360: Chapter 360, Civilization Relic No. 9

Xiao Weiqing exclaimed, "Then where is he?"

"I don't know."

"Then how do you know Senior Dongfang Hao isn't dead?"

Dongfang Baichen said, "Because this companion weapon has remained in a Semi-Divine Artifact state since it was left behind; its Rank hasn't decreased."

It was common knowledge that if a companion weapon's master died, the weapon would revert to its nascent state, which was why Dongfang Baichen guessed Dongfang Hao was still alive.

"Let's not discuss this further. The Dongfang Family once spent countless manpower and resources searching for Thirteenth Uncle, but all to no avail."

Xiao Weiqing asked, "Senior, I'd like to ask a question."

"Go ahead."

"Back when Senior Dongfang Hao attacked Azure Dragon Island, what was his strength?"

"Ninth Realm," Dongfang Baichen said. "And he should have been in the Ninth Realm for some time. Although I wasn't born yet, this is what my father told me, so there's no mistake."

Xiao Weiqing fell silent, lost in thought.

Even with a Semi-Divine Artifact, Dongfang Baichen wasn't confident in killing the Azure Dragon Divine Envoy.

Back then, with Ninth Realm strength and a Semi-Divine Artifact, Dongfang Hao also possessed a Domain, just like him. He had gone on a rampage on Azure Dragon Island and snatched the azure dragon divine stele.

In other words, it would be safest for him to at least enter the Eighth Realm.

At that moment.

Xie Zhiyuan said, "We still need to prepare what we must. We'll see tomorrow if the Azure Dragon Divine Envoy shows up."

Dongfang Baichen nodded; there was nothing else to be done.

...

...

Inside a private room of a boutique restaurant.

"Linna, what do you think of Xiao Weiqing?"

Yin Linna rolled her eyes. "Second Grandpa, why are you asking again?"

"That jerk already said we're just friends. Stop trying to play matchmaker."

Yin Zong said, "Do you really have no feelings for him?"

"It would be a lie to say I don't, but that's only because he's powerful and does look quite good. That's all."

"But that guy is incredibly annoying. Didn't I tell you? Back then, he bullied me on the Cangqiong. He said he owed me a favor, but I haven't seen him try to repay it."

"He owes you a favor?" Yin Zong's eyes narrowed. He did remember Yin Linna mentioning it, but at the time, he thought it was just a trivial matter between youngsters and didn't pay it much mind.

Now.

With Xiao Weiqing's strength reaching such heights, this favor had to be taken seriously.

"Come with me tomorrow."

"Where to?"

"To visit Xiao Weiqing."

"Huh?"

"It's settled."

...

The next day.

Jingdu Prefecture.

A special aircraft landed in Jingdu Prefecture City.

The hatch opened.

Four people walked out—three men and one woman.

In the distance.

Xiao Weiqing looked at them and said, "The Azure Dragon Divine Envoy didn't come."

"As expected," Xie Zhiyuan said.

"Let's go."

The two flew back to the Dongfang Family Estate.

"You're back? Perfect, someone's looking for you."

"Who?"

"Follow me."

Dongfang Baichen led the way, and after some winding paths, the three arrived at a Villa.

Inside the Villa.

There was an old man and a bright, beautiful young girl.

It was Yin Zong and Yin Linna.

Beside them were the head of the Dongfang Family, Dongfang Yin, and another elderly man whom Xiao Weiqing recognized. He had seen him from afar during the national Supernatural University Exchange Competition years ago.

This person was the Minister of the Supernatural Education Department, Minister Lu Youlin.

"They're here."

"Bai Chen, Principal Xie, Xiao Weiqing, please have a seat."

Dongfang Yin greeted them.

Although Xiao Weiqing was puzzled, he didn't show it and slowly sat down.

It wasn't strange to see Minister Lu Youlin or Yin Zong at the Dongfang Family home, but seeing both of them at the same time was somewhat surprising to Xiao Weiqing.

The group sat down.

