"Hey, wait for me..." Just as Ye Jingyu and Ni Bo's figures vanished, Liang Xiaoke, who had been hiding somewhere nursing his wounds, burst out, but there wasn't even a shadow left...

"I..." Witnessing Ni Bo's footwork once again, Liang Xiaoke could only curse loudly. Even though he had reached the third level of the Corpse Emperor realm and was incredibly fast, there was no way he could catch up to Ni Bo.

Perhaps now in the entire Zhenguo Mansion, the only one whose speed could match Ni Bo's was Xiao Tao Tao. However, she had been in deep slumber ever since her battle with Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan a month ago, showing absolutely no signs of waking up.

Not only her, but even Bing Ming was recuperating from severe injuries. After all, to have taken a blow from the Martial God and survived was already a great fortune...

It could be said that among Ye Jingyu's high-tier combat strength, only Liang Xiaoke remained.

"Brother Liang, how are your injuries?" Seeing Liang Xiaoke emerge from seclusion, Zhuge Yishi spoke, inquiring.

"Mostly fine, but my strength hasn't returned to its peak yet!" Liang Xiaoke shook his head. He had nearly been cleaved in two by Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan's blade back then; the injury had been devastatingly severe.

"If you had to face a Soul Immortal, how confident would you be?" Zhuge Yishi asked with a grave expression.

"I've only seen Hai Langbing fight. If it were a Soul Immortal like him, I have a hundred ways to destroy him. Why are you suddenly asking this? Could it be..." Liang Xiaoke wasn't foolish; he understood that Zhuge Yishi wouldn't ask such questions without reason.

"Precisely. Despite achieving a monumental victory this time, Hai Langbing fled the scene. Even if His Majesty spares him due to his status as a Soul Immortal, the Crown Prince's position will be precarious. I worry that a major upheaval will follow!" Zhuge Yishi spoke with deep concern. He knew clearly that although Luo Xiaofeng had achieved the status of Martial God, his power had not fully recovered.

Being able to move normally now was already difficult, let alone engaging in battle with a Soul Immortal. Furthermore, his attendant, Nan Fengyun, though also a Martial Saint, had been injured by Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan, his wounds even more severe than Bing Ming's; he wouldn't recover for several months at least.

After all, they weren't Ye Jingyu; they didn't possess the Chaos Body...

"Rest assured, I can't guarantee anything else, but if he dares to stir up trouble behind the scenes, I will personally eliminate him!" Liang Xiaoke stated with firm resolve.

Even though he hadn't fully recovered, he still had Gongsun Lu by his side, making it too easy to deal with a mere Soul Immortal.

Hearing Liang Xiaoke's assurance, Zhuge Yishi felt slightly relieved, while Nangong Shang, across from him, knitted his brows tightly...

"Brother Nangong, you now command the ten thousand Jin Army. Please take extra care these coming days!" Seeing Nangong Shang frown, Zhuge Yishi spoke again.

"I understand, Brother Zhuge!" Nangong Shang nodded. Since that great victory a month ago, Luo Xiaofeng had uncharacteristically bestowed upon him a drop of Phoenix Blood. Now, Yi Ruoshui's complexion was gradually recovering. He naturally knew this was all thanks to Ye Jingyu, and he knew which side to stand on.

Zhuge Yishi did not press the matter further. Everything now was just his speculation, lacking concrete evidence; he was merely making preparations in advance...

Just as Zhuge Yishi was conjecturing, far away in the Marquis of Baiyun's manor, Qin Yan, clad in a white brocade robe, sat above the grand hall, though not in the main seat. His son, Qin Yunxiao, stood respectfully behind him.

Currently occupying the main seat was the Crown Prince Luo Haitian, dressed in a bright yellow brocade robe. On the other side sat an elder appearing to be seventy or eighty years old—Luo Haitian's great-ancestor.

Besides them, the great hall was empty of others; even Xiao Geng was absent...

"Marquis, you saw the Emperor Father's attitude today. You must have guessed my father's intentions. If things continue down this path, neither you nor I will fare well..." Luo Haitian picked up a cup of tea from the table, took a gentle sip, and spoke coolly.

Beside him, Hai Langbing kept his eyes tightly shut, appearing entirely detached from the proceedings...

"This subject understands!" Qin Yan replied, but Luo Haitian couldn't discern the depth of that understanding.

"Marquis, the news of your intention to seek refuge with Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan has already reached the ears of the Emperor Father. Do you truly believe you can remain uninvolved and aloof?" Seeing Qin Yunxiao's calm demeanor, Luo Haitian felt a surge of anger. Why pretend? I have no deep-seated blood feud with the Third Prince. If the Third Prince gains power, at most I lose the throne. But what about you people? You have an irreconcilable hatred with Ye Jingyu. If the Third Prince succeeds, will you have an easier time?

You are clearly more anxious than I am, yet you put on such an air now. Do you truly wish to invite a heavenly strike?

Hearing Luo Haitian's words, a slight shift finally appeared in Qin Yan's perpetually calm expression. He slowly raised his head to look at Luo Haitian.

"Your Highness, there are no others here. Just speak your mind directly!"

"Good, now that's speaking frankly. I won't waste time on pleasantries. The Emperor Father's True Core is currently shattered and broken; his body is still in recovery. According to the Great Ancestor's estimation, it will take at least three months for his Divine Body to fully mature. This means that within these three months, his combat strength will be equivalent to at most a Grandmaster.

After three months, the Emperor Father will become a true Martial God, and even the Great Ancestor won't be able to restrain him. At that point, my position will certainly be lost. As for you, I believe you know the consequences!" Hearing Qin Yan's words, Luo Haitian finally showed a hint of a smile.

"What does Your Highness require us to do?" Qin Yan naturally understood the logic. Walls have ears; it wasn't surprising that Luo Xiaofeng knew about his earlier attempt to align with Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan. The reason Luo Xiaofeng hadn't moved against him immediately was the lack of sufficient power.

If he waited until the Martial God Body was fully realized, Qin Yan would undoubtedly be the first target.

Qin Yan had no desire to become a soul under Luo Xiaofeng's blade.

"We cooperate and strike first. Once successful, I will make you the Duke of Baiyun, enjoying endless glory and wealth for life!" Luo Haitian stared intently into Qin Yunxiao's eyes and spat out a phrase that could implicate nine generations...

"Strike first? Does Your Highness mean..." Qin Yan's face remained placid...

"Rebellion..." Luo Haitian directly uttered those two words...

A sharp glint flashed across Qin Yan's eyes, and behind him, Qin Yunxiao’s body trembled slightly upon hearing those two words...