When the name was mentioned, everyone seemed to be visibly moved.

Finally, it was Zhangsun Wuji who stepped forward first.

"Your Majesty." His face was solemn. "My family's sources have reported that they once had contact with someone from White Jade City and even hosted him for a banquet. Let me speak frankly—White Jade City is indeed unfathomable, unlike any mortal force."

"What do you mean by this, Zhangsun?" Cheng Yaojin widened his eyes, his voice like a beating drum. "If they're not a mortal force, are they from the heavens?"

This was meant to be a sarcastic remark.

However, Zhangsun Wuji remained silent.

Indeed, although it seemed unbelievable, even he found it hard to believe.

But from all the current information, this White Jade City truly didn't seem like a hidden sect from the mortal world!

"Wuji." Li Shimin's expression was grave as he looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said directly, "Speak of any information you have."

In truth, Li Shimin had already privately discussed this with Zhangsun Wuji.

That's why he realized this was no ordinary matter.

At this moment in the court, it was intended to spark more discussion, bringing the matter into the open!

"In response to Your Majesty," Zhangsun Wuji replied gravely, "My family encountered a person from White Jade City who is merely twenty-two years old—extremely young—and yet, in martial arts, he is already an Earth Immortal!"

This statement caused a stir among those present.

Especially the military officers.

Earth Immortal, a martial arts realm known to only a handful in the world.

Many were never seen or heard of.

Even though the Great Tang unified the land, they couldn't summon even one.

To think that White Jade City might have many suspected Earth Immortals was shocking enough, but now Zhangsun Wuji claimed that this person was genuinely in his twenties?

"Even if they are a peerless prodigy, starting cultivation from the womb, it is impossible to reach the realm of Earth Immortal by their twenties!" Cheng Yaojin was the first to shout loudly, "The youngest Earth Immortal on record comes from the Warring States, Ghost Valley Master, but even legend says he only reached that realm in his fifties. An Earth Immortal at twenty-two, Zhangsun Wuji, surely you have been deceived."

"In response to Your Majesty," Zhangsun Wuji spoke to Li Shimin, "A person's appearance can be disguised, and there are advanced cultivation techniques to maintain eternal youth. However, one's demeanor and actions are hard to fake. Most importantly, even if one could disguise themselves, could everyone do the same? Have any of the people from White Jade City you heard of been elderly?"

This was indeed the truth.

Today, in the extraordinary domain, young people are achieving greater success than most elders.

After all, current great achievements mainly come from the battlefield.

Not because human civilization cannot achieve great feats in other directions, such as research, but because those directions yield insignificant results.

The research capability of human civilization is pitifully weak compared to other civilizations.

Most other directions are similarly lacking.

In the end, eliminating monsters on the battlefield still yields the most significant achievements.

Consequently, these newly emerged extraordinary strong ones are mostly young.

And now, the court had fallen into complete silence.

Including Cheng Yaojin.

In fact, they might have had similar thoughts, only they couldn't believe it.

Earth Immortals in their twenties, more than one at that, was truly beyond their comprehension.

Even though Li Shimin was well aware of it, his expression remained extremely grave.

"Besides their appearance and behavior, I also discovered," Zhangsun Wuji continued, "those Earth Immortals that have appeared in White Jade City are just among the lowest ranks!"

This statement once again left everyone staring with wide eyes, faces filled with shock.

Earth Immortals!

The pinnacle of martial arts, capable of establishing an overlord-level force, even brought before the imperial court, the emperor Li Shimin would have to show them respect and address them as master!

And Earth Immortals in their twenties!

Yet they were only considered the lowest ranks?

"This is not my wild guess, but a statement from someone from White Jade City." Zhangsun Wuji said, with his expression equally shaken, "That person stated they acted under orders to assist the world through calamity, behaving cautiously, even when alone outside, remaining serious and upright, rejecting gold, beauties, and even heavenly materials and earthly treasures, seeking only intelligence to complete their mission."

Indeed, those sent out were carefully selected.

While their strength was formidable, even stronger was their resolve.

Having witnessed monsters and apocalyptic worlds countless times, they had long since transcended base desires.

Not to mention, they indeed had a mission to fulfill.

How could they act recklessly?

Yet, from the perspective of people from this era, this did not align with the supposed bearing of an "Earth Immortal," appearing more like a mere soldier.

But Earth Immortals as mere soldiers?

This was precisely why Zhangsun Wuji said this was not a force from the mortal world.

Perhaps only heavenly forces could achieve this.

Once again, the court fell silent.

Those present were already the most influential and powerful individuals under the heavens, even past hidden sects were regarded as minor countryside actors by comparison.

Yet in the face of this White Jade City, there was an unprecedented sense of powerlessness.

As if before them stood an insurmountable mountain.

The court, the Great Tang, and even the emperor.

Seemed so insignificant against such a mountain!

There was no need for others to act, merely those currently confirmed from White Jade City had the power to easily topple the entire Great Tang!

"Your Majesty, Lord Zhangsun." An elderly official suddenly spoke, his voice trembling, "I must confess, I have personally encountered someone from White Jade City."

This statement immediately drew everyone's attention.

He was an official from the Ministry of Revenue.

His position was not high, but he had been in Chang'an for more than ten years.

Never left Chang'an.

If even he had encountered someone from White Jade City, wouldn't that mean they had long been in Chang'an?

"Where and when, and who was it?" Even Li Shimin's expression turned grim, "Why didn't you report it?"

"In response to Your Majesty." The Ministry of Revenue official hastily knelt down, panicking, "I did not realize it was someone from White Jade City until I heard Lord Zhangsun's words, and the matter only happened yesterday."

"Whew—" Li Shimin exhaled deeply, his face not improving much, only asking in a low voice, "Tell me everything about your encounter with this person."

"Yes." The Ministry of Revenue official calmed slightly.

Yesterday, while walking down the street past a grain store, he saw a young man with an extraordinary demeanor carefully observing the various grains inside.

Such meticulous observation was rare.

He went over to inquire.

The young man candidly replied that there were issues with the grains.

As a Ministry of Revenue official, he naturally would not overlook such matters, inquiring further.

But what the young man said was mind-boggling.

The grains were poisoned, nine out of ten worldwide already tainted.

The poison was invisible and odorless, hard to detect even when consumed, but as it accumulated, it would gradually lead to headaches, hallucinations, or even madness.

He then pointed to the street.

A visibly troubled elderly man was walking with a distorted, pained expression but normal stride.

Seemingly afflicted and maddened.

The Ministry of Revenue official couldn't easily believe such an outlandish claim.

The young man merely suggested he investigate if frail and elderly individuals with poisoning symptoms were increasing of late.

Then, with just a glance away, the man disappeared without a trace right before his eyes!

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