From the fake emperor to the concubine

Zheng Yi gently patted her back and softly comforted her, "No, I won't leave you."

Liu Ruyan walked over, a complex expression flickering in her eyes: "Fellow Daoist Zheng, thank you for earlier."

“No need to be so polite,” Zheng Yi said. “We’re comrades; protecting each other is only right.”

“No,” Liu Ruyan shook her head. “You almost gave your life to protect us. I will never forget this kindness.”

Zheng Bowen and Zheng Hongzhi also came over, their eyes red.

"Master, you were injured like this while protecting us," Zheng Bowen said, choking back tears.

"Enough of that," Zheng Yi waved his hand. "Help me up, let's keep going."

"You still want to continue?" Zheng Hongzhi asked in surprise. "Although your injuries have mostly healed, you still need time to recuperate. We should find a place to rest."

“No,” Zheng Yi shook his head. “The appearance of that phantom must have alerted the other powerful figures in the ruins. We must find the core area as soon as possible, obtain the inheritance, and then leave this place.”

He's right. While that illusory figure saved them, it also revealed their location. Those powerful individuals searching for treasure in the ruins will definitely follow the aura.

“But…” Zheng Hongzhi was about to say something when Zheng Yi interrupted him.

“I know my physical condition,” Zheng Yi said. “Although my injuries haven’t fully healed, they’re no longer a big problem. Moreover, that stream of light contained immense vitality, so my recovery will be rapid.”

As he spoke, he stood up with Zheng Bowen's help. Although his movements were still a little stiff, his breathing had become much more steady.

Xiaoyue clung tightly to Zheng Yi's clothes, afraid he would get hurt again. Her eyes were still red, but she had stopped crying, only occasionally letting out a sob.

Zheng Yi looked down at her and said softly, "Xiaoyue, you must remember, some things are worth the sacrifice. Protecting the weak and keeping promises are everyone's responsibility. I was injured today protecting you, but I don't regret it, because you're safe and sound, and that's enough."

Xiaoyue raised her little face and looked earnestly at Zheng Yi. Her eyes were glistening with tears, but even more so with emotion and determination.

"Big brother," she whispered, "Xiaoyue will remember. When Xiaoyue grows up, she wants to be like big brother and protect others."

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "Okay, I believe you can do it."

The palace at the end of the canyon is getting closer.

It was a magnificent building, entirely constructed of white jade, radiating a soft, shimmering light in the dim canyon. The palace stood a hundred feet tall, with soaring eaves and intricate brackets, exuding an imposing aura. Two enormous stone pillars stood before the entrance, carved with lifelike dragons that seemed ready to come to life at any moment.

The palace gates were tightly shut, and intricate runes were carved on them, faintly revealing powerful restrictions.

"This is the core of the ruins." Zheng Hongzhi gazed up at the palace, his eyes filled with shock. "Such a powerful aura! This palace itself is a magical artifact!"

“Not only that,” Zheng Yi frowned, “I sensed very strong fluctuations of spacetime power within. It seems the owner of the ruins was truly a powerful being well-versed in the laws of spacetime.”

Liu Ruyan nodded and said, "According to records, this Mahayana stage senior was named 'True Man Kongming,' one of the strongest cultivators in the Xuan Tian Domain five thousand years ago. His Spacetime Sword Technique was renowned throughout the world, and he once single-handedly repelled an invasion by extraterrestrial demons."

“Master Kongming,” Zheng Yi murmured, “No wonder the sword technique in that jade slip is so profound.”

Just as they were about to approach the palace, a gentle voice suddenly rang out: "Please wait, everyone."

Everyone immediately became alert and turned to look.

A group of people had appeared in the square in front of the palace. Leading them was Ning Zhiyuan, who remained as refined and elegant as ever, holding a folding fan and wearing a smile. Behind him stood a dozen or so cultivators, each with a cultivation level above the Nascent Soul stage, clearly the elite of the Ning family.

“Ning Zhiyuan.” Zheng Yi looked at him coldly.

"Fellow Daoist Zheng, it's been a long time." Ning Zhiyuan's smile remained unchanged. "It seems you all have been through a fierce battle. Fellow Daoist Zheng's injuries appear to be quite severe."

His gaze swept over Zheng Yi, noticing the bloodstains on Zheng Yi's robes and the wounds that had not yet fully healed, and a hint of smugness flashed in his eyes.

Zheng Yi didn't speak, but just stared coldly at Ning Zhiyuan.

"Tsk tsk tsk," Ning Zhiyuan shook his head and said, "Why did Fellow Daoist Zheng do this? Is it worth injuring yourself like this for a little girl of unknown origin?"

Xiaoyue hid behind Zheng Yi, looking timidly at Ning Zhiyuan. This smiling uncle gave her a very uncomfortable feeling, more frightening than those monsters.

"It's none of your business," Zheng Yi said calmly.

