Chapter Sixty-One: My Qingyun

This time, more than a dozen people had arrived, primarily representatives from three factions: Desert Wind King Nangong Ao Shi, the military, and the Ministry of Education. No others were permitted entry.

In an instant, all those present—some angry, some sorrowful—turned their gaze toward Nangong Ao Shi.

“Wind… Wind King, the ‘little one’ you mentioned?” Nan Yutong’s voice trembled as she looked at Desert Wind King Nangong Ao Shi.

“Who else could it be? Our own Qingyun.”

For the first time, Desert Wind King Nangong Ao Shi spoke of Lin Qingyun; and from the very first words, it was “our Qingyun.” The statement made several people gasp, silently acknowledging that their earlier suspicions had been correct.

If Lin Qingyun were to marry Nangong Lingyue, he would become their son-in-law. If not, Nangong Ao Shi would still treat him as his own son. Yet Ao Shi had never spoken of him until now.

“A bit of mischief between children is fine. When you return, pass my message to those people back home. However they quarrel, I won’t interfere. But if anyone tries to bully by force, they’ll have to deal with me first. Otherwise, no amount of authority will help them.” At that moment, Nangong Ao Shi made his intentions clear, issuing a direct warning for all to relay.

Who the warning targeted was obvious only to those who harbored designs against Lin Qingyun.

“He… he’s hiding inside the ruins? No wonder. Only within the ruins could he escape that mutated heavenly calamity…” Some were shocked by Nangong Ao Shi’s warning, others astonished at Lin Qingyun’s survival strategy at such a perilous moment.

Their astonishment was so great that even Qin Xiong and Feng Shouyi, who moments before had declared Lin Qingyun’s death inevitable, now felt their faces flush with embarrassment.

They had not considered such a possibility; seeing no sign of life, they had mourned his presumed demise. As for how Lin Qingyun managed to enter the ruins amid the beast tide, with monsters everywhere, those answers would have to come from Lin Qingyun himself.

If the Wind King said it was so, then it could not be wrong.

“The ruins were previously assessed as C-grade, meaning the maximum allowed strength is the Cloud Ascension Realm. I’m going in.” Nan Yutong, upon hearing Lin Qingyun was alive and hiding in the ruins, instantly prepared to rush in to rescue him.

“If you go in now, it’s certain death.” Nangong Ao Shi raised a hand to stop Nan Yutong just as she was about to enter.

“If Lin Qingyun can survive in there, I may face danger, but not certain death. I may not be as strong as the Wind King, but in a C-grade ruin—a small world capped at Cloud Ascension Realm—I am confident I can hold my own. Even if those creatures, Zhu Yan and Earth Qilin, who emerged from the ruins are the top powerhouses of their small world, I believe I can face them.” Nan Yutong was skeptical at being told that entering meant certain death.

She was only one step from the Radiant Sun Realm; as vice president of Haicheng University, she was second only to the old president and Principal Hong, and ranked among the top thirty Cloud Ascension Realm cultivators in China.

Nangong Ao Shi replied calmly, “Now, outside the ruin’s gateway, there are over a million beasts, their numbers still increasing. Among them, thousands are demon beasts, their numbers rising as well. At least a dozen top-tier demon clans, not weaker than you, cover the surrounding hundred-mile area. Unless an army attacks, entering their territory means facing endless reinforcements. Do you think you stand a chance?”

At these words, even Nan Yutong, despite her confidence, fell silent.

In such circumstances, not even Minister Feng or General Qin could survive if they entered. In fact, even a Radiant Sun Realm expert could not face thousands of demon clans alone, let alone a million beasts.

Only someone like Desert Wind King Nangong Ao Shi, a super powerhouse, might manage. But not even Ao Shi, nor General Qin or Minister Feng, could force their way in; if they tried, two outcomes awaited: either annihilation by the world’s rules, or causing the small world to collapse.

“How did Lin Qingyun survive?” Hearing her father’s grave words, Nangong Lingyue asked in surprise.

Her question drew everyone’s attention to Nangong Ao Shi.

“That kid can run. He fled deep into the ruins, hundreds of miles away, into a remote mountain. The beasts are focused near the gateway, so in his area, only a pack of demon wolves has noticed him and is hunting him. But those wolves aren’t particularly strong; the strongest barely rivals a ninth-level Heartstring Realm beast.” Nangong Ao Shi spoke with some surprise.

“He probably entered right as the thunder calamity began, when the beasts were distracted by the calamity and avoided the area, giving him a chance. But it’s risky; if the gateway closes, he’ll be trapped alone. Right now, the powerful demon clans are gathered near the gateway—unless an army enters…” Nangong Lingyue speculated.

Her guess was that Lin Qingyun entered as the thunder calamity began, while in truth he entered after it had ended. However, the general situation was much as she had guessed.

With the thunder calamity just finished, the beasts in the ruins kept far away, allowing Lin Qingyun to penetrate deeper.

