In the Qingxian Pavilion.

"Your Majesty, you absolutely cannot rush into war. Perhaps this Immortal Emperor wants to see you and Empress Wu both suffer losses in battle!"

These words were spoken by the strategist under Qingxian, Nine Palace Zhong Chu.

"Nine Palace Zhong Chu, this one knows you are a farsighted person. Back then during this one's military campaigns, you personally led ten thousand soldiers and managed to stall this one's three hundred thousand troops for half a year without being able to conquer."

Nine Palace Zhong Chu, also known as the Mechanical Master, was said to be extremely proficient in mechanical warfare. He could enable ordinary soldiers to withstand an equal number of reverse cultivators through coordination. This method was effective even with ordinary soldiers, not to mention the current situation.

"If that's the case, Your Majesty, we should be even more cautious. This time, we should not send out so many soldiers. A massive deployment might lead to unforeseen consequences..."

"Brother Zhong Chu, rest assured, this one has its own plans."

Qingxian made a strong effort to rise slowly, then patted Zhong Chu's shoulder.

Qingxian was not acting impulsively, but was using this opportunity to convey that he had his own plans.

Throughout the journey, Juxi had been contemplating how to infiltrate the palace. The palace was the residence of the Wu Clan royalty and was also known as the Royal Family.

Aside from the Wu Clan royalty, the palace housed a group of elite confidants, individuals picked from various places for their exceptional skills. Each of them had their own legendary stories, and now they served as guards in the inner court, indicating the Wu Clan Head's intention. Even these individuals were on alert.

Meanwhile, in another place, someone seemed quite satisfied with the situation.

"The Wu Clan guards have never taken the initiative to make such a large mobilization before!"

In the Immortal Emperor's court, the Immortal Emperor joyfully drank a cup of wine, then excitedly slammed the cup to the ground.

"This means that he is now at his weakest."

"Your Majesty, it may be too early to celebrate. What can you do even if you have a plan but no troops come from Qingxian?"

As soon as the words fell, a man in a green robe appeared in the Immortal Emperor's chamber, surprising the Immortal Emperor.

"You are... Nine Palace Zhong Chu?!"

"Yes, it is I," Nine Palace Zhong Chu arrived early that day, even before Qingxian's arrival.

Apart from the troops sent by the Star Emperor's country, the Immortal Emperor now had only the useless Liu Yiwei. Meeting the renowned Mechanical Master Nine Palace Zhong Chu thrilled the Immortal Emperor, but led him to lament: "Alas, Brother Zhong Chu, you are the Royal Advisor of Qingxian. It's just that Qingxian is too arrogant, which is why you are ignored."

"My master does not listen to my advice, and is now determined to battle Wu Yanzhe to the death. Due to the rushed march, most of their forces have not yet engaged. If we wait a little longer, perhaps..."

Despite the high level of skill in the palace, it wasn't easy to breach the palace walls due to Wu Yanzhe. The city was still not easily penetrable.

"It seems that there are others eyeing the Central Plains for gains. Well, it's actually for benefits, isn't it?"

Even though Juxi now possessed strength comparable to a mid-level Unbound, he was still cautious. His opponents were not just one person or one family, but the entire Godrealm!

Juxi was not a fool; his most pressing question was how closely the Wu Clan was connected to the tragedy that befell his own branch of the Wu Clan.

"Nine thousand years! What a nine thousand years!"

Yuanhui's top priority was to find the so-called 'birth father.' Perhaps locating him could bring an end to the rebellion.

In the distance, the sound of horses' hooves echoed. Juxi looked up, then swiftly moved and disappeared into the nearby woods.

"Charge! Charge!Charge!"

Not long after Juxi went into hiding in the woods, a group of cavalry carrying weapons rode by, numbering in the tens of thousands. Many soldiers followed behind, each one stronger than ordinary reverse cultivators. A flag with a prominent star symbol fluttered above.

It was the troops of the Star Emperor's country! Juxi was alarmed.

Examining the troops, Juxi noticed a man in a purple dragon-patterned robe who stood out. Upon closer inspection, Juxi realized he had never seen him before - likely the famous leader of the Star Emperor's country, the Fourth Court Master Qingxian?

"They are heading... towards Capital City?!"

Juxi was shocked and realized that King Yanbei Xiaoyi's target was near the Great Snow Mountain. He immediately thought of the Ghost Blade and his followers who had worn similar armor the day before.

"Hmm?"

As if sensing movement in the woods, Qingxian in the leading carriage of the army glanced towards Juxi's hiding spot.

In that alert moment, Juxi turned and disappeared.

