Hao Yun let out a low shout and controlled the Yin-Yang Twin Swords to strangle the centipede demon.
The centipede demon, which tried to withstand the attack with its bare body, suffered a great loss in an instant. Half of its hundred giant legs were gone, and a section of its tail was also cut off.
"Damn it! I want to transform into a dragon!"
Faced with a life-or-death crisis, the centipede demon was forced to transform into a dragon.
The centipede demon spread the dragon energy it had collected over the years throughout its body, causing it to writhe in pain.
As the great calamity of transformation descended, Hao Yun frowned slightly and was forced to retreat. If he continued to stay here, he would also be affected.
"Master, Master!"
A leaf flew from afar and stopped beside Hao Yun.
"Master, this beast is about to transform into human form. Should we take this opportunity to kill it?"
Zhi Qiu Yi Ye gestured with his neck, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
"No need, it probably can't withstand this transformation tribulation."
Hao Yun looked at the ever-gathering tribulation clouds above and couldn't help but shake his head.
According to Hao Yun's estimation, there are nine heavenly lightning bolts in the tribulation cloud, with the last one having the power equivalent to a full-force strike from a celestial being.
The centipede demon's cultivation level was forcibly raised to the Tribulation Transcending stage with the help of dragon energy, barely reaching the Earth Immortal level. Its hope of surviving this lightning tribulation was slim.
"Step back a bit to avoid being caught in the crossfire."
Hao Yun led Zhi Qiu Yi Ye to a palace that had not collapsed, and began to observe the centipede demon undergoing its tribulation.
Boom!
The first bolt of lightning struck, but the centipede demon easily withstood it with its physical body.
Using the tribulation lightning, the centipede demon began to temper its physical body, making itself more like a dragon.
Looking at the centipede demon, Zhi Qiu Yi Ye was filled with worry. If it successfully survived the tribulation, perhaps no one in the world would be able to subdue it.
Turning her head to look at Hao Yun, Zhi Qiu Yi Ye hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
Sensing Zhi Qiu Yi Ye's thoughts, Hao Yun smiled and said to him.
"Don't worry, even if it manages to survive the tribulation, it's no match for me."
The tribulation continued, and the centipede demon finally reached its limit after withstanding six tribulations of lightning.
As the seventh bolt of lightning struck, the centipede demon let out a mournful cry, its carapace shattering.
With a roar, the centipede demon was somewhat unwilling. There were only two tribulation lightning bolts left. As long as it could withstand them, it could transform into a dragon, and no one in the world would be its match.
The centipede demon curled its body into a ball and tucked its head under its body.
Boom!
The eighth bolt of lightning struck, its faint golden light instantly destroying most of the centipede demon's body.
The centipede demon was overjoyed at its success and tried to sever its tail to survive.
With only one lightning bolt remaining, the centipede demon turned its gaze to Hao Yun, a glint of malice flashing in its eyes. It swung its severed limbs and rushed to Hao Yun's feet, wanting to use Hao Yun to help him withstand this final tribulation lightning.
"Oh no! This centipede demon is trying to shift the blame!"
Seeing the centipede demon rushing towards him, Zhi Qiu Yi Ye couldn't help but shout loudly.
Chapter 226 Reorganizing the Imperial Court
"You go first, I want to see what other tricks it has up its sleeve."
Hao Yun grabbed a leaf from Zhi Qiu and tossed it away, throwing it out of the range of the tribulation clouds.
The centipede demon raised its head, looked at Hao Yun above the palace, and said to him with a sneer.
"You are very powerful, but no matter how powerful you are, you can't withstand this tribulation lightning. Even if I die today, I will take you down with me!"
Hao Yun glanced down at the centipede demon, really wanting to tell him, "You've chosen the wrong path."
The tribulation clouds were still brewing the final tribulation lightning, which was bound to be earth-shattering.
The centipede demon stared intently at Hao Yun, afraid that he would sneak away.
One minute later, the tribulation lightning was fully prepared and crashed down with a thunderous roar.
Hao Yun threw out the Yin-Yang Mirror to protect himself, a hint of mockery in his eyes. Little brother, you're dumbfounded now.
With the protection of the Yin-Yang Mirror, Hao Yun was unharmed under the lightning tribulation, while the centipede demon was directly cleaved into ashes.
The centipede demon died, and the calamity clouds gradually dissipated.
"Master, can you take me as your disciple?"
