Back then, Zhou Qingxu was full of vigor and aspirations.

After Wu Ling finished speaking, her gaze remained fixed on Cheng Guang.

Cheng Guang, however, simply smiled. Instead of answering Wu Ling's question directly, he asked with a smile, "How do you think I will make my move?"

Wu Ling stared at Cheng Guang.

Looking at Cheng Guang's endlessly calm expression, Wu Ling realized she could not read his thoughts no matter how hard she tried. After pondering for a moment, her bright eyes suddenly flashed, and she replied with a slightly playful smile:

"Your Highness, you surely aren't just boasting, are you?"

Cheng Guang shook his head. "Not quite."

With that, Cheng Guang looked back at Wu Ling, his eyes appropriately revealing a hint of curiosity.

"Speaking of which, did you come to find me just to ask how I plan to make my move?"

Hearing this, the smile on Wu Ling's face slowly faded, and she shook her head.

"No, I came to ask the Heir to make a move."

"That is why I wanted to ask how the Heir intends to act."

"As far as I know, if the Heir wishes to seek help from others, besides the Prince Zhenguo, I wonder which celestial being you could possibly summon?"

Hearing Wu Ling's words, Cheng Guang raised an eyebrow.

Which celestial being could he summon?

To be honest.

Cheng Guang hadn't really thought in that direction at first; he had originally planned to handle it himself. But hearing Wu Ling put it this way, he suddenly thought of Old Dengtou.

Old Dengtou had reached the second realm of the celestial stage, making him arguably the strongest celestial in the Great Zhou, aside from Zhang Shunlong and Li Tongzhen, whose strengths remained unclear.

If Old Dengtou were to make a move, then the celestial beings of the Great Yuan would likely be unable to do anything against him.

Except.

What Cheng Guang had said to Old Dengtou earlier was for him to save his life only in a moment of extreme crisis.

At a time like this, getting Old Dengtou to take the field and block the Great Yuan would require a certain amount of effort.

Cheng Guang pondered inwardly. Being able to get Old Dengtou to act would naturally be for the best, allowing him to enjoy some peace and quiet himself.

Outwardly, Cheng Guang remained noncommittal. "You don't need to pry into that. I naturally have my own ways of dealing with it later."

Pausing slightly, Cheng Guang looked at Wu Ling. "Speaking of which, how do you intend to deal with the Great Yuan?"

Wu Ling shook her head. "I have very few options, nor do I have the opportunity to make connections with other celestial beings. My only method is to gather all the military forces stationed at the borders and pool them together to fight the Great Yuan."

"If you truly have a way afterward, even though I am only holding imperial power temporarily—a title without any real substance—I still must go to the battlefield."

"I will likely be heading to the border in a few days to face the Great Yuan."

"Heir, will you accompany me there?"

Wu Ling's bright eyes stared at Cheng Guang, the light within them flickering, just like a little white rabbit from years past.

Only, at this moment, Wu Ling's temperament had become somewhat different from that of the little white rabbit of the past.

In front of others, Wu Ling remained very cold and spoke very little.

Yet in front of Cheng Guang, she would occasionally still reveal the delicate demeanor of a young maiden.

Cheng Guang looked at Wu Ling, taking in her stunning visage, though his heart failed to stir up much of a ripple; he merely nodded slightly.

"Very well. Let me know when you are ready to set off."

Hearing Cheng Guang agree without hesitation, a hint of surprise could not help but surface in Wu Ling's bright eyes.

"Heir, shouldn't you discuss this with someone else?"

"Going to the frontline border is quite dangerous."

Cheng Guang shook his head and simply smiled. "There's no need to discuss a trivial matter like this. Even if there is danger, nothing can happen to me."

Listening to Cheng Guang's words, a few flickers of strangeness crossed Wu Ling's bright eyes.

You must know.

This time, there were celestial-level powerhouses on the Great Yuan's side.

Even she herself could not guarantee she would return alive.

Yet Cheng Guang, the Heir of Prince Zhenguo, possessed such absolute confidence.

Thinking about it, it was still quite unbelievable.

Could the Heir truly possess some kind of trump card?

Wu Ling pondered, but could not figure it out.

For now, the purpose of her visit had been achieved. Regardless of what trump cards Cheng Guang held, as long as he agreed to accompany her to the border battlefield, she would ultimately find out what those trump cards were in the future.

"Then, Heir, I will send someone to notify you before we depart."

With that, Wu Ling slowly turned and left.

As she reached the courtyard gate, she couldn't help but look back.

She made a funny face at Cheng Guang.

"If you truly have no certainty when the time comes, you can just pretend what I said earlier was never spoken."

