Chapter 395: The Resonance of the Temple

“Quick! Go to the Imperial Watch and summon the Grand Inspector!”

“Hurry, hurry, hurry!!!”

The Emperor’s words tore through the tumult like shredded wind, echoing over the ruined, dilapidated Jade Plaza.

In that moment, it was as if the heavens and earth fell silent.

Everything sank into a deathly stillness.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Even the resplendent Empress, who usually stood like a protective shield before the Emperor, was thrown into disarray by the panicked voice behind her.

“Your Majesty—was he terrified by the Underworld Yama?!”

The Empress stared in disbelief; her exquisitely beautiful visage momentarily betrayed a look of perplexity as her ruby lips parted in stunned silence.

But soon, that dazed expression was replaced by a spark of determination in her eyes.

As the Emperor’s consort, she immediately sensed something amiss; knowing him well, she recalled how the Underworld Yama had ruthlessly executed the three elite generals—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird—whom he had personally trained.

But how could such turmoil possibly intimidate the Emperor?

And what could drive him to the point of rushing to summon the Grand Inspector?

One must remember that lately, the relationship between the Great Jing Court and the Imperial Watch had grown strained; indeed, the Court now regarded the Imperial Watch as nothing more than the twelfth Divine Sect within its borders!

Meanwhile, the bond between the Emperor and the Grand Inspector had steadily deteriorated.

The Empress, hailing from the venerable Gongshu Family, felt this distancing most acutely.

Perhaps because of the rift between the Emperor and the Grand Inspector, he had begun to withdraw from her—a scion of an ancient family—and even started favoring Consort Ji and a woman from the Su Family of Daocheng, who had been elevated by Su Da.

This shift had brought considerable trouble for the Empress. Consort Ji, backed by the formidable Ji Family, was less of a threat since her family ranked lowest among the three great eternal clans in the Divine Capital.

Yet, the real peril for the Empress came from that little girl from the Su Family in Daocheng—

Su Da—a truly peculiar girl.

Of course, the main reason for the Emperor’s coldness toward the Gongshu Family was his estrangement from the Grand Inspector.

But now…

The Grand Inspector had actually been dispatched because of the threat posed by Underworld Yama?

The Empress was utterly baffled…

In truth, ever since the Emperor had penned the edict betrothing Li Nuǎnxi as Crown Princess, the Empress had never understood his actions or his true aim.

She could only feel the panic emanating from those behind her.

Underworld Yama? Seriously?

Her eyes darkened as she realized she knew nothing—absolutely nothing!

The Emperor had never shared any of his schemes with her.

She felt like a puppet, dangling on invisible threads that he continually manipulated and controlled.

Ripples of memories flooded her mind.

In those recollections—

she saw the moment when the Emperor first regarded her with admiration, cradling her as if she were a fragile cluster of melting snow, escorting her to the southern rivers, touring Guangling, even scaling distant mountains across the Great Realm.

But then…

Somewhere along the way, the bond between them grew cold and distant. For many years, so many that she had lost count, he hadn’t even set foot in her private chamber.

The chasm between husband and wife seemed to widen inexorably.

On the dilapidated Jade Plaza,

the raging winds mixed with the heavy scent of blood.

And she wasn’t the only one shocked; everyone else was left bewildered and uneasy.

How could the Emperor possibly shout such words?

Though Underworld Yama was ruthless and domineering—even before the Emperor, he had not once faltered.

Yet somehow, he had managed to scare the Emperor into summoning the Grand Inspector.

Inviting the Grand Inspector was nothing short of sacrificing the Great Jing Emperor’s dignity in a plea for aid!

Seriously, Underworld Yama?

The depths of the Great Jing Court extended far beyond what met the eye!

After all, the Ji, Yue, and Gongshu Families all had formidable ancients safeguarding their legacies in the Bizarre Temple.

Surely, the Great Jing Court was no exception.

In the annals of the imperial lineage, many had retired in peace after monumental achievements!

Even if the imperial clan did not boast as many years as the eternal families, as a ruling dynasty, its foundation could never be considered inferior!

