Chapter 1224: The Heaven-Defying Invisible Net
Chapter 1224: The Heaven-Defying Invisible Net
Faced with Bai Hua's interrogation, Sun Luyuan was utterly speechless.
A dark golden, crystalline light swirled around him, its power far surpassing the Dao Integration realm. Sun Luyuan's spiritual senses screamed frantic warnings, yet he didn't dare make the slightest move.
"This junior... this junior..."
Before Bai Hua's palpable killing intent, Sun Luyuan, who was normally so eloquent, found himself unable to utter a single complete sentence.
The truth was, for a cultivator of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the Longevity realm was a concept far too remote to grasp.
"Hmph. Just as Little Tian said," Bai Hua muttered, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Sneaky, and clearly up to no good."
As if sentient, the dark golden light enveloping Sun Luyuan began to close in, its corrosive power intensifying.
"Don't worry. With my strength, even if the Great Qi is a dragon's den, I can still make it out unscathed."
An overwhelming sense of absurdity washed over him.
"Could it be? Am I going to die here?"
Just as Sun Luyuan succumbed to despair, ready to accept his fate, a voice rang out like a divine chime, halting Bai Hua's attack.
"Bring him to me."
The tone was calm, yet it held an infinite, undeniable authority.
At the sound of the voice, the mischievous youth's expression shifted. The playful mockery on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by deep reverence as he bowed from afar.
Bai Hua, too, reacted at the sound of the voice.
The aggressive, crystalline light transformed into several tendrils, binding Sun Luyuan securely.
Following the pair, Sun Luyuan was led into the small world of the Great Qi, and into its tallest, spired palace.
The great hall within was vast and solemn.
A figure sat enthroned high above.
Shrouded in a mysterious radiance, the figure's features were impossible for Sun Luyuan to discern.
"Kneel!"
the mischievous youth commanded coldly.
Sun Luyuan was a Dao Integration cultivator who held a key position in the Protection Hall. Aside from supreme figures like the Dharma Propagators and Mirror Holders, he stood at the very pinnacle of power within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
Yet, before the master of this small world, he knelt without the slightest hesitation.
What was a mere Dao Integration cultivator like himself to someone who could command a being of the Longevity realm?
"Greetings... Sacred Emperor."
Prompted by the mischievous youth, Sun Luyuan said, his voice trembling.
"Sun Luyuan," the Sacred Emperor declared, instantly identifying him.
Then, in just a few more words, the emperor laid bare the core details of his life and background.
The revelation sent a chill through Sun Luyuan, and he began to tremble uncontrollably.
But the Sacred Emperor's next words banished the chill from his heart, filling him with an unexpected wave of joy. "I am aware of your purpose here. The Sacred Dynasty does not reject those from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance who wish to pledge their allegiance."
"It is always for the best if we can avoid needless bloodshed."
The Sacred Emperor's voice, filled with immense authority, echoed through the hall.
"As the first to pledge your fealty to the Sacred Dynasty, it is only right that you be rewarded."
A shaft of chilling light materialized beside the Sacred Emperor and shot toward Sun Luyuan in an instant.
It came to a steady halt right before him.
*Hiss...*
An intense chill washed over him, causing a thin layer of frost to form on his face.
He had to rapidly circulate the spiritual energy within his body just to dispel the frigid aura.
Focusing his gaze, Sun Luyuan saw that the object floating before him was a pale blue sword.
"This is the Ice Sealing Ten Thousand Year Sword," the Sacred Emperor remarked. "When its frigid energy is unleashed, it can instantly freeze an entire province of the Xuanhuang Realm. You may have reached a high realm, but your combat prowess is sorely lacking. You're skilled enough at fleeing, but in a true life-or-death battle, I fear you couldn't even defeat a few of my disciples."
Sun Luyuan would never dare to object; he could only nod repeatedly in agreement.
"Take this sword. Use it to protect yourself."
Only when the Sacred Emperor had spoken, and under the mischievous youth's rather hostile gaze, did Sun Luyuan—as if in a dream—refine the Ice Sealing Ten Thousand Year Sword and store it away.
"Thank you for your grace, Sacred Emperor!" Sun Luyuan exclaimed, unable to contain his joy.
"Now that you have joined my Sacred Dynasty, you must not be of two minds. Tian'er, I leave him in your hands."
The mischievous youth bowed his head. "This disciple understands."
"You may go," the Sacred Emperor said, dismissing them with a placid tone.
Bai Hua was the first to depart, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing.
Sun Luyuan, meanwhile, followed behind Ou Shangtian, leaving at a more measured pace.
"You. Follow me," Ou Shangtian ordered with a cold snort, sizing up Sun Luyuan.
Having received such a great gift, Sun Luyuan wasn't bothered by his attitude. "And how should I address you?" he asked with a thick-skinned smile.
"Address me as General Ou."
Without another word, Ou Shangtian led Sun Luyuan to the Sacred Heart Hall within the Sacred Capital.
The hall was immense, second only to the Sacred Emperor's own throne room in grandeur, and it was filled with tens of thousands of worshippers.
Young and old alike, all wore expressions of deep piety as they prayed to a large statue in the center of the hall.
The statue's face was indistinct, but its form was identical to that of the Sacred Emperor whom Sun Luyuan had just met.
All the subjects of the Sacred Dynasty praying here were cultivators.
Yet, the powerful aura of a Dao Integration master, which Sun Luyuan had not yet deliberately concealed, had no effect on them whatsoever.
Their gazes were fixed on the statue of the Sacred Emperor, their expressions resolute, their minds and souls completely absorbed in their devotion.
It was as if their minds were interconnected, woven into a vast, invisible net. The mere pressure of a Dao Integration expert was utterly incapable of disturbing them in the slightest.
Ou Shangtian led Sun Luyuan onward, taking him to a secret chamber deep within the Sacred Heart Hall.
Inside the chamber, dozens of the Sacred Emperor's followers were kneeling in prayer.
All of them had reached the Golden Core realm, and their faith in the Sacred Emperor was even more unshakable than that of the crowd outside.
Another faceless statue of the Sacred Emperor stood in the secret chamber.
"You will pray and swear an oath as well," Ou Shangtian instructed, transmitting the words of the vow directly to Sun Luyuan's mind.
Sun Luyuan naturally had no objections.
Following the example of the other believers, he knelt before the statue and began to recite the oath.
As Sun Luyuan recited the words, the magnificent, sacred figure of the Sacred Emperor seemed to manifest before his very eyes.
What terrified him even more was the sensation of an invisible power coalescing from the void.
It slowly attached itself to him, forging a direct link between his spirit and the Sacred Emperor.
Sun Luyuan felt like an insect caught in a spider's web. Even without struggling, he could feel himself sinking deeper and deeper into its grasp.
"What kind of technique is this?"
Sun Luyuan was aghast. Even the Mirror Holders had to rely on secret arts to control their subordinates.
To achieve such a profound level of control with just a simple oath...
It was simply unheard of!
But Sun Luyuan knew there was no turning back now.
Once he finished reciting the oath, Ou Shangtian's attitude softened considerably.
He tilted his head slightly, as if listening to a voice only he could hear.
Then, he turned back to Sun Luyuan. "You have a restrictive seal inside you, placed there by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Removing it rashly would likely alert them. We'll leave it for now."
"But don't worry," he added. "With the Master's power protecting you, the seal can do you no harm."
Ou Shangtian's words put Sun Luyuan's mind at ease.
"Since you've now joined our Sacred Dynasty, you can't just receive gifts without contributing. Here is a list..."
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