Chapter 161: Third Princess Zhao Zhen

After digging up that clump of red mud, Yan Buji stored it away; this kind of Spiritual Material has no other use, but it is suitable for cultivating some spiritual herbs.

After walking around, Yan Buji didn't find anything good nearby; it seems today's luck is limited to that clump of red blood mud.

"Can't lose the big for the small, let's leave quickly."

Yan Buji had just descended the mountain and was about to leave when he suddenly sensed a gaze watching him from the shadows.

His heart remained unmoved, and he continued down the mountain.

The gaze seemed to relax, and Yan Buji instantly turned, activated Instant Shadow Step, and in a flash seized it:

"Who?!"

"Ah!"

Hmm?

Woman?

Yan Buji was startled for a moment, then realized the black‑clad figure he had grabbed was actually a woman, and also a mortal?!

"Stop, stop, let go, let go! I'm not a cultivator, I'm with you!" The woman, whose shoulder Yan Buji had grabbed, cried out in pain and hurriedly shouted.

Yan Buji released her, squinted, and asked, "Who exactly are you?"

"I... I am... with you lot~"

Yan Buji inhaled deeply, "If you dare babble again, I will take your life."

The black‑clad person rolled her eyes helplessly, pulled off her mask, and said, "I am the Third Princess Zhao Zhen of the Gen Dao Imperial Court."

Third Princess Zhao Zhen?!

Yan Buji's pupils narrowed as he saw her face and the martial skill she bore; he hadn't expected his original target to appear right before him like this.

Zhao Zhen looked at Yan Buji and curiously asked, "You are Hu Yan Feng, right?"

"I am, but this is not a place for Her Highness the Third Princess. I don't know how you entered without being discovered; now I will safely escort you out."

"Oh."

Zhao Zhen curiously glanced around, seeming very interested in this treasure‑dragon area.

However, she didn't cause a scene, and she didn't seem to be an ignorant person.

It's just that I don't know how she ended up here.

Yan Buji led Zhao Zhen, and although he had contemplated scheming to seize her Six Orifices Delicate Heart, now was not a good time.

Besides, she is not his current target, so there's no need to act now.

As they walked, Zhao Zhen suddenly asked, "Did the Emperor send you here for the bones on that mountain?"

"Bones?" Yan Buji wore a puzzled expression.

"Yes, isn't it said that a dragon is buried here? Dragon bones are very important."

Dragon bones...

Could it be inside that great hall?

Yan Buji's mind stirred, and he said calmly, "How does the Third Princess know about this?"

"I... should I tell you how I know?"

"Then why did the Third Princess come here?"

"I'm just curious about what peculiar things lie in the place my father constantly thinks of," Zhao Zhen pursed her lips, looking indifferent.

Peculiar?

Probably more than that, right?

Yan Buji squinted; now was not the time for platitudes.

The fact that this Third Princess inexplicably followed and wasn't detected already indicates something amiss.

Her current demeanor is just like the nervousness of someone searching for treasure and being spotted.

But relying on her status, she assumes Yan Buji won't dare act, so she is brazen.

Yan Buji suddenly spoke, asking, "May I ask if the Third Princess knows what the dragon bones are used for?"

"Hmm? Don't you know?"

"If I knew, I wouldn't ask. After all, they're legendary divine artifacts; how could we possibly know?"

Zhao Zhen smiled proudly, "Indeed, if you knew, you'd probably go crazy searching for it. It is said that these dragon bones can be refined into a Dragon‑Changing Pill for Heavenly Being Realm cultivators to perform hair‑plucking and marrow‑washing."

Yan Buji felt no ripple inside, knowing her claim was likely false, though her act was quite convincing.

However, outwardly Yan Buji was greatly shocked: "It can actually let Heavenly Being Realm cultivators perform hair‑plucking and marrow‑washing?! Does this Dragon‑Changing Pill truly have such divine effect? We already underwent a hair‑plucking and marrow‑washing when breaking through the Heavenly Being Realm, how could we do it again?"

"Haha, this is a secret formula left by ancient warriors; how could you possibly know? Moreover, if you could perform hair‑plucking and marrow‑washing again, perhaps you'd be called a true Martial Dao cultivator."

Oh.

So, this Dragon‑Changing Pill is most likely a pill that can cause Heavenly Being Realm cultivators to birth True Essence, right?

It's not surprising that ancient warriors possessed such a formula, but even if it's real, her purpose is certainly not that.

Too fake.

Her smile, her words, reveal a clumsy loophole, as if telling you she's indeed lying, yet when you think about it, it seems she truly came for the dragon bones.

In other words, she hides her real aim while exposing the dragon bones' existence; to her, the bones are less important than what she seeks.

Yan Buji pondered for a while, but the information he obtained was still too scant.

Since this Third Princess appeared today, there should be chances to encounter her again later.

"By the way, Hu Yan Feng, are the deeds you did within Huang Du truly for the common folk?" Zhao Zhen suddenly asked.

"World affairs belong to the world, not to a single household. In the past, I would worry that the court couldn't care for the dawn's commoners, but now it is for the great righteousness of the people," Yan Buji said calmly.

Zhao Zhen looked at Yan Buji and suddenly smiled, "Good then, I was worried you were doing this deliberately for fame and profit."

"Hmph, if everyone in the world values fame and profit, who would consider these countless beings?" Yan Buji snorted coldly.

So it would be good if there were more people like you in the world.

Yan Buji was about to say something when he suddenly sensed something was off.

Wait!

What?

Yan Buji hastily pulled Zhao Zhen aside, instinctively hiding in a patch of grass, and looked ahead.

Don't make a sound, someone's coming!

Zhao Zhen froze for a moment, then quickly nodded.

Wait, didn't the Baocheng Emperor consider that cultivators might come to check Baolong Land, or is something wrong elsewhere?

Seeing several Lianqi Phase cultivators flying toward them, Yan Buji's heart leapt to his throat.

Five late-stage Lianqi cultivators?!

We're done; if discovered, death is certain.

Yan Buji took a deep breath, and the Breath-Restraint Technique was activated to the extreme.

Zhao Zhen also held their breath and focused, the whole body seeming to turn into stone; in the blink of an eye, Yan Buji saw shock flash in his eyes.

Zhao Zhen turned their head and blinked.

What's going on? Why has the formation in Baolong Land failed?

Could it be because of that earthquake? I heard a few Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators have been causing trouble, and now each faction has sent people to hunt them down.

Then do we really need to be here?

I don't know, but just in case we should search the vicinity thoroughly, lest any demonic cultivators sneak in and cause trouble.

The several Lianqi Phase cultivators exchanged glances, nodded, and each went their separate ways.

Hearing their words, Yan Buji likely realized this might be what the Baocheng Emperor had prepared.

Otherwise, what a coincidence that right after they arrived, an earthquake struck Lingyu and Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators started causing trouble?

But given that there are five Lianqi Phase cultivators here, there might be others; we'd better hurry back.

"Huyan Feng, you're impressive too—how did those cultivators not notice you?" Zhao Zhen looked at him in astonishment.

"Not as good as the Third Princess; even though my cultivation isn't high, I wasn't detected either." Yan Buji hinted at something.

After this incident, both could see that the other was somewhat unusual.