Chapter 1613: Dragon-Riding Girl (Part 1)

"The Master originally instructed me not to inform the Young Master about the Primordial God Fruit in advance, but I thought this might alleviate some of the Young Master's apprehension," said Qu Huis. As the chief Arbiter, he was known for his stern, even merciless, demeanor, but perhaps only in front of Zhou Qingchen would he occasionally show a slight smile.

"Thank you for letting me know, Uncle Qu Huis. However, regardless of the outcome concerning the Primordial God Fruit, I will not fail the expectations of my father or my uncles."

Zhou Qingchen smiled freely, then flew down directly into the deeper reaches of the Primordial God Realm.

From Zhou Qingchen, Venerable Qu Huis sensed strong determination and eagerness. Clearly, in this trial, Zhou Qingchen was intent on bringing back surprisingly good results to the Eternal Heaven Divine Emperor. Qu Huis reminded him from a distance, "Young Master, you must not go deeper than three hundred thousand miles. Ancient profound beasts always lurk near rare spiritual treasures, so be very careful."

Just as Qu Huis was giving his warning, a hundred-zhang giant shadow suddenly shot up from the ancient, ash-gray forest. Its wings stirred up countless wind blades, tearing directly towards Zhou Qingchen.

It was a ferocious bird with a phoenix-shaped head!

Perhaps due to the "different world," the fierce beasts of the Primordial God Realm rarely fought among themselves, but they were quite sensitive to foreign presences. Once encountered, they would often attack directly.

Facing this scene, Qu Huis remained still. With Zhou Qingchen's cultivation at the sixth level of the Divine Sovereign Realm, he wasn't likely to encounter any life-threatening dangers in this area.

Zhou Qingchen's gaze shifted slightly. Facing the sudden attack of the fierce bird, his eyes remained calm, showing no signs of preparing to counterattack. To an outsider, it seemed as if he had no time to react.

Just then, a loud roar erupted, accompanied by a violently whistling storm.

Within the storm, countless ancient trees were uprooted and flung into the air. The fierce bird, lunging at Zhou Qingchen, suddenly changed trajectory, its body twisted. In the next instant, a figure shot skyward, and the storm intensified. With a heavy thud, the terrifying storm tore off one of the bird's wings.

The fierce bird shrieked mournfully, struggling to break free from the storm. Instead of retaliating in fury, it desperately fled into the distance.

The wind vortex around the appearing figure subsided slightly. He did not pursue the bird. Facing Zhou Qingchen, he nodded and said, "Brother, these types of fierce birds blend their body color and aura with the environment, making them fond of stealth attacks. Please be extra careful."

Zhou Qingchen returned a smile. "Thank you for your righteous intervention, brother."

Seeing Zhou Qingchen's calm and unruffled smile, the other person was slightly startled, then chuckled and said, "It seems I was meddling. I'll take my leave."

As he spoke, a woman arrived lightly by his side.

The woman had long, light golden hair, flowing like luxurious liquid gold down to her hips. She wore a somewhat wide, phoenix-winged mask of pure ice-blue, but the ice light it reflected paled and dimmed against the brilliance of her jade-like skin.

"..." Zhou Qingchen's gaze suddenly fixed.

"Let's go," Yun Che said, preparing to leave with Qianye Ying'er.

"...Wait." Just as Yun Che turned to leave, Zhou Qingchen suddenly spoke. Though not obvious, his voice had lost some of its previous elegance, replaced by an unnatural urgency.

Yun Che turned his gaze back. "May I ask what you wish to say?"

Zhou Qingchen took a step forward, then realized he had been somewhat indiscreet. He quickly composed himself, bowed slightly to Yun Che, and said, "Meeting you in such a perilous place and receiving your righteous aid fills me with immense gratitude. Brother, you seem quite familiar with this area, whereas I am entering it for the first time and am quite apprehensive. If it's not too much trouble, would it be possible for... the two of us to journey together and look out for each other?"

In the distance, Qu Huis frowned slightly.

The profound energy of both individuals was at the fourth level of the Divine Sovereign Realm. Even if they harbored ill intentions, they would pose no threat to Zhou Qingchen. What surprised him was why Zhou Qingchen, given his status, temperament, and determination for this trial, would suddenly take the initiative to travel with two strangers of unknown origin.

