Chapter 797: Lord Prefect, Please Advise

While some might already know the true identity of the Fused Soul Sect Leader, 99% of the human population in the imperial capital remains completely ignorant of it. This is because the Grand Academy's unique regulations safeguard the external identities of its members.

Similarly, the name "Candlelight" was once unfamiliar within the imperial capital until the events in Fenghai Commandery caused it to spread like a storm across the entire human race. Following this, the Human Emperor issued an empire-wide warrant for Candlelight, ensuring its name became universally known. As a result, in the minds of most cultivators across Absolute Star, Candlelight came to represent chaos, evil, and disaster. Its gruesome "bloody performances" within the organization were particularly shocking to those who observed them.

Bai Xiaozhuo, the central figure in the Fenghai Commandery upheaval, also became closely associated with Candlelight due to the widespread rumors surrounding him, making him its perceived representative in the eyes of the public.

Thus, when Xu Qing's words rang out, they exploded like a clap of thunder, reverberating through the entire Grand Void and across all directions of the imperial capital.

"Candlelight!"

"How is this possible!"

"The Fused Soul Sect Leader is Bai Xiaozhuo?"

A cacophony of exclamations erupted uncontrollably from the students within the Grand Academy, particularly those from the Fused Soul Stream, whose minds reeled with shock and confusion. They found it utterly unbelievable, their immediate reaction being that the claim was preposterous. Had it not been for Xu Qing's established authority, his new identity, and the recent display of the Imperial Sword slaying the prince, someone would undoubtedly have risen to angrily denounce him. Regardless, Xu Qing's statement deeply unsettled every student of the Fused Soul Stream.

On the black platform floating in mid-air, the faces beneath the masks of the Fused Soul high-ranking members all changed expressions. They, too, disbelieved. As a result, gazes converged from all directions, from various powers throughout the imperial capital, all fixed upon the Fused Soul Sect displayed on the heavenly screen.

The Fused Soul Sect Leader gazed calmly at Xu Qing. Xu Qing stood his ground, returning the Sect Leader's gaze.

"Back then, I paid my respects to you, Lord Commandery Governor. Your guidance and lessons in Fenghai Commandery brought a sense of peace to my heart." Xu Qing spoke faintly, a scene eerily similar to one from the past, yet now involving two individuals with vastly different statuses. "And now, just like then, we meet again, Lord Commandery Governor!"

"Candlelight cultivators disdain falsehoods; they value reason above all else. I spoke these very words in Fenghai Commandery, but you acted against your conscience then!"

Xu Qing remained composed, his eyes unperturbed. The Fused Soul Sect Leader's gaze was profound, his emotions complex, and he sighed, remaining silent. Xu Qing shook his head.

"Lord Commandery Governor, do you recall what I said back then? If this Fused Soul event today is another one of your 'bloody performances,' then I still find it quite subpar."

"Its poor quality stems not merely from the performance itself, but from your personal violation of the Inner Court's principles! You are unworthy of being called Candlelight!"

"So, will you act against your conscience once more today?"

"Lord Commandery Governor, I await your correction."

Xu Qing's voice echoed through the air.

The Fused Soul Sect Leader closed his eyes, then raised his right hand to his mask. After a brief pause, he slowly removed it, revealing his true face. It was indeed Bai Xiaozhuo, just as Xu Qing remembered him. All eyes instantly converged, countless minds were roused, and the entire Grand Academy fell into a stunned silence.

However, for cultivators, appearance is often not a reliable identifier; aura is the crucial factor. Yet, Bai Xiaozhuo's aura now was distinctly different from how it was in Fenghai Commandery. Thus, he could have easily refuted the claim. But Xu Qing's words, just as before, struck deeply at his core.

"Xu Qing, we meet again!" Bai Xiaozhuo, his mask now removed, spoke softly and calmly. "I trust I haven't disappointed you this time. I am Bai Xiaozhuo, Governor of Fenghai Commandery, of the Violet-Green Upper Kingdom. Bai Xiaozhuo."

After Bai Xiaozhuo's candid voice echoed, an indescribable aura emanated from him, simultaneously unleashing a tumultuous storm within the Grand Academy and throughout the imperial capital. A colossal uproar erupted within the Grand Academy. The hearts of all students pounded, their eyes wide with shock, while the students of the Fused Soul Stream trembled uncontrollably. All their trust instantly crumbled upon hearing the direct confession, replaced by confusion, turmoil, and raging anger.

The Fused Soul Sect Leader was none other than Candlelight, an organization reviled like a rat, and Bai Xiaozhuo, the instigator of the Fenghai Commandery upheaval that led to the deaths of countless humans. This profoundly disruptive information inundated the minds of the Grand Academy students. On the black platform in mid-air, the Fused Soul high-ranking members experienced an even greater upheaval in their minds at that moment. They could not believe it, and were even more unwilling to, yet the truth lay undeniable before them.

Simultaneously, an even greater storm erupted in the imperial capital outside the Grand Academy, shaking various factions. Regardless of other considerations, publicly, both Candlelight and Bai Xiaozhuo were deemed unfit to exist in this world. Consequently, numerous powerful auras appeared, locking onto the academy from all directions, and the atmosphere across the entire Grand Academy grew incredibly tense. Countless gazes and divine senses locked onto the target, and a murderous intent rose on the heavenly screen, as if deep winter had descended.

The Grand Academy Head, despite his advanced age, remained outwardly unchanged. With deep eyes, he raised a hand and waved it, causing the Grand Academy grounds to rumble. A protective array unfurled from the dao altar below, enveloping the surroundings and shielding all students.

