"Yes." The burly man bowed. "Third Young Master, Mr. Zuo Teng is coming to Tianhai. His target is the Heavenly Book Jade Slip in Ning Qingyan's possession."
"Are the Japanese getting restless?" Na San Shao stood up and sneered, "This Heavenly Book Jade Slip hides a great secret. Some say it's a treasure, some say it's a peerless martial art, and some say... it's the secret to immortality."
"We must get our hands on the jade slip before the Japanese arrive." Na San Shao suddenly turned around, his eyes revealing a sinister glint: "Qin Sheng, it's time for the mole planted around Ning Qingyan to show himself. No matter what, we must subdue Ning Qingyan."
"Understood." Qin Sheng bowed slightly.
Ziling Mountain is a continuous stretch of green hills.
On the mountain road, Ning Qingyan was driving a red sedan, and Ye Xingchen was sitting in the passenger seat.
"Do all the disciples of the Loyal Sect have to go to the Heavenly Guard Shrine to offer sacrifices?" Ye Xingchen asked.
“Yes, the Heavenly Guard Shrine is the final resting place for the disciples of the Loyal Sect. There are shrines in various places, and a branch of the Loyal Sect disciples will guard them for generations. This is a tradition,” Ning Qingyan said.
"Why couldn't your great-grandfather leave China back then?" Ye Xingchen smiled. "Because of the Heavenly Book Jade Slip?"
“No, it’s because my great-grandmother came from a wealthy family with roots in China. So my great-grandfather decided to stay. Otherwise, as one of the three founders of the Zhongmen, he would definitely have gone to the overseas headquarters to take charge of the overall situation,” Ning Qingyan said.
"Oh, so that's the reason behind it." Ye Xingchen nodded.
“Thank you for accompanying me to the ancestral graves. However, I’ve received information that Young Master Na has been investigating your identity. Knowing him as I do, he certainly won’t let this go easily. You should be careful,” Ning Qingyan said.
"He can't beat me," Ye Xingchen said. "Let's investigate then."
“Young Master Na is no ordinary man. He has a group of elite warriors and is connected to the descendants of various banners in Northeast China. His master, Hong Qihai, is a master of the Heavenly Realm.” Ning Qingyan frowned and said, “Although he may not be considered top-tier, he is still a first-rate master.”
“Heavenly Realm?” Ye Xingchen’s gaze deepened: “Martial arts are divided according to the strength of Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Those below the Heavenly Realm, such as Earthly Realm and Profound Realm, are at best second- or third-rate martial artists.”
"Only those who can enter the Heavenly Realm are truly top-tier masters, capable of gathering qi to injure people and turning all things into weapons."
"The next step in the Heavenly Realm is the Great Celestial Phenomenon of Martial Arts, which is divided into four minor realms: the Formless Dust Realm, the Entering the Mysterious Heart Realm, the Heavenly Fate Profound Realm, and the Divine Travel Saint Realm. There are only a handful of masters in the world who have reached the Divine Travel Saint Realm. This realm is the pinnacle of martial arts, and one's lifespan can reach hundreds of years. One can travel beyond the heavens, without form or trace, and is no different from an immortal."
Ning Qingyan gave Ye Xingchen a complicated look: "I don't know exactly how strong you are, but you must be careful. If he brings up his master, it will be a very troublesome matter."
"Those below the Heavenly Realm are nothing to worry about. Don't worry, even if they are at the Heavenly Realm, I can handle them." Ye Xingchen smiled slightly.
The Supreme Jade Purity Dao Scripture he inherited is no ordinary martial art; it contains medical principles, destiny theory, Yin-Yang magic, and dual cultivation techniques. Although he is currently only at the second realm, equivalent to the Yellow Realm of Martial Arts, his true strength far surpasses that of Martial Arts. In addition, with the Crimson Cloud in his hand, even experts at the Heavenly Realm would have to think twice.
The car reached the halfway point of the mountain, but the road was all mountain roads and cars couldn't go any further, so Ye Xingchen and Ning Qingyan hiked up the mountain.
