Su Ming followed the girl calmly and walked behind her. She led Su Ming to the inner disciples' quarters of the sect. The girl stopped at a room, bowed respectfully, then gestured inside and said, "The lady is waiting for you inside."
Su Ming hesitated for a moment, examining the place, then slowly stepped inside.
There was a girl with long black hair, wearing the sect's formal blue attire.
Su Ming froze for a few seconds, then uttered hesitantly, "Jiang Ruoyan..."
The girl smiled and nodded lightly. "It's been a long time, Su Ming."
Meanwhile, outside, Zhang Yong was quietly observing, holding a jade slip. A voice came from it: "Zhang Yong, what's the situation on your end?" It was Wang Fei's voice.
Zhang Yong replied immediately, "He's inside. I can see them talking, but I can't hear them."
Qing Feng's voice chimed in as well, "Do you see the Princess? How does she look?"
Wang Fei scolded from the other side,"Qing Feng, stop it. Now is not the time for this."
Zhang Yong sighed;these two never get tired. His gaze returned downwards. As Zhang Yong watched from afar, he saw Su Ming and Jiang Ruoyan coming out of the room together. The atmosphere between them seemed calm, but he couldn't discern what had been said. He raised the jade slip again and whispered, "They've come out. The conversation didn't seem long."
Wang Fei replied seriously from the other end, "Keep observing. Find a way to hear what they're saying. If Xiao Ming says something wrong, it will be over."
Qing Feng interjected with a mocking tone,"No need to exaggerate. It's impossible for Su Ming to mess things up, right?"
Zhang Yong ignored his comment and looked down intently,where Su Ming was walking beside Jiang Ruoyan. He noticed Su Ming's steps were somewhat tense, while Jiang Ruoyan looked calm, walking with steady steps and a smile on her face.
Zhang Yong looked on and sneered, "Ah... we've lost one , Su Ming is done for." He immediately jumped down and began to approach closer to listen.
Su Ming was walking slowly beside Jiang Ruoyan. Jiang Ruoyan suddenly stopped and turned to him, "Actually, Su Ming, I was surprised to see you at the Alchemy Competition."
Su Ming scratched the back of his head quietly,"Ah, sorry, I wasn't sure about meeting you that day."
Zhang Yong facepalmed as he listened to his action."Who says something like that? Su Ming, you're a failure. I'm starting to feel like an idiot for agreeing to this."
Wang Fei replied via the jade slip,"Nothing can be done about it now, right? Let's just hope he doesn't do anything wrong."
Jiang Ruoyan chuckled lightly,"It was actually pretty interesting when i watched , your honor the Heavenly Alchemy Child."
Su Ming felt embarrassed,remembering the alchemy competition. "Don't call me that, I don't deserve it."
Jiang Ruoyan smiled tenderly."Is that what you think? Is that why you tried to reject the title back then? Actually, I would have been surprised if you accepted it. But when you refused, I was happy to know you're still the same person I know."
Zhang Yong was surprised when she said that."Damn, she's really smooth-tongued. I can see Su Ming's face changing colors from here."
Su Ming,whose face was already red, received a mental message from Zhang Yong: 'Calm down, Su Ming. Focus and don't mess things up. Repeat after me.'
Su Ming swallowed his saliva and said quietly,"Even after all these years, you still care about those around you."
Su Ming cursed internally,'Damn it, Zhang Yong! What does saying this mean!'
After a moment of silence,Jiang Ruoyan stared in surprise, and her face also turned red. "O-of course, after all... Uh, wh-what happened to you all these years? News of you cut off after you suddenly disappeared."
Su Ming had never seen Jiang Ruoyan blush before.He coughed lightly, "Some things happened."
Then Su Ming began to recount his story:from his departure to meeting his master and training, to meeting Zhang Yong, how they fought together, mocked each other, helped each other, became brothers, about the Alchemy Competition and everything that happened with them.
Time passed as they talked, until night had already fallen. The two were sitting quietly on the edge of a cliff at the sect under the moonlight.
