Chapter 388: The Jing Emperor Has Yet to Pay Respects to the Sword Sovereign

At the moment Shen Mo broke through to the peak of the Divine Transformation realm, his shocking aura surged in all directions.

The entire Yu Province, and even half of Qian Province, Mist Province, and Sea Province could feel this tsunami-like aura.

People instinctively looked in that direction, born with an innate sense of reverence.

“It’s the Young Sect Master breaking through again!”

“What realm is the Young Sect Master in now?”

“I don’t know, completely don’t know… Even when he beheaded Gu Ming, I felt his realm was as deep as an ocean.”

The elders of Jade Cauldron Sect exchanged words, none knowing exactly what realm Shen Mo had reached.

The Jade Cauldron Sect disciples were even more excited, chattering away.

Their faces were full of joy.

They felt proud by association.

After all, the stronger Shen Mo was, the more face they had.

More critically, no one would dare bully them now.

All because their Jade Cauldron Sect had Shen Mo, a world-saving supreme powerhouse!

Shen Mo flashed and pushed open the door, feeling the warm sunlight and revealing a smile.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Over a dozen figures arrived from all directions, appearing before him.

They were Murong Yue, Li Zhendao, Hai Qiankun, Mo Lingxiao and others.

Shen Mo nodded, looking pleasantly surprised, “Master, you’ve opened your primordial spirit?”

Murong Yue smiled, “During your closed-door cultivation, I also had some fortunate encounters.”

Li Zhendao laughed heartily, “Elder Murong has indeed had continuous fortunate encounters. The treasures she refined during this period have made even us jealous!”

The others burst into laughter.

Shen Mo nodded slightly, then asked, “What about my senior brother and senior sister? Any news of their whereabouts?”

Everyone exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Shen Mo sighed lightly.

Zhao Yaoqing and Lü Dongxian, according to their predetermined fate, would have been killed by Gu Ming. But now that Gu Ming was dead, the two had vanished without a trace.

Mo Lingxiao suddenly spoke, “Young Sect Master, there’s something I must tell you.”

“Speak.”

“The Sword Sovereign Ji Ping exhausted his life force and fell over a month ago.”

Shen Mo’s gaze momentarily froze.

Ji Ping was a good man who had provided him crucial help.

However, even having reached the peak of the Divine Transformation realm, life force was not infinite, and ultimately could not prevent its own end.

After a moment’s reflection, Shen Mo smiled, “Sect Master, please convey to all sects that in one month, we shall gather at the capital to pay respects to the Sword Sovereign.”

Li Zhendao’s spirit lifted, “Excellent! Rest assured, I will ensure the message reaches every sect!”

Shen Mo nodded with a smile, “Very good.”

Then he took Murong Yue’s hand, “Master, let’s take a walk outside.”

Murong Yue sweetly smiled, “Okay.”

The news of Shen Mo inviting various sects to pay respects to the Sword Sovereign at the capital spread quickly.

Cultivators from north and south were discussing hotly, speculating on Shen Mo’s true intentions behind inviting sects to gather, given his momentum of having killed Gu Ming.

Paying respects seemed false; issuing commands seemed the real purpose!

Various analyses flew everywhere.

Of course, these analyses could not escape one major topic.

The imperial court, the Jing Kingdom’s royal family!

Jade Cauldron Sect had never had a good relationship with the royal family.

If not for the Ten Thousand Demon Nation’s massive invasion, the royal court might have first sought to destroy Jade Cauldron Sect.

Under such circumstances, how could Shen Mo not deal with the royal family?

Moreover, the Sword Sovereign had already passed away.

What was meant to come would ultimately come.

How the royal family would respond became a topic of discussion among many cultivators.

Even many ordinary people discussed this over tea and meals.

Some even wondered if a change of dynasty was imminent.

The Jing Emperor, upon receiving this news, fell into constant anxiety.

Restless day and night.

Afraid that Shen Mo might appear before him and kill him the next moment.

This waiting was a torment, especially unbearable.

Days passed.

But related discussions did not diminish; instead, they grew more intense.

