I Am Qin Wangchuan's Concubine

(Two-in-one)

Wandao Academy, Back Mountain Forest.

When Tan Lingfei opened his eyes again, he was blasted out of the Outer Academy by the energy from the rift that had annihilated him, and fell into the forest.

After crawling for a while, he leaned wearily against the rough trunk of the ancient tree.

The left leg was empty below the knee, the severed area was a bloody mess, and the white bone fragments gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

It must have hurt, but memories flooded back at that moment.

"Is this... the Back Mountain Forest?"

Many years ago, Tan Lingfei was brought into the Academy by his grandfather here.

His gaze swept over the badly injured body, finally settling back on this place that symbolized the beginning.

"This is where I began, and this is where I end," he murmured to himself, his voice hoarse. "At least it has a beginning and an end."

"Grandfather..."

Tan Lingfei's murmurs grew softer and softer, his eyelids drooped heavily, and his consciousness was fading away along with his life force.

Just moments before plunging into complete darkness—

He suddenly opened his eyes.

Footsteps.

A shadowy figure was slowly approaching from the other end of the forest path.

Someone's here!

The broken body instinctively tensed up, then relaxed again.

What is there to fear for a dying person?

Even with these thoughts in mind, Tan Lingfei's pupils still contracted the moment he saw the newcomer's face clearly. He then curled his lips into his usual mocking smile.

"I never imagined that the last person I would see before I die would be you."

Qin Wangchuan did not respond immediately. His gaze first fell on a Stone Chisel had rolled among the withered leaves, lying quietly with dried bloodstains on its surface.

Then he turned to Tan Lingfei and asked:

Are you disappointed?

As he spoke, he walked straight to Tan Lingfei's side and sat down casually under a tree, as if he had only come here to rest.

Looking around, the forest was deep and the leaves were dense, with birdsong echoing in the quiet.

"It's quite a nice place," Qin Wangchuan praised first, then turned his head, his gaze calmly landing on his face.

"You're going to die."

"But I can save you."

"What is this? Pity, or charity?" Tan Lingfei almost wanted to burst out laughing, but only coughed out a hoarse sound.

"It's not charity."

Qin Wangchuan's voice remained calm.

"You are valuable; you shouldn't die here."

In the simulation, Tan Lingfei's solitary demeanor, selfless and devoted to others, moved Qin Wangchuan.

He admires people like that.

"Value..."

Tan Lingfei shook his head without hesitation, leaning back against the rough tree trunk. "I'm nothing but a villain. I've committed countless evil deeds and used any means necessary."

"To die here is a fitting punishment."

"And—I have no reason to live anymore."

"You still have your compatriots in the Lower Realm," Qin Wangchuan interrupted him, his voice clear and calm.

"You can survive, and then help them."

"There's no need to flee elsewhere. The Three Thousand Provinces are vast; there will surely be a place for you to settle down."

Tan Lingfei remained silent for a long time.

Moonlight filtered through the branches and leaves, slicing his face with alternating patches of light and shadow.

The layer of mockery gradually peeled away, revealing the weariness beneath, weathered by time.

"A place to belong..." he repeated, his voice as soft as a sigh, "I've spent my whole life striving for these four words."

Consciousness was being slowly swallowed by the icy tide, each word consuming the last of his strength:

"I tried again and again, and failed again and again."

"I rebelled, I knelt, I worshipped, my spine bent again and again, my knees shattered again and again... I even thought that since this land has never treated us kindly, I might as well completely surrender to Foreign Lands and become a purely evil person."

"--But I can't do it."

"Three Thousand Provinces are too small, and Foreign Lands are too treacherous."

"I've tried everything... nothing."

He suddenly coughed violently, and blood-tinged foam spilled from between his teeth, gleaming dark red in the moonlight.

"They schemed against Human Race, instigating war; they schemed against Alien Race, seizing resources; and even... they dragged their fellow countrymen, who shared their plight, into the Chess Game."