If the royal blood carried divine tribulations, why then summon the Grand Inspector to suppress Underworld Yama?

It was all so perplexing…

Even Ji Mo Li, gripping his umbrella spear, mirrored the shock and disbelief in his eyes.

Soon, a trace of contempt flickered across his expression.

Is this truly the Great Jing Emperor?

It was utterly laughable!

Such an Emperor had completely disgraced himself!

Why not let Ji Mo Li take charge instead!

Yet, that fleeting thought was quickly suppressed, vanishing without a trace.

Yu Li Che, wearing his dual-toned Underworld Yama Mask, exchanged blows with Ji Mo Li.

Feeling the terrifying might of half-step divine tribulation, he chose to retreat, while the corrosive force of Tao Calamity Fire gnawed at his flesh like a festering wound.

Nevertheless, the damage was mostly absorbed by the doppelgänger atop the tower.

Thanks to Li Che’s indomitable Pure Martial Arts physique, his injuries were not too severe.

Now, Li Che’s focus had shifted from Ji Mo Li.

Though Ji Mo Li had not yet been killed, his display of Netherfire—a revelation of his Tao Calamity Fire power—had made him all the more troublesome.

However, exposing his cultivation level only meant inviting more complications. Li Che couldn’t be bothered with him; his starlit gaze turned toward the Emperor’s clumsy performance on the Pedestal.

It was as if a single thread connected everything together.

Temple Spirit Resonance?

The Emperor’s plan was for Temple Spirit Resonance!

Staging a raucous Peach Festival might just be his true motive. What did he hope to resonate with at the Western Queen Mother’s Bizarre Temple?

After all, the order, “Quick! Go summon the Grand Inspector from the Imperial Watch,” had inadvertently triggered a memory resonance in Li Che—a powerful déjà vu that made him suspicious.

His heart skipped a beat. Could it be that this world hid clues to the Temple Spirit Resonance ritual?

Otherwise, why would the Emperor stage such an elaborate performance?

“Temple Spirit Resonance?”

Beneath his black-and-white mask,

Underworld Yama’s hoarse voice shattered the stillness, echoing eerily as if it had inadvertently revealed the Emperor’s true intent.

That single utterance sent ripples through the crowd!

Temple Spirit Resonance?

How could that be?

All eyes turned to the Emperor on the Pedestal. None truly knew what acts would invoke resonance at the Bizarre Temple—everyone was groping in the dark.

Even the Peach Festival had only been discovered through long experimentation by successive courts in search of a way to commune with the Western Queen Mother’s Bizarre Temple.

Yet now, Underworld Yama claimed that the Emperor was staging a Temple Spirit Resonance?

The Emperor’s panicked calls for the Grand Inspector—were they really part of the temple ritual?

The intention was so unmistakable—

Was it truly Temple Spirit Resonance?!

Had the Emperor uncovered some decisive clue to justify such a ritual?

Everyone present was no fool; in that moment, they sensed that something significant was afoot.

Even the Emperor’s decision to issue a marriage edict for a Peach Festival fosterling was a coercive move aimed at driving Lü Taibai into open rebellion—a move designed to ignite chaos at the Peach Festival!

Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn’t have pushed things to this breaking point, creating a farcical spectacle that risked sullying both his and the Empress’s reputations.

And yet, he went on with his plan.

In that moment, everyone felt that the Emperor’s actions were deliberate.

It was as if someone had told him that such behavior would trigger a Temple Spirit Resonance!

On the Pedestal, the Emperor’s eyes flashed with a strange light.

He fixed his gaze on Underworld Yama, his eyes alight with unwavering certainty.

For he never expected Underworld Yama to so quickly deduce that his actions were indeed part of a Temple Spirit Resonance!

This Underworld was impenetrable!

How was it that Underworld Yama seemed to know everything?!

A sharp glint of anger flashed in the Emperor’s eyes.

Yet he did not cease his actions; regardless of whether Underworld Yama had seen through his plan,

the arrow was nocked and there was no turning back.

