"What? The Imperial Seal, lost for a thousand years, is actually hidden in the Sky-Reaching Dragon Tower?"
Everyone present, watching Di Shitian hold the Imperial Seal, widened their eyes in disbelief.
The predecessor of the Imperial Seal was the Heshibi, a jade filled with legends.
Legend has it that Bian He of Chu, while in Mount Jing, saw a phoenix land on a rock, and then the phoenix disappeared. So, Bian He of Chu chipped away at the stone and obtained the Heshibi, which was wrapped within the rock.
Bian He presented the Heshibi to King Li of Chu. The King had a jade craftsman examine it, but the craftsman declared it to be a stone, leading to Bian He's left foot being cut off.
After the death of King Li of Chu, King Wu of Chu ascended the throne. Bian He again presented the Heshibi to King Wu of Chu. The craftsman again deemed it a stone, and thus King Wu of Chu had Bian He's right foot cut off.
When King Wu of Chu died, King Wen of Chu ascended the throne. He saw Bian He weeping at the foot of Mount Jing, holding the Heshibi, with tears of blood flowing from his eyes. So, he ordered the stone to be opened, and indeed a peerless jade was found, named Heshibi.
The Heshibi was passed down through generations in the state of Chu. When King Huai of Chu was deceived into going to Qin and later fled to Zhao, dying there, the Heshibi he carried was obtained by Zhao. King Zhaoxiang of Qin, in order to acquire the Heshibi, falsely offered fifteen cities to Zhao in exchange. However, the deception was seen through by Lin Xiangru, and the matter was ultimately dropped, leaving behind the story of "Wan Bi Gui Zhao" (Perfect Jade Returned to Zhao).
Many years later, Qin Shi Huang swept through the six states, and the Heshibi also fell into Qin's possession. Qin Shi Huang then ordered Li Si to have craftsmen carve the Heshibi into the Imperial Seal. The eight characters at the bottom, "Endowed by Heaven, Eternal Prosperity," were personally inscribed by Li Si.
After the Qin Dynasty's demise in its second generation, the Imperial Seal was inherited by the Han Dynasty. After the fall of the Han Dynasty, it was passed down through successive dynasties until it completely vanished during the Later Tang period. More than a thousand years had passed since then.
No one expected the Imperial Seal to be hidden in the Sky-Reaching Dragon Tower. No wonder Zhao Shengtian and the Killing Dao Association were willing to offer five hundred "Golden No. 1s," their sole aim being to obtain ownership of the Sky-Reaching Dragon Tower.
"Zhao Shengtian, you knew all along that the Imperial Seal was in the Sky-Reaching Dragon Tower, didn't you?"
Although Zhao Ding Tian was a power monster, he always considered himself a Dragon Countryman. He could not accept the idea of national treasures like the Imperial Seal being plundered by others. Angrily, he looked at Zhao Shengtian and questioned him.
"Grandfather, does it matter if I knew or not? The Imperial Seal has already been obtained by Tian. It's too late for you to say anything."
Zhao Shengtian, facing Zhao Ding Tian's roar, appeared remarkably calm. He smiled slightly and said to Zhao Ding Tian, "Grandfather, do you really believe anyone in this world has the ability to snatch the Imperial Seal from Tian?"
"Beast, unfilial son, you are a disgrace to the Zhao family."
Upon hearing Zhao Shengtian's words, Zhao Ding Tian's eyes turned red, and he roared, "How many times have I told you, we can use the Killing Dao Association, but we cannot be led by the nose by them, nor can we let them harm our interests. If they are allowed to take the Imperial Seal today, our Zhao family will be infamous from now on."
Saying this, Zhao Ding Tian's gaze swept over the other family heads, and he said, "Esteemed sirs, we were unaware that the Imperial Seal was hidden beneath the Sky-Reaching Dragon Tower just now, which is why we signed the property transfer agreement. Henceforth, I will fight to my death and will not let Di Shitian take the Imperial Seal. What are your thoughts?"
