Chapter 982: Chapter 982: Superior Spiritual Artifact

    Ye Lingyi heard his words and was filled with disbelief, practicing for less than a year? This person really knows how to boast.

    Approximately six minutes later, the Qingluan carriage landed in the depths of the royal palace, in the West Garden.

    Stepping off the carriage, Ye Lingyi said, “Mr. Qin, please follow me.”

    Qin Hao walked beside her, passing through corridors and palaces. The royal palace was heavily guarded, with checkpoints every three steps and sentries every five steps, all at the very least at the Grandmaster Realm—a truly terrifying sight.

    And those were just the visible sentries; there were even more hidden ones, with greater strength.

    After walking for a long time, Ye Lingyi led Qin Hao into a palace that looked like a study, with an ancient wooden table and a dragon chair, completely void of people otherwise.

    Qin Hao looked at Ye Lingyi with a puzzled expression, “Princess Lingyi, weren’t you saying the Emperor wanted to see me?”

    Ye Lingyi, with nimble steps, walked over and sat on the dragon chair, “My father had some insights recently and is currently in seclusion for cultivation. All state affairs, big and small, are secretly handled by me.”

    Qin Hao was taken aback, “So what does Princess Lingyi want with me?”

    Ye Lingyi looked at him and said, “Nothing much, I just wanted to see how courageous you are, whether you dared to come. It seems Mr. Qin indeed has a straightforward personality. Aren’t you afraid of not being able to leave the royal palace?”

    “Since I dared to come, I naturally have the confidence to escape.” Qin Hao’s tone was calm but exuded a strong sense of self-assurance.

    Ye Lingyi’s eyes flashed with a hint of curiosity at his words, “Really? With the palace’s heavy restrictions, checkpoints every three steps, sentries every five steps, I wonder how Mr. Qin plans to escape?”

    Qin Hao: “If Princess Lingyi wants to try, you can naturally feel free to test it.”

    Ye Lingyi’s aura suddenly shifted, “Mr. Qin thinks I wouldn’t dare? Just the words you’ve said are enough for a death sentence.”

    Qin Hao glanced at her nonchalantly and found a chair to sit down.

    Ye Lingyi: “Mr. Qin, this is the royal palace, this is the study room, not a place you can sit as you please.”

    Qin Hao ignored her, examining the items in the study room.

    “Swoosh”

    Ye Lingyi’s figure vanished from the original spot and reappeared in front of Qin Hao, her index and middle fingers together, pointing at Qin Hao’s chest.

    Qin Hao reacted extremely quickly, his right hand shot out like lightning, just in time to grasp Ye Lingyi’s two jade fingers.

    Ye Lingyi’s expression changed slightly, attempting to withdraw, but her fingers were gripped tightly by Qin Hao and wouldn’t budge.

    “Bang”

    The jade bracelet on her arm suddenly emitted light, a blade light shot out, slashing towards Qin Hao’s arm.

    Qin Hao’s eyes gleamed with sword light, gathering Sword Qi to fend off the blade light.

    Ye Lingyi’s face turned slightly cold, unleashing a formidable power from within. Qin Hao instantly released her arm, retreating, looking at her with some astonishment.

    “Mr. Qin’s strength is indeed terrifying.” Ye Lingyi looked at him, a hint of battle intent flashing in her beautiful eyes.

    If not for the fact that it was in the study room, she would have had a proper spar with Qin Hao to see just how strong he was.

    Qin Hao looked at her and said, “Does Princess Lingyi have anything else? If not, I should be heading back; it’s already dark, and I need to rest.”

    Ye Lingyi smiled faintly, “Mr. Qin, there’s no need to hurry, I have already arranged for an evening banquet, feel free to dine here tonight.”

    “No need.” Qin Hao directly refused.

    Ye Lingyi: “Most people would jump at the chance, don’t refuse so quickly, Mr. Qin.”

    Qin Hao wasn’t sure what she was up to, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

    Seeing his insistence on leaving, Ye Lingyi felt a bit displeased. In the entire royal city, countless people wished to dine with this princess, yet this guy outright refused. Does this princess have no charm?

    She spoke again, “Since Mr. Qin insists, then please go ahead. I hope you can act more low-key in the future, your personality offends people too easily, usually, those who live long are more tactful.”

    Qin Hao: “I’m sorry, I was born stubborn, can’t act tactfully.”

    Ye Lingyi almost choked on his words, this princess was kindly reminding you, yet you don’t appreciate it: “You should leave quickly, someone outside will escort you out.”

    ...

    Qin Hao left the study room, and someone escorted him towards the exit of the royal palace. After about half an hour, Qin Hao returned to his residence.

    Inside the room, Gao Linglong, Dong Mengqi, Xian Yin, and Ling’er were seated, and seeing Qin Hao return, they hurriedly stood up.

    “Why is everyone here?” Qin Hao asked, somewhat surprised.

    Gao Linglong looked at him and inquired, “Are you alright?”

    “What could happen to me?” Qin Hao replied with a faint smile.

    Gao Linglong: “The way you spoke, I thought the Emperor would kill you.”

    “To kill me, they would need the ability.”

    Dong Mengqi stood up and said, “Since Mr. Qin is fine, I’ll take my leave.”

    Qin Hao nodded slightly, “Mm, take care, Miss Dong.”

    After seeing Dong Mengqi off, back in the room, Gao Linglong curiously asked, “What did the Emperor say to you?”

    Qin Hao: “I didn’t see the Emperor, I only met Princess Lingyi.”

    Gao Linglong was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood, “Is Princess Lingyi testing you?”

    “Does this Princess Lingyi have the Emperor’s favor?” Qin Hao asked with curiosity.

    Gao Linglong nodded, “You could say she is the most favored by the Emperor, her cultivation talent is extremely high, the highest among the Princes and Princesses, known as the number one young expert of the royal city. It is said she broke through to the Grandmaster Realm at fifteen—her talent is indeed terrifying.”

    Qin Hao understood a bit more, it was no wonder this Ye Lingyi could handle various state affairs on behalf of the Emperor.

    “By the way, have you had dinner yet?” Qin Hao felt a bit hungry.

    “Not yet, I’ll have someone bring it up shortly.” Gao Linglong replied.

    A few minutes later, a sumptuous dinner was delivered, and the four of them ate while chatting,

    Gao Linglong took out the bell, “Mr. Qin, this bell is too valuable, I can’t accept it.”

    Qin Hao: “It pales in comparison to the favor Mr. Gao granted me. Accept it, it’s of no use to us.”

    Saying this, he remembered the Purple Pattern Elixir Furnace and took it out from the storage space, handing it to Xian Yin, “This is a Spiritual Artifact, the Purple Pattern Elixir Furnace, use it for Alchemy in the future.”

    Gao Linglong and Xian Yin were stunned, initially, Xian Yin felt a bit of loss seeing Qin Hao give Gao Linglong a gift, but now seeing Qin Hao giving something to her, she was overjoyed, although she didn’t show it on her face, “Master, is this also Spiritual Energy?”

    “Yes, it’s a top-grade Spiritual Artifact, arguably the highest-grade Alchemy Furnace.”

    Gao Linglong was shocked, “A top-grade Spiritual Artifact Alchemy Furnace? That’s extremely rare not just in the Skyfire Dynasty but also across the entire Southern Continent.”

    “Thank you, Master.” Xian Yin didn’t refuse, accepting it with a beaming smile.