Of course, Prince Ning was no fool.
The minds of those in power were naturally more intricate, filled with far more schemes and strategies than those of ordinary people. Sometimes, what seemed like a trivial matter to common folk could, in the eyes of rulers, bear significance to the nation’s welfare or involve hidden plots and open conspiracies.
Moreover, Chen Qing’s fierce battle with the wolf demon showed no trace of the severe injuries he had supposedly suffered just moments ago!
Adding to this was the fact that Chen Qing had never concealed his attitude toward Yun Qingxue from Prince Ning. Connecting the dots, Prince Ning couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Though inwardly unsettled, Prince Ning showed no outward displeasure toward Chen Qing. With a gentle and refined smile, he said, “The Flower Goddess speaks wisely. Since I lack magical abilities and the Flower Goddess is temporarily without her powers, the two of us remaining here would only burden the Grand State Preceptor!”
“If you know you’re a burden, why aren’t you running already? Waiting to be wolf food?!” Xiao Xiao interjected irritably. Though she was already a ghost, the instinct for self-preservation remained strong. Given how formidable the wolf demon was, caution was paramount.
What if the wolf was so ravenous it wouldn’t even spare a ghost like her? Would her tiny frame even be enough to fill its teeth? And even if the wolf demon didn’t eat her, what if it took a fancy to her and decided to abduct her as some sort of “mountain bride”?
Xiao Xiao’s mind raced with wild thoughts. If not for her fondness for Yun Qingxue, she would have fled long ago! Seeing Yun Qingxue and Prince Ning still dawdling instead of running for their lives, she was practically burning with impatience.
“Grand State Preceptor, fight without restraint—do not concern yourself with me!” Prince Ning declared nobly to Chen Qing before turning to flee alongside Yun Qingxue and Xiao Xiao.
Chen Qing, hearing Prince Ning’s words, had initially intended to shout, “Prince Ning, run!” But when his peripheral vision caught sight of the prince already sprinting away at full speed, the words died in his throat. Why? Because the prince didn’t need his warning—he was already gone!
As she ran, Xiao Xiao shot Prince Ning a disdainful glare. This idiot! What if his loud proclamation drew the white wolf’s attention?
“Owooo—!” A howl filled with overwhelming pressure rang out. The white wolf’s azure eyes locked onto the fleeing trio. With a swipe of its front paw, several wind blades shot straight toward Chen Qing.
Chen Qing narrowly dodged midair, but in that moment of evasion, the white wolf leaped out of the battle zone and charged straight for Yun Qingxue and the others.
Landing steadily after avoiding the attack, Chen Qing cast a complicated glance in the direction the wolf had pursued. With a sigh, he shouted, “Prince Ning, be careful!”
With that, he soared into the air, chasing after the white wolf.
Sensing movement behind her, Yun Qingxue glanced back mid-run.
The snow-white wolf was closing in on them at terrifying speed, with Chen Qing hot on its heels.
A sense of impending death washed over Yun Qingxue. Both the white wolf and Chen Qing were lethal threats to her—especially Chen Qing. Though he appeared to be rushing to protect Prince Ning, Yun Qingxue was convinced his true aim was to seize this chance to eliminate her.
A desperate, cornered feeling surged within her, igniting a reckless fury.
If they were so determined to make her suffer, to deny her life—then she’d drag someone down with her!
With this resolve, Yun Qingxue slowed her frantic escape. The white wolf lunged directly at her.
She barely managed to leap aside in time.
“Qingxue!!!” Xiao Xiao screamed in horror at the near-miss.
As Yun Qingxue dodged the wolf’s attack, Chen Qing arrived.
From his approach, Yun Qingxue keenly sensed killing intent—a realization that stoked the flames of her hatred.
Facing Chen Qing, she discreetly drew a dagger from her spatial ring.
Chen Qing closed the distance in an instant, shouting, “Prince Ning, be careful!”—even as his magical attack was already aimed at Yun Qingxue.
In his mind, this was the perfect opportunity to kill her. If he eliminated both Yun Qingxue and the man-eating flower demon, he could pin everything on the mysterious wolf demon. Redirect the blame, remove a future threat, and absolve humanity—all in one move.
“Qingxue!”
Xiao Xiao, sensing Chen Qing’s intent, instinctively hurled a spell at him.
Meanwhile, the white wolf, having missed its initial strike, turned—this time targeting Chen Qing instead.
Everything happened in an instant.
Yun Qingxue, heedless of danger, threw herself at Chen Qing, directly intercepting his attack.
“Dodge!” Xiao Xiao cried out in alarm as Yun Qingxue recklessly faced the assault head-on.
But before her voice fully faded, Yun Qingxue was struck by Chen Qing’s spell. Excruciating pain seared through her body, blood trickling from her lips—yet her charge toward Chen Qing didn’t falter.
This man had killed A’Dai, grievously wounded Hua Yin, and repeatedly sought her life. Now, Yun Qingxue’s mind held only one thought: to end things with Chen Qing, no matter the cost.
P.S.: My apologies, everyone—Shaohua will be taking a day off tomorrow. Between New Year’s chaos and a sick child, I’ve been running to the children’s hospital daily. After all this, I’ve nearly mastered the art of sleeping while standing…
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