's words were akin to a fierce rebuke to Ling Tian.

It could be said that Ling Tian's thoughts had never melded together with the world before!

Ling Tian had always felt that he had come from Earth and his soul was completely different! He was a being high up above! The fortune and disaster of the world had nothing to do with him! Ling Tian had always used killing to solve all of his problems and had never hesitated! Since all of these people were different from him, so what if he killed them all?!

Today, Li Xue's words had finally jolted him awake! I am also a part of this world! Could it be that I am still waiting for something? That I am still hoping for something?

For the entire world and for the commoners!

While these words were extremely pretentious in his previous life, it was something that he had to face in the world today! Today was different from yesterday. With a perfectly good opportunity before him, it was time for Ling Tian to change!

Ling Tian let out a self-mocking laugh and suddenly felt a wave of loneliness. Despite the spring sunlight shining on him, Ling Tian felt the autumn chill. He could not help but pull Li Xue into his embrace, "Ah'Xue, thank you for your reminder. Thank you."

Li Xue leaned on Ling Tian and said gently, "With both of our hearts as one, I am extremely happy. I only wish to see you every day and aid you."

"Ah ah…" Ling Tian chuckled and Li Xue could clearly feel the slight rising and falling of Ling Tian's chest. Li Xue shut her eyes with satisfaction and she leaned on Ling Tian's chest comfortably.

Time seemed to have been frozen at that moment!

Ling Chen had already arrived but she did not make a single sound and stood by the side silently. Looking at the Ling Tian and Li Xue, a tinge of envy and jealousy could be seen in her eyes. While she knew that she shouldn't be having such thoughts, she could not control her heart.

Ling Tian turned around and grabbed Ling Chen into his embrace as well. With the two beauties in his embrace, he let out a soft sigh. "The riches and authority of the world are both unimportant in my eyes. All of you are the most precious treasures in my life."

The two ladies could tell that Ling Tian's words truly came from his heart! The two ladies looked at each other and a gentle smile could be seen on their faces.

"Even if I have any one of you, it is already my greatest fortune. I have truly let all of you down." Ling Tian let out a sigh.

While Ling Chen did not know what Ling Tian meant, Li Xue did. She then hammered Ling Tian on the chest softly and said softly, "With you by my side, there is no bitterness or grievance."

Ling Tian felt warmth in his heart and hugged the two ladies tighter.

After some time, the sound of footsteps could be heard. Ling Jian had arrived with his brothers.

Upon witnessing such a warm scene, all of them stopped their steps and held their breath, afraid that they would disturb the three.

A long while later, both the ladies struggled free from Ling Tian's embrace with their faces red. While they enjoyed such a feeling, it was extremely awkward for them with so many people staring.

Including Ling Jian, fifty individuals stood up straight. The only one missing was XiMen Sa who was still in the Yu Family. As Ling Tian looked at the fifty of them one by one, a satisfied smile could be seen on his face. This was Ling Tian's foundation!

Chapter 674: Operation Ox Blade

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Including Ling Jian, fifty individuals stood up straight. The only one missing was XiMen Sa who was still in the Yu Family. As Ling Tian looked at the fifty of them one by one, a satisfied smile could be seen on his face. This was Ling Tian's foundation!

As he saw a figure trying his best to conceal himself at the rear, Ling Tian could not help but be dumbfounded. He then turned around to look at Ling Jian with disbelief, "You are… Fifty?"

The other forty-nine burst out into laughter.

That person squeezed his way through the crowd and had a face full of embarrassment, "Ling Fifty pays my respects to young noble."

Ling Tian's jaw dropped in shock. "Fifty, this young noble thought that there is nothing more in the world capable of shocking me. I never expected that you would be able to shock me this way."

Ling Fifty lowered his head with his face reddened.

Upon seeing Ling Fifty's figure, Li Xue was also taken aback. He was like a gigantic ball standing in the middle of the plaza and even if he didn't make a single move, just taking a breath of air would result in waves rolling around his entire body. He was just too fat!

Furthermore, he wasn't too tall and only about 1.7 meters. However, the width of his body actually wasn't that much different from his height! Furthermore, his stomach was far too heavy and already drooped down to his kneecaps…

No wonder Ling Tian was so shocked. Five years ago, Ling Fifty was no more than 100kg when he left the Courtyard. But now, he was 300kg at the very least! Ling Tian found it extremely difficult to understand, how could an individual increase his weight by three times in just a short five years?

"Young noble, I… I also don't know what is going on." Ling Fifty had a look of helplessness on his face, "After parting with all of my brothers five years ago, I fell extremely ill. After I recovered from my illness, this fat began growing out at a crazy rate. It seems as though the fat will grow out even if I drink water… Haiz…" Ling Fifty let out a long sigh full of grievances.

The other forty-nine individuals laughed to the point they could not even stand up straight. Ling Chi stood out with a face full of doubt. "Old brother, I am only curious about one thing."

Ling Fifty rubbed his head and asked, "What thing?"

Ling Chi frowned and asked with doubt, "With your stomach drooping down, your little brother would definitely be covered by it. Then how do you relieve yourself? Could it be… you have to raise your stomach up first?"

Waves of laughter could immediately be heard. Both Ling Chen and Li Xue also could not help but burst out into laughter.

Ling Fifty's face was completely red and Ling Chi's guess had hit the truth. Every time he wanted to relieve himself, the process was indeed just as Ling Chi had said…

Ling Jian immediately felt that he had thrown a great deal of face and he glared at Ling Fifty, "Come to the Courtyard after our mission is completed and I will help you to lose some weight. If you continue growing at this rate, your stomach will probably touch the ground!"

After that, Ling Jian looked at the crowd and said, "This is the first time in the past ten years that all of us brothers have gone out on a mission together. Not a single one of you can have any mishaps! Are all of you clear?"

Everyone immediately acknowledged in unison.

Following that, Ling Jian began reading out the names of those participating in the mission. By the time he finished reading all of the names, only Ling Fifty was left behind in the plaza. He could not help but be anxious and asked, "Brother Jian, what about me? What am I going to do?"

"You?" Ling Jian looked at him and said, "You shall guard the house!"