Dongfang Yin spoke, "Xiao Weiqing, let me introduce you. This is the Minister of the Supernatural Education Department, Minister Lu Youlin. These two are Yin Zong from the Vermilion Bird Empire and his granddaughter, Yin Linna."

"Yin Zong came this time to deliver medicine for Dongfang Baichen's injuries."

Yin Zong smiled and said, "Family Head Dongfang, I already know Xiao Weiqing."

"Xiao Weiqing, we meet again."

"Minister Lu, your Great Xia is truly a place of exceptional people. I'm afraid Xiao Weiqing's future strength will be no weaker than Dongfang Hao's, if not stronger."

"And you don't know, during the Tianlang Empire's invasion last night, Xiao Weiqing specifically negotiated with me, asking me to step forward and form a united front with Great Xia to deter the Xuanwu Kingdom."

Yin Zong praised Xiao Weiqing without reservation.

"Oh, such a thing happened?" Minister Lu Youlin said.

Xiao Weiqing nodded slightly. "I just didn't want a major war to break out and cause unnecessary casualties. After all, our primary objective wasn't the Tianlang Empire."

Speaking of which.

From beginning to end, this matter had nothing to do with the Tianlang Empire or General Ye Sinan. It was the people of the Tianlang Empire who insisted on jumping out and taking the fall for the Azure Dragon Divine Hall.

Even after they started fighting, when Ye Tiannan finally wanted to leave, the Great Xia side didn't stop him.

It was a case of "sins committed by Heaven may be forgiven, but sins committed by oneself cannot be escaped."

Before leaving, Ye Tiannan had mocked Dongfang Baichen, ruining the last shred of possibility for the group to lure and kill the Azure Dragon Divine Envoy. Only then did Xiao Weiqing feel the urge to kill.

Minister Lu Youlin's eyes were full of admiration upon hearing this. He said, "I have long heard of Dean Xiao. To have such strength at such a young age is truly a blessing for Great Xia."

"I still vividly remember Dean Xiao's performance in the Exchange Competition two years ago. Seeing Dean Xiao again now, your presence is even more extraordinary—truly a dragon among men."

As expected of a government official, he certainly had a way with words.

However, Xiao Weiqing got goosebumps listening to him.

"Hiss... please, Minister Lu, you should just call me Xiao Weiqing. I'm not used to this much praise; it's making my hair stand on end."

"As for Senior Yin, if you have something to say, you can just say it directly."

"Hahaha..."

Minister Lu Youlin laughed. Along with Yin Zong and Dongfang Yin, they all found Xiao Weiqing quite interesting.

Xie Zhiyuan also looked at Xiao Weiqing with a smile in his eyes.

But he was also curious about why Minister Lu Youlin and Yin Zong were here. It seemed they both came for Xiao Weiqing.

"Then I'll get straight to the point."

Yin Zong said, "The opening time for the No. 9 Civilization Ruins located in the Vermilion Bird Empire has been confirmed."

"Oh?"

"When is it?" Dongfang Baichen asked.

"The 12th of next month."

"So that means there are only 15 days of preparation time left?"

"Yes."

Everyone present was lost in thought, including Yin Linna, who clearly knew something about the No. 9 Civilization Ruins.

Only Xiao Weiqing.

Knew nothing about it.

He only knew that the No. 9 Civilization Ruins contained treasures but were also very dangerous.

Xiao Weiqing rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful, and whispered, "In half a month?"

"You know about the No. 9 Civilization Ruins?"

Minister Lu Youlin asked curiously. He knew Xiao Weiqing's background. Logically, Xiao Weiqing shouldn't know the specifics of the No. 9 Civilization Ruins. Could it be that Ning Xing or Xie Zhiyuan had told him?

"I've heard of it a few times, but I don't understand it."

"Then why do you have that deep, thoughtful look on your face, as if you know it well?" Yin Linna couldn't help but retort.

"I saw that you all seemed to know it well. If I were the only one looking confused, I'd look pretty stupid," Xiao Weiqing explained.

Everyone: "..."