Wayfarer

Chapter 942: The Dust Settles

Chapter 942: The Dust Settles

Once all the pure yang energy was absorbed into the eight pure yang pillars, Blue Lantern stepped forward and disassembled the formation.

"Your Majesty, please take these pure yang pillars," Blue Lantern said, handing the eight pillars to Xiao Nanfeng.

"Very well." Xiao Nanfeng accepted them without hesitation.

With a wave of his hand, Xiao Nanfeng dispelled the Realm of the Nine Heavens as they returned to the world of the mirror.

However, the reflective surface of the mirror, which led to the outside world, had developed countless cracks. The black fog of heart force was leaking uncontrollably out into the world at large.

"The cursed mirror has shattered," Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed in surprise.

Blue Lantern quickly examined the mirror, then considered the formation where Su Tianxin's corpse was located. He quickly understood what was going on.

"Your Majesty, I believe my sect's founder is responsible for this."

"Oh? Your sect's founder?"

"He stored a vast reservoir of heart force within this cursed mirror for tens of thousands of years. Worried that the cursed effigy would eventually revive and steal it all for itself, he set up a formation to bind its cursed soul, as well as a contingency to shatter the mirror once the cursed effigy escaped or perished. The resulting heart force would dissipate to prevent it from being used by evil forces," Blue Lantern explained.

"Your founder was thorough. This would certainly ensure that the heart force couldn't be exploited by the cursed effigy and spare future generations from harm," Xiao Nanfeng remarked approvingly.

Blue Lantern nodded.

"Do you have a treasure for collecting this heart force?" Xiao NAnfeng asked.

Blue Lantern shook his head. "If I had fully attuned to all eight bronze compasses, I would be able to accomplish such a feat, but I can't refine the five new compasses quickly enough. For now, I can only use the Formation of the Mirrored Heart to temporarily contain the heart force. If you can absorb it, Your Majesty, I will ensure that no heart force is lost from the outside."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.@@@@

Blue Lantern bowed and stepped out of the world of the mirror to begin his preparations.

Meanwhile, Xiao Nanfeng switched to his physical body and stimulated the golden sapling in his mind, which emitted a radiant golden light. A massive vortex formed around him and greedily drew in the heart force from his surroundings.

Outside the world of the mirror, Blue Lantern emerged just in time to hear Blue Jade panic. "Senior Brother, there's too much heart force leaking from the mirror! I can't control it!"

"Leave it to me."

With a wave of his hand, Blue Lantern regained control of the Formation of the Mirrored Heart. Numerous mirror images manifested around him, each resembling a different cultivator. Their numbers were staggering. They surged toward Dazheng's army in the distance.

"Return to the mirror!" Blue Lantern commanded.

The mirror images rushed back into the mirror, but the black fog of heart force continued to spread. New mirror images were created as the fog billowed.

"Sir Ye, I'll need your assistance," Blue Lantern called out.

"Of course." Ye Sanshui agreed without any hesitation.

Under Blue Lantern's control, the mirror images resolved into Ye Sanshui's form. Since Ye Sanshui boasted tremendous strength, these figures required a significant amount of heart force to create. Eight were created in all.

They snarled and charged toward Ye Sanshui, who frowned and defended himself.

"Return to the mirror!" Blue Lantern ordered.

"Your Majesty, we're proud to be citizens of Dazheng!"

Countless people called out in gratitude.

Su Tianxin had nearly annihilated Tianyue. Without Xiao Nanfeng's intervention, all of them would surely have perished.

Though Xiao Nanfeng had won, it had taken concerted effort over multiple days. Everyone understood what he had sacrificed to do so.

How could they not adore and revere an emperor who was willing to do so much for his people?

Xiao Nanfeng nodded in acknowledgment. "Officials of Tianyue, hear me!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the city's officials responded in unison.

"Document all damages to the city. Aid the wounded and afflicted. Record the contributions of all who acted in the city's defense, including soldiers and civilians alike. Their deeds shall be rewarded. Honor fallen heroes with generous compensation to ensure that their families do not suffer. Your performance during this tribulation will be considered in your evaluations."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the people of Tianyue shouted in gratitude.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded again, then departed with his entourage.

The crowd watched him go, their hearts filled with admiration for the benevolent ruler who had risked everything to protect them.

News of what transpired in Tianyue spread rapidly across the land, reaching not just Dazheng, but also Dachi. The world was filled with praise of Xiao Nanfeng's ethical and righteous behavior—and criticism of Su Tianxin's.

In an Immortal city of Dachi, members of a prominent clan were abuzz in discussion.

"Clan Head, my avatar was in Tianyue. Su Tianxin is truly a heartless demon! To lure Xiao Nanfeng into his trap, he was willing to slaughter an entire city of innocents. We're nothing but ants to him," one elder said.

"Even his own daughter betrayed him. A man that cold-blooded isn't worth following," another added.

"My avatar heard Su Qingchan herself accuse Su Tianxin of forcing her to seduce the Saint. An Immortal Emperor stooping to such depravity, even involving his own daughter—it's beyond monstrous!"

"Xiao Nanfeng's proclamation was right. Su Tianxin is nothing but a pawn of the saints. Even his daughter confirmed it. Why should we continue to follow someone who would kill us without hesitation?"

"Dazheng's Ministry of Rites sent a delegation to visit us. Xiao Nanfeng is virtuous and just. How could Su Tianxin ever compare to him?"

The elders' impassioned arguments caused the entire clan to reach a consensus.

"In that case, I am willing to lead the clan in pledging allegiance to Dazheng. Are you all in agreement?" the clan head asked.

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

All the elders spoke up at once.

"Does anyone object?" the clan head continued.

Silence filled the hall.

"Then it's settled. We shall formally align our family with Dazheng. Summon the envoy from the Ministry of Rites. Let's discuss how to transfer this city to Dazheng's rule," the clan head declared.

"Understood!" everyone replied in unison.