With those words, Wu Ling hurried away.

After Wu Ling left.

Cheng Guang stood in place for a moment, then let out an amused, helpless laugh.

"Is she... suddenly worrying about me again?"

"Telling me not to go if I'm really not sure?"

Standing in the courtyard, Cheng Guang looked up at the full moon and took a deep breath.

His thoughts turned to the system quest.

To trample Wumengde, the future Emperor of the Great Yuan, beneath his feet.

Even if it wasn't for the Great Zhou, and even if it wasn't for Wu Ling, Cheng Guang would still have to go to the frontline simply for the sake of this quest.

As for what state the Great Zhou was in right now, and whether its cities would be trampled and its capital directly overrun by the Great Yuan, Cheng Guang actually didn't care all that much.

What Cheng Guang cared about was not the Great Zhou, but the people.

If the Great Yuan drove straight in from the border, leaving aside whether the Great Zhou would perish, the common people of the Great Zhou would undoubtedly be displaced, and quite possibly slaughtered to the last by the Great Yuan.

Whether such a thing would happen, no one could say for sure.

"Wumengde, the future Emperor of the Great Yuan, is leading the army to invade this time. It is clear that he already enjoys deep trust from the Great Yuan Emperor."

"I wonder if there will be other princes of the Great Yuan besides Wumengde."

"If most of the Great Yuan princes have come over to the Great Zhou, perhaps they also harbor the idea of treating the Great Zhou as a training ground. Whoever achieves the greatest merit will have the chance to become the future Emperor of the Great Yuan..."

Cheng Guang muttered to himself.

By this time, the day had grown late.

Cheng Guang walked back to his bedchamber.

Got into bed and went to sleep.

…………

Five days passed in the blink of an eye, and the weather grew much colder.

The news of the Great Yuan's invasion of the Great Zhou swept through the capital of the Great Zhou and the entire dynasty like a violent gust of wind.

The once bustling and noisy capital suddenly fell into dead silence, as if shrouded by an invisible terror.

The Emperor of the Great Zhou was nowhere to be found.

On the surface, aside from Prince Zhenguo Cheng Shiyuan, the Great Zhou had no other celestial beings.

The vast majority of people were panic-stricken.

On the streets and in the alleys, people hurried along with anxious expressions.

Some were packing up their household goods, ready to flee at any moment.

Others were preparing supplies to be sent to the frontline.

Within the Great Zhou Imperial Palace.

In the deliberation hall, ministers were busy discussing countermeasures, their faces heavy and their eyes filled with worry.

Empress Wang sat beside the dragon throne in silence, only occasionally casting cold glances toward Qiu Hao.

Wu Ling sat by Empress Wang's side, dressed in a crown prince's dark brocade robe that looked majestic and solemn. Her hands rested obediently on her knees, and her stunning visage remained as calm as the surface of an ancient well, without many ripples.

The atmosphere in the deliberation hall was far more tense and stern than before.

It felt as if a torrential storm was imminent; the expressions of the many ministers were extraordinarily gloomy, and their eyes flickered with a great deal of unease and fear.

At this moment.

The deliberation hall was dead silent, the air seemingly frozen.

Amidst the silence.

Zhuge Wansheng wore not a trace of a smile as he stared at Qiu Hao beside him, his gaze cold and sharp.

It was not just Empress Wang and Zhuge Wansheng; within the deliberation hall, the other court ministers were all casting cold looks at Qiu Hao.

Under the gazes of the gathered officials, Minister of War Qiu Hao's expression did not change excessively, yet under their piercing stares.

Even with Qiu Hao's steady temperament, he had anticipated how immense the pressure he would have to bear at this moment would be.

Yet even now, cold sweat inevitably broke out on his forehead.

Daring not meet Empress Wang's eyes, he could only lower his head, drop his hands, and silently endure the piercing gazes coming from all directions.

"Lord Qiu, how do you explain the situation at the border?"

Zhuge Wansheng suddenly questioned.

Qiu Hao pursed his lips, slightly raised his head, first looking at Empress Wang and then at Zhuge Wansheng. After bowing to each in turn.

He slowly spoke:

"Empress, Prime Minister, there are reasons for this."

At this point, Qiu Hao's tone paused slightly.

He had originally thought someone would interrupt him here, but no one did.

So Qiu Hao continued.

"The mobilization of the border army was the best decision I made based on the current situation."

"The Great Yuan has come aggressively, backed by celestial beings. Only by pooling the strength of the entire nation can we have a chance to resist them."

At this point, Qiu Hao paused.