When Su Ming finished his tale, Jiang Ruoyan chuckled lightly, "Seems your life has been somewhat exciting."
Su Ming replied with a calm smile;almost all his previous tension had disappeared. "Yeah, somewhat. And what about you? What happened all these years?"
Jiang Ruoyan leaned on her hand and sighed with annoyance,"You know, after you disappeared, I remained confined in the palace, and I also started training. And I had to attend some events as the Princess."
Su Ming chuckled lightly,"Heh, at least your life was peaceful. For me, I stepped into many situations where I was almost dead. My perspective hasn't changed since we were kids."
Jiang Ruoyan's expression changed,and she began to show concern. "So you still wish to reach the pinnacle of martial arts?"
Su Ming took a deep breath,pulled into the past. "Actually, I realized this long ago. The path to the pinnacle will take time, and I might die halfway."
Upon hearing his words,Zhang Yong facepalmed behind the trees even more. "That idiot! You shouldn't mention your death in front of your fiancée! It's a damn red Flag!"
Nevertheless,Su Ming continued his speech, his face slowly turning red. "Even if I reach the pinnacle, I'll be alone. So... I want... to walk this path with you! Side by side."
Jiang Ruoyan and Zhang Yong's expressions changed after hearing his last words.Her face turned slightly red, but behind it was immense happiness. "If you truly mean what you say... I will support you all the way, until you achieve what you want."
This reply was a reassurance to Su Ming,who felt the burden of tension he had been carrying begin to fade gradually.
As the two fell into quietness, they stared at the moon quietly before Jiang Ruoyan leaned her head on Su Ming's shoulder. "But promise me, no matter the situation, don't risk your life. If possible, I want to die before you."
Zhang Yong felt a bolt of lightning pass through his mind.Those words! Immediately, he felt as if his heart had slowly sunk in its place. A feeling slowly shook his heart as he stared at the ground. 'If... I had accepted her feelings earlier, would she still be alive?'
Zhang Yong looked at them from behind and saw a phantom of himself in that place.Then he turned and sighed with a smile. In his hand, he held a hairpin shaped like a flower. He gripped it gently and stared at the sky. 'You're already gone, but my heart can't replace you. But don't worry... Su Ming... no matter what happens, I won't let you die.'
A strange feeling ran through him. Was it all that sadness? Or was it anger? Was it regret? Or emotion?
He himself didn't know the reason.
He got up from his spot and decided to leave the two alone. He stood quietly and accidentally stepped on a branch.
Immediately,he felt eyes watching him from the side.
He turned towards his right,and five pairs of eyes glowed in the darkness.
"Oh,crap."
Involuntarily,Zhang Yong jumped high from the spot, and shadows followed him from their place.
"How dare you trespass into our sect!"
Zhang Yong rushed quickly through the air,speeding towards the sect's boundary.
Those shadows were a group of sect members from their appearance.
Their steps seemed fast and organized,while Zhang Yong was practically flying in the air.
Immediately,a figure rose into the sky—a girl in the sect's official robe waved her hand, and an ice blade shot towards Zhang Yong at high speed.
Zhang Yong extended his palms and clapped them together,catching the sword that was about to pierce his chest.
'All I did was watch.How did this happen?' Zhang Yong cursed internally and began to descend until he landed in the inner courtyard of the sect.
Due to the sound of the impact, a number of sect disciples quickly gathered in the inner disciples' courtyard.
As Zhang Yong stood in the middle of the courtyard,he looked around. "Ah, really? I'm just a guest in the sect."
The girl who launched the blade rushed towards the courtyard,surrounded by three other female disciples wearing the sect's official attire.
The group stood staring at Zhang Yong.He had no escape now that the disciples had gathered around him. The girl snorted quietly, "Hmph, what kind of guest hides and spies on sect disciples in such a manner?"
"Ah,"Zhang Yong looked hesitantly. 'She's right, but she doesn't seem like she'll stop. And if I try to move, I'll make things worse and confirm that I'm a stranger.'
