Chapter 97: Pinnacle Earth Profound!


    War God Fang, you returned just in time! Niu Jue rushed forward and hurriedly exined everything that had just happened to Fang Chen.


    The nearby Valiant Defenders were stumped. They couldnt figure out whether Niu Jue was part of their Valiant Defenders or Fang Chens subordinate.


    Jade Fairy was infuriated to learn that the Fang nsmen had been taken to the imperial pce. She turned to Fang Chen and roared, Young master, that dog emperor dares


    <em>Dog emperor?!</em>


    Niu Jue widened his eyes. He hurriedly turned to the nearby Valiant Defenders and roared, Why are the lot of you still dawdling here? Get lost!


    Yes sir! The Valiant Defenders rushed away, knowing that it was best for them to feign deaf.


    Chillwater sent Ji Lengyue here, right? Fang Chen murmured.


    Niu Jue first nced at the Jade Fairy before he answered Fang Chen with a nod, Yes, the name of the envoy is Ji Lengyue. He brought a toon of Nightmare Knights with him. I heard that these Nightmare Knights are pinnacle Ki Control martial artists, and paired with their steeds, they can easily ughter Great Xias hundred thousand soldiers several times over


    Ji Lengyue isnt considered to be one of the more outstanding ones among the Ji ns younger generation, but I heard he has reached Earth Profound realm, Fang Chen muttered. The Ji n holds great influence in Chillwater, controlling half of it. Even Chillwaters emperor addresses the Ji ns patriarch as a brother. They have under their control half of Chillwaters 10,000 Nightmare Knights.


    Niu Jue gasped in horror. He couldnt have imagined that Chillwater was so strong as to have over 10,000 Nightmare Knights! This would make them at least a hundred times stronger than the current Great Xia!


    Chillwater has sixteen vassal states. Did you think that they only have Great Xia, Guhe, Yizhou, and Longdu under them? Were just the countries located east of Chillwater, Fang Chen replied with a chuckle.


    He had been collecting intelligence on nearby countries ever since he took control of the army and established the Great Xia Shadow Guards, especially when it came to their superior state, Chillwater Country.


    Part of his motivation was due to Fang Zhentian having crossed blows with Chillwaters Nightmare Knights in his younger years. His greatest internal trauma was from that encounter.


    Chillwater didnt think that its vassal states could threaten them, so it didnt bother keeping its information confidential. Thus, the Great Xia Shadow Guards were able to easily gather crucial information such as their distribution of power and the ranking of their experts.


    Thus, Fang Chen had a decent understanding of Chillwater.


    I didnt know Chillwater has that many vassal states. Its no wonder they are so powerful. These vassal states must contribute a huge sum of wealth to them every year Niu Jue remarked.


    I didnt expect Zhou Xiu to be a bastard son of the Ji n. I wonder who in the Ji n is so carefree, Fang Chen murmured.


    He turned to Jade Fairy and whispered to her. Thetter nodded and took her leave.


    Chiliarch Niu, Ill be troubling you to guard the Fang Manor on my behalf. Some opportunists might try to rob the Fang Manor while its empty. Fang Chen patted Niu Jues shoulder before bringing Abbess Clearlotus to the imperial court with him.


    Only after the two of them were gone did the Valiant Defenders fearfully return.


    Chiliarch Niu, was that woman Jade Fairy? Her words are treasonous


    None of you heard anything. Heed my words. Dont get involved in things that are none of our business. Thats the way if you wish to survive in the imperial court, understood? Niu Jue said.


    Milord, War God Fang is likely doomed this time. For you to get so close to him arent you worried that someone might pick on you for that? He has many enemies in the capital one of Niu Jues subordinates mustered his courage to ask.


    As Niu Jues subordinates, they would suffer as well if Niu Jue was picked on.


    You dont understand. Im taking a gamble here. Niu Jue took a deep breath.


    A gamble? one of the subordinates asked in confusion.


    Even if I bet on the wrong side, the worst that can happen is for me to be sidelined. What else can they do to me? But if I get it right, let me tell you, War God Fang is someone who cherishes favors. Ill be handsomely rewarded for this small gesture in the future if he survives this ordeal! Niu Jue burst intoughter. You little pipsqueaks are still too young! Learn more from me!


    Yes sir


    Niu Jues subordinates were still convinced that Niu Jue was going to lose this bet.


    Meanwhile, an unprecedented number of people were gathered in the Pce of Great Peace. The Fang n was huge, after all, not to mention that they had brought in the servants and the maids too.


    The officials stood by the sides of the imperial court with bizarre looks.


    Fang Canghai noticed Fang Zhentian and immediately bowed to him, Father, you havee out of your seclusion training?


    Mm. Fang Zhentian nodded.


    The officials stared intently at Fang Zhentian. Some of them had been in the imperial court together with him, whereas some had only heard about his affairs.


    However, it didnt matter how highly-regarded Fang Zhentian was in Great Xia today, for the person they were dealing with was from Chillwaters Ji n. With such a thought in mind, the crowd turned their attention toward Ji Lengyue.


    Ji Lengyue had brought his Nightmare Knights into the imperial court, and they stood in a neat formation behind him. All he had to do was to give the order, and the Nightmare Knights would shred everyone in the room into bits.


    The empress noticed Fang Zhentian too, but she was unable to pay respect to him in view of their positions in this official setting. The anxiety in her eyes deepened.


    Behind the empress was Noble Consort Hua, Xia Yu, and the others, and they revealed different expressions upon seeing Fang Zhentian. In particr, Noble Consort Hua looked gleeful.


    Old General Fang, it has been a long time. Did you manage to advance to Ki Manifestation? the emperor asked.


    The officials pricked up their ears out of curiosity.


    I fear mycking talent has hindered me from advancing to Ki Manifestation, Fang Zhentian sped his fist and replied.


    <em>He failed? </em>The crowd felt conflicted, not knowing whether they should rejoice or be disappointed over this.


    Its understandable. Martial cultivation is not easy, the emperor replied with a nod. He suddenly changed his tone as he continued speaking, You should know why I called you and your people here today, right?


    He turned to Ji Lengyue and introduced him, This is Chillwaters envoy, Ji Lengyue.


    Ji Lengyue? How are you rted to Ji Congyun? Fang Zhentian asked.


    You know my grandfather? Ji Lengyue narrowed his eyes.


    The crowd was taken aback. They didnt expect Ji Zhentian to be acquainted with such an important person from the Ji n.


    I have crossed blows with him many years ago. Fang Zhentian chuckled.


    Ah. Now that you mention it, my grandfather did mention he encountered a Great Xia martial artist while he was traveling the world. If Im not mistaken, you suffered a severe internal trauma from that battle. Its no wonder you failed to make a breakthrough, Ji Lengyue sneered.


    The Fang nsmen were infuriated. The officials were startled too.


    To think Fang Zhentians most severe internal trauma was inflicted by the Ji n!


    Fang Zhentian wasnt bothered by Ji Lengyues taunt. How strong is Ji Congyun now?


    He has long reached pinnacle Earth Profound. Ji Lengyue looked at Fang Zhentian in disdain. Youre nothing more than an ant in his eyes now.


    <em>Pinnacle Earth Profound? </em>


    The crowd was shocked. They couldnt imagine how powerful a pinnacle Earth Profound martial artist was.