Zi Ruoyan returned, but instead of heading straight into the Imperial City, she hurriedly patrolled the skies around its outskirts.

No anomalies!

It wasn't until she reached the area near Qingyan Mountain, to the west of the city, that Zi Ruoyan froze mid-air.

"General Zhong, if I remember correctly..." Zi Ruoyan hovered in the air, pondering for a moment as she gestured with her hand, "There should be two mountains here, right?"

"Blocking the road from Qingyan Town to the Imperial City, to be precise, there are three mountains, Your Majesty," Zhong Ling, also hovering in the air, replied with a look of astonishment.

Qingyan Town was the hometown of their subordinate, Liu Yan. The events that had occurred there left a deep impression on both the ruler and her minister.

Qingyan Wine was quite renowned in the Imperial City.

But how could it be that after such a short time away...

Where were the mountains?

"A terrifying power. If I'm not mistaken, someone used some kind of attack to forcibly destroy these three mountains," Zi Ruoyan paused, then continued, "with just one strike."

"One strike?" Zhong Lishuang's eyes widened in disbelief.

As a Seventh Tier Awakening Realm expert, she could collapse a mountain with her heavy hammer, but it would take at least a whole day of repeated attacks.

But one strike to destroy three mountains?

Unbelievable.

The more Zi Ruoyan observed, the heavier her heart grew. "The person who did this possesses unfathomable strength."

"There are no piles of earth nearby, but the distant mountains are covered in a layer of dust. It's likely that the three mountains were pulverized into dust and dispersed."

"The Qingyan Mountain range itself has issues; the spiritual qi is dense, and the mountains are sturdier than usual."

"One strike..."

Zi Ruoyan couldn't help but clench her fists, feeling immense pressure.

Such a powerful individual appearing within the Great Yan Dynasty's borders was not a good sign.

"Your Majesty, you are already at the Ninth Tier Saint Ascension Realm. Compared to this person, who is stronger?" Zhong Lishuang looked at Zi Ruoyan, curiously asking.

Zi Ruoyan exhaled lightly, revealing a wry smile. "General Zhong, you overestimate me."

"Your Majesty, even after your breakthrough, you're not this person's match?" Zhong Lishuang was taken aback by Zi Ruoyan's words.

At the Ninth Tier Saint Ascension Realm, one could practically walk unchallenged in the Southern Wastelands.

The Hall Master of the Black Soul Hall was said to be at the same level as the Emperor.

"No," Zi Ruoyan said, her face showing a bitter smile. "General Zhong, I can't even discern this person's strength, so how could I be their match?"

Zhong Lishuang continued to gaze at the empty land, where people were busy constructing a road to the Imperial City.

"Your Majesty, could the person who did this be at the Tenth Tier Saint Realm?"

Zi Ruoyan shook her head, her expression extremely grave. "The most frightening part is here; if it were a Saint Realm expert, I would be able to tell."

Zhong Lishuang fell silent, understanding the implication.

The traces left by a Saint Realm expert would be recognizable to the Emperor, but the traces here were not.

Someone beyond the Saint Realm, a legendary figure?

Such a person had appeared in the Great Yan Dynasty.

The ominous clouds over the Great Yan Dynasty seemed thicker than ever.

"We'll find out by asking around." After a while, Zi Ruoyan descended from the sky with Zhong Lishuang, heading towards Qingyan Town.

Before proceeding, Zi Ruoyan used spiritual qi to create a frost, enveloping them as they changed into ordinary clothes.

Soon, dressed in common attire, Zi Ruoyan and Zhong Lishuang headed towards Qingyan Town.

Sometimes, traveling incognito reveals more truths.

Upon reaching Qingyan Town, it didn't take long for Zi Ruoyan and Zhong Lishuang to uncover the reason.

The disappearance of the three mountains outside the town was a hot topic among every resident of Qingyan Town.

The townsfolk found nothing strange about Zi Ruoyan and Zhong Lishuang's curiosity.

The disappearance of the three mountains had already attracted many inquiries.

Soon, as they walked through Qingyan Town, both Zi Ruoyan and Zhong Lishuang wore peculiar expressions.

"To think there's... such a thing." Finally, Zhong Lishuang couldn't help but speak, "Your Maj... girl, this is too unbelievable."

"Regardless, this unknown expert has done us a favor," Zi Ruoyan said, her expression equally strange.

The situation in the Northern Frontier was instigated by the Black Soul Hall's schemes.

She had rushed back after her breakthrough to stop the Poison Swamp Elder of the Black Soul Hall.

But who would have thought that just as the Poison Swamp Elder made a move on Qingyan Town, this mysterious and terrifying expert would obliterate him and the three mountains with a single punch!

Zi Ruoyan and Zhong Lishuang didn't doubt the words of Qingyan Town's residents. According to them, it was Liu Yan, an eyewitness, who had told them everything.

According to the townsfolk, Liu Yan had come to pay respects to her husband and encountered the Black Soul Hall members, activating an array formation and resisting desperately.

In the end, she was saved by a passing expert, who also annihilated the Poison Swamp Elder of the Black Soul Hall.

"Liu Yan, who would've thought she'd be caught up in such an event," Zhong Lishuang's tone relaxed as she looked at Zi Ruoyan. "This way, we can learn some details from her."

"But Your Maj... girl, Liu Yan seems to dislike that Xiao Tian, leaving her post to pay respects to her husband."

"But it worked out; her absence brought us valuable intelligence."

Zhong Lishuang's chatter made Zi Ruoyan shake her head lightly. "You think I don't know your little schemes?"

"Aren't you worried I'll blame her for leaving her post and not protecting the Prince, but coming to Qingyan Town instead?"

Support us at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

"Don't worry, such a minor issue won't be held against her. If she truly dislikes it, we can just transfer her."

Hearing Zi Ruoyan's agreement, Zhong Lishuang's face lit up with a smile.

But just then, they suddenly heard a familiar voice.

Looking carefully ahead, they saw Liu Yan, the very person they were discussing.

"Prince, let me handle this. How can I let you carry it yourself?" Liu Yan, dressed in casual women's clothing, tried to snatch the wine jar from Xiao Tian's hands.

"Oh, come on, you're so annoying. I said the wine tastes better when I carry it myself." Despite Liu Yan's persistence, Xiao Tian refused to relent, dodging left and right.

"But as your guard, how can I let you do such things?"

"Commander Liu, has anyone ever told you that sometimes you're too stubborn?"

Despite Xiao Tian's words, Liu Yan stubbornly insisted on helping.

Soon, their movements stiffened.

Because they saw Zi Ruoyan and Zhong Lishuang watching them with surprise from the opposite side.

"Prince, didn't I say I could definitely get the Qingyan Mountain water dumplings?" Zhong Ling, in a fiery red dress, joyfully ran over, entering everyone's view.

She approached Xiao Tian, smiling as she raised the paper-wrapped package in her hand, showing it off like a treasure.

But Zhong Ling noticed Xiao Tian wasn't responding, just silently staring ahead in shock.

Sensing something amiss, Zhong Ling slowly turned her head and saw two familiar figures standing at the other end of the town's cobblestone road.

Zi Ruoyan silently stared at Xiao Tian, her expression unreadable.

But beside her, Zhong Lishuang roared angrily, "Zhong Ling, have you been itching for a beating these past few days?"