Chapter 868: The Second Portion of Black Blood

In just a few short days, the entirety of Dahan was absorbed into Dajing. This lightning-fast conquest only reinforced the suspicions of nearby powers.

"I knew that Han Gucheng was a fake!"

"Liu Miaoyin deliberately slowed her conquest down earlier to lull us into complacency, then struck when we least expected it."

"If we act now, it'll be an outright declaration of war against the Dajing Empire."

"This is infuriating! Why didn't I seize the chance to carve up Dahan's territories when I could? Now they're all gone!"

The leaders of neighboring forces were wracked with regret. Many had been lurking near Dahan's capital or outside Dajing's capital, growing increasingly bitter and angry with each passing day.

Meanwhile, in a forest outside Dajing's capital, several leaders were holding a secret meeting to discuss how to profit from the current situation when a figure in black approached.

"Who's there?" they demanded, narrowing their eyes.

"Have you forgotten me already?" the figure asked with a sly smile, lifting his hood.

"You're one of Han Gucheng's personal guards! You've come to my imperial court on his behalf before," one of the men exclaimed as he recognized him.

"Isn't Han Gucheng dead?" another asked, wary. "What are you doing here?"

The black-clad figure shook his head. "His Majesty is very much alive. He's simply been delayed by other matters, which allowed these scheming clowns to wreak havoc in Dahan."

"Oh?" The crowd exchanged skeptical glances with one another.

"Neither Liu Miaoyin nor Xiao Nanfeng's Boundless Immortal subordinates are in Dajing's capital, leaving it vulnerable. His Majesty is willing to offer a bounty of one hundred Immortal cities to anyone who destroys Dajing's capital. Here is the imperial edict," the figure said, producing a document stamped with Han Gucheng's jade seal.

"And why would Han Gucheng make such an offer?" one of the rulers asked.

"His Majesty is currently dealing with Liu Miaoyin and Xiao Nanfeng's Boundless Immortals. He's asking for your aid to ensure that their focus is divided, thereby increasing his odds of success. Of course, my lord is always thorough—he doesn't actually need your help, but he's giving you this opportunity as a precaution."

The cultivators glanced at each other. They were starting to believe his words.

"And how will these hundred Immortal cities be divided?" another cultivator asked.

"Based on merit. The greater your contribution, the more cities you'll receive," the black-clad figure replied.

The cultivators glanced at each other, their minds racing.

Compared to Liu Miaoyin and Xiao Nanfeng, Han Gucheng's might was far more credible. They reasoned that Dajing would soon fall, its territory reclaimed by Dahan.

Han Gucheng's hundred-city bounty was very tempting.

"Fine. Let me examine the edict. If everything checks out, we'll accept Han Gucheng's terms," one of the cultivators called out.

The black-clad figure handed over the documents, which included other materials from Han Gucheng meant to persuade the gathered leaders of various forces. After verifying their authenticity, they set off for Dajing, only to discover that someone else was already attacking the city.

Clearly, Han Gucheng's subordinates had found other helpers as well.

"Damn it, they're trying to steal our credit!"

"Did Han Gucheng promise them the bounty too?"

"Get out of the way, you bastards! I'll be the first to breach the city!"

Furious, the leaders of various factions descended on Dajing's capital.

A hundred Immortal cities was a tempting prize; the more people participated, the fewer Immortal cities they would all get at the end.

Everyone rushed toward Dajing's capital, the defensive formations of which were already activated in full.

"Break!" the cultivators shouted in unison as they launched a coordinated assault.

A tremendous force slammed into the city's barriers, causing them to shake violently.

Due to the rushed circumstances, Blue Lantern hadn't yet had time to set up a more robust formation, leaving the city vulnerable. The defensive formation trembled under the repeated strikes and was on the verge of collapse.

Just then, beams of golden light erupted from within the city.

"Fools, prepare to die!" Ye Dafu roared.

Xiao Nanfeng had arranged the golden cultivators to guard Dajing's capital long beforehand.

A fearsome fight was brewing outside Dajing's capital.

In the distance, a black-clad man turned to one of his subordinates. "Send word to His Majesty. Xiao Nanfeng seems to have anticipated an assault and has stationed significant forces in Dajing's capital."

One of his subordinates replied, "His Majesty is aware. It's not a problem—this is merely a sideshow. The main event is elsewhere. Focus on monitoring this location."

"Understood!" the black-clad man said, then retreated into the shadows.

On a mountain overlooking Shenfeng's capital, a group of black-clad figures stood waiting.

"Xiao Nanfeng has discovered His Majesty's hideout. Signal the Snowborne assassins in the city—it's time to strike," their leader ordered.

"Understood!" one of his subordinates replied.

Moments later, a loud shout echoed from Shenfeng's capital, followed by bursts of light.