Although the other party had offered help, human hearts were the most complex things in the world, and one could never judge someone as good based solely on such an act. Zhou Qingchen couldn't possibly be unaware of this.

At this moment, Qu Huis's gaze suddenly settled on the golden-haired woman... Then, he moved his gaze away and sighed inwardly.

So that's how it is... Alas.

"This..." Yun Che showed hesitation.

"Don't worry," Zhou Qingchen said with a smile, suddenly releasing his profound energy. The surrounding space immediately transformed into a slowly rotating vortex. "Though I am unfamiliar with this place, I will certainly not hold either of you back. As for any opportunities we find, I will only take one-third, never aspiring for more."

Zhou Qingchen was a person who easily made a good impression, something Yun Che keenly felt when he first met him years ago.

His gentle elegance and humble politeness made it hard to believe he was the son of a Divine Emperor... Or perhaps, among all the king realms of the God Realm, only the Crown Prince of the Eternal Heaven God Realm would possess such a demeanor.

Yun Che glanced at Qianye Ying'er, pondered briefly, then said, "Alright. An extra companion means an extra help and less risk. In that case, please do guide us."

Taking the initiative oneself versus the other party taking the initiative were two entirely different concepts.

To have the noble Crown Prince of Eternal Heaven, who resided high above, willingly approach two Divine Sovereigns of unknown origin whom he had just encountered by chance, was almost an impossibility.

Yet, at this moment, it was achieved with surprising ease before Yun Che.

There was only one reason: Qianye Ying'er... or more precisely, the golden hair and divine aura that were "very much like" Qianye Ying'er's.

A momentary glance had directly touched the depths of his soul.

Although he was the renowned Crown Prince of Eternal Heaven, the future Eternal Heaven Divine Emperor, and in terms of noble status, no man of his generation in the world could surpass him.

Yet there was one person who could make this Eternal Heaven Crown Prince admire her... and humble himself to the dust.

Among the three divine regions, countless admired the Brahma Monarch Goddess. In terms of status and future prospects, Zhou Qingchen was considered one of the most fitting matches for her.

However, limited by the Eternal Heaven God Realm's method of succession, although Zhou Qingchen was the Crown Prince, he could only complete the divine power inheritance after Zhou Xuzi abdicated. Despite his exceptional talent, as a Divine Sovereign, facing Qianye Ying'er's cultivation, beauty, divine demeanor, and formidable reputation... he always felt so inferior that even his breathing became erratic.

As the Eternal Heaven Crown Prince, he had more opportunities to see Qianye Ying'er. Yet, he only ever dared to observe from a distance, never approaching, and certainly never initiating even a single word.

Perhaps no one would believe that the dignified Crown Prince of Eternal Heaven, the future Eternal Heaven Divine Emperor, would be so humble before a woman.

As for Qianye Ying'er's impression of Zhou Qingchen, it was simply five words:

"Eternal Heaven's waste."

Given her personality and methods, what she disdained the most was the Eternal Heaven God Realm, which consistently upheld righteousness and took responsibility for stabilizing order in the Eastern Divine Region. What she looked down upon the most was someone like Zhou Qingchen, who was refined and polite, showing no edge... and appearing completely submissive in her presence.

"May I ask your name, brother, and where you are from?"

As the three stood together, Zhou Qingchen asked... though the answer seemed not so important to him. In terms of origin, what place could compare to the Eternal Heaven God Realm?

"I am Ling Yun, from the Wind Chant Sacred Realm in the Southern Divine Region," Yun Che stated generously.

"Wind Chant Sacred Realm?" Zhou Qingchen showed surprise.

"Oh? Have you heard of it, brother?" Yun Che asked, glancing sideways.

"Coincidentally," Zhou Qingchen smiled, "when I traveled alone in the Southern Divine Region years ago, I stayed in the Wind Chant Sacred Realm for several days. I was greatly impressed by the vibrant wind elements there. No wonder Brother Ling Yun's mastery of storms is so high."

"Not at all," Yun Che said humbly. "In terms of cultivation, I am far inferior to you. My sudden intervention just now must have made you laugh."

"Hahaha," Zhou Qingchen also laughed. "The Primordial God Realm is the most perilous place in the world. It's difficult enough to look out for oneself here, so few can act righteously to help a stranger. It truly inspires admiration and awe."