Zhang Yong couldn't resist the absurdity of the situation and sighed."Fine, it's my fault. I'll apologize properly, so let me—"
"Nonsense!"The girl moved her hand, and a cold chill exploded throughout the area.
Ice flakes formed in the surroundings and immediately condensed into ice crystals behind her.With one command, seven shards shot towards Zhang Yong.
Zhang Yong frowned and sighed.'A killing-intent attack. This little girl isn't joking.'
Zhang Yong stepped forward,and the crystals hit his body forcefully but shattered immediately upon impact.
"What?"The girl's gaze widened clearly. She didn't even feel any spiritual energy flow coming from Zhang Yong's body, yet he was still able to repel her attack.
"Sister Chu Yuchan,this man isn't simple. Second Formation!" requested a girl standing beside Chu Yuchan.
The rest nodded,and three of them rushed towards Zhang Yong while Chu Yuchan remained in the back.
Zhang Yong stood and let out a cold breath.He possessed the Ice and Fire Constitution, just like Tang San. He had high resistance to ice and fire; they couldn't affect him.
If it weren't for Bing Wang possessing the Ice Law Body,could he even harm Zhang Yong? I'm afraid he wouldn't even stand against him.
Immediately,ice crystals gathered around Chu Yuchan and condensed into deep blue lotus shapes, beginning to rotate slowly.
North Star Record - Star Ice Lotus.
The lotus flew directly towards Zhang Yong while two girls attacked from the right and left sides,each holding a whip.
The two girls moved their arms,and the whips were covered in flames, transforming into two giant fire snakes with heads three meters wide, soaring towards Zhang Yong.
The fourth girl was holding a sword and had already reached behind Zhang Yong.Electric sparks formed around the sword, shaping into a lightning tiger pouncing forcefully.
Zhang Yong looked at them but didn't move quickly.He immediately activated his Heavenly Eyes and stared at them all from all directions.
Their movements were extremely slow.
The next thing to do was figure out how to get out of his situation.Currently, the situation was as if time had stopped, but only Zhang Yong's sight and mind were fast.
If his body wasn't fast enough to break through the barrier of existence itself,he couldn't appear as if he could stop time itself.
But currently,he only had ten seconds before his mental energy ran out and he got into trouble.
He took a deep breath and chose the best option.He rushed forward and forcefully took the lotus attack with his body. Dust exploded in an instant.
Zhang Yong emerged from the midst of the blue dust cloud and continued rushing towards Chu Yuchan.
Based on his experience,eliminating the rear support was the most logical solution in any battle.
Ice crystals gathered and shot rapidly towards Zhang Yong.
"Beast Instinct."
Zhang Yong moved his hands quickly,grabbed the first crystal, and used it to strike the other pieces at high speed, finally shattering it along with the ground.
Chu Yuchan raised her hand and launched a large ice wave towards Zhang Yong.
Zhang Yong extended his hand,and immediately his hand was covered in the Great Sun Flame, cutting through the wave and splitting it in two.
Zhang Yong looked down;his feet were completely frozen to the floor.
"While you were busy rushing,your movements were restricted," Chu Yuchan snorted coldly.
The three from behind rushed and attacked Zhang Yong again.
Zhang Yong raised his fists and shattered the ice covering him,completely blasting it away.
He pressed his foot on the ground,and in an instant, he turned into a black shadow soaring and appeared behind Chu Yuchan. He extended his fingers and struck Chu Yuchan's neck, knocking her unconscious.
"It's better if I refrain from killing you.Damn, it's easy to kill but hard to capture you."
The Great Sun Flame erupted and repelled the three's attacks towards him.Zhang Yong waved his hand, and a scorching wave surged, pushing the three away.
"This man is really dangerous!"
"Maintain the formation!We can't let him leave!"
"But Sister Yuchan..."
In an instant,an overwhelming aura appeared behind the three—a scorching, incomparable energy that made them stand in place.
