Chapter 1203: Chapter 362: Zhou Qing, I Told You to Fall Back, Didn’t You Hear Me!

Upon hearing Xuanyuan Yichen’s personal admission, Zhou Qing’s eyes flashed with icy light, and murderous intent solidified around him like a tangible force.

"You should know what the Taiqing Sect means to me, yet you led the Spirit Severing Realm to retaliate—your crime warrants death!"

Zhou Qing said this and suddenly rose, his robes moving inexplicably.

Wu Zhenyue finally understood the whole situation and the deeper meaning behind Zhou Qing’s previous words.

This Dragon Soaring Army commander sighed heavily and resolutely blocked Xuanyuan Yichen, then cast Zhou Qing an apologetic glance.

As a dynasty’s military officer, protecting the Prince is his duty; even if the Prince commits an outrageous crime, he must stand up to protect him.

However—

Even in this remote borderland, he had heard of "Mr. Ji" Zhou Qing’s notorious reputation.

Single-handedly battling twenty cultivators of the same rank and managing to counter-kill them all.

Such a feat, even for someone as battle-hardened as him, was incomparable.

But so what?

At this moment, he still had to stand before the Seventh Prince.

This wasn’t a contest of victory or defeat, but the duty of a soldier!

"Do you think you can escape just like this?"

Seeing this, Zhou Qing was unsurprised, his gaze bypassing Wu Zhenyue to stare directly at Xuanyuan Yichen.

Xuanyuan Yichen smiled calmly: "It’s true that Zhou’s combat strength is unparalleled, but this is a military stronghold. It won’t be so easy to take my life."

Zhou Qing’s lips curved into a cold, sinister smile: "Is that so?"

Xuanyuan Yichen nodded: "I know everything has gone smoothly for you all the way, but in this border camp..."

He paused meaningfully, "Even the smoothest ship fears hidden reefs."

Seeing Zhou Qing remain silent, Xuanyuan Yichen sighed slightly: "Alright, since you don’t want to reveal who leaked the information, I won’t ask further. After all, it’s no longer significant."

He then turned to Wu Zhenyue: "Thank you, Captain Wu. Mu Qian, let’s go."

With that, he grabbed the red-eyed Xuanyuan Muqian and turned to leave.

The girl struggled in her expression but was still dragged away by him.

It seemed they were preparing to use the Teleportation Array to return.

Just then, Wu Zhenyue’s hand shimmered with a mysterious light, and a nine-foot dragon-patterned spear materialized out of thin air, its tip aimed at Zhou Qing, flickering with cold brilliance.

Zhou Qing saw this and suddenly laughed aloud: "Interesting. The Xuanyuan Family has schemed so much just to make me serve them?"

"Your father invited me three times at Bibo Celestial Lake, and I politely declined each time."

He changed his tone, his voice suddenly cold: "But now, I’m somewhat intrigued—yet what do you think my condition might be?"

Xuanyuan Yichen’s steps abruptly halted, he turned sharply, his eyes flashing with cold light.

Zhou Qing met his gaze and enunciated clearly: "Do you say that between a Level 4 Array Master, three Spirit Severing Realm experts, and a mere Divinity Transformation Early Stage Prince, which would your father choose?"

Xuanyuan Yichen stared at Zhou Qing, the murderous intent in his eyes was overwhelming, as if he wanted to devour the other alive.

"Seems like you don’t have much confidence in your position in your father’s heart."

Zhou Qing sneered, "Everyone says, the most heartless family is an imperial one, today it seems indeed so."

Before the words fell, Xuanyuan Muqian was already in tears.

She rushed forward and directly knelt before Zhou Qing: "Brother Zhou, brother Qi must have been confused for a moment to do such a thing. We are willing to apologize and compensate, whatever you want we will try to satisfy."

"Moreover... the Taiqing Sect is fine, right? Let’s consider it a timely prevention of further loss, please spare brother Qi," she pleaded tearfully.

Zhou Qing looked at her, and suddenly tapped her forehead with a finger.

Wu Zhenyue was about to act but saw the Ninth Princess merely fainted and was unharmed, then he breathed a sigh of relief.

Withdrawing his hand, Zhou Qing looked coldly at Xuanyuan Yichen.

The latter understood Zhou Qing’s determination, knowing that today’s affair was a matter of life and death.

"Brother Zhou, remember those things I once asked you to examine?"

Xuanyuan Yichen suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse but with a touch of eerie composure.

Seeing Zhou Qing silent, he continued, "You might never guess their true value. Frankly, even as a Level 4 Array Master, you don’t measure up to these items."

"I could even tell my father, tell the two grand elder emperors, many in the Taiqing Sect have seen these items. What do you think they would do?"

He suddenly chuckled softly, "Let me think... to maintain secrecy, they would probably personally take action. Three Spirit Severing Realm, it should be easy to obliterate."

Zhou Qing’s eyes remained calm.

This was precisely the reason for his trip.

He currently lacked the strength to directly confront the Xuanyuan Royal Family, but Xuanyuan Yichen’s proactive approach to Nangong Xiongba against the Taiqing Sect left him with only this guess.

Because he encountered Shen Yunzhou, presumably recognizing him.

And Shen Yunzhou, when returning last time, snatched an item from him.

Additionally, Shen Hanyi was with them, raising concerns about exposure of items related to the Fifth-level Cultivation Country.

So he took the risk of a strategic gambit or rather a multi-birds-with-one-stone move!

After all, those items he brought were seen by several Peak Masters of the Taiqing Sect, yet they couldn’t discern their true origins.

On the other hand, the three hidden Spirit Severing Realm experts within the Taiqing Sect were a secret.

Xuanyuan Shuo’s presence at the scene was clearly intended to rescue at the final moment, to impose a favor of the dynasty on him, forcing his allegiance.

Only for unexpected appearances of Lu Family sisters and the Ghost Emperor Master to completely disrupt Nangong Xiongba’s arrangement.

From the shadows, Xuanyuan Shuo, seeing the situation turning bad, decisively rescued Nangong Xiongba’s Primordial Spirit to plan further.