Among those who recognized the state of affairs, only two were truly aware of the attack's true nature…

The first, of course, was the one who initiated it: Xu Huai Shang.

And the second was Feng Bujue.

With a single glance, Brother Jue gleaned the specific information about this skill from the data level:

【Name: Xiaobo. Feng Yue Zhan (Wave-Quelling. Wind Moon Slash)】

【Skill Card Attributes: Active Skill, Permanently Learned】

【Skill Category: Combat】

【Effect: Burst of Qi, Dash, Whirlwind Combo Slash (can only be activated while wielding a bladed weapon, cooldown time of twelve minutes; "Anger" emotion can increase the power of the move by 1-20%)】

【Consumption: 700 Stamina】

【Learning Condition: Combat Specialization A】

【Note: An extremely fast dashing combo that can inflict fatal slashes on the opponent before they can even defend.】

This was undoubtedly a rather special skill, as its effect was somewhat linked to the uncertain factor of "emotions."

This was also a trend… later in the game, similar skills would become more and more common, and the boundaries at the data level would become increasingly blurred. The contest between top experts… would unfold on a higher level.

"Just what is the background of this group of people…" At this moment, Ji Xuanzong's expression had become grave as he thought to himself, "First, that sword-wielding woman… casually blocked my Holy Essence Impact; then that Feng Bujue… used a strange spell to help my little sister escape from the Star Universe Immortal Execution Formation; and now, that dual-wielding woman, with just one move, killed a master of the Holy Essence Unbounded realm…"

Thinking to this point, a trace of unease couldn't help but arise in his heart…

For someone like Ji Xuanzong, whose scheming was unfathomable, whose foresight was profound, and who was unscrupulous, the most unacceptable thing… was the current situation being beyond his control.

Therefore, once such a situation occurred, he would do everything in his power to correct it.

"Imperial City Guards, listen to my command!" Now, Ji Xuanzong was serious. "Quickly capture Ji Fenglong, Su Xiaoxiao, and Lin Que!"

He was indeed a man of great intellect; in this chaotic situation, the first thing he thought of was… using the numerical advantage of his forces to attack the weakest link in the opponent's formation. Even if those cannon fodder didn't succeed, it would be enough to play a restraining role.

"Despicable scoundrel!" In the next second, a delicate shout rang out.

Ji Xuanzong followed the sound and discovered that the one who cursed him was the last of the four from Broken Sword Teahouse.

At this moment, Hua Jian had reached Ji Fenglong and the other two's side and had already begun to heal their injuries with her medical skills. She never expected… that Ji Xuanzong would be so quick to attack these injured people, so she instinctively turned her head and cursed him.

"Hmph…" Ji Xuanzong didn't respond to Hua Jian's words but coldly harrumphed and re-ordered, "Capture all four of them!"

However… after this order was issued, no one moved for a long time.

Not only did the dozens of people around the carriage not move, but even the soldiers surrounding the street remained still.

"Hmm?" At this, Ji Xuanzong and Yin Loulan simultaneously revealed expressions of doubt.

"Imperial City Guards, listen to my command!" Ji Xuanzong shouted again, but the nearby soldiers seemed to be deaf, with no reaction at all.

This bizarre phenomenon caused Ji and Yin's hearts to suddenly tighten. They both understood… that another situation beyond their control had occurred.

"There's no need to waste your breath; they are no longer under your control." Suddenly, a woman's voice rang out, breaking the brief silence.

Before this person's voice faded, all of the surrounding soldiers… silently, neatly, and quickly retreated to both sides of the street. Even more strangely… even the Bai Ze Holy Steed responsible for pulling the carriage (since the Kui Dragon Imperial Carriage was destroyed, the reins had naturally been broken) also retreated along with the soldiers…

"Heh… Finally here…" Feng Bujue said as he looked up in the direction of the voice.

He saw two graceful figures standing on the roof of a building facing the street. The one who had spoken just now was one of them.

"We've been here for a while," Twenty-Three replied, "It's just… there are quite a few targets to control, and the data strength of each individual is very high…"

"…Moreover, we are not in the best condition right now," Ruth took over her words and said, "So it took a little more time."

"Thank you both for your hard work." Feng Bujue nodded at them and revealed a smile.

