Invincibility starts when I see the BOSS health bar.

Chapter 978 The Dog is Gone

Fang Yu frowned, his expression deep in thought. He realized that this was no simple illusion that could be broken by speed or strength.

Every strange skill or field has a way to be countered; there are only two approaches.

Firstly, one should follow the power of its rules, understand and comply with the rules, find the patterns, and then one can naturally solve the problem.

Secondly, there is absolute power! Using violence far exceeding its limits, it forcibly breaks the rules! One force can overcome ten techniques!

The most direct and brutal way Fang Yu could think of at that moment was to use brute force to overcome skill.

That is... to unleash the full power, to generate extreme speed that surpasses the opponent's reaction and the limitations of the rules! Before the opponent has a chance to activate their ability or before their ability can even detect it, to rush directly out of the carriage's area!

and so……

Bang! ! !
The blood mist exploded instantly!

Fang Yu's blood and qi burned wildly, leaving behind an extremely solid blood-red afterimage in his place. His real body rushed towards the carriage curtain again at a speed several times greater than before!
This time, he was too fast! So fast that he couldn't be seen!
"Oh? Such keen combat instincts, such decisive bursts of energy. What an interesting little fellow."

Inside the carriage, the Illusionary Fox Demon looked at Fang Yu's figure, which had almost turned into a blood-red line, and a hint of admiration flashed in her eyes, but she still covered her mouth and chuckled.

"What a pity, we were fast enough, but we were a little short on timing. Because... we've already arrived."

Just as the fox demon had said, Fang Yu successfully broke through the carriage curtain this time!

But the scene outside the carriage was not the fierce battleground he had imagined; instead, it was the familiar gate of the Ouyang Mansion! The carriage had silently stopped in front of the Ouyang Mansion without him noticing!

"Considering you put on such an amusing little show for me, let me give you a piece of advice." The phantom fox demon poked its head out of the carriage window, smiling at the still somewhat dazed Fang Yu, but there seemed to be a hint of seriousness in its smile.

"Go home and stay here. Tonight, things might not be peaceful in the capital. Something really big might happen."

Fang Yu stood alone beneath the towering gate of the Ouyang residence, his shadow stretched long by the flickering flames of the stone lanterns on either side, highlighting a loneliness and solemnity beyond his years.

Lord Shan Yan's carriage had long since disappeared at the end of the street, the sound of its wheels fading into the distance and finally merging completely into the deathly silence of the night. Only those earnest and somewhat unfathomable words still lingered in Fang Yu's ears, each word weighing heavily on his heart.

"...Something big is going to happen tonight?"

Fang Yu subconsciously repeated it, his brows furrowing tightly. A nameless unease surged within him like a tidal wave, almost overwhelming him. He wasn't an ignorant child; having experienced life-or-death situations, he could naturally sense the unusual atmosphere in the air. Lord Shan Yan was no ordinary person; leaving behind such a statement was certainly not just to frighten him.

"What's the big deal?!"

He looked up and shouted in the direction the carriage had disappeared. His voice echoed through the empty streets, even creating a few ripples, but ultimately it was like a stone sinking into the sea, receiving no response. Only the night wind swirled a few withered leaves around his feet, adding to the desolation.

Shan Yan's evasiveness, his hesitant and unspoken manner, was like an invisible hand gripping Fang Yu's heart tightly. The more he avoided answering, the more it suggested that what was about to happen was far beyond imagination, and might even be... extremely dangerous.

"Don't think too much, little one. Just listen to him and stay here without going out..."

Shan Yan's voice, tinged with a hint of languor yet carrying an undeniable authority, seemed to drift back again.

“Without you by his side, he can more easily escape and is safer. If you go, you might end up harming him, and you wouldn't want that, would you…?”

These words were like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing the restless, impulsive passion within Fang Yu. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force, his nails digging deep into his palms, causing a sharp pain, but far less than the struggle and torment in his heart.

The image of Brother Qing involuntarily appeared in his mind.

As Shan Yan said.

If I rush out recklessly at this moment, not only will I not be able to help at all, but I will also become a burden to Brother Qing, rendering his previous protection meaningless, and he may even fall into a greater crisis because he has to be distracted to take care of me.

