Chapter 1855: Fortunes Change

Feeling the icy, bone-chilling sensation of the Soul-Snaring Rope, her cultivation immediately suppressed, Zhao Xiaodie finally reacted, struggling desperately. "No, there must be some misunderstanding! How could Father possibly do such a thing? Granduncle Nine must have made a mistake somewhere."

Her father was the nation's second-most powerful figure and widely considered the most promising successor to the throne. With the Emperor nearing the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, how could he possibly take such a huge risk?

Furthermore, even if he were to do something like this, based on her understanding of him, he would only act when success was almost guaranteed. How could such a situation arise now?

The King of Yan's face was as still as water. "The facts are clear, Xiaodie. Just cooperate with the investigation."

"No, I want to see my father!" Zhao Xiaodie exclaimed, her expression agitated.

The King of Yan did not reply. He waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to take her away, denying her any further chance to speak.

Zhao Xiaodie instantly plunged into endless despair. This situation clearly meant something had happened to her father; otherwise, it wouldn't be like this.

She couldn't help but glance at Zu An in the distance, thinking how mortifying it was for him to see her in such a sorry state.

In front of that man, her identity as a princess was the only thing she had left to be proud of, but now even that was gone.

Her usually spirited eyes instantly lost their luster.

"Master!" Zhuyin cried out in alarm. Although he preferred Fairy Chu, who could dislike this beautiful and proud junior sister?

Moreover, they had shared life-and-death trials in the secret realm, and his feelings for this junior sister had grown stronger. Naturally, he didn't want to see her taken away like this.

Unfortunately, he was gravely injured and could only appeal to his master for help.

To his surprise, Guan Chouhai's face was clouded with gloom, and he seemed not to notice the scene unfolding.

At that moment, the King of Yan said to Guan Chouhai, "Brother Guan, I'll also need you and your companions to return with us for an investigation."

Guan Chouhai's eyes flickered. He looked at the King of Yan, then at General Zhao Yuan of the Tiger Guards standing nearby, and finally at the menacing elite soldiers. He sighed, ultimately offering no resistance.

Perhaps cooperating would offer a chance for a reversal, but resisting on the spot would only confirm their status as rebels. At that point, not only he, but even Li Hentian, would be uprooted.

Soon, soldiers stepped forward and bound both Guan Chouhai and Zhuyin.

The other Daoist disciples watched, their eyes wide with shock. They never expected someone of Guan Chouhai's stature to be arrested; he was a grandmaster, practically a deity in the eyes of these disciples.

Wu Xiaofan walked over. "Greetings, Your Highness. May I ask what happened? Why has Golden Summit become like this? And where is my master?"

As the chief disciple of the Zhengyang Sect, he was effectively a half-host here, and naturally felt responsible to step forward in this situation.

"Your master?" The King of Yan sneered and waved his hand. "Arrest him!"

Immediately, soldiers pounced on him like wolves.

Wu Xiaofan's expression changed. He instinctively wanted to resist but dared not, only managing to ask anxiously, "May I ask what charges Your Highness is arresting us on?"

The King of Yan did not reply, as if deeming his status unworthy of an answer.

Zhao Yuan, standing nearby, spoke up. "What charges? Wang Wuxie is suspected of colluding with outsiders and orchestrating an assassination attempt on the Emperor in Purple Mountain!"

"Not just you second-generation disciples, even the peak masters have been detained and are currently under investigation."

Upon hearing this, a chill instantly ran down Wu Xiaofan and Zhang Xi's spines. They understood the dire consequences if these charges were proven.

Not to mention them, even the entire Zhengyang Sect might be utterly destroyed.

"That's impossible! Master has always been loyal to the Emperor. How could he do such a thing?"

Zhao Yuan was expressionless. "That's why you're being investigated. What, do you intend to resist and cause trouble? By law, we can execute you on the spot!"

Wu Xiaofan and Zhang Xi's faces fluctuated between pale and grim. Several times, they reached for their swords, but ultimately dared not draw them.

Soon, Soul-Snaring Ropes were looped around them, instantly sealing their cultivation.

At this point, the remaining Daoist disciples on Golden Summit gathered together, watching them warily.

Although the various Daoist sects usually resented the Zhengyang Sect for being so close to the imperial court, and even gossiped about Wang Wuxie being a lackey of the court, seeing Guan Chouhai, Wu Xiaofan, and others successively taken away, they still felt a sense of shared misfortune.

Completely unaware of what was truly happening, they assumed the imperial court intended to use this opportunity to eliminate the Nine Daoist Sects, and thus rallied together in common animosity.

Seeing everyone instinctively place their hands on their weapons, Zhao Yuan's face darkened. "What, are you planning a rebellion?"

