Chapter 118 - 117: The Storm
The entire crowd was silent, shocked, reeling from these events, and felt completely blindsided. An Image Recording Crystal was irrefutable proof because it could not be doctored unless all parties agreed to do so. It recorded all aspects of an event and transmitted it into spiritual waves and images, which were audio and aura. Each person had a unique spiritual aura signature recorded as well, which tagged their audio lines and visual forms.
Unless those recorded actively changed their auras, interfering with the transmission, it wasn't possible to alter.
Therefore, not a single person stood out to try to argue this evidence. Instead, they peered deeper and had uglier, darker, and stormy expressions that continued to elevate to new levels each passing second.
This was especially the brutal rape of one of the Wu Clan's Princesses. Not Wu Baozhai, but the oldest, Wu Lin. It was exceptionally vivid as they observed all things from the beginning, including Wu Lei's monologue of victory and admittance of desire as he ravaged.
This caused a few people to retch, while others burned with righteous indignation. Furthermore! Princess Lin was currently in the crowd! Her eyes were teary and her delicate body shivered as she lowered her head.
Wu Chen was ruthless as he revealed the event. It was beyond horrendous, but she knew that this was revenge. Earlier in their lives, Wu Lin had tried to have Wu Chen murdered, and even killed one of his favored women. She bit her lips, hatred and shame poured out of her eyes as endless tears.
Wu Chen was not a petty person, nor did this bring him pleasure, but this wasn't just his revenge. A man behind him was similarly targeted and nearly killed by Wu Lin's malicious actions.
All that intricate revenge aside, King Wu, the most important and powerful person on scene, had cold, calm, and unfathomable sharp eyes as he watched every scene. His figure stood upright, but as he observed the image of Prince Lei colluding to kill his brother, then the right of his explicit crimes, he cursed heavily in his heart despite his outward appearance.
Imbecile!
While he raged in his heart.
Others were quicker to act.
A figure that hadn't appeared until now arrived in a flash, levitating above the guests while staring at Wu Chen with a gaze as glacial and sharp as frozen tundras in a field of blades.
A middle-aged woman with a mature beauty was dressed in imperial armor, his aura flaring imperiously without end. She stood above all, her gaze looked downwards as if staring at ants. This was the one and only Ba Chen, the Commander of the Imperial Military! She was the second and only other Godking of Wu Country!
"It's starting!" Wei Wuyin sent Su Mei a transmission, and her actions were swift. With a quick shift, her dress was ripped apart and her eighth-rank Qi Armor, the Darkness Rising Spirit Battle Armor. Her body seemed to become wreathed in animated darkness as she retrieved her Darklight God Saber. Her cultivation base circulated in preparations.
Her switch was swift, with many unable to comprehend what had just happened. But their thoughts were interrupted by Ba Chen's grand, thundering voice that held the world in order, "Wu Chen! You've deliberated falsified evidence against the Crown Prince in an attempt to usurp the throne! I, as Imperial Commander, hereby order your arrest. Any resistance will be met with deadly force!"
"What?!" The world seemed to be in every which way, with many feeling dizzy with these events.
Wu Chen looked upwards and disdainfully sneered, as if expecting this. It's been a well-known fact that Ba Chen was supporting Prince Lei's ascension as King since a while ago, and it was likely her who helped collude with the Hidden Shadow Domain!
If Prince Lei's crimes were exposed, then so would her traitorous actions!
Ba Chen didn't care if this was irrefutable proof. If the crystal was destroyed, there would be no concrete evidence. At least, she could ensure no blowback on her. Her beautiful face was marred with viciousness as she ordered, "All Imperial Guards! Apprehend the Traitor Wu Chen! Act with extreme prejudice!!"
The Imperial Guards let loose a unified roar, rumbling the roar as they auras erupted with unprecedented force. They numbered nearly a hundred, all of which were elites at the Fifth Stage of Qi Condensation or higher. This was greater than Sheng Jiu's division, and this was the main force of the Imperial Guards, directly under Ba Chen; their loyalty was without doubt.
Wu Chen sneered, "I, Prince Wu of the Wu Country, declare that the Royal Commander of the Imperial Military has similarly colluded with enemies and has committed high treason! I sentence her to death!" He roared with a tone befitting a king, his righteous demeanor brushed away as the decisiveness of a ruler was revealed.
The audience's eyes widened as they grasped the situation. The fear in their hearts exploded! Especially for those young elites whose cultivation was lacking.
"Wu Ninth River Globe Array!" Ba Chen shouted. Her Godking aura rose as she actively interfaced with the formation key in her hand. This array was a Spiritual Qi Array designed to entrap the entire venue.
Zummmm!
Nine rivers from nine directions sprouted from the ground, like pillars of heaven that nearly touched the sky. They rapidly started to accelerate in a clockwise fashion until a spherical construct was created from dense water energies. Its circulation was immensely fast, shredding all those who wished to come in contact with it. Its activation speed was unfathomably fast, leaving no one to react as everyone was trapped within.
It was designed with speed in mind, entrapping all enemies.
