607 The Secret Realm of Pingwang
Zhang Youji blinked, processing Qin Huai’s unexpected compliment. “It’s just my primary cultivation method,” he responded, a little taken aback.
Qin Huai’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and for a while, neither spoke. It was Zhang Youji who finally broke the silence, steering the conversation in a new direction. “But at the King Bone Holy Altar, Brother Qin wasn’t the name on everyone’s lips.”
Raising an eyebrow, Qin Huai inquired, “Oh? Who drew more attention?”
“Prince Qing Cang of the imperial capital,” Zhang Youji revealed. “Rumors are swirling that the once perceived laid-back prince is none other than the Great Spirit Dragon of the Spirit Dragon Duo Demons. The three sects and six clans are buzzing about this revelation. I’ve even heard that numerous experts have now stationed themselves outside the imperial residence.”
A sly smirk formed on Qin Huai’s face as he connected the dots. The little emperor’s keen interest in Prince Qing Cang made more sense now. Realizing that the prince was concealing a secret, the emperor might have had his own agenda. But now, the unassuming prince found himself at the center of a political storm.
Shaking off his thoughts on royal intrigue, Qin Huai refocused on the conversation.
Zhang Youji, sensing the shift, continued, “I’ve also come across a fascinating tidbit. A mystic realm has emerged in Pingwang, its dense spiritual energy transforming the very landscape.”
Qin Huai listened intently, his curiosity piqued. “I heard that the spirit stones in Qingzhou were exhausted by the Qingzhou Emperor,” he remarked thoughtfully.
Zhang Youji nodded, elaborating on the significance of spirit stones. “Apart from serving as a conduit to the spirit world, these stones play a vital role in cultivation. They’re essentially condensed spiritual energy. Though potent, their scarcity makes them a luxury few can afford. Most use these stones either as gateways to the spirit world or, more aggressively, to eliminate others and harness their spiritual energy. Only a rare few get the privilege to directly cultivate with spirit stones. The number of people in the spirit treasure level is small, given the challenges they face in obtaining and using these stones.”
Qin Huai added, “Hence, the lack of king realm martial artists. Whenever there’s a hint of a secret realm or mine with these spirit stones, top forces scramble to claim it.”
Qin Huai took a moment to absorb Zhang Youji’s words. The gravity of the situation was clear. The emergence of the secret realm in Pingwang county was pivotal, a game-changer.
“If the six clans and the three sects find out, none would step back easily,” Qin Huai surmised. “It’s like handing over one or multiple king realm martial artists on a silver platter.”
The desperation of the Sacred Heart Sect gave a clear testament to this when they put the entirety of Qingzhou at stake for the creation of a king realm puppet.
Zhang Youji nodded gravely. “What’s worse, Pingwang lies right in the epicenter of the battlefield.”
Qin Huai’s eyes widened with realization. “That means, the war among the clans and sects will escalate to unforeseen heights. It’s like lighting a fuse in a powder keg.”
He gazed into the horizon, the weight of the situation evident on his features. “We are indeed in tumultuous times. Daozi,” he turned to Zhang Youji, his voice earnest, “if you wish to leave, please don’t fret over Qingzhou. Its fate should be in its own hands. I can’t thank you enough for coming to my aid, and once this matter settles, I’ll come to offer my gratitude.”
Zhang Youji chuckled. “Brother Qin, you’re overthinking. I’m not leaving yet. Both the secret realm and the Sacred Heart Sect are pressing matters. As long as we’re here, it’s our responsibility to see them through.”
Touched, Qin Huai simply cupped his fists in acknowledgment.
…
The subsequent three months were nothing short of a strategic chess game. The board was Qingzhou, and the pieces were Qin Huai, Zhang Youji, the king corpse, and the elusive white-robed king.
Qin Huai proactively sought out the white-robed king, searching for weak points in the latter’s king domain while gathering domain fragments from the boundless blood world.
The white-robed king wasn’t idle. Intent on outsmarting Qin Huai and consuming the king realm puppet, he constantly shifted his base.
But in a city like Qingzhou, he couldn’t escape Qin Huai’s scrutiny. To maintain the facade, Qin Huai and Zhang Youji would often weave elaborate ruses, even taking long roundabout routes just to confront the white-robed king.
It was a game of shadows and subterfuge that continued relentlessly for three whole months.
Upon completing his daily tasks, Qin Huai sauntered into the Red Treasure Meat restaurant. The usually lively venue had an unusual hush.
“Mr. Qin, you honor us with your presence,” Wang Yougui, the shopkeeper, greeted warmly as he promptly served the day’s dishes.
Eyeing the scanty patrons, Qin Huai inquired, “Shopkeeper Wang, why so quiet? Business hasn’t been good?”
Wang Yougui responded with a disheartened smile. “It’s baffling. The slump started just yesterday. We’ve barely had any patrons since.”
Zhang Youji, leaning against a pillar, laughed. “Surely you don’t think we’re behind this? We’ve got bigger fish to fry.”
Qin Huai’s gaze was distant, his palm raised and showing traces of fresh blood that sketched a miniature panorama of the world. The depiction on his palm shifted, mirroring the activities of Qingzhou City. Then, the scene stopped, showcasing a horde rushing through a forest towards Qingzhou’s west.
Observing this, Qin Huai murmured, “Sacred Heart believers are on the move. Looks like the Sacred Heart Sect is desperate.”
Wang Yougui’s face lit up with hope. “Has the white-robed king finally decided to leave? I’ve noticed the crimson sky dimming recently.”
Zhang Youji interjected somberly, “I doubt the white-robed king would abandon his post.”
Puzzled, Wang Yougui asked, “But why?”
“We’ve been a constant thorn in the white-robed king’s side. Do you think he would leave without settling scores?” Zhang Youji said, glancing at Qin Huai. “While I can’t claim complete confidence, it’s high time we confronted him. If he completes the king realm puppet, we’re done for.”
Qin Huai, looking at the horizon that was drenched in a scarlet hue, replied, “Daozi, don’t worry. I have a plan.”
…
Inside an inconspicuous mountain range, in a cavern, sat the white-robed king. He was surrounded by darkness, with insects crawling around, making the modest space feel more like a pit than a chamber.
His triumphant voice echoed, “After three grueling months, the king realm puppet has finally manifested its true form!”
He, a dignified king realm martial artist, had endured humiliation for three months. Now, the bitterness has finally come to an end.
Clenching the scarlet blood bead, he could sense a mystical connection emanating from it. He roared, “It’s time to make those two brats pay the price.”
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