The chaos of battle raged ahead as Tianyang and Yuqing stood concealed in the dense foliage of the Misty Forest, their breathing steady and their gazes sharp. The warriors in blood-red robes fought ferociously against a group of royal guards, their crimson blades flashing under the dim forest light. In the middle of the guards' formation, a lavish carriage sat, its golden emblem gleaming faintly through the dust and blood.
Tianyang glanced at Yuqing, his hand gently brushing hers. "We don't intervene," he said, his voice low and firm.
Yuqing met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with understanding. Though she was young, her upbringing as the patriarch's daughter had instilled in her a keen awareness of human nature. She nodded softly, her fingers briefly tightening around his before letting go.
The two observed silently as the battle intensified. The royal guards were well-trained, their intermediate-earth-tier techniques unleashing waves of energy to repel the attackers. Yet, the blood-red robed warriors were relentless, their high-earth-tier techniques infused with an aura of madness and bloodlust.
Suddenly, the red-robed leader, a middle-aged man radiating the oppressive aura of peak Void Tribulation, stepped forward. His blood-red eyes gleamed with malice as he raised his hand, condensing a massive blood spear imbued with dark energy. With a roar, he hurled it directly at the golden carriage.
Before the spear could reach its target, a cold, commanding voice rang out from within the carriage.
"Presumptuous."
A golden seal burst forth from the carriage, releasing a radiant light that enveloped the vehicle in a shimmering barrier. The mid-legendary-grade artifact repelled the blood spear with ease, sending the crimson weapon shattering into nothingness.
The carriage door opened, and a woman stepped out, her presence exuding regal authority. She was young, dressed in ornate robes embroidered with the insignia of the Qin Empire. Her cultivation, mid-Void Tribulation, was evident in the faint golden aura that surrounded her.
Her gaze shifted sharply, locking onto the direction where Tianyang, Yuqing, and their little dragon, Yao'er, were hiding. "I know you're there," she declared. "Your concealment technique is impressive, but it cannot hide you from me. If you help me escape this siege, I will reward you handsomely."
Tianyang and Yuqing exchanged confused glances. They had been using a mid-sky-tier concealment technique, one of the most reliable in its class. How could she have seen through it?
Yuqing glanced at Yao'er, who was perched between them, his silly grin giving away the culprit.
Tianyang sighed, rubbing the dragon's small azure-scaled head. "You're the reason she found us, aren't you?"
Yao'er blinked innocently, his red eyes sparkling, completely unaware of his mistake.
The woman's voice broke their thoughts. "I am the Crown Princess of the Qin Empire in the Western Region. If you help me, I will fulfill any request you make."
Tianyang's eyes narrowed. The Qin Empire was one of the Western Region's most powerful forces, rivaling the top ten families of the East in strength and influence. He exchanged a glance with Yuqing, who gave him a small nod.
Before they could respond, the red-robed leader sneered, his voice filled with derision. "I am the sect master of the Blood Rage Sect. If you don't want to die, then don't meddle in others' business. Disappear!"
The murderous intent in his words was palpable, but it was met with cold smiles from Tianyang, Yuqing, and Yao'er.
Tianyang spoke calmly, his tone laced with icy resolve. "We were going to spare you, but now… none of you will leave here alive."
He and Yuqing stepped out of the shadows, their presence radiating the peak Spirit Transformation stage. The Crown Princess's eyes widened slightly, impressed by their cultivation despite their youth.
From their storage rings, Tianyang and Yuqing drew their high-legendary-grade swords, gleaming weapons they had obtained from the Azure Dragon's cave. The blades exuded a majestic aura, resonating with the couple's Yin and Yang energies.
Yao'er, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, let out a small roar, azure flames flickering from his tiny mouth.
The Crown Princess stepped aside, a faint smirk gracing her lips as she watched the trio. "I'll leave this to you, then," she said, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity about their abilities.
Tianyang and Yuqing moved in perfect sync, their swords humming with energy. "Let's end this quickly," Tianyang said, glancing at Yuqing.
"Agreed," Yuqing replied, her voice steady.
With a burst of speed, they dashed toward the red-robed leader, their swords leaving trails of light in their wake. The leader roared, summoning a blood domain that covered the battlefield in a crimson haze.
Tianyang's blade glowed with Yang energy as he unleashed a high-sky-tier technique, "Blazing Sun Slash," a golden arc of light cutting through the blood domain.
Yuqing followed with a high-sky-tier technique, "Lunar Serenity Slash," her sword releasing a wave of silvery energy that harmonized perfectly with Tianyang's attack.
The two attacks merged, creating a dazzling explosion of light and shadow that tore through the sect leader's defenses.
From behind, Yao'er opened his tiny maw, releasing a stream of azure flames infused with draconic might. The flames engulfed the sect leader, forcing him to retreat, his robes singed and his aura faltering.
The red-robed warriors tried to intervene, but the Crown Princess raised her royal golden seal. "You dare challenge me?" she said coldly, unleashing a barrier that trapped the weaker cultivators, leaving them at her mercy.
The sect leader, realizing he was outmatched, roared in desperation, activating a forbidden technique that pushed his power beyond its peak. His body began to wither as his life force burned away.
Tianyang's eyes narrowed. "Yuqing, together!"
They raised their swords, channeling their Yin and Yang energies into a combined strike. The blades shone with divine-tier brilliance as they executed the "Eclipse Sovereign Slash," a technique they had recently mastered.
The strike descended upon the sect leader, shattering his forbidden technique and severing his life force. He collapsed, his body crumbling into ash.
The battlefield fell silent as the remaining blood-robed warriors fled in terror.
Yao'er trotted up to the sect leader's ashes, sniffing curiously before letting out a small sneeze of flame.
The Crown Princess approached, her expression a mix of gratitude and awe. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "You've saved my life."
Tianyang sheathed his sword, glancing at Yuqing. "Let's discuss your reward."
The princess smiled faintly. "Of course. Let us talk."
Please Read The Auxiliary Volume For Important Information!