Chapter 20: Can You Help This Little Bunny?

Kang Bo’s face shifted dramatically, caught between shock and suspicion.
The other’s aura seemed to be at the Golden Core level, but her composure and eerie techniques…
He suddenly recalled the terrifying rumor of the seven alliance elders visiting the Imperial Master’s residence one night, only to be wiped out. A chill shot up his spine.
Could she… be tied to the Imperial Master’s residence?

Kang Bo quickly dismissed the thought.
According to intelligence, the Great Han Imperial Master rarely left the residence, likely in secluded cultivation.
Someone capable of effortlessly erasing seven Golden Core cultivators would have to be at least Nascent Soul—possibly beyond.
Once a cultivator crossed into Nascent Soul, their goal was ascension, a dream no cultivator could resist.

With this, Kang Bo quietly exhaled in relief. As long as it wasn’t the Imperial Master’s forces, he could handle it.
But this woman claimed the double pupils as her cub. Had the family come knocking?
The thought of a wild-caught treasure slipping away infuriated him.

He tried to probe:
“I am Kang Bo, elder of the Blood Soul Sect. First meeting—may I ask which esteemed figure you are?”

Ling Qingli perked up her ears, curious.
But Bai Zhou’s response disappointed everyone:
“Just a rogue cultivator.”
“…”

Meanwhile, above Baihe City, Liu Rong had reached a critical moment.
He hovered in the air, his robes billowing without wind, his peak Golden Core pressure bearing down like a mountain. Those below Golden Core struggled to breathe, their blood churning.

Liu Rong’s gaze swept over the disciples of various sects, lingering on the elders:
“Before now, the Great Han royal family, mindful of cultivators’ hardships, showed leniency. This emboldened some sects to forget their place and disregard hierarchy.”

His voice was soft but clear. Chen Yangyan realized what Liu Rong was about to do, but in this situation, he was as powerless as a cuckolded husband.
“Baihe City is Great Han territory. Today, you gather to intimidate, harm my soldiers, and slaughter my people. Do you intend to carve out your own domain, to wage endless war against the Liu Han dynasty?!”

He gestured toward the imperial army below, their auras united.
“The Record of Qi Guidance is right here. You always complain about the hardships of cultivation, but do you know how much time and resources the court invests to train such elite forces? Even if you luck out and barely win today, how much of your sect’s foundation will remain? The moment you step out of Baihe City, your so-called ‘allies’ will stab you in the back, dividing your spoils clean. You’ll exhaust your resources, and others will reap the rewards, slaving away for nothing.”

As he spoke, Liu Rong sent his divine sense, subtly infiltrating the ears of the Illusory Spirit Sect, Scarlet Flame Sect, and other elders:
“You’re all sensible people. The petty gains the Martial Essence Sect promised from Baihe City pale compared to cooperating with the court to shape the era of spiritual resurgence. When a treasure emerges, everyone has a chance. The court is willing to uphold justice and set rules. If you stop now, past wrongs can be forgiven. Future resource allocations and talent selections will prioritize your sects.”

Then, his gaze locked onto the ashen-faced Chen Yangyan, his tone turning icy:
“Elder Chen, I hear the Martial Essence Sect has been hitting walls lately, with challengers only growing. Elder Tao Han’s fate is a fresh lesson. If you lose more elites today, I wonder if your sect leader will tear you apart?”

“…Hmph!”
Chen Yangyan’s reaction pleased Liu Rong. Sensing the groundwork was laid, he declared loudly:
“All you seek is the treasure soon to appear. It hasn’t even shown itself, yet we’re killing each other, draining our strength. Isn’t that foolish? I propose all sides cease fighting immediately, using Baihe City as a boundary, dividing zones, and banning private skirmishes. When the treasure truly appears, compete fairly with your own means! The Great Han court will guarantee this, upholding justice to ensure order!”

