Chapter 141: The Tribulation of Manifestation Replacing the Origin

"The Heavenly Dao Severance Qi has erupted. The situation is critical. Everyone, follow me and deal with this disaster first!"

Yin Fengshuo shouted in a deep voice. As he spoke, he cast an almost imperceptible glance toward Fang Xun.

Even without a shred of evidence, he had an inexplicable feeling that this incident was somehow connected to Fang Xun.

"But that voice just now..."

Yin Fengshuo forcefully suppressed the unease surging within him and began issuing orders with calm precision.

It had to be said that, as the Prefect of an entire commandery, Yin Fengshuo was far from mediocre. He truly possessed considerable talent in governance.

He ordered the evacuation of the surrounding civilians, led the civil and military officials in suppressing the Severance Qi, sent word to the Mohist artisans to repair the shattered earth veins, and urgently reported the disaster to the imperial court.

One matter after another was handled with remarkable efficiency under his command.

The officials, who had previously been thrown into complete disarray, gradually regained their composure.

"Judging from the situation, this isn't like the catastrophe in Langya Commandery. It wasn't caused by a massive land collapse unleashing vast quantities of Severance Qi. It should merely be remnants of the Heavenly Dao Severance Qi seeping through damaged earth veins. It's nothing too serious."

"As long as we work together to reseal the fractured earth veins, everything should return to normal."

After carefully assessing the situation, the tense hearts of everyone present finally relaxed. They collectively let out sighs of relief.

Yin Fengshuo's expression grew solemn as he declared righteously, "We cultivators possess cultivation enough to protect ourselves. Even if we become temporarily trapped within the Severance Qi, we can still withdraw safely. But the common people under Guling Commandery's jurisdiction have no means of resisting it whatsoever."

"Return to your respective territories immediately and ensure the safety of every citizen. If any place suffers unnecessary casualties, I will hold each of you personally accountable!"

The officials acknowledged the order with solemn expressions before scattering in every direction.

Yin Fengshuo personally took charge as well, rushing tirelessly from place to place to suppress the Heavenly Dao Severance Qi leaking into the surroundings.

At first, everyone believed the disturbance would soon come to an end.

Yet what followed exceeded everyone's expectations.

Only after the combined efforts of countless cultivators did they barely manage to suppress every outbreak of Severance Qi.

Before anyone even had the chance to catch their breath, that venomous voice echoed across the heavens once again.

"Hehehe..."

"Yin Fengshuo... you didn't actually think things would end so easily, did you?"

"The nightmare..."

"...has only just begun!"

"The Jun Clan cannot be insulted!"

The deafening explosion had scarcely faded before another series of heavy detonations erupted without pause.

Across the lands of Guling Commandery, towering pillars of black smoke rose once again.

Having personally overseen disaster relief for several consecutive days without rest, Yin Fengshuo's complexion instantly became incomparably ugly.

"The Jun Clan?"

His brows knitted tightly together.

He simply could not understand when he had ever offended this descendant of the Jun Clan.

Why did this man insist on pinning every disaster upon him, time and time again?

Although the framing was painfully obvious, it still left Yin Fengshuo feeling deeply unsettled.

The Jun Clan descendant appeared without warning, detonated the Heavenly Dao Severance Qi throughout the region, then vanished without a trace.

Unable to pursue him, they had no choice but to once again focus on suppressing the leaking Severance Qi.

Another grueling battle lasting several days finally restored the shattered earth veins.

"The situation... isn't looking good."

"Indeed. When the damage to the earth veins is still limited, we can barely repair them and forcibly suppress the leaks. But if this continues again and again..."

"Sooner or later Guling Commandery will follow in Langya Commandery's footsteps, giving rise to a catastrophic land collapse capable of overturning heaven and earth. When that happens..."

The optimism everyone had once possessed had completely disappeared.

Every official wore a grave expression filled with worry.

At the same time, the looks they secretly directed toward Yin Fengshuo gradually became strange and suspicious.

Standing at the center of the storm, Yin Fengshuo naturally noticed those subtle changes immediately.

In that instant, understanding dawned upon him.

'Damn it...'

'The Tribulation of Manifestation Replacing the Origin!'

As the Prefect of Guling Commandery, Yin Fengshuo naturally understood exactly what was happening within his territory.

Originally, Fang Xun had been the one undergoing this tribulation.

Not only had Yin Fengshuo been delighted to see it happen, he had even secretly fanned the flames, hoping to drive Fang Xun to his death.

Everything had been proceeding perfectly.

Fang Xun had already been cornered into a hopeless dead end.

Yet at this critical moment, this unforeseen development had appeared.

