CSMCDB - Chapter 143
Chapter 143
It took a long time for the Little Ice Mountain to calm down. She pushed Wen Yuncheng away and tilted her head, noticing the distinct wet patch on Wen Yuncheng's shoulder. Wen Yuncheng, however, took out a handkerchief and wiped her face for her.
The Little Ice Mountain's ears were also red. Wen Yuncheng lowered her head and apologized again, "I'm sorry."
Lin Jinyu gave a soft "mhm."
The two stood facing each other at the door for a while. Wen Yuncheng sniffled and asked, "Is Xiao Shi'er… alright?"
"She was injured. I fed her a medicinal pill, and she's recovering at the Flowing Cloud Sect," Lin Jinyu said softly, her voice a little hoarse.
"I made you worry again." Wen Yuncheng was filled with self-reproach. She had never intended for Lin Jinyu to find out about any of this. Who would have thought that Xiao Shi'er would flee to the Flowing Cloud Sect… But then again, the little fox wasn't familiar with the Empire. She was either running around with Wen Yuncheng or being raised at the Flowing Cloud Sect, so it was normal for her to escape back there. "Every time you cry, my heart feels like it's going to break."
Seeing Wen Yuncheng's remorse, Lin Jinyu had intended to comfort her, but then she heard her say something like that again. This girl always said these things after a near-death escape, only to take the same risks the next time. Yes, Lin Jinyu knew Wen Yuncheng didn't seek out danger intentionally, but she was still angry.
The invincible path had indeed allowed Wen Yuncheng's strength to grow rapidly, but it also made her too flamboyant, too dazzling. She was already a target that Fu wanted to capture alive, and now…
"You're always taking risks," Lin Jinyu said in a low voice. She looked at Wen Yuncheng and saw her looking so sad she was on the verge of tears, and her heart softened after all. Besides… Wen Yuncheng couldn't have predicted whether Fu would attack or not. Dispatching a Star Emperor plus a Star Venerate was even more unthinkable. As for the invincible path…
Lin Jinyu could understand Wen Yuncheng's desire to become stronger. In the end, she didn't say any more harsh words. The best outcome was that she was safe now. Composing herself, Lin Jinyu finally calmed down from the immense panic and unease she had felt. "If you had died, I wouldn't be able to avenge you right now."
"I know." Wen Yuncheng took Lin Jinyu's hand. The Little Ice Mountain glanced at her but didn't pull away. Wen Yuncheng's heart settled slightly, and she said softly, "I also know your personality. If something happened to me… you might be bound by hatred and sorrow for the rest of your life. But I want you to be free, to be happy… I can't bear to die, and I can't bear to lose you. Really, I tried to use many of my life-saving trump cards, but I never expected Fu to actually dispatch a Star Emperor. Otherwise, I would never have put myself in danger."
Lin Jinyu was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a cold snort and slapped Wen Yuncheng's hand away. "If something happened to you, who would remember you for a lifetime?"
Wen Yuncheng froze for a second, then tried to take Lin Jinyu's hand again, only for Lin Jinyu to dodge it. Wen Yuncheng blinked, then wrapped her arms around Lin Jinyu's waist, burying her head in her shoulder and refusing to let go.
The Little Ice Mountain was truly… adorable. If they weren't at the First Princess's residence, she would have wanted to kiss Lin Jinyu.
It was only then that Wen Yuncheng remembered the First Princess. She quickly turned her head and found that there was no one left in the hall.
"Her Highness left when I came in." Seeing Wen Yuncheng almost straining her neck, Lin Jinyu found it somewhat amusing as she patted away the hands wrapped around her waist. She led Wen Yuncheng toward the sofa. "Your ability… did you mark that Star Emperor?"
"I did." Wen Yuncheng quickly replied when Lin Jinyu brought it up. She glanced at the Star Emperor's current location; for this, she had even canceled the monitor on the trader at the underwater base. "I activated my camouflage before disengaging from the battle to mark him. He definitely didn't notice."
In that life-or-death moment, Wen Yuncheng had no mind to consider the future. Only when she was certain that the Star Emperor and Star Venerate hadn't detected her did she use her monitor to mark the Star Emperor. As for the Star Venerate… Wen Yuncheng was reluctant to give up her marks on the Star King and the other Star Venerate, and the situation was too urgent for her to think much, so she only marked the Star Emperor.
"Don't get involved in these matters. Just report the map and intelligence to the Empire. Even for reconnaissance, you are not allowed to go again."
"Okay, I won't go," Wen Yuncheng said. "But the invincible path… I don't want to give it up just like this."
"Mhm, a Protector of the Nation might be able to be your guardian. If not, I can try to contact my grandfather." Lin Jinyu nodded. She was worried about Wen Yuncheng's safety, but she also knew that Wen Yuncheng couldn't stop here. Besides, once the invincible path had begun, it couldn't just be ended at will. Although she didn't know how Wen Yuncheng's invincible path differed from those walked by the prodigies of old, but… giving up directly would greatly affect her cultivation heart.
A warmth spread through Wen Yuncheng's heart. She held the Little Ice Mountain's hand and said no more.
Wen Yuncheng drew the Star Emperor's current location on a map and handed it to the First Princess, who then passed it on to the Empire's high command.
By this time, the three Protectors of the Nation and the Empire's high command had already reached a decision. The invincible path could not be rashly interrupted, and Wen Yuncheng's breakthroughs after starting on this path were a testament to her potential. Wen Yuncheng had always been friendly with the Empire; although she was under the First Princess's wing, she had contributed a great deal to the Empire's operations, such as exterminating Fu. Most importantly, Wen Yuncheng was young.
