# Chapter 1377: A Group of Dragons Must Have a Leader
A year ago, Kong Lanyou used a hand seal to shatter the statue of the empress in the Ziwei Palace.
Now, that statue stood once again, radiating strands of seven-colored divine light, enveloping the entire Central Imperial City in dense sacred energy of heaven and earth.
As long as the empress did not die, the statue would not be destroyed, and her divine power could illuminate heaven and earth.
The Yuanchu Sacred Hall was closest to the statue, covered by divine energy, making it arguably the best cultivation site in all of Kunlun Realm. Cultivating in the Yuanchu Sacred Hall not only meant cultivation speed far surpassing the outside world, but also allowed one to comprehend the path of the gods at any time.
At this moment, Huang Yanchen sat in the Yuanchu Sacred Hall, receiving Shengshu Cainü.
After reading the contents of the message light talisman, Huang Yanchen fell into silence. After a moment, she spoke: "Before leaving, the master specifically instructed that Qiuyu is the hope of Kunlun Realm's future and may grow into a new heavenly spiritual root. The imperial court must give him the greatest possible assistance."
"Correct," Shengshu Cainü said.
Huang Yanchen said: "Shengshu Cainü is known as the smartest woman under heaven. What do you think I should do?"
Shengshu Cainü replied: "Everything is for the Realm Son to decide."
Huang Yanchen frowned slightly, a bitter expression appearing in her eyes.
Huang Yanchen understood in her heart that Shengshu Cainü was Zhang Ruochen's confidante. A year ago, she had pierced Zhang Ruochen's heart with a sword, and she suspected that Shengshu Cainü still harbored some resentment toward her.
That was why Shengshu Cainü had left such a difficult decision to her.
Huang Yanchen gently bit her lips and sighed: "If it were you, what would you do?"
Shengshu Cainü smiled without speaking, merely shaking her head gently.
"In the imperial court, Douzhan Heavenly King, Lingxiao Heavenly King, and the Southern Domain King all have extremely close relationships with Qiuyu. Moreover, the three princely mansions have even formed marriage alliances with the Fire Clan, now acting in complete unity. If I do not issue an order to stop them, the three princely mansions will certainly help Qiuyu and the Fire Clan suppress Zhang Ruochen. If I do issue the order, the three princely mansions will have to obey and dare not interfere. But... should I follow the master's divine decree, or should I help him?"
Huang Yanchen seemed to be talking to herself, or perhaps asking Shengshu Cainü.
Shengshu Cainü remained silent.
Just then, a crimson phoenix sacred shadow flew in from outside the hall, condensing into Canglan Wusheng's graceful figure, clad in crimson sacred armor, her back wings like two patches of fire clouds.
"Realm Son, the Fire Clan and the Moon Worship Demon Sect have both sent message light talismans, inviting you to attend the wedding banquet at Wuding Mountain on the seventh day of next month. An invitation letter will be sent afterward."
Canglan Wusheng presented the two message light talismans.
Seeing these two talismans, Huang Yanchen's smile grew even more rigid. "It's not like I'm the one getting married, yet they push me to the forefront. Fine work, Ouyang Huan. Fine work, Qiuyu. Using me to deal with Zhang Ruochen. I imagine many important figures in the imperial court have also received invitations, all waiting to see how I deal with Zhang Ruochen. You two also think this will be a good show, don't you?"
Shengshu Cainü and Canglan Wusheng exchanged a glance, then both shook their heads and said in unison: "If the Realm Son does not wish to go, no one can force you."
"Go. Why wouldn't I go? Such a lively wedding feast—miss this one, and who knows how long until the next." Huang Yanchen stood up, radiating a sharp aura.
Shengshu Cainü and Canglan Wusheng were both slightly startled. On Huang Yanchen, they seemed to see the shadow of Empress Chi Yao. It had nothing to do with cultivation level—it was simply that the temperament and gaze were far too similar.
...
...
Central Domain, Shengming City.
Shengming City had once been the imperial capital of the Holy Bright Central Empire, a place of outstanding talents where spiritual veins converged. Even though the empire had fallen, the city remained bustling, with streams of sacred energy shooting straight into the nine heavens.
The western outskirts of Shengming City housed the imperial clan's cemetery.
After leaving the demon sect's headquarters, Zhang Ruochen came to Shengming City and entered the imperial cemetery, holding incense and candles to pay respects to his mother's spirit.
The master of the Phoenix Dance Palace, "Old Madam Bai Su," and the number one beauty of Shengming City, "Qin Yutong," stood behind Zhang Ruochen, also kneeling to bow before the tomb ahead.
Eight hundred years ago, Old Madam Bai Su had been a palace maid by Zhang Ruochen's side. Now, she worked for the Ming Emperor's twelfth younger brother, "Mingjiang Wang," and had become the master of the Phoenix Dance Palace due to her profound cultivation.
After the worship, Old Madam Bai Su spoke: "Your Highness, the great upheaval at the Central Imperial City a year ago..."
"Let's not mention that matter."
Zhang Ruochen clasped his hands behind his back, standing straight as a spear. "I want to see the Twelfth Imperial Uncle. Make the arrangements."
Previously, Zhang Ruochen had not wanted to see Mingjiang Wang because the time was not yet ripe. But now, he absolutely had to meet this Twelfth Imperial Uncle.
"Very well. This old servant will now notify the Twelfth Lord and have him rush to Shengming City immediately."
Old Madam Bai Su and Qin Yutong withdrew, leaving the imperial cemetery.
Next, Zhang Ruochen fixed his gaze on a certain direction within the cemetery and said: "Come out."
