Chapter 36
“Report—! Urgent report from the North Gate—”
“Reporting! The Black Armor Army has already attacked the city walls of the North Gate!”
The three consecutive emergency reports pierced through the hearts of everyone in court! No one had expected that the northern city gate, which was where Ye Fengtian led the troops to defend, would actually fail to hold out in less than half an hour!
Dong!
Dong, dong!
However, what shocked the entire court even more was that, at this very moment, muffled explosions that shook the earth continuously kept erupting within the entire Vermilion Bird City and was even centered on the northern part of the city. The continuous quakes caused the entire Sacred Palace to shake slightly.
Yet, this was not the end!
“Report!”
“Your Majesty, not only is the Black Tortoise Dynasty’s army attacking, but the God of the Black Tortoise Dynasty—the Black Tortoise Divine Beast—is taking part in this attack personally!” Grand Secretary Bai, who was supposed to be guarding the entrance of the palace, had already rushed into the central palace in a panic and reported in shock.
The God of the Black Tortoise Dynasty! The divine beast Black Tortoise…
“How is this possible!?” At this moment, Holy Emperor Rong Feng, who had been sitting calmly on the throne, could no longer sit still. He stood up.
Dong!
Dong! Dong…!
However, replying Rong Feng was a muffled explosion that came from the north of the city, as well as a cold and sinister aura. It made him realize that all of this might be true.
However, how was this possible? In the Four Divisions Continent, every dynasty had its own guardian deity, and since ancient times, the guardian deity had never left their own territory!
“Your Majesty, please seek refuge in the temple as soon as possible. I’m afraid that the Sacred Palace won’t be able to hold on for long.” Although he was unwilling to say such disheartening words, Grand Secretary Bai had to admit that the Sacred Palace was absolutely unable to stop that colossal monster.
“No, where’s the crown prince?” Rong Feng asked instead of leaving.
“That’s right! Where’s His Highness, the Crown Prince?” When the court officials heard this, their expressions went blank one by one, and their hearts—that were on the verge of falling into disorder—were stabilized.
Everyone in the Vermilion Bird Dynasty knew that Crown Prince Rong Mo was the divine son acknowledged by the Vermilion Bird God. He was bestowed with the power of the Vermilion Bird God and was the mandated Master Deity.
If the Black Tortoise Dynasty’s guardian—the Black Tortoise—really broke through their territory to come here, then the only person who could stop the Black Tortoise was definitely their crown prince—Rong Mo!
However…
Where was His Royal Highness?
“Ye Qianli, where’s the crown prince?” Rong Feng suddenly looked at Ye Qianli, who was still stunned by the news of the Northern Region. After all, he had asked Rong Mo to chase after Ye Qianli just now.
“?” Asked so abruptly, Ye Qianli was stunned. How would she know where that beautiful crown prince had gone to? However, why was everyone in the court looking at her? Was she supposed to know something?
Bang!
However, it was also at this moment—before Ye Qianli could process what was going on—that the entire Sacred Palace suddenly shook violently! Innumerable decorations fell abruptly from the rooftop and smashed into the ground around her.
Crack!
The countless red main pillars in the hall cracked at the same time. What was even more terrifying was that a bellow—that could shake the heaven and earth—sounded above the Sacred Palace like an accompaniment.
Roar—!
The divine might of this roar was boundless, and as soon as it was released, Ye Qianli—who was standing at the entrance of the hall—raised her eyes. In fact, she could clearly see a terrifying dark mist tightly wrapping around the entire Sacred Palace like dark clouds that was sweeping over from all directions.
It was dark…
The entire Sacred Palace immediately became dark and gloomy. If not for a layer of fiery light barrier enveloping the Sacred Palace firmly and blocking the invasion of the darkness stubbornly, the entire Sacred Palace would probably have fallen already.
Moreover, this fiery light barrier was clearly the Sacred Palace’s final defense! Once it was broken, there would be nowhere to hide in the Sacred Palace, and everyone within the palace would be exposed to the darkness, too.
