Chapter 240: Royal Intrigue
Chapter 240: Royal Intrigue
```
Xu Ping’an gently led Li Qingyi by the hand, descending to the Holy Battlefield.
Dressed in a white robe, Xu Ping’an’s dashing and elegant demeanor attracted the admiring gazes of countless women.
Li Qingyi, in a red dress, resembled a blossoming peony, causing other women to pale in comparison.
It was undeniable: they were like a pair of peerless jades, eliciting endless envy and admiration.
"So beautiful, these two actually make a couple."
"Yes, but it’s not surprising. Both from the same sect and both so outstanding, it’s natural that they attract each other."
"So enviable. Xu Ping’an and Li Qingyi both seem to possess exceptional talent. Together, they must be a legendary tale of romance."
...
Cries of discussion rose incessantly around them, with everyone casting envious glances their way.
Countless women envied Li Qingyi for capturing the attention of such an extraordinary man.
And just as many men were jealous of Xu Ping’an for winning the favor of such a beauty.
Of course, there were those who were extremely discontented at this moment.
"Hmph!"
Song Lingxue was visibly annoyed at this time.
Xu Ping’an had dared to hold Li Qingyi’s hand in front of everyone, a declaration of her status.
Did that not mean she no longer had a chance?
Besides Song Lingxue, Zhou Mengyue’s expression at the moment was also extremely complicated.
If she hadn’t harmed Xu Ping’an back then, would it have been her standing beside Xu Ping’an now?
Of course, this thought merely flashed through her mind before she quickly dispelled such emotions.
"Interesting, so these two are a couple, Brother Yu, looks like you’re out of luck," Long Zhan turned to Yu Chenglin and said with a smile.
Yu Chenglin managed a bitter smile, he had only spoken casually at the time.
He indeed had shown some interest in Li Qingyi before, but now seeing her with Xu Ping’an, he naturally wouldn’t pursue her any further.
After all, he was a proud talent; how could he compete with someone else for a woman?
"Xu Ping’an’s strength is truly formidable. He and Li Qingyi are quite a match," Qin Yue spoke up.
"Psh, here we are in the midst of battle and you have the time for lovey-dovey talk. No matter how strong he is, he wouldn’t stand a chance against me. If that man ever faced me, I’d definitely crush him," the Tenth Princess Qin Hanshuang said disdainfully.
The other men could only offer a bitter smile.
They all knew that the Tenth Princess always worshipped martial strength and didn’t think highly of any man.
To her, Xu Ping’an expressing affection at this time was a sign of incompetence.
"Tenth Sister, don’t underestimate Xu Ping’an. His strength is not weak, and if you face him, taking him lightly might cost you dearly," Qin Yue advised.
"Brother Six, your nature is still too soft. If I were you, I would be more assertive, otherwise, you might not even be able to compete with Qin Mu," Qin Hanshuang said bluntly.
Qin Yue had a look of helplessness.
She really would say anything, doesn’t she realize that these experts can easily hear their conversation?
"Did I say something wrong? That Qin Mu is pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger. Look, he also made it into the top one hundred, just under cover, ranking eighty-sixth," Qin Hanshuang said, glancing at a man not far away without any courtesy.
"Qin Hanshuang, I am still your Ninth Brother, after all. Isn’t it a bit disrespectful to refer to me as Qin Mu so directly?" At that moment, a refined-looking young man approached, saying with a grin.
The others turned their gaze toward him.
Xu Ping’an was also drawn by the voice and looked towards the newcomer.
He recognized the man; it was the Ninth Prince, Qin Mu.
Xu Ping’an had already noticed that Qin Mu had advanced and could also tell that Qin Mu was concealing his true strength, but he didn’t care much about it.
After all, there were many present who were hiding their true power. Moreover, as a member of the Royal Family, this was Qin Mu’s way of survival, not something directed at anyone in particular.
"Hmph, what does it matter if you’re my Ninth Brother? You obviously have the strength but act the coward. Are you even a man?" Qin Hanshuang didn’t mince her words.
```
Qin Mu couldn’t help but to laugh and cry.
Qin Yue, standing beside him, was also helpless.
Perhaps only they understood each other, the reason why things were like this.
If you were too dominant, too powerful, I’m afraid you’d never have lived to see this day.
This is the royal family, this is the cruelty of the Royal Family.
"I am indeed very curious about the extent of Ninth Brother’s strength, and I would like to have a friendly competition with you," Qin Yue said with a smile.
"Sixth Brother is overthinking it, my strength might not be stronger than yours. The reason for my concealment was necessity, which I am sure you understand," Qin Mu said with a smile.
Qin Yue nodded, "I’m looking forward more and more to a battle with Ninth Brother."
"If it comes to pass, I won’t disappoint you, Sixth Brother," Qin Mu said with a smile.
Qin Yue nodded again and said no more.
Those around them also didn’t linger on this topic; after all, it was best not to get involved in matters of the Royal Family.
However, Qin Mu came to Xu Ping’an’s side and said with a smile, "Brother Xu, we meet again. Your elegance is truly breathtaking."
"Ninth Prince is also very strong, probably no less powerful than Long Zhan and the others. If we truly battled, I’m not certain I would win against Ninth Prince," Xu Ping’an said with a smile.
The apparent cultivation of the prince standing before him was at the Fifth Rank, Third Layer Realm.
But his true cultivation had already reached the Fifth Rank, Ninth Layer.
He was taken aback when he first saw the Ninth Prince.
This guy’s concealment was really too deep.
The Ninth Prince gave a wry smile, "Brother Xu is truly extraordinary to be able to see through my cultivation. I’m afraid not even Song Kaitian could do that."
As he spoke, a trace of sharpness flashed through his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared, quickly vanishing.
The Ninth Prince was internally shaken, extremely vigilant.
His own cultivation was sealed by a powerful being, imperceptible to anyone below the Eighth Rank.
How did Xu Ping’an manage to do it?
When he was in Tianlong County, he felt that Xu Ping’an was extraordinary, but didn’t find it overly exaggerated.
But now, he realized he couldn’t see through Xu Ping’an anymore.
In the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty, there were almost no peers his age that he couldn’t see through.
But now, Xu Ping’an made him feel uneasy.
Of course, he didn’t really want to do anything to Xu Ping’an; it was just an instinctive hostility towards something he couldn’t control.
Xu Ping’an saw through Qin Mu’s thoughts and said with a smile, "We might not necessarily be enemies, but if we were to become enemies, I think you would surely regret it."
"That’s true, you and I are friends, Brother Xu. How could we become enemies? Besides, you promised to help me when you come to the capital," Qin Mu said with a laugh.
He picked up on the threatening tone in Xu Ping’an’s words.
Although he didn’t know where Xu Ping’an’s confidence came from, he still felt there was no need to offend Xu Ping’an.
Having one more friend was always better than having one more enemy.
"I did promise, and Ninth Prince has given me a lot of help in the past. If there’s a need, I will still help out," Xu Ping’an said lightly.
"That’s all I need to hear," Qin Mu said with a laugh.
He was in high spirits.
In the distance, Qin Yue and Qin Hanshuang looked on in surprise.
Qin Mu and Xu Ping’an were close?
Did they know each other before?
Meanwhile, on the high platform, a middle-aged noble man was looking down at Xu Ping’an and Qin Mu with an extremely intense killing intent in his eyes.
If Qin Yue and Qin Mu saw him, they would be shocked. This man was their eldest brother, the Crown Prince of the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty, Qin Li.