From Beast Abilities to Sect Grand Master

When the others heard Lin Fan, they turned over and glanced at him.

Lin Fan nodded and gave them an assuring look.

Zhao Qing Ying thought for a moment, and he finally agreed.

"This is forged by the best Artifact Cultivator in the imperial palace. Don't think you can get rid of it without your Qi."

The leader of the soldiers warned them as he put the bracelets onto the wrists of the others.

After they were done, the soldiers let them into the imperial palace.

Lin Fan took notice of the surroundings as they walked into it.

There were scriptures that were written in certain areas of the imperial palace.

He glanced over to Zhao Ming Ye, pointed at one of the areas, and asked, "You have any idea what those are?"

Taking a good look, Zhao Ming Ye squinted his eyes to make out what the scriptures were.

It took him a few moments to recognize what they were.

"It is a formation array that, when activated, would protect the imperial palace from attacks. But it could also be used to trap us inside. Wait..."

Zhao Ming Ye paused for a moment and continued, "...It's also a formation array that's tied to something. It's designed to rejuvenate that thing when it's hurt."

Lin Fan frowned at what he had heard, and asked further, "What's the fastest way to destroy it?"

"We can try and destroy the eye of the formation array, which is over there." Zhao Ming Ye pointed at a tower next to the imperial court where the daily court sessions were held.

With Zhao Ming Ye's information, Lin Fan started to hatch out an escape plan in his mind.

…

"Arrival of the Qing Feng Sect!" The eunuch shouted at the entrance of the imperial court and waited.

After a moment of silence, another eunuch shouted from within, "The Emperor summons them to the imperial court."

"Please follow me." The eunuch at the entrance bowed and led Lin Fan and the others into the imperial court.

The imperial court was lavish, with huge pillars and ornaments plated in gold.

Intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes were all over the place.

Lin Fan saw the officials standing in front of the throne.

They were dressed in their court uniforms with the sewing of different beasts on their chests.

Different beasts signified your rank within the imperial court.

Lin Fan and the others were led to the side and one of the officials in the front row turned and looked at him.

It was Governor Lu.

He had read the message from Lin Fan and was thankful for his information.

Nodding appreciatively at Lin Fan, he also hoped things would turn out well.

Especially for his son, Lu Ding.

Giving out a silent sigh, he thought to himself, if only Lu Ding had followed in his footsteps and got through the imperial exams instead of becoming a soldier, things wouldn't be what they were now.

With the Qing Feng Sect members in the imperial court, the chief eunuch went into a back room of the imperial court.

When he appeared again, the Emperor, Quan Shi, was with him.

The emperor slowly ascended the stairs and onto his throne.

"Long live our Majesty! May he live a million years!" The officials knelt and shouted.

Lin Fan and the other Qing Feng Sect members followed them half-heartedly.

"Rise, and let's get on with today's matters. It should be a joyous day for everyone." The Emperor waved his hands and said.

He glanced over at the chief eunuch and narrowed his eyes.

The chief eunuch assured him that everything had been taken care of.

It had better be true or else…

The chief eunuch took a step forward and announced, "Today, we shall inaugurate Captain Lu Ding from the Raging Tiger Army as General Lu Ding."

Lu Ding then stepped forward from the front row among the officials.

He knelt, placed the chest he had in his hands onto the ground and opened it.

Gasp.

The officials gasped with their eyes opened wide when they saw what was inside.

Hulu Bei Er's head was submerged inside a clear crystal container with yellow liquid in it.

"Ha ha, well done. After all these years, the threat from the north has finally been erased. And that's thanks to you, young Lu Ding."

The Emperor laughed and praised Lu Ding.

The officials also followed suit with praises of their own.

"Yes, under the Emperor's wise guidance, the Quan Dynasty shall prosper even more!"

"You are right, without the Emperor's planning, it wouldn't have happened."

"If given the chance, I would also lay down my life for the Emperor."

Lin Fan shook his head at what he heard.

Whilst the praises were going on, the chief eunuch looked at the Right Prime Minister.

The Right Prime Minister nodded and suddenly cried out.

He walked up to the throne, weeping and knelt in front of the Emperor.

"Your Majesty! Don't be fooled by him!" He said and pointed at Lu Ding.

Lu Ding, to his surprise, looked calm and stared back at him.

He startled for a moment, composed himself and continued.

"Hai Tao is still missing, and I think it has got something to do with Captain Lu Ding and the Qing Feng Sect!"

"Oh. Tell me more about your grievance. As an impartial Emperor, I promise that I shall get to the bottom of things and ensure that justice prevails." The Emperor leaned forward and said.

Gasp.

The officials standing in the imperial court gasped out loud again.

This time it was more shocking than what they saw earlier.

But they didn't know what was happening so most of them kept quiet and saw what was going on first.

"I have a witness to what had happened at the battlefield." The Right Minister said next.

"Summon the witness." The Emperor nodded and waved his hand.

The chief eunuch quickly got to work, leaving the imperial court.

After a few moments later, he came back with someone familiar, Ye Sheng.

Ye Sheng got up next to the Right Minister and knelt in front of the throne.

When he saw Lu Ding, he pointed at Lu Ding and shouted, "That's him, he knew the Qing Feng Sect disciples betrayed the Quan Dynasty, but he kept quiet about it.

"These Qing Feng Sect disciples joined in the middle of battle and slaughtered Captain Hai Tao and his close guards."