One day ago

Murong Ran and Xu Jinghong discussed the battle situation in the Qionghuang Palace.

"Your Highness invites you into a trap, detonating the annihilation array in the ancient city of Gu Ning..."

At this point, a hint of reluctance flashed in Xu Jinghong's eyes. "There is indeed a high probability that we can wipe out that group of rebels in one fell swoop."

"However, the Extinction Array cannot kill Nascent Soul Realm experts. Nangong Yanyu, Chu Tianyao, and Xiao Ruoli still need to be dealt with."

"Especially that Chu Tianyao, with his peak ninth level of the Nascent Soul Realm... he is a huge variable."

"With such strength... if he is determined to leave, even tens of thousands of Qionghuang soldiers cannot stop him."

Murong Ran smiled faintly, "The extinction array in Gu Ning City is only the first step."

"The Extinction Array will severely damage Chu Tianyao and the others. At that time, I will issue the order to attack."

"The Qionghuang Army stationed outside the city will attack these remnants of the defeated army..."

"If I'm not mistaken... Chu Tianyao will choose to cover the rear."

Xu Jinghong pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "Why does Your Majesty think this way?"

A smile appeared on Murong Ran's lips. "Based on the information I have, Chu Tianyao's cultivation level has improved far too quickly."

"No matter what kind of extraordinary encounters he had... his level of advancement was simply too fast."

Xu Jinghong remained silent. In his heart, it was definitely not a good thing for an enemy to improve their cultivation level too quickly, but Murong Ran seemed not to care.

Murong Ran said calmly, "When a person's strength increases too quickly, they will become arrogant and complacent."

"The idea that I am invincible and can overcome everything with force will arise."

"Then he will begin to lose his ability to think, which is a weakness of human nature."

"Chu Tianyao and Xiao Ruoli have a very close relationship... If I'm not mistaken, they have already had physical intimacy."

“A man always likes to show off in front of his woman. Therefore, Chu Tianyao will definitely protect Xiao Ruoli and the others as they evacuate, and will choose one of them to cover their retreat.”

Xu Jinghong said softly, "Even though Chu Tianyao was seriously injured when he fought against the Extinction Array, his combat strength is still at the top of the Lower True Realm."

"If he covers the rear... the Qionghuang Army will pay a very heavy price. They might not even be able to keep him."

Murong Ran nodded. "So, if we want to win over Chu Tianyao, we'll have to trouble Xu Qing."

Xu Jinghong remained silent, his eyes gleaming as if he had already thought of something.

"No one would have thought that Xu Jinghong, the number one young master in the world, would disguise himself as an inconspicuous soldier."

Murong Ran recounted the story in a gentle and detailed manner, as if she were telling a story that was about to unfold: "No one expected that Xu Jinghong would possess the legendary poison 'Shattered Red'."

"When Chu Tianyao was breaking through several military formations with all his might... he would relax for a moment."

Xu Jinghong said calmly, "And at that moment, I will plunge the short sword stained with 'shattered red' into Chu Tianyao's chest."

"Even though Chu Tianyao is a Yin-Yang Chaos Body, he will still be affected by the Broken Red... His body will experience paralysis."

"Even so, I may not be able to kill him."

Xu Jinghong sighed softly, "At the ninth level of the Nascent Soul Realm, I am practically invincible in the True Realm. Even if I first use the Annihilation Array of Gu Ning City to wear him down, and then charge with the Qionghuang Army Array... even with a successful surprise attack and the Shattered Crimson entering his body, I still might not be able to kill Chu Tianyao!"

Murong Ran said calmly, "So you don't need to kill him... just poison him."

"At that time, Chu Tianyao will definitely try to break through and escape. There's no need to stop him; someone will kill him!"

Xu Jinghong looked at Murong Ran, his gaze becoming somewhat complicated.

"Over the years, Your Majesty has reigned supreme... Many people only know about the current Empress Murong Ran."

"But we've forgotten that His Majesty is also a wise man."

"From the southern border to the uprising in Canglong, and then to the establishment of Qionghuang... Your Majesty's wisdom and strategy are unparalleled, and you have never been defeated along the way!"

Murong Ran slowly shook her head. "It's just a matter of thinking things through... Jinghong, you should go and make the preparations."

"As for Nangong Yanyu and Xiao Ruoli, I will personally eliminate them."

Xu Jinghong nodded, bowed, and took his leave.

Inside the Qionghuang Palace, only the Empress remained.

She looked at the map around Gu Ning City and drew a circle around a mountain ridge.

"Outside Guning City, the city was surrounded by enemies... Nangong Yanyu could only lead her remaining troops to Ziqi Ridge."

"I will personally and thoroughly eliminate these remnants of the previous dynasty..."

......

Chu Tianyao felt that he was in very bad condition!

"The poison on this short sword isn't enough to kill me... but it can paralyze me!"

"If this continues... we may face an unpredictable crisis."

With that thought in mind, Chu Tianyao no longer hesitated.

He unleashed boundless sword energy, forcing the Qionghuang Army from all directions to retreat.

Then it vanished in the opposite direction.

After Chu Tianyao had walked away, Xu Jinghong suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

He took a punch from Chu Tianyao just now and was seriously injured!

I've just been gritting my teeth and enduring it...

"If Chu Tianyao had seen my injuries just now, he probably would have killed me at any cost..."

Xu Jinghong slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. "This Chu Tianyao, his strength is truly terrifying..."

......

Nangong Yanyu and Xiao Ruoli led three thousand remaining soldiers toward Ziqi Ridge.

Xiao Ruoli's face was heavy, and she seemed to be preoccupied with something.

"Your Highness, Young Master Chu will be alright. With his cultivation level, he could escape unscathed even if he faced 30,000 Qionghuang soldiers."

"The situation is critical, Your Highness, please calm your mind."

Xiao Ruoli took a deep breath. "Uncle Nangong...why did you choose Ziqi Ridge?"

"Purple Qi Ridge is a treacherous terrain, but it has many trees for cover...which can help us escape."

"If we retreat through the plains... once the Qionghuang Army's cavalry catches up, our troops will be powerless to resist."

"Once we pass through Ziqi Ridge, we can head west to Canglong Ridge. That's Ren Junxing's territory now... It's inconvenient for the Qionghuang Army to enter on a large scale."

"But we can scatter our troops and then enter Canglong Ridge."

Xiao Ruoli nodded. "In that case... let's speed up our march!"

Chu Tianyao descended with a streak of light, rushing forward at breakneck speed.

"I sense that Ruoli's army is marching towards Ziqi Ridge..."

The numbness in my body was getting stronger and stronger. "No... this is a series of schemes! From luring me into a trap in Gu Ning City, to activating the Extinction Array, sacrificing five thousand-man squads to make me lower my guard... to let Xu Jinghong launch a surprise attack on me."

"All of this was planned... Ruoli and Mr. Nangong's trip to Ziqi Ridge at this time was probably also within their expectations."

Chu Tianyao felt sweat pouring down his back. "I need to go and provide support immediately, otherwise Ruoli and the others will be in danger!"