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In theory, when the ruler of a nation advances their own cultivation, it should be a good thing.
Surrounded by wolves, a super strong fighter with a Golden Body and Divine Manifestation is more than capable of imposing pressure across the world and safeguarding a nation.
"But this Empress Dowager isn't soone who acts for the country or the people! She uses all her abilities in power struggles, never exerting any effort for the world or the common folk."
Yu Yani glanced at the majestic Hall of Supre Harmony and said coldly:
"She wants to break through, yet she's using such a thod that promises imdiate success. Many people, from the martial community to the Imperial Court, find it hard to trust her. Throughout history, there haven't been a lack of such fanciful thinkers, and not a single one of them ca to a good end."
Lu Yao nodded: "There's nothing new under the sun."
Yu Yani felt that this summary was very thorough and sighed without saying anything more.
Not long after, the sound of music and the ringing of bells and drums began, signaling the start of the grand longevity celebration.
Lu Yao finally got the chance to see the rumored Empress Dowager.
~~~~~~~~~~
On the wide "moon platform" in front of the Hall of Supre Harmony, Emperor Yong'an supported a dignified and beautiful woman as she appeared.
This elegant woman had an oval face and phoenix eyes. She was so noble and graceful that she was beyond description.
But upon seeing her, Lu Yao felt uncomfortable. Both his Divine Sense Perception and Martial Intuition did not take kindly to this woman.
A roar of greeting and well-wishes rose from the crowd on the field. Today was the Empress Dowager's birthday, and according to custom, they had to report a few pieces of good news to create a fortunate sign.
First was the chief steward Li Jinying, who prostrated on the ground and reported loudly, "Report... Grandmaster Zeng has crushed the rebels in Shu State, capturing the leader of the Great Vehicle sect, Shi Yekai! Your servant congratulates the Empress Dowager!"
This was the final resistance force of the Great Vehicle sect, and with its complete annihilation, it constituted the first piece of good news.
It also subtly explained—why Grandmaster Zeng wasn't attending the longevity feast, giving the Imperial Court a way to diplomatically cover the absence.
But everyone present knew—the Imperial Court had developed a rift with this Golden Body Grandmaster, and given his speed, it wasn't possible that he couldn't make it back in ti.
This matter had a lot to do with Lu Yao.
The Imperial Court always thought that Grandmaster Zeng had reaped all the benefits of the Heavenly King's Mansion and demanded that he hand over Hong Renkun's Mystic Cultivation Manual.
But all the spoils were in Lu Yao's hands, and Grandmaster Zeng hadn't gained a hair's worth to hand over, making the whole affair quite unpleasant.
~~~~~~~~~
Following that, the chief eunuch An Dehai knelt on the ground, shouting, "Report... Izumo has been defeated by the Imperial Court Soldiers, fearing our mighty awe, and has sent emissaries to seek peace!"
After saying this, he presented the armistice agreent to the Empress Dowager with both hands.
At this mont, the ministers of various countries showed mocking expressions, with the nes and Rakshasa ministers especially pleased.
For the interests of their countries in the Far East, they were not keen on seeing Izumo's rise.
The minister from Jiade—Earl Spee—was visibly elated, especially happy.
Izumo was a pawn placed by Einheit in the Far East to contain Jiade, and Earl Spee was quite happy to witness its misfortune.
The Earl even personally visited Li Zhongtang to express that he would fully support the Shun Dynasty and ensure that Izumo paid a heavy price.
However, the Empress Dowager just casually flipped through the armistice agreent in her hand and said, "It's inauspicious to fight on a great day like today, so let's cease fire starting from now."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhongtang's expression turned sowhat unpleasant.
The terms of the cease-fire laid out by the Empress Dowager were overly lenient, not imposing enough consequences on Izumo and simply demanding the withdrawal of its army.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Although ten thousand taels of silver is a lot, the savings far exceed this number. The intelligence network has already been fully deployed and will provide the greatest support for the rise of the Izumo Empire!"
