Fire God Church.
Fletcher Toba finished reading the secret report from the Tang Capital, his eyes flashed with fire as flames burst forth, instantly turning the message slip to ash. In a low voice he said, "Diana, just wait—a big brother will soon rescue you from Ten-Thousand-Ghost Valley!"
Tang Dynasty, Tang Capital, Outer City, in the center of some ruins.
The burly Bada arrived with a group of guards, shouting toward the formation: "Bada of the Fourth Prince Residence requests an audience with Young Master Song."
A moment later, inside the formation world, Ian Song and Bada sat facing each other at a stone table on the grassland.
"Young Master Song, I am here on behalf of the Fourth Prince to recruit you," Bada said loudly, taking a sip of tea.
Ian Song showed no surprise at the Fourth Prince's invitation, replying calmly, "Isn't the Fourth Prince worried about trouble?"
Bada just laughed: "Heh, our prince has long disliked that old bastard Jiang Kui. He said as long as Young Master Song is willing to join him, that incident doesn't matter at all—at worst, he'll just get scolded by the Tang Emperor."
Ian Song already had a certain understanding of the three princes: the Second Prince is indecisive, the Fourth Prince is battle-loving, and the Sixth Prince is wise.
Of the three princes, the Sixth Prince has the highest cultivation talent and the most support.
The Second Prince's cultivation aptitude is average, and his support comes second.
The Fourth Prince's cultivation talent isn't as good as the Sixth Prince's, but his combat power is outstanding. However, his fiery and impulsive personality means he has the least support.
To gain a firm foothold in the capital, the best way is to join one of the three princes.
The Second Prince is his romantic rival, so he can't join him. The Second Prince is indecisive and easily influenced by others. If he ever clashes with the Sixth Prince, the Second Prince may not fully support him—as shown by the Immortal Cloud Pavilion incident.
The Fourth Prince, though hot-tempered and battle-loving, is straightforward and not scheming. Although the weakest, Ian Song is confident he can help him surpass the other two princes.
"Alright, since the Fourth Prince sincerely invites me, I will join the Fourth Prince Residence!"
Hearing Ian Song agree, Bada was delighted: "Young Master Song is a straightforward man. I, Bada, like you!"
A moment later, Ian Song removed the formation and, along with Old Man Tanner and Raina Quinn, followed Bada's group toward the Fourth Prince Residence.
As for Pavilion Mistress Bei and Old Zhou, they had already returned to Immortal Cloud Pavilion.
Although the group did not make a show of it, news of Ian Song joining the Fourth Prince Residence quickly spread throughout the capital.
In the Second Prince Residence, upon hearing the news, Second Prince Nathan Li revealed a hint of regret in his eyes.
Sixth Prince Residence.
Upon receiving the news, Lucas Li quickly summoned Shen Xuanji for advice.
Shen Xuanji smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. Even if the Fourth Prince gets him, it won't threaten your position. Besides, even if he joins the Fourth Prince Residence, we can still win him over."
Duke of Qi Residence.
Colin Jiang, whose wounds had just stabilized, flew into a rage upon hearing the news, smashing countless cups.
Ian Song and his group passed through street after street, entered the Inner City, and continued toward the Royal Palace.
But just then, a figure shrouded in black mist suddenly appeared on a nearby rooftop and slashed his sword at Ian Song.
A streak of black sword energy tore through the air, instantly striking toward Ian Song.
"Courting death! You dare attack someone from the Fourth Prince Residence?" Bada roared, swinging his fist. With a boom, the seemingly fierce sword energy exploded, shattered by his punch.
Missing his mark, the assassin shrouded in black mist turned and fled.
"Protect Young Master Song!" Bada shouted to the guards, then leapt into the air to chase the assassin.
But at that moment—
Suddenly, eight assassins shrouded in black mist appeared all around. The six guards Bada brought tensed up, quickly surrounding Ian Song at the center.
"Kill!"
The eight assassins swept in, launching a fierce attack.
"Who dares harm our young master!"
Old Man Tanner shouted angrily, a green cane appearing in his hand. He swept it out, blocking three assassins and stopping their advance.
Raina Quinn was not afraid at all. She drew her sword, ready to charge, but Ian Song stopped her—these eight assassins were all Divine Transformation-level, and her late Out-of-Body stage strength was useless.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Energy exploded as the six guards fought five of the assassins. Within a kilometer, buildings were destroyed in waves, and cultivators caught in the chaos scattered in all directions.
Suddenly, Ian Song felt a jolt in his brow as a blurry, illusory figure appeared on the battlefield.
The figure grinned menacingly at Ian Song, then pressed his palm toward him.
Boom!
Ian Song suddenly felt his whole body tighten as the space around him collapsed, threatening to swallow him.
Hmph!
At that moment, Ian Song suddenly threw out a formation disk. It flashed with light, instantly creating a multicolored barrier that enveloped him and Raina Quinn.
As the saying goes, wealth attracts trouble. Having shown off his incredible riches earlier, Ian Song was well prepared, having made several formation disks in advance.
With the formation activated, space stabilized, and neither Ian Song nor Raina Quinn was threatened any longer.
Seeing this, the illusory figure frowned, then flickered and disappeared.
The eight assassins also began to retreat, planning to escape.
"Leaving? Not so easy! You all stay right here!"
With a light shout, Ian Song sent out four formation disks to the four corners. Instantly, four grand formations rose up, enclosing a kilometer-wide area.
In the next moment, everyone found themselves transported to a grassy plain.
"Young Master, are you alright?"
Old Man Tanner was transported to Ian Song's side and asked.
"I'm fine!"
Ian Song shook his head, his gaze landing on the eight assassins, who were now furiously attacking the formation.
He let out a sinister chuckle, formed a hand seal, and instantly the eight assassins felt their bodies suddenly grow heavy as countless wind blades shot toward them!
Countless wind blades tore toward the eight assassins, threatening to shred them at any moment.
"Kill him! Otherwise, we can't get out of the formation!"
One assassin shouted, then, together with two others, charged at Ian Song.
Fools!
Ian Song glanced at the three with disdain, standing motionless.
At first, the three didn't understand what was happening. Soon, they realized that no matter how they advanced, Ian Song always kept a distance of over a hundred meters.
Just then, Bada, who had gone to chase the assassin, returned to the edge of the battlefield.
Ian Song opened the formation and let him in.
"Brother Ian, are you alright?" Bada asked with concern.
Ian Song smiled dismissively: "These fools can't hurt me. Next, just watch the show, Bada!"
As soon as he finished, Ian Song formed another hand seal, instantly boosting the power and speed of the wind blades.
Ah!
One was struck by a wind blade, leaving a gruesome wound on his arm.
While fending off the wind blades, he shouted at Ian Song, "You brat! I'm from the Grand Valor Sect. Drop your formation now, or my sect will never let you go!"
Grand Valor Sect—a first-rate sect with a Fusion-stage elder in residence.
You came to assassinate me and you still dare threaten me? Courting death!
Screee!
With a sword cry, a brilliant sword light flashed. The Grand Valor Sect expert's voice cut off abruptly as his body split in two.
One sword strike to slay a Divine Soul!
For a moment, silence reigned all around.