Over the Gobi Desert, a group of pitch-black crows flapped their wings as they flew overhead. When they reached a certain location, the steady airflow around them suddenly turned into chaotic currents. The air that previously could lift their bodies lost its lift, causing the weaker birds in the group to immediately lose control and plummet downwards, only stabilizing themselves after dropping almost half of their altitude.

Though they couldn't understand what was happening below, the animals' instincts made them aware that it was a dangerous area to approach. The lead bird squawked twice and quickly ascended to fly elsewhere.

Similar incidents occurred all around the area, causing a mass exodus of animals living in the desert, including lizards, sand foxes, and wild rabbits.

At the epicenter of the disturbance, the turbulent steel feather vortex created by Xiang Ling was forcefully torn apart using spatial laws, causing a vacuum point at the center to explode and disturb the surrounding air, leading to a second wave of impact after the storm dissipated. Once the dust settled, Xiang Ling picked up the long spear she had thrown earlier at an indeterminate moment.

Upon confirming Bai Yu Mang Qing's position, Xiang Ling launched another attack without giving any chance for respite. The heavy long spear in her hand felt weightless, burning with fiery spiritual power, creating a dazzling spectacle. However, Bai Yu Mang Qing, who could fortify his steel feathers using his control over density rules, managed to withstand the onslaught.

The real threat came from Xiang Ling occasionally opening spatial rifts amidst her attacks, which looked like ink strokes drawn by a calligrapher from afar. These dark spatial crevices could easily tear apart even the bodies of powerful beasts when hidden within her fierce assault.

Suppressed by Xiang Ling's close-range storm-like attacks, Bai Yu Mang Qing found it hard to evade and had to continuously counter using spatial rules. However, in the direct confrontation of rule intensity, Xiang Ling, who had augmented her rule strength through arcane methods, completely overwhelmed her opponent.

The long spear transformed into a red enraged dragon, relentlessly tearing apart Bai Yu Mang Qing's defenses. In less than ten seconds, even the rule-enhanced steel feathers struggled to withstand Xiang Ling's onslaught. At this moment, Bai Yu Mang Qing, displaying the ferocity of a "beast," withdrew the rule enhancements from her entire body and gathered them at her right wing, ready to exchange blows with Xiang Ling, enduring even if it meant taking a hit.

The wild beasts of East Land were akin to siege-level entities when compared to those of West Land, boasting terrifying physical strength. If they were to switch positions, Xiang Ling might not be able to hold her ground.

This is where skill played a crucial role. Despite her "Way" being named in a bold and unrestrained manner, Xiang Ling's training went beyond mere brutishness.

When faced with feather blades that bypassed her weapon defenses, Xiang Ling decisively let go of her long spear aimed at Bai Yu Mang Qing. Her left hand smoothly drew a water-like curve around the sharpest edge, while her right hand pushed aside, diverting and rolling with the force of Bai Yu Mang Qing.

Even though she only shifted a few inches, it was enough to avoid the lethal feather blades of Bai Yu Mang Qing. Due to his full-force attack, Bai Yu Mang Qing left himself vulnerable in front, providing the perfect opening for Xiang Ling.

Thus, while turning to dodge, she grabbed the still-burning long spear before it fell, swiftly crossing her arms in a reverse grip and immediately twisting back to a standard grip, decisively ending the fight with a single strike.

The remnants of spiritual flames on the long spear spun half a circle at high speed before forming a perfect circle. Without looking back, Xiang Ling and Bai Yu Mang Qing departed in opposite directions, heading towards the deep pit where Black Feather Mang Qing had been thrown down earlier. A bloodline appeared near Bai Yu Mang Qing’s shoulder where a white feather wing broke off in the next moment, splattering blood.

...

Luojing, residence of the eldest son in the palace, Hun Xuan.

- Oh, Hun Xuan also has another name. A more refined term would be "Xue Yin," jokingly referred to as the place of the cycle of the five grains, simplifying to a latrine or privy pit.

In any case, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had a bit of stomach trouble today. Just as he hurriedly lifted the cloth curtain and entered after giving a quick greeting to Gu Lin, who had just returned from an outside reconnaissance mission, he heard a voice behind him out of the blue.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness the Prince of Xiangji."

"... Your uncle, nmsl, what the heck, you shake it gdx!"

Xiangji stood still, clutching his fists tightly with both hands. After a silence of three full seconds, he turned around slowly, glaring at the somewhat embarrassed and smiling youth standing by the door. His gaze was murderous.

