Starting with being handed over to the Imperial Concubine, building a family with a thousand-year hi

"But..." Duanmu Ping hesitated for a moment, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, "That Xiao Yuanhou... has he really perished? If he is still alive, even if we join forces, we may still be unable to avoid a fierce and bloody battle, and the outcome is still uncertain."

He led his people from afar, naturally seeking greater benefits—the East China Sea Islands, though desirable, are ultimately isolated and resource-limited. But if Grandmaster Xiao Yuanhou were still alive, the risks would be far too high.

"Even if he's not dead, he must be severely injured and on the verge of death, barely clinging to life, nothing to fear," Situ Jing said with unwavering confidence. In truth, if Xiao Yuanhou were indeed dead, the Situ family might be able to attempt success independently, perhaps without needing to share the spoils with the Duanmu family. However, their current alliance with the Duanmu family serves two purposes: first, to ensure the success of their undertaking, and second, to prepare for the complex situation that might arise afterward—once the Xiao clan is destroyed and the new dynasty is established, they will inevitably face immense pressure from the northern barbarians, the northwestern deserts, and even the demon races of the western mountains. With their foundations unstable, they urgently need strong external support for mutual reliance.

"Since Brother Situ says so, I am relieved." Duanmu Ping nodded slowly. He was not yet 150 years old, which was still in his prime for a Grandmaster with such a long lifespan. He was confident that he could exert 70-80% of his combat power. Few in the world could withstand the combined attack of two Grandmasters who were at or near their peak.

"Tomorrow is the sacrificial ceremony," Situ Jing said solemnly, getting to the point. "Xiao Anxun has issued an edict ordering all civil and military officials of the fifth rank and above, as well as all members of the imperial clan, to enter the palace for the ceremony. At that time, we will enter the palace first according to protocol, and during the ceremony, in front of our ancestors and all the officials, we will launch a sudden attack and seize the initiative! Brother Duanmu can lead his elite troops to provide support at the pre-arranged location outside the palace. If anything changes inside the palace, or if I give the signal, you should storm in directly, take down Xiao Anxun, and eliminate the core of the Xiao clan in one fell swoop!"

The Situ family was making hasty plans, and their scheme was already set. The Xiao imperial family, on the other hand, was not entirely oblivious or passively awaiting their doom.

Although there is no conclusive evidence directly accusing the Situ family of plotting a rebellion, the various unusual signs and secretive movements in recent days have convinced the core members of the royal family that the Situ family's rebellious intentions are clear and that they will take action at any moment.

The Xiao imperial family had managed the capital for thousands of years, with a vast network of informants and deep-rooted influence. No matter how cautious the Situ family was, such large-scale covert preparations could not be completely hidden from all eyes. Some unusual personnel exchanges, resource transfers, and contacts with unfamiliar experts had already been recorded by the imperial spies.

Of course, the Situ family had been operating in the capital region and even the palace for a long time, and had its own information channels and informants. They were not completely unaware of some of the unusual movements of the royal family recently.

In addition, a group of experts from the Tianwu Sect, who received a secret imperial order, had quietly infiltrated the palace two days prior and dispersed to hide in various key locations.

Meanwhile, the elite royal guards, the "Jianrui Camp," which were originally stationed on the outskirts of the capital, have been broken up and quietly entered the city in batches. They are currently hidden in several pre-established strongholds within the city, ready for battle.

While the Xiao royal family currently lacks top-tier combat power at the Grandmaster level, its accumulated strength below that level should not be underestimated. Among the royal family members are numerous Grandmaster-level experts, and even more Innate martial artists. The Imperial Martial Arts Bureau, the Palace Guard, and the military system directly under the royal family also boast many loyal and reliable martial arts masters.

However, many of the Grandmasters and Innate Generals among the border troops guarding the four frontiers have been stationed abroad for many years, resulting in a distant relationship with the central government. Furthermore, many of them have deep ties with the Situ family, so it remains uncertain whether they will remain absolutely loyal to the imperial family and what choices they will make at crucial moments. It is also difficult to recall them all in haste.

