"Withdraw."
A voice filled with unfathomable majesty rang out through the solemn, imposing hall.
"Yes. This humble cultivator takes his leave."
At those words, Zhang Ziping's taut body visibly relaxed, though he still rallied himself and bowed in acknowledgment.
Then he gave Liu Yu a meaningful look and slowly backed toward the hall doors before turning to walk outside.
The Immortal Emperor of Great Qian was undoubtedly at the spirit transformation realm, and most of the ministers and princes standing around them possessed nascent soul cultivation.
Powerful auras filled every corner of the hall. The pressure borne by a "mere" Golden Core Cultivator was easy to imagine.
Moreover, some of those present might well harbor ill intent!
Playing the part of an ordinary cultivator of the Zhang Household, Liu Yu had slipped inside under the pretext of supplying details and preventing omissions. He chose to remain silent throughout.
After receiving Zhang Ziping's glance, he followed him out of the hall.
"Phew..."
Once they left Zichen Hall, both men let out a breath of relief, the pressure weighing upon them finally easing considerably.
Coming into close contact with cultivators whose very essence of life far exceeds my own, without knowing whether they harbor ill intent, really is unpleasant.
I should stay as far from high-level cultivators as possible.
Bright sunlight fell upon him, its warmth dispelling the lingering chill. As Liu Yu breathed easier, he silently reminded himself of that lesson.
"Let's go."
Beside him, Zhang Ziping spoke softly.
Led by a squad of Golden Guards, the two returned to Triumph Gate, then left the Great Qian Imperial Palace with Zhuo Mengzhen, Zhang Yi, and the other two.
"Fellow Daoist Zhuo, after careful consideration, I still believe it would be inappropriate to disclose the information about Southern Heaven directly."
"After all..."