The Rain Clan members all paled in shock.
Their clan elder had just displayed his overwhelming might, unleashing the Thunder-Calling Art and blasting that little thief until she could barely tell north from south. How had the tables suddenly turned, leaving him gravely wounded?
The territory soon descended into chaos, and nobody pursued her anymore.
Shi Zhao had been thinking that if anyone chased after her with no regard for their life, she would not mind going on a killing spree. Unexpectedly, not a single pursuer appeared, leaving her strangely disappointed.
"Cold arrows turned into warm treasures. Not a bad haul." She did not linger, returning to the Second Ancestral Land overnight while inspecting her gains along the way.
Inside the Black Cauldron, the most conspicuous items were several cubic measures of partially refined black gold ore, worth far more than the raw ore.
This was a precious material for forging weapons, as well as a rare metal that counteracted magic formations. Accumulating so much of it must have taken that black gold mine many years.
"No wonder an old fellow in the Inscription Realm showed up." At the sight, Shi Zhao understood at once.
She had originally expected only a few Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators here. After all, who would still guard a mining district once they reached the Inscription Realm?
Now it seemed almost certain that he had come to escort this shipment of black gold.
Fortunately, the old fellow had only just entered the Inscription Realm. He was clearly someone who had accumulated strength for most of his life before finally managing a lucky breakthrough. His cultivation realm was high, but his combat prowess was unremarkable.
Otherwise, she really would not have been able to leave so easily.
The Big Peng Treasure Bow truly lived up to its reputation as a venerable-level treasure. Unfortunately, only three Roc Feather Arrows had remained by the time it reached her hands, and those had been lost or destroyed during the struggle for the Mountain Treasure.
The arrow she had just fired had instead been refined from the Demon Ape's arm bone.
She had also asked the Willow Deity to refine the Li Fire Bull Demon's horn and the Old Suanni's pair of dragon horns, which she had picked up back then, into arrows.
Although they still fell considerably short, they were just about sufficient.
Had she already broken through to the Spirit Transformation Realm, that arrow would have done far more than blast apart half his body.
"Kindhearted as I am, I only wound, never kill." Her eyes darted as she looked at the matter from another angle, and her mood instantly brightened.
After returning to the Second Ancestral Land, Shi Zhao summoned A Man and Qingfeng, then took several rare birds and exotic beasts out of the Black Cauldron. Covered in dust and black with grime, they were washed and slaughtered on the spot.
Before long, delicious aromas filled the air as the rare birds and exotic beasts were pan-fried, stir-fried, stewed, and deep-fried, then served at the table.
"It's been so long since I had a spread like this. A pity there's no good wine. What a shame, haha." The old man sighed wistfully.
Having been imprisoned here for half his life, he had smiled more over these past few days than at any other time.
"My fault for not thinking of that. Don't worry, Third Grandfather. I'll definitely find you some good wine in a few days." Shi Zhao slapped her forehead, then spoke with a grin.
The old man's clouded eyes rested on her for a long while before he slowly said, "No need. The thought is enough. Wine isn't good to drink. Don't you go taking up the habit either."
"So you already know." Shi Zhao's smile faded, and she sighed softly.
"Hmph, little girl. I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. Did you think I couldn't tell what you'd done?" the old man said in feigned anger.
A Man and Qingfeng ducked their heads. He had already coaxed the truth out of them, and they had spilled everything about the Rain Clan's attack.
"So you know what I'm going to do?" Shi Zhao asked, blinking.
The old man froze for a moment. He could guess that the girl had rushed off last night to take revenge, but what did she mean by that question?
"So you don't know either." Shi Zhao broke into a smile and waved her slender hand. "A Man, Qingfeng, bring Grandfather. We're going to the Imperial Capital!"
"Child, don't be ridiculous..." The old man was dumbfounded. What was this supposed to be, a jailbreak?
"It's fine. The Stone Emperor won't hold it against us," Shi Zhao declared confidently.
Whether the old man agreed or not, the decision was no longer his to make. He was too old, his spirit had faded, and his cultivation was gone. He could not resist at all.
The group soon left the Western Frontier.
Not long after their departure, members of the Rain Clan arrived in a fury.
Their black gold mining district had been plundered, and a clan elder had been gravely injured. Such utter humiliation had already shaken the entire Rain Clan.
Many Rain Clan members were filled with righteous indignation. Even the Rain King had asked about it, so they naturally mobilized their forces to launch a sweeping investigation across the Western Frontier.
That investigation revealed that Yu Meng had once brought men to the Stone Kingdom's Ancestral Land, only to disappear inexplicably.
The two incidents had happened on almost the same day. It was hard to believe there was no connection between them.
For the moment, however, none of this concerned Shi Zhao and the others. They had already left the Western Frontier and reached the Imperial Capital as quickly as possible.
To be precise, Shi Zhao had made the journey alone. She had put everyone else inside the Black Cauldron and launched into a mad dash.
Unless a true king or marquis personally pursued her, nobody could catch up.
She had also used several runes from the Primitive True Understanding, not only altering her appearance and figure but also erasing her aura to prevent anyone from tracking or detecting her.
"The Imperial Capital. I'm back again."
Shi Zhao gazed at the immense city before her, silently studying it for a moment before moving on.
She had not expected to return so soon. When she left, she had planned to wait at least a few more years and grow stronger before coming back.
Yet here she was, ahead of schedule.
The Imperial Capital was naturally magnificent beyond compare, built from block upon block of jade crystal stone. Its imposing walls resembled a mountain ridge, while towering gatehouses stretched across her view with majestic grandeur.
It was called a city, but in truth, it was little different from moving a range of mountains here to enclose a vast expanse of land. It was enormous, capable of housing a tremendous population.
Shi Zhao did not reveal her true appearance, quietly slipping into the crowd.
Many people came and went through the Imperial Capital. Carriages drawn by all manner of fierce beasts raced past, some from the residences of kings and marquises, others belonging to traveling merchants hurrying to and fro from various regions.
The crowds were dense, and the city's population was immense. Who knew how many people passed through every day? Naturally, the gate guards could not inspect them one by one.
In fact, a Treasure Mirror hung high above the gate, capable of discerning the strength of those passing through. Only the exceptionally powerful drew attention.
Shi Zhao slipped into the city easily. After all, she was currently just a little Cave Heaven Realm cultivator, without the power to destroy heaven and earth.
Weak, helpless, and pitiful-that was her whole act.
"Ah, child, you've really landed me in trouble," Third Grandfather sighed.
Despite his words, his aged eyes kept sweeping over everything in the Imperial Capital. It was still so prosperous, its streets thronged with carriages and horses, an endless clamor washing toward him.
The corners of the old man's eyes gradually grew moist, and his body trembled slightly. He opened his mouth as though he had a thousand things to say, but in the end, he said nothing more.
All the rights and wrongs of the past no longer meant anything.
"Miss, are we returning to the Martial King Manor?" A Man asked.
"No, we're going to the Imperial Palace first. I want to make the Stone Emperor cough up... ahem, ask His Majesty the Human Emperor for help. That was part of my plan when I left the mountains anyway." Shi Zhao nearly let it slip.
After all, the Stone Emperor had inexplicably bestowed a title on her back then.
Now that she had encountered a tiny little problem, surely he would spare no effort to help her... right?
Before you continue