Chapter 126: Breaking Through the Human Sovereign! (2/3)

"Wait within the Qin estate. As soon as Qin Renhuang emerges from seclusion, notify me immediately." The Emperor of Chu sighed, speaking swiftly to Chu Tianfa.

"Your son obeys." Chu Tianfa retreated quickly.

"Your Majesty, good news! Wonderful news!" Marquis Tianjun hurried in from outside the palace, his expression filled with excitement and agitation as he spoke loudly. "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. May you live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years."

Marquis Tianjun rushed into the hall, clasped his hands, bowed, and saluted the Emperor of Chu.

"What good news? Has Qin Renhuang emerged from seclusion? Come, accompany me at once to seek an audience with him." The Emperor of Chu did not wait for the Marquis to finish his salute; he quickly helped him up and strode toward the door.

"Your Majesty, please stay your steps. It is not that Qin Renhuang has emerged." Seeing the Emperor’s misunderstanding, the Marquis stepped forward to explain.

"Only Qin Renhuang can withstand the Zhao Dynasty now. If it isn't him, what other good news could there be?" The Emperor sighed and sat directly on the steps, his gaze fixed on the setting sun, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Your Majesty! The four top dynasties—the Tianyu, Cangyan, Changhong, and Zixiao Dynasties—have found the Zhao Dynasty’s conduct outrageous. After they wantonly destroyed many other dynasties and ignored repeated warnings, even executing the envoys of the four great dynasties, the latter have decided to unite. In the name of the nine late-stage Human Sovereign realm experts of these four dynasties, they are issuing a call to all experts of the Human Sovereign realm to crusade against the Zhao Dynasty. Your Majesty, we are saved!" The Marquis quickly relayed the news he had received.

"Is this true?" The Emperor rose abruptly, grabbed the Marquis by the shoulders, and asked urgently.

"Your Majesty, it is all true." The Marquis nodded heavily. He had rushed to inform the Emperor the moment the news arrived.

"Good, good, good! Heaven has not abandoned the Great Chu!" The Emperor’s eyes regained their luster as he exclaimed with excitement.

"Congratulations, Father! My warmest congratulations!" Chu Tianfa knelt before the Emperor, speaking with equal excitement and fervor.

...

"The Human Sovereign realm—truly a terrestrial immortal, transcending the mortal coil. True energy forms a protective barrier; the energy never exhausts, no weapon can harm, and one can ride the wind and live for three hundred years! I have finally reached it!"

In the Qin family's place of seclusion, Qin Feng slowly opened his eyes, a glow of excitement and joy radiating from his gaze. He had successfully mastered the Three Origins Convergence Art, breaking through to the Human Sovereign realm, and his physical strength had been greatly enhanced. Now, his body was finally strong enough to contain the immense power within him without suffering injury during battle.

Qin Feng lightly tapped the "+" sign visible in his right eye, revealing his personal interface:

Name: Qin Feng
Realm: Early Human Sovereign
Strength: 9.2 million jin (+10)(+1000)(+10000)

"Time to go out and see." Qin Feng suppressed his aura, stretched his body, opened the door, and strode outside.

"Xiaofeng!"
"Paying respects to Master Qin!"
"Young Master!"
"Master Qin!"

Qin Tianyun, Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qingchang, and others, having heard the news of Qin Feng’s emergence, had put aside their tasks and rushed over.

"Why have you all come?" Qin Feng was just about to instruct Wang Fu to prepare some food. While he could sustain his body with spiritual herbs, they lacked the comfort of a proper meal. Seeing them all gathered, he looked on with surprise. He expected his grandfather, Qin Tianyun, to be there, but for Yan Chonghu and the others to arrive so quickly, it seemed they had been staying within the Qin estate all along.

"Xiaofeng, after you went into seclusion, some things happened in the Great Chu Dynasty. Now..." Qin Tianyun, sensing Qin Feng’s confusion, quickly explained the situation.

