As these words came out.
Within the vast study, the temperature plummeted by dozens of degrees.
The biting cold turned into a layer of white frost!
It wasn't until Xiao Yi's figure disappeared from sight that Emperor Qian came back to his senses, his face ugly to the extreme.
He had forgotten the last time someone had defied him to his face, his sharp eyes narrowing to slits, "Well done, Xiao Yi, do you really think you can challenge my authority with just a little ability?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down! Calm down!"
Qi hurriedly stepped forward, advising apprehensively, "Your Majesty, Xiao has rebuilt the Xiaoshanhe Institute and has made outstanding contributions to our imperial family. He was just momentarily misguided to have offended you, please suppress your anger!"
Emperor Qian gave Qi a cold glare, his narrowed eyes flashing with a knife-like sharpness, "Old dog, pass down my order, no person or power is permitted to help Xiao Yi find a Dharma Likeness Meditation target, those who disobey will be beheaded!"
"Your Majesty, Xiao Yi has just made great achievements, this…"
Qi had only spoken halfway when he was abruptly flung away by a slap from Emperor Qian.
He staggered to the ground, blood spurting from every orifice, his internal organs severely injured by the blow. Emperor Qian looked at him coldly, speaking deliberately, "Old dog, remember that your master is me, not Xiao Yi. You are nothing but my dog; I tell you to bite whom you should bite, not be disloyal. Do you understand?"
Enduring the intense pain, Qi struggled to get up and said respectfully, "This old servant acknowledges his mistake!"
Emperor Qian gestured dismissively, then turned and went back to his desk.
With a deep look at Emperor Qian, Qi sighed lightly and also turned to leave.
Only Emperor Qian remained in the study.
His eyes fixed on the lifelike Dragon Soaring Over the Four Seas Chart on the screen, his icy gaze filled with intense mockery and disdain.
"Daring to threaten me, truly overestimating yourself! Even the vast realm of the Great Qian Dynasty is at my fingertips; let alone a mere wet-behind-the-ears lad like you..."
Emperor Qian's fingers tapped lightly on the desk, lips curling into a sinister sneer, "If the dog I raise obeys, I will give you some bones to chew on. If not, I can easily find a replacement. There's no need to keep you, is there?"
His voice was still echoing in the study, but Emperor Qian's figure had already vanished.
The desk exploded with a bang, turning into a cloud of fine dust.
Xiao Yi stood outside the enormous palace gate.
He looked back at the majestic and splendid palace, dazed and lost in thought.
This palace, desired by countless, the supreme abode of the Great Qian Dynasty, appeared to him as a heartless beast, constantly devouring everything.
Kinship, friendship, love...
Within this vast palace, they were as insignificant as dust!
Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath, the Emperor Qian's words echoing in his mind, his fists involuntarily clenching, "There's always a way out. I refuse to believe that without Emperor Qian's support, I, Xiao Yi, can't even manifest a Martial Dao Fasxiang!"
His clenched fists slowly relaxed.
After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yi headed straight for the Dongfang Family, "The Yin Yang Five Elements Tower of the Dongfang Family is also an extraordinary Yuan weapon, let's see if I can use it to manifest the Dharma."
Inside the Dongfang Family.
Upon seeing Xiao Yi's arrival, Dongfang greeted him warmly, "Xiao Yi, what brings you here?"
"Dongfang, I need to manifest the Dharma, and I would like to observe your Dongfang Family's Yin Yang Five Elements Tower," Xiao Yi explained his purpose.
"Hahaha, I thought it was something serious, but this is a minor issue. Follow me!"
Dongfang laughed heartily as he said this.
At the same time, his heart was also immensely shaken. The last time Xiao Yi had come to challenge the tower, he had not yet broken through to the Tao Tribulation Realm.
Several months had passed since then.
Now, he was actually preparing to practice Martial Dharma Likeness Meditation to assault the Dharma Manifestation Realm.
Such a speed of cultivation, even Xiao Tianjiao was far behind!
Dongfang sighed emotionally, but right then, a voice that was indistinguishable between Yin and Yang called from outside, "A divine edict has arrived..."
Dongfang was startled, murmuring why a divine edict would come at this time, and immediately gave Xiao Yi an apologetic smile, "Please wait a moment, I will receive the divine edict!"
Dongfang returned with a bitter expression, looking at Xiao Yi with deep self-reproach and guilt, he said with a wry smile, "Xiao Yi, I am truly sorry. His Majesty has just sent a decree that forbids any family, power, or individual within the Great Qian Dynasty to lend you treasures for practicing Martial Dharma Likeness Meditation. Those who disobey the order are to have their families exterminated..."
Xiao Yi's face slightly changed, not expecting Emperor Qian to act so swiftly and ruthlessly.
Exterminate the family!
Just these four words were enough to cut off Xiao Yi from seeking assistance from various powers for practicing Martial Dharma Likeness Meditation.
This was nothing but a drastic measure!
Dongfang hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly, "Xiao Yi, since the Emperor has already given his decree, certainly no one will dare to defy his will. In my opinion, you might as well submit to the Emperor? With your status in his esteem, as long as you are willing to submit, he will definitely pour resources into you..."
"There's no need. I'll look in other places..." Xiao Yi bid farewell to Dongfang and then went to the Treasure Pavilion and auction houses among other places.
The result was as expected.
Not a single individual, power, or family dared to defy Emperor Qian's will and extend a helping hand to Xiao Yi.
Under the cover of night.
The dejected Xiao Yi forgot how many places he had sought out, but without exception, he was met with relentless rejections. Because of Emperor Qian's edict, all paths he could seek were cut off.
He walked alone under the dark curtain of night.
The stars were bright, the moonlight pure and clear.
The light of stars and moon fell upon the ground, illuminating the path beneath his feet.
Xiao Yi stopped in his tracks, looked up at the sky full of stars, and felt extremely lonely.
Since Fang Qingzhu left, it had been only Little Lin who had kept him company!
A man and a beast, as close as siblings, brothers in arms.
He was left utterly alone.
"Qingzhu, are you doing well in Baiyu? Wait for me, I'll come looking for you soon..."
Xiao Yi murmured to himself, wandering aimlessly under the starlight.
As he walked, he heard a childish voice by his ear, "Mommy, look, those stars joined together, don't they look like a big scorpion? And those over there, don't they look like a huge tiger..."
"A big scorpion? A huge tiger?"
Xiao Yi was stunned and subconsciously lifted his head to gaze at the starry sky.
A stroke of inspiration suddenly raced through his mind, the look of worry on his face swept away, replaced by a wild joy, "Hahaha, heaven never seals off all exits. Old Emperor Qian, you've shut me off from all paths but opened up another world for me! At last, I have found my Dharma Likeness..."