43: The storm is brewing.

“Everyone… please step back.”

At the corner of the alley, a figure in green, wearing a bamboo hat and an iron mask, calmly stepped forward.

Heavenly Dark Star's voice was slightly hoarse: “Your Highness Changming, my master requests your presence.”

“Hmph, a hidden, shadowy figure, quite boastful!”

The Immortal Fate Studio's guardian old woman's gaze was icy, and a vast amount of water vapor surged around her. In an instant, a ferocious Water Dragon condensed into form, roaring as it swept through the alley.

“Roar!”

Facing the ferocious Water Dragon, Heavenly Dark Star's steps did not falter. With each step he took, a dark red Nether Qi expanded outwards.

“Boom!”

The Water Dragon crashed into layers of Nether barriers, yet it was like a mud ox entering the sea, unable to stir up even a ripple.

The old woman's pupils constricted, and a faint golden light appeared in her eyes.

Immortal Fate Studio's Luck Observation Technique.

At this moment, in her line of sight, behind each person, there was an ethereal object representing their Luck.

And behind the figure in the bamboo hat and green clothes, the Luck was vast and terrifyingly boundless.

Two Dragons intertwined, one dark and one golden!

The two giant Dragons seemed to sense something, lowering their Dragon heads, looking down with indifference.

“Pfft!”

The old woman's mind was greatly shaken, her throat tightened, and she spat out a large mouthful of fresh blood.

She didn't even use the second move of the Luck Severing Technique and was already met with a strong backlash.

This indicated that the opponent's Luck was more than a hundred times her own!

Inside the carriage, Gu Qingxian was slightly surprised. Her Luck Observation Technique was even more refined than the old woman's, so she could clearly “see” the battle situation around her.

This suddenly appearing figure in the bamboo hat and green clothes actually had the power to suppress the entire scene.

The Peach Blossom Demon Spirit of Myriad Flower Valley giggled: “That Your Highness's subordinates are truly full of hidden talents.”

The old woman wiped the blood from her mouth and sneered: “Anyone who dares to touch my Immortal Fate Studio's current Fairy, even Emperor Wanwu cannot protect you!”

From the Prime Minister's Residence, three powerful auras shot into the sky, rushing over rapidly.

“I can't kill you, but delaying you is more than enough.”

The old woman lightly tapped her staff on the ground, and the Heaven and Earth Origin Qi churned, raising a water curtain barrier that formed a circular Zhou Tian, enveloping the carriage.

The next moment, her figure shot out, moving incredibly fast, using her staff as a weapon, and instantly exchanged dozens of moves with Heavenly Dark Star.

Both sides were at the ninth level of the Void Realm, making it almost impossible to decide the victor in a single move.

Yet Heavenly Dark Star always responded calmly, seemingly not caring how long the fight dragged on.

“Ding-a-ling~”

The crisp sound of a bell echoed.

The old woman's expression changed slightly. She glanced back, revealing an opening, and a long blade instantly and smoothly cut open half of her body, splattering blood.

Behind her, Red Bell's figure, like a ghost, easily passed through the water curtain barrier and entered the carriage.

She looked at the white-haired Gu Qingxian, her eyes lit up, and she sincerely praised: “What a beauty, she doesn't disgrace Your Highness.”

With that, Red Bell, regardless of Gu Qingxian's reaction, directly captured her, broke through the water curtain, and rushed towards Prince Chu's Mansion.

“How dare you!”

The old woman's eyes were splitting with rage. Disregarding her severe injuries, she was about to give chase.

Heavenly Dark Star put away his Tang blade, crossed his arms, and stepped forward, unleashing a Dragon-like force, kicking the old woman in the abdomen with the momentum of ten thousand jun.

“Pfft!”

The old woman's eyeballs bulged. She felt as if she had been struck by an ancient Dragon-elephant, and all her bones felt as if they were about to shatter from the excruciating pain. The protective Water Origin power suddenly exploded.

Her back arched like a shrimp, she was swept by a wave of Qi, flying a hundred zhang away.

Where she passed, a gully was plowed into the ground.

The old woman's body was twisted as she lay in the ruins, completely unconscious.