"Why do I need to guard the house?" Ling Fifty became anxious. It was one thing for him to be teased because of his weight. But to think that he was being left out of the mission because of it!

"Do you think that you can go? Let's not talk about the rest. Can you even land on top of the roof now? What kind of roof would be able to take your weight? With you crushing the entire roof under your weight, there isn't any point to talking about stealth!" Ling Jian reprimanded mercilessly, "Are you any different from a large elephant?"

With his weakness being struck, Ling Fifty lowered his head and said meekly, "I also didn't want to…"

Ignoring Ling Fifty, Ling Jian looked at the others and asked, "Do all of you understand!"

"We understand!"

While Ling Tian was going to participate in the mission, Ling Jian was going to be fully in charge. After all, after the Divine Prefecture Empire was set up, nobody apart from Ling Jian would be able to handle it. However, Ling Tian wouldn't be at ease to hand the Courtyard over to anyone else.

"Does young noble have any other instructions?" Ling Jian bowed and asked.

"Nothing else. Very good." Ling Tian nodded his head.

"If that's the case, set off!" Ling Jian turned around and ordered. The forty-nine individuals split up into two groups and disappeared.

Ling Tian walked over to Ling Fifty slowly and comforted, "Fifty, being overly fat is also a type of sickness and this isn't your fault. I will give you a recipe book after this mission is over and after training with Ling Jian for a period of time, you should be able to lose some weight."

"Really?" Ling Fifty was originally a little depressed but his eyes lit up immediately upon hearing those words. As a former assassin, his current figure was truly too unbearable. Hearing that there was a chance for him to lose weight, it was as though he grabbed onto a lifesaving herb.

"Really!" Ling Tian nodded his head in affirmation, "However, you will definitely have to suffer a little."

"Young noble, I am not afraid of suffering. As long as I can shed this hateful layer of fat, I am willing to do anything." Ling Fifty was agitated to the point his fats began jiggling.

Ling Tian immediately felt a wave of disgust. Giving him a light tap on the shoulder, he left together with Ling Chen and Li Xue.

After leaving the Courtyard, Ling Tian turned around and asked, "Do you have any confidence?"

Li Xue frowned. "It will be impossible for him to regain his original appearance! However, there will definitely be very obvious effects."

Ling Tian let out a sigh of relief, "That will be for the best!"

The evening mist was dense and the small village was covered in mist. This scene that should have been an extremely peaceful one was now an extremely eerie scene!

Including Ling Tian, Li Xue, Ling Chen, and Ling Jian, there were a total of 52 top-notch experts participating in this mission! Not to mention the fact that Ling Tian and the others were top-notch experts in the world today, any one of the experts participating in this mission was capable of ruling over a region in the continent! This was also the largest scale operation that Ling Tian had conducted up to now!

With such a prestigious lineup including Li Xue, Ling Chen, Ling Jian and the rest, Ling Tian was confident that they would even be able to take down Justice if he met him!

Moving out such a lineup in this mission of theirs was akin to killing a chicken with an ox's blade! However, if Ling Tian wanted to ensure that not a single person escaped, such a lineup was definitely necessary! Ling Tian was confident that there wouldn't be another power in the world capable of taking out such a lineup!

Their operation this time was called 'Operation Ox Blade'!

The sky was turning dark and sounds of barely audible snoring could be heard. The originally frequent patrols had also disappeared without a trace.

The time was right!

With an order from Ling Tian, the 52 individuals split up into ten teams of five and infiltrated into the village. From the outermost ring of the village, they began their clean-up operation!

Anyone in the village was their enemy! There wasn't a need to question or show any mercy. They only needed to knock their enemies out! Perhaps this was the only benefit of massacring an entire village!

The wooden door opened up soundlessly and Ling Tian's figure darted into the room like a ghostly figure. Before the four in the room could react, Ling Tian had already pressed on all of their acupoints and the four individuals who were lying on their beds could only remain motionless on the bed.

Without stopping, Ling Tian shot out of the room and went into another house.

The scene above repeated itself over and over again. Apart from the sound of snoring disappearing, the entire village was actually no different from its usual calm!

The ten groups invaded the village and conducted a carpeting search without a single house being missed. With almost half of the village taken down, not a single sound had been heard! Apart from their speeds being incomparable to Ling Tian, they did not lose out to Ling Tian in any other areas! If Ling Tian was like a demon, the others were like ghosts! Their actions were also soundless and extremely bizarre!

Their black figures weaved about the houses and they all seemed to have melded into the darkness. Despite having so many of them taking action together, not a single sound of their clothes fluttering in the wind could be heard. Not a single one of them would interfere with their comrades and not a single house would be searched twice. Every individual played their own role and not a single house was missed!

Their peerless chemistry had already attained a level of perfection! This was the realm of their hearts and thoughts being connected!

Nodding his head with satisfaction, Ling Tian's figure soared like an eagle and he landed on a house in the middle of the village. At the same time, Ling Chen and Li Xue also darted over from two different directions. The target of the three was the same.

Ling Jian's figure shot through the sky like an arrow cutting through the atmosphere! Killing intent flashed past his eyes and he entered the room like an asura descending down to earth!

With Ling Jian's entrance, his frosty killing intent had also exploded forth and the entire night sky seemed to have transformed into a city of ghosts! His killing intent surged ike waves!

Chapter 675: Bewildering Grass

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

After clearing up the majority of the manpower, it wasn't too difficult to ambush all of the enemy's top-notch experts. Besides, now that the mission was already nearing its end, there wasn't a need for them to remain hidden! Furthermore, even Ling Tian wouldn't have the confidence to take down all of the top-notch experts in the room without making a commotion!

Since all of the little shrimps had been taken care of, they must naturally have a good fight with the remaining big fishes. At this moment, Ling Jian naturally wouldn't let Ling Tian or Ling Chen take the risk to enter the room first and took the initiative to charge in without any hesitation!

A couple of enraged roars could be heard before the sound of palm strikes being exchanged sounded. A sharp ray of sword qi then exploded forth from the room and the entire house was blown apart from the sharp sword qi. Three figures flew out and landed in three different directions.

