Do You Like Me That Much? Miss Villainess-Chapter 107 : Second Rank, Imperial Spirit Sect, Heavenly Divine Dragon!

In the separate courtyard, the "famous assassin" Yun Juan looked at the black-robed figure, her expression bewildered: "Take action tomorrow?"
So soon?
Hearing this, the black-robed figure frowned at her, saying: "Time is running out. Since the papers say you're the most vicious criminal in ten years, you'd better live up to it!"
He didn't give Yun Juan a chance to refuse, continuing:
"After this is done, I'll arrange for you to leave the capital, going east three thousand miles into Eastern Sea Province's territory to continue your work there. At such a distance, this news shouldn't attract too much attention when it spreads there."
Yun Juan exchanged a glance with him, knowing she couldn't refuse, and agreed.
She had originally wanted to act more cautiously.
Death warriors raised from childhood might be willing to die loyally for their masters, but even death warriors wouldn't want to die without value.
So when the black-robed figure allowed her to act freely, she had been reviewing intelligence on Mu Qinglan, trying to find her weaknesses.
Now she had some clues, but not many.
But how could she not try?
"The royal hunting grounds are about a hundred miles south of the city. Coming back from there, the carriage will need at least two hours. We don't know exactly when she'll return, but just in case, start watching from early tomorrow morning," the black-robed figure said.
"If you find an opportunity on the way, then directly...!"
The black-robed figure spoke, a flash of killing intent in his eyes as he made a throat-slitting gesture.
"Understood."
Yun Juan took a deep breath and responded.
The grudge from the secret realm and the hatred from the assassination—tomorrow, they would all be settled.
○
Meanwhile, at the hunting grounds.
Today was the third day of the twelfth month, the official end of this autumn hunt.
This autumn hunt was less about hunting and more about showcasing the abilities of talented youths, with the rest enjoying a holiday.
Everyone present was a dignitary. For excitement, the hunting grounds had deliberately released several dozen unintelligent demon beasts, ranging from seventh to ninth rank, captured from the demon territories, to add some fun.
As for why not use intelligent demons?
Heyang City had quite a few eccentrics. Although demons were enemies of humans, there might be young masters and misses who couldn't bear to kill intelligent creatures.
Rather than creating discomfort, it was better not to do it in the first place.
More importantly, no one knew whether His Majesty liked such things.
As the saying goes, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. When working near the emperor, everyone generally followed one principle—I'd rather do nothing than make a mistake.
For those working below, making a mistake might at most result in a salary reduction, or at worst, dismissal. Only in extreme cases would there be imprisonment.
But in a position within the emperor's reach?
"Guards! I want to play a game—exterminating nine clans!"
During these days, Mu Qinglan watched these Heyang nobles hunting beasts. The bolder ones even went alone to challenge demons, though of course, with Divine Guards standing by to prevent accidents.
'Almost all are warriors…'
Mu Qinglan thought instinctively.
She briefly calculated that among these Heyang youths' transcendent professions, warriors accounted for over 90%, with only a minority being physicians, magicians, and other professions.
This ratio was even higher than the normal ratio!
It's known that Great Xia was established through martial prowess, but warriors only accounted for 90% of the population!
You resource-rich noble children actually have a higher proportion than the general population's ratio of warriors?
Is that reasonable?
But after thinking about it, Mu Qinglan understood.
These noble children had deep family traditions, and many families likely had hidden martial arts, just like the Bai family's secret [Skyreach Branch] and her family's [Metal Qi Kung Fu]. Naturally, these people practicing as warriors would start much higher than ordinary people.
Moreover, how many people were willing to be completely powerless?
In the world of transcendence, for safety, it was best to have some strength oneself.
"We're going back tomorrow. Does the young lady need to make any preparations? I asked, and while I can't go out, the messenger can take a message for you," Shadow One silently appeared behind the girl, bending down to ask.
"No need, just carry on as usual," Mu Qinglan said calmly.
Shadow One nodded: "Then I'll help you pack tonight. You should sleep early. We're leaving early tomorrow morning, and sleeping too long in the carriage isn't good for your neck."
"Do I sleep late?" Mu Qinglan was dissatisfied.
I'm actually quite healthy!
