Chapter 217 – Patrol Envoy Falls, Court Shaken, Heaven's Question Palace Heir Appears

Great Ying Dynasty, Donghe Prefecture, Cui Family.

As one of the Four Great Clans of the Great Ying Dynasty, the influence of the Vast Righteous Cui Family in Donghe Prefecture even surpassed that of the emperor of the Great Ying Dynasty by a significant margin.

This was partly due to the Cui Family’s strict and upright traditions, their benevolent dealings with others, and their refusal to engage in any form of bullying or monopolistic behavior.

Another reason was the Cui Family’s formidable strength, with at least one member in each generation achieving the cultivation level of the Three Realms, becoming one of the rare ‘Patrol Envoys’ of the Great Ying Dynasty.

The title “Acting on Behalf of Heaven to Patrol” was not something just anyone could bear.

In places where the Great Ying Emperor was absent, the Patrol Envoy was equivalent to the emperor’s personal presence.

Not only could they command the surrounding officials of the Great Ying Dynasty, but they could also, to a certain extent, reward or punish local officials and commoners on behalf of the Great Ying Emperor.

Therefore, becoming a Patrol Envoy in the Great Ying Dynasty was never solely about having sufficient cultivation.

It also required the ability to command the respect of others.

To earn such respect, one either needed unparalleled strength or a sufficiently powerful background.

In this regard, the current head of the Cui Family, Cui Chengyun, undoubtedly possessed both.

He was hailed as the strongest Patrol Envoy in the history of the Cui Family and the pride of the entire clan.

In the ancestral home of the Cui Family in Donghe Prefecture, a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties excitedly made his way to the main hall.

Not far away, an elderly woman was meticulously watering the plants and flowers in front of her.

A short distance from the elderly woman, an old man lay leisurely in a rattan chair, eyes closed as he listened to music.

His carefree demeanor exuded an indescribable sense of contentment.

These two were not only the parents of the current head of the Cui Family, Cui Chengyun, but also the pillars of stability for the entire Cui Family.

Three Realms Gu Cultivator · Cui Shouye, Three Realms Gu Cultivator · Wen Li.

Although their strength had significantly declined due to their limited Lifespan and hidden physical injuries, a Three Realms Gu Cultivator was still a Three Realms Gu Cultivator.

With the two of them present, even if Cui Chengyun was not at home, no ordinary troublemaker could harm the Cui Family in the slightest.

Looking at the two, the young man · Cui Lingfei said proudly, “Grandpa, Grandma, can you tell what’s different about me now?”

Gazing at the spirited Cui Lingfei, Cui Shouye, lying in the rocking chair, remained unmoved, though his slightly opened eyes quietly glanced at the young man.

On the other side, Wen Li straightened her back, placed the watering can on the table beside her, and smiled. “Second Realm? Well done, Little Ling. You’ve surpassed your uncle’s record of reaching the Second Realm at twenty-four.”

Hearing Wen Li’s praise, Cui Lingfei scratched his head and chuckled foolishly.

Clearly, the young man was quite pleased with his current achievement.

After all, his record of achieving the Second Realm had surpassed that of Cui Chengyun, who was hailed as the strongest member of the Cui Family in five hundred years.

The last Cui Family member to reach the Second Realm at the age of twenty-two was an ancestor from fifteen hundred years ago.

Unfortunately, that ancestor was born at the wrong time, encountering the strongest Sky Demon in history, the Heavenly Origin Sword Demon · Gu Liqing, and met an early demise.

Otherwise, that Cui Family ancestor might have even reached the Fourth Realm and transcended this world.

Although Cui Lingfei had achieved such a remarkable feat for now…However, cultivation isn’t something that can be judged solely by one’s Realm.

Cui Shouye, lounging in his rocking chair, seemed unable to bear Cui Lingfei’s smug expression and promptly poured cold water on his enthusiasm. “Merely the second Realm, yet you’re this pleased with yourself.”

“At present, you’re only considered decent. Only when you can effortlessly slay third Realm cultivators while at the second Realm will you truly be considered to have mastered your skills.”

“As you are now… you’re still far from it.”

Hearing this, Cui Lingfei grew discontent.

“Grandfather, something as absurd as a second Realm cultivator easily killing a third Realm one—how could anyone possibly achieve that?”

“What, you think no one can do it?”

Though Cui Lingfei remained silent, his stubborn expression unmistakably conveyed his defiance.

As a scion of the Cui Family, Cui Lingfei had heard many tales of second Realm cultivators overcoming those at the third Realm.

But overcoming and effortlessly slaying were entirely different matters.

Frankly, Cui Lingfei didn’t believe anyone in this world could be so outrageous as to easily kill a third Realm cultivator while only at the second Realm.

If that were truly possible, third Realm Gu Cultivators wouldn’t be hailed as ‘Pillars of the State’—a title symbolizing the backbone of the Dynasty.

Faced with Cui Lingfei’s defiant expression, Cui Shouye slowly rocked his rattan chair and said leisurely, “Little Ling, the Great Ying Dynasty is vast—so vast that you might never traverse it in your lifetime.”

