Chapter 436: Lord of the Heavenly Court

The Yingtian Guard surrounded the Second Puppet Academy.

They surrounded it without attacking, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving.

Inside the Second Puppet Academy, many students were in a state of panic.

"That Lin Gui, he is actually that God Bone wielder!"

"He is daring enough to defy the heavens; he even dared to slay an Elder of the Heavenly Court, implicating us—we are finished!"

"Waaah, I haven't even married yet, I don't want to die!"

"You're a grown man, what are you marrying?"

Within the Academy, most students were very hostile toward Lin Gui, even feeling that he had implicated them.

And within the inner courtyard, there were quite a few such voices as well.

But at this moment, the atmosphere in the inner courtyard was somewhat strange.

A large group of old men over the age of fifty were gathered around a Mid-level Life Puppet with a kind expression, observing something.

Some were stroking their beards, occasionally letting out laughs; others were muttering to themselves, breathing out words like "To think it is so."

At this time, a hunchbacked old man said: "You fellows, you still have the mood to study these things."

"The Yingtian Guard is already surrounding us outside; once the people from the Heavenly Court arrive, we fear we will be implicated and will surely die."

The old man's words fell into the ears of these disheveled elders present.

The Dean took a deep puff from his pipe and exhaled lightly, smoke curling around: "What status does the Heavenly Court have? What status do we have?"

"Our life and death are not in our own hands, but in the hands of the Heavenly Court."

"No matter how much we worry or seek solutions, it is useless."

"You are not unaware of the tyranny of the Heavenly Court, are you?"

"In our final moments, to still be able to see a Legendary Puppet, what a great blessing this is?"

"This is the favor of the Heavens toward us."

"We must study this Legendary Puppet well; it is, after all, a joy in life."

The strength of the Heavenly Court was deeply rooted in people's hearts.

Or rather, the Heavenly Court was just like the Pantheon of the West.

The Elders of the Heavenly Court were high above, looking down upon the mortal world.

Once, a young girl went to Lezhou City to play and met a handsome man on the road, falling for him during their time together.

Who would have known that the handsome man was actually a flower-plucking thief, and his methods were vile.

While insulting the young girl, he couldn't help but add some extra drugs, and having played too hard himself, he took too much of the aphrodisiac, resulting in both of them dying.

This matter became a laughingstock in Lezhou City.

Who would have known that the young girl was actually a descendant of an Elder of the Heavenly Court.

That Elder doted on that descendant quite a bit; after emerging from a death-seclusion five years later and learning of the girl's death, he was incomparably furious.

The culprit was already dead, and everyone thought the matter had ended.

But who would have known that the Heavenly Court Elder had nowhere to vent his inner resentment and actually took action!

He slaughtered Lezhou City!

How innocent were the commoners in Lezhou City to suffer such a fate.

The entire Lezhou City, no one survived; from the hundred-year-old elders down to the infants in swaddling clothes, all were slaughtered to the last.

Even a royal relative of Lezhou City did not escape the disaster.

That Heavenly Court Elder, having done such a thing, was merely punished by the Heavenly Court, forbidden from leaving the Heavenly Court for ten years.

Such a punishment was painless and itchy.

It is evident that the tyranny of the Heavenly Court—those Elders... are truly living in the clouds, and are not of the same path as these commoners.

Or rather, they are not human.

"How can we old fellows fight against the Heavenly Court?"

"Our life and death can no longer be worried about; let us take advantage of the final time to look at this Legendary Puppet!"

"This is a Legendary Puppet, the dream of my life!"

These teachers in the inner courtyard had poured their life's blood into puppets.

Perhaps, to those high and mighty figures, the art of puppet making is a minor path.

Even the big shots above could make the art of puppet making vanish into the dust of history with a single word.

But to the people present, they had poured their entire lives into it.

Even their ancestors and generations before them had as well.

Their life's goal was to create a Legendary Puppet.

Now, a Legendary Puppet was right before them, so naturally, they were incomparably excited.

Not far away, Wang Lu saw this scene, not knowing whether to feel happy or heartbroken.

At the very least, those elders of hers had truly seen a Legendary Puppet.

With this Legendary Puppet here, perhaps they could also manufacture a Legendary Puppet.

Of course, their current situation could be said to be extremely difficult.

Or even... not far from death.

Beside her, the Senior Disciple recovered from his daze and hurriedly looked at Wang Lu: "Junior Sister, did that Lin Gui really Slay Elder Lan Fire?"

The Senior Disciple was still a bit confused even now.

This news was too shocking.

Hearing this, Wang Lu couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the Senior Disciple.

How many times has she said it?

This senior brother keeps asking.

"Sigh, a god was actually by my side, but unfortunately... I didn't seize the opportunity."

The senior brother was somewhat disappointed.

Wang Lu looked at the senior brother and those teachers, feeling that none of them were quite normal.

"Lin Gui did Slay Elder Blue Fire, senior brother. If Lin Gui were to appear, would you still want to seize the opportunity?" Wang Lu's mouth curled into a smile.

"This..." The senior brother was stunned, or rather, somewhat hesitant.