As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something else and asked: "Is Jiang He leaving in the same batch as us? Can we ride in the same carriage?"
She remembered that in the original storyline, after the demon clan's assassination failed, Jiang He had faced various assassination attempts.
Though not fatal, they were quite annoying.
Returning to the city this time was undoubtedly a significant opportunity. If she could share a carriage with Jiang He and both face an assassination attempt, then her importance in Jiang He's heart would definitely increase further.
I'm already so reliable.
Just... rely on me more...
Shadow One was troubled: "Could you ask the Ninth Imperial Princess yourself? I can't make that decision."
"Fine," Mu Qinglan spared Shadow One, "I'll ask her myself this afternoon. With me personally asking, she definitely won't refuse!"
○
That night.
In the forest, there was a rustling silence, only the swaying of tree shadows.
A group of merchants led horses slowly, moving forward quietly.
The escort agency instructor held a torch, looking toward the trees on both sides of the official road. For some reason, a strange chill rose in his heart, but he still instructed the escort guards:
"The city of Heyang is just ahead. There's an inn two miles outside the city, just over a mile away. We'll rest there tonight."
"Thank you all for your hard work, thank you all!"
The merchant was also nervous, smiling apologetically to everyone.
How strange! He had traveled this road nearly ten times, and night travel had always been fine before. Why did it make everyone tremble tonight?
An escort guard who had never been to Heyang was somewhat dissatisfied and asked the escort leader:
"Boss, didn't we see an inn at dusk? Why travel at night? Haven't we been traveling slowly during the day?"
The leader didn't answer. Instead, an older escort guard smiled and said:
"Xiao Ye, this is where you don't understand. Heyang is different from other cities."
"Even though we're resting two miles outside the city, when we enter the city tomorrow morning, we'll have to wait for the gate guards to check us thoroughly. Who knows how long we'll have to queue?"
The escort leader added:
"Merchants one lane, travelers another, nobles yet another. We delivery people enter the city the slowest. If we're late, we might even have to wait until the next day. So those with experience would rather travel a bit at night to rest at the inn closest to Heyang."
"Usually it's fine, but today it feels like we're cursed, it's eerie!"
"Damn it!"
The merchant muttered, rubbing his hands.
"Keep moving!" The escort leader waved his hand, not daring to stop.
The carriages passed by, the torchlight gradually receding.
After a long while, two red lights appeared in the forest, followed by harsh, low voices like grinding knives:
"Mortals?"
"Ninth rank, no different from mortals."
"Even mortals can feel your aura... Sha Gu, restrain yourself a bit."
"Understood." The black-clad, robust man called Sha Gu fell silent, lowered his head, and quietly adjusted his breath, trying to suppress the violent killing intent in his heart.
But the effect was minimal.
The one who had spoken earlier glanced at him and said coldly: "For this mission, the clan has invested heavily. Success is the only option, failure is not permitted!"
"The loss of the Boundary Shadow Pearl already angered the Demon Lord. If this operation fails... hmph!"
He stood on a tree branch, gazing at the official road to Heyang not far away.
By now, the moon had slightly passed overhead, allowing one to see that the two huge red lights from earlier were neither luminous pearls nor torches, but this speaker's enormous blood-colored eyeballs!
Looking at the shadow on the ground, this fellow must have been over two meters tall!
"Aren't you carrying the Demon Lord's command?"
A demon clan member yawned, looking up at the leader:
"A token containing the Demon Lord's descent power, even within the clan, would require a significant investment to create. I don't believe anyone in the caravan could stop this thing!"
"Boss, why don't you just use it tomorrow morning? How about it?"
"To avoid prolonged uncertainty."
"No way!"
The robust demon clan man firmly refused: "There's only one Demon Lord token, but we have two tasks. If the Ninth Imperial Princess's guards are insufficient tomorrow, after we kill and retreat, we can continue with the task of retrieving the sacred Boundary Shadow Pearl."
"But what if a human second-rank expert intervenes?" someone raised a crucial question.
"Tomorrow is the second batch. A human second-rank expert is unlikely to accompany them. This information can't be obtained, we can only gamble!"
"Heyang is huge, and even a second-rank expert can't act instantly from a distance. The Demon Lord has calculated that we conservatively have half a minute. If we can't succeed in that time, we'll use the Demon Lord token! Unless the innate destiny trait carrier has some powerful life-saving method, otherwise, she'll definitely die!"