"What's happening here?"A deep female voice came from behind.
Zhang Yong could only stare in astonishment.The newcomer released relatively powerful pressure and didn't even try to hide it.
And this pressure was scorching—intense flames.He immediately felt a stir in his Great Sun Flame.
Immediately,a figure appeared among the crowd—or rather, the crowd parted to let her pass.
'What is this?Is it one of the elders?'
Zhang Yong's gaze focused on the approaching person.To his shock, unlike the energy she emitted, she had a very delicate body.
Her long hair had reddish hues,and her eyes were colored deep red. But her gaze was sharp and fierce, more like a tiger or lion, though she had well-formed facial features, making her beautiful.
The woman stared at Zhang Yong calmly for a moment.
"Elder Sister!This man is spying on the female disciples in the sect!" reported one of the girls who had been fighting Zhang Yong.
"Oh,is that so? I admit you have the determination and courage to come to our sect. But—" In the next moment, she raised her hand high and grabbed a hilt.
Lightly,a large, heavy sword appeared, and her hand immediately dropped downward. The sword's edge pierced the ground loudly. A scorching force and a domineering aura spread with a light dust cloud.
"Today,you won't leave this place!" the girl declared decisively.
Zhang Yong felt there was something off about her manner,so in anticipation, he activated the Eye of Consciousness.
(Name: Long Yuliang
Age:16
Level:49 [At the 9th Layer of the Guru's Realm]
Favorability:1 [Intruder]
Body:Fire Law Body)
Zhang Yong breathed in cold air. This girl was the same age as him and surpassed Su Ming's level?! Moreover, a Fire Law Body, and a familiar name—one of the Five Empire Beauties, Long Yuliang.
Immediately,Long Yuliang released a blazing aura that covered her body. She was determined to fight.
Zhang Yong smiled bitterly.Even if he spoke, she wouldn't listen. And if he didn't exert effort, he would be the one getting hurt.
He immediately swung his hand and drew his sword from its sheath.
Long Yuliang pressed the ground under her foot,and with a fiery explosion, she rushed towards Zhang Yong.
Zhang Yong pressed his feet against the ground and rushed towards her likewise.
At the moment of collision,the blazing aura from Long Yuliang's sword exploded. Zhang Yong felt the heat penetrating his skin from this distance.
Zhang Yong pushed forcefully,pushing her sword high, and quickly turned, kicking powerfully.
However,Long Yuliang pulled her sword back, causing Zhang Yong to strike her sword forcefully, and her body retreated a few small steps.
The particularly heavy sword was specialized in defense,though it was naturally difficult to swing heavily.
Long Yuliang held her heavy sword horizontally in front of her,shattered the ground, and struck towards Zhang Yong.
Without a hint of restraint,her explosive aura rose for complete suppression.
Zhang Yong jumped back,avoiding the attack as her sword struck the ground, shattering it under the pressure.
She lifted her sword again and recklessly pursued Zhang Yong,beginning to swing consecutively behind him.
Zhang Yong continued retreating backward.He didn't want to hurt her. If it were about killing this girl, it would be too simple.
Long Yuliang raised her sword,and immediately flames coiled around her sword powerfully. She swung it forcefully, launching a blade rushing towards Zhang Yong.
Zhang Yong,without mercy, released a deathly Qi aura and immediately cut through her attack.
An explosive aura surged around Long Yuliang's body,and the surroundings ignited intensely. The flame exploded directly towards him in the form of a fire dragon.
"You must be joking."
Zhang Yong condensed the deathly aura for defense around his body,held his sword firmly, and forcefully blocked the attack. The skin on his hand began to burn slowly under the pressure of the fire.
Zhang Yong raised his foot and kicked the girl forcefully in the stomach,sending her flying into the air.
Without any delay,the girl threw her sword towards Zhang Yong without hesitation.
Zhang Yong moved his sword from below upward and immediately nullified her sword's attack.
