Chapter 950: Countering the Invaders

Xiao Nanfeng waited for the cheering and excitement of the citizens to subside before taking a deep breath and declaring, "Dazheng has officially ascended into a divine empire. I won't reiterate the details now. Instead, allow me to solemnly promise all citizens of Dazheng that I will fulfill the vow made to the world—to lead all the people of Dazheng so that everyone may rise up as dragons and stand against the heavens!"

"Long live the Immortal Emperor! Long live His Majesty!" the officials gathered in the Xuanyuan Hall plaza shouted in unison.

"Long live the Immortal Emperor! Long live His Majesty!" echoed officials across the empire, bowing deeply in respect.

The golden dragon of fortune carried Xiao Nanfeng's voice across the entire realm and relayed the voices of the people back.

"Long live the Immortal Emperor!" countless citizens cried out together.

"Now, let us reward those who contributed to Dazheng's ascension!" Xiao Nanfeng announced.

An official from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward.

The official took out an imperial edict and, after a deep breath, proclaimed loudly, "By the decree of the Immortal Emperor, under the mandate of the world, Dazheng has ascended into a divine empire. In recognition of meritorious service, rewards shall be given to the worthy. First among them is the first Marquis of Dazheng, Ye Sanshui..."

Under Xiao Nanfeng's command, the golden dragon of fortune transmitted the announcement of rewards across the entire empire, ensuring that the names of those recognized would be heard by every citizen. This was not merely an act of conferring titles but also one of bringing renown to the deserving. From this moment, all those credited with merit would become celebrated figures throughout the land. On this occasion, dozens were elevated to the rank of marquis.

However, not everyone was named aloud. Those with insufficient contributions, as well as individuals whose covert work required discretion, were excluded from the public announcements.

The award ceremony took a particularly long time. Throughout the process, Xiao Nanfeng remained standing atop the five-colored altar, emphasizing the solemnity of the occasion.

Meanwhile, outside the city, Chu Tianban narrowed his eyes and remarked, "So, it's settled. Dazheng has become a divine empire. We can act now."

The people behind him nodded one after another.

"I'll go first," one person volunteered, stepping forward and rushing toward Yongding.

"Xiao Nanfeng, you are unworthy of the title of Immortal Emperor!" the person shouted, their voice ringing loud and clear.

Everyone turned to the source of the commotion. A figure in black flew through the air and struck at Yongding with a palm.

"Someone's causing trouble?"

"Attacking during the ceremony for Dazheng's ascension—who would dare?!"

"Who's so bold as to attack DAzheng now?"

The observers of the various factions were all taken aback.

"Insolence!" Ye Sanshui roared, meeting the attack with a palm of his own.

With a thunderous boom, the two forces collided in the air, creating a massive firestorm. The two cultivators seemed evenly matched in strength.

"A mid-stage Boundless Immortal?" someone exclaimed, astonished.

Ye Sanshui's expression shifted as he charged fiercely and shouted, "Die!"

With a deafening explosion, the two engaged in an intense battle, their fiery clashes lighting up the sky. Neither could gain the upper hand for the moment.

"Ye Sanshui, isn't it beneath you to follow Xiao Nanfeng? He's just a mere Golden Immortal! Why not join me instead?" the attacker mocked.

"How dare a clown like you compare yourself to His Majesty?" Ye Sanshui retorted angrily.

Their fight intensified. The fiery storm around them grew ever more ferocious.

"Come, zombie kings!" Ye Sanshui commanded.

With a deafening roar, five zombie kings soared into the sky to assist him.

"A few zombie kings won't be enough!" another voice called out.

A second black-clad figure joined the fray, striking one of the zombie kings down with a single punch and holding his ground against all five with ease.

"Another mid-stage Boundless Immortal? These attackers are no joke!" someone observed in shock.

"More!" Ye Sanshui roared.

Three more zombie kings emerged from Yongding to assist Ye Sanshui.

"How many zombie kings do you have? Why not send them all out?"

A third black-clad figure entered the battle, intercepting the three additional zombie kings.

"Three mid-stage Boundless Immortals? Who are these people? This is insane!" someone gasped.

High in the sky, Ye Sanshui and eight zombie kings, fought fiercely against the three attackers. Despite their efforts, they began to fall behind. Shockwaves of intense force bloomed over Yongding.

At that moment, a fourth black-clad figure slowly appeared above the battlefield.

"Xiao Nanfeng, you've provoked someone you shouldn't have. Today, it's time to settle the score," the fourth figure said coldly, striking at the palace with a palm that seemed to blot out the sky.

"A fourth mid-stage Boundless Immortal?" someone cried out in alarm.

Xiao Nanfeng stared at the figure coldly but said nothing.

"How dare you! Do you think Yongding is a joke?" Blue Lantern roared.

With a hum, a dazzling blue light erupted from Yongding as the city's defensive formation activated, forming a massive barrier to block the attack.

The fourth attacker's strike caused the barrier to tremble violently, as if it would shatter at any moment.