“When I was little, my grandfather and mother would go up the mountain to worship at the Tian Shou Shrine every year. I would run happily along the way, picking wild fruits and wildflowers by the roadside.” Ning Qingyan looked at the winding mountain road: “Those were the happiest times of my life. In the blink of an eye, I grew up, and they are no longer here.”
Ye Xingchen understood the sadness in her heart and couldn't help but squeeze her hand: "From now on, I will accompany you on this journey."
Ning Qingyan smiled sweetly, took Ye Xingchen's hand, and the two walked up the mountain path.
Ning Qingyan frowned slightly as she walked to a pavilion. The large pavilion was completely empty.
"What's wrong?" Ye Xingchen noticed her strange expression.
“Sister Hong should be here waiting to welcome me, and then we can go to the ancestral hall on the mountaintop to pay our respects. Why isn’t she here today?” Ning Qingyan frowned.
Li Hong is a descendant of Shenxing Taibao, who is responsible for guarding the Tianshou Temple. It's impossible for her to forget this important day.
But now that the place was empty, she felt something was strange.
"Miss." Just then, Li Hong arrived with a group of people. She was in a hurry and her face showed a hint of anxiety.
"Sister Hong, what happened?" Ning Qingyan sensed something was wrong and went to greet her.
"The ancestral hall was on fire. It was arson. We just put it out." Li Hong composed herself.
"Who did this?" Ning Qingyan's face darkened. Anyone who dared to set fire to the Tian Shou Shrine was definitely not an ordinary person.
“We are currently investigating. It was intentional on their part, so it’s not safe up there. Let’s go to the back of the mountain first,” Li Hong said.
"Okay." Ning Qingyan nodded and was about to leave with Li Hong.
Suddenly, Li Hong, who was walking in front, drew a Miao knife and slashed at Ning Qingyan behind her with both hands.
Ye Xingchen grabbed Ning Qingyan's shoulder and then pulled back abruptly.
With a hiss, the Miao sword narrowly grazed Ning Qingyan's jade-like neck, tearing her clothes at the chest and sending several strands of her hair falling to the ground.
"What are you doing?" Ning Qingyan was both shocked and furious. Li Hong was a descendant of the Divine Speed Guardian left by her great-grandfather, whose duty was to protect her. She never expected that the other party would be so ruthless as to kill her.
"What else could she do? Of course, she'd rebel! I told you, she's got a rebellious streak." Ye Xingchen stood protectively in front of Ning Qingyan, his right hand already gripping Chi Xiao.
The eight people behind Li Hong quickly dispersed, surrounding Ye Xingchen and Ning Qingyan in the center.
“Miss, I’m sorry, but my Li family has been guarding the Tian Shou Shrine for four generations and protecting you. I’ve had enough. If I don’t do this, my children will continue to suffer like this in the future. I’m not willing to be a slave forever, so I have no choice but to kill you,” Li Hong said coldly.
“You are a descendant of the Loyal Gate Divine Traveler, and you swore a solemn oath at the Heavenly Guardian Shrine. By breaking this oath, you are essentially betraying the Loyal Gate. Sister Hong, have you considered the consequences of doing this? You know what the end result of betraying the Loyal Gate is,” Ning Qingyan said sternly.
“Of course I know, it’s nothing more than… the extermination of your entire clan.” Li Hong laughed: “After killing you and seizing the Heavenly Book Jade Slip, I can easily frame someone else for this.”
"Your goal is the Heavenly Book Jade Slip?" Ning Qingyan's expression changed slightly.
“Someone offered a very high price, which I couldn’t refuse, so I’m sorry, Miss, I have no choice but to betray you.” Li Hong coldly ordered, “Take her down.”
The eight assassins surrounding the two men moved, wielding sharp blades, and attacked Ye Xingchen and Ning Qingyan.
Ye Xingchen raised his right palm upwards, and the Crimson Sky Sword suddenly lit up. With a flash of sword light, a three-foot-long sword beam suddenly shone, slashing towards the three people charging at the front.
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