Even though Ning Zeyuan was somewhat prepared, he was still a little surprised.

"Has Murong Ran taken action against the Ning family so quickly?"

"Could it be that Murong Ran has been suspicious of me all these years, but has just been holding back?"

Ning Zeyuan clasped his hands in a fist salute to Guan Xin, "Lord Guan, I don't know what you mean..."

"But since it is Her Majesty the Empress's order, I have nothing to say... I just hope that after the truth comes out, I can resume my business as soon as possible."

"After all, I have always hoped that I could contribute more to the construction of the Qionghuang Dynasty."

Guan Xin gave a cold laugh and said nothing more.

Ning Zeyuan returned to the Ning residence, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts...

"Her Highness's injuries are quite serious, and she will need several days to recover... Young Master Chu's cultivation level is already unfathomable."

"If we break through with all our might, even the thousands of Qionghuang soldiers outside might not be able to stop us."

"However, this would mean a complete break with the Qionghuang Dynasty and with Murong Ran."

Ning Zeyuan secretly pondered, "Judging from the information I received from the Lord... the old guard of the Azure Dragon Army has begun to gather in Gu Ning City..."

"Currently, the three major cities occupied by the Qionghuang Army are Qiongming City. With Murong Ran personally in charge, it is heavily guarded and can be described as impregnable."

"In Lin Yuan City, there is an unfathomable Ye Lin Yuan... Judging from the letter from the poster, Ye Lin Yuan's cultivation level has probably already surpassed the Golden Core realm..."

"After careful consideration, only the former capital of the Azure Dragon Dynasty, which is now Gu Ning City, is the best city to break through and occupy."

"Although Guan Ning is also a Nascent Soul Realm expert, his strength is very transparent... He is only at the first level of the Nascent Soul Realm, so defeating him is not difficult."

"The only problem is the Qionghuang Army in Gu Ning City... Although the Qionghuang Army is composed of Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators, thousands of low-level cultivators can combine their destructive power into one through military formations."

"The combined attack of thousands of low-level cultivators is no small matter... Even Nascent Soul experts risk perishing."

"I believe that Lord Nangong has taken note of Guan Xin's actions in besieging this place. For now, we simply need to observe and wait..."

......

Several days ago, many cultivators began to gather in the direction of Gu Ning City.

Among these cultivators, some possessed a very peculiar aura...

They exuded a murderous aura, as if they had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood.

These people had calm expressions, but their eyes gleamed with an almost fanatical light!

They were the Azure Dragon Cavalry of yesteryear!

In the great battle ten years ago, the Azure Dragon Cavalry fought to the very last moment...

This includes the number of people who died in the Battle of Yangguan Road, plus the casualties in the Battle of Zimenglong City.

The 50,000 Azure Dragon cavalry were almost completely wiped out!

In the end, only less than three thousand riders remained. Under the command of Nangong Yanyu, they followed the Yanyu Sect members of Yanyu Tower into seclusion in the martial world.

Ten years have passed, but these Azure Dragon Cavalrymen have never forgotten their past glory.

This time, at Nangong Yanyu's behest...

They embarked on their journey once again.

"More than three thousand Azure Dragon Cavalrymen... with combat strength ranging from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core... possessing the Azure Dragon Killing Formation."

"The Misty Rain Pavilion has over seven thousand members... all of whom are at least at the Foundation Establishment stage in terms of combat strength."

"Over the years, we have recruited about 10,000 independent cultivators from the martial world... Their combat strength ranges from Foundation Establishment Realm to Golden Core Realm."

Nangong Yanyu was calculating her own team's combat strength.

"Based on this calculation... the army that can be mobilized is approximately 20,000 people. And the high-end combat force at the Nascent Soul stage, besides myself, includes Her Highness the Princess and Young Master Chu Tianyao."

"In Murong Ran's camp, the 70,000 Qionghuang Army is her absolute trump card! These 70,000 Qionghuang Army soldiers are distributed in various places."

"Qiongming City has 15,000 garrison troops, Linyuan City has 10,000 garrison troops, and Ning City has 10,000 garrison troops."

"Five thousand men are stationed at the East China Sea... fifteen thousand men are stationed at the border... fifteen thousand men are stationed at the foot of Canglong Ridge."

Nangong Yanyu's expression was somewhat complicated. "It seems that Murong Ran is also cautious about the current situation."

"To avoid repeating the mistakes of the Dragon Emperor and falling into his predicament, she mobilized half of the Qionghuang Army to garrison the area... to prevent the invasion of her former 'comrades-in-arms'."

"In addition... Murong Ran has about 100,000 troops under his command, which are also scattered in various places."

"Currently, there are no more than 20,000 garrison troops in Gu Ning City... As long as we can quickly assemble and launch a swift attack."

"With the support of high-end combat forces... we should be able to capture Gu Ning City as soon as possible."

Nangong Yanyu pondered, "However, according to the latest news... Ning Zeyuan has already been besieged by Guan Xin."

"Their reluctance to attack is likely due to their fear of Princess Chu Tianyao..."

"Well, let's leave the military buildup plan as is for now...we'll see how things develop later."

Three days later

A large number of independent cultivators arrived in Gu Ning City...

Guan Xin did not respond to this.

He allowed these people to enter the city.

Seven days later, several thousand independent cultivators had gathered in Gu Ning City.

However, Gu Ning City was, after all, the capital of the previous dynasty.

The area is very large, and it is bustling with merchants and travelers every day.

Even with several thousand people, there doesn't seem to be much change.

On the eleventh day...

Nangong Yanyu entered the city, followed by several thousand disguised Azure Dragon cavalry.

By this time, Nangong Yanyu's 20,000 men had been fully assembled...

Guan Xin still didn't make a move against Ning Zeyuan, and this behavior of surrounding without attacking puzzled Ning Zeyuan.

It is important to know that once a cultivator reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, they can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to replenish their body.

In other words, cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage can go without food and water...

Although there are some ordinary people and beginner cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm within Ningze Yuanfu.

However, most of the core personnel are already at the Foundation Establishment stage.

So what is the point of this strategy of besieging without attacking?

Surely cultivators can't just starve to death, can they?!

“This Guan Xin is a bit strange…” Ning Zeyuan frowned slightly. “However, Lord Nangong has already led his people into the city.”

"And Her Highness's injuries have fully recovered."

"Now it seems... the situation is entirely on our side. As long as Nangong Yanyu gives the order, taking down Gu Ning City will be no difficult task."

Just as Ning Zeyuan was pondering these questions, Xiao Ruoli walked in.

“Mr. Ning, Uncle Nangong’s forces have been assembled... Perhaps we can take the initiative to attack.”

"I am confident that I can kill Guan Xin, who is at the first level of the Nascent Soul Realm, instantly!"

Ning Zeyuan said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, please be patient... Let's wait for Master Nangong to give the order before we take action."