Ding-dong—
At the Joyful Hotpot Restaurant, the wind chimes jingled away, catching every passerby’s attention.
In front of the restaurant loomed a massive warship from the Qingyuan Sect, Elder Qian’s precious vessel that devoured two pieces of Xuan Crystal every time it sputtered to life. It hovered ominously at the entrance.
“What’s going on? Why is the Qingyuan Sect putting on such a show? Are they gearing up for a war?”
“Don’t you know? There’s a disaster beast tide in the South Border, and the King of South Border has gone to the Imperial Capital to report. He’s completely unable to hold the South Pass, so I’m getting ready to relocate my entire family to Yunzhou!”
“Yeah, I wonder if Joyful Hotpot will open a branch in Yunzhou…”
A handful of patrons chattered amongst themselves.
With news that the South Pass was on the verge of collapse, a subtle breeze of anxiety reached even the Eastern Wilderness, making it impossible for the common folk to ignore the impending doom.
“Have you all made up your minds yet?”
Mei Yun rose and greeted Xue Jing as he sauntered down from the warship.
“Yeah, we plan to head to the South Border. Even if there’s a tiny chance, we have to rescue those two little brats—alive or dead, we need to see them!”
Xue Jing said with a serious expression.
This was the resolution the elders had silently deliberated on.
Mei Yun was a bit taken aback but fell silent, as though recalling what those two had risked back in the day. She found it somewhat relatable.
If Chu Long knew life or d*ath, she too would act the same way.
“Where’s Little Jiang?” Xue Jing asked.
“She’s still sleeping.”
Mei Yun noticed that every time Jiang Chulong woke up from her dreams, she seemed to get stronger. Perhaps that mysterious master in her dreams was involved, but Mei Yun was in the dark about the rest.
“She’s such a clueless kid.”
Xue Jing sighed and pulled out a box containing a pill.
“Thanks, you guys… just be careful,” Mei Yun stammered, hesitant to say any more.
This pill was crafted from Dream Cactus and would put the user into a deep sleep. Not only was it harmless, but it also bolstered the Consciousness Soul. Mei Yun had asked Xue Jing to concoct it.
Jiang Chulong had always been reluctant to take it, and out of desperation, Mei Yun had resorted to this underhanded move.
“When she wakes up, she’ll probably blame me and hate me for life, but I still have to give it to her…”
Just as she thought this…
Suddenly, dainty footsteps echoed from behind her; Jiang Chulong bounded over, her face flushed and sparkling, as if she was over the moon. After worrying for so many days, it had been a while since Mei Yun had seen such an expression on her.
“Aunt Mei, Aunt Mei!”
“What’s wrong? Drink some water first.”
Mei Yun maintained an air of calm, slipping the pill discreetly into the water jug.
She poured a cup for Jiang Chulong, who lazily took a couple of sips before her eyes lit up.
“Ke Ge is fine, Qingmu City is fine, and the South Border is totally fine!”
Her excitement rendered her stutter-free for the moment.
Upon hearing this, everyone froze.
Fine? How on earth did she know?
And with the King of South Border absent, how could the South Border possibly be safe?
The battles were still up in the air!
“How do you know that?”
“It was my master who told me.”
Jiang Chulong blinked, yawning as though she were still sleepy.
Oddly enough, wasn’t she just awake? Why was she getting drowsy again…?
“The city has… been defended by Ke Ge…”
She strained to say that last part, her eyelids already starting to droop.
The rest exchanged glances, suspecting that Jiang Chulong hadn’t fully woken up and was merely daydreaming.
Based on what they knew, whether Qingmu City could hold out until they arrived was completely uncertain.
Ke Mo and Ying Bing were exceptional talents, truly rare to witness, but their cultivation levels were still low.
Forget the Observation Realm; even being in the Inner Scene or Outer Scene, they would appear insignificant on the battlefield.
“What else did your teacher say?”
Mei Yun felt a pang of regret; she had rushed into giving Jiang Chulong the Dream Pill.
She knew Jiang Chulong had been training alongside that mysterious master in her dreams each night.
With skills beyond imagination, those words she spoke were likely no mere fluke.
At that very moment…
Xiao Qian came sprinting from a distance, shouting, “The Qianlong List is being released!”
………
Yunzhou.
At the Tavern by Fish-Dragon Lake.
Currently, both inside and outside the tavern were heavily guarded by fearsome personal guards; ordinary people simply couldn’t enter.
Dressed in an ordinary robe, the gray-haired King of South Border stood watching the lively scene by the lake, addressing the figure behind him without turning around.
“Elder Xu, long time no see.”
“South Border is aflame, and yet the King of South Border remains calm. Isn’t it time for you to report to the Imperial Capital?” the White-haired Young Man retorted with dissatisfaction creasing his brows.
“Whether I go to the Imperial Capital is of little importance; the fact that the South Border is in turmoil is what matters,” the King of South Border, Zhong Qin, murmured softly.
Elder Xu squinted his eyes. “Lord Zhong, are you feeling nostalgic for the past and trying to convince us to leave Yunzhou?”
“Persuasion is necessary, but…” Zhong Qin’s tone was neutral, devoid of excitement or sorrow.
“I absolutely detest cryptic people,” Elder Zeng grumbled.
With the imperial family’s indifference, Hengyun Sword City had become a place for the Martial Emperor to study, whereas the Holy Land of Sword Dao was now Tianshan Sword Manor.
At that moment, a guard ascended the tavern steps and clasped his fists.
“Your Highness, Young Lord has just arrived and wishes to see you.”
“Already?”
Zhong Qin raised an eyebrow, then nodded after a moment.
Moments later, the guard led Zhong Zhenyue up. He looked disheveled and fatigued, yet his determined eyes shone through it all.
“Father, don’t you know the situation concerning Qingmu City?”
“…”
Zhong Qin finally turned around. Despite wearing plain clothes, he exuded an aura of authority, making people feel both calm and intimidated.
His son, who had always regarded him as a deity, was now speaking with a hint of incredulity in his voice.
Zhong Qin fell silent for a moment and asked, “Then tell me what you do know.”
“The former Da Shang clan and allied forces from the South Border number at least a hundred thousand. Plus, high-grade disaster beasts were summoned under the orders of the Da Shang state master, Han Zhen, to invade Qingmu City.”
The faces of the two elders from Hengyun Sword City darkened.
The situation in the South Border was far more dire than they had imagined.
Zhong Qin’s eyelid twitched.
He took a deep breath and stated, “I understand, go get some rest for now.”
“Father!”
Zhong Zhenyue stared wide-eyed at the father he had revered as a god.
He wanted to say that Qingmu City still had many comrades and even Uncle Qu, who had been with his father for several decades.
Plus, Young Hero Li was still in the city!
But Zhong Qin had already turned away.
“It’s only a matter of time before Qingmu City falls.”
Elder Xu’s expression fluctuated between uncertainty and anxiety. “Could it be that even Your Majesty intends to give up the South Pass?”
Both sides had nearly equal strength.
However, soldiers at Qingmu City lacked supplies, and morale was dwindling, while the opposing forces were evidently well-prepared and determined to claim victory.
“Young Hero Li and Miss Ying must not still be in the city…” Elder Zeng muttered to himself.
He couldn’t help but check the contents of his pocket for ‘The Overbearing Empress Has Fallen For Me.’
Would he be left with nothing to read?!
Just then—
Boom—
From above Fish-Dragon Lake, the Dragon Gate exuded auspicious colors, lighting up the sky.
The first Qianlong List was about to be announced!