Empress Wang looked at Qiu Hao with a somewhat aching head. "Just because the Great Yuan has celestial beings supporting them, you mobilized the border army?"

"Aren't you afraid that the surrounding dynasties will seize the opportunity to invade our Great Zhou?"

"Or do you think Prince Zhenguo does not exist?"

Hearing this, Qiu Hao answered with utter frankness: "I am afraid!"

"The surrounding dynasties might indeed have a few that will seize the opportunity to invade the Great Zhou, but we have reached a point where we have no choice but to gamble."

"Since the Great Yuan crossed the border, there has been no news from Prince Zhenguo's side."

"The people sent over have also lost their traces; it is very likely that they reached Zhenbei City and encountered some unexpected trouble, failing to return, or perhaps they were intercepted and killed before even reaching Zhenbei City."

"Under these circumstances, I can only make the worst plans and decisions."

As Qiu Hao said this.

The piercing gazes of the surrounding people directed at him diminished slightly, and immediately afterward, the vast majority of the ministers cast their gazes upon Wu Ling, who was sitting beside Empress Wang.

They knew.

What Qiu Hao had said and done was very likely related to Wu Ling.

Without Wu Ling speaking out, or perhaps without Wu Ling's consent.

How could Qiu Hao, as the Minister of War, have been able to mobilize so many border troops, keeping them unaware for a time until they only recently received the news?

Empress Wang's gaze also fell upon Wu Ling. After a moment of silence, she slowly spoke:

"Wu Ling, was everything Qiu Hao did directed by you?"

Wu Ling neither shook her head nor nodded, simply saying, "Consider it so."

Hearing this, a trace of hidden anger welled up at the bottom of Empress Wang's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

"You..."

Empress Wang raised her hand slightly, pointing at Wu Ling as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out. With a look of slight frustration, she let her hand drop.

"Forget it."

"Things have come to this; I will say no more."

"Wu Ling, since you are going to the frontline, depart today."

Wu Ling nodded slightly in acceptance, and Empress Wang paid her no further attention.

To Empress Wang, Wu Ling was merely a decoration.

She was used solely to balance the various factions in the imperial court that were constantly contending for imperial power.

She served to moderate conflicts.

Yet Empress Wang truly had not expected.

That Wu Ling would dare to take matters into her own hands, and that Qiu Hao, the Minister of War, would actually obey Wu Ling.

When did these two hook up?

As the Minister of War, a position that was the most crucial among the six ministries and not something just anyone could hold.

He had to be someone utterly loyal to the Great Zhou and loyal to the Emperor.

Regarding Qiu Hao's character, after undergoing repeated examinations by Great Zhou Emperor Wu Shang, she figured there shouldn't be any major problems.

Yet why would Qiu Hao help pull off such a stunt?

Did he truly believe...

that without mobilizing the border army, the Great Yuan couldn't be dealt with?

Empress Wang found this whole affair absurd.

Yet she also felt that Qiu Hao's actions made a shred of sense.

Rubbing the bridge between her eyebrows.

Empress Wang pulled herself together and began discussing other matters, big and small, with the court ministers.

By this point.

The conflicts and gazes within the deliberation hall finally shifted away from Qiu Hao and Wu Ling.

When the court session ended.

Wu Ling and Qiu Hao walked out of the great hall one after the other.

"Your Highness, as you journey to the frontline this time, I hope Your Highness takes care of your health."

"If things go beyond remedy, I alone shall bear all the responsibility."

Qiu Hao stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and said to Wu Ling.

Wu Ling glanced at Qiu Hao, her expression unchanged, and merely nodded slightly. She then walked past Qiu Hao step by step.

Heading toward the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

After tidying her luggage in the Eastern Palace, Wu Ling summoned a court maid.

"Go to the Prince Zhenguo's Mansion and tell the Heir that I am leaving the capital today."

Hearing this, the court maid nodded repeatedly and hurried away.

Chapter (1/3)

Chapter (2/3)

After the court maid left.

Wu Ling rose to her feet, changed into a fresh robe, and led her entourage toward the palace gates.

At that moment.

The sunlight was just right.

Filtering down through layers of clouds, the sunlight spilled over Wu Ling's golden armor.

Outside the imperial palace, the ranks of soldiers had already been fully assembled; banners fluttered fiercely in the wind, and warhorses neighed.

Under the gaze of numerous soldiers, Wu Ling's figure slowly appeared.

Wu Ling did not offer any rousing call to action, nor did she speak any plain, folksy words. Given her current status and standing, in the hearts of these soldiers, she likely possessed nothing worthy of their respect other than her noble birth.

Wu Ling slowly mounted her warhorse.