"We can only help you this far," Ruth replied.

Twenty-Three also said, "You'll probably have to rely on yourselves to deal with the remaining targets."

"A piece of cake." Feng Bujue responded, turned his head, and looked at Yin Loulan again. "The division into three routes is already complete; I'm about to implement the second step."

"Brother Yin, we can't be careless anymore; let's join forces to kill that surnamed Feng first!" At this moment, a ferocious killing intent appeared on Ji Xuanzong's face.

As one unexpected scene after another unfolded, Ji Xuanzong faintly felt that the "three steps" that Feng Bujue had just mentioned might very well become a reality.

"Alright! Kill!" Yin Loulan also understood that Brother Ji's words were no joke; as he responded, he had already made his move.

In the blink of an eye, both swords were unsheathed, and the sword light flashed. Yin Loulan merely drew his swords, and two cuts several meters long were carved into the ground on either side of him.

"Ma Sun!" Feng Bujue appeared nonchalant, but in his heart, he was always on high alert. As soon as he saw Yin Loulan make his move, he immediately summoned Ma Sun, preparing to face the enemy.

"Kill!" On the other side, Ji Xuanzong also shifted his body, trying to bypass the people in the middle and flank Brother Jue.

However—a flash of cold light stopped him.

When Ji Xuanzong's figure reappeared, he had only moved a short two meters to the side.

A wisp of cold sweat suddenly flowed from his temples, streaking across his cheek.

A piece of torn cloth separated from the hem of his clothes and fell at his feet.

"Not bad," Ruoyu's cold voice rang out. At this moment, her gaze was also as cold as ice, "Your reaction is quite fast."

With the assistance of [Perception Prophet], Ruoyu could easily predict the opponent's movement path. It was almost impossible for Ji Xuanzong to bypass her…

"It seems… I have no choice but to take you as my opponent…" Ji Xuanzong quickly calmed himself down, secretly gathering Holy Essence, and said in a deep voice.

"No." Ruoyu looked directly into Ji Xuanzong's eyes, her coldness seemed to be able to freeze the other party's soul, "You are not my opponent."

The moment the last word "opponent" left her mouth, Ruoyu had already moved.

Ling Qi Xuan, Die Ying Wu (Spiritual Qi Whirl, Butterfly Shadow Dance).

Jian Hua Zhan, Shen Wei Yang (Sword Radiance Blooms, Divine Might Soars).

One move, [Butterfly Spirit Divine Shadow], stirred up layers of phantoms and lit up layers of sword light.

Although Ji Xuanzong was prepared, he was still shocked and terrified by Ruoyu's attack.

In those short two seconds, it was as if he was being besieged by several swordsmen of the same level as Yin Loulan, completely unable to cope.

However, Ji Xuanzong was, after all, a Yuan Saint cultivator with unfathomable Holy Essence Power; moreover, he still had the Heavenly Book Bamboo Slips in his hand, which could activate the Heavenly and Earthly Qi in the world of the Heavenly Book to assist him… Therefore, relying on his incomparably thick defensive energy, he barely held on against this wave of fierce attacks.

"Hoo…" With the move exhausted, Ruoyu's figure reappeared. She breathed out and muttered expressionlessly, "Didn't die after all…"

Ji Xuanzong's face was pale, but he forced himself to remain calm, sneering and replying, "Heh… You think you can hurt me with such moves?"

Ruoyu ignored him and continued to mutter to herself, "Very well… I'll just attack your zhao men (weak point)."

"What are you saying…" When he heard the words "zhao men," the corners of Ji Xuanzong's mouth couldn't help but twitch, "Do you know what you're saying…"

Before he could finish his sentence, Ruoyu interrupted him with a cold tone, "It's at the fifth cervical vertebra, right?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Xuanzong was immediately dumbfounded. At this moment, he really wanted to ask, "What expression should I use?"

If his opponent was Feng Bujue, Brother Jue would definitely tell him in a mocking tone: "Just smile."

Fortunately, his opponent was Ruoyu. The Maiden of Li wouldn't do such a thing… Taking advantage of the fact that her opponent was still in shock (Feng Bujue would usually wait until the other party was humiliated by him), she suddenly made her move.

Then, one saw…