Compared to the rewards of completing the Temple Spirit Resonance, everything was worth it!

First, he would secure the Three Pure Divine Weapons long sought after by the Great Jing royal clan from the Western Queen Mother’s Bizarre Temple!

Second, he would gain clues pointing to the higher echelon of the mysterious temple realm that originated the 【Dark Heavenly Court】 faction from that very temple!

As for the source of the Temple Spirit Resonance, the Emperor had verified its reliability.

Originally, his whole plot had centered on Lü Taibai; from the start, he had arranged for Lü Taibai to incite chaos at the Peach Festival

so that the Temple Spirit Resonance might be achieved.

For if Lü Taibai hid his cultivation, a mere top-ranked expert of the Heavenly Gate wouldn’t suffice to trigger the desired resonance.

Thus, in consultation with National Teacher Xie Yunshen, he forced Lü Taibai to unleash the full might of his Tao Calamity Sword cultivation.

Even a half-step divine tribulation was just enough—

but then, out of nowhere, the Underworld intervened!

Underworld Yama, fierce and uncompromising, had even slaughtered three of his demonic sub-commanders from the elite guard!

The Emperor, seething with fury, couldn’t help but feel a perverse joy—

for compared to Lü Taibai, the Underworld was far more suited for invoking Temple Spirit Resonance!

It was as if heaven itself had lent him a hand!

Thus, the Emperor could not, nor would he, stop now.

Given the present circumstances, he had to complete this Temple Spirit Resonance!

The Emperor turned his gaze to the Second Prince.

Second Prince Lü Hengyi had long since stood up, his face frozen in shock at the sudden turn of events. In an instant, he felt the Emperor’s piercing gaze upon him.

After a brief pause, Lü Hengyi’s face lit up with wild joy as he fumbled to produce an Imperial Order.

“Father, I’m ready to summon the Grand Inspector!”

No sooner had his words fallen,

than Second Prince Lü Hengyi promptly infused divine energy into the Imperial Order.

He respectfully signaled his intention to invite the Grand Inspector.

Third Prince Lü Litong’s face turned even paler; he was filled with regret, never imagining that the Emperor would orchestrate such a farce.

That very Imperial Order—once meant to showcase filial piety and secure favor with the Grand Inspector—had been squandered.

Now, he couldn’t produce an Imperial Order at all.

Frustrated, Third Prince Lü Litong pounded his chest in despair.

Buzz—buzz—buzz!!!

When Lü Hengyi’s Imperial Order finished its transmission, all eyes were drawn toward the direction of the Imperial Watch in Divine Capital’s Second City—

the Eight-Treasure Dropping Imperial Tower.

The suspended jewel atop it suddenly radiated an intensely brilliant light.

With a command,

a series of half-transparent, ripple-like waves spread out rapidly, like an endless tide surging across the surface of the sea!

In an instant, the overwhelming force impacted everyone’s hearts.

“Hoo—”

A soft sigh drifted from the Imperial Watch Tower.

At once, two streams of radiant light shot up into the air.

It was the two deputy Grand Inspectors of the Imperial Watch:

Yue Taofu and Fang Shangzhen.

The two deputy inspectors ascended majestically, their wide-sleeved robes billowing, as they bowed slightly into the void.

“Welcome, Grand Inspector!”

Their words echoed,

and above the Imperial Watch Tower, as if sliced by a razor, a crack split through the mist.

Along its jagged edges, dark geometric patterns assembled like blocks in a Tetris puzzle.

Shattering the void!

A divine cultivation breakthrough!

Every gaze was fixed in that moment as the ripples surged,

and an immense, oppressive force descended upon everyone—a suffocating pressure that stilled the soul.

Even Ji Mo Li tensed, feeling the complete suppression of his Netherfire within.

Li Che, behind his dual-toned Underworld Yama Mask, furrowed his brows.

Grand Inspector…

this was going to be tricky!

Boom—boom—boom!

The Heavenly Dome erupted with spring thunder. Even the suspended Mo City and Shandu trembled under the overwhelming force.

