Chapter 42
A large scaly beast towering over 2 meters tall, with five silvery horns on its head slowly wade through the thick bush. On top of this large beast which is commonly called the Rock Dragoon, stood a very handsome young man with a chiseled face and a long red hair tied behind his back. His regal aura indicates that he belongs to a high-class family. Behind him follows a young man with a bulky body and a slightly lower aura of nobility and a group of around 20 soldiers all in the peak of gold core realm. The two young masters are riding a Rock Dragoon while the others are at the back of a large panther-like beast. The levels of the entire beast are at level 3, which carries a truly intimidating aura. Not to mention that these beasts are trained by the kingdom of Er to be a battle companion. Although it can't be compared to the power of the tamed beast in the capital, in this place these beasts are top class.
"Prince Haulin, the beasts are all running this way. I think the town of Haven will be suffering a blow if the beast tide reaches the town." A soldier behind the prince said.
"Huh? Who cares? I only want those cores. These peasants can die for all I care; at least they can serve their purpose in stopping this prince's prey. If they offer their lives then that's a great merit for them. Let's move on I don't want to wait anymore." The red-haired prince Haulin coldly commanded.
This young prince is Haulin Xi, the third prince of the Xi Empire. Although he is not in the line of the throne as he is the weakest of the seven princes. But he is always arrogant and likes to do what he pleases, as he was always doted on by his mother the fourth concubine of the Emperor, concubine Zinn. And because of that, he grew to be an uncultured and a silk pants young prince. The group followed the path where the land is ruined and not long after that saw from far away a long line of caravan group is on their path. So a soldier immediately moved forward to scout things ahead.
"This is the caravan from every school in the city of Er, I think they might have gone here to return after the inter-school tournament. What should we do my prince?" A soldier reported as he kneeled on one knee to the side of the huge Rock Dragoon.
"Heh, insignificant fools, go through them. Kill those who would try and block this prince's path!" Haulin Xi shouted as he gestured for everyone to move forward.
The group continued their leisure travel and saw the battles not too far ahead now as they near the convoy. But before they could proceed further a blood-curdling scream reverberated everywhere like a howling banshee which could awaken even the dead in their eternal slumber. This startled everyone even the prince's group was made to stop.
The reason for this is because at that time a mortal servant accidentally turns her head towards the direction of prince Haulin Xi's direction, and upon seeing the huge Rock Dragoon her mind went blank and all she can think of was to scream her heart out. Then it seems like the whole battlefield turns silent that even the beast stopped their action at that moment.
"Who dares shout! This prince will cut off that one's head. I think my ears were destroyed by that bloody freaking annoying scream." Haulin Xi shouted as his angry gaze moves towards a certain carriage.
But before he could act, a figure flew and suddenly appears floating in front of Prince Haulin Xi which made him feel his heart skipped a beat. Although he is an arrogant character still he is aware that there are people whom he cannot dare to offend, and one of those people is the old man floating in front of him right now, Master Ju.
"Why isn't this the little lad Haulin Xi. What brings you to these parts of the forest?" the old man Master Ju asked with an amiable smile.
When Haulin Xi saw the smile of Master Ju, his forehead was suddenly covered in cold sweat. Because when the old man smile like this it just mean two things; either he is annoyed that someone interrupted his fun and would kill him, or he truly is happy and interested in someone's talent. But this old man would never be interested in him so it must be the first. Without thinking further, prince Haulin quickly cupped his hands and bowed.
"Master Ju, this foolish prince didn't know that you are here. If I am intruding on something I ask for your esteemed self's forgiveness."
"Haha… You are an insightful young one. Since you put it that way, I would let it go this time. This is the territory of the crown prince, so the third prince should be aware of your conduct here as even if you're a part of the Imperial family this one has the authority to discipline you as commanded by the Emperor himself." Master Ju said.
The third prince knows that master Ju is not a common old man. Although he is known as the subordinate of the crown prince, this old man and five others have a deep connection with his father the emperor. So without any other option, he had to concede.
"Yes, master Ju. We are just here to see what had happened in this area. I am also with the 4th prince of the Er kingdom, Prince Nie Er." Haulin Xi explained as he introduced the prince on his side.
Master Ju nods as he is content that the arrogant and undisciplined 3rd prince becomes docile. He didn't want to have any more trouble as what they already have is enough to cause the old man some headache. But he was truly thankful for that mysterious shadow that eliminated those level 4 beasts. He was not sure of the cultivation level of the man as with his sharp senses he could see the fluctuation of a peak core forming real in him. But he can only see this whenever that person would attack with his black sword. And then he can see the aura of a middle-stage core forming realm when he uses that shiny thing that spews out those projectiles that even he cannot follow.
With his observation, he could see that the person might be of a lower level or the same level as a primary gold core realm expert, but is able to kill level 4 beast. Now, this piques his interest and wanted to know more about his true cultivation level as he is not sure of it as of yet. To find the answer, he needs to find that person first as he suddenly lost him even when his spiritual sense has been locked on that person. What made matters worse is when all of a sudden this pompous windbag appear out of nowhere and disturbed his concentration further making him lost all the traces of the man. This truly made master want to erupt in anger if this person was not a prince he would have already burned his body and soul to smithereens along with his personal bodyguards.
Shin Jiao, on the other hand, grab this opportunity to sneak in the carriage. Then he quietly positioned himself on the farther back corner without anyone noticing.
"Hey, who's that?" Shin Jiao suddenly asked the person near him so that his presence would be discovered and become less suspicious.
The man was a little startled as he knitted his brow with suspicion. He didn't recall that a young and handsome man like Shin Jiao was in this place. But seeing the innocent look on Shin Jiao's face his suspicion suddenly vanished.
