The strength of the Human Emperor's bloodline was truly formidable, let alone that of a disciple of Ancestor Lan.
On this day, the Imperial Capital was swept by surging winds and roiling clouds.
The oppressive might descending from the cloudy sky forced the entire Imperial Capital to activate its array formations.
The cultivators of the major factions were thrown into a panic.
For the first time in an unknown number of years, in a place where mighty figures gathered like the Imperial Capital, they actually felt the oppressive might of a battle between powerhouses!
Even though the mighty figures in the sky had already entered a Dao Field, they could still sense the imminent danger to themselves.
Those capable of observing karmic luck could perceive a flag in the cloudy sky, its powerful spiritual force nearly capable of overturning heaven and earth.
A nine-clawed golden dragon adorned the flag. If it were to fall within the Imperial Capital, it would mean absolute annihilation.
They also saw a divination cylinder, with divination slips shaking within it. An auspicious slip bearing the words "supreme fortune" emerged, but whether it truly meant blessing or disaster, no one could tell.
There was also a black hound roaring at the heavens, its fangs and claws seemingly capable of tearing through all things.
Countless puppets, array discs engraved with mountains and rivers, a bright moon rising in broad daylight...
All of this indicated that a massive battle was currently taking place in the Imperial Capital!
In the Imperial Capital, some rejoiced while others worried.
Inside the Immortal Suppression Department, Commander Wu Neng, who deeply loved drinking tea, furrowed his brows as he watched everything unfolding in the cloudy sky, then tightly closed his eyes.
When he opened his eyes again, everything before him had transformed.
This was a vast, white world. Some gathered to drink tea, some played chess against one another, and some teased caged sparrows.
Though they appeared carefree and at ease, most had furrowed brows.
Within this Mahayana realm, it was clear that everyone was worrying about the great battle above the Imperial Capital.
And worrying was all they could do.
Wu Neng walked toward a desk. Before it, someone was holding a brush and painting.
The painting depicted hundreds of cultivators leaping up with weapons in hand above the drifting clouds.
Amidst this inescapable net woven through the clouds was a woman waving a flag like a piece of drifting duckweed. That woman appeared so lonely and helpless.
"Elder Cai."
Wu Neng cupped his hands toward the old man painting, yet the old man continued to paint.
Even someone like Wu Neng, who was accustomed to being high and mighty, didn't show the slightest hint of anger.
In the Imperial Capital, there were one Temple, one Pavilion, two Departments, and four Guards.
The Divine Temple stood at the forefront, followed by the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.
But the only department comparable to an entity like the Immortal Suppression Department, which suppressed immortals, was the Veiled Department.
Its name was hardly pleasant, but even within the Imperial Capital, only the absolute pinnacle factions knew of its existence.
The Veiled Department truly seemed to exist in the forgotten corners of the world.
Furthermore, the Veiled Department was the only faction in the Imperial Dynasty that had risen step by step alongside the Human Emperor when he was still an insignificant figure.
At that time, the Human Emperor was not yet high and mighty, nor did he care for illustrious fame.
Rumor had it that the Zishu family of that era had walked out of a small village, and what they engaged in was the business of assassins.
To this day, no one knew exactly how strong the Veiled Department was.
Wu Neng believed that under the current grand scheme of the Imperial Dynasty, only the people of the Veiled Department could sit as equals with him—who was solely loyal to the Human Emperor—and work together with a united heart.
Then, he was disappointed.
After waiting for a long time, Elder Cai finally responded while continuing to paint.
"Lord Commander, do not seek out this old man. The grand scheme of the Imperial Dynasty has changed; it is Her Majesty the Empress who now dictates the overall situation."
Elder Cai's gaze remained fixed solely on the painting.
"Leave it to fate. All of us are leaving it to fate. Her Majesty the Empress wants to capture Li Xinnian to threaten the Li Clan; ruining Her Majesty's plans will bring us no good either."
"The Fifth Princess is acting recklessly.
The Southern Frontier is merely a chessboard for the Empress, Ancestor Lan, and the immortals; it is nothing more than a pawn. She is simply bringing this suffering upon herself."
"It is better to ignore everything and do nothing; that reveals true great wisdom.
Let them fight over it. Perhaps, under this grand scheme of the world, a Great Emperor will lose their life, and our karmic opportunity will have finally arrived.
Then our journey on the Great Dao will not have been in vain."
Wu Neng's heart ran cold.
But he quickly felt relieved. He often felt that he was not loyal enough to the Imperial Dynasty and to His Majesty.
Yet every time his divine sense met the numerous Daoist friends within the Mahayana realm, he finally understood why the outside world called him the "Imperial Hound."
But he also felt this title was incorrect. Compared to these "Daoist friends," who only sought good fortune and avoided disaster, he was clearly not the animal.
As he turned around, Wu Neng halted his steps, realizing that Elder Cai perhaps wasn't an animal either.
An aged voice echoed in his ears.
"You see, all things in the world inherently possess their own vitality and chance of survival. You and I standing at the height we are meant to be is what is true."
Wu Neng turned his head back.
He saw that on Elder Cai's painting, wind and clouds suddenly surged.
From the shadows of the siege in all directions, black mist rose, and a long spear tore through space, revealing its absolute sharp edge!