Chapter 1000: Be the First to Enter the Imperial Palace

Be the first to enter the Imperial Palace

Li Yi, bathed in Imperial Light and invoking the identity of Emperor Huaqing, intimidated the various Kings; many Heavenly Kings, unwilling to offend a future Heavenly Emperor, withdrew, and even Huaqing’s former subordinates, Shadow Robe and Wild Stone, might return to his allegiance.

Yet just as the situation seemed overwhelmingly favorable,

several Heavenly Kings who had originally intended to leave suddenly halted, abandoning their plans to depart, and as they looked at Li Yi, they subtly revealed faint, chilling killing intent.

“Heavenly King Liyan, I know what you’re thinking—you want to use us to kill this man and prevent Emperor Huaqing’s reincarnation from returning, eliminating him as a threat to you, a traitor. You’re truly ruthless.”

“Indeed, a heartless, faithless wretch—but Liyan speaks truth: if we leave today, won’t we still face Huaqing’s retribution later? The previous Heavenly Kings who left were not from the Imperial City; they came only to seize opportunities. Now that Huaqing has reappeared, they naturally wish to avoid involvement. But we are different—we are outright traitors.”

“Huaqing’s words cannot be trusted. When he reclaims the throne, he will exterminate us—even our clans won’t be spared. In the Heavenly Realm, no Heavenly King who betrays a Heavenly Emperor has ever escaped unscathed.”

Rather than gamble that Huaqing will forgive us after reincarnation, let’s kill him today. He’s only at Heavenly General strength now—slaying him would be effortless. Even if he has hidden cards, can’t we, with so many Heavenly Kings, overwhelm one man? If we let him scare us off with mere words, we’ll spend the rest of our days regretting it when he comes to settle accounts with us.

These Heavenly Kings began whispering among themselves, weighing pros and cons, while also determining how many were willing to join the assassination of Huaqing’s reincarnation.

If numbers were sufficient, they wouldn’t mind fighting desperately.

If numbers were insufficient or the situation turned unfavorable, they would abandon the attempt and flee immediately.

Hmm? Li Yi also noticed the sudden shift—many Heavenly Kings had been leaving, yet now, for some reason, they had changed their minds.

This was clearly suspicious.

Someone must be manipulating this.

“Worse! The situation has changed—Qinglan, that bitch, is secretly inciting the other Heavenly Kings to unite against me. Liyan, the traitor, is also suspect. That pair of dogs certainly don’t want me to return so easily—they intend to ambush and kill me here. Be careful.” Huaqing also sensed the sudden turn and immediately deduced the cause.

Li Yi said: “Look, I’ve barely assumed your identity, and your concubine is already conspiring to kill me. Fortunately, I’ve already circumvented the curse—I took the name Eastern Pole Qinghua Heavenly Emperor. But your name is truly cursed: even reversed, and with the Eastern Pole title added, it still couldn’t wash away your misfortune.”

“But I’m used to it. I have cards up my sleeve—I can handle even if all these Heavenly Kings unite against me.”

He wasn’t afraid of these Heavenly Kings, for his identity as a direct scion of the Heavenly God Clan had granted him immense advantages.

“Quick! Use the last of the Imperial Light to kill that bitch.” Huaqing urged urgently.

“See, you’re getting anxious,” Li Yi said. “But don’t rush. I have only this little Imperial Light—must maximize its effect. Killing your concubine would be wasteful, and even killing one or two Heavenly Kings won’t change the outcome.”

“What do you plan to do?” Huaqing asked.

“Shut up, old green. Watch me.”

Li Yi remained silent, still standing with arms folded, maintaining an air of profound mystery. He coldly surveyed the assembled Kings: “Oh? You’ve changed your minds and refuse to leave—are you challenging me for the Imperial Palace? Or have you been incited by that bitch to unite and block my return?”

As soon as he spoke,

several Heavenly Kings’ expressions shifted slightly.

As expected.

Huaqing, even reborn as a Heavenly Emperor, still had his piercing gaze—he saw through our intentions at a glance.

Huaqing, stop bluffing. You’re only at Heavenly General strength now. Even with Heavenly King guards, what good is that? We can crush you with just a few of us working together.

Heavenly King Liyan stepped forward. As a traitor, he could no longer hide—he had to appear now, or Huaqing’s words would shatter their resolve, and that would be disastrous.

“So the mastermind is you. That explains it. I knew Qinglan, that bitch, wouldn’t dare defy me so boldly without your instigation.” Li Yi nodded slightly.

“Enough. None of this matters. Since you all wish to stay, then stay. My goodwill is limited. I cannot forever tolerate those who defy or betray me.”

As he spoke, Li Yi ignored their gazes and flew toward the Imperial Palace.

“Let any who dare challenge Imperial Authority come forward.”

Then he roared, and Imperial Light erupted around him, like a past Heavenly Emperor reborn, crushing the Kings beneath its weight, making them struggle to breathe.

Heavenly King Liyan’s face twisted repeatedly—he was now uncertain whether the old man had hidden cards or not. But he dared not test it.

That Imperial Light still remained. One strike, and he would be obliterated instantly.

Yet Huaqing’s reincarnation, despite the Imperial Light’s power, made no move to attack—clearly indicating his abilities were severely limited, and he had only one final strike left.

