"I didn't expect the Jiutian Dynasty to end up like this," the Old Ancestor said with a cold expression, looking at the Great Emperor Jiutian. "You've truly disappointed me."
"Old Ancestor..."
The Great Emperor Jiutian stood stunned, unsure how to respond, his heart filled with fear. He had never imagined that the Old Ancestor of the Jiutian Dynasty was not yet deceased, nor did he know how many years he had lived. Even for a spirit cultivator, such a long lifespan was unfathomable.
"Truly useless!"
The Old Ancestor Jiutian's expression remained indifferent as he looked at the many generals of the Jiutian Dynasty. "All of you, do not set up defenses. Let them all gather at the Imperial City, and we shall annihilate them together!"
"Annihilate them together?"
Grand Tutor Wen was startled, his heart filled with trepidation. "Old Ancestor, this matter is of grave importance. If there is even the slightest mishap, the Imperial City might fall!"
"What, do my words no longer carry weight?"
The Old Ancestor's gaze was icy as he looked at Grand Tutor Wen.
"Of course not, of course not!"
Grand Tutor Wen quickly shook his head, feeling a sense of dread. This was the Old Ancestor of the Jiutian Dynasty. Not to mention him, even the Great Emperor Jiutian dared not offend him lightly.
"Since you dare not, then do as I say!"
The Old Ancestor Jiutian said coldly, "Once they enter, I will capture them all in one fell swoop!"
"Old Ancestor, things may not be that simple!"
The Great Emperor Jiutian stated directly, "The Bailong Dynasty is filled with experts. If they all enter the Imperial City, it will surely cause a stir!"
"What, do my words still not hold sway?"
The Old Ancestor's expression was indifferent, and he spoke coldly, "As long as they dare to step into the Imperial City, I can ensure they will never return!"
"That would be for the best!"
The Great Emperor Jiutian quickly nodded, not daring to say another word. He knew that if he spoke out of turn again, the Old Ancestor would not spare him. As for whether the Old Ancestor truly possessed such strength, the Great Emperor Jiutian was also puzzled, as, in his view, this was hardly a trivial matter.
Not long after, Lu Fan and the others arrived at the foot of the Imperial City. In half a day, they would be able to enter the city directly.
"I truly didn't expect the Jiutian Dynasty to be conquered so easily!" Princess Linglong chuckled. "Everything has gone so smoothly!"
"We owe much of this to the Imperial Son-in-Law!" Li Guang exclaimed. "If the Imperial Son-in-Law hadn't slain Prince Guangling, things might not have been this simple!"
"That is true!" Princess Linglong nodded with satisfaction. "This is the first campaign to the north, and the Imperial Son-in-Law has made the greatest contribution!"
"Naturally!" Lin Guoping laughed. "Without the Imperial Son-in-Law, the Bailong Dynasty itself might have been destroyed!"
"Don't speak such nonsense!" Princess Linglong shot him a look. "If my father hears this, it won't be good!"
"What's not good about it?" Emperor Long's figure strode forward, a smile on his face. "If not for the Imperial Son-in-Law, the Bailong Dynasty would have been in grave danger. This is simply the truth. Are you afraid that Father will blame the Imperial Son-in-Law?"
"As the saying goes, great merit can overshadow the ruler." Princess Linglong said helplessly, "I don't want anything to happen to my Imperial Son-in-Law!"
"You silly girl, what are you talking about!" Emperor Long gave her a look. "The Imperial Son-in-Law is no ordinary person. Furthermore, if the Bailong Dynasty is to be handed over to him, where would the saying 'great merit can overshadow the ruler' come into play!"
Everyone present was surprised. They hadn't expected Emperor Long to be so direct.
"Father, don't reveal it so early!" Princess Linglong whispered. "If the Imperial Son-in-Law hears this, what if he stops treating me well in the future!"
"Don't worry, if the Imperial Son-in-Law treats you poorly, I will teach him a good lesson!" Emperor Long laughed, showing a hint of doting indulgence.
"I don't want that!" Linglong shook her head. "How could the Imperial Son-in-Law treat me poorly? Father, you don't need to worry!"
"Emperor Long, the Imperial City is just ahead!" Li Guang pointed forward, his expression filled with excitement. They had reached the Imperial City of the Jiutian Dynasty, a great military achievement and an immortal feat.
"Enter the Imperial City and capture the Jiutian Emperor alive!" Emperor Long gave the order, his voice filled with heroic spirit. The Jiutian Dynasty's power had waned, and they were now at their last gasp.
"Emperor Long, I find the situation within the city unclear!" Lu Fan spoke out. "We cannot allow the army to charge in rashly!"
"Why?" Emperor Long looked at him suspiciously. This was the best time. The Imperial City should have no defenses, but he didn't understand Lu Fan's words.
"I sense a threat!" Lu Fan said solemnly. "And it is extremely dangerous. If we rush into the Imperial City, we might face mortal peril!"
"Imperial Son-in-Law, don't try to scare us!" Li Guang exclaimed. "If that were truly the case, entering this Jiutian Imperial City would be a death trap!"
"Imperial Son-in-Law, is there truly a threat?" Supervisor Li spoke out. "Why haven't I sensed anything?"
"Nor have I!" The Great Emperor Jiutian nodded, a frown creasing his brow. Lu Fan's words had made him hesitate.
"Do you know if anyone other than the Great Emperor Jiutian has reached the Heavenly Venerate realm within the Jiutian Dynasty?" Lu Fan asked again.
"Besides him, there should be no one else!" Liu Qianjiao spoke. "Could it be that you sensed an aura stronger than the Great Emperor Jiutian?"
"That's right!" Lu Fan nodded, not hiding anything.
"Impossible!" Emperor Long shook his head. "As a Heavenly Venerate, if there were truly other experts in this Imperial City, I should be able to sense them!"
Lu Fan suddenly felt a bit awkward. In truth, he hadn't sensed any terrifying aura, but the ancient being Hongmeng had transmitted a message earlier, stating that there was a peerless expert in the Imperial City, and he had to believe it. After all, this was no small matter. If there was the slightest mishap, everyone from the Bailong Dynasty could face mortal peril.
"There must be an expert hidden within the Imperial City!" Lu Fan spoke again. "I implore Emperor Long to reconsider and not to enter rashly!"
"If there were truly an expert, even if we hadn't entered, he would have already killed his way out!" Emperor Long waved his hand, his words seeming indifferent, as if everything appeared peaceful in his eyes.
"Is there a possibility that this person can only remain within the Imperial City and cannot step outside?" Lu Fan asked doubtfully. Even he didn't know, but for some reason, his heart was filled with unease.
"Absolutely not!" Emperor Long waved his hand. "Everyone, listen up! Follow me into the Imperial City!"
The generals of the Bailong Dynasty cheered with joy. Once they entered the Imperial City, they would have completely conquered the Jiutian Dynasty. This would mark the end of their campaign. Seeing that he could not stop them, Lu Fan felt a sense of helplessness. It was a pity that he could not confirm whether the aura within the Imperial City belonged to a supreme being; otherwise, he would have tried his best to stop them.
"Imperial Son-in-Law, don't worry, it will be fine!" Princess Linglong smiled. "With so many experts from the Bailong Dynasty here, even if there are powerful individuals, we are not afraid!"
Lu Fan gave an awkward smile, feeling a bit helpless. Someone he would call an expert would surely not be an ordinary person. How could they not understand this point?