Chapter 400: Chapter 399 Good Deeds Gone to the Extreme, Misery to the Utmost

Heavenly Saint Land.

General Shao, who once had a brief encounter with someone, stood near the former location of the solitary mountain, with a furrowed brow.

In front of him.

Over a hundred city guards with notable cultivation levels were patrolling around, attempting to uncover clues.

Watching his usually capable subordinates bustling around like headless flies, Shao Neng’s expression turned increasingly grim.

He was feeling frustrated and irritated at the moment.

Today, everything seemed to be against him.

As the guard of the Imperial City, he had a great future ahead of him.

In the span of a single day, he, pointing a promising future, felt he might face dire circumstances by tomorrow.

The princess had been abducted during the daytime.

Due to the peculiar nature of the event, as it seemed like the princess had directly disappeared from the Heavenly Saint Land, he was unwilling to risk taking action for a useless princess.

This event itself wasn’t that significant.

A useless princess, even if she died, it wouldn’t matter much.

With or without Xia Qianqian, the Da Xia remains the same.

The land granted to her could be reclaimed just as easily.

Considering Shao Neng, a guard of the Convergence Realm with a promising future, there is no way he could be severely punished for this.

But to his bad luck, Xia Qianqian happened to return alive...

And not only did she return alive, she also brought back a strong backing.

Shao Neng, as the guard of the Imperial City, had no idea of the details of Li Jing’s meeting with Xia Zhengyang.

After all, on the cusp of a large number of people from the Big World about to enter the Heavenly Saint Land, he was always guarding the borders of the Imperial City and couldn’t leave his post without a legitimate reason.

But earlier tonight, Xia Zhengyang summoned him to the Imperial Palace and severely reprimanded him.

The offence was that when the princess had gotten abducted, he did not immediately lead the troops, but instead, maintained a wait-and-see attitude.

This move was clearly avenge in autumn.

Shao Neng was not stupid.

Xia Zhengyang suddenly blaming him showed that after meeting with Li Jing, he believed Li Jing was invaluable, even changing Xia Qianqian’s status in the palace.

Combining this with the supernatural phenomenon that suddenly came over the Imperial City when Xia Zhengyang met Li Jing, Shao Neng deduced a lot from this.

Having been scolded.

He didn’t dare to show any anger.

No way.

The influence Xia Qianqian had aligned herself with this time was simply too great.

No other arguments needed.

Just the terrifying heavenly phenomenon, which made people feel like everything was on the brink of destruction, was enough to make him tremble with fear.

Being scolded was not a big deal.

It was Xia Qianqian’s luck that she had drawn an ace, he really didn’t have anything to say about that.

But to his surprise.

Immediately after getting scolded and returning to his post, the solitary mountain, the home of the National Master of the Da Xia, disappeared.

A perfectly good mountain just disappeared.

Did they think that he was not in enough trouble yet?

The matter on this side was far more significant than Xia Qianqian’s.

National Master, Shi Miaoying has an extraordinary status.

The sudden disappearance of her residence falls upon Shao Neng as the guard of the Imperial City and he could hardly escape the blame.

If he could not thoroughly investigate this matter, there’s a chance that Xia Zhengyang may demand his head by tomorrow.

Unless.

Like Xia Qianqian, the solitary mountain would return on its own after a while.

What made Shao Neng cringe even more.

He had a feeling.

The disappearance of the solitary mountain was somehow related to the robber who had abducted Xia Qianqian during the day.

Weren’t Xia Qianqian’s trailer teams suddenly disappearing from the world while they were on the road earlier today?

Both events could probably have been executed using the same method.

The more he thought about it, the more furious Shao Neng became.

Dammit!

Who was this bastard repeatedly causing such trouble and messing with him?

If they have such skills, why not do something meaningful?

Status of stealing a princess who brought lots of gifts to the Emperor’s birthday was clear, but what’s the point of stealing a mountain?

Are they idle?

There is no mine in the mountain!

While Shao Neng was sulking.

One of his deputy generals at Hua Shen Realm came over, saluted fist in hand and spoke.

"General, we have already checked around, the thief did not leave even a trace. The Canglong Mountain has completely disappeared, I’m afraid it’s difficult to retrieve it."

Hearing this report, Shao Neng looked over, his face expressionless.

"Keep searching, no matter what, find some clues for me."

Then, he added.

"Order men to send a message back to the Imperial City and bring two thousand elite troops here to assist in the investigation!"

"Yes."

The deputy general respectfully obeyed, turned around and left.

Being able to serve as Shao Neng’s deputy general, he certainly wouldn’t be of mediocre intelligence.