“Indeed, it has nothing to do with me.” Ning Zhiyuan closed his folding fan, his smile gradually fading. “However, this palace is related to me.”

"What do you mean?" Liu Ruyan asked warily.

“It’s very simple,” Ning Zhiyuan said. “The inheritance within this palace belongs to the Ning family. I advise you all to be sensible and leave now, and I can let bygones be bygones. Otherwise…”

He didn't finish, but the threat was clear.

Zheng Bowen angrily retorted, "Ning Zhiyuan, you've gone too far! This ruin is unclaimed; what makes you claim it belongs to your Ning family?"

"My Ning family has the strength to back it up," Ning Zhiyuan sneered. "If you don't believe me, you can try."

As soon as he finished speaking, more than a dozen cultivators from the Ning family stepped forward in unison, unleashing a powerful aura that formed an invisible pressure that pressed down on Zheng Yi and the others.

Zheng Bowen and Zheng Hongzhi's expressions changed. These people were all quite powerful, the weakest being at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and there were several experts at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm. If a fight really broke out, their side would be outnumbered and at a disadvantage, making it difficult for them to gain the upper hand.

Moreover, Zheng Yi was injured.

“Master,” Zheng Bowen said in a low voice, his tone filled with worry.

Zheng Yi raised his hand to signal him to be quiet, then looked at Ning Zhiyuan: "You've been lying in ambush here, waiting for us?"

"An ambush?" Ning Zhiyuan chuckled. "That's not entirely wrong. But to be precise, I'm waiting for everyone who arrives here. Fellow Daoist Zheng, you are the first batch; many more will follow. When that time comes, they will all understand one thing—"

He paused, a cold glint in his eyes: "In the Xuan Tian Domain, some things are not for everyone to dabble in."

"Such arrogance," Liu Ruyan said coldly. "Ning Zhiyuan, do you think your Ning family alone can monopolize this ruin? Don't forget, my Liu family members are arriving soon. And there are the Zhao family, the Lin family, the Bai family... so many forces, can you stop them?"

"If we can't stop them, then we'll join forces." Ning Zhiyuan said nonchalantly, "To be honest, I've already reached agreements with the Zhao and Lin families. As for the Bai family..."

He smiled meaningfully and said, "The Bai family was blind to the truth, actually trying to sabotage Fellow Daoist Zheng, and ended up being completely wiped out. Such a brainless family doesn't deserve a share of the spoils."

Zheng Yi's eyes turned cold: "Did you order Baiyun Mountain to launch a sneak attack on us?"

“That’s right,” Ning Zhiyuan readily admitted. “I just wanted to test Fellow Daoist Zheng’s strength. I must say, the result surprised me greatly. Although Baiyun Mountain isn’t exactly a master, he led a dozen or so clansmen and wiped them all out without even making a ripple. This shows that Fellow Daoist Zheng’s strength far exceeds what it appears.”

His gaze sharpened: "So I'm very curious, Fellow Daoist Zheng, what is your true cultivation level?"

Zheng Yi did not answer.

“It’s alright if you don’t want to say,” Ning Zhiyuan laughed. “Anyway, we’ll be able to verify it soon. Fellow Daoist Zheng, I’ll ask you one more time: do you choose to leave or stay?” This “stay” choice was clearly not a friendly one.

Zheng Yi glanced at the crowd behind him, then at Xiaoyue, who was clutching his clothes tightly. Her big eyes were filled with worry, and her little hands gripped even tighter.

"What if I say no?" Zheng Yi said calmly.

"Then we'll have no choice but to ask Fellow Daoist Zheng to remain here forever." Ning Zhiyuan's smile vanished, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. "Make your move!"

Before the words were even finished, the Ning family cultivators attacked in unison. A barrage of spells and supernatural abilities rained down on Zheng Yi and his group, plunging the entire plaza into chaos.

"Form a defensive formation!" Zheng Yi gave the order.

Zheng Bowen, Zheng Hongzhi, and Xiao Tianxing immediately sprang into action. Zheng Hongzhi set up a defensive formation, while Zheng Bowen and Xiao Tianxing stood guard on both sides to block the attacks. Liu Ruyan protected Xiaoyue, her Xuanbing Sword flying, dispersing all the approaching attacks.

However, the Ning family was numerous and well-coordinated, and their attacks came wave after wave like a tide, quickly causing the defensive formation to crumble.

"Master, the formation won't last much longer!" Zheng Hongzhi said anxiously.

Zheng Yi took a deep breath. He knew he had to act quickly. Although his injuries hadn't fully healed, everyone would be in danger if he didn't make a move.

"Hongzhi, take Xiaoyue and retreat. Bowen, you two cover them." After Zheng Yi finished speaking, he leaped out and went straight for Ning Zhiyuan.

Since we're going to fight, let's capture the leader first!

Ning Zhiyuan was clearly prepared. Seeing Zheng Yi rushing towards him, he sneered, waved his folding fan, and several cyan wind blades flew out, slashing towards Zheng Yi.