At that moment, Qingxian on the carriage suddenly looked back towards the woods, pondering, "Was it my imagination? It seems like someone was watching us."

After a deep gaze at the seemingly serene woods, he turned back and continued on his way.

"Phew!"

Feeling the chilling gaze from Qingxian behind him, Juxi shivered and muttered to himself, "It is said that King Yanbei is renowned for his strategizing abilities, his martial strength mediocre. Yet, even my slight display of killing intent was detected by Juxi. This guy is definitely no ordinary person."

Hidden in the woods, Dougu Aotian listened as the sound of horses' hooves grew fainter. He let out a sigh of relief, knowing it would be extremely dangerous if discovered by the Star Emperor's country at this moment. Based on his senses, he was sure Qingxian was far superior to the Ghost Blade.

After a while, Juxi emerged from the woods, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Go enjoy the snow at the Great Snow Mountain, but you won't catch anyone."

Turning away, he headed straight for the inner city of the Capital.

"Let's go find my 'uncle' first. He should still be on the West Coast these days. However, I don't have many things he can take with him. I wonder if it'll be enough."

Juxi moved like the wind, rushing towards the residence of Master Jianghai on the West Coast.

An hour passed...

Yuanhui arrived outside the Imperial City Academy, but the scene inside the courtyard was eerily quiet.

"What's going on?!"

Just a few days ago, he had moved to the outer palace of the Imperial City, but upon returning to the academy dormitory, it was now empty.

Creak!

Pushing open the courtyard gate, Yuanhui saw a thin layer of snow on the ground, undisturbed. If Yuanhui's memory served him right, this snowfall happened three days ago. Examining the footprints in the snow, there were none.

Could it be...?

Yuanhui's face changed! He immediately rushed inside, finding overturned wardrobes and bloodstains on the floor. Among the torn cloth on the ground, he discovered they were all garments of the Wu Clan disciples!

"How dare they harm my Wu Clan brothers!" Anger flared within Yuanhui, feeling an intense suppression in his chest.

Swoosh!

An arrow shot out from a narrow corner. Without even looking, Yuanhui grabbed the arrow, infused it with Chi, and flung it back, instantly killing the attacker hiding in the corner!

Inspecting the body, he found it was someone he had never seen before.

"Hmph!" Yuanhui snorted, "I didn't expect them to discover this place. It seems news of my survival may have been leaked. Since that's the case, I should start evading the spotlight, beginning here at the Imperial City."

In the desolate last years, in the Central Plains, at the Imperial City's martial stage.

Godrealm strategist An Shuzi, beaten and bound, was tied to a wooden stake. Surrounding him were soldiers of the rebel army. The current Deputy Commander, Lingye Qing, was an old man with wrinkles on his face but a strong physique, looking like an experienced individual. He walked steadily to An Shuzi.

"An Shuzi, didn't expect to see each other again!"

"Sigh, why bother?"

After a moment of silence, An Shuzi spat out a mouthful of blood. He had served two generations of the Wu Clan and now found himself on the brink of death, his spirit gradually weakening.

"I am useless now, and seizing the Wu Clan's power is as easy as taking something from a bag. Even if you don't kill me now, I will soon meet my end here."

"Tell me where Wu Yanzhe, the tyrant, is, otherwise, I will make you wish for death!"

Lingye Qing coldly snorted, grabbing the almost breathless An Shuzi and shaking him in fury.

An Shuzi smiled bitterly, full of disdain for Lingye Qing. "Go ahead and kill me. I won't tell you anything. Let me tell you, An Shuzi is not afraid of death. Since the situation is doomed, why are you wasting your breath?!"

"Bastard!"

Lingye Qing's face changed, slamming An Shuzi's head hard against the wooden stake.

"I am giving you a chance to come up with an escape plan. How stubborn can you be?"

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I've lived for too long. I don't know how much longer I can keep going... In any case, it's all over. It seems that the only experience left in my life is death!"

With his head bowed, An Shuzi met his final moment.

"So that's it, farewell, An Brother."

Lingye Qing stood before the rebel disciples, his expression turning grim. He spoke, "Today, I, Rebel Commander Lingye Qing, give you all a warning. Whoever wishes to leave can do so now. Just like An Shuzi, they will be killed by me! Those who dare go against the path of the rebels will face the same fate!"

"Justice is paramount in the Central Plains!"

Lingye Qing's words were forceful and unreasonable at every turn. Oppressed since the incident years ago, he had finally found his chance to fight back. Being at the peak of Unbound, he was also one of the top experts in the rebel army. Now, he wanted to overturn all common sense, firmly establishing the righteousness in his grasp, making every disciple wary of defiance.

"Whoever defies the path of righteousness shall perish!"