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Li Shimin slumped down beside the city wall, the last glimmer of hope in his eyes extinguished with Xiang Yutian's death. Although he didn't know Xiang Yutian, he was clearly far superior to the wandering rogue Ning Daoqi. Even Ning Daoqi and his allies were so utterly defeated; who in this world could stop this man?
However, at the crucial moment when Yi Huawei was fully absorbing Xiang Yutian's immense internal energy and origin, and his own aura fluctuated most violently, causing his perception of the outside world to be slightly delayed due to the flow of internal energy and introspection—

A sudden change occurred!

A figure seized this fleeting, perhaps only, opportunity, appearing like a ghost from the top of Luoyang city wall at a speed that exceeded the visual perception limits of most people!

One moment he was in the shadows not far behind Li Shimin on the city wall, the next moment he appeared out of thin air, within three feet behind Yi Huawei!
The man, dressed in a purple official robe that fluttered rapidly as he moved, was none other than Pei Ji, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, also known as Shi Zhixuan. But at this moment, his face lacked its usual seasoned political acumen and scholarly demeanor; instead, it bore a strange expression of extreme calm mixed with resentment. His eyes were as deep as an ancient pool, yet as sharp as a hawk's, containing two whirlpools—one vibrant with life, the other deathly still—characteristics of someone who had cultivated the *Undying Seal Technique* to the highest level of "transformation of life and death, seamless integration of reality and illusion"!

The Evil King Shi Zhixuan finally revealed his most deadly fangs at the most unexpected moment!
"Nameless! I've held a grudge against you for the three years I was seriously injured. Prepare to die!"

Shi Zhixuan's voice was shrill like an owl's, carrying the deep-seated hatred that had been building up for three years. He knew that Yi Huawei was currently in a delicate moment, absorbing a massive amount of alien energy and experiencing a slight stagnation in his internal energy circulation—a moment when his defenses might have a very brief opening! This was the fatal opportunity he had been waiting for!

He held nothing back, and his first move was the most bizarre, ruthless, and unpredictable killing move in the Undying Seal Technique—"Life and Death Reincarnation, Void Thrust"!
With his right index and middle fingers joined together, a highly refined gray-white aura, seemingly capable of piercing the void and reversing life and death, gathered at the fingertips. Silent yet swift as lightning, it pierced straight into Yi Huawei's vital heart!

This single finger strike not only embodies his life's work but also brings to the extreme the profound principles of the "Undying Seal Technique," including using an opponent's force against them, shifting between illusion and reality, and harnessing the power of life and death. The finger strike is not a straight line but rather a spiraling, twisting motion that easily penetrates most protective qi, and contains a strange energy that can disrupt the opponent's internal energy flow and ignite a conflict between old and new true qi within their body!
With his left hand, his five fingers formed a claw, accompanied by a shrill sound of air being torn apart (this sound actually came from Yi Huwei's side, interfering with his judgment), he gripped Yi Huwei's right shoulder blade. The claw's wind was insidious and vicious, penetrating straight to the bone marrow, sealing off any possible escape routes.

Even more terrifying was that his aura shifted and jumped rapidly between "life" and "death," creating numerous illusions in the visual field, making it impossible to pinpoint his true location or attack intentions! This was the ultimate manifestation of the combination of the Illusionary Demon Movement Technique and the Undying Seal Technique—the "Illusionary Demon Undying Body"!
A sneak attack! A decisive blow! Without warning! Without any scruples!

Ning Daoqi barely managed to lift his head, a complex and sorrowful look flashing in his eyes.

On the city wall, Li Shimin and the others stared wide-eyed, a twisted hope instantly igniting in their hearts—could there still be a chance?!
But... the Right Minister actually possesses such skill? Who exactly is he?

Suppressing his turbulent thoughts, Li Shimin focused his gaze.

The wind blows to the body! The wind from the claws strikes!
Yi Huawei seemed to have reacted a little slower because he was fully absorbing internal energy, and it seemed that he was unable to completely dodge this premeditated and deadly sneak attack!

"puff!"

