By afternoon, a chilling air of murder gradually permeated the Upper City District of the Divine Capital.

Outside the Imperial City, a faint yin qi quietly appeared, making the afternoon sun gloomily overcast, with ghostly shadows flickering in the dark.

This anomaly was naturally promptly discovered by the Forbidden Army guarding the Imperial City, and the information was immediately delivered to the Great Ming Hall, reaching the hands of the Princess.

"The Yin Law Department is restless again."

After hearing the report, a coldness appeared on the Princess's face. She picked up a secret letter by her side, her eyes showing a murderous intent, "And the Meng Family, they are bold as well."

After the news of the changes in the Yong Province arrived, the court immediately dispatched troops to confront the enemy. However, with the appearance of the Golden Crow in the Qing State, various princes used it as an excuse to refuse sending troops, and the Forbidden Army directly under the palace had been greatly depleted due to the battle in Liangzhou, making it difficult to muster adequate forces.

The troops stationed in the southern states were also hampered by the Golden Crow and the princes, furthermore, the distance to the Yong Province being far, it was difficult to arrive there quickly. Meanwhile, the northern forces, suffering heavy losses from the uprising in Yong Province and the battle in Liangzhou, could not recover their original combat power even in a year or two.

Fortunately, the Jingyang Army, originally stationed near the Divine Capital, after the Liangzhou battle, due to the betrayal and massacre of their commander by Meng Xiufan of the Meng family, was now under the Princess's control. Together with thirty thousand Forbidden Army soldiers, they hurried to the Yong Province, to confront the Buddha Country.

Yet, precisely because the deployment of the Jingyang Army and remaining Forbidden Army left the Imperial City quite empty.

Otherwise, by simply having the Forbidden Army stand on the walls, the Heavenly Soldiers' Dao Fruit Ability [Divine Power] would link together, sweeping the yin qi clean away.

Thinking of the current situation, the Princess smirked coldly, saying: "Is this trying to reenact the siege of the past?"

Back then, along with the chief ministers of the court, the Yin Law Department similarly surrounded the Imperial City, severing the Emperor's divine skills, trapping him within the Imperial City, which ultimately led to his sealing by the Great Venerable. Now, history repeats itself, but it's the Princess facing it.

"In just over a year, history is about to repeat, the imperial power······"

At this moment, the Princess clearly sensed that the deterrent force of the imperial power was much diminished.

The success of coercing the Emperor had greatly shaken the imperial power. If the Emperor Dao Fruit could be inherited, it would stabilize the Emperor's authority, but unfortunately, the meddling of the Great Venerable made it all in vain.

Then came the Taiping uprising, where a certain powerful minister defeated the Earth Uncle, wielding power over the court and field, causing the imperial power to waver step by step.

It was as if in Jiang Li's past life, when the Sima family killed the emperor in the street, the imperial power of the Great Zhou was equally shaken.

The deterrent force of the Royal Family was no longer what it was before, and with Tianxuan and Jiang Li heading to the Yong Province, others saw an opportunity. If not for the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer still present, a siege might have already been reenacted.

"They are waiting, waiting for the news from the Yong Province to arrive······" the Princess muttered softly.

Just then, Feng Manlou walked in from outside the hall, seeing the Princess in such a solemn mood, he shook his head, approached, and softly said: "In the Yong Province, the Immortal Queen is restraining both sides, intending to force Tianxuan to complete the transaction early. If Tianxuan refuses, she will suffer Heaven's Punishment."

Upon hearing this, the Princess knew what news the other party··· or rather what the Meng family was waiting for.

They waited for the Immortal Queen and Tianxuan to complete the transaction, then take action simultaneously with the Immortal Queen, directly intimidating the Imperial City on one side and advancing on the other. In this way, even if Jiang Li and Tianxuan wanted to abandon the Yong Province and retreat, it would be difficult for them to return.

If they retreat without stopping the Immortal Queen's advancement, then the Immortal Queen would pursue them. If they do not retreat, they would fall into the desires of the Meng family and the Eldest Prince.

To stop the Immortal Queen, the best method is actually to renege, bearing the cost of Heaven's Punishment, to stop her.

But if they did so······

"Tianxuan had previously stated that Heaven may not be able to inflict heavy injuries or even kill a third-grade as it did in the past. She made her oath with this in mind."

The Princess said in a solemn tone: "Heaven has suffered two consecutive wounds, its current situation is still unknown, maybe it truly is unable to bestow Heaven's Punishment anymore, however······"

But it is best not to attempt to break the oath.

It is not about fearing Heaven's might as before, capable of crippling a third-grade to the point of being non-functional, but fearing Heaven's lack of might.

Earth Uncle, once bitten by a snake, is afraid of well ropes for ten years, even having experienced Heaven's Punishment and knowing how to cope, he still dares not to personally test its power. Some members within the Ji family are also, for this reason, notably lenient towards the returning Jiang family.

This is still the situation within the court.

Speaking of outside, there is the Heavenly Monarch, who has always been wary of Heaven, thus always avoiding Jiang Li. If he learns that Heaven can no longer deal with a third-grade, the Heavenly Monarch likely would also cast aside his concerns.

Therefore, even if Tianxuan knows that Heaven might not be able to do anything to her, she cannot break the oath.

If Heaven remains powerful, then Earth Uncle's fate serves as a cautionary example; conversely, if Heaven is not powerful enough, and Tianxuan's breaking the oath exposes this, even if it advantages over the Immortal Queen, it would be a Pyrrhic victory.

The Immortal Queen, having witnessed the annihilation of a Heavenly Incarnation herself, aware that Heaven may not be as it used to be, still puts hope in the Oath of Heaven for this reason.

"This woman is still so formidable." The Princess secretly gritted her silver teeth.

Among women of the same generation, only the Immortal Queen advanced to the third grade decades earlier, evidencing her capability. It is precisely due to the Immortal Queen's extraordinary talent, with potential for advancing to the Second Grade, that in those days, Tianxuan joined forces with others to obstruct the Daoist Immortal Queen.

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