However, Bai Xiaozhuo seemed oblivious to these developments. He looked at Xu Qing, his hoarse voice echoing. "In Fenghai Commandery, you stood alone! Today, you still stand alone, Xu Qing. Are you saddened by this? Is this the human race you truly desire?"

"Your Imperial Sword should be unable to act against me. Do you not understand what that signifies?"

Xu Qing shook his head. "It's too complicated; I don't wish to ponder it. All I know is that when I took a stand in Fenghai Commandery, it was for an elder whom I deeply respected. He died in battle, yet he lives on in my heart! As for today, Lord Commandery Governor, you've misunderstood. I have stepped forward simply because I wish for your demise!" Xu Qing's voice was calm and steady.

" 'Is that all? So simple?' " The Commandery Governor smiled, repeating the same words he had used before.

"What else would it be?" Xu Qing's expression remained unchanged. His manner of speaking was also consistent with their previous encounter.

" 'I thought you'd have much more to say this time!' " The Commandery Governor chuckled.

" 'There wasn't last time, and there won't be this time either,' " Xu Qing replied. He then forcefully retreated ten steps, descending from mid-air to the white dao platform of the Heterodox Immortal Stream, where he sat cross-legged. He completely ignored Bai Xiaozhuo, who remained in mid-air.

He had completed his task of revealing the Fused Soul Sect Leader's identity. Thus, there was no further need for him to take forceful action. In the face of righteousness, personal stance becomes irrelevant; the Human Emperor himself would handle the subsequent matters. After all, this was the imperial capital, not Fenghai Commandery.

And indeed, that was the case.

At this moment, the Human Emperor raised his head, his gaze settling on Bai Xiaozhuo, and his majestic voice resonated throughout the heavens and earth. "Grand Academy Head, apprehend the fugitive Bai Xiaozhuo!"

Upon hearing the command, the aged Grand Academy Head slowly straightened his hunched body. His snow-white hair instantly turned black, and the wrinkles on his face vanished in a flash. He transformed from an old man into a middle-aged one before their eyes. His body emitted cracking sounds as he grew exceptionally tall, and his aura erupted like a furnace, releasing continuous waves of immense power. Countless illusory figures appeared behind him, and the sky changed color. A phantom world, Earth-shattering in its presence, vaguely emerged on his left side, near his shoulder.

This was the peak of Reversion to Void, and an imperial bloodline surged within him, manifesting as a golden dragon that soared from the phantom world. It circled the sky, roaring towards Bai Xiaozhuo. The Grand Academy Head took a step, and with it, countless rules and laws of heaven and earth reversed at his command. Shadows of the sun, moon, and stars emerged, as if he could shift constellations and cleave the heavens.

Bai Xiaozhuo fell silent, his gaze retracting from Xu Qing to stare at the sky. No one knew what he was thinking or what he was observing. At that very moment, his own aura surged dramatically. Aberrant energy dispersed, and divine essence surged, emanating battle power fluctuations identical to those of the Grand Academy Head. However, their combat power stemmed not from cultivation, but from their inherent divinity.

At this moment, he raised his left hand to press down on the golden dragon. As his right hand waved, a divine effigy coalesced from the surrounding spiritual quality, moving to suppress the advancing Grand Academy Head. A thunderous roar immediately erupted across the heavenly screen.

The two instantly clashed, causing the Grand Academy's space to ripple and the sky to darken, as if doomsday had arrived. Fierce winds swept through, howling in all directions. Every collision between them was like a thunderclap, shaking everything. It was a clash between rules and divinity, an assault of laws and divine essence, and ultimately, a duel between an immortal cultivator and a divine cultivator.

Xu Qing calmly looked up at Bai Xiaozhuo, who had become even stronger than he was in Fenghai Commandery. He must be capable of more; his puppetry had yet to be displayed, and the core of Fused Soul remained hidden.

As Xu Qing murmured to himself, the sky trembled, and a colossal shadow materialized, like a divine hand pressing down on the Grand Academy Head. The Grand Academy Head, expressionless, abruptly raised his left hand, which emitted dazzling light like a brilliant pearl. It overlapped with the incoming shadow, fiercely resisting.

Amidst the thunderous roar, Bai Xiaozhuo, maintaining his calm expression, raised a hand and waved. Immediately, five swirling vortices appeared in the void behind him, and five puppet bodies stepped out. It was impossible to tell if they were human, as their bodies were constructed from divine materials, emitting divine source power that intensified the aberrant energy in the area. Upon appearing, each radiated the combat power of a fourth-stage Reversion to Void cultivator, and illusory worlds also materialized around them. However, these were realms of death, and upon closer inspection, different divine statues could be seen erected within each of their death realms. Once manifested, they charged towards the Grand Academy Head with an aura of absolute finality.

But as one of the imperial capital's crucial locations, the Grand Academy naturally boasted more than just its Head as a formidable expert. In an instant, seven or eight figures teleported in from all directions. These individuals were, remarkably, all sect masters. The moment they appeared, they joined the fray, causing the Grand Academy grounds to become even more turbulent. Fortunately, the Grand Academy's spatial integrity was relatively stable, and its protective arrays were fully active, so the students were largely unharmed. Nevertheless, some still bled from the corners of their mouths beneath their masks.

Meanwhile, within the projected imperial palace at the horizon, the Heavenly King turned his head, his gaze fixed on the Human Emperor. The Human Emperor remained calm and silent. The Heavenly King then withdrew his gaze, merely observing the battle without intervening.

Xu Qing watched as well.