Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 178 Assisting the New Emperor
Liu Sijun activated the Taixu Mirror with all his might, enveloping the approaching demon wolf within it. The demon wolf let out a joyful howl amidst the pillar of light, and the blue flames on its body gradually died down.

Yuan Jingshan formed a hand seal, and the ground beneath the demon wolf's feet rapidly rose, trapping some of the demon wolf within.

However, the wolf pack was numerous and charged forward wave after wave, making the situation increasingly tense.

Meng Zhefeng unleashed "Infernal Fire Sea," and a sea of ​​fire spread among the wolf pack. The wolves struggled and howled in the fire, but many more wolves recklessly charged through the flames and continued to pounce on the group.

The experts responsible for covering the rear also encountered trouble, as a group of bat-like monsters swooped down from the sky, attempting to attack their backs.

They had to divert their spiritual energy to cast spells to defend against the bat monsters' attacks.

While fiercely slaying the demon wolves, Gu Changzhou shouted, "This can't go on! We can't linger in this fight! Charge out!"

Upon hearing this, everyone unleashed even stronger spiritual power, carving a bloody path through the demon horde.

After a fierce battle, the group finally broke through the encirclement of the demons and quickened their pace towards the outside of Black Wind Mountain.

The group hurried along, and before they had gone far, the once wide mountain path suddenly narrowed, and black sludge began to seep from the mountain walls on both sides, emitting a foul stench.

The viscous liquid flowed down the mountainside of Nehe, gathering on the ground into puddles that exuded an eerie aura.

"Be careful of this slime, don't get it on your body."

No sooner had Liu Sijun finished speaking than a huge, strange bird swooped down from the dark clouds.

The strange bird was surrounded by black weapons, and its claws were like sharp steel hooks, gleaming with a cold light.

"It's the Shadow Bone-Eating Bird!"

Meng Zhefeng recognized the strange bird, his face turning grim: "Its claws and mist are highly poisonous. Everyone be careful!"

The strange bird swooped down towards the group, and Gu Changzhou quickly activated "Star Guardian Shield," instantly enveloping everyone in a layer of dazzling starlight shield.

The strange bird's sharp claws gripped the shield, producing a screeching sound, and ripples spread across the shield.

Yuan Jingshan seized the opportunity, formed hand seals, and unleashed "Earth Spirit Piercing," causing countless sharp earth spikes to erupt from the ground and pierce towards the strange bird.

The strange bird let out a strange cry, flapped its wings, and black mist spread out, corroding the soil spikes.

Liu Sijun activated the Taixu Mirror with all his might, and a beam of light containing powerful purification energy shot out from the mirror, heading towards the strange bird.

Sensing the threat, the strange bird dodged the beam of light.

But the beam of light struck a boulder behind it, instantly purifying it into dust.

The rearguard was still engaged in a fierce battle with the bat monsters, whose numbers were increasing and constantly attacking their defenses.

One of the experts was careless and his arm was scratched by a bat-like monster. The wound turned black instantly, and he groaned as his spiritual energy circulation became briefly disordered.

"Hold on! We can't fall here!"

Another expert covering the rear shouted, while simultaneously intensifying his magical attacks, repelling some of the surrounding bat monsters.

Looking at the situation before him, Gu Changzhou knew that he had to resolve the matter quickly.

He channeled the power of the stars to its limit and unleashed "Starfall Annihilation," causing countless illusory stars to appear in the sky and crash down on the strange bird like meteorites.

The strange bird sensed a deadly threat and tried to escape, but its movements were restricted by the runic beams shot out by Liu Sijun using the Taixu Mirror.

The phantom stars slammed into the strange bird, unleashing a dazzling light and a powerful impact.

The strange bird let out a shrill scream as its massive body plummeted from the sky. Having dealt with the bird, the group dared not linger and turned to support the rearguard.

Gu Changzhou unleashed "Star Storm," and countless star sword energies swirled and swept towards the bat demons, shredding a large number of them into pieces.

Liu Sijun, Yuan Jingshan, and Meng Zhefeng also unleashed powerful spells and joined the battle.

With everyone's combined efforts, the bat monster was finally defeated.

After successfully repelling the bat monster, the group didn't dare to delay for a moment and quickened their pace towards the outside of Black Wind Mountain.

Throughout the journey, everyone remained on edge, constantly alert to any potential dangers around them.

Fortunately, nothing else happened until they left Black Wind Mountain.

As soon as they emerged from the mountain, the group immediately summoned their flying swords and, riding the fierce winds, sped towards Zhongzhou City.

In the sky, their figures resembled a flock of swiftly flying birds, the light on their swords shimmering in the sunlight.

Finally, the majestic city walls of Zhongzhou City came into view.

The group flew straight to the palace, and as soon as they stepped through the palace gates, they felt a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.

The guards looked solemn and hurried along.

A tense atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing, permeated the palace.

The group hurried along and soon arrived at the palace where Bei Chenyao was staying.

Inside the palace, the candlelight flickered, casting dappled shadows on the walls, adding to the somber atmosphere.

Liu Sijun's master, Song Hongyuan, was sitting by the bed with a solemn expression and his forehead covered with fine beads of sweat, clearly having expended a lot of energy.

Seeing everyone arrive, Song Hongyuan slightly raised his head, a hint of fatigue and relief flashing in his eyes, and nodded slightly to Liu Sijun.

Liu Sijun was extremely anxious and hurriedly stepped forward, asking softly, "Master, what is His Majesty's condition?"

Song Hongyuan sighed deeply and slowly said, "I have temporarily stabilized his injuries, but the poison His Majesty has been afflicted with is extremely strange. I can only delay the onset of the poison; this is merely a temporary measure. His Majesty's body is already extremely weak, and I fear..."

At this point, he shook his head slightly, his eyes filled with helplessness.

At this moment, Bei Chenyao, who was lying on the bed, slowly opened his eyes. His eyes showed fatigue and weakness, but when he saw Gu Changzhou and the others, a trace of relief flashed in his eyes.

He struggled to raise his hand, his fingers trembling slightly, gesturing for everyone to come closer.

Gu Changzhou and the others quickly rushed forward and knelt down on one knee.

Bei Chenyao's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Gu Changzhou. His voice was weak but firm: "Gu Qing, I know my time is coming to an end. I entrust this world to you and all my beloved ministers."

Gu Changzhou felt a pang of pain in his heart, his eyes reddening slightly. He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist, and said firmly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost to assist the new emperor, protect this vast land, and live up to Your Majesty's trust."

Bei Chenyao nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the Third Prince Bei Chenshu standing to the side.

Bei Chenshu's eyes were red and swollen with tears, as he struggled to hold back his grief.

Looking at his son, Bei Chenyao's eyes were full of love and expectation. He gently held Bei Chenshu's hand and said, "My son, I am passing the throne to you. This is... my trust in you, and also the expectation of the people of the world for you. In the future... in the future, you must keep the world in your heart, care for the common people, and be a wise ruler. Do not let me down."

(End of this chapter)