Chapter 1597: Seven Seven, I'm Sorry

Everyone looked up at the young boy in the air, their expressions as if they had seen a ghost.

For tens of thousands of years, the Luo Clan's protective formation had repelled countless masters and withstood innumerable attacks. Yet, before this young boy, it couldn't even hold out for a single breath.

How did he do it?

What kind of power does this fellow possess?

Countless powerful figures swallowed hard, finding it hard to believe.

“Has anyone ever seen this person before?”

“With this kind of power, he should be extremely famous under normal circumstances. Why do I have no impression of him at all?”

“I haven’t seen him either; it’s as if he appeared out of thin air…”

“If a young boy is this powerful, what about that young lady? What is her true identity?”

The patriarchs of countless Saint Clan families instinctively retreated, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

Their strength was extraordinary in the eyes of ordinary people, but before a powerhouse of this level, they could be casually crushed with a slight misstep, utterly powerless to resist.

They were not even in the same league.

“You…” Seeing the young boy float in the air, defeating the combined efforts of many elders and the clan’s protective formation with a mere flick of his wrist, the Luo Clan Head’s face fluctuated between red and pale. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he turned and cupped his fist.

“Master Yang, please lend your assistance!”

Though the Luo Clan possessed their ultimate trump card, it could not be easily used. With Master Yang right there, they could only place their hopes in him.

“Even without your request, Clan Head Luo, I would have intervened!” Master Yang nodded, looking up at the sky. “When did such a powerful figure appear on the continent without my knowledge? It seems I am truly getting old…”

With that, he began to walk step by step into the air.

His steps were slow, but with each one, a beam of light shot out from beneath his feet. The space around him became increasingly stable as he advanced, as if firmly locked by a unique power.

The young boy was initially unconcerned, but upon seeing Master Yang’s approach, his eyebrows furrowed. “Who are you? The Luo Clan shouldn’t possess such a powerful expert!”

“My name is Yang Xuan!”

Master Yang cupped his fist.

“Yang Xuan of the Master Teacher Pavilion?” The young boy suddenly understood, then cupped his fist in return. “This matter concerns our young lady, Master Zhang, and the Luo Clan. We hope Master Yang will not interfere!”

“The Master Teacher Pavilion is responsible for maintaining stability on the continent. Your reckless actions in the Luo Clan show no regard for the world’s heroes. Though I am old, as a Master Teacher, it is my duty to stop you!”

Master Yang smiled faintly.

“If that’s the case, then let’s proceed. Allow me to witness the true power of this legendary continent’s strongest!”

With a raised eyebrow, the young boy crossed his palms, ready to strike at any moment. Just then, a faint voice sounded.

“That’s enough, come down!”

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

“Yes!”

Without daring to say more, the young boy retracted his hands and returned to stand behind the girl.

Master Yang also seemed wary; seeing the other party halt, he said no more.

“Zhang Xuan, let’s go!”

With a soft hum, and no discernible movement, Zhang Xuan immediately felt his entire body lighten as the oppressive force on him instantly vanished.

Seeing that the young boy had not harmed anyone, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. He nodded, then turned to look at the girl nearby, dressed in vibrant red, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion.

A pang of pain struck his heart, and unable to hold back, he stepped closer to her.

“Qi Qi… I’m sorry!”

He truly felt sorry for her.

The marriage alliance between the Zhang and Luo clans had caused such a grand commotion, with countless clan heads personally attending. Yet, he had simply turned and walked away, which was undoubtedly a massive blow to her.

“Why?”

Her eyes unfocused, Luo Qi Qi trembled ceaselessly, seemingly still unable to believe it.

To outsiders, she was an unparalleled genius who had broken countless records. But those who truly knew her understood she was just a simple, insecure young girl.

That was why Luo Xuanqing had always protected her, fearing she might be wronged or deceived by others.

“I…”

Zhang Xuan didn’t know how to answer.

He didn't want to hurt her, so he had never directly responded to her confessions… He had thought their paths would simply diverge, never dreaming it would end like this.

He didn't want to cause pain, yet he inflicted the greatest hurt.

He didn't want to get involved, yet he became entangled the most deeply.

“I always thought you were the princess of the Baiyuan Empire…”

Zhang Xuan paused, then said.

Back when they parted ways in the Qingyuan Empire, Yu Fei-er had mentioned that Luo Qi Qi went to Hongyuan Academy because she possessed a token from the Baiyuan Empire, suggesting she might be a princess from there or something similar.

He never imagined she would be related to the Luo Clan.

“To prevent my clan from finding me, I used the power of the Tranquil Space Orb to seal my bloodline and cultivation. Although I refined the Tranquil Space Orb, I hadn’t accessed its deeper mysteries. Thus, some of its power remained beyond my full control. After being sealed, not only did my cultivation drop to the Mortal Realm, but some of my memories were also sealed! The most crucial part is that I needed to gradually break through my cultivation to a certain realm to undo the seal… This is also why the underground palace knew you were in danger but couldn’t come to your aid…”

Without directly answering him, Luo Qi Qi murmured.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Seeing that the person before him was indeed her, he had already figured out much.

