While a dramatic coup unfolded within Weiyang Palace, outside Yanhuang City, a different kind of storm was brewing.
On one side stood the King of the Xiongnu, on the other, the military god of a past life.
These two extraordinary figures stood side by side, their negotiation likely to determine the fate of an entire dynasty.
"Xiongnu King, I've made my position clear. Has Darba's death still failed to open your eyes?"
"Heh, precisely because the Xiongnu lost an Emperor-level cultivator, I must make Song Yanran pay for that loss."
"Is an emperor truly so driven by emotion?"
"Unless you can offer me an irresistible reason, why should I trust your words? Moreover, I suspect you're merely a propagandist sent by the Dragon Han Imperial Clan to deceive me."
Shen Zhao rubbed his nose. "It seems the Xiongnu King still distrusts me, but that's unimportant. What matters is that you remember this: you may come to regret the decision you make today."
"Hahahaha! A king? Regret? Never!"
Xuan Hao Hongye suddenly pointed at Shen Zhao. "You've been talking to me all this time merely to stall for Song Yanran. But your scheme is doomed to fail."
Shen Zhao frowned slightly.
"Since you wish to know the truth, I will tell you. Yes, it was I who conspired with Nine Nether to assassinate Song Yanran during today's ceremony.
That Di Feijing you mentioned was Nine Nether's spy, tasked with poisoning the food Song Yanran was given. As for Darba's death, it was entirely unforeseen.
However, his demise has only provided us Xiongnu with a perfect reason to seek vengeance against the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty. I believe his death came at the most opportune moment."
Shen Zhao shook his head. "It seems the Xiongnu King has calculated every move with meticulous precision."
"For generations, our Xiongnu Imperial Clan has poured generations of effort into this grand scheme. When we finally established contact with Nine Nether, how could I possibly let such a golden opportunity slip through my fingers?
Save your efforts. Your efforts will ultimately prove futile. Moreover, you are challenging the combined might of all Central Region forces resisting the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty—a force you can never hope to shake."
"So, the Xiongnu King is willing to gamble with the future of his entire people?"
"The Xiongnu have no future left. Rather than meekly clinging to life under the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty's oppression, why not rise up and carve our own path through blood and fire?"
"Have you never heard the saying, King? 'To bargain with a tiger is to invite your own destruction.'"
"Then who is the tiger? Do you think your childish words can sway the path this king has chosen?"
After hearing Xuan Hao Hongye's words, Shen Zhao knew further persuasion would be futile.
He stepped aside, clearing a path. "Since the Xiongnu King is so confident, I wish you success in your endeavors. But allow me one final warning: once you enter this city, you—and your nation and people—will be doomed to eternal damnation."
"This king has always believed that destiny lies in the hands of the strong. Eternal damnation? Ha, what a joke."
With that, he vaulted onto his horse. "Because you have voluntarily cleared the way for this king, I will spare you this time. Take my advice and flee for your life."
With a crack of the whip, Xuan Hao Hongye and over a dozen elite guards charged straight through the city gates.
Watching the Xiongnu King's retreating figure, a subtle, sinister smile crept across Shen Zhao's lips.
"Good words are wasted on the damned. As emperor, this step you take will bury the future of your entire empire."
Once Xuan Hao Hongye was inside the city, Shen Zhao's eyes turned icy. He turned to a Xiongnu guard beside him and ordered, "This one must not be allowed to live."
The Xiongnu guard silently turned his horse and galloped out of the city.
***
Ten li outside the city gates, Shen Zhao stood before a field of medicinal herbs, observing the laborers. He gently fanned himself, lost in thought.
Suddenly, the sound of approaching hooves grew louder, finally stopping before him.
The rider on the horse remained silent, slowly drawing his blade, ready to deliver a fatal blow.
"Sigh~"
Shen Zhao suddenly sighed and turned to face the Xiongnu warrior.
"It's not easy to reach the half-step Quasi-Emperor realm. Why would you risk your life like this?"
"Hmph, trying to deceive me with empty words."
With that, the Xiongnu warrior leaped forward and slashed at Shen Zhao.
*Clang!*
A crisp metallic ring echoed.
The Xiongnu warrior stared in shock at his Heaven-Rank Spirit Blade, now broken in two.
He looked at Shen Zhao, who remained standing in his original position, as if he hadn't moved at all. He had no idea how Shen Zhao had struck.
"You..."
"Surprised?"
Shen Zhao's aura vanished, and the Dragon Scale Blade materialized in his hand.
"Why did your attack pose no threat to me?"
The Xiongnu warrior swallowed hard, instinctively retreating.
Shen Zhao flicked the Dragon Scale Blade.
"Feeling like I'm a completely different person now?"
"I might as well tell you... because..."
