NOVEL WEB Chapter 166 Keep Going, Don't Look Back
So strong!
Zi Ji's heart trembled. Is this the Chu Clan?
She activated her Qi Refinement, layers of energy fields wrapping around her. But the Phoenix's slaughter was just too potent; even before it swooped down, its astonishing killing intention penetrated her Qi Refinement.
Although she held an Imperial Divine Weapon, she couldn't fully awaken it because she was a Qi Refiner.
MOO!
Just then, a familiar cry reached her ears.
Zi Ji looked up, delighted, and called out, "Lao Huang!"
It was the same as ever. Its size was almost unchanged, its color too, but the life force within it was even more vigorous, its eyes bright and spirited.
The formidable enemies lurking in the shadows also had their expressions change upon seeing Lao Huang appear. Lao Huang itself wasn't special, but the person behind it could not be disregarded.
Has Chen Pingping returned after two years? Is he still alive?
BANG!
Just as the Phoenix was about to pounce on Zi Ji, Lao Huang stomped its foot. A majestic Power Path extended from the ground like a sword thrusting forth.
The Phoenix's killing intention shattered, its phantom form breaking into pieces.
This Power Path was as heavy as Mount Tai, containing immense force. It collapsed the ground with a thunderous roar, revealing a long, deep ravine that continued to extend.
SPURT!
The Power Path pierced through the Empress's body, flinging her into the air. She crashed heavily onto Long Street.
The crowd was dumbfounded. In the past, they only knew of Chen Pingping's strength and that he had a senior backing him, carrying Sacred Soldiers. Nobody had paid attention to this Lao Huang.
On the surface, it seemed too ordinary: a bit larger than an average ox, its fur a bit shinier, its eyes spirited. Hmm... at a glance, it really did seem to possess a remarkable spirit.
Could it be an Ancient Demon Beast?
(A note on beast classifications: Fierce Beasts, Demon Beasts, Ancient Ferocious Beasts, Ancient Demon Beasts, and Spiritual Beasts. The later differentiation of Spiritual Beast ranks is not yet relevant.)
"Lao Huang, where is Senior Brother? Is Senior Sister here?" Zi Ji asked excitedly.
After waiting for two years, there was finally news of her Senior Brother and Senior Sister.
"Keep walking. Don't look back," Guang Xiaoyu, hidden in the darkness, transmitted her voice.
Yes! Zi Ji smiled.
「Not far away!」
The Empress crawled out of the pit. Covered in mud, her face, long hair, and phoenix robe made her look like a goddess who had fallen among commoners.
With a ferocious expression, she shrieked, "Damn it! You lowly creature, go! Kill her for me!"
She didn't know how many years she had prepared and waited for this day: to kill Princess Zi Ji, then instigate a rebellion to destroy the entire Great Zhou and restore the old era.
She couldn't allow herself to fail, especially at such a critical moment. Zi Ji must die.
The Empress forcefully suppressed her internal injuries, channeled energy into her phoenix robe, and once again summoned the Phoenix.
At this time, powerful figures emerged from all directions, densely packed, instantly surrounding the area and sealing off any escape.
Zi Ji's face turned ashen.
But once Lao Huang came to her side, the unease in her heart gradually dissipated. She took a deep breath and looked ahead, her mind only recalling her Senior Sister's words: "Keep walking. Don't look back."
Once upon a time, my Senior Brother said the same thing. After we left Luo God Mountain, Chen Pingping's internal injuries erupted, and he later fainted... Don't be afraid! Keep walking, don't look back. We will be okay.
Zi Ji lowered her eyelids, one hand holding Lao Huang, the other gripping the Imperial Divine Weapon tightly, ready to activate the Yuan World within her at any moment.
One woman and one ox, pressing onward!
Behind them, the Empress's voice, hoarse and strained, roared with all her might, "Kill! Kill for Her Majesty!"
The city gates were only a few hundred meters away—not far. But in Princess Zi Ji's eyes, these few hundred meters seemed like an unbearably long stairway to heaven.
She felt a little anxious, even though she knew Guang Xiaoyu was also here. There were too many powerful enemies. If I die, then so be it! But I don't want to drag Senior Sister down with me.
BANG!
Several soldiers wielding large sabers chopped their way towards them, their cold light shining, only to dim in an instant. Lao Huang blocked them.
It raised its head, looking disdainfully at the incoming enemies. Dozens of powerful figures attacked together. Their strength was formidable, their realms high, and their combined combat power was more than enough to slaughter Princess Zi Ji.
But with Lao Huang here, how could it allow them to succeed?
Opening its mouth, it spat out a stream of Sword Qi that rapidly enlarged, becoming as thick as a mountain and sweeping forward. All the powerful warriors who attacked faced calamity, screaming in agony, severely wounded before they even had a chance to react.
HUM!
Another stream of Sword Qi emerged. Its cold light illuminated the heavens and pierced the earth, the power within it seeming to tear the Void apart as Dharma Principles swirled and overwhelmed the battlefield.
Its dark pupils turned crimson, as if it were no longer a Spiritual Beast but a terrifying Ancient Demon Beast. This lasted for only a few breaths.
By the time Lao Huang recovered, piles of bones lay at its feet and blood flowed like rivers. Princess Zi Ji gaped in disbelief.
I knew Lao Huang was extraordinary, but I never imagined it was *this* powerful!
It wasn't just her; all the cultivators witnessing the battle were as silent as cicadas in winter, realizing only then what sort of being they had provoked.
Who exactly is this Chen Pingping, whose ox, Lao Huang, can casually slay those in the Realm of Divine King?
With a stomp of its foot, it had crushed the Phoenix. Sword Qi had burst from its mouth, and within a few breaths, all the powerful enemies were slain. From a distance, the place where it stood looked like a human hell.
The Empress froze. Many Princes gasped in shock. Young talents who had been preparing to strike for the Yuan World abandoned the thought in that instant.
In the blink of an eye, the woman and the ox had walked out of the city gates. No one behind them dared to make a move.
But secretly, assassins from Chong Tower still lurked. Guang Xiaoyu didn't know how many had come but guessed there would be no fewer than three.
This kind of assassin is troublesome even if there's only one. You can't guess their position; you can only wait for them to make a move. But... once an assassin strikes, it means the end.
Therefore, Guang Xiaoyu needed to be fully vigilant, ready to strike and kill the moment she sensed any fluctuation in their aura.
BANG!
The Void rippled, and a glint of sword light stabbed out.
They're here! An assassin from Chong Tower!
All the powerful figures inside the Imperial City sensed that terrifying killing intention and rushed out swiftly.
Two years prior, Chong Tower had accepted the contract to assassinate Princess Zi Ji. Although it was unknown who had issued it, Chong Tower's rules were clear: once they accepted a mission, they would not allow themselves to fail. No matter the cost or how long it took, they would keep targeting their victim until the target was completely dead!
The sword light had not yet arrived, but an astonishing killing intention enveloped them, imprisoning the heavens and earth. It pressed down on Princess Zi Ji entirely, even momentarily suppressing Lao Huang's aura.
To the left! Guang Xiaoyu's eyes widened as she transmitted her voice, "Don't move."
This strike is just a probe. I've pinpointed the source of the killing intention but can't discern the assassin's exact position. Moreover... that glint of sword light is very faint. There's also the fact that the sword light is aimed where Zi Ji would take her next step. As long as she stops in time, she can evade this.
Princess Zi Ji reacted quickly, stopping her steps immediately upon receiving her Senior Sister's voice transmission.