The saintess is pregnant, what does that have to do with me, a spoiled brat?

"People from the Primordial Holy Land dare to interfere in the court?" Xu Nuo leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

Li Wanning sat on a cot, swinging his legs.

"Shen Qingyi is no ordinary saintess," Li Wanning said in a low voice. "I've heard from the palace officials that her cultivation is unfathomable. The Second Prince's search for her clearly indicates that he intends to take action against you during the autumn hunt."

Xu Nuo remained silent.

He mentally reviewed Shen Qingyi's information. An icy beauty, unruly and rebellious. She definitely wouldn't let this go after he tricked her at Zuixianlou yesterday.

Want to kill him?

Then let's see whose knife is harder.

A series of heavy footsteps came from outside the tent.

Lin Hu lifted the tent flap and strode in.

"Young Master, the people from the Marquis of Changxing's residence have arrived." Lin Hu grinned, "They brought more than a dozen large carts."

Xu Nuo stood up and straightened his cuffs.

"Let's go collect the debts."

On the drill ground.

More than a hundred private soldiers from the Marquis's mansion were hung from wooden stakes, swaying in the wind. The early autumn wind was chilly, and these men, stripped down to their underwear, were so cold that their lips turned purple, and they didn't even have the strength to howl.

Zhang Fu, the chief steward of the Marquis of Changxing's mansion, stood below the reviewing stand, his face ashen.

Behind him were more than a dozen horse-drawn carriages filled with large wooden crates.

Xu Nuo stepped onto the command platform and looked down at Zhang Fu.

"Young Master Xu," Zhang Fu said through gritted teeth, bowing slightly, "one million two hundred thousand taels of silver, not a penny less. The Marquis has sent this old servant to collect the person."

Xu Nuo raised his chin.

Lin Hu led his men forward and pried open the wooden boxes one by one. Neatly arranged, gleaming silver ingots were revealed.

After the inventory was completed, Lin Huchong nodded in agreement.

"Release them," Xu Nuo said calmly.

The guards drew their swords and cut the cowhide rope.

Thump. Thump.

More than a hundred private soldiers were thrown to the ground like dumplings being dropped into a pot, unable to get up for a long time.

Zhang Fu waved his hand, and the servants of the Marquis's mansion quickly stepped forward to lift the half-dead private soldiers onto the carriage.

Before leaving, Zhang Fu stopped and looked coldly at Xu Nuo.

"Young Master, you have quite the methods," Zhang Fu said in a somber voice. "However, the Marquis sent this old servant with a message: the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will have to return this money sooner or later, with interest. We'll meet again someday, Young Master, so be careful."

Xu Nuo smiled.

He suddenly reached out and pulled out the long knife from Lin Hu's waist.

Without any warning, Xu Nuo flicked his wrist.

The longsword transformed into a blinding flash of cold light, instantly traversing a distance of more than ten steps.

boom!

The long sword pierced straight through the shaft of the carriage next to Zhang Fu, with most of the blade embedded in it. The hilt trembled violently and made a buzzing sound.

Zhang Fu was so frightened that he trembled all over, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Go back and tell Zhang Fu," Xu Nuo looked down at him, "If you dare to provoke me again, the next person sent to the Marquis's mansion will be his grandson's head. Get out."

Zhang Fu scrambled to his feet, crawled into the carriage, and led the caravan in a hasty escape.

Night. The master tent.

The 1.2 million taels of silver were transported by Lin Hu to Wanbaoge that afternoon and exchanged for 120,000 low-grade spirit stones.

At this moment, 120,000 spirit stones were piled up into a small mountain inside the tent.

The rich spiritual energy almost materialized into a tangible white mist.

Xu Nuo sat cross-legged in front of the pile of spirit stones, his hands forming a mudra.

The Ancient Dragon-Summoning Technique was operating at full speed.

The jade pendant on his chest was burning hot. The ancient dragon soul within him let out a greedy roar.

boom!

A terrifying suction force erupted.

