Xiaoshan Sacred Cave (Part One)

"Oh? Zhuge Xiang is looking for me?" Inside the Imperial Palace, Ying Yan was slightly taken aback upon hearing the guard's words, and then her expression became somewhat unnatural.

Ying Yan naturally wouldn't forget the conflicts and grudges between herself and Zhuge Xiang, but the strength that Zhuge Xiang displayed at today's Birthday Banquet made it impossible for Ying Yan to remain calm.

Although his cultivation had also entered the Void Returning Stage, could he compare to Zhuge Xiang in terms of strength? It was like comparing Qi Refining Stage cultivator to a Return to Simplicity Realm Qi Cultivation Realm Cultivator; the difference was immense.

"Forget it, if he still holds a grudge, I'll just swallow my pride and apologize," Ying Yan to herself, shaking her head helplessly after a moment of silence, fearing that Zhuge Xiang would pursue the matter between them.

Even if Zhuge Xiang were incredibly powerful, he wouldn't dare disregard the existence of the Great Qin Imperial Family. Moreover, given his status Prince, it would be unreasonable for Zhuge Xiang to continue harassing Zhuge Xiang after apologizing.

"Alright, let him in to see me," Ying Yan said to the guard at the door after thinking this through. Then, she stopped the guard who was about to go out to welcome Zhuge Xiang in, saying, "Wait, never mind, I'll go and greet him myself."

Having decided to adopt a humble attitude, Ying Yan gave Zhuge Xiang ample face. Besides, given the strength Zhuge Xiang had demonstrated, it was only right that she, as Prince, show him sufficient respect. After all, in the Cultivation World, respecting the strong was not a matter of losing face.

"Brother Zhuge, I never expected you to grace us with your presence. It truly honors my humble abode..." With a fake smile on her face, Ying Yan laughed heartily as she greeted Zhuge Xiang outside the palace.

"Prince Highness is too kind. I have a small matter that I need to discuss with Prince Highness privately. Do you have the time?" After all, Ying Yan was also Prince, so Zhuge Xiang clasped his hands in a salute to him and asked.

To be alone with Zhuge Xiang? To be honest, upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's words, Ying Yan's heart trembled slightly; she was truly afraid that he would kill her.

However, glancing at the guards outside her Palace, Ying Yan felt somewhat relieved. If Zhuge Xiang truly wanted to kill her, he wouldn't have invited her in such a public place; otherwise, how could he escape punishment?

"Very well. Since Brother Zhuge has invited me, I will naturally accompany you," Ying Yan said with a smile after a moment's thought. As she spoke, she gave a special instruction to the guards of her Palace, saying, "You all keep a close watch on us. Brother Zhuge and I are going out for a while. Do not send anyone to follow us, understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness," the guard replied loudly, nodding.

Ying Yan's words were meant to leave a deeper impression on her guards, letting them know that she and Zhuge Xiang had left alone, and also to subtly remind Zhuge Xiang that if she did not return, the Great Qin Imperial Family would definitely hold her accountable.

Unfortunately, Ying Yan was unaware that even if Zhuge Xiang killed him, he could still create a Flesh Puppet to deceive others.

After flying out of the Imperial Palace with Ying Yan in tow, Zhuge Xiang landed in a secluded spot.

"Brother Zhuge, is there anything you wish to discuss with me privately?" After landing, Ying Yan looked around and saw that it was a secluded and deserted place. She felt a little uneasy, but she still asked Zhuge Xiang with a calm demeanor.

"It's nothing important, I just want to borrow something from His Highness the Prince," Zhuge Xiang said to Ying Yan as he turned around.

In the darkness, a chilling light flashed in Zhuge Xiang's eyes, and his sharp killing intent was undisguised as he said, "I want to borrow the Prince's life."

"You... you want to kill me... the Guard in my Bedchamber all know you came out to find me alone. Once I die, my father will definitely know that you did it..." Unexpectedly, Zhuge Xiang actually dared to openly find him and kill him. Ying Yan stared at Zhuge Xiang in horror, retreating step by step. Even as a powerful cultivator in the Void Returning Stage, he still found it difficult to muster the will to resist in the face of Zhuge Xiang.

"Don't worry, no one will know if you die. Originally, the grudge between us didn't warrant my killing you. But unfortunately, I need a useful pawn." Zhuge Xiang raised the God Slaying Spear in his hand and, without any fancy moves, smashed it fiercely towards Ying Yan.

Although he lacked the Yin Yang Demonic Rings, with the Night Emblem's Effect, Zhuge Xiang's strength was not much less, and he was more than capable of handling Ying Yan.

Zhuge Xiang's cultivation had reached the Ninth Level Nascent Soul Stage, just one step away from entering the Dao Seeking Realm. Ying Yan, on the other hand, was only at the early stage of the Nascent Soul Stage, her cultivation was lower than Zhuge Xiang's Zhuge Xiang, how could she be a match for him?

Although Ying Yan's Imperial World Shocking Merit is quite good, even among Cultivator of the same stage, it is still far inferior to a freak like Zhuge Xiang.

