Golden light pierced the clouds.
With the arrival of that golden streak, much of the suffocating atmosphere vanished into thin air.
Within Chang'an.
Tens of thousands of imperial guards and every civil and military official at court raised their heads to the sky.
When they made out the figure in black, some let out long breaths of relief, some felt their eyes redden, and others clenched their fists as boundless hope surged within them.
She was back.
The Great Tang's eldest princess, the godlike woman who had single-handedly quelled demonic calamities in two circuits, was back!
The golden light faded.
Two figures stood suspended in the air.
Only then did Gu Wanlan realize that the girl was still holding her in her arms.
Under so many watching eyes, even with her unshakable composure.
Her cool, aloof face flushed scarlet.
"Y-Your Highness..."
Gu Wanlan struggled free and landed. She was just about to straighten her appearance when she sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere around her.
Instinctively, she looked up.
You Wujiang knelt on one knee, pressing both hands against someone's chest, scarlet blood seeping between his fingers.
That was...
Gu Wanlan's pupils contracted sharply.
Lying in the pool of blood was none other than Zhao Zhongliu, deputy commander of the Demon Suppression Office.
The old man's face was ashen, a large section of his chest caved in. His breath hung by a thread; he had clearly suffered a devastating injury.
"Elder Zhao..."
Gu Wanlan's lips trembled. Forgetting everything else, she rushed over in a few strides.
"What happened?!"
You Wujiang looked up. The young man who usually wore a gentle smile now had reddened eyes, his face filled with rage and humiliation.
"Senior Sister..."
Jiang Yuechu slowly landed, her black cloak settling around her. Her gaze swept lightly