East Sea, Yulong Island.

This is a large island shaped like a coiling python, densely forested, with plains on the edge dotted with fishing villages.

Especially within the island, there emerged a large city bustling with mortals, appearing very lively.

On the back of Yulong Island stands a peak several hundred meters tall, named Yulong Mountain, shrouded in mist and clouds.

Today, a flash of sword light suddenly descended from the sky, landing atop Yulong Mountain.

It was none other than Tuoba Wufeng.

He patted his storage pouch, summoning a Sound Transmission Talisman, and after saying a few words, it turned into a blaze of fire shooting towards Yulong Mountain.

After patiently waiting for half a day, the clouds around Yulong Mountain suddenly dispersed with the wind, revealing the true appearance of the mountain.

In the forest, dozens of palaces and pavilions stood, with numerous figures moving about.

Over a dozen people stood respectfully in front of a main hall, saying, "Welcome, Immortal Master!"

Tuoba Wufeng saw this and did not enter. Instead, he said, "Fire Spirit, an old friend visits; why not show yourself?"

"Since you are an old friend, please come in, Fellow Daoist Tuoba."

Another hoarse voice came, indifferent.

Tuoba Wufeng turned to leave, his voice even colder: "My visit today concerns the matter of years ago when Fire Spirit was defeated at the Great Yu Imperial Palace."

"If Fellow Daoist Fire Spirit is not interested, then I shall leave immediately."

As a cultivator, even though he knew Fire Spirit, he would not easily enter the cave mansion.

Otherwise, if Fire Spirit had ill intentions, he wouldn’t even have a chance to escape.

"Great Yu Imperial Palace? Fellow Daoist, please wait...!"

Tuoba Wufeng’s figure continued to fly away into the distance: "There’s an uninhabited island ten nautical miles to the north; I will wait for you there."

Soon, a blaze of fire shot out from Yulong Island, rapidly chasing after Tuoba Wufeng’s departing figure.

The hunchback and scabby face were unmistakably Fire Spirit, who had ventured to the Great Yu Imperial Palace years ago!

Soon, Fire Spirit arrived on the desolate island, where Tuoba Wufeng had been waiting for some time.

"Years have passed, Fellow Daoist Fire Spirit, and your presence is more impressive than ever..."

"Cut the nonsense!"

Fire Spirit coldly said, "What happened at the Great Yu Imperial Palace? Why have you come to Yulong Island to find me?"

Tuoba Wufeng said, "It’s simple, I’ve come seeking allies."

"Allies? What do you mean?"

"The Great Yu is in chaos now, with countless Rebel Kings rising up, seeking its downfall."

"Who knew Xu Mujun would emerge, stabilizing the realm and consecutively defeating several Rebel Kings."

"I won’t hide it; I’ve supported many, even sent clan disciples to aid, but my forces were defeated, and even my nephew perished."

"I suspect there are hidden cultivators in the Great Yu Court, otherwise my nephew would not have fallen so easily."

"Therefore, I thought of joining forces with you to eliminate these hidden cultivators. What do you say?"

"The Great Yu Court..."

Fire Spirit’s tone suddenly turned icy, sinister: "And... Xu Mujun!"

Back then, Xu Mujun had hidden in the palace, leading his twenty thousand Dragon-soaring Army, severely injuring him.

A mere mortal martial artist was able to seriously injure a late-stage Qi Cultivator like him. If this news spread, many peers would secretly laugh at him.

He gritted his teeth, "Is this true?"

"If Fellow Daoist doesn’t believe, you can send someone to investigate?"

"No need."

Fire Spirit indifferently said, "I believe you; I will go with you."

"Moreover, I am well-connected through Mayfly Tower, I would have learned eventually."

"About your injury..."

"Mere injuries from mortals, what is there to fear?"

"Let’s go!"

The two chanted silently, transforming into blue and red streaks of sword light, swiftly heading northwest.

...

Xuzhou, Prince Chen’s Mansion.

Zheng Yuanfa took a deep breath, two white dragons appeared from the sky, slowly inhaled through his nostrils.

In the surrounding quiet chamber, numerous apricot-yellow talismans were spread, inscribed with strange runes.

They resembled coiling serpents or tangled tadpoles.

The talismans appeared very ancient, with edges densely wrinkled, as if preserved for decades.

In front of Zheng Yuanfa floated a milky white sphere, and if looked closely, a faint white lotus inside.

"Buzz...!"

Suddenly, the sphere began to vibrate violently, the lotus inside vanished, leaving only the sphere.

Wisps of white mist continuously emerged, transforming into fine threads of spiritual qi, being slowly absorbed by Zheng Yuanfa again.

