"The Nine Heavens Dynasty has two armies advancing towards the White Dragon Dynasty!"
Prince Shangguan stated, "As long as Brother Baihu raises his banner, he will surely rally widespread support and seize the royal palace!"
Baihu trembled slightly. He hadn't expected the Nine Heavens Dynasty to move so swiftly.
"Brother Shangguan, this is an internal affair of my kingdom. This move by the Nine Heavens Dynasty puzzles me!" Baihu chuckled.
"Brother Bai need not worry. After defeating the royal family, the White Dragon Dynasty will be under Brother Bai's control!" Prince Shangguan smiled. "My personal visit is enough to show the attitude of the Nine Heavens imperial family!"
"The Nine Heavens Dynasty has vast armies and numerous generals. If they truly take over the White Dragon Dynasty, would they hand it over to me?"
Baihu smiled faintly. "Is Prince Shangguan not joking with me?"
"As long as Brother Bai agrees to pay tribute to the Nine Heavens Dynasty annually, this matter can be accomplished!"
Prince Shangguan stated directly, "As the Crown Prince of the Nine Heavens Dynasty, I would never deceive the Heir Apparent. This matter has also been discussed and agreed upon with the Eighth Prince!"
"So the Nine Heavens Dynasty has already colluded with my father, the Emperor!" Baihu gave a cold smile, but his heart was filled with joy.
If this were indeed the case, it would be fine, as long as he could ascend to the throne.
"The Eighth Prince has made thorough preparations, likely anticipating this day!"
Prince Shangguan stated, "As long as Brother Bai raises his banner, the Nine Heavens Dynasty will respond in kind, and the imperial city can be breached!"
"It's probably not that simple!"
Baihu frowned. "Within the White Dragon Dynasty, there are many vassal kings. If they intervene, this matter may not succeed!"
"Having even killed their own brothers, many vassal kings are likely already displeased!"
Prince Shangguan chuckled, "At that time, the royal family will surely have reinforcements!"
"If that is the case, then so be it, as the Prince wishes!"
Baihu spoke out suddenly, his words carrying a murderous intent. He had long harbored ambitions, and now that everything was in place, why would he back down?
Before long, within the White Dragon Dynasty, two armies from the Nine Heavens Dynasty advanced towards the imperial city. The Eighth Prince's manor also gathered numerous troops, heading directly for the imperial city.
Instantly, the White Dragon Dynasty was thrown into turmoil, and many immortal cultivation sects were thrown into panic. Dynastic wars would inevitably affect even the major sects.
In the imperial city, many noble scions fled, not daring to delay.
With the Eighth Prince's manor colluding with the Nine Heavens Dynasty, the imperial city would likely be attacked before long. For these minor families, self-preservation was paramount.
Within the Imperial Palace's Grand Hall, the Dragon Emperor frowned slightly. He had ultimately underestimated the Eighth Prince's manor.
A report had just come in: the Eighth Prince's manor, with a million-strong army, was attacking the royal family, overcoming all obstacles and advancing directly towards the imperial city.
On the east and west fronts, Prince Shangguan and Grand Tutor Wen, each leading an army, were coordinating their movements.
"A million soldiers!"
The Dragon Emperor sneered, "A vassal king possessing a million soldiers, and I was completely unaware!"
"My Lord, the Eighth Prince's manor likely harbored rebellious intentions long ago!"
The Li family head stated, "These soldiers must have been secretly trained by him!"
"Hmph, the Eighth Prince's manor has raised troops in rebellion. Do any of you have any wise counsel?" The Dragon Emperor's gaze swept across them.
"The Three Great Families have followed Your Lord through countless campaigns, hence their current status. The royal family is in grave danger, and the Three Great Families will defend it to the death!"
The heads of the Zhao, Lin, and Li families rose in unison, exuding immense presence. With the royal family in peril, how could they stand idly by?
The Three Great Families and the royal family were interdependent. If the royal family were destroyed, the Three Great Families would cease to exist as well.
