I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 891 Entering the Palace
“If I had a solution, I wouldn’t be standing here discussing this with you,” Zhang Shenqi said.

Upon hearing Zhang Shenqi's words, Gong Chun said, "Really? I heard that Zhang Chen's younger brother and sister are being kept in the inner quarters of the Zhang family. If we use his younger brother and sister as bait to coerce them out, we can kill them on the spot as soon as they leave the Inspectorate. Then everything will be over and all the trouble will be gone."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shenqi's expression changed, and he refused without hesitation: "No! Absolutely not! If you have the ability to kill Zhang Chen, I will not stop you. Or if you have the ability to abduct those two children from the mansion, I can secretly open a door to help you. But to ask me to actively kidnap those two children to set a trap is absolutely impossible. Countless elders in the Zhang family are watching in secret. If I do this, how will I manage the Zhang family in the future? Who in the Zhang family will still respect me?"

Those who hold the position of head of the household value being upright and aboveboard, so that they can win the hearts and minds of their subordinates; otherwise, they cannot remain in their posts.

"Then you'll cooperate with me to abduct them. It'll be easy to lure those two children out, won't it? Just send someone to deliver a fake letter in Zhang Chen's name, saying that Zhang Chen has been persecuted by us and has turned against the Zhang family. Then tell them to leave the Zhang family and give them an address to wait for. Wouldn't that work? They'll definitely sneak out of the Zhang family then." Gong Chun's voice was full of smugness.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shenqi raised an eyebrow: "I'm afraid there won't be enough time to schedule it."

“We can even take action after the court assembly. That way, we can force Zhang Chen to walk right into our trap. All laws are forbidden within the capital. As long as Zhang Chen leaves the Inspectorate, he will surely die. We have plenty of ways to kill him,” Gong Chun replied.

Zhang Shenqi nodded upon hearing this: "Alright! I will tell you about the brother and sister, including their address. Make sure you don't get it wrong."

The two whispered and plotted for a while, and then Zhang Shenqi led Gong Chun around the Zhang family's pavilions and waterside terraces, gradually familiarizing them with the layout of the Zhang family's residence.

Time flies by, and a night can pass in the blink of an eye.

Just as countless thoughts were swirling in Zhang Chen's mind, the sky began to lighten, and Xie Lingyun appeared behind him: "Zhang Chen, it's time for court!"

Xie Lingyun called out to Zhang Chen, who pushed open the door and went out. He saw Xie Lingyun standing in front of a carriage, with Xie Xuan standing behind her.

"When did the chief return?" Zhang Chen asked Xie Xuan as he walked downstairs.

Xie Xuan smiled upon hearing this: "I've heard about your matter. How could I be absent from such an important event? The more people there are, the more strength we'll have."

Xie Xuan knew of Zhang Chen's abilities and was willing to befriend him.

Zhang Chen smiled slightly upon seeing this: "How far is this place from the royal palace?"

“It will take an hour,” Xie Lingyun said.

"Chief Xie, how about you make your breakthrough before entering the palace? If you break through in front of the palace gates, achieving two level 10 breakthroughs at once, it will be even more awe-inspiring." Zhang Chen took out a jade bottle from his sleeve and handed it over.

Xie Xuan had already heard about Zhang Chen's elixir from Xie Lingyun. Now that he actually saw the elixir in front of him, Xie Xuan still couldn't help but tremble: "Brother Zhang, no doubt about it. I, Xie Xuan, will never refuse any orders you may give me in the future."

Xie Xuan took the pills and went directly into the carriage. Zhang Chen and Xie Lingyun glanced at them and then got into another carriage.

As the carriage moved, a five-colored rainbow of light shot up from Xie Xuan's carriage and pierced the sky, startling countless passersby and attracting the attention of many dignitaries. In an instant, the news that Xie Xuan was about to break through to the tenth level spread like wildfire.

To be able to achieve two levels of rank ten in one sect—what an honor! What a destiny! What an incredible feat!

It should be noted that this is not a world of gods, but rather a world of ten levels of cultivation.

Even the path of gods has many limitations. Even the eleventh level of the path of gods is not as shocking as the tenth level on the path of cultivation.

When the carriage arrived in front of the palace, the divine light reached its peak, and Xie Xuan had successfully entered the tenth level, attracting countless nobles gathered in front of the palace to come forward to curry favor with him.

"If the Zhang family knew you had such abilities, I wonder if they would regret treating you this way." Xie Lingyun looked through the gaps in the carriage at the powerful officials surrounding Xie Xuan's carriage and sighed.

“The Zhang family has a long history, how could they possibly take me seriously?” Zhang Chen smiled knowingly. “However, you and your daughter should be careful. Since you both broke through to the tenth level, people will be secretly investigating the matter, which may cause you trouble.”

"So what?" Xie Lingyun sneered, her voice full of mockery: "Everyone knows the throne is good, but as long as the king sits there, who dares to seize it?"

