[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-sky-fell":3,"chapter-after-the-sky-fell-after-the-sky-fell-chapter-993":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","After the Sky Fell",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2281849,4462,"Chapter 993: The Imperial Palace and Its Transformations","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-993",993,"\u003Cp>The Imperial Palace and Its Transformations\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Li Yi was not a man who sought trouble, Hua Qing had spent many years with him and once guided his cultivation; now that he had returned the man to Imperial City, he might as well lend him one final favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, bearing the identity of a direct scion of the Heavenly God Clan, he could afford to act more boldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi now flew toward the Azure-Golden Tower of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet before he drew near, a patrol of Heavenly Soldiers spotted him—but their expressions changed instantly, and they dared not block him, fearing he might obliterate them with a mere wave of his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quickly inform the Commander! A powerful figure has arrived!” One of the soldiers, a captain, immediately flew forward, sending others to report while he stepped forward to negotiate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Mo Sha, Captain of the Imperial City Guard, from Hua Qing Imperial City. May I ask, Sir, what brings you here?” Mo Sha spoke with extreme reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he was a Heavenly General, he knew this man was from a mighty celestial clan—though he did not know why he had wandered here, he dared not offend him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Tai Yi of the Heavenly God Clan. I wish to meet Qing Lan Tianwang and Ying Yi Tianwang. Are they present?” Li Yi asked bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavenly God Clan? Mo Sha’s heart tightened. He knew this clan—he had served on inter-realm vessels and understood their might, and he knew they were guarded by a Celestial Sovereign, famed throughout the Heavenly Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Commander has been absent for some time, Lord of the Heavenly God Clan. Could you please return another day?” Mo Sha replied after a moment’s thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt this man’s intentions were hostile and decided to stall with an excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, something major was happening in Imperial City right now—his arrival was not good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s gaze shifted: “So Qing Lan and Ying Yi are still alive? Good. Give them one hour to appear. If they do not show by then, I will take the Tower of Heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now played the role of a domineering aristocrat, speaking like a spoiled nobleman, threatening Tianwang outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was bullying with borrowed power, the feeling was exquisite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, one relies on status and backing. Are Tianwang powerful? So what? If you’re so strong, go argue with the Heavenly God Clan’s Divine Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Sha’s face darkened, but he could not think of what to say—scolding might enrage the man, yet doing nothing risked losing the Tower of Heaven after an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only pray his Commander would appear soon and spare his subordinates this torment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you! Even a Heavenly God Clan member cannot bully us so! Do you truly think Imperial City has no one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a sudden shout rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great gates of the Tower of Heaven opened, and a young cultivator led a group of Heavenly Generals rushing out, fully armed, brimming with lethal intent, ready for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi glanced at the young cultivator: “Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man was weak—only a Heavenly Soldier’s strength—but he was young and clearly held high status, or he would not command these generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who I am doesn’t matter. If you came to visit Imperial City, I welcome you. But if you came to cause trouble, my Imperial City Guard is no pushover. Conflict would harm us all. Even if you’re from the Heavenly God Clan, this place is remote—if something happens to you, your clan may never know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man spoke coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young, yet bold. A Heavenly Soldier dares to disrespect me? Let me teach you how high the heavens truly are.” Li Yi said nothing, merely stepped forward—and vanished from his spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Mingde, beware!” Several Heavenly Generals reacted instantly, shielding him with their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next instant, a five-colored fist of light surged like a mountain, striking down. Five Heavenly Generals joined forces to block it—but at the moment of impact, their faces turned ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That seemingly light punch carried terrifying, tyrannical power—nothing like the strength of a mere Heavenly Soldier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM! With a surge of divine force, the five generals were blasted backward; some spat blood immediately, grievously wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too weak. All of you are too weak. You can’t even withstand one blow.” Li Yi looked down at them, shaking his head in boredom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he had re-cultivated the Miao Gate and refined his Divine Blood again, his combat power in the Heavenly Soldier realm was no ordinary thing—only those who had reached Tianwang could challenge him; all others fell instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this the power of the Heavenly God Clan? A Heavenly Soldier, yet he can fight five at once?” The other generals, still standing, were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew that in the Heavenly Realm, powerful clans possessed extraordinary bloodlines, granting them overwhelming strength within the same realm—but they never imagined the gap could be this vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Heavenly Generals can’t protect you. Come here.” Li Yi shouted, reaching out with a single hand—like a true dragon extending its claws, his move was so tyrannical that even Heavenly Generals could not shield the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man turned pale with terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never imagined his Imperial City Guard was this useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of Tianwang power erupted from behind, from within the Azure-Golden Tower of Heaven, shielding the young man and halting Li Yi’s