The robust man said decisively, his eyes filled with determination.
Demons excel at killing and fire. Their people typically can use an ability called [Blood Fire], making them formidable against peers, giving them tremendous courage.
But the threat of water system innate destiny traits to them was too great.
General Xu Mengran of Northern Defense, though not having an innate destiny trait but merely being skilled in water control as a second-rank Martial Saint, could, with Great Xia's support, hold the demon clan's millions of elite troops at the Tianqian Pass.
This was partly because the demon clan wasn't fully prepared for all-out war with humans.
And partly due to the demon clan's internal complexities.
But just one pass being so difficult to breach already illustrated the problem.
If this water system destiny trait carrier grew up, who could guarantee she wouldn't become the next invincible pillar of Great Xia? That she wouldn't be a stronger, more terrifying General of Northern Defense?
So she couldn't be allowed to live.
Last time, having a near-breakthrough sixth-rank carrier with a divine artifact infiltrate had ended in failure, even losing the divine artifact, which had already greatly angered the demon clan's second-rank expert.
If they failed this time, the entire demon clan would surely be even more shocked.
The robust man's eyelid twitched, and he unconsciously tightened his fingers, crushing the already dry tree bark into powder.
"If we fail this time, then next time, the Holy Lord might personally take action..."
"You worry too much. You're fourth rank, plus our three fifth-rank experts. To kill her, that's definitely enough," a subordinate said.
"Stop the nonsense."
"The mission is crucial. Let's separate and look around. There are several official roads south of Heyang, converging only near the city. Let's find the most suitable hiding place nearby. Near Heyang, human vigilance should be at its lowest."
The robust man interrupted him, coldly ordering.
The other demons had varying thoughts, but eventually all nodded.
The robust man's gaze was heavy as he looked at the faintly visible huge city in the distance, inevitably shaking his head and sighing.
Everyone here was an elite from the demon clan, with at least fifth-rank cultivation. Such a level of killing aura was hard to conceal when entering Heyang, but hiding for a while outside Heyang for a few miles was feasible.
The problem was that these individuals were selected from various places, making them difficult to command.
"It's too rushed after all..."
"Her strength has increased too quickly..."
The robust man stood silently on the tree branch, like a statue, lowering his head to gaze at the moonlight.
Soon, the black shadows dispersed.
The moon set, the sun rose, and the first light of dawn appeared on the distant horizon, with the faint crowing of roosters coming from afar.
Two hours passed.
In the distance, the merchant caravan counted their people, silently set off, and joined the massive flow of vehicles queuing at Heyang's entrance.
Seeing this, the robust man silently vanished into the darkness.
"Almost time, everyone be ready!"
"Prepare to act at any moment!"
○
Rumble—
On the official road, carriages ground over sand and stone, clattering and raising a slight dust.
More than ten Divine Guards rode stallions in the lead, holding reins and halberds, with solemn expressions, their presence imposing.
Behind them were several carriages.
The returning team from the autumn hunt was divided into batches, as the southern gate of Heyang City was only so large, and although dignitaries were important, they couldn't occupy the entrance used by ordinary merchants.
Therefore, to avoid queuing for hours, the carriage teams departed at staggered times.
In the carriage, Mu Qinglan leaned against the chair, resting with her eyes closed.
Her health was indeed poor. Weak and chilly since childhood, even with specialized physicians' treatments and the enhancement from awakening dual professions, her physique had only improved to that of a somewhat frail ordinary lady.
Jiang He didn't mind, but she also wouldn't ignore Mu Qinglan's current condition.
She had even slightly activated her Water Spirit Healing, causing light blue mist to linger in the carriage, sharing the burden with the white-haired girl.
"My fault."
Jiang He looked at her, not stopping her ability, lowering her head in self-blame.
She had invited Mu Qinglan out this time, intending for her to relax.
But unexpectedly, Mu Qinglan's body was so weak. If she was like this on the return journey, she must not have been any better on the way there, perhaps even worse.
"It's fine, probably just tired from being out too much these past two days."
Mu Qinglan leaned on her shoulder, eyes closed, answering softly.
"..."
