The spiritual energy was restored, and he became a mortal immortal in two days.

The news that Chen Xiang had single-handedly annihilated the three-sect coalition outside Iron Wall Pass swept through the entire cultivation world like a hurricane.

At first, many immortal sects dismissed it as an absurd rumor.

It is already an unprecedented event for a secular dynasty to rebel against a celestial sect, let alone to turn the tide and kill a coalition of three mid-level celestial sects.

That's absolutely ridiculous!

However, confirmation messages came one after another from within the Lingyun Sword Sect, the Xuanyin Sect, and the Golden Saber Sect.

The soul lamps of the three Golden Core elders sent to the Tianfeng Dynasty and their elite disciples were all extinguished, and even the "Lifeline Jade Tablet" inside the mountain gate, which symbolized the sect's fortune, showed slight cracks.

The entire cultivation world was finally shaken!

Nine Heavens Immortal Sect - Council Hall.

"Investigate! Investigate this thoroughly for me!"

The current sect leader of the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect, the "Nine Heavens True Monarch" at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, had a grim expression and an icy voice: "How could a newly risen secular dynasty possibly annihilate three Golden Core cultivators and tens of thousands of other cultivators?!"

"Who exactly is that man in the blue robe who suddenly appeared?"

"Is he a descendant of some reclusive sect? Or is it some old monster who can't stand the loneliness and has come out to stir up trouble?"

The elders below fell silent, trembling with fear. The Nine Heavens Immortal Sect was one of the most prestigious immortal sects in the world, holding a transcendent position and always regarding secular dynasties as vassal granaries.

This move by the Tianfeng Dynasty is tantamount to challenging the very foundation upon which the entire Immortal Sect system depends!

Taiyi Xuanmen - Star Gazing Platform.

"Interesting, really interesting."

The sect leader of Taiyi Xuanmen, also a "Tai Xuan Zhenren" at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, stroked his long beard, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, but he didn't show much anger. Instead, he seemed quite interested. "Using a finger as a sword, instantly killing Yun Lan?"

"Although Yunlan's Lingyun Sword Technique is not top-tier, it still contains three-tenths of the true essence."

"To break through so easily... this person's understanding of the 'sword' has probably reached the realm of 'Tao'. When did such a figure emerge in the mortal world?"

He looked eastward, towards the direction of the Heavenly Wind Dynasty: "Go, present a formal invitation, and say that the Taiyi Xuanmen wishes to discuss the Dao with this fellow Daoist."

He was more interested in Chen Xiang himself than in the ownership of a dynasty.

The Palace of Ten Thousand Laws - Hall of Punishments.

"Insolence! Arrogance! A death wish!"

The Palace Master of the Myriad Laws Heavenly Palace, the "Heavenly Punishment Venerable" at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, had the most violent temper. He smashed the black iron table in front of him with a single palm strike, his hair standing on end in fury.

"A mere secular dynasty, like an ant, has managed to gain some assistance and dares to presume to no longer pay taxes, pay tribute, kneel, or kowtow?"

"Is this going to turn the world upside down?!"

His eyes flashed with a fierce light: "Issue my decree! Order the 'Heavenly Punishment Guards' to depart immediately for Tianfeng Imperial City!"

"I order Empress Wu Minghuang to bring that madman in blue to bind himself and plead guilty within three days, and to pay ten times the tribute of previous years!"

"And announce to the world that you have committed the crime of usurpation and will be enslaved for eternity! Otherwise, I will personally take action to erase the name of the Tianfeng Dynasty and leave no one alive!"

The Hall of Punishments was filled with a chilling aura of killing intent.

Other top-tier or first-class immortal sects, such as the "Five Elements Sect," "Divine Firmament Sect," and "Jade Pool Holy Land," reacted differently.

Some were outraged, believing that this trend should not be allowed to continue and that it must be severely punished as a warning to others.

Some were surprised and suspicious, secretly investigating Chen Xiang's background; others watched coldly, even secretly hoping that this turmoil would shake up the existing order.