He also knew.

If they couldn’t determine what happened tonight, his immediate superior might not just lose his reputation completely the next morning, and there was a good chance he would also lose his official hat.

Watching his deputy general leave, Shao Neng silently put on a painful mask.

At this moment.

He felt he could only pray now.

Pray that the others could leave a trace behind, so that he could have something to show for when he goes back.

He didn’t notice.

Just as he was talking with his deputy general, Li Jing, with Smoke Eye covering his aura and appearance, appeared beside him.

Upon seeing Shao Neng, Li Jing was somewhat surprised.

He had predicted there would be a large number of Da Xia’s soldiers outside.

With the solitary mountain, the only one near the Imperial City missing, they couldn’t just let it go.

They not only have to check, but they also need someone to take the blame.

But Li Jing didn’t expect.

This time, the one to shoulder the blame would actually be Shao Neng...

It wasn’t that Li Jing didn’t think Shao Neng was qualified to bear the blame, but he pondered, surely in the vast Imperial City of Da Xia there was more than one guard, right?

He was in charge during the day and again during the night.

Does the Da Xia Dynasty not have shifts?

Of course, there was more than one guard in the Da Xia Imperial City.

However, due to the opening of the Secret Realm Passage, other guards were temporarily reassigned to other tasks, leaving only Shao Neng, who was highly trusted by Xia Zhengyang, stationed in the imperial city.

Li Jing didn’t know this.

At this moment, though, he felt quite sympathetic toward Shao Neng.

Seeing Shao Neng standing there with a mask of pain, Li Jing’s heart softened unconsciously.

He wasn’t sure what would happen to Shao Neng after this.

But he was certain.

If Shao Neng didn’t have a reason to explain his situation, his end would probably be very miserable.

Considering they had a passing acquaintance and that he owed Li Jing a big gift, which hadn’t yet been given and wouldn’t be obtainable after Li Jing left, Li Jing waved his hand and pulled out the Flying Sword Blue Edge with a "clang".

The crisp sound of the sword was abrupt.

Shao Neng was praying silently.

Unexpectantly hearing the sword sound it startled him instantly. It was closely on him; his whole body shuttered.

When the Qingfeng Sword is drawn, the power of the Immortal Items exudes.

At the same time, Li Jing’s Silent Shadow no longer functioned.

Naturally.

Shao Neng saw him.

Also naturally.

The Flying Sword Blue Edge in Li Jing’s hand was drawn horizontally at Shao Neng’s throat.

"..."

Shao Neng.

Li Jing’s sudden appearance turned his eyes red.

He wished he could tear the masked man in front of him to pieces.

The person before him, whose true face he couldn’t see, was clearly the main culprit who took him from a promising and bright future to being at his wits’ end in just one day.

But with the Flying Sword Blue Edge on his neck, did he dare to move?

No, he dared not.

Shao Neng had just entered the Seventh Realm and hadn’t yet cultivated his own Immortal Items.

At this moment, he had no weapons in his hand, only a piece of armor on his body that was about to become an Immortal Item.

After Li Jing withdrew the Silent Shadow and brought out the Flying Sword Blue Edge again, the guards of the imperial city who were trying to figure out what was going on naturally noticed him immediately.

Upon seeing a figure who had just appeared and had kidnapped their general, the guards all froze for a moment.

Then there was a "clang" sound, as the soldiers quickly took out their weapons. But no one in the field dared to act rashly.

Not to mention Shao Neng was at their mercy; the man was holding a piece of Immortal Item in his hand.

Even if they rushed up together, they would only be "giving" themselves away.

But they couldn’t simply admit defeat.

Seeing that the soldiers in the field had all drawn out their spiritual weapons to be ready, Li Jing didn’t care about them. He looked at Shao Neng, lowering his voice and spoke hoarsely.

"Robbery, take out everything in your storage space."

"..."

Shao Neng.

He had no idea how he appeared at his side.

If he wanted to kill him, he would be dead by now.

Even if the former wanted to leave, he might not necessarily be aware.

To tell the truth.

At the beginning of the kidnapping, he didn’t understand why Li Jing would want to kidnap him.

Now he understood...

This guy wanted his property.

At this moment, Shao Neng also truly confirmed it.

This man was the thief who had robbed Xia Qianqian!

Seeing Shao Neng glaring at him fiercely, Li Jing casually pushed the Flying Sword Blue Edge forward, cutting a wound on his neck.

"Choose between money or life."

"..."

Shao Neng was silent, and waved his hand to take out tons of treasures from his storage space.

