Chapter 87: Chaos in the Imperial Court (Part 5)

Deep within the prison.

Bai Fan scanned his surroundings coldly. Blood and severed limbs were scattered everywhere, and the thick scent of blood, mingled with the Aura of fear, was suffocating.

He looked down at Princess Zhaoyang in his arms and said softly, "Zhaoyang, let's go."

Princess Zhaoyang nodded gently, her arms subconsciously wrapping around Bai Fan's waist, though she still couldn't hide her shock.

The gentle youth who had once rescued her from the Brothel was actually capable of sweeping through the entire prison single-handedly.

She didn't know how he possessed such immense power, but she knew that now, in his arms, she was incomparably safe.

[The mastermind's influence was vast, so much so that even the Benevolent Emperor dared not touch them. Seeing the situation turning dire, the Benevolent Emperor had his woman, Princess Zhaoyang, disguise herself and flee the palace overnight. However, she was captured by villains and detained in a Brothel to be used for everyone's amusement.]

The prison grounds.

Bai Fan took a deep breath and moved, his figure like a streak of red light, instantly sweeping through the corridor as he prepared to leave the prison grounds.

"Stop him!"

Dozens of Imperial Guards surged out from all sides, each holding blades and swords, clad in fine armor, their Aura overbearing.

The person in the lead was a middle-aged man with a solemn expression. The blade at his waist emitted a faint spiritual light, clearly indicating he was also a Cultivator.

"I am Wang Lie, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards! Audacious villain, release the Princess immediately and surrender!"

Bai Fan glanced at him, his tone indifferent: "Scram!"

"You're courting death!" Wang Lie roared, slashing down with his long blade. The blade energy, like a streak of white silk, hacked towards Bai Fan, causing a piercing sound of tearing air to erupt.

Bai Fan's gaze turned cold. He gripped the Void Realm with one hand, and a deep spiritual sword blade instantly condensed between his five fingers.

He swung his hand back, the sword blade slicing through the air, meeting the blade energy with an Aura of destruction.

"Boom!"

The blade energy and the sword blade collided violently in mid-air. As spiritual power surged, it was as if a small storm had erupted within the prison.

The intense shockwave shattered the surrounding prison doors, and debris scattered like a rainstorm.

Wang Lie let out a muffled groan, his body involuntarily retreating, and the hard bluestone floor beneath his feet was cracked with fissures.

A flash of terror flickered in his eyes. The look he directed at Bai Fan was no longer filled with anger, but with deep fear.

"Who… who exactly are you?" Wang Lie's voice trembled. He had never seen such a terrifying Cultivator before; even though their Realms were similar, he was being easily crushed.

Bai Fan looked at him with disdain: "You are not worthy to know."

Before the words had even faded, Bai Fan tapped his toes lightly on the ground, his figure suddenly disappearing, only to reappear in front of Wang Lie.

The spiritual sword blade in his hand flared with brilliance as he thrust it forward violently!

Wang Lie's pupils constricted, and he subconsciously raised his blade to block, but the spiritual sword blade instantly pierced through his blade, its momentum undiminished, directly piercing through his chest.

"Ah!" Wang Lie let out a miserable scream, blood gushing from his mouth, and his body collapsed with a crash, his life force instantly extinguished.

Seeing this, the remaining Imperial Guards turned pale as paper, retreating one after another, not daring to take another step forward.

Bai Fan scanned them coldly, his eyes devoid of any pity: "Those who block me shall die!"

As the words fell, his spiritual power suddenly erupted, and dozens of Qi blades shot out from his body, like sickles harvesting life, rapidly sweeping through the Imperial Guards.

"Pfft, pfft, pfft—" Flowers of blood bloomed one after another, and the screams stopped abruptly. Dozens of Imperial Guards fell to the ground in an instant, with not a single survivor.

Bai Fan retracted his spiritual power and turned to look at Princess Zhaoyang, a touch of tenderness appearing in his eyes: "Did I scare you?"

Princess Zhaoyang shook her head slightly, biting her lower lip, her eyes filled with determination and trust: "No… I just didn't expect you to be so powerful."

Bai Fan's lips curled slightly as he said softly: "They are no match for me. I told you, no one will ever hurt you again."

Princess Zhaoyang felt a warmth in her heart and leaned gently into his arms: "Then what shall we do next?"

Bai Fan picked her up and said as they walked: "Let's go. Take me to find the mastermind."

Princess Zhaoyang was slightly startled, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes: "Bai Fan, they… are you really going? Those people are extremely dangerous; even the Emperor dares not provoke them easily."

"Even the Benevolent Emperor dares not touch them?" A cold light flashed in Bai Fan's eyes, his tone revealing a hint of disdain: "The more that's the case, the more I must know exactly who dared to lay a hand on you."

Princess Zhaoyang bit her lower lip lightly, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded slowly: "Alright, I will take you. But you must promise me, absolutely do not be reckless… I don't want you to get hurt."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Bai Fan gently stroked her long hair, soothing her softly.

Princess Zhaoyang took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Recalling the clues that had been deliberately erased, a vague shadow gradually emerged in her mind: "The mastermind seems to be a force called the 'Heavenly Shadow Sect'. Father avoids talking about them, as if they have extremely deep roots within the Five Regions. Once, there were rumors that the Sect Master of the Heavenly Shadow Sect, 'Lord Heiyan', had secretly allied with the Yao Race and the Ghost Race, laying plans across the Five Regions for many years. Even the Emperor fears them to some extent."

"Heavenly Shadow Sect, Lord Heiyan…" Bai Fan repeated these names softly, a cold light flickering in his eyes.

"To dare to detain even Princess Zhaoyang in a Brothel, this Heavenly Shadow Sect is truly audacious. Even if they have the Yao Race and the Ghost Race backing them, I will still go and meet them."

He held Princess Zhaoyang tighter, his tone calm yet firm: "As long as I am alive, they need not think about touching a single hair on you again."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang felt both moved and worried. She said softly: "After the Ninth Prince learned I had been captured, he also tried every possible way to rescue me. He personally led men to sneak into the Brothel, wanting to save me, but he didn't expect to encounter you…"

Bai Fan smiled slightly: "It seems he is also a good brother."

"No, he just wanted to use this opportunity to prove his capabilities to Father and curry favor with him. The Ninth Prince has always been ambitious and has been coveting the Imperial throne." Princess Zhaoyang shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of complexity.

Bai Fan nodded, secretly pondering in his heart. The current situation was complex; not only was the Heavenly Shadow Sect laying plans in the shadows, but it also involved internal imperial family strife. He could not act rashly.

"Zhaoyang, do you know where their stronghold is?" Bai Fan asked softly.

Princess Zhaoyang was silent for a moment, gritted her teeth, and finally made up her mind: "The Heavenly Shadow Sect's stronghold is extremely secretive, but while I was imprisoned, I vaguely heard some news. They seem to have a secret stronghold at 'Fengyue Ridge' outside Liangjing City. It is shrouded in dark clouds all year round and is a place that is not easily discovered. We can start from there."

"Fengyue Ridge." Bai Fan quickly memorized this name in his heart, then nodded: "Alright, let's go there now."

The two were just about to set off when suddenly, a long, drawn-out laugh came from behind them.

"Hehehe, Princess Zhaoyang, you truly have great audacity, actually daring to bring someone to investigate our stronghold?"