Just as the situation was about to erupt, several figures flew over. "General, please show mercy!"

Everyone looked closely and saw that the leaders were none other than Wan Tongtian and Abbess Huo Ling of the Biyue Palace.

The two bowed to the King of Yan and Zhao Yuan before speaking. "Your Highness, General, our Biyue Palace has already undergone investigation. Wan Guiyi and Pei Mianman both entered the secret realm before the incident and are completely unaware of what transpired. We implore you to be lenient."

The other Daoist disciples were inwardly startled. What? Even Biyue Palace had been investigated? What exactly was going on?

As the King of Yan and Zhao Yuan hesitated, Wan Tongtian bowed again. "We will take them back and keep them under strict supervision. Should there be any need, we will bring them for questioning at any time."

Seeing a dignified Grandmaster, a transcendent figure in the Daoist sect, bowing to him, the King of Yan felt a surge of satisfaction. He quickly helped the other man up. "Sect Master Wan, you speak too seriously. How could I not trust your character? You may take them, but please do not leave the vicinity of Purple Mountain for now."

The other party's influence was not to be underestimated, and he wouldn't miss such a good opportunity to win favor.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Wan Tongtian was overjoyed and quickly gestured to Wan Guiyi and Pei Mianman. "Guiyi, Mianman, come quickly!"

Wan Guiyi naturally didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately ran over.

Pei Mianman, however, hesitated, reluctant to leave Zu An's side.

She instinctively looked at Zu An, who secretly sent a voice transmission: "There's a chance to get away. Go with them first."

"What about you?" Pei Mianman asked, very worried.

"Don't worry, I have my ways." Zu An's tone was remarkably calm, as if the catastrophic turmoil before them, which was devastating to the other Daoist disciples, simply didn't exist for him.

Pei Mianman thought about it and realized he was right; how could a man who could handle even Zhao Hao be stumped by such a small situation? "Alright then, I'll come find you later."

With that, she reluctantly jogged over to Abbess Huo Ling.

Abbess Huo Ling's eyebrow twitched. Her disciple's heart had long since flown elsewhere.

This girl was truly clueless. What was so great about men? Wasn't cultivation far more interesting?

At this point, several other individuals also came forward, bowing to the King of Yan. "Your Highness, we have also undergone investigation previously, and our disciples are completely unaware of that matter. May we take them with us?"

These individuals were Cave Master Mu of the Grand Profound Cave, Deputy Prefect He Yuan of the Pure Void Mansion, and an Elder from Luofu Mountain.

The King of Yan secretly relished this. These figures, who usually held their heads high, now had to bow and plead with him. Of course, he didn't show his pleasure but instead seized the opportunity to grant them a favor, allowing them to take Shi Dingtian, Qiu Chanzi, and Luo Dongjiang.

At this moment, Elder Peng of Kongming Island looked around. He had intended to take his own disciple, but couldn't find Peng Wuyan's whereabouts. He immediately grew anxious, asking disciples from the other sects, "Where is my Wuyan? Have any of you seen her?"

"Miss Peng unfortunately perished in the secret realm," Qiu Chanzi sighed. "The secret realm was extremely dangerous this time; even I barely made it out alive."

In fact, everyone had just realized that it wasn't just these few who had entered the secret realm this time; many other second-place groups had also gone in. However, apart from Zhao Xiaodie and Zhang Xi, none of them had emerged, and those who did were all injured, highlighting how perilous the secret realm had been.

"My Wuyan!" Elder Peng immediately burst into wailing tears.

The sect leaders from other factions offered a few words of comfort. No one wanted to remain in this ominous place, fearing entanglement with the imperial court, and soon departed one after another.

Liang Ling and Lou Wucheng's expressions changed, as everyone else had been taken away by their respective sect elders, but they saw no one from their own sects.

Liang Ling couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, General, may I ask where my master is now?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing," the King of Yan said, less courteous with this younger generation. He simply waved his hand. "Take him away!"

"Your Highness, General, what exactly happened?" Liang Ling was both shocked and enraged, yet he dared not resist in such circumstances. Unfortunately, no one responded to him.

Zu An watched silently. He had seen Liang Ling's performance at the last Grand Competition and knew he was actually a young man with a good temperament.

He wondered how that fellow Xuan Bajing had managed to teach such an upright disciple.

However, for a short-term investigation, his life shouldn't be in danger. He would find a way to get him out later.

Seeing that he was the only chief disciple remaining, Lou Wucheng immediately panicked and frantically looked at Yan Xuehen. "Martial Aunt, save me!"

At this moment, the King of Yan also walked towards them, looking at Zu An with a half-smile. "How the tables have turned! This boy is in my hands so quickly!"