Infiltration

Inside the Imperial Palace, in the Imperial Study.

Both Li Haotian and Prince Qing Li Cunguo, were anxiously awaiting news from outside.

Xu Lianying waited outside the door.

"According to the timeline, we should have received five Signal Token by now, but we've only received two. It seems the other spies have all met with misfortune."

"Sigh, I wonder how the Imperial Ancestor is doing."

Li Haotian was filled with worry, as he had not received any news for a long time and was somewhat uneasy.

The white-haired Prince Qing also looked worried, frowning as he said, "There shouldn't be any problems. Although we don't know Zuo Qiu's origins, there are few in the world who can rival the Third Imperial Uncle. Even if something unexpected happens, North Spring Mountain is right next door. I also told the Third Imperial Uncle that if anything happens, he should go to North Spring Mountain and reveal his identity as a member of the Great Qian Imperial Family. I don't think Gu Yuanqing will stand idly by. Surely the Second First Uncle can't be defeated?"

Time passed slowly, and finally another message reached Xu Lianying.

Xu Lianying quickly took it inside.

"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived."

"Give it to me immediately."

Li Haotian took it and glanced at it, feeling slightly disappointed, but also somewhat relieved.

"Your Majesty, how is it?"

"Uncle Wang, please take a look. This is Remnants the Crimson Dragon Cult who escaped from North Spring Mountain, captured by the people of the Heavenly Policy Mansion. They say that the Crimson Dragon Cult Leader was killed by Gu Yuanqing with a single sword strike."

Prince Qing took the letter and was about to examine it closely when he suddenly noticed that the door to the Imperial Study seemed to be opening and closing as if blown by Qingfeng.

Neither Li Haotian Prince Qing noticed that someone was already standing beside them, and they both looked towards the door.

Xu Lianying, on the other hand, was the first to notice and immediately knelt down, saying, "This servant greets Third Master."

Li Haotian and Prince Qing turned around and saw Li Shi'an, then stood up with joy on their faces.

"Imperial Ancestor /Uncle!"

Li Shi'an nodded and said, "Little Xu Zi, not bad. I didn't expect you to be the first to become Grandmaster."

Li Haotian and Prince Qing understood the unspoken meaning in the words, and their faces burned with embarrassment.

Xu Lianying glanced at Li Haotian furtively, then kowtowed and said, "This is all thanks to His Majesty's guidance and Third Master's instruction."

"Alright, sit down, both of you. One of you is an emperor, and the other is so old, your eyebrows are practically buried in the ground. It's not my place to teach you."

"This servant will go outside and keep watch."

Xu Lianying kowtowed, stood up, and retreated; it was clear that his presence was inappropriate in this situation.

Li Shi'an pulled up a Chair and sat down. "This time we're in trouble. I'm no match for them."

Li Haotian and Prince Qing exchanged a glance, both sensing the gravity in Li Shi'an's words.

"Your Imperial Ancestor, what is Zuo Qiu's identity? Where does he come from?"

Li Shi'an considered for a moment, then slowly said, "Logically speaking, given your cultivation levels, I shouldn't be telling you this. However, after much deliberation, given the current situation, it's probably better for you to know who your opponent is..."

A moment later, Li Haotian and Prince Qing's expressions changed from shock to a furrowed brow and grimace.

After Li Shi'an finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in the room.

After a long pause, Li Haotian smiled bitterly and said, "What the Imperial Ancestor means is that there is another Heaven and Earth beyond this one, and Zuo Qiu is here for a trial. The Martial World Lingxu Sect is not just a simple martial Sect; there is a Heaven Ascending Path within the sect that leads to the Outer Realm, and Miaoxuan will be embarking on that Heaven Ascending Path in a little over a year?"

Li Shi'an nodded and said, "That's right, that's roughly it."

Li Haotian fell silent. He suddenly remembered the child Li Miaoxuan had left behind. To be honest, he hadn't understood why Li Miaoxuan had kept the child before, but now he suddenly understood a little.

He had suffered a hidden injury and only had one daughter, Li Miaoxuan. If Li Miaoxuan were to embark on the Heaven Ascending Path and never return, this child would be the only descendant and memento Li Miaoxuan left him.

"Alright, I've made myself clear. Now there's something I need you to tell me."

"Your Imperial Ancestor, please speak."

"Young friend Gu, what has led to your imprisonment in North Spring Mountain? If my Li Family has done anything wrong, please do not be ashamed of your Imperial Family status; admit your mistakes and apologize where necessary."

Upon hearing this, Li Haotian and Prince Qing Li Cunguo, exchanged a glance.

Why aren't you saying anything?

Li Haotian somewhat embarrassed and ashamed; this kind of thing was not honorable.

Prince Qing Li Cunguo, coughed and said, "Third Uncle, why don't you just leave this matter alone? Regarding Young Master Gu's affairs in North Spring, my Li Family has not wronged him."

"If that's the case, then why can't we say it!" Li Shi'an frowned.

Gu Yuanqing's life in the Mountain returned to normal, with his days spent cultivating himself, reading, Mountain Observation, and Object Control.

Zuo Qiu remained lingering at the foot of the mountain, his expression growing increasingly solemn. Several days had passed, yet the Array Formation's defenses remained undiminished, and no flaws could be found. In fact, there was no trace of the Array Formation's formation whatsoever, as if the Mountain's Mountain Protecting Great Formation had been entirely Creation by Heaven and Earth.

He now faces only two paths: either continue to hold out or try to break in, or do something else first.

After hesitating for a long time, he pretended to leave, then secretly concealed his presence and returned.

He was using the Hidden Hibernating Dragon Technique, but it was far superior to the one used by the Crimson Dragon Cult. Zuo Qiu that unless the user was a whole realm above him, no trace of it would be detected.

Gu Yuanqing indeed did not notice that he had returned, nor did she even notice that he had left.

However, when Zuo Qiu had been hiding for several days, attempted to break into the mountain gate using the Hibernating Dragon Technique, Gu Yuanqing, who was cultivating, immediately noticed.

Zuo Qiu entered about three feet into the boundary of North Spring Mountain and stood there for a long time without moving.

Gu Yuanqing observed coldly. At this distance, even if he suppressed Zuo Qiu, it would be difficult to kill him. He could leave the mountain in just a few steps.

Zuo Qiu waited patiently for a long time before tentatively heading upwards. He had seen many animals dart out of this path before, so it might be safer.

Gu Yuanqing waited patiently. This was a rare opportunity, and once missed, it would be hard to come by again. In order to prevent Zuo Qiu from suddenly becoming suspicious, Gu Yuanqing focused all his thoughts on Mountain Observation, without having a single thought or feeling, and without showing any hostility towards Zuo Qiu.

It was precisely because of this that Zuo Qiu felt his mind calm down, and he used the Hidden Hibernating Dragon Technique to slightly quicken his pace.

He walked along without finding anything amiss, and before he knew it, he had reached the halfway point of the mountain. A surge of joy filled him: Non-Self have simply passed through the Mountain Protecting Great Formation? Or has the Array Formation actually been weakening for a long time, merely a feigned illusion to prevent me from entering the mountain?

"No matter what, now that I'm in the mountains, Gu Yuanqing, let's see how I play you!"

Thinking of how Gu Yuanqing had fooled him before, Zuo Qiu sneered, his heart filled with murderous intent.

"That's about enough!"

With a thought, Gu Yuanqing Yao Blade, the Kunwu Sword, and several needles flashing with blue light flying into the air.

Almost at that instant, Zuo Qiu's heart pounded violently. His expression changed, and without any hesitation, he turned and headed down the mountain...