Princess Qing

As Zhang Zixuan introduced himself, his mother was already preparing to tie Li Tianming up with the chain.

A death trap, with no apparent way out. Encountering this was truly terrible luck.

Just then—

"Who's there? Come out!" Zhang Zixuan's father, who was tending to the Blue-tailed Poison Scorpion's wounds, suddenly looked up and asked sternly towards the rear.

Someone else was coming?

The woman holding the chain, who had already stood before Li Tianming, was now also drawn to the commotion and turned to look in the direction of the plants behind them.

Because of this third party's arrival, Li Tianming was temporarily out of danger.

"Who could it be?" Li Tianming also noticed movement in the vegetation over there. Judging by the aura, it wasn't a beast, but someone else.

Huoling Mountain's depths were sparsely populated. You might not even encounter another person in a month here. What was going on lately, with people everywhere?

The next moment, two young girls pushed aside the jungle and appeared before Li Tianming.

It was Jiang Feiling and Qing'er!

Qing'er was undoubtedly a prodigy, born noble, and stunningly beautiful. She was always the center of attention wherever she went. However, when she appeared alongside Jiang Feiling, Li Tianming's gaze naturally remained on Jiang Feiling.

That ethereal and serene presence, like a fairy fallen from the heavens to the mortal realm, was perfect no matter how you looked at it.

They were supposed to be returning to Yandu, why haven't they left yet? Li Tianming wondered.

But now, the crucial issue was that people from the Thunder Venerable Mansion were trying to kill him! What were they doing here?

No matter how outstanding Qing'er's talent was, she couldn't possibly defeat these two elders. Besides, she guarded herself against him like a thief, so she might not even help him.

The only benefit was that their appearance had attracted the attention of Zhang Zixuan's parents. Li Tianming seized this opportunity to try and slip away, but before he could, the chain had already wrapped around his leg.

Escape was hopeless!

"Princess Qing!"

Just as Li Tianming was feeling dejected, he saw Zhang Zixuan and his parents looking at Qing'er with immense surprise, yet undeniable respect. All three then knelt on one knee and bowed to Qing'er.

"Zhang Chong of the Thunder Venerable Mansion, along with my wife and son, pay respects to Princess Qing," the middle-aged man said, lowering his head in utmost deference.

Princess?

In the Vermilion Bird Country, only one type of person could be called a princess: the daughter of the Vermilion Bird King!

No way. Li Tianming had a general sense that Qing'er's status was quite high, but he never imagined it would be this high.

Someone of a princess's caliber was someone he couldn't have possibly interacted with, even three years ago at Yanhuang Academy. Lin Xiaoting, the pride of the Thunder Venerable Mansion and currently the top genius of Heavenly Mansion, would have to bow just like Zhang Chong when meeting a princess!

After all, she was the King's daughter!

No wonder she was so outstanding; she was the Azure Princess of the Vermilion Bird Valley.

Li Tianming recalled that he had called her brainless just two days ago. Thinking about it now, he had definitely been flirting with death...

He could only vaguely guess at the Azure Princess's strength. Now, it seemed, even if she wasn't as strong as Lin Xiaoting, she was likely in a similar tier.

The Vermilion Bird Royal Family had controlled the Vermilion Bird Country for thousands of years, with countless inheritances and a profound foundation, far surpassing prestigious families like the Thunder Venerable Mansion.

"Rise," Qing'er waved her hand indifferently, then her gaze locked onto Li Tianming.

Her eyes on Li Tianming held a hint of smugness, as if saying, Little thief, now you know who I am. Let's see how arrogant you can be.

This gloating and mocking look made Li Tianming feel a bit awkward. After all, he had never expected a high-and-mighty princess to appear in the desolate Huoling Mountain.

"Why has Princess Qing come to Huoling Mountain? It's full of fierce beasts. If the princess were unprotected..." Zhang Chong asked, his head slightly lowered.

"Who said I'm unprotected?" Qing'er interrupted him directly.

"Please don't be offended, Princess. Zhang Chong is merely concerned for your safety, and his concern has made him speak out of turn. With your status, how could you possibly be without experts protecting you?" Zhang Chong's wife quickly smoothed things over.

As for Zhang Zixuan, he still held his short knife. Since even his parents had bowed, he naturally didn't dare to speak.

The atmosphere fell into a dead silence. Only Jiang Feiling smiled and winked at Li Tianming. Seeing her smile, Li Tianming knew he wouldn't die today, but he would definitely be mocked by Qing'er...

"You're from the Thunder Venerable Mansion, named Zhang Chong?" Qing'er asked, her hands behind her back. Now that her identity was revealed, she carried herself with a regal air, her noble bearing evident.

"Yes, Princess Qing," the middle-aged man could only nod his head.

"Why are people from the Thunder Venerable Mansion here? I saw a few people from your sect here a couple of days ago as well," Qing'er inquired.

"This..." Zhang Chong hesitated. After all, this was a place discovered by the Thunder Venerable Mansion, and the Divine Source belonged to them.

"Do you want to lose your head?" Qing'er asked.

