NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 61
“Great Zhou Emperor, what is this…” Ye Junlin’s gaze sharpened.
From memory, this kind of dynasty was different from sects and families; it possessed a mysterious force known as national fortune as its trump card.
The effects of national fortune were quite profound. It could assist in cultivation, heal oneself, and even enhance power!
And the common people were the very foundation that formed this national fortune!
If rulers wanted the blessing of national fortune, they had to gain the recognition of the vast populace.
Thus, a mutually beneficial relationship formed between the two.
As the saying goes, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it!
At this moment, the Great Zhou Emperor didn’t seem to be in good shape. He was relying on the national fortune of the Great Zhou to heal his injuries and looked a bit like a cornered bird, gathering strength for a future confrontation.
“Ah, forgive me, Ye Venerable, for showing such a spectacle,” the Great Zhou Emperor said with a bitter smile.
This was the first time he met Ye Junlin, and he was somewhat surprised by Ye’s youthful appearance. According to various rumors, the Great Zhou Emperor subconsciously thought Ye was an old, stuffy white-haired man.
Most importantly, the Great Zhou Emperor realized that with his own Great Ascension Realm Completion cultivation level, he couldn’t see through Ye Junlin’s specific realm.
“Could this person have used some kind of concealment technique?” The Great Zhou Emperor was puzzled.
Still, based on the Arid Province’s battle, the Great Zhou Emperor held great respect for Ye Junlin.
Because aside from himself, the embodiment of national fortune, no one in the Great Zhou could pose a threat to him!
Ye Junlin said, “Great Zhou Emperor, could you tell me exactly what has happened?”
The Great Zhou Emperor feigned a cough a few times, and the Crown Prince understood, signaling the civil and military officials to exit the Great Hall, leaving only a few people behind.
“The Ghost Clan from the Underworld Abyss unexpectedly launched an attack on the Great Zhou. This was something we never anticipated, and many ministers in the court speculate that there must be treasures in the Imperial Palace of the Ghost Clan, which provoked them into such a significant upheaval.”
The Great Zhou Emperor sighed helplessly, “The problem is, even I, the ruler of the Great Zhou, am unclear about what that treasure exactly is.”
Ye Junlin was a bit speechless; are you also completely clueless?
“Then how did you get injured?”
Who in the Great Zhou could injure a martial artist at the Great Ascension Realm Completion? Especially this Great Zhou Emperor, who bore the vast national fortune!
“You’ve touched upon the key point, Ye Venerable. Before the full-on assault of the Ghost Clan on the Great Zhou, my ancestor’s tomb was invaded by a mysterious person. I rushed to the scene immediately and activated the national fortune’s blessing, which is how I managed to repel that mysterious individual.”
When the Great Zhou Emperor spoke about this event, his expression was filled with deep apprehension: “Strangely, I could sense that this mysterious person was indeed very powerful, even stronger than me, yet they retreated with some hesitation. Later, the Ghost Clan began their invasion against the Great Zhou.”
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s face turned pale.
He had initially thought that it was his father using national fortune to forcefully repel that intruder, but he never expected such a thrilling backstory.
One must know, the power of national fortune is immensely formidable. With his father’s cultivation level, using national fortune should be enough to contend with the best of the Tribulation Stage. But the fact that even his father admitted defeat speaks volumes about the opponent’s terrifying strength.
Most bewildering of all, that person just retreated like that.
Once the Ghost Clan army began its attack, there had to be a necessary connection there.
“It seems that the issue lies within the ancestor’s tomb,” Ye Junlin’s gaze flickered.
From the Great Zhou Emperor’s description, it appeared the Ghost Clan was acting on the directive of that mysterious person, seeking to completely seize the ancestor’s tomb of the Great Zhou.
There must be tremendous interests at stake; otherwise, they would not engage in such thankless tasks.
But strangely, if the mysterious person had the strength to crush the Great Zhou Emperor, why did they suddenly withdraw? What was there to explore in that ancestor’s tomb?
So many doubts!
The more he thought about it, the more intrigued Ye Junlin became.
He originally traversed into this cultivation world and possessed a system akin to a cheat, allowing him to lie back without any cultivation, so he approached life with a carefree attitude full of enjoyment.
He thought days would pass like this, but finding out that there were hidden secrets made everything much more interesting.
“Such incredible occurrences?” Li Wujie frowned.
Beside him, Hong Qianye narrowed her eyes, a fierce glint flashing through them as if recalling some rumor she had heard in the Central Region.
“Great Zhou Emperor, if you don’t find it presumptuous, could you take me to see the ancestor’s tomb?” Ye Junlin asked straightforwardly.
