296: Eyewitness

[You saw complex emotions in her eyes—hatred, anger, and a chilling killing intent, as well as a trace of infatuation.]

[What was even more unbelievable to you was that you actually saw a hint of... expected calmness.]

[Although the killing intent in her eyes was surging, that killing intent was eventually replaced by a trace of calmness.]

[You knew that at this moment, killing you, a "Golden Core Cultivator," would be as easy as lifting a hand for her.]

[A hint of doubt rose in your heart: why hasn't she acted yet?]

[Why was there that trace of expected calmness in her eyes?]

[Could it be that she had long known Princess Huangfu Yu would use this move against her?]

[Could it be that her previous decision not to kill you was also because she had anticipated this situation?]

[If she had killed you, the appearance of the Soul Transformation cultivator would likely have become just her word against everyone else's.]

[You are the only eyewitness, the one who can prove her words are true and ensure she isn't suspected by the Immortal Dynasty.]

[If her confidants said these things, others might not necessarily believe them.]

[No wonder Cao Qingyi didn't kill you.]

[It turns out Cao Qingyi had long expected that Princess Huangfu Yu would find a way to drive a wedge between the two of them.]

[And for a woman, there is no method more hateful than such a scheme.]

[What confused you even more was that you possess a Poison Body and are covered in toxins; with such intimate contact, she should have been infected to some extent... yet she was not poisoned.]

[You didn't have time to overthink it, quickly straightening your clothes and backing out of the ruins.]

[In the pavilion, Princess Huangfu Yu watched this scene from afar, a glimmer of interest flashing in her eyes as she whispered to herself: "A Nascent Soul wedding night... such a big commotion?"]

[The raggedly dressed Cao Qingyi walked out of the ruins with a calm face and looked at Princess Huangfu Yu: "Your Highness, why did you do this?"]

[Princess Huangfu Yu had a face full of smiles:]

["Sister Qingyi, I am doing this for your own good."]

["Don't you want to avoid marrying into my Huangfu family?"]

["Or do you want to marry into another faction?"]

["Now that you have him, you can shut many people's mouths."]

["Tell me, am I not doing this for the sake of your Cao family?"]

[After Princess Huangfu Yu finished speaking, she looked at Cao Qingyi with a face full of smugness.]

[From Princess Huangfu Yu's perspective, this could be described as killing multiple birds with one stone.]

[First, it could roughly confirm that you are not Cao Qingyi's confidant, meaning the matter of the mysterious Soul Transformation cultivator is highly likely to be true.]

[Second, it could cut off the possibility of Cao Qingyi forming a marriage alliance with other great factions.]

[Cao Qingyi's face was gloomy, and she did not say much.]

[Princess Huangfu Yu smiled: "I have disturbed you much lately; I shall return to the capital tomorrow."]

["Sister, you must treat your brother-in-law well, otherwise I worry many people will still come to your Cao family seeking a marriage alliance."]

["At that time, I would feel that your Cao family... has ulterior motives."]

["Your Highness thinks too much. Our Cao family has always relied on the True Spirit Immortal Dynasty and has never harbored any rebellious intentions," Cao Qingyi said calmly.]

["I only believe what I see," Princess Huangfu Yu laughed.]

[You looked at Princess Huangfu Yu and deliberately asked: "Your Highness, what about me? After you leave, won't she kill me?"]

[You felt that such a question was what a normal Golden Core Cultivator should ask.]

[Princess Huangfu Yu looked at you with a smile, then at Cao Qingyi: "You are now her Dao Companion, how could she kill you? She should be happy beyond measure."]

["What does Your Highness mean by this?" you asked, pretending not to understand.]

[In fact, you also guessed that Cao Qingyi would not kill you.]

[Because Cao Qingyi needs you to block many things and many people for her.]

[For example, the covetousness from the Immortal Dynasty and other great factions.]

[Who wouldn't want to form a marriage alliance with the Cao family? After all, there is not only the fertile land of Tianyang City but also the Genius Cao Qingyi.]

[If Cao Qingyi could Cultivate with full concentration, her strength would definitely not be limited to the Early Nascent Soul Stage; many factions would surely be wary of her because of this.]

[Either obtain her or destroy her—this is the consensus of many cultivation factions.]

[You couldn't help but lament in your heart—]

[The tall tree attracts the wind.]

[In this world, it is not easy for anyone who wants to live well!]

[The next day,]

[Crown Prince Huangfu Hong and Princess Huangfu Yu indeed set off to leave.]

[You followed Cao Qingyi to see them off outside the city, watching Princess Huangfu Yu's spirit boat turn into a speck of light on the horizon, finally disappearing into the depths of the sea of clouds.]

[Watching the spirit boat disappear, you secretly speculated that even if Princess Huangfu Yu returned and reported truthfully—that there was indeed a Soul Transformation cultivator secretly plotting—the Old Ancestor of the Immortal Dynasty might not necessarily risk himself easily.]

[You couldn't help but remember when the ruins opened last time, Liu Xuanyin only went there as a primordial spirit clone.]

[Even Liu Xuanyin from the Liu Clan Immortal Family was so cautious, let alone these people on Tianyang Star?]

[Could it be that last time, those three Old Ancestors of Tianyang Star were actually present? Just hiding their identities and mingling as ordinary attendants?]

[After all, these three are all Void Refinement Mighty Ones, and condensing a primordial spirit clone is just a matter of lifting a hand.]

[In fact, the three of them haven't shown their traces for over a thousand years, so the Three Great Factions are actually managed by the Emperor of the True Spirit Immortal Dynasty, the Sect Master of the Piaomiao Sect, and the Cult Leader of the Divine Dragon Cult—these three Soul Transformation powerhouses.]

[Thinking about it, it's quite reasonable.]

[If it were you, having cultivated to such a Realm, you would likely also hide behind the scenes and push forward a spokesperson to handle affairs on the front stage.]

[Even if there are changes, the spokesperson will bear the brunt.]

[Regarding this, you were actually much more at ease.]

[After all, you told yourself that as long as you don't encounter a Void Refinement Mighty One, you are safe no matter what.]

[And on this vast Tianyang Star, only those three are in the Void Refining Realm.]

[Your luck shouldn't be so bad that you happen to run into them.]

[That being said, you still have to hide your strength.]

[After all, these "old foxes" might be hiding somewhere secretly observing Tianyang City.]

[Moreover, with this incident recently, those three old fellows might personally come to investigate the truth.]

[Furthermore, the movements of these Void Refinement Mighty Ones are not something you can detect right now.]

[After all, the gap in strength is simply too large.]

[I'm afraid even if they walked past you, you would have no way of knowing.]

[Just like when you first met Liu Jinfeng and Uncle Cheng—because your cultivation was still shallow, you failed to see through the hidden aura that was higher than your own.]

[Just like Cao Qingyi and Princess Huangfu Yu right now—they think they are the ones playing the game, but they don't know that you are the one truly standing outside the board.]

[Thinking of this, you couldn't help but think of City Lord Cao Ruide.]

[You suspected that even if Tianyang City collapsed, Cao Ruide might not necessarily show himself.]

[You even suspected that Cao Ruide was hiding somewhere and might not even be in Tianyang City at all.]

[While your thoughts were flying, Cao Qingyi's voice suddenly rang out.]

["What are you thinking about?"]

[Her sharp gaze was staring dead at you.]

[Meeting her cold gaze, your body couldn't help but tremble, and you couldn't help but recall her from last night... she was like a completely different person from now.]