The improved female villains regained their memories.

This imperial armor is the only ninth-grade magic weapon in the entire royal family. It was created by a mysterious person for the late emperor and named the "True Dragon Armor".

Fang Wu's body trembled: "Your Majesty, you can now activate the True Dragon Armor!"

"It's fine, it's been fine for a long time." Xu Weibang chuckled: "It's just that it didn't need to be driven before, so I didn't drive it."

"Now, we have no choice but to drive it."

Boom boom boom!

The spiritual energy attacks bombarded the protective array of the capital city.

"Damn it, why did the Heavenly Guardian Sect suddenly turn on us? They won't even talk to us?!" Bai Lingling roared.

"Don't be afraid. Didn't Your Highness already reach an agreement with the villains? I don't think they'll just stand by and watch us die," Hong Lingyi reassured him.

Hei Jiao Mang didn't speak. He turned his head to look at Xu Baxian's room, where the door was tightly closed. Many people had been beaten out in the past few days.

His spiritual senses penetrated through the door, allowing him to perceive the state of the room's occupant.

He was lying peacefully in bed, fast asleep.

Chapter 473 Qiongqi's Presence

A portal opened at the border of the Central Plains, and then Yang Pingsheng and several female villains sped out from it.

Luo Benmo grabbed Yang Pingsheng, Xu Anlu grabbed Song Panning, and Wen Shihan turned into a shadow, almost clinging to Yang Pingsheng. The five of them rushed away into the distance in an extremely strange posture.

They didn't stop until they were almost at the mountains near the capital.

"Wait a moment, let me set up an array." As soon as she landed, Song Panning habitually began to construct an array.

As she constructed the array, she pondered the many changes that had occurred.

From Li Chumo, she learned about the ninth female villain and the Heroes Alliance. She also learned that she and the eighth villain were planning to attack the Guardian Sect. At least, Shi Guijia's capture was within their expectations. They invited Yang Pingsheng and the villains to discuss their next move.

However, due to the upheaval in the capital, Xu Anlu's forces were attacked, and their next move was interrupted. Li Chumo took the initiative to propose a rescue, but she asked the villains to go ahead first, and she would lead the main force to teleport there over a long distance once she was ready.

She originally wanted to keep Yang Pingsheng, but she backed down under Luo Benmo's gaze.

Unfortunately, a fight didn't break out.

"But that guy seems to have a lot of information. According to her, the Heroes Alliance is the force of the ninth villain, so why would they cooperate with the Guardian Sect?" Song Panning frowned and pondered.

Her decision to support Xu Anlu's forces was based on the balance of power between the two sides. The Guardian Sect was already powerful, so they would definitely preserve as much of their strength as possible.

However, if the protagonist's side really joins forces with the ninth villain, their chances of winning will only be lower.

While Song Panning was constructing the formation, Xu Anlu was also contacting people from the Shadow Empire.

"My lord, the attack came too suddenly. All five of the zodiac animals—Dragon, Snake, Pig, Ox, and Monkey—have been killed in battle. Now, the people from the Guardian Heaven Sect have arrived over the capital and are attacking the city's defensive formations."

Just as Ying made contact with Xu Anlu, a message came requesting help, along with a series of scenes from the capital city.

Xu Anlu instructed Xu Anyin to release the scene of the capital city, which was then witnessed by the other four villains present.

Fiery red auspicious clouds covered the entire capital city, and beams of spiritual light poured down from above. The capital city's protective formation had been exposed and was on the verge of collapse.

"The Heavenly Guardian Sect is here too. Have they really joined forces?" Song Panning wondered as she watched the video.

She kept planning and devising new strategies in her mind.

The appearance of the Guardian Heaven Sect members aroused her killing intent, but it also forced her to be cautious.

The footage could only capture the approximate location of the Heavenly Guardian Sect and revealed that the leader was the God of Wine. Song Panning couldn't be sure who else was in the group.

Now that the Heavenly Guardian Sect has captured Shi Guijia, the scales of advantage are undoubtedly tipped in their favor. If they rush over rashly, they will inevitably suffer losses.

Who knows where they're lying in ambush? Coupled with the intelligence Li Chumo revealed, Song Panning felt that the situation was now more complicated than she had imagined.

"Not only do we have to fight against the Guardian Sect, but we also have to fight against the villains. More importantly, can we choose to believe Li Chumo's words? Does she have her own selfish motives in cooperating with the eighth villain? This is really troublesome. That's how villains are. Although they are all outstanding individuals, it is precisely because they are all outstanding individuals that we cannot wholeheartedly trust them."

