My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty

A cold light flashed in Gu Lan's eyes, and in a single motion, he appeared before Wan Hun. Before Wan Hun could react, Gu Lan grabbed him by the throat.

Logically speaking, Wan Hun had no physical form, and Gu Lan's attack should not have been able to restrain him. However, under Gu Lan's power, Wan Hun was unable to break free.

A look of pain appeared on his face, and even the energy within him dissipated at a rapid pace. Despite possessing a strong soul power, Wan Hun never expected that he would be held so tightly.

He struggled desperately in Gu Lan's grip, but Gu Lan refused to release him, giving him no chance to escape. Gu Lan coldly stared at him, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"You overestimate yourself!"

"Even if you kill me, I won't blame you. But you should not have laid a hand on this girl."

A murderous intent was evident in Gu Lan's words, and Wan Hun could sense a trace of fear.

"You!"

"I am the guardian of the Land of Ruin. If you kill me, the Great Path will…"

Before he could finish, golden light surged from Gu Lan's body.

"Do you think I fear the Great Path?"

Gu Lan had already been imbued with the Great Path energy, but he had not fully mastered it. However, after entering the Flame of Hell, he not only gained control over the Great Path energy but also significantly increased his power.

Before, he might have been on equal footing with Wan Hun, but now Wan Hun stood no chance against him. Gu Lan could easily obliterate him with a single thought.

Gu Lan truly wanted to kill Wan Hun, but just as he was about to strike, the Great Path energy in his hand began to weaken.

At that moment, an image flashed in Gu Lan's mind. The image flickered rapidly, and Gu Lan slowly released his grip.

Now free from Gu Lan's hold, Wan Hun dared not hesitate. With a solemn expression, he immediately turned and retreated. After retreating for a distance of ten thousand miles, Wan Hun stopped.

He glared at Gu Lan, while Gu Lan continued to stare back with cold eyes.

"This time, I'll spare you."

Gu Lan did not respond and withdrew his energy. He approached Gu Simu and noticed her soul had been damaged. Without a word, Gu Lan gently raised his hand, and soul power gathered at his fingertips, flowing into Gu Simu's body.

Within moments, Gu Simu's aura returned to normal.

"Father…" Gu Simu began, but Gu Lan shook his head slightly before she could finish.

Knowing this girl as he did, Gu Lan understood what she meant to say without her speaking it.

It wasn't that he didn't want to kill Wan Hun; it was that Wan Hun could not die. He was the only guardian of the Land of Ruin, and he had lived there for ten thousand years. If he were to disappear, the power of the Land of Ruin would be severely weakened. This would not only affect this place but even the Human World.

Now that Gu Lan possessed the Great Path energy, he naturally could not act in his own self-interest, putting the three realms at risk for personal gain.

Seeing that Gu Lan did not speak, Gu Simu swallowed the words she had wanted to say.

She glanced coldly at Wan Hun, then followed Gu Lan without further questioning.

The two moved quickly, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

With Gu Lan now wielding soul power, these energies could not affect him. The two shadows that followed still trailed behind, but Gu Lan paid them no mind.

Just as they were about to exit the Land of Ruin, Gu Lan suddenly turned around.

With a single gesture, Gu Lan stabilized the two Land of Ruin shadows before they could dissipate.

"Since you're following me, come with me," Gu Lan said.

Gu Simu was puzzled by this action, her face showing confusion. Just as the look of confusion appeared on her face, one of the shadows merged directly with her.

Gu Simu's body shook violently, and a powerful force surged within her. However, the soul power vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared.

"Father, why can't I feel this power?" Gu Simu asked, confused.

Gu Lan smiled faintly.

"You'll use it when the time comes."

Gu Lan didn't explain further. Gu Simu's confusion deepened, but after thinking for a moment, she didn't ask any more questions. Since Gu Lan had spoken, she trusted that this power would be useful to her. There was no need to press further; it wouldn't affect her either way.

"We need to leave this place first. I still have some matters to take care of," Gu Lan's voice was soft, and as he spoke, his aura began to rise.

Gu Simu didn't hesitate this time and left quickly.

As Gu Simu departed, the faint smile on Gu Lan's face faded, his expression turning cold. His eyes gleamed with a chilling light.

Turning around, the Hongmeng Sword materialized in his hand.

The Hongmeng Sword had undergone a dramatic transformation, now surrounded by endless flames.

Earlier, while in the Land of Ruin, Gu Lan had absorbed the soul power within it, and the Hongmeng Sword had absorbed the flames.

Gu Lan hadn't expected the Hongmeng Sword to improve, but it had surprisingly given him an unexpected boost.

However, Gu Lan did not swing the Hongmeng Sword toward the Land of Ruin. Instead, he pointed his finger, and the Hongmeng Sword formed thousands of sword feathers in the void.

At the same time, a magical formation condensed in the sky.

This power was terrifying, making the entire cloud-filled sky tremble.

"Land of Ruin, no living beings shall enter!"

Having inherited the Great Path energy, Gu Lan had the duty to uphold the rules of the Land of Ruin. He would never allow outsiders to tread here again.

This visit had been unexpected, but Gu Lan did not want the Land of Ruin to be affected.

In the Land of Ruin, Wan Hun also felt the immense power emanating from Gu Lan.

He suddenly turned his head and saw the sword formation Gu Lan had deployed, and the anger in his eyes flared up immediately.

"Damn!"

When Gu Lan and Gu Simu entered, Wan Hun had hoped to use this opportunity to break free from the Land of Ruin, but now, after Gu Lan left, he had pulled this move.

During their earlier confrontation, Wan Hun was no match for Gu Lan, and now there was no way he could break Gu Lan's seal.

After a long while, the Hongmeng Sword returned to Gu Lan's hand.

He gazed coldly at the Land of Ruin. Gu Lan's voice echoed from all directions.

"I will seal you here for ten thousand years. If no Great Path practitioners emerge, you may leave!"

Wan Hun was furious, but he dared not act rashly.

Gu Lan did not waste more words. His aura fully suppressed Wan Hun's. With the acknowledgment of the Great Path energy, he was now the Heaven Path.

However, he had not severed all emotional ties, and some matters remained unresolved.

Gu Lan stood in the void, deep in thought.

He gazed at the golden light flashing in his hand, uncertain of what to do next. He had an overwhelming sense that becoming the Heaven Path might not be a good thing.

He had known the previous Heaven Path, Zhuge Qingyun. The man had never been able to meet the one he loved, dying without even a final meeting.

Gu Lan didn't want to end up like Zhuge Qingyun. He had people to protect, people he cared about.

As his gaze shifted, Gu Lan's expression grew more resolute.

Since he had become the Heaven Path, he would establish a new set of rules for it.

He didn't know if he could achieve this, but it was worth trying.

He would not give up on Gu Simu, nor would he give up on Mu Yuyan.