Just as he was feeling pleased with himself, he suddenly sensed an icy killing intent, and turning his head, his gaze t with Lu Yao's.
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"This child bears imnse hostility towards Izumo and must be eliminated. But what is this alarming premonition that makes my flesh crawl?"
HIs Martial Intuition was frantically signaling warnings, which made him a bit puzzled. With Lu Yao's Blood-Exchange combined with Fetal Breath, how could he possibly be a threat to himself?
By the next second, Kotaro Komura noticed Yu Yani, who was also glaring at him from Lu Yao's side, and he realized—
It was the Moonshadow Sword! With a body like the shadow of the moon and a sword like a startled swan, an extrely formidable assassin!
He mistook the warning signals as coming from Yu Yani.
~~~~~~~~~ Continue your journey on empire
Next was the imperial martial arts competition.
Li Zhongtang stepped forward. Although he was only in the Blood-Exchange Realm, his Spirit Refinent had just reached stability, he had the right to present matters without kneeling and simply bowed as he said:
"Now the nation is peaceful and people are safe, and talents are erging in large numbers. Your servant requests to hold the martial arts competition in front of the Imperial Court to recruit talent for the court."
"Permission granted."
It was then the turn for Lu Yao and other seven contestants to enter the stage. Interestingly, four of them were monks.
Because the ultimate prize was the Mystic Cultivation Manual 'Nirvana Sutra' from Baique Temple!
This was a manual handwritten by the Divine Manifestation monk "Master Zhihai" during the Wei and Jin dynasties, containing various marvels, and with fatal attraction to the Buddhists.
Baique Temple had sent its elite with an oath to take it back.
But at this mont, the last monk from Baique Temple participating in the competition had been brutally killed by Mitsuomi Kamiya—his innards sprayed out from every hole in his body!
In the face of this bloody scene, the expressions of those from the Shun Dynasty were not looking good, and Emperor Yong'an was visibly furious!
Lu Yao's opponent was also a monk. The two exchanged blows with Taiping Fist, and at the level of Spirit Refinent Realm, they saw each other at 0.3 tis the speed, making it impossible to fight.
The monk knew he was no match and voluntarily conceded defeat.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The fight between martial artists rarely lasted over a minute, and within the ti it took for a pot of tea to brew, it had reached the final battle.
Before entering the arena, Lu Yao swallowed four "Ten-Complete Immortal Pills." Noticing that Yu Yani was watching him, he explained, "The little Japanese is definitely going to cheat; I have to be prepared."
Yu Yani hinted, "You should be aware of the side effects of your own elixirs."
"I know, but now I can withstand the power of five pills!" Lu Yao said as he swallowed another pill, ready to give his opponent a thrashing in a mont.
~~~~~~~~~
Lu Yao and Mitsuomi Kamiya took to the stage, drawing the attention of the entire audience.
Everyone knew that the contradictions between the Shun Dynasty and Izumo were only temporarily suppressed and that there would definitely be conflicts in the future.
This competition not only involved personal honor and disgrace but also represented the national and ethnic pride of each side.
Mitsuomi Kamiya was dressed in a Karate Uniform, revealing his arms and a chest with muscles that seed to explode like iron.
He adopted a stance—one fist clenched by his waist, while the other hand was level with his shoulder, palm like a knife, pointing straight at Lu Yao.
"The Spirit Refining Genius of the Shun Country, you have been invincible thanks to your Spirit Refinent Realm until now, but that ends today!"
Mitsuomi Kamiya spoke with confidence: "My body has been forged through a thousand hamrs, a hundred trials; it is the mightiest weapon in itself, fundantally different from a lucky upstart like you who relies on Spirit Refinent to break through realms!"
While roaring, he revved his bodily functions to their peak and with a fierce bite to his molars, he took what Kotaro had given him!
In the fights of martial artists, no one takes it slow like in a card ga, going from small to large gradually.
The mont Mitsuomi Kamiya started, he went all out, aiming to take down his enemy in the most ferocious way!
And coincidentally, Lu Yao was thinking exactly the sa!
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