Qi Qi was even more bewildered. When she decided to head to the Dongling mountains, she indeed thought of Yu Yinnan, but more so, she felt a burning anger at being manipulated and controlled. In the end, she did not find Qian Ye in the earthen castle, alive or dead.
Returning to the Yin family villa, that night, as she gazed from the waterside pavilion toward the shore, Qian Ye emerged from the thick fog, as if returning from another world. She simply uttered what she most wanted to say, “I’m glad to see you’re alright.”
Before Qi Qi could fully comprehend the situation, something else happened. That very night, Wei Po Tian stormed into the Song camp. Over a not-so-tall ridge, one could see a misty green glow and the dazzling lights like stars entangled together, illuminating the hills under the moonlight. Later, it was heard that all the monitors around Wei Po Tian and Song Zining had to appear to separate the two.
Sitting on the ground, Qi Qi hugged her knees, resting her head on them, watching the flickering primordial force lights over the mountain. She sighed softly, “In such a short time, Wei Po Tian’s Tongming Sui Kong Fist has taken shape. It seems we all need to work harder.”
Just ten days ago, when Wei Po Tian sparred with her, his intent for clarity was there, but he had no clue about fragmentation. Yet today, the twinkling stars indicated he had at least reached the stage of externalizing primordial force.
At this moment, Qian Ye was sound asleep in the tent. He wasn’t oblivious to the commotion outside, but upon hearing that Wei Po Tian had raided the Song camp, a sense of helplessness washed over him, deciding to rest regardless. Once he recovered, whether he needed to beat someone up or kick them, he would have the strength!
Unexpectedly, the next day, the smug Prince Wei appeared lively and energetic, making one marvel at the power of the Thousand Mountains Secret Technique. Conversely, Ye Mublue, who was in Song Zining’s tent, suffered injuries, though not severe.
Qi Qi’s only reaction to this was, it felt great. Meanwhile, Qian Ye was speechless.
Following the chaotic battle among the Song, Wei, and Yin families, each hunting team wondered who might be the next target. Amidst the friction, probing, and attacks, internal strife once again took precedence, eventually escalating into a full-blown brawl.
Apart from the intrusion by Wei Po Tian, it was unheard of for Song Zining to suffer any loss. Amid the chaos, he thrived, not much hunting, just wandering within the hunting grounds, seizing opportunities to ambush, never caring who the target was.
Song Zining seemed to have incredible luck, always catching his opponents off guard or striking at their weakest points. His ambushes were flawless, even severely injuring Kong Yanian.
Kong Yanian was indeed unlucky. Resting in his tent, the Song family hunters approached, changing their usual aggressive tactics and throwing several primordial grenades into the camp! Out of four grenades, three landed near Kong Yanian’s tent, one rolling right inside.
Kong Yanian, caught unawares, darted out the other side, only to run straight into the blast radius of the other three grenades, suffering severe injuries before any monitor could intervene.
Reflecting on it, Kong Yanian could only chalk it up to bad luck. Song Zining hadn’t shown his face, merely commanded the guards to toss a few grenades. The lax security of the Kong family camp was to blame.
As an elder close to Duke Weiguo put it, if grenades could reach the central command tent, then surely handheld cannons could hit the Imperial Unwaver Palace in the capital—a sheer impossibility.
After regaining his mobility, Qian Ye joined the Yin family hunting team. Though unable to engage in close combat, he could use a sniper rifle. The Yin family now boasted the strongest guards and ample supplies, rapidly ascending the ranks and soon breaking into the top five.
Wei Po Tian, noticing his precarious position, started yelling and fretting. He immediately sought Qi Qi, humbly pleading for her to honor their alliance promise.
Qi Qi eventually assigned Ji Yuanjia and two guards to Wei Po Tian. They would nearly kill the prey, then drive them to Wei Po Tian to finish them off—practically cheating, but the monitors turned a blind eye.
Days passed, and finally, the crucial phase of the Tianxuan Spring Hunt concluded.