Sitting atop the steed.

She turned her gaze slightly, glancing off into the distance toward the Prince Zhenguo's Mansion.

Yet she saw not a single figure appear.

The light in Wu Ling's bright eyes dimmed slightly. Calculating the time, her court maid should have reached the Prince Zhenguo's Mansion by now and delivered the news of her imminent departure to the Heir.

If the Heir had not appeared by now.

It was likely he would not be coming at all.

Wu Ling felt a nameless surge of disappointment, and abruptly swung her riding crop.

"Hah!"

With a low shout.

The horse trampled up a cloud of dust as it galloped away at full speed.

With Wu Ling on the move, the army gathered near the palace set off in a majestic and sweeping formation.

Journeying forward.

Leaving the capital.

The sun shone brightly over the earth, and battle flags fluttered in the wind.

The army of tens of thousands marched in an imposing formation, their heavy footsteps sounding like rolling drums that shook the earth—and the hearts of men.

It was evident.

The force Wu Ling brought with her on this trip was largely high in strength and could well be called elite.

Sitting in her saddle, Wu Ling gazed into the distance. It was at that moment she suddenly felt something overhead blocking out the sunlight.

The world seemed to darken.

"What is that?"

"Is that a flying boat from the Prince Zhenguo's Mansion??"

"Hiss, look, the Heir of Prince Zhenguo seems to be on it!"

At that instant, the startled cries of many soldiers around her reached Wu Ling's ears.

Wu Ling raised her gaze slightly, looking upward.

With just a single glance, she beheld a flying boat, massive enough to almost blot out the sky, slowly descending right above them.

Wu Ling inspected the flying boat, and soon spotted a peerless, aristocratic young man standing with his hands behind his back on the boat's deck.

"The Heir?"

Wu Ling cried out in surprise.

"Why is he here?"

"I thought he wasn't coming."

The moment Wu Ling saw Cheng Guang, her heart skipped a beat, speeding up somewhat. She felt a touch of joy, mixed with a hint of inexplicable worry and incomprehension.

When the flying boat descended to a certain height.

Cheng Guang leaped down from it, put the boat away, and landed steadily not far from Wu Ling.

Wu Ling looked Cheng Guang up and down, then surveyed her surroundings.

She discovered that stepping down from the flying boat.

Aside from Cheng Guang, there was no one else.

Not even the figure of Cheng Zhihai, nor the figures of the powerhouses from the Lamp-Lighting Division, had appeared.

"Heir, you are all by yourself?"

Wu Ling asked in bewilderment.

Cheng Guang smiled and nodded. "I am enough by myself."

Hearing Cheng Guang say this, Wu Ling felt another urge to roll her eyes, but she managed to hold it back, puffed out her cheeks, and slowly turned her head away.

"I told you before, going to the frontline is very dangerous, and I'm not even sure I can protect myself."

"You didn't bring any guards and you're coming to the frontline all by yourself—are you stupid?"

When Wu Ling said this, she likely didn't even realize that her entire demeanor had unconsciously taken on the palpable airs of a spoiled young maiden.

Cheng Guang, however, didn't mind, shaking his head. "What is there to fear? I'm very strong."

Wu Ling nodded dismissively.

The aura she could sense from Cheng Guang wasn't even as strong as her own.

Therefore, she hadn't taken Cheng Guang's words to heart.

Riding her horse, she kept her brows tightly locked as she pondered in silence.

Seeing that Wu Ling had no great desire to chat, Cheng Guang didn't mind either. He summoned the flying boat once more, soared high into the sky, and sped off toward the distant frontline battlefield.

The army led by Wu Ling, though riding warhorses capable of traveling a thousand miles a day, was still much slower than the flying boat.

There was no need for Cheng Guang to deliberately slow his pace; he could fly ahead for a stretch first.

Coming out this time.

Cheng Guang had brought neither Cheng Zhihai nor Qin Beifeng.

It wasn't because he felt the two of them weren't strong, nor because he felt they would be in the way.

It was simply that in a war between two great dynasties.

High-realm martial artists were not strictly necessary.

Unless their cultivation was high enough to reach the celestial realm.

Otherwise, amidst the chaotic slaughter, individual valor was ultimately limited and could not play a decisive role in the war's outcome.

Cheng Guang urged the flying boat forward as it sped into the distance.

The location where the Great Yuan had invaded the Great Zhou's borders was Nanyu Prefecture.

Nanyu Prefecture could not be considered wealthy compared to the rest of the Great Zhou, but it certainly couldn't be called poor either; it ranked right around the middle.