Suddenly, Zheng Yuanfa’s eyes snapped open.

"The white lotus dissipated... is Lian’er gone?"

His tone was somewhat shocked, hesitant: "Lian’er is a late-stage Qi Cultivator, with the Purifying Fire White Lotus as protection, how is it possible...!"

In his panic, wrinkles densely appeared around Zheng Yuanfa’s eyes, and his gaze became extremely old and confused.

But he quickly reacted, taking a deep breath, forming hand seals to collect himself, gathering a large amount of spiritual qi, returning to normal.

"Damn...!"

"This body still does not quite fit me; if it weren’t..."

He hurriedly got up and quickly walked out of the quiet room.

Sure enough, outside the quiet room, a flame was trying to rush into the array, but was stopped by the array.

He reached out his hand, and the firelight flew over, caught in his hand.

The flame dispersed, revealing a Sound Transmission Talisman.

An aged voice came from within.

"Brother Bai, Xu Mujun is leading the army to attack our White Lotus Sect’s main altar, but our altar’s city walls are tall, moats deep, with a million devotees; it will at least hold Xu Mujun for seven days."

"Brother Bai has already succeeded in body-snatching, establishing with the Great Yu Royal Family but I ask that Brother, on the account of the connection with our White Lotus Sect, lead the army from afar to annihilate Xu Mujun together!"

"Can it hold for seven days?"

Zheng Yuanfa frowned, so quickly?

He rushed out, the commotion already attracting the guard outside’s attention.

"Your Highness!"

"Your Highness!"

"Chief Historian Wang has sent military orders, Tang Zhengkou has already led the army towards our city, and the other troops of Great Yu have also all entered Xuzhou, but we can still resist for now..."

"Where is Wang Zhen?!"

Zheng Yuanfa said coldly, "Call him over."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Zheng Yuanfa is the Heir of Prince Chen.

However, he had imprisoned Prince Chen, Zheng Zongkai, when he rebelled against Great Yu two years ago and proclaimed himself as Prince Chen, overseeing all affairs of Xuzhou.

Soon, a middle-aged youth swiftly approached, dressed in a green robe, with the complexion of the Bai Family.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Zheng Yuanfa frowned, "I... Did I not tell you during my seclusion that, in case of major military events, you must inform me, yet why..."

Wang Zhen said strangely, "Your Highness, even though the army of the Imperial Court is advancing quickly, it is still at least three days away from our city, why?"

"Hmm?"

"Ah, ah ah ah..."

Suddenly, Wang Zhen began to scream, only to see a white lotus faintly appear on his forehead, twisting continuously.

And as the white lotus twisted, Wang Zhen lay on the ground, crying miserably.

After about a dozen breaths, Zheng Yuanfa stopped.

"Wang Zhen, I left you alive because you are talented. If you hide things from me, I won’t spare you! Understand?"

"I-I understand..."

Wang Zhen lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his eyes full of pain and fear.

"Your, Your Highness, I haven’t, haven’t concealed anything!"

"The Great Yu army led by Tang Zhengkou is still outside Yuan City; unless they split their forces, they won’t reach the city in a short time."

"And Guangqing City?"

"Guangqing City?"

Wang Zhen said with surprise, "The main altar of the White Lotus Sect, although we have contact with White Lotus Sect, Great Yu’s army is everywhere in Xuzhou, and we haven’t received any intelligence from Guangqing City for three days."

"Damn...!"

Zheng Yuanfa cursed silently, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, "Guangqing City is gone."

"What?!"

Wang Zhen said in shock, "How is that possible?"

"The White Lotus Sect has a million devotees, and the White Lotus Saint Mother is a cultivator like Your Highness, how..."

"Ha~"

Zheng Yuanfa sneered, "Xu Mujun went to Guangqing City."

"And it only took three days to break Guangqing City, extinguishing the White Lotus Sect!"

"The million devotees of White Lotus Sect also dispersed~"

"What, what shall we do? We..."

"Report...!"

Suddenly, a messenger soldier quickly ran in, shouting, "Report to Your Highness, someone seeks audience outside!"

"Oh? Who is it?"

"The visitor claims to be the patriarch of the Tuoba Clan, along with a Hunchback Daoist..."

"Tuoba Wufeng? Quickly invite!"

Meanwhile.

Imperial Palace.

Changqing Palace.

Surrounded by numerous eunuchs and palace maids, Zheng Yi arrived here, while a multitude of palace attendants knelt on the ground.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

"Rise! How is Consort Qing now?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Consort Qing is in childbirth, it should be soon..."