Under this double-edged approach, the already fractured sect alliance crumbled instantly.
The Illusory Spirit Sect elder stepped forward first, saluting:
“Your Highness is wise. The Illusory Spirit Sect agrees to this proposal and will halt hostilities.”
“Scarlet Flame Sect concurs.”
“Concur.”
“…”

Countless eyes, overt and covert, turned to the grim-faced Chen Yangyan, isolated in the air. Feeling Liu Rong and Zhang Jingfeng’s cold stares, the shifting attitudes of his “allies,” and recalling the unfathomable terror of the Imperial Master’s residence, his jaw clenched several times before he forced out two words:
“…Concur!”

The tense atmosphere eased, quickly replaced by a subtler standoff.
Baihe City’s crisis was resolved, and Liu Rong was pleased—this was a major achievement. His father would surely reward him handsomely upon his return.
Suddenly, he recalled that little thief and the Purple Mushroom Healing Pill he’d given away. His mended heart began to bleed again.
“If the royal family weren’t in decline, forcing me to tread carefully, why would I bow to rogue cultivators?”

Liu Rong fumed inwardly, picturing the lofty figure behind that thief, his anger flaring.
Glancing at the compromised sect members below, a slight smirk curved his lips.
“That’s more like it. Mortal or cultivator, all must bow to the Great Han dynasty. I’m destined to command the world’s armies!”

As Liu Rong reveled in his ambition, Zhang Jingfeng, after a quick check, whispered:
“Your Highness, the Blood Soul Sect isn’t among them.”
“What did you say?”

Liu Rong’s face darkened. He’d thought the job was done, only to find a loose end requiring overtime. No one would be happy.
Meanwhile, the Blood Soul Sect they sought had fallen into a new quagmire.

Bai Zhou had observed Liu Rong’s every move. She remembered this fourth prince—Liu Jun brought each of his heirs to the Imperial Master’s residence for her inspection.
Liu Rong’s fortune was strong, his future bright, but a trace of darkness lurked within, not a dire omen but fertile ground for one.
She’d advised Liu Jun to nurture him carefully and keep him from demonic paths. Liu Jun had agreed readily, but she didn’t care what followed.

Seeing the battle above subside, Kang Bo’s expression flickered, his cloudy eyes darting between Bai Zhou’s veiled face and Ling Qingli’s wary one.
Her aura was indeed Golden Core, but the effortless way she neutralized his full strike and her calm demeanor unnerved him.
Could double pupils truly come from an ordinary family? Had he kicked an iron plate?

Facing this unfathomable white-robed woman, Kang Bo didn’t dare gamble his Golden Core and life.
He forced an ugly, stiff smile, stammering:
“So… she’s your beloved daughter. A misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! I didn’t know, my apologies. I’ll take my leave, right now!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, he flashed with bloodlight, transforming into a blood rainbow, fleeing toward the opposite direction of the city lord’s mansion, so fast it seemed he feared Bai Zhou might change her mind.
Ling Qingli watched the bloodlight vanish, not overly shocked after Liu Rong’s precedent.
This woman again…

She tilted her head, studying the veiled profile, recalling the breeze that repelled Liu Rong. A mix of awe and an odd sense of security stirred within her.
But a more urgent emotion quickly overtook her thoughts.
Snapping back, she shouted anxiously:
“No! We can’t let him go! The city lord’s mansion! There are still so many people trapped there, about to be refined!”

She pictured the other beggar children like her and the city lord’s daughter’s vacant gaze, her face paling.
Tugging Bai Zhou’s sleeve, she pleaded incoherently:
“The city lord’s daughter, Hou Congmeng—Miss Hou! That winter, if she hadn’t kindly given me food and clothes, I wouldn’t have survived! Now she’s in danger…”

Before she could finish, Bai Zhou cut her off firmly, her voice through the veil devoid of emotion:
“Your benefactor. What’s that to me?”
“What?!”

Ling Qingli reeled as if struck, the last trace of color draining from her face.
Her wide eyes shifted from disbelief to anger, then sank into despairing gloom in a heartbeat.
Bai Zhou took in her whirlwind of emotions, a hint of frustration rising:
“Your debt of gratitude should be repaid with your own hands. Those double pupils of yours are naturally suited to counter such vile refining techniques. If you don’t act, this will haunt you forever.”