The Weng clan secured the first place. Zhao Junhong, with his silver-winged dream, single-handedly delved deep into the Tianxuan Mountains, virtually carrying the Weng clan to the pinnacle. He alone hunted sixteen high-ranking dark races, all level six or above.
Song Zining, on the other hand, was the most active, assaulting nearly half the noble clans, inflicting heavy losses. Yet, the Song family ranked fifth, despite his glorious achievements. It made sense since points came from prey, not people. The Song family settled for fifth.
No one dared mock the Song family’s ranking. Those targeted stayed silent, while the untouched ones counted their blessings. In this series of dazzling strikes, Song Zining displayed remarkable military talent, impressing even Duke Weiguo.
The Wei family secured second place, largely due to the decline of strong rivals like the Nangong and Kong families, and thanks to Qi Qi’s support. Ji Yuanjia once again proved his worth, excelling in both hunts and attacks.
The Yin family steadily climbed to third.
The Nangong family ranked fourth. Nangong Wanyun first fell to Song Zining’s ambush, losing half her forces. Then, attacked by Qi Qi and Wei Po Tian, they gained little in the final days.
The year 1231 marked a unique chapter in the Empire’s records.
This Spring Hunt saw a high number of serious injuries and deaths, even core disciples on the protection list were hurt. It was also the most chaotic, with rankings fluctuating wildly.
After the hunt, a three-day rest period was provided, essential for recovery.
Qian Ye returned with the hunting team to the grand camp, staying in the Yin family’s villa. His room, officially still adjacent to Qi Qi’s, was now in a separate room in the inner courtyard.
Qi Qi grew busier, attending social events, while the once-warring young masters quickly set aside bloodshed, mingling. Too busy with matters at hand, Qi Qi no longer suggested matching outfits with Qian Ye.
Qian Ye adored an ancient tree in the back garden, its vast canopy shading a quarter of the garden. He often climbed to the top, watching the sky for hours.
Sometimes, Qi Qi would join him, asking what he saw. Qian Ye would point to the sky, “Watching the sky.”
“What’s so interesting about the sky?” Qi Qi asked, puzzled.
Qian Ye smiled, “In the Evernight Continent, the sky isn’t like this, and the sun is neither warm nor long-lasting.”
Qi Qi gave him an odd look, “You aren’t turning into a poet, are you?”
Qian Ye laughed, “Such an unpromising career, not for me!”
Qi Qi put a hand on his shoulder, joking, “Beauty, that laugh is so un-ladylike!”
Qian Ye whispered, “Then how should I? Like this?” He flashed a crystal-clear, youthful smile, reminiscent of a friendly boy next door.
The change in demeanor left Qi Qi stunned. Suddenly, Qian Ye grabbed her neck and leaned in to kiss her!
Qi Qi screamed, “What are you doing?!” Instinctively, she tried to push him away.
But Qian Ye pulled, and she felt like a beast had hit her, tumbling into his arms.
Unable to find footing, she closed her eyes, anticipating the kiss. But instead of soft lips, she felt a flick.
Qi Qi opened her eyes, seeing Qian Ye’s handsome face very close. Just a slight lean, and they would kiss. But he maintained the distance, and she realized something was off—she was pouting!
Annoyed, she pushed him away, coldly, “We’ll see who can’t play. Remember, your room tonight is mine!”
Qian Ye smiled, “Not tonight, I need to think.”
“About what?” Qi Qi was curious.
“Future, or how to defeat Zhao Junhong.”
Pausing, Qi Qi asked, “Do you really think you can defeat him?”
“Why not?”
Qi Qi studied Qian Ye, slowly, “You’ve changed.”
Qian Ye exhaled, “A bit, maybe.”
“Why?”
Shrugging, Qian Ye said, “Perhaps because I’ve walked the line between life and death, thinking about things I usually don’t.”
Silent, Qi Qi then asked, “Did you think I wouldn’t come to save you?”
Qian Ye nodded and shook his head, “I didn’t think about it.”
Didn’t think she wouldn’t, or didn’t expect it at all? Qi Qi felt that sense of confusion wash over her again.
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