Chapter 29: Beyond Saving!

The usually quiet Crown Prince suddenly convulsed a few times before becoming still again. At least there was no sign of the blood-spitting episode from the previous day, yet Ruo Li’s heart was in her throat.

“How could that be possible! Besides, after the exams, everyone will be busy hurrying home!” Qiao Yurou hastily declined. Since the beginning of the semester, Song Yi had already treated everyone to meals on many occasions.

The entire morning slipped by in this makeshift antique market, and the harvest was quite rewarding. Even without obtaining those two oil paintings, just acquiring that final set of wine glasses made the whole endeavor worthwhile.

The invisibility potion was indeed useful, but it had one fatal flaw: if the enemy came too close, its effect would automatically vanish, much like a rogue’s stealth. Otherwise, Li Yi wouldn’t have bothered provoking the players from the Western Continent—he could have simply used the potion and a disguise to solve everything.

Both shops had their front yards filled with lotus ponds, and just the cool breeze wafting from the water could reinvigorate a person’s spirits, making one completely forget the summer heat and worldly clamor.

Zhang Chen’s goal had already been met. He was certain Wang Lizhang had been thoroughly provoked and had completely abandoned any intention of purchasing the secret box. After today, Wang would undoubtedly resort to all manner of vile and despicable tactics to obtain it. Zhang was content to await his next move.

Next, Xuan Qingzi spoke of a few more things, though his words came in fits and starts, his expression changing ceaselessly. Chen Zhizheng, growing suspicious, suddenly noticed a bulge beneath Xuan Qingzi’s collar. Peering closer, he realized a fat insect was clinging to Xuan Qingzi’s shoulder.

At this moment, Chen Xi, Zhuo Qinglian, Master Chixia, and several other priests from the Xi Fei Monastery still wore dazed expressions, clearly not yet recovered from their shock.

“Thank you, Divine Lord, for your praise. But who exactly is staring blankly?” Zijin glanced alternately at Ruoli and Zeyan, utterly puzzled as to whom Qiyu was referring.

“How terrifying, truly terrifying. The pressure of that spiritual force reached such a dreadful intensity—it’s unimaginable! Had it lasted a few minutes longer, my very life would have been forfeit.”

Whether it was due to the environment or some special prohibition, his spiritual sense couldn’t extend beyond the surface of his body; the moment it tried, a violent backlash would surge toward him.

It was strange: even when the food was finally brought out, the group of people with the cats in their car remained utterly motionless. From afar, the vehicle seemed pitch-black and empty, and had one not been forewarned, no one would have guessed that so many people were lying in ambush around the hospital.

“With the power of the Dao’s primordial source, you can temporarily discern direction,” the spirit of the temple suddenly reminded him.

From the very beginning, he had sensed that there was nothing normal about the relationship between Su Ying and Murong Che.

“Pan Bin! You rascal, let me introduce you. This is Xu Yang, my brother! Xu Yang, this is Pan Bin, a scion of the old Pan family in the capital!” Liang Kai’s introduction was curt, making clear he had no intention of engaging further.

Cries rang out along the broad, endless city wall, followed by the thunder of hurried footsteps. Surrounded by a host of generals, Guo Dapeng charged up the tower.

“They’re being very quiet, no major movements. I suspect they’re plotting something,” Tieru said.

Lu Tianyu, focused on fleeing earlier, hadn’t seen how the wild fiend had been slain in a single stroke. He assumed such an instant kill must have come from overwhelming power.

On his camera, there was a spot—not exactly clear, but not altogether indistinct either.

His understanding of the Martial Spirit World was quite limited; even what little he knew came from the occasional words of Elder Cangyun and others from that realm.

The noises outside continued for quite some time before finally dying down, leaving the mansion so silent it was unsettling.

Thus, regardless of Yan Rusong’s extraordinary looks and talent, no one was willing to marry him.

No matter how peaceful the era, it was impossible to eradicate them; to put it bluntly, their vitality was as tenacious as that of rats.

Most of the household staff, especially those allowed into the kitchen, were elderly retainers born into service. The kitchen was the heart of the household’s safety and thus strictly managed, but this particular servant seemed entirely unfamiliar to him.

As he spun around suddenly, an even larger blood-armed giant ape descended from the sky. Its great palm, like an ancient mountain, blotted out the sun and came crashing down upon him.

Previously, Xiao Yang had rappelled down this cliff without any safety measures. Now, aided by climbing ropes, his descent was at least twice as fast as before.

Zhao Chong was truly starving. He wolfed down his meal, making Yan Shiqi’s heart ache to watch; she silently cursed the Marquis of Zhenhai to the very depths of her soul.

Yet the moment he recalled the fierce look on the burly man who had knocked at the door, he shrank back, lowering his foot gingerly to the floor.

“The old man carried considerable weight in the martial world. To avoid a host of people coming to pay their respects and disturbing his peace, I deliberately kept news of his passing secret,” Gu Songjun explained.

Sun Dazhi’s embarrassed retreat provoked a round of laughter from the crowd, but did much to enliven the atmosphere.

A mighty dragon’s breath fanned the hellfire higher. Like a mountain, it crashed to the ground and then lay quietly, slowly closing its blazing eyes.

“Junior brother, lead the way,” Li Boyang gestured courteously. Silverhorn took the lead, and Li Boyang followed him all the way to the alchemy room.

In an instant, the yellow-furred monkey seemed possessed or wracked by excruciating pain, clutching its head and rolling about the ground in agony.

Hearing her uncle’s words, Zheng Lingyun was momentarily stunned, then tilted her head and smiled through her tears, a rosy flush spreading across her cheeks.

After a fierce battle, Jia Pi led his troops to retreat south of Dunwu Mountain, making way for the Chouchi army to advance toward Chang’an.

Marquis Liang believed those defeated soldiers could not have escaped far; at most they had fled to Chan Feng or perhaps directly into Lu Gao. It made no difference where they ran—unless they abandoned Xinggu County altogether, they were doomed to perish here.

Zhao Wuji’s earlier question had given him much inspiration, his curiosity and desire for gossip burning stronger than ever.