'Within the Tribulation of Manifestation Replacing the Origin, rumors and slander are nurtured by tribulation qi until they manifest from nothingness. Eventually, they replace the true self, usurping reality in a magpie stealing the magpie's nest.'

'Although the cultivator undergoing tribulation has already transferred the majority of the tribulation qi onto Fang Xun...'

'I am still trapped within the tribulation itself!'

'Ordinarily, this wouldn't have mattered.'

'But now that madman from the Jun Clan has suddenly appeared, making such a grand spectacle while deliberately spreading rumors...'

'Baseless gossip that should have amounted to nothing has been swept up by the overwhelming tribulation qi of Manifestation Replacing the Origin.'

'It is actually beginning to transform into the tribulation itself!'

'If this continues...'

'Even I may become part of the sacrifice required for that breakthrough!'

A chill ran through Yin Fengshuo's heart.

Yet for the moment, he could think of no effective solution.

He could only place all his hopes on quickly suppressing the Heavenly Dao Severance Qi once more, cutting off the rumors at their source.

Another four sleepless days passed.

At last, the Heavenly Dao Severance Qi was suppressed again.

And the Jun Clan descendant never reappeared.

Just as Yin Fengshuo finally began to relax...

A new arrival caused his heart to sink completely.

The Great Qian Black-Robed Envoys.

And...

Vice Censor-in-Chief Lu Hanmo.

The Vice Censor-in-Chief oversaw the supervision of all officials beneath heaven.

Such a figure rarely appeared in person.

Whenever he did, It signified a case of earth-shattering proportions.

Suppressing the panic within his heart, Yin Fengshuo cupped his fists respectfully without appearing either servile or overbearing.

Lu Hanmo's expression remained colder than ice.

"Prefect Yin."

"Come with me."

Yin Fengshuo immediately answered with righteous conviction,

"I am the Prefect of an entire commandery, entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the rebirth of the Imperial Mausoleum."

"Guling Commandery is presently beset by countless crises, while the Heavenly Dao Severance Qi ravages the land."

"At such a critical moment, Lord Lu intends to take me away based on nothing more than a few words."

"I'm afraid I cannot comply."

Lu Hanmo glanced sideways at him before letting out a faint smile.

"It seems Prefect Yin hasn't heard."

"Yesterday..."

"A letter was nailed directly onto the gates of the Right Chancellor's residence."

"Why don't you guess what was written inside?"

Yin Fengshuo's eyelids twitched violently.

Even so, he maintained his composure.

"This official has devoted all his attention to disaster relief. How could I possibly know what transpired within the Sacred Capital?"

Lu Hanmo spoke leisurely.

"The letter... was left by the Jun Clan."

"It was another declaration to the world."

"They openly admitted that every recent disturbance within Guling Commandery was indeed their doing."

"'The Jun Clan cannot be insulted.'"

"Heh..."

Lu Hanmo's expression suddenly turned ice-cold.

"Colluding with a descendant of the Jun Clan."

"And furthermore, with the traitor responsible for burning the Imperial Mausoleum."

"Prefect Yin..."

"You truly possess extraordinary courage."

"What?"

"The one who burned the Imperial Mausoleum?"

It was as though a bolt of lightning had exploded inside Yin Fengshuo's mind.

Only now did he finally realize the truth.

Those two shadowy figures that had caused chaos...

Had actually been Shentu Xin, the Jun Clan madman who had previously set the Imperial Mausoleum ablaze.

But...

He should have died already!

At that moment, Yin Fengshuo completely lost his composure.

"Lord Lu!"

"This is a deliberate frame-up! Someone is borrowing another's blade to kill while planting false accusations against me!"

"Whether it is a frame-up or not is hardly for Prefect Yin alone to decide."

"Besides..."

"The Jun Clan may act outrageously, but they have always conducted themselves openly."

"I have never heard of them resorting to such underhanded methods merely to frame a court official."

"Arrest him."

Lu Hanmo uttered the two words indifferently before flicking his sleeve.

The Black-Robed Envoys behind him immediately surged forward and seized Yin Fengshuo on the spot.

To his credit, Yin Fengshuo did not lose control.

After the initial panic subsided, he quickly calmed himself. After all, the accusation of collusion was entirely fabricated. He believed he had nothing to fear from an official investigation.

Besides, Guling Commandery had become increasingly dangerous.

Being removed from the situation now might actually spare him from an even greater calamity.

However...

Just as he stepped out of the Prefect's Manor under heavy escort.

Shentu Xin's voice rang out once more at the perfect moment.

"Brother Yin!"

"Allow me to present you with one more grand gift!"

The earth shook violently.

Countless eruptions of Heavenly Dao Severance Qi exploded simultaneously.

Their intensity far surpassed every previous outbreak.