A flash of blade light, and the Dragon Scale Blade's aura sliced across the Xiongnu warrior's neck.
"I've just switched to my main account."
As the words fell, the Xiongnu warrior's head flew into the air, his headless body spraying hot blood.
***
Meanwhile, at Weiyang Palace, before the Twin Phoenix Terrace, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Countless pairs of eyes were fixed on the stage.
Song Yanran and Song Yu, the closest royal siblings, had turned against each other today over the claim to power.
"I'll ask you one last time, Song Yu. Do you truly intend to force my hand?"
"This is the will of Heaven. I implore you, Your Majesty, to submit to it."
"Hahaha! Very well, Song Yu! I never imagined you would be the first to challenge me!"
A hint of blood stained the corner of Song Yanran's mouth, a chilling sight. Her expression grew increasingly deranged.
"The will of Heaven, you say? Then let Heaven decide whether I am fit to rule the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty!"
As she spoke, her Imperial Qi surged, and an overwhelming pressure instantly enveloped Weiyang Palace.
In the next moment, a five-clawed golden dragon descended from the clouds, coiling around Song Yanran.
The assembled crowd gasped, their eyes widening in disbelief.
"It's the Ancestral Dragon Emperor Qi!"
"My heavens! Has the Empress already reached a realm where she can control the power of the Ancestral Dragon?"
"It's over. Prince Rui's actions now seem like a joke."
In an instant, all the assembled nations knelt in submission. Not a single soul dared to resist.
Di Feijing, who had been idly watching the proceedings, felt like crying. He shouted inwardly: "This is terrifying! If I had known, I'd rather have gone to the wilderness with that Li Cuihua next door than get involved in this high-level power struggle!"
"The Ancestral Dragon Emperor Qi recognizes my reign! What right do you have to force me to abdicate?!"
Song Yanran's voice boomed across the heavens and earth. When people looked up, not a single soul dared meet her gaze.
Song Yu frowned, thinking, *Sister, please don't be serious...*
Suddenly, an echo rang out from the distance.
"Song Yanran, today the Xiongnu will have their revenge! What good is your Dragon Qi? I, the Xiongnu King, will shatter your Imperial Qi!"
A peerless figure slashed through the clouds, plummeting downward like a meteor.
The instant Song Yanran looked up, she decisively leaped to meet the challenge.
*Boom!*
Their palms collided, plunging the world into darkness. Limitless Dao principles and laws scattered through the air, instantly reducing the wedding site to ruins.
After the first exchange, Song Yanran was forced back over ten steps, barely managing to steady herself at the edge of the Twin Phoenix Terrace.
"Xuan Hao Hongye, you've finally come!"
Xuan Hao Hongye landed steadily, hands clasped behind his back, and gazed down at Song Yanran with a kingly air, exuding regal authority.
"Song Yanran, today we settle old scores and new."
"You dare speak to me of settling scores? By seniority, you should address me as 'Senior'!"
"Can you bear to utter that title?"
Xuan Hao Hongye didn't waste time on verbal sparring. He silently calculated his chances of defeating his Xiongnu rival.
From the initial clash, he sensed that Song Yanran's cultivation was significantly weaker than before, likely due to the Seven Star Begonia within her.
Even so, Xuan Hao Hongye wasn't fully confident of victory, estimating his chances at no more than sixty percent.
This probability was too low for his liking, so he refrained from attacking rashly, choosing instead to await the perfect opportunity.
And that opportunity was about to arrive.
"What? Didn't you want to settle old scores and new grievances at once? If so, why hesitate to strike?"
The taunting words failed to stir even a ripple in Xuan Hao Hongye's composure, revealing the flawless temperament of a true emperor.
The two stood locked in a standoff for a moment, and the Ancestral Dragon Emperor Qi surrounding Song Yanran gradually dimmed.
Realizing that further delay would mean missing her last chance, Song Yanran decided to strike first.
But just then, three arrows streaked through the air from behind her.
Distracted, Song Yanran spun around to block. The three arrows instantly turned to dust.
Yet when she saw who had fired them, she froze.
A hundred paces away, Hu Ying glared at her, her face contorted with hatred.
"Now's my chance! Eight Desolations Art: Galloping Steed Across Heavenly Gates!"
In that split-second of hesitation, Xuan Hao Hongye seized the moment, unleashing a devastating palm strike toward Song Yanran.
Regaining her senses, Song Yanran countered with a palm strike of her own, but lacking sufficient Imperial Qi, she was sent flying back over ten zhang. By the time she regained her footing, a crimson line of blood had appeared at the corner of her mouth.
*Whoosh!*
At the same moment, another arrow whistled through the air, hurtling toward her.
Before Song Yanran could react, a cold arrow had already pierced through her back, emerging from her chest and splashing a pool of steaming blood.
-----------------------
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