The Strongest Mythical Emperor-Chapter 173 Imperial Dynasty Divine Beast

"Isn’t this the Evil Dragon who has risen to fame in the Black Night Pavilion over the past century? I’ve heard that you’ve never failed a mission."

Li Mengjia looked at the shadowy figure with a smile, but his laughter was cold, dropping the temperature of the great hall by several degrees.

The disciples of Star Lodge watched the person known as the Evil Dragon with faces full of wariness.

The Evil Dragon ignored them and stared straight at Li Mengjia, smiling. "Li Yuanba was just a pawn. The real mastermind behind the scenes is Qin Jun. You killed Li Yuanba, but your vengeance is far from satisfied. That was a war pet of the Demon King level. If I were you, I would certainly not rest until I’ve settled the score," he said.

Li Mengjia’s expression darkened instantly.

"Qin Jun killed my brother, he must die. Why don’t we join forces? It would be more efficient," Evil Dragon continued to persuade him. He had been observing Qin Jun for a long time and had collected much intelligence, knowing that there were too many powerful people around Qin Jun. Alone, he stood no chance.

But since An Xiao’s father had handed him this task, he had no choice but to press on.

"Qin Jun..." Li Mengjia’s eyes flickered. He was well aware of some rumors regarding Qin Jun and Li Yuanba. Cultivators often joked that Li Yuanba was nothing but a lapdog to Qin Jun. At first, he didn’t believe it, since after all, they were both demonic geniuses, how could one possibly submit to the other, and besides, Li Yuanba was clearly much stronger than Qin Jun. But now it seemed that rumors could very well be the truth.

"If Qin Jun and Li Yuanba joined forces, this year’s Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition would almost certainly be a foregone conclusion. To prevent the Nanzhuo emperor from wanting to win over Qin Jun, I plan to fan the flames in public, claiming that Qin Jun is the real murderer behind the God Sword Sect branch in Luoyan City," Evil Dragon said with a laugh, his eyes full of sinister intent.

Little did he know, that matter was indeed done by Qin Jun.

Li Mengjia couldn’t help but ponder, a mocking smile appearing on his face. "If Qin Jun grows strong, he might become an existence like Jin Wuhui, the first on the human list. Why should I let you kill him? What evidence do you bring to believe that Qin Jun orchestrated Li Yuanba to kill my beloved pet?"

"Master, there are many talents in the world, but how many of them are Jin Wuhui? If he bears grudges against you and grows strong, it might be good fortune for the Nanzhuo Dynasty, but you..." Evil Dragon paused as he saw Li Mengjia’s face turn sour, knowing his words had taken effect.

The greatest and most common flaw of those in high positions is suspicion.

Although Li Mengjia understood that what Evil Dragon said might not be true, he couldn’t help but think of the worst-case scenario. If Li Yuanba was killed by him, could Qin Jun just act as if nothing happened?

Obviously not!

At this thought, a fierce light flashed in Li Mengjia’s eyes.

...

Unaware that Star Lodge and Black Night Pavilion were about to join forces against him, Qin Jun arrived at a residence under the territory of the God Sword Sect.

"Until the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition is over, you will all stay here. You may roam around during the day, but don’t cause any trouble, or you will be dealt with by the law, without exception. We won’t take your kingdoms’ wishes into account," Fei Yushu cautioned them, with a light smile on his face, yet his words carried an undeniable pressure.

Everyone nodded and stepped toward the residence’s main gate.

"Qin Jun, Li Yuanba, come with me,"

Fei Yushu suddenly spoke, causing everyone’s gaze to fall on Qin Jun and Li Yuanba. Qin Jun hesitated for a moment, then nodded and followed with Li Yuanba towards him.

Sha Wujing and Evening Star followed closely behind; their job was to ensure Qin Jun’s safety.

To this, Fei Yushu didn’t say a thing; after all, he had no intention of harming Qin Jun.

Watching their departing backs, the other participants from Luoyan City started buzzing with speculation.

