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"My king, shall we just watch like this?"

Outside Yundu, dark clouds were gathering. What had been a clear sky with the blazing sun high above was now completely altered by the arrival of an army.

The dark clouds loomed as if the heavens were compromising with the army. Beneath the clouds, the people living around Yundu felt a sense of impending apocalypse...

And this army, akin to the apocalypse itself, was led by a woman of enchanting beauty!

"There’s no rush... My brother won’t get into trouble that easily."

The woman’s slight smile sent a ripple through the hearts of the tens of thousands in the Ghost Army; it was hard to imagine how a person’s charm could stir even the ferocious ghosts that battled in the Netherworld.

The originally anxious army settled down immediately at the leader’s smile. In the distance, the Giant Serpent that audaciously propped up the entire Imperial Palace seemed less significant in this moment.

It seemed that as long as their leader was there, nothing else mattered.

The woman, mounted on a Dragon Colt, squinted into the distance. Others might not have seen clearly, but her eyesight was extraordinarily exaggerated. Despite the distance of tens of thousands of feet, she could still see the situation inside the Imperial Palace clearly.

"There really is no shortage of talented people... Is that Chen Qing, the young fellow?"

Beside the woman was a Black-clothed Sorcerer who held in his hands a large piece of Bai Yu embedded with a transparent floating shard.

Inside the shard, there was a space brimming with Spiritual Energy.

If Chen Qing were here, he’d recognize it instantly—it was Sparrow Bee, who had almost driven him and Mister Tianji to a dead-end!

"Haven’t you met him before? I’ve heard that Chen Qing has been to the Capital City more than once or twice..." Sparrow Bee’s voice issued from the shard, his tone seemingly indifferent, but a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

Was this really the same young man he had chased around in the past?

Back in the Southern Border, that young man’s strength was indeed notable among newcomers, but that was all. Now it seemed, if he unleashed his Spiritual Energy, he’d likely ascend directly to the King Level!

His growth rate... wasn’t it a bit too rapid?

"I am quite busy..." The woman smiled. Her existence had to remain a secret; otherwise, with the Black Empress’s power at the time, she would have never tolerated her existence. During those twenty years in Great Jin, she dared not stay within the Imperial Palace.

In the five years of Chen Qing’s rise, she had almost been unable to resist going to Jiangnan to see for herself, but in order to hide her tracks without revealing any flaws, she firmly held herself back.

Come to think of it, this might be the first time she has seen the legendary King of Qin, isn’t it?

Her own brother had given him this kingly title, and it was not misplaced. This boy... was probably not any easier to deal with than the King of Qin of the past.

"The High Priest of the Ancient Demon Clan is not simple.

.." Sparrow Bee said somberly: "He is the Martial Legacy Priest of the Ancient Demon Clan.

Once he takes on this role, he must have mastered most of the heritage of the Martial Legacy.

The Ancient Demon Clan has existed for several cycles of reincarnation, and their collection of military arts is nothing short of vast, which even includes the heritage of various martial Saints.

After all, their clan started by stealing and parasitizing! "

"Can’t you beat him?" The woman’s phoenix eyes swept over the shard where the opponent was located, causing Sparrow Bee’s face to flush red!

However, Sparrow Bee, usually so proud, didn’t retort after being ridiculed by the woman, and instead, after turning red and struggling for a long time, eventually replied, "Under the same rules, it’s very difficult to find someone in this world who can be his match!"

That’s why the fact that Chen Qing could actively confront his opponent for so long was astonishing to him.

"Is that so?" The woman’s eyes suddenly sparked with an intense glow: "Then, I am even more interested!"

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"Five years ago, reports said you were just a frail Scholar who, when facing Siao Mingyue in Nanyang City, used cunning tactics to win. Three years ago, in your battle with Lumings, even though you won the contest and became renowned throughout the world, everyone present could tell that you took advantage through tricks; in a real fight, you were far from Lumings’ equal! "

"Just a year ago, you encountered a Reincarnator in the Southern Border and were nearly powerless to fight back. How is it that, in just a year, such a drastic change has occurred?"

In the center of the shattered space, Chen Qing’s offensive was fierce.

The energy storm created by their collision stirred the chaotic void around them, causing chaotic elemental fluctuations, resembling an apocalyptic end of the world, as if two Heavenly Gods were engaged in a death struggle in the void.

Chen Qing did not respond, his brows furrowed tightly.

He... was still lacking that little bit!

