Chapter 21: selfless dedication

Amidst the cheers and cries of the people behind him, Qin Jun couldn't help but feel moved. It seemed that he must ascend to the throne and lead the kingdom towards an era of peace and prosperity.

Although he wasn't a saint with an overflowing sense of justice, he couldn't bear to see the common people living in dire straits, because in his previous life, he was also an ordinary person.

"I didn't expect you to be the third prince, is it true?" Throughout the journey, Chang Qianqian kept asking this question, and Chang Hao also looked at Qin Jun with a complex expression. If Qin Jun was indeed a prince, he would be even more afraid to seek revenge.

"Of course it's true!" Qin Jun replied impatiently. Since his identity had been exposed, he wasn't afraid of Chang Qianqian finding out.

"Weren't you demoted?" Chang Qianqian blinked and asked. According to the kingdom's law, if the emperor committed a crime, he would be punished the same as a commoner. Therefore, Qin Jun should no longer be considered a prince.

Chang Hao's eyes lit up. That's right, this guy had been demoted. He was no longer a prince, just a prisoner being sent to the border for labor.

Damn it!

A prisoner dared to be so arrogant!

Countless thoughts surged in Chang Hao's mind as he lowered his head, contemplating how to deal with Qin Jun.

"I will make amends," Qin Jun said nonchalantly. He planned to bring back Xiahou En's head, and his adoptive father, the emperor, should no longer give him a hard time.

If he still couldn't reconcile, then he wouldn't be polite!

With Daji and the Xiong Tian dog by his side, he dared to confront the entire Qianyue Kingdom.

The group soon left Qingtan City and arrived at the western city gate. They found that the soldiers guarding the city had all disappeared. Thinking back to Chen Shuli's earlier statement about the Cheng family forcibly collecting entrance fees, it seemed that the soldiers at each city gate were all under the Cheng family's control. Now that the Cheng family had fallen, those soldiers had fled upon hearing the news.

Since the Xuanling Sect was less than two days away, the group hastened their pace, hoping to arrive by tonight.

Although he wanted to immediately conduct skill inheritance, Chang Qianqian and Chang Hao were by his side, so he couldn't act freely. The Mythical System was his biggest trump card for establishing himself and must not be revealed, even if they were close.

...

As dusk approached, within the Lord's Mansion of Qingtan City.

"Father, I want to cultivate immortality. This time, I'm serious!" The charming Chen Miaoyin said to the spirited Chen Zhanjian.

At this moment, Chen Zhanjian was discussing the future governance of Qingtan City with Chen Shuli.

Although Chen Shuli lacked talent in cultivating Qi, he had exceptional political acumen. He had been advising Chen Zhanjian since he was fourteen, but only a few people knew about it.

"Tomorrow, I will arrange for a cultivator to teach you," Chen Zhanjian said without looking up. At this moment, he was elated. With the Cheng family defeated, Qingtan City was once again under his control, and he was eager to show his capabilities.

"No, I want to join one of the three major sects!" Chen Miaoyin said urgently.

"The three major sects?" Chen Zhanjian looked at her, his brows furrowed tightly.

"Yes, the three major sects are the strongest within the kingdom. I want to learn real spells there!" Chen Miaoyin said earnestly. She couldn't help but think of the appearance and demeanor of Qin Jun and the others, who had effortlessly dealt with the tyrannical Cheng family in Qingtan City.

She admired their strength and freedom.

Chen Zhanjian was about to object, but Chen Shuli suddenly spoke up, "Let her go. This world ultimately belongs to cultivators. If the Chen family wants to truly soar, it must have powerful cultivators to make an impact, just like the young master."

The young master he referred to was naturally Qin Jun.

Relying solely on Daji and the Xiong Tian dog, Qin Jun could act with impunity.

"But the three major sects..." Chen Zhanjian hesitated. In the Qianyue Kingdom, it was difficult to join the three major sects. Not only did it require talent, but the family's influence also had to be transferred to the sect. He didn't want to be in a subordinate position, and doing so could easily provoke the royal family.

"Who said she must go to the three major sects? She can go there, and you can go with her!" Chen Shuli said mysteriously, causing Chen Zhanjian to first furrow his brows, then show a look of astonishment.

That place was indeed stronger than the three major sects and had fewer rules!

However, that place didn't belong to the Qianyue Kingdom.

...

The sky was ablaze with the colors of sunset, and rows of white cranes flew through the clouds. Below, there were mountains and rivers, with mist swirling around, resembling a fairyland. Nestled among the mountains were palaces and pavilions. Looking out, one could faintly see many tiny figures flying in and out.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, Qin Jun gazed at the Xuanling Sect nestled among the mountains, his face filled with sighs of emotion.

Compared to the fantasy martial arts online games he played in his previous life, the scene before him was just as captivating, if not more real.

"We've finally arrived," Chang Qianqian exclaimed joyfully, and Chang Hao also breathed a sigh of relief.

Returning to the Xuanling Sect meant that he no longer had to endure Qin Jun's oppression!

"Ding! Completed the side quest—escort Chang Qianqian back to the Xuanling Sect, gaining 5000 experience points and a chance for skill inheritance!"

"Ding! Congratulations, the host has broken through to the fifth level of the Foundation Building stage!"

Two consecutive system prompts made Qin Jun smile. Not only did he level up, but he also gained another chance for skill inheritance.

"Alright, this is where we part ways. You two can go up now," Qin Jun waved his hand.

"Aren't you coming with us?" Chang Qianqian asked in surprise. She was deeply moved, as she hadn't expected Qin Jun to simply send her back to the sect without asking for any benefits.

Thinking back on their time together, her eyes couldn't help but well up with tears.

Deciding, she approached Qin Jun, took his hand, and walked up the mountain. This scene made Chang Hao's eyes well up with tears as well.

They were holding hands!

They were holding hands!

Chang Hao felt as if his heart was breaking, but with Daji and the Xiong Tian dog nearby, he didn't dare to act and could only grit his teeth as he watched Qin Jun's figure walk away.

"What are you doing?" Qin Jun hurriedly grabbed her. He was eager to inherit the skills now, and did not expect to ask for benefits.

"You will stay in Xuanling Sect tonight. I will talk to my father and have him prepare a generous gift, after all, I am his daughter!" Chang Qianqian assured, not considering how angry her father would be when she ran away from home.

A generous gift?

Upon hearing this, Qin Jun hesitated, but in Chang Qianqian's eyes, it seemed like a selfless attitude.

Based on her understanding these days, Chang Qianqian knew that Qin Jun was not a warm-hearted person.

He could be so selflessly dedicated to himself, could it be...

The more she thought about it, the more her little face turned crimson, looking especially beautiful against the twilight backdrop.

"Master, just agree, it's better than sleeping in the wild." Daji coquettishly pleaded, and Qin Jun had to agree.

And so, the group headed towards the gate of Xuanling Sect.

"I can't bear it. When we get to Xuanling Sect, I don't believe I can't deal with you! A prince who has been demoted is still so arrogant!"

Chang Hao looked at the figures of Qin Jun and Chang Qianqian ahead, his face extremely gloomy.

"Oh, and don't reveal my identity, including to your father," Qin Jun instructed Chang Qianqian, not wanting any complications.

"Okay," Chang Qianqian smiled. After returning to Xuanling Sect, the stone that had been hanging in her heart finally fell, and she no longer had to worry about encountering danger.