The next moment, an old Daoist with an immortal air stepped out from the void, bowed to Zhang Ruochen, and said: "Dragon-Protecting Pavilion, Thirty-Six Heavenly Guardians, Zhao Fu, pays respects to the Crown Prince. Does the Crown Prince have any orders?"
Zhao Fu was under orders from the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion's master to guard the imperial clan's cemetery of the Holy Bright Central Empire. Years ago, when Zhang Ruochen and Kong Lanyou had come here to sweep the tombs, he had met him once.
Zhang Ruochen said: "I want to see the master of the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion. Make the arrangements."
Zhao Fu replied: "The Dragon-Protecting Pavilion has more than one master. The Thirty-Six Heavenly Guardians are all human cultivators, answering to the Heavenly Guardians' Master. The Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends are all savage beasts, plants, and alien species, answering to the Earthly Fiends' Master and two imperial totems."
"Which master can you contact?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Zhao Fu said: "This subordinate can only contact the Heavenly Guardians' Master."
Zhang Ruochen spoke in a commanding tone: "Within three days, have him come to Shengming City to see me."
"Very well. This subordinate will see to it now."
Zhao Fu bowed once more to Zhang Ruochen, then his form flickered and vanished on the spot, moving so fast that Zhang Ruochen could barely see how he had left.
"This man's cultivation surpasses even that Mu Family Saint Master, yet he humbly serves as a tomb guardian here. Dragon-Protecting Pavilion! Dragon-Protecting Pavilion! If you had not left Shengming City back then, could the Holy Bright Central Empire have held out a little longer? What orders did Father give you back then?"
Zhang Ruochen muttered to himself, then shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.
Leaving the imperial cemetery, Zhang Ruochen entered the Phoenix Dance Palace.
Knowing Zhang Ruochen's true identity, Qin Yutong dared not be negligent. She quickly welcomed him into the inner residence and served him with the utmost respect.
"The old madam has gone to contact the Twelfth Lord. There should be results soon," Qin Yutong said nervously.
In the past, Qin Yutong could have interacted with Zhang Ruochen as an equal, but now she could only serve him respectfully as a maidservant. Just Zhang Ruochen's own cultivation level alone put immense pressure on her, let alone his noble status as Crown Prince.
Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged beside a table, took out a message light talisman, and began inscribing text with his spiritual power and sacred energy.
Qin Yutong stood to the side, as quiet and elegant as an orchid in an empty valley.
Zhang Ruochen looked up and glanced at her. "Do you know how to trim hair and beards?"
Qin Yutong looked at Zhang Ruochen's disheveled hair and thick beard, then quickly nodded. "If Your Highness needs it, Yutong can try."
Zhang Ruochen was very courteous. "Thank you."
Qin Yutong's jade hands were incredibly beautiful, her fingers long and seemingly boneless. Holding a translucent jade knife, she carefully trimmed Zhang Ruochen's hair and beard.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen said: "Familial bonds among emperors and royalty are the thinnest. For power, for profit, even brothers will kill each other. Tell me, after eight hundred years of painstakingly building his power, will the Twelfth Imperial Uncle willingly hand it over to me, a junior?"
Qin Yutong's fingers trembled slightly, her face turning pale with fright.
"You don't need to be so nervous. I'm just asking casually." Zhang Ruochen smiled.
In truth, Zhang Ruochen had already thoroughly investigated the turmoil that erupted within the Holy Bright Central Empire after the Ming Emperor's disappearance eight hundred years ago.
Not only Kong Shangling of the Peacock Mountain Villa, but also Zhang Ruochen's various imperial uncles and aunts had participated in the power struggle. The entire Shengming City was drenched in blood and chaos.
In the end, caught between internal strife and external threats, a vast empire collapsed in just a few decades.
At its core, it was because the Ming Emperor had vanished, the Crown Prince had been assassinated, and the group of dragons had no leader, leading to such a situation.
Suddenly, Qin Yutong knelt before Zhang Ruochen, lowering her head. "Your Highness, the old madam instructed me earlier that if you came to the Phoenix Dance Palace, I was to urge you... to leave quickly."
Zhang Ruochen understood the meaning behind her words and remained very calm. "The Twelfth Imperial Uncle has shown you kindness and is your master. Your warning to me already proves your loyalty to the Holy Bright Central Empire."
Qin Yutong said: "Your Highness won't leave?"
"Why should I leave? Since I chose to meet the Twelfth Imperial Uncle, I am not afraid of him, and I am confident I can make him submit to me. The situation of a group of dragons without a leader—it's time for that to change."
Zhang Ruochen was completely composed. He channeled a stream of sacred energy into the message light talisman.
"Swoosh!"
The surface of the message light talisman emitted a dazzling light, and characters appeared one by one.
Qin Yutong glanced at the message light talisman and saw two words, startling her once more. She exclaimed: "Sichan."
"Correct. Old Ancestor Sichan owes me a favor. It's time for him to repay it."
Zhang Ruochen waved his sleeve, and the message light talisman shot out like a streak of light.
Zhang Ruochen touched his chin, finding that his thick beard had been neatly trimmed. Looking at himself in a bronze mirror, he said to Qin Yutong: "Fetch a roll of silk brocade and a brush."
Qin Yutong asked: "What is Your Highness planning to write?"
"Write an imperial edict—a 'Crown Prince's Edict' to be proclaimed to the world."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze was sharp, and he muttered to himself: "A group of dragons must have a leader. The former Sacred Bright remnants should also return. On the seventh day of next month, I, the Crown Prince, will hold the Kaiyuan Deer Cauldron and offer sacrifices to heaven, to the gods, and to the departed spirits at Wuding Mountain."