"How dare you trespass in the imperial palace? Seize them!" a voice commanded.

The city erupted into chaos as battle broke out. Among the combatants, a figure clad in golden light soared into the sky.

The Demon Child roared, "You fools! You dare cause trouble while I'm around? Do you think I'm just an ornament?!"

He unleashed a flurry of swords at the attackers, driving an unfortunate Golden Immortal back.

The next moment, a black figure appeared, intercepting the Demon Child's attack and saving the Golden Immortal.

"What? A Boundless Immortal?" the Demon Child exclaimed. The next moment, he shot over. "Die!"

The black figure retaliated as a firestorm bloomed where the two Boundless Immortals engaged one another.

Outside the city, the leader of the black-clad group narrowed his eyes. "The Demon Child is here in Shenfeng's capital. Good—he's being held back by the deputy head of Snowborne. Everyone else, continue the assault on the palace."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

Streams of light streaked toward the city.

Snowborne's forces were launching a coordinated assault from within and without the city, their objective clear: to pin down the Divine Emperor and prevent her from leaving—or, alternatively, to force the Divine Emperor to return to Shenfeng's capital to aid in the crisis, thereby preventing her from serving as support for Xiao Nanfeng.

Meanwhile, in Shenfeng's capital, a shadow cursed effigy sneered. "Assassins? Ha! What assassins of the mortal world can compare to us?"

With a wave of its hand, countless shadows shot forth toward the incoming Snowborne assassins.

Very quickly, the Snowborne assassins on the frontlines realized that something was amiss. Their bodies were suddenly frozen stiff and rendered immobile.

"No! Help me!"

"I can't move. What's going on?"

"Cursed effigies? Where did all these cursed effigies come from?"

Screams echoed as one assassin after another was decapitated by the shadows.

At the same time, on a mountain peak outside Yongding, another group of black-clad figures stood behind one of Han Gucheng's bodies.

"Has the attack on Shenfeng's capital begun?" Han Gucheng asked.

"It has, Your Majesty, but surely there's no need to do so? It'll cost many lives," one of his subordinates replied, frowning.

"As long as it keeps the Divine Emperor occupied, it's worth the cost. She's not to be underestimated. Didn't Xiao Nanfeng destroy my divine empire, Dahan? Today, I'll destroy Dazheng. Perhaps we'll gain some unexpected rewards as well," Han Gucheng replied coldly.

"We've confirmed that Xiao Nanfeng held a session of court earlier today. There should still be an avatar of his here," another subordinate reported.

Han Gucheng nodded as he rose into the air above Yongding.

Dark clouds gathered, bringing heavy snowfall and a suffocating aura that descended upon the city.

"It's Han Gucheng!" someone cried out in alarm.

Without any hesitation, Han Gucheng raised his hand and unleashed a massive blade of ice, which he sent slashing at the city's defensive formations.

Though powerful, the formations couldn't withstand the blade's immense force.Layer by layer, they crumbled under the assault.

Yongding's defensive formations were extraordinary. Even early-stage Boundless Immortals wouldn't have been able to break through, but Han Gucheng's ice blade quickly cut down one layer after another. Yongding's defensive formations continued to shatter, unable to block his blow at all.

"It's no use! The formations are breaking apart! Han Gucheng's even stronger than before! Your Majesty!" someone shouted in desperation.

At that moment, Xiao Nanfeng emerged from the palace, flanked by his officials.

They watched as the final layer of the city's defenses gave way as the icy blade continued its descent and headed straight for the capital.

"Who dares?" Ye Sanshui shouted, rushing into the air.

He shattered the blade of ice that had been weakened tremendously after piercing through so many barriers, but he too was forced back from the impact.

"Xiao Nanfeng, is Madam Rouge still in Yongding? If not, today will be the day of your downfall!" Han Gucheng roared in laughter.

Xiao Nanfeng raised his head. "You must have been waiting at Yongding for quite some time.

"That's right. I've been here for quite a while. I was planning to wait a little longer, but since you've already found my Northern Sea lair, there's no need to delay further. Let's see who can save you today," Han Gucheng said coldly.

Ye Sanshui floated into the air, his voice equally cold. "Han Gucheng, you'll have to get through me first."

Han Gucheng sneered. "Step aside. You're no match for me."

"You're right—I wasn't before, but now I am," Ye Sanshui replied, producing a vial of black blood and swallowing it in one gulp. The next moment, his aura grew stronger with each passing moment. His power climbed to dizzying heights. Dark clouds formed around him as he unleashed a torrent of malevolent energy that spread across the sky.

Han Gucheng's eyes widened in disbelief. "Just what did you consume? How can your aura rise so rapidly? It's as if you're reaching the mid-stage Boundless Immortal realm! This is impossible!"