35: The Devouring Heaven Demon Art has appeared! Ling Qingzhu: We absolutely cannot let Qin Feng obtain it!

However, when Ling Qingzhu's gaze swept over the subsequent intense complaints regarding the 'merit stele,' she was completely stunned.

The towering rage and shame in her heart came to an abrupt halt.

[...He even wants to use Ten-thousand-year Divine Gold to erect a merit stele for me! Right at my front door! I'm finished. I'm truly finished. My brilliant salted fish image for this lifetime is completely ruined by this old man!]

So... that hurried look of 'fleeing in panic' just now wasn't because he 'had an epiphany,' and even less because he was utterly disappointed in her... but because he was afraid of the 'merit stele for The Number One Cultivation Madman of All Time' that Elder Su Qi wanted to erect for him?

So... that calm and indifferent posture of a high-level expert who viewed beauty like floating clouds was all an act?

He was simply... having a social anxiety attack and just wanted to hurry back to sleep?

This discovery made Ling Qingzhu's mood instantly become incredibly complex.

It was as if a towering snow mountain weighing heavily upon her Dao Heart had suddenly been kicked away by someone, revealing the truth beneath that made her both angry and amused, and even somewhat at a loss.

The grievance, frustration, and unwillingness in her heart dissipated by more than half for some inexplicable reason at this moment.

In its place was a secret joy, like having stolen a taste of honey, which she hadn't even noticed herself.

So... it wasn't that he truly didn't care about me or viewed me as thin air.

He's just... too lazy, too afraid of trouble, especially afraid of such awkward social situations.

This realization caused a corner of Ling Qingzhu's long-frozen Dao Heart to quietly melt, and a trace of warmth flowed uncontrollably from it, soaking into her entire being.

She could even clearly sketch the scene in her mind:

In the luxurious bedroom of Divine Son Peak, that man who appeared profound and god-like to outsiders was now like a cat with its fur standing up, irritably scratching his beautiful ink-black hair while pacing in circles around the room, gnashing his teeth as he wrote down these complaints that made her face turn red.

That vivid, flustered, and exasperated image instantly diluted his previous image of being unattainable, distant, and indifferent in her heart.

It made him more real, more flesh and blood.

And also... cuter.

The corners of Ling Qingzhu's mouth finally could no longer be suppressed, curling upward into a very slight arc.

That smile was like a spring breeze brushing over an icy lake, rippling out circles of gentle waves.

She quickly covered her mouth with her left hand, but in those eyes that were as cold as winter stars, there was clearly an extra trace of unfathomable slyness.

She calmed her emotions, feeling as if... she had completely grasped this man's 'weakness.'

Isn't it just fearing trouble and liking peace and quiet?

Fine.

Then I'll give you peace and quiet.

When you're no longer annoyed, I'll come find you again and properly settle this debt of being a 'wronged little wife'!

Ling Qingzhu made up her mind and continued to browse the diary with great interest, her mood lighter than ever before.

Soon, her expression became solemn once again.

Because Su Chen had started writing about 'serious business.'

[Complaints aside, now that I'm done being angry, I still have to do some serious business and plan my upcoming salted fish life.]

[Calculating the time, there are only a few days left until the Great Xia Divine Dynasty's 'Myriad Dao Auction.']

[This auction is a quite important plot point in the original work. That kid Qin Feng, the protagonist, officially begins his journey of showing off and face-slapping here.]

[Tsk, just thinking about that hypocrite makes my whole body uncomfortable.]

Qin Feng!

Seeing this name, the gentle smile in Ling Qingzhu's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a bone-chilling coldness.

Her loathing for this hypocrite had already reached her marrow.

Letting him escape was the biggest mistake of her operation this time!

Su Chen, rest assured, next time I will never give him another chance to escape!

Ling Qingzhu vowed secretly in her heart, her gaze remaining locked on the diary.

[According to the original plot, after that kid Qin Feng came out of the Tianyuan Secret Realm, by a stroke of luck, he obtained a fragmented ancient Divine Ability called the 'Breath-Concealing and Wealth-Gathering Great Method.']

