A Shortcut Once Lay Before Them, Yet the Foolish Let It Slip Away

"Leaving aside the crucial aspect of mixed-race heritage, we are also fully aware of the influence of Foreign Lands behind the scenes."

"Qin Wangchuan... his reach is farther and his vision is clearer than I imagined."

He shook his head, temporarily suppressing these chaotic thoughts.

Now is not the time to investigate the source of Qin Wangchuan's intelligence; the most urgent task is to deal with the current crisis.

"We need to protect the Prodigy, but we can't alert them and expose the mixed-blood lineage. We also need to follow the clues to uncover the true schemes of the Foreign Lands..." Yun Zexuan rubbed his temples and gave a wry smile.

"Our His Highness Divine Son has certainly thrown us a difficult problem."

He looked up at the young man who had been standing silently beside him, his aura as cold and aloof as Lone Peak.

"You're right, aren't you?"

Gu Tianye sat quietly to the side, not even lifting his eyelids upon hearing this, only uttering a few words: "If someone else spread this news, I would just consider it nonsense."

He paused, his tone still calm, yet carrying a rare certainty:

"But he is Qin Wangchuan."

Upon hearing this, Yun Zexuan finally showed a genuine smile, "Perfect."

"Then, you will assist me in completing this task."

"Once it's done, the Heaven Toad Grass will naturally be delivered to you," he said, looking at Gu Tianye.

"At that time, you won't have to participate in the Grand Competition every month to fight for first place."

However, Gu Tianye slowly shook his head.

"The Heaven Toad Grass is paramount," he said calmly. "But I will not be absent from the End-of-Month Grand Tournament, until I reach the top."

"Why?" Yun Zexuan raised an eyebrow.

"That wasn't just a competition, it was about ranking."

Gu Tianye's gaze seemed to pierce through the palace, looking in a certain direction. Deep within his eyes, a cold flame burned quietly. "That is also the battlefield where I proved myself and honed my skills."

"The Academy is a place where hidden talents abound, with so many extraordinary individuals; it is truly an excellent whetstone."

"I will use this to keep challenging myself, keep getting closer... until I catch up with him."

Yun Zexuan was taken aback at first, then clapped his hands and laughed, "Hahaha... Good!"

"As expected, I wasn't wrong about you!"

His eyes held a mixture of appreciation and something deeper.

The laughter stopped abruptly.

The temperature inside the hall seemed to drop instantly.

Yun Zexuan's smile vanished, replaced by a deep and imposing aura.

That was the oppressive aura of the Imperial Clan, who had long held high positions, wielded power, and could decide the fates of countless people with a single word.

Without needing to be deliberately released, it already pressed down heavily, like a mountain.

Yun Zexuan's voice was low and calm, yet every word carried immense weight, embodying an undeniable admonition and a chilling warning:

"However, Gu Tianye... ambition can be great, and the road can be steep. But never forget—"

He paused slightly, allowing the invisible pressure to rise to its peak.

"On this path, there are countless people who share the same thoughts, and even more ruthless and cold-hearted."

"If you see others as a whetstone, how can you know that others won't see you as... a stepping stone, or even a stumbling block?"

He spoke the last few words very softly, yet they seemed to carry a bloody undertone.

Gu Tianye maintained his aloof demeanor, seemingly unaffected by any pressure, and simply nodded calmly.

"Of course," he said, "So I will continue the challenge."

Until, I've left everyone behind.

He didn't say those words aloud, but his unwavering gaze said it all.

The boy who once regarded the Sacred Body as everything, and was so proud of it that he was blinded by it, finally shed that limiting radiance with his own hands and ascended to the truly vast and boundless sky.

Within the Secret Realm.

Shatong, being quite perceptive, realized that Qin Wangchuan and Li Qingluan had a close relationship and that Qin Wangchuan had other important matters to attend to, so he didn't press the matter further.

He simply waved to Qin Wangchuan and grinned:

"Alright, I won't keep you from seeking your fortuitous opportunity any longer."

"Next time I come to see you, don't let those people stop me from leaving again!"

Qin Wangchuan.

It must have been the elders' orders. Due to the disappearance of the Prodigy and the attack on the Dojo, they had increased their vigilance and would naturally not allow an Alien Race royal descendant with a sensitive identity to easily approach them.

After parting ways with Shatong, Qin Wangchuan and Li Qingluan continued their journey towards the eastern part of the center of the Secret Realm.

The starlight flowed along the way, and it was exceptionally quiet, with only the faint sound of footsteps on the stardust-strewn ground.

This silence did not last long.

Two foul gusts of wind suddenly swept through the air, attracting several Demon Beast drawn by the aura of the Immortal Body.

One approached from directly in front, Shadow Figure flashing with the cold light of claws; the other, even more sinister, silently extended its fangs from a seemingly stable vortex of star power to the side and rear.

Qin Wangchuan's fingertips twitched slightly, as if he was about to make a move.

But Li Qingluan beside her moved even faster.

She didn't even look at the two Shadow Figure approaching; her left hand simply rested on the hilt of the sword at her waist.

The instant my fingertips touched the hilt of the sword.

A clear, resonant sword cry, like a dragon's roar, suddenly tore through the air.

"Clang--!"

The cold light wasn't just a single ray, but rather, in the instant it was drawn from its sheath, it seemed to illuminate two directions simultaneously.

Directly ahead, the Shadow Figure, carrying a foul stench and not yet fully revealed, suddenly froze halfway.

A straight line of light split open vertically from between its brows, and the beast's body silently split in two.

To the side and behind, the ferocious python's head had just emerged from the vortex when it abruptly separated from its body and rolled to the ground, its vertical pupils still retaining a sense of ferocity and bewilderment.

"Despair."

The sword slid precisely into its sheath, making a crisp sound as it returned to its place.

He drew his sword, slashed, and sheathed it.

From beginning to end, Li Qingluan made not a single unnecessary movement; the entire process was as smooth as flowing water, so graceful and captivating.

Only then did she slightly turn her head, her cool gaze falling on Qin Wangchuan, and speak:

"Before encountering that person, I viewed Alien Race as no different from these ferocious beasts that act on instinct."

But after meeting him, I felt... there was still something different.

What do you think?

Qin Wangchuan hesitated for a moment, then replied, "I think he is great."

A hint of doubt flashed across Li Qingluan's eyes.

He continued, "I have a deep affection for this land, but I cannot stay because of my position and responsibilities."

"When mired in adversity, one doesn't complain or demand acceptance from the Three Thousand Provinces, but chooses to change the world one inhabits—that homeland shrouded in Black Mist."

"Knowing it is difficult, almost impossible, I still set it as the 'Tao' I will pursue throughout my life."

He looked straight ahead, his tone calm, yet carrying a hint of solemnity and respect:

"This in itself is a great thing."

These are about him.

"As far as I'm concerned, as long as we can reclaim the Foreign Lands, this gentle approach is acceptable, and it saves a lot of trouble; it's a shortcut."

"So," Qin Wangchuan withdrew his gaze and looked at Li Qingluan, "I don't mind giving him a hand."

Li Qingluan listened quietly, her cool eyes meeting his gaze. After a moment, she nodded very slightly.

"Um."

She paused, seemingly feeling it wasn't enough, and added, "What I mean is, I'll help you."

Upon hearing this, Qin Wangchuan looked at the unwavering determination in her eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips, and nodded.

The two said no more and continued to delve deeper into their predetermined direction.