In contrast, the "Jianrui Battalion" has always been the most loyal military force directly controlled by the royal family. Its equipment is far superior to that of the ordinary border troops, the "Xuanjia Army." Successive Xiao emperors have invested enormous resources in building and maintaining this elite force that is absolutely loyal to the royal family.

Ordinary elite soldiers wear armor and carry weapons that are at least mid-grade or even high-grade Yellow Rank; officers and warriors at the Acquired Realm are equipped with top-grade Yellow Rank equipment as standard, and some elites are even equipped with low-grade Profound Rank equipment. As for the Innate Realm warriors and a few Grandmasters stationed in the camp, they are almost all fully armed with Profound Rank gear.

These exquisite pieces of equipment are mostly remnants accumulated by the Xiao imperial family during its heyday hundreds of years ago. Due to the scarcity of large-scale wars in peacetime, they have suffered minimal wear and tear. Furthermore, the artifacts themselves are made of exceptional materials, making them wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant. With proper maintenance, they can be used for a long time and passed down through generations.

As night fell, the lights in the palace gradually went out, but the Hall of Mental Cultivation remained brightly lit.

Emperor Xiao Anxun, along with Xiao Anran who had just rushed back from the library, and more than ten core elders of the imperial clan and loyal generals from the army, gathered here. The atmosphere was heavy, and the air seemed to freeze.

"Now, my Xiao clan only has one Grandmaster left... and his whereabouts are unknown, his fate uncertain." A senior elder spoke in a deep voice, his voice hoarse, "However, we can still muster about fifteen Grandmasters to fight to the death, and we may still have a chance."

"The Situ family must have outside help this time," another Grandmaster in charge of the royal guards interjected, his face grim. "Based on scattered intelligence, they can probably mobilize no fewer than ten Grandmasters. The most troublesome one is that my great-grandfather will have to deal with Situ Jing alone and another Grandmaster he may have invited..."

"One against two... My great-grandfather is old, and that old scoundrel Situ Jing, having obtained the Life Essence Fruit, is probably back to his prime." Xiao Anran clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his eyes filled with worry and resentment.

"Even so, we must fight to the death!" an old general, clad in worn armor and covered in wounds, roared, his eyes burning with fierce determination. "Even if the Xiao family is in danger of annihilation, we will never allow traitors like the Situ family to easily seize our throne! They must pay a bloody price!"

At this moment, the members of the imperial clan were unaware that the Situ family had formed an alliance with the Duanmu family, let alone that the other side had two Grandmasters in excellent condition. Grandmasters are elusive and deliberately concealed, making them extremely difficult to track and detect after entering the capital.

They did not know the specific state of Situ Jing after consuming the Life Essence Fruit, but they speculated from the changes in his complexion that he had recovered to some extent.

As for how many grandmasters the Situ family had invited to help, it was difficult to count exactly, but everyone already had a worst-case scenario in mind.

"Elders, General," Xiao Anxun rose from his throne, solemnly bowing to the assembled crowd. His young face was filled with a resolve and determination beyond his years. "Regardless of whether the Situ family makes their move tomorrow, or how they do it, we will respond according to our established strategy. The Xiao family's destiny, the blood and sweat of our ancestors… even if we all perish here today, we will never betray this bloodline, nor the people of the land!"

"Fight to the death! Protect the nation!" The deep roar echoed in the hall, though it was suppressed, it still revealed a resounding and iron-blooded intent.

Looking at the faces before her—some aged, some resolute, some filled with grief and indignation—Xiao Anran felt a surge of warmth welling up from the depths of her heart, dispelling some of her fear and confusion. Suddenly, Su Mu's calm yet seemingly powerful words resurfaced clearly in her mind—

"Things may not be hopeless until they reach a dead end; there is always a chance for a turnaround."

Perhaps... there really is still hope?

……