Protect Our Patriarch

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Staring at Celestial Maiden Tianyan for several breaths, Wu Jinghao finally tore his gaze away.

With his hands behind his back, he looked down at Zuoqiu Qingyun with an air of superiority and righteously scolded, "Zuoqiu Qingyun, I never expected that a young master from a prestigious fourth-rank family and a direct disciple of Qing'an Academy would stoop to such despicable and vile acts."

"I, the Jade-faced Gentleman, the Little Commandery Prince, and the heir of the Monan Commandery Prince's household, Wu Jinghao, will not tolerate such things happening under my watch. Stop pretending to be calm and surrender immediately!"

"Heh~~ Celestial Maiden Tianyan, is this the rescue party you arranged?" Zuoqiu Qingyun couldn't help but sneer at Wu Jinghao's arrogant demeanor. "Relying on this bunch of fools... Celestial Maiden Tianyan, I must start questioning your wisdom and taste~"

Even Celestial Maiden Tianyan, who was already weak and powerless, couldn't help but hold her forehead in exasperation.

How embarrassing~

Even though she had been outwitted by Zuoqiu Qingyun, it was indeed her mistake. But she still had a trump card to turn the tables.

Why would she need this group of troublemakers to save her? They were more likely to cause more chaos~

Relying on them to play the hero and save the beauty, she might as well just give in to Zuoqiu Qingyun~~ At least, Zuoqiu Qingyun was stronger than them.

However, if Wang Shouzhe were to jump out and save her at this moment, she would be more than willing to repay his "life-saving grace," even if it meant forcibly marrying him.

"Hey, hey, hey! Who are you calling fools?" Wu Jinghao jumped up in anger, glaring at Zuoqiu Qingyun with an imposing aura. "There are five of us, and only one of you. Even if you're in the mid to late stages of the Lingtai Realm, you can only lie down obediently. Brothers, let's go together, form up, and it's time to make a name for ourselves, oh no, it's time to play the hero and save the beauty!"

"Don't be afraid, Celestial Maiden, I, Wu Jinghao, am here to save you."

With that, he commanded the five of them to charge forward, surrounding Zuoqiu Qingyun in a circle.

Their formation was quite imposing.

After all, although Wu Jinghao and Wang Shihai were somewhat naive and foolish, they were indeed prodigies. Even the other three nameless side characters were young prodigies from powerful families and had some skills.

In the end, if they didn't have some background, how could they hang out with Wang Shihai and Wu Jinghao?

Even Celestial Maiden Tianyan couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. These naive little rascals had some abilities, and maybe she really had a chance to be saved without using her life-saving trump card!

Unexpectedly.

Zuoqiu Qingyun didn't even bat an eyelid, merely calling out in his heart, "Old Jiang."

Suddenly, his aura changed.

A sinister and powerful aura emanated from him, instantly enveloping the entire pavilion.

Such a dangerous and terrifying aura made Celestial Maiden Tianyan's heart chill, sensing something was amiss.

Sure enough.

A cup of tea later.

Wu Jinghao, Wang Shihai, and the other three had been thoroughly beaten and were now tied up like dumplings in the pavilion.

Their faces and bodies were bruised and swollen, looking extremely miserable.

The binding technique was also very exquisite and professional, making their posture extremely shameful. The more they struggled, the tighter it became.

Such a masterful binding technique could only be achieved with countless practice.

Zuoqiu Qingyun admired his handiwork with satisfaction, coldly laughing, "Didn't you all want to play the hero and save the beauty? Didn't you like Tianyan? I'll let you see how your beloved Celestial Maiden is conquered by me step by step. Hahaha, consider it fulfilling your wish before you die~~"

Upon hearing this, the bruised and swollen Wu Jinghao and Wang Shihai exchanged glances, feeling a chill in their hearts.

This guy was too insane.