“It’s here.” Grand Secretary Bai looked at this sheet of darkness, but he knew that it was the massive creature that had crossed over from the north of the city. That thing…
He’d seen it earlier. It was tall and robust like a mountain, and completely jet black! Moreover, there was even an enormous and ferocious snake coiled on the top. As the snake flicked its tongue, layer after layer of dense mist would gush out and invade the area! There was no stronghold that it could not overcome. It was unstoppable.
Therefore, he immediately activated the last defense of the Sacred Palace and rushed straight to the main hall to report this matter. This was because he knew that if there was anything in the Vermilion Bird City that could still withstand this colossal monster, it would definitely be the Vermilion Bird Temple!
Moreover, there was a secret passage within the Sacred Palace that could lead them directly to the Vermilion Bird Temple. That being said, he looked towards Rong Feng once again and earnestly requested, “Your Majesty, please lead the lords, the princes, and princesses to the temple with haste. The Sacred Palace really cannot hold on any longer.”
“Your subject agrees!” At this moment, the Eastern Sea King was the first to agree. The shrewd him could naturally tell that the Sacred Palace was about to collapse as well. If their Holy Emperor died here, then the Vermilion Bird Dynasty would be more or less finished… Even if it had not completely fallen.
How could a dynasty that had been attacked by an enemy kingdom and had their monarch killed like this gather the hearts of the people again? Or raise the morale of the military? It definitely could not. Hence, the Holy Emperor had to leave and survive.
“We agree!” All the major officials in the royal court understood this logic so they practically voiced their agreement in unison. Even though it was indeed detrimental to their sacred prestige to be beaten up and run away, since things had already reached this point, they could only do so.
Even though Rong Feng’s face was as dark as water, he could only nod his head in response to the court officials’ earnest requests. “Grand Secretary Bai will cover the rear while the Western Wilderness King will assist. The Eastern Sea King will follow me to flank the sides of the court officials, the sons and daughters of the aristocrats and the common people of the city as we retreat quickly.”
“As Your Majesty commands!” The three pillars of the imperial court accepted their duties. However, Grand Secretary Bai did not forget to add, “Your Majesty, the prisoner in Ye Qianli’s hands is the first advisor of the Seventh Prince of Black Tortoise Dynasty—You Ming. Please take a look.”
This report of his caused Rong Feng—who had an ugly expression—to become stunned instantly. “That talent cultivator and weapon refinement master?”
“That’s right. This person was captured by Ye Qianli’s hand. Her combat strength is not weaker than mine. As expected of a daughter from a family of generals.” Grand Secretary Bai did not have time to say anything else. He could only express his intentions clearly. He hoped that Rong Feng would take good care of Ye Qianli; not only because she was an absolute talent, but also because this young girl might be able to provide the most crucial assistance when necessary.
Boom! Boom!
However, just as Grand Secretary Bai finished speaking the last sentence, the Sacred Palace began to shake violently once more. This time, ripples clearly appeared on the fiery light barrier surrounding the Sacred Palace. It was likely that it would be broken soon.
“Your Majesty, quickly go! This old official will take his leave.” Grand Secretary Bai did not have the time to say anything else. After kneeling on the ground and bowing once, he quickly ran out of the main hall with the Western Wilderness King. The two of them wanted to stabilize this final defense and buy time for Rong Feng and the rest to leave.
Seeing this, Rong Feng didn’t delay any further. On one hand, he quickly ordered his generals to lead the princes and the commoners to the secret passage separately. On the other hand, under the protection of the Eastern Sea King, he himself led the important ministers to that secret passage.
As for Ye Qianli, because of Grand Secretary Bai’s special ‘instructions’, she was naturally brought along by Rong Feng as well. During this time, the latter did not forget to ask her about the whereabouts of the crown prince again.
“I really don’t know where the crown prince went.” Ye Qianli could only tell the truth after being questioned. In her heart, she was also very puzzled as to why this beautiful crown prince hadn’t appeared up till now. Could it be that he was so angered by her that he ran away? That couldn’t be…