Feng Shouyi frowned, “Let’s set aside how he got in for now. We need to figure out how to rescue him. These gateways are time-limited, especially those that open naturally…”

Feng Shouyi stepped forward, his expression grave, forming seals as streams of light flowed into the swirling gateway, gradually forming a rotating barrier around its edge.

After about ten seconds, there was a loud bang—the barrier shattered.

“This gateway was supposed to remain open for a day, but it seems to have been hit by thunder calamity, making the spatial stability very poor. It will dissipate in about an hour. To reopen it, a grand formation must be set up to stabilize the space; at least one year will be needed before it can be reopened. Forcing it now risks collapse.”

Feng Shouyi might not be a super powerhouse, but as Deputy Minister of Education, he was learned in many fields. His seemingly simple investigation had involved many disciplines.

In fact, Feng Shouyi had participated in the stabilization and construction of many ruin gateways throughout China.

After assessing the gateway, his expression grew even more serious.

“An hour, a year to reopen… What a joke! No, Haicheng University’s students must be rescued—that’s our responsibility.” Upon hearing Feng Shouyi, Nan Yutong grew anxious.

Dangerous as it might be, she could not abandon Lin Qingyun.

When the ruins opened, Zhu Yan and Earth Qilin suddenly fought, thunder calamity struck, and many freshmen died. That was uncontrollable, and their pain had to be endured.

But now, knowing Lin Qingyun was in peril, she would not abandon him.

“Principal Nan, don’t worry. If the Wind King said so, do you think he’ll give up?” General Qin was the calmest, gently patting Nan Yutong’s shoulder to comfort her.

Feng Shouyi and Nangong Lingyue also looked to Nangong Ao Shi. If anyone could rescue Lin Qingyun in such a short time within the small world’s limits, only Nangong Ao Shi could.

He was, after all, a regional overlord, a super powerhouse. If even he had no way, Lin Qingyun’s fate would be left to chance.

“Lingyue, you go in and rescue him.” To everyone’s surprise, Nangong Ao Shi suddenly turned to Nangong Lingyue.

His voice was gentle, his eyes filled with worry and affection, yet his decision was resolute and unwavering.

“Ah… Me?” Nangong Lingyue was surprised. She knew her father would not abandon the rescue, but had not expected to be chosen herself.

No one else had expected it either—not Feng Shouyi, General Qin, nor Nan Yutong.

“Wind King, this… this seems unwise…” Feng Shouyi was uncertain how to respond. The Wind King had just made it a family matter, but this seemed excessive.

Nan Yutong, though eager to save Lin Qingyun, frowned, “Wind King, you yourself said that even a top Cloud Ascension Realm expert would not survive, even with several together. Now you want Nangong Lingyue to go in—she’s only at the Heartstring Realm.”

Nangong Lingyue was outstanding, a prodigy rare in a century, but even so, the gap was immense.

Nan Yutong could not fathom why Desert Wind King Nangong Ao Shi, after forbidding her entry, would now send his own daughter.

“Lingyue may only be at Heartstring Realm, but she has my bloodline. Only she can carry my power into the ruins. With my power, even within a small world capped at Cloud Ascension Realm, she can surpass ordinary Cloud Ascension experts; at certain moments, she might even burst forth with Radiant Sun Realm strength.”

Nangong Ao Shi instructed Nangong Lingyue, “But remember, unless absolutely necessary, do not exceed the world’s limit. If you use such power, the small world will reject you, and you may draw a thunder calamity to erase you. Power beyond the world’s limit is forbidden by heaven and earth.”

As he spoke, the Wind King raised a hand; the wind wings that had earlier rescued Nangong Lingyue flew to her once again, and a faint blood-red glow infused her body.

“Bloodline and cultivation methods will let you briefly endure these powers. But once you reach the safe zone, use them sparingly. Excessive use will harm you.”

Even clad in armor, the pain and reluctance in Desert Wind King Nangong Ao Shi’s eyes were unmistakable. If such means could be used freely, the offspring of super powerhouses could unleash forbidden strength at will.

“Lingyue, you are the apple of my eye. You may choose for yourself, but…”

“Dad, I understand.” This time, before Nangong Ao Shi could finish, Nangong Lingyue smiled, holding his hand. “Don’t worry. I dislike being ordered around, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know gratitude. The Nangong family repays kindness, and besides, your bond with Uncle Lin is a matter of life and death. We’re family, after all.”

Even when Nan Yutong wanted to go in, Nangong Ao Shi had stopped her, saying it was too dangerous. Yet now, sending his own daughter, Nangong Lingyue showed no hesitation.

“She can’t go alone. I’ll accompany her…” Nan Yutong still felt uneasy.

But before she could finish, Nangong Lingyue had already activated her father’s wind wings and moved to the gateway. Nan Yutong tried to follow, but found herself unable to move—where Desert Wind King Nangong Ao Shi stood, no one entered unless he permitted.

“Don’t worry. Wait a little longer—I will create an opportunity for you.” Not only did Nangong Ao Shi restrain Nan Yutong, he also instructed Nangong Lingyue, who was about to enter, to wait a moment longer.