"Princess, so many, so many strong individuals have entered the Imperial City!"
Xiao Qing's face was filled with shock, and her eyes held a solemnity she couldn't comprehend that the Nine Heavens Dynasty would resort to such a scheme.
"Pass down the order, hold the Imperial City!"
Princess Linglong's voice was icy, carrying a resolve for death. They could only act this way, having reached this point.
"It's useless!"
Prince Shangguan sneered, "To storm the Imperial City, I've brought tens of thousands of experts, far stronger than the Imperial City Guards. Telling them to hold the city is sending them to their deaths!"
At this point, Prince Shangguan added, "If you are willing to surrender, perhaps I can spare your life, and in doing so, they won't have to die!"
"Never!"
Princess Linglong's expression was cold, "I promised my father I would defend the Imperial City and will never let you succeed!"
"Since that is the case, then do not blame me for being ruthless!"
Prince Shangguan spoke coldly, his imposing aura surging. He had initially intended to avoid bloodshed, but it seemed he would have to unleash a massacre.
"Xiao Qing, hurry and leave!"
Linglong transmitted her voice secretly, "His aura is very strong, I am no match for him. If I meet an untimely end, you must take the Golden Armored Guards and defend the Imperial City, ensuring it does not fall!"
"Princess!"
Xiao Qing's expression changed, and she was deeply moved. She hadn't expected Princess Linglong to be resolved to die.
Prince Shangguan wasted no more words, condensing powerful spiritual energy in his palm and surging towards Princess Linglong.
Princess Linglong swung her long sword, intending to kill Prince Shangguan, but alas, against such formidable power, she was no match.
*Boom...*
With a sound, Princess Linglong's figure was sent flying, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.
"Princess!"
Several Golden Armored Guards rushed forward, attempting to block Prince Shangguan, but he instantly turned them into nothingness. They were no match for him at all.
"Accept your fate!"
Prince Shangguan sneered, "The White Dragon Dynasty's fate is sealed!"
"Even if I die, the White Dragon Dynasty has many generals who will never surrender!"
Princess Linglong retorted with a cold laugh. She was already at the end of her strength, and the Golden Armored Guards had suffered heavy casualties. In such a situation, it was impossible to turn the tide.
"You're still so boastful when death is at your doorstep!"
Prince Shangguan sneered, walking step by step towards Linglong, like a harbinger of judgment.
"I'll fight you!"
Xiao Qing gripped her long sword and charged forward, only to be sent flying by a palm strike from Prince Shangguan, unable to withstand even a single blow.
Princess Linglong slowly closed her eyes, reminiscing about her childhood, her heart stirred.
The fighting Golden Armored Guards also fell into despair. With Princess Linglong dead, they would be headless, and the Imperial City would be theirs for the taking.
"She is not someone you can touch!"
Just then, a cold voice echoed throughout the Imperial City. Prince Shangguan abruptly stopped, looking around.
In the palace, Lu Fan walked out step by step, his expression indifferent but his aura imposing.
"Lu Fan!" Princess Linglong was surprised. She had thought Lu Fan had left long ago and did not wish to participate in the royal conflict, but she never expected him to appear here.
"Who are you? You have quite the nerve to interfere even with the Nine Heavens Dynasty?" Prince Shangguan spoke coldly.
"I already said, she is not someone you can touch!"
Lu Fan stated coldly, "Take your people and get out of the Imperial City, or face death!"
"Such arrogance, what capabilities do you possess to utter such presumptuous words?"
Prince Shangguan was displeased. Lu Fan was around his age, yet his words offended him greatly.
"Lu Fan, be careful!"
Princess Linglong cautioned, "He is not weak!"
"Don't worry!"
Lu Fan smiled, dashing forward like a blur.
Before Prince Shangguan could react, he was sent flying by an immense force, unable to resist at all.
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!"
Prince Shangguan exclaimed. He could not fathom how such a young Lu Fan could possess such strength.
"Nothing is impossible!"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, his expression growing colder. "The Nine Heavens Dynasty harbors treacherous ambitions. Today, you will not leave the Imperial City!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Prince Shangguan was immobilized by Lu Fan, utterly unable to move.
At this very moment, numerous black-clad figures from the Nine Heavens Dynasty emerged, advancing towards Lu Fan.
Tens of thousands of experts had been dispatched by the Nine Heavens Dynasty this time with the aim of conquering the Imperial City. How could they allow Lu Fan to disrupt their plans alone?
"Be careful,驸马!"
The Golden Armored Guards shouted, their concern evident. The strength of these black-clad figures from the Nine Heavens Dynasty was formidable. A slight misstep from Lu Fan could lead to great peril.
"Hmph!"
Gazing at the incoming experts, Lu Fan snorted. A massive flame suddenly appeared around him, seemingly burning even the air, causing the Nine Heavens Dynasty experts to tremble.
*Boom...*
A colossal sound erupted, and the entire Imperial City was engulfed in a sea of fire. Wherever the eye could see, flames soared into the sky.
In the blink of an eye, numerous black-clad experts met their demise.
The remaining forces of the Nine Heavens Dynasty, upon witnessing this, dared not move. Lu Fan's formidable fiery power was enough to awe them.
"You oppose the Nine Heavens Dynasty, and you will surely meet a terrible end!"
Prince Shangguan spoke coldly, issuing a threat. His mission this time was to capture the Imperial City, and failure would impact the entire war effort.
"Ridiculous, you are already my captive, and you still dare to be so arrogant!"
Lu Fan's expression was indifferent, filled with a murderous intent.
"Lu Fan, spare his life!"
Linglong spoke, "After all, he still has his uses!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, then looked towards the black-clad figures, projecting an immense deterrence.
"Take the Prince away!"
Seeing the dire situation, one of the black-clad figures commanded. The others immediately moved, attempting to rescue Prince Shangguan.
However, with Lu Fan guarding him, anyone who approached Prince Shangguan met their death.
Witnessing this, the people within the Imperial City finally felt at ease. They had believed the Imperial City was about to be captured, but now with the驸马's intervention, victory was assured.
Knowing rescue was impossible, the black-clad figures directly fled, daring not linger in the Imperial City.
They had already suffered heavy casualties. If they didn't leave now, they would likely be annihilated.
"Master驸马, we owe our thanks to you today!"
Xiao Qing spoke, "If not for you, it would have been truly troublesome!"
"I was in seclusion. Fortunately, I emerged early!"
Lu Fan said softly, "Imprison this Prince Shangguan, and we shall head to the front lines immediately."
"That is my intention as well!"
Princess Linglong nodded, "Using Prince Shangguan as a hostage, we will demand the Nine Heavens Dynasty retreat!"
"Retreat?"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, "The Nine Heavens Dynasty has attacked repeatedly. This time, we must make them pay the price!"
Princess Linglong was startled. She could sense the killing intent and ferocity within Lu Fan's heart.
"Don't waste your efforts. The Nine Heavens Dynasty is determined this time, and no one can stop them!" Prince Shangguan said coldly.