After seeing off the Qin princess, Chen Ke went to the small courtyard of the Engineering College and began practicing swordsmanship.
His synthesized Earth-level martial art, "Haotian Divine Sword," actually possessed not only the essence of fast swordsmanship but also the essence of slow swordsmanship.
Slow swordsmanship was roughly the kind of technique where four ounces could deflect a thousand pounds.
Although he didn't need it for the time being, practicing it would be beneficial for improving his cultivation level.
Chen Ke had already discovered that whenever his mind was restless, as long as he practiced slow swordsmanship, his state of mind would immediately become peaceful.
Several times, he even entered a mysterious state of selflessness, as if his entire being was empty.
Unfortunately, this state was very short-lived; once he came back to his senses, trying to enter this state again was like trying to catch a glimpse of a deer's horns—it was impossible.
Night fell. In the Divine Dragon Palace of the underground city, Shui Changqing stood before the gate of the Divine Dragon Pavilion, feeling uneasy.
However, this was her last chance to enter the Divine Dragon Pavilion. Regardless of whether she gained anything, she needed to give herself an explanation.
Even if it was imperfect, it was still a kind of fulfillment, because she had tried her best.
A resolute glint flashed in her eyes as Shui Changqing stepped onto the stairs and strode confidently through the gate.
The light was soft today, and the Divine Dragon Pavilion was serene.
As Shui Changqing entered the first-floor hall, an unparalleled, powerful pressure surged from all directions, instantly trapping her in the center.
Shui Changqing paled, then saw two figures emerge from behind the bookshelves.
Lu Changfeng, the headmaster of the Great Xia Academy.
Wu Jiutian, the headmaster of the Haotian Academy!
Shui Changqing sighed inwardly, knowing her identity had been exposed, but her expression returned to calm.
She nodded slightly and said, "This junior greets the two headmasters."
Wu Jiutian stepped forward and said sternly, "Girl, this is the second time you've broken the rules. Hand over the 'Lingbo Fairy Painting,' and I'll let you leave."
Shui Changqing's heart trembled slightly. Sure enough, the 'Withered Tree Rejuvenates Painting' had long been hidden by the Haotian Academy, which was why she had only obtained one painting at the end.
Shui Changqing, of course, had no idea that the "Withered Tree Rejuvenates" scroll hadn't been hidden, but had instead entered the body of a certain academically challenged student.
She had suspected this student before, but after several encounters, she dismissed her guess.
Shui Changqing coldly asked, "How did you discover me, senior?"
Wu Jiutian slowly replied, "Girl, you may have forgotten, but I have connections with your Sun God Clan's Wu lineage. With just a little inquiry, I learned that your great-grandfather's lifespan was nearing its end. Everything you've done is for your great-grandfather, isn't it?"
Shui Changqing's eyes reddened, and she bit her lip, remaining silent, but her expression was tantamount to acquiescence.
Wu Jiutian sighed softly, "Silly child, Master Molin's nine scrolls were originally part of the Heavenly Dao. Even if you obtained the 'Withered Tree Rejuvenates,' you couldn't help your great-grandfather withstand the Heavenly Tribulation; on the contrary, it would amplify its power!"
Shui Changqing's expression changed slightly, tears welling in her eyes.
Wu Jiutian continued, "Since I can guess your motives, I can also deduce that your next step will be to try to decipher the 'Lingbo Fairy Painting' in your possession. We only need to keep an eye on those students who are desperately trying to enter the Divine Dragon Pavilion and consult the notes of Master Mo Lin; it won't be difficult to pinpoint you."
Shui Changqing coldly replied, "As long as I hand over the 'Lingbo Fairy Painting' and leave Daxia City, you won't reveal my identity, right?"
Wu Jiutian nodded, "The new emperor is about to embark on his campaign. You are the last unstable factor. As long as you leave Daxia City, I have no intention of implicating others, so naturally I won't reveal your identity."
