Lin Fei's gaze flowed like water. Incomparably serene. Yet, the empress's demeanor slightly stiffened Lin Fei addressed her as "Your Majesty." His tone was utterly tranquil. Such calmness shattered all the illusions harbored within the empress's heart.

Two years had passed. To Lin Fei, the empress seemed but a mere stranger now. No longer did she stir any ripples in his heart. Utter stillness.

However, within the empress's heart, tranquility remained elusive. She knew all too well. With that single utterance of "Your Majesty" from Lin Fei, his stance was clear. Bitterness settled deep within her heart.

After a prolonged silence, the empress finally spoke, "There are indeed clues. After the Heavenly River Dao Sect's True Person Yuanlong took control of the royal family, he ordered a thorough examination of all the royal scriptures. Then, an exhaustive search was carried out throughout the entire realm of Great Chang.

The findings were that the north, south, and west of Great Chang seemed to be sealed off. Only the east retains a maritime outlet, allowing passage across the sea. However, True Person Yuanlong merely knows of the seal, and that too is mere conjecture. He doesn't know how to undo the seal, let alone its entrance. So, of late, True Person Yuanlong has been engrossed in researching the seals placed in the three directions of Great Chang."

"Seal..."

A peculiar glint shimmered in Lin Fei's eyes. He faintly remembered the vast glacier he once saw in the north. It seemed endless at first glance. But journeying forth, one would realize they were walking in circles. Even back when Lin Fei was revered as the foremost Martial Saint of Great Chang, he couldn't trace any formation. If it were a seal, it would indeed make sense.

A seal is not a formation. It leaves no trace. There are only two methods to undo a seal. Either one understands the seal and possesses its mantra to unlock it, or they forcefully break it. True Person Yuanlong, presumably, is trying, hoping to unlock the seal.

"I understand," Lin Fei intoned. "I shall seek out Yuanlong. Tonight, the threat of the Heavenly River Dao Sect will be eradicated once and for all. With me here, Great Chang will regain its peace, and Your Majesty can govern with a tranquil heart!"

Having spoken, Lin Fei prepared to depart.

"Lin Fei, if I say I regret," the empress suddenly interjected. "Is there a chance to choose once more?"

Lin Fei halted momentarily. Then, with a subtle flicker, he vanished without a trace.

Ultimately, Lin Fei spoke no words. Yet, his silence had already answered the empress's query.

The empress's face turned ashen, her demeanor that of a broken spirit. She comprehended.

Some things, once lost, are lost forever. Some choices can only be made once.

Within the imperial palace, Lin Fei had no intention of seeking out Yuanlong, the True Person. There was no need. Yuanlong wouldn't hide. Hence, all Lin Fei had to do was emit his own aura. Yuanlong would naturally come to him!

And so, step by step, Lin Fei moved into the void. He made no attempt to conceal his form. Thus, as he walked steadily into the void, the entirety of Chang City's citizens seemed to take notice of him.

"Who is that?"

"Walking through the sky, with such dense vitality, could it be a Martial Saint?"

"Which Martial Saint dares to be so audacious in Chang City?"

"It might not be a Martial Saint. Could it be one of those recently emerged, powerful Martial Sovereigns?"

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"That silhouette seems familiar. Where have I seen it before?"

"It's him... undoubtedly, he has returned, our National Guardian Martial Saint has returned!"

"National Guardian Martial Saint? The one who crushed the ten immortal sects, the Saber Saint?"

"Yes, the Saber Saint of the Nine Profound Sect, Lin Fei, has returned!"

In an instant, many recognized Lin Fei. After all, it had only been two years since Lin Fei's disappearance. It was not a long time. And Lin Fei had spent no short amount of time in the city back then. He had accomplished many great feats in Chang City. Later, he was even conferred the title of the National Guardian Martial Saint. His prestige soared to unparalleled heights.

Thus, many hadn't really forgotten Lin Fei. However, some were worried. Even if Lin Fei was the Saber Saint, the once-renowned first Martial Saint of Great Chang, facing the current situation, would he be of any help?

Above Martial Saints were the likes of Martial Sovereigns and Golden Core True Persons. Now, controlling all of Chang City and the royal family was a formidable Golden Core True Person. Even an average Martial Sovereign wouldn't dare to provoke them!