At the same time, the three powerful auras from the Prime Minister's Residence arrived one after another.

Heavenly Dark Star faced three opponents alone.

In the Peach Blossom Illusion, Chen Leopard finally broke free.

His eyes were bloodshot, his breathing heavy, and he looked at Red Bell's disappearing figure, chasing after her closely.

“Thief, if you dare to lay a finger on Your Highness Changming, I will make sure you wish you were dead!”

Prince Chu's Mansion.

A massive golden defensive formation, covering the entire mansion, made its debut.

In yuanfu mountain, it seemed as if three thousand deities were carving runes in the Void Realm, continuously supplementing and enhancing the foundation of the grand formation.

With a “boom,”

Chen Leopard crashed into the defensive formation in the Void Realm, yet it only caused ripples in the golden light.

“Prince Chu, you are incredibly audacious!”

“Defying His Majesty's decree is a capital offense. If you turn back now, you still have a chance to live!”

Chen Leopard's multiple attacks were fruitless, and he suddenly calmed down. Behind him, an imposing Martial God Dharma Aspect manifested.

Besides the humanoid Dharma Aspect similar to his own appearance, there was also a coiling Black Panther.

The Black Panther's vertical pupils moved, emitting a roar that echoed throughout the Imperial Capital.

At the East Gate, the one-thousand-strong Tiger and Leopard Battalion immediately advanced towards the Black Panther's position.

“Once the army arrives, I'd like to see how you stop them!”

Chen Leopard still did not give up on bombarding the grand formation, attempting to weaken its defenses.

“You junior, disturbing my master, how noisy.”

Suddenly, the grand formation opened a gap.

Before Chen Leopard could feel joy, he saw a golden, sky-covering giant hand descend.

“Nine-zhang Spirit Dharma Aspect!?”

A chill ran down his spine, and he retreated rapidly, yet he couldn't escape the grasping range of the sky-covering giant hand... Prince Qi's Residence.

Prince Qi anxiously awaited the results.

Soon after, one by one, secretive dark figures came to report.

“Outside the Prime Minister's Residence, a shocking battle occurred, with at least eight Dharma Aspect Realm powerhouses clashing.”

“At the East Gate, the Tiger and Leopard Battalion was mobilized, seemingly heading directly towards Prince Chu's Mansion!”

“Your Highness!”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Elder Jia, who had nearly had his internal organs shattered by a single blow from the Immortal Fate Studio's old woman during the previous battle, secretly withdrew from the battlefield and snuck back to the mansion.

“Elder Jia, what exactly is the situation? Did Prince Chu succeed?”

“I did not fail my trust.” Elder Jia sat down on the spot, absorbing Heaven and Earth Origin Qi, and began to heal his injuries.

“Prince Chu's subordinate, a green-armored, iron-masked man, was truly fierce. He severely injured the Immortal Fate Studio's guardian, leaving her half-crippled. Later, he fought against three hidden masters from the Immortal Fate Studio, and the outcome is still undecided.”

“It's good that he succeeded, it's good that he succeeded.”

Prince Qi couldn't stop smiling: “Previously, this Prince was worried that Prince Chu's experts would not be a match for the Immortal Fate Studio, but now it seems that was unnecessary.

The stronger Prince Chu is, the more advantageous it is for us.

Now, we have escaped the vortex.

With Gu Qingxian at Prince Chu's Mansion, the Crown Prince will certainly retrieve her at all costs.

Once Prince Chu truly defiles Gu Qingxian, both sides will inevitably tear off their masks and fight to the death.

In this struggle, no matter who wins, our side can reap the benefits of being the fisherman.

Elder Jia, later I will trouble you to make another trip to inform Old General Military General to assemble the army.

If the Crown Prince, in a fit of rage, mobilizes the Tiger and Leopard Battalion to besiege the city, we will need him to relieve the siege.

Additionally, hand over the mountain shaking battle flag that was acquired through auction to the Old General.”

“Your Highness's calculations are flawless, and a great cause is within reach!”

Elder Jia smiled excitedly, which aggravated his injuries, causing him to grimace in pain.

But he did not delay for a moment, directly dragging his injured body to continue executing the next task.