Then, at the site of the rent in the void,

a figure, his face shrouded in an ethereal mist, slowly stepped out from the fissure.

An awe-inspiring aura poured forth like crashing waves, sending ripples that grew ever more violent.

Clad in a white daoist robe with billowing sleeves, his features suffused with celestial grace, he stepped lightly upon the void toward the Jade Plaza.

With each step, the void rippled in expanding circles, until his white figure emerged at the very edge of the disturbance.

He continued to step, his movement flickering as if traversing space itself.

Even Li Che couldn’t help but wince at the sight.

This Grand Inspector was a world apart from the one they had seen in the Imperial Watch.

The oppressive force was overwhelming!

Even overhead in Mo City Shandu, the shrouded sky had already darkened with ominous black clouds, as if ready to fall and unleash terror upon the world!

That was true heavenly might!

Far surpassing the celestial aura drawn by Li Che’s Heaven-Defying Half-Step Dao Induction.

Of course, lacking a focused target, everyone could only feel a weighty, discordant shift in divine energy.

The Grand Inspector, after causing three ripples in the void, found himself above the Jade Plaza.

His eyes, clouded with drifting ethereal mist, held a detached sense of worldly indifference.

“Your Majesty… are you really going to exhaust my old bones like this?”

The Grand Inspector remarked coolly.

The Emperor, standing on the Pedestal, still projected a facade of panic in his eyes.

“Now that you have arrived, I can rest easier.”

“That scoundrel Underworld Yama will trouble us no more—so please, Grand Inspector, suppress these fiends!”

The Emperor declared.

The Grand Inspector cast a lingering, measured glance at the Emperor, then at Second Prince Lü Hengyi—who lay prostrate, having crushed his own Imperial Order.

He sighed softly.

Once, each prince was given an Imperial Order, but they had become mere pawns in the Emperor’s grand scheme.

“Your Majesty, use each Imperial Order sparingly… cherish them,”

the Grand Inspector advised evenly.

With that, Third Prince Lü Litong’s face paled further, and his legs trembled as if drained of all strength.

He finally realized the enormity of his foolish mistake.

In a bid to curry favor with the Grand Inspector by feigning filial piety, he had carelessly expended a precious Imperial Order—

and in doing so, had painted himself as an utter imbecile.

He… now truly regretted it!

Even though his consort was dead, he still sought to avenge her!

But just as he was about to collapse, a pair of strong, supportive arms caught him and hoisted him up.

Glancing back, Third Prince Lü Litong met the encouraging gaze of Han Sixi.

“Your Highness, hold on—you still have me.”

Han Sixi declared.

Seeing Han Sixi’s determined look, Third Prince Lü Litong felt a warmth bloom within, as though a comforting furnace had been ignited.

“Diao Temple—yes, and you too,”

he murmured.

“I still have a chance!”

At this moment, no one paid heed to the Prince’s shifting emotions.

The Grand Inspector’s words made it clear: each Imperial Order represented the last tether between the princes and the Great Jing Court.

Every one used meant one less bond.

Once all were expended, the Imperial Watch would have no further ties to the Great Jing Court.

The Emperor’s eyes glittered, while the Empress, fragile and nearly collapsing, seemed to understand all too clearly, a tear of sorrow glistening in her eyes.

It appeared that there was no going back for them.

The Emperor commanded, “Grand Inspector, subdue the fiends from the Underworld!”

And with that,

the words hung in the air.

The Grand Inspector said little, standing silently in the void. Slowly, he turned to face the Underworld Yama, who wore his dual-toned mask.

The Grand Inspector’s eyes sparkled with a clear, penetrating light—as if he wished to see through the mask.

Beneath the mask, Li Che’s brow twitched abruptly.

Then, a dazzling silver sword light burst forth. Lü Taibai’s brows furrowed, blood streaming as he brandished his Tao Calamity Sword to block the path between Underworld Yama and the Grand Inspector.

“Underworld Brother Yama, leave at once, and take the disciples of Qianyuan Divine Sect with you!”