He was already bursting to laugh just a moment ago, and Xiangji almost burst out laughing; it took him a great effort to barely maintain his composure, and he might as well have sustained some internal injuries.

In this kind of situation, even a person with the best temperament would lose control, let alone Xiangji, who was not known for having a good temper. If it weren't for knowing that the youth in front of him was of great help to him, he would have blown up long ago.

"Must you appear in this place at this time?!"

Veins popped on the Crown Prince's forehead, as he questioned through gritted teeth.

"Uh... sorry?" Yuan scratched his head apologetically; it wasn't intentional. Who knew that the teleportation point he set up in Xiangji's residence to find people conveniently was right above a pit - Vera got addicted to this!

"Forget it, spit it out." The Crown Prince practically gritted his teeth as he spoke, not so much out of anger but mainly because he was feeling a bit unwell in his stomach.

"Um... how about you go inside and squat first, and I'll talk to you from outside." Yuan rubbed his hands, feeling somewhat sorry.

Xiangji imagined what it would feel like to squat in the pit and listen to Yuan talking outside... frankly, it was embarrassing.

"Don't waste words, speak up, I'll listen right here."

While saying this, Xiangji involuntarily moved closer to the edge of the pit - I call it the "Hunxuan Gravity Effect."

"Alright," Yuan obliged, knowing he had only three people to rely on; the situation with Xiang means the odds aren't in his favor anymore. If he were to suffocate the Crown Prince, that would be too funny.

"The contingency I left on the border was resolved by Xiangling, so I estimate she'll have to return within these two days. Considering the journey back from the border and the efficiency of Your Imperial Sister’s actions, I suggest you act within these two days."

"Understood, got it, now scram!"

The Crown Prince, also giving face, left with a three-word statement before kicking open the door of the pit.

Yuan blinked outside but didn’t leave right away.

"What?!"

About half a minute later, having resolved the physiological problem and the crisis of social death, the Crown Prince’s head finally resumed normal operation. Upon re-evaluating the information he heard just now, he couldn't help but voice his question.

"What’s going on? Didn't you say you could deal with her?"

"Well, theoretically, that's true... but it's a 'probably,' right? Insufficient intelligence, can't do anything about it, after all, Xiangling has never really shown her true strength before. Your Grace Xiangji, you probably don't have the martial arts passed down by the former emperor, so you can't understand this unreasonable 'Dao.'"

"Sigh... She's still in her twenties, Xiangling is truly admirable."

Yuan's voice sounded a bit disheartened.

"What? Is she... that strong?"

Xiangji calmed down; he wasn’t one to blame others after an incident occurred. Since the situation was set, the only way forward was to find a solution.

"That's quite impressive. Let me put it this way, I'm also a Holy Rank... um, Earthly Immortal. Facing off against her is like being smashed by a hammer. Even if you add the person by your side, Your Highness, the two of you together would have less than a fifty percent chance of winning against her."

"Is it really that exaggerated?" Xiang Ji was truly surprised this time. After all, unlike his sister with extraordinary talent, he had average aptitude in martial arts. Besides, he had a great opportunity to inherit the throne, so he hadn't devoted much effort to pursuing personal strength. To him, the so-called Earthly Immortal was just a card he could play to counter his opponent.

In his eyes, this was a game of chess, using his own pieces to counter the opponent's pieces. In the end, whoever had more pieces left in hand would win.

But now, Yuan told him that the opponent had overturned the chess table and played a trump card right in his face, which left him baffled.

"Well, there's no need to worry too much now," Yuan's tone changed. "Since I'm on your side, I can help you solve this problem. You just need to handle your silly Odoudou step by step."

"...Alright,"

Xiang Ji responded with some doubt.

"So, shall I take my leave first?"

"Yes."

As the sounds from outside faded away, Xiang Ji's face suddenly darkened. Damn, didn't he just talk to Yuan while on the toilet?

"Your Highness, a message from the Prime Minister's Mansion stated that His Highness Xiang Ling's convoy is set to depart for the capital tomorrow."

Another voice came from outside, this time it was Gui Lin.

Wait, do all these Earthly Immortals like to come in and talk to people while they're on the toilet?

"Let me ask you one more thing, Gui Lin, were you... just here earlier?"

"Just arrived. Is there something you need, Your Highness?"

"No, just checking. It's good that you just arrived..."

"Well, I think I arrived around the time of 'Do you have to show up in this place at this moment'."

The Crown Prince's inner peace exploded.