Bai Zihe's words instantly enraged Qin Zhan, the captain of the Imperial Guard.
As the captain of the Imperial Guard, Qin Zhan's authority was even more potent and direct than that of a provincial governor.
Even.
Within the entire capital.
Qin Zhan possessed the power of life and death, with the authority to execute first and report later.
Who would dare to provoke him?
Even if they were killed by him, it would be in vain, with no recourse for justice!
Yet today, Bai Zihe was so audacious in front of him...
A deadly glint flickered in Qin Zhan's eyes, and his words, as if from the depths of the underworld, devoid of any emotion, commanded, "Open fire, kill him!"
As soon as he spoke, the elite Imperial Guards raised their weapons.
"Click!"
"Click-clack!"
"Swish!"
These weapons, which appeared to be long spears and halberds, underwent a drastic transformation in an instant, with dark, black... barrels appearing at their tips!
Due to their large caliber, they could no longer be classified as firearms!
"Junior disciple, be careful!"
Facing such an extremely perilous situation, Yao Ke'er couldn't help but exclaim.
In a flash, her words came out at an accelerated pace: "These Imperial Guards are all at least Grandmaster level experts. And the weapons they carry are called 'High-Energy Cannons,' manufactured using the latest technology. They are not only loaded with special high-energy explosives but also equipped with a special device capable of injecting Qi at the Grandmaster level. This is a perfect fusion of technology and martial arts, a weapon of devastating lethality. Upon impact, it generates a violent explosion, capable of easily shattering the protective Qi of even Great Grandmaster powerhouses!"
Yao Ke'er was filled with apprehension.
Bai Zihe, however, remained unfazed.
"Bang!"
"Rumble!"
"Roar!"
The Imperial Guards, after aiming, fired without hesitation, not the slightest bit of reluctance evident, clearly well-trained and obedient.
In an instant.
The area was engulfed in billowing smoke.
Shocking flames.
Deafening roars.
Terrifying smoke.
Every element combined to assault the nerves of all present, surrounding Bai Zihe.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh-whoosh!"
"Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!"
Almost simultaneously.
Brilliant golden light appeared in Bai Zihe's hand, the Yin Yang Seventy-Two Needles.
He cast them out without hesitation, leaving golden trails in the air, like meteors, like rockets, striking each high-energy cannonball with unerring accuracy.
"Boom!"
"Rumble!"
The cannonballs detonated prematurely, the earth-shattering sounds reverberating.
Concurrently.
The powerful shockwaves actually sent the Grandmaster and Great Grandmaster level Imperial Guards flying backward.
However, since the explosions did not directly impact them, the force of this magnitude merely caused them to cough up blood, without posing a genuine threat to their lives.
"Not bad!"
Qin Zhan's face contorted into a sinister grin, his gaze fixed on Bai Zihe with icy intensity. "Set up the formation and trap him here!"
During the brief delay, Prince Zhuge Zhaonan had already made his escape.
Qin Zhan no longer had any reservations.
As long as Bai Zihe could be trapped, delaying him until the Prince returned with reinforcements, Bai Zihe would surely meet his doom today, unable to escape even with wings!
"Hoo!"
"Hoo-hoo!"
"Hoo-hoo-hoo!"
The Imperial Guards lived up to their reputation.
At Qin Zhan's command, everyone immediately put away their weapons and formed a circle around Bai Zihe, three layers in, three layers out, constantly circulating and moving.
As they moved.
Streams of Qi shot skyward, forming a Qi barrier that enveloped Bai Zihe and Yao Ke'er.
Instantly.
Silence descended upon the world.
No wind, no waves, as if isolated from the rest of the world.
It had actually formed a miniature world, completely isolating Bai Zihe and Yao Ke'er from the outside!
"This is..."
Yao Ke'er's delicate face turned ashen, her voice becoming hoarse, "The Seventy-Two Heavenly Labyrinth Formation!"
Bai Zihe, however, was unconcerned.
