In a peak duel such as this, the slightest distraction could lead to irreversible tragedy.

Fortunately, Su Qingyu was currently metamorphosing within a cocoon she had created in her own Domain and had not yet emerged. Thus, for the moment, nothing had gone wrong.

But any delay was just as fatal.

After all, Gongsun Xiang instinctively dreaded facing a fully transformed Su Qingyu.

’I have to destroy the giant cocoon before she fully "matures"!’

So Gongsun Xiang quickly focused his mind, ignoring the distinctly strange rhythm, and concentrated on bombarding the giant cocoon’s outer shell.

Even after all this time, the cocoon’s hardness was astonishing, and it could even absorb a portion of Gongsun Xiang’s True Qi.

But Gongsun Xiang remained confident. No matter how formidable the cocoon was, it couldn’t possibly withstand the relentless bombardment of his Supreme True Dragon Body forever...

At this point, the outcome of the battle between Su Qingyu and Gongsun Xiang now hinged almost entirely on whether the cocoon could be broken open ahead of time.

「Meanwhile」

The dragon-tiger struggle between Zou Feng and Gongsun Jinghong had also reached a life-or-death stage.

Feeling the time was right, Zou Feng naturally quickened the pace of his assault.

Gongsun Jinghong remained fearless, continuing to meet him head-on.

BAM... BAM... BAM...

Amidst the deep, thunderous impacts, tiles began to fall in sheets from the roof of Jinluan Hall. Now, the entire Imperial Palace could clearly feel what seemed like an earthquake. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

And this series of intensified rhythms, linked as it was to the struggle over fate, was perceived with crystal clarity by Gongsun Xiang.

He was now desperate to know which member of the Royal Family was being so treasonous.

’To think they’d use such a sordid method to try and seal my doom!’

Sealing his doom was no exaggeration. After all, the Royal Family’s fate was being affected, and it could no longer continue to empower Gongsun Xiang’s Supreme True Dragon Body.

"Break!"

With a furious roar, Gongsun Xiang channeled his rage, gritted his teeth, and unleashed the Heaven-Shaking Dragon Roar, launching his strongest attack yet at the giant cocoon.

"AHH—"

Just as he raised his fist, a woman’s high-pitched cry reached Gongsun Xiang’s ears.

As an Emperor familiar with the goings-on of the inner palace, Gongsun Xiang knew exactly what that sound meant.

Clearly, the grueling battle in Jinluan Hall, which he could not see, had reached its conclusion.

Moreover, he could sense that Jinluan Hall itself had collapsed in response to that sound.

The building that symbolized the peak of his power had just crumbled in a way that was, for him, both supremely ironic and utterly unacceptable...

That ’climactic cry,’ combined with the collapse of Jinluan Hall, shattered Gongsun Xiang’s dao heart.

The Heaven-Shaking Dragon Roar, which had been built to its absolute peak, inevitably faltered.

In the end, the power of his punch was greatly diminished.

Although on the surface, the vast Fist Force still struck the cocoon with tremendous momentum, erupting in a golden light bright enough to blind a person...

In reality, Gongsun Xiang was already cursing inwardly.

Exhausted in both mind and body, he knew very well that he could no longer muster a more powerful attack.

That last strike had been an all-or-nothing effort, launched with the do-or-die mentality of one determined to shatter the cocoon.

And the result...

’Which son of a bitch is committing such a treasonous, vile act!?’

However, Gongsun Xiang had no time to dwell on it. Within the giant cocoon, a green light suddenly flared.

Then, a slender, jade-like foot emerged from the cocoon, seemingly in slow motion. Abruptly, its toe came to rest against Gongsun Xiang’s throat.

What was most peculiar was that even though the foot didn’t move quickly, Gongsun Xiang somehow failed to dodge, allowing the tip of her toe to press against him.

It was as if Gongsun Xiang was suddenly mesmerized by the foot, willingly accepting its punishment, or perhaps... its reward.

The moment the toe touched his Adam’s apple, the Emperor of Great Yan finally snapped out of his daze as if waking from a dream.

He cried out in pained alarm, instantly leaning back in a ’steel-plank bridge’ maneuver and flipping backward in retreat.

When he steadied himself again, a small puncture wound had appeared on his throat, from which a green liquid was oozing.

Looking back at the cocoon, Su Qingyu’s other leg stepped out gracefully, followed by her entire body.

Compared to before, Su Qingyu’s skin now looked even more translucent and exquisitely beautiful.

Two green runes had appeared between her eyebrows, and on her back were wings formed from vibrant green True Qi, resembling those of a butterfly.

Not only that, but Su Qingyu’s original clothes had evidently dissolved inside the cocoon. Now, only her vital areas were covered by a garment of True Qi Gauze Clothing.

Her Charm Power was now cranked to its absolute maximum.

At this moment, everyone in the audience, even the Third Grade Experts, began to stare unblinkingly at Su Qingyu, completely transfixed.

They didn’t even notice the blood streaming from their noses.

Just as Su Qingyu herself had once said, extreme beauty is, in its own way, a potent poison.

Of course, while the transformed Su Qingyu was indeed beautiful, what was truly causing everyone to become so enthralled was, in essence, an intangible poison.

Only the Poison Cultivators from Biyou Palace had some degree of immunity to this poison.

Seeing this, Bai Chen’s expression grew even more excited. "It’s done! The Palace Master’s Gu God Body is complete!"

"Gongsun Xiang is a dead man!"

Hearing Bai Chen’s confident declaration, Teng County was also overjoyed.

’I have to share this joy with my confidant.’

So she looked around again, but still couldn’t find any sign of Zou Feng...