Master of Strange Dao

Yu Ziqing walked out of Jinlan Mountain, heading east. With a thought, the Kui Step shifted from passive accumulation to an active state.

As Yu Ziqing's thought shifted, he instantly vanished from his original position.

In a single breath, he was hundreds of miles away.

His speed was so fast that everything Yu Ziqing saw seemed to turn into streams of light.

The surroundings changed in an instant.

He stood there sensing for a moment, secretly amazed.

"What a powerful escape skill this is," he thought, "and it's different from the Void Escape Scroll."

The Void Escape Scroll traveled through the void, akin to taking a shortcut,

so it didn't place much strain on people; even mortals could use it.

However, this Kui Step explosion was a direct speed burst, even eliminating air resistance.

But it also created immense pressure due to the sheer speed explosion.

Covering hundreds of miles in a single breath, Yu Ziqing could feel some pressure.

At his current Sixth Tier realm, he estimated the pressure's limit might just be three to four thousand miles.

And considering that the faster he went, the pressure would likely increase geometrically,

his current endurance might only allow for two thousand miles in an instant.

Beyond that, his physical body might not withstand it.

Dispelling the Divine Skills, Yu Ziqing continued to accumulate power, maintaining a normal forward speed.

Three days later, Yu Ziqing arrived near the Capital City of Dali.

In a villa outside the capital, someone guided Yu Ziqing inside.

They served him tea and pastries. In less than a two-hour period, the Crown Prince of Dali walked in gracefully, dressed in a flame-colored long dress.

Engaging in such a close conversation for the first time, the Crown Prince sized up Yu Ziqing, feeling somewhat surprised.

How long had it been since he had reached the Sixth Tier in Body Cultivation?

He seemed to have just advanced, not yet completely stabilized, but even so, his Qi-Blood was already robust, far surpassing the usual Sixth Tier.

Rumors were already spreading outside that Jinlan Mountain had gained some prestige as the strongest place for Body Refinement.

Some even sought to become disciples of Jinlan Mountain.

The Crown Prince was always sensitive to such matters.

Even facing the hungry ghosts was already troublesome enough, and if Jinlan Mountain became famous for Body Refinement, the number of body cultivators in the world was certainly not small.

And in the army, even the most ordinary soldiers mostly practiced Body Refinement.

Now, the story of a Seventh Tier body cultivator from Jinlan Mountain defeating a Ninth Tier was considered an exaggeration, and the possibility of there being a Ninth Tier body cultivator on Jinlan Mountain hadn't spread yet.

Even so, some low-tier body cultivators had started saying that it would be great to become disciples of Jinlan Mountain.

Who knew what the future would hold?

With thoughts racing, the Crown Prince remained polite. After exchanging formalities, she gestured invitingly.

"Please have a seat, Young Master Qing. I am curious about the purpose of your visit."

"I'm here to discuss some matters with Dali on someone else's behalf.

Did you know Daqian is planning a northern expedition, Your Highness?"

"I haven't received any such news," the Crown Prince replied honestly, though an inkling formed in her mind.

"A prince of Daqian is personally visiting Dazhen, intending to join forces with them for a pincer attack on Dali."

The Crown Prince's expression didn't change as she looked at Yu Ziqing, signaling for him to continue.

"Emperor Zhen is willing to join hands with Dali to stage a grand show."

"Does this mean Emperor Zhen will make a move, yet without fierceness, allowing Dali to draw enough strength to fight Daqian?"

"Emperor Zhen is unwilling to wage a full-scale war, but the tension is unavoidable. This, Your Highness should know.

Once engaged, it would mean going all out. Dali, fighting both Divine Dynasties, would also have to guard against threats from the East Sea.

The territory swallowed previously would definitely have to be regurgitated, and what's more, much of its original territory would be lost as well.

It must choose to lose either the northern or southern part."

"Presently, if Dali returns half of the land lost to Dazhen in the east, Dazhen would not step over the Thunder Pond.

This would afford Dali enough strength to contend with Daqian.

Daqian would undoubtedly dispatch heavy troops because Emperor Qian needs to exhaust resources, allowing everyone to recuperate and build strength."

The Crown Prince's face remained composed, though she understood Yu Ziqing's logic.

The question wasn't about Dali and Dazhen's move; it was about Daqian's inevitable action.

Emperor Qian planned to enter seclusion, but to do so comfortably, he had to deplete Dali's accumulated strength first.

Otherwise, his seclusion would not be peaceful.

Dali had the choice to either agree and muster strength against Daqian or face both Dazhen and Daqian.

The fact that Emperor Zhen could invite someone from Jinlan Mountain to intervene already signified part of Jinlan Mountain's stance.

She wasn't concerned about Dazhen or Daqian because she understood why.

Once Daqian approached Dazhen, Emperor Zhen would have a strong card in hand, ensuring a win-win situation.

Her only question was why Jinlan Mountain wanted to involve itself.

Yu Ziqing fell silent, quietly observing the Crown Prince.

If the Crown Prince of Dali agreed to return that half of lost land to Dazhen.

The eastern half of the lost territory was fertile and not as cold as the western half, with abundant water flow.

It would undoubtedly offer Dazhen a chance to breathe, even if the weather continued to cool, and the icy lands kept expanding southward, Dazhen could still cope.

Furthermore, by agreeing to this matter, avoiding a large-scale conflict with Dazhen.

An all-out war among the Three Divine Dynasties, entangling all global powers and escalating into a world war, could certainly be avoided.

The potential connection of climate change to Dali would diminish significantly.

"Agreeing to this matter poses no problem; I can make this decision.

I just have one question. Why does Jinlan Mountain want to get involved in this?"

The Crown Prince stared at Yu Ziqing, trying to discern the answer from his expression.

Yu Ziqing had mentioned only the east, north, and south directions of Dali, but not the west.

Yu Ziqing's presence here indicated that Dali had no other options.

Agreeing was the best choice.

"What if I say I merely wish to prevent the Three Divine Dynasties from descending into chaos,

dragging Jinlan Mountain along, thus transforming it into a world war? Would you believe me?"

Yu Ziqing spoke with genuine sincerity.

The Crown Prince smiled, examining Yu Ziqing.

"Very well, I can represent Dali in agreeing to this matter. The eastern half of the lost land can be returned to Dazhen.

However, the condition is that when you feel you can tell me the real reason in the future, you must do so."

"Agreed, no problem."

This time, Yu Ziqing answered with much more solemnity.

Watching the Crown Prince of Dali walk away, Yu Ziqing mused internally.

The issue of climate change and past events in the northern Wilderness likely had nothing to do with the Crown Prince, as she seemed unaware.

If she were involved and had inside knowledge, she certainly wouldn't have retreated a single step, adhering to previous stances with unwavering firmness.

The Crown Prince of Dali succeeding Emperor Li appeared imminent, and her ignorance further reduced the suspicion surrounding Emperor Li.

Therefore, the prime suspects now appeared to be either Emperor Qian or a certain Abyss Devil King.