Inside the former Ningcheng City Lord's Mansion

A scout came to report...

"Lord Guan... According to Honglou's informants, the remnants of Yanyulou and others have already entered the city."

Xu Jinghong said that the main force of the Qionghuang Army would be assembled outside the city within three days.

"At that time... we can wipe out all the rebels in one fell swoop."

Guan Xin waved his hand, dismissing his men.

He filled his glass with wine and began to ponder, "This 'luring the enemy into a trap' charade... Nangong Yanyu, are you truly oblivious?"

......

Lin Yuan City, thousands of miles away.

Ye Linyuan received a secret letter.

It was written to him by Murong Ran. The letter was very short, containing only a dozen or so words.

"Lord Ye, the rebel army in Guning City has gathered... I beg Lord Ye to lend me a hand."

After leaving the secret letter, Ye Linyuan walked up to the city wall.

He looked at the distant Gu Ning City, which was also the former Zi Meng Long City.

The look in his eyes became distant...

During the war ten years ago, Ye Linyuan maintained a neutral stance.

He neither helped Xiao Kuangsheng nor Murong Ran.

Like a spectator, they quietly awaited the outcome of the war.

That wasn't because Ye Linyuan was afraid of death, nor because he lacked strength.

In fact, Ye Linyuan, after ten years, was already capable of challenging cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage...

The reason he chose to remain neutral was simply because both Murong Ran and Xiao Kuangsheng had intricate connections with him, Ye Linyuan.

Many years ago, Ye Linyuan and Murong Ran had a relationship.

Although the relationship ended without a clear conclusion, it was still an unforgettable experience.

Xiao Kuangsheng, on the other hand, had been mentored and recognized by Ye Linyuan.

Moreover, Xiao Kuangsheng had also given Ye Linyuan guidance on his cultivation path.

This put Ye Linyuan in a very difficult position...

Therefore, he chose to remain neutral.

After everything settled down, Ye Linyuan accepted Murong Ran's "conferment of title".

But in reality, Lin Yuan City is more like an independent and free neutral city.

Ye Linyuan was also a city lord who obeyed orders but not decrees.

That's why, when she encountered Xiao Ruoli, a descendant of the Xiao family, before...

Ye Linyuan actually showed mercy...

Otherwise, even if Nangong Yanyu intervened, she might not be able to stop him.

at this time...

Murong Ran sent him a letter, hoping he could go to Gu Ning City to deal with the descendants of the Xiao family.

This put Ye Linyuan in a difficult position.

......

late at night

Looking at the dark night sky, Nangong Yanyu fell into deep thought.

"I mobilized troops and headed to Guning City... The journey was smooth, and the city gate guards barely even checked us before letting us through."

"Meanwhile, the troops inside the city continued to besiege Ning Zeyuan's government office without attacking. All indications suggest that the other side was intentionally trying to lure the enemy deeper into the city."

"But now that I have led my troops here... even if the Qionghuang Army comes to their aid, aren't they afraid that I will quickly occupy this ancient Ning City?"

Nangong Yanyu had some doubts in her heart. "Before I make a move, I'd like to go and see Her Highness the Princess and Young Master Chu Tianyao."

Thinking of this, Nangong Yanyu transformed into a streak of light and sped towards Ning Zeyuan's residence.

With Nangong Yanyu's strength at the third level of the Nascent Soul Realm, as long as she intentionally conceals her aura...

The surrounding troops had no chance of finding him.

Nangong Yanyu quietly approached Ning Zeyuan.

"Zeyuan, how have you been lately?"

Hearing Nangong Yanyu's voice, Ning Zeyuan was both surprised and delighted.

He bowed slightly and said, "Master, my situation here is still fine."

"Guan Xin has merely surrounded the area, but hasn't launched an attack yet..."

Nangong Yanyu nodded. "Go and invite Her Highness the Princess and Young Master Chu Tianyao out."

Ning Zeyuan responded and walked towards the guest room.

After a moment...

Xiao Ruoli and Chu Tianyao arrived at the hall one after the other.

Xiao Ruoli smiled and said, "Hello, Uncle Nangong."

She was raised by Nangong Yanyu from a young age and had a very close relationship with him.

Chu Tianyao also cupped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Master Nangong."

From Xiao Ruoli's words, Chu Tianyao already knew that Nangong Yanyu was the owner of Yanyu Tower.

Not only that... the other party had also helped Xiao Ruoli fend off Ye Linyuan, which could be considered as saving her life.

Nangong Yanyu looked at Xiao Ruoli, her eyes filled with surprise and delight. "Ruoli, you really have reached the seventh level of the Nascent Soul Realm!"

"You are the only descendant of the Xiao family left, so all the fortune of the Azure Dragon is concentrated in you alone."

"The speed of cultivation is naturally incredibly fast, progressing by leaps and bounds. However, one should not blindly pursue speed on the path of cultivation; it is also important to solidify the foundation..."

Nangong Yanyu slowly said, "Ruoli, you will have the opportunity to travel to the Upper Realm via the Thunder Cloud Ladder in the future."

Xiao Ruoli nodded. "Uncle Nangong, Ruoli knows what she's doing."

Nangong Yanyu then turned her gaze to Chu Tianyao...

"Young Master Chu...you've actually reached the peak of the ninth level of the Nascent Soul Realm!"

Even though Nangong Yanyu was a man of great experience, he was still astonished by this scene.

"I have never seen anyone... reach the peak of the ninth level of the Nascent Soul Realm at the age of twenty."

"This level is practically invincible in the Lower True Realm, and it's only one step away from achieving the Nascent Soul stage and ascending to the Upper Realm!"

He couldn't help but ask, "How did Young Master Chu manage to do that?"

Chu Tianyao smiled faintly, "It was merely a matter of chance..."

Seeing that the other party was unwilling to elaborate, Nangong Yanyu did not press further.

He said with a smile, "With Young Master Chu and Her Highness the Princess, taking over this ancient city of Ning will not be difficult."

Xiao Ruoli slowly said, "It's not Gu Ning City, it's Zi Meng Long City!"

"Uncle Nangong, now that our people have entered the city... we can begin our operation."

Ning Zeyuan also looked at Nangong Yanyu, seemingly waiting for his instructions.

Nangong Yanyu said in a deep voice, "According to the intelligence from Yanyu Tower, Murong Ran is mobilizing troops here."

"My only question is, why did Guan Xin not stop our people from entering the city at all, as if it were done on purpose?"

"Furthermore, what's the point of his strategy of surrounding you without attacking?"

Chu Tianyao pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "It makes sense. This approach forces Master Nangong to act sooner."

"Even if the other party did not launch an attack, even if Ruoli and I have cultivation levels that are close to the peak of this world."

"However, faced with such obvious targeting from the Qionghuang Army... Master Nangong will definitely choose to gather his forces and head to Gu Ning City."

Nangong Yanyu nodded. "But we're already here."

"And Murong Ran's troops are still on their way... Can Guan Xin's troops withstand our siege?"

"What exactly is Murong Ran plotting... Is she planning to abandon this city?"