As he spoke, Zuoqiu Qingyun walked step by step towards Celestial Maiden Tianyan, grinning evilly, "Celestial Maiden Tianyan, now no one will interrupt our good time."

"Zuoqiu Qingyun." Celestial Maiden Tianyan took a deep breath, her expression solemn. "Although I don't know what happened to your body, I can be sure that you must have practiced some kind of forbidden evil technique that has affected your mind. Although Little Commandery Prince and Wang Shihai are both playboys, they are core members of their families. If you kill them, you will face the revenge of their families. I advise you to think twice."

Wu Jinghao and Wang Shihai nodded frantically.

That's right, killing them wasn't worth it. Better not kill them~~

"Tianyan, you can only talk tough now. Once you become my cauldron, even if I chase you away, you'll be desperate to stay." Zuoqiu Qingyun laughed wildly, "As for them, you don't need to worry. After dealing with them, I will naturally leave evidence to let the families in Monan Commandery know that it was your lover Wang Shouzhe who killed them."

He had already investigated and found out that Celestial Maiden Tianyan seemed to be very fond of Wang Shouzhe.

With new and old grudges combined, he wanted to find a way to get rid of Wang Shouzhe to ease his hatred.

"Blame yourself for falling for him~ Hmph, just because he's good-looking, a silver spearhead, all show and no substance."

Wu Jinghao and Wang Shihai were stunned. This guy was not only ruthless but also shameless. After killing them, he even wanted to frame someone else.

This was a big problem!

Celestial Maiden Tianyan's heart was also filled with coldness, her voice trembling with shock, "Aren't you afraid that your master, Yaoguang Master, will find out and clean house?"

"My master, Yaoguang Master?" Zuoqiu Qingyun laughed maniacally, "I'm really scared~~~ Sooner or later, Yaoguang will submit to me and become my cauldron."

Celestial Maiden Tianyan gasped.

What kind of evil had Zuoqiu Qingyun fallen into, and what kind of evil technique had he practiced to become so insane?

Forget it~~ It seemed she could only use that thing. These naive boys were going to suffer, as even she had difficulty controlling it.

Hoping they had their own good fortune.

Celestial Maiden Tianyan bit her lip, determined, and was about to take out something from her storage ring to fight Zuoqiu Qingyun.

At this moment.

The profound energy in the heavens and earth suddenly trembled, and a sharp whistle abruptly sounded.

The next moment, a fierce sword light streaked across the sky like a startled swan, whistling towards the pavilion with a terrifying edge.

The sword light was as cold as snow, as swift as a startled swan, and as fierce as a wandering dragon.

The cold killing intent enveloped the entire pavilion.

Zuoqiu Qingyun, who had been smug a moment ago, suddenly shrank his pupils, feeling his scalp tingle and his hair stand on end, as if he was being stared at by a peerless beast.

Danger!

Having lived for decades, Zuoqiu Qingyun had plenty of combat experience. Instantly, he activated his profound energy, his body rising like a bird, retreating swiftly like a startled swan.

This was the Zuoqiu Clan's top-tier movement technique, "Shadow Skimming Technique."

It was said that this movement technique was created by the Zuoqiu Clan's ancestor after observing birds flying and fish leaping, combining the speed and grace of birds with the agility and flexibility of fish. It was a very practical movement technique.

In the blink of an eye, he had retreated over thirty meters, far away from the pavilion.

"Swish!"

The sword light swept past.

The stone pavilion was directly cut in half, collapsing with a "rumble" on both sides.

Inside the pavilion, Wang Shihai and Little Commandery Prince Wu Jinghao looked at the deep sword mark close at hand and their pants legs cut by the dispersed sword energy, cold sweat dripping down unknowingly.

Just a little more, just a little more, and their legs might not have been saved.

Celestial Maiden Tianyan's hair stood on end. Just now, the sword light had almost grazed her body, and for a moment, she thought the target was herself.

"Who is it?!"

Zuoqiu Qingyun's heart was also filled with coldness, unable to stop feeling fear.

