Chapter 135: Whose Grand Scheme

As night fell, Qian Ye sat in silent meditation within his chamber, gradually refining his primordial force. The room was utterly still and silent.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, a flash of lightning glinting in them, quickly turning into a deep blue. He leapt up and slammed directly into the wall. The sturdy brick wall crumbled like paper before Qian Ye, leaving a large hole. As he burst through the wall, he extended his right hand, shooting several blood lines that pierced through several more walls and into a room, aiming straight for an old man’s heart!

The old man reacted swiftly, immediately emitting black and white qi that formed countless small shields, swirling around him. These shields were extremely robust and flexible, clearly a powerful technique. However, in the face of the blood lines, these shields shattered like paper. The blood lines, almost unimpeded, were already at the old man’s chest!

The old man let out a startled cry, his face turning deathly pale. But Qian Ye’s blood lines were too swift, leaving no room for evasion.

These blood lines were incomparably sharp, capable of piercing through any defense. Once hit, it meant certain death.

Just as the old man thought he was doomed, several leaves suddenly appeared, dancing around him. The blood lines seemed to lose their target, slowing down and wavering. With this brief respite, a fan appeared beside him, entangling the blood lines and pulling them away.

A dull thud echoed as Qian Ye broke through the wall. Seeing the old man, his face turned cold, and he abruptly raised his right hand, tightening the blood lines. They wrapped around the fan, twisting and warping it with a series of creaks, showcasing their incredible resilience.

At that moment, a fist appeared out of nowhere, striking towards Qian Ye. As the punch landed, the surroundings distorted, and Qian Ye felt an irresistible pull, indicating the punch’s immense power.

Yet, Qian Ye knew that if he retreated, the old man would escape. He decided not to evade and instead met the punch head-on, clashing with it with all his might!

For a moment, the room seemed to lose gravity, and everything floated.

Qian Ye staggered back three steps, nearly exiting the room. His left hand trembled slightly. After steadying himself, he couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of blood. The blood was a vivid red with a golden tinge, igniting upon hitting the ground, surging upwards in a fiery blaze. The flames flickered and died out, leaving no trace of blood on the floor.

Ji Tianqing materialized from the void. Although she didn’t retreat, her form twisted continuously, and her appearance shifted, revealing dozens of different faces. She cried out, covering her face. Her right hand trembled slightly, visible even as she covered her face.

Song Zining also appeared, holding a warped and twisted fan, his face filled with bitterness.

Only then did the floating objects in the room fall, disintegrating into dust upon touching the ground.

A dull thud sounded as Dongyue appeared in Qian Ye’s hand, its blade sinking deeply into the floor. Though the sword wasn’t aimed at the old man, the old man dared not escape. Gritting his teeth, he drew a black crystal longsword, pointing it at Qian Ye.

Qian Ye rested his hand on Dongyue, not even glancing at the black crystal longsword, as if it didn’t exist. A cold smile spread across his face, and his sharp gaze swept over the old man’s neck, causing the old man to sweat profusely.

After just a brief confrontation, the old man could barely hold on. With a fierce shake, he declared, “This sword will strike!” As he spoke, black and white qi shot from his nose, swirling around the black crystal longsword. Everyone in the room felt as if they were being locked onto, and wherever the old man’s gaze fell, there was a sharp pain.

Qian Ye remained unmoved, only sneering, while Dongyue grew heavier.

The old man’s face grew paler, and just as he was about to give in to the pressure, Song Zining finally recovered. He slapped his palm, sending thousands of leaves drifting down, sticking to the black and white qi shields, dragging the black crystal longsword down.

Reacting to the change, Qian Ye moved, and Dongyue vibrated, its sound like a dragon’s roar, ready to strike. But before he could, Ji Tianqing inserted herself between them, still covering her face, but standing precisely in the path of Dongyue. No matter what, Qian Ye couldn’t strike Ji Tianqing, so he forcefully reined in his power, holding back Dongyue.

“What are you doing? Why won’t you let me kill this old man?” Qian Ye’s voice was tinged with anger.

Song Zining tried to speak but was seized by a fit of coughing, unable to say anything. He pointed at Ji Tianqing, who turned away, ignoring him.

