He confessed his love for his master in his later years, and his cheat ability finally arrived.

Seeing that Prince Zhao Ke of Zhenbei had twitched twice on the ground and then remained completely still, Lu Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief.

They were both at the late stage of Qi Refining, with little difference in their cultivation levels and strength.

If Zhao Ke were to fight to the death, it would be a long and complicated process, and there was even a possibility that the other party would escape.

This is why Lu Changsheng attacked the crane first when he launched his first sneak attack.

However, Zhao Ke was intimidated before the battle even began, terrified by Lu Changsheng's ruthlessness and iron-fisted methods, making the outcome of the fight a foregone conclusion.

"You really don't need to!"

Looking at Princess Taiping beside him, who was carrying a blood-dripping sword and whose face was somewhat pale, Lu Changsheng felt a pang of heartache:

"I trust you completely. Even if you don't take any action, I won't doubt you..."

In the Upper Cloud Heavenly Palace, killing one's fellow disciples is a serious crime. From Lu Changsheng's perspective, he would worry that Princess Taiping would expose his secret of murder afterward.

The best solution would be to tie their lives together and get them on the same pirate ship.

But after spending so much time together, the two had already become close friends.

Lu Changsheng never doubted his friends; having lived this long, he trusted his own judgment.

"Senior, I killed him not only to put your mind at ease."

After Princess Taiping wiped the bloodstains off the sword, a touch of color returned to her pale face.

"His father controls the court and is at odds with my father, the emperor, at every turn. I've long wanted to..."

Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other.

Lu Changsheng took the Qiankun bags from Zhao Ke and the other two, and shared the looted treasures with Princess Taiping. Even a small amount is still something.

Although the three were only the lowest-ranking outer disciples, and their Qiankun bags probably didn't contain anything of value, Lu Changsheng's basic practice and professional ethics in murder and robbery were to pluck feathers from geese and leave skins on beasts as soon as they left.

Principles must never be forgotten!

While Princess Taiping was rummaging through the Qiankun Bag, Lu Changsheng moved the three corpses together, intending to destroy them.

"Senior, you possess nine spiritual roots, so this high-grade Foundation Establishment cultivation technique, 'Flame Palm,' should be of use to you."

The three people's Qiankun bags contained only a small amount of pills and spirit stones, the most valuable of which was the "Flame Palm" technique found in Zhao Ke's Qiankun bag.

"He actually possesses a high-grade Foundation Establishment cultivation technique; I underestimated this guy."

After receiving the book "Flame Palm" from Princess Taiping, Lu Changsheng immediately began to read it.

The cultivation methods for the Foundation Establishment stage are quite common. They do not involve the power of Daoist principles or laws, nor are they subject to any restrictions. They can be recorded on Xuan paper and viewed at will, without any limit on the number of times. So there's no need to be polite.

If Lu Changsheng remembered correctly, Princess Taiping possessed both water and fire elemental roots. After he finished cultivating this "Flame Palm" technique, Princess Taiping could also cultivate it.

However, Lu Changsheng possessed an innate Dao body, and his speed of comprehending cultivation techniques far exceeded that of Princess Taiping, so he naturally began cultivating first.

Let's start by opening the manual "Flame Palm".

One breath.

two......

Learned!

Then he handed the cultivation technique to Princess Taiping. Amidst her horrified expression, Lu Changsheng formed his fingers into a palm, gathered the fire elemental energy within his body into his palm, and unleashed a palm strike at the three corpses in front of him.

boom!

Flames were released from his palm, expanding rapidly in the wind, instantly covering a distance of several meters, burning the three corpses into a pile of black ash.

With a gust of wind, the ashes dissipated, and Zhao Ke and the others appeared as if they had never been there.

"Senior, your comprehension is truly remarkable..."

Princess Taiping swallowed hard, her gaze towards Lu Changsheng filled with admiration mixed with a hint of fear.

Is this even human?

Even for a Foundation Establishment stage cultivation technique, Princess Taiping would need about a month to fully master it, which is already quite fast.

Princess Taiping possessed two great spiritual roots and had exceptional comprehension; she was truly a favored daughter of heaven.

But compared to Lu Changsheng...

Forget it, I'm not going to compete anymore!