It appeared that the opponent had long infiltrated Jiangnan, otherwise, he wouldn’t have known so much. Even the encounter with the Reincarnator Sparrow Bee in the Southern Border was known to him, suggesting Sparrow Bee was likely one of their people.

It seemed that there were more hidden masters on the other side.

Should I go all out?

Chen Qing’s onslaught was fierce, as if he wouldn’t stop until one of them was dead, yet a flicker of hesitation crossed his mind.

In just one year, he had reached his current level after the encounter with the Sparrow Bee, where the pain spurred him to reflect and improve his fundamental abilities. Thus, during that year, whenever he had free time, he would train with Ao Zhen.

His hardware was not lacking; as the Master of Divine Path, he possessed the power and skills of everyone within his force.

The physical prowess of Ao Zhen, the techniques of Zi Yue, the natural talents of the Shen Family Members—all were his to command.

With such hardware, any top-tier fighter would have long been a foremost powerhouse in the world.

After the Sparrow Bee incident, he realized the importance of individual combat strength; the Master of Divine Path couldn’t rely too heavily on his faction.

Sometimes, personal power was also extremely crucial.

In just seven months, he had been able to defeat Ao Zhen directly!

A month ago, just before setting off for Yundu, he and Ao Zhen had another spar. Although neither had used lethal force, this time, it had only taken Chen Qing ten breaths to take down Ao Zhen!

He had thought that, apart from the inscrutable strength of the Siao Family, he should have a considerable chance of victory against anyone, but he hadn’t expected to hit a snag so quickly. The old man before him was definitely no less powerful than the Emperor, and he even had hidden strengths...

Should I retreat?

Chen Qing was torn. In the current situation, he could no longer rely on external support.

If he gave up on the Western Sea Army and just took the people from Jiangnan Academy back, relying on the Warrior Army to immediately head to the Southern Sea for the rescue, connecting the northern and southern maritime territories, and then forming an alliance with the Eastern Sea—with the legacy of the Four Seas Dragon Palace, there was still a chance for a turnaround.

But by leaving, he would have to abandon the Western Sea Army, Tian Heng, as well as Zi Yue and Chen Ying.

If he did not retreat, this could be his last opportunity. Within ten breaths, if he couldn’t release the Western Sea Army, he would lose the chance to escape.

If he stayed, he must force his opponent to give up this Spatial Array within ten breaths. Looking at the current situation, he feared he might have to play his trump card!

Tian Heng was still too inexperienced...

Chen Qing could guess why Tian Heng, along with the demons from the Northern Territory, were the first to charge in here—it was probably because, considering the Northern Territory was willing to commit so many high-level demons, there was at least genuine cooperation at the moment.

This thought process was correct under normal circumstances, but unfortunately... the group led by Shenyue wasn’t a normal case.

The demons from Celestial Serpent Palace were mere expendables to them, inexhaustible expendables at that, because Celestial Serpent Palace wasn’t their own power but rather a force lurking in the shadows, being manipulated as a pawn.

Their future resurgence wasn’t tied to Celestial Serpent Palace...

It was as if you were trading hostages with someone else; both sides exchange women, you hand over your wife, thinking that the other’s offering is also their wife, but in reality, it’s a number eight technician they hired with money...

But Tian Heng was here to save him.

Whether it was to show his loyalty or not, he indeed risked it all for the rescue.

"Phew...."

Chen Qing exhaled, and his blood energy suddenly withdrew, instantly dispelling the stormy momentum that had just been present. This caught the defensive Old Celestial Master off guard; he didn’t understand why, at such a critical moment, the opponent had relaxed his body. What was he planning?

He chose not to attack. At this point, as long as he wasn’t breached, he’d be victorious. His Four Holy Guard would be able to overrun the majority of Chen Qing’s forces in at most ten more breaths. There was no need for him to take the risk.

Since Chen Qing had stepped back, he also took the opportunity to retreat.

But just as he was about to widen the gap between them, an incredibly terrifying oppression suddenly bore down on him, making him abruptly halt his steps, stimulating all his blood energy, and then staring down Chen Qing firmly!

King Level??

How could that be... under the current rules, does this guy dare to break through to King Level?

Has he gone mad?

And this flame is...

When Chen Qing’s momentum surged anew, it wasn’t just the outburst of his blood energy; it was also a force he had never expected!

It was almost as if it lit up the entire void: the Golden Crow Flame!!