Daqian Martial Saint

In the aftermath of the Thunder Shocking Finger, Gu Qingchan’s court dress was left even more tattered, revealing large expanses of her fair skin. The hem of her skirt was shredded, leaving her pale thighs exposed.

Her face was flushed crimson. Her mouth was slightly agape, and her gaze was dazed and listless, as if she were wrestling with some intense desire.

Chen Ping’an glanced around, hesitating for a moment before finally stepping forward and lifting Gu Qingchan into his arms. Her skin felt feverishly hot, yet smooth and delicate to the touch.

After the series of fierce battles, the surrounding area was a scene of utter devastation. The location of the stone door was buried under rubble. Given Gu Qingchan’s current state, it was unrealistic to think they could wait until they got out and found a suitable place to tend to her. She couldn’t hold on that long.

Besides, even if she could wait, carrying her out like this would likely invite a great deal of trouble.

He hadn’t forgotten the fawning attitude the Cloud Concealing Sword, Feng Wuhen, had shown toward Gu Qingchan. The man’s adoration was practically written on his face. If Chen Ping’an simply carried her out in his arms, he didn’t need to guess how Feng Wuhen would react.

‘Perhaps the Cloud Concealing Sword, Feng Wuhen, is a true gentleman. As they say, desperate times call for desperate measures; maybe he won’t mind my actions too much. He might even thank me, for Gu Qingchan’s sake.’

But when it came to such matters, Chen Ping’an always preferred to assume the worst of people. Though he didn’t fear the Cloud Concealing Sword, Feng Wuhen, he had no desire to get entangled in any trouble—especially pointless trouble.

Of course, those were secondary concerns. The most important thing was that if he went out like this, he risked exposing his true strength.

‘If my strength were accidentally revealed… In the short term, the pros would absolutely outweigh the cons. A Grandmaster at the Mid-Jade Balance Stage at only twenty-two years old… what an astonishing, world-shaking talent that would be!?’

‘A talent like that would be considered the most monstrous of Demon Fiends, even in the entire Daqian Dynasty. With such a gift, my name would inevitably spread throughout the Daqian Realm, and for a time, my fame would be unmatched. Even in the Imperial Capital, the truly great clans and top-level nobles would extend an olive branch. I’d receive endless applause and praise. It would be a time when everyone in the world would know my name.’

‘But looking at the long run, revealing my full strength would certainly do more harm than good. Once I step onto a higher stage, I won’t just be facing the prodigies of my own generation, but also Powerhouses from older generations who have lived for who knows how many years.’

‘I’d be courted by various factions and enjoy all sorts of perks, but at the same time, I’d become a pawn in their power games. Caught in the crossfire between factions, my fate would be uncertain. I might live a glorious life, or I might die in some forgotten corner of the world.’

‘That kind of precarious existence isn’t what I want. Without true power of my own to back me up, no matter how glorious things seem on the surface, I could never be truly at ease. It would feel like living in a castle in the air, a beautiful but fragile dream bubble that could pop at any moment.’

‘I can accept being courted by factions, and I can accept playing their games. But I want my power to be my own, not something granted by the mercy of those above me. I want to be a player in the game, not a piece on the board, oblivious to its own role.’

To the west of the Ten Thousand Demon Blood Pool was a hidden stone chamber. Its stone door had been shattered during the fierce battle, leaving the entrance exposed. Chen Ping’an carried Gu Qingchan inside.