Xiao Tian shifted his gaze from Liu Yan's concerns to the elder cloaked in black.

"Wang Cai, assess this old man's strength," Xiao Tian commanded the system in his mind.

[Target's realm is actually at the peak of the Eighth Level of the Seventh Tier Awakening Realm, with a spiritual Qi attribute of water and poison, suspected to be skilled in poison techniques.]

The system instantly responded, clarifying Xiao Tian's doubts.

"This is odd. In my perception, whether it's that girl Zhong Ling, Liu Yan, or this old man, their strengths seem about the same."

[Master, that's because you are too powerful.]

[In front of you, they are just fragile and pitiful lives. The difference in realm doesn't mean much to you.]

"Hiss..." Xiao Tian took a deep breath, his expression somewhat solemn.

At the peak of the Eighth Level of the Seventh Tier Awakening Realm, Zhong Ling, this girl at the Third Level of the Fifth Tier Sky-breaking Realm, definitely can't win.

What to do?

To solve this problem, it seems I have to take action myself, but Liu Yan is watching.

She's an old soldier, the Commander of the Imperial Guards. If she knows my strength, won't she tell the Empress?

If the Empress finds out, won't she order me to help?

What if I refuse and my allowance is cut off?

Even if I have some private savings, living off them would eventually run out. Would I have to go back to doing assassin work to support myself?

It all circles back to the same point!

Xiao Tian's face turned a bit grim as he glanced back at Liu Yan, feeling rather displeased.

"Prince, don't be afraid. I'll risk my life to ensure your escape," Liu Yan misunderstood Xiao Tian's expression.

She thought Xiao Tian was scared of the Poison Swamp Elder and was feeling fearful.

In reality, Xiao Tian just didn't want to slap the Poison Swamp Elder to death in front of her.

Feeling a bit frustrated, Xiao Tian looked at Liu Yan with annoyance, "I just gave you an elixir to heal your injuries, and you're already in a hurry to die?"

"I..." Liu Yan started to speak, then paused, surprised to find her injuries were almost healed.

Her previously crippled arms had mostly recovered, with only some discomfort and mild pain remaining.

The elixir she had just swallowed must have been incredibly valuable.

It was probably a life-saving elixir bestowed by the Emperor.

Yet, Xiao Tian had given it to her directly, which made her realize that the Prince wasn't as bad as she had imagined.

There was no time to think further.

Ahead, Young General Zhong Ling was indeed pushing Gu Hongmao, the Heart-piercing Sword, back step by step, gaining the upper hand.

The Poison Swamp Elder beside them couldn't be ignored.

Once he made a move, the situation would instantly reverse.

"Prince, the Young General is exceptionally talented. Given more time, she will surely become a pillar of the Great Yan Dynasty."

"She can't die here, and neither can you."

"In a moment, I'll risk my life to buy some time. You must escape and report the situation here."

"Once the Imperial City activates its array formation, even the Poison Swamp Elder won't be able to break in."

"As long as we hold out until the Emperor returns, she will surely avenge us."

Liu Yan's attitude was resolute as she picked up the battle knife from the ground, staring ahead.

Beside her, Xiao Tian watched Liu Yan's determined demeanor, feeling a headache.

He had saved her earlier while her eyes were closed.

Now, look at Liu Yan, full of energy, her eyes wide open like copper bells.

"These assassin organization elixirs are too effective for healing," Xiao Tian thought, watching Liu Yan recover from a near-death state to being full of vitality, feeling a headache.

Meanwhile, Liu Yan was focused on the front, "The Young General has become stronger. Is that... a Sword Intent Prototype?"

"Huh?" Xiao Tian turned his head, watching Zhong Ling wield her long sword with flair, flames flickering, looking puzzled, "What prototype?"

"A Sword Intent Prototype. Once it forms and condenses into Sword Intent, cultivators at the same realm without intent are no match for the Young General," Liu Yan's voice trembled.

At that moment, she was even more determined to have Zhong Ling take Prince Xiao Tian and escape quickly.

It would be too much of a loss if the Young General died here.

Liu Yan thought, watching Zhong Ling crush Gu Hongmao with her sword, filled with envy.

In contrast, Xiao Tian was confused, seeing nothing special about Zhong Ling's sword.