The young had limitless possibilities.
"Henceforth, Chu Han and Di Feng shall serve as Wen Yuncheng's guardians, protecting her as she proceeds on her invincible path." Just as the Empire's resolution was passed, Wen Yuncheng's map was delivered.
The three Protectors were stunned for a moment, and the Empire's high command also recalled Wen Yuncheng's Star Power Mutation ability. After their initial shock, the higher-ups became unusually excited. "She-she was able to mark a Star Emperor?!"
"It seems… so." Chu Han looked at the map and confirmed the coordinates. "As for whether it's true or not, we'll know once we make a trip."
"…Go and request the previous generation of Protectors to come out of seclusion, and contact the old monsters from the various major sects. If this is indeed the Star Emperor's location—we may have discovered an important Fu stronghold, perhaps even their headquarters." The elderly man among the high command trembled with excitement. He took the map from Chu Han's hands and studied it carefully for a few moments. "Wen Yuncheng, ah, good child, what an outstanding junior…"
The high-ranking official exchanged a look with several other elders. After a brief discussion, they said, "Let her stay in the Imperial Capital for a while longer. As for this stronghold, let those old fellows handle it… Doesn't the Imperial treasury have a random teleportation scroll? Give it to that child."
The Empire had a collection of random teleportation scrolls. These scrolls were extremely precious, and it was no exaggeration to call them collector's items. This was because they were all created by a senior from a past era who had a Star Power Mutation. That senior's mutation had unexpectedly granted him control over spatial power. He infused his insights into the scrolls, hoping to research fixed-point teleportation scrolls and arrays, but unfortunately, he did not succeed. Perhaps heaven was jealous of his talent; at the age of fifty, the life force in his body began to rapidly decline, and he passed away at fifty-one. In the end, all he left behind were many random teleportation scrolls.
His techniques and insights were passed down, but… no other cultivator on the Starry Sky Continent with a Star Power Mutation that turned into spatial power ever appeared again. It wasn't that later generations didn't try to replicate them, but the imitations were extremely unstable. They could be torn apart by spatial rifts the moment they were used, making their safety far inferior to the scrolls left by that senior.
"Chu Han, Di Feng. Once those old fellows set out, you will escort Wen Yuncheng to continue her invincible path," the elder said in a deep voice. "There is no need to use Wen Yuncheng as bait to risk luring Fu into an attack. Everything… must prioritize that child's safety."
Wen Yuncheng was unaware of the Empire's plans, nor did she know what the unlucky Star Emperor was about to face. She stayed in the Imperial Capital with Lin Jinyu for a few days before Protector Chu Han finally came to tell her that she could continue on her invincible path. Furthermore, two Protectors of the Nation would become her guardians, protecting her all the way.
Wen Yuncheng was so astonished by this news that she was speechless, even thinking for a moment that Protector Chu was joking. She knew the Empire valued her, but she never expected them to directly assign two Protectors to accompany her on her invincible path… It was only when she received the random teleportation scroll that she truly understood how important she was in the Empire's eyes.
Wen Yuncheng couldn't quite describe her feelings. After the wave of gratitude passed, she felt uncharacteristically embarrassed—after all, she was still challenging second-rate sects, which was no different from crushing weaklings. To have two Protectors of the Nation protecting her while she did something like this… it truly made Wen Yuncheng feel a little ashamed.
But that little bit of shame was no match for the temptation of 8,000 experience points!
With two Protectors as her guardians, Lin Jinyu also felt a little more at ease. After this incident, the Fu organization was directly on her blacklist. Her strength was insufficient for now, but once she broke through to Star King and took over the Flowing Cloud Sect… Lin Jinyu planned to rally the various sects to form an alliance to exterminate Fu. This wouldn't be a temporary alliance like the one formed during the Youth Tournament, but a long-term, official alliance specifically targeting Fu. They would completely tear off all pretenses with Fu, gather intelligence on them from all angles, and then launch precise strikes.
After parting with Wen Yuncheng, Lin Jinyu returned to the Flowing Cloud Sect. As soon as she got back, she learned that the Celestial Fox King had rushed over from the Demonic Beast Great Forest.
Xiao Shi'er's injuries weren't actually that severe; a few medicinal pills and some rest were all she needed. But the pain was real, so painful that the little fox whimpered and cried all day. The Celestial Fox King had sensed his protective ward shattering and followed Xiao Shi'er's trail. To avoid any misunderstandings, he made a point to visit a Protector of the Nation upon entering the city, where he learned the full story of Xiao Shi'er's injury. That Star Venerate… was actually a member of Fu.
The Celestial Fox King felt some resentment toward Wen Yuncheng for attracting the attention of a Star Venerate and a Star Emperor, but his own cub had been the one to cling to her, so his anger was useless. He immediately shifted his grudge to the Star Venerate and Star Emperor. They clearly knew Xiao Shi'er was his offspring, yet they still tried to kill her! If he hadn't left a protective ward, Xiao Shi'er would have been…
Once he received permission and rushed to the Flowing Cloud Sect, he saw Xiao Shi'er curled up into a ball, whimpering. His loving father's heart completely melted. He held Xiao Shi'er and directly used his Star Power to heal her, then handed her a storage ring he had specially brought, filled to the brim with prepared Rainbow Phoenix chickens ready for cooking.
After confirming that his cub was truly alright, the Celestial Fox King breathed a sigh of relief. Then, he placed another protective ward on Xiao Shi'er. When he was done, he suddenly realized:
Why did his cub seem… a whole lot rounder?
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