Shi Zhixuan's finger, imbued with all his life's power and resentment, struck Yi Huawei squarely on the left side of his back! The gray-white fingertip, capable of piercing through metal and stone and reversing life and death, pierced deep inside!

Success?! Shi Zhixuan's eyes instantly lit up with wild joy!

However, this ecstasy lasted only a fraction of a second.

He felt that after his finger force broke through the seemingly thin but actually incredibly tough invisible force field on the surface of the other person's body, it did not penetrate straight into the heart as he had imagined. Instead, it felt as if it had pierced into a vast, boundless, and ever-renewing starry sea!

The moment Yi Huawei's body touched his fingertips, its interior seemed to cease to be flesh and blood, but transformed into a strange "domain" constantly cycling and dying, woven from boundless vitality and the meaning of returning to nothingness! The finger force that was specifically designed to break through qi and disrupt true qi was frantically decomposed, transformed, and absorbed by the omnipresent power of life and death as soon as it entered this "domain"! Furthermore, an overwhelming and unstoppable force, far exceeding his imagination, surged upwards along his fingers like a flash flood!

"what?!"

Shi Zhixuan was horrified and tried to back away, but it was too late!

"Humph."

A cold snort, like a chilling wind from the depths of hell, rang in Shi Zhixuan's ears.

Yi Huawei didn't even turn around completely. He just leaned his left shoulder back slightly. At the same time, his right hand, which was still pressed on Xiang Yutian's head, unexpectedly bent his wrist backward, palm facing backward, and pressed down in mid-air!
"boom--!"

A terrifying force, combining Yi Huawei's own immense internal energy with the power he had just absorbed from Xiang Yutian and which had not yet been fully transformed, thus carrying some of the violent and evil characteristics of the "Dao Xin Seed Demon Technique," rebounded from the spot on Yi Huawei's back that had been struck, like an angry dragon emerging from the sea, and was attacked from both sides by the force of his palm strike!
"Immortal Seal Technique, Transform!"

In his shock, Shi Zhixuan pushed the "Undying Seal Technique" to its limit, attempting to deflect the terrifying backlash and palm force through the transformation of life and death energy, and even use it to launch a counterattack.

However, he underestimated the level and domineering nature of this power!

The concept of "birth and death are determined by the mind" contained within it far exceeded his understanding of "the transformation between life and death"! The violent demonic energy from Xiang Yutian was also completely different from the nature of his own true energy, making it extremely difficult to transform!
"puff--!!!"

Shi Zhixuan's force-dissipating technique only managed to neutralize a small portion of the force; the remaining majority of the force slammed solidly into his chest and arms!
He heard the clear sound of his sternum shattering, his right arm fingers breaking into pieces, and the excruciating pain in his internal organs felt as if they were being torn apart! Blood gushed from his mouth like a fountain, even mixed with fragments of his internal organs! Like a rag doll struck by a massive hammer, he was sent flying backward with a scream, leaving a trail of blood in the air, before crashing heavily into the dust dozens of feet away. He rolled a few times and then lay motionless, only exhaling, not inhaling. He was clearly critically injured and on the verge of death, several times more severe than his injuries from years ago!
Yi Huawei slowly withdrew his right hand, and with a gentle tremor, the desiccated corpse of Xiang Yutian beneath his palm turned to dust, scattering in the wind. Only then did he slowly turn around. On the back of his moon-white robe, there was a hole the size of a finger, through which the skin beneath was faintly visible, but it was only slightly red, not even broken! His face was slightly flushed, and his breathing was slightly unsteady. Clearly, Shi Zhixuan's long-planned, full-force finger strike had still had some effect on him, especially at the crucial moment when he was absorbing the alien internal energy, but it was far from serious injury.

He glanced at Shi Zhixuan, who was barely alive and almost unrecognizable in the distance, and his eyes were cold.

"A clown like him dares to launch a sneak attack."

"Who else?"

His gaze slowly swept across the city wall.

Li Shimin met his gaze, felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, his whole body turned cold, and he collapsed to the ground completely.

No one dared to meet Yi Huawei's gaze.