[Although the name of this Divine Ability is a bit vulgar, its effect is truly impressive. Not only can it perfectly conceal one's Aura so others can't see through their cultivation, but it can also, to a certain extent, sense the 'Wealth Qi' on treasures that hasn't fully dissipated. Simply put, it's a low-end treasure-appraisal cheat.]

[At this Myriad Dao Auction, Qin Feng relied on this Divine Ability to pick up countless ancient treasures at extremely low prices that others considered trash.]

[For example, that seemingly ordinary, rusty piece of 'Taiyi Fine Gold' actually contained a drop of 'True Fire of the Sun' Origin inside. I don't know which Genius came up with this method of hiding things; what a waste of heavenly gifts!]

[And that broken ancient sword, which everyone thought was scrap metal, turned out to be the personal sword of a certain ancient Sword Emperor, with a complete 'Nirvana Sword Intent' hidden inside the blade.]

[The most ridiculous part is that he used a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones to buy a tattered clay pot, and it turned out that a wisp of 'Grandmist Purple Qi' was sealed inside! My god, is the author crazy? Grandmist Purple Qi is only worth a hundred stones now? This Protagonist Halo is being used too shamelessly!]

[Damn, writing this makes me want to climb through the network cable and choke the author to ask if he has any shame! Oh wait, he had a cheat to begin with.]

Ling Qingzhu watched with a racing heart, her breathing quickening slightly.

True Fire of the Sun!

Nirvana Sword Intent!

Grandmist Purple Qi?!

If any one of these things were taken out, it would be enough to set off a storm of blood across the entire Xuantian Continent!

And Qin Feng, that despicable and shameless hypocrite, could actually rely on a single Divine Ability to take all these supreme treasures into his pocket?

If it weren't for Su Chen's diary, who could have imagined this?

Once the auction ended and Qin Feng relied on these treasures he picked up for a bargain, his strength would surely skyrocket again! At that time, he would definitely come back like a mad dog to retaliate against Su Chen and herself!

No!

I absolutely cannot let him succeed!

Ling Qingzhu's gaze became incredibly sharp; she had already firmly branded the characteristics of those few 'trash' items mentioned in the diary into the depths of her Divine Soul.

Qin Feng, you want to pick up bargains?

In your dreams!

I, Ling Qingzhu, will take all of these treasures!

She would strangle all of Qin Feng's opportunities in the cradle!

She would let him know what a miserable end it would be to offend Su Chen and offend her, Ling Qingzhu!

Her gaze continued to look down.

Because she knew that these appetizers were definitely not the main points Su Chen wanted to record.

The real highlight was still to come!

As expected.

[However, these small-time bargains are all just appetizers.]

[The real highlight of this Myriad Dao Auction is the grand finale item—void immortal gold!]

[This head-sized piece of void immortal gold is itself a supreme divine material for forging Emperor Weapons, worth a fortune. But its true value is not the immortal gold itself.]

[It's because at the core of this immortal gold, a trace of... the Origin Emperor Qi of the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art is attached!]

Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art!

The moment she saw those four words, a fear and loathing originating from the depths of her Bloodline caused Ling Qingzhu's pupils to contract suddenly!

The surrounding air instantly condensed into countless fine ice crystals due to her out-of-control Dao Rhyme!

As the Saintess of the Yaochi Holy Land, she had seen records of this Cultivation Technique in the Holy Land's most ancient forbidden texts!

That was a supreme demonic art created hundreds of thousands of years ago by a forbidden existence named the 'Heaven Swallowing Great Emperor' on the Xuanyuan Continent!

This technique was peerlessly dominant, allowing one to strengthen themselves by devouring the Origins, Bloodlines, and even Divine Souls of others. The cultivation speed was incredible, and it was hailed as the number one demonic art of all time, intolerable to the Righteous Path of the world!

The Heaven Swallowing Great Emperor relied on this demonic art back then to rise from an unknown nobody to a slaughterer of countless prodigies and experts in just a few hundred years, finally attaining the Dao and becoming an Emperor, sparking a Dark Turmoil that swept across the entire Xuanyuan Continent!