The old man took a step back, and Qian Ye’s eyes flashed, coldly saying, “Rui Xiang! If you take another step, even they can’t save you!”

The old man, both ashamed and angry, sputtered, “You, how could you…?”

But he couldn’t finish, understanding from the brief confrontation that Qian Ye could indeed kill him.

Song Zining finally stopped coughing, smiling bitterly, “Do you remember I said there would be information tonight? He brought it.”

“Meaning we’re working together?” Qian Ye’s tone was mocking, “He captured you, and you almost lost your life. Now we’re cooperating?”

Song Zining said, “Back then, we served different masters. The situation has changed, and cooperation is now valuable for both sides.”

Qian Ye’s gaze was sharp, and Song Zining met it without flinching. Finally, Qian Ye looked away, glancing at Ji Tianqing, who stood in a corner, signaling her indifference. Her hand had dropped, revealing an ordinary girl’s face, one that Qian Ye vaguely recognized.

Surveying the room, Qian Ye’s gaze returned to Song Zining, and he said, “If I had known this, maybe I wouldn’t have gone to block the Tiding City gate.”

Song Zining sighed, consoling, “Don’t be angry. Sit down, and I’ll explain.” He reached out to pat Qian Ye’s shoulder, but Qian Ye subtly leaned back, evading the touch.

Song Zining’s hand paused in mid-air, then withdrew, opening the door. “Let’s go next door. This room is ruined.”

They moved to the adjacent meeting room. Rui Xiang, despite the short distance, was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily, each step surrounded by black and white qi, making it seem particularly arduous.

Qian Ye did nothing but keep his gaze fixed on Rui Xiang’s back.

Finally reaching the meeting room, Rui Xiang felt the pressure lessen, exhaling a deep breath. He glanced at Qian Ye, a mix of fear and confusion. Just a short while ago, he could still fight or retreat. How had Qian Ye become so terrifying?

The four sat down, with Ji Tianqing and Song Zining separating Qian Ye and Rui Xiang.

“Qian Ye, the situation is delicate, vastly different from before. Let me explain the current state of affairs.”

Before Song Zining could continue, Qian Ye interrupted coldly, “Get to the point.”

Song Zining was taken aback, struggling to find the right words.

Ji Tianqing reached under the table, taking Qian Ye’s hand. Though they had touched before, it was always during combat. This was the first time in such a context. Qian Ye was surprised and tried to pull away, but Ji Tianqing held on firmly, though not forcefully.

Puzzled but not wanting to cause a scene, Qian Ye let her hold on. The blood lines on his fingertips, however, could no longer be shot and retracted.

Ji Tianqing held one hand, but Qian Ye’s other hand tensed, the blood lines ready to shoot. Ji Tianqing shifted slightly, and Qian Ye, sensing her intent, retracted the blood lines.

Ji Tianqing straightened up, giving Qian Ye a look, her expression unreadable.

Her face, ever-changing, still eluded Qian Ye’s recognition. Perhaps her true face was among the shifting visages, but he couldn’t tell. So he dismissed the mystery.

Seeing Qian Ye calm, Rui Xiang breathed a sigh of relief, his body drenched in sweat, almost collapsing. Confronting death was not easy.

Song Zining carefully explained, “Qian Ye, this battle is crucial. The key is Luo Bingfeng. Controlling him will determine our success. Rui Xiang and we share a common goal here. He captured me, and I’ve let that go. Can’t you do the same?”

Qian Ye sneered, “He captured you, and I fought. Now you’re telling me you’ve reconciled?”

Song Zining shook his head, “I don’t want to, but the bigger picture demands it.”

“Bigger picture? What is the bigger picture?”

Song Zining smiled bitterly, looking at Ji Tianqing, who turned away. Song Zining sighed, “Qian Ye, the Great Maelstrom holds not only the potential of the Empire’s new generation but also numerous rare resources. There’s even a rumor that the secret of traversing the void lies within. Sending people there could benefit the Empire for decades.”

“So, this is the Empire’s bigger picture.”

“Yes.”

“And what does the Empire’s bigger picture have to do with me?”

Song Zining was momentarily speechless.