Upon seeing Zhao Gongming, Qi Ling immediately knew what had happened. Things had already come to this point, and her identity was probably no longer a secret. It was understandable that Zhao Gongming would target her.
Just as he saw Qi Ling as the most critical obstacle, Zhao Gongming also knew that if he didn't eliminate Qi Ling, he had no chance of winning this war! Both sides were looking for an opportunity, but Zhao Gongming simply made the first move.
"So it's the State Preceptor Zhao. What brings you here on your journey?" Qi Ling said, looking around. The surrounding environment seemed very strange, clearly indicating that she had fallen into some kind of formation.
Qi Ling wasn't surprised that the other party could use this ability; Zhao Gongming's abilities were definitely restricted as well, but how much power he could use was unknown.
"Lord Azure Dragon, there's no need for such formality. You should know perfectly well why I've sought you out," Zhao Gongming said. "It's truly a pity that someone as outstanding as you is my opponent. Otherwise, a mere country would be nothing to worry about."
"You flatter me, State Preceptor Zhao. How could I possibly deserve your attention?" Qi Ling said. "Why don't we find a place to sit down and have some tea together?"
"My lord, there's no need to struggle. I can only use this Radiant Splendor Formation once, and I must ensure it's foolproof. Moreover, it can only be used on you," Zhao Gongming said. "Even if I had to choose between King Wu and you, my lord, I would choose you without hesitation."
Qi Ling couldn't help but give a helpless, bitter smile. This guy was really overestimating himself, but being valued so much at this time wasn't a good thing.
Since things had come to this, Qi Ling stopped pretending to be stupid and made a very decisive decision—run!
If you can't win a fight, what are you waiting for if you don't run? Are you expecting them to take pity on you and let you go? Obviously not.
Qi Ling had roughly figured out that Zhao Gongming's formation was not the kind that trapped people in a fixed area, making it impossible for them to escape. Instead, it confined people to another parallel world. Although it was no different from the original world, what happened here would not be reflected in the original world.
As for why he did this, Qi Ling understood the reason when he saw Zhao Gongming suddenly ascend to the heavens and be surrounded by more than twenty dark blue orbs: in this space, he could use his own power!
"Damn it, what am I waiting for if I don't run!" Qi Ling thought as she ran, but since Zhao Gongming had set up such a trap, he naturally wouldn't let Qi Ling go easily. He immediately chased after her, and at the same time, the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls beside her seemed to bombard Qi Ling like cannonballs.
Qi Ling used her agility to constantly move between the houses, thus blocking Zhao Gongming's view and preventing him from launching an accurate attack.
This tactic was clearly effective. With his vision obstructed, Zhao Gongming's attacks lost their original accuracy. After destroying house after house, he would repeatedly brush past Qi Ling, and although it was extremely dangerous, he did not cause any direct harm.
But then Zhao Gongming noticed this situation. He then retrieved all of the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, and all twenty-four pearls circled in front of him. In the next instant, they were all launched outwards.
The twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls were unleashed simultaneously, instantly destroying a large area of houses. However, in this separate world, Zhao Gongming did not need to worry about the consequences of causing destruction; he only needed to focus on attacking.
Faced with so many attacks at once, Qi Ling was unable to dodge them all and was immediately struck by three of the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, suffering serious injuries.
Fortunately, such an attack was not enough to deprive Qi Ling of his mobility. The two chased and fled until they left Chaoge. As Qi Ling's injuries worsened, his movements were finally affected and slowed down.
After Qi Ling was driven into a dead end, Zhao Gongming slowly manipulated his Sea-Calming Divine Pearls and said, "It's truly a pity, but I have no choice but to kill you here. If I miss this opportunity, I'm afraid I'll never have another one."
Qi Ling sat down weakly against the city wall, looked at Zhao Gongming, and laughed, saying, "Ah, it is indeed a pity, Zhao Gongming, it's a pity you can't kill me."
Zhao Gongming frowned, about to ask a question, but then he frowned again and exclaimed in surprise, "Impossible! How could my formation be broken! Who did this!"
Qi Ling wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, tried to stand up but had no strength, so she could only sit there and said, "Guess, State Preceptor Zhao, you're so smart, you should be able to guess."
Zhao Gongming shook his head and said, "Impossible! The core of my formation is in the central army camp. How could anyone find it? What have you done?!"
Qi Ling laughed and said, "I'm sorry, it's not what I did, but what the Brocade Guard did. We can plant spies in the Light Observation Hall, let alone in the army that belongs to the same region?"
"I see. It seems you've been on guard against me all along." Zhao Gongming immediately understood and said, "But don't you think it's a bit too late now? In your current state, killing you would be as easy as turning my hand."
Qi Ling laughed and said, "I told you, I don't believe it! Zhao Gongming, you can't kill me today, and you'll never have the chance again!"
Zhao Gongming's forehead veins bulged. Even at this point, Qi Ling still had this attitude, completely disregarding him! It was simply too much.
"Then let me try and see if I can do it!" Zhao Gongming said, but instead of activating his Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, he drew a sword from his body and stabbed it towards Qi Ling's chest.
Just then, a chilling murderous aura suddenly enveloped Zhao Gongming. Immediately afterwards, Zhu Zhuqing's figure suddenly appeared from the shadows beside him, and with unimaginable speed, she slashed at Zhao Gongming's neck with the dagger in her hand.
A horrific wound appeared on Zhao Gongming's neck, nearly separating him from his head.
Zhao Gongming clutched his neck, staring at Zhu Zhuqing in disbelief. He seemed to want to ask her where she came from and why she was here, but because of the injury to his throat, he couldn't speak at all.
"Hehe, don't be surprised, Zhao Gongming," Qi Ling laughed. "You don't think I just happened to come here, do you? It would be much easier to hide in Chaoge City. Don't you understand why I came here?"