CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 259 I’VE CAUGHT IT

This level of tacit understanding... they really don’t know each other? The three of them were deeply skeptical.

Chen Pingping calmly composed himself, his expression unreadable.

The Saintess obediently shut her mouth.

In the end, they still decided to go take a look, as that chicken was truly unique.

Hu Ming said gloomily, "Regardless, I can’t beat it."

「South Mountain!」

At a glance, overlapping mountain ranges stretched out, full of vitality. Although it wasn’t a famous mountain, nor a place related to cultivation, its scenery was indeed beautiful. It was only a hundred miles away from Liang City.

By the time the group arrived, many people were still around, and the sound of combat echoed from the mountains. Soon, someone activated their Divine Weapon.

Lan Xiuzhi was itching to act and was about to step into the mountains when Zhangsun Yige held her back from behind. He whispered, "Princess, it’s people from the Ancient Dynasty."

Clearly, the Earth Chicken’s appearance had caught their attention. Regrettably, by the time they arrived, the chicken had long since vanished without a trace.

"I’m not afraid!" Lan Xiuzhi said with a slight smile. Saying so, she took the lead and stepped into the mountains.

The fluctuations were strong. Both sides were Divine King-level powerhouses, and with Divine Weapons in play, Lan Xiuzhi, at her current cultivation realm, couldn’t get close. She could only watch from a distance.

"The genius of the Ancient Dynasty, Huang Mingzhi, and a prince from the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty... hmm, those two are at it again," Zhangsun Yige said with a laugh, touching his nose.

"They haven’t even spotted a single feather. What’s there to fight about?" Lan Xiuzhi shrugged, her face full of disdain. "You two go look around. If you spot that chicken, report back to me immediately."

Hu Ming’s face stiffened. "I’m not going!"

"Rebelling, are you?" Lan Xiuzhi glared at him. "You are the most outstanding young commander of the Thirteen Armies, and I am the State Preceptor’s only disciple. In the future, I will surely inherit command of the Thirteen Armies. Therefore, you would be defying a military order."

"..."

"Going or not?" she pressed.

"Let’s go, let’s go! It’s just a look around; we might not even see it. Besides, if we find it, we just report back, and it’ll be out of your hands," Zhangsun Yige consoled, promptly pulling him into the mountains.

Behind them, Lan Xiuzhi cracked a small smile and continued to watch the battle.

BOOM!

Suddenly, an Array erupted from the ground with a deafening sound.

"You—you dare launch a sneak attack?" the Heavenly Dragon Prince exclaimed.

"Nonsense! You probably set up this Array!" Huang Mingzhi retorted angrily. His Divine Weapon glinted. Without waiting for an explanation, he attacked again. "This young master will send you on your way right now!"

Lan Xiuzhi blinked and chuckled lightly. Interesting. Setting up an Array during combat... Hmm, but who set it up?

Neither of them would admit to it, and there was no sign of either controlling the Array. She couldn’t help but wonder.

The Array activated, and dense Sword Dao attacks slashed down from the Void, aiming for an indiscriminate slaughter.

Huang Mingzhi and the Heavenly Dragon Prince were bewildered. Their eyes widened as they were forced to stop fighting and retreat to opposite sides.

CLUCK! CLUCK! CLUCK!

In a corner, the chicken poked out its head, cackling so hard it was practically rolling.

The Saintess was shocked. It really is!

Lan Xiuzhi’s eyes brightened as she strode forward. To her surprise, the chicken also started walking towards her.

She was delighted, thinking she had attracted the Earth Chicken and earned its recognition.

However...

The Earth Chicken clucked and dashed straight towards Chen Pingping.

Chen Pingping was speechless.

BUZZ!

At that moment, a fierce sword light slashed down. Fortunately, Chen Pingping reacted quickly and dodged it immediately.

Jin Chan stepped out from the shadows, his expression cold as he stared at Chen Pingping. "Chicken, dog... Heh heh! You indeed come from the Heaven Martial Continent. Very good. What else do you have to say now?"

Chen Pingping cursed inwardly, Damn you, you blasted chicken! You won’t be satisfied until you get me killed, will you? He retaliated with a kick, pinning the Earth Chicken under his foot, and sneered, "Caught by my Star Absorbing Great Method! Did you still think you could escape?"

