Chapter 26: Turmoil in Northern Yan

Upon seeing that he didn't recognize anyone present, Baili Xiong, the Emperor of Yan, coldly rebuked them. His anger terrified the assembly of princes and ministers, their faces turning pale with shame, fearing that a single fit of royal rage could lead to a million corpses.

"Send out the order to sketch this young man's portrait. A reward of ten thousand taels of silver for capturing him alive, and a thousand for his head," Emperor Baili Xiong commanded sternly.

He intended to set the entire Northern Yan nation ablaze with the pursuit of Chu Xiaotian, leaving him nowhere to hide, making him pay a steep price. After all, besides the heads of the seven martial academies, someone dared to defy his sacred decree.

"Understood, Your Majesty!" responded a minister respectfully, quickly relaying the command.

Soon, the whole nation of Northern Yan was in uproar, and a crisis quietly descended upon Chu Xiaotian.

"What are you doing?" the scene shifted back to the dueling platform where Chu Xiaotian faced Baili Hui.

"What?" asked Chu Xiaotian coldly.

"To cut you down!" With a cold smile, Chu Xiaotian's gaze filled with intense murderous intent. With a swing of his sword, Baili Hui's head fell to the ground.

Having already offended the royal family, equivalent to offending the entire nation, Chu Xiaotian no longer cared about the life of a mere seventh prince.

"Killed him?"

"The Seventh Prince is dead?!"

Witnessing Chu Xiaotian's decisive action, everyone was shocked, particularly a young man in purple who turned increasingly pale. He regretted provoking this harbinger of death, unsure if Chu Xiaotian would forgive or kill him.

"I am Chu Xiaotian. Those who seek my life are welcome to try!" declared Chu Xiaotian, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, everyone lowering their eyes, unable to meet his chilling gaze.

After leaving these words, Chu Xiaotian turned to leave, heading towards the Demon Wind Forest.

"Wait," called a voice as Chu Xiaotian was about to depart.

Turning, Chu Xiaotian and the others looked towards the source of the voice.

"Is this guy going to avenge the Seventh Prince?" the crowd whispered.

The young man in purple bowed his once proud head in humiliation and plea for forgiveness. "I was wrong. Please, spare me."

Chu Xiaotian coldly replied, "Leave. Don't let me see you again."

He didn't forgive the young man, merely spared him because he hadn't provoked him. His principle was simple: if not provoked, he wouldn't provoke; if provoked, he'd retaliate a hundredfold.

"Yes, yes, yes!" the young man nodded frantically, fearing Chu Xiaotian's wrath.

A masked girl sighed and left the scene. Chu Xiaotian had helped her rid of two annoying pursuers. She followed the same path as Chu Xiaotian, entering the Demon Wind Forest.

"Chu Xiaotian, I will remember you," the young man in purple vowed as Chu Xiaotian disappeared, then left the area.

The next day, the royal decree for Chu Xiaotian's capture spread throughout Northern Yan, offering a hefty reward for his capture or death. The specifics of his offense were not disclosed, as it was too embarrassing for the royal family to admit their decree had been defied.

Upon hearing of the bounty, the entire nation was stirred, many eager for the reward. Yet, the true reason for the bounty remained a secret, making many wary of attempting to capture or kill Chu Xiaotian.

The news reached the God Sword Academy, where both students and elders frowned in confusion. Until the head of the academy, Sword Addict, intervened, no one further discussed the matter.

"Sword Addict laughed, pleased to have a student who could defy the Emperor's decree with just a third-level spiritual realm. He was unconcerned about the bounty, confident in the power of the academy to protect Chu Xiaotian.

Meanwhile, at the Peak of Desolation, Baili Feng, the master of the peak, sighed but said nothing, unaffected by the news of his seventh son's death.

Chu Xiaotian's name was now known throughout Northern Yan, not for fame but for fear. Few dared to pursue him after learning the truth about the defied decree.

Chu Xiaotian, now in the Demon Wind Forest, lamented the loss of half his points after fending off the Emperor's phantom attack. "Damn the Emperor, I will remember this," he swore, angered at his depleted resources.