"I am Chen Qing, from the Eastern Divine Region. This is my first time entering the Primordial God Realm, so I ask for your continued care, both of you." After speaking, Zhou Qingchen naturally glanced at Qianye Ying'er. "May I ask this lady's name?"

"This is my junior sister, Ling Qianying. She rarely ventures into the world and is not very articulate, so please don't take offense," Yun Che said.

"Qian...ying." Zhou Qingchen froze, momentarily losing himself.

"Oh?" Yun Che looked puzzled.

Zhou Qingchen regained his composure, quickly smiled, and said, "Lingbo Yunmeng, Qianying Fangchen... what a beautiful name, it's quite captivating. I imagine anyone bearing such a name must be a peerless beauty."

"You flatter her, Brother Chen," Yun Che chuckled. "Qianying is not accustomed to revealing her true appearance, so please don't take offense, Brother Chen."

"No offense, no offense," Zhou Qingchen replied with a smile, but a hint of disappointment flickered deep within his eyes.

In the distance, Qu Huis watched silently. This was Zhou Qingchen's Primordial Trial. Unless absolutely necessary, he would not intervene, offer any reminders, or interfere with any of his decisions.

He had originally believed that after Qianye Ying'er became Yun Che's slave, bore a lifelong mark of disgrace, and then "betrayed" the Brahma Monarch God Realm, disappearing into an unknown fate, Zhou Qingchen would be free from this "obsession." Yet, it seemed today... he was still as deeply entangled as ever.

***

Deep within the Primordial God Realm.

Venerable Tai Yin and Venerable Zhu Liu, just as Qu Huis had said, had already delved deep into the Primordial God Realm, approaching the territory of the Primordial Dragon Race.

The Primordial Dragon Race was the most ancient and powerful dragon race in the Primordial God Realm. Perhaps due to limits in reproduction, the number of Primordial Dragons was not large, far fewer than the Dragon God Race of the Western Divine Region. However, any Primordial Dragon, even a hatchling, possessed an astonishing and unparalleled dragon might.

This was also why, on average, the God Realm could only barely acquire one Primordial God Fruit every hundred thousand years or so.

Intruding into the Primordial Dragon Race's territory to seize their sacred guardian item was a life-risking endeavor even for a King Realm.

However, despite being only two, Tai Yin and Zhu Liu arrived with considerable confidence.

Because they were Eternal Heaven Guardians! And more importantly, they possessed powerful spatial energy!

Half of the six Primordial God Fruits acquired throughout the history of the God Realm were obtained by the Eternal Heaven God Realm, relying on their unique mastery of spatial arts.

Ahead lay the territory of the Primordial Dragon Race. Although still far away, the terrifying dragon might was already pressing directly upon their minds and souls, seemingly enveloping the entire gray and white world.

As the revered ruler of all spirits, a single dragon roar would command all beings in the vast surrounding world. Even a powerful mid-stage Divine Master would face almost certain death if caught in such a situation.

Both of them completely suppressed their auras and moved forward silently. At a certain moment, their figures suddenly halted simultaneously.

It was an incredibly pure... no, an exotic aura that defied all description. It transcended the understanding of the two Guardians, as if it came from an ethereal dream or a divine realm that no longer existed.

In an instant, it permeated their entire bodies. The Divine Master power of the two Guardians, sufficient to block all intrusions, seemed to vanish before it.

Their five senses suddenly became incredibly clear, and their spiritual perception, suppressed by the Primordial aura, also sharpened considerably in an instant. Their entire bodies felt as if they were bathed in an astonishingly pure spring.

Both of them involuntarily took a sharp breath at the same time, then exchanged glances, each seeing profound agitation in the other's eyes.

"This is... the divine aura of the Primordial God Fruit!" Tai Yin whispered. As a Guardian, he had only heard of the Primordial God Fruit but never seen one. This aura, an aura that seemed like it shouldn't exist in the world, made him instantly understand why it was bestowed the name "God Fruit."

"There's no mistake," Zhu Liu said excitedly.

They were still far from the Primordial Dragon Race's territory, yet the aura was already this potent. It was impossible to imagine what kind of divine miracle it would unleash when they got closer, let alone consumed it!