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The only impression he had was that it looked quite impressive.

Xiao Tian was indifferent, while Liu Yan was envious.

Facing Zhong Ling's fiery sword dance, Gu Hongmao was internally roaring, "Damn it, why, why?"

His eyes were filled with venomous jealousy.

Zhong Ling was younger and stronger than him.

Now, she had even comprehended a Sword Intent Prototype?

He also used a sword and knew exactly what that meant.

Jealousy made him lose his composure, and his swordplay became chaotic.

Bang!

Spiritual Qi shattered, and Gu Hongmao's long sword flew from his hand, spinning in the air before stabbing into the ground.

"With someone like you, you dare to cause trouble in the Great Yan?" Zhong Ling's tone was proud, slightly raising her chin, and with a backhand, she slashed at Gu Hongmao's throat.

The killing move was fierce, the flames on the sword creating a blaze.

Her fiery red robe danced with it, like a brilliant firework display.

This was the pride of the young generation of the Great Yan Dynasty, the proud Young General.

"I'm going to die!" Gu Hongmao's pupils contracted, feeling the fear of death for the first time, cold sweat breaking out all over, drenching his clothes.

Buzz!

A tremor sounded abruptly, and the long sword originally slashing towards Gu Hongmao's throat collided with a barrier of purple-black spiritual Qi.

The purple-black Qi blocked the sword, transforming into small snakes that crawled up the blade.

"Not good~" Zhong Ling exclaimed softly, hurriedly throwing the sword away and retreating to Xiao Tian's side.

The sword hit the ground with a hissing sound.

The blade instantly became rusted and pitted with corrosion.

The grass beneath it withered immediately, and the soil turned dry and white.

Poison!

Zhong Ling's face turned pale. If she had reacted a moment slower, she might have lost a hand.

"There are always people stronger than you, do you understand now?" Poison Swamp Elder Xiang Yuanbai slowly walked over to his disciple Gu Hongmao.

Gu Hongmao bowed, "Teacher, I understand."

"Little girl, you have courage. In front of me, the Poison Swamp Elder, you dare to wield a sword and not flee," Xiang Yuanbai praised Zhong Ling.

At the same time, he turned his head to look at Xiao Tian, "Prince Xiao Tian of the Great Yan, although you're an ordinary wastrel, you have a good appearance, quite handsome."

"Zi Ruoyan, as the Empress of the Great Yan, chose you as her husband. Others might not understand, but I believe you must be very special to her."

"A rare treasure!"

However, Gu Hongmao beside him didn't seem to agree with his teacher's view.

He kept glaring at Zhong Ling, not sparing a glance at Xiao Tian.

But Xiao Tian's eyes lit up, as the Poison Swamp Elder's words gave him an idea.

"Idiots..."

Zhong Ling muttered softly, watching the master and disciple's actions.

She had figured out that when Xiao Tian saved her earlier, these two hadn't seen it.

Xiang Yuanbai had been watching Qingyan Town, so he didn't see the Prince flick Gu Hongmao away.

And Gu Hongmao?

He hadn't even seen the Prince's action, being forced back by his own attack. He probably thought he had deflected the sword himself.

"Poor fools, they have no idea how terrifying the Prince is," Zhong Ling pursed her lips, blindly confident in Xiao Tian.

She saw the Poison Swamp Elder not fleeing, precisely because Xiao Tian was backing them up.

Just as Zhong Ling was thinking this, she was suddenly surprised to see Xiao Tian step forward, pale and sweating profusely.

As if he was very scared.

"Poison Swamp Elder Xiang Yuanbai, I've heard of your great name, and I know today is likely a bad day for me."

"But..."

"If you spare my life, I can tell you a big secret about the Empress!"

As Xiao Tian spoke, a glint appeared in Xiang Yuanbai's eyes.

Beside him, Gu Hongmao looked even more disdainful of Xiao Tian's cowardice.

"Xiao Tian, you..." Behind them, Liu Yan was furious, calling Xiao Tian by name.

Only Zhong Ling noticed the broken wine jar at Xiao Tian's feet, her delicate nose twitching, looking at him helplessly.

In her heart, she couldn't help but complain.

"Prince, the smell of wine in your sweat is too strong, isn't it?"

"Who smears wine on their face to pretend they're sweating from fear!"