Chapter 1730: If You Want to Go, Then Go

Xue Qi was originally just a pitiful orphan abandoned in the snow on the Hidden Dragon Continent. Had it not been for Yun Xiao’s mother, Shang Li, who happened to pass by and take her in, she might have either frozen to death or become food for wild dogs and wolves.

In the end, Shang Li named the orphan girl found in the snow Xue Qi and adopted her as her daughter, treating her like her own child. Her treatment was no different from that of her biological children.

But some ingrates will never be grateful. When the Shang Family encountered a disaster, in order to survive, Xue Qi did not hesitate to betray Yun Xiao’s mother and her two children, almost causing them to die.

Although Shang Li and Yun Wei did not die as a result, Yun Wei even obtained a heaven-defying opportunity and was accepted as a direct disciple by the great power Ancestor Xuan He from the Li Yuan Realm. However, the mother and child were separated, and the siblings could not reunite, which remains a thorn in Yun Xiao’s heart.

For these past events, Xue Qi certainly won’t forget them anytime soon, but in her heart, she never considers it her own fault. If blame should be placed, it can only be on Shang Li for being biased.

Someone like Xue Qi is naturally adept at finding excuses for herself. She attributes all of the reasons to Yun Xiao’s mother and her children, believing that those three always treated her as an outsider, which led to the events that followed.

Originally, Xue Qi thought she had climbed onto the high branch of Empress Canglong and confidently descended to the Tenglong Continent after breaking through to the Heavenly Rank Third Realm, intending to humiliate the good younger brother who was once her childhood friend.

Unexpectedly, the Tenglong Continent trip became the agony of her end; that younger brother she thought would only mix in the Lower Five Realms or Middle Three Realms had grown to the point where she was far from being his opponent.

In the battle at Demons Mountain on the Tenglong Continent, Yun Xiao defeated Xue Qi with overwhelming force. If it weren’t for some contingencies left by Empress Canglong on her, she might have lost her life there.

Having suffered such great humiliation, Xue Qi assumed she would never be able to personally seek revenge in her lifetime. Even if she could get revenge, it would only depend on her teacher.

When she returned to Emperor Canglong Palace, she felt extremely disheartened, not expecting that her teacher had prepared a grand gift for her—the opportunity to enter the Dragon Saliva Pond.

Having been Lu Qinwan’s disciple for several years, Xue Qi naturally heard of the Dragon Saliva Pond’s reputation. Previously, she never imagined she could soak in it.

This trip to the Dragon Saliva Pond did not disappoint Xue Qi. Not only did she successfully break through from the Lingyun Realm to the Heavenly Realm, but she even advanced to the half-step Holy Rank, only half a step away from breaking through to the Holy Rank Third Realm.

With the improvement in her Meridian Qi Cultivation, the ambitions hidden deep in Xue Qi’s heart began to quietly grow. Her ultimate goal was not merely to be a disciple of Empress Canglong.

Over the years as Lu Qinwan’s disciple, Xue Qi envied how her teacher commanded respect and prestige. She hoped to one day become someone of such stature.

Xue Qi even harbored a crazy ambition—to overturn even Emperor Canglong after becoming the strongest, and at that time, stand alone atop the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud as the revered Empress.

Someone like Xue Qi would never miss an opportunity if given the chance. Even though she is currently just a half-step Holy Rank lower ranker, she believes she will fulfill these ambitions one day.

"Teacher, is there any news on Yun Xiao?"

Xue Qi suppressed certain thoughts in her heart, and her eyes flashed with a trace of poisonous resentment. Asking this question seemed to carry an undertone of restrained anger.

It seems that Xue Qi never let go of that once dear younger brother. Having just broken through to half-step Holy Rank, she was eager to reclaim her past honor.

"For now, still..."

Whoosh!

Just as Lu Qinwan slightly shook her head, causing Xue Qi to feel disappointed, she was interrupted by the sound of wind.

"Reporting to the Empress, there’s intelligence from the Dragon Cloud Western Region. The Dragon Emperor asked me to bring it to you!"

The newcomer was probably a guard of Emperor Canglong Palace. He descended and kneeled, and his words stirred something in Lu Qinwan’s heart.

Although the intelligence of Emperor Canglong Palace is generally not hidden from the Empress, the fact that the Emperor Palace Master personally sent someone to deliver intelligence is rare.

"Could it be..."

A hint of speculation flashed in Lu Qinwan’s mind. She then took the letter from the guard, scanned it quickly, and an unusual smile appeared on her face.

"Just as I’m nodding off, someone delivers a pillow!"

Lu Qinwan’s face held a smile, yet seemed devoid of any actual warmth. She turned her arm and handed the letter to Xue Qi, saying, "Xiaoxue, you should take a look too!"

