Volume One, Chapter 10: The Great Sage Strikes to Suppress the Demon, Stunning the Enchanting Shaman!

It was clear to anyone with insight that Zhu Youjian was sending a stern warning to those haughty emissaries from the Yaoqing, demonstrating his sovereign authority through iron-fisted measures.

He, Zhu Youjian, was by no means a lamb to be slaughtered!

Seated upright in the hall, adorned in the dragon robe and imperial crown, he exuded an elegant yet undeniable aura of dominance.

Wang Cheng’en knelt on the ground, a faint trace of pain barely perceptible in his voice: “Your Majesty, your servant has brought the Yaoqing emissaries.”

Zhu Youjian’s gaze, sharp as a hawk’s, swept over the blood at the corner of Wang Cheng’en’s mouth.

In a low, commanding tone, he said, “Wang Cheng’en, you may withdraw.”

Though unwilling, Wang Cheng’en understood it was not his place to linger and potentially cause trouble for His Majesty.

“Your servant obeys.” He replied respectfully, rising slowly and stumbling as he left.

Zhu Youjian’s eyes then fixed on the Yaoqing shaman, a chilling light flickering within.

The Yaoqing emissaries, however, looked at Zhu Youjian with disdain, as if beholding a mere joke.

Sun Chengzong stepped forward, his voice booming like a bell: “Pilgrims, bearing reverence and sincerity, have traveled from afar, bowing step by step just to behold the heavenly visage. Why do you Yaoqing emissaries refuse to kneel?”

The Yaoqing shaman’s expression was indifferent: “We are emissaries of Yaoqing; naturally, we do not kneel before the Ming Emperor.”

Sun Chengzong roared with anger, “The Ming is a land of rites, always treating others with courtesy. Yet you, from the barbaric lands of Yaoqing, show no respect for etiquette!”

The shaman merely lifted her head, her one visible eye calm and untroubled, as if unconcerned by the Ming’s warnings.

The Yaoqing emissaries behind her wore looks of contempt, as though they already foresaw the downfall of the Ming Empire.

One emissary laughed brazenly, “The Ming Empire truly lacks capable people. Ha! They actually chose a pale scholar to be emperor. Such a pale scholar among us Yaoqing would just be fit to tend horses or clean stables.”

Another joined in mockery, “Indeed, the people of Ming have no real strength, yet so proud. Ming’s infant emperor, drop your airs and come accept the sacred decree from our Yaoqing saint. Or your good days are finished.”

Their words were like sharp blades, piercing deeply into the hearts of the Ming officials.

Several high ministers present were filled with righteous indignation, their clenched fists trembling slightly.

Yuan Chonghuan was furious, his eyes blazing as if ready to unleash fire, eager to draw his sword and strike them down.

But the Embroidered Uniform Guard acted quicker.

Luo Yangxing and four others, all at the spiritual breakthrough realm, flashed forward instantly, drawing their swords to strike down the arrogant Yaoqing emissaries.

Yet, at this critical moment, the shaman of Yaoqing lightly tapped her divine staff on the ground.

Immediately, a powerful aura swept through the hall like a violent storm, striking terror into all hearts.

Luo Yangxing and the others felt a mighty force surge from all directions, like towering waves engulfing them.

In the blink of an eye, they were thrown backward, crashing heavily to the ground, spitting blood, utterly defeated.

The Yaoqing emissaries, now even more scornful, looked on triumphantly at the Ming officials, as if the empire’s collapse was imminent.

“Is this the strength of Ming?”

“What a soft target, a bunch of useless men.”

“To dare act against Lord Shaman—truly courting death!”

Their derisive voices cut into the hearts of the Ming officials like sharp knives.

At that moment, behind Zhu Youjian, a monkey suddenly stood up.

It was none other than the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong, summoned by Zhu Youjian!

Sun Wukong yawned, stretched lazily, and cracked his neck.

“To dare insult my master in my presence—that’s really...” His playful expression suddenly turned icy cold.

“Seeking death!”

Before the words had barely left his mouth, Sun Wukong’s golden staff slammed down.

The terrifying aura emanating from Sun Wukong instantly changed the shaman’s expression from indifferent to grave.

Her eyes locked tightly on Sun Wukong, sensing the overwhelming power radiating from him, waves of shock surging within her heart.

Watching the golden staff descend, she dared not take it lightly.

Holding her divine staff in one hand, she quickly formed hand seals with the other.

With a fierce swing of her black robe, a black energy shield materialized instantly before her, attempting to block the devastating blow.

Yet Sun Wukong’s staff shattered the seemingly impenetrable black shield like fragile paper.

The shaman’s face turned pale, countless eerie runes glowing on her black robe.

Even so, she could not fully withstand Sun Wukong’s terrifying power.

The golden staff struck the runes with a sound like tearing the air, instantly pulverizing them.

The shaman was blasted back several paces, the stone slabs beneath her feet cracking under the force.

Her black robe tore, and she knelt halfway, her face ashen.

The two Yaoqing emissaries, caught off guard, were instantly crushed into pulp by the residual force, without a chance to resist.

The entire hall fell into dead silence.

Only the shaman’s labored breathing echoed.

“A Yaoqing of the Celestial Roaming Realm?”

Disbelief spread across her face.

One must understand the rigors of cultivation.

Cultivators are divided by realms.

The initial stage is like a child learning to walk—guiding spiritual energy into the body while forging the flesh.

At the next level, cultivators can skillfully manipulate the world’s spiritual energy, freely forming protective qi.

Upon reaching the realm of mastery, cultivators create unique combat styles, achieving a state where intent directs energy effortlessly.

Above that lies the spiritual breakthrough realm, where spiritual energy condenses into a primordial force, powerful enough to shake mountains and alter landscapes.

Those who break through this realm are prodigies with extraordinary talent and perseverance, the elite among millions.

Cultivators at the unity with heaven and man realm resonate with the cosmos, perceiving all things, capable of great feats such as upheaving rivers and mountains.

Surpassing the breakthrough realm grants power worthy of noble titles and high command.

As for those who ascend to the Celestial Roaming and the Carp Transcending Dragon realms, they are exceedingly rare.

Such masters usually cultivate in the sacred halls of various schools or live in seclusion, founding sects.

Among the Yaoqing, masters of the Celestial Roaming realm are scarce and renowned.

How could one suddenly appear here in the Ming Empire?