Zhi Qiu Yi Ye jogged over, her eyes full of pleading as she looked at Hao Yun.
Hao Yun glanced at Zhi Qiu Yi Ye and finally nodded.
"I can accept you as a disciple. Come here, I will teach you a cultivation technique."
Hao Yun extended a finger and tapped Zhi Qiu Yi Ye's forehead.
In the world of Shushan Legend, Hao Yun copied all the martial arts techniques of the Emei Sect and is now passing them on to Zhi Qiu Yi Ye, which can be considered as helping the Emei Sect to expand its influence.
"Thank you, Master!"
After sensing the cultivation technique in his mind, Zhi Qiu Yi Ye was overjoyed and immediately knelt down and kowtowed three times.
"Get up. Since you are my disciple, I need to make the rules clear to you. First, you are not allowed to do evil. If I find out, your cultivation will be abolished and you will be expelled from the sect."
"Secondly, you cannot rape a woman. If you do, I will cripple your third leg!"
"Third, never mind, I haven't thought about it yet. I'll tell you when I do."
Hao Yun waved his hand, picked up Zhi Qiu Yi Ye, and turned to walk into the palace.
"Yes, Master, I've remembered everything."
At this moment, the Imperial Guards rushed out and surrounded the master and disciple.
Zhi Qiu looked around and asked in a low voice.
"Master, should we force our way out?"
Hao Yun did not answer him, but simply stood quietly and waited.
A few minutes later, a sharp shout rang out.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Led by eunuchs, the emperor arrived at the scene in a dragon-drawn carriage.
"All of you, step back! Anyone who dares to disrespect the Immortal Master is disrespecting me!"
After speaking, the emperor stepped down from the imperial carriage and quickly ran to Hao Yun.
"Immortal Master, thank you for slaying the demon for me. I wish to appoint you as the Imperial Advisor. What do you say?"
Hao Yun curled his lip. "One imperial advisor dies, another is sealed off. They're really playing games!"
Hao Yun cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and replied without ceremony.
"Thank you, Grand Preceptor, but there are some things I would like to discuss with you in detail."
"No problem, Imperial Advisor, please follow me!"
The emperor affectionately pulled Hao Yun onto the imperial carriage, and they traveled to the imperial study.
"Stand outside the door, no one is allowed to come in!"
Before entering, the emperor waved for his attendants to leave, and he and Hao Yun went into the imperial study.
The Imperial Guard commander and his attendants wanted to stop him, but when they thought of the scene when Hao Yun killed the former Imperial Preceptor, they remained silent.
If this immortal master wanted to kill the emperor, they couldn't stop him.
The two entered the imperial study, where the emperor personally poured Hao Yun a cup of tea.
"Immortal Master, please try this. It's a special supply from the Imperial Palace, specially sourced from..."
Before the emperor could finish speaking, Hao Yun interrupted him.
"I won't waste any more words. I just want to tell you that you're an incompetent emperor. Do you even know what the outside world is like right now?"
The emperor's expression changed slightly. As the ruler of a country, he was somewhat annoyed by Hao Yun's offense.
"It's obvious you don't know anything. For miles around, not a rooster crows; demons roam the land. If this continues, it won't be long before your country is deserted."
He was capable enough to become emperor, but as he grew older, he became afraid of death and suffered from illness, which is why he turned to Buddhism and sought scriptures.
Upon hearing Hao Yun's words, the emperor couldn't help but gape in astonishment, for he had never heard any of his court officials mention such things before.
"Impossible! The court officials clearly told me that the world was at peace."
"Hmph! Court officials? Then why don't you send the Imperial Guards to see how many of your court officials you have left?"
After saying that, Hao Yun remained silent, slowly sipping his tea.
The emperor summoned his attendants, gave them a few instructions, and then the imperial guards outside the palace moved and quickly went out to visit the court officials.
An hour later, the commander of the Imperial Guards rushed into the Imperial Study in a panic.
"How dare you! Such panic is unbecoming! Take him out and give him eighty strokes of the cane!"
Amid the emperor's rebuke, the commander of the Imperial Guards knelt on the ground.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"
"Speak quickly if you have something to say!"
Enraged, the emperor stood up and kicked the commander of the Imperial Guards.
After getting up from the ground, the commander of the Imperial Guards glanced at Hao Yun and then whispered to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, all the court officials are dead! Their internal organs have been removed; they are just empty shells!"
"What!"