Di'an Imperial City

Oh no, my plan is going to fail again.

This was Li Yunqing's first reaction upon seeing the sky-piercing Sword-Ray.

He didn't know what kind of trouble had occurred within the Prime Minister's Mansion, but he knew that with this happening, his plans for tonight were most likely ruined.

Tonight, he's setting up a scheme for his Crown Prince brother, the Crown Prince, using familial ties as a pretext, but it's not for any blood relation whatsoever.

Ever since he moved out of his mother's palace and began receiving constant praise and rewards from his father, the love and pampering his elder brother once showed him turned into vigilance.

This elder brother was wary of his shared background, and even more so of the emperor's favor towards him.

He saw these things, and he was frustrated and angry about them, but in the end, these emotions turned into relief.

The imperial family is the most ruthless place; he and his elder brother could never go back to their childhood.

But if we can't go back, we can't go back. It's a pity, but life goes on no matter who's gone.

Therefore, Li Yunqing learned to wear a mask, to disguise himself, and to hide his shortcomings in front of his elder brother.

More than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Li Yunqing had designs on his elder brother's position and knew that his blood brother had once harbored murderous intentions towards him.

But all these struggles came to an end after he decided to go to Eastern Isles.

The core conflict between the two brothers no longer exists, so Li Yunqing wants to mend the rift in their brotherly relationship that has existed for more than ten years.

Tonight, more than showing utmost kindness and loyalty to his elder brother, Li Yunqing preferred the word "investment" that Xu Yuan had mentioned.

If the scheme succeeds, he will have invested in the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion, and demonstrated his ability to judge the big picture to his father, the Emperor.

Win three times in one night.

Whether his elder brother ascends the throne or the Prime Minister's Mansion takes power in the future, with today's favor, his life on the Dongying Island will be even more carefree.

However, his plans were thwarted yet once again.

A cold wind howled, and snow fell heavily.

The piercing Sword-Ray faded as it rose, the thick pillar of light gradually thinning into a thin filament, and finally dissipating into the darkness as specks of light.

Li Yunqing withdrew his gaze, calmed his turbulent emotions, and asked softly:

"Brother, what is this pillar of light?"

"Sword-Ray".

Li Yucheng continued gazing out the window, solemnly uttering two words.

He was the only prince born when his father was still the Prince of Qin. He was significantly older than his brothers and sisters, and as a result, he had witnessed firsthand the splendor of the previous generation.

This sword strike.

Upon hearing this, Li Yunqing's heart sank slightly.

There was no time to mourn the plans that led to his death; the situation now seemed to be spiraling out of control.

Although he had been suppressing his cultivation at the Fusion Realm, Li Yunqing's eyesight was impeccable.

The power of that sword strike just now was something not just anyone could unleash.

Even if the Prime Minister's Mansion is filled with powerful experts tonight, only a handful of them could unleash such a powerful sword strike.

But this is Di'an City, right under the emperor's nose, the Imperial Capital weapons are forbidden!

What was the Prime Minister's Mansion's powerful figure trying to do by suddenly unleashing this sword strike?

Was this a demonstration or warning because the Crown Prince's carriage was parked outside the palace?

It shouldn't be.

Li Yunqing rejected the thought that had arisen in his mind.

The Lord Xu he knew was a very pure person whose goal from beginning to end was to cleanse the sect and restore harmony to the world.

Therefore, even though the emperor had disrupted the overall plan, Xu Lord Xu silently followed up and made moves to maintain the alliance between the royal family and the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence.

Whether it was the war of annihilation against the Northern Barbarians, or the current situation in the Inner Northern Border, the same applies.

Unless absolutely necessary, Lord Xu would not afford to escalate the conflict.

In an instant, Li Yunqing thought of many possibilities, but these possibilities were all castles in the air, without any supporting evidence.

Li Yunqing collected his thoughts and looked at his elder brother across the car, only to find that his expression seemed to know something. After a moment's thought:

"Brother, do you know whose Sword-Ray this is?"

Li Yucheng clenched his fists tightly, his gaze fixed on the dark, snowy landscape outside the window.

"Feng Jiuxuan".

"Feng Jiuxuan?"

Li Yunqing pondered the name for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "The Sword Saint of the Feng Family?"

"Yes."

What is he doing tonight?!

"."

Li Yucheng did not answer this question immediately. His solemn gaze fixed on the boundless, deathly darkness above, he slowly said:

"To kill."

Having grasped the general outline of events, Li Yunqing circulated his internal Cultivation Method and gazed at the sky through the window.

Now, as Grandmaster- level expert, the darkness of the snowy night could no longer obstruct his vision.

As his gaze moved upwards, he vaguely saw a man radiating light in the sky above Di'an City.