It hurts so much from anger~

"Keep these spirit stones and pills. Also, take the Flame Palm technique. If you encounter any difficulties in your comprehension, feel free to ask me."

Having said that, Lu Changsheng walked towards the two cranes that were searching for insects in the puddle:

"Let's hurry and catch up, lest Mu Changming and the others become suspicious."

As soon as Lu Changsheng walked up to the crane, it lay prostrate on the ground, trembling, its small eyes filled with fear.

"This crane cannot stay long!"

Lu Changsheng immediately made up his mind, but now was not the time to take action, since he could not fly yet.

Although cranes cannot speak, they are quite intelligent. If they are released back into Shangyun Heavenly Palace, who knows if the sect's law enforcement hall will have some great supernatural power to make the two cranes speak and identify him, Lu Changsheng.

Some things you either don't do, or you do them to the extreme!

Eliminate all dangers and risks that may expose yourself.

"Yes, sir!"

Princess Taiping turned and mounted a crane, then she and Lu Changsheng soared into the sky to catch up with Mu Changming and the others.

......

Fortunately, the token contained the location of Tongtian Peak, so they wouldn't get lost. The crane took off and soared into the sky.

After flying for more than half an hour, they finally met Mu Changming and the other five inner disciples high in the sky.

"What's going on? Do you two know how long we've been waiting for you?"

"Inner disciples waiting for outer disciples, making senior brothers and sisters wait for you junior brothers and sisters—this is outrageous!"

"Even if the cranes are slow, they shouldn't have kept us waiting this long. Tell me honestly, where have you been?"

......

Just as he regained his footing, he heard the accusations from the inner disciples, who were clearly getting angry.

The leader, Mu Changming, didn't make any trouble, but stared at Lu Changsheng with unfriendly eyes and questioned him:

"Why are there only the two of you? Where are Zhao Ke and the other two?"

Thinking about the purpose of his trip, Mu Changming felt a little uneasy.

"Senior Brother Mu, Zhao Ke and the other two said they didn't want to go anymore halfway there and insisted on returning to the sect."

"They say the leader of the Heavenly Thieves is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, far beyond the capabilities of us Qi Refining disciples. Going there would only be suicide."

"My junior sister Bai Xue and I chased after them and tried to persuade them for a long time, but it was no use. In the end, we had no choice but to come and join our senior brothers and sisters."

Lu Changsheng remained calm and composed. He was already so old; what kind of situation hadn't he seen?

Not to mention, Mu Changming's questioning was exactly what he expected, and he had already prepared his answer.

"fart!"

Mu Changming naturally did not believe Lu Changsheng's words. After all, this trip was Zhao Ke's suggestion. If he didn't come, what would that mean?

"You two are also at the Qi Refining stage, aren't you afraid?"

"Of course we're afraid, but the two of us can't come up with a thousand merit points."

Lu Changsheng remained calm and composed, spreading his hands as he spoke, his face showing helplessness, and even blaming Zhao Ke:

"When Zhao Ke left, he said that he had brought the people and that the rest was up to you, Senior Brother Mu. He was afraid that if he continued to follow them, they would encounter the Tongtian Bandits and his life would be in danger."

"Senior Brother Mu, do you know who Zhao Ke brought with him?"

"......"

Mu Changming's expression changed slightly, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

He already believed what Lu Changsheng said, after all, only Zhao Ke and the two of them knew about this plan.

Deserting in the face of battle, cowardly and afraid of death—this is exactly what Zhao Ke is capable of doing.

Anyway, Lu Changsheng has already arrived, so we can get the things my father asked us to do done. If we're lucky, we might even be able to take care of the Tongtian Thief as well.

The rest...

None of that matters anymore!

"If Senior Brother Mu doesn't believe me, he can go back to the sect and question Zhao Ke and the other two in person."

Princess Taiping snorted coldly, quite displeased, and immediately retorted angrily:

"If you don't want us to come along, we'll set off immediately and return to the sect."

As he spoke, he patted the crane's body, and the crane began to fly back.

Swish!

Mo Rou, her face veiled in black silk, stood on a flying sword, blocking Princess Taiping's path and preventing her from leaving.

