Chapter 73 Parting and Promise
The city walls of Qingyang were faintly visible, yet the pursuers behind drew closer than expected.
Four black shadows stepped through the air, different from the pursuers before.
Four knights stood like iron towers, their black armor gleaming with a cold, hard light in the dusk.
They were silent as an abyss. With each step they took, the ground cracked into webs.
True essence condensed into black mist around them, corroding grass into decay and crumbling stone to dust.
The gaze from beneath their iron masks was like eternal ice, freezing blood with a glance.
The four moved as one, like a walking prison of death. Even the air moaned under their crushing pressure.
Most terrifying of all was the silence—no roar, no breath, only the metallic groan of armor grinding, like the toll of a funeral bell.
Ji Lingxiu's hand on her sword tightened, her knuckles white.
All four were masters of the Returning Origin Realm!
She glanced sideways at Chen Chang'an, her voice low. "It seems this time… escape is impossible."
But Chen Chang'an shook his head, a defiant smile curving his lips. "If you die, what happens to my achievement?"
Before she could react, he shoved her hard. "Go first! I'll hold them back."
Ji Lingxiu staggered a step but stood firm, stubborn. "I won't leave!"
She had already died once. All those around her had chosen betrayal. In this life, she finally met someone worthy of trust—yet he wanted to die for her?
She, Ji Lingxiu, would not allow it.
Chen Chang'an frowned, helpless. Girl, this is just a clone—if it dies, it dies. Why are you being so stubborn!?
"Be good. Go, now. Listen to me."
"I won't go!"
"Believe me, I'll be fine."
"I won't go!"
Soft words failed—he would have to turn harsh.
His voice suddenly sharpened. "Are you willing to end it here? Your vengeance unpaid, your path unfinished—dying here, is it worth it!?"
Ji Lingxiu bit her lip, silent, her eyes torn with struggle.
There's hope! Chen Chang'an pressed on, his tongue like fire. "As a princess of the Great Zhou, where is your conviction! Where is your duty!? There are countless subjects still waiting for you!"
Her struggle reached its peak, yet still her feet did not move.
Then Chen Chang'an smiled. "If you feel guilty, then give me a promise."
"What promise?"
"If we meet again, you must grant me one condition." His gaze burned. "How about it?"
Ji Lingxiu looked deeply at him, then gave a firm nod. "Alright!"
"Then go quickly!" Chen Chang'an finally exhaled in relief.
And then—
He saw Ji Lingxiu slice open her fingertip, swearing with blood as the guide of Heaven's Dao.
"I, Ji Lingxiu, swear: if Chen Chang'an and I meet again, whatever he asks of me, I will grant—even if it is…"
Her words faltered, her eyes reddening.
Uh…
The more Chen Chang'an listened, the more wrong it sounded. He quickly cut her off. "Enough, go!"
Ji Lingxiu gave him one last, deep look, her gaze complex. Then she turned and shot away in a streak of light toward Qingyang City.
Only after her figure vanished did Chen Chang'an slowly turn back, facing the four silent knights in black armor.
He first opened his system panel.
[Ji Lingxiu]
Cultivation: Peak of Profound Connection Realm
Potential: 95 (Heaven-gifted genius)S
Destiny: 95 (Reborn one)
Loyalty: 100 (Life-and-death bond)
Personality: Proud, resolute
As expected… perfect! Chen Chang'an praised inwardly.
Even if he could not defeat these four black-armored knights, as long as Ji Lingxiu escaped, the next time they met he could rightfully use her promise to take her as his disciple!
At the same time—
He finally heard the system prompt he had been longing for:
System notification: Epic series achievement completed — Youth's Journey [3/4]
Youth's Journey (Part III): Escorting the bright moon along the road, with frosted blade guarding peace.
Completing the Youth's Journey series achievement, reward: Other Mountain Jade (raises the grade of one supreme immortal art).
Good, now there were no lingering regrets.
However… this place was too close to Qingyang City, and his cultivation had already dropped to the early stage of Profound Connection…
Sigh, once he obtained the Other Mountain Jade, he must immediately raise his External Incarnation technique first!
Chen Chang'an muttered to himself.
Forget it—killing one would not be a loss, killing two would be a great profit.
Closing the system panel, he rolled his wrists, lifted his head, and glared at the knights opposite.
"You've watched long enough, haven't you!?"
Sword tip angled to the ground, his eyes surged with fighting spirit.
"Come, battle!"
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