The Earth Chicken stared with wide eyes.

Chen Pingping added, "Princess, look, I’ve caught it. This chicken is too cunning."

HAHAHA!

Lan Xiuzhi burst out laughing. "Pingping, well done!" Although she had been a little taken aback just now, it didn’t affect her mood; as long as they could catch that chicken, it was all good.

CLUCK!

The Earth Chicken clucked resentfully, trying to break free.

"Don’t resist! Do you want to die?" Chen Pingping transmitted his voice. "This girl has the Phoenix Cauldron, a Heaven Tao Divine Weapon. The God within is the Divine Soul of your Ancient Phoenix clan’s ancestors, along with their essence blood, bones, and the like. Don’t resist. Follow her for this period and look for a chance to absorb it."

Seeing Jin Chan rush out, Chen Pingping instantly knew that if he handled this poorly, he would definitely be exposed. Luckily, he was quick-witted!

Chen Pingping picked up the Earth Chicken and casually tossed it towards Lan Xiuzhi.

The Earth Chicken was initially skeptical. Such a thing was too absurd—how could anyone in this world slay an Ancient Phoenix? She didn’t believe it.

But the moment her body touched Lan Xiuzhi, she instantly recognized that familiar aura fluctuation. Her heart trembled, and she stared fixedly at the princess.

Jin Chan: "???"

Star Absorbing Great Method? He caught it? Watching Chen Pingping’s convincing performance, Jin Chan was stunned. He only now recovered, his face stiffening. "That chicken is yours! You two are putting on an act!"

"Jin Chan, that’s enough," Lan Xiuzhi reprimanded.

"Are you out of your mind? This fellow is deceiving you! He’s from the Heaven Martial Continent! That chicken, that dog, they all are..." Jin Chan was going mad.

He was almost certain. It was that chicken that had cut off his Divine Sense multiple times. And it was that dog that had twice severely injured him through the Spatial Barrier. And this Chen Pingping before him was the main culprit; he came from the Heaven Martial Continent.

But Lan Xiuzhi wouldn’t believe it, insisting on protecting him. What could he do? This girl possessed the Phoenix Cauldron; he couldn’t defeat her.

Lan Xiuzhi said coldly, "What Heaven Martial Continent? What chicken, what dog? I don’t understand. All I know is that you’ve repeatedly tried to kill Pingping. Heh... Are you trying to provoke me, the princess?"

Jin Chan trembled.

"Besides, the Spatial Barrier is intact. How could someone from the Heaven Martial Continent possibly enter the Spirit Realm?" Lan Xiuzhi continued. "You’re supposed to be a young genius of the Purple Gold Divine Clan. Don’t you even possess this basic common sense?"

Chen Pingping sighed lightly. "Brother Jin Chan, your misunderstanding of me runs too deep. Forget it, forget it. Little Princess, he’s only trying to look out for you!"

"Nonsense!" Lan Xiuzhi retorted angrily. "Pingping, you’re just too kind and inexperienced with the world; you don’t know how treacherous people’s hearts can be. Let me tell you, people like Jin Chan might seem decent on the surface, but they’re actually incredibly scheming. Don’t be fooled by him!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Chen Pingping didn’t dare to contradict her, feeling a little panicked inwardly. He was a schemer too. Just moments ago, he had maneuvered the Earth Chicken into her embrace, intending for it to absorb the Ancient Phoenix from within the Phoenix Cauldron.

COUGH! COUGH!

The Saintess, looking on, couldn’t stand it anymore. Although she wasn’t entirely clear on the reasons, she was sure of one thing: Chen Pingping was plotting against the Little Princess.

Kind? Inexperienced? Unaware of how treacherous people’s hearts can be?

The corner of the Saintess’s mouth twitched as she recalled their time in the Central Continent.

Not far away, Jin Chan trembled with rage. His eyes, practically shooting flames, were fixed on Chen Pingping. The killing intention emanating from him was like a ten-thousand-foot wave, vast and tumultuous.

"I challenge you! Do you dare to accept?" The short sentence, every word, seemed to be squeezed through clenched teeth. His killing intent was chillingly palpable.