As the ground split open, Gu Qianying leaped into the air, soaring on the wind.
Her feet landed on layers of ice and snow, and she stood alone amidst the swirling snowstorm.
Wielding the Scarlet Blood Saber, she unleashed her internal energy, her saber strokes matching the speed of the approaching snowstorm, even surpassing the unnatural phenomena.
With several swift slashes, the snowflakes transformed into blood in the blink of an eye.
The peculiar phenomena continued.
In the sky, the daytime was shrouded by a dense layer of black mist.
In an instant, through the hazy black mist, a man clad in a crescent-white robe and a white cloak emerged from the falling snow.
As the black mist enveloped, the ice and snow swirled around the man, dissipating completely.
The phenomena gradually faded, and as the man approached, the black mist encircling him also dispersed.
It was then that Gu Qianying could clearly see the man's face.
The man had delicate features, with a head of dark hair casually falling behind him, devoid of any hair ornaments.
His features were not exceptionally exquisite, yet when brought together on his face, they were remarkably handsome.
A fiery phoenix pattern was painted on his brow, adding a touch of allure to his otherwise delicate features.
At this moment, outside the palace walls, everything had returned to normal, with no ice, snow, or black mist.
However, many soldiers were injured.
The soldiers recalled from the Nanrong Qi border also arrived.
They joined forces with the Imperial Guards within the palace, encircling Gu Qianying, her Gu family army, and the thousand elite soldiers.
The man moved closer.
Ouyang Qinglin, Gu Yefeng, Du Chun, and Nangong Li, all four, flew forward simultaneously, swords in hand.
Their primary objective was to protect Gu Qianying, and all four stood by her side.
"What sort of creature are you, looking so effeminate? I feel like throwing up just looking at you," the Sixth Prince said, holding his fan, his gaze fixed on the man opposite him, clearly finding him distasteful.
A gust of wind swept through, and an invisible force struck Nangong Li with immense power.
*Crack!*
His fan shattered into two pieces, and Nangong Li was sent flying backward.
Du Chun's eyes narrowed, and he turned, flying towards Nangong Li's trajectory and catching him steadily.
Ouyang Qinglin's phoenix-like eyes glinted with a cold light as he looked at the man opposite him, remaining silent.
He did not recognize the man, but his internal energy was profound, indicating he was no ordinary individual.
Seeing this, Ouyang Qinglin shifted closer to Gu Qianying.
No matter what, he was determined to protect Gu Qianying, even at the cost of his own life.
The wind blew, gently rustling Gu Yefeng's purple robes.
He also moved closer to Gu Qianying, his thoughts mirroring Ouyang Qinglin's; he was determined to protect his younger sister.
"Are you Gu Qianying? You look quite good, but why are you such a lowly woman who seduces men?"
The man opposite finally spoke, his words laced with disdain and a strong hint of mockery in his eyes.
His words caused Ouyang Qinglin and Gu Yefeng to both darken their expressions.
"What kind of dog are you, insulting my sister? You deserve to die!" Gu Yefeng retorted.
Ouyang Qinglin directly drew his sword and lunged towards the man's chest.
However, before he could even make contact, they were both repelled by an immense force.
Ouyang Qinglin's sword remained intact, but as he landed, he clutched his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.
This man seemed to possess a hidden, powerful demonic energy.
"Gu Yefeng, take Qianying and leave quickly. I'll hold him here."
The man opposite was too terrifying in his combat prowess; neither he nor Gu Yefeng could match him.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the man could single-handedly contend with a thousand soldiers.
If they couldn't win, staying would only mean death.
Gu Yefeng also recognized that the man's martial arts were superior to theirs.
They were no match for him.
But the situation had reached this point, and he had no room to retreat.
"Amber, take your mistress and leave first. We'll hold them off here."
If he retreated, the entire Gu family army would perish, and he could not allow that.
Even so, he wished for his sister, Gu Qianying, to live well.
"Miss, then what about us..."
Amber was also a martial artist and could naturally discern the opponent's formidable skills, far surpassing theirs.
Staying might mean death.
"Go back? Back to where? To continue being Nanrong Qi's Imperial Consort, to submit to him? Or to live in hiding, barely scraping by?"
As she spoke, Gu Qianying glanced at Gu Yefeng and the others.
"Since this is a path we've chosen together, let's face it together. If we truly cannot win, then dying here is acceptable. We will have done our best."
"Yes, you are absolutely right! Let's go together. If we can't win, we'll fight to the death and give it a try."
Du Chun, supporting the injured Nangong Li, walked over. Nangong Li spat out a mouthful of blood.
Ouyang Qinglin exchanged a look with Gu Yefeng.
Neither spoke, but their intentions remained the same.
If they could not survive, they would fight to ensure Gu Qianying's escape.
The six of them united, each wielding a long sword.
Ouyang Qinglin's treasured sword glinted as he swung it.
Nangong Li drew the short sword hidden within his fan, unleashing his full internal energy.
Gu Yefeng's sword was a sharp blade capable of slicing through iron.
Du Chun was more understated; his sword lacked luster or sharpness, but in the past, his actions ensured death for others.
Gu Qianying held the Scarlet Blood Saber.
Amber followed closely behind her.
The six of them charged forward, striking the man in the white cloak.
Instantly, the man in the white cloak used a demonic technique, summoning five doppelgangers, each engaging one of Gu Qianying's companions.
"Damn it! Where did all these extra freaks come from? Clone technique?" Nangong Li exclaimed in surprise.
He had never encountered anyone who used cloning techniques.
"Be careful, they are all formidable," Du Chun, engaged with one of the white-cloaked man's doppelgangers, warned Nangong Li as he stood close to him.
But before he could finish speaking, Nangong Li was stabbed by a doppelganger and sent flying a considerable distance.
The others also sustained injuries, bearing visible wounds.
Finally, the doppelgangers merged back into one, and the man in the white cloak attacked Gu Qianying and the others once more.
*Bang!*
All six were simultaneously thrown back by an immensely powerful force.
"Qianying!"
"Sister!"
Ouyang Qinglin and Gu Yefeng, despite their injuries, both flew towards Gu Qianying.
The Sixth Prince, Nangong Li, lay on the ground, swallowing another mouthful of blood and getting dirt all over his face.
Amber collapsed, supporting herself with one hand on her sword.
Du Chun clutched his chest, blood trickling from his lips, but without hesitation, he also flew towards Gu Qianying.
As the three arrived, Gu Qianying was already lying in the arms of a suddenly appearing man in white.
The man had materialized from nowhere, exuding an aura of immense power.
His exquisite beauty made everything around him seem to lose its color.
"Ninth... Ninth Imperial Uncle?"
"A... A Mo?"
"Nangong Mo?"
"Ninth Prince?"
Ouyang Qinglin and the others were all astonished.
The Sixth Prince, Nangong Li, could barely utter the words.
As Gu Yefeng and the others called out the man's name, Gu Qianying froze, slowly turning her head.