Domineering Fashion

Domineering Fashion...

Zong Yi's eyes gleamed with a sharpness as he added in a hushed tone, "The Skythunder Aristocrat Clan seems to have disregarded the edicts handed down by their ancestors. How should we handle this?"

"Thousands of years have passed. Who can truly ensure that their descendants will faithfully follow the edicts? The Azure Emperor would surely find solace in the rest of you. The Skythunder Aristocrat Clan may have neglected the edicts, and while they are at fault, it doesn't mean they cannot be forgiven. Uncle Zong, accompany me to the Skythunder Palace. As for the others, remain hidden for now. Let's see how the members of the Skythunder Clan react when they face the successor of the Azure Emperor."

Qin Wentian instructed, and those behind him nodded in agreement, quietly marveling at Di Tian's audacity and optimism.

"Let's proceed," Qin Wentian said. He lifted his feet, leading the group into the Skythunder Palace.

The Skythunder Royal Palace was vast, with an ancient pathway leading from the palace gate deep into the interior. Numerous palace guards patrolled the gate area, and at the rear of the Royal Palace, there was a raised platform that offered a commanding view of the surroundings.

Two figures soon approached the palace gates with leisurely strides. As they arrived, the guards pointed their spears at them.

"Halt!" the guards commanded. However, at the same instant, both Qin Wentian and Zong Yi disappeared in a gust of wind, soaring over the palace gate and landing on the ancient pathway beyond.

At the raised platform, a burst of lightning illuminated the area, accompanied by a resounding thunderous boom. Several imperial guards rushed over upon hearing the signal.

Qin Wentian and Zong Yi continued to advance at their leisurely pace. When the guards surrounded them, Zong Yi merely took a single step forward, radiating a terrifying sword intent that filled the space, leaving the imperial guards gasping for breath. Under such pressure, no one dared to make a move.

"Who are the two of you? This place is restricted within the Skythunder Country. If you have any business, please state it," the leader of the imperial guards stepped forward, blocking Qin Wentian and Zong Yi's path.

"I wish to meet with the Emperor of Skythunder," Qin Wentian calmly declared, with Zong Yi standing steadfastly behind him. A formidable aura of swordsmanship bore down on the leader of the imperial guards, causing sweat to bead on his forehead and his face to pale.

The oppressive might emanating from Zong Yi was staggering. Although he was a prominent figure in the Royal Palace with a fifth-level Heavenly Dipper cultivation base, Zong Yi's sword aura was so stifling that he struggled to draw a breath.

Watching Zong Yi's unwavering advance, the leader of the imperial guards' figure flickered as he hastily retreated. Meanwhile, more and more experts gathered at the scene, yet no one dared to obstruct Qin Wentian and Zong Yi.

In a short span, Qin Wentian stepped into the inner regions of the Royal Palace. Suddenly, a line of figures materialized in front of him. Leading the group was a striking young man and woman. The young man, handsome and regal, sported a golden crown on his head. The woman possessed exquisite features and projected an air of nobility. Her smiles radiated a captivating charm, leaving people spellbound.

Behind them stood several formidable experts, their powerful auras marking them as individuals of immense strength.

"Why are you not kneeling upon meeting His Majesty?" scolded an old man with a cold gaze, his anger apparent. As his words faded, he brandished a long spear toward Qin Wentian.

With a swift movement, Zong Yi raised his hand, a burst of sword light splitting the long spear into two. "Let the Emperor of Skythunder speak for himself."

"Arrogant!" the old man coldly snorted, glaring at Zong Yi. Though Zong Yi's cultivation was formidable, weren't his words excessively haughty? He demanded that the Emperor personally appear to address them?

The prince, wearing a crown, approached with a smile to defuse the situation. "I assume both of you have traveled a long way to be here today. Since you have arrived so abruptly, there must be a good reason. Why not share it with us? I will take excellent care of both of you, my lords."

"Are you the prince of Skythunder?" Qin Wentian asked, fixing his gaze on the young man.

"Yes," replied the young prince. He regarded Qin Wentian thoughtfully, curious about the identities of these uninvited guests who dared to intrude upon the Royal Palace.

"Azure Emperor," a voice echoed in his mind. The prince's smiling countenance transformed instantly, his pupils narrowing. However, his momentary shock passed quickly as he gestured toward a path behind him, saying, "Please."

He then stepped aside, leaving the guards nearby perplexed. Why was the prince being so polite?

Without hesitation, Qin Wentian and Zong Yi continued forward, leaving the prince behind. As they passed, the prince transmitted his orders to the guards, "Secure the entire Royal Palace. No one enters or leaves."

He then divided the guards, with some staying behind and others following him.

Qin Wentian and Zong Yi reached a vast public square within one of the palaces. This place was tranquil, an ideal setting for Qin Wentian's intentions.

At this moment, only three guards accompanied the prince. But soon, the sound of approaching footsteps signaled the arrival of Skythunder Clan experts.

All eyes turned to the Skythunder Prince, their expressions filled with bewilderment.

"You actually know the secret between the Azure Emperor and our Skythunder Country," the Skythunder Prince accused, his voice dripping with icy threat.

The surrounding experts' countenances shifted. Shock registered on their faces as they emanated chilling hostility, directed at Qin Wentian and Zong Yi.

