The No.1 Undercover in the Immortal World-Chapter 377 - 366: The Nine States Cauldron, This Item is Destined for Me
The Imperial Court’s calculations were astute—this operation targeted the Shenxiao Sect and the Guanghan Palace, using the Flower Fairy incident to weaken the power of both.
Moreover, the initial brunt was borne by the Shenxiao Sect, with Guanghan Palace still having its own insiders.
In addition, the Taiqing Daoist Temple was temporarily left alone, and all other sects had already been drawn to their side. Ji Ye, as the number one bootlicker, has now chosen neutrality, which speaks volumes of the Imperial Court’s tactics.
Where there was no movement, there was silence, but once they moved, it was with the force of a thunderbolt.
A storm was brewing, and the wind filled the building.
But there were those who hoped for the storm. How could they rise to power if not through trials and tribulations?
Each major upheaval signified a reallocation of resources. After years of peace, it was time for a grand battle.
Besides, some people present knew the unrest was both the will of heaven and the will of the people.
The killing spree had not yet subsided. The Grassland remained unmoving for now, and if the strife stirred by the Imperial Clan sparked a war, it would be most opportune.
How could being an undercover operative be boring? Lin Yun’s initial purpose for going undercover was merely to protect this land, yet in the end, to his dismay, too few died and now even more had to perish.
Wasn’t his undercover work in vain then?
The Imperial Court had only three Acolytes, who seemed overly confident in thinking a 3v3 would suffice to overcome the combination of the Flower Fairy, Lin Yu, and Zhang Biyu.
Let’s not even talk about Zhang Biyu. Both the Flower Fairy and Lin Yu were unrivaled in single combat, while Zhang Biyu could match anyone evenly—no one had yet tested her true strength.
The battle was on a knife’s edge, and Lin Yun also remembered Dongfang Hongyue’s choice, refraining from rash action.
If the Flower Fairy were to falter, he would naturally offer a helping hand, but with the balance of power currently even, there was no need to reveal his allegiance.
Lin Yun, carrying Jiang Chenyu, retreated behind the crowd only to see the Flower Fairy stow her fan and brandish a pair of daggers.
Using the fan was a courtesy—she had yet to ignite her anger and had not inflicted harm on anyone. But if these people still failed to know when to advance or retreat, they could not blame her for being ruthless. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
All three Acolytes were cultivated by the Royal Family, and moreover, they were all related to the Imperial Clan.
If the Imperial Clan were to be regarded as a cultivation sect, then the Emperor would be the Sect Master, and these Acolytes, the Elders.
The difference lies in the fact that the Emperor of the Imperial Family is not necessarily the strongest, whereas the Sect Master of a sect is usually the mightiest within it.
The four Acolytes present today all had the surname Zhao, belonging to the uncles and grandfathers generation of the current Emperor.
The leader, named Zhao Yuan, was the Royal Family’s Grand Acolyte. The other two Acolytes were named Zhao Xing and Zhao Feng, and the Acolyte tasked with protecting Zhao Guang was named Zhao Rui.
The Imperial Clan was bound by familial ties and shared common interests.
People always have aspirations. Even at the Enlightened Realm, they still have desires and needs.
Some seek immortality, some status, and others the Great Dao. Everyone has their own ambitions.
When someone blocks the way of one’s Dao, conflict becomes inevitable.
"Flower Fairy, Jade Sword Immortal, I’ve heard of your reputations."
Zhao Yuan, noticing the Flower Fairy’s daggers, was somewhat apprehensive. Nonetheless, today’s mission was to capture or repel the Flower Fairy, which was the first step for the Royal Family to rule over all and reclaim the throne of the Human Emperor.
This battle cannot be lost.
Zhang Biyu felt insulted.
What, as one of the three major players in this drama, she, a Demon Lord, did not even merit a name mention?
Even though she became famous earlier, now she seemed to be out of the spotlight.
"Flower Fairy, I advise you to surrender without a fight. The Imperial Court will give you a fair trial."
The Flower Fairy almost laughed upon hearing this. The Imperial Court never intervenes in the affairs of the Cultivation World; normally, it’s the sects that handle their own issues.
All territories within Great Zhou were clearly delineated, and the Imperial Court’s orders couldn’t command the sects. This sudden intervention indicated an ulterior motive.
"What if I refuse to comply?"
"Then there’s no choice but to take you to the Demon Suppression Bureau for a visit."
Zhao Yuan did not need to elaborate; everyone present nearly laughed—the Imperial Court maintained a body like the Demon Suppression Bureau, which originated from the aftermath of the destruction of the Demon Sect, when many remnants caused clandestine unrest. The Imperial Court and the Orthodox Sects jointly established the Demon Suppression Bureau.
It took many years to eradicate the remnants of the Demon Sect. Thereafter, each sect naturally returned to its origins, but the Imperial Court retained the Demon Suppression Bureau. Its function was to handle disputes within the Cultivation World and to punish offenders.
However, this department had never really been put to use. With the Jade-Faced Silver Fox being so defiant, the Imperial Court didn’t send anyone to take action, only issuing a token bounty.
In sum, this was an Imperial Court adept at internal strife but incapable in external warfare.
Disdainful, the Flower Fairy said coldly, "Enough talk. If it’s a fight you want, then let’s fight!"
She wanted to finish the fight quickly; she had noticed two more girls had appeared by Lin Yun’s side!
In the very moment these nonsensical exchanges went on, Lin Yun had attracted two more girls. Dragging it out any further would be unmanageable.
The girls who appeared by Lin Yun were naturally the Snow Maiden and Long Xiaoman.
