Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 129 A Hard-Willed Approach

Elder Lang brandished his longsword, and a beam of azure light shot into the sky, transforming into a massive light shield that protected everyone within it.

The black lightning struck the light shield, sending up a burst of dazzling sparks, but the light shield remained firmly in place.

At the same time, Elder Di Sheng waved his hands, instantly distorting the space around him.

He used spatial magic to redirect some of the black lightning elsewhere, instantly creating several huge craters in the ground, with soil and rocks flying everywhere.

Taking advantage of the moment when Lin Yan was casting a spell, Gu Changzhou, wielding the Star Sword and using the Seven Star Steps, rushed towards Lin Yan like a shooting star.

The Star Sword shone brightly, its sword energy crisscrossing, drawing magnificent trajectories across the night sky.

Lin Yan sensed Gu Changzhou's attack and dodged the fierce blow with a swift movement, like a ghost. But Gu Changzhou did not stop. With a flick of his wrist, his sword flashed, and he instantly thrust out several swords, each aimed at Lin Yan's vital points.

Lin Yan snorted coldly, his figure spinning rapidly in the air, black demonic energy forming a huge vortex around him, swallowing up Gu Changzhou's sword energy one by one.

Then, Lin Yan suddenly waved his hand, and the vortex of demonic energy transformed into countless black blades, shooting towards Gu Changzhou like a torrential rain.

Gu Changzhou remained calm, his Star Sword dancing rapidly in front of him, forming an impenetrable sword curtain that blocked the black blades one by one.

The sharp blades clashed against the sword curtain, producing a crisp "clinking" sound and sparks flying everywhere.

Elder Lang seized the opportunity, chanted an incantation, and countless thick vines suddenly surged from the ground, like giant arms, wrapping around Lin Yan.

A hint of disdain flashed in Lin Yan's eyes. He clapped his hands together, and a black flame shot out from his palms, instantly igniting the vines.

Flames roared, emitting a pungent, acrid smell, and the vines quickly turned to ash in the flames.

Seeing this, Elder Di Sheng once again used spatial magic.

He instantly compressed the space around Lin Yan, attempting to trap him inside.

Lin Yan felt the pressure of the space and his expression changed slightly, but he quickly calmed down.

He channeled his demonic energy with all his might, trying to break through the compressed space.

His demonic energy surged, clashing against the compressed space and producing cracking sounds, as if the space itself was about to be torn apart at any moment.

Just as Lin Yan and Elder Di Sheng were locked in a stalemate, Gu Changzhou launched another attack.

He channeled his spiritual power into the Star Sword, causing it to shine brightly, and a dazzling sword light slashed towards Lin Yan.

This sword light contained immense power, as if it could split the heavens and the earth in two.

Feeling this powerful threat, Lin Yan had no choice but to temporarily abandon his attempt to break free of spatial constraints and concentrate all his efforts on resisting Gu Changzhou's attack.

He conjured a massive black magic sphere in his hands and charged towards the sword light. The magic sphere collided with the sword light, producing a deafening roar.

A powerful energy surge emanated from the two individuals, instantly shattering the surrounding ground and causing houses to collapse. Elder Lang and Elder Di Sheng quickly strengthened their defenses, managing to avoid being injured by the energy surge. Amidst the intense light and dust, the figures of Lin Yan and Gu Changzhou appeared and disappeared.

As the light subsided, a trace of black blood was seen spilling from the corner of Lin Yan's mouth, indicating that he had been injured in the intense collision.

He was secretly furious, never expecting Gu Changzhou and his group to be so troublesome; the raid had failed.

If this continues, my life may be in danger.

With a determined heart, Lin Yan took advantage of the moment when Gu Changzhou and the others' vision was obscured by the smoke and dust to unleash his trump card escape technique – "Ghost Shadow Escape".

In an instant, his figure transformed into a pitch-black shadow, disappearing into the distance at an extremely fast speed, leaving only a faint trace of demonic energy.

Although Gu Changzhou was unwilling to accept Lin Yan's escape, his immediate priority was to stabilize the situation in Zhongzhou City.

At this time, the chaos caused by the evil cultivators in the city had not yet been completely quelled, and the patrolling soldiers were doing their best to capture those evil cultivators who were disguised as ordinary people.

Night Shadow, leading his Shadow Guards, also searched everywhere for any remaining evil cultivators, subduing them one by one.

Meanwhile, outside the palace, most of the evil cultivators who attempted to break through the defensive array were captured alive thanks to various concealment spells and traps.

Those few who managed to escape were closely pursued by the shadow guards arranged by Nightshade.

Gu Changzhou immediately ordered Elder Lang and Elder Di Sheng to lead their respective sects' disciples to cooperate with the imperial army in a comprehensive search of any places in the city where evil cultivators might be hiding.

At the same time, he arranged for someone to present evidence of the eldest prince, Bei Chenhan, secretly colluding with evil cultivators to Bei Chenyao.

Bei Chenhan protested his innocence, but the evidence was conclusive. The correspondence and records of secret talks all proved that he colluded with evil cultivators and intended to rebel.

Looking at the irrefutable evidence, Bei Chenyao was furious. He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne and shouted, "Bei Chenhan, what else do you have to say! I trusted you so much, yet you committed such a treasonous act, colluding with evil cultivators and attempting to disrupt Zhongzhou City. How can you face me and the people of this world?"

Bei Chenhan knelt down with a thud, his face ashen, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. He still tried to argue, "Father, I... I was coerced by them. I didn't want to get involved, but... but they threatened my life, and I had no choice!"

Bei Chenyao snorted coldly, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger: "Even now, you still dare to argue! If it weren't for Gu Qing and the others seeing through your conspiracy and doing their best to deal with it, Zhongzhou City would probably be in dire straits by now. You unfilial son, your crimes are truly unforgivable!"

Seeing that his attempts to argue were useless, Bei Chenhan steeled his resolve and decided to unleash all the pent-up resentment he had been harboring.

He raised his head, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

“Father, you keep saying you trust your son, but what is the reality? You are always wary of me and give more favor and opportunities to other princes. Even Marquis Molin, an outsider, is more trusted by you than I am.”

"Over the years, I have worked day and night to prove myself to you, but all I have received in return are a few meaningless compliments, followed by your continued suspicion."

Bei Chenhan's voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Your subject is unwilling, unwilling to be ignored by you and trampled underfoot by my brothers. When Lin Yan approached me and said he could help me ascend the throne and give me supreme power, my heart was moved."

"Your subject believes that as long as I ascend the throne, I can prove my abilities and gain your approval."

Bei Chenyao angrily rebuked, "Absurd! For your own selfish desires, you actually colluded with evil cultivators, disregarding the safety of the people. Is power more important than the country and the people's peace? As a prince, you should have the world in your heart and seek the well-being of the people, but you have done such a heinous thing."