"Blue Mist Formation!" Blue Lantern shouted.

Countless wisps of blue mist manifested both inside and outside the formation. The mist rapidly enveloped every corner of the city, including the entrance to Xuanhuang Hall. In an instant, visibility dropped to almost nothing, leaving everyone in a state of tense anticipation as Blue Lantern manipulated the formation to counter the invaders.

Outside the city, the blue mist formed dozens of massive hands that clawed toward the fourth attacker.

The fourth attacker sent a palm strike at an incoming palm of blue mist, causing it to dissipate with a thunderous boom. However, more palms of blue mist shot toward him relentlessly, leaving him in a sorry state. Infuriated, he began launching continuous strikes at the blue mist. Neither side could gain the upper hand.

Outside Yongding, countless spectators had gathered. Many among them displayed looks of astonishment.

"Dazheng's formations master is incredible."

"To think a formation alone would be able to counter a mid-stage Boundless Immortal..."

"What incredible skill!"

The cultivators watching the fight from below cried out in shock.

Meanwhile, within Yongding, figures were advancing toward Xuanhuang Hall in a swirl of blue mist.

"Alright. Now that Blue Lantern has used his formation to secure Xiao Nanfeng, no one will notice us approaching. We simply need to use the mirror that His Highness gave us to swap Xiao Nanfeng's truesoul."

"Let's go!"

Several figures burst forth from all directions and rushed into Yongding. Thanks to the formation of blue mist array and the talismans Blue Lantern had given them, they were able to traverse the array undetected and steadily closed in on Xiao Nanfeng.

When they reached their destination, they saw that Xiao Nanfeng was surrounded by a formation. The space was enclosed by two massive compasses, one above and one below, forming an imposing barrier.

Their eyes lit up as they swiftly entered. Inside, they saw Xiao Nanfeng seemingly bewildered by the sudden change in his surroundings.

"Blue Lantern, what are you doing?" Xiao Nanfeng shouted coldly.

Blue Lantern didn't respond.

"Haha! Xiao Nanfeng, it's time to accept your fate!" one of them laughed loudly.

He spat out a black mirror and prepared to activate it.

With a buzz, the mirror vanished.

"What?!" The man was stunned.

Somehow, the mirror had appeared in Xiao Nanfeng's hand.

"So this is the treasure you were planning to use against me? It's nothing impressive," Xiao Nanfeng said coldly.

The man's eyes widened dramatically. The mirror, a crucial step of their plan, was now in Xiao Nanfeng's hands! Panic struck him. This entire mission could fail because of his mistake!

"Quick, use your avatars to notify everyone else. Have them all enter and help me subdue Xiao Nanfeng, now!" he shouted at the others behind him.

One figure after another rushed into the formation. All of them roared furiously and charged at Xiao Nanfeng.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled in satisfaction, then stomped his foot and flashed away.

"What? Where is he?" the cultivators cried out in shock.

Outside, Xiao Nanfeng ordered, "Capture the prey."

"Understood!" Blue Lantern replied.

With a wave of his hand, strong gales surged forth within the formation.

"Something's wrong! We've fallen into a trap. Get out, quickly!" the trapped cultivators screamed.

"It's too late. None of you will escape my formation," Blue Lantern declared.

Fierce gales bore down on the intruders, sending them flying amidst cries of pain.

"These are nethervoid gales—they target the soul! Be careful!"

"Isn't he supposed to be Su Tianxin, not Blue Lantern?"

"Quick, notify the others! We've been ambushed! Call for help!"

The gathered cultivators all cried out in surprise.

"No one can save you!" Blue Lantern declared coldly.

The gales in the enclosed formation grew even stronger.

Meanwhile, the blue mist enveloping Yongding began to dissipate.

Xiao Nanfeng returned to the five-colored altar where he had been standing. Not far away, a swirl of blue mist roiled violently as fierce turmoil occurred within.

Many people were still confused when a cry suddenly rang out from the distance: "We've been tricked! Blue Lantern is real—this is Xiao Nanfeng's trap. Retreat quickly!"

"What?" The four cultivators in black fighting outside Yongding exclaimed in shock.

Without any hesitation, they turned to flee.

"You won't get away!" Ye Sanshui roared.

Ye Sanshui and his eight zombie kings desperately held back three of the men in black. Only one managed to break free. Glancing upward, he hesitated briefly before shooting into the sky, intent on rescuing his companions.

Just then, a sudden surge of death chants reverberated in his mind, leaving him dazed. In that instant, a figure clad in white appeared beside him and struck his head with a palm.

"Be careful!" one of the other black-robed men called out in alarm.

With a resounding crack, the dazed man's head was smashed and his soul obliterated.

Someone screamed.

"Liu Miaoyin? Impossible! Our people were monitoring you. You're supposed to be in Dajing! How are you here?" one of the black-robed men shouted in disbelief.

Liu Miaoyin offered no explanation. She leaped skyward, charging straight at the three black-robed men surrounded by Ye Sanshui.

"No! Help us, quickly!" the trio cried out in panic.