Chapter 298: Chapter 298 He Captured the Dean
The Array, meticulously set up over several days, was broken just like that?
All the Purple Gold Divine Clan powerhouses stared wide-eyed, unable to accept this.
Jinyao Pool took a deep breath, calmed down, and said, "I have more."
In secret, the elder in white quickly activated the second Array.
Chen Pingping nodded. "I know that!"
The Purple Gold Divine Clan members stared in disbelief.
BOOM!
The second Array had just begun to operate when, in only a few breaths, it exploded just like the first.
Everyone was stunned.
Even Lan Wuji was dumbfounded. Wasn’t this elder an eighth-tier Array Master? Weren’t they said to be on par with Lords?
What’s going on? he wondered. I was waiting to enjoy the show!
Jinyao Pool’s face was stern, her previous composure and calm somewhat diminished. However, she quickly settled again, because the Purple Gold Divine Clan’s plans were far from over.
Looking at Chen Pingping, she was just about to speak.
Chen Pingping interrupted her. "Are you about to say there’s a third one?"
Jinyao Pool was speechless.
This is bad!
The elder in white tried to activate an even more powerful Array, but there was no response. He sent a silent message: "That one’s gone too! Probably the fourth and fifth as well..."
Damn it!
Jinyao Pool fumed, her face clouding over. The delicate hand hidden beneath her sleeve trembled uncontrollably.
"What about the more than twenty Imperial Daoists?" Lan Wuji shouted. "Hurry up and have them take action! Kill him!"
WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
From a nearby mountain, the sound of a dog barking echoed as an abyss suddenly appeared, unleashing a dense barrage of Sword Dao strikes.
That area was precisely where more than twenty Imperial Daoists lay in ambush.
Jinyao Pool’s expression changed dramatically, unable to maintain her composure any longer. "Retreat!"
It was too late.
One scream followed another.
Hei’s Abyss Sword Tao was particularly terrifying, directly enveloping the battlefield and delivering indiscriminate attacks.
Soon, the scent of thick blood drifted out, and the mountainside fell completely silent.
Dead!
More than twenty Imperial Daoists, all slain by that little black dog.
Jinyao Pool’s breathing became rapid.
The white-robed elder, hidden in the shadows, was also trembling, fear filling his eyes.
Was this Chen Pingping a devil? The elder stared at him intently.
The five powerful Arrays had failed, more than twenty Imperial Daoists had been cut down, and now... they were left with only their last trump card: the Emperor Spirit. And its appearance wasn’t even guaranteed.
"Is there anything else? Bring it forth then," Chen Pingping stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, his tone indifferent. "A Divine Weapon perhaps?"
Indeed, they still had Sacred Soldiers. But with more than twenty Imperial Daoists dead, what use were they? Who could activate them?
Jinyao Pool was expressionless.
"Lan Wuji?" He then turned to the Prince, a smile in his eyes, and approached in a few steps. "I told you to release them. Not only did you refuse, but you also provoked me repeatedly. Now, you lure me out and set up this death trap, aiming to use the Purple Gold Divine Clan’s power to kill me, correct?"
Lan Wuji felt suffocated, horror in his eyes.
"You are truly bold," Chen Pingping’s smile faded. "Internal struggles within the Imperial Dynasty, yet you join forces with the Purple Gold Divine Clan. If word of this got out, do you think you’d still have any chance to compete for imperial power?"
He panicked. What Chen Pingping had said was true.
Internal dynastic struggles should remain internal. If an external enemy was involved, their involvement must be justifiable and aboveboard.
But he had sought out the Purple Gold Divine Clan—a clan that had always been at odds with the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty.
If the news got out, he would become the target of the entire Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty’s condemnation. By then, forget about royal power; whether he could survive would be another matter.
At this thought, Lan Wuji stammered in panic, "Don’t! I beg you..."
"Where are they?" Chen Pingping asked expressionlessly.
Lan Wuji’s voice trembled. "Release her! Quick! ...You bastards, why haven’t you brought my little sister out yet?"
It wasn’t long.
Lan Xiuzhi was escorted out by several soldiers. Looking down from the city wall, she saw Lan Wuji slumped at Chen Pingping’s feet. She paused for a moment, then her face lit up with joy. "Pingping! Thank goodness! I knew you would come to save me!"
Alas! Chen Pingping’s face flushed as he remembered the Phoenix Cauldron incident, and his guilt lingered. This young girl not only hadn’t questioned him but had also staunchly vouched for him. She was too kind! If it weren’t for the Earth Chicken needing to enhance its Bloodline Power, I really wouldn’t have wanted to do this.
"I’m glad you’re alright!" Chen Pingping forced a smile.
"Of course, I’m fine!" Lan Xiuzhi said nonchalantly, leaping down from the city wall. "Let him go!"
Chen Pingping asked, "Eh? Why?"
Xiuzhi replied, "His crime doesn’t deserve death."
Chen Pingping stated, "He captured the Dean and cut off one of his arms."
Lan Wuji was aghast. Upon hearing "Let him go," he had been ecstatic, preparing to offer thanks, but Chen Pingping’s next words sent him into a panic.
It was only then that Lan Xiuzhi noticed the Dean’s condition. Her expression instantly darkened. She drew her sword and, on the spot, severed one of Lan Wuji’s arms.
A scream tore through the air.
She said coldly, "The Dean has lost his cultivation, yet you still attacked him. You’re worse than pigs and dogs."
"Yes, yes, yes, I know my mistake," Lan Wuji stammered, not daring to make a sound or argue, only silently enduring the pain.
Chen Pingping added, "He also conspired with the Purple Gold Divine Clan."
What the hell?! Lan Wuji burst into tears.
That remark practically sealed his death sentence. Enraged, Lan Xiuzhi struck again with her sword, ending Lan Wuji’s life.
Alas! Her swift and decisive action left Chen Pingping somewhat flustered. I had just thought of her as kind and innocent, but now it seems I need to redefine my view.
"Purple Gold Divine Clan!" Lan Xiuzhi lifted her head. "This is an internal matter of the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty. If you dare to intervene, I, as a princess, swear we will fight to the death."
Heh heh!
Jinyao Pool snickered, "You’ve lost the Heaven Tao Divine Weapon and still dare to be so arrogant?"
"How audacious!" Lan Xiuzhi was furious. "I suspect that the God inside the Phoenix Cauldron was stolen by you Divine Clan people." Having said that, she was about to charge at Jinyao Pool for a fight to the death.
Thankfully, Chen Pingping was there to stop her in time. He secretly wiped a bead of cold sweat and said with a clumsy smile, "There’s no rush on this matter. The Dean’s injury is more critical. If we delay any longer, he might just..."
Oh, oh, oh!
Lan Xiuzhi came back to her senses. "Pingping is right." She glanced at the Dean and, noticing his poor state, immediately said, "We’ll settle the score with the Purple Gold Divine Clan after the Dean’s injuries are stabilized."
Chen Pingping: "..."
"They’re so ridiculous, suspecting Pingping of stealing the God from the Phoenix Cauldron! Hmph! A bunch of idiots!" Lan Xiuzhi cursed. "How could Pingping possibly do such a thing?"
"Still fantasizing about driving a wedge between me and Pingping? Dream on!"
"I suspect that the God was definitely stolen by someone from the Purple Gold Divine Clan." Her eyes narrowed as she gazed at Jinyao Pool once more. "One day, my sword will blaze across your Divine Clan’s territory."
Chen Pingping pulled her away, hurrying to leave. "That’s enough, that’s enough. One shouldn’t say too many harsh words, or they might lose their effect."
"Right, right, Pingping makes sense," Lan Xiuzhi said no more and strode away.