The days passed quickly.

Seven days flew by in the blink of an eye.

At this moment, Huoyan City was no longer as lively as before. The streets were empty, the shops and restaurants were closed, and the ground was covered in fallen leaves that no one bothered to sweep. Occasionally, the laughter of children would be immediately stopped by their elders.

It was late autumn, and the desolation and loneliness in the entire town were so thick that they couldn't be dispersed.

One could also say it was peaceful.

However, everyone knew that after this peace, a storm that was difficult to resist would come.

This peace lasted for three days.

Until this day, at noon, the storm arrived as scheduled.

In the cloudless sky, a demonic red sword light tore through the sky and headed straight for Qihuang Mountain.

It was like a signal.

There was suddenly a rumbling sound of footsteps outside the city, as if thousands of troops were rushing towards it, causing the earth to tremble.

The Silver Armored Blade Guards and the Imperial Palace Guards split into two columns and rushed into Huoyan City from the left and right.

In the sky above Huoyan City, Li Zhiyi took the lead with his sword, followed by more sword lights that came one after another.

In the sky and on the ground, countless cultivators rushed towards Qihuang Mountain in an orderly manner, crowding the area.

Inside the house, women held their children tightly and cowered in the corners, not daring to look outside the window.

In no time, Qihuang Terrace was once again filled with people.

And more cultivators kept arriving.

However, this time, no common people dared to join in the excitement. Only some brave wandering cultivators flew in the air with their magical tools from a distance.

With just one glance, one could see densely packed figures. The ground was too crowded, so they stood in the sky. The large number of people made the wandering cultivators' eyelids twitch.

Even as spectators, they could feel immense pressure. How would Gu Changge face these cultivators on Qihuang Mountain?

Gu Changge had offended so many sects before. They had expected that there would be many people seeking revenge in this battle, but they didn't expect there would be so many. Even many small and medium-sized sects had come. They didn't know if they were adding fuel to the fire or responding to the call of the dynasty.

It seemed like disciples from the Sword Sect had poured out in full force. Counting them, there were more people than the other major sects combined.

Feitian Ju was also one of the wandering cultivators watching the battle. Looking at the scene before him, he felt like it was similar to the six major sects besieging Bright Summit. The difference was that this scene was even more terrifying. It could be said to be a "worldwide attack on Gu Changge".

Just how many days of infuriating actions had this guy done?

A wandering cultivator beside him said, "I was wrong. I thought before that Gu Changge might be finished, but now it seems unlikely."

This guy is definitely done for!

Even if they were both going to die, there was a difference in how they would die. Looking at this situation, if Gu Changge dared to show up, he would probably be blasted to pieces.

"If I were him, I wouldn't come." Another cultivator said, "I would advise the Divine Maiden to give up Qihuang Mountain and run away."

"It's easy for you to say. Northern Rivers is only so big. Where can she run to?" The wandering cultivator said, "Besides, isn't the Divine Maiden a saint? Doesn't she care about her reputation?"

What's more important, face or life... Feitian Ju muttered in his heart.

Li Zhiyi's gaze swept across Qihuang Terrace, and he was very satisfied.

He saw Sheng Huoquan, the Sect Master of Dan Yi Sect, Qian Zhuang, the Sect Master of Hundred Flowers Sect, Wang Dian, the Valley Master of Zui Xian Valley, and Qin Baichuan, the Island Master of Floating Life Island, and other well-known figures.

Although these sect masters hadn't reached the Saint Realm, they were all at the Transcendent Realm. If they were determined to fight, they might not be unable to fight against a true Saint Realm cultivator when they joined forces. They definitely couldn't win, but they could delay for a while.

This was the power of connections.

I have more top-level cultivators at the Saint Realm than you.

I have more mid-level cultivators at the Transcendent Realm and the Three Realms than you.

Even if low-level cultivators with knives come to fight, I still have more people than you.

How can you win against me?

Sheng Huoquan and the others had serious expressions, as if they were ready to fight at any moment.

However, the Great Celestial felt that something was off.

Was it too smooth?

Li Zhiyi had gathered enough people, so he didn't hesitate anymore. He took out a jade token that could command the Imperial Palace Guards, took a step forward, and unleashed his Saint's aura without reservation, shouting:

"I am Li Zhiyi, the Young Master of the Sword Sect. Today, I am here on the orders of the Emperor to suppress the rebels. Qihuang Mountain has ten breaths of time to hand over the Crown Princess Luo Qingshu and the repeat offender Gu Changge. Otherwise, there will be no mercy!"

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The intent of the sword soared into the sky, and the previously bustling Qihuang Terrace instantly fell silent.

Only a few whispers remained.

"Didn't the Emperor say he would personally come? Why hasn't he arrived?"

"He even gave the imperial decree to Li Zhiyi..."

