Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!

Zhou Huaian was stunned, as if he had heard the most inconceivable thing. Had Princess Zi Ji spoken to someone? Did Princess Zi Ji want to eat something? And with a stranger, no less! What in the world was happening?

She moved closer, her petite nose sniffing at the roasted meat. Its fragrance was enveloping and refreshing to the senses. She then tilted her head and asked, "It smells so good. How did you do it?"

Zhou Huaian began to question his very existence. In the past, even when facing the Emperor, the ancestors of the Martial God lineage, or even the Tianxuan Saintess, Princess Zi Ji would, at most, utter just one sentence. But now, in front of a stranger, she not only initiated conversation but also spoke a second sentence.

"Spices. Have you heard of them?" Chen Pingping asked with a smile.

"No."

"Then have a taste."

"Okay!" She replied, very docile.

She tore off a tiny piece of meat from the stick and took a small bite. A delicious fragrance immediately wafted from it. Princess Zi Ji's eyes lit up. She picked up the stick and began to heartily devour the meat.

Zhou Huaian was speechless.

Oh my god! He could hardly believe his eyes. Was this really Princess Zi Ji? Where was your aloofness? How did it disappear? When had Princess Zi Ji ever eaten like this? So ungracefully! And to have spoken so much to a stranger! Truth be told, the fragrance was strong, and he was getting a little tempted himself. However, he didn't act rashly. If there was something wrong with the food, he could intervene at the first sign of trouble.

About ten minutes later, the first skewer of meat was finished. Princess Zi Ji wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth and, with lingering satisfaction, asked, "Can I have some more?"

Chen Pingping laughed. "Of course!"

With permission granted, Princess Zi Ji naturally didn't hold back. She grabbed a second skewer and asked while eating, "What's your name?"

"Chen Pingping. And you?"

"Zi Ji."

"Oh."

Zhou Huaian's eyes went wide; he almost drew his sword. Good heavens, Your Highness, you've just revealed your identity like that? Have you considered my feelings at all?

He watched Chen Pingping closely, ready to strike the man down at the slightest provocation. But Chen Pingping remained calm. He showed no emotional fluctuation or surprise at her name. Instead, he was nonchalant and unfazed, simply continuing to roast the meat.

With her mouth full, Princess Zi Ji asked, her words somewhat indistinct, "What kind of meat is this?"

Chen Pingping answered, "Rabbit."

After a long while, Princess Zi Ji had finally satisfied her hunger. She curiously observed Chen Pingping and the small pet behind him—a little black dog, a fluffy creature with soybean-sized eyes that were also watching her.

Zhou Huaian, standing to the side, couldn't help but say, "We should get moving."

"Wait a bit longer!" Princess Zi Ji and Chen Pingping spoke in unison.

Zhou Huaian's eyes widened, a sense of panic creeping in. He felt that something was amiss; there was definitely a problem. Yet, Chen Pingping's behavior didn't seem like that of someone intending to assassinate Princess Zi Ji. So, why was he here?

Zhou Huaian drew his sword directly and asked with a cold sneer, "Who are you?"

Chen Pingping remained silent.

Princess Zi Ji also frowned slightly. Of course, it wasn't because of Zhou Huaian's impoliteness, but because she had sensed the fluctuation of *that* aura. So, wait a little longer. What if they can't find this place?

Unfortunately, her judgment was flawed; it was understandable, as she wasn't adept at such assessments.

Chen Pingping had built a fire and was still roasting meat. Any cultivator approaching would spot it immediately. Consequently, the formidable enemies lurking in the shadows had also seen them. They were closing in, step by step.

Zhou Huaian's expression changed dramatically as he finally detected the fluctuations of the approaching enemies. "Damn it!"

How many people were coming? Twenty? Or thirty? That wasn't important. What mattered was that he hadn't detected them at all before. This indicated one thing: they were also in the Realm of Divine King. And late-stage, at that. Twenty to thirty late-stage Divine Kings... such a force was too overwhelming. With his strength alone, he couldn't possibly protect Princess Zi Ji. Another question arose in his mind. Chen Pingping could detect them due to his strength, but how could Princess Zi Ji also be aware?

There was no time left to think; they were drawing nearer and nearer.

Zhou Huaian took a deep breath, looked at Chen Pingping, and said, "You're not an enemy, are you?"

Chen Pingping shook his head. "Of course not!"

Zhou Huaian then said, "Good. Actually, Zi Ji is a princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Take her and leave this place now. Head towards Luo City. Once you reach Luo City, someone will be there to meet you. At that time, I will report your deeds to my superiors, and the Emperor will surely reward you handsomely."

Oh? Chen Pingping smiled. "A handsome reward, you say? What kind of reward?"

"Kid, I'm being very serious with you. Don't joke around," Zhou Huaian glared at him. "Take the princess and get out of here!"

"Can't leave," Chen Pingping replied, his smile vanishing.

The moment his words fell, a massive cyan Big Bell descended from the sky, exuding a dense Power of Laws.

Zhou Huaian's pupils contracted sharply. He stared intently at the cyan Big Bell and roared, "The King of Pingyang, are you betraying the Great Zhou?"

This was a king from a non-imperial lineage, at the eighth-heaven stage of the Realm of Divine King. This cyan Big Bell was his Divine Weapon, an Imperial-grade artifact!

Zhou Huaian hadn't expected The King of Pingyang to make no attempt at concealment, directly using his Divine Weapon to kill Princess Zi Ji. If word of this got out, regardless of whether Princess Zi Ji survived, the Emperor would be enraged. That would spell the doom of The King of Pingyang. His audacity was astounding! This also indicated one thing: he had come with the unshakeable resolve to kill her.

The King of Pingyang, concealed in the shadows, remained silent.

The Divine King experts behind him soared into the sky in unison. They didn't attack but instead set up a powerful formation, sealing off this deserted mountain area.

Zhou Huaian's breathing grew ragged, his face pale. "Damn it, damn it! I... I can't protect the princess anymore."

Once the foremost prodigy of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he felt utterly helpless now. The enemies were too numerous and too powerful. Moreover, The King of Pingyang had brought an Imperial-grade Divine Weapon. Against such a force, they stood no chance.

He looked at Princess Zi Ji beside him and said, "Your Highness, in a moment, I will unleash everything I have to carve out a path for you. You must take that chance to escape."

Princess Zi Ji remained silent, merely glancing at Chen Pingping. Her thoughts were a mystery.

"Why are you looking at him?" Zhou Huaian said irritably. "Perhaps he's the one who exposed our whereabouts!"

"Or perhaps not?" Chen Pingping looked at him. "Have you ever considered something? The Emperor's plans were so meticulous, yet you encountered formidable enemies on your very first night after leaving the Imperial City. And among them, a king from a non-imperial lineage..."

"No, that's absolutely impossible!" Zhou Huaian retorted loudly. "The Emperor would never betray Princess Zi Ji! He loves her deeply."

"Besides him."

Zhou Huaian was stunned into silence. When they accepted the mission, there had indeed been a third person present: the Shadow standing behind the Emperor. But how could the Shadow betray the Emperor? There was a saying within the Great Zhou Dynasty: the Shadow might betray the Great Zhou, but they would never betray the Emperor.

Zhou Huaian's thoughts were in turmoil. He shook his head, not daring to dwell on it further. He stared at the descending Big Bell and roared, "The King of Pingyang, I will definitely get word of this out! Your doom is at hand!"