"The Great Chu Dynasty is reduced to only Yuntian Commandery? And the Emperor is currently in Qin City?" Hearing this, Qin Feng found it hard to believe. The power of the Zhao Dynasty was truly terrifying—attacking five great dynasties simultaneously, having already destroyed three, with the remaining two barely clinging to survival.

"Patriarch, His Majesty the Emperor of Chu requests an audience," Wang Fu said, hurrying in to address Qin Tianyun and Qin Feng.

"Uncle Fu, just let the Emperor in," Qin Feng said first.

"Xiaofeng, should we go out to welcome him? After all, he is the master of the Great Chu Dynasty," Qin Tianyun said, looking hesitant.

"Old Qin, Master Qin is a Human Sovereign realm expert. In terms of status, he is even more noble than the Emperor of Chu," Liu Qingchang quickly interjected.

"Paying respects to Qin Renhuang!" Upon receiving word that Qin Feng had emerged, the Emperor of Chu had hurried to the Qin estate. He locked eyes with Qin Feng, clasped his hands, and spoke with reverence.

"Your Majesty, I am already aware of the situation in the Great Chu Dynasty. However, the Zhao Dynasty is formidable, and I have no desire to offend them without cause. Of course, Qin City is the home of the Qin family, and I will defend it," Qin Feng said after a moment of contemplation.

"Qin Renhuang?" The Emperor’s expression shifted slightly.

"Say no more. As long as you remain within Qin City, I will naturally protect you," Qin Feng said calmly.

He had no personal ties to the Emperor, and there was no reason to lay down his life for him. Qin Feng did not fear the Zhao Dynasty, but he was unwilling to provoke such a powerful enemy without a reason.

"Enough!" Seeing that the Marquis was about to speak, the Emperor shook his head, silencing him.

"I thank you, Qin Renhuang, for your grace in protecting us." The Emperor understood Qin Feng’s position; the fact that Qin Renhuang was willing to offer sanctuary was already a tremendous help. "Qin Renhuang, please accept this small gift." The Emperor presented a brocade box with a respectful, reverent air.

"Five-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs!" Qin Feng did not refuse. Protecting the Great Chu Dynasty was a service; taking payment for it was only right. He opened the box to find two spiritual herbs, each ringed by five halos—truly five-thousand-year-old specimens. A look of surprise and joy flashed across his face.

"As long as you are within Qin City, I will protect you. Even if the Zhao Dynasty comes, I will hold them back." Qin Feng put the box away; these would be useful for his future cultivation, perhaps even helping him reach the mid-stage or late-stage Human Sovereign realm, or aiding his study of his technique, the Great Sun Holy War Art, to condense his divine manifestations.

The Emperor glanced at Qin Feng, signaling for him to ask Liu Qingchang, Yan Chonghu, and Shi Tie to leave.

"It is fine. They are people I trust," Qin Feng said, shaking his head calmly.

"Qin Renhuang, if you have time, please visit the temporary palace. The Human Sovereign of our clan wishes to meet you," the Emperor said, hesitating, but speaking quickly when he saw a flicker of impatience on Qin Feng’s face.

"A Human Sovereign? The Imperial Family still possesses a Human Sovereign? If so, why have they not appeared to resist the Zhao Dynasty?" Qin Feng felt a ripple of surprise and fixed his deep gaze on the Emperor.

Chu Tianfa and the Marquis looked at the Emperor in shock; they, too, had been unaware of this. Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qingchang, and Qin Tianyun were equally stunned. Having benefited from Qin Feng’s guidance, their perspective had expanded, and they understood the immense stature of a Human Sovereign.

"Qin Renhuang, when you visit the palace, you will naturally understand everything you wish to know. I take my leave." The Emperor sighed, bowed, and slowly retreated.

"Qin Renhuang, Tianfa takes his leave."
"Zhong takes his leave."

Chu Tianfa and the Marquis bowed respectfully and hurried out. As the Marquis left, he took one last deep look at the Qin estate; he decided that once he returned, he would move his family here. After all, his daughter was betrothed to Qin Renhuang—moving his family into the Qin estate was entirely logical. As it stood, the safest place in the entire Great Chu Dynasty was the Qin estate.