Chapter 455: Chapter 90: Chaos in the Court

Elder Gu You smiled warmly and said, “Since so many people have come, they must surely believe it!”

Prince Yuanqing’s eyes flashed with killing intent but he dared not act.

Elder Gu You was a disciple of Ouyang Hai, and Ouyang Hai ranked only below the three Grand Elders and the Hall Master of the Wanxiang Sect. To kill him would undoubtedly provoke a powerful faction like Source World.

The Tianli Empire was the most powerful force within Source World, and a sect like Wanxiang naturally would not be worth worrying about. But Yuanqing was not yet the Emperor. To offend such a major power over personal affairs would undoubtedly invite attacks from other princes, leading to countless troubles.

Moreover, with so many factions gathered in front of him, daring to act recklessly might trigger unforeseen and uncontrollable consequences.

“Your Highness, there’s no need to evade. You’ve been collecting pills and excavating ancient tombs for the past twenty years; our Wanxiang Sect is fully aware. If you’re unwilling to admit it, I can present them for everyone to examine!”

Elder Gu You continued.

“The Wanxiang Sect is indeed formidable!” Prince Yuanqing narrowed his eyes.

It seemed the other side came prepared.

“Your Highness, there’s no need for alarm. If it’s inconvenient to present the Peerless Divine Pill, may I take Elder Jiang Li with me? Since you invited him, he has not returned!”

At that moment, a tall, middle-aged woman dressed in plain attire stepped into the hall.

The Medicine Sect’s leader, Medicine Saint Qin Suxin!

She commanded the Medical Dao and wielded the Nine Reversing Needles, capable of reviving the dead and rejuvenating bones, making her the most direct superior of Elder Jiang Li.

“Elder Jiang Li has not returned?”

“Could Your Highness have killed him after the pills were forged, abandoning him like a discarded pawn?”

“It wouldn’t be impossible. A Peerless Divine Pill, once completed, naturally raises concerns about competition. Killing the creator wouldn’t be surprising.”

Voices murmured from all directions, casting peculiar glances at Prince Yuanqing.

The foremost apothecary of the time had benefited countless people; if he truly had been killed, the wave of revenge would be relentless.

“Your Highness, what is the truth of this matter? Elder Jiang Li has forged countless pills for the Tianli Empire and worked tirelessly for the Emperor. If the rumors prove true, I request Your Highness to renounce your position in the Eastern Palace and kneel before the court to face punishment!”

One minister stepped forward, his tone carrying a palpable sense of pressure.

“Exactly, Elder Jiang Li is the world’s finest apothecary, revered by many. For you to kill him out of selfish intent labels you a criminal to the Empire…”

Another minister stepped forward.

Yuanqing examined these men–they were loyal to Prince Xing, his rival from the Third Palace.

Despite having taken residence in the Eastern Palace, his position remained precarious as long as he had not ascended. A multitude of ambitious princes still coveted the throne.

Emperor Fusheng, though incomparably powerful in cultivation, fathered relatively few children–only six sons from over 300 imperial consorts. The Third Prince and Fifth Prince enjoyed the highest public support. Their strength and maneuvering matched or even surpassed Yuanqing’s. Especially the Third Prince, who seized every opportunity to denounce him, making each encounter deeply humiliating.

Though the Third Prince had not personally arrived today, his subordinates had evidently sprung into action.

“Outrageous! His Highness is the master of the Eastern Palace, and his actions are solely for the Empire’s prosperity. While Elder Jiang Li has made significant contributions, if he were to be manipulated by others, the resulting catastrophe would outweigh his achievements. Preemptively eliminating him is not a mistake; it’s a merit!”

“His Highness is of noble status. Killing a solitary apothecary, let alone several others, who would dare defy us or challenge the Tianli Empire’s authority?”

Others spoke out.

Prince Yuanqing’s face turned livid.

These were supporters of the Fifth Prince, outwardly defending him but actually sowing chaos to attach blame.

“His Highness is benevolent and virtuous; when has he ever harmed loyal contributors…”

With the forces of various factions unleashing a storm of comments, Yuanqing’s supporters stepped forward to defend him. The court devolved into chaotic bickering in moments.

“Enough… If you wish to quarrel, do so elsewhere! Prince Yuanqing, where is Elder Jiang Li? Bring him forth; I must escort him back!”

Qin Suxin interrupted the heated debate.

The court’s verbal sparring was merely a rhetorical battle devoid of resolution, continuing endlessly.

Seeing that the opposing faction had brought up Elder Jiang Li and the Peerless Divine Pill, Yuanqing knew he could no longer conceal the truth. He stopped stalling and said, “Elder Jiang Li assisted me in forging pills, and I have treated him with proper care. Unfortunately… that savage Zhang Xuan ambushed and injured him! Currently, he is recuperating under my protection, which is why he has not yet returned!”

“I see! If he is injured, bringing him back to my Medicine Sect for treatment would be appropriate. Your Highness doesn’t presume your medical skills to surpass mine, does he?”

Qin Suxin replied.

As the leader of the Medicine Sect, though she may exercise caution before Emperor Fusheng, a mere prince was insignificant.

“Of course not, Qin Sect Master. If you insist on taking him back, I will not resist!”

Seeing no alternative, Yuanqing stopped arguing. He turned to one of his subordinates and commanded, “Go invite Elder Jiang Li here!”

“Understood!” The subordinate hurriedly left. Not long after, Elder Jiang Li, now inhabiting a Mystical Puppet, stepped into the hall.

Following over ten days of adjustment, he had grown accustomed to his new body. His movements and expressions were indistinguishable from those of a living person, though he could no longer tolerate intense flames during alchemy.

“Where is your original body?”

Seeing he was alive, Qin Suxin sighed in relief. However, upon noticing that his physical form was altered, her brows furrowed sharply again.

As a master of the Medical Dao, she naturally understood the importance of one’s physical body.

“Sect Master, my body… was shattered by Zhang Xuan. Were it not for His Highness gifting me the Mystical Puppet, I might have already perished, unable to present myself before you!”

Elder Jiang Li quickly explained.

“Your strength, though shy of breaking through the Life Sea Realm, is still merely half a step away. Not even ten peak Life Sea 9-dan opponents could stop you. Leaving should not have been an issue! How was your body destroyed?”

Qin Suxin expressed her confusion.

In truth, everyone found it puzzling.

How powerful was this Zhang Xuan? Not only did he kill the Five Forms Venerable Sage, but he also obliterated Elder Jiang Li’s physical body!

If he truly possessed such strength, why had they never heard of him before?

Thinking back to the battle, Elder Jiang Li still shuddered at the memory. He sighed and shook his head, “That man… Buddha Demon United, with immense depth to his foundation. When I was caught off guard, he struck me with the Buddhist Sect’s Reincarnation Relic Tower…”

“Buddha Demon United?”

“Are you saying he belongs to the Demon Clan but simultaneously cultivates Buddhist Law?”

“That doesn’t make sense; if he practices Buddhist Law, why would the Buddhist Sect also pursue him?”

In an instant, everyone in the great hall was baffled.