Lü Taibai’s silver hair whipped in the wind. His broad sleeves fluttered as sword energy roared like a flowing river around him.

Lü Taibai’s expression was grave to the extreme.

The terrifying heavens descended, laden with the oppressive force of the three calamitous tribulations—a portent of chaos brought on by the emergence of a divine tribulation expert!

Grand Inspector…

a true figure of divine tribulation!

One who could assess even the highest warriors at the Heavenly Gate or the top immortals of the Divine Register!

Even among the divine tribulation masters, he was extraordinarily unique.

He was no ordinary tribulation force!

No one could hope to block him—

there was simply no confidence in opposing him!

Lü Taibai’s heart had long sunk into despair. He never imagined that this battle would force the Grand Inspector’s hand.

In that moment, Lü Taibai sensed that the Emperor had been scheming all along; he was merely one component in the elaborate Temple Spirit Resonance.

The Underworld was now irrevocably entangled.

Thus, he resolved to block the Grand Inspector—if only for a brief moment—to allow Underworld Yama to escape with Li Che and the children of Qianyuan Divine Sect, even if it cost him his life.

Lü Taibai’s silver hair billowed in the wind.

Bang!

The earth exploded open!

A torrent of pale-gold vital energy surged forth as Shi Jian, the formidable patriarch of True Martial Divine Sect, clad in black armor and exuding rugged vitality, levitated into the air to stand shoulder to shoulder with Lü Taibai.

The Grand Inspector looked at Shi Jian in disbelief, surprised that he would emerge—had True Martial Mountain forsaken its post?

“Underworld Yama—peerless in Pure Martial Arts, I hold you in high regard,”

Shi Jian declared, his voice resonant. “Underworld, I welcome the support of True Martial Divine Sect’s mechanisms.”

Shi Jian’s booming aura and surging vital energy spoke plainly of his intent.

After all, if you don’t deliver, how can someone die?!

Then, suddenly, talismans began drifting upward in a flurry.

Accompanied by a string of muttered curses,

“Lü Taibai, you pesky calamity! Marrying off my sister to you was a grave mistake!”

“Always causing trouble!”

Xuan Jiu Zhuan soared into the air as countless talismans piled up in a clattering mass.

Yet the Grand Inspector let out a light chuckle, “How touching…”

“No need for trouble,”

he said, raising his hand as if caressing carved jade, gently pressing downward.

In an instant, Xuan Jiu Zhuan and Shi Jian’s expressions changed; suspended in midair, both were crushed to the ground by an unseen force, as if an invisible hand had pinned them.

It was overwhelming!

Xuan Jiu Zhuan and Shi Jian could only helplessly exchange looks with Lü Taibai, as if to say they were unable to assist.

Lü Taibai exhaled a giant breath, the air around him charged with magnificent sword intent.

The Grand Inspector said, “Stop stalling. The subject of Your Majesty’s Temple Spirit Resonance was meant to be you, but not anymore—you may depart.”

“You haven’t fully mastered and refined your Dao position yet. Overzealous action could cause your fragile connection to collapse—”

“It’s simply not worth it.”

The Grand Inspector stated.

But Lü Taibai merely smiled calmly. With the Taibai Sword hovering at his shoulder, its tip pointed skyward as sword energy surged!

Concealed treasures filled his sleeves.

“Everything that began with me shall end with me.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Underworld Yama appeared at his side.

Lü Taibai managed a single word:

“Spare me the chatter.”

Beneath the black-and-white mask, a pair of dazzling eyes shone brightly as a hand rested lightly on Lü Taibai’s shoulder.

In an instant, Lü Taibai felt the world spin and found himself transported atop the city wall of Mo City Shandu.

“I—”

Lü Taibai was momentarily stunned.

“Master Patriarch!”

XiXi’s eyes widened as she cried out, beckoning him.

Immediately, Lü Taibai’s expression softened considerably—

he sighed quietly.

Turning his gaze to Li Che beside XiXi, whose masked face concealed eyes like glittering stars, Li Che offered him a slight nod.

“Rest assured, Master. Yama will be alright.”

