The black python had no desire to listen, and the battlefield was in such chaos, yet every word seemed to grow legs and burrow into its mind. It desperately tried to regain its senses, but instead, its consciousness became increasingly murky and confused, as if falling into hibernation…

Each of the white ape’s strikes hit the land bridge at its weakest point. The bridge had already begun to crack, and after being pounded dozens of times in this frenzy, the fissures expanded and widened at a speed visible to the naked eye, accompanied by crackling sounds of fracture.

The Xi Kingdom cultivators also understood the State Preceptor’s intention, and they now decisively blocked the enemy, buying more time for the white ape.

At this stage of the war, it had suddenly become a race against time.

Just before the white ape’s fist fell once more, the black-robed woman’s figure emerged from the ground beside it, immediately slashing at its Achilles tendon. If she severed the major tendon in its heel, this fierce beast would lose its ability to leap and run.

The blood flowing from Yu Haizhen had already stained the giant ape’s white fur black, yet she still leaped forward with all her might, extending her sword to block the black-robed woman. Any other cultivator with such severe injuries would likely have collapsed in bed. But Yu Haizhen’s nature was extraordinarily strong—when her right arm couldn’t be raised, she simply transferred the sword to her left hand, still firmly resisting the ghost-like attacks of the black-robed woman.

The King of Yan had already rushed to the top of the land bridge from within the crowd, black energy steaming from his body, almost solidifying. He took a deep, deep breath and uttered in a low voice: “Slow!”

Strangely enough, as this word was spoken, everyone within a thousand feet around him suddenly slowed down.

This affected both ordinary people and cultivators.

Everyone felt as if they were swimming in water, with resistance coming from all directions, permeating everything. Especially when raising hands or taking steps, they moved more than a notch slower than before, as if the air had become particularly viscous, making them feel trapped in a quagmire.

The white ape, Yu Haizhen, and the black-robed woman within this range were naturally affected as well, their movements slowing by about half a breath. With their profound cultivation, they were less affected by this mysterious force.

However, it appeared so abruptly that even the slightest effect still constrained everyone.

The King of Yan remained unaffected. His figure flashed, and he was instantly standing before the white ape, thrusting his spear toward its chest!

This thrust was filled with killing intent, the spear tip’s fierce flames surging he was determined to take its life. The King of Yan was certain of victory and would not allow a white-furred beast to ruin his plans.

However, the white ape’s cultivation was indeed profound, and it was constrained for a shorter time. It managed to struggle and shift its body, so while the spear still pierced through its chest, it missed the heart.

The white ape howled in pain and countered with an iron fist, but unfortunately, its speed was much slower than before. The King of Yan dodged with a sidestep, then launched another attack, this time aiming for its eyes, intending to pierce from the forehead through the back of the skull.

Such a penetration of the head would pulverize even the soul; no matter how powerful the beast was, it could not continue to resist.

At that moment, the giant python had also arrived and pounced without hesitation.

As it was the King of Yan’s subordinate, he naturally had no defenses against it. Yet unexpectedly, when the python slithered behind him, it suddenly turned its head and opened its blood-filled maw, attempting to swallow him in one gulp!

A fetid wind blew in his face. The King of Yan was startled, nearly being bitten, and had to retreat two steps. Seeing it relentlessly continue its attack, he angrily punched its nose and shouted: “Have you gone mad?!”

The black python was struck in its vulnerable spot and rolled on the ground in pain before finally getting up after a long while. It was stunned for several breaths, then spoke in human language: “Forgive this offense, my king. That woman controlled my mind!”

At that very moment, the invisible restraint in the air suddenly disappeared, and everyone simultaneously regained their freedom of movement.

The black-robed woman tilted her head slightly, then suddenly flashed toward the white ape to strike. She could see clearly that Yu Haizhen’s destructive power was limited after being severely injured. The only real obstacle to the Yan army’s victory was the white ape before her—eliminate it, and today’s battle would end prematurely.

The white ape was hanging upside down from the bottom of the land bridge. It dodged this strike but was kicked in the forehead by her follow-up attack. The dull “boom” that followed was heard even by Feng Miaojun dozens of feet away.

She silently thought, “This is bad.”

The white ape had never directly confronted the black-robed woman and didn’t know her strength was nearly equal to the King of Yan’s. This blow made it feel as if its head had been struck by a comet, leaving it dizzy and disoriented.

Feng Miaojun darted to the edge of the land bridge, just in time to see the white ape falling from midair, one hand still protecting Yu Haizhen, with a ten-thousand-foot-deep abyss below them!

What could be done? Even someone as resourceful as she couldn’t help but freeze at this moment.

The night was deep, and the person and ape were swallowed by darkness after falling a hundred feet, becoming invisible to everyone.

Feng Miaojun felt frustrated and stamped her foot, about to pursue down the mountain, when a Yan Kingdom cultivator several feet away, who had been staring intently at the weapon in her hand with a thoughtful expression, suddenly shouted: “The Star Sky Awl! This artifact is the Star Sky Awl. You are the Queen of New Xia!”

Feng Miaojun was slightly startled. Turning her gaze toward the speaker, she saw an unfamiliar face and immediately rewarded him with her awl. With the Star Sky Awl’s sharpness, she could directly drill a hole through his forehead, entering from the front and exiting from the back. This person’s cultivation was not high, and he had nowhere to dodge, his eyes showing terror. However, at that moment, a battle knife came whistling from the side, striking the Star Sky Awl perfectly.

“Ding!” The sound of metal striking metal rang out.

Although the battle knife was no match for the Star Sky Awl’s hardness and shattered upon impact, it had indeed accomplished its task by throwing off the awl’s aim.

Immediately after, a towering figure stood in front of that person. His gaze was so intense it seemed like it could burn two holes through Feng Miaojun.

The King of Yan.

The one who had thrown the knife at the critical moment to save the person was the King of Yan himself. Feng Miaojun found it strange—who exactly was this person who recognized her? In such a chaotic battlefield, he was worth the King of Yan’s intervention to save.

She certainly didn’t know that this man was named Pan Shiduo, who, despite his ordinary cultivation, had extensive knowledge and keen insight, earning the King of Yan’s high regard and being treated as his confidant.

The Star Sky Awl in her possession had been nourished daily with spiritual power, gradually recovering its former glory, with the tip often emitting a faint blue light. Pan Shiduo had studied the backgrounds of various national leaders. The Yan Kingdom’s intelligence system was powerful, and they eventually discovered that her artifact came from the Jin Kingdom’s treasury, called the Star Sky Awl. With his extensive experience, Pan Shiduo had an impression of this ancient treasure recorded in secret texts. Even though Feng Miaojun had come in disguise, he could identify her identity by the weapon she used.

Feng Miaojun looked up and met the King of Yan’s gaze, suddenly feeling a chill run down her spine.

Given the King of Yan’s status and demeanor, whether hosting guests in Yan’s capital before or killing enemies now, even in such urgent situations, he had never lost the bearing of a supreme master. But now—

Now he stared at Feng Miaojun without blinking, his gaze revealing undisguised desire and greed, like a hungry wolf eyeing a lamb!