Seeing the Snow Maiden safe, Lin Yun was greatly relieved and quickly took her hand, asking, "Where were you earlier?"
"An old Taoist used a spell to eject me from the formation, and he even stole my Fulong!"
The Snow Maiden, as if finding support, complained to Lin Yun with a grievance.
With her words, Lin Yun garnered a bit more insight into the Taoist’s divine skills.
This man’s cultivation level was truly unbeatable in the world. The Snow Maiden, wielding Fulong, was an all-around powerhouse. If Yuxuan could effortlessly snatch Fulong from her without inflicting any harm, his strength was evident.
"Don’t be sad. I’ll get it back for you. Did he say anything?"
"He said that relying on external items would make me overlook my own strength, so he took away Fulong but gave me an amulet."
The Snow Maiden could also sense that Yuxuan didn’t seem to have much malice either.
"Also, he told me to figure out who I really am."
The Snow Maiden said with a bit of confusion, "I said I am me, but he seemed to think there’s something wrong. Ah Yun, what do you think?"
The Snow Maiden thought Lin Yun was the smartest. These kinds of questions were best asked to him.
"What you said is not wrong. You are you, you are my A-Jie, and also the girl I like. You don’t need to care about what others think."
No one expected that Lin Yun would be flirting at this time.
Jiang Chenyu was shocked.
Damn, behind my back, your Flower Fairy is locking horns with someone, and here you are, not far away, flirting with another girl?
Jiang Chenyu could only admire it; however, the Snow Maiden was both shy and happy as she happily hugged Lin Yun and said, "I knew Ah Yun would understand me the best."
Jiang Chenyu: "..."
Even though she was very upset, she didn’t know what she could actually do about it.
"By the way, why is she here too?"
Lin Yun was referring to Long Xiaoman. It was only then that the Snow Maiden remembered that she had also kidnapped a fish, so she explained, "I saw her unconscious in the water earlier, all her red scales had turned to gold. I thought you might like her, so I captured her."
Lin Yun: "..."
This silly fish, how did she get captured again?
"Keep her, when we go back later, let her pull the boat."
"I am a noble Dragon King, can’t you make me do something else?"
Long Xiaoman expressed strong condemnation.
Pulling a boat? Is that something a Dragon King should do? Be careful, or I’ll spray you in the face with water, awo!
The Flower Fairy, out of the corner of her eye, watched Lin Yun laughing and playing with the girls, also feeling a surge of irritation.
You fickle-hearted radish, I’m so mad at you!
Lin Yu was about the same. In the Jealousy Gate, she managed to hold back from drawing her sword and killing Lin Yun, this fickle radish; you should have seen how restrained she was.
But there’s a limit to patience, and the frustration she felt back then, if not properly vented now, would leave her at risk of bursting a blood vessel in anger.
Zhao Yuan, seeing both of them seething with rage, had a somber expression. The three Acolytes exchanged glances and finally nodded in unison. Zhao Yuan pulled out a small cauldron from his chest, engraved with various patterns. Lin Yun couldn’t see it clearly from afar, but he had a premonition.
This item is fated for me.
Thinking about it, Lin Yun felt like a prophet. Back in the Great Mist Secret Realm, he had blurted out that the Royal Family was up to something and that Zhao Lingyu would ascend to become the Empress.
He had said it casually at the time, who would have imagined that the Royal Family was indeed stirring trouble now.
This was unexpected for Lin Yun.
Mainly because, although they might succeed, it was too unpopular a move.
The hearts of the people, sometimes seemingly insignificant, can crush someone when it matters — much like the hearts of the people.
If the Imperial Clan had attained the people’s approval through hard work, strengthening their own power, and unifying the world under them, such an Imperial Clan would naturally win hearts.
But what they did was take advantage while the Orthodox Sects and the Demon Sect were fighting to protect the homeland, engaged in wars everywhere. The Imperial Court didn’t contribute at all, and when the Sects were weakened from the war, they suddenly sprang out.
With such conduct, the discerning ones of the world naturally looked down upon them.
If the Dao is supported by many, it thrives; if the Dao is abandoned, it wanes. This Imperial Court is bound to hit the streets.
As Lin Yun made his deductions, the battle also began.
The Flower Fairy decisively unleashed the Sky Splitter Ten Strikes, aiming this time for a show of force. The sounds of the dragon and phoenix in harmony were grand and mighty. Zhao Yuan and the others each shot out a purple aura, which they injected into the small cauldron, turning it into a large cauldron instantly, and the patterns on it became much clearer.
This was the Map of Mountains and Rivers.
Zhang Biyu was instantly astonished, "The Map of Mountains and Rivers, this is the Nine States Cauldron!"
The patterns on the Nine States Cauldron were indeed the Map of Mountains and Rivers, a cauldron that determines the world.
As the Nine States Cauldron grew larger, the Flower Fairy’s slash and Lin Yu’s Sword Qi were consumed like an ox entering the sea, disappearing without a trace.
At the same time, it felt as though a great mountain was pressing down on all three women.
The might of the Nine States Cauldron completely dominated the other Divine Artifacts.
Zhang Biyu was the first to falter, about to kneel down, but on Lin Yu’s body, a White Tiger phantom appeared, and behind the Flower Fairy, a Vermilion Bird circled.
With a tiger’s roar and a phoenix’s cry, the two sisters’ momentum became even stronger than before.
Facing the suppression of the Nine States Cauldron, their powers instinctively retaliated, resulting in such miraculous apparitions.
It was at this moment that the Snow Maiden started to feel restless.
"What’s wrong with you?"
"I don’t know why, but I also feel like roaring..."
Lin Yun: "..."