Since Zhuge Zhaonan had fled, he might as well sit down and wait for Zhuge Zhaonan to return and deliver himself.
But he still asked curiously, "What is it?"
Yao Ke'er touched the formation, despair flooding her face. "This is the most famous group formation of the Royal Imperial Guard. It requires at least seventy-two martial arts experts to form. At the beginning of the formation, each person injects their own Qi, which then circulates, forming a perpetual cycle that isolates the inside from the outside. Externally, it boasts 'invincible defense and unbreakable resilience!' Internally, it traps like 'drawing a circle on the ground to catch a turtle!' Whether attacked from the outside or the inside, striking any part of this Qi barrier is equivalent to challenging all the formation's participants with one's Qi. And their attacks can strike the opponent at any time, anywhere. Seventy-two Innate Martial Masters... are already capable of trapping a Great Grandmaster level expert for a short period. Now, with them all at least at the Grandmaster level, even those who surpass the Great Grandmaster realm would likely be trapped here."
At this point.
Yao Ke'er felt her throat dry and her face turn ashen.
"Hahahaha..."
Qin Zhan, seeing the formation complete, couldn't help but burst into triumphant laughter. "Little girl, you are quite perceptive, you have some understanding. Once the Seventy-Two Heavenly Labyrinth Formation is complete... it can be said that 'calling heaven yields no answer, calling earth yields no response.' You two shall enjoy yourselves inside."
"Hahaha..."
The strongest among these Imperial Guards had reached the Great Grandmaster realm and beyond. Qin Zhan was unaware of the formation's ultimate limit. After all, even those who surpassed the Great Grandmaster realm had their strengths and weaknesses. Thus, he didn't know the absolute limit. But dealing with Bai Zihe was more than sufficient; as soon as the Prince's reinforcements arrived, they could easily kill him here!
Hearing Qin Zhan's words, Yao Ke'er was already filled with a death wish.
"Boom!"
The next moment, she poured all her strength into a palm strike against the Qi barrier.
"Pfft—"
Yao Ke'er's strike not only posed no threat to the Qi barrier but didn't even cause a ripple. Instead, the backlash from the barrier sent a violent tremor through Yao Ke'er, causing her to spit up blood incessantly.
Qin Zhan's eyes flashed with a sinister glint. "Trapped within the Heavenly Labyrinth, refusing to surrender, and yet you still attempt to resist... Kill her!"
As he spoke.
Numerous elite Imperial Guards injected more Qi into the formation, and then, like bolts of lightning, they surged towards Yao Ke'er. In the blink of an eye, they were about to fall upon her. This was the combined Qi of seventy-two experts; a single strike would be enough to end her life. The destructive aura emanating from them filled Yao Ke'er with terror.
Bai Zihe instantly became furious.
"Swish!"
He flashed in front of Yao Ke'er, extending his hand and catching the bolt of lightning in his palm without the slightest discomfort. Then, with a gentle squeeze, the lightning dissipated into nothingness.
Although this action did not harm Yao Ke'er.
Bai Zihe's anger was ignited.
"Boom!"
Fierce light flashed in his starry eyes, and then he raised his hand and threw a punch.
This punch... launched in anger, thrown casually. The moment it appeared, it overshadowed everything in the surrounding area. Even the Seventy-Two Heavenly Labyrinth Formation and the blazing sun in the sky paled in comparison, lifeless before this punch. It was as if... only this mighty punch remained in existence. Capable of shaking the heavens and stabilizing the cosmos!
"Rumble!"
The next moment, the brilliant fist light struck the Qi barrier.
As expected.
The Qi barrier shattered like ice and snow, vanishing into thin air. And all the Imperial Guard experts were repelled by the backlash, crashing to the ground in disarray.
"I had intended to remain obediently within the formation and await your reinforcements," Bai Zihe stated, his gaze sweeping over Qin Zhan and the other Imperial Guard experts, his eyes chillingly cold. "You dared to harm my seventh sister... You are courting death!"