"Someone like me... how could I possibly be qualified to save others?"

As Tan Lingfei spoke, he suddenly chuckled softly.

There was no mockery in that laughter, only an empty weariness.

"... Why am I saying all this?"

He raised his eyes and looked at Qin Wangchuan, the last glimmer of light in his eyes silently fading away.

"Someone like you simply wouldn't understand."

Qin Wangchuan did not respond.

He simply sat there, quietly watching Tan Lingfei, watching this man whose hands were stained with filth and whose heart had long been hollowed out by despair.

After a long while, Tan Lingfei used his last bit of strength to raise his trembling finger and point to the Stone Chisel in the distance.

"That's the only thing my father left me... It should be useful to you. Take it."

His voice was so soft it sounded like a sigh.

"Qin Wangchuan... I really envy you..."

Before he could finish speaking, the light in Tan Lingfei's eyes went out completely as his hand fell limp.

The night wind rustled through the woods, whispering softly among the leaves.

After a long while, Qin Wangchuan slowly exhaled.

Then, he leaned back against the tree trunk and closed his eyes.

"Don't I understand...?"

During the simulation, the despair in Tan Lingfei's heart almost burst forth.

In the Three Thousand Provinces, there was truly no place for people of mixed blood like them.

Thinking about it, Qin Wangchuan lowered his gaze.

It stopped at the Stone Chisel that Tan Lingfei had pointed to until his death.

Only the sound of the wind and a sigh so low it was almost inaudible echoed in the woods.

"How can I ever repay this debt of karma?"

In the Middle Thousand Provinces, in the Xuanhuang World, deep within the secret chamber of the Cleaners.

The Quiet Room lit, with only a few Spirit Crystal suspended in the center emitting a soft, cool light.

Xuanye's figure slowly emerged, surrounded by a group of Alien Race with imposing auras, and walked towards the high seat at the end of the Quiet Room.

A graceful figure sat quietly with her eyes lowered.

She was a woman whose beauty seemed almost unreal.

She wore a simple, dark-colored long dress, and her long, ink-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

Without any adornments, it shines brighter than the finest silk and is more beautiful than the night itself.

She only slightly raised her eyes when Xuanye's footsteps stopped a few feet in front of the high seat.

In an instant, two pale golden lights quietly lit up.

On her face, which was so perfect it was almost unreal, the beauty mark at the corner of her right eye was particularly striking.

Despite being of Alien Race, she looked exactly like Human Race girl, perhaps even more perfect.

Beside the high seat, several Alien Race were carefully placing a giant egg, about half the height of a person, with dark red blood patterns flowing on its surface. A muffled sound like a heart beating could be faintly heard from beneath the eggshell.

Xuanye stepped forward, bowed slightly, his posture respectful, yet his tone carried a hint of familiarity:

"Princess His Highness, haven't you had enough fun here?"

Lv Yingxin slowly raised her eyes, her golden pupils sweeping over him, her voice cold and undisturbed:

"You haven't had enough fun yet, have you?"

Xuanye straightened up, clapped his hands and laughed, his silver hair flowing in the dim light:

"Haha, now that you mention it, that makes sense."

"I only made a random move to see what the 'excitement' was like in these Three Thousand Provinces, but I never expected... it would bring out a real monster."

His smile faded, and a strange light appeared in his silver eyes:

"I always thought the future was just a predetermined path, dull and uninteresting. But after seeing that person— Qin Wangchuan —I started... to be curious about the future."

"Princess His Highness, you know this, don't you?"

"My future."

Lv Yingxin's status in this Foreign Lands is extremely special.

This is not only because her grandfather was the only "Emperor," a being who had the potential to reach the throne of the Heavenly Emperor.

Furthermore, it possesses the ability to "predict" the future.

To win her favor is, in a sense, to grasp the pulse of fate.

Lv Yingxin sat silently, her pale golden eyes empty and still, reflecting no image.

