Despite being an elderly man with white hair, his mobility within the magic array was unmatched by many of the younger soldiers present.

Golden lightning, red flames, howling winds, and churning water created a dazzling spectacle.

Xu Nian stood atop the city wall, watching the countless Gu worms hidden within the white mist. They lingered outside the magic array, waiting for Elder Xun to break through.

They can then fly into Canggu City without any scruples, and at that time, all the residents of Canggu City will become nourishment for them to parasitize!

"I really didn't expect that Elder Xun is so powerful."

"What?"

Gu Zhan didn't hear her mutterings clearly and tilted his head to look at her. He saw Xu Nian shake her head and say nothing.

Marshal Gu's dark pupils flickered slightly. He had felt for a long time that Xu Nian was hiding something from him. For example, her inexhaustible supply of food.

For example, her superb medical skills and her amazing magic!

Since Xu Nian didn't say anything, he never asked. After all, she was now his wife, and any secret would fade with time.

As their relationship progressed and things gradually unraveled, Gu Zhan felt uneasy lately for some reason.

They clearly had a lifetime to get to know each other and fall in love. Yet, he always had a feeling that time was running out.

How could someone not understand the deeper meaning in Gu Zhan's eyes? She just hadn't figured it out yet, so she could only pretend not to see it and keep her gaze fixed on the magic array in front of her.

Mo Yun was filled with worry and couldn't see the strange atmosphere between them. "Princess, is it really true that this old man won't break through the magic array?"

If he is very capable, wouldn't the city's residents be in imminent danger?!

He was already thinking about which path would allow them to safely withdraw from Canggu City, but in fact, there was none.

In front of the four city gates, except for the area where Xu Nian had set up his array, the rest of the area was a vast expanse of white. Who knew how many insects were swarming up, waiting to bite them!

There's absolutely no way they can escape!

"City Lord, don't panic. The life gate of this formation has been closed." Xu Nian calmly made a hand seal. "Even if he wants to get out, he'll have to risk all his cultivation."

The people she hated most in her life were traitors, and the Fifth Prince and Elder Xun had truly crossed her taboo!

Xu Nian used to think that taking advantage of someone's illness to kill them was an unfair victory, but now she no longer cares about those things and wants to fight against people like them who have no bottom line.

It really comes down to who's more insidious, ruthless, and heartless.

"Gu Zhan, have the strategist write a letter." She suddenly thought of Jiang Yuanqing, who was still in the capital. "And while you're at it, draw a picture of what this old man Xun looks like now. I have a way to give it to the Second Prince."

Before Gu Zhan could say anything, Liu Jun's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly said, "What are you saying, Princess? We're on a military expedition, why do we need to report the battle situation to the Second Prince?"

"What if we get caught? People will accuse the general of forming cliques and engaging in corruption."

Xu Nian feigned sudden realization: "Vice General Liu is right. Then I will deliver this letter directly to the Emperor. The Fifth Prince is colluding with foreign tribes and plotting a rebellion. This matter must be known to the people of the capital no matter what."

Liu Jun forced himself to remain calm, then retorted with obvious displeasure, "Does the princess have any evidence to support her claim?"

“Isn’t this the evidence? I’m afraid Vice General Liu doesn’t know, but His Majesty has met this Elder Xun.” Xu Nian spread his hands innocently and explained to him very patiently, “Vice General Liu, don’t worry. Whether it’s true or false, leave everything to His Majesty to decide.”

If I say anything more, I'm afraid I'll be exposed.

Liu Jun looked into Xu Nian's clear, bright eyes. He had a feeling that she could see right through him. Did she already know his undercover identity?

No, impossible!

She hid it so well that even Gu Zhan didn't notice a thing, how could she possibly understand?!

Suppressing his doubts, Liu Jun assumed these events were all coincidences. He never imagined that Xu Nian was actually an informant sent by the emperor to the army.

No wonder the emperor agreed to allow the female relatives of the marshal to accompany the army on the expedition.

Liu Jun's mind was racing, and he didn't notice the meaningful look that Xu Nian and Gu Zhan exchanged after he shut up.

I never imagined that the forces within the military would be so complex.

Mo Yun stood aside and watched the whole thing. He felt that this Deputy General Liu was really too reckless. He couldn't even be a good undercover agent. He didn't know how he got to his current position.

Old Xun couldn't hear what was being said on the city wall at all.

He didn't have time to pay attention to the city gate tower. From the moment Xu Nian called out his name, he knew he had been exposed.

With only the thought of a swift victory in mind, he was determined not to give these people a chance to tip off the emperor, and his moves became even more ferocious.

However, Xu Nian's magic was superior to his, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not break through the Bagua formation.

Gradually, sweat began to bead on his forehead, and his breathing became increasingly labored. This was clearly a sign of exhaustion, and the Gu worms behind him were also becoming increasingly agitated.

Xu Nian, who was in the distance, occasionally chimed in, trying to irritate him, "Elder Xun, if you're tired, take a rest. Marshal Gu and I will personally lead people to bring you in. The man next door ruined his entire cultivation for a Fifth Prince."

What do you mean, invite him in!

That sounds nice, but all they want to do is hold him captive and then take him to the capital to accuse Jiang Yuanche!

Old Xun gritted his teeth, struggling to cope with the lightning spells that could appear at any moment. However, his physical strength was not as good as it was at the beginning, and his movements appeared somewhat sluggish.

"Are you really not going to bring him back?"

Watching from the side, Mo Yun felt that now couldn't be better. Even he, a layman, could see that Elder Xun was struggling, indicating that his strength was almost exhausted.

Xu Nian didn't speak, and watched for a while longer. "You all wait here. Don't leave the city gate without my instructions."

After saying that, she flew down from the city wall on the wind. When she landed steadily, Xun Lao and the other man exchanged glances. Knowing that they had come to capture him, the old man was extremely anxious.

The other person had just taken a step forward when he gritted his teeth, as if he had made a momentous decision. He stopped what he was doing, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began to mutter incantations.

Xu Nian couldn't hear clearly or understand what was being said.

Thinking it must be a dialect from southern Xinjiang, and intuitively feeling that Elder Xun was probably going to make a desperate gamble, she quickened her pace.

However, it was too late.

Suddenly, Elder Xun leaped into the air, and the Gu worms that had been hovering outside the formation suddenly rushed forward. Gu Zhan's pupils shrank sharply, "Xu Nian!"

"Don't get down!"

Xu Nian tried to retreat, but found that the Gu worms could not break through the formation at all, and then the increasingly strong smell of burning came.

Suddenly, she realized something, and her expression changed drastically. "Heavenly thunder roars, earthly thunder rages. Six Jia and Six Ding, upon hearing the name of my pass, you shall not linger! Hurry, hurry, as the law commands, break through!"