A single, brutal spear thrust, powerful enough to shatter mountains, struck Ying Yan with tremendous force. The sound of bones breaking filled the air. In a single move, Ying Yan, the Seventh Prince of the Great Qin Empire, perished under Zhuge Xiang's God Slaying Spear.

"Ding, you have killed Nascent Soul Stage Second Layer Cultivator and gained 500,000 Experience Points." The mechanical system notification made Zhuge Xiang shake his head helplessly.

Killing targets of a higher level grants Experience Points, but killing targets of lower cultivation levels actually reduces the Experience Points. Cultivator at the Void Returning Stage and the Second Layer of the Nascent Soul Stage only has 500,000 Experience Points. In Zhuge Xiang's view, the existence of the Super Game System is entirely for the purpose of constantly challenging stronger opponents. This system is indeed suitable for him as a disciple of the Asura Sect Disciples.

Flesh Puppet Art!

Seeing Ying Yan's corpse lying on the ground, which he had already killed, Zhuge Xiang let out a low shout. Then, with a wave of his hand, a ray of dazzling, translucent light fell on Ying Yan's body.

Visibly, the wounds on Ying Yan's corpse were healing at a visible speed, and color was slowly returning to her pale face.

In the short time it takes to drink Half a Tea Interval of tea, Ying Yan, who had been killed by Zhuge Xiang, suddenly opened her eyes, stood up nimbly, and her cultivation level was still stable at the Second Layer the Nascent Soul Stage. She respectfully knelt down in front of Zhuge Xiang, touched her head to the ground, and said, "Master!"

"Very good. Have you preserved all your Memory and knowledge?" Looking at Ying Yan's appearance, Zhuge Xiang was very satisfied with this Flesh Puppet and asked.

"Reporting to my master, I guarantee the preservation of all my cultivation, knowledge, and Memory," Ying Yan said, touching her head to the ground. Her tone was filled with boundless reverence, like the most devout believer seeing their Deity.

"Do you know anything about the fate of the Great Qin National Fortune?" Upon hearing Ying Yan's answer, Zhuge Xiang asked directly.

"Reporting to Master, I do not know," Ying Yan replied, shaking her head with Guilt in her eyes.

"Very well, after returning to the Imperial Palace, you must do your best to find all information about the fate of the Great Qin. Report all relevant information to me." Although Ying Yan was unaware of this news, which disappointed Zhuge Xiang, he did not have high hopes. Therefore, Zhuge Xiang quickly gave the order.

"Yes, Master!" Ying Yan nodded respectfully, still prostrate on the ground.

"Alright, go ahead, remember not to give anything away," Zhuge Xiang nodded and waved his hand.

"Yes! I will certainly not reveal any flaws, please rest assured, Master," Ying Yan prostrated herself on the ground until Zhuge Xiang was far, far away, then slowly stood up, straightened her clothes, and turned back into the Imperial Palace.

Although there is no difference in appearance, temperament, etc., Ying Yan is no longer himself; he is merely a Flesh Puppet of Zhuge Xiang...

Several days passed in the blink of an eye. The Imperial Palace had been busy these past few days, as dealing with the corpses of the Zombie inside the Imperial Palace was quite troublesome. After all the corpses were gathered together and a Formation was built to isolate them from the outside world, a burst of Samadhi True Fire was used to burn the Zombie corpses to ashes.

"Mr. Zhuge Xiang, His Highness the Sixth Prince requests your presence..." Three days later, an Imperial Palace attendant approached Zhuge Xiang and said respectfully.

"Oh? The Sixth Prince requests your presence? Lead the way quickly." Upon hearing this, Zhuge Xiang raised an eyebrow and sat up abruptly. Ying Dongsheng's summons at this time was clearly for one thing: the exploration of the Twelve Golden Figures Ancient Cave.

"Please come with me, Mr. Zhuge," the attendant nodded, still extremely respectful.

In the Cultivation World, strength is revered. Although Zhuge Xiang is young, the strength he displayed at the emperor's Birthday Banquet was no less than that of the top experts at the time. With such strength, who in the entire Cultivation World would dare to underestimate him?

Following the attendants of the Sixth Prince Ying Dongsheng, Zhuge Xiang soon arrived at the place where Ying Yan had summoned everyone last time. The same Princes and Princesses were there as before, but Zhu Luowen of the Great Ming Dynasty was not present.

He had fainted last time and didn't hear what Ying Dongsheng said. Now, given the grudge between him and Zhuge Xiang, no one would dare to call him without his permission.

"Brother Zhuge..." Upon seeing Zhuge Xiang arrive, the Sixth Prince Ying Dongsheng, the Seventh Prince Ying Yan, the Eighth Princess Ying Xiaocui, as well as Zhu Xiaoxi and Zhao Kai, all hurriedly stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhuge Xiang.

Because of his strength, even these Princes and Princesses of noble birth had to treat Zhuge Xiang with utmost respect. This time, the treatment Zhuge Xiang received was clearly incomparable to the last time.

"Your Highnesses, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down," Zhuge Xiang with a smile, though he disliked being looked down upon, he also didn't particularly enjoy flattery. He always took such formalities lightly. Looking at the Princes and Princesses, he replied with a gentle smile, showing his approachable nature. (To be continued...)