Chapter 117: The Eight-Dragon Chant, Emergence of the Dragon Gate

Imperial Capital, Book Pavilion.An old eunuch stood respectfully before the pavilion.Mo Tianyu lounged lazily, chest bare, holding a wine gourd in one hand."Eunuch, my master is not receiving guests," Mo Tianyu said indifferently."Master Mo, His Majesty has ordered this old servant to summon the Grandmaster. Should he refuse, His Majesty swore he would break my legs," the eunuch replied with a bitter smile, flicking his horsetail whisk."Oh? His Majesty truly said that?" Mo Tianyu raised a brow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes."Zhao Kuo's rebellion has left the capital in ruins. His Majesty urgently requires the Grandmaster's guidance…""His Majesty declared: With the Grandmaster for counsel and Jiang Li for arms, the Great Zhou shall rise once more," the eunuch said.Mo Tianyu frowned slightly at these words."No. My master has spoken—he will see no one," he replied with a wave of his hand."Perhaps, would the eunuch like me to divine a fortune instead?" Mo Tianyu's eyes gleamed with anticipation.At that, the eunuch's expression changed drastically. "No, no…"

Suddenly, a cough echoed from within the pavilion.The Grandmaster, clad in scholar's robes and hunched with age, slowly emerged, supported by Kong Nanfeng."Tianyu, trouble the eunuch no more. This old man shall go," he said.The eunuch trembled, tears nearly welling in his eyes."Grandmaster," he said, bowing deeply.The Grandmaster gently raised him. "This one has served much—he even watched the young emperor grow up.""Let us depart," the Grandmaster said with a faint smile.The eunuch bowed again, "As you command."

They stepped out of the Book Pavilion, where an opulent carriage drawn by five horses awaited.As soon as the Grandmaster boarded the carriage, news of his emergence swept across the capital.

The wheels turned.Inside the carriage, the Grandmaster lifted the curtain and gazed at the desolate imperial streets. His eyes were profound.Patrolling soldiers in full armor lined the avenues. A chilling air of martial vigilance blanketed the imperial city.

"Jiang Li truly is a disciple of the art of war—his command is admirable.""Though Bai Fengtian is gone, with Jiang Li, the military still stands tall," the Grandmaster murmured.

Kong Nanfeng nodded. He had thought the emperor's Nine Decrees were meant to imprison Jiang Li, condemning him to the same fate as Bai Fengtian.But no one expected Zhao Kuo's rebellion to erupt, giving Jiang Li a new opportunity.

"All because of Lu Ping'an from North Luo City…" Kong Nanfeng sighed."Oh? What do you mean?" the Grandmaster leaned back, smiling."Had Lu Ping'an not dispatched five hundred North Luo cavalry into the capital, had his cultivators not driven off Zhao Kuo's eight thousand elite, the rebellion might never have come so soon," Kong Nanfeng explained.

The Grandmaster stroked his beard."What's strange about it? The moment Zhao Kuo penned his manifesto, his fate was sealed.""Of all people to involve, he chose Lu Ping'an." The Grandmaster chuckled.

The carriage arrived at the Zijin Palace.Just as they dismounted, Kong Nanfeng's expression shifted slightly as he looked toward the gardens…

Southern Commandery – Great Marsh, Dragon-Rearing Grounds.Tang Yimo, drenched in blood and shrouded in dark energy, stood alone, confronting the monstrous coiled dragon hidden deep within the marsh.Beyond the marsh, Tang Xiansheng, clad in armor, eyes ablaze with excitement, watched eagerly.Tang Baiyun, the eldest son of the Tang family, stared with a mix of envy and admiration as Tang Yimo walked atop the marsh waters.

"Good! Excellent!" Tang Xiansheng shouted twice, thrilled.Tang Yimo's bravery exceeded all expectations.A dragon that even a thousand cavalry could not subdue—Tang Yimo faced it alone, holding his ground.

"As expected of my son!" Tang Xiansheng clapped and laughed heartily.With Tang Yimo, perhaps… the plans he had long buried could finally be set into motion.

On the marsh, Tang Yimo stood firm upon the waters.The coiling dragon, wreathed in miasma, stared with serpent-like eyes, emanating a deadly chill.The poisonous fog around it was lethal.

Tang Yimo had activated the Eight Meridian Demon Technique, opening the first meridian, barely managing to confront the beast.Were it to come to battle, victory was uncertain.

Suddenly, he froze.The waters beneath his feet surged.Something terrifying stirred beneath the marsh.

"Retreat!" Tang Yimo cried out, alarmed.The dragon swiftly dove beneath the surface, and the marsh erupted. Mud and mire flew everywhere.

Tang Yimo retreated beyond the danger zone, eyes locked on the swirling waters.

There, a colossal vortex formed.At its center hovered a glowing white dome of spiritual energy—like an eggshell—radiating a powerful aura.

"A celestial opportunity…" Tang Yimo murmured.The Southern Command Army stood stunned.

Tang Xiansheng dismounted, rushing to his son's side."Yimo, what's happening?" He had never ventured into the secret realm of Wolong Ridge."There's a celestial chance within the Dragon-Rearing Grounds. It has now emerged," Tang Yimo replied."A celestial opportunity?! Is it dangerous?" Tang Xiansheng's eyes gleamed.Tang Yimo cast him a cold glance. "Extremely."

Eastern Yan River – Mirage Dragon Grounds.The Western Command Army camped outside the mist-shrouded river.Through the haze of colored fog, a great figure loomed.

Suddenly, the clouds above the Eastern Yan shifted.A massive vortex formed in the river, and a glowing white energy dome emerged into view.

The Mirage Dragon roared.The colored mists dispersed.The illusion shattered with its bellow.

"A land of celestial fortune!""Lu Ping'an said the hidden treasure here contains the Body-Hidden Realm technique… I must claim it!"The Overlord's voice echoed, deep and resolute, across the river.

Eastern Yang Commandery – Valley of Cracks.Red Dragon Grounds.Corpses littered the scorched land, the stench of charred flesh thick in the air.Eastern Yang had suffered grievously here.

A red serpentine fire drake swept through the valley, its heat melting stone.Ordinary people could not approach—those who tried were reduced to ash.Even martial masters were slain the moment they drew near.

Amid the valley, the governor of Eastern Yang caught sight of a glowing white dome.It was the same celestial aura as that of Wolong Ridge's secret realm.

But no one could enter.

To witness fortune and lack the power to claim it—Such is the cruelest agony in the world.

Tiandang Mountains – Star-Picking Peak.Cloud Dragon Grounds.The emergence of celestial signs stirred the entire Daoist Sect.Atop the greenstone platform of Star-Picking Peak, Daoists raised their heads, eyes gleaming with excitement.

An aged Daoist approached slowly, gazing into the shifting clouds.There, within, hovered a white "eggshell" of light.

"Sansui, you are fated with the Heavenly Dragon in this realm. Seize this opportunity well…""A pity Sansi hasn't returned. He once entered Wolong Ridge, and would have navigated this far more easily," the Daoist said.

"Call me Mochou. Don't call me Sansui," the young Daoist nun replied coldly.She lifted her gaze—A translucent creature of cloud and spirit hovered in the air, locking eyes with her.

North Luo – Lakeheart Isle.White Jade Capital Tower, second-floor terrace.Only Lu Fan remained.

Upon the spirit-pressure board, crimson points flickered and shifted.Seated in his wheelchair, which moved on its own, Lu Fan rolled to the sandalwood table.Leisurely, he picked a green plum and dropped it into the warm wine…