Indeed, there were some secret arts on the continent capable of sealing a person’s cultivation and bloodline. However, for every gain, there was a loss; such immense power inevitably came with a cost. It was like Zhao Ya’s mother, who sealed her bloodline and concealed herself in the ancient land before marrying Zhao Ya’s father, who, despite years of daily interaction, remained oblivious.

As for why she was a second-year student at the Master Teacher Academy, she had actually only left the Saint Son Hall a short time ago, less than a year. However, at Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, one could advance as long as their strength and Master Teacher rank were sufficient; promotion wasn’t based strictly on seniority or years of study.

These points were understandable. However, there were still some questions he couldn't quite figure out.

Namely… the Luo Clan’s little princess possessed the Void Evolving Physique, making her undetectable by the Library of Heaven’s Path. Yet, he had previously examined Luo Qi Qi, and her identity wasn't revealed either. Could it be… that this physique could even deceive the Library, even providing incorrect answers?

If that were true, it would be truly terrifying!

However, since it involved the Library, he couldn't ask about it directly. He could only slowly seek answers in the future.

“While I was at the Luo Clan, I had once rendered a favor to the Baiyuan Empire’s royal family. Even with my cultivation sealed, it was simple to have them provide an introduction for me to enter Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, posing as a four-star master teacher. Such an identity would prevent my clan members from noticing… Moreover, the most crucial thing is that ever since I was born, I’ve been dazzling; to outsiders, I shine brilliantly, but for me, I truly just want to be an ordinary person! To live a simple, happy life, without needing to think about anything…”

Luo Qi Qi’s expression was dejected.

Even though she had sealed her cultivation and bloodline to evade her clan, with her abilities and methods, it was simple to have the Baiyuan Empire provide a token and a letter of introduction. They certainly wouldn't mind if she impersonated their princess.

It was precisely because of this false identity that she had remained at Hongyuan Academy for so long without being discovered, not even by her close friend Yu Fei-er.

Only then did Zhang Xuan understand.

She was the most talented individual in the Luo Clan. If she truly didn't want to be found, she would certainly adopt the most suitable identity, just as he had impersonated Master Yang’s student. With such a cover, others naturally wouldn’t investigate too closely.

“I told you last time that I already have someone I like, and actually… it’s Master Luo! Before, I always thought she was a member of the Luo Clan, which led to this misunderstanding…”

Pushing aside the confusion in his heart, Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth and said.

He had to explain today’s events clearly, otherwise, he would not only hurt the person before him but also have difficulty explaining things to Luo Ruoxi.

“I guessed as much…”

Nodding, Luo Qi Qi’s previously bright eyes were now filled with tears, looking as if they might spill over at any moment.

“Qi Qi, I’m sorry…” Zhang Xuan cupped his fist again.

Knowing she was the Luo Clan’s princess, he finally understood why she could produce so many millennium spirit herbs back then, and why Luo Chengxin had suddenly appeared to trouble him after she left.

Now, it seemed Luo Chengxin must have found her in Qingyuan City. Knowing she was about to leave and that he lacked items for advancement, she had used alchemy as a pretense to give him some gifts.

Luo Xuanqing had previously mentioned that his sister learned every profession quickly, except for alchemy, which she was only mediocre at. He hadn’t paid much attention then, but recalling it now, he finally understood…

It was the person before him!

He also finally understood why the underground palace containing Wu Yangzi’s physical body went undetected by the Illusion Feather Empire and even Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, while she, a mere five-star master teacher, easily found it simply by recognizing the unique artifact-forging techniques…

The little princess’s talent was rare in the world; even with some memories sealed, she was still far more perceptive than ordinary people.

This was also why, despite similar instruction, her progress was far superior to Yu Fei-er and others, and no weaker than that of Zheng Yang and his direct disciples.

After arriving in the Qingyuan Empire, her cultivation broke through to the Saint realm… the seal was undone, her bloodline power could no longer be concealed, and that’s when she was found… leading to all the subsequent events.

“You… go!”

Unaware of his thoughts, Luo Qi Qi’s eyes blurred as she looked at the young man she yearned for. Biting her lip, she waved her hand.

“Thank you!”

Bowing deeply, Zhang Xuan knew that the more he said, the greater the hurt he would cause. Taking a deep breath, he turned and walked away.

“Where do you think you’re going…?”

Whoosh!

He had barely taken two steps when streaks of cold light appeared all around him. The previously injured Luo Clan elders and Luo Xuanqing all drew their longswords, glaring furiously.

“Zhang Xuan, if you dare to leave today, you will forever be an enemy of the Luo Clan! The Zhang and Luo clans will never be reconciled!”

The Luo Clan Head couldn’t help but roar.

“Indeed, Zhang Xuan! If you dare to leave this place today, you will be my enemy, Luo Xuanqing! I swear that I will spend my entire life trying to kill you!”

Luo Xuanqing gritted his teeth.

Pausing for a moment, Zhang Xuan continued to walk forward.

“Die!”

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Luo Xuanqing flipped his palm and struck out at Zhang Xuan once more.

“Stop!”

Zheng Yang parried with his spear, piercing through Luo Xuanqing’s palm strike. Wang Ying, Lu Chong, and the others stood in unison behind him.