*Boom!*
In the Mental Space, special effects ran wild, shaking the very foundations of the world.
Song Yanran's offensive was fierce, each strike infused with the power of Dao, aiming to kill Shen Zhao outright.
Yet Shen Zhao never met her head-on, instead relying on his lightning-fast footwork to effortlessly evade all her attacks.
For a time, neither could gain the upper hand as they raced across the mental landscape.
After several exchanges, Song Yanran realized her usual methods were useless against Shen Zhao, and she finally grew serious.
"Chu Liuxiang, do you think mere speed will save you? In my Mental Space, you have nowhere to hide."
Shen Zhao landed at the edge of a cliff, calmly unfurling his folding fan. "Your Majesty, must you throw away all dignity for some pretty boy? Why not sit down for tea? I can introduce you to men a hundred times more outstanding than Di Feijing."
"Hmph! Anyone who harms Feijing is my enemy! I will not forgive lightly. Stop concealing your strength and use everything you have, or you'll never live to see another dawn."
With that, she struck again.
"Alas, what is this thing called love in the world? It makes one's heart flutter like a thousand falling petals... what a pity~"
Shen Zhao sighed softly and sprang into the air with a sideways leap.
The moment he rose, the cliff face where Song Yanran's palm had struck collapsed and transformed into a cosmos of stars.
At that moment, Song Yanran's aura underwent a sudden transformation as she channeled her internal energy, elevating her cultivation to a higher level.
"Imperial Zenith Celestial Scripture - Stellar Transformation."
In an instant, the cosmic vision of stars and galaxies that had materialized in the void rapidly coalesced into radiant light, converging around Song Yanran.
"Holy shit, I need to sit up for this."
Shen Zhao frowned, recognizing the gravity of this technique and preparing to face it seriously.
"Go—"
The Stellar Transformation materialized as a torrent of Dao Essence, forming an aurora that charged straight toward Shen Zhao's face.
Shen Zhao reacted instantly, his body shifting and transforming in a blur.
"Waterwind Stride."
*Boom!*
A colossal force crashed down, reducing the spot where Shen Zhao had stood moments before to dust.
"Damn, that was brutal."
Though he had evaded the opponent's ultimate technique, he still felt a lingering chill. Had his agility faltered, he would have been either killed or severely wounded.
"Still holding back? When do you plan to unleash your full power?"
In the brief moment of hesitation, Song Yanran closed the distance to within ten paces and struck with a palm strike.
Shen Zhao immediately responded, unfurling his folding fan to block the attack.
The spinning fan parried the fierce assault, but the overwhelming force of the palm strike sent him flying back ten paces.
"Since your crutch is gone, accept your fate."
Without restraint, Song Yanran channeled her energy again, aiming to obliterate the man before her in a single blow.
At the critical moment between life and death, Shen Zhao's counterattack finally surged forth with overwhelming force.
"Imperial Zenith Celestial Scripture - Stellar Transformation."
The same technique, yet with a subtle shift in power.
Instantly, stellar energy surged and swept back, crashing against Song Yanran.
Caught completely off guard by this sudden turn, Song Yanran decisively shifted from offense to defense, activating her protective Imperial Aura to block Shen Zhao's assault. Surprise flashed in her eyes.
"The Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty's Nation-Protecting Divine Art! Where did you steal this technique from?!"
Shen Zhao smiled faintly in response.
"To be frank, Empress, I happened to memorize it just as you were unleashing the technique. I dared to show off my amateur skills. I hope you'll guide me."
"The Wise Eye of the River? I never thought anyone besides him would possess such a divine art."
"Since you recognize this technique, Empress, perhaps we should cease hostilities?"
"Insolence! Do you think mimicking his moves makes me powerless against you?"
Anger warred with astonishment in Song Yanran's heart. To completely replicate her technique after a single glance was terrifying.
This man was too dangerous. He had to be completely subdued to extract more clues.
With this thought, Song Yanran further amplified her cultivation.
Her Immaculate Immortal Physique transformed into a Dharma Manifestation that materialized behind her.
"Imperial Zenith Celestial Scripture - Stellar Scarred Holy Judgment!"
A divine shadow appeared in the void, wielding a long spear. It thrust forward with earth-shattering force, causing the heavens and earth to resonate and the stars to hang upside down.
An even more ferocious attack surged towards Shen Zhao.
Shen Zhao frowned, retracted his folding fan, planted his feet, and shifted his stance, unleashing a series of unexpected maneuvers—
"Waterwind Instant Shift - Starlight Steps."
His feet danced on water and fire, his steps tracing across the stars, fully displaying the grace of a grandmaster.
