Chapter 226: Evildoers must be punished

Disguising themselves wasn't going to work.

At this moment, in the Da Yu Empire, over a dozen cities in the vicinity had entered a state of war readiness. No one was allowed to leave the cities, and everyone's identities had to be verified.

Outside the cities, a large number of soldiers rushed in all directions. The various sects received the message and were instructed not to admit anyone or let anyone leave. Officials were dispatched to verify identities.

Any scattered individuals were brought to designated gathering places and could only be released after their identities were confirmed.

Princess Qianyou, A Da, A Er, and Zhong Shan were flying close to the ground because flying too high would attract too much attention. Once spotted, they would become targets.

"Why don't we hide first and then continue later?" A Da asked.

"We can't hide. There's a specific procedure for the search. When you killed that soldier just now, we must have been exposed. Because if a soldier doesn't report for a certain period, it will definitely arouse suspicion. Instead of waiting to be caught, we should break out quickly," Princess Qianyou said.

Swoosh!

A red light shot from afar, heading straight towards the group on the white clouds.

A Da stood at the front and grabbed the breaking-through Qi arrow within the red light, stopping the white clouds.

In the distance, there was a team of a dozen soldiers. The arrow just now was shot by them. A Da was about to take action.

Zhong Shan put his hand on A Da's shoulder.

"Who goes there?" one of the soldiers shouted from afar.

"We are merchants from Wan Cheng, just returned from the Sky City, and now we're heading back," Zhong Shan blocked them and said.

"Wan Cheng?" one of the soldiers frowned.

Wan Cheng was the city directly north of their location.

"Yes," Zhong Shan nodded.

"There's a state of war readiness now. You few, come with us," the soldier said.

Because Zhong Shan and the others were riding white clouds and had cultivators above the Yuan Ying Realm, the soldiers didn't make things difficult for them.

"Alright!" Zhong Shan nodded.

Then, two soldiers rode flying swords towards the north, while Zhong Shan and the others followed closely on the white clouds.

Standing on the white clouds, Zhong Shan stood at the front and signaled for A Da to drive the clouds.

Along the way, they saw a large number of searching soldiers, becoming more and more frequent. However, with the guidance of these two soldiers, the journey became much smoother.

"I wonder where you two are taking us?" Zhong Shan smiled and asked.

"To the main camp ahead, where there are people specifically verifying your identities. After the verification, you can stay in the main camp and wait for the end of the state of war readiness," the soldier said.

Hearing the soldier's words, Zhong Shan narrowed his eyes. Verification? They couldn't be verified because nobody intentionally probed their identities in the Sky City. But when they were checked in the military camp, with a single probe of divine sense, their disguises would be exposed. Many people must have already learned the appearances of their group.

"By the way, how far is the main camp from here?" Zhong Shan asked again.

"We're almost there, about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn," the soldier said.

Nodding, Zhong Shan gave A Da a glance.

In a valley.

Boom! Boom!

Two muffled sounds, and two soldiers fell to the ground.

"Don't hurt them, just knock them out. Strip them of their clothes. A Da, A Er, find two more soldiers and take their clothes," Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes," A Da immediately responded.

Then, the four quickly changed into military uniforms.

They continued to rush towards the eleven o'clock direction.

Soon, they flew to a place parallel to Wan Cheng. It wouldn't be long before they completely escaped this area. However, Zhong Shan didn't slack off at all because the closer to the end, the more dangerous it became.

Ahead was another inland sea. Zhong Shan's eyes lit up, and they submerged under the sea.

Swoosh...

Just as they were preparing to dive into the sea, a row of red lights suddenly shot from afar. Breaking-through Qi arrows.

However, these red lights weren't aimed at them but rather in front of them, blocking their path.

Zhong Shan turned his head to see a group of thirty-some archers standing on a mountain peak not far away. One of the soldiers descended on a flying sword.

"People found!" the soldier suddenly shouted.

"Attack!" Zhong Shan ordered.

He hadn't expected a low-ranking soldier here to be so astute. It also showed the strict discipline of the Da Yu army.

A Da took action. His movements were so fast that Zhong Shan didn't even see clearly. In an instant, along with the soldier, the thirty-some archers all fell. However, it was still a bit slow. The Sky-Piercing Arrow exploded suddenly in the high sky, illuminating the surroundings.

"Let's go," Zhong Shan said without hesitation.

The white clouds rose again, and the four swiftly flew onwards. If it weren't for Zhong Shan, Princess Qianyou and the others could have flown with the wind directly, several times faster. But now, to bring Zhong Shan along, they could only ride the white clouds, significantly reducing their speed.

Swoosh...

From all directions, a large number of Breaking-through Qi arrows shot towards them.

The Breaking-through Qi arrows were like locusts filling the sky, directly aiming at them on the white clouds. Seeing this scene, A Da's figure flickered, and a huge spherical Qi shield suddenly appeared around them.

Boom...

Countless Breaking-through Qi arrows were blocked, but A Da's shield was shattered.