Ling Jian's chest could be seen rising and falling. His face was frosty, his gaze was frosty, his sword was frosty and killing intent frosty!

The two inside the room were only dressed in their underwear and each had an obvious sword wound. While the sword wound wasn't deep, they were injured after all. The looks that they were giving Ling Jian were filled with wariness!

With a few swooshing sounds, another four individuals shot out from the houses around it. They did not come out from the door or window but broke through the roof directly. Ling Tian sneered as he looked at Li Xue. They were definitely experienced individuals!

Only experienced individuals would be afraid of an ambush at the door or window and break through the roof directly. It was the safest method after all! Furthermore, they were still dressed in black robes despite it being in the middle of the night. It was obvious that the few of them were extremely experienced and careful individuals!

"Eldest senior brother, how are you?" The four black-robed individuals who came out immediately spotted the wounds on the two elders.

"Be careful and attack them together." An elder replied as he coughed twice. Being caught off guard and receiving Ling Jian's tyrannical sword qi with his palms, it was impossible for him to remain uninjured. Understanding Ling Jian's strength, how would he dare to let his guard down?

Only at that point did the sound of fighting break out and the sound of miserable shrieks could be heard. However, the remaining few no longer had the strength to fight back. In fact, even escape was no more than a dream for them!

Anyone of them was a well-known individual in their families and could be considered elites in both Above Heavens and the Yu Family. They never expected all of them to suffer such a miserable defeat under the hands of these unknown black-robed assailants!

"The Ling Family?" A black-robed elder looked at Ling Jian with his eagle-eyed gaze, "Who are you?"

In his eyes, the only one capable of threatening the six of them would be the black-robed man in front of him. As long as they could take down this black-robed man in front of them, the others wouldn't be a threat to them. Even if they were caught off guard, it would be impossible for anyone to stop the six of them if they wanted to escape! Thus, he was still extremely calm in the face of danger.

With his eyesight, he could naturally tell that the one man and two ladies on the wall had an elegant disposition and were definitely exceptional individuals. However, before the three of them took action, the black-robed elder would not think that the three of them could pose a threat to him. In fact, he even felt that the three of them could be the key to turning his situation around. Wealthy young noble and ladies like them, even if they had martial arts, they definitely wouldn't have much battle experience. As long as these young noble and ladies were taken down, the entire battle would definitely be reversed.

However, it was a pity that he didn't know who the three of them were. Furthermore, the three of them truly had the strength to turn the entire situation around!

"All of you are here in my Ling Family's territory and you actually asked such a question after being caught in the act? Could it be that all the members of the Yu Family and Above Heavens are idiots like you?" Ling Jian said with a deadly tone.

"Little junior, you're seeking death!" That black-robed man said with disdain, "Do you think that all of you will be able to keep us from leaving?"

Right at this moment, Ling Chi's figure darted on top of the roof and cried out, "I found it! I found the herbs."

"You're seeking death!" Two black-robed men shot towards Ling Chi ferociously upon hearing those words.

A crisp shout could be heard and both Ling Chen and Li Xue shot into the air to intercept the two black-robed men. Their four palms shot out and the spring night seemed to have turned into the bitter winter night!

The thick white fog spread out and the surrounding houses were covered in a layer of white frost! Even the lush greenery had begun to wilt at a visible rate!

The two black-robed men let out a gasp of shock and their swords appeared in their hands. The fire torch which was originally in their hands was also thrown out. They originally intended to rush over to destroy the herbs so as to destroy all evidence of their actions. However, they never expected that these two young ladies in front of them would be so difficult to deal with. With just a single exchange, they felt their entire body freezing up and had to circulate all of their inner qi to withstand the cold. How would they dare to continue underestimating the opponent before them?

Right at this moment, Ling Jian did not say another word and shot into the sky. His sword light exploded forth like the starry night and swallowed the remaining four black-robed men in his sword light. With his sword sweeping out, despite facing the combined attacks of four experts, he was actually able to easily hold his ground!

The surroundings fell silent and close to fifty figures appeared from all directions on top of the roofs. They formed a large encirclement and gradually surrounded the six experts. Ling Chi and the others had cleaned up the remaining houses and gathered to reinforce Ling Tian.

Ling Tian ordered, "Finish the battle quickly! Half of you stay behind, half of you attack!"

Everyone was overjoyed and immediately charged forward to surround the four black-robed men in a human wave. With the chance to beat a man who was down, how could they not charge forward to join in the fun?

Ling Tian also let out a crisp roar and shot into the battle ring of Li Xue and Ling Chen. In just a short while, the beard of the two black-robed elders who were fighting already had a thick layer of frost. Their movements also turned dull and they were obviously on the losing end.

As the battle continued, clanging sounds could actually be heard and their shirts had already been frozen solid. On the contrary, Ling Chen and Li Xue still seemed to be at complete ease. If not for the fact that they wanted to capture these two black-robed men, the two black-robed men would have already turned into ghosts under their blades!

The might of the large completion Divine Ice Formula was unparalleled!

"Peng!" Ling Tian who had joined the battle struck one of the elders on the shoulder and the elder shot out like a rubber ball. His body no longer had the ability to even struggle in mid-air as Ling Tian had sent his inner qi through the elder's body to seal up his acupoints.

Ling Lei and Ling Dian who were observing the battle from the side had a rope in their hands at the ready. The moment the black-robed elder was sent flying by Ling Tian, they threw out the ropes in their hands and swiftly tied the black-robed elder up before he even touched the ground!

With another 'peng' sound, another elder was taken care of. He was also sent flying towards Ling Lei and Ling Dian and wrapped up into a human dumpling in just a short instant.

On the other side, with thirty plus people attacking four injured individuals, the outcome could be easily imagined. Without much effort, the four black-robed men were beaten up like pig heads before they were thrown to the side.

They could have been in a better state originally. When the four of them saw that they weren't a match for the enemy, they attempted to return to the room to send out a message to seek aid. In the end, Ling Jian and the others charged forward and did not show any mercy in their blows.

