Four children suddenly breaking through to First Rank Wushi cultivation—this was simply too frightening.

However, the expressions on the faces of residents watching from outside the plaza didn’t change much, their eyes only showing envy and relief.

Mixed among them, Jun Changxiao and Li Qingyang were fortunate to have their heads lowered, otherwise their shocked expressions would definitely have been extremely out of place with the crowd!

Why weren’t they surprised?

Why weren’t they shocked?

Or could it be that children suddenly having their cultivation skyrocket was already very common, so nothing seemed strange?

“Evil!”

Jun Changxiao collapsed, saying, “Too evil!”

“Father, Mother!”

The four children’s pain dissipated as they struggled to stand up, extremely excited, saying, “I received the Emperor’s power transmission! I received the Emperor’s power transmission!”

Jun Changxiao, who had been in a rage comic expression state, suddenly sharpened his gaze, instantly transforming into One Punch Dog Sheng Teacher, saying, “It was clearly a soul attack, so why are these children perfectly fine!”

“Something’s fishy, very strange!” the system said.

Although these two usually liked to bicker and banter when they had nothing better to do, once they got serious, they absolutely instantly transformed into Detective Dee and Yuanfang.

Jun Changxiao said, “The Law of Equivalent Exchange from Fullmetal Alchemist—to obtain something, you need to exchange it for something of equal value. I absolutely refuse to believe that in this world there’s a method to increase cultivation out of thin air. There must be something hidden here!”

“The host has a system, how do you see it?”

“I obtained a system, but in exchange got a time bomb. My whole life I have to struggle for the sect, unable to live the life I want, and am destined to lose romantic relationships. This is equivalent exchange!”

The system fell silent.

This guy had a point.

However, you’re single based on your own abilities—what does that have to do with the system?

I’m not taking this blame!

“The children from the Li Family, Zhang Family, and these few families received the Emperor’s power transmission. Although they didn’t break through to peak Wushi in one go, it’s still extremely remarkable.” The shaman in front of the great hall stood up, saying, “First keep them in the Power Transmission Hall, and wait for people from the Imperial Palace to come receive them.”

“Yes!”

The parents of several children were extremely excited.

Their own children being chosen by the Emperor and granted power meant they would definitely stand out in the future—this was absolutely a matter of bringing glory to their ancestors!

The ceremony ended. The four children were led into the Power Transmission Hall by the shaman, and the passersby dispersed, still discussing in low voices.

Jun Changxiao withdrew his spiritual sense, thinking silently, “Although the four children broke through to Wushi, the aura they emanated went from initially powerful to quickly becoming plain and ordinary, giving a feeling of being unsubstantial.”

“Looks like.”

“Just like the pirates we encountered at sea, relying on some method to forcibly increase their level, unable to compare with martial artists who advanced step by step.”

The system said, “If the host understood this method of advancement and could create over a thousand half-saints in a short time to fight against a thousand Wuhuang, which side would win?”

“Of course the thousand half-saints.”

The half-saint level pirates they’d encountered before, although their strength couldn’t compare to the genuine article, still had real power. Fighting against Wuhuang level opponents, realm alone could suppress them to death.

The system said, “So Emperor Zhenwei, possessing the ability to rapidly increase cultivation, doesn’t expect the targets he cultivates to fight opponents of the same level, but to suppress opponents with higher realm—that’s equally effective!”

Jun Changxiao fell into silence.

Assuming the system was right, Emperor Zhenwei could unscrupulously allow children to advance in cultivation. Over time, wouldn’t he be able to create an extremely terrifying high-realm legion?

“This is just advancing children. If that guy has the ability to advance adults, or advance those whose realm wasn’t weak to begin with, it would be even more frightening!”

Returning to the inn, Jun Changxiao half-reclined on the bed, frowning, “This Emperor Zhenwei isn’t simple. Could he have been possessed by the Soul Clan?”

From his understanding, the Soul Clan was a race that survived by absorbing others’ energy and realm, so how could they do the opposite and help others increase their cultivation?