The 120,000 spirit stones lit up simultaneously, and a massive amount of spiritual energy transformed into a liquid torrent, surging wildly into Xu Nuo's meridians through his pores.

The bones made a popping sound like popping beans.

Dark golden energy flowed across his body, transforming into illusory dragon scales.

The ninth dragon pattern slowly emerged in the dantian, transforming from a phantom to a solid form.

Middle stage of third grade.

Late stage of the third rank.

A violent force surged through his body, and Xu Nuo gritted his teeth, guiding this force to continuously cleanse his meridians.

Click.

The Spirit Stone Mountain in front of them turned grayish-white at a visible speed, eventually turning into a pile of dust.

Xu Nuo opened her eyes.

The dark gold vertical pupils in his eyes flashed by in an instant.

He clenched his fist, feeling the power within him that was enough to destroy everything.

Peak of the third rank.

He was just one step away from reaching the second rank.

Twelve thousand spirit stones, gone just like that. This cultivation technique is powerful, but it's practically a bottomless pit.

However, with this level of cultivation, he'll see who the prey is tomorrow during the autumn hunt.

three days later.

Xishan Camp, Xiaoji Camp Training Ground.

Hundreds of young soldiers stood ramrod straight. Although their legs were still trembling, no one dared to move an inch.

For the past three days, Lin Hu, along with veteran soldiers of the Zhenbei Army, has been relentlessly training this group of spoiled brats. Anyone who dares to cause trouble has their legs broken and is thrown out.

Niu Dachun, with his arm in a sling, stood at the very front, barely daring to breathe.

The palace eunuchs arrived with the imperial edict.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Tomorrow, the Imperial Autumn Hunt will take place. The Valiant Cavalry Battalion is to be responsible for guarding the perimeter of the Western Hills hunting grounds. So be it."

After reading the imperial edict, the old eunuch looked at Xu Nuo with a forced smile.

"Young Master Xu, receive the decree." The old eunuch lowered his voice. "His Majesty said that this autumn hunt concerns the face of the royal family. If even one assassin is allowed to enter the outer perimeter, you will be held accountable."

Xu Nuo accepted the imperial edict and weighed it in his hand.

This isn't a warning; it's like drawing a target on his forehead.

The old emperor was determined to test his abilities.

"Your subject obeys the decree," Xu Nuo replied calmly.

The next morning.

West Mountain Hunting Grounds.

Banners covered the sky, and armored soldiers were as numerous as clouds.

The emperor's imperial carriage stopped on the high platform. Below were civil and military officials and nobles from all walks of life.

Xu Nuo rode a black horse and led the elite cavalry to set up defenses on the outer perimeter.

Although these young soldiers were of poor quality, after being disciplined by Xu Nuo for a few days, they now wore armor and weapons, and had at least a semblance of a menacing aura.

In the distance, the Second Prince Li Chengqian rode a white horse and slowly approached, surrounded by a group of guards.

Beside him was Shen Qingyi, dressed in a blue robe.

Shen Qingyi rode a chestnut horse, her face was aloof, and she carried an ancient sword on her back.

The two passed by the promised defense zone.

Li Chengqian reined in his horse and looked down at Xu Nuo.

"Young Master Xu, you've been leading this elite cavalry battalion for a few days now, and it's starting to look quite impressive." Li Chengqian's lips curled into a mocking smile. "However, the wind is strong outside, so you must be careful not to get hurt by any stray arrows."

Xu Nuo sat on horseback, not even lifting his eyelids.

"Your Highness, you only need to worry about yourself," Xu Nuo said calmly. "The wild beasts in the forest, when they're starving, can bite."

Shen Qingyi looked at Xu Nuo coldly.

"I promise." Shen Qingyi's voice was clear and crisp, revealing undisguised killing intent. "Your life is mine to take today."

Xu Nuo finally raised her head, her gaze falling on Shen Qingyi's stunningly beautiful face.

He smiled.