At Ling Tian's side, only Ling Twenty-three was injured due to a moment of carelessness. Ling Twenty-three cursed under his breath as he did not know how he got injured in the big mess. However, he was certain that he definitely wasn't injured by his enemies but his own comrades. Furthermore, it was very likely that the injuries inflicted on him were intentional! If not, they definitely wouldn't have accurately struck both his eyes to give him a nice pair of panda eyes!

With an order, all the members of the village were gathered together like dead pigs. After counting the number of enemies gathered, there were actually more than 600 of them!

Ling Chen and Li Xue both turned around in embarrassment. Being caught off guard, the majority of the captives were not dressed properly and there were even some who were completely naked.

Ling Tian then ordered a couple of men to fetch the soldiers of the Courtyard and take all of these captives back. He then went to the warehouse to take a look at the herbs and could not help but take a deep breath!

Bewildering grass! A full warehouse of dried bewildering grass! Furthermore, there was plenty of top-quality bewildering grass!

Bewildering grass was an extremely potent knockout drug. Anyone who smelled the scent of the flower would be knocked out. A heavy dose was sufficient to knock someone out for a full day and night! Furthermore, if the bewildering grass was dried and then burned, the potency of the grass would be increased by ten times!

Such grass was extremely rare and had to be kept away from sunlight. It was extremely difficult for it to grow in ordinary places. As for top-quality bewildering grass, it was even rarer. Any expert who wasn't in the XianTian realm would fall prey to the effect of the grass if they were caught off guard! To think that a whole warehouse of it would appear before Ling Tian! Even if it was intentionally cultured, how much manpower and wealth would it require? What were their objectives in expending so much wealth and manpower?

With so much top quality bewildering grass present, if the wind direction was right and it was put to proper use, it was enough to make half of Sky Bearing City unconscious!

Without interrogating anyone, Ling Tian already knew what their objectives were.

If they lit up all of this bewildering grass during the upcoming ceremony, the outcome would be extremely frightening! Even if Ling Tian and his subordinates weren't afraid of the grass, they were few in numbers after all. There would be a hundred thousand people present in the city at the very least! Even if the bewildering grass wouldn't pose a threat to him, it would be enough to turn the entire ceremony of his Ling Family into a joke!

Chapter 676: Founding Ceremony

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

When this type of herb was used on a large scale basis, while it wouldn't be of much use against those with profound inner qi, it was extremely frightening to ordinary individuals! Furthermore, since the other party had prepared the bewildering grass, they would definitely have other plans!

Ling Tian immediately thought about the six Above Heavens experts who followed Xiao FengYang and the three souls and seven bodies of the Yu Family! At that time, they would be seated together with the guests and the moment the burning grass was spread, they would be able to kill a couple of ministers like dicing vegetables! With the scholarly ministers being caught off guard, it was extremely likely for them to be wiped out by the enemy's experts!

Thinking about this, Ling Tian felt his hands and back turn cold!

What ferocious means! What a meticulous scheme!

Seeing the ugly look on Ling Tian's face, Ling Chi asked carefully, "Young noble, how should we take care of all this? Do we burn it… or send it back?"

"Burn it?" Ling Tian sneered, "This is the huge congratulatory gift that Yu ManLou and Above Heavens have given me. If I don't keep it well and find a good way to return them the favor, how would I live up to this warehouse full of bewildering grass?!"

"Yes!" Ling Chi immediately replied and did not dare to say another word.

Ling Tian paced around for a couple of steps before lifting his head up with coldness in his eyes, "I originally wanted to show some face to the Yu Family during my empire's founding ceremony. But it seems as though I was too kindhearted! Since Yu ManLou sent his three souls and seven bodies, he obviously treated Sky Bearing as the gates of hell! Since that's the case, these souls and bodies do not need to return! Ling Jian!"

"Present!"

"After the empire's founding ceremony, arrange men to kill the three souls and seven bodies. Not a single one of them shall be allowed to return alive!"

"Yes!"

"Ling Chi!"

"Present!"

"Kill all those from Above Heavens! I want them to be buried in Sky Bearing forever!"

"Yes!"

"Li Xue!"

"Present!"

"Gather our men and prepare them to set off. Inform the south-east information agents to gather news on Above Heavens' movements. Send a note to Beyond Heavens and invite Justice to aid us under my name. We shall kill everyone from Above Heavens!"

"Yes!"

"Ling Chen!"

"Present!"

"Inform the Crystal Pavilion branch in Bright Jade City. Carry out my original plan!"

"Yes!"

A series of orders were given out and Ling Tian's fury subsided a little. However, his face was still dull and his gaze gleamed with coldness! Even a top-notch expert like Ling Jian could not help but tremble slightly from Ling Tian's pressure!

Ling Tian was truly enraged this time!

The anger of a man would cause blood to be spilled every five steps. The anger of a monarch would result in a pile of ten thousand corpses and rivers of blood!

Ling Tian turned around abruptly and stormed away in anger. Li Xue and Ling Chen looked at each other and followed behind him. As for Ling Jian, he stayed behind to overlook the operations. Before the soldiers of the Courtyard took all the captives back, Ling Jian would not leave. All of these loose ends were usually handled by Ling Jian.

Ling Tian and the two ladies walked quietly. While Ling Jian really wanted to follow behind Ling Tian, he knew that he could not throw down his responsibilities. Ling Jian knew that Ling Tian was truly enraged this time!

With the monarch's rage, a mountain of ten thousand corpses would be created and rivers of blood would flow!

Ling Tian's anger would shock the heavens and earth!

The last time Ling Tian flew into a rage, it was when Ling Xiao was betrayed by Sky Bearing. In a fit of rage, the entire heavens trembled and he weaved through ten thousand enemies with five men. He awed the entire world with a single battle!

In a fit of rage, he wiped out an empire!

After knowing Ling Tian for so many years, Ling Jian and Ling Tian were already closer than ordinary biological brothers, master and servant. In fact, in some aspects, Ling Jian was even more familiar with Ling Tian than Ling Tian himself! Under Ling Tian's influence, Ling Jian had always felt that there wasn't anyone in the world who couldn't be killed! Taking revenge only required a single sword!

Even if everyone in the world died, Ling Jian would not even frown! As long as the people he cared about were still alive, the lives of all others weren't important!