After a long while, her soft voice finally fell:

Your future will be as you envision it.

The future cannot be spoken of directly, for a great karmic consequence is about to befall the world.

However, this can be indicated through some prompts.

"What I think is death...?" Xuanye repeated softly, a smile of almost relief slowly curving his lips. "Will I die at Qin Wangchuan's hands in the future?"

Lv Yingxin did not respond, but her silence itself was an attitude.

"Ha, just as I thought."

Xuanye chuckled softly, a laugh devoid of any gloom, but rather revealing an excitement ignited by fate. "I saw it clearly at first glance."

"Qin Wangchuan and I are the same kind of people."

"He wanted to kill all the kings, seize power, and subjugate Foreign Lands."

"I also want to slay all the kings and seize power, but the difference is—I want to use this opportunity to seek out the legendary Immortal Emperor!"

As he spoke, his smile blossomed completely, almost radiantly:

"The Three-Character Heaven and Earth Law."

"To die at the hands of such a monster, doesn't that prove... that my path is destined to reach that height?"

Xuanye's laughter echoed in the dimly lit, Quiet Room.

Even the Foreign Lands, who were used to his demeanor, subconsciously took a half step back, exchanging fearful glances.

Everyone knows that this Lord Xuanye is an elegant madman.

The laughter gradually subsided.

Xuanye raised his hand to wipe away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes, then raised his hand behind him.

Several powerful Alien Race warriors who were waiting behind immediately stepped forward, their expressions solemn, and each made a cut on their palm.

The blood of various colors turned into several thin streams and fell onto the surface of the blood-red giant egg.

--Blood Seed.

A hidden secret left behind in this world from High Antiquity; once activated, it can open a passage to Foreign Lands.

Such seeds were once sown in countless places across Three Thousand Provinces.

According to the original plan, the intention was to create a large enough commotion at the Wandao Academy to attract attention, while secretly sending people to activate the Blood Seed in preparation for a future invasion.

However, thanks to Qin Wangchuan's hint...

Yun Zexuan not only saw through the plan, but also followed the clues to find most of the Blood Seed.

"Qin Wangchuan is right." Xuanye gazed at the slowly "awakening" Blood Seed, his tone tinged with amusement and admiration. "His companion is indeed very strong, able to uncover such a secret... However, that's all."

He turned slightly to the side, bowing gently to the girl on the throne, making an impeccable gesture of invitation:

"Princess His Highness, please."

Lv Yingxin remained unmoved.

She even leaned back lazily, propping her cheek up with one hand, her pale golden eyes sweeping over Xuanye with disdain, her cool voice breaking the silence:

"Xuanye."

"I'm here," Xuanye replied with a smile, maintaining his bowed posture.

"Have I ever told you," her voice was devoid of emotion, yet each word was clear, "That I never intended to leave?"

Xuanye straightened up, his smile deepening, "This is the first time I've heard of this."

Just then, a loud noise came from Quiet Room and quickly approached.

An Alien Race guard practically burst through the inner room door, his face filled with panic. "My lord! Outside—"

He didn't finish his sentence.

Lv Yingxin's gaze had already passed over Xuanye and landed on the twisted door to the secret chamber.

"Though in your eyes I am trapped here."

"But actually, I've been waiting for this moment."

The gate was blasted open, and smoke and dust filled the air.

Two figures stepped into the doorway, one after the other.

It was Yun Zexuan and Gu Tianye.

The auras of various Alien Race erupted inside the room, instantly surrounding the two of them, their Killing Intent palpable.

However, Yun Zexuan's gaze swept over this group of powerful Alien Race, his face showing no panic. Instead, he arrogantly shouted:

Good evening, Alien Race.

"Kneel down and beg for mercy now, and you can save your life."

Yun Zexuan's arrogant words echoed in the Quiet Room.