The rebuilt capital seemed peaceful on the surface, but undercurrents were surging.

Everyone knew Shen Mo was not coming for sightseeing. … Outside the capital, Mei Mountain.

This was the only mountain near the Jing Kingdom’s capital.

It was also the royal family’s burial ground.

From the founding emperor, a total of eight Jing Emperors were buried here.

Not every Jing Emperor lived to be a thousand years old.

Most died after several hundred years.

One unfortunate emperor was assassinated by the Burning Heaven Hall merely eighteen years into his reign.

The Burning Heaven Hall was subsequently destroyed by the imperial court after a hefty bounty was placed on them.

Not long ago, a new tomb was added to Meishan.

Though he was not the Jing Emperor, he was buried with nearly imperial honors.

He was the Sword Sovereign, Ji Ping.

The cultivator who spent his life guarding the Kingdom of Jing.

At this moment, a large crowd had gathered at the foot of Meishan.

Among them were mortals and cultivators alike.

Atop Meishan, before the Sword Sovereign’s tomb, cultivators from various sects had assembled.

Lin Dongtian of the Sacred Spirit Sect, Xue Ziyi of the Shadowless Pavilion, Zhou Mingyi of the Tianhe Sect…

All had arrived.

Not a single one was absent.

No one dared to refuse the invitation of the continent’s strongest.

The crowd stood with bowed heads, silent.

Only a few from the Qian Yuan Sect and the Sea God Island whispered among themselves.

A single thought echoed in their minds.

He hasn’t come yet?

Why hasn’t he arrived?

At that moment, a streak of light appeared on the horizon.

In the next instant, a figure abruptly manifested before the crowd.

Lin Dongtian, Xue Ziyi, and the others were inwardly startled.

Shen Mo’s arrival had escaped their notice entirely.

Had the gap in their strength widened to such an extent?!

“Everyone, it’s been a while.”

Shen Mo swept his gaze across the assembly, speaking calmly.

With just a glance, he could discern who harbored fear and who stood with clear conscience.

“Greetings, Senior Shen.”

The crowd cupped their hands in respect, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

Given Shen Mo’s current level of cultivation, the title “Senior” was well-deserved.

To address him as a peer would have been presumptuous.

“No need for formalities. I’ve only come to pay my respects to Senior Ji Ping.”

Shen Mo’s expression remained placid as he approached Ji Ping’s tombstone and stood in silent contemplation.

After a long pause, he finally turned.

“The Kingdom of Jing suffers under the tyranny of the Ten Thousand Demons Nation because its internal factions are divided, breeding chaos.”

“From this day forth, the eight sects must unite under the imperial court and heed its commands.”

“Does anyone object?”

His words left the crowd stunned.

Not just Lin Dongtian and Xue Ziyi—even Li Zhendao and Ouyang Lang widened their eyes in disbelief.

Unite under the imperial court?

Obey its orders?

“Th-That… is acceptable,” Wang Lang coughed awkwardly.

“The Shadowless Pavilion has no objections,” Xue Ziyi nodded.

“The Jade Cauldron Sect has no objections,” Li Zhendao scratched his head and also nodded.

“Nor do we,” the other sects voiced their agreement one after another.

Shen Mo gave a slight nod, then turned his gaze toward the imperial palace and called out in a clear voice, “Jing Emperor, will you not come to pay your respects to the Sword Sovereign?”

His voice, infused with spiritual power, surged forth like a raging river.

In the blink of an eye, it traversed thousands of feet, reaching straight into the palace.

The Jing Emperor, already unsettled, trembled at the sound.

“Shen Mo? Where is Shen Mo?” he immediately shouted.

Several Shadow Guards appeared at once. “Your Majesty, Shen Mo is at the summit of Meishan. He wishes for you to pay respects to the Sword Sovereign as well.”

The Jing Emperor froze, pointing at his own nose. “Me? Why should I listen to—”

He trailed off, realizing the futility of his words.

“Fine. I’ll go.” The Jing Emperor took a deep breath and let out a bitter laugh.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel