Chapter 54: The Dragon Vein

Upon seeing Li Qingqing, Shen Chang’an acted without hesitation, swiftly bringing his withered wooden sword into position.

Just as he was about to strike, Li Qingqing spoke quickly, “If Daoist Shen intends to flee, it’s best not to kill me.”

Shen Chang’an’s sword halted abruptly; his gaze turned cold as he scoffed, “I spared you once. Why are you here again?”

Li Qingqing sighed and said, “This isn’t the time for words. Those people are right behind us. If you want to escape, follow me.”

After considering briefly, Shen Chang’an did not refuse and simply replied, “Alright.”

Li Qingqing immediately turned to lead the way. Shen Chang’an took Jiang Yunyi’s hand and followed behind her. Before long, they had entered the depths of the forest.

Li Qingqing led them through a winding path until they came before a stone wall.

Shen Chang’an remained silent, knowing that since Li Qingqing intended to rescue someone, she would not lead them into a dead end.

Sure enough, Li Qingqing stepped forward and tapped on the stone wall. Shen Chang’an sensed a faint aura of magic flowing from her hand, as if she were inputting some kind of secret code.

After three taps, the stone wall slowly cracked open, revealing an opening large enough for a person to pass through.

“Let’s go,” Li Qingqing whispered sharply and stepped inside. Shen Chang’an and Jiang Yunyi followed. Once all three were inside, Li Qingqing struck the adjacent wall, and the opening quickly sealed shut behind them.

Then, Li Qingqing turned to Shen Chang’an and said, “Daoist Shen, you should cleanse whatever you’re carrying.”

Shen Chang’an raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Those people cast some kind of mark or spell on me?”

Li Qingqing nodded. “Most tracking spells require a high level of cultivation to detect and identify traces. Ordinary people can’t master them. Over eighty percent of tracking spells rely on marks placed on the target.”

Shen Chang’an immediately replied, “Impossible. With the divine sword in hand, no mark can remain on me.”

He gripped the withered wooden sword tightly; if there were any marks, the sword’s aura coursing through his body would have immediately dispelled them.

Li Qingqing shook her head. “The divine sword isn’t omnipotent. Those people are tracking you based on the lingering resentment of the White Lotus cult disciples you killed before.”

“Then how do we deal with it?” Shen Chang’an asked.

Li Qingqing placed her hand on him. Though Shen Chang’an felt no immediate reaction, a faint gray aura was drawn out and collected in Li Qingqing’s palm.

“It’s a dark art, but I know a little of it.”

Shen Chang’an breathed a slight sigh of relief. Having been relentlessly hunted by the White Lotus cult, his heart had been tense; now, at least, he felt somewhat safe.

“All those fools outside won’t find us anymore. Now, it’s time for us to turn the tables on them,” Li Qingqing said.

Shen Chang’an raised his brow but quickly understood. “Those people outside, are they not from the same faction within the White Lotus cult as you?”

Li Qingqing nodded. “If it were me, you wouldn’t have had any chance to escape.”

“Indeed,” Shen Chang’an admitted. Li Qingqing knew him well; if she had wanted to ambush him, she would have prepared more than just this.

That young nobleman in white had clearly underestimated Shen Chang’an; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been held off by Shen alone.

“The purpose of those outside is evidently this Dragon Maiden. It’s all about the Dragon Vein.”

“Dragon Vein?” Shen Chang’an’s brow furrowed as he looked at Jiang Yunyi.

Jiang Yunyi nodded softly. “As a member of the Dragon Clan, I have a natural affinity for the world’s Dragon Veins. Usually, Dragon Veins are sealed; only the Dragon Clan can unlock them…”

Li Qingqing added, “That’s right. These people want to harness the power of the Dragon Vein to gather the world’s fortune, overthrow the Great Qian dynasty, and establish their own dominion.”

“That’s not right…” Shen Chang’an interrupted suddenly. “If the Dragon Vein is truly that important, why would the Dragon Emperor not guard against this? And if the Dragon Vein can gather the world’s fortune, would you, Li Qingqing, choose not to cooperate with them?”

Shen Chang’an saw through Li Qingqing; she was no saint. Had she not just saved his life and he not needed her help now, he would have already struck her down.

Li Qingqing’s refusal to collaborate with the White Lotus cult and her turning to Shen Chang’an instead was very suspicious.

“That would depend on whether they’re willing to cooperate with me…” Li Qingqing gritted her teeth, a trace of anger flashing across her face. “I was betrayed by them before—my powers sealed, forced to disguise myself as an ordinary person, even trapped and taken away by the Beast Creation Technique—all because of those people.”

“When I returned to the White Lotus, I found that I, the Sacred Maiden, had been hollowed out. All the strength I held was dismantled by them. Cooperation? Hah! They only want to consume me, use all my value, then discard me!”

Shen Chang’an narrowed his eyes slightly; that reason was not enough to convince him fully. Still, he never fully trusted Li Qingqing, so these minor issues didn’t bother him much.

“As for the Dragon Emperor, why don’t you ask her?” Li Qingqing said, glancing at Jiang Yunyi.

Jiang Yunyi shook her head slightly. “The Dragon Emperor did it intentionally.”

“Intentionally? Isn’t she afraid others will seize the Great Qian’s Dragon Vein?” Shen Chang’an was puzzled. How could the Dragon Emperor allow others to obtain the Dragon Vein and overthrow her realm?

“Yes, intentionally.” Jiang Yunyi continued, “The Great Qian’s Dragon Vein lies along the Dragon Emperor’s spine. No one else can take it. But as you have seen, the situation in Great Qian is precarious. The Dragon Emperor deliberately cast me out to let others use me to find and cultivate a new Dragon Vein.”

“What benefit does she gain from this?” Shen Chang’an asked.

Jiang Yunyi sighed. “Most rulers would be unwilling to see a new Dragon Vein emerge when their own is fading. But the Dragon Emperor is a dragon herself. If a new Dragon Vein appears, she can seize it and transplant it onto herself, just as she has done before.”

Shen Chang’an was stunned. Suddenly, he realized, “The Dragon Emperor previously seized the Dragon Vein from the last dynasty?”

Jiang Yunyi nodded. “Yes. The Dragon Vein of the Great Xia was taken by the Dragon Emperor. Using that as her foundation, she seized the throne and established Great Qian. Even now, remnants of the Xia dynasty occasionally attack Great Qian, and some have even attempted to assassinate the Dragon Emperor.”

Dear reader, this chapter has concluded. Wishing you an enjoyable reading experience!