“Yet the Great Ying Dynasty is also small—so small that some need only put in a little effort to reach its limits.”

“Just because you’re unaware of certain things doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”

“With your current mindset, forget about venturing beyond the Great Ying Dynasty—you should focus on when you can even catch up to your uncle’s shadow.”

“I can guarantee you, though your uncle broke through to the second Realm two years later than you did, at the same Realm, ten of you combined wouldn’t be a match for him.”

“So, as you are now… you’re still far from it!”

Hearing Old Master Cui’s words, Cui Lingfei grew even more indignant, convinced that his grandfather was deliberately belittling him.

Meanwhile, Wen Li, observing from the side, smiled without speaking, for she knew her husband was right.

For some Prodigies, slaying a third Realm cultivator while at the second Realm was as simple as eating or drinking.

Just as Cui Lingfei was about to argue further with Old Master Cui, a Cui clansman rushed in, his face pale with panic.

Seeing this, Old Master Cui and Wen Li immediately sensed something amiss.

“Great-grandfather, Great-grandmother, the Family Head… has fallen.”

“What!”

Upon hearing this, Old Master Cui, who had been as steady as Mount Tai, abruptly changed color and shot to his feet.

An intangible Aura instantly radiated from him, causing the air in the small courtyard to seemingly freeze.

Under the pressure of this invisible Aura, Cui Lingfei and the other Cui clansman nearly dropped to their knees.

Fortunately, the Aura vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Cui Shouye approached the clansman, his face cold. “What exactly happened?”

“…It’s rather complicated. It would be best if you saw for yourself, Great-grandfather.”

“The Imperial Court has already delivered the Family Head’s body.”

Before the clansman could finish, Cui Shouye soared into the air, flying toward the Family’s main hall.

On the other side, Wen Li only then began to process the news, her reaction delayed.Her face ashen, she stared in the direction Cui Shouye had departed, her visage growing haggard as if she had aged over a decade in an instant.

Cui Lingfei beside her was scarcely any better off.

Though merely Cui Chengyun’s nephew, Cui Lingfei had been raised by him since childhood after his own parents passed away early. To him, Cui Chengyun was almost a second father.

Moreover, in his heart, Cui Chengyun was both an idol and a goal to strive toward—an invincible figure in his eyes.

Yet such a man was now dead.

This reality struck Cui Lingfei like the collapse of his very beliefs, leaving him struggling to accept it.

He gazed at the Cui Family disciple, unable to reconcile himself with this cruel truth.

“Uncle was a Third-Realm Patrol Envoy—how could anyone have killed him? How is it possible…”

“Compose yourself!”

Just as Cui Lingfei’s mind reeled, a sharp shout snapped him back to clarity.

Wen Li stepped to his side, her expression resolute. “Do not panic. Let us… go see your uncle one last time together.”

With that, she strode toward the main hall, though her earlier serenity had vanished, replaced by an indescribable desolation and sorrow.

Soon, the group arrived at the family’s main hall.

The hall was crowded not only with members of the Cui Family but also numerous officials of the Great Ying Dynasty.

At the center lay a coffin, within which rested the former head of the Cui Family and once Patrol Envoy of the Great Ying’s Demon Suppression Division—Cui Chengyun.

Seeing Cui Chengyun’s whitened hair and visibly aged face, Cui Shouye and Wen Li understood he had been forced into a corner, compelled to unleash the ‘Three Lives Secret Art.’

That he had been driven to such extremes spoke volumes about the formidable enemy he had faced.

Cui Shouye and the others now grasped the full sequence of events.

Three days prior, Cui Chengyun had received word from Jade Bamboo Town about the appearance of Sky Demons in its vicinity.

He had immediately mobilized a large force to investigate.

With a Third-Realm cultivator like Cui Chengyun leading over a hundred Gu Cultivators from the Demon Suppression Division, subduing the Sky Demons should have been effortless.

Yet the outcome was the total annihilation of the Gu Cultivators—and Cui Chengyun himself falling in battle.

Staring at the sword wound on Cui Chengyun’s chest, Cui Shouye suppressed his grief and asked steadily, “My son… did he die valiantly?”

The senior eunuch in the hall turned to Old Master Cui, replying gravely, “Patrol Envoy Cui upheld the dignity of our Great Ying Dynasty until his final breath.”

“Understood.”

Seeing the exhaustion on Old Master Cui’s face, the eunuch knew their best course was a quiet departure. The Cui Family would handle the rest.

He led his retinue out of the Cui residence in silence.

A day after their departure, the entire Cui Estate was draped in white mourning streamers.

News of the Cui Family Patrol Envoy’s fall spread throughout the Great Ying Dynasty.

Alongside it circulated tidings of the Sky Demons’ resurgence—a turmoil now likened in scale to the “Great Yuan Upheaval” fifteen centuries prior.As of now, the Great Ying Dynasty still does not know whether Cui Chengyun was killed by one person or several.

But regardless of which it was, the fall of a Patrol Envoy is enough to send shockwaves throughout the entire Great Ying Dynasty.

Because, in a sense, the Patrol Envoy is already an existence at the peak of the Great Ying Dynasty.