"With your words, I am reassured!"
The Dragon Emperor nodded. "The three family heads will divide into three routes to meet the enemy!"
"Father Emperor, I wish to lead troops to battle as well!" From Su Dan Novel Network.
Princess Linglong stepped forward, her gaze firm. With the situation having escalated to this point, as a princess of the dynasty, she naturally would not stand by and watch.
"This time, you and the驸马 will defend the imperial city. I will personally deal with this internal corruption!"
The Dragon Emperor stated, his words carrying an endless killing intent. He would never allow members of the royal family to collude with foreign enemies.
"His Majesty intends to lead the expedition personally!"
The heads of the Three Great Families were startled, their hearts filled with unease.
Throughout history, when an emperor personally led an expedition, it invariably signaled a time of existential crisis for the dynasty.
"Indeed!"
The Dragon Emperor nodded. "I want to see if these vassal kings dare to make any moves!"
The old ministers intended to step forward to dissuade him, but they felt that the Dragon Emperor's move was feasible, as it would serve to deter the vassal kings.
Lu Fan stood to the side, a look of joy on his face. If the Dragon Emperor personally led the expedition, Manager Li would surely follow. At that time, the imperial city would be vulnerable, and it would be easy for him to obtain the Spirit Gathering Bottle.
A few days later, the Dragon Emperor departed the imperial city with many experts, accompanied by the heads of the Three Great Families and tens of thousands of powerful figures.
Princess Linglong stood on the city walls, her eyes filled with worry.
This time, the royal family faced greater peril than ever before. A single misstep could lead to its downfall.
"Rest assured, the Dragon Emperor's strength is formidable. With him personally intervening, victory is assured!"
Lu Fan comforted her. "Moreover, Manager Li is accompanying him!"
"The Nine Heavens Dynasty has deployed countless experts this time. The situation is far from simple!"
Princess Linglong shook her head, her expression growing solemn.
Lu Fan felt a slight awkwardness, unsure how to comfort her.
Within the imperial city, tens of thousands of guards remained, but compared to usual, they appeared somewhat lonely.
As night fell, Lu Fan arrived at the Imperial Palace's Treasure Hall and entered directly.
He had come to the imperial city for the sole purpose of obtaining the Spirit Gathering Bottle. Now that the opportunity presented itself, he would not miss it.
Upon entering the hall, Lu Fan saw that the entire Treasure Hall was filled with dazzling arrays of treasures. Whether it was flying swords or medicinal pills, they were countless.
After searching for a long time within the hall, he still had not found the Spirit Gathering Bottle. However, he discovered a mechanism within the Treasure Hall.
Following the mechanism, Lu Fan proceeded towards a secret chamber, and after some time, he arrived at an underground palace.
Within the palace were displayed numerous rare treasures. In the center, a strangely shaped bottle emitted a faint blue glow.
Lu Fan did not hesitate. He took the Spirit Gathering Bottle into his hand and simultaneously guided the spiritual consciousness of Lin Ke and the elder Hong Meng into it.
Nourished by the Spirit Gathering Bottle, their spiritual consciousness gradually recovered, even strengthening at a visible rate.
"This Spirit Gathering Bottle is indeed effective!"
Lu Fan revealed his delight. With such a divine artifact, he believed that elder Hong Meng and Lin Ke would soon recover completely.
Just as Lu Fan was about to leave, he noticed a spring eye within the hall, emanating wisps of spiritual energy.
"This is a good place for cultivation!"
Lu Fan muttered, then leaped into the spring eye.
The spring was bottomless. Lu Fan hovered on the surface of the water and slowly closed his eyes. Suddenly, a continuous stream of spiritual energy surged towards him.
Meanwhile, within the imperial city, Princess Linglong, unable to find Lu Fan, ordered Xiao Qing to search for him. However, after several days, Lu Fan's whereabouts remained unknown.
"Princess, has the驸马 run away?"
Xiao Qing said, "The royal family is in a precarious situation. Leaving at this time is rather unseemly!"