A Da was strong, and his shield was powerful. Although the Breaking-through Qi arrows were powerful, they weren't enough to threaten A Da. However, there were just too many Breaking-through Qi arrows. One arrow wasn't enough, a hundred arrows weren't enough, but eventually, they would break through his shield.

A Da could leave in an instant, and even ten thousand swords couldn't touch him. But what about Zhong Shan?

On the sea, Zhong Shan stopped in the center, and Princess Qianyou's eyes were filled with uncertainty. If she wanted to escape, although it would be difficult, it wasn't impossible. But what about Zhong Shan? Leave Zhong Shan behind? No, absolutely not!

At this moment, Zhong Shan saw from afar a large number of people holding Breaking-through Qi arrows and flying over in a surrounding formation. Among them was a general, his face filled with excitement as if he had caught a big fish.

"Yu Jiang, Initial Unity stage, Da Yu General," Princess Qianyou said.

Initial Unity stage? Zhong Shan narrowed his eyes.

"Haha, Princess Qianyou!" Suddenly, a laughter echoed from the sky.

Zhong Shan followed the voice and looked into the distance. Three black dots appeared in the sky, and in the next moment, they arrived in front of them, turning into three men.

It was King Julu, Monk Huiguang, and another man Zhong Shan didn't recognize.

Seeing A Da and A Er on guard, Zhong Shan understood that all three of them were probably at the Sovereign Transformation stage.

"Pay respects to King Julu!" The soldiers respectfully greeted.

"Well, you guys did well," King Julu praised generously.

"Princess Qianyou, what are you doing? Why are you wearing the uniform of my Da Yu army? Are you trying to defect to Da Yu?" King Julu chuckled.

Since they had been recognized, Princess Qianyou didn't want to hide anymore. She flipped her hand and removed her disguise.

Zhong Shan also noticed that when Huiguang approached, he kept casting cold glances at Princess Qianyou. Why was Huiguang acting like this? Zhong Shan immediately thought of the banquet set up by Master Yixu. The sudden change in Great Mercy Dragon Bodhisattva's aura meant that Yixu had successfully set up Huiguang's hatred towards Princess Qianyou. Whatever the reason for the hatred, the situation had become precarious.

"Why is King Julu here?" Princess Qianyou quickly stabilized her mind and asked.

"Why? Humph, where is the Wan Cheng Treasure Mirror?" King Julu glared.

"Hehe, King Julu has already seen that the Wan Cheng Treasure Mirror is not with me," Princess Qianyou chuckled.

"Is it with Gulin and Shuijing?" King Julu narrowed his eyes.

"Hehe, I think King Julu could find us so quickly; it must be because of guidance from Master Yixu, right? And Master Yixu is currently pursuing Gulin and the others?" Princess Qianyou asked back.

"So what?" King Julu squinted his eyes.

"King Julu neglected his duty by losing the Wan Cheng Treasure Mirror, while Master Yixu managed to retrieve it," Princess Qianyou smiled slyly.

Although Princess Qianyou spoke casually, her words were filled with provocation.

Sure enough, hearing Princess Qianyou's words, King Julu narrowed his eyes, feeling even more resentful towards Master Yixu. Was it intentional on Master Yixu's part? Did he intentionally let me chase after Princess Qianyou, while he retrieved the Wan Cheng Treasure Mirror?

"If the Wan Cheng Treasure Mirror is not with me, what's the use of King Julu blocking us? Do you still want to kill the envoy of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty?" Princess Qianyou changed her tone suddenly.

However, King Julu wasn't intimidated. Upon hearing Princess Qianyou's words, he smiled faintly, "We just want to invite the princess back. Oh, and the Commander-in-Chief wants to see one of your subordinates, Zhong Shan!"

Hearing King Julu's words, Princess Qianyou's heart tightened. Sure enough, they were going to capture Zhong Shan.

"Nalan Emperor and Great Mercy Dragon Bodhisattva fought a fierce battle in the Surging Waves Sea. Isn't King Julu worried that someone might secretly manipulate the situation? Now that powerful figures from the imperial court are chasing after us, what if something happens to them? Besides, does King Julu need to obey Master Yixu?" Princess Qianyou stared at King Julu and smiled.

Hearing Princess Qianyou's words, King Julu's pupils contracted, "Since I've already chased after you, the princess should give me some face. Once the Wan Cheng Treasure Mirror is retrieved, I will personally escort the princess out of Da Yu."

King Julu's words were very polite, but his face had already darkened. Princess Qianyou being taken back would be acceptable, even if the Wan Cheng Treasure Mirror was lost, it could be exchanged for her.

"King Julu, there's no need to say more. A Da, A Er, it's up to you now. Princess Qianyou, let me help King Julu subdue you," Huiguang said.

"Huiguang, do you want to antagonize the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty against the Pure Land of Bliss?" Princess Qianyou glared.

"Humph, the grudge between the Heavenly Dynasty and the Holy Land started from your poisoning. The Bodhisattva was injured to save me. Today, the grudge can't be blamed on me anymore." Huiguang was angry.

Having said that, without waiting for King Julu to speak again, Huiguang took the initiative and reached out to grab Princess Qianyou.