The Great Yuan choosing Nanyu Prefecture as their breakthrough point must have been the result of much deliberation.

Prefectures that were powerful or wealthy were either located in the belly of the Great Zhou Dynasty or away from the borders.

A prefecture like Nanyu—where the level of wealth was just right, the strength wasn't particularly formidable, and it happened to sit right on the border—naturally became the optimal choice.

Even if the Great Yuan ultimately lost to the Great Zhou, they wouldn't end up going back empty-handed without having looted anything at all.

Cheng Guang lowered his eyelids, pondering to himself.

Before long, he arrived swiftly at Baili City aboard the flying boat.

Baili City was the most central city in Nanyu Prefecture, and also its final strategic military stronghold.

If Baili City were breached, Nanyu Prefecture would be laid bare and exposed to the sight of the Great Yuan without any defense whatsoever.

Standing on the deck of the flying boat, Cheng Guang looked out toward Baili City, and the distant scenery made him involuntarily draw in a sharp breath of cold air.

Even before getting close to Baili City, one could smell a heavy, suffocating stench of blood.

In the distance, for reasons unknown, massive clouds of dust had been kicked up.

Blood mist and dust intertwined.

Gathering over Baili City.

It seemed to tint the entire heaven and earth in a wash of crimson.

As he drew closer.

On the battlefield.

On the walls of Baili City.

Shouts, the thunder of hooves, and the clashing of blades intertwined.

At this very moment.

It seemed that every minute, every second, soldiers were being injured or killed.

Cheng Guang merely glanced at the walls of Baili City, and he was already shocked by the flesh, blood, and carnage smeared across them.

The gore and blood on those ramparts had built up into a thick layer; heaven knows how many soldiers had to fall and how much blood had to flow to create such a spectacle.

And heaven only knew whether those soldiers on the walls belonged to the Great Yuan or the Great Zhou.

Because Baili City held such a crucial position—occupying high ground with a sheer cliff before it—both sides were desperately fighting for it, refusing to yield.

It had truly turned into a meat grinder.

Had Cheng Guang not witnessed it with his own eyes, he could never have imagined that warfare in this world could be so cruel.

And right now.

Within Baili City, although troops from all over the Great Zhou Dynasty had already gathered, they still seemed unable to match the Great Yuan.

The soldiers of the Great Yuan continuously surged forward from the distance, treading through the void, riding ferocious wolf-hounds, brandishing sharp weapons, and charging toward Baili City with an overwhelming momentum.

Though the soldiers of the Great Zhou held the high ground and were sheltered by walls and natural hazards, facing the ferocious onslaught of the Great Yuan, they still exhibited a sense of overwhelming powerlessness.

Cheng Guang swept his gaze around Baili City; wherever his eyes fell, there were rivers of blood.

He then looked past Baili City.

Across the precipice.

Cheng Guang could see the formations of the enemy grand army—dense, countless black silhouettes eyeing the direction of Baili City with predatory hostility.

The troops the Great Yuan was currently using to attack Baili City didn't even seem to make up half of their total numbers.

Those towering, ferocious men deep within the enemy ranks were wrapped in beast-skin armor; the wolf-hounds beneath them drooled heavily from slightly parted jaws, emitting low growls laced with ferocious intent.

And deep within that grand army, various-sized tents stood in rows.

Near the most luxurious and conspicuous tent among them.

Standing with his hands behind his back in midair was a figure dressed in a green robe.

That green-robed figure stood quite calmly in the sky, gazing out toward Baili City.

Even from a great distance, Cheng Guang could still clearly make out his appearance and attire.

Among all the Great Yuan powerhouses, whether considering his features or his clothing, that green-robed figure appeared utterly out of place.

"He's not a Great Yuan native?"

"Why does he look like... someone from the Great Zhou?"

Watching from afar, Cheng Guang narrowed his eyes.

At that exact moment.

The green-robed figure in the distance, who had been staring toward Baili City, suddenly seemed to sense something.

He raised his brows slightly, letting out a soft "oh."

Then his gaze shifted, landing upon Cheng Guang, who stood on the deck of the flying boat in the distance.

Seeing Cheng Guang appear, the green-robed figure was clearly startled for a moment, then smiled faintly and moved his lips toward the direction where Cheng Guang was located.

"Heir of Prince Zhenguo."

The green-robed figure had only lightly moved his lips, but the next instant, his voice rang out in Cheng Guang's ear with crystal clarity.

Hearing the green-robed figure's voice, Cheng Guang felt no particular surprise.

From afar, Cheng Guang had already been able to sense the celestial aura emanating from the green-robed man.

The only thing that could surprise him was the green-robed man's aura and appearance.

