Chapter 240: All Disappeared

Thunder striking the ritual platform during heavy rain was a frequent occurrence. Amidst the rumbling thunder and blinding lightning, no one dared to approach the platform, let alone investigate the situation on it.

Even more bizarrely, during the thunderstorm, strange animal roars and eerie screams could be heard from the platform, making people even more reluctant to go near it.

While the Imperial Guards in the mortal realm dared not guard the area around the ritual platform, unseen by mortal eyes, the divine officials and underworld constables of the Capital Prefecture's City God Temple had already sealed off several entrances and exits both inside and outside the platform.

They naturally didn't need to ascend the platform to apprehend anyone. Besides keeping an eye on things, they would also individually inspect the "masters" who had fled the platform to ensure no malevolent beings had slipped through.

As for innocent cultivators who merely wished to seize the opportunity to obtain the title of "Celestial Master," as long as they were not entangled with malevolent or resentful energy, even spirit creatures could be overlooked for now, allowing them to safely pass through the period of the "Nine Heavens and Ten Assemblies."

Normally, spirit creatures would not be allowed to pass, but since immortals, demons, and gods were gathered together for this event, the Underworld Bureau of the Capital Prefecture was willing to grant this courtesy.

Such individuals had also appeared when Emperor Zhengyuan sought immortality. They possessed shallow cultivation, or even no hope of progress, and would use tricks to deceive, aiming to gain official recognition through the emperor's decree while minimizing entanglement with the heavy imperial qi.

Afterward, if they could find an opportunity to escape, they could then strive to elevate their cultivation further.

However, such endeavors carried significant risks. The extravagant ways of the imperial court were the most "toxic" influence of the mortal world. Even if the time spent was brief, cultivators with shallow cultivation and potentially weak resolve could easily lose themselves.

Understanding this was one thing, but reality was another. Despite knowing the dangers, some individuals still succumbed to temptation, everyone believing they would be the "exception." Yet, if one truly possessed the mental fortitude and perseverance to gain official recognition and escape, why would their path to cultivation require such a method to achieve a breakthrough?

In contrast, spirit creatures who had not yet fully matured but diligently pursued their cultivation might find it easier to seize such an opportunity. If they could gain official recognition, their first thought would undoubtedly be to escape at the earliest chance, likely not daring to remain in the city knowing it was under the jurisdiction of the Underworld Bureau.

Of course, in addition to these low-level cultivators, it was inevitable that some experts were hidden among the crowd. After all, the array on the ritual platform was only aimed at evil beings; righteous practitioners could naturally leave.

The various factions of Da Zhen, including Ji Yuan, could not tolerate malevolent beings causing trouble. However, righteous practitioners' actions had to be more restrained. While they were certainly startled, having come to participate in the Nine Heavens and Ten Assemblies, they might not necessarily be scared away, much like the old beggar.

In a teahouse about two miles from the ritual platform, a dozen masters who had left the platform were sheltering from the rain. Some Imperial Guards were also present.

Some wore half-damp clothes, while others had simply stripped off their wet garments, baring their chests, showing no "masterly" image. The Imperial Guards, however, kept their armor on, even if their undergarments were soaked.

While sheltering from the rain, everyone's attention was fixed on the distant platform. Many felt a lingering fear as they watched the lightning strike.

"Oh, if we hadn't run just now, we might have been struck dead by lightning!"

"Yes, weren't several people struck dead on the platform?" "Ah, maybe the platform was built too high."

"No, no, I think the current Emperor's ritual ceremony is definitely on the right track!"

"Oh? How do you figure?"

A group of masters huddled together, discussing seemingly profound topics. Even some resting Imperial Guards leaned in to listen attentively.

"Think about it, why did the sky suddenly fill with lightning, thunder, and heavy rain? I reckon it might be due to dissatisfaction with His Majesty..."

"How dare you! You speak presumptuously about His Majesty!"

Several Imperial Guards immediately stood up, many placing their hands on their sword hilts, scaring some of the masters pale.

"Gentlemen of the guard, please calm down. How could we dare to be disrespectful to His Majesty? Please, let me finish, let me finish!"

Seeing the Imperial Guards relax, the man breathed a sigh of relief. The imposing aura they had just exuded was truly unsettling.

He couldn't help but think, *They say the imperial city's soldiers have no fierce aura. Who the hell spread that rumor? If these Imperial Guards hadn't seen blood, where would such a heavy killing intent come from?*

Others in the teahouse were mostly drawn to him as well. Telling marvelous stories on such a thundery, rainy day created a unique atmosphere.

"I had no intention of being disrespectful to His Majesty just now. But why did I say Heaven might be displeased? Think about it, His Majesty wishes for the Da Zhen empire to last forever, and for his own enlightened rule to extend for thousands of generations..."