Thus, Ling Jian did not really understand why Ling Tian was so angry! The way he saw it, it was completely reasonable for Yu ManLou to employ such means. After all, they were enemies with each other and would naturally employ all means necessary. Are you going to expect your enemy to show mercy? If it was him, he may employ even more sinister means!

Since Yu ManLou's means were so sinister, we should use even more drastic means to repay him. There wasn't a need to be angry at all.

However, Ling Jian didn't know that Ling Tian was angry because of two words: Divine Prefecture!

The Divine Prefecture of their Divine Prefecture Empire!

Because this was the name of his old home! Because that was the name of the Chinese people!

In this life of his, that was the only reminder of his identity!

Everything that he had been through in that place, all of his tears, all of his smiles, all of his hopes, and all of his hopelessness! Even if that place was full of bitterness and grief and even if it wasn't a memorable experience!

However, Ling Tian's soul still contained the brand of his home!

This name was going to appear for the first time in this foreign world!

Thus, Ling Tian was thoroughly enraged!

With Ling Tian's status and strength, there wouldn't be a single person in the world capable of enduring his rage! Even if that person was Yu ManLou, the Family Head of the number one aristocratic family in the world!

Ling Tian walked in the front with dark clouds over his face. Despite the bellowing killing intent exploding forth, Ling Tian's heart was extremely calm. He carefully calculated all of his moves and his future decisions!

Yu ManLou, very good. I originally intended to have a good battle with you with the entire world as our wager. Why do you have to force me as such? Why do you have to use such despicable means time and time again?!

Since this is the case, I shall return the favor and I hope that you will not regret it!

Ling Chen and Li Xue followed behind Ling Tian silently as they guessed in their hearts, Just what sort of means did Ling Tian leave behind in Bright Jade City? What kind of arrangements did he make? For him to mention it at this moment, it would definitely deal Yu ManLou a heavy blow! However, that was the territory of Yu ManLou after all and the Yu Family had been running it for a thousand years. Just why was Ling Tian so confident?

Regardless of whether it was Li Xue who transmigrated together with Ling Tian or Ling Chen who had grown up together with Ling Tian, the two of them could not guess just what kind of arrangements Ling Tian had made!

The entire Sky Bearing City seemed to have been transformed in a single night with flags of prosperity and joy all over the streets. Lanterns and colored banners were all around the city. Firecrackers and joyful drumming could be heard all around with the streets filled with people.

On top of the city gates, a gigantic flag fluttered proudly in the wind. It was bright red in color with a golden-colored five-clawed dragon. The dragon was stepping on the clouds with seven stars as its crown. It descended down into the mortal realm with its majesty looking down on all living beings!

In the city, everyone was dressed in new clothes and the guards on the city gates were also clad in new armor and full of spirit. All the shops in the city were also colored with flags and the streets were all cleaned up. Troops of patrol guards roamed the streets in an orderly fashion with not a single person out of step. Many people in the crowd held onto colored flags as they flooded towards the gates of the Sky Bearing imperial palace.

Today was the founding day of the Divine Prefecture Empire!

In a gigantic plaza in front of the imperial palace, there was a large stone platform covered in red cloth. On top of the stone platform were two words carved out from a large slab of rock entrenched into the stone platform, standing up proudly!

Divine Prefecture!

Every single word was the size of two ordinary houses with a layer of gold paint over the words. Under the rays of the sun, the golden words shone resplendently!

The sound of drumming sounded from within the palace and everyone felt as though the drums were like hammers hammering down on their heart. The doors of the palace that had never been opened to outsiders opened up gradually and two rows of imperial army soldiers walked out neatly clad in full armor. At the same time, a bright red carpet that was 90 feet wide was unrolled out from the palace gates.

The ministers and generals of Sky Bearing formed two rows with their expressions solemn.

The members of the Ling Family walked in the middle with Old Master Ling Zhan clad in a luxurious set of clothes. His white hair was like silver and his figure was hale and hearty. Behind him, Ling Xiao and Ling Tian followed behind. Before the new emperor ascended to the throne, the three rituals of paying respects to the heaven, earth, and ancestors had to be carried out.

All of a sudden, the entire plaza which was filled with tens of thousands of individuals was filled with silence.

Ling Tian had a serious look on his face as he scanned the surroundings with his spiritual sense. While Ling Tian was confident that nothing would go wrong, he still could not help but feel a tinge of unease. After all, nothing was absolute and it was best for him to be prepared.

The entire Sky Bearing was already like an iron tablet at this moment!

Amid the large crowd, there would be a Ling Family guard hidden for every dozen individuals. Furthermore, there were even a couple of first-rate experts included in the crowd.

On the high ground in the surroundings, Ling Tian had arranged for 8000 divine archers to watch the place! The moment someone attempted to create trouble, he would immediately turn into a human porcupine and be reduced to dust!

Just when everyone was kowtowing to the heavens, Ling Tian could catch a glimpse of Ling Jian's figure flickering in the crowd. After that, a small commotion would be created and a couple of individuals would be carried away after fainting from the crowd. Ling Tian naturally knew that it was impossible for these individuals to faint from being squeezed by the crowd but it was only Ling Jian attempting to get rid of any suspicious individuals.

Despite it being the day for national celebration, Ling Jian was still clad in grey robes as he hid in the dark. Perhaps Ling Jian was the busiest person today…

Chapter 677: Passing Down the Throne

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

After all the rites and rituals, the ministers turned around and walked back into the palace. Ling Tian had also heaved a sigh of relief.

Amid the crowd, Third Master Yu watched the proceedings of the ceremony with excitement, "The founding ceremony of the Ling Family is different from our Yu Family indeed! Look at how majestic their ceremony is! I really wish I could get big brother to redo the ceremony."

The three souls and seven bodies looked at each other as they waited for the signal that they had agreed upon before! The moment they could see the smoke billowing, they would immediately take action! However, they could not even see a single wisp of smoke up until now and the ten of them could not help but be at a loss!

Just what was going on? The best opportunity had just gone by but the signal was still not sent! Could it be that the family has decided to give up on this mission at the very last moment? But even if they gave up on the mission, they should send a letter at the very least!

