Chapter 32: Provoking Luo Cheng

Beneath the hazy moonlight and a gentle breeze, Ling Xuan’s confusion deepened.

As he channeled the essence of the "Spirit Snake Entwining the Moon," a phantom of a crimson, single-eyed snake flickered into existence, activating his identity badge. Within the badge, there was indeed a storage space, though it could only hold inanimate objects like clothing or food; sharp items like weapons could not be stored for fear of rupturing the space. The space was not large—only about nine square meters—which was more than enough for his necessities.

However, the badge was more than just a storage vessel. It displayed ethereal projections of treasures from the Imperial Heavenly Crafts Pavilion, such as the Phoenix-Winged Gilded Boring, the Prairie Fire Phoenix Spear, and the Beating-Drum Urn-Gold Hammer. It seemed to encompass all the creations of the Pavilion, including its rarest materials. Yet, these were merely projections, and even the military merit points required for redemption had not yet been marked. According to the head of the Imperial Heavenly Crafts Pavilion, these values would only appear once the Divine Emperor had finalized them.

The badge was a new treasure developed by the Pavilion, highly praised by the Divine Emperor. With the formation of the Demon-Conquering Army, the Emperor had granted permission for all troops to be issued these new badges to boost morale. More importantly, the badges could transmit information. This display required the sketching of a Shikigami phantom, which was the primary reason for injecting the essence of his Shikigami.

Seeing his own name on the badge, with the crimson, single-eyed snake floating like a cloud, Ling Xuan finally set his mind at ease; the aura of his "Spirit Snake Entwining the Moon" Shikigami would not leak out. As long as he did not use his merits to redeem those unique divine weapons, the phantom of the snake would not manifest on the projections of those armaments.

Realizing the badge’s functions, Ling Xuan grew increasingly suspicious. Could there really be someone else who had transmigrated like him? Otherwise, how could such modern technology appear in the Great Sui Divine Dynasty of the Ziyang Realm? Moreover, this technology was even more advanced than the modern world he had known in the Chiyang Realm, merging storage and communication into one small identity badge.

He quickly shared his discovery with Ye Ziyan, instructing her to use it normally and warning her that as long as she avoided redeeming rare items or unique divine weapons, she need not worry about the aura of her "Purple Phoenix" Shikigami being exposed.

Ye Ziyan’s beautiful eyes flashed with a violet light. "Are you certain?"

"My lady, rest assured. That Prairie Fire Phoenix Spear is as good as yours," Ling Xuan teased, pointing to his cheek. "But I’ll need a little reward first."

"Get lost!" Ye Ziyan retorted with feigned anger, throwing a kick at him.

Ling Xuan activated his "Mist-Veiled Cold Moon" footwork and nimbly dodged to the side. Outside the building, Hou Junji’s shout rang out: "What kind of thief dares to stir up trouble in the Imperial Physician Valley?"

The windows and doors on the third floor were thrown open instantly. Below, Hou Junji was locked in a fierce battle with a shadowy figure. The soldiers who had been bound were nowhere to be seen. Ling Xuan immediately activated his "Qi-Viewing Technique," but the vertical pupil of his Spirit Snake could only perceive a swirling mass of energy. He realized at once that the shadowy figure’s Shikigami had reached at least the Spirit Grade.

He didn't even bother activating his "Sound-Sensing Technique," knowing it would be useless. His current techniques could only detect the starlight and types of Mortal Grade Shikigami; once they reached the Spirit Grade, he was powerless.

Sun Tianxin quickly joined the fray, but to Ling Xuan’s surprise, even with the two of them working together, they were forced back by the shadow. With a flicker, Ye Ziyan joined, and in an instant, a flurry of kicks filled the air. From the balcony, Ling Xuan could only see four figures darting about. Ye Ziyan was agile, Sun Tianxin fought with calculated caution, and Hou Junji moved with fluidity; the three were gradually finding a rhythm.

Yet, the shadowy figure was incredibly strong. Facing two Qi-Sea stage cultivators and one Grand Heavenly Circuit master, he remained composed, even finding the leisure to glance toward Ling Xuan, appearing completely at ease. With a roar, the shadow swung his long sword, unleashing a burst of cold light that drove the three back.

Instead of fleeing, the shadow issued a provocation: "Is the useless heir to the Prince of Changping not going to come down and try his luck?"

*He knows my identity? Is he here for me?* Ling Xuan paused. He barely knew anyone in the army. He had been intentionally targeted during the day, and now someone was kidnapping people at night—they clearly held him in contempt. The taunt about being a "useless heir" confirmed his suspicions. Although the shadow kept his face covered, it was clear he had nothing to do with the Imperial Heavenly Crafts Pavilion; he obviously didn't want his true identity revealed.

