NOVEL WEB Chapter 122 We don't know each other at all
Chen Pingping's face grew darker and darker. He wanted to explain but had no idea where to start. In the end, he broke free of the pair of friendly hands and walked towards Long Street.
The people in the inn shook their heads and sighed, "It's over!"
Competing for disciples with the Martial God Academy and the Tianxuan Saintess? He's finished, isn't he? What else could it be?
Hmm?
Liu Changqing noticed Chen Pingping emerging and frowned slightly.
The Tianxuan Saintess beside him also saw him, her expression very calm...
Not only that, all the formidable opponents lurking in the shadows fixed their gaze on Chen Pingping as he came out. They all had the same thought: What is he up to?
Chen Pingping walked straight up to Princess Zi Ji and asked, "Are you willing to take my Master as your mentor?"
Zi Ji was startled, probably not expecting this to be the first thing he said.
"My Master's name is Wen Yuqing," Chen Pingping added.
Hearing this, everyone laughed.
Princess Zi Ji had already refused both the Martial God Academy and the Saintess, so would she accept *his* Master as a mentor? Besides, who is he?
However, at that moment, Zi Ji nodded. "I am willing!"
Everyone was shocked.
Liu Changqing was stunned on the spot.
The Tianxuan Saintess couldn't believe it.
She's willing? Princess Zi Ji actually agreed?
The group of people in the inn who had been advising Chen Pingping could no longer smile.
Who is he? Where did he come from? What power stands behind him? Why did Princess Zi Ji agree?
The brief exchange left everyone dumbfounded.
She had turned down the Martial God Academy and the Saintess, yet she readily agreed to this stranger before her.
Interesting!
Liu Changqing regained his composure, the corners of his mouth lifting involuntarily. He sensed something peculiar about Chen Pingping, something deeply hidden, almost imperceptible unless one paid close attention.
An ordinary man? He didn't believe it.
The Tianxuan Saintess no longer lingered and turned to leave.
***
Soon, the news spread. Within days, everyone both inside and outside the Great Zhou Dynasty was astonished. Even the Emperor in the palace found it hard to believe.
The Emperor had only one question: "Who is he?"
No one knew.
Over these past few days, countless investigations had been launched into Chen Pingping's identity and background, but so far, his past was a complete blank.
Only his name was known: Chen Pingping.
Where was he from? Where did he originate? What power backed him?
「At this time!」
In a small courtyard in Luo City, Zhou Huaian, after several days of self-imposed isolation, finally spoke up, "Are you toying with me?"
Princess Zi Ji had set out to slay monstrous beasts when she coincidentally crossed paths with Chen Pingping. Together, they traveled to the small town and were later joined by Guang Xiaoyu. After they entered Luo City, Princess Zi Ji had immediately agreed to become a disciple under Chen Pingping's Master.
He felt like he'd been played; these scoundrels clearly knew each other.
Guang Xiaoyu's smile was radiant. "We really didn't play you!"
"You clearly know each other!" Zhou Huaian retorted indignantly.
"You're wrong, we don't know each other at all," Guang Xiaoyu blinked.
"Impossible!"
"Believe it or not."
Nearby, Chen Pingping was examining Princess Zi Ji's condition. Although her meridians had solidified, allowing her to circulate her Zhou Tian, there was something odd deep within her Dantian.
A pitch-black mist enshrouded the depths.
His powerful Divine Sense couldn't penetrate it. Even when he activated his Hetero Pupil, he could only perceive a hazy fog, as if something lay hidden behind it.
"Hey, you've been examining her for days. Found anything?" Zhou Huaian, not wanting to argue further with Guang Xiaoyu, changed the subject. "In my opinion, the best choice for Princess Zi Ji is to enter a Holy Land. Really..."
He seemed to know something.
Chen Pingping lifted his head. "Why?"
Zhou Huaian shrugged. "Princess Zi Ji is no ordinary person. Her meridians are so vast that circulating her Zhou Tian will require immense resources—things like Spiritual Medicine, Spirit Pills, and even a location with extremely dense Spirit Qi to begin her cultivation. Otherwise, she simply can't take that first step!"
