The breeze was gentle, carrying a hint of autumn chill, yet the entire Northern Guardian City felt as if it had plunged into the depths of winter—cold and piercing.
Last night, the thunderous march of the Northern Guardian Army's three hundred thousand soldiers echoed through the city, shaking the earth and sending its inhabitants into panic. The army's entry into the city was no common occurrence; the last time such a thing had happened was decades ago. Many still vividly remembered that event, yet now… they were witnessing it a second time.
Recalling the events of the day, the people grew even more bewildered. Were three hundred thousand soldiers truly necessary to deal with just two individuals?
Now, the entire Northern Guardian City lay desolate. Apart from the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, everyone had retreated into their homes, and all shops had shut their doors. The streets were eerily silent, resembling a ghost town.
The Prince of Zhenbei gazed at his severely injured son on the bed, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. That night, he had pondered many things.
The prince had not fathered only this one son, yet he was the sole survivor. The prince would not allow any harm to befall his last remaining heir.
"No matter their origins or status…"
"I will not let them escape justice!"
"Yesterday… I should never have let them leave."
"Still, those two have quite the audacity—they didn’t even flee."
After Chen Chang'an departed, the prince had felt a twinge of regret, but his curiosity about the man's identity and purpose had stayed his hand. When he learned that Chen Chang'an had gone to the Gathering Immortals Pavilion, his intrigue only deepened. Why would the man act so brazenly?
Though the urge to kill Chen Chang'an burned within him, the prince had restrained himself.
"Take care of the young master."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After instructing his servants, the prince strode out of the mansion with his trusted aides.
Outside, the long streets were lined with soldiers of the Northern Guardian Army, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Boom!
"Salute to His Highness!"
The moment the prince appeared, the three hundred thousand soldiers stood in perfect formation, paying their respects in unison. Their voices reverberated through the city, sending shivers down the spines of its terrified inhabitants. Though uninvolved, the sheer force of the sound left them trembling.
The prince glanced at the generals ahead, mounted his steed, and coldly commanded, "Move out!"
"Yes!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The earth trembled beneath the march of three hundred thousand soldiers. Only when the sound faded did the people dare to emerge from their homes.
"What in the world is happening? The entire Northern Guardian Army has been mobilized?"
"Who would have thought the prince would gather three hundred thousand troops?"
"They’ve left the city! The prince led them out—does anyone know where they’re headed?"
"I… I’m not sure. Should we follow?"
"Are you out of your mind?"
"But I’m dying to know!"
"Wait, wasn’t that Chen Chang'an staying at the Gathering Immortals Pavilion? Is he still there?"
"Rumor has it he left the city early this morning with that woman by his side."
"Both of them are gone?"
Meanwhile, fifty li outside the city, Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er had been waiting for some time.
"They’re coming."
Chen Chang'an smiled faintly, his gaze turning toward Northern Guardian City.
"Young Master, later…"
"Just watch. You’re not yet strong enough to participate in a battle of this level," Chen Chang'an said calmly.
"Yes, Young Master."
Gu Xian'er felt a pang of disappointment, but she understood the vast gap between her own strength—though ranked second on the Human Rankings—and that of true powerhouses. This was a long journey, not something effort alone could bridge in a short time.
The sound grew louder as the prince and his army drew nearer.
When the prince caught sight of Chen Chang'an, he froze in disbelief.
Just the two of them?
This was not what he had expected. He had assumed Chen Chang'an had reinforcements waiting in the shadows. Otherwise, how could the man be so bold?
"I’ve arrived!"
"Now, will you finish what you left unsaid yesterday?"
"Or shall we wait for your backer to show himself?"
"Tell him to come out. There’s no need to hide."
The prince’s words left Chen Chang'an momentarily speechless. Did the man truly underestimate him so much—just because his cultivation was only at the first level of the Divine Transformation Realm?
"There’s no one else. I alone am enough."
"You alone?"
"Hahaha! Do you truly take me for a fool?"
"A mere Divine Transformation cultivator, spouting such arrogance!"
"If not for my curiosity about your motives and who stands behind you, do you think I would have let you leave the mansion alive yesterday?" The prince sneered at Chen Chang'an.
Hearing this, Chen Chang'an shook his head with amusement. The prince believed he had granted Chen Chang'an an extra day of life.
Little did he know, it was Chen Chang'an who had allowed him one more day.
"My name is Chen Chang'an. You may not know it, and perhaps few in the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty do."
"But within this dynasty, there is one who remembers it well."
"That person… is Yin Tianzi."