Jiang He said nothing, only silently increasing the power of her Water Spirit Healing, ensuring she would feel better while not providing excessive nourishment that might cause adverse effects.
After a while, Mu Qinglan's complexion improved somewhat.
Her voice was also no longer so weak and breathless.
"You rest a bit. Just sleep a while when you get home."
Mu Qinglan didn't mention her current condition much; it was just a minor issue. She truly was uncomfortable, but not as weak as she appeared on the surface.
But the appropriate appearance still had to be maintained.
This was her character setting, which couldn't change.
"I didn't bring medicine or anything."
Jiang He said: "After returning to the palace this time, I'll get some medicine from the royal physician for you to carry. Otherwise, it would be troublesome if you feel unwell."
"Thanks so much." Mu Qinglan didn't refuse.
The carriage continued slowly.
Silence gradually filled the compartment.
Swish—
The autumn leaf forests on both sides of the official road were blown by the cold wind, creating rustling sounds.
The wheelchair rolled over fallen leaves, gathering the slightly yellow and damp leaves that had fallen due to the gloomy sky, racing toward Heyang.
As the convoy advanced, at a location about two miles south of Heyang.
A figure silently looked out from an inn window.
The person was dressed ordinarily, with an unremarkable appearance, looking about thirty to forty years old, like an ordinary middle-aged woman who had been traveling alone and was just returning.
She would be indistinguishable if thrown into a crowd.
"It's almost noon; they should be coming." Yun Juan frowned looking outside, then suddenly noticed some unusual movement in the distance.
"Huh?"
She flipped over the window, flashing onto a tree branch.
She saw a team of elite soldiers slowly approaching.
"Is that the group? I'll go check."
"Don't get close!" The black-robed figure instantly flashed to her side, waving to stop her: "There's a fourth-rank expert over there. If you go, you'll definitely be discovered!"
Yun Juan was stunned: "I'll listen to you."
"Assassinating Mu Qinglan might still be possible, but trying to assassinate her while the Ninth Imperial Princess is present is unthinkable! The Ninth Imperial Princess was just recently the target of an assassination, so security is tight. Even if I personally took action, there's probably an 80% chance I couldn't harm her. The royal family is different from the Six Bureaus. The guardians likely know some shadow martial arts; you might not be able to hide."
The black-robed figure explained, clarifying his reason for not letting Yun Juan act.
"You follow them first."
The black-robed figure looked into the distance, until most of the convoy entered his view, before turning back and instructing: "Mix with the crowd and follow them, remember to queue."
"By the way, did you bring the entry fee?"
"Here it is." Yun Juan reached into her robe and took out several copper coins.
As the capital of Great Xia, Heyang didn't profit from entry fees, so the cost was low, affordable even for ordinary people, though it did filter out the poorest refugees.
"Good."
The black-robed figure nodded with satisfaction, reaching out to take a few coins.
He hadn't come out to execute the mission, but to observe his subordinate in action, preferably confirming her death.
Otherwise, he would have to clean up this big trouble himself.
After Yun Juan became famous as the "most vicious assassin," she was no longer suitable to live in this world. Alive, she would only increase the chance of exposure for others.
Losing a sixth-rank expert was painful, but not unacceptable.
"Try to act on the road. At Prince Qi's mansion, there's Old Lion Yuan. Who knows if that old warrior retired from the battlefield can detect your presence from afar."
"If you can avoid gambling, don't gamble."
The black-robed figure's gaze was gloomy, his breathing long and steady.
"I'll act as soon as I find an opportunity," Yun Juan agreed.
"Do your best, after all, you want revenge too... Wait, something's coming!!" The black-robed figure suddenly turned his head, his gaze like lightning, staring fixedly at a corner of the forest.
Boom!
A dazzling red smoke rose from the forest, like the rolling thick smoke from a mountain fire, flames shooting skyward.
Vaguely, within the red smoke, one could see traces of blood energy.
Nearly a mile away, that bone-chilling killing intent made one's eyeballs ache and heart go cold.
"Demon clan?!"
The black-robed figure's eyelid twitched. This aura was definitely not inferior to his own, and judging by the fact that the other could lead such a mission, their strength might even be greater!
The demon clan was truly ferocious!
