"You underestimate me, young one. With your current strength, helping me find my physical body is far from satisfactory," the primordial elder said with a roll of his eyes. "However, you should focus on finding a body for little Lin. Her soul is growing weaker by the day, and it's even on the verge of dissipating. If this continues, I fear she won't be able to hold on."
Lu Fan frowned. His spiritual sense penetrated the Tai Xu Sword, observing Lin Ke's cowering soul. He felt a sense of urgency.
He had been thinking about this matter constantly. It was just that his strength was too weak before, and entering the Imperial City was a matter of survival. Now that his strength had greatly increased, he was confident he could accomplish this task.
"Little Ke, wait for me. I will definitely let you see the sun again!" Lu Fan's expression was solemn.
Not long after, Lu Fan arrived within the Imperial City. Gazing at the magnificent palace and the numerous pavilions, he felt a sense of awe. The Imperial City of the White Dragon Dynasty was truly inspiring.
"This is the Imperial City?"
Lu Fan chuckled. "It's even more opulent than I imagined. No wonder it's called the Imperial City."
"Sir, you may not know, but the Imperial City is where the royalty resides. Both its architecture and its populace are at their peak," Duan Tianya explained.
As they were conversing, winged warhorses began descending from the sky above the Imperial City. These horses possessed wings and exuded a powerful aura. Astride them were numerous figures clad in golden armor, exuding a majestic presence.
Within the Imperial City, these golden-armored guards were the Imperial Royal Guards, possessing boundless authority. Even ordinary generals were no match for them.
Flanked by the golden-armored guards, a young woman in armor exuded a heroic and spirited demeanor. Her peerless beauty instantly captivated many men, stirring feelings of admiration.
However, the men within the Imperial City dared only cast sidelong glances at her, not daring to meet her gaze directly. They were acutely aware that this woman was no ordinary person and was not to be trifled with.
"Make way, make way! Princess Linglong has returned victorious! Everyone, clear the path!"
The leading general shouted loudly. The winged warhorses descended from the heavens, thundering down the Imperial City's streets, creating a spectacle akin to a stampede.
The crowd on the streets quickly retreated, not daring to show any disrespect. These warhorses were royal steeds, and those who rode them were formidable individuals. The common folk dared not offend them.
Lu Fan happened to be on the street and frowned at the scene. At that very moment, a little girl, separated from her adult companion, stood frozen in the middle of the street, crying out in distress.
The charging warhorses caused extreme chaos, and the powerful steeds showed no signs of stopping, instead barreling forward with utter disregard.
Sensing the danger, Lu Fan instantly moved. A powerful surge of energy erupted from him, and in the blink of an eye, he had whisked the little girl away from her perilous position.
However, Lu Fan's aura startled the warhorses, causing them to halt abruptly. The riders nearly fell from their mounts, and the entire procession of golden-armored soldiers came to an immediate stop.
"Who dares to disturb Princess Linglong's royal procession?"
A general roared, his voice filled with arrogance. He cast a disdainful glance at Lu Fan, believing that a hundred heads would not be enough to pay for blocking the princess's carriage on the street.
"Are you alright?" Lu Fan asked the little girl, ignoring the general.
"I'm fine, thank you, brother!" the little girl said gratefully. She was deeply thankful for Lu Fan's intervention.
The little girl's mother rushed over, embracing her daughter tightly. However, she dared not speak, and quickly pulled the girl away, her face filled with dread.
She knew very well that this was Princess Linglong, someone no one in the White Dragon Dynasty dared to offend. Now that they had disturbed the princess, they were likely facing immense trouble.
"Are you deaf, boy?"
The general, displeased, drew his sword and lunged at Lu Fan without hesitation. He saw Lu Fan as a mere commoner, someone he could easily kill.
However, in that instant, spiritual energy surged around Lu Fan, repelling the general with a powerful force.
"I did not intend to disturb the princess's procession. However, the situation was urgent. If I had not intervened, that child would have met a tragic end," Lu Fan stated. "The royal family is composed of its subjects. If it loses the people's hearts, how can the royal family continue to exist!"
"How dare you presume to lecture the royal family!"
The general was enraged, but he also recognized Lu Fan's extraordinary strength and dared not act rashly. He glanced towards Princess Linglong.
"Young man, what you just said was excellent and very meaningful," Princess Linglong said with a smile, looking at Lu Fan. "However, the dignity of the royal family is inviolable. Your words have violated that dignity, and death awaits you!"
"Please, Your Highness, forgive my lord's momentary indiscretion!" Duan Tian quickly stepped forward, his expression turning serious. Having just arrived in the Imperial City, offending the royal family would undoubtedly lead to endless trouble.
It wasn't just the White Dragon Dynasty's royal family; even a royal lineage was something they couldn't afford to offend. It was like offending the Eight Prince's Mansion, which had plunged them into peril and nearly cost them their lives.
"Is that so?"
Princess Linglong chuckled and looked at Lu Fan. "I need him to say it, not you. If he begs for mercy, I might spare his life."
"I have heard that the royal Princess Linglong is willful and capricious. Seeing you today truly makes one reconsider," Lu Fan said with a faint smile. "I merely did what was right. You wish to kill me, and for what reason? Is there no law in this dynasty?"
"The royal family is the law. If you offend the royal family, you will surely die," the surrounding generals sneered.
At this moment, many people on the street were watching. They couldn't help but shake their heads at Lu Fan's words.
It was clear that Lu Fan was an outsider, not from the Imperial City, or he wouldn't have spoken like this.
The royal family was not to be discussed by just anyone, and the consequences of offending them were dire. There were past cases to prove it.
"Interesting, truly interesting. I am curious about the courage that allows you to speak to me in such a manner?" Princess Linglong smiled.
"Are kings and generals born, or made?"
Lu Fan's expression was indifferent. "On the path of immortality, who stands at the pinnacle is yet unknown. Moreover, the spiritual realm is filled with countless experts. Even a powerful entity like the royal family should not be too arrogant."
Princess Linglong was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter. She hadn't expected Lu Fan to speak such words.