The moment Chen Chang'an uttered these words calmly, the prince’s mind went blank.
Yin Tianzi?
He knew of Yin Tianzi?
And what did he mean by that? Did Yin Tianzi know him as well?
Was Chen Chang'an sent by Yin Tianzi?
But… how could that be?
Who was Yin Tianzi? The foremost powerhouse of the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty, a half-step Great Emperor!
Moreover, Yin Tianzi had last made a move centuries ago. After that incident, hadn’t he gone into seclusion?
When had he emerged? Why was there no news of it?
"Are you Yin Tianzi’s man?" The prince’s expression darkened.
"Yin Tianzi’s man?"
Chen Chang'an scoffed. "Yin Tianzi is nothing. Is he even worthy?"
Boom!
His words sent shockwaves through not only the prince but the entire Northern Guardian Army.
What had he just said?
He had insulted Yin Tianzi?
Mocked the god of the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty?
"Outrageous!"
"How dare you disrespect Yin Tianzi!"
"Who the hell are you?!" the prince roared.
"Who am I?"
"Tell me… have you heard of the name Wu Mingdao?"
Wu Mingdao?
How did he know that name? Unless…
The prince was well aware of Wu Mingdao. The incident involving him had caused quite a stir in the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty. Though the prince had not participated in the manhunt, he knew the details well.
Was this man here to avenge Wu Mingdao?
The prince was both stunned and amused. A mere Divine Transformation cultivator, seeking revenge? Was he out of his mind?
Did he think the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty was some backwater? Did he not know who Yin Tianzi was?
Yin Tianzi is the one with the highest chance of breaking through to the Great Emperor realm within the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty. How could a mere brat like him possibly turn the heavens upside down?
"Exactly!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"
"You think you can seek revenge against Yin Tianzi?"
"Have you even looked at yourself? Are you even worthy?"
"Don’t even mention Yin Tianzi—you won’t even get past me, the Prince of Zhenbei!"
After mocking him relentlessly, the Prince of Zhenbei suddenly felt something was amiss. If this kid wanted revenge against Yin Tianzi, why come here?
And why ask him to bring so many men? What was his purpose?
No…
There must be someone behind this kid—a true powerhouse. Otherwise, he wouldn’t dare be so audacious!
"Hmph!"
"If you dare to come, then stop hiding. Show yourself! Let me see what kind of person has the nerve to cause trouble in the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty."
The Prince of Zhenbei’s voice boomed, echoing across dozens of kilometers, reaching even the commoners of Northern Guardian City.
His words sent shockwaves through the people. Could an enemy be invading the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty?
Who could it be?
The Fengtian Imperial Dynasty hadn’t seen war in years. Was their peaceful life about to end?
Chen Chang'an looked at the Prince of Zhenbei and smiled helplessly. This man was truly overthinking things, stubbornly convinced that someone else was pulling the strings behind him.
"Enough shouting!"
"The one with a grudge against Yin Tianzi is me."
"As for why I came here—"
"I’ll tell you right now."
"It’s to deliver a gift to the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty… and to Yin Tianzi."
"Your life, Prince of Zhenbei, along with the lives of your Northern Guardian Army, will be my first offering." Chen Chang'an said coldly.
The moment these words left his mouth, the Prince of Zhenbei and his men paled.
"Just you alone?"
"Hahaha!"
"I don’t even need to lift a finger to deal with you."
"Northern Guardian Army!"
"Here!"
"Kill him!"
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...
his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…
g Yu was preparing for retirement when her organization decided to eliminate her. She transmigrated to a zombie apocalypse world. However, a tiny unexpected situation occurred: She somehow transformed into an adorable little girl?!
is also known as: "Sword Flying Under the Desk: My School Life" "Balancing Cultivation and STEM Homework" "The System That Taught Me to Take College Entrance Exams While Surviving Heavenly Tribulations" Good news: I got reincarnated. Even better news: I got reincarnated with a system. So, should I chase wealth? Or pursue immortality? Maybe become a superhero for the motherland? But with regrets weighing on this second life, I’d rather fix what I missed before. System: "Host, the cultivation world is full of dangers. You must form your Golden Core immediately!" Lin Mo glanced at the truck he’d just stopped with one hand. "At my level, it’s not like I’ll piss off ‘Little Boy’ or ‘Fat Man,’ right? Whatever—I still have two math problems left. Go play by yourself." System: "How can you still focus on homework at a time like this?! Host! Don’t throw your life away!" Lin Mo stayed silent, burying himself deeper into his workbook.
