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

The refusal was straightforward and only to be expected.

Liu Changqing had no reason to help them, so why should he?

Below, Guang Xiaoyu furrowed her brows tightly. With her former temper, she would have already drawn her sword by now!

"It seems Brother Liu isn't curious," Chen Pingping said with a smile, not feeling embarrassed at all.

"You're wrong. It's not that I'm not curious, but I know that being curious is useless," Liu Changqing replied. "However... I can answer one or two questions for you."

"Such as?"

"What you want to ask." Liu Changqing looked at him. After all, Chen Pingping had answered his own questions.

"You all go out and wait!" Chen Pingping shooed the people behind him out of the courtyard, leaving only himself and Liu Changqing. Then he asked, "What did you see inside Princess Zi Ji's body?"

"A fog, blocking the depths," Liu Changqing said gravely.

"And?"

"That's all." He shook his head, paused, and then added, "There's a problem with her cultivation. If someone tries to guide her onto the path, I fear it might lead to serious trouble."

Chen Pingping was silent, hearing an additional layer of meaning. On the Central Continent, other than the Martial God Academy and the holy lands, he estimated that no one could help Princess Zi Ji.

There was a significant problem inside her body.

Her cultivation was problematic as well.

Before he could speak, Liu Changqing spoke again, "Give it up."

"Thank you, Brother Liu, for resolving my doubts." Chen Pingping stood up, cupped his fist in salute, then turned and left.

He was just as decisive.

Since Liu Changqing was unwilling to help him, then... it was time to seek out the Saintess.

Of course, the help he referred to was not to have Liu Changqing or the Saintess assist Princess Zi Ji in starting her cultivation, but merely to unravel whatever was inside Zi Ji's body.

At least for now, he couldn't see through it.

Unknown.

It was the scenario he least wanted to face.

"How did it go, Senior Brother?" Guang Xiaoyu asked.

"We'll talk about it later." Chen Pingping didn't answer directly.

「Meanwhile, at the academy.」

Several young talents also arrived in the courtyard. They glanced in the direction Chen Pingping had left, then looked toward Liu Changqing. Among them, a young woman asked, "Did he want the Martial God Academy to help Princess Zi Ji begin her cultivation?"

Liu Changqing shook his head. "No, that's not what he's thinking."

"Whatever his thoughts are, since Princess Zi Ji has become his disciple, then... he should be responsible for her. However, I guess he won't be able to help Princess Zi Ji start her cultivation smoothly," the woman sneered contemptuously.

So what if Princess Zi Ji has become your disciple?

What can you give her?

Liu Changqing stayed silent, obviously agreeing with that statement.

It wasn't just him. Many of the Great Zhou Dynasty's powerful forces thought the same, including the Tianxuan Saintess.

Upon learning that Chen Pingping had visited Liu Changqing, she wasn't surprised. On the contrary, she was very calm and remarked, "Princess Zi Ji beginning her cultivation is a significant undertaking. Her meridians are too large, her Dantian vast and boundless, and with the things hidden inside her, no one knows what might happen if she starts cultivating. Moreover, on the Central Continent, only the holy lands and the martial academies can bear the resources needed for Zi Ji's cultivation. He... can't do it."

"What if Chen Pingping comes to seek help from you, Miss?" a handmaiden asked, hesitating.

"I won't see him," the Saintess declared. "Since Princess Zi Ji has made her choice, then... she must pay the price for that choice."

It wasn't that the Saintess was heartless. The matter was simply none of her business.

「Several days later.」

As expected, Chen Pingping came looking for her, only to be stopped at the door by the handmaiden, who said, "Miss is in seclusion."

"Oh?" Chen Pingping smiled. "When will she come out of seclusion?"

The handmaiden shook her head. "We still don't know. Young Master, please go back!"

In the bustling city, the noise was unrestrained. Even a minor cultivator of the Breaking Sun Realm would not choose to enter seclusion here.

The words of this young handmaiden were obviously false.

So it seemed the Saintess had chosen not to see him.

「Several more days passed...」

The news that Chen Pingping had visited Liu Changqing and the Saintess spread throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty, stirring discussions among the major powers.

The five Princes smiled, but despite this, their intent to kill remained.

At this time, news of a great tomb being opened reached them. Guang Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment before deciding to go alone in search of fortune.

Chen Pingping did not stop her, instructing, "Take Hei with you! Leave Lao Huang for your junior sister."

Guang Xiaoyu nodded, knowing she needed more protection, and said, "Okay!"

Zhou Huaian, who was standing aside, hesitated for a long time and then spoke, "My task is complete. I am going back." Glancing at Princess Zi Ji, he added, "If the wind outside is too harsh, then go back. At least no one dares to lay a hand on you within the depths of the palace."

Zi Ji nodded. "I understand."

「The skies of November.」

The autumn wind had ceased, and the withered leaves had long since fallen. Now, a bitter cold wind blew unrestrained. Soon after, a heavy snowfall began, continuous, unknowingly blanketing countless buildings in white.

Chen Pingping led her into a small town. Lao Huang followed behind, occasionally growling softly. Mao Qiu still hung on his shoulder, and only the Earth Chicken remained silent as it followed.

Winter had arrived!

The weather was very cold. Passersby were bundled up in thick, cotton-padded jackets, looking like plump dumplings, their breath misting as they spoke.

"Are you cold?" Chen Pingping looked back at her.

"Not cold!" She shook her head.

Indeed, protected by Lao Huang's aura, she did not feel the cold.

After entering the small town, Chen Pingping went to a noodle shop and ordered two bowls of noodles, eating while watching the heavy snow outside.

"That year, there was also a heavy snowfall," Zi Ji suddenly said.

"Hmm?" Chen Pingping heard her, his brow furrowing immediately. "What are you talking about?"

Zi Ji shook her head, saying no more.

"About three hundred li south of here lies Holy Light City. It is rumored... that in this ancient city lies a rare Spiritual Milk Jade, formed from a massive gathering of Spirit Qi. If you can obtain it, you will be able to commence the Zhou Tian circulation in your cultivation. That is the first step," Chen Pingping told her.

"I'll listen to Senior Brother," she replied obediently.

But this journey is also very dangerous, Chen Pingping thought.

Holy Light City, like Luo City, was on the border of Great Zhou. The only difference was that Luo City was controlled by the Lin Family, a cultivator family, while Holy Light City was under the rule of Prince Qi.

「...」

「Within the Deep Palace.」

Upon receiving the news, the Emperor erupted in rage. "Nonsense, utter nonsense! Who is it? Chen Pingping, is it? He has quite the nerve! To not only take away my princess but also to bring her to Holy Light City?"

The Shadow behind him said, "The princess has wide meridians and a vast Dantian. To begin Zhou Tian circulation and step into cultivation, she likely needs a massive amount of Spirit Qi to support it. Chen Pingping must have heard about the Spiritual Milk Jade in Holy Light City. However, this jade has been missing for hundreds of years and has always been merely a rumor among the people."

Whether it even exists is uncertain.

Chen Pingping's actions are truly too dangerous.

The Emperor's face grew stern. "Go at once and bring the princess back!"

The Shadow said, "If I were to leave, what about the Imperial Harem?" His existence was significant, serving to protect the Emperor and deter the Imperial Harem.

If the Shadow were to leave the Imperial City, those rebels might immediately emerge. By then, internal strife within the Great Zhou Dynasty could very well begin right from the Imperial City.

The Emperor's breath hitched, his hands clenching tightly beneath his sleeves.