The squad leader earlier had a wolf-type Shikigami. With Sun Tianxin’s reminder, it was highly likely these people came from the Youzhou camp or the Prince of Kaoshan’s Western Demon-Hunting Camp.

With a plan in mind, Ling Xuan retorted with a playful grin: "Provoking the Imperial Physician Valley will only increase the price. Remember, for every person you’ve let go, it will cost you two hundred military merit points within three days."

"Are you threatening me?" the shadow sneered coldly.

Ling Xuan raised his Purple Firmament Flute and chuckled. "Don't worry. The medical officers in every camp will surely help me track them down. Remember, my silver needles are not so easily pulled out."

*Silver needles? Those people still have silver needles in them?* The shadow didn't think much of it—what were a few tiny needles?

Sun Tianxin, as a needle master at the Imperial Medical Bureau, understood instantly. The Taiji Needle Technique relied on the practitioner’s precision; if the one who inserted them removed them, they could control the flow. But if an outsider pulled them out without knowing the secret, it would trigger a clash of Yin and Yang. He cupped his hands and warned: "Good sir, the Taiji Needle Technique is no trivial matter. If you pull them out incorrectly, you will suffer a depletion of both blood and Qi."

"Brother Sun, no need to say more," Ling Xuan said with a smirk. "And add this for him: his lower stance is unstable, and his kidney Qi is deficient!"

"You're the one with deficient kidney Qi!" the shadow roared in a rage.

Ling Xuan ignored him. "My lady, come back quickly. I’m hungry."

Ye Ziyan returned slowly, sighing, "What debt did I owe you in a past life?"

"Young Master, I will prepare food for you immediately," Hou Junji said, jumping back into the building.

Sun Tianxin looked grave. "Sir, you must take the young prince’s words to heart."

"A little 'useless' prince’s silver needles? What could be so impressive about them?" The shadow scoffed and turned to leave.

As soon as Sun Tianxin returned to the building, Ling Xuan asked, "Brother Sun, could you tell what kind of Shikigami he had?"

"His starlight is higher than mine, at least five stars," Sun Tianxin explained. "He is at the third level of the Qi-Sea, the Earth realm. Yet, judging by his complexion, he is even younger than the young prince."

Younger than him, yet possessing such martial talent that he had already reached the Earth realm of the Qi-Sea? Ling Xuan was stumped. Who could possibly be targeting him? He had only just arrived at the Demon-Conquering Camp. Given the squad leader’s behavior earlier, it was clear this was a premeditated plot.

Although Ye Ziyan’s interrogation of the recaptured soldiers yielded no information, the silence itself was the most telling clue. It meant those soldiers had been well-trained to keep their mouths shut. Such soldiers could only come from the Youzhou camp or the Twelve Great Camps of the Prince of Kaoshan.

Reflecting on the shadow’s words, he had shown total disdain for the title of "Heir to the Prince of Changping." If this were one of the Twelve Protectors of the Prince of Kaoshan, they would not be so rude, given the Prince's teachings.

Ling Xuan’s mind raced, and a name surfaced: *Could it be him?* The only person who fit the situation and was known for such arrogance was Luo Cheng, the heir to the Prince of Beiping. But the Prince of Changping’s estate had no ties to the Prince of Beiping’s estate, let alone a grudge. He had never even met Luo Cheng. He had originally intended to visit the Beiping estate with Hou Junji to see if Luo Cheng’s Shikigami was suffering from the same constraints, but Sun Tianxin’s description made that seem unlikely. If Luo Cheng’s Shikigami were truly constrained, his martial progress wouldn't be so rapid.

In comparison, Ye Ziyan had terrifying martial talent, but her "Purple Phoenix" Shikigami was bound by the Evil Curse of Profound Ice, preventing her from reaching her full potential. Otherwise, with her strength, she would be far beyond the Profound realm of the Qi-Sea.

Hou Junji’s "Little White Ape" was constrained, but Luo Cheng’s was not. Ling Xuan was increasingly convinced that someone else had transmigrated like him and was trying to change the course of history. But if Luo Cheng was stronger than Hou Junji and more famous, why was his Shikigami not constrained?

While Ling Xuan was lost in thought, back at the Youzhou camp, Luo Cheng was furrowing his brow. Upon inspecting the twenty-odd soldiers, he found they were indeed pierced with silver needles. But when he tried to pull one out, the soldier’s face turned pale and he coughed up blood. When he withdrew his hand, the soldier’s color returned, as if nothing were wrong.

Luo Cheng was shocked. "Could that useless prince actually have some tricks up his sleeve?"

Two hundred military merits per person was one thing, but to be told his kidney Qi was deficient? A cold, sharp light flashed in his eyes. "Insulting me? I won't let you get away with this."