"What do we do now? Should we really listen to that woman and go to provide support? Who knows if she's just sending us to be cannon fodder?"

Song Panning thought quickly.

A series of countermeasures surged through my mind like waves.

“I also have my own formations in the capital. Once the Guardian Sect breaks through the capital's protective formations, not only will Xu Anlu's forces be in danger, but my arrangements will also be in danger.”

“Leng Yan is still over there. If the setup is exposed, the people from the Guardian Heaven Sect might follow the clues to find her and then drag me out.”

Song Panning made up her mind.

Regardless of the schemes of the three villains, Li Chumo, the Eighth, and the Ninth, Xu Anlu's forces must be saved.

If we divide the five villains who have already united around Yang Pingsheng into one faction, then Xu Anlu is undoubtedly one of their own. Compared to Li Chumo, she is definitely more reliable. In addition, Song Panning's arrangements are also in place, so there is no way to sit idly by.

However, the Heavenly Guardian Sect was inevitably prepared, and Song Panning and the others had not yet recovered from the battle on the grassland. After all, the flow of time in the snow mountain was different. What seemed like a few days to the outside world was only a short while to them.

"Sir, I cannot abandon my men. Please stay here while I go to rescue them." Xu Anlu, her fiery red form glowing, spoke as she prepared to take her leave.

"Don't rush," Yang Pingsheng gestured, then looked at Song Panning and asked, "Panning, do you have any good ideas?"

“If what that woman named Li Chumo said is true, then the Heroes Alliance should also be nearby. With the Guardian Sect attacking the capital's defenses, the imperial family of the capital can't just stand by and watch.” Song Panning looked at Xu Anlu: “If I’m not mistaken, your force should be hidden in the spatial interlayer of the capital's defensive array, right?”

Xu Anlu didn't speak, but Xu Anyin's spirit appeared, looking utterly shocked: "How did you know?"

“Because I have set up a large formation in the capital. There is nothing in the formation that I cannot detect.” Song Panning snorted coldly. “Right now, both sides are in the dark. If we attack rashly, we may fall into an ambush.”

"What should we do if the Ninth Villain and the Heavenly Guardian Sect join forces?" Xu Anlu asked.

“That depends on the royal family’s attitude. However, I plan to use the groundwork laid there in the future. If things really develop to that point, we must get the royal family to join us.” Song Panning replied, “The flow of time in the snow mountain is not right. I have a hard time judging what new information the Guardian Heaven Sect has obtained.”

"But..." Xu An's voice weakened slightly, "The Guardian Heaven Sect has many True Immortals, and the situation of the Heroes Alliance is also unclear. How should we defeat them?"

"Think of a way."

"They have true immortals."

“We have that too,” Song Panning said. “And we also have Su Murong.”

-------------

Auspicious clouds obscured the sun, and a dense barrage of spiritual energy attacks bombarded the city, finally revealing the defensive array protecting the capital.

The royal celestial immortal Qingmingzi took the initiative to ascend and stood behind the protective barrier, transmitting his voice to Xiangyun: "I am the royal celestial immortal Qingmingzi, and I request an audience with the envoy of the Guardian Heaven Sect."

He stood alone in mid-air, the spiritual light was blocked and dissipated by the protective barrier before it could reach him, and could not get close at all.

The celestial beings worshipped by the royal family are all ancient monsters who have lived for a very long time. Qingmingzi is one of them. Compared to the panic of the mortals below, Qingmingzi is quite open-minded. In his opinion, the Guardian Heaven Sect is so powerful that if they really wanted to take action against the royal family, they would have countless ways to do so. Why make such a big fuss?

Therefore, in his view, the Heavenly Guardian Sect probably had ulterior motives, or perhaps they had come to hold him accountable. Thus, he took the initiative to appear: "I wonder what wrong the royal family has done to provoke the attack of the immortals?"

The spiritual energy attack ceased, and the auspicious clouds surged, slowly approaching.

Suddenly, a powerful pressure descended from the sky, piercing straight through the formation and landing on Qingmingzi.

His expression changed, and he quickly raised his spiritual energy for protection.

"A true immortal!?"

boom!

Unlike those spiritual energy attacks, the pressure that erupted at this moment could be considered the sum of all the previous spiritual energy attacks, and it ignored all defenses, landing squarely on Qing Mingzi.

