So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

Xu Guofu held the reins of Qin Lie's warhorse, his posture humble as if he were a servant.

As he led the way, he kept looking up at the increasingly terrifying thunderclouds above the Zichen Palace.

With a fawning smile plastered on his face, he said to Qin Lie on horseback:

"Your Majesty, please look!"

"This strange phenomenon in the heavens and earth—dark clouds overhead, lightning flashing wildly..."

"This is an ominous sign unlike anything seen before!"

"This is the wrath of Heaven, a divine punishment sent to sever the fortunes of that tyrannical ruler, Qin Xiao!"

"Even the heavens cannot tolerate his debauchery and tyranny, and must punish him!"

"This is precisely the time to demonstrate to Your Majesty that you are the chosen one, in accordance with Heaven's will and the will of the people!"

Qin Lie was overjoyed and laughed heartily, "Well said! Minister Xu understands my heart perfectly! After I ascend the throne, I will certainly not let you down!"

The Xu faction officials and generals following behind listened to Xu Guofu's timely flattery and were filled with admiration.

Many people secretly gave it a thumbs up!

"No wonder Xu Xiangneng wielded such power!"

"His ability to change course with the wind is truly masterful!"

"Following Prime Minister Xu was definitely the right decision!"

"The merit of supporting the emperor is about to be achieved!"

Some people looked up at the celestial phenomena and trembled inwardly.

"However, this celestial phenomenon is truly bizarre!"

"Yes, I've never seen such terrifying thunderclouds."

"Could it be that Minister Xu was right, and there really is a god in anger?"

"I have a bad feeling, like something terrible is about to happen..."

at the same time.

It was only three-quarters past noon!

In the Zichen Palace...

Qin Xiao sat cross-legged on the cold jade bed, his eyes tightly closed.

He was enveloped in a layer of misty spiritual light.

The light seemed to breathe, flickering and changing.

It faintly echoed the rolling thunderclouds in the sky outside the palace.

At this moment, the magnificent scene within Qin Xiao's dantian was no less impressive than the omen of Core Formation in the outside world!

External spiritual energy is absorbed into the body, flowing along the meridians like rivers to the sea, and converging into the dantian.

Together with the originally liquid spiritual energy, which was like lake water, it was compressed and condensed!

The rudiments of the Golden Elixir have been formed!

As the Golden Core gradually stabilizes, lifespan increases dramatically and spiritual consciousness expands.

The perception and control of spiritual energy are also increasing exponentially!

Just as Qin Xiao's golden core was about to solidify...

"boom!"

A thick, dazzling purple lightning bolt, as thick as a tree trunk, descended from the heavens.

It slammed down hard on the roof of the Zichen Palace!

There is no tribulation of lightning when one reaches the Core Formation stage.

This action is a sign of using the spiritual power of heaven and earth to condense the elixir!

The Golden Elixir is complete!

……

On the other side, along the palace road.

Qin Lie steadied his mount, which was becoming somewhat agitated by the thunder.

Xu Guofu, standing to the side, pointed to the palace gates of the inner palace that were just inches away, still spitting as he spoke: "Your Majesty, the capture and execution of the tyrannical emperor will take place right here..."

Before the words were even finished, a sudden change occurred!

One moment, dark clouds loomed overhead, and the world seemed like the end of the world.

The next moment, the dark clouds suddenly dissipated.

The dazzling sunlight poured down, illuminating the palace in a magnificent golden light!

The sky was a clear, deep blue.

The terrifying celestial phenomenon just now seemed as if it had never happened at all...

"W-What happened?"

"Where are the clouds? Where's the thunder? How come the sky suddenly cleared up?"

All the soldiers, generals, and ministers, including Qin Lie and Xu Guofu, were stunned.

They all looked up at the sky, their faces showing confusion.

Just as everyone was stunned.

Xu Guofu, true to his cunning nature, was the first to realize what was happening!

He immediately looked at Qin Lie and exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Your Majesty, an auspicious sign! An extremely auspicious sign!"

"Heaven has eyes! Your Majesty is personally leading the royal army to storm the inner palace and capture and execute that licentious and tyrannical ruler..."

"With the great undertaking about to succeed, we were worried that the celestial phenomena might startle Your Majesty's horses and disrupt the army's morale. Therefore, we are specially clearing obstacles and paving the way for you!"

"Even Heaven is protecting Your Majesty, helping you achieve your great ambitions!"

"This is the sign of a true Son of Heaven!"

"Destiny has decreed our will; we are invincible!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Lie felt a surge of intense vanity!

"Xu Xiang is right!"

"My lads! Even God is on our side!"

"What are we waiting for? Charge in now!"

Whoever captures Qin Xiao alive will be granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!

The moment he finished speaking, morale soared!

Without the disturbance of thunder, the warhorses were no longer frightened, and their marching speed suddenly increased!

The sound of horses' hooves grew increasingly rapid.

The rebel troops launched a fierce attack on the inner palace!

In the blink of an eye, the palace gates were within reach.

The exquisite pavilions and towers inside the gate are already visible!

The cavalrymen at the forefront all wore excited smiles.

They all vied to be the first to rush into the Zichen Palace, capture Qin Xiao alive, and make the greatest contribution!

However, just as the cavalry at the forefront were about to cross the threshold of the palace gate...

"Bang!"

A deep, muffled thud resounded!

Accompanied by the mournful neighing of warhorses and the screams of cavalrymen.

Dozens of elite cavalrymen at the forefront, along with their horses, took to the air.

It flew backwards towards the rear of the army formation!

The man was already in mid-air with broken bones and tendons, and was spitting out blood.

The warhorse was also severely injured and crashed into the rear ranks along with the men.

In an instant, the soldiers and horses in the rear were thrown into chaos.

This caused even greater chaos!

"What's going on?!"

"An ambush?!"

The sudden attack brought the surging momentum to a halt.

Qin Lie's smile froze, his eyes hardened, and he shouted sharply, "What's going on up ahead?!"

"Your Majesty! There seems to be something blocking our way!"

A soldier who had miraculously survived at the front came running over, stumbling and crawling, shouting in shock.

"waste!"

Qin Lie cursed angrily.

He then leaped up and stomped hard on the saddle.

Using a few leverages in the air, he leaped over the chaotic front ranks and landed in front of the palace gate.

His gaze was sharp as lightning, sweeping forward.

Suddenly, a figure in light blue emerged from the corner of the road leading to the Zichen Palace in the back garden.

It was Luo Qingluan!

She was still not wearing armor, her dark hair was tied up high, and her eyes were icy cold.

He held a long, unsheathed sword in his hand, its tip pointing diagonally at the ground.

Luo Qingluan stood still in the middle of the road.

Behind them lay the silent palace complex of the inner palace.

Before him stood a dark, menacing mass of rebel soldiers.

One man and one sword.

But it kept all the murderous intent outside the palace gates!

Qin Lie's pupils contracted slightly as he recognized Luo Qingluan, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Luo Qingluan?"

"So it was you, woman, who was behind this!"

"The commotion just now... Could it be that you've already reached the ninth-tier martial artist level?"

"However, even if you are a ninth-level martial artist, you cannot stop my thousands of martial artists!"

"If you know what's good for you, get out of the way!"

"I will spare your life out of consideration for you being a woman!"

Luo Qingluan raised her eyes and looked calmly at the aggressive Qin Lie.

That look in his eyes was as if he were looking at a clown.

A moment later, her red lips parted slightly, her voice clear and cold: "The Emperor of Dayong is alone, currently in the Zichen Palace!"

"You call yourself 'I'? You dare to challenge me?"