News of Chu Kuangren's exit from the mega formation soon reached all corners of the world. Every influential powerhouse would have caught wind of the news by now.

Although Chu Kuangren was still under the Heavenly Punishment Seal, his reappearance in this world still raised many concerns.

No one would ignore his presence; no one dared to.

In the Heavenly Golden Imperial Palace.

A terrifying burst of aura emanated on a mountain's peak.

A young cultivator dressed in golden robes slowly walked out with a powerful aura around him. The youngster was none other than Xiao Lintian.

He was the second sky-pride of the Heavenly Golden Imperial Palace.

“Chu Kuangren, you're finally out!”

“If that's the case, don't blame me for what I'm about to do. I shall make you pay for all the humiliations you've brought onto me!”

Then, Xiao Lintian transformed into a ray of light and vanished from sight.

Aside from Xiao Lintian, many other sky-prides were planning for their next moves as well, especially those who once crossed paths with Chu Kuangren three years ago.

The entire world was looking for Chu Kuangren.

However, where was he?

Chu Kuangren had arrived at the Royal Azure Dynasty.

More precisely, Chu Kuangren had arrived with Gu Linglong.

They had made this trip to visit Gu Linglong's father. After all, Gu Linglong had not seen her father for the past three years that she had been in the Black Heaven Sect.

However, Gu Linglong was infuriated and devastated by what she saw on the way back to the Royal Azure Dynasty.

Countless citizens had lost their homes and were starving on the streets. They frequently heard voices of protests against the kingdom's royalty.

What happened to the once-prosperous kingdom she left behind?

Within the Royal Azure Dynasty's city hall.

A group of bandits was raiding a cargo that was transported by a troop of soldiers. The soldiers could not fight back, so the only option left for them was to either flee the scene or die.

“Boss, these are Green Jaspers.”

One of the bandits opened a crate.

Inside the crate was filled with green ornamental stones, each carved with a unique pattern that radiated a peculiar form of Daoist Rhyme.

This crate of Green Jaspers alone could fetch at least a million worth of upper-grade soulstones.

Meanwhile, the bandits had managed to secure thirty crates of them.

Thirty million soulstones were by no means a small amount. Some orthodoxies were not worth that much, even if they had sold all their a.s.sets.

“d.a.m.n it, those b*stards!” The bandit leader, who had a scar on his face, appeared to be a middle-aged person. Not only did he not cheer at the Green Jaspers before him, but he was cursing at the soldiers instead.

“How many orthodoxies have they raided to get all of these Green Jaspers? How many small orthodoxies have perished in the process? The royalties are growing more despicable!”

The scar-faced man yelled.

He then arranged for his subordinates to store these items before they began to leave.

At that moment, a man and two women appeared before them. Each of them looked like stellar individuals of their own.

One of the women dressed in red, long robes gave the bandits a cold glare.

“The dynasty's law dictates that looting the royalty's possession is a crime punishable by death!”

“Do all of you plead guilty?!”

The woman said coldly.

The bandits immediately withdrew their weapons in antic.i.p.ation of a battle. The scar-faced bandit leader said, “Hmph, it looks like we have a royalty bootlicker here! The royalty has committed so many atrocities. You've destroyed countless lives, and all major orthodoxies in this kingdom hate you. I have no remorse in stealing your possessions.”

The woman replied coldly, “The Royal Azure Dynasty's royalty has never interfered with the major orthodoxies within its kingdom. As long as they don't breach the law, the royalty will not harm them. What do you mean that the royalty is hated by all major orthodoxies?”

“Hmph. Still playing ignorant, I see. If you wish to fight, I suggest that we skip this nonsense!” The scar-faced man retorted.

Just then, one of his subordinates looked at the woman and was suddenly struck by surprise. “Boss, this woman looks really familiar. I think she's Queen Linglong.”

The scar-faced man was taken by surprise too. “Queen Linglong? Hasn't she left for the Black Heaven Sect? Why's she here? Are you sure it's her?”

“I can confirm. I saw her from a distance a few years ago when I was in the capital city.”

The scar-faced man turned to Gu Linglong in shock.

Queen Linglong was known by many to be one of the most astonis.h.i.+ng rulers of the kingdom. She had ascended to the throne as a woman even when the Crown Prince was still alive…

Not only had Queen Linglong brought stability to the kingdom, but the Royal Azure Dynasty had also flourished under her rulers.h.i.+p.

However, three years ago, the legendary queen abruptly retreated from her throne and left for Black Heaven Sect. Her mission was to accompany her husband who was none other than the legendary Chu Kuangren.

“Your Majesty. I'm Bai Long, the Original Mad Sword Sect Leader!”

The sudden change in att.i.tude stunned Gu Linglong for a moment.

“What's all this about?”

“Ma'am, please come back and take control of your kingdom!”

Bai Long pleaded solemnly.

“Speak. What happened?”

“Ma'am, during your absence, the head of Yun family became the new ruler of the Royal Azure Dynasty. Later, in his effort to please the Craggy Ocean Tower, the new royalty robbed the people of its wealth as a gift to the unknown land's orthodoxy. The Royal Azure Dynasty now lies in a precarious state.”

Bai Long described the entire event to Gu Linglong.

Gu Linglong's face sank. “I'll personally investigate this matter at the royal palace. If it's true, be a.s.sured that I won't let this matter rest.”

Now that she understood the latest development of the Royal Azure Dynasty, Gu Linglong would not sit idly by. The group soon made their way to the Royal Azure Palace.

In the Royal Azure Palace.

An elder was playing around with a piece of jadestone. Before the elder were several crates of treasures, each worth an enormous amount of value. These items were pillaged from the hands of the kingdom's citizens.

A middle-aged man dressed in a royal robe was sitting beside the elder.

He was the current Royal Azure Dynasty Ruler, Yun Changfeng!

The Yun family was one of the n.o.ble families in the Royal Azure Dynasty. When the great war erupted at Black Heaven Sect, Yun Changfeng took this opportunity to rub shoulders with the Craggy Ocean Tower, using their resources to take over the kingdom. As a result, a revolution happened, and Yun Changfen ascended to the throne.

“Elder, what do you think about our contribution this time?”

“Hmm, not bad. Not bad at all.”

The white-haired elder nodded.

“Well, if that's the case, I wonder if there are any updates to that matter we previously discussed…” Yun Changfeng smiled mischievously. He had no semblance of a n.o.ble ruler at all.

“Your performance has been rather satisfactory lately. Here, take this.”

The elder retrieved a medicinal bottle and tossed it to Yun Changfeng.

“Thank you, elder. Thank you!”

“These medicinal pills are capable of strengthening your soul. It won't be long before you can defeat anyone who's below the Sage Realm.”

The white-haired elder said.

Yun Changfeng was delighted. For the past few years, he had rubbed shoulders with the Craggy Ocean Tower, invested countless hours of effort, and contributed an endless amount of treasure just to have one of the Craggy Ocean b.e.s.t.i.a.l Souls that he so desired.

This was one of Craggy Ocean Tower's secret medicinal pills. It was capable of strengthening his soul and enhancing his abilities.

“Your Majesty, bad news…”

At that moment, a palace guard rushed into the hall in panic.

It made Yun Changfeng annoyed. “What's there to be so panicky about? Can't you see that our elder is here? How rude.”

“T-the ruler is here.”

“The ruler? Am I not here? What in the heavens are you talking about?” Yun Changfeng said furiously.

“No, Sir, it's Queen Linglong! She's back! And she's accompanied by… Chu Kuangren!”