The sudden change in tactics, merging the Stellar Transformation technique with the Waterwind Stride, allowed him to evade the otherwise unavoidable attack in an instant.
The ultimate strike swept through, annihilating everything in its path.
The Mental Space itself seemed unable to withstand the power of their cultivation, gradually showing signs of collapse.
"You... you actually managed to merge techniques and create a new one?"
"You flatter me, Empress. This is merely my daily practice."
"You... must not be allowed to live."
Song Yanran's anger flared, and just as she was about to unleash an even more devastating technique, Shen Zhao's eyes turned cold, and he struck first.
"Imperial Zenith Celestial Scripture - Stellar Scarred Holy Judgment!"
The same technique, but with a vastly different pressure, surged directly towards Song Yanran's vital point.
Song Yanran dodged with a flash, but the ultimate strike continued its trajectory, soaring towards the heavens.
*Boom!*
The Dao Essence Laws exploded in mid-air, and the Mental Space instantly shattered.
The two figures reappeared on the streets of the Capital City.
"The Great Emperor cannot be fought! Retreat!"
Without hesitation, Shen Zhao decisively used his movement techniques to flee into the distance.
"Stay where you are!"
Song Yanran refused to let him escape so easily and immediately pursued him with her own movement techniques.
Since they were in the Capital City, Song Yanran naturally dared not unleash her full power. Under the weight of her imperial majesty, Flamebright City would instantly be reduced to ruins, and its eight million citizens would suffer untold disaster.
It was precisely because Song Yanran was bound by this concern that Shen Zhao dared to race through the city.
At this moment, Song Yanran was beginning to lose her composure.
*Why is Chu Liuxiang's movement technique and speed so fast? Even as a Great Emperor, I can't keep up.*
The two once again engaged in a large-scale chase across the city, turning it into a continuous drama.
Regarding this, the renowned five-star general MacArthur, who was reading this book, commented: "I refuse to comment."
An hour later, Shen Zhao vanished without a trace after slipping into a State Guesthouse where Xiongnu envoys resided.
Song Yanran stopped before the guesthouse, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly.
*A Xiongnu spy?*
After a moment's contemplation, Song Yanran silently disappeared into the night.
Only after Song Yanran had departed did Shen Zhao finally exhale in relief, his body slumping with exhaustion.
"The power of a peak Great Emperor is truly terrifying. Fortunately, my skills were superior, and I narrowly escaped with my life after a near-death experience.
You dare to strike me? Fine, you're impressive. I can't touch the Empress, but I can certainly make trouble for your White Moonlight.
Tomorrow, I'll find an opportunity to beat him up again and vent my anger. Let's see who breaks first."
With this thought, Shen Zhao smiled knowingly.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard faint voices from the room below.
"Everything is ready; only the east wind is missing."
"We must think carefully. If this goes wrong, not only will our lives be forfeit, but millions of Xiongnu citizens will be slaughtered by the Dragon Han army."
Shen Zhao's interest immediately piqued. He quickly crouched on the eaves, concealed his aura, and began eavesdropping on the conversation.
"Relax. Our informants have confirmed that the Imperial Zenith Celestial Scripture shows signs of power dissipation every century. At that time, the Purple Star Empress's cultivation will drop to less than thirty percent of its peak."
"But even a weakened Empress would still be beyond our reach. Moreover, Song Yanran has already improved the Imperial Zenith Celestial Scripture. It may not even dissipate its power."
"Rest assured on that front. The hidden operatives are all in place. The Seven Star Begonia is the world's most potent poison. Once Song Yanran's toxicity takes hold, she'll be as vulnerable as any mortal, easily subdued."
"The risk is still too great. The Empress is ruthless. What if she discovers the poisoning early? Remember, the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty isn't just protected by the Empress; there are also seventeen Quasi-Emperor experts guarding it. What if they arrive?"
"You need not worry about that. Darba, the Grand Tutor of the Xiongnu Golden Vajra Sect, has agreed to join forces in assassinating the Empress. Darba is already a Fourth-Rank Great Emperor. With his personal intervention, what are a few mere Quasi-Emperors? Moreover, based on my understanding of Song Yanran, those seventeen Quasi-Emperors are each assigned specific duties. They won't come to the Imperial City for reinforcements without the Empress's direct command."
"That's truly excellent! With the Grand Tutor's involvement, this plan is bound to succeed. Once the Empress falls, our Xiongnu cavalry will surely crush the ten thousand li of Dragon City and seize the vast lands of the Central Domain."
Shen Zhao frowned, thinking: *It seems the heavens of the Central Domain are about to change. I must prepare in advance.*
-----------------------
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