Even he changed color slightly. Beside him, Yun Juan was even more rigid, her mouth dry, swaying several times before barely maintaining her expression, avoiding too much loss of composure.
"Demon clan? Why are they here?"
"The demon clan has gone to great lengths to infiltrate near Heyang, they must have a plan... The Ninth Imperial Princess? Are they still not giving up?" The black-robed figure was slightly alarmed.
"Should we take advantage of the chaos...?"
The black-robed figure was speechless. She might not care about her life, but he still valued his.
These demon clan members being captured or killed was almost certain. Even if they acted now and luckily killed Prince Qi's daughter, he wouldn't survive either?
He was a high-level member of Prince Li's mansion, not willing to easily sacrifice his life like death warriors.
"Just wait. Perhaps you won't even need to act..."
The black-robed figure glanced at her, saying casually, though inwardly somewhat depressed. Without this event, how should he reasonably arrange to kill her?
He could certainly do it without leaving a trace, but he didn't want this sixth-rank expert to be of no use.
At the very least, she should be useful once.
A dilemma.
○
The demon clan attack left the two at the distant inn with complex emotions.
But for the convoy's guards, it just made their hearts sink.
"Enemy attack! Form ranks! Face the enemy!"
After three short, concise sentences, the Divine Guards formed a circle, halberds pointing outward, poised to keep the enemy at bay.
However, with blood aura rolling and momentum fierce, how could these outer circle troops block it?
"Die!"
A blood shadow flashed through the crowd, reaching toward the middle carriage.
"You should die!"
A crisp, harsh voice exploded without hesitation. The carriage frame shattered into a pile of wooden debris, and a slender figure, holding a spear in one hand, directly met the blood shadow.
Boom!
A circle of fire bloomed, rolling hot air surging, even causing autumn leaves on the treetops to spontaneously combust!
"A fourth-rank human?"
The blood mist condensed into a human figure, stepping back twice.
The fierce spear-wielding woman leaped high, landing on a tree branch, her beautiful eyes fixated on the little thief who dared to assassinate the princess!
"The Phoenix Feather Guard General?"
"It's General Luo!"
The crowd momentarily burst into commotion, then quickly calmed down.
This was the General of the Phoenix Feather Guard, one of the four major imperial guards of the imperial city. Her spear technique was divine, with fourth-rank strength and a mystical weapon bound to her. Among the four imperial guard generals in the imperial city, her strength ranked in the top two!
With her present, surely nothing would happen!
"Demon clan, you've crossed the boundary! Aren't you afraid of human retaliation?"
Luo Fengqing frowned, her gaze disgusted.
"Human, stop the big talk. Come, try to stop me!"
The black-clad robust man didn't even bother with pleasantries, drawing his blade, stepping forward.
Around him swirled terrifying blood aura like rolling smoke, wrapping around his blade, coating it with an eerie blood-red glow.
From afar, the guards could even hear a sharp tiger's roar!
Whoosh—
The black-robed robust man exhaled heavily, the hot breath mixed with killing aura burning people's bodies, making them feel as if they'd been stuffed into an oven, unbearably painful.
"If you can block this move, I'll have to give up fighting you."
"Just try it!"
The black-robed robust man stretched his arm, like a fierce tiger devouring a person, bringing the force of moving mountains and filling seas with a heavy swing:
"Heavy Blade - Flame Tiger!"
"Phoenix Falls!"
The tiger roared, shaking the forest.
The phoenix cried in the sky, finally perching on the ground.
Boom!
At the moment these two went all out, spiritual energy surged wildly, and terrifying pressure exploded outward. The spectacle was so grand that even the Divine Guards, accustomed to grand scenes, couldn't help but feel shocked in their hearts.
This is fourth rank?
This is a martial arts grandmaster?
The quality difference from those top centurions and fifth-rank dignitaries!
No wonder the fourth rank in martial arts is called grandmaster. If this isn't a grandmaster, what is?!!!
Under everyone's gaze, the long spear and great blade finally met.
Though fast, so fast that people had no way to react, no heart to counter, in the guards' view, this instant seemed longer than the confinement before an execution.
Boom!!!
A terrifying sound suddenly exploded, tiger's roar and phoenix cry accompanied by flying sand and stones.
The shockwave from these two colliding, carrying scorching high temperatures, was even hotter than before! It forced the guards to retreat far with the carriages, not daring to approach.
