Chương 112: The Door is Closed
Seven days later, the group from the Imperial Academy arrived at the Zhenyu Mountain Range in western Central Province.
No one knew if Mo Qingkuang ever managed to appease Han Yan, but he simply followed the horse team along the way.
Fortunately, he had enough medicinal pills; otherwise, he would have collapsed from exhaustion in less than half a day.
By the time the Imperial Academy's horse team reached the Zhenyu Mountain Range, the camps of the Yuan Sword Sect and the Tiandao Sect had already been set up.
Logically, since the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb appeared in the Central Province, the court should have been the first to receive the news. However, the Tiandao Sect and Yuan Sword Sect arrived even faster, beating the Imperial Academy's team by a day.
"Lord Yingzun, it's been a long time." Upon seeing the arrival of the Imperial Academy team, the leaders of the Yuan Sword Sect and the Tiandao Sect immediately came over to greet them.
Yingzun was Wu Ming's honorific title, reflecting his combat style.
In the Tianxuan Empire, reaching the realm of Martial Venerable qualified one to be granted a marquisate. Wu Ming's title was Marquis Ying. However, in the martial world, people preferred to use honorific titles to separate themselves from the court's authority.
This time, both the Yuan Sword Sect and the Tiandao Sect were led by Venerable-realm experts. After all, unlike in the Southern Province, where the Yuan Sword Sect's name alone was enough to deter anyone, here they had to show strength.
The Yuan Sword Sect sent a Martial Venerable realm Golden Sword Steward named Lu Qing, who wore a white robe and carried a gem-encrusted sword. He appeared to be in his forties and was known as the Swift Sword Sovereign for his fast and deadly swordsmanship.
The Tiandao Sect was led by an elderly man with a weathered face, dressed in coarse cloth, who would have looked like a simple farmer if not for the long knife on his back.
Despite his humble appearance, the elder, named Yuan Kuang, was a renowned fighter known as the Mad Blade Sovereign. His battle style was wild and aggressive, making him a tough opponent even for some Martial King experts.
They approached first, not out of fear of the Imperial Academy, but for two reasons.
First, to establish their identities, and second, to acknowledge that although the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb was in The Central Province, their two sects were intruding on its territory.
Wu Ming maintained a calm expression and slightly bowed, "On behalf of The Central Province, I welcome you both."
Normally, Wu Ming referred to himself as 'this old man and didn't care much for his marquis title. However, in The Central Province and especially when dealing with the independent Four Sects, he needed to uphold his title to maintain the Empire's dignity.
Lu Qing and Yuan Kuang's use of martial world titles indicated their disregard for the Empire. When they reached the Marital Venerable realm, the court sent envoys to congratulate them and offer titles, but both declined, claiming to be reclusive hermits uninterested in court affairs.
This was a common stance among the Four Sects, which didn't want to accept the Empire's control. Despite the court's decline, the Empress alone couldn't suppress the Four Sects, which practically ruled their own regions.
Hearing Wu Ming's words, Lu Qing and Yuan Kuang were momentarily stunned but quickly resumed smiling. "Marquis Ying, it's not like that. We're just bringing our juniors to see the world in the Central Plains."
Wu Ming smiled insincerely. "The Four Sects are also citizens of Tianxuan. There's no need to be so formal. Any secret realm in Tianxuan is open to all its citizens."
His words subtly warned them: they could explore the tomb because they were Tianxuan citizens. If they ever ceased to be, they would lose that privilege and might even forfeit their lives.
Lu Qing and Yuan Kuang exchanged glances, wanting to argue but finding it inappropriate. They could only smile apologetically.
"Were you able to find anything since you arrived early?" Wu Ming asked when they fell silent.
"Marquis Ying, the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb has appeared, but the actual entrance has yet to open," Lu Qing replied, frowning.
The Yuan Sword Sect had rushed from the distant Southern Province, traveling day and night to get here first, hoping to gain an advantage. But upon arrival, they found the tomb's entrance tightly sealed and guarded by an array. There was only a stone tablet outside that read: "Those over twenty years old, forbidden to enter!"
Even after joining forces, Lu Qing and Yuan Kuang couldn't break it and had no choice but to wait.
Now that Wu Ming had arrived, they wanted to try combining the power of three to see if they could open the gate.
If they still couldn't open it, they would have to return to their sects and request the help of array masters.
Upon hearing this, Wu Ming looked surprised and said, "Let's take a look."
The three led their respective disciples to the entrance. There were also many small sect teams from the Central Province waiting there.
Some had arrived the day the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb appeared, while others had come more recently after receiving the news, but none had been able to enter.
When Mad Blade Sovereign and Swift Sword Sovereign failed to break the barrier a couple of days ago, everyone was disappointed and frustrated.
Seeing Wu Ming arrive, everyone brightened up, hoping that the combined power of three Venerable experts would break the damned barrier.
They all stepped forward to greet him.
"Greetings, Lord Yingzun!"
"Greetings, Marquis Ying!"
***
Wu Ming looked at the entrance to the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb. It was a well-preserved stone gate with the words 'Fallen Leaf King' inscribed on it.
It had been exposed when the mountainside collapsed. There was a stone tablet at the entrance that read: "Those over twenty years old, forbidden to enter!"
Apart from this, there was nothing unusual.
Wu Ming waved his hand, sending a ripple of black energy toward the stone gate.
The seemingly ordinary stone gate suddenly lit up, sending out ripples that completely dissipated Wu Ming's attack.
"Marquis Ying, as I mentioned, this Fallen Leaf King's Tomb is quite peculiar. How about the three of us try together?" Lu Qing suggested.
Wu Ming nodded. "Let's give it a try."
Although he hadn't used his full strength earlier, as a seventh rank Martial Venerable, his attack was quite formidable. It was surprising that the entrance barrier could so easily neutralize his strike.
Realizing Lu Qing hadn't been lying, he decided to accept his suggestion and combine their efforts.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Kuang and Lu Qing drew their weapons, ready to join Wu Ming in the attempt.
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