Most people knew what the second half of that sentence implied: the Emperor wished to become an immortal emperor, enjoying the power and blessings of the vast empire indefinitely.

"To call such an endeavor an act against Heaven is no exaggeration, and only our sagacious and valiant Emperor of Da Zhen could achieve such a feat!"

The master offered a small compliment to the Emperor, then continued with his interpretation.

"If such an act against Heaven were impossible, then Heaven would naturally not react. But this time, the divine might is so evident, proving that the method His Majesty seeks is indeed capable of defying Heaven and holds great promise..."

"That makes sense!" "Hmm, it does have some logic to it."

"Esteemed master, from which celestial realm do you hail?"

"Me? Oh, I suddenly need to relieve myself. I'll just go to the latrine first."

With an urgent need to urinate and much more to say, the master decided to leave them in suspense. He smiled, then left directly for the latrine at the back of the teahouse.

The latrine was located beyond the teahouse's back corridor and appeared particularly dark under the overcast sky. As the master returned after relieving himself, he suddenly felt a chill in his body.

This cold was very strange. He looked around but saw nothing unusual, and there was no wind outside.

*Something's not right!*

Pondering what felt wrong, the master pulled a small handful of incense ash from his pocket, mixed it with a bit of his saliva, and, closing his eyes, dabbed it onto his eyelids.

When he opened his eyes again, the master's body gave a sudden jolt.

Several underworld constables, some with greenish-black faces, others deathly pale, stood beside him. One constable, with an unusually long tongue and narrow, elongated eyes that made it impossible to discern their gender, was staring at him with a half-smile.

Just then, an Imperial Guard came to use the latrine. Passing by, he saw the master huddled motionless against the wall and found it rather strange.

"Master, what's wrong?"

Seeing his pale face, the Imperial Guard took a step closer and reached out to feel his forehead.

"Oh... you're so hot and sweaty. Looks like you caught a chill from the rain earlier. Let me just use the latrine, and I'll come back to help you."

The Imperial Guard withdrew his hand, muttering as he walked, "Why is it so cold here...?"

The master remained rigid, not daring to move, his face extremely grim. So many underworld constables surrounding him in broad daylight was terrifying, and he had no idea what they wanted.

The long-tongued, narrow-eyed constable examined the master thoroughly from head to toe, then waved a hand.

"Let's go. This person is fine."

Only after the constables left the teahouse did the master finally gasp for air, panting heavily.

In several key strategic locations and vital points throughout the city, whether on the streets or rooftops, stood one, two, or three cultivators, clad in either feathered robes or long gowns. Additionally, some powerful cultivators, holding jade talismans of profound emptiness, concealed themselves in the air, riding the wind.

In contrast to the chaotic atmosphere near the ritual platform, these cultivators radiated inner divine light, and their spiritual power surged within them. They were all accomplished practitioners, specifically a group of immortal cultivators from Yuhua Mountain who had descended from the mountain.

This time, Yuhua Mountain had mobilized a large force, led by five highly cultivated and powerful Grand True Persons of Jadeforge Peak. The other cultivators who had descended were also all considered "True Persons" within the mountain. Qiu Feng, being a Yuhua Mountain cultivator with a close connection to Ji Yuan, also possessed sufficient cultivation and was therefore among them.

However, gazing at the brilliant light emanating from the platform and the lightning striking from the sky, many felt they might not have a chance to intervene.

The heavy rain finally ceased before noon, and the dark clouds gradually dispersed.

Afterward, Yan Chang and other court officials, Imperial Guards, and some nearby masters cautiously ascended the platform to inspect it once the clouds had cleared.

However, the expected dreadful scene was absent. The high platform was completely clean, with no one remaining. Even though some masters had claimed people were struck dead by lightning, there were no bodies on the platform now.

The masters who had fled all reported that hundreds of people were still up there, but now there was no one, which was indeed very strange.

However, the disappearance of people was a minor issue; the failure of the ritual itself was critical. The Emperor would truly unleash his wrath, and this matter could not be concealed. Yan Chang and the other officials in charge were in an unspeakable predicament, only able to ponder how to explain away the situation.

In the imperial palace, even before lunch began, Emperor Yuande received a report from the Ministry of Rites: the entire blessing ritual had been highly unsuccessful.

Even though he had prepared himself mentally, Emperor Yuande still couldn't help but fly into a rage, scolding the Ministry of Rites and Yan Chang, the Grand Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, as utterly useless.

However, his anger, which had just surged, quickly subsided upon hearing the rest of the reporting official's words.

Interestingly, the narrative presented by the reporting official was precisely the same one offered by the master who had been so terrified by the underworld constables in the teahouse.

After such an analysis, Emperor Yuande immediately felt much better.