If the previous temperature was one, now it was ten!
Wind fed the fire, and in the dry leaf forest, the blaze instantly burned fiercer!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
After one collision, the black-clad robust man stepped back heavily three times, sheathing his blade. Each step left a huge footprint several centimeters deep in the ground.
"You, are good!"
The black-clad robust man said darkly, glancing at his subordinates' actions.
Seeing several fifth-rank experts there, he knew his subordinates certainly hadn't achieved much.
In the earlier collision, neither had gained an advantage. While he was indeed a strong fourth-rank among the demon clan, the Phoenix Feather Guard General was also no weakling, ranking at the forefront among all fourth-ranks.
He stepped back simply because there was no time to continue fighting.
He admitted that if it were elsewhere, with the battle spirit of their demon clan, he would be willing to fight her for a day and a night until death was determined.
But now, the mission was crucial!
The black-clad robust man's right hand suddenly shook, and a black token the size of an inkstone slid from his sleeve into his palm, which he gripped tightly.
Luo Fengqing's pupils contracted. She instinctively felt that the token was wrapped in power she could not possibly resist.
'Damn, another trick?'
'If he uses it...!'
Without the slightest hesitation, she raised her spear, her form flickering, thrusting heavily toward him.
At the same time, the black-robed man, seeing her urgent appearance, mockingly crushed the token in his hand, respectfully saying:
"I summon Void Demon Lord!"
"Phoenix Falls!"
After the words fell, the Phoenix Feather Guard General's long spear fiercely pierced through the black-clad robust man's body, pinning him firmly to the ground. But for some reason, her brow began to twitch, and a sense of unease swept over her heart like a mountain collapse and sea tsunami!
"Hehe!"
The demon clan robust man raised his head with a sinister laugh, his eyes no longer flashing the previous violent red light, but a dark, deep amber.
That was someone else!
This was a divine descent!
"Get lost!"
The voice was like thunder, making people's consciousness blur. Luo Fengqing, the first to bear the brunt, was struck as if by lightning, even unable to react before being blasted away, crashing heavily into a tree, leaving a rain of fire.
He gripped the spear handle that had pierced his chest, casually pulling it out.
A toss.
The mystical weapon was instantly thrown miles away, disappearing from sight.
"Tsk, so it's still this mission? Kunqi's body is passable, can barely exert about 60% strength, but it's a pity the burden is too great; the person is already dead."
The black-clad robust man muttered to himself.
Then, he scanned the surroundings, looking toward the only surviving carriage, his gaze playful.
The moment Luo Fengqing was blasted away.
The fighting here immediately ceased.
The demons all retreated to one side, showing respect to the Demon Lord, while the humans faced a great enemy, completely ignoring the demon clan's active retreat.
"Demon Lord..."
A top centurion with fifth-rank cultivation swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing.
Under the terrifying pressure, he unconsciously stepped back half a pace, muscles tense, every organ in his body frantically warning him.
This was an enemy impossible to defeat.
No, not defeat.
Even blocking his steps was absolutely impossible!
"Demon Lord... Why would there be such an expert?"
Cold sweat broke out on the faces of the humans, while correspondingly, the demon clan members looked amused, arms folded, full of swagger.
"Of course, because you're too arrogant..."
"A little toy that can temporarily block a third-rank strike? That sort of thing is ineffective against me."
The black-clad robust man answered in a cold, gentle voice completely at odds with his robust physique.
At the same time.
Behind him, rolling black smoke rose, like a beacon, shooting straight up into the sky.
Wherever it went, it obscured the sun and sky.
The sky darkened.
The black smoke gathered in the sky, replacing the clouds, accumulating deeper and deeper, eventually condensing into a black smoke giant nearly a hundred meters tall.
"Void!!!"
A furiously angry roar came from within Heyang City.
A rainbow light streaked across the sky, rapidly approaching, like a meteor crossing the sky in broad daylight. But Heyang was too vast, and the speaker was in the north, nearly a hundred miles away.
Remote attacks couldn't stop the action.
Coming in person, too late.
"Great Xia's Grand Guardian, you're too slow!" The Void Demon Lord version of the black-clad robust man smiled coldly, without wasting words, directly pressing his hands downward slightly.