"Could it be that there’s news about Yun Xiao?"

Xue Qi was astute, having already guessed some clues from Lu Qinwan’s words and expression. As she took the letter, she muttered softly.

"Tsk tsk, Xiaoxue, your good little brother is quite remarkable. He’s just arrived at the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud and has already destroyed two major Emperor Palace outposts of my Canglong Imperial Palace. Even I am starting to admire him!"

After handing the letter to Xue Qi, Lu Qinwan’s feelings were indescribable. Her words caused the guard kneeling on the ground to tremble violently.

Even though the intelligence was delivered by the guard in front of them, they were unaware of its contents and dared not read it at will, as that would mean death.

The guard never expected the intelligence to be so explosive. In the present Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, someone dared to provoke the Canglong Imperial Palace. Were they fearless or bold as dragons?

The Emperor Palace outposts are the face of the Canglong Imperial Palace in various human cities. The fact that this Yun Xiao dared to eliminate two major outposts means a deadlock with the Canglong Imperial Palace.

But as these thoughts crossed his mind, the guard’s eyes revealed a hint of disdainful sneer, thinking Yun Xiao’s days must be numbered for daring to offend the Canglong Imperial Palace.

The intelligence Lu Qinwan handed to Xue Qi naturally came from the distant Ye City and Yongxiu City. It seems the Canglong Emperor also knew about this master’s and disciple’s attention to Yun Xiao, so he directly forwarded the intelligence.

Honestly, Emperor Palace outposts in cities like Ye City and Yongxiu City barely catch the attention of the Canglong Emperor, the sovereign. He only noticed the familiar name, recalling Lu Qinwan’s past grievances.

As the sovereign of the Canglong Imperial Palace and even the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, the Canglong Emperor had many important matters to tend to and would not be hindered by such trivialities.

He was certain Lu Qinwan would handle it well. By then, Yun Xiao, who dared to provoke the Canglong Imperial Palace and once offended Lu Qinwan and her disciple, would be left without a place to be buried.

As for whether the Yun Xiao mentioned in the intelligence is the same Yun Xiao once seen on the Tenglong Continent, Lu Qinwan had no doubts. Such a reckless person is probably unique.

Back on the Tenglong Continent, even though Lu Qinwan appeared through a clone projection, she was defeated by that peculiar youth, nearly failing to save Xue Qi.

Lu Qinwan was always brooding over this matter. She had sent out Emperor Palace secret agents all over but found no trace, suspecting Yun Xiao hadn’t arrived at the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud yet.

Who knew that when the boy finally came, he made such a huge commotion, destroying two major Emperor Palace outposts. Was this a declaration of war against the Canglong Imperial Palace?

"It’s him!"

While Lu Qinwan was mulling over this, Xue Qi had swiftly read through the content on the letter. Then, clenching her fists, these four words were almost squeezed out from her gritted teeth.

"Master, I want to go to the Western Regions!"

Her hatred for Yun Xiao instantly overpowered everything else. Xue Qi raised her head, looked at her mentor, the Canglong Empress, and spoke with irrefutable determination.

"Go if you wish!"

Lu Qinwan would not refuse Xue Qi’s request. Even if Yun Xiao had once killed Liu Wenzong, the late-stage Heavenly Realm Director of Ye City Emperor Palace, she didn’t think he was a match for the Half-step Holy Rank Xue Qi.

Lu Qinwan clearly understood that Yun Xiao was her precious disciple’s heart’s knot. If he wasn’t completely eliminated, it might severely impact Xue Qi’s future cultivation path.

Xue Qi is now a Half-step Holy Rank power, but taking the next step is not easy. If this psychological shadow is not removed, it’s possible she may never progress further.

"Thank you, Master, for fulfilling this!"

Upon receiving Lu Qinwan’s approval, Xue Qi was overjoyed. She respectfully bowed to her master, then left decisively, her determination evident.

A moment later, the guard who delivered the intelligence also took his leave, leaving the Canglong Empress standing dazedly, her thoughts unknown, not speaking for a long time.

"An Sou!"

After another moment, seemingly back to her senses, Lu Qinwan suddenly let out a low shout. Then, a shadow appeared ghost-like beside her.

"Miss!"

The shadow was ever-changing, its appearance indistinguishable, yet its tone was respectful. It seemed to be another shadow servant of Lu Qinwan, much like Ma Nu before.

"Follow Xue Qi. If she gets even slightly harmed, bring me your head!"

Lu Qinwan’s soft command echoed by the Dragon Saliva Pond, causing the ghostly shadow to tremble slightly. Without daring to delay, it bowed to accept the order and quickly vanished into the distance.