“Gentlemen, don’t act rashly. Huaqing is a paper tiger. Wait until his Imperial Light fades—I’ll test his true strength. If he has no tricks, then strike together and kill him.”

Finally, Heavenly King Liyan calmed the others and made his promise.

He had to take the gamble.

Otherwise, if their resolve broke and the Kings fled, he and Qinglan would never recover—the Heavenly God Clan’s Heavenly King alone could handle them both.

“Huaqing’s reincarnation is clearly nervous. Otherwise, after regaining even a fraction of his former power, he would have slaughtered us already. We didn’t leave earlier—now, even if we wanted to, it’s too late. We’ve all been marked.”

“Liyan, do as you said. If he truly has no tricks, we’ll unite and send this Heavenly Emperor reincarnation to his grave.”

“Wait until his Imperial Light fades before acting. We’re all on the same boat now—no more thoughts of retreating.”

At this moment, the Heavenly Kings had made their choice.

They no longer concealed their killing intent—cold, icy eyes fixed on Li Yi in the distance.

Today, they would topple this Heavenly Emperor and send his soul back to the Imperial City.

“Twelve Heavenly Kings—still quite a few,” Li Yi noted inwardly, sighing helplessly. Huaqing, the old bastard, truly had enemies everywhere.

Though he had fooled over ten Heavenly Kings with Huaqing’s identity, the remaining strong ones were still numerous.

But now he had to act faster—while the Imperial Light still remained.

Li Yi quickly reached the gates of the Imperial Palace. Protected by the Imperial Light, he ignored all danger, channeled his spiritual power, and shoved open the massive gates.

As the gates opened, boundless starlight poured in—inside appeared to contain an entire world: a starry expanse stretched before his eyes.

“He opened the Imperial Palace?”

Heavenly Queen Qinglan’s expression turned panicked—she feared Huaqing had left hidden traps inside, which was why he was so determined to enter.

Liyan’s face also shifted uncertainly—he wanted to stop him, but lacked the courage. The Imperial Light still clung to Li Yi; rushing forward would invite an instant strike.

“So you used the Imperial Light’s cover to sneak into the Imperial Palace first?” At this moment, Huaqing understood Li Yi’s intent.

“You only realize it now? I came here to retrieve something—not to fight a bunch of Heavenly Kings. That would be pointless.” Li Yi, empowered by the Imperial Light and guided by the star-map in his mind, dashed inside, and added a mental message:

“Heavenly King Hanshan, please buy me some time outside. If you can’t hold them, retreat immediately—protect yourself. I have cards. I won’t die.”

He moved swiftly, following a path straight toward the location where the Heavenly Sovereign Token was stored.

But simultaneously, the Imperial Light on his body was rapidly fading, slowly extinguishing—this meant his final strike could no longer be sustained.

Yet in exchange, he gained the caution of the twelve Heavenly Kings outside—and the chance to claim the Imperial Palace alone.

“Hurry. First, take the Heavenly Sovereign Token. Then the Heavenly Emperor’s weapon. Then the Nine Heavens Divine Water. After that, flee. The rest can be abandoned. You can’t hold them off long—they’ll storm the palace eventually.”

Huaqing urged.

He saw no flaw in Li Yi’s move—this use of the Imperial Light was even more effective, because the Heavenly Kings outside couldn’t be certain whether the light had truly vanished.

No one wanted to risk their life as the first to charge.

Li Yi’s body now glowed with pinpoint stars—he arranged a grand array, activated his divine technique, and unleashed the World Step. Once cast, this divine art allowed him to cross an entire world in a single step.

He raced through the starry expanse, his form flickering unpredictably, and within moments, he reached a distant, unremarkable planet.

This planet was obscure, undetectable, devoid of spiritual energy, its environment hostile, lifeless, and lashed by terrifying stellar winds.

Even if a Heavenly King wandered here by accident, he would never discover it—this was where the most precious treasure in the entire Imperial Palace was hidden.

Quickly,

Li Yi arrived at a spot on the desolate planet using World Step. He roared, channeled his spiritual power—and his arm condensed energy into a single punch. The land beneath his feet exploded into dust.

From afar, the dead planet looked as if a massive chunk had been torn away—its structure altered, and the world rapidly collapsing.

One strike—and this world was already doomed, heading toward annihilation.

Without protective arrays, a Heavenly General could easily destroy a planet.

Beneath the now-destroyed land, a peculiar, unyielding stone emerged in Li Yi’s vision.

The stone was pitted, ugly, shaped like a token, indestructible, wrapped in chaotic energy—ordinary in appearance, yet radiating unmistakable strangeness.

“Is this the Heavenly Sovereign Token?” Li Yi’s gaze sharpened—he reached out through space and seized it.

So heavy!

As soon as he grasped it,

Li Yi felt as if he held an entire world—he channeled his spiritual power to stabilize his grip.

“Yes, it’s the Heavenly Sovereign Token. Looks ordinary, but even Heavenly Emperor power can’t destroy it,” Huaqing also saw the token and sighed again.

He had originally planned to keep it for himself.

But under these circumstances, it was better to let Li Yi have it—otherwise, if the palace fell and the traitors divided its treasures, who knew which one would end up with it?

(End of Chapter)