The ten individuals looked towards the fluttering flag on the city gates. There was a nice north-westerly wind at the moment and lighting the bewildering grass up at this time would knock out everyone in the crowd and create a huge mess. They would then charge forward into the mess to unleash a massacre before easily leaving. However, just what was going on now?

Not on the three souls and seven bodies from the Yu Family, even the six from Above Heavens were cursing under their breaths. Why isn't there any signal up until now? However, just when the six of them were startled, they all had a feeling of a burden being lifted off their shoulders. At least they didn't have to sacrifice their lives.

They all understood that even the best grade bewildering grass would be completely useless against XianTian realm experts. With the many XianTian experts under Ling Tian's charge, the moment a fight broke out, even if they had the initiative, they would not be able to escape death!

In the crowd, there were a couple of people looking around with an expression of doubt on their faces. From time to time, their heads would be lifted up to the sky as though they were waiting for something. However, they did not know that a pair of sharp eyes had already locked onto them when they were looking around and up at the sky!

The sound of cheering could be heard all around and countless colorful ribbons filled the sky as though rainbows were descending from the heavens.

All of a sudden, another wave of exclamations could be heard. Above Sky Bearing City, nine gigantic objects could be seen floating up towards the sky like lanterns. Everyone could see that these lanterns were made from cloth with something like a basket hanging below the lantern.

There were a total of nine lanterns, the number symbolizing eternity!

Hot air balloons! The moment these nine gigantic objects drifted up into the air, they covered the entire earth with their majestic presence!

Ling Tian was completely speechless and Li Xue's face appeared in his head. In this entire world, only that lass would be able to create such an item. He finally understood what Li Xue was so busy with over the past few days. It turns out that she was preparing these hot air balloons.

How would the crowd know what hot air balloons were? They all cheered to the heavens and knelt down as though they had witnessed a celestial being manifesting itself.

Li Xue who was at a distance covered her mouth and chuckled.

Right at this moment, a gigantic cloth was unrolled from the nine hot air balloons with eight golden words being written on them: The Divine Prefecture Empire shall prosper for ten thousand generations!

Another wave of cheers could be heard.

In the midst of the loud cheering, Old Master Ling stepped forward from the crowd of ministers. Behind him, a couple of palace maids slowly placed a yellow dragon robe over him!

Being clad in yellow robes!

The symbol of a monarch!

The ministers and generals of Sky Bearing all knelt down and paid their respects to the new emperor!

The rituals were completed!

Following that, it was time to bestow the relevant titles to the relevant individuals. Old Madam Ling was crowned the empress, Ling Xiao the crown prince of Divine Prefecture and Ling Tian as the imperial grandson. Following that, all the ministers and officials were all raised by a rank.

Meng LiGe was the Country Protecting Military Advisor and given the title of Duke Xu. Shen RuHu, East Suppressing General, with the title of Country Stabilizing Duke. Yu ChengLong, South Suppressing General with the title of Country Protecting Marquis…

It was then time for the various envoys to present their gifts.

The Yu Family and Xiao Family gave their gifts.

The present family head of the DongFang Family, DongFang JingLei had presented the entire DongFang Family, all of their forces and land, as a congratulatory gift!

This action of theirs had naturally shocked everyone!

In comparison to the DongFang Family, the gifts of the Yu and Xiao Families were completely negligible. They were nothing much at all!

"The leader of the Whirlwind Gang from Heavenly South Mountain presents 200,000 taels of gold, 10,000,000 taels of silver, ninety-nine Night Illumination Pearls… and a note of surrender, pledging allegiance to the Divine Prefecture Empire…"

All the envoys were shocked!

Such a frightening amount had already exceeded the sensibilities of everyone present. Furthermore, they had even pledged their allegiance to the empire. This was just too baffling!

A newly founded empire usually had weak foundations and would be incapable of bothering these bandit heads in the next couple of years. Was it truly worth for them to be so afraid? Surrendering before even putting up a fight?

"Leader of the Heavenly Drought Mountain… 250,000 taels of gold, 15,000,000 taels of silver, pledging our allegiance to the Divine Prefecture Empire…"

All the envoys were shocked again!

"Silver Autumn Mountain… pledging our allegiance to the Divine Prefecture Empire…"

The envoys were dumbfounded!

"Yellow Cover Mountain… pledging our allegiance…"

"…"

"…"

...

Apart from the various ministers of the Divine Prefecture Empire, everyone was dumbfounded.

Every single one of them was an infamous bandit king who was a ferocious character in their territory leading thousands of men under them. To think that all of them would gather together to pledge their allegiance to the Divine Prefecture Empire during its founding ceremony. Furthermore, they all presented extremely precious gifts and even surrendered themselves to the empire…

"I…I… am I dreaming?" Not to mention the various ambassadors, even the officials of the empire felt as though they were dreaming.

In the past few years, war broke out all over the continent and the various bandit heads were extremely arrogant. At this moment, chaos was widespread and many officials had already written a memorial to request the emperor to uproot all the bandits in the territory of the Divine Prefecture Empire.

Who would have thought that not only did the majority of the bandits in the Divine Prefecture Empire surrender to the empire, even the bandits from the other regions had surrendered?

There were only four to five larger bandit groups and a few in the Yu Family's territory that didn't surrender. However, the gifts that they gave weren't any less than the other gangs.

The newly appointed Minister of Finance had almost fainted from excitement. Without considering the current reserves of the Divine Prefecture Empire, just the gifts that they had received today would be worth billions of silver!

My goodness, this was far too frightening a figure! With this large amount of money, even if the Divine Prefecture Empire didn't collect any taxes and fought war year after year, they would be able to hold on for more than ten years!

The Minister of Finance fainted from happiness.

Xiao FengYang was truly shocked silly!

Seeing the strength of the Divine Prefecture Empire, Xiao FengYang had already lost his confidence. In the face of such wealth, army, and martial strength, how would their dwindling Xiao Family be able to fight back?

The strength of the Ling Family was truly shocking!

The empire founding ceremony finally ended with everyone still in awe.

Ling Family Courtyard.

Ling Tian was clad in yellow robes looking a little distracted.