Following his movement, the black smoke giant's arms also slowly extended.
Stretching straight toward the carriage!
"Take the princess away!"
The remaining fifth-rank expert said in a hoarse voice, his expression bitter, body trembling, but not one of them could move under the second-rank's energy lock.
This was suppression by strength, a suppression that couldn't be defied!
In the carriage, through the protective formation, Jiang He could barely maintain calm, only lowering her head, her voice low:
"I... have burdened you again."
"How could that be? Last time, you protected me. This time, it's my turn to protect you," Mu Qinglan said softly, a bright smile blooming on her pale little face.
"But..."
But that's a second-rank expert? Jiang He felt bewildered, completely unable to think of any way to resolve the threat before them.
"Watch me."
Mu Qinglan said softly, looking at the black smoke hand coming closer and closer outside the window, silently removing the golden hairpin she had been wearing since two months ago.
[Dragon Summoning Hairpin]
[Accessory (Gold)]
[Effect: Can block one attack below fifth rank (1 week cooldown), after infusing spiritual energy, can summon "Dragon Spirit" (once per month, strengthens with level)]
["This is proof of the friendship between the Imperial Spirit Sect and the Dragon Clan"]
Since waking up in this unfamiliar city two months ago, Mu Qinglan had never forgotten to consider how to protect herself.
Therefore, she threatened Shen Yao, and from then on, embarked on her path as a bad woman.
But these future bosses were, at root, investments—investments in their futures, knowing they could provide her with enormous help in the future.
For the present, her connections were more useful.
Thus, she established relationships with the National Advisor's mansion and the Six Bureaus.
Using the talent brought by the system, she successfully showcased her future to others, offered sincerity, and obtained corresponding returns.
This [Dragon Summoning Hairpin] was one such return.
Perhaps this golden accessory might seem like an ordinary growth equipment on the surface, but something that could just block one enemy attack wouldn't qualify as a mystical-level treasure.
Its greatest function was actually that "Dragon Spirit."
Saying Dragon Spirit isn't quite right either.
Because that Dragon Spirit was essentially a power projection from that second-rank divine dragon, a medium for it to project power from nowhere.
When there wasn't great danger, this Dragon Spirit was just a powerful dragon force.
Calling it a controllable Dragon Spirit wasn't wrong.
But if truly facing danger?
At least, within the range that the second-rank divine dragon could influence through this small item, she could immediately come as soon as the Dragon Summoning Hairpin was activated.
Ning Shuyu had sought her out before, quietly telling her about this.
And emphasized that only after activation could the divine dragon project power there. If she didn't activate it, then the Dragon Summoning Hairpin would only have the function of accumulating power for defense.
With the Void Emperor Demon Lord displaying such grandeur, she didn't believe the divine dragon was unaware of the situation here.
So...
"Roar!"
Above the carriage, a dragon's cry resonated throughout the sky.
A blue dragon shadow flew out from the carriage, soaring upward, finally transforming into a huge blue dragon occupying half the sky, perched high above the clouds.
"?"
The pressure on the guards instantly lifted, and they sighed in relief, but their gazes were puzzled.
They had clearly seen the dragon shadow shoot out from the middle carriage.
So it must be the trump card of someone inside, right?
Was it the princess? Or that frail princess?
And this appearance seemed to perfectly match that legend, the legendary one from the Imperial Spirit Sect...
Across the forest, the demon clan members couldn't help but darken their faces. Wasn't it an overwhelming advantage just now? How did the situation suddenly change?
They also have a divine descent container?
Above, the gloomy clouds that had persisted for days finally parted, revealing beams of bright sunlight that fell on the black smoke giant's body, stimulating the black smoke inside to churn.
After the clouds parted, the world cleared.
The divine dragon soared on clouds and mist, coiled high in the sky, its blue scales reflecting light, golden horns majestic and solemn, the two complementing each other, truly like a myth come to life.
"Dragon..."
Below, countless people outside Heyang stared in amazement, muttering.
"This isn't an ordinary dragon, this is..." In the inn, the black-clad man from Prince Li's mansion was startled.
From the burning forest,
The Void Demon Lord's gaze was cold, enunciating each word.
"Imperial Spirit Sect, Heavenly Divine Dragon!"