Gu Tianye tilted his head slightly, his gaze piercing through the layers of Killing Intent, landing on the dark-clad figure on the high seat. He frowned and asked, "That... is the 'Princess' mentioned in the intelligence?"

"He does indeed look like an important person."

"Although most of the Alien Race races are tough, not all of them are fearless of death."

Yun Zexuan chimed in casually, "If we arrest a few more and interrogate them, we'll surely get some real information out of them."

Xuanye surveyed the two people who remained composed despite being heavily surrounded, his silver eyes flashing with a cold light:

"While I admire your courage, there should be a limit to recklessness."

"Two Supernatural Realm cultivators..." He tilted his head slightly, a hint of genuine bewilderment in his voice, "Dared to venture so far alone and sneak into this place?"

"Two?"

"No."

Yun Zexuan shook his head, then held up three fingers to correct him:

There are three.

He paused, his tone light and almost teasing:

"Although there are fewer of you, killing you all should be more than enough."

Before they finished speaking, an overwhelming pressure, as solid as Myriad Ages mountain and as vast as an endless Star Sea, spread out from behind them without warning.

A figure in a gray robe emerged silently from the shadows and stood behind the two.

The old man possessed an air of otherworldly wisdom, his entire being exuding a harmonious Dao Rhyme, his presence subtle and restrained, like an old man from the mortal world.

However, when his gaze swept over the various Alien Race, it seemed as if the might of heaven swept over them.

"I am Yun Qingyang."

There were no superfluous words, no grand pronouncements.

Yun Qingyang took a step forward.

The next moment--

Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!...

A series of dull, popping sounds, like ripe berries being crushed, rang out almost simultaneously in the Quiet Room!

Apart from Lv Yingxin on the high seat, the bodies of the dozen or so powerful Alien Race warriors were all burst apart from the inside at the same instant, as if by an invisible force!

The Quiet Room was instantly filled with a strong stench of blood.

Yun Zexuan strolled leisurely among the severed limbs:

"They think they're something special just because the Academy gives them a little face."

"This is the Three Thousand Provinces, and behind me stands the Imperial Clan Yun Clan."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a strange thing happened!

From the mass of flesh that could barely be identified as the outline of Xuanye's head, the part that belonged to his mouth strangely opened and closed twice, emitting a sound:

"Heh... that was to be expected."

Yun Zexuan and Gu Tianye stopped abruptly, their pupils shrinking!

Yun Qingyang's usually impassive face, a faint hint of surprise flickered.

It's shattered like this... and it can still talk?!

The remaining mouth seemed to have used its last bit of strength, and the voice turned towards the high seat, intermittently:

"Princess His Highness..."

"You can... come back by yourself, right?"

Seated high above, Lv Yingxin remained composed, offering only a curt reply from afar, her voice still cool and unwavering:

"Certainly."

Having received this brief response, the pile of minced meat let out a final, slightly amusement-tinged breath:

"Well... I'll go report now..."

"And you all, pass a message to Qin Wangchuan: I will help him spread his Supernatural Law throughout the Foreign Lands..."

Then, the last glimmer of hope was completely extinguished, and he was truly dead.

This conversation was so bizarre that even the well-informed Yun Qingyang couldn't help but frown.

"Go back?"

He took a step forward, and although his aura was not fully unleashed, it was as if an invisible mountain had descended, sealing off the entire space.

"The Blood Seed has been destroyed, and the passage remains unopened."

"You are welcome to try your best to escape right under my nose."

Lv Yingxin did not answer immediately.

She slowly stood up, her dark skirt flowing like the night.

Those pale golden eyes turned their gaze to Yun Zexuan, who was standing at the very front.

Then, she parted her red lips slightly and uttered three words with crystal clarity:

"Qin Wangchuan."

The name prompted Yun Zexuan to raise his hand and stop the old man behind him, signaling him not to move.

Then, Lv Yingxin said something even more astonishing:

"I am Qin Wangchuan's concubine."