30: It's all up to my elder brother's arrangement.

"Many thanks, Senior! Many thanks, Senior!"

Hearing this voice, the two couldn't help but be overjoyed and immediately kowtowed.

After three kowtows, they cautiously looked up and around, but the shadow's figure was nowhere to be seen.

But even so, they still dared not rise.

A moment later, seeing that the shadow still didn't appear, the two couldn't help but exchange glances. Liu Mingyue quickly helped Shangguan Yuexi to her feet.

Shangguan Yuexi still covered Nangong Yu's mouth and whispered, "Go check on Aunt Shen."

Liu Mingyue nodded, and the two turned to walk towards the carriage, but dared not walk too fast, fearing they would make too much noise.

Before long, the two arrived in front of the carriage and saw the scene not far away.

Aunt Shen had already risen unsteadily, her body trembling slightly, and her breathing somewhat weak.

However, this weak breathing was intentionally suppressed, as if she was afraid of disturbing something.

Less than ten meters in front of her, a corpse lay horizontally, head separated from body.

Like the previous assassin, there was no blood flowing from his neck, as if some power had eroded it, sealing the blood within his body.

Seeing this, Liu Mingyue and the other exchanged glances, their eyes filled with both fear and confusion.

They didn't understand where such a powerful expert came from, slaughtering Spirit Venerables as if they were dogs. It was truly terrifying!

At this moment, Aunt Shen turned around, preparing to cautiously search for Nangong Yu and the other two, but suddenly saw Liu Mingyue and the two, and was startled.

She cautiously hurried forward and whispered, "Your Highness Consort, are you all alright?"

"We're fine!"

The two shook their heads. Liu Mingyue glanced at Nangong Yu in Shangguan Yuexi's arms and sighed softly, "That Senior's killing intent wasn't obvious, but he was decisive in his actions. If not for this Little Fellow today, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

Hearing this, Aunt Shen nodded quickly and whispered, "Yes, the moment that voice appeared, I was frozen. The assassin in front of me must have been the same, because I saw the fear in his eyes at the time!"

Speaking of this, she couldn't help but shake her head thankfully, "It's also fortunate that the assassin seemed to want to watch us struggle in vain, otherwise he probably would have killed me the first moment I ran over!"

Hearing this, Shangguan Yuexi's expression was worried, "Aunt Shen, don't do that again next time, we..."

But before she finished speaking, she heard Aunt Shen say, "Your Highness Consort, I know what you want to say, but my life was saved by you, Your Highness. I know what I should and shouldn't do."

Hearing this, Shangguan Yuexi hesitated, but ultimately said no more.

Aunt Shen glanced at Nangong Yu, a smile flashing in her eyes, and she thought to herself: I was saved by the Little Prince again today. I should devote my life to the Prince of Zhenbeis Residence and to the Little Prince!

"Alright, let's leave here first. Let's go to the Prince of Zhenbeis Residence or the Imperial Palace!"

Liu Mingyue said, her eyes still somewhat unsettled. Evidently, the recent brush with death had truly frightened even her, a Spirit Venerable Realm expert.

But hearing her words, Shangguan Yuexi shook her head, "Now that all three of us have temporarily lost our combat strength, it's not suitable to go to the Prince of Zhenbeis Residence."

"Are you worried there are assassins there too?" Liu Mingyue frowned, somewhat surprised, "It shouldn't be, after all, two Spirit Venerable Realm assassins have already come here."

"Not sure!" Shangguan Yuexi shook her head, her expression worried, "But it's better to be safe than sorry. Let's go back to the Imperial Palace first and see!"

Liu Mingyue nodded.

At this moment, Liu Mingyue's gaze swept to the distance. She quickly shielded Shangguan Yuexi, her body instantly tensing up.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yuexi and the other's expressions also became tense, and they all looked in the direction Liu Mingyue was staring.

Seeing two Soul Transformation Cultivators dressed in imperial guard uniforms appear, Liu Mingyue and the others relaxed slightly, but remained vigilant.

After all, in this short time, under the effects of the Spirit Dissipating Powder, Liu Mingyue's strength was already less than the Soul Transformation Realm, and the other two were even worse.

Yet, at this moment, two Soul Transformation Cultivators appeared, leaving them no choice but to be wary.

The two imperial guards approached, and seeing the situation on site, their expressions couldn't help but change slightly. "Greetings, Attendant Liu, Greetings, Your Highness Consort, Greetings, Little Prince!"

Seeing them kneel on one knee, Liu Mingyue and the others still didn't relax. Liu Mingyue had even already sent a message to Nangong Aotian, just waiting for him to arrive.

Not hearing Liu Mingyue and the others speak, the two imperial guards didn't rise, but secretly sent messages to the other imperial guards.

Before long, Nangong Aotian arrived with several imperial attendants, flying on swords.

He looked worriedly at Nangong Yu in Shangguan Yuexi's arms, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he was unharmed.

Nangong Aotian turned to look at the scene, then at Liu Mingyue, "Attendant Liu, what happened here?"

Seeing Nangong Aotian arrive, Liu Mingyue finally truly relaxed and quickly recounted the events.

Hearing Liu Mingyue's description, several people looked surprised, "Attendant Liu, is what you said true?"

It wasn't that they didn't believe her; after all, two Spirit Venerable Realm Netherworld Hall assassins were completely helpless? This was probably not something even a Peak Spirit Venerable Realm Cultivator could do, right?

And not to mention Peak Spirit Venerable Realm, even Late-stage Spirit Venerable Realm, shouldn't be seen in the Clear Serenity Empire, right?

After all, once a Cultivator breaks through to the Late-stage Spirit Venerable Realm, they would be taken away by that place!

Liu Mingyue shook her head, "I'm not sure, but that wisp of aura was much stronger than Late-stage Spirit Venerable Realm. Only Peak Spirit Venerable Realm can explain it!"

Hearing this, everyone's expressions became somewhat solemn, and even more worried.

How could the appearance of a mysterious and powerful Cultivator of unknown strength near the Clear Serenity Imperial Palace not cause concern?

At this moment, an elder walked over and said to Nangong Aotian, "Your Majesty, these two were indeed killed with a single blow, completely helpless!"

"Furthermore, judging from the residual aura, they were indeed two Spirit Venerable Realm Cultivators, and indeed from the Netherworld Hall!"

Hearing this, Nangong Aotian's expression was grim, "This Netherworld Hall has gone too far, daring to come to my Clear Serenity Imperial Palace to kill members of my imperial family. They deserve to die!"

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but shake their heads helplessly. Were there not enough instances of the Netherworld Hall assassinating emperors and Sect Masters?

Even if it was detested and wanted by major powers, didn't it still exist?

"Sigh, if only we knew the location of the Netherworld Hall, otherwise we would definitely settle this score with them!"

Nangong Aotian sighed, then looked at Shangguan Yuexi, "Yuexi, why don't you stay at Mother Empress's residence for a while instead of returning to the Prince's Residence?"

Shangguan Yuexi heard this, glanced at Nangong Yu in her arms, and nodded with lingering fear, "Everything is according to Elder Brother's arrangements!"

After the few of them decided, they went to the Imperial Palace together. Nangong Aotian also brought Shangguan Yuexi and the others to the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters — Shouxian Palace!

As soon as they arrived, they saw many people already standing outside the palace. Empress Dowager Ji Ziyu was among them!