Lü Ji didn't show the slightest fear and resisted just like before, directly blocking all attacks one by one.
Back and forth , there were at least a dozen times.
The number of Buddha Beads had also increased to eight.
"General Lü is truly among the foremost in the realm of Human Martial Saints. It seems that this poor monk cannot prevail over you in a short time," said the black-robed monk, losing patience.
He pulled his hands apart.
The entire strand of Buddha Beads completely broke apart, with seventy-two beads densely floating up and forming a purple barrier round as a big bowl, trapping Lü Ji inside as they resonated with each other and gained power from the Purple Energy.
Every strike of the Heavenly Halberd held by Lü Ji left a crack on the purple light barrier, but ultimately, he was temporarily trapped inside, unable to escape.
In the midst of the chaotic battle.
The Emperor Longqing, clad in a Taoist robe, had been sitting cross-legged on the ground from the beginning, not moving an inch, even as concealed weapons shaved past his face.
The black-robed monk reached out his right hand, and a Zen Stick appeared from thin air. He floated down gently from the rafters like a lightweight paper figure, then without further ado, he swung the stick down at the Emperor.
Emperor Longqing still didn't move.
However, in front of him, a Great Seal suddenly appeared, emitting a transparent Mystical Energy to meet the incoming fatal blow.
The black-robed monk's Zen Stick trembled, nearly spinning out of control, as his body uncontrollably slid backward, not stopping until his foot stomped through the ground, finally stabilizing him.
He looked on in astonishment: "The National Jade Seal?!"
The National Jade Seal.
It had been passed down from the era of the Ancient Three Sovereigns and carried a history of thousands of years.
Although legends of it existed, no one had ever witnessed its power; its significance was more symbolic than anything else.
It had become a Magic Artifact in the hands of the Old Emperor!
The black-robed monk's Incense Fire Divine Power surged even more intensely, and the end of the Zen Stick in his hand, bolstered by the Purple Energy, transformed into an immense size, falling heavily like a meteorite from the sky.
And yet, even with numerous attacks using all his might, he still couldn't cause any harm to the Emperor.
Emperor Longqing, eyes closed, his beard fluttering in the Gale, slowly spoke, "I am a hundred years old, what would it look like still fighting and killing ? I bestow upon you the National Jade Seal to suppress these rebellious officials and thieves."
The National Jade Seal erupted with even greater power, repelling the black-robed monk, then descended above Fan Tianfa, who was in the heated battle with the Chamberlain of the Ritual Supervision, Huang Hong, and struck down fiercely.
The evenly matched opponents quickly saw a victor decided amidst this unexpected turn of events.
Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire
Fan Tianfa had to split his attention to block the falling Jade Seal, allowing Huang Hong's left hand to seize the Mo Blade tightly and his right hand's Poison Palm to find the right moment to strike the opponent's chest. True Qi laced with poison penetrated the Armor and into his body.
Combined, the two strikes were too much for Fan Tianfa to bear. He was hit by the Jade Seal and then struck by the palm; his body flew backward like a severed kite, finally collapsing to the ground after smashing through a wall, coughing up mouthfuls of black blood, forced to tap his acupoints immediately for detoxification.
Huang Hong didn't pursue to kill but instead held the Jade Seal with one hand and confronted the black-robed monk face to face, struggling but managing to buy time.
The purple Barrier trapping Lü Ji was already full of cracks, resembling shattered porcelain, just a critical hit away from complete destruction.
Zhangsun Xusheng, having figured out the trick to the "Sorcery," had also stabilized the situation and began to exert pressure gradually.
The others, like the Twelve Dead Servants, were also clearly gaining the upper hand.
Continuing at this rate, the rebellion would soon be quashed.
"Rebels, won't you surrender!"
Zhangsun Xusheng shouted fiercely.
Outside the Purple Star Palace.
In the midst of the fiery chaos.
Gao Bo, rolling up his sleeves, pursued.
Yan Maoxing fled desperately ahead.
He yelled at several Imperial Guards ahead.
But most of the Imperial Guards were engaged in battle with the Eastern Garrison, and the few who could attend to his call were mere Array Soldiers, easily killed by the Refining Internal Realm's Gao Bo with a few strikes.
Gao Bo picked up a Yan Blade from the ground as he continued the pursuit.
Yan Maoxing, in his panicked escape, stumbled and lost his balance, rolling down the hillside where his official robe was torn by thorns and sharp stones, and his body was covered in bloodstains.
"Yan the bandit, meet your death!"
Gao Bo struck with the blade, ready to take the head.
A long spear appeared silently, firmly blocking the blade's edge, preventing it from advancing an inch further.
Gao Bo slowly raised his head, only to see a young face: "Mr. Chen? The Xuanjia Army?!"
Chen Sansi had somehow returned to Ziwei Mountain.
Behind him, three thousand Black Armor troops were rushing over.
Chen Sansi inquired, "What hatred do you and Mr. Yan have that compelled you to cross swords and take his life? Eh? With the sky ablaze and everything in disarray, could it be that Qing Country has been attacked?"
Yan Maoxing, overwhelmed with relief, scrambled up while accusing, "Rebellion! Gao Bo and the Crown Prince, they want to rebel and plot treason. Your timing is impeccable, seize him quickly!"
Chen Sansi looked skeptical: "Mr. Gao, is this true?"