Chapter 651: Interception
"This is thanks to you. The pill you gave me was very effective. My injuries healed quickly, and once my strength recovered, I attempted to break through and managed to reach the Quasi-Heavenly Sovereign Stage."
Qing Yanjing's lips curled slightly as she spoke in a casual manner, as if breaking through were as simple as eating and drinking water.
If those outside heard this, they'd probably be so angry they'd cough up blood. Reaching the Quasi-Heavenly Sovereign Stage from the Perfected Earth Sovereign Stage was a difficult barrier that had held back many cultivators. Breaking through was no easy feat!
Qing Yanjing wasn't trying to show off either. She had already been somewhat confident in attempting the Heavenly Sovereign breakthrough, so reaching the Quasi-Heavenly Sovereign Stage was simply the natural next step and didn't arouse much emotion in her.
Only a real breakthrough to the Heavenly Sovereign Stage would have excited her. But she had no plans to attempt it yet. The Heavenly Sovereign Calamity wasn't something to be taken lightly. This disaster usually occurred at the moment of breakthrough, even before one reached the Heavenly Sovereign Stage, and yet one had to endure a lightning calamity that could threaten a Heavenly Sovereign. The danger was obvious, and the number of people who died during this tribulation was countless.
"So this means we have three reasons to celebrate! My conversion to Spiritual Energy has been successful, and I've fully transitioned to the Great Thousand World cultivation system. My realm has also been restored," Xiao Ming laughed.
Qing Yanjing's eyes flickered slightly at his words, and she couldn't contain her curiosity. "So what realm are you at? Spirit Grade Heavenly Sovereign?"
"You guess," Xiao Ming didn't answer directly.
"I'm sure it's the Heavenly Sovereign Stage."
Qing Yanjing's tone was full of certainty. Her ability to conceal her aura was among the best in the Great Thousand World. Unless someone had vastly superior strength, no one could see through her realm. But Xiao Ming knew at a glance that she'd broken through, which meant that he was likely a Heavenly Sovereign.
Although she had never asked Xiao Ming's age, his aura was distinctly youthful and vibrant. It was entirely different from the Heavenly Sovereigns in her clan, so she assumed that he couldn't be very old.
'Limitless potential!'
Qing Yanjing felt a stir of emotion inside her. At this rate, Xiao Ming stood a good chance of reaching the Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign Stage and becoming one of the top existences in the Great Thousand World.
Xiao Ming hadn't expected Qing Yanjing to have such complicated thoughts. Seeing her firm tone, he pursed his lips without confirming or denying her assumption and instead said, "In any case, dealing with those little rats outside will be easy."
"Are we going to make a move against them?"
Qing Yanjing's eyes lit up at his words. Honestly, if Xiao Ming hadn't been away, she would have already taught those people a lesson herself. As the Saintess of an Ancient Clan, she had never been so blatantly monitored before.
"Yes, the two pills I refined are of high quality, and they've had ample time to gather their people. I'm confident that we'll reap quite a reward this time."
"If that's the case, what are we waiting for? Let's get ready and head out!"
"No hurry. We'll leave at dusk and first make ourselves appear weak. It wouldn't be fun if they all ran away."
...
As the sun set, most people would typically relax quietly during this transition between day and night.
So, Xiao Ming chose this moment to quietly slip out of the secluded courtyard with Qing Yanjing and Qing Tan. They blended seamlessly into the crowd and made their way out of the city.
As they left the secluded courtyard, a proud young man holding a cup of fragrant tea stood in a pavilion within the city. A cold smirk slowly formed at the corner of his mouth.
He waved his hand to dismiss the maid gently massaging him, then stood up and directed his slightly chilly gaze towards the city gate.
"Thinking you can slip out of the palm of my hand this way?"
He sneered mockingly, then with a wave of his hand, a gaunt old man appeared behind him like a ghost.
"Old Yan, it's time to act. We must get our hands on that Greenstone Azure Flame this time!"
The gaunt old man nodded indifferently. Shortly after, the space around them rippled and their figures gradually vanished into thin air.