"This junior sister has quite a temper; she's ready to quit at the slightest disagreement."

"If everyone acted like you, wouldn't things be in complete chaos?"

Mo Rou really couldn't stand Princess Taiping being such a third wheel. Every time she was having fun with Lu Changsheng, that girl would run back...

Now that we've finally got a chance, it's only right and wrong to mock them.

"Senior sister knows how to get along with people, senior sister knows how to please men, isn't having senior sister all we need?"

Princess Taiping snorted coldly, and the battle between the two women broke out again:

"What use are we outer disciples? Why don't you just go up to Tongtian Peak and wipe out all the Tongtian Bandits by yourself?"

"..."

"Oh, junior sister, how did you know that senior sister is popular with men?"

"Could it be that my junior sister has a habit of climbing walls to eavesdrop and sees her making love with some man?"

"..."

"I don't have the habit of peeking, but I can guess what's going on with my senior sister's seductive charm without even looking at her."

"Who are you calling a slut? Believe me, your senior sister will tear your mouth apart!"

"Try tearing one yourself! Don't think you're something special just because I call you 'senior sister'!"

"I call you 'senior sister' because you're older, don't push your luck!"

"..."

"..."

Those present, including Lu Changsheng and Mu Changming, were completely devastated...

What is all this about?

Why are these two women arguing all of a sudden?

Wasn't this supposed to be an interrogation of Lu Changsheng? This...

How can we interrogate someone like this?

Should we still go up the mountain to suppress the bandits?

"That's enough, you two junior sisters!"

Mu Changming felt a headache coming on. He waved his sleeve and said in a deep voice:

"Following the sect's mission is the priority. You two, please...please stop arguing!"

"Full speed ahead! Reach Tongtian Peak before nightfall!"

Having said that, he stepped on his flying sword, transformed into a streak of light, and shot straight into the sky.

If we don't leave now, these two women will start fighting sooner or later.

If a fight really breaks out, Mu Changming hasn't decided who to help.

Let's help Princess Taiping; after all, she's prettier.

Kindness is the greatest virtue.

Let's help Princess Taiping; after all, she's younger and younger.

Kindness is the greatest virtue.

Let's help Princess Taiping; after all, she has more poise.

Kindness is the greatest virtue.

And it's even more provocative~

......

As soon as Mu Changming left, the other three male disciples from the inner sect also flew after him on their swords.

Before leaving, Mo Rou didn't forget to wink at Lu Changsheng, which made Princess Taiping stomp her feet in anger.

After the inner disciples left, Lu Changsheng and Princess Taiping also rode their cranes to catch up. If they wanted to escape, they wouldn't have come.

Since they've come, they must have bigger plans.

Swish swish!

After flying for more than two hours, it was completely dark when Mu Changming and his companions finally arrived at the foot of Tongtian Peak.

After waiting for another half an hour, Lu Changsheng and Princess Taiping finally arrived late.

"It's late tonight, visibility is poor, and we're not familiar with Tongtian Peak. Let's set up camp first and be careful not to expose ourselves."

As the strongest among them, Mu Changming naturally began to issue orders.

No one raised any objections, since Mu Changming's words made sense.

Unfamiliarity with the mountain roads at night is not conducive to combat.

But Mu Changming's next words made everyone's eyes widen:

"Lu Changsheng, you have the lowest cultivation level, making you the least likely to be exposed."

"You don't need to rest anymore. I order you to go alone deep into Tongtian Peak to find out the strength of the Tongtian Bandits and find out their background."

"..."

"..."

While everyone was stunned, Princess Taiping was the first to jump out and object, and even drew her flying sword from its sheath.

"Senior Brother Mu, you are repaying kindness with enmity, you are..."

Before Princess Taiping could finish speaking, Lu Changsheng stopped her with a gesture.

"Brother Mu is right. I am old and weak, so it is not easy for me to be exposed if I blend in with the bandits."

"Gentlemen, stop arguing. At my age, dying would be a blessing!"

Unexpectedly, Lu Changsheng not only did not refuse, but readily agreed. Then he winked at Mo Rou and turned to embark on the path up the mountain.

Are you going to make me cannon fodder?

Ha ha!

I couldn't ask for more!