CHAPTER 187: CHAPTER 188: THE EMPEROR’S ARTIFACT WILL NEVER BETRAY ITS MASTER!

"This..."

"This is..."

Many people sharply noticed Wu Cheng’s peculiarity and were instantly left agape, at a loss for what to do.

What is going on?

Couldn’t handle the setback, had a change of heart?

"Brother Qin Zi, something’s not right, let’s go."

Shui Qingrou cautiously glanced at Wu Cheng, then suddenly waved her right hand, sweeping Qin Zi onto the carriage with a surge of energy.

"Arooo—"

The Simurgh let out a long cry, then flapped its wings and soared high, swiftly flying back in the direction they came from.

Her movements were fluid and seamless, and the Simurgh was connected to her mind, reacting almost instantly.

So, when the two drove away, nearly no one else had reacted.

"Where are you going!!"

"Trying to escape!"

Several aged figures leapt into the air from various corners, menacingly charging at the carriage.

"Let them go."

At this moment, Wu Cheng’s voice came, very calm, yet carrying an undeniable authority.

The bodies of those elders halted.

Wu Cheng slowly raised his head, his smooth black hair cascading down, and those pupils had turned a light purple, like a clear water surface, yet also like exquisite glazed glass, sparkling brightly.

"Young Master, you!!"

The elders exclaimed in shock.

"It’s nothing."

Wu Cheng smiled and shook his head, those purple eyes appearing calm, as if clouds and wind passed by lightly.

The eyes of several elders flickered a few times, then they said nothing, silently withdrawing.

"Haha, what just happened might have amused everyone. But success and failure are common events in a military man’s life, I don’t mind losing."

Wu Cheng gave a bitter laugh:

"But no matter what, I’ve completely lost face today, so I’ll be taking my leave first."

With that, he made a gesture with his right hand, and a carriage pulled by a fierce beast rose into the air from a direction, flying towards him.

"Young Master, we’ll escort you."

Said several elders of the Wu Family.

"No need, I’ll return by myself."

Wu Cheng smiled and shook his head.

"This..."

The elders hesitated.

Wu Cheng jested with a smile: "Though I’ve been defeated, it’s not like I need protection just to return home, right? You are in charge of this manor, just ensure the guests are entertained, don’t lose the sense of propriety."

"Understood."

The elders nodded awkwardly.

"Everyone, farewell!"

Wu Cheng cupped his hands towards the geniuses present, then leapt onto the carriage, and with a thunderous roar, drove away into the distance.

The crowd stared dumbly at his departing figure, almost dazed, taking some time to recover themselves.

"Why do I feel... he seems more spirited after losing than after winning?"

"Yes, he seems more charismatic than before."

"I’m somewhat moved."

"Hiss! Brother, be cautious with your words."

The crowd murmured among themselves. In truth, they all felt Wu Cheng had become somewhat "feminine," but dared not speak it aloud.

The Northern Domain is vast.

They have seen much.

So they knew many people do have certain peculiar preferences, but such matters must absolutely not be spoken of, for once spoken, it would slap someone’s face, inevitably sparking fierce conflict.

...

In the sky, Qin Zi and Shui Qingrou were racing away in their carriage.

Because they both knew, this matter wasn’t simple—they transformed someone else’s child, would the Wu Family spare them?

"Whew... that was close."

After confirming no one was pursuing them, Qin Zi exhaled a breath, then laughed and said: "Qingrou, luckily you reacted quickly, otherwise it would’ve been bad."

Shui Qingrou pouted.

Not wanting to speak.

Qin Zi paused, then remembered his action of lifting Wu Cheng’s chin and the other’s final gentle appearance, and he awkwardly smiled.

He had been hasty.

He needed to be more composed in the future.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

Suddenly, a rumbling noise came from behind, and a powerful aura swept in.

The two of them sharply turned their heads!

Only to see a carriage pulled by a fierce beast rumbling in, and the sides of the carriage glowed, unleashing a massive pair of purple energy wings, instantly boosting its speed several times, quickly catching up.

"You two, please wait a moment."

A voice with a hint of allure amidst the calm sounded.

"What are you going to do?"

Qin Zi asked in a deep voice, frowning as he scrutinized this person, who seemed to exude an eerie aura.

It wasn’t simply a matter of gender change.

Rather, it felt as if he had turned into another person.

"Don’t be nervous, I have no ill intentions. On the contrary, I should actually thank you for letting me out."

Wu Cheng said with a smile.

The change in his mindset seemed to affect his appearance, making him increasingly feminine.

"You’re not Wu Cheng?!"

Qin Zi thought of his master, Ye Lingshuang.

Initially, his master also intended to possess his body. Later, due to an accident, he gave up and took him as a disciple instead.

"Hehe, you’ve seen through me."

Wu Cheng chuckled and covered his mouth, possessing an already beautiful appearance, seemingly fitting both as male or female. Thus, when his demeanor softened, he was indistinguishable from a woman.

It felt perfectly natural.

Even... those clear, dazzling light purple eyes had a charm that seemed to attract the soul, making one’s heart inexplicably flutter.

"I am a weak remnant spirit. Years ago, I nearly succeeded in possessing Wu Cheng, but his father discovered it and interrupted me. My consciousness had already fused with Wu Cheng’s Primordial Spirit, and his father dared not extinguish me, instead sealing me with a secret technique."

"Originally, as Wu Cheng grew stronger, his Dao heart and belief would naturally wear me away."

"However... your actions today directly shattered his Dao heart, allowing me to exploit the void and instead overcome him."

Qin Zi and Shui Qingrou felt chills down their spines — this was an ancient demon seizing bodies!

"Ahem, uh... my father used to say, helping others is the foundation of joy. It was nothing much, no need to thank me."

Qin Zi said with a forced smile.

"Hmm, I know, and I didn’t intend to thank you. I actually wanted your help with something."

Wu Cheng smiled.

Qin Zi’s mouth twitched and asked, "What help?"

"I can sense that there’s something within you related to my ancestors. Can you give it to me?"

Wu Cheng said with a smile.

Qin Zi’s expression changed slightly, as he too felt it — the crimson furnace, dormant almost like a sleeping pig, trembled slightly.

This was the Emperor’s Artifact from the Celestial Eternal Race.

Thus, this person might very well be a descendant of a Martial Emperor from the Celestial Eternal Race, fallen long ago, now reviving as a remnant spirit!

"Haha, that’s impossible, I’m always quite penniless, how could I have a treasure from your ancestors?"

Qin Zi laughed dryly.

Wu Cheng wasn’t angry. He merely smiled and said, "No matter, the Divine Object hides itself. It might just be an inconspicuous item on you that you haven’t noticed. I have a way to draw it out."

As he spoke, his hands quickly formed seals, his fingers swiftly intertwining, suddenly emanating bright and dazzling lights.

Moreover, he murmured incantations under his breath, seemingly using a mysterious language that no one understood.

"Buzz!!"

Soon, Qin Zi felt the crimson furnace inside him tremble violently, gradually rising from its resting position.

It appeared like a pig about to wake from slumber.

"This..."

Qin Zi grew anxious — this was his Emperor’s Artifact, currently his most valuable possession. How could he just allow someone to take it?

Absolutely not!

He wouldn’t allow it!!

But seeing this, the other seemed capable of activating the Emperor’s Artifact, and even the slightest power unleashed could render him defenseless.

"Don’t worry, it’ll be out soon."

Wu Cheng looked at Qin Zi with those charming light purple eyes, even licking his lips.

His hands continued to move.

Faster.

And faster!!

The trembling of the crimson furnace grew even more intense, causing Qin Zi’s body to shake in tandem, his breathing shallow.

"Lord, don’t wake up, don’t wake up, aren’t you fond of sleeping? Please continue sleeping!"

Qin Zi shouted in his heart.

The furnace kept trembling.

"Lord, isn’t lying down nice? Why do you have to rise, what are you hoping for?"

Qin Zi kept persuading.

The furnace trembled further.

"Lord, is your former master really that important? She’s merely the descendant of your master, there’s no need for you to keep working hard!"

Qin Zi almost roared internally.

And the furnace’s trembling intensified, even beginning to emit strands of red light, seemingly ready to awaken.

Qin Zi took a deep breath, deciding to treat the situation with optimism, shouting desperately in his heart, "Board and lodging provided!!!"

Swish!

The trembling of the furnace abruptly stopped, the light immediately withdrawn, and it fell back into slumber.

The Emperor’s Artifact never betrays its master, unless board and lodging is provided!

"Hmm?!"

Wu Cheng’s smile froze.

His hands stopped moving, his mouth slightly open, light purple crystalline eyes showing a hint of bewilderment and innocence.