He laid down on his bamboo chair with his mouth open. Ling Chen who was beside him plucked a few pieces of grapes and fed it to him. Ling Tian shut his eyes and chewed on it before spitting out the seeds of the grapes in a beautiful arc.

With someone feeding and another person eating, it was an extremely sweet scene in the little yard.

Li Xue walked over slowly and shook her head bitterly upon witnessing the scene before her, "I say little sister Chen. If you always dote on him and take care of him as such, the life of us sisters won't be good in the future. Us women can also bear the weight of the heavens on our shoulders."

Ling Chen smiled gently and said, "Big sister Xue is right. However, he is young noble."

Li Xue was exasperated.

Walking over angrily, Li Xue grabbed the plate of grapes from Ling Chen's hands and said, "You are truly enjoying yourself. Apart from eating, you only know how to sleep. Do you really treat yourself as an imperial grandson who doesn't need to work? Young noble Ling, isn't it time for you to get to work?"

Ling Tian opened his eyes lazily and asked, "This young noble is an imperial grandson. Did Ling Jian and the others send news?"

"They have not." Li Xue snorted, "However, something seems wrong in the court over the past few days."

"I knew it. My grandfather is up to his little tricks." Ling Tian sighed, "Quickly send word to Ling Jian and ask him to settle all of his matters. The six from Above Heavens were taken care of so easily, but why are they spending so much time on the Yu Family's three souls and seven bodies? Even if they are stronger than the six from Above Heavens, the difference shouldn't be so big right?"

"Ling Jian has to consider Yu ManTian after all. While it wouldn't be easy to take care of the three souls and seven bodies, nothing should go wrong." Ling Chen said gently, "Young noble doesn't need to worry."

"I have never been worried about Ling Jian! What is the point of worrying about him? I am worried about…" Ling Tian paused abruptly and said with frustration, "In any case, this Sky Bearing City is a place full of trouble and I have to find a reason to leave quickly. If not, trouble will come soon."

"Trouble?" Ling Chen blinked in confusion, "What kind of trouble can threaten young noble in Sky Bearing?"

Ling Tian let out a long sigh.

All of a sudden, the sound of footsteps could be heard and a eunuch walked in with a yellow scroll. Unrolling it, he shouted, "The imperial decree is here. May the imperial grandson receive the decree."

"Read it!" Ling Tian did not get up and continue lying down. Closing his eyes in anger, he knew that trouble had truly arrived.

Old Master Ling was about to announce to the world.

"By the will of the heavens, the emperor decrees. Ever since we ascended to the throne, we have been cautious and conscientious in managing the empire's affairs. Our age is already advanced and crown prince Long Xiao is competent in managing national affairs. We shall pass on the throne to crown prince Long Xiao…"

Chapter 678: Escaping Pathetically

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Old Master Ling was about to announce to the world.

"By the will of the heavens, the emperor decrees. Ever since we ascended to the throne, we have been cautious and conscientious in managing the empire's affairs. Our age is already advanced and crown prince Long Xiao is competent in managing national affairs. We shall pass on the throne to crown prince Long Xiao…"

…

After Old Master Ling praised himself, he immediately announced passing down of the throne…

"Cautious and conscientious in managing the empire's affairs…" Ling Tian was speechless and looked at the sky. "My dear grandfather, it hasn't been long since you became the empire but you have not even read a single memorial or handled any state affairs. Instead, you pushed everything to me and do not even attend court. To think that you are actually shameless enough to praise yourself for being cautious and conscientious. You are probably more of lazy and careless!"

Ling Tian stood up in anger, "It is nothing wrong for you to pass the throne to your son. But with the empire just founded, you should be the emperor for a month at the very least, right? To think that you are passing down the throne after a few days! You should discuss such an important matter with me at the very least, right? Even if you don't discuss it with me, you should gather the ministers for a discussion at the very least right…"

Ling Tian stomped his feet in anger.

Ling Chen and Li Xue looked at each other and chuckled.

The imperial decree immediately drifted over like snow. In just two days, before Ling Jian returned, Ling Tian had already received more than ten imperial decrees.

Old Master Ling was successful in passing down the throne and Ling Xiao was immediately clad in yellow robes without the intention of rejecting the throne. He then made Old Master Ling the Imperial Ancestor and made Ling Tian the crown prince. He then spared the criminals in the empire…

In a mere three days, the criminals were spared twice!

In other words, thrice in half a month…

When emperor Ling Xiao's imperial decree arrived at the Ling Family Courtyard, the new crown prince Ling Tian had already disappeared without a trace.

Ling Tian escaped as though his rear was on fire together with Li Xue and Ling Chen. He could no longer wait for Ling Jian's reply. Since his father accepted the throne so easily, Ling Tian naturally knew what his father was planning.

With Old Master Ling Zhan as an example, Ling Xiao was definitely intending to pass on the throne to Ling Tian for sure!

Ignore everything else and pass down the throne!

Emperor Ling Xiao was extremely gratified. Thankfully he had a son, if not he would not be able to escape so easily.

Ling Tian was extremely clear about his dad's personality and knew what Ling Xiao was intending to do. Thus, he immediately fled for his life the moment Old Master Ling passed down the throne to Ling Xiao.

Ling Tian's guess wasn't wrong. When he just left Sky Bearing City, his father Ling Xiao was clad in dragon robes with one of his feet stepping on a stool, looking like a bandit as he forced Meng LiGe to write an imperial decree to Ling Tian.

"You dare to disobey me? This daddy will execute you!" Ling Xiao waved the imperial seal in his hands and was ready to stamp the decree. He had a baleful aura around him and it was truly a queer sight to see the monarch of an empire calling himself 'this daddy'.

Meng LiGe almost burst out crying. If he didn't write, he would have the crime of going against imperial orders. But if he wrote…

What empire would change two emperors in a single day?

Meng LiGe had the urge to grab Ling Xiao by the collar and roar at him: This is the imperial throne! It is something of utmost importance! Not something for the three of you to play with!

This wasn't the way to bully someone!

But… he didn't dare to.

