"I only learned so much from reading ancient texts!"
Lu Fan gave an embarrassed smile, as these were actually things the elder Hongmeng had told him earlier.
Meanwhile, within the imperial palace, Emperor Jiutian frowned, gazing at the pervasive killing aura that was unable to penetrate the Divine Emperor Cauldron, growing increasingly anxious.
"Ancestor, the killing formation is ineffective against them. I implore you to personally intervene!"
Emperor Jiutian clasped his hands in a salute. "As long as they are dealt with, not only will the crisis of the Jiutian Dynasty be resolved, but we can also forcibly occupy the Bailong Dynasty!"
"Hmph, it's not that easy!"
Ancestor Jiutian snorted coldly. "If it weren't for you, the Jiutian Dynasty wouldn't be in this state. Now that the dynasty's national destiny is declining, I probably won't live much longer!"
"This..."
Emperor Jiutian was startled and immediately panicked. If the Ancestor were gone, how could he possibly deal with the wolves of the Bailong Dynasty?
"However, rest assured, before I depart, I will help you eliminate these people!"
Ancestor Jiutian spoke sternly. "You now take everyone to appease the populace. Announce that the people of the Bailong Dynasty have been suppressed within the imperial city, that the Jiutian Dynasty has triumphed, and tell them to hang lanterns and streamers!"
"I shall attend to it immediately!"
Emperor Jiutian dared not delay, especially with the matters arranged by the Ancestor.
"The power of national destiny!"
Grand Tutor Wen stood stunned at the side, as if he had perceived something, his heart filled with shock.
Not long after, the news spread thoroughly, and the entire Jiutian Dynasty erupted in jubilation. They had believed the Jiutian Dynasty was on the verge of annihilation.
But now, it seemed to be merely a false alarm. Lanterns were hung in every city, and the people cheered incessantly.
Ancestor Jiutian sat atop the palace walls, feeling the continuous influx of national destiny, his entire being becoming invigorated.
With such powerful national destiny, he expected to reach his peak within a month. At that time, dealing with the Bailong Dynasty and their ilk would naturally be effortless.
As time passed, half a month went by. The imperial city remained filled with killing formations, and the Divine Emperor Cauldron stood in the center of these formations, appearing exceptionally ancient.
Within the Divine Emperor Cauldron, everyone was in seclusion. During these past two weeks, they had improved considerably through cultivation, especially under these circumstances.
"There seems to be some movement outside!"
Princess Linglong spoke, her expression shifting slightly.
"Ancestor Jiutian must be enhancing the power of national destiny!"
Lu Fan stated. "It's likely that the killing formations will be withdrawn before long!"
"The killing formations withdrawn?"
Li Guang asked in surprise. "Wouldn't that be a good thing?"
"Not necessarily."
Lu Fan shook his head. "If they dare to withdraw the killing formations, it must be because Ancestor Jiutian is fully confident. That's when it will truly become dangerous!"
"If it truly comes to that, you all leave first!"
Emperor Long stood up, his voice resolute. "I will hold them back!"
"We leave together!"
Princess Linglong said with concern, "Father, we came together, and we shall leave together!"
"There is no way to have both."
Emperor Long shook his head. "Once the killing formations are withdrawn, I can burn my essence blood, and perhaps resist the Ancestor for a while. You can use that opportunity to escape!"
The people present were moved. "We are willing to follow our lord to our deaths!"
"Having your words is enough!"
Emperor Long shook his head, a smile appearing on his face.
Meanwhile, within the Bailong Dynasty, the people were grief-stricken upon learning of the annihilation of their million-strong army.
Every household hung white streamers, and nine out of ten families had no sons to return.
Numerous immortal cultivation sects gathered, plotting to infiltrate Jiutian and assassinate Emperor Jiutian, to avenge the deep-seated hatred.
In an instant, heroes converged within the dynasty, and various skilled individuals prepared to mobilize and resist the Jiutian army.
Though the million-strong army was destroyed, the myriad sects remained. Should the Jiutian Dynasty launch an attack, they would surely intervene.
The current situation was not merely a struggle between dynasties. If the Jiutian Dynasty were to rule Bailong, it would lead to widespread suffering.
Years ago, the Jiutian Dynasty was known for its predatory nature, repeatedly invading. This time, they would surely not cease.
Within the Sword Furnace, Chen Banxian, with a face full of drunkenness, leaped up and vanished into the sky in an instant, murmuring, "Xiao Jiao, wait for me! After I destroy Jiutian, I will join you in the underworld!"
Divine light appeared, and a true dragon emerged!
Disciples of the Divine Dragon Hall looked towards the sky. "The Hall Master has emerged!"
Immediately, countless figures soared into the air, following Chen Banxian's footsteps, heading towards the Jiutian imperial city.
Within the Jiutian imperial city, the Ancestor's aura had reached its peak, and he wore a smile.
"Congratulations, Ancestor, on returning to your peak!"
Everyone clasped their hands in salute, their faces filled with joy.
At that very moment, the killing formations within the imperial city were lifted, and the Divine Emperor Cauldron remained standing, ancient and unyielding.
"What should we do? Should we go out?"
Li Guang asked, his brow furrowed with worry. Now that the killing formations were withdrawn, it was a prime opportunity.
"Not so fast!"
Lu Fan waved his hand. "The Divine Emperor Cauldron is indestructible. Forcing us out won't be that simple!"
"You hide within the cauldron, and you think this old man has no recourse?"
The Ancestor sneered. "Today, you shall surely die!"
Ancestor Jiutian's imposing aura surged as he struck the Divine Dragon Cauldron with a palm, without any hesitation.
Sensing the powerful fluctuations, everyone present was shocked and filled with dread.
*Clang...*
Resounding booms echoed. The faces of those within the Divine Emperor Cauldron turned grim. They could feel the Ancestor's formidable strength. If the cauldron were to be struck like this for much longer, even the ordinary soldiers would likely be shaken to death.
Lu Fan's brow furrowed. He could not have imagined the Ancestor's strength to be this formidable.
In a swift moment, Lu Fan retracted the Divine Emperor Cauldron.
The Bailong Dynasty's million-strong army reappeared, but ambushes had already been laid out around the imperial city.
"Today, you are likely beyond escape!"
Emperor Jiutian sneered, a look of triumph on his face. In their eyes, the people of the Bailong Dynasty were already lambs awaiting slaughter.
"You all leave quickly!"
Emperor Long's imposing aura surged as he ascended into the sky, his essence blood burning intensely, intending to forcefully battle the Ancestor.
"No!"
Princess Linglong cried out in despair. She could not fathom her father acting in such a manner.
"Hurry and leave, take them home!"
Emperor Long looked at the million generals, tears welling in his eyes. If not for his stubbornness, this situation would not have arisen. If he could use his life to ensure everyone's safety, he would do so without hesitation.
"Princess, hurry!"
Steward Li, carrying Princess Linglong, rushed towards the outside of the imperial city. Within the cauldron, he had promised Emperor Long to protect Princess Linglong's safety and would not break his word.
"Trying to leave? You think too highly of yourself!"
The Ancestor laughed, filled with disdain. In his eyes, Emperor Long and the others were not worth mentioning.
At this very moment, Emperor Long's body also radiated a terrifying aura as he stepped towards the Ancestor.
Now that he was burning his essence blood, his strength had greatly increased. It was not impossible to contend with Ancestor Jiutian.
"Burning essence blood to try and contend with me?" Ancestor Jiutian roared with laughter.