The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 864 The Devil Wants to Cross the Heavenly Dragon
The ministers looked at each other, and for a moment, no one dared to speak.

"What? You don't believe me?" Zhu Xiong Ying raised an eyebrow, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Just then, a man dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard rushed into the Golden Palace.

"Your Majesty, Ji Gang, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, requests an audience!"

"Xuan!"

Ji Gang strode into the hall and knelt down, saying, "Your subject Ji Gang greets Your Majesty!"

"Get up," Zhu Xiong Ying said calmly. "What is it?"

"Your Majesty, I have discovered the entrance to a secret realm outside the city!" Ji Gang exclaimed excitedly.

"A secret realm?" A glint of light flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes. "Tell me more about it."

Ji Gang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, shivered from the chill, his head bowed respectfully as he stood beneath the Golden Palace. His voice, however, was as impassioned as thunder: "Your Majesty, I have discovered a secret realm hidden in a desolate area on the eastern outskirts of the capital. According to my scouts, its entrance is emitting a seven-colored glow, suggesting a connection to the immortals!"

These words caused an uproar in the Golden Palace. The whispers among the officials spread like water droplets falling on hot coals. What "divine opportunity"? Wasn't this the legendary sacred ground for cultivation?! If His Majesty could explore it and obtain unparalleled treasures, wouldn't the fate of the Ming Dynasty reach new heights?!
Zhu Xiong Ying leaned back casually on the dragon throne, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest, and sneered: "Hmph, a secret realm is so noisy. If I don't go, won't the fools of the world think that I'm afraid of something?" As soon as he spoke, his tone was lazy but carried an air of domineering superiority, which immediately silenced the ministers below the hall.

"Your Majesty's divine might is unmatched in this world. That secret realm is but dust in comparison. If Your Majesty were to conquer it, Your Majesty would surely make our dynasty's dragon banner shine throughout the heavens and earth!" Ji Gang followed up with flattery, his words respectful yet his smile was warm.

Zhu Xiong Ying glanced at him indifferently, the coldness between his brows lessening slightly: "Ji Gang, now that your Embroidered Uniform Guard has discovered the secret realm, come with me on this journey!" His eyes were piercing, revealing an arrogant aura that said, "If you dare to make me take action, then the secret realm had better have something worthy of my patience."

"Your subject is prepared to die ten thousand times over!" Ji Gang knew that the Emperor's will could not be disobeyed, so he quickly knelt down to accept the order. But at the same time, cold sweat was breaking out on his back. He thought to himself: His Majesty's eyes are like thunderbolts... I'm afraid that even if we reach the secret realm, it will be a place of eternal danger, and we will have to submit to His Majesty's aura.

Zhu Xiong Ying then glanced around the hall and lazily said, "My beloved ministers, is there anyone who would like to come with me to broaden their horizons? This is a rare opportunity, and if anyone is cowardly, I will not force them."

These words, though seemingly mild, were actually brimming with murderous intent. The faces of the assembled officials were filled with shame, but only a few military generals who considered themselves to be of decent skill stepped forward, clasped their hands in greeting, and said, "We dare to request to accompany Your Majesty on this journey!"

“Very good,” Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly, “Your loyalty is commendable. Ji Gang, go and prepare. Send the order to depart immediately.”

As the officials kowtowed in gratitude, the Golden Palace quickly fell silent. Zhu Xiong Ying gazed at the empty hall, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and muttered, "If this secret realm truly holds hidden opportunities, then it's somewhat interesting. I'll wait until I personally arrive..." A moment later, Zhu Xiong Ying led his entourage, hurtling towards the entrance of the secret realm at breakneck speed. He rode in his dragon chariot, surrounded by golden-armored guards, like a god descending to earth, sweeping across the scene with an indescribable sense of oppression.

Before the entrance to the secret realm, the "seven-colored glow" was indeed astonishing, faintly mixed with the fluctuations of an array, making it impossible for anyone to easily break through. Zhu Xiong Ying slowly stepped down from the dragon carriage, his gaze sweeping across the scene like a blade. The people attending the inspection were all oppressed and lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

"A mere trick—" he sneered, his aura suddenly surging. The next second, he raised his hand and unleashed a palm strike, the vast power of the Heavenly Dao surging like a mighty river, directly tearing a huge gap in the obstructing array of radiant light!

"Whoosh—" Everyone almost held their breath, watching the strange phenomenon that appeared and disappeared in the crack, faintly exuding spiritual energy and azure starlight, sometimes accompanied by the distant and melodious sound of the legendary bell.

"This is the secret realm?" Zhu Xiong Ying stood before the rift, slightly raising his chin, his confident gaze filled with an indifferent detachment, as if he were "out of touch with the mortal world." His eyes were full of cold arrogance as he uttered a golden sentence: "Nothing special."

The accompanying officials were swept up in a frenzy of shock. His Majesty's divine might was indeed unparalleled! But before the fool could even utter a cry of alarm, Zhu Xiong Ying had already strode into the crevice as if it were empty.

The moment Zhu Xiong Ying entered the secret realm, the world seemed to lose its color! A vast scene appeared before Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes: a golden palace floated in the void, surrounded by an immense spiritual energy, but the spiritual energy was mixed with a strange darkness that sent chills down one's spine.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying strode forward unhurriedly, his expression unchanged. His entourage, on the other hand, were visibly apprehensive and fearful, their steps faltering, and sweat beading on their foreheads.

"I have come here to see whether this is a divine creation or a demon attempting to cross the heavens!" He suddenly spoke, his voice shaking the entire secret realm and causing numerous strange fluctuations.

Just then, from the depths of the palace in the void, a cold, eerie laugh echoed: "Such arrogance! You dare to trespass into my realm? Since you are destined by Heaven, you shall know whether to submit or..."

Before the words had even faded, the sky suddenly darkened, and an extremely terrifying aura surged forth from the depths of the palace, like a vast ocean crashing against the shore. Then, a demonic figure vaguely materialized, its eyes blood-red, as if a demon from hell had descended!

Zhu Xiong Ying remained calm, a slight, disdainful smile playing on his lips: "Oh? You want me to choose?"

He took a step forward, but suddenly stopped, raising his head to stare arrogantly at the demonic shadow. At that moment, the world fell silent, and even the demonic shadow paused slightly.

"Why should I choose? I never consult with Heaven and Earth." Zhu Xiong Ying smiled, golden light radiating from his body like a blazing sun, as if to devour the entire secret realm!
The golden light beneath Zhu Xiong Ying's feet surged like an angry dragon, forcing the demonic shadow back several feet. The demonic shadow reshaped itself amidst a shrill roar, clearly intending to intimidate the intruder, but it hadn't expected to be thwarted by Zhu Xiong Ying's overwhelming aura from the outset. The crimson light in the sky, resembling a sea of ​​blood, shattered by his pressure, instead making the light of the secret realm even more brilliant, revealing the outlines of the hidden treasure within.

"It's been a long time since I've seen such an arrogant and self-important person." The demonic voice was chilling, like two pieces of metal violently rubbing together. He slowly raised his hand, and a giant scythe made of pale white bones materialized from the void. "Since you consider yourself superior, then let your blood nourish the ashes here!"

(End of this chapter)