“Master Fan said the Eastern Sea Fishermen’s Province is brewing a heaven-shaking plan concerning the survival of the Nine Provinces. Could it be related to the Zhenwei Empire and Emperor Zhenwei?” Jun Changxiao pondered.

“My head hurts.”

Lying on the pillow, he rubbed his temples.

The system said, “Regardless of whether Emperor Zhenwei has been possessed by the Soul Clan, or what kind of heaven-shaking plan there is, the urgent matter is…”

Jun Changxiao said first, “Find Master Fan!”

“Correct.”

“Sigh.”

Jun Changxiao said helplessly, “I originally thought this trip to the Eastern Sea Fishermen’s Province would just be for fun, but it turns out to be more complicated than imagined.”

At first, he hadn’t taken it seriously.

After entering Zhenwei Empire territory and witnessing the nation’s strength and other aspects, he began thinking seriously.

“Damn Soul Clan!”

Jun Changxiao complained, “Because of your kind of difficult-to-determine existence, whenever I encounter suspicious matters, I always end up overthinking and becoming extremely sensitive and vigilant.”

The system said, “The host and disciples inherited the ancient Wudi constitution, shouldering the mission of saving the world—that should also count as equivalent exchange, right?”

…

The next day.

Jun Changxiao and his disguised disciples set out, then successively entered several cities of varying sizes, where they could see shamans holding power transmission ceremonies in the plazas.

After witnessing this, Ye Xingchen and He Wudi said incredulously, “Just being enveloped by light for a while allows one to greatly increase cultivation—simply unbelievable!”

What they saw was merely children going from having no cultivation to breaking through to Wushi level. Although surprising, it was still within their tolerance range.

Until three days later, arriving at a city closest to Zhenwei City, they personally witnessed a hundred martial artists who had reached Wuzong, breaking through to Wuwang under the red glow’s envelopment—their hearts trembled with shock!

The corners of Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched violently.

Although Wangu Sect also had methods to let disciples break through to Wuwang, at minimum they needed various medicinal materials to refine pills. These people just got illuminated by red light and broke through—how did they do it!

If the statue wasn’t strictly guarded with various formations present, Dog Sheng would have wanted to smash it and see what secret was hidden in those eyeballs!

“Hm?”

Just as Jun Changxiao was feeling depressed, he suddenly discovered that among that group who broke through to Wuwang, their eyes flashed with red light and their expressions became dull for a short time.

“Could it be that this so-called Emperor’s Power Transmission can increase cultivation, but the price is being controlled by some kind of force?”

…

Outside the city.

Jun Changxiao led his disciples out.

A pretty-looking young woman held a pendant, kneeling on a mound with tears streaming down her face as she wept, “Brother Feng, you said you would marry me, so why did you never return after going to the Imperial Palace…”

The Imperial Palace.

Only those who received the Emperor’s power transmission were qualified to enter.

Along this journey, Jun Changxiao learned from residents that whether children or youths, all took entering the Imperial Palace and pledging loyalty to Emperor Zhenwei as an honor, even reaching an extremely fanatical degree.

“Sect Master.”

Li Qingyang said, “Following this official road, we can reach Zhenwei City in about two hours.”

Jun Changxiao glanced at the weeping girl and waved his hand, “Let’s go.”

…

Two hours later.

Jun Changxiao led his four disciples to slowly stop before the city gates of Zhenwei City.

In terms of scale, this city was inferior to the Dazun Imperial City.

The Nine Provinces of Xingyun Continent rarely had wars, and even when they did, no one dared attack the imperial city, so after thousands of years of development, the prosperity of Dazun Imperial City couldn’t be compared to any city in any province.

Of course.

In certain aspects of imposing presence, Zhenwei City surpassed Dazun Imperial City.

Jun Changxiao and his disciples had just stopped at the city gate when, from the emanating aura, they felt the flavor of iron horses and war-torn battlefields!

“Let’s go in.”

After the gate commander strictly verified their identity documents, he allowed them passage.

Jun Changxiao led Li Qingyang and the others into this city full of war atmosphere. The first thing that came into view was at the far end of their vision—a massive statue larger than any in other cities!

“Emperor Zhenwei.”

“I, Jun Changxiao, have arrived!”

—