While his stated loyalty to the Shu Yun Kingdom was for the Phoenix Blood, was it not also a desire to leverage the Shu Yun Kingdom's military strength for his own revenge?

“Today is the day you die…” After a long pause, only these words escaped Nangong Shang’s lips, his voice icy and devoid of any emotion…

“Hahahaha, do you think I, Xuanyuan Yu, am so easily killed? Don't assume that just because you’ve allied with the Shu Yun Kingdom and gained a slight advantage, you can control everything. How could a mere Shu Yun Kingdom possibly stand against the Tianyuan Empire…” Upon hearing Nangong Shang’s words, Xuanyuan Yu burst into loud laughter, as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world…

“The world is currently in turmoil with uprisings everywhere, and is that not because the Tianyuan Empire has tyrants like you who scorn the law and oppress the common people? If you do not die, how can Tianyuan not perish?” Nangong Shang retorted with mockery…

“You seek death…” Xuanyuan Yu became furious. This man dared to call him the cause of the empire’s downfall! Did he not know of his own loyalty to the Tianyuan Empire?

Consumed by rage, Xuanyuan Yu wasted no more words. He drew his five-foot-long battle saber in one swift motion, spurred his warhorse, and charged toward Nangong Shang. Behind him, his four thousand Iron Cavalry followed suit, all galloping toward the North Gate…

Watching the charging Blazing Legion, Nangong Shang’s gaze was firm. He roared, “Prepare the crossbows, fire…” Almost the moment the command left his mouth, the more than eight thousand soldiers beside him raised their crossbows and unleashed a volley upon the Blazing Legion…

Xuanyuan Yu, blinded by rage, only intended to strike Nangong Shang with maximum force to demonstrate his own might. He never expected Nangong Shang’s men to be equipped with such powerful crossbows. Caught off guard, at least several hundred men were struck down by the bolts…

Just as Xuanyuan Yu prepared to order his subordinates to counter with their own crossbows, the two armies collided. Nangong Shang, wielding the Soul-Weeping Spear, charged through…

“Overestimating yourself…” Xuanyuan Yu sneered coldly, yet he met the charge head-on. The True Essence Power within him circulated wildly, and the Blood Soul Saber in his hand shimmered with streaks of crimson light under the exertion of his power—a terrifying sight. When the distance between them narrowed to three or four meters, Xuanyuan Yu suddenly leaped from his saddle, rising high into the air, gripping his saber with both hands as he brought it down fiercely upon Nangong Shang…

In that instant, Nangong Shang felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him, making evasion utterly impossible. His only recourse was to raise the Soul-Weeping Spear in his hands to defend…

Yet, he understood this was Xuanyuan Yu’s killing move, the Blood God’s Severance. Once unleashed, it would not cease until blood was drawn. If he chose to block now, there would be no chance whatsoever to regain the upper hand. For this reason, he chose to attack…

Without the slightest hesitation, he flicked his long spear, and a brilliant spear flower bloomed, appearing at an almost unbelievable angle aimed straight for Xuanyuan Yu’s heart…

Xuanyuan Yu was greatly alarmed. He truly had not expected Nangong Shang’s strength to have grown so formidable in the short time they were apart. Although his realm remained at the Grandmaster level, the power of this single thrust was enough to slay a Great Grandmaster…

Having no choice, Xuanyuan Yu was forced to retract his saber, choosing to trade defense for life—he was not foolish enough to pursue the attack.

Seeing Xuanyuan Yu pull back his blade to parry, Nangong Shang suddenly retracted his spear as well. Immediately afterward, he sprang up from his warhorse, spinning around for a reverse thrust. This strike was even faster than the previous one, its target set precisely on Xuanyuan Yu’s eye socket. Almost the instant Nangong Shang thrust his spear, a thin sword shot out with incredible speed toward Xuanyuan Yu’s back…

Facing the hurtling spear, a cold smirk touched the corner of Xuanyuan Yu’s lips. But before he could dodge, a chill swept over him from behind, striking his heart with terror…

Still, he was a being of the Great Grandmaster realm. Under such imminent danger, his body violently recoiled, springing several dozen feet into the air, perfectly evading both the spear and the sword…

Mid-air, Xuanyuan Yu caught a glimpse of the attacker—a figure in light armor wearing a mask, though her build suggested she was a woman…

“Ruoshui?” Xuanyuan Yu whispered the name softly. But neither Nangong Shang nor Yi Ruoshui gave him any response. Their bodies moved in unison, pouncing toward Xuanyuan Yu with full force…

“They don’t know their place…” Seeing that Nangong Shang and Yi Ruoshui, despite possessing only Grandmaster strength, were relentlessly pressing the offensive, Xuanyuan Yu became furious. The True Essence Power within him erupted once more, and with a flick of the Blood Soul Saber, he swept it downward at full speed…

Crimson lotuses continuously bloomed from the tip of his blade, stabbing toward Nangong Shang and Yi Ruoshui with unstoppable force. This was his other ultimate move: The Snow Lotus Blossoms…

Sensing the immense power contained within the blood lotuses, Nangong Shang and Yi Ruoshui showed no trace of fear, pressing forward to meet the attack with undying resolve…

While Nangong Shang and Xuanyuan Yu were locked in their duel, Ye Jingyu had already led the vanguard force to the City Lord’s Residence. He had expected to face a fierce battle, but upon arriving, he found the main gates wide open, not a single guard in sight. Only a man clad in a long white robe stood there, regarding him with a faint smile…

The moment Ye Jingyu saw the man’s face, both he and Ying Xiaoxiao, who followed closely behind, shuddered…

“Bieli…” Instantly, Ye Jingyu’s face was overcome with rapturous joy. He had never expected to encounter Bieli here—the man who had vanished after helping him seek revenge and hunting down Yue Youqun…

“General…” Bieli’s face also registered surprise and delight. During his last pursuit of Yue Youqun, he had exhausted himself and collapsed in the forest, only to be rescued by Sima Lingling, who was traveling nearby. He had been recuperating in the City Lord’s Residence, recovering his strength. He hadn’t expected that by the time he recovered, the Shu Yun Kingdom would have already mobilized against the Tianyuan Empire. He had decided to stay temporarily, hoping to do something for the Shu Yun Kingdom, or rather, for Ye Jingyu…

Overjoyed, Ye Jingyu leaped down from his NiBo mount and walked forward, embracing Bieli tightly…

Subsequently, Bieli recounted everything that had happened to him in recent days and informed Ye Jingyu of City Lord Sima Xuan’s willingness to surrender…

Hearing that the City Lord of Lingyan City was prepared to surrender, Ye Jingyu’s face lit up: “Bieli, you’ve worked hard…” He naturally understood that Bieli must have persuaded Sima Xuan for a long time, perhaps even risking his life to do so, especially considering his identity as a man from the Shu Yun Kingdom; Sima Xuan could have easily captured him to leverage against Ye Jingyu…

“General, although he is willing to surrender, he does have a few conditions…” Bieli shook his head gently, a hint of difficulty in his eyes…

“Don’t worry. Forget the surrender for a moment; Miss Sima Lingling saved your life. As long as the demands aren't too excessive, I will grant them,” Ye Jingyu declared grandly, waving his hand dismissively…

“Thank you, General…” Hearing Ye Jingyu say this, Bieli was deeply moved. Just then, Sima Xuan emerged with a few of his personal guards. When they saw the towering Qilin Rhinos standing behind Ye Jingyu, they all gasped, feeling even more fortunate that they had chosen to surrender. With those monstrous beasts present, they could have easily leveled the City Lord’s Residence…