One must say, he was indeed wealthy.

No wonder he was a guard in the imperial city in the Seventh Realm.

With just a casual haul, apart from lacking precious resources, both the quantity and quality of the spiritual items were much better than the two carriages of spiritual items that Xia Qianqian had brought back.

This "big gift", Li Jing was very satisfied with.

He took all the treasures that Shao Neng had taken out and piled up into a small mountain and stored them on the lone mountain in his Little Universe. But Li Jing was still not satisfied. His eyes moved to the more than a hundred soldiers present.

This Secret Realm was significantly different from the previous ones. They could not purely explore and treasure hunt.

But looting the cultivators of this realm could also help them build their wealth.

And it was much easier than exploring and hunting for treasures...

Li Jing’s intentions were obvious.

Meeting his gaze, the soldiers in the field all tensed up.

Seeing this, Shao Neng’s mouth twitched.

Just about to say, "Don’t be too much", more than two thousand streaks of lights shot over from the direction of the Imperial City.

The reinforcements that Shao Neng had asked his deputy to summon were here.

Seeing the reinforcements.

Including Shao Neng, the eyes of all the soldiers on the field lit up.

As the saying goes, one can hardly fight against two people with their fists.

Under the premise that Shao Neng was kidnapped, more than a hundred people present dared not collide with Li Jing who was holding an Immortal Item.

But with the addition of two thousand elite soldiers...

Who is Li Jing?

Naturally, he was afraid that reinforcements would arrive.

But he noticed the change of expression among the people. Even Shao Neng, who he had taken hostage, showed a "I can counter-attack" expression, which made him feel somewhat despaired.

He couldn’t rob anymore.

He couldn’t have a collision with these people and then slaughter them all, could he?

Li Jing wanted to gain experience.

But hurting innocent people wasn’t something he would do.

Even though these people had essentially become Alien Species due to the Sky Demon Great Method.

With a glance at Shao Neng, Li Jing, acting on the principle of helping as much as possible, punched out.

"Boom!"

A loud noise.

Shao Neng only felt as if he been struck by a massive dragon on his chest, the Spirit Weapon armor on his body that had begun to exhibit the aura of the Immortal Items instantly shattered, along with his entire chest collapsing.

This...

How impressive was that raw strength?

With a single punch!

He smashed a Level 10 Spirit weapon!

Shao Neng was shocked. Like a severed kite, he spat out blood and flew back.

As he was knocked backwards, he heard Li Jing’s hoarse transmission start ringing next to his ear.

"You’re on the brink of death, badly injured. The Emperor of Da Xia probably won’t hold you responsible anymore, you don’t need to thank me."

Shao Neng, who barely managed to stay conscious in mid-flight, heard this message and his vision turned black. He fainted.

He was cornered and had no escape.

He was robbed, severely injured, and then told he didn’t need to thank them?

This bastard...

This was intolerable!

Li Jing sent Shao Neng a message, and after one look confirmed that Shao Neng’s high health bar of 9123 was only left with a sliver, assured that he was indeed near death, he peacefully controlled his sword and turned into a green ray of light, disappearing in an instant.

...

For the Da Xia Imperial City, it was a sleepless night, and it soon ended.

The next morning. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The news spread throughout the city’s alleys: the city’s Guardian General Shao Neng was critically injured and the National Master’s residence in Canglong Mountain had been stolen by thugs.

Under the influence of a "mysterious force", the news of Princess Wenqu encountering robbers who took everything from her halfway also quietly spread.

Endless debates amongst the civilians.

What on earth happened to the Imperial City of Da Xia these two days?

Evidently, as the Big World People were about to arrive, the entire Imperial City’s security was fortified more than ever before. Why were there so many incidents?

Among all kinds of civilian speculations, the suspicious thumb pointed towards the Sects.

For a time, the hostility towards the Sect members reached an all-time high among the city’s residents.

So much so that some inns chose not to serve them. Those who were already checked in were forcefully demanded to check out.

In the Da Xia region, the status of the Sects was superior.

But faced with public sentiments and trend, they couldn’t possibly fight back.

Indeed.

The people of Da Xia were nothing to them.

They didn’t even care about Emperor Xia Zhengyang, so what did ordinary people matter to them?

But the people were, after all, the foundation of everything.

Without the people, Da Xia wouldn’t exist at all.

Without the people, how would the Sects consider themselves superior?

Most importantly.

The composition of the Sects required them to continuously recruit potential individuals from the population and make them disciples. This ensured the long-term continuity of the Sects.