The Great Zhou Emperor sat on the dragon throne, falling into silence.
How presumptuous!
After all, for a ruler, the ancestor’s tomb was a place of immense importance. Could an outsider like you just request to see it?
The Crown Prince sensed his father’s dilemma and politely said, “Ye Venerable, the ancestor’s tomb is the resting place of our ancestors. If you were to enter, you might bring back some bad things.”
Then he shifted his tone, respectfully saying, “Ye Venerable, your presence has been a blessing to us, assisting us in repelling the Ghost Clan army. You should rightfully be warmly welcomed in the Great Zhou. The national banquet prepared by the Imperial Kitchen is about to commence; why not move to the Tianhe Hall and enjoy it?”
The Great Zhou Emperor then spoke, “Ye Venerable, forgive me for not being able to fulfill this request. The Great Zhou royal family’s ancestor’s tomb is not something that can be opened casually. However, as the most distinguished guest, I will ensure you receive the richest treatment, and you may freely select treasures from the national treasury!”
It was clear the Great Zhou Emperor was quite sincere.
Ye Junlin raised an eyebrow.
I’m a man with a system by my side; just signing in daily makes me wealthier than a nation. Would I really be missing out on those treasures in your treasury?
Although the Great Zhou is one of the Undying dynasties of the Eastern Domain, the accumulation in the treasury over many years would definitely have countless treasures that would drive outside cultivators wild, but in Ye Junlin’s eyes, they held no allure.
He was merely curious about the intentions of the mysterious person’s intrusion into the ancestor’s tomb!
Since they were unwilling to let him take a look, Ye Junlin wouldn’t force the issue; he was a pretty easygoing person.
“Alright then.”
Ye Junlin waved his hand.
The Crown Prince let out a quiet sigh of relief, his face filled with smiles, “I knew Ye Venerable was reasonable. Everyone, this way please!”
Afterward, everyone went to the national banquet.
Meanwhile, outside the Great Zhou territory.
There was a terrifying mountain peak with a gloomy environment. Even though it was a sunny day, the sunlight did not penetrate even a little.
At intervals along the path, one could see several ghostly soldiers in battle armor, holding long spears on guard. They wore expressionless faces, exuding thick, chilling energy.
Deep within the mountain.
There was a palace made of piled bones.
The tables were filled with plates containing processed flesh and blood, various human organs, and distinct black and white eyeballs.
The smell of blood wafted heavily in the air.
A ghostly being with grayish-white skin and a horn protruding from its forehead reclined on a throne made of human skin, using hands the size of a fan to grab a handful of eyeballs, tossing them into its mouth and chewing, a pleased expression grotesquely forming on its ugly face.
“Great King, here is your wine.”
At its feet, a disheveled, naked human female cultivator, her body riddled with scars, trembled as she held up a bronze cup. It was filled with thick, red blood.
This was the blood of a newborn baby…
The Horned Demon King took the cup, drank it all in one gulp, then tossed it aside and forcibly pulled the female cultivator into an embrace, laughing heartily, “Delicious!”
It was thrilled to be leading its kin out of the Underworld Abyss to battle in the outside world, escaping the dull life of darkness.
“How many years has it been? I’ve finally waited for this opportunity. I must make the most of it. If we successfully take the Great Zhou Dynasty, my prestige in the Ghost Clan will soar!”
“The most important thing is that as long as I gain the recognition of those few, I may even have a spot among the decision-makers in the Eastern Domain!”
The Horned Demon King stroked its chin and sneered.
The female cultivator trembled, her pretty face filled with despair. She was a Golden Core loose cultivator from Cangzhou and had unfortunately been captured, enduring endless torment day and night.
In the meantime, she witnessed too many inhumane sights. Her spirit had long since shattered, wishing for death, but the opponent was too strong, having manipulated her in such a way that she didn’t even have the means to end her own life.
“It’s been so long; why hasn’t there been any news? With Kunta and the others’ strength, they should be able to compel the Great Zhou Emperor to act.”
“What I fear the most is that guy who bears the national fortune!”
The Horned Demon King’s gaze turned ferocious.
At that moment, a strange black mist floated into the hall, and a mysterious figure in a black cloak emerged, a deep, hoarse voice dripping with uncontrolled rage emerged from beneath the brim, “Useless! What are you still doing here?!”
Upon hearing this, the Horned Demon King didn’t get angry. Instead, it was shocked, scrambling off its throne and kneeling on the ground, trembling as it spoke, “I see the Envoy… please forgive me…”