But... but!
Despite knowing the rationale behind it all, my emotions felt like they were being scorched by a raging fire.

To be left to wait helplessly, doing nothing, within the safety of the Ouyang residence, awaiting the unknown outcome... This feeling of powerlessness was almost driving him mad! The intense urge to fight alongside his brothers, to live and die together, pounded violently in his chest, seeking an outlet.

Fang Yu's chest heaved violently, his breathing became heavy, and his eyes were filled with struggle and pain. Two completely different thoughts were fiercely battling in his mind, almost tearing him apart.

Finally, the clenched fist, extremely slowly and with extreme resentment, loosened little by little.

He seemed to have all his strength drained away; his shoulders slumped slightly, and he exhaled a deep, deep breath. The breath was scalding hot, as if he wanted to expel all the pent-up frustration and anxiety from his chest.

He raised his head, his gaze once again falling on the direction where the swallow carriage had departed, on that deep, all-encompassing darkness.

He straightened his slightly disheveled robes, his expression becoming extremely solemn, and then respectfully bowed deeply to the void.

Every movement was slow and heavy, filled with an indescribable earnestness and entrustment.

“Lord Shanyan,” he said in a low voice, which was a little hoarse but exceptionally clear, “this junior, Fang Diao Deyi, earnestly requests that you… if you have the ability, please protect Brother Qing.”

The night was deep, and the carriage had long since vanished without a trace, so naturally there would be no response. The cold, bluestone path stretched silently forward, disappearing into the distance.

But Fang Yu had a strange sense of certainty in his heart.

Given Lord Shan Yan's unfathomable cultivation and extraordinary abilities, he must have "seen" my actions and plea. As for whether he would take action, and when, that was beyond my comprehension and control.

He could only forcefully suppress this heavy worry, trying to lock it away in the deepest corner of his heart. Now, he had to follow the arrangements and stay at the Ouyang residence. This was not only for his own safety, but also to avoid causing trouble for Brother Qing.

He turned around, preparing to step through the vermilion gate of the Ouyang residence, a symbol of temporary safety.

However, at that very moment—BOOM!!!

A sudden, deafening roar came from a great distance without warning!

The sound was so enormous, like a thunderclap from the heavens striking the earth, or like some colossal object crashing into the ground. Even from such a distance, Fang Yu could clearly feel the ground beneath his feet tremble violently! The roof tiles rattled, and even the lanterns on the gate tower swayed wildly, their flames flickering erratically!
"What's going on?!"

Fang Yu's expression changed drastically. He turned his head sharply and stared intently into the distance, following the direction of the sound. His heart almost stopped beating for a moment.

In that direction—it was precisely the place where he had parted ways with Qingyao!

A colossal, hideous, and terrifying demonic phantom, carrying an overwhelming momentum, suddenly rose from the ground and soared straight into the sky!
The illusory figure was distorted and blurry, yet it exuded a terrifying pressure that made one's soul tremble. Even from such a distance, one could still feel that pure and violent power!

If this were any other day, and Fang Yu suddenly saw such a massive, undisguised demon appear in the capital, he would have been on high alert immediately and regarded it as a hostile target that had to be eliminated.

But at this moment, in this situation, after the initial shock, Fang Yu did not feel fear. Instead, an uncontrollable look of surprise suddenly appeared on his face!

Not long ago, Brother Qing revealed that his return seemed to be at the invitation of a powerful demonic force in the capital!
So... so the terrifying demon that suddenly appeared in that direction is most likely not an enemy, but... but a powerful reinforcement that came to meet and help Brother Qing escape!

After all, Brother Qing is also a demon, so it's only natural for someone of his kind to lend a helping hand in such a critical moment!

The thought that Brother Qing might have received powerful help in his most critical moment calmed Fang Yu's anxious heart considerably. His tense nerves also relaxed slightly.

Oh right, how could I forget about that!
Since Brother Qing dared to cover the rear, he must have something to rely on.

In addition, there was that unfathomable phantom fox demon we encountered earlier providing support...

So it seems that Brother Qing's situation tonight might not be as bad or dangerous as he imagined?

