In the clouds a thousand miles from Yan Country, everyone on the back of the Six-winged Lizard was grinning from ear to ear.
"Hahaha... we're rich this time! After we resolve the matter in Zhao Country, we'll go to Central Continent and sell this big guy, then head to Barren Continent for a big score."
Perhaps hearing Fang Yuan's words, the Six-winged Lizard, currently on its way, turned its head and let out a protest.
Thump—
As soon as the sound fell, a large bump appeared on its head at a visible speed.
"Woof woof..."
The Six-winged Lizard's eyes welled up with tears from the pain, and it whimpered pitifully.
Initially, it was inexplicably knocked unconscious. When it woke up, it was about to go berserk, but it didn't expect the other party to be even faster, almost beating it to death.
"Behave!" Fang Yuan patted its back, displeased.
With the Six-winged Lizard, everyone's travel time was cut by more than half. In just one day, they arrived at the capital of Zhao Country.
Looking at the familiar city, Zhao Mubai and the others' eyes immediately turned red, especially a few of the little princesses, who cried so much their faces were streaked with tears.
"What do you need us to do next?" Fang Yuan asked.
"I have secretly notified an Imperial Uncle. We'll meet up with him first, then make a long-term plan."
Before setting out, Zhao Mubai had already informed a prince, instructing him to gather troops and prepare to attack the capital.
Currently, the entire capital seemed calm, but in reality, undercurrents surged, with large numbers of people entering the city gates daily.
The group did not alert the enemy, but instead stopped in a valley about ten miles away.
As soon as they landed, a large number of soldiers emerged from all directions, surrounding them.
Among the crowd, a middle-aged man in armor strode up to them, cupping his hands and bowing, "Zhao Zhong greets the Immortal Masters."
"Royal Uncle..."
Seeing their relatives again, Zhao Mubai and the others' eyes reddened, and they gathered around Zhao Zhong.
"Good, you all did very well. Your Royal Uncle is proud of you."
Zhao Zhong's eyes were also a bit red, and he held the young women's hands, chatting about family matters.
Fang Yuan and the others didn't want to disturb them, so they found an empty spot and sat on the cliff edge, gazing into the distance.
After a good while, Zhao Mubai and the others composed themselves and led Zhao Zhong to them.
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, this is my Second Royal Uncle."
"Oh, Royal Uncle, hello, hello."
Fang Yuan grinned, moved closer to Zhao Zhong, and vigorously shook his hand.
Zhao Zhong was a bit overwhelmed, not expecting the notorious Fang Yuan to be so polite.
Fang Yuan quietly leaned into his ear and asked curiously, "I heard that in your royal family, everyone has many wives and concubines, and different women serve you every day. Is that true?"
Zhao Zhong was stunned, unsure how to answer. He secretly glanced at Fang Yuan's expression, understood, and whispered, "After this matter is resolved, if the Immortal Master is interested, you can experience royal life. Thousands of women will be at the Immortal Master's disposal."
Hearing this, Fang Yuan's lips curved into an arc. He gripped Zhao Zhong's hand tightly, "No problem, no problem."
Their eyes met, and they let out lewd chuckles.
Although Zhao Mubai, who was nearby, didn't hear their conversation, judging from their expressions, it was likely something improper.
"Royal Uncle, let's discuss the plan first."
When it came to business, Zhao Zhong immediately adopted a serious expression and said in a deep voice, "During this time, this King has already sent people disguised as commoners to infiltrate the area around the imperial palace, numbering about one thousand."
"In addition, there are three thousand veteran soldiers who have fought with this King for many years. As long as we break through the city gate, we can charge into the imperial palace, kill the new emperor with our own hands, and regain control."
"What then?" Fang Yuan asked.
Killing was simple, but to overthrow the new emperor's rule and restore the country, this amount of military strength was insufficient.
Zhao Mubai noticed their confusion and said with a smile, "The new dynasty's rule hasn't been fully consolidated. If we kill the new emperor now and successfully regain control of Zhao Country, those old officials will only side with us."
Zhao Zhong also chimed in, "This King has also deployed some troops in other areas to delay the return of the million-strong army. As long as we act fast enough, we can stabilize the situation."
Fang Yuan and the others exchanged glances and said, "So what do you need us to do?"
"You Immortal Masters only need to break through the city gate, kill the cultivators protecting the new emperor, and deter the others. That will be enough."
At this, Fang Yuan and the others finally understood. After all that talk, it simply came down to whose backing was stronger.
Now that Hua Xia Sect was renowned, if they stepped forward to act as Zhao Country's protective umbrella, other forces wouldn't dare to act rashly.
For Fang Yuan and the others, this was no big deal. They just wanted to finish things here quickly and then take a trip to Central Continent.
"Then let's begin."
Receiving their affirmation, Zhao Zhong's face lit up, and he immediately led Zhao Mubai and the others to prepare for battle.
