Martial Master

Qin Chen sneered coldly, "And besides, if the Prefect of Yunzhou really wants to be your enemy, what are you afraid of? The so-called prefects all rely on strength to rise. Your Cangxuan City has never received any protection from Yunzhou. The Heavenly Realm is a blatant place where the weak are prey to the strong. If you don't annex others, others will annex you."

Qin Chen sneered at Ao Lie repeatedly.

"Indeed!"

Ao Lie gave a bitter smile, realizing he had been too conservative as the city's lord for too long. Just as Chen Shao said, as long as he absorbs the Saint Veins and wealth from the three major cities, breaking through to the Heavenly Saint is absolutely possible.

By then, relying on Noah's Ark, even if Yunzhou truly knows, it would still be enough to fight.

What is there to fear?

"Alright, Chen Shao, I understand. I will certainly comply with your instructions, consolidate the four major cities, and strengthen my power. Once I break through to the Heavenly Saint, even if Yunzhou knows, they will only send someone to appease. Moreover, the various states within Guanghan Prefecture are not peaceful now, and the prefectures also oppose each other. Not to mention, the Demon Tribe is infiltrating from outside, leaving Guanghan Prefecture with no time to manage our small place of Yunzhou."

Ao Lie's thoughts became clear, and he felt relieved.

"In that case, you go and occupy those three major cities. I need to retreat for a few days."

Qin Chen had learned from Qin Tingting and others that the nearby cities had no news about You Qianxue, Ji Ruyue, or Chen Sisi, which made him anxious.

Perhaps, to find out about them, he would have to go to Yunzhou.

Before going to Yunzhou, Qin Chen needed to refine the source of Li Luo. A source from a half-step Heavenly Saint was quite useful to Qin Chen.

"Qingling, I am going to conquer the three major cities and consolidate all forces. During these few days, you will attend to Chen Shao personally. No matter what Chen Shao requests, you must fulfill it."

Ao Lie instructed Ao Qingling, emphasizing the word 'any.'

"Yes."

Ao Qingling lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, and her heart raced.

On the side, Qin Tingting saw this and felt bitter. She naturally understood the intention of Lord Ao Lie, but in terms of appearance, she considered herself inferior to Ao Qingling. If Chen Shao liked someone, it would be Qingling and not her.

For the first time in these days, Qin Tingting experienced inferiority and bitterness.

"No need, I'm not some young master who needs serving. Qingling, you just broke through to the late Earth Saint; it's better to enter the peerless Earth Saint realm as soon as possible."

Qin Chen waved his hand and directly declined. His figure flickered and disappeared into the depths of the City Lord's Mansion.

"I..." Ao Qingling felt her nose tingle and her eyes redden instantly, with an urge to cry.

"Qingling, don't overthink it. Sometimes, it also depends on fate."

Ao Lie sighed, touching Qingling's head. He intended to match Qin Chen with Qingling, but it seemed now that the maiden was willing, but the lad was indifferent.

"Father, your daughter understands. I will go cultivate."

Qingling turned and hurriedly ran off, bitter tears flying in the air.

She knew she and Qin Chen were impossible forever. If it was before, there might have been a chance, but now she understood deeply that she and this young man before her were not in the same world. Qin Chen's strength made her only admire him.

This man seemed to always be so bright, shining and glowing, appearing by her side and then gradually moving away.

Qin Chen naturally had no mind to consider any romantic entanglements.

He sat in the void, suddenly shaking, with countless divine lights rising from the sky, transforming into a world that encircled him.

He began cultivating after obtaining the strongest Saint Vein of the Yan Luo Demon Tribe and slaying many masters, including the half-step Heavenly Saint Li Luo. He needed to digest this further, improve his cultivation, and strive to break through to the peerless Earth Saint and even the Heavenly Saint realm as soon as possible. By then, he could truly make a name in the Heavenly Realm and have enough strength to protect the Tianwu Continent.