Indeed.

"Whether we have a connection to Lin Gui or not is unimportant.

Our life and death depend on the moods of those Elders in the Heavenly Court." The senior brother said this, dejected, "I hope it doesn't implicate my elderly mother at home."

Regarding life and death, he was still fearful; naturally, he could not remain indifferent.

Now, with the Yingtian Guard surrounding the outside, he also felt some panic within.

"Give me another half a month, no, six days... I will be able to grasp the mysteries within the Legendary Puppet and replicate a Legendary Puppet!" At this moment, among that group of old men, one let out a voice of wild joy.

He was disheveled, looking somewhat mentally deranged.

That they could still do this in the midst of a life-and-death crisis was truly unexpected.

Wang Lu took a glance and thought to herself: "If you all saw a God-Tier Puppet, you'd go crazy!"

She guessed internally that the two who blocked Elder Blue Fire at that time must have been God-Tier Puppets.

Puppets comparable to gods!

What a tremendous temptation!

I fear that if someone in their Academy could craft a God-Tier Puppet, the Academy's status would surely rise crazily.

Just at this moment, suddenly, a voice came.

"The City Lord has arrived."

Hearing this, the inner court students and teachers present all revealed expressions of confusion.

Why would the City Lord come here?

Wasn't this place surrounded by the Yingtian Guard?

Shouldn't what awaited them be being sent to Kyoto?

How could the City Lord come here?

Only to see a middle-aged man wearing a yellow mandarin jacket appear in view, his face piled with smiles.

"Dean Wang, you've worked hard.

Because of a misunderstanding, the Yingtian Guard blockaded the Academy.

Now, the Yingtian Guard has already left, and the Grand Commander has also received punishment from his superiors.

I have come specifically on behalf of the Yingtian Guard to offer an apology to Dean Wang.

From now on, the Academy can enter and exit normally!"

As the voice fell, everyone on the scene was also stunned, followed by a huge, wild joy sweeping over them.

Wang Lu, at this moment, was filled with huge confusion in her heart.

How could it end like this?

Could it be because of... Lin Gui?

Didn't he kill Elder Blue Fire?

That was an Elder of the Heavenly Court.

Lin Chao originally did not want to go to the Heavenly Court to see that so-called Lord of the Heavenly Court.

Although the other party had issued an invitation and their attitude was very sincere.

However, in the end, the other party played a trump card.

That was, the Heavenly Court had a way to allow Lin Chao to enter any Ancient God Temple.

Regarding those Ancient God Temples that had not yet officially appeared in the world, the Heavenly Court also had some leads.

It was precisely because of this that Lin Chao decided to make a trip to the Heavenly Court and see the so-called Lord of the Heavenly Court.

Lin Chao sat on the Flying Boat, looking down at the town below.

"How much longer until we reach the Heavenly Court?"

"Reporting to you, sir, it will take another two hours." Situ Xi had a sweet smile on her face, dressed in a green dress with a silk ribbon tied around her waist, revealing a graceful figure.

The surname Situ was extremely noble and prominent in the Ancient Tang Empire.

Because the Emperor of the Ancient Tang Empire was surnamed Situ.

Therefore, Situ was the imperial surname.

Situ Xi's identity was also not simple; she was the daughter most beloved by the current Emperor of the Ancient Tang Empire, Princess Yunxi.

She was seventeen years old, studying in the Heavenly Court, and had taken Elder Lihuo as her master.

It is worth mentioning that Elder Lihuo belonged to the faction of Elder Sanjin.

"Why does the Lord of the Heavenly Court want to see me?" Lin Chao looked at Situ Xi's exquisite face and asked.

"The God Lord is unfathomable, this... this servant does not know." Although Situ Xi was a noble Princess, in front of a powerhouse like Lin Chao, she kept a very low profile, referring to herself as a servant.

Lin Chao watched Situ Xi hesitate to speak and asked: "What do you think is the reason?"

Only then did Situ Xi reply: "The current Heavenly Court is divided into two major factions.

The Light Temple has issued an ultimatum to the Heavenly Court, intending to annex the Heavenly Court."

Regarding this, the Elders of the Heavenly Court are divided into two factions.

One is the War Faction, led by Elder Honghua.

One is the War Faction, led by Elder Sanjin."

"The Elder Languang I killed, was he from the War Faction or the Peace Faction?"

"The Peace Faction."

"So... you are from the War Faction?" Lin Chao pondered for a moment before making this guess.

"Exactly." Situ Xi still had a joyful expression on her face, clearly thinking of something happy.

Now, this mysterious Excellency before her had slain Elder Lanhuo.

The Lord of the Heavenly Court not only did not pursue the matter but even invited him to the Heavenly Court.

This contained a great deal of implication.

It was very likely that the Lord of the Heavenly Court also leaned toward the War Faction.

This was a signal.

As a member of the War Faction, Situ Xi was naturally excited.

"Is it really like that?" Lin Chao, however, felt that this matter was not so simple.

"So Excellency, if you arrive at the Heavenly Court, you must be careful of the people from the Peace Faction.