That sword strike just now seemed to have been aimed at him.

The moment Li Yunqing saw the man, he immediately associated his strange attire and the golden hair flowing beneath his robes with the ethereal golden princess.

Is this person here to rescue Aurenli?

Upon realizing this, Li Yunqing's rapidly working brain briefly went blank.

The amount of information behind this intelligence is enormous.

First of all, this person must be a Saint-level expert to have survived Feng Jiuxuan's devastating sword strike.

So,

Why would a princess like Aurenli have such powerful protectors?

besides,

Since the other party had already infiltrated the Great Yan territory, why didn't he rescue Aurenli that night, but instead made his move in Di'an City?

Furthermore, isn't this action within the Great Yan Kingdom a risk of triggering a war between Great Yan and Xien?

As thoughts raced, a rumbling sound came from the sky, but this was not Feng Jiuxuan and the Xien making another move; rather, it was the various defense departments within Di'an City that had already reacted.

As the absolute heart of the Great Yan, Di'an City boasts the best guards, city defenses, and high-level cultivators in the entire Great Yan.

As the Sword-Ray pierced the sky, the City Defense Array belonging to the Great Yan Imperial Capital was activated. Several streaks of light soared into the sky from various parts of the Imperial Capital, each one terrifying and awe-inspiring, tearing through the air like thunder.

The armored imperial guards on duty, under the organization of military academies at all levels, had begun preparing to break camp and were heading towards the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence along the extensive network of Beastwalk Road in Di'an City.

The Crown Prince's carriage, parked in front of the inner gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion, now looked as small as a tiny boat.

Li Yunqing surveyed the situation in the sky and said in a low voice, "The Imperial Guards and the City Defense Bureau have arrived, along with some high-ranking members of various sects."

Li Yucheng paid no attention to the streaks of light, for his gaze was already firmly fixed on the third figure in the sky.

The difference in their cultivation levels prevented Li Yunqing from detecting this person, but Li Yucheng managed to discover him.

It was a burly old man with flowing hair and beard, dressed in a white outfit, carrying a giant sword on his back. His robes fluttered wildly in the wind and snow, and his calm gaze was fixed on the two people in the void.

As a fellow saint, he was undoubtedly the first to arrive at the scene.

But upon seeing that figure, Li Yucheng's brows gradually furrowed:

"The State Preceptor has arrived as well."

"."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunqing had already begun preparing to flee, immediately turned around in surprise, his voice filled with disbelief:

"The State Preceptor? Why would the State Preceptor come to the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion to get involved in this mess?"

Although he didn't know much about the temperament of the Grand Preceptor of the Great Yan State Preceptor, from his perspective, any major changes that occurred within the Prime Minister's Estate would be entirely beneficial to the Sect Alliance behind him.

The best option is to wait and see.

Is his appearance at this time to lend a hand?

Inside the elegant pavilion Nine Dragon Mountain, all was quiet and solemn.

The old man, still draped in the Imperial Dragon Robe, remained reclining on the soft couch by the window, his gaze fixed on the falling snow outside. However, a strange, thoughtful look appeared in his cloudy eyes.

Li Yaoxuan saw the man dressed in a strange robe, radiating a holy light, and the man seemed to have seen him too.

Their gazes collided across a hundred miles.

Although it was only for a moment, Li Yaoxuan saw something familiar.

He had seen this feeling in the demon emperor of Ancient Abyss, and he had also seen it in himself.

However, compared to him and the Demon Emperor, there was something else in the newcomer's gaze.

overbearing.

Overbearing and arrogant.

A domineering attitude that makes me the only one who reigns supreme, both in heaven and on earth.

It was an absolute sense of superiority.

Li Yaoxuan's cloudy eyes showed no anger, but rather a thoughtful expression.

Most geniuses possess their own arrogance, a privilege bestowed upon them by heaven. But the world is full of talented people, and the gap between geniuses is even greater than the gap between a human and a dog.

However, upon witnessing the charisma of those who truly dominate an era, their pride naturally fades, and they realize that they are merely mortals.

The person who came tonight clearly had no experience like this before.

Li Yaoxuan's expression was somewhat amused.

He didn't know why the man who seemed to be the Emperor of Xien dared to come to the Imperial Capital to provoke Xu Yinhe, but he was somewhat looking forward to how his old friend would handle the situation, and also to the astonishment and shock when the Emperor of Xien's domineering spirit was shattered by his old friend.

Hidden to the side, Eunuch Nie cautiously observed the Emperor's expression.

After decades of companionship, he saw a hint of remembrance in the calmness on his face.

Eunuch Nie knew what the emperor was thinking.