"This..."
Upon hearing Zhao Ding Tian's words, Ye Zixuan, Qi Kaidi, and Kong Jie looked troubled.
The Killing Dao Association was a monster, and Di Shitian, its creator, was a monster among monsters. They lacked the courage to confront Di Shitian.
As the three hesitated, Qin Cangjing, who had remained silent until then, slowly stood up and walked to Zhao Ding Tian's side. He said, "Old Master Zhao, although Zhao Shengtian is a scoundrel, and you have also done many unsavory deeds, I, Qin Cangjing, admire you for stepping forward at this moment. Today, I, Qin Cangjing, will fight alongside you. As long as we are alive, we will not let anyone take the Imperial Seal."
"Haha, since Brother Cangjing has said so, I suppose I cannot remain indifferent."
After Qin Cangjing finished speaking, Shen Lang, who had temporarily stabilized Nalan Yanqing's injuries and found a place to settle her, walked up to Qin Cangjing and said with a smile, "My stance is the same. As long as I am alive, I will not let any outsider take the Imperial Seal of the Dragon Country."
"Good!" Zhao Ding Tian was overjoyed that Qin Cangjing and Shen Lang stood by him at this critical moment. He said to the two, "New talents emerge in every generation, each excelling for centuries. After Shen Tianjun and Song Shadao, there are Qin Cangjing and Shen Lang. This is truly wonderful."
"You are Shen Lang?"
Hearing Zhao Ding Tian's words, Di Shitian's eyes swept towards Shen Lang. He said calmly, "You killed my son Merlin, and my close friend, the Sea Dragon King. You have also repeatedly disrupted our Killing Dao Association's plans. As the Director of the Killing Dao Association, I sentence you to death."
"The Imperial Seal is the Dragon Vein of the Dragon Country. Because of its existence, even though the Dragon Country has weathered thousands of years of storms, it has still been able to rise again. By taking the Imperial Seal, I am essentially stealing your destiny. From now on, you will be unable to recover."
"However, I want the Imperial Seal, and I also want your life."
With that, Di Shitian made his move.
Di Shitian's movements were not fast, even appearing like a frail elder, struggling to lift his hand. However, the moment his finger twitched, Shen Lang felt as if he were trapped in a space that was constantly shrinking, becoming smaller and smaller, the air growing thinner until it became a complete vacuum.
"Shen Lang..."
Sensing something was wrong with Shen Lang, Qin Cangjing called out. But before he could finish speaking, a white-haired man behind Di Shitian, carrying a stone sword on his back, darted towards Qin Cangjing like a ghost. He quickly drew his sword and, with a thunderous force, thrust it at Qin Cangjing.
Seeing this, Qin Cangjing's expression changed drastically. He could only quickly draw his saber to parry.
The next second, saber and sword collided. Qin Cangjing, along with his saber, was sent flying back over ten meters, a trace of crimson blood appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Qin Cangjing, quite impressive. You can actually block one of my swords. No wonder the Great Fist God died by your hand. However, facing me, you have no possibility of survival."
The white-haired man looked at Qin Cangjing with cold eyes and said, "Remember my name. I am Arthur, the Sword Demon, one of the Three Peaks and Twelve Riders of the Killing Dao Association."
The Three Peaks and Twelve Riders were positions within the Killing Dao Association, not specific individuals.
The Three Peaks were Heaven, Earth, and Man, held by the Sword Demon Arthur, the Saber God Thor, and the Great Fist God.
These three possessed power second only to Di Shitian. They were confident that, besides Di Shitian, they were invincible worldwide.
"Arthur? The Crown Prince of the British Royal Family. I didn't expect you to be part of the Killing Dao Association as well."
Qin Cangjing looked at the white-haired man before him, a smile appearing on his lips. "The stone sword in your hand is likely the legendary Excalibur from King Arthur, isn't it?"
"Very well. Today, I will use my Minghong Saber to sever your proud Excalibur."
With that, Qin Cangjing charged rapidly towards Arthur.