These wind blades may look ordinary, but they are actually incredibly sharp, capable of cutting through space itself. Zheng Yi dared not be careless, and swung his longsword repeatedly, dispersing the wind blades one by one.

But this is only the beginning.

"Wind God Sword Technique - Gale Style!"

Ning Zhiyuan flashed forward with astonishing speed, instantly appearing to Zheng Yi's left. The folding fan in his hand transformed into a cyan longsword, its tip aimed straight at Zheng Yi's side.

So fast!

Zheng Yi was startled, but reacted even faster. He turned his feet, shifted his body to the side, and thrust his longsword back, forcing Ning Zhiyuan to withdraw his attack and defend.

Keng——

The two swords clashed, producing a piercing metallic clang. A powerful shockwave swept out, sending surrounding rocks flying.

"As expected of someone who defeated Zhao Lingyun, your reaction was indeed quick," Ning Zhiyuan praised, but there was no sign of retreat in his eyes; on the contrary, his fighting spirit intensified. "However, you're injured now; how much of your strength can you unleash?"

After saying that, he made his move again.

"Wind God Sword Technique - Gale Style!"

This time, he was even faster. Sword shadows filled the sky, attacking Zheng Yi from all directions. Each sword strike was as fast as lightning, with tricky angles, making it impossible to defend against.

Zheng Yi gritted his teeth and accepted the challenge. Ning Zhiyuan was right; his current condition was indeed poor. Although the wound on his chest had mostly healed under the healing light, the injuries to his internal organs still required time to recover. Moreover, the prolonged battle had greatly depleted his spiritual energy.

But he couldn't retreat.

Once he retreats, those behind him will be in danger.

"Time-Space Sword Technique - Freeze!"

Zheng Yi unleashed a sword strike, instantly slowing the flow of time around him. Although Ning Zhiyuan's sword was fast, it too was forced to slow down under the influence of the spacetime force.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zheng Yi switched from defense to offense, his longsword flashing like a dragon as he thrust out several swords in succession.

Ning Zhiyuan's expression changed, and he quickly retreated, waving his folding fan to form a green wind wall that blocked Zheng Yi's attack.

"The laws of spacetime?" Ning Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes. "No wonder you were able to defeat Zhao Lingyun. But do you think you're the only one with special abilities?"

He took a deep breath, and his aura suddenly surged.

"The Domain of Wind!"

In an instant, a fierce wind swept through a space dozens of feet in radius around Ning Zhiyuan. This wind was no ordinary wind, but rather a gust of spiritual energy, each strand as sharp as a knife.

Zheng Yi was trapped in the wind domain and immediately felt his body being cut by countless wind blades. Although he was protected by his spiritual power, he was still cut with small wounds.

"Within my domain, your movements will be severely restricted," Ning Zhiyuan said smugly. "And my speed and attack power will be enhanced. Fellow Daoist Zheng, what do you have to fight me with?"

He launched another attack, this time several times faster than before. Sword shadows rained down, dense and impenetrable, enveloping Zheng Yi completely.

Zheng Yi was in grave danger, nearly being stabbed in vital areas several times. His wounds continued to widen, and blood seeped out, staining his robes red.

"Patriarch!" Zheng Bowen's eyes turned red with anxiety upon seeing this scene. He wanted to rush over to help, but he was entangled by several cultivators from the Ning family and couldn't break free at all.

Liu Ruyan was also very anxious. Although she was quite strong, she was already stretched thin, having to protect Xiaoyue and deal with the attacks from the Ning family cultivators.

Xiaoyue clung tightly to Liu Ruyan's clothes, tears streaming down her face. She watched Zheng Yi being suppressed by Ning Zhiyuan, feeling anxious and afraid, yet powerless to do anything.

"Big brother, big brother, please don't be hurt," she prayed softly.

On the battlefield, Zheng Yi's situation became increasingly dangerous. Ning Zhiyuan's offensive was too fierce, and with the enhancement of the Wind Domain, each of his attacks was incredibly powerful.

Even worse, Zheng Yi's injuries were deteriorating. The strenuous exercise caused the wound on his chest to reopen, and blood gushed out. He could feel his strength draining away.

"It's over, Fellow Daoist Zheng," Ning Zhiyuan sneered. "Prepare to die!"

He poured all his spiritual power into the sword and unleashed his strongest attack.

"Wind God Sword Technique - Ultimate Skill - Wind God Descends!"

In an instant, a fierce wind arose, and the world changed color. A massive azure sword aura soared into the sky, then crashed down with a deafening roar. The power of this sword strike was already infinitely close to that of an attack from the Integration Realm!
When Zheng Bowen and the others saw this scene, their hearts were in their throats.

"Master, be careful!"

Zheng Yi looked calmly at the sword energy that descended from the sky.

it's time.

He no longer held back his strength. (End of Chapter)