Fang Yuan and the four others did not conceal their aura. They stood on the back of the Six-winged Lizard and flew towards the city gate.
"Who dares to trespass in the capital?!"
As soon as they reached the sky above the city gate, more than a dozen cultivators immediately flew out from the imperial palace, confronting the five from afar.
Fang Yuan didn't waste words with them. He drew his long saber and swung it down with force.
A brilliant saber light spanned half the imperial city, appearing above them.
"Golden Core Stage cultivators!"
Someone exclaimed, and immediately conjured a barrier to block the brilliant saber light.
Boom—
The city gate was breached, and a large number of commoners in the city scattered in chaos, fleeing for their lives.
Rows of soldiers rushed in from various parts of the streets, surging towards the city gate.
Whoosh—
A fiery light soared upwards, finally exploding in the void.
"Kill!"
Among the crowd, over a thousand people suddenly erupted, charging towards the group of soldiers.
At the same time, Zhao Zhong and Zhao Mubai, along with three thousand veteran soldiers, charged through the city gate, engaging in a fierce battle with the surging soldiers.
From the direction of the imperial city, large numbers of soldiers continuously poured out, and all the city walls were covered with dense ranks of archers.
A middle-aged man in imperial robes walked out of the palace. Beside him was a Black-Robed Man with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Imperial Advisor, you truly predict things like a god. You even foresaw a strong enemy attacking today. May I ask what brilliant plan you have to defeat the enemy next?"
The Black-Robed Man did not spare another glance at the emperor beside him, merely gazing silently at Li Taibai and the four others in the void.
"Imperial Advisor..." The new emperor prompted again.
Bang—
Suddenly, he exploded into a bloody mess.
"Noisy."
The Black-Robed Man said indifferently, then soared into the air.
At the same time, streaks of black light suddenly bloomed in various parts of the city.
Rumble—
A formation suddenly appeared, enveloping the entire city.
Large numbers of black-clad figures appeared in every corner, beginning a large-scale, indiscriminate slaughter.
For a moment, screams echoed through the sky, and wisps of lingering souls flew out from the corpses, continuously swirling within the formation.
"This is..."
Fang Yuan and the four others' expressions changed, and they secretly cried out, "Not good."
"It seems we've been set up. Retreat quickly!"
As soon as the five made a move, black-clad figures instantly rose into the air, completely surrounding them.
Enemies were densely packed all around.
"What a grand scheme. Four Yuan Ying Stage cultivators, one hundred Golden Core Stage cultivators, and over a thousand Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators," Fang Yuan murmured softly.
"Which scoundrel is behind this? Limitless Sect or Lian Shi Sect? Or both of them together?"
Qin Hao's expression darkened, and he immediately prepared to burn his divine soul to break out of the encirclement.
"I advise you not to act rashly. Look down first." The Black-Robed Man chuckled softly, extending a finger to point at the ground.
They saw Zhao Mubai and the others being restrained by a group of black-clad figures and brought before them.
"Release them!" Li Taibai's expression turned cold, his eyes filled with killing intent.
"Hand over the Emperor Armament and the Divine Grade Cultivation Method, and I will let them go."
"Are you dreaming?" Fang Yuan sneered.
However, no sooner had he spoken than Zhao Zhong's head was thrown high into the air, blood splattering onto Zhao Mubai and the others.
"Royal Uncle!!"
Zhao Mubai and the others let out a mournful cry, tears instantly streaming from their eyes.
Li Taibai and the four others' pupils contracted sharply, their killing intent soaring to the heavens.
"You have ten breaths to consider. Once the time is up, these people will die, you know." The Black-Robed Man revealed a playful expression, watching them with amusement.
"What should we do?" Huo Sichun looked anxious.
They could die, but if Zhao Mubai and the others died, they would truly be dead.
Fang Yuan quietly opened the virtual interface and sent a message to everyone: 【Brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by enemies. Requesting headquarters support!】
Zhao Shijie: 【What's going on? What's the enemy's strength?】
Luo Xi: 【Where are you now?】
Lin Ye: 【Hang in there, brother, we'll be there soon!】
Chu Heshan: 【Location!】
Li Yongxiao: 【Damn it, is it those idiots from Limitless Sect and Lian Shi Sect?】
Wang Xiaojun: 【Wait, the demolitions expert is on the way!】
Fang Yuan: 【We are currently in the Imperial Capital of Zhao Country. The enemy has four Yuan Ying Stage cultivators, one hundred Golden Core Stage cultivators, and one thousand Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators. Zhao Mubai and the others have been captured and are being used to threaten us into handing over the Emperor Armament and the Divine Grade Cultivation Method.】
Immortal: 【Stabilize the situation first. If necessary, you can give them the items.】
Immortal: 【All players, quickly gather at the plaza.】