After continuously being blamed for several incidents, the Sects, which already had a poor reputation among the Da Xia public, could do nothing but swallow their anger.

Looking back.

They were also suspicious of each other, wondering who the hell had caused all this trouble?

The Sects might not care about the King’s Power, but they had to show some respect to the Da Xia Dynasty when in the Imperial City, didn’t they?

Behind all this, the Da Xia royal family was naturally pulling the strings.

Emperor Xia Zhengyang was indeed no ordinary man after all.

The theft at Canglong Mountain and the critical injuries sustained by the city’s Guardian General Shao Neng were like a hard slap on the face of the Da Xia Dynasty, causing immense pain.

This issue needed a resolution!

If there weren’t any, they would have to create one and take advantage of it!

Xia Zhengyang’s strategy was highly successful.

But that was all.

The sizeable strength of the Sects far surpassed that of the Da Xia Dynasty itself. This wasn’t something that could change overnight. For now, framing them and creating a bit of public opinion was the limit.

Because of this.

Impacted by public opinion and unwelcome anywhere in the Imperial City, the Sect members couldn’t stand staying within. They simply formed a group and went to the entrance of the Secret Realm to wait for the arrival of the Big World People.

This was a curious turn of events.

However, for the Da Xia Dynasty, it didn’t have much impact.

The Sects coming into contact with the Present World People was inevitable.

The world belonged to the kingdom, and after the Present World People’s arrival, their concentration would eventually be on the Da Xia Dynasty itself, which was in control of the entire Eastern Continent.

...

To the east of the Imperial City was Princess Wenqu’s dwelling.

Xia Qianqian was sitting on a cushion, holding a piece of paper in her hand, her expression strange.

On the note.

Was information that she had ordered her subordinates to gather after hearing the various pieces of news this morning.

Li Jing had a great impact on her.

This morning, the imperial edict from Xia Zhengyang rewarding her had arrived.

Not only did she gain the permission to stay in the Imperial City for a long time, she was also given a land nearly twice the size of her existing territory.

The people in Xia Qianqian’s mansion didn’t know what had happened.

But anyone with discerning eyes could see.

Their worthless princess was about to rise.

For a while, no one dared to have any two-faced dealings with her, and they were extremely efficient in executing their tasks.

Just like right now.

The message that Xia Qianqian had ordered her subordinates to gather was extremely detailed.

While the outside world only knew that Shao Neng was critically injured, they had learned from the guards that he was robbed by a masked man.

Xia Qianqian had never seen Smoke Eye, let alone his true self, Ghost Face.

But she was very sensitive to the word ’robbed’.

This...

This was definitely done by Li Jing!

Originally, when she heard that the National Master’s residence on the Canglong Mountain had been robbed during the night, she had suspicions.

After all, she had just told Li Jing about Shi Miaoying’s secluded location in Canglong Mountain before he left yesterday.

This wave of confirmations made Xia Qianqian gasp in amazement.

This older figure was very ruthless...

He had just left last night, and he immediately stole from Canglong Mountain.

He also robbed Shao Neng and severely injured him.

Big World People...

Was everyone like this?

It seemed that she needed to be careful if she had the chance to interact with the Big World People in the future...

While marvelling at Li Jing’s tactics, Xia Qianqian felt she needed to learn from him.

She was ambitious.

Her foresight was also present, coming from a royal family.

But as a powerless weak woman, her temperament was somewhat soft.

Although she was dissatisfied with Shao Neng not having sent troops to rescue her in time yesterday, she did not take it too seriously or plan to investigate further, knowing it was inevitable.

Xia Qianqian... Xia Qianqian...

You cannot stand firmly without being ruthless.

If you want to be a queen, you need to learn!

With the note in hand and her red lips pursed, Xia Qianqian looked up.

"Someone come."

Before her voice fell, one of the Six Realm female cultivators who followed her to the Imperial City came in and greeted her with a salute.

"Princess, what are your instructions?"

"Shao Neng, the guard of the Imperial City, is seriously injured and at death’s door. Take some gifts and go to visit him."

Xia Qianqian said.

"Although General Shao was late to bring troops to protect me yesterday, he has at least taken care of me in the past. Also, leave a message for General Shao that the grand gift he promised to prepare for my benefactor has not arrived all day, and he must give me a clear answer, or he will face the consequences."

Benefactor?

The female cultivator was slightly stunned, and then her mouth twitched crazily.

The benefactor Xia Qianqian mentioned could only be Li Jing.

She too, had been robbed by Li Jing.

If she knew that Shao Neng had been robbed before he was seriously injured, how could she not think of Li Jing?

