Qin Tiannan looked at Hong Ying and Ye Qiubai.
He could see at a glance that Ye Qiubai's cultivation had reached the Purple Mansion Realm.
But as for Hong Ying, her cultivation was completely unreadable to him!
When he tried to observe, it was like staring into a dense fog.
This made Qin Tiannan secretly alarmed.
He thought to himself,
Where the hell does Chang'sheng find his disciples? They're all such monsters!
Still, Qin Tiannan couldn't really be blamed for this.
With his own cultivation level now, it should be easy to see through any junior's cultivation at a glance.
But Hong Ying was the Empress in her previous life.
How could she not have countless ways to hide her real cultivation?
In fact, when it came to secret methods for concealment, Hong Ying could whip out a hundred of them,
and none would even be the same.
This is the kind of foundation a Great Empress has!
Yet, when it came to Lu Chang'sheng, none of that seemed to matter.
To him, Chang'sheng acted completely indifferent, and every single thing he brought out,
was something she didn't have, or was on a higher level than hers…
This left Hong Ying utterly helpless.
Lu Chang'sheng looked at Qin Tiannan and asked, "Uncle Qin, what's the matter?"
Snapping back, Qin Tiannan smiled, saying, "It's really nothing major."
"If it's nothing major, why bother us? These two still need to cook for me… cultivate!"
Hong Ying: "..."
Ye Qiubai: "..."
They'd bet their lives their master definitely meant to say 'cook' just now!
Qin Tiannan's expression was full of resignation. "Before the Four Regions Ranking Tournament, there's a secret realm trial here in the Southern Region. There are some ancient inheritances inside. It would be good for these two disciples of yours."
Lu Chang'sheng had heard of the Southern Region's secret realm trial before. Stroking his chin, he asked, "Is it the Blood Prison Trial?"
Rumor had it,
the Blood Prison held countless ancient powerhouses within.
In that prison, some died of old age.
Others had their blood essence sucked dry…
That's why, inside the Blood Prison, many great legacies were left behind.
But it's not that easy to nab them…
Qin Tiannan nodded. "The Blood Prison Trial starts tomorrow. The Cottage has two slots, just right for Qiubai and Hong Ying to go. There's a cultivation limit, only Purple Mansion Realm and below are allowed."
Even though Hong Ying had reached the peak of the Water Overflow Realm, she had her own tricks for suppressing her cultivation.
Before Lu Chang'sheng could reply,
Hong Ying instantly said, "I want to go!"
Her gaze was firm!
Lu Chang'sheng glanced at Hong Ying, then nodded, "Alright, you two go. Some real-world experience is good for you."
This was exactly what Ye Qiubai wanted. Right now, he just wanted more chances to interact with strong cultivators outside.
Seeing this,
Qin Tiannan nodded in satisfaction. "Good, be ready. Chang'sheng, you'll take them there tomorrow."
Lu Chang'sheng instantly refused. "I don't know the way."
Qin Tiannan: "..."
So damn lazy!
"Alright, then I'll send an elder to pick you guys up tomorrow!"
With that, Qin Tiannan shot Lu Chang'sheng a helpless glare and turned to leave.
After Qin Tiannan left,
Hong Ying looked at Lu Chang'sheng and asked, "Master, don't you want to know why I want to go?"
Lu Chang'sheng said, surprised, "Why would I ask? If you want to go, I'm sure you have your reasons."
Hong Ying nodded. Her gaze turned distant as she looked toward the horizon, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
"There's one of my old subordinates in the Blood Prison. I want to see for myself."
Hearing this, Lu Chang'sheng stayed silent.
After all, Hong Ying had already experienced nine cycles of reincarnation.
Having subordinates who perished was only natural.
Especially if they ended up in the Blood Prison.
"Go ahead."
Hong Ying bowed to Lu Chang'sheng, then slipped into the cottage alone to cultivate.
Ye Qiubai, seeing the sudden heavy mood, wanted to go cultivate as well, but was stopped by Lu Chang'sheng's words.
"Where do you think you're going? Go cook for your master!"
"…Alright."
Meanwhile,
Chou Family.
"Ye Qiubai will probably join this round of the Blood Prison Trial, right?"
"Go, tell Chou Libei to get ready. Make sure you kill him in the trial!"
"Understood."
Far away in the Sunset Dynasty of the Northern Region,
Pear Garden.
Jiang Chan wore luxurious robes and a coronet atop her head.
Sitting in the courtyard,
when she heard word that Ye Qiubai was still alive, a complicated look flickered in her eyes.
But more than anything, she let out a silent breath of relief.
Just then, the door was pushed open from outside.
Seeing who it was, Jiang Chan's face turned cold and reserved. She stood and offered a polite bow.
"Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince grinned at this, walked over quickly, and helped Jiang Chan up. "No need for so many formalities between us."
"After all, we're about to be married. Why should a husband and wife stand on ceremony?"
Jiang Chan didn't look happy at all—if anything, she seemed sad.
The Crown Prince took all of this in.
He released her arm and said meaningfully, "Ye Qiubai will enter the Blood Prison Trial in the Southern Region."
Jiang Chan couldn't help but look up at him.
The Crown Prince continued, "Last time I failed to get rid of Ye Qiubai, but this time I'll send people to the trial."
Jiang Chan's eyes narrowed slightly and she kept silent.
At a time like this, saying even a single word would only put Ye Qiubai in more danger.
The Crown Prince sighed. "I know you can't let him go, but your future is on the throne—"
"I will never allow Ye Qiubai to keep living in this world. Do you understand?"
He didn't care at all if Jiang Chan's heart was his or not.
In the Sunset Dynasty,
playing the part, putting on an act,
and being forced to marry someone you don't love was par for the course.
The Crown Prince was no different—he just wanted Jiang Chan's person.
As for her heart?
Who cares about that.
With power and with strength,
he could get anything he wanted!
Once the Crown Prince left Pear Garden,
Jiang Chan sighed, gazing up at the sky, where thunderclouds gathered thick and black.
Lightning writhed through the clouds like a great dragon.
"I'm sorry…"
Outside Pear Garden, the Crown Prince didn't look back as a black-clad figure appeared out of nowhere,
dropping to one knee, awaiting his command.
"Go to the Blood Prison Trial. This time, there can't be any mistakes. Kill Ye Qiubai."
"Also, contact Shadow Kill. Have them send their people in too!"
The shadowy figure was taken aback. "Crown Prince, isn't sending our own men enough? Why get Shadow Kill involved?"
Shadow Kill,
the North's most mysterious assassin group.
Supposedly, as long as the price is right, they'd take any job at all.
A bunch of lunatics.
But these lunatics have a mission success rate of 99%—insane odds!
Their only failure was an assassination attempt on the current ruler of the Sunset Dynasty.
Ranked fourth on the Ranking Of The Four Regions!
That time,
Shadow Kill lost half their numbers, and even their boss was badly wounded.
But,
the ruler didn't wipe them out,
but spared them instead.
The condition was,
they must serve the Sunset Dynasty with zero question…
What could be more valuable than a life?
The Lord of Shadow Kill could only agree under duress.
The Crown Prince grinned wickedly. "I don't want any fuckups. I hear Ye Qiubai's talent has returned."
"Even though he's still no threat to me, sometimes you just have to pull the weeds out—roots and all!"