Translator: Silavin
“Let’s find somewhere to rest first. If we move faster tomorrow, we should reach Heart Trial City before tomorrow evening!”
Observing the darkening sky, Liu Yun spoke with some trepidation.
Qin Yichen’s gaze swept across the devastated earth below, finally locking onto a massive ravine that was well hidden.
He slowly descended.
Presently, everyone clearly regarded Qin Yichen as their leader. They rapidly descended as well. However, this time, they exchanged no further communication, merely quietly restraining their auras, as though fearing even the slightest leak would invite a battle similar to last night.
Night gradually shrouded this world. Evil Energy began permeating. Beast roars, near and distant, keeping everyone’s nerves taut.
Qin Yichen’s group sat quietly at this massive ravine’s edge. Through concealing grass above, dark red moonlight poured down, rendering the ravine’s atmosphere tense.
Qin Yichen’s gaze observed outside, his expression equally grave. After a day’s travel, they now approached the ancient battlefield’s middle region. The Demonic Beasts here already surpassed those in last night’s area by an entire tier!
Though they still numbered seven, this location lacked the gathering place’s defensible terrain. Should Demonic Beasts discover them, endless flights would be inevitable. They would naturally be accompanied by deaths!
The remaining members all surrounded Qin Yichen, their gazes flashing vigilant as they watched their surroundings.
Within this anxious vigilance, most of the night passed.
Nevertheless, even so, none dared relax. Each fully restrained their aura, quietly listening to the incessant beast roar outside.
The sole carefree individual was Liu Yun.
For ‘unknown reasons’, he had grown remarkably close to Qiao Yuewei.
Even at such a moment, he still softly recounted amusing anecdotes…
“Pfft…”
When he reached a particularly amusing incident, Qiao Yuewei could not suppress her laughter. However, upon laughing aloud, she immediately sensed the impropriety and covered her mouth.
*Ahem…* Noticing Qin Yichen’s stare, Liu Yun cleared his throat twice.
Moments later, Qin Yichen withdrew his gaze.
Managing Liu Yun was an impossible task.
However, when his gaze passed over Qiao Yuewei, his brows furrowed slightly.
Even as a member of the Namo Imperial Dynasty’s Royal Family, she clearly lacked combat ability, yet she had appeared here. The implications of this were clear to him.
Someone wished to eliminate Qiao Yuewei through this opportunity!
Subsequently, should the Namo Imperial Dynasty’s people witness Qiao Yuewei travelling with them, wouldn’t they eliminate him alongside her?
Having already antagonised the Sky Elephant Imperial Dynasty’s group, adding the Namo Imperial Dynasty would undoubtedly make their future path even more difficult.
Moreover, observing Liu Yun’s condition, abandoning Qiao Yuewei seemed unlikely.
[Out of sight, out of mind…] Qin Yichen simply closed his eyes.
This night proved relatively peaceful compared to the previous.
Though several passing Demonic Beasts appeared, they were swiftly eliminated silently by the group, creating no disturbance.
They were fortunate.
Had they encountered Martial Emperor Realm Demonic Beasts, such tranquillity would have been impossible.
After dawn, everyone continued travelling.
Before nightfall, they reached a gathering place.
Their party included four Martial Emperors and numbered seven total. Upon entering the gathering place, no one dared to trouble them.
Qin Yichen surveyed the surroundings, detecting no trace of the Sky Elephant Imperial Dynasty’s group.
Presumably, they had already passed through. After all, they possessed the advantage of their cultivation realm. They could travel uninhibitedly during daylight, unlike Qin Yichen’s group, who needed to circumvent certain Demonic Beast territories.
Within the gathering place, everyone finally rested properly for one night, recovering their spirits.
At dawn, the seven departed. Finally, approaching dusk, they glimpsed Heart Trial City’s outline.
Heart Trial City appeared relatively modest. It was merely a small city. It lay prostrate upon this ancient battlefield, resembling a weathered ancient beast, filled with a desolate atmosphere.
Drawing closer, Qin Yichen discovered the city’s construction materials seemingly resembled those of the gathering places.
However, those gathering places merely possessed a metal wall for protection, while this city’s walls measured at least ten metres thick.
“No wonder Heart Trial City is able to stand firm within the ancient battlefield.” Qin Yichen sighed with emotion.
Before nightfall, the seven finally entered Heart Trial City.
Within the city, prosperity was absent. The scene appeared rather desolate. Various structures were sporadically distributed throughout.
“Brother Qin, Brother Liu… I bid farewell!”
The two Martial Emperors departed successively toward their respective Imperial Dynasties’ residences.
“Brother Qin, may we meet again!” Murong Zining also clasped his hands toward Qin Yichen before departing.
Watching his retreating figure, Qin Yichen knew he had befriended this Ice Sword Saint.
“Princess Qingyao, let’s go.”
Qin Yichen also called to Long Qingyao, preparing to proceed toward their residence. However, he discovered Qiao Yuewei standing motionless, head lowered, not moving.
“Miss Qiao, why not accompany me to the Rainbow Light Pavilion Residence?”
Liu Yun’s eyes brightened, sensing opportunity, seizing the chance to offer assistance.
“This…” Qiao Yuewei hesitated somewhat.
She was not actually a fool. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have followed Qin Yichen’s group in breaking through, moreover demonstrating her Lunar Saint Physique’s advantages. Therefore, she actually understood why she had been forced to participate in this Imperial Dynasties Assembly.
She understood that whoever she associated closely with would very likely be implicated.
“Miss Qiao, rest assured, with me here, the sky won’t fall!” Liu Yun pounded his chest resoundingly, seemingly wishing to display his masculine vigour.
“Oh my, if it isn’t our Princess Yuewei?” Just as Qiao Yuewei hesitated indecisively, a nearly mocking, teasing voice was transmitted over.
Following this voice’s descent, another more caustic voice swiftly followed. “Princess? A palace maid’s Daughter dares call herself Princess? This absolutely desecrates the title of Princess, *hmph!*”
Hearing this familiar voice, Qiao Yuewei’s complexion instantly paled. Her eyes regarded those approaching figures with some terror.
Qin Yichen’s gaze suddenly focused sharply.
Clearly, these individuals belonged to the Namo Imperial Dynasty.
Moreover, the two who had spoken both emanated auras at the Mid Stage Martial Emperor Realm. One even reached the Peak Mid Stage Martial Emperor Realm!
“Don’t be afraid!” Liu Yun did not evade. Instead, he moved beside Qiao Yuewei, positioning himself before her, facing those Namo Imperial Dynasty experts.