The records stated that it was an era where even the sun lost its color, and countless Holy Land lineages that had been passed down for ages were turned to ashes under his demonic might!

If several Human Race Emperors hadn't joined forces later and paid a bloody price to suppress and kill him in the depths of the starry sky, the cultivation civilization of the entire Xuanyuan Continent might have regressed by a million years!

And now, the Origin Emperor Qi of this forbidden demonic art that had been completely erased actually appeared at an auction?

If this were obtained by Qin Feng, whose Heart-Nature was already cruel and twisted... Ling Qingzhu dared not think further, only feeling a chill capable of freezing the Divine Soul rush from the soles of her feet straight to her head!

A Qin Feng who had devoured countless opportunities and cultivated the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art would be a nightmare for the entire world!

Her nails dug deep into her palm, and a trace of blood seeped out, yet she felt no pain.

Qin Feng, you must never get it!

This piece of immortal gold, this Opportunity... a trace of unprecedented determination flashed in Ling Qingzhu's eyes.

It must belong to Su Chen!

Ling Qingzhu slowly closed the diary, and the faintly glowing book quietly vanished in her hand.

She took a deep breath. What surged in her chest was no longer shame and grievance, but a piercing Battle Intent sufficient to freeze the Nine Heavens.

Su Chen, just watch.

I, Ling Qingzhu, will never let you down!

*Clack.*

She stood up, her movements without the slightest hesitation. As she rose, the temperature of the entire guest room plummeted, and visible ice crystals condensed in the air, swirling around her.

Without a moment's delay, she walked straight toward the door.

As soon as she pulled the door open, the Su Family maid waiting outside bowed respectfully: "Your Highness the Saintess, what are your orders?"

The maid only felt a wave of cold air hit her face. Looking up, she met Ling Qingzhu's eyes, which were so cold they didn't carry a hint of emotion. That gaze made her Divine Soul tremble, as if she were seeing not a peerless Fairy, but a frost war goddess about to step onto the battlefield.

"I must leave the Su Family immediately." Ling Qingzhu's voice was flat but carried an unquestionable majesty.

"Ah? This..." The maid was stunned. "Your Highness the Saintess, won't you stay for a few more days? The Seventh Elder specifically ordered us to treat you well, and His Highness the Divine Son..."

"No need." Ling Qingzhu directly interrupted her, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Inform the Seventh Elder for me that there are urgent matters at Yaochi and I must return immediately. I apologize for the disturbance today and will come to visit again another day."

After speaking, she ignored the dumbfounded maid and walked straight out.

She couldn't wait a single moment now!

The Myriad Dao Auction! The Great Xia Divine Dynasty!

She had to gather all the power and resources she could mobilize before Qin Feng.

Those 'trash' items pointed out by Su Chen in his diary—the True Fire of the Sun, the Nirvana Sword Intent, the Grandmist Purple Qi... she wouldn't let a single one go!

And that piece of void immortal gold hiding the Origin of the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art, she would take it at all costs!

All of these would be the spoils of war she would present to Su Chen!

And also her, Ling Qingzhu's, 'betrothal gift' as his Fiancée!

Watching Ling Qingzhu's resolute departing figure, it took the maid a long time to come to her senses. Looking at the white frost condensed on the ground from the low temperature, she couldn't help but mutter in a low voice.

"My goodness... what happened to the Saintess?"

"She was fine just now, why is she suddenly leaving? And this Aura... it's so terrifying."

"Could it be... that the Divine Son's seclusion made the Saintess angry?"

Another maid lowered her voice and guessed with a face full of gossip: "I don't think so. Didn't you see the Saintess's eyes? That wasn't anger; that was clearly... hurrying back to prepare a surprise for the Divine Son! I bet the Divine Son's mysterious methods have completely conquered the Saintess's heart!"

While the Su Family servants were busy gossiping.

The Ice Crystal Phoenix Carriage had already turned into a streak of light tearing through the sky, leaving the Su Family ancestral land at maximum speed.

She did not return to the Yaochi Holy Land.

Instead, she changed direction and sped straight toward the center of the continent, toward that prosperous and eternal Divine Capital—the Great Xia Divine Dynasty!