Outside the city, the nine Buddhist monks were on the verge of death, their glory shattered; Ning Daoqi was severely injured and unable to rise, the leader of the Daoist sect had lost his wings; the Evil Emperor Xiang Yutian had turned to ashes, and the giant of the Demonic Sect had vanished into thin air; even the Evil King Shi Zhixuan, who had been lying in wait and had taken the most dangerous step, was now lying limp in the distance like mud, his fate unknown. Meanwhile, that figure in white, with only tattered robes and a slightly unstable aura, had already suppressed all the most powerful forces in the world who dared to stand up.

Inside the city, morale had completely collapsed. Having witnessed a battle that defied the limits of mortal imagination, and seen the high monks, wandering monks, and evil emperors, whom they regarded as gods and Buddhas, suffer successive defeats and even fall, even the most valiant veterans were now left with only boundless fear and bewilderment. Weapons slipped from their numb hands, striking the city bricks with a crisp, shattering sound.

Li Shimin slumped beside the cold battlements, his face ashen, his eyes vacant as he stared at the demonic figure outside the city. His gaze then slowly swept over the pale-faced Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Changsun Wuji beside him, and the trembling, tearful Qu Tutong. Finally, his gaze settled on the faces of the defeated, disoriented soldiers below the city walls. There was no anger, no resentment, only a cold, bone-chilling despair.

He lost. He lost completely and utterly.

It wasn't a matter of having fewer soldiers and generals, nor of strategic errors, nor even of favorable timing or location. Rather, it was a defeat against… an absolute personal power and unfathomable depth of influence that defied comprehension. When the opposing commander can effortlessly destroy all the morale and top-tier combat strength you rely on, the so-called fortifications, military superiority, and popular support all become laughable jokes.

"Your Highness..."

Changsun Wuji's voice was hoarse and trembling with sobs. He wanted to say something, but found that any words would be pale and powerless at this moment.

Fang Xuanling sighed deeply and closed his eyes. This capable minister, known for his wisdom and strategy, was now left with only the sorrow of being powerless to reverse the situation.

Du Ruhui struggled to his feet, bowed deeply to Li Shimin, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, things have come to this... For the sake of the soldiers and civilians of Luoyang, for... for the sake of leaving a thread of incense for the ancestral temples and the state of our Great Tang... Please... please make a decision, Your Highness!"

Li Shimin shuddered, a flicker of emotion finally appearing in his empty eyes. He slowly raised his head, looking out of the city once more. Yi Huawei did not urge him, but stood there quietly, his black armor like a forest behind him, silent as an abyss, awaiting this ancient capital to make its final decision.

The autumn wind whipped up the dust from the city walls, brushing across Li Shimin's pale face. He seemed to age ten years in an instant. The spirited Prince of Qin, determined to sweep away all rivals and establish an unparalleled empire, had vanished, leaving only a heartbroken prince, forced to take responsibility for his legacy in a desperate situation.

Li Shimin struggled to his feet, leaning against the battlements, and stood shakily. His gaze swept over the dark blue banner proclaiming "Heaven's Way" below the city walls, then back to the faint outline of the palaces within Luoyang. Finally, he took a deep breath, and with all his might, roared towards the city below:

"Heavenly Dao Alliance... Alliance Leader!"

"I, Li Shimin, am willing to surrender!"

"I only ask that the Alliance Leader... keep his promise and protect the lives of the soldiers and civilians of Luoyang! Li Shimin... is willing to bear all the blame himself!"

These words seemed to drain the last bit of his energy from him. He staggered and almost fell again, but was firmly supported by Changsun Wuji and the guards beside him.

Silence reigned both on and below the city walls. Only the mournful sound of the wind could be heard.

Yi Huawei watched the figure on the city wall hunch over in an instant, a faint, indescribable look flashing in his eyes. It wasn't the triumph of a victor, but more like the calm of witnessing a turning point in history.

"Li Shimin,"

Yi Huawei's voice rang out again, calm and unwavering: "Since you are willing to surrender, then open the city gates. I will always keep my word. Those who surrender will be spared death. The Li Tang imperial family and key officials will await their fate."

