"Master, it seems there's a fight ahead."
Lin Bai used his divine sense to investigate and discovered that many people were engaged in a fierce battle ahead.
"It's none of our business. We don't offend others unless they offend us."
"Let's go."
However, this ancient road was the only way, so they continued along it.
...
"Haha, Qin Ruoxue, you have nowhere to escape!"
"hand over the secret key to us, and perhaps I'll consider leaving you with a whole corpse."
"Of course, if this general could have a bit more fun, that would be even better... My Empress."
"Hahaha."
The general lecherously stared at one of the women.
"General, someone's coming."
A soldier, who had scouted ahead, hurriedly reported to the leading general.
"How boring. Go see who it is."
On the ancient road, fifty-odd soldiers on horseback were besieging two women.
"You rebellious traitor, don't even think about getting the secret key."
"Even if I, Qin Ruoxue, die, I won't let you have it."
"Your Majesty, I'll cover you, you escape quickly!"
At this moment, Feng Qingyang and Lin Bai also walked towards them.
"You guys continue, we're just passing by."
"Halt! Did you two hear something?"
The leading general called out to Feng Qingyang and Lin Bai, who were about to leave.
The ancient saint's secret realm was about to open, and possessing the secret key meant a share of the spoils. At this crucial moment, it was better to kill by mistake than to let one go.
"My master said we're just passing by. Can't you hear?"
"Bold! How dare you speak to the general like that!"
The two women being besieged saw that the arrival of these two men had attracted the soldiers' attention, and they felt an opportunity had come.
"Your Majesty, hurry and leave!"
After saying that, the woman forcefully pushed Qin Ruoxue.
Then, with a loud boom, she self-detonated. The shockwave from the self-detonation overturned the soldiers surrounding them, perishing together with the enemy!
"Shuang'er!"
Not having time for grief, Qin Ruoxue turned and fled.
"Damn it!"
The general didn't bother with Feng Qingyang and Lin Bai and turned to chase after Qin Ruoxue.
"These people are out of their minds. We already said it's none of our business, yet they insist on seeking death."
"Let's go."
Feng Qingyang and Lin Bai continued on their way, about to leave the border of the Great Zhou.
Who knew that the woman being chased would turn back.
Qin Ruoxue, injured and knowing she couldn't run far, turned back and caught up with the two men ahead.
"Young master, please save me!"
Qin Ruoxue pleaded.
Feng Qingyang sized up the woman chasing them. He hadn't looked closely from a distance, but up close, this woman's beauty could be described as enough to make fish sink and geese fall, the moon hide its face and flowers blush in shame. There was also a hint of heroism between her brows.
However, due to being chased for many days, she was covered in dust and grime, spoiling this beauty. Her clothes, slashed by swords, revealed large patches of snow-white skin.
Just a beauty that would turn to bone eventually, Feng Qingyang remained unmoved.
"Why should I save you?"
"Or rather, why should I save you? Just because you're good-looking?"
Feng Qingyang used his system to check and found that this woman's identity was quite interesting.
Name: Qin Ruoxue
Title: Empress of Great Zhou
Cultivation Realm: Peak Spirit Transformation
Status Report:
Traitorous officials spread false news, accusing the Empress of executing ten loyal ministers with a decade of merit. The resulting unrest threw the dynasty into chaos. Rebellious traitors overthrew the Empress and declared themselves emperors.
"Young master, this is the secret key to open the ancient saint's secret realm. Now that I'm alone, keeping this item is useless. I'll give it to you."
Qin Ruoxue took out an item from her bosom and handed it to Feng Qingyang.
Feng Qingyang took the secret key from Qin Ruoxue's hand, casually playing with it.
"Oh? Ancient saint's secret realm?"
"Yes, young master. With this secret key, you can enter the ancient saint's secret realm. There are a large number of resources, fortuitous encounters, and inheritances within."
"Three days later, the ancient saint's secret realm will open in the Qilin Dynasty. At that time, you can enter with the secret key in your possession."
"I couldn't care less!"
What attraction did a saint's inheritance have? In less than three years, everyone in his Azure Cloud Sect would be a Great Emperor. However, the resources within could be considered for plunder... no, for fair competition.
["Ding, as the future number one divine sect in the heavens, a lack of disciples won't do. Releasing a mission to recruit a genius disciple. Completing the mission will grant a huge reward."]
["Detected that a genius disciple will appear in the Qilin Dynasty in three days. Please go there as soon as possible, host."]
Only then did Feng Qingyang's eyes light up. The system hadn't issued a mission for several days, he had really missed it to death—don't misunderstand, he just missed the rewards the system gave.
"It's in the Qilin Dynasty? Could it be that he's going to enter the secret realm? It just so happens that we got the secret key. This is fate!"
Qin Ruoxue, on the other side, heard Feng Qingyang say he was completely uninterested.
She had already begun to despair. The dignified Empress had reached a dead end.
Feng Qingyang saw that this Empress was so sincerely asking for his help and even offered a treasure, almost kneeling before him.
A great man knows when to yield and when to stand tall, and a small woman knows when to open and when to close. This Empress was capable of great things.
"However, considering your sincerity, it wouldn't hurt to save your life."
"But, you have to..."
Before Feng Qingyang could finish speaking, Qin Ruoxue eagerly agreed, "No need to consider! I'm willing, young master."
As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood.
No matter what she had to do, preserving her life was the most important thing. Let alone serving tea and pouring water, even warming his bed and sleeping with him, what did it matter?
Qin Ruoxue in dire straits desperately grasped this only hope.
"In that case, you can follow this seat back to the sect."
He could also choose not to help, take the secret key, and leave, but what difference would that be from playing around and not paying? If you accept the cause, you must accept the effect.
Lin Bai didn't say a word by the side, nor did his eyes wander. He had already reached the state of "when the heart has no woman, drawing the sword is naturally divine."
He just wanted to recite a poem.
"I returned home in high spirits, only to be met with bitter news.
With a single move, the Wang and Bai clans were wiped out.
The Nian family, with cold eyes, came to break the engagement.
So I drew my sword—my first cut was through the feelings in my heart."
...
"Thank you, young master, for saving my life."
"Young master, my name is Qin Ruoxue. You can just call me Ruoxue."
She didn't reveal her identity as the Great Zhou Empress. The Great Zhou no longer existed, so where would an Empress come from? She would have to wait until she could rise again in the future.
At this moment, the sound of neat horse hooves came from behind.
"Qin Ruoxue, where do you think you're going?"
"These guys are indeed in cahoots! Kill them without mercy!"
The leading general was furious when he saw Qin Ruoxue with the two men from before.
First, they sent people to distract him, and then they used a feigned retreat. This Empress had such deep schemes!
Xing Daorong, the Great Zhou's First General, almost fell for it!