"A palace attendant will guide you to wait inside the palace shortly. Just follow him obediently and don't cause any trouble," Xie Lingyun said.

Zhang Chen nodded, his attention now focused on the dragon aura of the Great Victory Royal Family. As he approached the royal palace, he could feel his primordial spirit as if it were carrying a mountain on its back, as if it were being suppressed. However, he could still mobilize his Five Elements authority, which did not affect his ability to use his supernatural powers. Even if something happened in the palace, he would still have a chance to resist.

Just as the two were discussing, the archway opened, and eunuchs welcomed the court officials into the palace for an audience. The Xie father and daughter, both bathed in colorful light, stood together, attracting considerable attention and drawing everyone's gaze. As for Zhang Chen, an eunuch led him quietly to a side hall of the court assembly, just an arm's length away from the main hall. Standing by the window, Zhang Chen could see all the ministers in the adjacent hall.

Zhang Chen saw Grand Tutor Ji Chuan standing in the first row on the left, dressed in golden armor, standing there with his eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to everyone around him.

Looking at the Xie family father and daughter, they resembled a pair of colorful lanterns, standing on the left-hand side near the front, probably in the top twenty.

Next was Zhou Qiucheng, who was positioned on the left and towards the back. After all, he was just an academy teacher. Although he had the right to attend court and present his case, he was not a member of the imperial court.

Zhang Chen knew that everything had been agreed upon by the King and the Xie family a few days ago, and that going to court today was just a formality.

As three cannon shots rang out from the outside, a robust, dignified man wearing a black robe embroidered with various mythical beasts walked in from the outside, exuding boundless majesty.

Wherever the man went, all the officials knelt down and bowed to him.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!" All the officials kowtowed, except for the Grand Tutor and the Xie family father and daughter, who stood still.

The Grand Tutor did not kowtow because of his high position and power, as he was the Emperor's teacher. The Xie father and daughter did not kowtow because they had already reached the tenth level and become extraordinary beings.

"Gentlemen, you may rise from the ranks," the king replied in a majestic voice, and all the ministers stood up.

The Human King sat on his high throne, his eyes sweeping over the Xie family father and daughter. He praised them, saying, "The whole family are cultivators, and the father and daughter are both at the tenth level. This is a great story for our Great Victory Dynasty, proving that our Great Victory Dynasty is at its peak."

"Issue a decree, granting the Xie family the Waterside Villa, allowing them to gather incense offerings there, and granting them the right to collect incense offerings from all over the world," the King declared.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan and Xie Lingyun immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and thanked the King: "We are very grateful to Your Majesty!"

Don't underestimate the seemingly simple phrase "the right to collect incense offerings from all over the world." This is a privilege reserved only for the royal family of Dasheng, and such a privilege is truly immense.

"I wonder if Xie Lingyun is betrothed? I have a son, the third in line, who is talented, handsome, and virtuous, and has the potential to become emperor in the future. He would be a good match for me." The King looked at Xie Lingyun with a burning gaze in his eyes. Xie Lingyun is only thirty years old and has already attained the tenth level of the Dao. What an amazing talent she is! If she could be brought into the royal family, the royal family would be able to gain another pillar of stability.

Xie Xuan only has this one girl. If Xie Lingyun can be brought into the royal family, Xie Xuan will naturally be completely bound to the royal family.

Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyun stepped forward and bowed to the King: "In this life, I have only sought the Great Dao and immortality, not personal feelings. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The King nodded upon hearing this: "Chief Xie's good fortune today is also related to his pure Dao heart. Since you only have cultivation in your heart, I naturally cannot force you."

After expressing their gratitude, the Xie father and daughter returned to their seats.

At this time, the officials began to present their reports. After half a day, as noon approached, the presentations gradually stopped. Then a shrill voice rang out: "If you have something to report, please do so. If not, the court is dismissed."

Zhang Chen looked in the direction of the sound and was taken aback. He saw Chu Mingyue dressed as a eunuch, standing next to the current emperor, looking like his personal chief steward.

“This guy’s cultivation has improved again.” Zhang Chen glanced at Chu Mingyue and noticed that the guy’s aura had improved rapidly. However, Zhang Chen did not take him seriously. Unless the other party’s cultivation reached the twelfth level, he would not give him a second glance. Ordinary experts were not worthy of his attention.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report." Gong Chun stepped out from behind the ranks of officials and bowed to the current king above.

"What is it?" the Great Victory King replied.

"I have heard that Zhang Kecheng's son, Zhang Chen, secretly disobeyed the imperial edict and returned to the capital from the north. He was taken into custody by Chief Xie and is now being punished by dismemberment. I beg Your Majesty to grant him the punishment of having his soul extracted, his body torn apart by five horses, as a clear example of justice." Gong Chun bowed respectfully.

Upon hearing this, the court officials fell silent. No one spoke; they were all shrewd enough to have caught wind of what was going on.

"Is this true?" King Dasheng turned to Xie Lingyun and her father and asked.

(End of this chapter)