He paused, then added, "As for you... come with me into the city."

There were no extra promises, nor any deliberate humiliation; the results were simply stated plainly.

Li Shimin smiled bitterly and waved his hand.

"Open...the city gate."

"Squeak—!"

The imposing Anxi Gate, the north gate of Luoyang, slowly opened inwards under the watchful eyes of countless complex gazes. This once colossal city gate, a symbol of the glory and will to resist of the Li Tang dynasty, now resembled the dying lament of a giant beast.

Qu Tutong descended from the city tower, removed his armor and sword, and led the remaining soldiers who had lost their will to fight, standing in formation on both sides of the city gate with their heads bowed.

As the silent, armored torrent, led by Yi Huawei, marched with synchronized, earth-shaking steps through the open city gates and into this once-powerful city that belonged to Wang Shichong and then to the Li Tang dynasty, and was about to welcome a new master, many people couldn't help but sob softly.

Yi Huawei did not allow his troops to loot. The Xuanjia Tiance army, known for its strict discipline, quickly took control of key locations upon entering the city, posted notices to reassure the people, and maintained order. Li Shimin, his family, and key civil and military officials were temporarily placed under house arrest in the former Qin Prince's residence. The injured monks from the Buddhist community were centrally cared for and treated. Ning Daoqi, carried by his blue donkey, had quietly departed sometime earlier, unnoticed and unstoppable.

Luoyang changed hands without bloodshed.

...............

Just as Yi Huawei was battling against numerous rivals and forcing Li Shimin to surrender at the gates of Luoyang, another thunderous operation that would determine the fate of the empire was unfolding in the Guanzhong Plain with even greater speed.

Guanzhong, west of Tongguan, Lantian Road.

It was late autumn, and the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains were already covered in frost. A large army, yet moving with lightning speed, was surging like a torrent along the winding and treacherous ancient Qinling roads, heading towards the eastern gateway to the Guanzhong Plain—behind Tongguan Pass.

Beneath the commander's banner, Song Que, clad in black armor and a deep blue cloak, stood atop a high hill, his hand on his sword. His Heavenly Blade remained unsheathed, yet he himself was a peerless blade capable of slicing through any obstacle. His face was cold and stern, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, surveying the rapidly advancing, vast army below.

This was not the entire main force he had brought from Tangzhou. After confirming that Li Jing was completely tied down by Yi Huawei and that news of the dramatic changes in the Luoyang direction arrived, he made a decisive move. He left only a detachment to monitor the remnants of the Tang army in the direction of Zhixian (Li Jing, upon learning of the news from Luoyang, knew that there was no hope of recovery and, in order to protect his soldiers, had already led his army to slowly retreat towards Wuguan, attempting to return to Guanzhong). He personally led 80,000 elite troops (including 30,000 newly replenished fresh troops), carrying a large number of siege weapons, and with lightning speed, along the Qinling trails previously scouted by Su Dingfang's surprise attack, combined with a feint attack from the front, and broke through the Qinling eastern defense line that the Tang Dynasty thought was impregnable, appearing on the flank and rear of the Tongguan garrison!
The Tongguan garrison commander, upon receiving the report, was terrified. Tongguan's strength lay in its eastern defenses, leaving its rear relatively vulnerable. Song Que's army suddenly appeared behind them, echoing Xu Shiji's forces, which had been feigning an attack to the east (after successfully containing Dou Jiande, they split their forces and advanced westward). Tongguan was attacked from both sides, and the defenders, upon hearing the devastating news of Luoyang's fall and the Qin King's surrender, instantly collapsed in morale. The resistance lasted less than a day. This formidable pass, hailed as "the First Pass Under Heaven," which had blocked countless enemies from the east, crumbled under the combined attack and the despair of its defenders!

With Tongguan captured, the gateway to Guanzhong will be completely open!

Without pausing, Song Que left troops to guard Tongguan Pass while his main force marched relentlessly along the official road south of the Wei River, heading straight for Chang'an! (End of Chapter)