"They are trying to pull Qin Jun and Li Yuanba over to their side!"

"Tsk, back at the Roaming Dragon Inn, Qin Jun once refused the God Sword Sect."

"The times have changed. Back then, the God Sword Sect sent an envoy, but this time the Fifth Elder himself is giving the invitation."

"That’s right. With the Fifth Elder’s recommendation, if Qin Jun and Li Yuanba join the God Sword Sect, they’ll shoot up to the skies!"

"I’m jealous. Why is there such a big difference between people?"

The cultivators discussed among themselves, but ultimately they could only enter the residence to rest. There was no comparing themselves with a genius like Qin Jun. As long as they performed steadily on their own, that was good enough.

...

Meanwhile, Qin Jun and the other three followed Fei Yushu to a small pavilion.

"I’ll get straight to the point, I want to take you as my disciples and have you join our Divine Sword Hall," Fei Yushu said with a smile, seated on a stone bench.

As expected!

Qin Jun slightly raised his eyebrows and then laughed, "The management at Divine Sword Hall is too strict. After the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition ends, I still have to return to my duties as emperor, so I’m afraid it’s not suitable for me."

The assassination attempt that night had left him without a speck of good feeling towards the Divine Sword Hall; in fact, he was somewhat repulsed by the idea of joining them.

"Don’t worry, becoming my disciple doesn’t mean you’ll have to carry out missions everywhere like the ordinary disciples," Fei Yushu said with a dismissive wave and a smile.

Damn!

My tactful refusal was meant to provide you an out!

Qin Jun cursed inwardly, his mind racing as he wondered how to refuse Fei Yushu.

If he was too direct, Fei Yushu might set up obstacles for him in upcoming matches. No matter how strong one is, they still fear underhanded tricks!

"Whistle——"

Just then, a sharp, metallic screech sounded from high above. Qin Jun instinctively looked up and immediately opened his mouth wide in utter shock.

Amidst the clouds, there was a huge firebird in flight, its fierce flames burning so brightly that the sky seemed to turn to dusk. Even from thousands of meters away, its sheer size was breathtaking.

"So... big..."

Qin Jun was slack-jawed as he spoke, seeing such a large bird for the first time.

This description sounds somewhat strange, doesn’t it?

Qin Jun shuddered all over and blinked, taking a closer look. He saw that the firebird was heading towards a majestic palace piercing the clouds at the heart of the imperial capital.

Evening Star, Sha Wujing, and Li Yuanba were all staring at the huge firebird, and Evening Star said with a solemn face, "I didn’t expect the Nanzhuo Dynasty to have a Vermilion Bird!"

Vermilion Bird?

Qin Jun felt a jolt through his body. If the Vermilion Bird had appeared, did that mean the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise also existed?

"Every dynasty has its own Divine Beast," Fei Yushu murmured as he watched the direction in which the Vermilion Bird was disappearing.

"Alright, you all think it over for some time. I have something to attend to and must leave now."

After speaking, Fei Yushu vanished from the spot, leaving no trace.

Qin Jun stroked his chin in contemplation. Every dynasty has its own Divine Beast?

He had heard from Evening Star that it wasn’t simple for a kingdom to ascend to the status of a dynasty; it needed more than just a rise in national power. There were other conditions.

Could it be that a Divine Beast was one of those conditions?

"That Vermilion Bird has the strength of the sixth level of the Immortal Realm," Sha Wujing said with narrowed eyes. Upon hearing this, both Evening Star and Li Yuanba turned to look at him in surprise.

Neither could discern the strength of the Vermilion Bird, but Sha Wujing could. What did this suggest?

It suggested that Sha Wujing’s level was at least the sixth level of the Immortal Realm!

No lower, only higher!

"It seems that great events are about to unfold in the imperial capital," Qin Jun said, squinting his eyes. Something must have happened to make Fei Yushu leave in such a hurry.

Combined with the recent cases of cultivators dying in various cities, he felt more and more that this Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Competition would not be peaceful.

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