"Please don't be angry, Princess, I'll tell you," Zhang Chong quickly said. Looking at his flustered state, it was a far cry from the indifferent and domineering demeanor he had earlier.

Indeed, everyone has someone who can keep them in check. No matter how formidable someone is, there are times they have to bow their head.

"Hurry up, don't dawdle," Qing'er urged.

Li Tianming was also very curious about this matter. Why were these people from the Thunder Venerable Mansion running around here?

"It's like this: our Thunder Venerable Mansion discovered a Divine Source in this Huoling Mountain, so we selected seven disciples to compete for it. Whoever can snatch the Divine Source can take it. We elders are here to follow along, not to compete, but mainly to protect their lives," Zhang Chong explained in one breath.

"What grade of Divine Source?" Qing'er's eyes lit up. To be honest, even the lowest-grade "Yellow-grade Divine Source" was a top-tier treasure. Even if she couldn't use it herself, it could be sold for a very high price.

"Princess Qing, it's a rather insignificant Divine Source, not even a Yellow-grade one. At most, it can only allow a Companion Beast to evolve to the sixth stage," Zhang Chong said, head bowed.

"Unremarkable?" Qing'er looked disappointed, losing interest. She glared at Zhang Chong and said, "Do you know what would happen if you lied to me?"

"I wouldn't dare. Besides, my son doesn't have high hopes, so I naturally wouldn't lie to the princess. It's an unremarkable Divine Source." Zhang Chong said with a wry smile.

In reality, even an unremarkable Divine Source was an unparalleled treasure in Lihuo City.

Within the entire Vermilion Bird Country, only the top talents in the Heavenly Mansion and the Vermilion Bird Royal Family might not have cared for it.

"I believe you wouldn't dare. Alright, you can leave now." Qing'er waved her hand, a hint of impatience in her beautiful eyes.

"Thank you, Princess. Zhang Chong's family will take our leave." Zhang Chong said, relieved. He signaled his wife and Zhang Zixuan with his eyes. His wife pulled the chain, preparing to drag Li Tianming away with them.

"Wait." Qing'er glanced at Li Tianming and said irritably, "Leave this pig here."

Li Tianming's face darkened. Being dragged along was one thing, but she actually called him a pig?

"Princess? This person is just a mountain villager from nearby. He just ambushed and injured my son's Companion Beast, and we were planning to teach him a lesson." Zhang Chong hadn't expected Qing'er to pay any attention to Li Tianming at all.

"Your Highness Princess, could you show some mercy and allow me to avenge my Companion Beast..." Zhang Zixuan said bravely. He had been ready to torture Li Tianming to death, and this sudden turn of events made him extremely upset.

It was like the feeling of meat suddenly flying away when you were starving.

"That's right, I want this pig. You can leave now." Qing'er said with a stern face.

Li Tianming was furious. This guy was taking the opportunity to insult him, and the worst part was he couldn't retort. If he argued, how could she save him?

"Princess..."

"Get lost. Don't make me say it again." Qing'er's domineering tone left Zhang Chong and the others with no room to argue.

Zhang Zixuan's face turned purple with anger, but he could only remain silent. Zhang Chong forcibly dragged him away. He was trembling the entire way, as if he were constipated, and even looked back at Li Tianming several times.

"What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a handsome guy before?" Little Yellow Chicken, nestled on Li Tianming's head, was completely oblivious after escaping death and remained as cocky as ever.

Being mocked by Little Yellow Chicken, Zhang Zixuan couldn't even turn back, which infuriated him.

Only after they left did Li Tianming have to face Princess Qing.

"What are you looking at? Are you unhappy that I called you a pig?" Qing'er glared at him. To be honest, she looked quite cute when she was pouting like this.

"I am. You are a princess, Your Highness. How could I not be?" Li Tianming replied.

"Qing'er, don't treat Brother so rudely. When Brother saved me last time, you weren't this arrogant." Jiang Feiling said. After Zhang Chong and the others left, Jiang Feiling ran to Li Tianming's side and asked with concern, "Brother, are you injured?"

"No, Ling'er is so thoughtful. There aren't many kind girls like you." Li Tianming said with a smile.

"What do you mean by that? Are you implying I'm not kind?" Qing'er's eyebrows shot up again.

"I didn't say that." Li Tianming replied. "Actually, I'm quite grateful this time. If it weren't for you, I would have lost my life."

"It's good that you know gratitude. Be more polite in the future. If you had spoken to me like that last time when you saved Ling'er, I would have chopped your head off long ago." Qing'er said.

"Understood." Li Tianming didn't want to offend her. Although she spoke with a bit of arrogance, she wasn't malicious. Moreover, she was a princess, someone he couldn't afford to offend at the moment.

"I misspoke. There won't be a 'future.' Go home and farm, Li Tianming. We're returning to Yandu. Goodbye, and never see you again." Qing'er pulled Jiang Feiling along, as if afraid Li Tianming would get close to her.

"Qing'er, stop talking. I can't even get a word in. I have something important to tell Brother. You stay quiet over there." Jiang Feiling said.

As expected, there's always someone who can keep another in check.

Li Tianming smiled.

No matter how arrogant Princess Qing was, she still had to listen to Ling'er.