Fang Yu subconsciously tried to comfort himself with these thoughts, attempting to dispel the lingering gloom in his heart.

However, as if to completely shatter his newly formed, fragile sense of hope—

Boom! ! !

Another terrifying explosion, no less deafening than the last, suddenly roared from a completely different direction!

This time, the hint of joy on Fang Yu's face froze instantly and then disappeared completely, replaced by utter astonishment and disbelief.

He turned his head sharply, looking in the direction of the new sound source, his pupils suddenly contracting.

Because that direction... wasn't the way he came at all! It was completely opposite to where Brother Qing was, in two entirely different directions!
In other words, the sudden and intense battle over there had absolutely nothing to do with the situation on Brother Qing's side! It was simply... that shocking conflicts broke out in different locations in the capital at almost the same time?!

Is there really such a coincidence in the world?!

In Fang Yu's mind, like a flash of lightning, the profound yet seemingly casual remark made by the Illusionary Fox Demon as she departed flashed back once more—

"It seems the water in this pool is even muddier than I expected tonight..."

At the time, he did not fully understand, but now, these two huge commotions that erupted almost simultaneously but were obviously unrelated to each other were like two thunderbolts, instantly splitting the fog in his mind!
This is no coincidence!
It's definitely not a coincidence!
This is... someone trying to stir up trouble!

Someone is using the chaos caused by Brother Qing as cover to fish in troubled waters and take the opportunity to carry out their own plans in other parts of the capital, launching another attack or operation!

"It seems that some people are indeed taking advantage of the situation and trying to fish in troubled waters..."

Fang Yu unconsciously repeated the fox demon's judgment in a low voice, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed tightly, and a cold and sharp light flashed in his eyes.

If he hadn't kept Qing Ge's instructions firmly in mind, he would have already rushed over to see what was going on. He wanted to see who had the audacity to jump out at a time like this, stirring up trouble and trying to profit from the chaos.

"Humph!"

He could only suppress the impulse, letting out a very soft but chilling snort. Forcibly withdrawing his gaze from the soaring aura in the distance, he resolutely turned and stepped into the Ouyang residence.

The atmosphere inside the mansion was clearly affected by the two earth-shattering explosions in the distance.

As soon as I entered, several figures hurriedly came to greet me.

"Diao Deyi!"

"Lord Diao!"

Leading the group was Linghu Xiang, her pretty face filled with tension and concern. She rushed to Fang Yu with hurried steps, almost running, and carefully looked him up and down with her beautiful eyes. Her voice was filled with undisguised anxiety: "Are you alright? There was such a loud commotion outside just now, we felt the earth shaking inside! Were you in danger? Are you injured?"

After carefully confirming that Fang Yu was completely unharmed, and even his clothes were not too disheveled, Linghu Xiang finally breathed a sigh of relief, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was finally at ease. However, a trace of lingering fear still remained deep in her eyes.

Following closely behind was Song Zhenrong. His expression was quite subtle, carrying a hint of inquiry, a touch of surprise, and a subtle caution. He glanced at Fang Yu, then subconsciously looked in the direction from which the loud noise came from beyond the high wall, and hesitantly asked, "Lord Diao, those two loud noises outside just now... were truly terrifying. This, this couldn't possibly... be related to you, could it?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Yu's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that Song Zhenrong's intuition was indeed sharp. The matter concerning Brother Qing, and the demonic forces that might be involved, were secrets that absolutely could not be known to outsiders.

He immediately chuckled, forcing a perfectly timed smile, and quickly waved his hand in denial: "Captain Song, you're joking! You yourself said that the commotion was so terrifying, how could I possibly have stirred it up? If it were really related to me, how could I be standing here unharmed talking to you right now? I would probably have been reduced to ashes long ago! I was just startled myself, wondering what earth-shattering event had occurred outside!"

His words were half true and half false, and his tone was just right, making him sound extremely sincere.

Song Zhenrong was skeptical, but seeing Fang Yu's natural expression, which didn't seem fake, he couldn't find any fault with him for the time being, so he could only nod and temporarily suppress his doubts: "That's true... It seems that something has happened somewhere in the capital. This world is really getting more and more turbulent."

(End of this chapter)