The entire formation trembled violently, the earth shook, and it collapsed as if it were the end of the world.

Qingmingzi coughed up a mouthful of blood; he had suffered considerable damage simply from resisting the oppressive force.

"The immortals worshipped by the royal family are: Qingmingzi, Zichen Zhenren, Xuanxiao Xianzi, Jinque Tianshi, Biluo Xingjun, Yunmeng Xianweng, Yaochi Shengmu, Longyuan Zhenjun, and Fengge Xianji. It is said that they were all immortals who made an oath with the late emperor of Qian Kingdom, and the titles of the immortals were also determined at that time."

A domineering voice rang out from Xiangyun, and then the figure appeared and disappeared as it stepped out.

"It is said that there was another mysterious person with you. It was this mysterious person who helped the late emperor of Qian Kingdom forge the ninth-grade magic weapon, the True Dragon Armor. This formation was probably also constructed by that mysterious person."

The sound resounded throughout the heavens and earth, echoing throughout the capital.

When people look up, they can only see that blurry figure standing in the sky.

His body was tall and strong, with muscles sculpted as if by a knife and axe, revealing a primal power that did not belong to humans. His skin had a peculiar gray-blue hue, as if covered with a thin layer of scales, shimmering with a cold light. He was resolute and twisted, with thick, sword-like eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and narrow pupils, like a feline, radiating a sharp light that seemed to be able to see into the deepest fears of people's hearts.

His hair had changed too; it was no longer the meticulously styled back hair of before, but now it was long and unrestrained, reaching his waist.

Who else could this be but a half-beast Qiongqi?

"The royal family of that time could indeed be described as being at its peak, but unfortunately, only your emperor and the mysterious man caught my eye. As for you little brats who were left behind, what kind of true rulers or saints are you? It's laughable!"

The other immortals who were offering sacrifices had been watching this scene closely, and they couldn't sit still when they saw this person appear.

“He, he is…” Immortal Lord Biluo stared in shock, unable to believe his eyes.

"The ferocious beast Qiongqi." The Holy Mother of Yaochi gave a bitter smile, feeling immense pressure.

Whether it was the envoy of the Heavenly Guardian Sect or the new Chosen One, they were all fine in their eyes, because everyone was human, and the royal family had never changed its allegiance, so there was always room for negotiation.

Historically, there have been instances where chosen ones and royalty disliked each other, but those were merely disagreements; they would talk things out, express their loyalty, and then the matter would pass.

Fang Wu did indeed wade into the muddy waters of both sides, but the royal family also made its own statement: even if their own daughter was the villain, they would cut ties and leave it to the Guardian Sect to deal with.

Qingmingzi and the others knew, of course, that wasn't enough, but the purpose of negotiations was to exchange blows. If the Heavenly Guardian Sect clearly expressed its dissatisfaction, they would then cooperate in capturing the Third Princess. But now...

No one expected that what would arrive would be a ferocious beast.

Everyone knows the Four Ferocious Beasts. After all, a long, long time ago, they betrayed the human race at a crucial moment and subsequently committed many infamous and brutal acts. Among all the divine beasts, they are the least friendly to the human race.

The moment Qiongqi appeared, the morale of these immortals worshipped by the royal family plummeted to rock bottom.

The ferocious beasts were so famous that this one was the most brutal of them all, Qiongqi. Once, the villain was developing his power in the south and occupied a city. He challenged the Heavenly Dao and despised the Guardian Heaven Sect. When Qiongqi found out, he ignored orders and rushed over, massacring the entire city and tearing the villain to pieces.

Later, Qiongqi was punished by the Heavenly Guardian Sect, but its fame had spread throughout the world. Everyone said that if Qiongqi of the Heavenly Guardian Sect appeared, it would surely be accompanied by bloodshed.

Not to mention, it possesses true immortal-level combat power.

"Senior Qiongqi!" Qingmingzi coughed up blood, staring in horror at the figure above him. "What are you doing? We are not villains!"

"Whether it is or not, what it is or not, none of your opinions matter; only my opinion counts!"

Qiongqi sneered, his hands radiating demonic energy as he slammed them together.

"Break!"

Bang bang bang!

The sound of the formation shattering rang out.

The overwhelming pressure descended, leaving Qingmingzi with no way to stop it and forcing him to retreat. This terrifying demonic aura and gale were like heavy hammers, constantly striking the already crumbling formation.