Shui Changqing then looked at Lu Changfeng.
Lu Changfeng solemnly said, "Girl, you originally didn't belong to this world. We have no intention of starting a powerful war between the human race and the Sun God race, do you understand?"
Shui Changqing remained silent, took out the 'Lingbo Fairy Painting,' gently placed it on the ground, bowed to the two seniors, and turned to leave.
Wu Jiutian and Lu Changfeng watched Shui Changqing's departing figure and simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.
They didn't lack the desire to capture the Eight-Winged Goddess and hold her accountable for her crimes; however, the timing was sensitive, and taking action would be extremely risky.
If anything went wrong, the consequences would be unbearable for anyone. Letting the Eight-Winged Goddess leave was probably the best course of action at the moment.
Wu Jiutian waved his hand, and the "Lingbo Fairy" scroll flew into his grasp.
After all the twists and turns, the scroll had finally returned.
"Old Wu, this painting..." Lu Changfeng stared intently at the "Lingbo Fairy" scroll.
Wu Jiutian shoved the scroll into Lu Changfeng's hands, saying irritably, "Hang it in the showroom; it's already been given to someone else."
Given to someone else?
Lu Changfeng felt a pang of disappointment, then a slight jolt: "You mean..."
Wu Jiutian nodded, unsure, "That's just my guess. Anyway, hang it up. Whoever it's given to, I'll accept it."
Lu Changfeng immediately beamed, carrying the painting upstairs.
Wu Jiutian shook his head helplessly and followed.
The two weren't worried at all that the Eight-Winged Goddess would back out, because that would be tantamount to suicide.
Even if the Eight-Winged Goddess used the Fusang Divine Ship, it wouldn't gain any advantage against the terrifying power of the three Dragon God Towers.
And once the Eight-Winged Goddess gave them a pretext, they wouldn't need to hold back anymore.
Just as the two elders had predicted, Shui Changqing had no intention of backing down.
Losing was losing, there was nothing more to say.
She was just a little dejected and sad.
Whether in Meicheng in Shuzhou or Daxia City, all her plans were aimed at using Master Molin's scroll to help her great-grandfather withstand the impending heavenly tribulation.
She had seen heavenly tribulations in ancient texts and heard them mentioned by the elders of her family, and she knew the terrifying power of heavenly tribulations.
If he survived, her great-grandfather would have a longer lifespan and reach a higher realm.
If he failed, her great-grandfather would be annihilated, disappearing completely from this world.
It was because of this fear that she wanted to do something for her great-grandfather, at least something within her power.
However, from the very beginning, everything she did was meaningless.
She believed Wu Jiutian wouldn't lie to her; the scroll from Master Mo Lin couldn't help her, nor could it help her great-grandfather.
"There are still ten years left; there must be another way!" Shui Changqing rallied her spirits, secretly encouraging herself.
Looking up, she was astonished to find herself standing beneath the high walls of the Engineering Academy.
Perhaps it wasn't all meaningless; at least she had met a college slacker, a friend who wasn't really a friend.
She had only entered a man's bedroom once, and that was Chen Ke's.
She had only helped a man once, and that was Chen Ke, on the mountaintop of Haotian Academy, when Chen Ke was poisoned.
She had only glared fiercely at one man, and that was Chen Ke; that glance had left a mark on her soul, but it had been broken.
And only one man had ever carried her, and that was Chen Ke, in the great swamp of the third level of the Dragon Gate. And only one man had ever carried her, and that was also Chen Ke.
Shui Changqing recalled the night she had an emotional breakdown, and the scene of the college scumbag carrying her out of Shenlong Pavilion. She found it funny, but there was also a lingering warmth in her heart.
Not only did it linger, but it grew ever more vivid with time.
Having met, it was time to say goodbye.
Shui Changqing smiled gently, flipped her jade-like hand, took out an exquisite jade box, and walked through the small door into the high wall.