But she dared not publicise this matter.

It was clear that because of Li Jing’s visit to the Imperial Palace last night, Xia Qianqian stood up the next day and received a great reward.

Betraying Li Jing was to betray her immediate mistress who was about to rise to power.

She had been robbed clean, leaving nothing but her undergarments.

Now she could only rely on Xia Qianqian for protection.

Perhaps by betraying Li Jing, whether she could receive the Emperor’s reward was uncertain.

She knew the difference between a full meal and being full at all times.

Xia Qianqian’s current action of rubbing salt in the wound made her clearly recognise that her master was actually a ruthless person deep down.

Shao Neng was already in such a miserable state, and she was ostensibly asked to bring gifts to console him, but in reality, it was to finish him off.

Let out a silent sigh, the female cultivator was about to speak in agreement.

However, before she could speak, Xia Qianqian indifferently spoke.

"The benefactor may not return to the Imperial City for the time being, but it does not mean he will never come back. The next time we meet, I need to present the great gift that General Shao gave me with both hands, or else it will be my...no, your responsibility."

???

Female cultivator.

How did it become her responsibility?

On second thoughts, she immediately understood.

The meaning of Xia Qianqian’s words was that she must finish off this wave properly.

Otherwise, when Li Jing comes, if there is no great gift to present, she will have to bear the burden.

After understanding the hidden complexities, the female cultivator’s face changed.

No matter what, she did not want to face Li Jing, that beast, ever again.

"I will obey the princess’s instructions, I will go to General Shao’s mansion to console him immediately and will not disappoint the princess."

"Go ahead."

With a wave of her hand, Xia Qianqian casually added.

"If General Shao does not get the hint, there’s no need to press. Once you return, we can just report the matter to the emperor."

"Yes."

The female cultivator respectfully agreed, and while she left with heavy strides, she sighed in her heart.

Xia Qianqian has really gained power.

The subtext of her words just now was clear: the emperor would back her up.

With the emperor’s backing, what’s there to fear?

The female cultivator received the order and left, while Xia Qianqian burned the note in her hand on an oil lamp.

Thinking of reviewing the cultivation methods given by Li Jing, a knocking sound stopped her squeezing out the thought.

Xia Qianqian looked up at the sound.

"Come in."

The door opened, and it was another Six Realm female cultivator who followed her to the Imperial City.

Seeing Xia Qianqian, the female cultivator gave a respectful salute.

"Princess, the emperor has a message. Representatives from various forces in the Big World have entered the Heavenly Saint Land. The emperor plans to hold a banquet at the Imperial Palace, and he hopes you can attend as soon as possible."

Upon hearing these words, Xia Qianqian paused.

She hadn’t expected that Xia Zhengyang would summon her to attend a banquet as soon as people from the present world arrived.

Because of Li Jing, she managed to make a stand.

But after all, she hadn’t yet entered the path of cultivation.

No matter from which point of view, this kind of scene wasn’t suitable for her.

She herself wasn’t too keen or eager for it.

What she wanted, she already had.

Before she entered the path of cultivation and reached a certain level, she shouldn’t be too greedy.

However, since Xia Zhengyang had summoned her, she had to make the trip.

Xia Qianqian got up without thinking any further.

"Prepare the carriage to go to the Imperial Palace."

...

Meanwhile.

Not far from the entrance to the secret realm near the Imperial City.

Li Jing stood on a cloud, looking at the people from the present world who were continuously entering the Heavenly Saint Land through the entrance to the secret realm.

Having waited for so long, they were finally making a full-scale invasion.

Looking over,

The exploration teams entering the secret realm consisted of all kinds of people, with diverse uniforms, not just limited to the three nations of the Northern God Country, White Hawk, and Longyu.

Many of them were from western countries.

Clearly,

The Northern God Country held on for a whole day and was eventually forced to compromise.

Seeing that the invasion would not end anytime soon, Li Jing patiently waited while examining his Little Universe.

At this time, the Little Universe had undergone a major transformation.

Overnight, Li Jing used his Flying Sword Blue Edge to dig a trench that ran through the entire Little Universe, channeling the Spirit Spring from Canglong Mountain.

The land, which was nearly dry, was irrigated with the Spirit Spring. The Spirit Plants planted in the soil changed their hue and even grew a bit taller in just a few hours.

The Consonance Heart, which had just sprouted, was also nourished by the Spirit Spring and became more vibrant.

A busy night was well spent.

After observing the pleasing changes in his Little Universe, Li Jing pressed his communication earpiece to try to contact Jiang Yini.

"Beep."

The communication was successfully connected.