Just now, if his reaction had been a bit slower, his fate wouldn't have been much better than that of the pavilion.

In the sky.

As the sword light dissipated, a graceful figure holding a sword slowly appeared in the night.

She was dressed in a pure white long dress, her face covered with a veil, her appearance indistinguishable, but her eyes were calm and cold, filled with a chilling aura.

Under the night sky, her clothes fluttered, profound energy surging around her, and waves of majestic pressure spread out, making her look like a celestial maiden who had fallen from the moon palace, inviolable.

Wang Shihai and Little Commandery Prince Wu Jinghao, who had been terrified, suddenly brightened up.

To float in the air without relying on a flying feather spirit treasure, she must be in the Celestial Realm. Such strength and such aura were not something ordinary cultivators could possess.

The one who came must be another celestial maiden!

She must have come to save them, unable to stand Zuoqiu Qingyun's actions!

"Celestial Maiden, save us~~~"

"Celestial Maiden, that guy is crazy and uses poison, be careful..."

Excited, the five of them immediately shouted in unison.

"Who are you?!"

Zuoqiu Qingyun's heart tightened.

The moment the "White-clothed Celestial Maiden" appeared, his heart had already sounded the alarm. At this moment, he unconsciously gripped his weapon tightly, his voice tense, "Do you know who I am? Don't blame me for not warning you, the consequences of attacking an outstanding descendant of a fourth-rank family are not something anyone can bear!"

"Hmph~!"

Upon hearing this, the figure in the sky snorted coldly, ignoring him.

Without any visible movement, the long sword in her hand shone brightly. The next moment, a sword light shot out like a thunderbolt.

The sword light was like a dragon, breaking through the night with a fierce momentum, shaking the entire sky. The ground was filled with flying sand and stones, and trees swayed wildly.

The strength of a Celestial Realm expert was fully displayed at this moment.

Last time, the distance between them was far, and Zuoqiu Qingyun could dodge the sword light with his movement technique. This time, the distance was much closer, and the sword light of a Celestial Realm expert was not so easy to dodge.

Zuoqiu Qingyun's heart chilled, anxious, and he quickly called out with his divine sense, "Old Jiang!"

"Don't be afraid, boy~ Relax your body."

An old voice suddenly sounded in his divine sense.

Zuoqiu Qingyun's heart relaxed, and he quickly followed the instructions.

The next moment, a powerful divine sense spread from his sea of consciousness, taking over his body, and his aura surged.

A majestic pressure spread out.

At the same time, his aura underwent a huge change, becoming sinister and filled with evil, as if he had become a different person.

Obviously, at this moment, "Old Jiang" had taken control of Zuoqiu Qingyun's body.

If it were an ordinary Lingtai Realm expert, even a great prodigy, in such a pressing situation, they would have no choice but to block the attack. However, under Old Jiang's control, "Zuoqiu Qingyun" moved with incredible speed.

In almost an instant, he summoned a mid-grade spirit shield, and a thick shield of profound energy was instantly erected, like a copper wall, in front of him.

At the same time, he swung his long sword, sending out several sword lights to strike the incoming sword light from the side, trying to deflect it, or at least weaken it.

Not only that.

His movement technique also improved significantly, becoming more agile and graceful, moving as fast as a phantom.

Under the threat of a Celestial Realm expert's sword light, in such a short time, he could still respond so methodically. This would be impressive for any Lingtai Realm expert.

However, the gap in strength was not so easily bridged.

The sword light "Zuoqiu Qingyun" swung out shattered instantly upon touching the white-clothed celestial maiden's sword intent. His phantom-like movement technique couldn't escape the sword intent's lock.

In an instant, the fierce sword light broke through all obstacles and struck the vital energy shield hard!

"Bang!!!"

A loud explosion rang out.

The thick profound energy shield shattered in less than two breaths, and "Zuoqiu Qingyun" was sent flying by the terrifying impact, crashing through several trees and dozens of Desolate Swamp Stones before barely stabilizing himself.

