Chapter 227: Blockade

Earlier, when studying the map, He Pingsheng had thought that, flying on a sword within the same Shangdang Commandery, traveling from Shenjiang Mountain to Lishan would take at most two days.

But in reality, he overestimated his own speed.

And underestimated the distance between the two places.

After repeatedly consuming several doses of Golden Bee Sacred Juice over roughly five days, He Pingsheng finally saw the so-called 【Lishan】.

During those five days of flight, He Pingsheng didn't idle—he secretly strengthened the 【Jinlan Treasure Robe】 in the Treasure Basin each night, but the strengthening yielded nothing.

The item's level was too high to be strengthened, and it couldn't be split into two.

Upon arriving at Lishan, He Pingsheng's face turned dark.

Because too much time had passed.

Four days had already passed since the closure of Shenjiang Mountain.

What had happened during those four days?

If the Dragon Abyss couldn't find the Great Destiny-Bearer, what methods would it use?

Unknown!

Completely unknown.

He Pingsheng's greatest fear was that the entire Qi Kingdom would mobilize to hunt and corner him.

"Forget it…" Looking at the vast, endless mountains before him, He Pingsheng slowed his sword-flight and began scanning the surroundings: "First, find Sister Qiao and the other one!"

He had originally agreed with Qiao Huizhu to meet near the highest peak of Lishan.

So he'd head for the highest peak first.

"Swoosh…" After flying around for two incense sticks' worth of time, He Pingsheng finally pinpointed the location of the highest peak.

He Pingsheng landed swiftly atop the peak, stirred his magic power, and restored his original appearance.

Then his spiritual sense erupted outward.

Around him, layered mountains stretched endlessly—where was even a trace of human presence?

He Pingsheng grew tense, flew back into the air, and shouted loudly: "Sister Qiao!"

His voice, bolstered by magic power, echoed across the desolate void and wilderness, carrying far, far away.

Just as He Pingsheng was growing increasingly anxious, fearing Qiao Huizhu hadn't arrived in time, a blade of light suddenly shot out from a deep valley behind him.

He Pingsheng whirled around—and saw Qiao Huizhu within the streak of light.

Only then did he exhale deeply and relax.

"Swoosh…"

Without speaking, both of them landed simultaneously atop the highest peak, their hearts in perfect sync.

On the peak stood a crooked, ancient pine tree.

He Pingsheng sat atop it, grinning foolishly at Qiao Huizhu.

Qiao Huizhu's face was pale, even haggard.

"What's wrong?" He Pingsheng asked.

Qiao Huizhu said: "I've been worried you wouldn't come, so I couldn't sleep well—I've been on edge every day!"

"Damn it, I've been stuck in this wasteland for a whole month!"

"Sorry!" He Pingsheng said: "I should've come sooner, but I never found a chance to slip away!"

"By the way, where's Xiaoqiao?"

"Didn't she come with you?"

The mountain wind blew, the old tree swayed, clouds gathered and dispersed nearby and far away.

If not for its desolation, this place would've been a magnificent sacred site.

He Pingsheng leaned lazily against the ancient pine, feeling his body utterly exhausted—he longed to lie down here, watching the beauty beside him and the mist above.

Qiao Huizhu walked over and gently rested her head against He Pingsheng's shoulder.

A faint, sweet fragrance drifted in, tickling his nose.

Qiao Huizhu said: "I thought if the three of us traveled to Liang Kingdom together, we'd draw too much attention, so I sent Little Sister ahead twenty days ago—she went first, and we'd follow later…"

"That way, we won't stand out!"

"What do you think, Husband?" Qiao Huizhu turned her head, her nose nearly brushing his, her large, gem-like eyes fixed on him.

He Pingsheng nodded: "Exactly right—Sister's plan is perfect!"

"No time to waste—let's go now!"

He Pingsheng pulled out another drop of Golden Bee Sacred Juice and swallowed it.

He still didn't know what conditions were like.

"Hummm…" A flash of golden light enveloped He Pingsheng, and his form instantly transformed into that of a female cultivator.

"You…" Qiao Huizhu gasped: "Young Master, you…"

"Don't worry!" He Pingsheng quickly said: "It's really me—relax!"

"They're currently hunting me with full force, so I need to change my appearance!"

"That way, even if we encounter inspections, we won't be caught!"

"Hehehe…" Qiao Huizhu said: "That's good—I'll change my appearance too!"

Qiao Huizhu pulled out a disguise talisman and reshaped her face right before He Pingsheng's eyes.

In half an incense stick's time, her appearance had changed.

She still looked like a woman—and bore seven-tenths resemblance to He Pingsheng's new form.

"See?" Qiao Huizhu said: "Now we don't have to worry about them finding us! Let's go!"

Together, they mounted their swords and flew westward.

Not far to the west lay the border between Liang Kingdom and Qi Kingdom.

Two hours later, they reached the border!

What was called the border was merely a continuous stretch of mountains—normally unguarded.

But after He Pingsheng and Qiao Huizhu arrived, the situation became extremely complex.

Before they even reached the border, two Qi Kingdom soldiers in golden robes blocked their path.

Both soldiers were strong—both Foundation Establishment cultivators.

One was at Foundation Establishment eighth layer, the other at fourth layer.

"Senior Brothers!" He Pingsheng, now in female form, altered his voice and bowed: "My sister and I wish to enter Liang Kingdom—why are you stopping us?"

The Foundation Establishment eighth-layer soldier said: "Apologies, ladies, but the border from Qi Kingdom to Liang Kingdom has been sealed—no cultivator below Golden Core is permitted passage!"

"Please turn back!"

He Pingsheng's face darkened.

His eyes flickered with a thought: What if I killed these two and forced my way through?

But behind him, Qiao Huizhu tugged his sleeve: "Sister, if that's the case, let's go back!"

"Wait…" the soldier called out: "You two—hold on!"

They turned around.

The soldier pulled out a jade slip, slammed his magic power into it, and instantly an image appeared in the air.

The image showed three people.

They were: He Pingsheng, Qiao Huizhu, and Qiao Xiaoqiao.

"You two!" the soldier said: "Have you seen these three?"

He Pingsheng's heart jolted, but his expression remained calm: "No… Is it because of these three that the Qi border has been sealed?"

The soldier retracted the jade slip and nodded: "Yes—all three are imperial fugitives. If you spot them, don't act rashly—report them immediately. Patrols are everywhere in Shangdang Commandery!"

"If you help capture them, the imperial house will reward you handsomely!"

"Also!" The soldier's eyes narrowed slightly, gesturing left and right: "Don't think about searching for gaps along the border—I can tell you, there are none!"

"Every two or three li, two Foundation Establishment cultivators guard and patrol!"

"Every so often, a Golden Core cultivator stands watch!"

"Don't even think about forcing your way through!"

"Even if you manage to break through now, a Golden Core cultivator will catch up within a few breaths!"

"Then you'll wish you were dead!"