Regardless of the whispers below, Lin Fei remained undeterred.

With a thunderous boom, behind Lin Fei, a massive Life Wheel suddenly emerged. As the Life Wheel materialized, a terrifying pressure instantly enveloped all of Chang City.

Immediately, many in Chang City wore expressions of sheer terror. The majority of the common folk were directly forced to their knees by this overwhelming pressure. It was the pressure of life itself!

Even if Lin Fei hadn't intentionally released such pressure, being a Martial Sovereign, and one who had cultivated six of the top-tier Great Divine Abilities at that, his life pressure was inherently terrifying.

It wasn't just the commoners who couldn't withstand it. Even Foundation Establishment True Persons and Martial Saints couldn't bear it. Even typical Martial Sovereigns and Golden Core True Persons would be suppressed by the might of Lin Fei's Life Wheel.

Lin Fei hadn't unleashed his Saber Domain. It was one of his trump cards. Furthermore, in the present Great Chang, who could force him to deploy his Saber Domain? Were the six top-tier Great Divine Abilities not enough?

"Which Martial Sovereign graces Chang City with their presence?"

As Lin Fei released his Life Wheel, the winds howled and clouds swirled. A terrifying vortex of Spiritual Qi converged from all directions. Simultaneously, an ancient voice echoed through the void.

A figure, a Golden Core True Person, flew out from a palace within the Great Chang royal family, heading straight for the void. Soon after, his form became visible.

"Heavenly River Dao Sect, Yuanlong!"

This figure looked at Lin Fei, his face filled with a solemn expression.

"Nine Profound Sect, Lin Fei!"

With his hands behind his back, Lin Fei responded with an even tone.

"Nine Profound Sect's Lin Fei?"

Yuanlong slightly furrowed his brows. In his memory, he had never heard of the Nine Profound Sect on the Ancient Continent. Moreover, such a formidable Martial Sovereign with six Great Divine Abilities!

From the aura of the Divine Ability alone, one could tell. Typically, a Martial Sovereign of this caliber would belong to a Martial King family or hail from a powerful martial arts sect.

However, in Yuanlong True Person's memory, there was no powerful martial arts sect named "Nine Profound Sect".

"Wait, Nine Profound Sect? I think Great Chang has a sect named Nine Profound Sect. Could you be the Martial Saint from Nine Profound Sect?"

Suddenly, Yuanlong seemed to remember, recalling some information about the "Nine Profound Sect". The Martial Saint that guarded the nation. The foremost Martial Saint who destroyed the ten immortal sects. Saber saint Lin Fei!

Yuanlong roughly discerned Lin Fei's identity.

"You're Lin Fei? from Great Chang's Nine Profound Sect" Yuanlong narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Yes, it's me." Lin Fei replied succinctly. He never had the intention to hide his identity.

But in Yuanlong's heart, doubt arose. From what he knew, Lin Fei left Great Chang just a little over two years ago. What can one accomplish in just over two years? Even if Lin Fei went overseas to "seek the Dao", even if he found the Ancient Continent, how could he possibly have become such a powerful Martial Sovereign?

Taking a deep breath, Yuanlong True Person declared arrogantly, "Martial Sovereign Lin, since you've become a Martial Sovereign, you must have been to the Ancient Continent. Then you should also know what Nascent Soul lineage represents. The Heavenly River Dao Sect is the Nascent Soul lineage! We've set our sights on the treasure of Great Chang! Whoever obstructs us, I will kill!"

Yuanlong's eyes were icy cold. He seemed to not care at all that Lin Fei had cultivated the six Great Divine Abilities. Because in the face of the Heavenly River Dao Sect, if one is not a Nascent Soul or a mighty Martial King, the Heavenly River Dao Sect is not afraid at all!

"The Nascent Soul lineage again..." Lin Fei's eyes also gradually grew cold. "I have killed Golden Core True Persons of the Nascent Soul lineage before. The mere title of Nascent Soul lineage doesn't intimidate me. You have two choices. Hand over the clues your Heavenly River Dao Sect found regarding the treasure of Great Chang. Or, be beheaded by my saber!"

With a calm tone, Lin Fei offered Yuanlong only two choices. Either hand over the clues, or die!