“Perhaps he just doesn’t want to hold you back.”

Li Che said earnestly.

Lü Taibai was speechless.

Recalling the extraordinary art of Underworld teleportation—

he had nothing more to say.

Standing atop the Mo City wall, the scene before him was strangely new as he looked up at the ominous, descending black clouds that heralded impending disaster.

Lü Taibai’s face grew grave as he sensed the overwhelming force of divine energy.

In the future, when he breached the divine tribulation realm, he would inevitably face these calamitous trials.

He wondered how many such disasters he could survive.

On the Jade Plaza,

as Lü Taibai was teleported to Mo City Shandu,

all eyes inevitably fixed on Underworld Yama, whose dark cloak and star-like eyes shone from beneath his mask.

“Finally, the nuisance is gone,”

Underworld Yama remarked coolly.

The Grand Inspector smiled as he observed Underworld Yama, as if recognizing a familiar aura.

Was it him?

Suppressing the urge to analyze further,

the Grand Inspector continued, “Yama, the Imperial Order borne by the princes carries the weight of an ancient pact between me and the Great Jing imperial house—it is intrinsically linked to my tribulations and, alas, cannot be discarded lightly.”

“I shall only use one move.”

“If Yama manages to escape, I’ll no longer pursue.”

The Grand Inspector’s white daoist robes billowed as his voice took on a trace of gentle humor.

“This move carries no intent to kill, only to subdue. Should you break free, the expanse will be yours.”

“Very well,”

Yama replied.

On the Jade Plaza,

the Emperor emerged from behind the Empress, his gaze fixed intently on the exchange between the Grand Inspector and Yama.

He made no further demands; his eyes burned with a quiet fervor.

Boom—

As the Grand Inspector slowly raised his hand, an awe-inspiring oppressive force, like layered storm clouds, began to gather.

Underneath Yama’s mask, Li Che raised his hand and touched his brow.

In that moment, the Cosmic Chessboard and Mo City vanished without a trace,

followed by an eruption of brilliant, golden vital energy. The Dragon Elephant Vajra of sword energy burst forth!

It was as if an intensely radiant golden mushroom cloud had exploded across the heavens and earth.

That dazzling light nearly blinded everyone.

The Grand Inspector’s hair flew wildly as his face was momentarily shrouded in white mist. Then, he slowly delivered a palm strike toward Underworld Yama.

Countless dense black clouds began to cascade down, coalescing into a massive hand that rained down like an enormous mountain!

Li Che, behind his Yama mask, glanced up at the giant hand descending from the skies.

He gave a soft laugh.

With a tiptoe step in the void, he propelled himself backward in a blasting burst.

At that moment,

he gripped a Feilei Chess Piece with his five fingers.

In an instant, he vanished from the universe!

On the Pedestal,

the Emperor’s visage—intertwined with divine aura and vital energy—wavered as Underworld Yama disappeared.

Wearing his bright yellow robe, he suddenly waved his arm.

“Return to the palace.”

With those words, he dismissed everyone; he cared little for the outcome of the clash between the Grand Inspector and Underworld Yama.

For him, all that mattered was that the Grand Inspector had acted.

Whether Underworld Yama escaped or not was of little consequence to the Temple Spirit Resonance ritual.

The ritual had already concluded the moment he summoned the Grand Inspector.

It was sufficient.

The Emperor walked alone across the desolate Jade Plaza. He paid no mind to the Empress at his back, ignored the kneeling Second Prince, and made no mention of the fallen Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and other elite commanders.

He simply strode along the main thoroughfare, each step stretching as if crossing dozens of feet—

in just a few breaths, he had reached the First City of Divine Capital.

Entering the Emperor’s palace within the Divine Temple of the First City,

he halted. His bright yellow robes billowed wildly in the wind.

He could feel it—a surging tide of divine energy from the Temple Spirit was rampaging within the First City of Divine Capital.

The Temple Spirit Resonance had ended!

Now he would claim the rewards of the ritual!

Come forth!

My—

My Ju Xian Flag!