SWNOVELXO Chapter 344: Yingfeng Pavilion and Thunderbolt Slope
Chapter 344: Yingfeng Pavilion and Thunderbolt Slope
After spending the night at Marquis Qin’s estate, Xu Lian left early in the morning. Crossing through space, he arrived at Ning Meixue’s manor located in the outskirts of the imperial capital.
He found Ning Meixue waiting for him in the warm pavilion. Clearly, she had arrived the previous night and was already anticipating his arrival.
With no reason to delay, he entered the pavilion promptly. A morning nap was essential to recover from the events of the previous day.
At noon, they finally got up.
Ning Meixue, her mood light and cheerful, giggled softly. “Junior Brother really shined at the banquet last night. You defeated Zhao Ming in his strongest area – alchemy.”
“That means we no longer need to kill Zhao Ming. I’m sure Master and the Fifth Prince have taken note of your performance. They will surely entrust you with important responsibilities in the future.”
Xu Lian replied, “Senior Sister, you’ve endured so much all these years, meticulously plotting to eliminate Senior Brother Zhao Ming in order to pave the way for me. How could I not want to be with you?”
“Even though I didn’t think of eliminating Zhao Ming myself, I knew that my alchemy skills weren’t refined enough to earn Master’s favor. So I quietly focused on studying day and night, honing my craft. Eventually, I made significant progress and seized the opportunity at last night’s banquet to showcase my skills in front of the Fifth Prince and Master.”
In essence, it was a mutual journey toward this outcome – who wouldn’t be moved?
Sure enough, upon hearing these words, Ning Meixue’s autumn-like eyes reddened and tears welled up. She was deeply moved. “All these years… Junior Brother, you’ve suffered so much.”
Xu Lian softly responded, “For Senior Sister, everything is worth it.”
The atmosphere reached its peak, leaving no choice but to take an afternoon rest.
In the evening…
Ning Meixue finally found the chance to ask curiously, “Last night’s grand finale – the ten strands of Origin Tracing Light – were clearly prepared by the Fifth Prince specifically for Zhao Ming. How did you manage to guess its contents?”
Xu Lian explained, “This box was forged from Northern Yin Cold Iron, which can block mental probes. However, it is ineffective against advanced ocular techniques. In order to better identify medicinal herbs and improve my alchemy, I cultivated a special eye technique. Unexpectedly, it proved useful, allowing me to see through the box and discover the ten strands of Origin Tracing Light inside.”
Ning Meixue couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, “Truly, heaven rewards diligence. Perhaps even Heaven saw your hard work and gave you such a perfect opportunity to show off your ocular technique.”
Xu Lian chuckled. “It wasn’t my diligence that moved the heavens – it was my devotion to Senior Sister. That’s why I was given this chance to shine.”
“Junior Brother grows more and more eloquent,” Ning Meixue teased, lightly hitting him, though her expression betrayed her delight.
To be honest, Qin Feng’s introverted personality didn’t lend itself to such flirtatious remarks. However, Xu Lian didn’t worry about it. His relationship with Ning Meixue had already reached the stage of Dao companionship, so saying something beyond his usual character was perfectly normal. Besides, now that “Qin Feng” was basking in success and newfound confidence, a slight change in his demeanor wouldn’t raise any eyebrows.
The night passed with meaningful conversation.
The next day…
Xu Lian returned to the imperial capital and made his way to the Yingfeng Pavilion.
During the banquet at the Fifth Prince’s residence the night before, a beautiful palace maid who served him wine had slipped him a spirit stone engraved with the words “Yingfeng Pavilion”. Obviously, this was where First Prince had arranged to meet him.
The Yingfeng Pavilion wasn’t a famous establishment, it was just an inconspicuous tavern. It seemed like the First Prince had deliberately chosen this place to avoid attracting attention.
This suited Xu Lian perfectly. He didn’t want anyone to know about his meeting with the First Prince either, as he was aligned with the Fifth Prince’s faction. Meeting with the First Prince would make a bad impression. Moreover, after Qin Feng’s stellar performance the previous night, he was currently in the spotlight, attracting considerable attention. Caution was imperative.
He found a private room, ordered a jug of wine and some side dishes, and began to eat quietly.
After about half an hour, just as Xu Lian was getting impatient, the innkeeper entered the room carrying a rather large flat bread.
She smiled as she placed it in front of Xu Lian. “Young Master Qin, this is a complimentary specialty dish from our establishment. Please enjoy it.”
With that, she turned around and left, swaying her slender waist like a snake.
Xu Lian was stunned. After pondering for a moment, he used his chopsticks to pry open the flatbread. Inside, he found steaming hot chicken soup, and nestled within the soup was a spirit stone engraved with the words: “Outskirts of the Imperial Capital, Thunderbolt Slope.”
“This First Prince is truly cautious,” Xu Lian muttered to himself.
