The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1381 - 714: Turmoil over the Capital

"Declare to the world?!"

Beside him, Sha Lifei was taken aback and praised, "It has to be the Emperor, truly bold!"

The news of the Divine Artifact leaked unexpectedly, masterminds fanned the flames, and the court and the market were abuzz with discussion, societal change, climate anomalies...

Numerous events almost swarmed in at once.

"The Book of Changes," Fu Trigram states: "Returning from afar, no blame."

If this continues, sooner or later significant changes will occur.

But they did not expect the Emperor would choose to announce it at the Academy's opening ceremony.

Indeed, this move was ingenious, concentrating all attention on one point and cutting off the spread of rumors.

Li Yan also looked towards the depths of the Academy with hidden anticipation in his heart.

He knew that if the Emperor dared to fully disclose it, there must be significant progress with the Steam Engine.

Perhaps it could already be put to use!

The grand era truly arrives...

......

Yan Jiuling still underestimated Emperor Xiao Qixuan.

He thought the news would remain secret for a while longer, but little did he know, as they discussed the matter, a Holy Decree had already slipped out of the Imperial Palace, spreading across the Three Provinces and Six Ministries.

"Qiankun Academy's opening ceremony, the Divine Artifact appears!"

This brief message ignited the entire Capital at an unimaginable speed.

"Mysterious Box," "Red light soaring to the sky," "Auspicious signs descend from heaven"...

There were already all kinds of mysterious rumors in the streets and markets.

Now, various guesses and speculations were instantly "confirmed," and the impact was predictable.

"Have you heard? His Majesty's golden words will unveil that 'Divine Artifact' at the Academy's opening day for all to witness!" In teahouses, patrons chatted even more animatedly.

"Well, it's confirmed now! I wonder what kind of earth-shattering treasure it is."

"The Academy is in the East Suburb. Damn, that day will surely be packed with people!"

"If I could see it with my own eyes, I'd have stories to boast for a lifetime!"

"What are you thinking! That's a royal ground, ordinary people who can get within ten zhang are as lucky as if their ancestors' graves were smoking with good fortune!"

Someone scoffed, yet their eyes also glimmered with desire.

Seeing this, the storyteller also slapped the gavel, refreshing and performing the prepared story of "Heaven-descended Divine Artifact, Recreating Heaven and Earth," eliciting applause from the audience.

Even the street vendors changed their tunes as they called out, "Superior spices, Academy's Divine Artifact enlightenment, prepare your incense offerings early!"

This incited women and young ladies to inquire eagerly, as if lighting a stick of incense would grant them the Divine Artifact's celestial aura.

Of course, the common folk, however curious, knew they certainly couldn't attend that day.

But for the Capital's elites, this news meant more than mere curiosity.

Societal change was already known to all sides.

Some were anxious, fearing the chaos would destroy their longstanding family businesses.

Others were ambitious, starting to prepare in secret.

After all, societal change is unpredictable, what if it could change the dynasty...

Hence the appearance of the Divine Artifact meant even more to them.

Noble residences and government offices buzzed, undercurrents surged...

"Sir, I heard the Ritual Department of the Ministry of Rites is in charge of drafting the viewing list, my father, the Lord of Jingguo..." A noble child cautiously slipped a gold ingot into the sleeve of the Chief Eunuch.

"Oh, my Lord Wu, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, but the roster must be finally approved by His Majesty's personal decision! Right now, the Chief of Staff's desk is piled high with request documents! You see..."

Within the Imperial Palace, the eunuchs were even more aware of the Emperor's attention to this matter, no one dared act out.

Clerks at the Ministry of Rites were sweating profusely, dealing with endless connections and requests.

The elder officials at the Imperial Censorate stroked their beards and frowned, "The appearance of the Divine Artifact concerns national fate, not child's play! Rituals, etiquette, every item must be carefully considered with His Sacred Intent, to prevent impropriety!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Their intention was simple, merely to use this event to show their presence.

And the big businessmen of the Sea Opening Sect spared no effort, trying to squeeze into the viewing list.

A small invitation card, within a short time, became priceless...

...

"What did you say?!"

Just returning to Rouyuan Post, everyone immediately inquired whether the Divine Artifact had been seen.

Clearly Wang Daoxuan and the others were also influenced by this atmosphere.

Seeing this, Li Yan simply revealed the appearance of the Divine Artifact to them.

Sha Lifei's eyes were full of disbelief, "Just that thing?"

At the time in Liangzi Lake, he had also seen the Steam Engine, yet did not expect it was the Divine Artifact.

Wang Daoxuan was also somewhat surprised, stroking his beard and saying, "That thing, I, as a humble Daoist, have seen it too, merely Mo Family's Mechanical Techniques. Though it's peculiar, but lacking Astra Bane Qi, how can it be termed a Divine Artifact?"

"The power of that thing is enough to alter heaven and earth..."

Li Yan briefly explained the applications of the Steam Engine.

But just like people can't imagine nonexistent things, Wang Daoxuan and the others marvelled but didn't care much, not believing this thing could provoke such radical change.

Li Yan no longer elaborated, after dinner, he returned to his room.

Night was like ink, enveloping the Capital's Rouyuan Post in silence.

The noise and undercurrents stirred by the "Divine Artifact" during the day seemed to have subsided with the night.

In the backyard of the post house, the candlelight in Li Yan's chamber was still faintly flickering.

The window lattice was tightly shut, blocking out the last whisper of night breeze.

The air inside the room was so heavy it could almost be wrung out, mixed with an indescribable scent.

Like an old, decaying coffin, yet with a hint of herbal fragrance.

Li Yan sat at the table, under the candlelight, the wooden box brought back during the day was already open.

In the recess of the black cloth, lay the "Evil Spirit Stone."

Peering closely under the candlelight, the stone looked more peculiar, its surface rugged and full of countless tiny holes.

This object is no ordinary thing, not of the Divine State, according to "Yi Yuan," it was offered by a sea guest during the Qi Emperor's Treasure Rolls, causing at least two Imperial Gardens to be destroyed.