From the age of twenty, this prince enjoyed the pain and fear of those arrogant and talented individuals whose pride was shattered.

But now, no one can bring the Emperor that same joy.

But tonight, it seems there's another one.

"Your Majesty, that saint seems to be from Xien. Should we do something?" Eunuch Nie's voice rang out at just the right moment.

Li Yaoxuan slowly turned his head and glanced at his attendant, pondering for a moment:

"Hmm, what do you think we should do?"

Eunuch Nie lowered his head and bowed:

"This servant believes that this matter was most likely done intentionally by Chancellor Xu, who probably didn't want us to get involved. But we absolutely cannot do nothing. At the very least, we must arrange for the Imperial Guards to break camp and send the Imperial Clan Minister to supervise the army."

As the rulers of the Great Yan, if the capital of the imperial court of the People's Republic of China were to act in this manner, it would have an extremely negative political impact if the Li imperial family did not take some action.

Commander of the Imperial Guards, the highest-ranking military officer in Di'an City.

The Imperial Clan Head, the most powerful person in charge of the imperial clan.

His cultivation level is very high, but no one knows exactly how high it is.

The appearance of these two individuals reveals the attitude of the royal family.

Even if they choose to remain on the sidelines, their military might can still intimidate those watching tonight.

Li Yaoxuan lowered his eyes, seemingly considering his options, before letting out a soft chuckle:

"Then issue my verbal order: the city's defensive formations are to stand by, and the commander of the Imperial Guards shall immediately lead three battalions to take over the defense of the Prime Minister's Mansion and ensure the Prime Minister's safety."

"."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Nie's heart trembled, and he remained silent.

Li Yaoxuan chuckled softly.

"Rest assured, although I am nearing my end, I am not yet incompetent. He will definitely be able to handle this matter before the Imperial Guards arrive."

This shows his absolute trust in Xu Yinhe.

Eunuch Nie breathed a long sigh of relief, then, as if remembering something, whispered:

"Your Majesty, it seems the State Preceptor has already arrived there."

"Ran Jianli to pick up his precious disciple; he won't interfere in this matter."

Li Yaoxuan waved his hand to extinguish the lights in the pavilion, then lay on his side on the soft couch, his deep voice slowly drifting out:

"I am tired. I hope they will not disturb my rest tonight."

"Master, you've arrived."

A crisp, clear sound rang out in the silent night as a girl in black robes looked at her master, who was more than a head taller than her.

The vast wetland lake was covered with a thick layer of ice due to the cold winter night. Two figures stood in front of the window of a small building in the middle of the lake.

Ran Jianli grinned, raised his large hand, and placed it on the girl's head, ruffling it.

"It's been so long since I've seen you, Master. Have you missed me?"

Upon hearing this, Ran Qingmo lowered his head and honestly replied:

"I have been cultivating."

The old man's eyes showed some disappointment, but considering his disciple's temperament, he let it go. However, he still asked one more question:

"Where's that kid?"

Ran Qingmo remained silent for a moment, then lowered her head and replied with a slightly dejected expression:

"Xu Yuan still hasn't returned home."

"Do I mean you miss him?"

"Xu Yuan sometimes thinks about this when his cultivation ends."

"Hmph, I knew it!"

"."

Ran Qingmo stood there gracefully, looking at her master with a puzzled expression, her beautiful eyes blinking as if she didn't understand why her master was angry.

Meeting his disciple's gaze, Ran Jianli sighed softly:

"Never mind, never mind, pretend I didn't say anything."

"Oh"

Ran Qingmo responded softly, raised her eyes to look at the sky, and asked in a low voice, "Master, is that person up there Xu Yuan's uncle?"

"It's him."

Upon hearing this question, Ran Jianli composed himself and replied, "I came here tonight to show Qingmo the life-or-death battle of the world's most outstanding individuals."

Upon hearing this, Ran Qingmo blinked her dark, clear eyes:

"A life-or-death battle?"

"Yes." Ran Jianli solemn.

"Master, aren't you going to help?"

He doesn't need it.

"Oh"

Ran Qingmo responded, his eyes showing a mixture of understanding and confusion, but he could roughly guess that it was due to the stances of the Sword Sect and the Prime Minister's Mansion's Mansion.

"Concentrate!"

Ran Jianli a low growl, gripped the giant sword behind him with his backhand, and plunged it into the ground with a whoosh.

As he did this, the small building in the middle of the lake was instantly shrouded in an obscure sword intent, appearing indistinct to the outside world, like a mirage.

After doing all this, Ran Jianli grinned with excitement:

"Qingmo, watch carefully, they're about to begin."

The bottleneck is too narrow; we can't break through it.

Let's stick with the 4,000 for now.