Chapter 676: The Tragedy of Great Li

Chapter 676: Chapter 676: The Tragedy of Great Li

Months later, Zhong Shan, Wang Ku, Nie Qingqing, and the Phoenix of the Imperial Realm arrived within the borders of the Great Li Celestial Empire!

Wherever the trio passed, endless battles raged. The northern battlefield was chaotic beyond measure. As they neared the border of Great Li, Zhong Shan sensed something was amiss. He noticed the army of Great Li was disordered, their arrangements in disarray. Disarray? That meant the supreme commander's orders were ineffective.

A celestial empire with a disorganized army? It could only mean the supreme commander was missing, not present in the military camp.

The supreme commander missing? That surely meant there was a major upheaval in the Holy Capital of Li Fire!

"Faster!" Zhong Shan commanded.

"Caw~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!"

The Phoenix let out a long cry, its form flashing like a stream of light, shooting towards the direction of the Holy Capital of Li Fire.

Five days later, they arrived at the Holy Capital. But they all stopped outside, staring in disbelief at the scene before them.

Was this the Holy Capital of Li Fire?

Once, the Holy Capital was bathed in the golden glow of prosperity, countless floating islands dancing in the sky, a splendid scene of a flourishing era.

But now, all the fortune had dissipated, the floating islands had collapsed. The vast territory lay in ruins, with numerous buildings crumbled, and the ground littered with countless corpses. Even many Phoenix corpses lay strewn about.

On the devastated ground, huge cracks appeared, the entire land shattered, with endless magma gushing forth, flames shooting into the sky.

The enormous palace had fallen into a vast magma pit.

The once grand Holy Capital of Li Fire had become a dead city, a heap of ruins, a field of magma, now a thing of the past.

Above the endless magma, seven or eight Phoenixes, with most of their feathers gone, flew desolately, letting out mournful cries.

"Caw~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!"

The Phoenix's sorrowful cry resonated in the desolation!

Nie Qingqing stared blankly at the scene, her whole body turning cold.

"No, this isn't the Holy Capital of Li Fire. It can't be!" Nie Qingqing shook her head, refusing to believe. Geett the latest novels at novelhall.com

Zhong Shan grabbed her arm, calming her down.

"Let's check if Nie Fancheng is still around!" Zhong Shan comforted.

In truth, Zhong Shan knew all too well. The dissipation of fortune likely meant Nie Fancheng was in dire straits.

The Phoenix underfoot shot towards the palace at high speed.

At this moment, countless thoughts flashed through Zhong Shan's mind. Nie Fancheng? Was he still alive?

How powerful was Nie Fancheng?

Last time, even the combined attack of Daoist God Crow, Lu Gui Tian, and Wu Huan couldn't harm Nie Fancheng. Although his clothes had a slight tear, it didn't diminish Nie Fancheng's formidable presence in Zhong Shan's mind.

Nie Fancheng was a peer of Gu Shentong, and before the assault on Elysium, he was the only Heaven-Realm expert recognized by Gu Shentong.

Being acknowledged by Gu Shentong, Nie Fancheng's strength was unquestionable. But had such a powerful figure been taken down in his own stronghold?

"Daoist God Crow, gravely injured, left alone in one direction. Prince Lietian headed towards Phoenix Island! Lu Gui Tian, Wu Huan, and Turtle Shou, along with the captured Supreme, went southwest! We were all lying on the ground, our bones shattered, unable to move. If not for that, we might have been killed too!"

"What about the other officials?" Wuluo asked immediately.

"With that eunuch's inside help, no matter how many subordinates there were, it would have been useless," Zhong Shan shook his head.

At this moment, Nie Qingqing's expression was vacant. The sudden blow was too much for her to bear. The front lines of the Great Li Celestial Empire were still engaged in battle, yet the capital had already turned to ruins?

The Emperor was dead? Nie Qingqing suddenly felt as if she had lost the entire world. In an instant, it was as if the sky had fallen, as if the world had ended.

Tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes. Her whole body weakened, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Your Highness, what should we do?" the Phoenix asked Wuluo.

"Emperor Zhong, please save the Supreme!" Wuluo suddenly knelt before Zhong Shan.

Though Wuluo couldn't discern anything extraordinary about Zhong Shan, she knew he must be an exceptional person. Otherwise, why would both the Emperor and the Supreme have summoned him? Now, with the Supreme captured, the Phoenix clan would be doomed if they couldn't rescue him. But who could they turn to for help in such dire times? Zhong Shan was their only hope.

The sight of the Phoenixes bowing awakened the dazed Nie Qingqing. Seeing them, she bit her lip, forcibly suppressing her overwhelming sorrow.

"Zhong Shan, can you save the Supreme?" Nie Qingqing looked at Zhong Shan with hope.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan asked solemnly, "Why did they capture Wu Jiutian?"

"We don't know, we have no idea!" the Phoenixes responded quickly.

"How long ago did they leave?" Zhong Shan asked again.

"Ten days ago, they left ten days ago!" the Phoenixes answered hopefully.

"Your Majesty, can we catch up to them?" Wang Ku asked calmly.

"We should be able to. I don't know how powerful Nie Fancheng was exactly, but from his relentless slaughter of the Realm of Longevity's people, it's clear he hated them deeply. He even killed two Heaven-Realm experts wielding the Absolute Immortal Sword and the Trap Immortal Sword. Daoist God Crow must also be seriously injured. However, his suspicious nature led him to leave alone. As for the remaining ones, Lu Gui Tian, Wu Huan, and Turtle Shou, they were all heavily injured!" Zhong Shan analyzed.

"Everyone is heavily injured?" Wang Ku frowned.

"Prince Lietian went to Phoenix Island alone, indicating he's an exception. But between Wu Huan and Turtle Shou, at least one must be seriously injured!" Zhong Shan took a deep breath.

"They're heavily injured and carrying Wu Jiutian. They won't be moving fast," Wang Ku understood.

"Exactly, and I know where they're likely heading!" Zhong Shan's eyes narrowed.

"Please, Emperor Zhong, save the Supreme!" Wuluo kowtowed to Zhong Shan.

"Get up! Transform into your true form and carry us!" Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes!"

Wuluo transformed back into her Phoenix form and swiftly carried Zhong Shan, Wang Ku, and Nie Qingqing in pursuit.

Nie Qingqing was in a daze, while Zhong Shan was deep in thought about the possible forthcoming events, unable to offer comfort. He merely held Nie Qingqing's hand tightly as a gesture of reassurance.

"Your Majesty, why would the Realm of Longevity besiege the Great Li Celestial Empire, forsaking all this fortune?" Wang Ku asked.

"The Realm of Longevity and the Taishui Celestial Empire have always been in collusion. The fall of the Great Li Celestial Empire benefits the Taishui Celestial Empire. As for the fortune? Once the other imperial dynasties annex the Great Li's lands, they can seize it back from them!" Zhong Shan answered without needing to think.