"Oh, that? I think he's the third prince of the Empire and that one is the fourth prince of the Kingdom of Er." The man explained.
"Kingdom of Er? Where is that?" Shin Jiao asked with confusion.
"What? Don't tell me you didn't know that this land is under the Kingdom of Er?" the man said with an incredulous expression.
"Oh, I see… well, it's because my master isn't always letting me out and would always keep me inside the house so I'm a little clueless, but thank you for your information mister." Shin Jiao said happily.
"Let me guess… your master is an immortal lady, right? Hehe..." the man said with a smirk as if he already knows the reason why Shin Jiao was kept as a pet.
Shin Jiao didn't bother to talk to the man anymore as he had already gotten the information he needed. So he just returns to the corner and sat their peacefully.
Not long after that, the fighting began to die down and the cultivators who are wounded are treated in a tent. While those with life and death situation was given the remaining rapid hemostatic pill that Qin Lou made which she submitted to the Floating Lotus Alchemy School.
When Shin Jiao found the tent where Qin Lou and Susu Ling are staying, he happily went there. When he was in front of the tent he stopped as he is greeted by the figure of Qin Lou with folded arms. Although he didn't know what expression she is showing in her face he knows that there is really something wrong here.
"Master, what's up?" Shin Jiao asked while foolishly scratching his head.
Inside her mask, Qin Lou squint her eyes and observed Shin Jiao from head to toe. Then her eyes were suddenly attracted to the black goggle on Shin Jiao's head where he would always put. Seeing that familiar thing she suddenly had a warm smile in her face.
"I know he isn't simple. I'm just happy that he's my,... friend." Qin Lou said to herself slowly calming her feelings.
When she saw the person who saves her and Susu Ling, she actually felt a familiar aura in him. Then she notices the fluctuation of aura from middle-stage core forming to peak core forming realm and vice versa, she suddenly remembers Shin Jiao who is considered as a mortal but can emit the aura of a core forming realm cultivator.
"Umn… I'm okay… How… how about you?" Qin Lou asked with a little hesitation.
She wanted to say thank you to Shin Jiao for saving her, but she didn't want to reveal his secret. She didn't want him to hide from her and be indifferent which might affect their friendship. As someone who had been despised and mocked because of her appearance Shin Jiao was the first person who never minds that at all. And of course now there is also Susu Ling, but the later has a very prestigious background so she is still a little hesitant to be too intimate with her.
"Well, I was pretty safe in there, except for that loud scream. It almost took my soul as the woman is near me. I truly didn't want to stay with them at that time, but you left me there master. Hehe…" Shin Jiao exaggeratingly said as he put his hand on his chest feeling hurt.
"Stop your drama… you were safe in there while we almost got killed out here. I think you would have pissed on your pants if you saw our battle against that number of beasts. Even I almost went limp; luckily I'm braver than someone who just knows how to curry favors." Susu Ling suddenly appears from behind Shin Jiao with some sarcastic remarks as usual but Shin Jiao didn't mind her as he is already used to her nonchalant attitude.
"Oh, you're back! So how was it?" Qin Lou asked with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Well, I got around 25 pieces level three and 3 pieces level four cores, it should have been 4 pieces level four cores but then they discovered that one of the cores from the tail of the Nue was chipped which released all the energy within and now it's empty." Susu Ling said.
"Anyway, which one do you want? Spirit stones or the cores themselves? I can buy them for you at the market price." Susu Ling added.
"I'll take the cores, as of now I don't need spirit stones. They are useless to me."
"Oh, okay. Here." Susu Ling then handed her a bag of cores, which made Qin Lou frown.
"Don't ask why I gave you all the cores. It's what I want, as I already owe you my life." Susu Ling added before Qin Lou could say anything.
Shin Jiao had a big smile in his face as he looks at the two ladies having a world of their own. Then he turns around and was about to walk away so as not to disturb the two when a figure appears in front of him. It was Master Ju, and following behind him are two very handsome and proud young men.
"Young Qin, I just came to say hello! You seem to be okay and were not hurt. I was truly worried." Master Ju said after seeing that Qin Lou was not hurt from that battle.
"Master Ju! I didn't know you're also here. Are Elder Ao and Duang in here too?" Susu Ling was the one to answer.
When the two handsome young men saw the cute face and sexy figure of Susu Ling their eyes lit up in excitement. They didn't expect to see someone as beautiful as her in this chaotic place.
"Hello, miss! I'm Prince Haulin Xi, the 3rd prince of the Empire of Xi. What might I call you?" the 3rd prince Haulin Xi introduced himself making the other young man beside him frown.
So as not to be outclassed he stretched forth his hand towards Susu Ling.
"Hello, I'm the 4th prince of this kingdom, Prince Nie Er. You... you look familiar?" prince Nie Er introduced but seem to realize that he knew the girl in front of him.
"You, knew her?" Prince Haulin Xi knitted his brow as he looks at the Prince Nie Er.
"I... If I'm not mistaken you are the famous Miss Susu Ling of the Roc's Eye Merchant company, one of the heiresses of Lord Ling, right?" Prince Nie Er asked confirming his thoughts.
"Oh, you still remember me, your highness. I'm flattered, it has been a while and my you've grown into a fine young man already." Susu Ling said with a tone of fawning over Prince Nie Er as she curtsied.
At this time Susu Ling found that Shin Jiao and Qin Luo has already bowed their head in respect to the two princes in front of them. Then Master Ju waved his hand and to gesture the three to be at ease.
But before Master Ju could say anything, Prince Haulin stepped forward and said something that almost made Master Ju want to smack his head.
"Miss Ling, your prestige doesn't belong to this dirty commoner's tent. Come with this princes abode and I will give you a good time."