Especially Elder Honghua; she and Elder Lanhuo had a very close relationship," Situ Xi reminded him from the side.

"Many thanks." Lin Chao revealed a smile and replied.

Seeing this, Situ Xi was dazed for a moment, but she quickly returned to normal.

The Elders of the Heavenly Court she had met were all high and mighty.

There was none like the approachable one before her.

The Flying Boat was like a crane, traveling the cloud path, piercing through the sea of clouds.

Two hours passed, and Lin Chao crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, finally arriving at the so-called Heavenly Court.

The Heavenly Court, as its name suggested, was suspended in the air, a cluster of Palaces.

It was magnificent and resplendent.

Under the guidance of Situ Xi, Lin Chao arrived at a lake.

"Please wait a moment at Asking Heart Lake, Excellency." Situ Xi spoke, her attitude respectful.

"Mm." Lin Chao sat down casually.

According to custom, an Elder of the Heavenly Court would appear to take him to see the Lord of the Heavenly Court.

Situ Xi did not have this qualification.

He sat by the bank of Asking Heart Lake, his heart tranquil.

However, to his surprise, he had stayed here for a quarter of an hour and still had not seen anyone come over.

This was somewhat unexpected.

Could it be that some change had occurred?

However, Lin Chao was not worried.

Having cultivated the Forging Heaven Art, his growth in strength could be described as exponential.

Moreover, he had numerous methods; even if an accident occurred, he was confident he could escape with ease.

"Excellency... what do you think of this lake?"

Just at this moment, a voice came, impossible to distinguish as male or female.

Lin Chao stood up and looked at the person who had arrived.

The person was wrapped in a layer of mist, making it impossible to see their face or figure clearly.

"The Lord of the Heavenly Court?" Lin Chao asked.

The person who arrived was very unusual, Lin Chao guessed.

"Exactly," the Lord of the Heavenly Court replied. He looked at Lin Chao's face, not knowing what he was thinking. After about three breaths of time, he suddenly said, "What a young face.

Seeing you cannot help but make me think of my disciple."

The Lord of the Heavenly Court sighed, his voice inexplicable.

Lin Chao also knew that the Lord of the Heavenly Court was the master of the Divine Emperor of the Ancient Tang Empire.

If not for the support of the Lord of the Heavenly Court, the Divine Emperor of the Ancient Tang Empire would not have been able to initiate a bottom-up reform in the Ancient Tang Empire.

Of course, that reform ultimately failed.

"My disciple was as young as you, and just as gifted."

The Lord of the Heavenly Court sighed.

"I have also heard of the deeds of the Divine Emperor of the Ancient Tang Empire; he was indeed a very Excellent? A special person."

The Divine Emperor of the Ancient Tang Empire wanted to create a world where everyone was like a dragon.

This kind of boldness was truly admirable.

Even if he failed.

"Excellency, being able to slay Elder Lanhuo, your strength is extraordinary.

I have never sensed that detestable aura on you.

Excellency, you should not be from the Pantheon, right?" the Lord of the Heavenly Court asked casually.

"Mm." Lin Chao nodded.

He was indeed not from the Pantheon.

"As expected... if I am not mistaken, you should come from the same place as my disciple," the Lord of the Heavenly Court sighed, his gaze toward Lin Chao extremely complex.

"You guessed wrong there," Lin Chao said with a smile.

He and the Divine Emperor of the Ancient Tang Empire might not necessarily come from the same place.

"Hm?" There was astonishment in the voice of the Lord of the Heavenly Court.

According to what his disciple said, the timing matched up.

How could it not be?

But then, the Lord of the Heavenly Court laughed again.

"Even if it isn't, it doesn't matter."

There was a hint of sorrow in the tone of the Lord of the Heavenly Court.

"It is too late."

"Too late for what?" Lin Chao felt that the state of the Lord of the Heavenly Court before him was somewhat off.

"You should know that back then, my disciple wished to open a new heaven and create a new world.

At that time, all the gods of the Heavenly Court dared not cross his path.

The Pantheon was also in internal turmoil, unable to attend to the Heavenly Court.

My disciple had plenty of time to implement his plan and change this world."

There was a trace of nostalgia and a trace of longing in the voice of the Lord of the Heavenly Court.

Lin Chao did not interrupt the Lord of the Heavenly Court; he was now a qualified listener.

The two stood before Asking Heart Lake, looking into the distance, two specks in the landscape.

"At that time, my disciple was at the height of his power, using heaven-defying means to transform the imperial throne of the Ancient Tang Empire into a God Position, and not just any ordinary God Position... but the position of Master."

Mentioning this, the voice of the Lord of the Heavenly Court trembled slightly, filled with pride.

Lin Chao was also somewhat shocked.

The Divine Emperor of the Ancient Tang Empire was far more formidable than he had imagined.

"He was only a hair's breadth away from success.

Once he succeeded, the strength of our East would have surged.

We would have had the power to contend with the Pantheon.

However, at the final moment, my disciple failed.

Do you know why he failed?"

"Why?"

"Because... I killed him."

(End of this chapter)