His facial features were distinct yet deep, his aura serene, carrying the demeanor of a scholar.

This appearance.

Inexplicably reminded Cheng Guang of the Great Zhou Emperor.

Had this person not born differences in appearance from the Great Zhou Emperor, Cheng Guang might have thought he was some brother of the Great Emperor, akin to Prince Nanming or the late Crown Prince.

Thinking to himself while keeping his guard up, Cheng Guang took up the conversation.

"Your Excellency doesn't look like a man of the Great Yuan. To be assisting the Great Yuan in attacking the Great Zhou at this juncture leaves me somewhat perplexed."

"After all, you surely aren't doing this for mere profit. For a celestial being, there is very little left in this world that can move your heart."

"Could it be due to some old grievance?"

Cheng Guang's words were spoken in a low voice.

Yet they caused the expression of the green-robed figure in the distance to change slightly. Staring blankly at Cheng Guang, he suddenly let out a helpless laugh and shook his head:

"Heir of Prince Zhenguo, hearing of you a hundred times is not as good as seeing you once. Your mind is indeed sharp."

"Merely by seeing my appearance, you were able to deduce roughly what my background is."

"You are correct; I am indeed not a man of the Great Yuan, nor do I bear any old grudge against the Great Zhou. It is simply that the mandate of heaven cannot be defied."

"You possess great atmospheric luck, and you are vaguely entangled with several deities I happen to know. In the grand currents of the world's future, you might well claim a share of the spoils."

"For a seeker of the Dao like me, if I do not contend for it, I fear I won't even have a chance to drink the soup."

The green-robed figure spoke with a smile. Having said that, he kindly offered a word of warning.

"Heir of Prince Zhenguo, you had best leave quickly. In this world, there are very few people who are my match."

"Let alone the fact that your grandfather, Prince Zhenguo, cannot come here at this time; even if he did, he would not be able to defeat me."

Although the green-robed figure's tone was light and gentle, an absolute, unshakeable confidence was conveyed through those soft words.

It was as if no one in this world could truly defeat him.

Cheng Guang slightly furrowed his brows as he looked at the green-robed figure in the distance, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Just what background did this green-robed man have?

He had no grievances with the Great Zhou.

He wasn't a man of the Great Yuan either.

He had no relationships involving conflicting interests with the Great Yuan.

So why on earth would he help the Great Yuan invade the Great Zhou?

The Great Yuan's invasion of the Great Zhou was so sudden that it was hard to say there weren't masterminds operating behind the scenes.

Could the mastermind behind the Great Yuan actually be this green-robed man?

If so, what exactly was this green-robed man's objective?

Cheng Guang was puzzled and unable to figure it out.

Just as he wanted to communicate further with the green-robed man and say something more.

The green-robed figure suddenly raised one hand, a smile on his face, and waved it gently as he smiled:

"Heir of Prince Zhenguo, I do not wish to take your life; the karma binding you is something I cannot afford to provoke. You should leave."

The green-robed figure waved a hand.

Chapter (2/3)

Chapter (3/3)

Immediately afterward.

A crimson beam of rainbow light swept out from the green-robed figure's hand, hurtling toward Cheng Guang's position at extreme speed.

In the span of a single breath, the rainbow light projected by the green-robed figure had reached right before Cheng Guang.

The colors of the rainbow light were reflected in Cheng Guang's eyes.

Despite the close proximity, Cheng Guang did not show a flustered expression.

Because within this rainbow light, there was no dangerous aura whatsoever; instead, it carried a profound and mysterious power.

What the green-robed figure said and what he did were basically the same—it seemed he merely wanted to escort or send Cheng Guang away from this place, with no intention of harming him at all.

Cheng Guang mobilized his spiritual Dao cultivation, pinched a seal with one hand, and primordial spirit power flowed out from the center of his brow like a stream. Before him, it instantly condensed into a flying sword.

It darted toward the crimson rainbow light.

The sword transformed from primordial spirit power plunged into the crimson rainbow light, instantly flashing incessantly. The rainbow light was like a piece of cloth, quickly slashed into tatters by the sword.

Transforming into specks of red light, it dissipated into heaven and earth.

The green-robed figure had intended to stop there.

In his preconception, Cheng Guang shouldn't have had any means to block his spell and divine ability, yet he hadn't expected Cheng Guang to block it after all.

Sensing the primordial spirit power emanating from Cheng Guang, a flash of doubt first crossed the green-robed figure's eyes.

Then he sensed it more carefully.

A hint of astonishment welled up in his eyes once more.

"This is... celestial aura..."