He paused, then continued, "In the entire Central Continent, only three places would allow her to begin cultivating: one is the Martial Divine Snow Academy, another is a Holy Land, and the third is the Great Zhou Dynasty. However... the Emperor won't let her access their Spirit Vein, as it's crucial to the dynasty's lifeline."
Chen Pingping remained silent.
Compared to the black mist in the depths of her Dantian, the capacity of her meridians is a minor issue. Not only that, but I also sense a strange fluctuation within Princess Zi Ji's body... like a seal? Or a curse? This girl indeed has an extraordinary origin; she might even be the reincarnation of some formidable figure. Helping her start cultivating is easy, but... the problems that would likely follow could be significant. Sigh... Master, oh Master! You just had to leave, didn't you? And saddle me with such a monumental problem!
Chen Pingping was frustrated.
Just then, Zi Ji spoke up, "Senior Brother, am I unable to cultivate?"
Chen Pingping shook his head. "No, it's just a bit difficult. I'm trying to find a solution. You don't need to worry."
Zhou Huaian snorted derisively but said nothing.
After a while...
Chen Pingping decided he needed to understand the situation thoroughly first. Otherwise, rashly allowing Zi Ji to begin her cultivation could indeed lead to serious problems.
He asked, "What was the name of the genius from Martial God Academy who appeared on Long Street a few days ago?"
"Liu Changqing!" Zi Ji answered.
"What do you know about him?"
"I've only heard a few things about him. He's said to deeply respect his elders and the teachings, and is very patient with his juniors at the academy," Zi Ji replied.
Zhou Huaian, hearing this conversation, suddenly became more alert. "Chen Pingping, you're not thinking of taking Princess Zi Ji to the Martial God Academy, are you?"
If I understand correctly, Chen Pingping is planning to use the Martial God Academy's resources to help Zi Ji start her cultivation! Has he gone mad?
But that was not the case. Chen Pingping simply wanted to visit Liu Changqing to inquire about the issues within Zi Ji's body.
He had reason to believe that either Liu Changqing or the Tianxuan Saintess knew about this issue. Otherwise, they wouldn't have tried to recruit Princess Zi Ji repeatedly.
***
「Deep within the Martial God Academy!」
An old man was playing chess with Liu Changqing. After about fifteen minutes of an evenly matched game, neither could gain the upper hand, yet both thoroughly enjoyed the contest.
CLICK!
A white piece fell, giving the old man a slight advantage. He smiled. "Young man, being impulsive with robust energy might be a good thing, but you must think thrice before acting, so as to take the most correct path."
"That depends on the matter at hand," Liu Changqing said with a smile. As his black piece landed, the old man's advantage instantly crumbled.
The latter's face tightened as he cursed, "You little brat, I'm your elder. Is this how you treat your seniors?"
Liu Changqing rolled his eyes. "Teacher once said, there's no room for father and son on the battlefield, let alone a mere master-student relationship. This game... the one who ought to win must win."
"Do you think you can win?" the old man suddenly looked up, staring intently at him.
"I think so!"
"Do you believe in the elusive Heavenly Fortune Tao, or in yourself?" the old man asked again.
"Both," Liu Changqing replied seriously. "When I am powerless, I can only believe in Heavenly Fortune Tao."
"This grand event for you young people actually started seven years ago. What Heavenly Fortune Tao says is true or false, nobody knows because there's also something called destiny, which can often be changed," the old man explained. "You still have a chance!"
Yes, from the moment Princess Zi Ji entered the imperial city, this grand event had quietly begun—she was three years old at the time.
Regrettably, nobody could understand the text of Heavenly Fortune Tao until seven years later when a senior deciphered it: Destiny arose because of her, and by her, it could be extinguished.
But what is destiny? And who is "she" in the Heavenly Fortune Tao?
As news about Princess Zi Ji spread, her talents astonished many, inadvertently pulling on the heartstrings of various people.
Including Liu Changqing, and the Tianxuan Saintess.
Is she destiny?
Could obtaining "destiny" lead to the recognition of Heavenly Fortune Tao?