He picked up the spirit stone, wiped it clean with a cloth from the table, and then stored it away. Rising from his seat, he left the private room. After settling the bill, he departed from the Yingfeng Pavilion.
Crossing through space, he arrived at the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
Although he didn’t know the exact location of Thunderbolt Slope, with his cultivation at the eighth stage of Origin Tracing, it was simple enough to scan the area with his senses. He soon discovered a charred earthen slope, and standing beneath it was a figure clad in plain clothing-none other than the First Prince, his “pen pal”.
Xu Lian descended directly before the First Prince.
The First Prince looked at him deeply. “You have arrived.”
Xu Lian suppressed a smile and calmly replied, “I have arrived.”
The Crown Prince studied him for a moment before slowly shifting his gaze to the scorched slope.
As if speaking to Xu Lian, yet also muttering to himself, he began, “This world is truly wondrous, shrouded in countless mysteries. Take this Thunderbolt Slope, for example. It is a small mound of earth, yet for some unknown reason, it constantly attracts lightning strikes.
Even beings as powerful as Supreme Experts have been unable to crack this slope.
What is hidden inside? It’s a question that has sparked endless speculation. Countless people have investigated it over countless years, yet no one has uncovered its secrets. In time, interest waned, and now no one cares.
And yet it remains here, standing firm through the ages, unyielding and indestructible”.
Xu Lian was startled, nearly tempted to pull out the Sword of Destruction and strike at the slope – but he managed to restrain himself. If he were to reveal it, his identity would be instantly exposed. The First Prince would panic and flee, reporting to the Qian Dynasty officials that the Holy Son of the Ninth Heaven had infiltrated their realm with evil intentions!
Aside from being curious about what lay within Thunderbolt Slope, Xu Lian also pondered the deeper meaning behind the Crown Prince’s words. After a brief moment of thought, unable to decipher it, he decided not to dwell on it any further.
Instead, he responded indifferently, “Not only is the world wondrous, but the times we live in are equally bizarre. On the stage of competition for the position of Crown Prince, the Fifth Prince clearly broke the rules, yet His Majesty still declared him the victor. Your Highness is truly unfortunate.”
The Crown Prince frowned. “You are the second legitimate son of Marquis Qin. Marquis Qin’s faction supports my fifth brother. Since he won, shouldn’t you be basking in your success? Why did you invite me here?”
Xu Lian looked at him curiously. “Yesterday on the stage, I merely saw you in a pitiful state and offered you a word of comfort. When did I invite you? Wasn’t it you who invited me?”
“…” The First Prince was speechless. It seemed that he had overthought things.
He grumbled, “Victors write history, I don’t need pity!”
Xu Lian replied, “I didn’t pity you. For two thousand years, I’ve been overshadowed by Senior Brother Zhao Ming, unable to gain Master Chi Sui’s favor. In you, I see a reflection of my former self, so I offered a few words of encouragement.”
The First Prince was silent for a moment before he said, “I heard about what happened at my fifth brother’s banquet last night. You kept quiet until the right moment, and then you stunned everyone by surpassing Zhao Ming in alchemy. Both my fifth brother and Master Chi Sui must now see you in a new light.”
Xu Lian smiled faintly. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
The First Prince stared at him, lost in thought, murmuring unconsciously, “For those who strive with all their heart, heaven will not forsake them.”
These words seemed to give him some encouragement. Slowly he clenched his fists, only to release them moments later. With a sigh, he said, “I understand this principle very well. But the position of Crown Prince has already been decided. I no longer have a chance. At best, I’ll become an idle prince who depends on my Fifth Brother’s goodwill for cultivation resources.”
Xu Lian gazed into the distance, his eyes deep and contemplative. “For two thousand years, I was oppressed by Zhao Ming. Do you know how I endured those two millennia?
Day and night, I worked tirelessly to hone my alchemical skills. Finally, I succeeded and seized the opportunity at last night’s banquet to showcase my skills.
I achieved my goal. Why can’t you do the same?”
These words made the First Prince’s body tremble. His eyes gradually turned red.
Seizing the moment, Xu Lian continued to push. “I am only the second legitimate son of a marquis, while you are the eldest son of the emperor – a full-blooded Crown Prince. Are you really inferior to the second son of a mere noble family?”
The First Prince snapped angrily, “Qin Feng, watch your tongue!”
Xu Lian bowed respectfully, lowering his head. “If Your Highness doesn’t want to hear the truth, then I won’t say any more. Farewell.”
With that, he turned around as if to leave.
“Stop!”
As expected, the First Prince called him back.
A flicker of a smile appeared on Xu Lian’s lips, but it quickly faded. Turning back, he calmly asked, “Does Your Highness have something else to say?”
The First Prince clutched his hair in anguish, collapsing helplessly onto the ground. His bloodshot eyes fixed on Xu Lian as he pleaded, “What must I do to change my fate, just as you have done?”