The girl swung her arm and launched multiple huge fiery projectiles towards him.
This attack wouldn't only harm him but also those nearby.
Zhang Yong raised spiritual stones into the air,made a few hand signs, and the stones connected with each other, erecting a barrier around the entire area.
With the barrier erected,the explosive fiery projectiles burst upon colliding with the boundaries, preventing any damage that could be inflicted on nearby disciples.
Long Yuliang descended quickly from the sky,starting like a falling meteor directly towards Zhang Yong. Immediately, Zhang Yong's miniature barrier was destroyed under the weight of the heat, and it was targeting him.
Zhang Yong waved his fist,and in an instant, their fists collided, and the heat distributed uncontrollably.
The pressure force of the heat exploded,and Long Yuliang retreated large steps backward, feeling strong numbness in her arm.
Without any moment of rest,Zhang Yong had already reached her side and swung his fist five times.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
Five punches struck Long Yuliang's stomach,throwing her far back.
Zhang Yong stood while Long Yuliang was already kneeling on her knee.The punches Zhang Yong struck were on specific acupuncture points. She would feel the energy she could carry slowly decreasing and thus wouldn't be able to continue.
Zhang Yong looked at her coldly and released a strong killing intent towards her."Surrender. I don't want to kill someone here as a guest."
Long Yuliang smiled foolishly,and her cheeks were slightly red. She stared at Zhang Yong with a strange look.
For some reason,Zhang Yong felt a chill down his spine upon seeing her.
Long Yuliang declared,"Fine, I surrender. I've decided—you will be my husband!"
Will be my husband.
Be my husband.
My husband.
Long Yuliang's voice echoed unexpectedly throughout the entire place.
Screams and gasps erupted among the surrounding female disciples.
"Noooooo!"
"Elder Sister,you can't do this!"
"Even if you vowed to marry whoever defeats you,you can't do that!"
"You're from a noble lineage and one of the Empire's Beauties.Why suddenly with an unknown person!"
Clearly,Zhang Yong wasn't welcome. Zhang Yong was shocked upon hearing her words, feeling as if struck by lightning out of nowhere.
Marriage? Hey, what?!!!! Zhang Yong's expression sank uncontrollably.
Zhang Yong calmly turned around,raised his foot, and... ran as fast as he could, leaving behind a thick cloud of dust.
"Impossible!Damn everything! This is impossible! I am still too young to get married !!"
He ran extremely dangerously,and on the way, he sensed Su Ming's presence walking with Jiang Ruoyan.
Su Ming's eyes widened upon seeing Zhang Yong running quickly towards him."Zhang Yong, hey, what—"
Before Su Ming could think of anything,Zhang Yong grabbed his clothes and ran with him over his shoulder quickly.
"We're leaving now,"Zhang Yong said without any delay.
At the same time,coincidentally, Master Gu emerged from the main hall with a sighing expression, only to see Zhang Yong carrying Su Ming in his line of sight. "Oh, you two are already here."
Without any delay,Zhang Yong picked up Master Gu as well, summoned Kuro, and they soared high.
Su Ming clung nervously to Zhang Yong's shoulder,shouting, "Zhang Yong! What the hell are you doing? Put me down right now!"
As for Master Gu,he seemed calm as usual, staring down towards the Pure Jade Sect, specifically at the gathering of disciples, then asked, "May I know the reason for this crazy behavior?"
Zhang Yong placed both of them aside."I'm not returning to this sect again."
Suddenly,a sound came from the communication jade slip. It seemed there was a sound of strong beating.
"Zhang Yong...don't come back to the sect." This was Wang Yi's voice.
"Hey,what happened?" Su Ming rushed hurriedly.
"Liu Yan has discovered everything.Hey! No, no! Don't hit me using Qing Feng! No!"
"I'll teach you two younger brothers a lesson when they come,"Liu Yan's voice suddenly emerged.
Zhang Yong and Su Ming's expressions sank simultaneously as Master Gu laughed a little.
This is the end for them , they were doomed