Without exception, all the immortal sects believed that the Tianfeng Dynasty's move was a serious provocation against the entire immortal ruling order!

If this is not stopped, other secular dynasties will follow suit, the lofty position of the Immortal Sect will be shaken, and the vast supply of resources upon which cultivation depends will also be in crisis!

Within a few days, a series of harsh and threatening "decrees" and "ultimatums" arrived in Tianfeng Imperial City, either by means of communication jade tokens or carried by messengers in person, traversing thousands of mountains and rivers.

Tianfeng Imperial City - Courtroom

The once solemn and dignified imperial court was now filled with a suffocating sense of panic.

On the dragon's desk lay piles of jade slips and edicts from various immortal sects. Their contents were largely the same: condemnation, threats, orders to surrender and plead guilty, and demands for double compensation.

"Your Majesty! Disaster has struck!"

"The Nine Heavens Immortal Sect, the Myriad Laws Heavenly Palace, the Five Elements Sect... these are all behemoths with Nascent Soul Ancestors presiding over them!"

"How...how can we resist?"

An old minister held the jade slip, his hands trembling, his face ashen.

"Yes, Your Majesty, although the Battle of Iron Wall Pass relied on the divine might of that... that senior, they were, after all, only three mid-level immortal sects!"

"Now that we've angered these top powers, if they really launch a full-scale attack, I'm afraid... I'm afraid that senior will also..."

The other general's voice was hoarse, and he dared not continue.

"Your Majesty, perhaps... perhaps we should temporarily back down, offer generous gifts, and explain our predicament. Maybe we can find a glimmer of hope..." a civil official cautiously suggested.

Panic spread like a plague. The morale that had just been lifted by the victory at Iron Wall Pass quickly cooled under the oppressive power of these top immortal sects, turning into a deeper fear.

The Immortal Sect has accumulated prestige for thousands of years, and its influence is deeply ingrained in people's hearts.

In the eyes of many, fighting against a mid-level immortal sect is already a miracle, while fighting against a top-level immortal sect is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock, courting certain death.

All the officials turned their gazes toward Wu Minghuang on the dragon throne, hoping to see a trace of composure or a solution on the face of this empress who was always decisive and capable of creating miracles.

However, they were disappointed.

The dragon throne was empty.

"Where is His Majesty?"

Everyone was stunned.

The chief eunuch stepped forward tremblingly and reported, "Your Excellencies, His Majesty is neither in the court nor in the Imperial Study at this moment..."

"Where is His Majesty? At this critical juncture of life and death, how can His Majesty not be present?!"

A high-ranking official spoke urgently.

The chief eunuch had a strange expression on his face. After hesitating for a moment, he lowered his voice and said, "His Majesty is in the small kitchen in the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation..."

"A small kitchen?"

The ministers looked at each other, wondering if they had misheard.

"Yes...yes."

The chief eunuch wiped the sweat from his brow. "His Majesty is personally starting the fire, washing the rice, and chopping the vegetables... saying he wants to... says he wants to prepare lunch for Senior Chen."

"What?!"

The entire court was instantly petrified!

The mighty Empress Tianfeng, having just repelled a powerful enemy and now facing an overwhelming threat from a top-tier immortal sect, instead of presiding over the overall situation in the court or boosting morale in the army camp, actually... went to the small kitchen to start a fire and cook?!

Still for a man?!

This is outrageous! This is utterly absurd!

"Nonsense! Absolutely nonsense!"

An old censor with a fiery temper was so angry that his beard stood on end. "How can Your Majesty be so inconsiderate of priorities!"

"While Senior Chen is indeed incredibly powerful, is it really time to cook?"

"Your Majesty should immediately invite Senior Chen out to discuss strategies for defending against the enemy!"

"Yes! Yes! Quickly go and invite His Majesty! Invite Senior Chen!"

Everyone echoed this sentiment.