Ba Chen didn't try to activate the Astral Array as she didn't have the ability to activate it, only the King of Wu did. However, the Wu Ninth River Globe Array was within her rights and ability.
「Water Art: Spiraling Lance of Endless Severance」
She mercilessly acted, aiming for Wu Chen. Her palm thrusted forth from above, a vast wave of Spiritual Water Qi was conjured. It formed a gigantic twenty meter lance that spiraled endlessly. The surrounding water energies were drawn into the spear, enlarging it and empowering it with every spin.
Woosh!
It shot forward with unprecedented speed and power, aiming to skewer Wu Chen to death. She was directly acting to kill a member of the Royal Family! Her will and intent was clear, and the Imperial Guards shot forward with weapons in hand.
However, Wu Chen seemed unbothered by all this. The figures behind him stepped out and removed their hoods. The leading figure was shocking.
It was a little girl, no more than ten years old, and looked like the most delicate porcelain doll. She was exceptionally cute. Wearing a flower dress that seemed innocent and pure, she lifted her pure eyes that seemed to contain exceptional power.
When she acted, it felt as if hell had been conjured to this world! Violet light erupted with a demonic allure that was both tempting and fearsome, but she lacked even the hint of a demonic trait in her small physique. With this hell-rising aura, the crowd gawked and stepped back.
A Godking!
This little girl, no more than ten years old, had Spiritual Qi with Qi Essence within! Everyone's heart quivered uncontrollably, even Ba Chen.
The little girl gave a soft humph, cute yet tyrannical, as she clenched her tiny fist and punched forward. The violet light condensed into a fist image that smashed upon the lance with equal speed and force. The spear and fist met, causing the world to be whipped about in a wild torrent of energy and force!
Tables, chairs, flowers, and all other forms of furniture were lifted and sent flying. Many were eviscerated as they landed on the spiraling array entrapping them all. Those weaker panicked as they cried, being sent away and nearly crashing into the array. Luckily, experts were in the audience so they acted to save these promising youths.
Wei Wuyin had already changed to his Yang-Aegis Robe, his eyes flashing as he tried to find that Seer. Was she really not here? If she wasn't then…
His eyes glanced at Lin Ziyan. If the situation required it, then for his future, he would have to take a hostage.
The little girl smiled cutely, kicking off and levitating as well. While true flight wasn't possible, temporarily lifting up the mortal flesh with qi was entirely possible. While it lacked maneuverability and agility, it changed the platform at which battles occurred
Ba Chen's eyes darkened. This little Godking was exceptionally fearsome and while she protected Wu Chen, taking his life was impossible. She had to kill or incapacitate this young girl first. They lifted high into the air.
Then, vicious clashes of blue and violet light exploded constantly. The raging winds were devastating and if it wasn't for the array, the entire Royal Capital might be toppled by the shockwaves.
The Imperial Guards shot forward to apprehend or kill Wu Chen, but a figure arrived above them. His aura vast like the sky, sharp like a sword, and powerful! He revealed his Spiritual Sword Qi and aura for the world to witness. His scholarly appearance coupled with a single sword held within his hand made him seem like a sword immortal.
Fang Shen! The Ancestral Elder of the Sky Sword Sect. When he acted, his spiritual strength targeted each member of the Royal Guard. With his strength alone, they were stalled and forced to resist his imposing sword intent. He had held a hundred elite guards alone, just with his strength.
"Shit!" Prince Zhen observed this, conflicted. But he understood his loyalties and held a staunch belief. While he would love for Wu Lei to die, this was his clan and his father, and others were threatening it. Even if it was his brother, he always felt that Wu Chen was a wolf in sheep's clothing. There was no way he could stay behind and watch as his Imperial Guards were assaulted, even though he had inadvertently sided with the Hidden Shadow Domain that tried to kill him.
If Wu Lei were to have a normal trial with evidence and appropriate sentencing, he wouldn't interfere. But they obviously intended malicious actions with their abrupt arrival. However, he wasn't an idiot, and knew that Ba Chen's swift retaliation alluded to many things. It was only that the situation was developing too fast that even he couldn't breathe.
He was lamenting, feeling like an irrelevant game piece in a chaotic world. Regardless of outcome, how could he come out on top? The throne was no longer his.
With Lin Ziyan's state, he was naturally furious too. This was originally his fiancee, and she agreed to be with him! Yet, Ba Chen had decided otherwise, and for some reason, his father agreed.
Even with rage in his heart, he wouldn't abandon his family. He had never been such a petty person. He had to fight! The twin guardians didn't hesitate to follow, ready to fight against a Godlord!
From behind Wu Chen, another figure revealed himself. His black hair, black eyes, sharp eyebrows, uniquely handsome appearance, and fierce gaze was unforgettable. It was Long Chen! With his sword at his back, he stared at Lin Ziyan whose cultivation and voice seemed to be sealed on the altar. Rage, blazing and endless rage, burned through his heart to an unfathomable degree. His killing intent was limitless. His sword intent was boundless.
"Release her!" He commanded, his thundering voice directed at King Wu and his son, the newly anointed Crown Prince of Wu Country. He was fearless, awesome, and inspired a sense of reliability and victory with every breath.