"Could this Heir of Prince Zhenguo already be a celestial?"

"Impossible. It doesn't quite look like it; ordinary celestials have no way to cut through my spell and divine ability."

The green-robed figure stared blankly at Cheng Guang on the distant flying boat.

He was temporarily stunned by Cheng Guang's action.

Frozen in place.

Pondering what kind of methods Cheng Guang possessed that allowed this Heir of Prince Zhenguo to erupt with strength comparable to a celestial being.

And even break his spellcraft and divine ability.

After thinking for a long while, the green-robed figure still couldn't figure it out.

Just as he prepared to take a step forward and sweep across to Cheng Guang's position, intending to properly converse with this Heir of Prince Zhenguo whom even he couldn't see through.

A voice rang out from beneath him.

"Sir Zhou, please make your move."

"Right here at Baili City, our Great Yuan has repeatedly failed to break through and has already suffered heavy casualties. If you were to strike, Sir, the Great Zhou wouldn't be able to hold out this long."

Hearing this, the green-robed figure lowered his gaze slightly, looking down toward the tents below at a tall, fierce-looking young man clad in beast-skin robes.

The young man looked up at the green-robed figure with a respectful expression, his tone deferential, yet carrying a clear sense of urging within his words.

"First Prince, the time is not yet ripe."

The green-robed figure spoke softly.

Having said that.

Without paying any more attention to the young man, he took a single step forward and swept toward the direction of Cheng Guang's aura.

After the green-robed figure vanished.

The look of respect on the young man's face instantly vanished, replaced entirely by extreme displeasure.

"This Sir Zhou is truly strange. Clearly, he is already a celestial, and clearly he has promised my father the Emperor that he would help us take down the Great Zhou. Yet every time someone asks him to act, he acts like this."

"The time is not yet ripe."

"What time is it supposed to be?"

Wumengde did not understand in the slightest, his heart filled with vexation. As he returned to his tent, he brooded.

This time, the Great Yuan's expedition to the Great Zhou was an imperial command he had actively requested to lead.

Because he was the First Prince, he had fought for and won this opportunity.

If he failed to trample the Great Zhou beneath his feet this time, then upon his return to the Great Yuan, the one trampled beneath everyone's feet would be him.

The position of the future Great Yuan Emperor would likely no longer fall upon his head.

Thus, Wumengde attached great importance to this military campaign.

The more importance Wumengde attached to it, the more dissatisfied he felt with Sir Zhou's lackadaisical attitude.

Sir Zhou was no ordinary man.

Even his imperial father treated Sir Zhou with such deference.

Giving Wumengde eighteen extra guts would not be enough for him to speak any overly harsh words to Sir Zhou.

He could only offer respectful and exceedingly polite reminders.

After Sir Zhou departed.

No matter how frustrated or annoyed Wumengde felt, he had no other recourse.

He could only return to his tent and rage impotently.

…………

On the other side.

Above the flying boat.

Sir Zhou, dressed in a green robe, stepped onto the flying boat in a single stride.

Landing on the deck.

He stood not far from Cheng Guang.

Quietly observing Cheng Guang.

Cheng Guang looked at Sir Zhou without any tension, his expression calm and his bearing composed.

This demeanor caused a look of appreciation to well up in Sir Zhou's eyes.

While Sir Zhou observed Cheng Guang.

Cheng Guang was likewise observing Sir Zhou.

He sensed the aura radiating from Sir Zhou.

And suddenly discovered.

The aura on Sir Zhou's person, though at the celestial level, was even more formidable than that of ordinary celestials.

Was it the second realm of the celestial stage?

Just like Old Dengtou??

Cheng Guang grew secretly vigilant.

"Heir of Prince Zhenguo, having arrived here, does the host not even offer a cup of clear tea?"

Sir Zhou didn't wait for Cheng Guang to speak; instead, he smiled and broke the silence.

Hearing Sir Zhou speak thus, Cheng Guang was startled for a moment before nodding.

"Very well."

Cheng Guang fetched some tea leaves and poured boiling water over them, drawing out a crisp, refreshing fragrance.

Turning slightly toward Sir Zhou, Cheng Guang gestured:

"Please sit?"

Sir Zhou nodded slightly, slowly picked up a teacup, took a light sip, and remarked, "Good tea."

"When it comes to tea, the Great Zhou's is still the best. No other dynasty produces tea quite like this."

Cheng Guang glanced down at Sir Zhou. "Has Your Excellency traveled to many dynasties?"

Sir Zhou smiled. "Naturally. Wandering the four quarters, my only hobby is tasting tea."