Although Li Zhiyi had been in the limelight in recent days and had already achieved the Saint Realm at a young age, he was deeply trusted by Ling Zixiao and the Emperor. His words, to some extent, could indeed represent the Sword Sect and the dynasty.

But after all, he wasn't the real Emperor and didn't have such great prestige.

However, the Imperial Palace Guards didn't care about these things.

Li Zhiyi had the imperial decree in his hand, and the Emperor had already informed them in advance. That was enough.

With a wave of the commander of the Imperial Palace Guards, the six thousand guards immediately drew their swords from their scabbards, and their fierce aura made the atmosphere tense.

It seemed that they were just waiting for Li Zhiyi's command to charge up to the Divine Maiden Peak and pave the way for this battle.

The wandering cultivators became nervous as well, not knowing which role they had put themselves in.

At first, Li Zhiyi did plan to have the Emperor personally come. It would be easier to win people over that way. However, his opponent this time was a player, not an NPC.

NPCs were foolish, but players were not.

Li Zhiyi couldn't determine whether Gu Chi's side knew that the Emperor was already dead. If he accidentally revealed it, it would be difficult to handle. That's why he changed his mind at the last moment.

Anyway, the effect wouldn't be much different. If Gu Chi had made preparations specifically for this, then he would have gained something.

And when Gu Chi appeared, he would detonate this battle as quickly as possible, not giving Gu Chi a chance to argue.

From this, it could be seen that Li Zhiyi actually had a lot of scheming, but unfortunately, Gu Chi had even more.The span of ten breaths was extremely short. The cultivators who were panting heavily had already finished their breaths. Just as everyone was guessing whether the Divine Maiden would come out to deal with the situation or Gu Changge would show up himself, a figure descended from the sky, carrying an air of domineering arrogance that bent the wild grass on the ground.

He was dressed in a golden dragon robe, wearing a flat crown, and his eyes under the crown were pitch black and deep, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

It was neither the Divine Maiden Huang Wan nor the rebel Gu Changge, but...

"The Emperor!"

Everyone was shocked.

The Emperor had truly come to Qihuang Mountain!

Li Zhiyi: "?"

The cultivators who were just babbling about the absence of the Emperor all shut their mouths.

The leader of the Imperial Guard was stunned for a moment. The Emperor had initially said that he would come to Qihuang Mountain, then said he wouldn't, but now he had come after all. This...

Wasn't this another example of the Emperor's words being no joke?

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The leader of the Imperial Guard didn't know what the Emperor was thinking, but he decided to pay his respects first.

The six thousand Imperial Guards also bowed their heads in unison: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

At this moment, all eyes on Qihuang Terrace were focused on the Emperor.

Many people were seeing the Emperor in person for the first time, and their faces were unconsciously a bit excited.

Such a powerful aura, such a calm state of mind...

Even in the face of today's grand scene and the impending battle, he didn't show any emotion, as if he was used to it all.

Was this the Emperor?

Gu Chi looked down at the tens of thousands of cultivators below, his face expressionless, and said, "Rise."

The leader of the Imperial Guard: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Zhiyi was confused: "???"

The Great Celestial had not noticed anything unusual at first, thinking that Li Zhiyi was playing some trick. But when he turned his head and saw Li Zhiyi's flushed face, he had a bad feeling.

Gu Chi shifted his gaze to Li Zhiyi and said, "Minister Li, return the imperial edict to me. You are no longer needed here, you may leave."

Li Zhiyi: "......"

Fuck you!

How could he not realize that this Emperor was Gu Chi in disguise? He felt a twinge in his waist and cursed in his heart. This sly bastard actually appeared as the Emperor, what a fucking brilliant idea!

Gu Chi: "Minister Li, why aren't you moving? Are you planning to keep the imperial edict for yourself?"

Upon hearing this, the leader of the Imperial Guard drew his sword halfway out of its sheath and said with a hostile gaze, "I would ask Young Master Li to return the imperial edict to His Majesty."

Li Zhiyi took a deep breath, calmed his inner turmoil, and stared straight at Gu Chi, "This Emperor is a fake."

"How dare you!" The leader of the Imperial Guard shouted, "The dignity of the Emperor is not to be challenged! Don't think that just because you are the young master of the Sword Sect, I won't dare to touch you!"

These NPCs are really stupid, they can't recognize their master after he changed twice. Li Zhiyi was cursing in his heart, but he had to say, "He can't prove his identity as the Emperor!"

Just as he finished speaking, a young girl came from the Divine Maiden Peak.

It was Princess Yangyue, Luo Qingshu.

Under the watchful eyes of the leader of the Imperial Guard, Xia Ling threw herself into Gu Chi's arms with a look of joy on her face, and sweetly called out, "Father!"

Li Zhiyi: "???"

Fuck, there are even extras!

......