"Rumble..." With a deafening crash, Zhuge Yishi slammed into the colossal mountain peak. The dark light enveloping him shattered almost instantly, and the massive mountain itself disintegrated under the impact, breaking into countless stones that rained down. This peak was immense, spanning over ten li, and the resulting debris, large and small, descended from the sky. Even though the soldiers of the Tianyuan Empire had retreated more than ten li, they could not escape the range of the falling fragments. Countless men were struck until they bled profusely, their skulls cracked open, or utterly obliterated.

But Xuanyuan Ruoxing paid no mind to the casualties among the soldiers; he didn't even consider rescuing them. To him, these soldiers were no more significant than ants. Would one save an ant?

He merely gestured with one hand, snatching Zhuge Yishi, and with another, wrenched the black banner from his grip. However, he showed no immediate intention of killing him, instead issuing the command for a full-scale assault.

As for the soldiers remaining on the battlements, especially Ye Longyi, who stayed behind to cover the retreat, their faces had turned deathly pale upon witnessing such a divine spectacle. Was this the power of immortals? If he truly intended to conquer Yun Jing, merely bringing down this mountain would leave few within the entire city alive.

No wonder Master Zhuge made arrangements the moment he learned of his arrival, his only hope being that His Majesty and the others could escape safely.

General, when will you return?

Ye Longyi glanced once more toward the south, then at Zhuge Yishi, who had been hurled away like a cannonball. Finally, he drew his iron rod and leaped down from the parapet, charging toward the Tianyuan Imperial Army, which had already begun its offensive.

Faced with Xuanyuan Ruoxing's overwhelming might, despair had taken root in his heart. Yet, he was a soldier, and a soldier should die on the battlefield, never flinching even when the outcome was certain defeat.

The Dragon Coiling Cudgel in his hand shimmered with streaks of golden light, as if numerous divine dragons were awakening, just as the Tianyuan Imperial Army surged forward.

"Crack, crack, crack, crack..." He smashed the skulls of several Tianyuan soldiers in quick succession, then cut down a Grandmaster, moving to strike a Soul Immortal when a Cold Frost Arrow from the Immortal pierced his chest, spraying crimson blood. Resolve filled Ye Longyi's eyes.

Memories of following Ye Jingyu flashed involuntarily through his mind: the first martial competition, the first expedition, the first time...

So many firsts, yet there would be no more afterward...

General, Longyi can no longer accompany you...

Ye Longyi's body slowly slumped. A fierce heat burned in his eyes, but as life ebbed away, that intensity gradually faded.

Under the immense power of Xuanyuan Ruoxing, the defenders of Yun Jing lost all will to resist. Apart from those who fought and died alongside Ye Longyi, the rest chose surrender.

However, Luo Ruofeng and the others, who were supposed to have departed, were now completely surrounded by the massive army. Xiao Muzi, Nangong Shang, Yi Ruoshui, Bieli, Ying Xiaoxiao, Yaorao, and Zhuge Siyu encircled him and his son, Luo Lixuan; everyone else had surrendered.

Gazing at the dense ranks of Tianyuan soldiers, and then at Xuanyuan Ruoxing, who stood on the city wall chatting and laughing with Huangfu Buyue, completely ignoring him, Luo Ruofeng knew his chances of survival were slim to none this time.

"Lixuan, are you afraid?" Luo Ruofeng suddenly asked his son, who had grown nearly as tall as himself.

"My Master once told me that a man in this world should be a hero in life and a fierce spirit in death, so your son is not afraid!" Luo Lixuan shook his head firmly, his face radiating unwavering resolve, showing no fear of the enemies before them.

"A hero in life and a fierce spirit in death—hahaha, I haven't heard that fellow say that before, but he is right. A man should live vividly, and even in death, it should be spectacular!" Luo Ruofeng roared with laughter, then suddenly drew his ceremonial sword.

"Everyone, let this Emperor fight alongside you!" An unprecedented blaze lit up Luo Ruofeng's eyes. Since meeting Ye Jingyu, almost everything he had achieved was with Ye Jingyu's help. Now that Ye Jingyu was absent, he, too, had to step forward.

Sensing Luo Ruofeng's fighting spirit, Nangong Shang and the others felt a jolt. They understood that their deaths were certain today, but what did it matter? Life in this world was merely a matter of time.

Tightening Yi Ruoshui's small hand, Nangong Shang allowed a faint, carefree smile to cross his lips.

Yaorao and Zhuge Siyu also wore expressions of calm resignation. Although they had little connection to the Nanyun Empire—especially Yaorao—for the sake of that man, she stood resolutely with the Nanyun Empire. Otherwise, she truly didn't know how she could face him again.

Facing the powerful Xuanyuan Ruoxing, the thought of taking their own lives later had already entered the minds of the two women; they were determined never to allow Xuanyuan Ruoxing to defile their bodies, even in death.

"What are you waiting for? Kill them!" Perhaps sensing the thoughts of the two women, Xuanyuan Ruoxing on the tower suddenly scoffed. As his voice rang out, Yaorao, Zhuge Siyu, and even Yi Ruoshui, whose appearance had returned to normal, felt their bodies lift uncontrollably, completely immobilized.

"Ruoshui..." Nangong Shang cried out, reaching desperately toward Yi Ruoshui.

"Hmph..." Xuanyuan Ruoxing merely snorted, unleashing a massive force that slammed directly into Nangong Shang’s chest, blasting him backward...

A stream of blood spurted from Nangong Shang's mouth, his chest nearly collapsing inward. This was the casual strike of an Immortal realm cultivator. If his power had not already reached the Martial God realm, this single blow would have been enough to annihilate him.

Even so, suffering such a severe attack left Nangong Shang virtually stripped of all fighting capacity. Huangfu Buyue immediately appeared before him, emanating a powerful aura that locked onto Nangong Shang, preventing him from moving even slightly.

At this point, Xuanyuan Ruoxing made no further move. He simply drew Yaorao, Zhuge Siyu, and Yi Ruoshui—whose true features were now restored—to his side, a look of smug triumph spreading across his face.