"The Holy Maiden's temper is still as fierce as ever," Xu Nuo said slowly. "I found that incomplete scroll of the 'Spirit Guiding Technique' quite interesting last time. I wonder what else the Holy Maiden is planning to give me today?"

Shen Qingyi's eyes turned cold, and she placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.

Azure energy swirled around his fingertips.

Li Chengqian pressed down on her wrist and shook his head slightly.

"Let's go," Li Chengqian sneered. "There's no need to listen to the words of a dead man."

The two rode away.

Xu Nuo watched their retreating figures and stroked her chin.

"Lin Hu".

"exist!"

"Pass down the order: everyone, be alert!" Xu Nuo's eyes turned cold. "Today, anyone who dares to force their way into our defense zone, unless they're wearing a yellow robe, will be shot."

"promise!"

The autumn hunt has officially begun.

The dull sound of horns echoed through the mountains and forests.

Xun Gui's sons rushed into the hunting grounds with a whooshing sound, arrows whistling through the air.

Xu Nuo led his men to patrol the perimeter.

Li Wanning appeared out of nowhere, dressed in a fiery red hunting outfit, riding a small pony, and holding an exquisite short bow in his hand.

"Why are you here too?" Xu Nuo frowned.

"My father sent me," Li Wanning said, pursing his lips. "He said he wanted me to see what it was like. How's it going on your end?"

"It's alright." Xu Nuo looked at the deep mountain forest.

Suddenly, a flock of birds took flight from the forest.

A slight tremor came from the ground.

Xu Nuo suddenly turned his head.

Not a beast.

It was the sound of horses' hooves. And the sound of heavily armored cavalry.

Why are there heavily armored cavalry on the outskirts of the Xishan hunting grounds?

Xu Nuo drew his long sword.

"Form ranks!"

Although the soldiers of the Valiant Cavalry were in a panic, they managed to raise their spears under the pressure of the veteran soldiers of the Northern Garrison.

At the edge of the woods, dozens of heavily armored cavalrymen charged out like ghosts.

There was no flag, no unit number.

Both men and horses were encased in heavy black iron armor, with only pairs of cold eyes visible.

They came straight for the promise.

The deadly trap has begun.

Xu Nuo looked at the black-armored knight charging at the front and felt the violent aura emanating from him.

Peak of the third rank.

The second prince really went to great lengths to kill him.

"Protect the Crown Prince!" Lin Hu roared, leading his guards to charge forward.

"Step back."

He promised to dismount.

He planted the long sword in the ground and stretched his wrist.

Dark golden energy exploded beneath their feet, instantly turning the grass into dust.

Xu Nuo raised his head, looking at the approaching heavy cavalry, a cruel smile curving his lips.

He was worried about having nowhere to vent his newly acquired cultivation level.

A punching bag delivered to your door—why not take it?

boom!

Xu Nuo transformed into a streak of dark golden light, advancing instead of retreating, and directly crashed into the black-armored knight at the forefront.

There were no fancy moves.

Pure, overwhelming force.

Xu Nuo's fist slammed hard into the black-armored knight's chest.

The deafening sound of metal shattering echoed through the mountains and forests.

The heavy steel breastplate dented and shattered instantly, as if it were made of paper.

The man and his horse were sent flying backward by the punch, knocking over three or four riders who were following behind.

Fresh blood mixed with pieces of internal organs sprayed into the air.

One punch.

Both men and horses were shattered.

The remaining black-armored knights suddenly pulled on the reins, and their warhorses let out terrified neighs.

As they looked at Xu Nuo standing in a pool of blood, fear finally appeared in their eyes.

Xu Nuo shook the blood off his hands and pulled out the long knife from the ground.

"Is this all you've got? You dare to try and kill me?" Xu Nuo dragged his long sword and walked step by step toward the remaining black-armored knights.

The tip of the knife carved a deep trench in the ground.

Dark golden dragon-shaped energy swirled and roared behind him.

"None of you are leaving here today."