Heavenly Spiritual Root, Wen Luqing
Their hearts harbored some guesses too—could it be that the others had also been saved by that black-robed senior? After all, everyone had witnessed the savagery of those demonic cultivators, yet they had all emerged unscathed and converged in the same spot. It was simply too coincidental!
But that didn't matter. Even if it were true, the black-robed senior surely had his reasons.
"Everyone, heal up and recover as quickly as you can. I'll stand guard for you all!" Qin Qiming declared loudly.
The others nodded in agreement, sitting cross-legged to restore their spiritual power.
Just as they had guessed, Qin Changqing was indeed standing invisibly nearby. After confirming his children were all safe, he let out a long breath of relief.
He was about to head back when he paused, frowning in thought.
No, saving only them is way too obvious. If the sects discover afterward that the only survivors are my kids, it'll raise suspicions. The Taiclear Sect might even pin it directly on me...
The system's concealment is powerful, but there's no need to take risks. Better to save a few more disciples from the other sects to play it safe!
Qin Changqing always adhered to the principle of staying steady and not getting reckless, considering every angle thoroughly.
…
In the dense forest, Wen Luqing fled in a wretched state, her heart filled with despair.
She was already badly injured, her magic artifacts shattered, her spiritual talismans nearly depleted. The only thing keeping her going was a thread of unyielding belief.
Trailing her unhurriedly were five demonic cultivators, each wearing a smug grin like cats toying with a mouse.
"Wen Luqing, stop running! You can't escape. Just come back with us nice and easy, and this young master will take good care of you, hahahaha!"
"I've heard from my martial uncle before—Bihai Sect has this genius female cultivator named Wen Luqing, and she's got a heavenly spiritual root to boot. Tsk tsk, I've never tasted a woman with a heavenly spiritual root. Wonder what it's like!"
"She's the top-ranked genius from this Ten Sects Grand Competition. If we drag her back, the sect master will surely reward us handsomely, heh heh heh..."
"This woman's gorgeous. Later, I'm gonna peel her face off myself!"
Suddenly, a female cultivator from the Six Desires Demon Sect lashed out with a long whip. Black light flickered as the tip struck Wen Luqing's back viciously.
Crack! Wen Luqing cried out in agony and tumbled to the ground, a deep gash blooming across her back.
"What the hell are you doing? Ruining her now will kill the mood later!" The other four grumbled in annoyance.
Wen Luqing's face twisted with grief and fury. She knew full well what fate awaited her if she fell into their hands.
In a flash, she pulled a spirit explosion talisman from her storage pouch and gritted her teeth. "Even if I die, I won't let you scum have your way!"
The five sneered mockingly. One of them clawed the air with his fingers, and the talisman flew right into his grasp.
With her spiritual power exhausted, Wen Luqing's face drained of color. She hadn't even been allowed the dignity of death.
The five burst into laughter. They loved watching these righteous disciples squirm in futile despair.
"Get over here!"
One sneered coldly, black qi surging from his body and billowing toward her.
Wen Luqing kicked back desperately, terror and endless despair etching her features.
Suddenly, a figure flashed into view, intercepting them. With a casual wave, the roiling demonic qi dissipated instantly.
"Who the hell are you?!"
The five demonic cultivators' faces changed, their eyes sharpening with vigilance.
Wen Luqing stared in surprise at the black-robed man who had appeared before her.
Qin Changqing glanced at Wen Luqing, inwardly praising her beauty.
He had to admit, this genius disciple from Bihai Sect was stunning—especially now, in her pitiful, heart-wrenching state. She could melt any man's resolve into butter.
Ignoring them completely, Qin Changqing only fueled their rage.
Those who entered the secret realm were all roughly equal in cultivation—Qi Condensation stage. They had five against one. Who was afraid? Just some fancy tricks, playing mysterious!
"You're dead!"
All five attacked at once. Black demonic qi mingled with thick blood demon aura rolled forth, accompanied by snarling ghost phantoms. The momentum was terrifying.
"Watch out!" Wen Luqing cried in warning.
Qin Changqing merely smiled faintly. Nine streaks of purple light shot out, surging spiritual power shattering the black-and-red energies in an instant. Under their horrified gazes, the lights pierced straight through their bodies.
"So... so strong!"
Wen Luqing's face filled with shock. She instantly realized this mysterious black-robed man was a high-level expert beyond comprehension.
In truth, Qin Changqing was only one major realm above them, but with his cultivation concealed, none could tell.
These prodigies might be heaven's favored, but at Qi Condensation, even the most heaven-defying couldn't easily face a Foundation Establishment cultivator—especially one with powerful treasures and talismans like Qin Changqing.
He scanned with divine sense, noting Wen Luqing's spiritual power was depleted and movement difficult. Without a word, he scooped her up and activated teleportation.
A flash of white light, and they reappeared.
"You're safe here. Rest and heal without worry." Qin Changqing handed her several bottles of pills, then added a red flying sword. "Don't tell anyone I saved you today—not even your parents or sect elders. Got it?"
Wen Luqing pursed her lips and nodded vigorously. "Senior, rest assured. I won't breathe a word."
Qin Changqing nodded and turned to leave, but she called out urgently, "Senior, your life-saving grace is etched in my heart. May I know your name?"
Qin Changqing chuckled softly, gave no answer, and vanished in a swirl of white light.
"He won't even share his name..." Wen Luqing felt a pang of loss.
He had appeared at her darkest moment, like a beam of light piercing the gloom, illuminating her entire world. This black-robed mystery man was now deeply engraved in her heart.
Though she didn't know who he was, when he'd held her just now, she'd memorized his scent—she was sensitive to smells. If fate allowed another meeting, she'd recognize him for sure...
With Wen Luqing handled, Qin Changqing wasted no time, rushing off to rescue more disciples from the Ten Sects.
He didn't tangle with the demonic cultivators—just grab and go. In a few hours, he'd saved over sixty.
Now, most of the Ten Sects' disciples had gathered together, while the demonic cultivators remained scattered. It would take time for them to regroup. If the two sides clashed again, the slaughter would swiftly reverse.
"The secret realm trial lasts three days. I can't slack off these next two—gotta keep the kids out of danger..." Qin Changqing stayed vigilant, monitoring everyone's movements.
No, the Ten Sects have casualties, but my kids are all fine. That'll still draw eyes.
Qin Changqing still felt it wasn't secure enough. After all, the Taiclear Sect knew his background.
After a moment's thought, he moved again. While others weren't looking, he quietly whisked away two of his children and teleported them out of Jing Country.
In a certain mountain range of Zhao Country.
Qin Changqing appeared, gripping Qin Qiling's shoulder.
"Master, where are we?" Qin Qiling looked around curiously, unperturbed. He trusted Qin Changqing completely.