Cheng Guang gave a noncommittal nod, took a sip of the clear tea, and asked, "How should I address Your Excellency?"

Hearing Cheng Guang ask this, Sir Zhou was momentarily stunned, then smiled:

"You're actually interested in my name?"

"You probably haven't heard of it."

"Better left unmentioned."

Cheng Guang raised his eyes and swept a glance over Sir Zhou. "You must be from the Great Zhou, right?"

At Cheng Guang's words, the hand with which Sir Zhou was holding his teacup paused slightly. Then he lightly raised it, bringing it to his lips.

After taking another sip of tea.

He slowly spoke:

"What makes you say that?"

Cheng Guang shook his head. "It's just a feeling."

Sir Zhou fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "You are right."

"I was indeed once a man of the Great Zhou."

Cheng Guang asked again: "A scholar?"

Sir Zhou smiled.

"Indeed."

After saying this, Sir Zhou paused once more.

"A scholar who won top honors from a humble background."

Hearing this, a flash of realization crossed Cheng Guang's eyes. He suddenly recalled a historical chronicle of the Great Zhou he had casually flipped through during his idle days.

According to the records of the Great Zhou Dynasty, although scholars from humble backgrounds occasionally made something of themselves.

When it came to winning the top spot in the imperial examinations—the title of top metropolitan scholar, and a civil service one at that—there had only ever been one person.

Zhou Qingxu.

Speaking of this man Zhou Qingxu, his story was quite extraordinary.

At his birth, it was rumored that anomalous signs appeared in the heavens, drawing countless cultivators to investigate. After finding Zhou Qingxu and examining him thoroughly, a group of experts.

Found nothing particularly unusual about him.

His bodily meridians were sealed; forget cultivation, even moving his four limbs was extremely difficult.

Just when everyone thought Zhou Qingxu would likely live out his life in obscurity and die in namelessness.

Unexpectedly.

More than a decade later.

A teenager in the prime of his youth stepped alone into the capital to take part in that year's metropolitan examination.

After successfully claiming the top rank.

Immediately afterward came the palace examination.

He was conferred the title of Top Scholar by Wu Shang, the Emperor of the Great Zhou who had ascended the throne not long before.

Perhaps because the Great Zhou Emperor wanted to elevate men of humble origins.

Or perhaps because the Great Zhou Emperor genuinely felt Zhou Qingxu possessed outstanding literary talent.

Whatever the reason, Zhou Qingxu became the first and only top scholar of humble origins in the history of the Great Zhou.

After becoming the top scholar, Zhou Qingxu was full of high aspirations, thinking only of serving the country and the people. However, after entering the imperial palace and spending less than a month in the Imperial Academy, he could no longer stay.

Rumors said he had been ostracized.

Other rumors said Zhou Qingxu had caused a disturbance in the palace.

With speculations flying every which way, no one knew the true reason.

Zhou Qingxu left the imperial palace.

Demoted to a small county town to serve as a county magistrate.

For an ordinary person, becoming a magistrate meant stepping upward in life; at the very worst, one became a local official—perhaps not rolling in wealth, but never starving either.

Their life would be better than that of the vast majority of people.

However.

That was only true for ordinary people.

For a top scholar like Zhou Qingxu, becoming a magistrate was virtually unheard of.

Aside from those within the palace.

Everyone found it hard to imagine what sort of mistake Zhou Qingxu could have made in the palace to be demoted to the post of a mere magistrate.

If one assumed he had offended the Great Zhou Emperor.

The Great Zhou Emperor wouldn't have spared his life.

Instead of executing him, he kept him alive.

The outside world guessed wildly, but within the palace—whether it was the court officials, the Great Zhou Emperor, or Zhou Qingxu himself—

No one stepped forward to offer an explanation.

As time passed.

This matter was soon forgotten by everyone, gradually buried in the footnotes of history.

Afterward.

Word spread that Zhou Qingxu had died of illness in that small county town.

At that time.

Zhou Qingxu was only eighteen years old.

From then on, historical records contained no further mention of Zhou Qingxu.

Thinking of this, Cheng Guang looked back at the youthful-looking man before him, whose aura was serene and his smile lazy.

No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't find.

Much of Zhou Qingxu's shadow in this person.

The Zhou Qingxu of yesteryear had been full of bold aspirations.

Yet what about the Zhou Qingxu of today?

A free spirit soaring through the clouds, calm and untroubled as the wind.

Thinking about it, it truly was incredible.

He hadn't died.

He was still alive.

And his personality had undergone such a massive transformation.

Just what kind of experiences had he been through all these years?

Cheng Guang couldn't help but feel curious.

…………(End of Chapter)