Gu Huangyuan was undoubtedly the most intelligent, talented, and capable individual among the younger generation of the Ancient Imperial Dynasty.
However, such is the nature of courtly power struggles. Once you falter, other princes will capitalize on your misfortune, crush you utterly, ensuring you can never rise again, even wishing for your swift demise.
The so-called brotherhood within royalty is nothing but nonsense; nothing can compare to power.
In their pursuit of power and gain, these princes of the Ancient Imperial Dynasty would abandon everything. As long as they could definitively defeat their brothers, any means were permissible.
Gu Huangyuan had failed once, and with the suppression from other princes, his opportunities were irrevocably lost.
This incident had thoroughly shattered Gu Huangyuan's confidence in the nation.
"Your Highness, may I say something you might not wish to hear?" asked Ye Mo, the leader of the Ten Fiends.
"Speak. I can do nothing now anyway, only watch all this unfold." Gu Huangyuan had completely lost hope.
"Where there is life, there is hope. I believe we should find a safe haven and develop in peace. Once our strength is formidable, we can then consider our next steps."
Ye Mo was now certain that the entire Ancient Imperial Dynasty could not withstand Zhou Yan, and that the dynasty itself would be annihilated by Zhou Yan's powerful territory.
This was because most of the people in the Ancient Imperial Dynasty were too arrogant, holding no one in high regard and viewing themselves as superior.
"Presumptuous! Are you suggesting this prince should flee at the first sign of trouble!" Gu Huangyuan exclaimed angrily.
"Your Highness, I am merely speaking from the heart. The current state of the Ancient Imperial Dynasty, as you well know, has no one believing in you. According to the intelligence I've gathered, Zhou Yan will reach the skies above the Ancient Imperial Dynasty in at most ten days."
"At that time, the entire Ancient Imperial Dynasty will be annihilated. I doubt anyone can resist Zhou Yan; even dispatching an army requires selecting an auspicious date."
"The entire nation is on the brink of ruin, and they are still engaging in such trivial matters, doing so many useless things. Does that not pain you?"
Ye Mo voiced her concerns. If Gu Huangyuan refused to leave, Ye Mo would take her nine companions and depart. She had no intention of being buried with them.
"Your Highness, no one trusts you anymore. I also believe we have no reason to stay. Ye Mo is right, Zhou Yan is not someone ordinary people can resist. It would be best to make plans early." An Yu also spoke up.
"Indeed, Your Highness. Your territory is a rare mythical-grade territory seldom seen in history. Given enough time to develop, you will surely have the chance for revenge. Why wait here for death?" Shui Mo added.
Gu Huangyuan recalled his fall from grace, his father's indifference, and the distrustful gazes of everyone around him.
Under this multi-pronged assault, Gu Huangyuan's resentment grew. He declared, "Since they do not believe in me, let them face this alone."
Gu Huangyuan looked at his loyal subordinates and asked, "Are you willing to leave with this prince?"
"We are willing to follow Your Highness to the death!" everyone replied.
Even the Ten Fiends were willing to follow Gu Huangyuan, for his territory was a legendary mythical-grade territory, not only of golden quality but also exceedingly rare.
Such a territory, as long as it wasn't destroyed, would eventually lead them to godhood. Furthermore, the Ancient Imperial Dynasty had considerable influence in the God Realm.
The ultimate pursuit of the Ten Fiends was to become gods. Following Gu Huangyuan would not only expedite their ascension but also allow them to evade Zhou Yan's pursuit.
Moreover, once Gu Huangyuan became a god, the Ten Fiends would ascend to the God Realm together and receive the protection of the Ancient Imperial Dynasty's divine beings, a far better prospect than venturing out on their own.
"Good. Now, gather everyone willing to follow me. I will lead you to the Myriad Realms Lord Continent to forge your path. As for the matters here, let them face it themselves."
"After all, it makes no difference whether I am here or not. Even if they perish, at least I can avenge them!"
Having made up his mind, Gu Huangyuan immediately instructed his subordinates to make arrangements and began transferring all his wealth to his territory.
Gu Huangyuan intended to flee, while in the palaces of the Ancient Imperial Dynasty, not a soul felt a sense of impending crisis.
Zhou Yan pressed onward, destroying every city he encountered along the way, his ultimate objective being the imperial city of the Ancient Imperial Dynasty.
Just as Ye Mo had said, it would only take Zhou Yan ten days to reach the imperial palace of the Ancient Imperial Dynasty.
Two days later, the Ancient Imperial Dynasty convened another emergency meeting. Zhou Yan was advancing with unstoppable momentum, sweeping towards the imperial city like a storm.
Meanwhile, their army was still awaiting the auspicious date.
Gu Di Tian, feeling a sliver of unease, immediately dispatched the Fourth Prince, Gu Huanglong, to lead the army. He also urgently summoned all the forces of the Ancient Imperial Dynasty to counterattack Zhou Yan's territory.
Alas, no matter how many people they sent, it was futile. Zhou Yan killed them all, and wherever he passed, he left nothing but utter devastation, annihilating every target within reach.
Three more days passed. Zhou Yan's territory was now only halfway to the Ancient Imperial Dynasty's imperial city. Gu Di Tian finally sensed a genuine crisis and convened yet another emergency meeting to discuss a course of action.
Some argued that Gu Huanglong could hold off Zhou Yan, assuring Gu Di Tian of safety, though others suggested it would be better to gather the nation's entire army to defend the imperial city.
On the sixth day, the imperial city received news: the Fourth Prince Gu Huanglong and his twenty million troops had been utterly annihilated.
"Pfft!" Gu Di Tian, upon hearing the news, coughed up blood, unable to believe it.
When he learned that these twenty million troops were annihilated by just a few attacks launched from the enemy's territory, Gu Di Tian finally recalled Gu Huangyuan's words.
"Quick, summon the Third Prince, Gu Huangyuan!" Gu Di Tian now felt the apprehension his third son had expressed earlier, realizing that his son had been telling the truth all along.
"Reporting! The Third Prince Gu Huangyuan's palace is long abandoned. All his attendants vanished two days ago. All attempts to contact him have failed," a eunuch reported.
"Pfft!" Gu Di Tian, upon hearing this, spewed another mouthful of blood and collapsed onto the imperial throne.
"This is bad, summon the imperial physicians at once!"
"Quick, use spiritual medicine!"
"Use the recovery formation quickly!"
...
The entire Ancient Imperial Dynasty was plunged into crisis. The populace was in a state of panic, with many beginning to flee the dynasty.
Gu Di Tian eventually recovered. They began hastily assembling the nation's forces to converge on the imperial city and ordered the dynasty's powerful figures to launch a counterattack against Zhou Yan's territory.
However, these forces were scattered and disorganized, posing no threat to Zhou Yan's territory and proving entirely ineffective against his formidable army.