move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tianwang?” Behind him, Han Shan Tianwang’s gaze sharpened—if a Tianwang intervened, she would not hold back; she would kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps precisely because they knew Li Yi had a Tianwang guardian, the Tianwang within the Tower did not attack him directly but instead appeared immediately, seeking to defuse the conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You, as a scion of the Heavenly God Clan, are noble and destined to become a Tianwang. Why harass a lowly soldier from a remote mountain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman’s voice spoke. She stared at Li Yi, yet her wariness was directed more at Han Shan Tianwang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Heavenly God Clan Tianwang’s power was extraordinary—she could not defeat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi said: “What is your title, Tianwang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you just seek me? I am Qing Lan Tianwang of Hua Qing Imperial City.” The woman revealed her true form—a pure and beautiful woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her eyes always held a sharp edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother.” The young man called out, as if finding refuge—he instantly relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi’s expression turned strange: “This reckless brat… is he your son?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is my son,” Qing Lan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi was about to speak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hua Qing, residing within him, suddenly wailed: “Monster! Monster! I’ve only been reincarnated for a while, and when I return, this bitch Qing Lan has already had a child!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she betray me? I treated her well, treated her well! Back then, she was just an ordinary human cultivator—I took her in as a concubine because I pitied her hardship and admired her loyalty. I taught her cultivation, gave her a Tianwang weapon. And now, after so little time…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Qing felt profound betrayal; he was so furious he nearly spat blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hua Qing, don’t be upset. Accept it. You’ve been dead for years—others remarrying is normal. You can’t expect them to remain widows for you forever,” Li Yi comforted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill her! Kill her! I’ll kill her!” Hua Qing roared, venting his rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi said: “Hua Qing, don’t rush to rage. Don’t you want to know who fathered your concubine’s child? At least find out the lover’s identity before you seek revenge, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true! I’ll kill this bitch—and the lover too! I’ll take revenge! Revenge!” Hua Qing was now obsessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had imagined Qing Lan Tianwang might have lost control of the city, or suffered great calamity, been forced to flee, or even died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never imagined she had utterly betrayed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t anyone in Imperial City know she was his, Hua Qing Emperor’s, concubine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who had the audacity to touch an imperial concubine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Hua Qing’s mind raced with possibilities—but he could not fathom any. Emperors of the same realm wouldn’t be so petty as to steal a concubine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And enemies who wished to do this would not leave Qing Lan in the city—they’d have kidnapped her, tortured her, and killed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how Hua Qing howled, he could do nothing now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord, as a member of the Heavenly God Clan, you’ve come from afar—surely you’re here for the Imperial Palace matter? If so, there’s no need for violence. Just tell me, and I’ll let you join.” Qing Lan Tianwang, seeing Li Yi silent, assumed she had offended him and immediately offered compromise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Imperial Palace? You mean Hua Qing’s Imperial Palace?” Li Yi’s expression shifted as he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. There were ninety-nine Imperial Palaces. Since the Emperor was gone, the Empress took ninety. Eight more were later breached, their treasures plundered. Now only one remains—and it will fall soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you ally with me, you may share in the spoils of this last palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yi narrowed his eyes: “I once heard someone say you were once the Emperor’s concubine. Now that Hua Qing Emperor is gone, is this how you repay him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Emperor is dead. I must find my own path. And this is my private matter—does the Heavenly God Clan intend to interfere?” Qing Lan Tianwang’s tone turned stern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed her status as imperial concubine was her forbidden subject—she would kill anyone who mentioned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Heavenly God Clan scion? She dared not provoke him—even the Emperor himself would have treated him with caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Since Qing Lan Tianwang is so sincere, I’ll let today’s incident pass. But I’m very interested in the Imperial Palace matter—don’t disappoint me.” Li Yi smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Lan said: “Twenty days from now, the last Imperial Palace will open. This is secret—few know. Keep it quiet. More people knowing means more competition. And of course, you must have the courage. Though your potential is great, entering the palace as a mere Heavenly Soldier is extremely dangerous. If something happens, don’t blame me for not warning you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Lan said: “Twenty days from now, the final imperial palace will open. This is top secret; few know of it. I ask you to keep it confidential, for every additional person who knows increases competition. Of course, you must also have the courage—though your potential is extraordinary, entering the imperial palace solely on the strength of your Heavenly General title is extremely dangerous. Should anything happen, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had gathered enough information. No need to linger—he must now ask Hua Qing about the Imperial Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already learned some information; he would not linger—it was time to ask Hua Qing about the imperial palaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1811,"2026-06-20T01:27:08.613Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d5a91cb67d66d2a6759c4efffdfa145b05498535ae50329d96de771afcc1fa34","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-994","after-the-sky-fell-chapter-992",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-sky-fell-cover.jpg"]