The eunuch to pass the imperial decree didn't manage to pass on the decree. Ling Xiao flew into a rage and smashed the teacup in anger before returning to his bedroom in anger. He actually didn't sleep on the bed but laid on the floor…

In Ling Xiao's heart, the bed belonged to his son. It would be extremely disrespectful of him to sleep on the bed prepared for his son. After all, his son was about to get married…

Thus, Ling Xiao slept on the floor without any concern in the world. After all, the empress, who was Ling Tian's mother, was still in the Ling Family Courtyard.

The first ever emperor to sleep on the floor was born.

This action of his was probably the first and last of its kind!

Three hundred miles away from Sky Bearing City. Ling Tian was panting heavily under the tree as he sighed, "It is truly good to have a son! There isn't a need to do anything and I can just pass everything onto my son. Save time and trouble! I also wish to pass down the throne… but where is my son? I must accelerate the plan to make my next generation!"

Ling Chen and Li Xue burst out into laughter and sat down beside him. Ling Tian looked at Ling Chen's abdomen with suddenly giggled, "Aiyah, Chen'er, we have been doing that plenty of times and I have always tried my best to attack the city. However, why is your stomach still so silent? Why is my accuracy so low? Also, there is also Yan'er, shouldn't there be some commotion at the very least?"

Ling Chen lowered her head with her face reddened and was embarrassed to the point she did not know what to say.

"Cheh, you are the one who is ignorant. How dare you blame her instead? Little sister Yan has been suffering from the Divine Black Negative Meridians for many years. Now that she recovered from her illness, she will need three to five years for her body to recover and there isn't a need to think about her. As for little sister Chen…" Li Xue snorted and looked at Ling Tian with disdain, "You are the one who acted smart and got Ling Chen to cultivate the Divine Ice Formula. How can there be a chance for her to get pregnant?"

"Ah?" Ling Chen exclaimed in shock and grabbed Li Xue's arm with anxiousness in her eyes.

As a lady in this generation, it would be a great regret for a lady to be unable to conceive for her beloved man. Furthermore, passing down the family line was an extremely important matter in this world!

Ling Chen also had her doubts about this matter before. With her young noble doting on her over the past few years, she should have already had a child by now. Furthermore, her body had always been healthy and she had even found a physician in secret before to ensure that nothing was wrong with her. However, it would be even more ludicrous for Ling Tian to be the problem! Now that she heard Li Xue mention the truth of this matter, she could not help but be shocked!

Ling Tian also became anxious, "What do you mean by this? Quickly explain the matter!"

Li Xue let out a sigh and said, "Little sister Yan isn't a big problem. When her cultivation accumulates and her body recovers, it wouldn't be a problem for her to conceive. However, little sister Chen only knows how to impart martial arts but do not know that certain martial arts have their own taboos. Just like in our… house, how many ladies have cultivated the Divine Ice Formula before? However, how many of them would end up marrying? For those who get married, most of them would end up guarding a man bitterly for their entire life without any title or position. Not a single one of them had any children. Why is this so?"

"Could it be… why is this the case?" Ling Tian was dumbfounded.

"For a lady to conceive, she requires the yang energy of a man to mix together with her yin energy before a child can be born! Long yin isn't normal and long yang will not last long. However, the Divine Ice Formula is a pure yin formula that will make a lady's body be even colder than pure yin. How would she be able to conceive?! However…" Li Xue paused for a moment and changed her tone upon seeing Ling Chen's dejected appearance.

"It isn't completely impossible for you to conceive, only that the conditions are extremely stringent. First, the individual who cultivates the Divine Ice Formula has to cultivate to the peak and enter XianTian. After converting all of the HouTian Divine Ice inner qi into XianTian pure qi, and reversing the flow of the inner qi, one would be able to form a pure XianTian Yin body. At that time, one's cultivation would attain its peak with the ability to resonate with the twelfth stage of the Divine Shocking Dragon Formula. However, our current environment is lacking with a severe deficiency of XianTian pure qi. Not to mention cultivating from HouTian to XianTian and tempering one's body to the peak, it would be a difficult matter for one to even cultivate to the seventh or eighth stage! It is also because of this that despite the strength of the Divine Ice Formula, it isn't widespread."

"It means that the Divine Ice Formula must be cultivated to the peak before one can conceive?" Ling Tian interrupted and asked.

"That's right." Li Xue answered honestly.

"Then why did you cultivate this formula?" Ling Tian asked.

"The reason is extremely simple. First, I am like little sister Chen and have a pure Yin body. Cultivating the Divine Ice Formula is the number one cultivation method to rapidly increase my cultivation. Second, I never imagined that I would give birth to a child for someone else! Are these two reasons sufficient?!" Li Xue replied coldly.

Ling Tian was speechless. These two reasons were truly too potent! The second reason was extremely moving as well! At that time, Li Xue couldn't be sure that Ling Tian had also arrived in this world. To a proud lady like her, how would she lower her standards and accept a man from this alternate world? Thus, her reason for cultivating the Divine Ice Formula was extremely acceptable!

"Elder sister Xue, according to your judgment, how long will it take for me to cultivate to such a level?" Ling Chen asked anxiously. At this moment, she could not be bothered with her embarrassment.

Li Xue looked at her and let out a long sigh. Ling Chen could not help but grow anxious and her voice began to crack, "Sister Xue, could it be…"

Li Xue burst out into laughter, "Little sister Chen, you are too shameless. Are you so eager to give this bad egg a child? Hmm?"

Ling Chen's face turned red and she began to whine.

Looking at Li Xue's expression, Ling Tian knew that she definitely had an idea. If not, since she also cultivated the Divine Ice Formula, she wouldn't be so heartless.

Indeed, Li Xue smiled and said, "In truth, our Divine Ice Formula has reached the peak of the tenth stage and we have already entered the XianTian realm. We are only a step away from the large completion stage. With our current speed, if we are able to find the aid of some suitable herbs, I am confident that we will be able to achieve a breakthrough within two years. At that time, little sister Chen can give birth to as many litters as you wish."

Ling Chen's face reddened in shyness. "You are the one who will give birth to litters. I am not a sow." She was finally at ease. While two years wasn't short, it wasn't considered too long either.