"Master, what's happening?"
Inside the flower bud, Qin Zi found himself entangled in numerous golden filaments, feeling as though he were being constricted by countless golden serpents, making it difficult to breathe.
And that wasn't all.
The flower bud was filled with dense, golden mist—so hot that it felt as if it would ignite any second!
"This flower bud is a natural treasure of heaven and earth, but generally speaking, it shouldn't have any sentience. This bud doesn't seem like it's become a spirit. It's very likely… someone tampered with it and is controlling it!"
The voice of the blonde woman echoed in Qin Zi's mind.
"Someone controlling it?"
Qin Zi's eyes flickered with realization, and he instantly thought of the Lu family!
After all, apart from the Lu family, he didn't have any other enemies on the main continent for now.
And to use such a rare natural treasure to kill him—most forces wouldn't have the wealth or audacity to do that.
It could only be the Lu family!
"Oh no, Master! I'm being drained! These flower filaments are absorbing my life essence!"
Suddenly, Qin Zi shouted in panic, feeling as if his strength was rapidly draining away, like he was being emptied from the inside.
"Use the Night Emperor's Sky-Slaying Blade!"
The blonde woman's voice commanded, but then, as if impatient, she added, "Forget it, you're not ready. I'll do it myself!"
Whoosh!
In the next moment, she took control of Qin Zi's body. His hair turned golden and began to grow wildly.
"Night Emperor's Sky-Slaying!"
She raised Qin Zi's right hand, and his golden pupils instantly turned black. His long hair billowed, and dark energy surged out from his body.
This dark energy converged above his head, forming a crescent-shaped black moon that radiated an overwhelming aura of sharpness!
"Slash!"
She swung his right hand, and the black crescent moon spun around Qin Zi's body.
"Shhh!!"
The golden filaments binding him were all severed. Not only that, but as the black moon swept across the petals of the flower bud, there was a soft tearing sound as the petals were sliced open. Seizing the moment, the woman propelled Qin Zi's body out of the flower bud.
"I'm so tired…"
Her voice was weak as she spoke, and then her consciousness faded. Qin Zi regained control of his body, now floating in mid-air.
"Thank goodness, thank…"
Qin Zi inhaled the fresh air, patting his chest in relief. But just as he began to utter a second sigh of relief, his face froze.
"Master? Master!!"
He called out cautiously, but there was no response.
Realizing this, his expression stiffened, and he forced an awkward yet polite smile as he looked ahead.
"Greetings, senior…"
In front of him stood a figure cloaked in black mist, emitting a terrifying aura, glaring coldly at him.
"For a mere Second Heaven Saint to escape from that flower bud, your talent is indeed impressive. I cannot allow you to live."
The shadowy figure's voice was chilling.
"Mercy, senior!"
Qin Zi immediately dropped to his knees, adopting a pose that made it seem like he was offering his life, as he cried out, "I still have value!"
"Oh?"
The black-clad figure looked at Qin Zi with a hint of surprise, intrigued by what kind of trick this boy might try to pull.
He was simply amused.
As for being outwitted by Qin Zi… that didn't even cross his mind. After all, fearing an ant was beneath him.
He was an Eightfold Heaven Saint, a Nine Tribulations Emperor. Compared to him, a Second Heaven Saint was nothing more than an insect.
Since he was here, why not have some fun with the ant? At his level, there were few things that entertained him anymore.
"Senior, to be honest, my name is Qin Zi, and I come from a fragment continent."
Qin Zi quickly explained.
"I know."
The shadowy figure replied indifferently.
"Actually, I also have a father!"
Qin Zi added hastily.
"I know!"
The shadowy figure frowned slightly, his tone showing mild irritation—was this boy wasting his time with such trivial information?
"Senior, my father once took me to an ancient battlefield, located in a fragment continent. There's an Emperor's Weapon there!"
Qin Zi exclaimed loudly.
"An Emperor's Weapon!!"
The shadowy figure's eyes gleamed with a sharp light, piercing through the mist surrounding him.
He grabbed Qin Zi by the shoulder, his breath quickening as he demanded, "You're not lying?!"
An Emperor's Weapon was one of the most coveted treasures on the Nine Heavens Continent.
Nothing could compare to it! With an Emperor's Weapon in hand, even an Emperor-level cultivator could challenge a quasi-Emperor. It was an unparalleled killing tool!
"Senior, in my current situation, would I dare lie?"
Qin Zi maintained his submissive posture, smiling bitterly and shaking his head.
Before the figure could respond, Qin Zi flashed a sycophantic smile, his tone filled with flattery as he added:
"However, that location is only known by my father. It exists within a spatial fold, and I don't know the exact location. If you want to find the Emperor's Weapon, you'll have to capture my father first."
The shadowy figure chuckled coldly, "You think you can lure me into a trap by leading me to your father?"
"Senior, how could you think that?!"
Qin Zi's face suddenly grew serious as he replied with sincerity:
"I know my father's strength well. He's no match for you, senior. Think about it—what kind of power can an Emperor from a fragment continent really have? He's just a local nobody!"
The shadowy figure paused, then smirked coldly.
"You're an amusing boy. Even though you speak like this, you still believe in your heart that your father is stronger than me and could suppress me."
"But…"
He slowly turned his back to Qin Zi, his tone playful. "You can't even imagine my power. Since you've said so, I'll happily rid the world of your father as well!"
He thought this statement would send the clever young man into a panic, leaving him pale with fear.
However.
Qin Zi smiled again, his confidence growing as he said:
"Senior, truth be told, my father isn't as easy to deal with as he seems. But he has one fatal weakness. If you promise to let me go, I'll tell you what it is!"
"You!!"
The shadowy figure was once again taken aback by the young man's audacity. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
"You would even betray your own father? How could I believe you wouldn't betray me as well? It seems there's no point in playing with you anymore!"
Boom! In an instant, the figure raised his right hand, filled with dark, destructive lightning, and slammed it down toward Qin Zi!
With one strike, the sky seemed to shatter!
"Lazy Pig, if you don't come out now, your pigsty is about to be torn down!!"
Qin Zi screamed desperately.
All this time, he had been stalling, pleading with the Nine Phoenix Cauldron in his dantian, hoping the Emperor's Weapon would awaken. But it remained motionless.
Now, it was a matter of life and death!
"Die!!!"
The black figure's eyes gleamed with savage light, relishing in the thrill of the impending kill—after all, he was a practitioner of the dark arts.
He was from the Lu family, trained in the demonic path.
Meanwhile, outside the valley, Qin Chuan, lurking in the shadows, held his breath, ready to intervene at any moment.
But he waited.
He wouldn't act until the last possible moment because surprises often come at the very last second.
"Buzz!!!"
At that instant, a brilliant crimson light erupted into the sky, and an incomparably terrifying flame unfurled in every direction.
Instantly, the surrounding mountains evaporated like illusions. On the horizon, a massive red hemisphere appeared…
"It's happening!"
Qin Chuan's eyes lit up, and his body trembled with excitement. He immediately lifted his oversized recording stone to secretly capture the moment.
Qin Xiao Pig was using the Tianheng Clan's Emperor's Weapon!
This recording stone would surely come in handy at the right moment. It would completely catch Qin Xiao Pig off guard, leaving him utterly speechless and dumbfounded.
Brat.
I'll make sure you know that filial piety leads to greatness!!