Volume One, Chapter 21: Ultimately, Still an Outsider

All eyes turned toward the entrance.

“Yu’er, greet your father and mother.”

Shang Runyu wore a simple white garment, without a trace of makeup. Her hair was loosely tied up with plain flowers, and her lips were pale, lacking any color.

Her personal maid supported her as she slowly walked in.

Seeing their daughter in such a fragile state, the Duke of Zhen Guo had no temper left to scold her. “Yu’er, what happened to you?”

“Father...” Shang Runyu’s words broke off as tears streamed down her cheeks.

She gently tilted her head, her eyes red-rimmed and her figure delicate. Tears fell like broken pearls, and that was all...

“Enough for now. Anyway, whether you have connections or not, can you help me figure out a way to meet the Lord of the City?” Luo Chen asked seriously, though his expression was polite. After all, as long as Hou Tianzhi agreed, he wouldn’t resort to torture.

“How many people are there approximately?” The old Taoist was calm but immediately grabbed Shui Lianzhu and Hui Qingyan to head outside.

This battle, to be clear, was a fight of the weak against the strong, a challenge to the entire authority of Jinling. The previous Ling family ancestral ceremony, the destruction of the entire Yin-Yang Sect, and the killing of Prince Ling had already angered Jinling’s upper echelons. This time, a retaliatory strike was certain.

Upon hearing this, Antes was somewhat startled because his father rarely left the inner palace and there had been no prior indication of any departure.

Wu Xiu had initially thought that the events witnessed in recent days might have been an overestimation of Hui Qingyan’s abilities.

Meanwhile, the exalted Supreme Elders of the Nine Dragon Gate erupted in excited shouts. Their hearts were stirred to the utmost, for Ling Feng’s display of power had transcended ordinary opponents, especially after he had wiped out the entire council of elders of the Nine Dragon Gate.

He could never have imagined that his overwhelming courage would sever the Divine Child, that a defiant sword would slaughter the heavenly prodigy and shake the entire realm of cultivation.

“Senior, please forgive my bold intrusion from above. My situation is truly dire. If you could lend your aid, I would be forever grateful!” Ling Feng did not hesitate; he instinctively knew the top-tier figure was nearby, and his heart immediately cried out.

At the same time, an overwhelming dragon aura radiated from the Azure Dragon, causing all cultivators within the Azure Dragon’s forbidden grounds to feel their breath falter.

Though fate sometimes brought negativity, it could also inspire positivity. Because Bashelun’s mind was dominated by fatalism, he did not feel pain but rather embraced his fate like a hero facing his final hour, proud and unyielding. From this, he was truly a man of valor.

“I think you’re making things difficult for me. Am I not a man? If I weren’t, why wouldn’t you dare to share a bed with me at night?” Su Xin retorted sharply.

Xu Chuan, listening to his companion, guessed the purpose of the few black youths approaching him—robbery! Indeed, his current attire was quite luxurious, a set of Armani clothes worth hundreds of thousands, bought by his parents long ago.

“Don’t worry, I understand,” the leader seemed to have made a firm decision. He nodded to Beidou, his translucent body suddenly trembling, releasing a powerful invisible force that surged toward the flaming figure ahead.

Xu Chuan was utterly embarrassed this time. The other party was about the same age as his parents and asked them to address him as uncle. The scene was too incongruous, but out of politeness, he had no choice but to agree.

Silken light, both tangible and intangible, moved freely through the blood mist, slicing the crimson air into pieces and stirring a fierce gust toward Beidou’s body. If dozens of such light beams all struck Beidou, he would likely be cut to shreds instantly.

Su Xin had never seen a true shape-shifting demon before; these were only found in some ancient texts within the Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven.

However, Su Xin was reluctant to enter. Once inside, it would be difficult to escape. The beast was powerful, and if it guarded the Crystal Tower, he would be utterly isolated and doomed.

Andrew did not finish his words in one breath. He clearly knew that if he revealed everything openly, the image of the Church in the hearts of the Holy Sons would collapse, and some might not accept it.

Within Xiping City, cultivators below the Earthly Fiend stage were unable to react in time and were crushed by the overwhelming pressure.

The two walked inside together. Passing by a courtyard, Tang Bangguo saw Tang Si diligently washing clothes.

Upon hearing this, Su Yina appeared calm on the surface but was deeply stirred within. Not only was her suspicion that Chen Yang and Xiao Jing were acting confirmed, but she also learned that Chen Yang entertained genuine feelings for her, nearly bursting out the words, “Let’s be real.”

After tidying up, she looked ahead at the beautiful Potala Palace, which appeared even more sacred and solemn under the night’s illumination.

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In the world of fashion, everyone had a stage name; it was not odd that Tang Huan did not use her real name.

Moreover, the method to condense the Yin-Yang Golden Pill differed somewhat from the Five Elements Golden Pill. It required first condensing two pill cores from qi, blood, and jade marrow, separately drawing in the Yin and Yang spirits before fusing them into the Yin-Yang Golden Pill.

Bai Yuqi’s transformation of the so-called “Seven-Layer Island Mountain,” resembling an immortal mountain overseas, was finally complete.

After a night in a carriage, An Ge remembered to stretch and jumped down, spotting a nearby cornfield and heading toward it.

Because of the vast amount of salt coins accumulated this time, their group nearly swept clean all the supplies available in Lantian and Chang’an.

“Actually, according to our original plan, we could barely manage, but we just bought ten thousand quilts, and with transportation and other expenses, it sums up to nearly seven million,” Zheng Jie continued, watching Hu Yang’s expression.

The five-colored iron chains that shot out from the golden card were like venomous snakes breaking free from their bonds, baring sharp fangs as they tore forward with all their might.

With just one sentence — “This is an internal dispute among the Dragon Clan; I cannot decide alone” — Ao Guang was dismissed.

“Why, why is it that although your strength is so hidden, your defense is so formidable? Why is all of this thus?” Zhang Li was utterly shocked in his heart.

The black big brother who had fallen heavily to the ground suddenly pulled out two iron rods beneath his feet, staggering as he charged to strike.

Indeed, though now backed by Zhang Fengyun with many resources at their disposal and decent talents, they were still among the very few who could not cultivate in the past, so their experience was limited to such cultivators.

Previously, she had relied on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to form a physical body. Though able to interact with people and bear weight, she lacked a human form. What Zhang Fengyun could think of was merely the method of painted skin.

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