Five days after Cui Chengyun’s fall, in the Imperial Palace of the Great Ying Dynasty.

The atmosphere within the Imperial Palace became extremely heavy after the news of Cui Chengyun’s demise spread, with everyone feeling insecure and apprehensive.

In the imperial study, Zhao Zhongming, the emperor of the Great Ying Dynasty, was meeting with a young man with an ethereal aura, white hair, and white eyebrows.

Unlike ordinary mortal dynasties, the emperor of the Great Ying Dynasty is no powerless figurehead.

Apart from being the pinnacle of authority in the Great Ying Dynasty, he is also the pinnacle of its power.

He is the only Gu Cultivator in the entire Great Ying Dynasty to have reached the Peak of the Third Realm.

Yet even so, he remained very solemn in the presence of the white-haired, white-browed man before him.

This was not only due to this person’s strength but also because of the faction he represented—the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry.

A transcendent and extraordinary force that stands above the Great Ying Dynasty.

It is universally acknowledged that there are no Fourth Realm Cultivators in the Great Ying Dynasty.

However, Fourth Realm Cultivators do exist within the territory of the Great Ying Dynasty, and not just one.

It’s just that all these Fourth Realm Great Cultivators are within the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry and cannot interfere in mortal affairs.

Thus, a saying has long circulated in the Great Ying Dynasty: “If one does not enter the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry in this lifetime, the Third Realm is the peak.”

Many Third Realm Great Cultivators of the Great Ying Dynasty spend their entire lives dreaming of entering the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry to seek a way to achieve a Breakthrough to the Fourth Realm.

This is also the second method for Gu Cultivators to Breakthrough to the Fourth Realm, aside from refining evil demons.

And the first method also originated from the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry.

Zhao Zhongming, the emperor of the Great Ying Dynasty, looked at Chang Jianqing, the Dao Child of the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry, and asked seriously, “Has the Dao Child descended to the Lower Realm this time for the matter of the Sky Demons?”

Chang Jianqing nodded calmly and said, “That is one reason. The other is to guide those who meet the conditions into the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry.”

“Including the extraterrestrial Sky Demons?”

“Including the extraterrestrial Sky Demons.”

“I understand.”

After taking a sip of tea, Zhao Zhongming said, “Could the Dao Child tell me, who exactly is the Sky Demon that killed my beloved official Cui?”

To this, Chang Jianqing replied calmly, “Your Majesty, you should know the stance of our Palace of Heavenly Inquiry and understand that we cannot interfere in mortal affairs.”

“So… I’m afraid I cannot disclose that.”

Zhao Zhongming did not seem surprised by this.

He looked out the window, as if thinking of something, and suddenly changed the subject: “Dao Child, in the eyes of the Immortals, what do you think we are?”

Chang Jianqing looked at the expressionless Zhao Zhongming, thought for a moment, and said, “In the eyes of the Immortals… perhaps we do not exist.”

“Is that so…”

Zhao Zhongming sighed and then stood up.

He looked at the large number of officials gathered outside the imperial study, and a powerful Aura emanated from him.

At the same time, a faint golden Dragon silhouette silently appeared behind him.

He looked at Chang Jianqing and said very seriously, “Since the Immortals do not see us, then this time, we will make them see us.”After speaking, Zhao Zhongming arrived outside the imperial study and addressed the assembled officials: “Issue the order. From today onward, a curfew will be enforced across the entire Great Ying Dynasty, with all cities under martial law.”

“Any cultivator of unclear origins, lacking travel documentation or identity verification, and without a guarantor within one month—execute without exception.”

“Yes!”

Upon hearing Zhao Zhongming’s command, the state machinery of the Great Ying Dynasty immediately sprang into action.

Though such orders would inevitably lead to many innocent lives being unjustly taken,

and countless opportunists would exploit this chance to eliminate rivals,

Zhao Zhongming believed these were costs both he and the Great Ying Dynasty could bear.

Better to mistakenly execute ten thousand than let one slip away.

This was Zhao Zhongming’s current conviction.

After all, one Patrol Envoy had already been killed. Who’s to say he, the emperor of Great Ying, might not someday fall to those mysterious Sky Demons?

Though he didn’t know who Cui Chengyun had faced,

he had personally examined Cui Chengyun’s wounds.

Cui Chengyun’s death was likely the work of a single individual,

and accomplishing this seemed to have required little effort from the opponent.

Such power undoubtedly reached levels that could threaten him.

Rewind to five days earlier, in the Jade Bamboo Forest.

As Cui Chengyun fully activated his ‘Three Lifetimes Gu’, he had burned all bridges behind him.

Regardless of victory or defeat, his fate was already sealed.

Having reached this point, he had nothing left to hold back.

With the ‘Three Lives Heavenly Eye’ at his brow operating at full capacity, a terrifying Three Lives Divine Light shot toward Lu Chen once more.

In response, a pale, ethereal Spirit Sword materialized before Lu Chen.

Crucially, after appearing, the sword fused with his replicated Heaven Sealing Stele, transforming into a unique Sword Mountain.

This Sword Mountain… was named ‘Seal Sever Heaven’.

(End of chapter)