His face was pale, and crimson blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.

It was clear that his internal organs were severely injured.

"Wow!"

Wang Shihai, Wu Jinghao, and the others were stunned, their mouths agape in shock.

"What strong sword intent!"

Old Jiang was also deeply shocked.

He had thought that after weakening the sword intent, it should have been able to reduce its power by three or four tenths, and the remaining sword intent would at most cause minor injuries. Unexpectedly, the sword intent was much stronger than he had anticipated!

In an instant, he judged that this woman was not simple!

To possess such powerful sword intent in the Celestial Realm, she must be a prodigy, and one who had been meticulously trained from a young age, either a family elite or an academy elite.

Moreover, he sensed that she might not have even used her full strength. Continuing to fight, even with him controlling the body, Zuoqiu Qingyun would undoubtedly lose.

As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood!

Retreat!

Old Jiang decisively activated the movement technique, slipping away like a fish, and in the blink of an eye, he had fled more than thirty meters away.

At the same time, wisps of peach-colored mist spread around him, enveloping him in a cloud of peach-colored fog.

The night was deep, and visibility was already low. With the addition of the peach-colored fog, visibility was even lower. Moreover, the peach-colored mist interfered with divine sense, making it impossible to discern his exact position within the fog.

This was where his experience came into play.

When the enemy was stronger, relying solely on speed was not enough to escape.

At such times, creating confusion was necessary to prevent the enemy from locating his exact position immediately, buying more time to escape. The peach-colored mist served this purpose.

If time and conditions allowed, he could make it even more complex, increasing the chances of escape.

However, at this moment, he didn't have the luxury of time for complex arrangements, so he could only conceal his position as much as possible and confuse the enemy's divine sense for a quick escape.

"Trying to escape?"

The white-clothed celestial maiden snorted coldly.

With a flick of her wrist, the long sword in her hand shone brightly again, and a fierce sword light shot out.

"Crack~"

A bolt of lightning flashed.

Wisps of heavenly thunder intent spread from the sword light.

The peach-colored mist seemed to meet its nemesis, instantly dispersing, exposing Zuoqiu Qingyun's figure.

The sword momentum continued, and the sword struck his protective profound energy shield.

"Poof~!"

Zuoqiu Qingyun's body trembled, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

What the hell?!

He was shocked, not expecting the mist to be so easily dispersed.

This woman's sword intent seemed to restrain him.

If he were already in the Celestial Realm, it would be fine, but he was only in the late Lingtai Realm. The quality and quantity of his profound energy were too low. Facing a Celestial Realm opponent with a restraining attribute, even with Old Jiang's support, he had no chance of winning.

"Old Jiang, what do we do?!"

Zuoqiu Qingyun was already panicking, calling out to Old Jiang with his divine sense.

"What else can we do? Run!" Old Jiang's annoyed voice came from his sea of consciousness, "Relax your body, this time we really have to go all out!"

He had painstakingly accumulated some soul power and was reluctant to use too much, but now he had no choice.

If he hesitated any longer, they would be finished here today!

A large amount of soul power surged out.

In an instant, a dense peach-colored light enveloped Zuoqiu Qingyun's body, carrying him as he shot into the night.

Unlike the previous mist, this light was filled with shimmering spiritual light, dazzling and radiant, and the pressure it emitted was much stronger.

"Minor divine ability?"

The white-clothed celestial maiden frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed.

Even if Zuoqiu Qingyun had some fortuitous encounter and used a minor divine ability, it wouldn't last long.

She floated in the air, not in a hurry to chase. With a flick of her jade hand, several white sword lights flashed, cutting the ropes and releasing Wang Shihai and Wu Jinghao.

After that, she stepped into the air, quickly pursuing Zuoqiu Qingyun.

Her speed was extremely fast, disappearing into the night sky in just a few breaths.