As they vanished, the same scene repeated itself across numerous courtyards throughout the city.
Multiple groups quietly slipped away without alarming anyone. However, with so many parties moving, some inevitably collided with each other. It wasn't time for a confrontation yet, so they exchanged awkward glances before continuing on their way together.
…
The sunset, tinged with dark red, hung low on the horizon. Its crimson light bathed the earth in a subtle warmth that carried a slight chill.
Suddenly, the silence of the dark red sky was broken by the rapid sound of the wind. Three streaks of light shot across the horizon and speeded towards the distance with astonishing swiftness.
Their hurried manner made them appear as if they were fleeing from pursuers.
They continued in this fashion for nearly half an hour before finally slowing down and landing on a mountaintop.
Xiao Ming looked up and glanced at the horizon behind them, then suddenly laughed.
"You've been skulking around for half a day. Aren't you tired?"
"Hehe, even if you're just a pretty boy living off women, you're not stupid. At least you know you're being followed."
A voice filled with arrogance echoed in the air as Xiao Ming's laughter faded.
In the distance, on a nearby mountain peak, space distorted slightly and two figures appeared out of thin air like phantoms.
They were none other than Huo Mo of the Fire Spirit Clan and the gaunt old man who had reached the Quasi-Heavenly Sovereign Stage.
Huo Mo's gaze was mocking as he glanced at Xiao Ming and then looked around.
"This place has a lovely view, and the feng shui is perfect. You have a good eye for choosing a place to bury your bones."
"This was prepared just for you, and rest assured, there's no charge." Qing Tan's willowy eyebrows immediately shot up as she retorted sarcastically, unable to hide her disdain for Huo Mo who dared to continually insult her Master with such arrogance.
"Little beauty, it seems you are quite confident," Huo Mo said with a faint smile.
"If you think you can be so confident just because the lovely lady next to you has regained her Perfected Earth Sovereign strength, then I'm afraid you're going to be sorely disappointed."
He extended his palm towards Qing Yanjing. "Hand over the Greenstone Azure Flame and that Divine Pill bordering on Spirit Grade. If your attitude pleases me before I lose my temper, I might let you go."
"Of course, if I'm in a good mood, it's not like I can't spare your little lover and little sister as well."
Little lover?
Qing Yanjing glanced at Xiao Ming's exceptionally handsome face. She hadn't noticed it before, but a purple-colored lightning pattern had appeared between his brows, making him even more striking. Her heart rate quickened as she swiftly looked away. Instead of refuting the 'little lover' remark, she asked, "You brought the Sovereign Spiritual Liquid from the auction and the Fire Spirit Holy Scripture from the Fire Spirit Clan with you, didn't you?"
The Fire Spirit Holy Scripture was the core cultivation method of the Fire Spirit Clan. Considering that Huo Mo had a Quasi-Heavenly Sovereign Stage elder as his protector, his status couldn't be low. He was likely one of the most important heirs of the clan and therefore qualified to cultivate the scripture.
Huo Mo's smile slowly faded as he stared expressionlessly at Qing Yanjing.
"You've given up your only chance."
"Could it be that you're not even qualified to access the Fire Spirit Scripture?" Xiao Ming asked with a frown.
"Pfft."
Qing Yanjing covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh, mocking Huo Mo without mercy.
"Old Yan, clear the area and then make your move. No need to hold back!"
The veins on Huo Mo's forehead bulged out, and the smile on the corner of his mouth gradually became somewhat hideous.
Behind him, the gaunt old man slowly stepped forward, his hands that had been tucked into his sleeves slowly coming down. A terrifying aura was emitted from his aged face at this moment.
A terrifying storm of black flames erupted from within his body, sweeping across the entire area.
The surrounding temperature plummeted as the black flames carried an unusually cold aura. The mountain peak beneath the old man began to crumble under the immense pressure, and deep cracks quickly spread throughout the entire mountain, causing it to collapse.
"Everyone, the Fire Spirit Clan is handling matters here. Please step aside!"