"People of Skythunder, heed my command," Qin Wentian declared, presenting the Azure Emperor Token for all to see. In an instant, the prince's expression drastically changed, though he had anticipated something like this. The others displayed expressions of disbelief.

The Azure Emperor Token?

"Hasn't Father arrived yet?" The prince, ignoring Qin Wentian, muttered to himself before addressing them, "The Azure Emperor fell many years ago. How dare you use his name so presumptuously? Both of you deserve to die."

As his words fell, his eyes brimmed with killing intent.

For eight hundred years, a matter had weighed heavily on their hearts—the Azure Emperor.

As one of the 'hidden' Azure Factions, their ancestral edicts dictated that they await the Azure Emperor's successor. But as their power grew, culminating in their rule over a country, how could they willingly obey the commands of a successor to a long-deceased man?

Today, the Azure Emperor's successor had finally appeared.

Since he dared to come here, he would vanish from this world forever.

"IMPUDENT!" Zong Yi stepped forward, his sword intent howling through the air. Yet, the moment his feet landed, the experts behind the prince lunged forward in retaliation. Clearly, they had been prepared; the prince had been sending covert voice messages to them throughout the entire confrontation.

"Are the others planning to betray the Azure Emperor as well?" Qin Wentian remained as composed as ever, scanning the rest of the crowd. For some reason, despite their higher cultivation bases compared to Qin Wentian, when they met his gaze, an involuntary shiver ran down their spines.

He used the term 'betray.' If the Skythunder Aristocrat Clan had acted similarly to the White Deer Institute, adopting a wait-and-see approach, this situation would be more understandable. However, because the prince before him showed no interest in negotiating and instead ordered their deaths directly.

"A dead man speaking of betrayal?" The charming young woman beside the prince giggled. There was no respect in her eyes for the Azure Emperor. Her use of the phrase 'dead man' indicated clearly that they had no intention of pledging allegiance.

"Silence!" The prince snapped. "The Azure Emperor had close ties to our ancestors and is a figure worthy of respect. What's unforgivable is that these people dared to use his name in pretense. They must die."

Although Zong Yi was extremely powerful, now that both he and Qin Wentian were here, it was impossible for them to leave the Skythunder Palace.

Qin Wentian extended his perception, confirming that the entire area had been sealed. Every entrance and exit was heavily guarded by experts.

Qin Wentian understood the current situation but remained silent, observing the unfolding scene. He wanted to see if the other members of the Skythunder Aristocrat Sect would follow the young prince's lead.

At that moment, an imposing man arrived. This man also wore a crown, and as he approached, everyone bowed low, greeting him with "Your Majesty."

The middle-aged man waved his hand, and his eyes fixed upon Qin Wentian and Zong Yi as he walked closer, emanating a commanding presence.

Qin Wentian calmly returned his gaze, remaining silent.

"Kneel!" Two guards beside the middle-aged man shouted, stepping forward with an oppressive force that bore down on Qin Wentian.

"If there is anyone here who still recognizes the Azure Emperor, kneel and pay your respects in front of his authority token," Qin Wentian declared. He held out the Azure Emperor Token once more. However, nobody was willing to kneel under these circumstances. The silence was deafening, and nobody cared about the token in the young man's hand. Even if they did respect the Azure Emperor deep down, nobody would willingly stand up and oppose the Skythunder Emperor in this situation. It all depended on the Skythunder Emperor's stance.

"Show me the Azure Emperor Token," the Skythunder Emperor finally spoke after a few moments. Qin Wentian's hand flickered, and the Azure Emperor Token soared through the air, landing in the Skythunder Emperor's palm. Upon witnessing Qin Wentian's actions, a trace of unease flickered in the Skythunder Emperor's eyes.

Since this man had ascended to the position of Emperor of a country, it was evident that he excelled in scheming. Observing Qin Wentian's calm and unwavering demeanor when he handed over the Authority Token without hesitation, he couldn't help but be impressed.

"Where did this token come from? We will need some time to investigate, and furthermore, both of your identities are unknown. We will require both of you to stay in our palace until our investigation is concluded," the Skythunder Emperor stated calmly. His piercing gaze remained fixed on Qin Wentian, as if trying to see through him.

"In the presence of the Azure Emperor Token, I command all of you to kneel before it within the span of ten breaths," Qin Wentian declared, crossing his arms as he scanned the onlookers. His voice dripped with authority, causing the expressions of those present to stiffen. Why was this man so self-assured?

The charming young woman let out a soft, amused giggle, as if she had just heard the most absurd joke in the world.

"Are you joking?" On the contrary, the Skythunder Emperor's sense of vigilance and danger actually heightened upon hearing Qin Wentian's words.

"I am not. Seven breaths remain," Qin Wentian stated emotionlessly.

Laughter erupted from the others, with the prince and the young woman laughing the loudest. Mockery was etched on all their faces.

In their eyes, Qin Wentian was nothing more than a fool. Yet, at this moment, the sound of kneecaps hitting the ground echoed, astonishingly someone had knelt on one knee, saying, "I willingly obey the successor's orders. Your servant greets the young master."

"Royal Uncle, you...?" The prince's earlier joviality vanished, replaced by disbelief.

"Plop, plop..."

Following that, a total of six or seven individuals continuously knelt down. "Your servants pay their respects to the young master."

This spectacle left the prince and the young woman beside him stunned, their faces frozen in utter disbelief.