In the pavilion, the rescued Wu Jinghao struggled to get up.

He stared at the disappearing figure with infatuation, muttering, "What a domineering and powerful celestial maiden~~~ It's over, I'm smitten~~"

The others were also excited, all captivated by the celestial maiden's unparalleled grace, exclaiming, "We have a new celestial maiden."

Only Celestial Maiden Tianyan's eyes were filled with uncertainty, muttering to herself, "Why does that heavenly thunder intent seem so familiar... Something's not right..."

Suddenly.

A young man exclaimed, "Little Commandery Prince, look at this!"

Everyone followed his direction and saw a silk handkerchief floating down from the night sky.

Wu Jinghao's spirits lifted, and with a tap of his toe, he leaped up like a swimming dragon, grabbing the handkerchief.

"It's the mysterious celestial maiden's handkerchief. There's even an 'Qing' character embroidered on it. Could it be her maiden name? It smells so good~~~" Wu Jinghao was excited, deeply inhaling the scent of the handkerchief, "I've decided, I declare that the position of the future Commandery Prince's wife must be reserved for this celestial maiden."

A little brother couldn't help but mutter, "Little Commandery Prince, didn't you say before that the position of the Commandery Prince's wife should be reserved for Celestial Maiden Tianyan?"

"That's right~~"

Wu Jing hao's expression suddenly became serious.

He furrowed his brows, looking troubled, "Both are dear to me, and it's not right to wrong either of them. This is difficult~~ So difficult. Oh heavens, why must you torment me so?"

"Smack!"

Before Wu Jinghao could finish his lament, Celestial Maiden Tianyan smacked him on the head.

She rolled her eyes at him and took the handkerchief from his hand, scolding, "You little brat, do you think I would be interested in you? Get lost as far as you can."

Although she was weak and couldn't mobilize her profound energy, she could still perform simple actions.

She unfolded the handkerchief and saw that in the corner, there was indeed an elegant, cursive "Qing" character embroidered.

"Cao Youqing, it's really you?" Celestial Maiden Tianyan's expression was uncertain.

She had already suspected it earlier, but now seeing the handkerchief, she was about seventy to eighty percent sure.

"Cao Youqing?" Wang Shihai muttered, "Why does that name sound so familiar?"

"Cao Youqing? What a beautiful name!" Wu Jinghao's eyes sparkled with excitement, "So, my future Commandery Princess is 'Youqing Celestial Maiden.'"

Celestial Maiden Tianyan rolled her eyes at him, "Little Commandery Prince, have you already demoted me to a concubine?"

"Sigh~~" Little Commandery Prince Wu Jinghao sighed, "Celestial Maiden Tianyan~~ I know this is somewhat unfair to you. But I have no choice; there can only be one Commandery Princess. I can only ask you to accept this."

Celestial Maiden Tianyan's mouth twitched.

This kid's self-perception was way too good, making it seem like she really wanted to marry him. If she hadn't been poisoned, she would have slapped him to death.

"Little Commandery Prince, I remember now!" Wang Shihai suddenly exclaimed, "No wonder the name 'Cao Youqing' sounded so familiar. Isn't she a prodigy from Lingyun Holy Land, a disciple of Master Zixiao?"

"No wonder she's so powerful." Wu Jinghao praised, then suddenly shuddered, his eyes widening, "Oh no~ Our royal bloodline has a rule that academy and holy land disciples cannot marry into the royal family."

"Heavens~~ Why must fate toy with me so?" Wu Jinghao looked up at the starry night sky, tears welling in his eyes, his voice filled with sorrow, "Is this the destiny of the Monan Commandery Prince's household?"

"Must my father's tragedy with Yaoguang Master be repeated with me?"

"Youqing Celestial Maiden, I am sorry~~~ It seems the position of Commandery Princess can only be left to Celestial Maiden Tianyan..."

Celestial Maiden Tianyan's eye twitched.

Thank you very much~~

……

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